tass--2020-08-08--Moscow, Moscow Region account for one-third of crimes committed by migrants in Russia

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Migrants committed about 18,000 crimes in Russia in the first half of this @ @ @ @ @ 4 % less compared to the same period last year .
One-third of them were @ @ @ @ @ Moscow region , the Russian Prosecutor-General ’ s Office said in a report on the @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The number of crimes committed by migrants ( 17,977 ) dropped by 3.8 @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
Moscow and the Moscow Region account for one-third of crimes committed by migrants @ @ @ @ @ respectively ] , '' the report said .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. Migrants committed about 18,000 crimes in Russia in the first half of this year, which is almost 4% less compared to the same period last year. One-third of them were committed in Moscow and the Moscow region, the Russian Prosecutor-General’s Office said in a report on the crime situation in January-June 2020.
"The number of crimes committed by migrants (17,977) dropped by 3.8% from January to June 2020. Moscow and the Moscow Region account for one-third of crimes committed by migrants - 3,312 and 2,758 [respectively]," the report said.


tass--2020-08-08--Number of terrorism-related crimes in Russia grew in first half of 2020

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
The number of registered terrorism-and extremism-related crimes in Russia grew in the first @ @ @ @ @ the Prosecutor-General ’ s Office has said .
`` It is noteworthy that the number @ @ @ @ @ 21.7 % .
Most of them were committed in the North Caucasus Federal District ( @ @ @ @ @ , '' its report said .
According to the Russian Prosecutor-General ’ s Office , @ @ @ @ @ increase in the number of criminal cases opened into organizing illegal armed groups or involvement @ @ @ @ @ activities of terrorist organizations and participation in the activities of such organizations .
It also @ @ @ @ @ of extremist crimes had been committed with the use of the Internet ( 262 out @ @ @ @ @ total number grew by more than 40 % .
`` Every second such crime is @ @ @ @ @ extremist activities , '' the Prosecutor-General ’ s Office said .
Most of these crimes @ @ @ @ @ District and the Volga Federal District .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. The number of registered terrorism-and extremism-related crimes in Russia grew in the first half of this year, the Prosecutor-General’s Office has said.
"It is noteworthy that the number of terrorism-related crimes grew by 21.7%. Most of them were committed in the North Caucasus Federal District (550 out of 1,183)," its report said.
According to the Russian Prosecutor-General’s Office, this trend stems from an increase in the number of criminal cases opened into organizing illegal armed groups or involvement in them, organizing the activities of terrorist organizations and participation in the activities of such organizations.
It also noted that almost 60% of extremist crimes had been committed with the use of the Internet (262 out of 442), their total number grew by more than 40%. "Every second such crime is related to public calls for extremist activities," the Prosecutor-General’s Office said. Most of these crimes were registered the Central Federal District and the Volga Federal District.


tass--2020-08-08--Leaders of US, France, Lebanon to have online talks on situation in Beirut — Trump

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
The leaders of the United States , France , Lebanon and other countries will hold an online meeting to discuss the situation in Beirut , where a vast section of the city was damaged by a powerful blast on August 4 , US President Donald Trump said on his Twitter page .
`` We will be having a conference call on Sunday with President Macron , leaders of Lebanon , and leaders from various other parts of the world .
Everyone wants to help ! ''
Trump said .
He also said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with humanitarian aid and specialists to Lebanon .
Macron , who visited the blast-hit districts of Beirut on Thursday , announced plans to organize an international conference under the UN aegis to raise funds for Lebanon .
Earlier , the French presidential administration told TASS the date of the international aid conference , proposed by Marcron , is yet to be set .
At the same time , European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer said the conference would take place on Sunday , August 9 , in the form of a video linkup .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ area near the Lebanese Navy ’ s base on August 4 , sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars , while more than 300,000 people were left without homes .
At least 154 people died and 5,000 were injured , dozens are still listed as missing .
Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs service six years @ @

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. The leaders of the United States, France, Lebanon and other countries will hold an online meeting to discuss the situation in Beirut, where a vast section of the city was damaged by a powerful blast on August 4, US President Donald Trump said on his Twitter page.
"We will be having a conference call on Sunday with President Macron, leaders of Lebanon, and leaders from various other parts of the world. Everyone wants to help!" Trump said.
He also said the United States has already sent three planes with humanitarian aid and specialists to Lebanon.
Macron, who visited the blast-hit districts of Beirut on Thursday, announced plans to organize an international conference under the UN aegis to raise funds for Lebanon. Earlier, the French presidential administration told TASS the date of the international aid conference, proposed by Marcron, is yet to be set. At the same time, European Commission spokesman Eric Mamer said the conference would take place on Sunday, August 9, in the form of a video linkup.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy’s base on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars, while more than 300,000 people were left without homes. At least 154 people died and 5,000 were injured, dozens are still listed as missing. Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs service six years ago.


tass--2020-08-08--Russian rescuers find another body under rubble in Beirut

BEIRUT , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russian emergency ministry rescuers taking part in the search and rescue effort in the Lebanese capital of Beirut , hit by a powerful blast on Monday , have pulled another body from the rubble of a collapsed building , the crisis center told TASS on Saturday .
`` Emergencies ministry rescuers found the body of the fourth victim at the site of the collapsed silo in the port of Beirut , '' a spokesperson said .
Russian rescuers arrived in Beirut on August 5 .
More than 100 Russian specialists are working in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Russian Emergencies Ministry ’ s Tsentrospas team is working at a stadium nearby .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy ’ s base on August 4 , sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars , while more than 300,000 people were left without homes .
At least 154 people died and 5,000 were injured , dozens are still listed as missing .
Local authorities say the blast was caused by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ammonium nitrate , stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs service six years ago .

BEIRUT, August 8. /TASS/. Russian emergency ministry rescuers taking part in the search and rescue effort in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, hit by a powerful blast on Monday, have pulled another body from the rubble of a collapsed building, the crisis center told TASS on Saturday.
"Emergencies ministry rescuers found the body of the fourth victim at the site of the collapsed silo in the port of Beirut," a spokesperson said.
Russian rescuers arrived in Beirut on August 5. More than 100 Russian specialists are working in the disaster zone. A mobile hospital of the Russian Emergencies Ministry’s Tsentrospas team is working at a stadium nearby.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy’s base on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars, while more than 300,000 people were left without homes. At least 154 people died and 5,000 were injured, dozens are still listed as missing. Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs service six years ago.


tass--2020-08-08--South Ossetian residents light candles in memory of 2008 war victims

TSKHINVAL , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
More than 2,000 residents of South Ossetia participated in a memorial event to remember victims of Georgia ’ s attack on South Ossetia in 2008 , a TASS correspondent reported .
On August 7 and 8 , South Ossetia marks 12th anniversary of Georgia ’ s assault .
`` Twelve years are not a short period of time .
During this time , we have been living a peaceful life , when our children do not hear blasts and parents don ’ t have to hide them in basements .
By this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road , fighting for decades for the right to self-determination and the right to live on our historical land , '' President Anatoly Bibilov said during the memorial ceremony .
During the event , about 600 photographs of Georgian aggression ’ s victims - civilians , Russian and South Ossetian soldiers - were installed at the ‘ Wall of Memory ’ erected at the main square of the country ’ s capital Tskhinval .
Residents brought candles to stone pedestals in the form of bloodstained rocks , installed near the wall .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two tragic dates - the 12th anniversary of Georgia ’ s August aggression and the 100th anniversary of genocide of Osetians , '' Bibilov said .
On August 8 , 2008 Georgia mounted an overnight armed attack against South Ossetia .
Russia intervened to protect civilians and its peacekeepers .
In the five-day armed clash , more than one thousand people , including 72 Russian peacekeepers , lost their lives .
On August 26 , 2008 Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia .

TSKHINVAL, August 8. /TASS/. More than 2,000 residents of South Ossetia participated in a memorial event to remember victims of Georgia’s attack on South Ossetia in 2008, a TASS correspondent reported.
On August 7 and 8, South Ossetia marks 12th anniversary of Georgia’s assault.
"Twelve years are not a short period of time. During this time, we have been living a peaceful life, when our children do not hear blasts and parents don’t have to hide them in basements. By this time, South Ossetia has walked a long road, fighting for decades for the right to self-determination and the right to live on our historical land," President Anatoly Bibilov said during the memorial ceremony.
During the event, about 600 photographs of Georgian aggression’s victims - civilians, Russian and South Ossetian soldiers - were installed at the ‘Wall of Memory’ erected at the main square of the country’s capital Tskhinval. Residents brought candles to stone pedestals in the form of bloodstained rocks, installed near the wall.
"Today’s event is devoted to two tragic dates - the 12th anniversary of Georgia’s August aggression and the 100th anniversary of genocide of Osetians," Bibilov said.
On August 8, 2008 Georgia mounted an overnight armed attack against South Ossetia. Russia intervened to protect civilians and its peacekeepers. In the five-day armed clash, more than one thousand people, including 72 Russian peacekeepers, lost their lives. On August 26, 2008 Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.


tass--2020-08-08--Number of coronavirus cases worldwide grows by 1.8 million in past week

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
The number of novel coronavirus cases worldwide increased by 1.8 million in the past seven days - the biggest-ever weekly figures reported since the start of the pandemic .
More than 19.1 million people all over the world have so far been diagnosed with the illness , or 0.2 % of the global population .
The Americas and Asia remain the hotbeds of the pandemic .
The situation is particularly difficult in Latin American countries , which hold five spots in the top ten of the hardest-hit countries .
The infection also started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe , where the authorities are forced to reintroduce epidemiological restrictions .
Preliminary mortality figures , however , declined to their lowest of 3.7 % .
The world ’ s overall novel coronavirus death toll currently stands at about 715,000 .
The number of convalescents , on the contrary , has been increasing rapidly .
About 1.4 million coronavirus patients have already recovered , which is the highest weekly number since the start of the pandemic .
In total , 11.6 million people - or more than 60 % of the overall number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Among the hardest-hit countries , the infection is spreading most rapidly in India , Colombia and Argentina .
Colombia , which is the ninth most-affected country worldwide , recorded the growth of 25 % in the past week , to about 357,700 cases in total .
In India , the third hardest-hit country , the overall number of confirmed cases increased by 23.5 % in the reported period , exceeding 2 million .
The number of cases in Argentina grew by 23 % in the past seven days , to 228,000 people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ above 20 % for the second consecutive month despite strict measures to contain the infection .
The United States remains the hardest-hit country , with some 4.8 million confirmed cases .
The number of injured increased by 8.5 % in the past seven days , compared to 11 % in the previous week .
The country reports about 60,000 new cases daily , which is twice as much as was recorded during the peak of the outbreak in April .
The spread of the infection slowed down slightly in Brazil , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Staets .
The weekly increase in new cases stood at 11.6 % in the past seven days , compared to 14 % a week earlier .
Russia is the fourth worst-affected country , with 877,135 confirmed cases overall .
It is followed by South Africa , where the number of infected increased by 18 % in the past week to reach about 482,000 .
In Europe , the situation has been particularly worrying in Spain and France , where the number of cases started to increase again since mid-July .
The weekly growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 % in the past week ( almost 315,000 cases in total ) , while in France , the figure grew from 4 % to 5.6 % in the reported period ( some 195,600 cases in total ) .
The infection claimed the lives of more than 42,000 people worldwide in the past week .
However , preliminary mortality figures continue to decline .
In the past seven days , global mortality decreased by 0.2 percentage points and now stands at 3.7 % .
The United States and Brazil account for the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths , respectively .
Mexico , where the number of dead has increased to 50,500 , is also among the hardest-hit countries .
The countries with the highest death rates per 100,000 population are San Marino ( 124 ) , Belgium ( 621 ) and the United Kingdom ( 454 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
To date , 877,135 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , 14,725 of them fatal .
In all , 683,592 patients have recovered which makes up 77.9 % of the total COVID-19 case tally in the country .
Russia ’ s death rate per 100,000 population is 10 .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. The number of novel coronavirus cases worldwide increased by 1.8 million in the past seven days - the biggest-ever weekly figures reported since the start of the pandemic.
More than 19.1 million people all over the world have so far been diagnosed with the illness, or 0.2% of the global population.
The Americas and Asia remain the hotbeds of the pandemic. The situation is particularly difficult in Latin American countries, which hold five spots in the top ten of the hardest-hit countries. The infection also started to gain momentum in western and southern Europe, where the authorities are forced to reintroduce epidemiological restrictions.
Preliminary mortality figures, however, declined to their lowest of 3.7%. The world’s overall novel coronavirus death toll currently stands at about 715,000.
The number of convalescents, on the contrary, has been increasing rapidly. About 1.4 million coronavirus patients have already recovered, which is the highest weekly number since the start of the pandemic. In total, 11.6 million people - or more than 60% of the overall number of cases - have already recovered.
Among the hardest-hit countries, the infection is spreading most rapidly in India, Colombia and Argentina. Colombia, which is the ninth most-affected country worldwide, recorded the growth of 25% in the past week, to about 357,700 cases in total. In India, the third hardest-hit country, the overall number of confirmed cases increased by 23.5% in the reported period, exceeding 2 million.
The number of cases in Argentina grew by 23% in the past seven days, to 228,000 people. The country’s weekly increase remains above 20% for the second consecutive month despite strict measures to contain the infection.
The United States remains the hardest-hit country, with some 4.8 million confirmed cases. The number of injured increased by 8.5% in the past seven days, compared to 11% in the previous week. The country reports about 60,000 new cases daily, which is twice as much as was recorded during the peak of the outbreak in April.
The spread of the infection slowed down slightly in Brazil, which is the second hardest-hit country after the United Staets. The weekly increase in new cases stood at 11.6% in the past seven days, compared to 14% a week earlier.
Russia is the fourth worst-affected country, with 877,135 confirmed cases overall. It is followed by South Africa, where the number of infected increased by 18% in the past week to reach about 482,000.
In Europe, the situation has been particularly worrying in Spain and France, where the number of cases started to increase again since mid-July. The weekly growth in Spain increased from 4.8% to 6% in the past week (almost 315,000 cases in total), while in France, the figure grew from 4% to 5.6% in the reported period (some 195,600 cases in total).
The infection claimed the lives of more than 42,000 people worldwide in the past week. However, preliminary mortality figures continue to decline. In the past seven days, global mortality decreased by 0.2 percentage points and now stands at 3.7%.
The United States and Brazil account for the majority of fatalities - about 160,000 and 98,000 deaths, respectively. Mexico, where the number of dead has increased to 50,500, is also among the hardest-hit countries.
The countries with the highest death rates per 100,000 population are San Marino (124), Belgium (621) and the United Kingdom (454).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported in every corner of the globe. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
To date, 877,135 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, 14,725 of them fatal. In all, 683,592 patients have recovered which makes up 77.9% of the total COVID-19 case tally in the country. Russia’s death rate per 100,000 population is 10.


tass--2020-08-08--Trump vows to quickly achieve deals with Iran, N. Korea if re-elected

WASHINGTON , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump said that if re-elected , he would achieve agreements with Iran and North Korea ‘ very quickly.
’ '' If and when we win , we will make deals with Iran very quickly .
We 'll make deals with North Korea very quickly , '' the US leader told reporters in Bedminster , New Jersey , on Friday .
`` If I didn ’ t win the election in 2016 , our country would be - maybe it would be over by now - in war with North Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been at war with North Korea , and it would have been a very bad war . ''
`` And we have relationship with North Korea , which is something < … > never established by the previous administration , '' Trump added .
Speaking about Iran , Trump said the Islamic Republic `` is dying to make a deal '' with the United States .
The first-ever US-North Korea summit took place in Singapore on June 12 , 2018 , when US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undertook certain denuclearization commitments in exchange for security guarantees from Washington .
Another US-North Korean summit in Hanoi in February 2019 turned futile .
The two leaders had a brief meeting in Panmunjeom , a village on the border between two Koreas , on June 30 , 2019 and agreed to resume working-level consultations on denuclearization .
Under this agreement , US and North Korean delegations met in Stockholm on October 5 to discuss ways to normalize bilateral relations .
However they failed to establish dialogue .
Relations between the United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on Iran ’ s nuclear program on May 8 , 2018 and resumption of US economic sanctions against Tehran , including in the oil export sphere .
At the same time , Trump said on many occasions he was ready to resume dialogue with the Iranian authorities .
In his words , Washington would like to see the JCPOA deal replaced with another agreement to encompass not only Iran ’ s nuclear program , but also a wide range of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile program and regional policies .

WASHINGTON, August 8. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump said that if re-elected, he would achieve agreements with Iran and North Korea ‘very quickly.’
"If and when we win, we will make deals with Iran very quickly. We'll make deals with North Korea very quickly," the US leader told reporters in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Friday.
"If I didn’t win the election in 2016, our country would be - maybe it would be over by now - in war with North Korea," he continued. "You would have been at war with North Korea, and it would have been a very bad war."
"And we have relationship with North Korea, which is something <…> never established by the previous administration," Trump added.
Speaking about Iran, Trump said the Islamic Republic "is dying to make a deal" with the United States.
The first-ever US-North Korea summit took place in Singapore on June 12, 2018, when US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a joint declaration. Pyongyang undertook certain denuclearization commitments in exchange for security guarantees from Washington. Another US-North Korean summit in Hanoi in February 2019 turned futile. The two leaders had a brief meeting in Panmunjeom, a village on the border between two Koreas, on June 30, 2019 and agreed to resume working-level consultations on denuclearization. Under this agreement, US and North Korean delegations met in Stockholm on October 5 to discuss ways to normalize bilateral relations. However they failed to establish dialogue.
Relations between the United States and Iran deteriorated sharply following Washington’s unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program on May 8, 2018 and resumption of US economic sanctions against Tehran, including in the oil export sphere. At the same time, Trump said on many occasions he was ready to resume dialogue with the Iranian authorities. In his words, Washington would like to see the JCPOA deal replaced with another agreement to encompass not only Iran’s nuclear program, but also a wide range of other issues, such as Tehran’s missile program and regional policies.


tass--2020-08-08--Russian doctors help 92 people, including 12 children, in Beirut hospital

BEIRUT , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Doctors of the Russian emergencies ministry ’ s mobile hospital in Beirut helped 92 people , including 12 children , in the past two days , the head of the medical service of the ministry ’ s Tsentrospas State Central Airmobile Rescue Team said on Saturday .
`` As of 18:30 August 7 , 79 patients have received treatment .
The two-day total is 92 , including 12 children , '' Alexei Skorobulatov said , adding that the patients were suffering mostly from cuts , bruises and fractures .
On August 6 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency ministry ’ s Tsentrospas unit opened in Beirut ravaged by a major explosion on Monday .
The facility ’ s in-patient ward is operating round the clock and can accommodate 50 people .
The out-patient department can accept up to 200 patients daily and works between 08:00 and 20:00 .
The hospital is operating autonomously and can stay like that for up to 30 days straight .
It has an ICU , operating theatre , diagnosis and consultation units as well as ultrasound , X-ray and EKG departments and a blood lab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated surgeries .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy ’ s base on August 4 , sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars , while more than 300,000 people were left without homes .
At least 154 people died and 5,000 were injured , dozens are still listed as missing .
Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service six years ago .

BEIRUT, August 8. /TASS/. Doctors of the Russian emergencies ministry’s mobile hospital in Beirut helped 92 people, including 12 children, in the past two days, the head of the medical service of the ministry’s Tsentrospas State Central Airmobile Rescue Team said on Saturday.
"As of 18:30 August 7, 79 patients have received treatment. The two-day total is 92, including 12 children," Alexei Skorobulatov said, adding that the patients were suffering mostly from cuts, bruises and fractures.
On August 6, an air mobile hospital of the Russian emergency ministry’s Tsentrospas unit opened in Beirut ravaged by a major explosion on Monday. The facility’s in-patient ward is operating round the clock and can accommodate 50 people. The out-patient department can accept up to 200 patients daily and works between 08:00 and 20:00.
The hospital is operating autonomously and can stay like that for up to 30 days straight. It has an ICU, operating theatre, diagnosis and consultation units as well as ultrasound, X-ray and EKG departments and a blood lab. The hospital is equipped for most complicated surgeries.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy’s base on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars, while more than 300,000 people were left without homes. At least 154 people died and 5,000 were injured, dozens are still listed as missing. Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs service six years ago.


tass--2020-08-08--Trump believes Russia, China are against his re-election

WASHINGTON , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump believes that he is the last person whom Russia and China would like to see as the US president , the US leader told reporters in Bedminster , New Jersey .
`` The last person Russia would like to see in office is Donald Trump , because nobody has been tougher on Russia than I have , '' he said on Friday , adding that China and Iran have the same stance .
The statement came in response to a report by National Counterintelligence and Security Center ( NCSC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US intelligence official , Russia is trying to `` denigrate '' Trump ’ s election rival , former Vice President Joseph Biden .
China and Iran , at the same time , are reluctant to see Trump re-elected , the US official added .
When asked to comment on the reports of alleged foreign interference into the US polls , Trump replied : `` We are going to look at that very closely . ''
The US intelligence services incriminate Russia of meddling in the 2016 US elections .
These alleged influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FBI Robert Mueller for almost two years .
On April 18 , 2019 the US Department of Justice made public his final report where the US special counsellor acknowledged that no collusion has taken place between Russian authorities and the US presidential candidate Donald Trump who had won the election .
Trump himself repeatedly denied suspicions of any wrongful contacts with Russian officials during the election campaign .
Moscow also repeatedly denied rumors of attempts to influence the US elections .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said that as the presidential election approaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of Russia ’ s alleged interference would appear .
`` They certainly have nothing to do with the truth , '' he added .

WASHINGTON, August 8. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump believes that he is the last person whom Russia and China would like to see as the US president, the US leader told reporters in Bedminster, New Jersey.
"The last person Russia would like to see in office is Donald Trump, because nobody has been tougher on Russia than I have," he said on Friday, adding that China and Iran have the same stance.
The statement came in response to a report by National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) Director William Evanina. According to the US intelligence official, Russia is trying to "denigrate" Trump’s election rival, former Vice President Joseph Biden. China and Iran, at the same time, are reluctant to see Trump re-elected, the US official added.
When asked to comment on the reports of alleged foreign interference into the US polls, Trump replied: "We are going to look at that very closely."
The US intelligence services incriminate Russia of meddling in the 2016 US elections. These alleged influence attempts were investigated by former head of FBI Robert Mueller for almost two years. On April 18, 2019 the US Department of Justice made public his final report where the US special counsellor acknowledged that no collusion has taken place between Russian authorities and the US presidential candidate Donald Trump who had won the election. Trump himself repeatedly denied suspicions of any wrongful contacts with Russian officials during the election campaign. Moscow also repeatedly denied rumors of attempts to influence the US elections.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said that as the presidential election approaches, more and more "paranoid reports" of Russia’s alleged interference would appear. "They certainly have nothing to do with the truth," he added.


tass--2020-08-09--Two Russian reporters, cameraman detained in Minsk - TV channel

MOSCOW , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Two correspondents and a cameraman of Russia ’ s Dozhd TV channel were detained in Minsk on Sunday , the TV channel ’ s Telegram channel said .
`` Our correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky and also cameraman Nikolai Antipov were detained in Minsk .
People dressed in civilian clothes and wearing masks forced them to the ground and took them in an unknown direction , '' the statement said .
According to a representative of the headquarters of unregistered candidate Viktor Babariko , the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Maria Kolestinova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had spoken with her in the street .
The Belarusian Interior Ministry has not yet commented on the incident .
Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
The incumbent head of state , Alexander Lukashenko , 65 , is seeking his sixth term in office .
Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu ( Tell the Truth ) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya , housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei @ @

MOSCOW, August 9. /TASS/. Two correspondents and a cameraman of Russia’s Dozhd TV channel were detained in Minsk on Sunday, the TV channel’s Telegram channel said.
"Our correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky and also cameraman Nikolai Antipov were detained in Minsk. People dressed in civilian clothes and wearing masks forced them to the ground and took them in an unknown direction," the statement said.
According to a representative of the headquarters of unregistered candidate Viktor Babariko, the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Maria Kolestinova, the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street.
The Belarusian Interior Ministry has not yet commented on the incident.
Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. The incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth term in office. Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen.


tass--2020-08-09--170 people with fake documents banned entry to Belarus - Lukashenko

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus banned entry for 170 people on Sunday , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ vote .
`` We banned entry to 170 people just this night and in the @ @ @ @ @ fake visas or were unable to explain why they are coming .
< ... > @ @ @ @ @ had expelled from the country .
There were Russians and Ukrainians among these 170 people @ @ @ @ @ from Ukraine and Poland , '' he said .
Meanwhile , Lukashenko explained that given @ @ @ @ @ up monitoring in the Belarusian-Russian border area , but control was not tightened .
Belarus @ @ @ @ @ election since declaring independence in 1991 .
The incumbent head of state , Alexander Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ his sixth term in office .
Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu ( @ @ @ @ @ movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya , housewife @ @ @ @ @ of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. Belarus banned entry for 170 people on Sunday, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko told reporters after casting his vote.
"We banned entry to 170 people just this night and in the morning. They either showed fake visas or were unable to explain why they are coming. <...> There were people whom we had expelled from the country. There were Russians and Ukrainians among these 170 people. Most of them were from Ukraine and Poland," he said.
Meanwhile, Lukashenko explained that given the recent events Belarus stepped up monitoring in the Belarusian-Russian border area, but control was not tightened.
Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. The incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth term in office. Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen.


tass--2020-08-09--Belarusian presidential election recognized as valid - CEC

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
The voter turnout in the Belarusian presidential election exceeded 54 % and the @ @ @ @ @ valid , Head of the Central Election Commission Lidiya Ermoshina said on Sunday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ is valid .
More than 54 % of voters took part in the polls , @ @ @ @ @ election chief noted that the 50 % turnout benchmark had not been reached only in @ @ @ @ @ According to her , the voter turnout in the capital was 43 % .
`` @ @ @ @ @ here and are standing in the lines . ''
Meanwhile , in the Gomel and @ @ @ @ @ 60 % .
Five candidates are running for president in Belarus - incumbent head of @ @ @ @ @ of the Govori Pravdu ( Tell the Truth ) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former @ @ @ @ @ house Anna Kanopatskaya , housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic @ @ @ @ @ , 65 , is seeking his sixth presidential term .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. The voter turnout in the Belarusian presidential election exceeded 54% and the polls can be recognized as valid, Head of the Central Election Commission Lidiya Ermoshina said on Sunday.
"The election in the country is valid. More than 54% of voters took part in the polls," Ermoshina said.
The election chief noted that the 50% turnout benchmark had not been reached only in Minsk as of 12:00. According to her, the voter turnout in the capital was 43%. "But people are also coming here and are standing in the lines."
Meanwhile, in the Gomel and Mogilev Regions the turnout exceeded 60%.
Five candidates are running for president in Belarus - incumbent head of state Alexander Lukashenko, co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen. Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth presidential term.


tass--2020-08-09--Russia’s emergencies ministry completes search and rescue effort at Beirut blast site

BEIRUT , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
The task force of the Russian Emergencies Ministry completed the search and rescue effort at the blast scene in the port of Lebanon 's capital Beirut , the crisis center told TASS on Sunday .
`` The search and rescue works in Beirut are over , '' the crisis center reported , adding that the emergency relief effort was ongoing .
The Lebanese authorities don ’ t hope anymore to find alive people under the rubble following the blast , it said .
`` The representatives of Lebanon ’ s Defense Ministry as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t expect anymore to find anyone alive under the rubble , '' a spokesperson said .
The Russian rescuers arrived in Beirut on August 5 to provide assistance to those injured by the blast at the port and take part in the search and rescue operation .
The Russian specialists set up a mobile hospital at the stadium .
Doctors from the Centrospas unit of the Russian Emergencies Ministry provided assistance to 92 injured people , including 12 children .
During the entire effort the rescuers discovered and pulled six bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a powerful blast ripped through Beirut ’ s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave , which either destroyed or damaged dozens of buildings .
More than 300,000 people have been left homeless .
At least 154 people were killed and nearly 5,000 others were injured , while dozens went missing .
According to Lebanon ’ s Interior Ministry , a fire was started by welding work and caused the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , which had been seized by the customs service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
A two-week state of emergency is in place in Lebanon ’ s capital , which was declared a disaster-stricken city .

BEIRUT, August 9. /TASS/. The task force of the Russian Emergencies Ministry completed the search and rescue effort at the blast scene in the port of Lebanon's capital Beirut, the crisis center told TASS on Sunday.
"The search and rescue works in Beirut are over," the crisis center reported, adding that the emergency relief effort was ongoing.
The Lebanese authorities don’t hope anymore to find alive people under the rubble following the blast, it said. "The representatives of Lebanon’s Defense Ministry as the receiving party officially stated that they don’t expect anymore to find anyone alive under the rubble," a spokesperson said.
The Russian rescuers arrived in Beirut on August 5 to provide assistance to those injured by the blast at the port and take part in the search and rescue operation. The Russian specialists set up a mobile hospital at the stadium. Doctors from the Centrospas unit of the Russian Emergencies Ministry provided assistance to 92 injured people, including 12 children. During the entire effort the rescuers discovered and pulled six bodies from the rubble.
On August 4, a powerful blast ripped through Beirut’s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave, which either destroyed or damaged dozens of buildings. More than 300,000 people have been left homeless. At least 154 people were killed and nearly 5,000 others were injured, while dozens went missing.
According to Lebanon’s Interior Ministry, a fire was started by welding work and caused the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which had been seized by the customs service and stored in the port for six years. A two-week state of emergency is in place in Lebanon’s capital, which was declared a disaster-stricken city.


tass--2020-08-09--Lukashenko guarantees election won’t spiral into chaos and civil war

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus won ’ t be drawn into chaos and civil war after the @ @ @ @ @ said after casting his vote on Sunday .
`` The situation should not be underestimated @ @ @ @ @ grounds to say that starting from tomorrow the country will be drawn into chaos or @ @ @ @ @ any civil war .
I tell you this sincerely and guarantee , '' Lukashenko said @ @ @ @ @ ’ s authorities are considering `` various options , '' the president noted .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. Belarus won’t be drawn into chaos and civil war after the election, President Alexander Lukashenko said after casting his vote on Sunday.
"The situation should not be underestimated but there are absolutely no grounds to say that starting from tomorrow the country will be drawn into chaos or any struggle, confrontation or any civil war. I tell you this sincerely and guarantee," Lukashenko said.
Meanwhile, the country’s authorities are considering "various options," the president noted.


tass--2020-08-09--Voter turnout in Belarusian presidential election exceeds 45%

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
The voter turnout in the Belarusian presidential election hit 45.33 % by 10:00 @ @ @ @ @ Central Election Commission , Lidiya Ermoshina , told reporters , according to BelTA news agency @ @ @ @ @ situation at the election is calm and `` no alarming reports have been received , @ @ @ @ @ President Alexander Lukashenko , who is running for his sixth term , and one of @ @ @ @ @ their vote in the Belarusian presidential election .
More than 5,700 polling stations opened in @ @ @ @ @ ballot stations were set up abroad .
Five candidates are running for president in Belarus @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Lukashenko , co-leader of the Govori Pravdu ( Tell the Truth ) public movement @ @ @ @ @ of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya , housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , and leader of @ @ @ @ @ Sergei Cherchen .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. The voter turnout in the Belarusian presidential election hit 45.33% by 10:00, the head of the Central Election Commission, Lidiya Ermoshina, told reporters, according to BelTA news agency.
In general, the situation at the election is calm and "no alarming reports have been received," she said.
Incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, who is running for his sixth term, and one of candidates Anna Kanopatskaya have cast their vote in the Belarusian presidential election.
More than 5,700 polling stations opened in Belarus on Sunday and 44 ballot stations were set up abroad.
Five candidates are running for president in Belarus - incumbent head of state Alexander Lukashenko, co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen.


tass--2020-08-09--Lukashenko votes in Belarusian presidential election

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Incumbent Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko cast his ballot in the presidential election on @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Lukashenko traditionally voted at the polling station located in the Belarusian State University @ @ @ @ @ .
Later he is expected to talk to reporters .
Some 100 journalists , who @ @ @ @ @ , have gathered there .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. Incumbent Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko cast his ballot in the presidential election on Sunday, a TASS correspondent reported.
Lukashenko traditionally voted at the polling station located in the Belarusian State University of Physical Culture in Minsk.
Later he is expected to talk to reporters. Some 100 journalists, who represent nearly 40 media outlets, have gathered there.


tass--2020-08-09--Russia reports over 5,100 new coronavirus cases in the past day

MOSCOW , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia recorded 5,189 new coronavirus cases in the past day , taking the total caseload in the country to 887,536 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday .
According to its data , the daily growth rate was estimated at 0.6 % .
Some new 689 COVID-19 cases were recorded in Moscow , 184 in the Sverdlovsk Region , 160 in St. Petersburg , 150 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region and 149 in the Moscow Region .
The lowest daily growth rate was registered in the Nenets Autonomous Region ( 0.0 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 0.1 % ) , the Moscow Region ( 0.2 % ) and Kabardino-Balkaria ( 0.2 % ) .
Currently , some 179,183 people are undergoing treatment for the coronavirus infection .
The number of COVID-19 patients , who were discharged from hospitals in Russia in the past day , reached 3,215 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday .
According to its data , a total of 693,422 patients have been discharged .
In the past day , 803 patients were released from hospitals in Moscow , 189 in the Krasnoyarsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 146 in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region and 111 in the Penza Region .
The number of COVID-19 patients who died in Russia in the past day reached 77 versus 129 a day earlier and the total death toll hit 14,931 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center said .
Some 12 fatalities were recorded in Moscow , seven in the Novosibirsk Region , five in the Tula and Sverdlovsk Regions , three in St. Petersburg , the Komi Republic , the Kostroma , Omsk , Nizhny Novgorod , Krasnoyarsk and Stavropol Regions .

MOSCOW, August 9. /TASS/. Russia recorded 5,189 new coronavirus cases in the past day, taking the total caseload in the country to 887,536, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday.
According to its data, the daily growth rate was estimated at 0.6%.
Some new 689 COVID-19 cases were recorded in Moscow, 184 in the Sverdlovsk Region, 160 in St. Petersburg, 150 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region and 149 in the Moscow Region.
The lowest daily growth rate was registered in the Nenets Autonomous Region (0.0%), the Republic of North Ossetia (0.1%), the Moscow Region (0.2%) and Kabardino-Balkaria (0.2%).
Currently, some 179,183 people are undergoing treatment for the coronavirus infection.
The number of COVID-19 patients, who were discharged from hospitals in Russia in the past day, reached 3,215, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday.
According to its data, a total of 693,422 patients have been discharged. In the past day, 803 patients were released from hospitals in Moscow, 189 in the Krasnoyarsk Region, 176 in the Moscow Region, 146 in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region and 111 in the Penza Region.
The number of COVID-19 patients who died in Russia in the past day reached 77 versus 129 a day earlier and the total death toll hit 14,931, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said. Some 12 fatalities were recorded in Moscow, seven in the Novosibirsk Region, five in the Tula and Sverdlovsk Regions, three in St. Petersburg, the Komi Republic, the Kostroma, Omsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Krasnoyarsk and Stavropol Regions.


tass--2020-08-09--Over 40% voters take part in early voting in Belarus - CEC

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
The voter turnout in the early voting , which started five days ahead of the August 9 presidential election in Belarus , reached 41.7 % , the republic ’ s Central Election Commission Chairperson Lidiya Ermoshina told Belarus 1 TV channel on Sunday .
`` The figure is already 41.7 % .
In the Gomel region , where the [ voter turnout ] was more than 50 % , the election was recognized as valid , '' Ermoshina said .
According to the CEC , some 54.44 % voters cast ballots in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 38.40 % in the Brest Region , 39.34 % in the Vitebsk Region , 38.60 % in the Grodno Region , 39.66 % in the Minsk Region , 49.92 % in the Mogilev Region and 33.40 % in the capital Minsk .
This time Belarus saw a record high turnout in the early voting .
The turnout in the early voting for the 2015 presidential election reached 36.05 % .
Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
The incumbent head of state , Alexander Lukashenko , 65 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office .
Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu ( Tell the Truth ) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya , housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. The voter turnout in the early voting, which started five days ahead of the August 9 presidential election in Belarus, reached 41.7%, the republic’s Central Election Commission Chairperson Lidiya Ermoshina told Belarus 1 TV channel on Sunday.
"The figure is already 41.7%. In the Gomel region, where the [voter turnout] was more than 50%, the election was recognized as valid," Ermoshina said.
According to the CEC, some 54.44% voters cast ballots in the early voting in the Gomel Region, 38.40% in the Brest Region, 39.34% in the Vitebsk Region, 38.60% in the Grodno Region, 39.66% in the Minsk Region, 49.92% in the Mogilev Region and 33.40% in the capital Minsk.
This time Belarus saw a record high turnout in the early voting. The turnout in the early voting for the 2015 presidential election reached 36.05%.
Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. The incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth term in office. Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen.


tass--2020-08-09--Over 700 people injured in Beirut anti-government protests - TV report

MOSCOW , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
At least 728 people were injured in the anti-government protests in the Lebanese @ @ @ @ @ were detained , Al Jazeera TV channel reported on Sunday .
Earlier , Arab media @ @ @ @ @ injured , including nearly 70 police .
On Saturday , an anti-government protest gripped downtown @ @ @ @ @ .
Sami Gemayel , the leader of Lebanon 's Kataeb opposition party , had earlier @ @ @ @ @ .
The protesters blamed the ruling coalition for corruption and demanded an early election and @ @ @ @ @ powerful blast that ripped through Beirut ’ s port on August 4 , claiming 158 @ @ @ @ @ ’ s infrastructure .

MOSCOW, August 9. /TASS/. At least 728 people were injured in the anti-government protests in the Lebanese capital Beirut and 19 activists were detained, Al Jazeera TV channel reported on Sunday.
Earlier, Arab media reported that 490 people were injured, including nearly 70 police.
On Saturday, an anti-government protest gripped downtown Beirut, turning into riots. Sami Gemayel, the leader of Lebanon's Kataeb opposition party, had earlier called for mass anti-government protests. The protesters blamed the ruling coalition for corruption and demanded an early election and an independent probe into a powerful blast that ripped through Beirut’s port on August 4, claiming 158 lives and destroying the capital’s infrastructure.


tass--2020-08-09--Voting kicks off in Belarusian presidential election

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
More than 5,700 polling stations opened on Sunday in the presidential election in Belarus , the Central Election Commission told TASS .
`` Some 5,767 ballot stations were arranged for vote in the presidential election , all of them are ready to receive voters , '' the CEC said .
Some 44 polling stations opened abroad , according to the commission .
In Russia , Belarusians can vote in diplomatic missions in Moscow , St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad .
Nearly 6.8 mln Belarusian citizens are eligible to vote .
Some 32.24 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which began on August 4 and ran until August 8 .
Minsk expects that given the high turnout in the early voting the election will be recognized as valid already in the first half of the day .
For this , more than half of voters should cast their ballots .
Five candidates are running for president in Belarus - incumbent head of state Alexander Lukashenko , co-leader of the Govori Pravdu ( Tell the Truth ) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen .
Lukashenko , 65 , is seeking his sixth presidential term .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. More than 5,700 polling stations opened on Sunday in the presidential election in Belarus, the Central Election Commission told TASS.
"Some 5,767 ballot stations were arranged for vote in the presidential election, all of them are ready to receive voters," the CEC said. Some 44 polling stations opened abroad, according to the commission. In Russia, Belarusians can vote in diplomatic missions in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad.
Nearly 6.8 mln Belarusian citizens are eligible to vote. Some 32.24% of them took part in the early voting, which began on August 4 and ran until August 8. Minsk expects that given the high turnout in the early voting the election will be recognized as valid already in the first half of the day. For this, more than half of voters should cast their ballots.
Five candidates are running for president in Belarus - incumbent head of state Alexander Lukashenko, co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen. Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth presidential term.


tass--2020-08-10--Police in Minsk take control of the situation with numerous protests

MINSK , August 10 .
/TASS / .
Belarusian law enforcement officials say they have managed to take control of the situation in Minsk , where unauthorized rallies began after results of the exit polls from the presidential election on Sunday were announced , BelTA news agency said on Monday referring to the Interior Ministry .
`` The police control the situation at unauthorized mass events , '' it said .
Protests began in different parts of the capital city after the results of the exit polls had suggested a landslide victory of President Alexander Lukashenko .
Several thousand people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Law enforcement officers took action to prevent protesters ’ attempts to march down city streets .
Police and riot police units assisted by interior troops began ridding central Minsk of protesters .
According to TASS , the most serious clashes were seen in the area of Masherov Avenue , the site of yearly military parades .
They also engulfed nearby districts , as well as Minsk ’ s Old Town , Independence Avenue and areas around Gorodskoy Val Street in the historic part of the city .
Special police vehicles were dispatched there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pepper spray were used against protesters .
According to eyewitnesses , police used rubber bullets at a certain point .
The number of people injured in clashes is specified .
Dozens of ambulance cars were seen .
The number of detained protesters is not given as of yet , but the number of prison buses suggests that hundreds were nabbed .
The police operation continued for about four hours .
At the moment , police and crack police units have full control of the situation in Minsk .
Many streets were cordoned off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko over 70 % of the vote .
His main rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is winning between 6.8 % and 10.1 % .
The voter turnout was 84.05 % as of 20:00 on Sunday .

MINSK, August 10. /TASS /. Belarusian law enforcement officials say they have managed to take control of the situation in Minsk, where unauthorized rallies began after results of the exit polls from the presidential election on Sunday were announced, BelTA news agency said on Monday referring to the Interior Ministry.
"The police control the situation at unauthorized mass events," it said.
Protests began in different parts of the capital city after the results of the exit polls had suggested a landslide victory of President Alexander Lukashenko. Several thousand people reportedly took part in the protests.
Law enforcement officers took action to prevent protesters’ attempts to march down city streets. Police and riot police units assisted by interior troops began ridding central Minsk of protesters.
According to TASS, the most serious clashes were seen in the area of Masherov Avenue, the site of yearly military parades. They also engulfed nearby districts, as well as Minsk’s Old Town, Independence Avenue and areas around Gorodskoy Val Street in the historic part of the city.
Special police vehicles were dispatched there. Stun grenades, water cannons and pepper spray were used against protesters. According to eyewitnesses, police used rubber bullets at a certain point. The number of people injured in clashes is specified. Dozens of ambulance cars were seen. The number of detained protesters is not given as of yet, but the number of prison buses suggests that hundreds were nabbed.
The police operation continued for about four hours. At the moment, police and crack police units have full control of the situation in Minsk. Many streets were cordoned off.
Exit polls at the presidential election give incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko over 70% of the vote. His main rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is winning between 6.8% and 10.1%. The voter turnout was 84.05% as of 20:00 on Sunday.


tass--2020-08-10--Lukashenko leading in presidential election - Central Election Commission

MINSK , August 10./TASS/ .
Incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko is leading in the Belarus presidential election , according to data coming from the regions , preliminary results are expected by 2am on Monday , Central Election Commission Chairperson Lidiya Yermoshina said .
According to her , four districts of the Brest region have reported that Lukashenko secured 79.69 % of the vote ( his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya got 3.8 % ) , winning 90 % in four districts of the Gomel region ( Tikhanovskaya got 3.2 % ) .
In eight districts of the Grodno region , 92.7 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko ( 3.89 % for Tikhanovskaya ) .
In the Mogilev region , four districts , 93.8 % supported Lukashenko .
‘ None of the above ’ came second there with 3.3 % .
`` I expect that by 02:00 we will have preliminary results from across the country , '' Yermoshina said .
The presidential election was held in Belarus on August 9 .
Exit polls give incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko over 70 % of the vote .
His main rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is winning between 6.8 % and 10.1 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of 20:00 on Sunday .
Protests erupted after the polling stations closed in most cities , including in the capital Minsk , escalating into clashes with the police .
Some people were injured .
According to Belarusian media , protests are also taking place in Mogilev , Vitebsk , Brest and Grodno .

MINSK, August 10./TASS/. Incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko is leading in the Belarus presidential election, according to data coming from the regions, preliminary results are expected by 2am on Monday, Central Election Commission Chairperson Lidiya Yermoshina said.
According to her, four districts of the Brest region have reported that Lukashenko secured 79.69% of the vote (his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya got 3.8%), winning 90% in four districts of the Gomel region (Tikhanovskaya got 3.2%). In eight districts of the Grodno region, 92.7% of the voters cast their ballots for Lukashenko (3.89% for Tikhanovskaya). In the Mogilev region, four districts, 93.8% supported Lukashenko. ‘None of the above’ came second there with 3.3%.
"I expect that by 02:00 we will have preliminary results from across the country," Yermoshina said.
The presidential election was held in Belarus on August 9. Exit polls give incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko over 70% of the vote. His main rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is winning between 6.8% and 10.1%. The voter turnout was 84.05% as of 20:00 on Sunday.
Protests erupted after the polling stations closed in most cities, including in the capital Minsk, escalating into clashes with the police. Some people were injured. According to Belarusian media, protests are also taking place in Mogilev, Vitebsk, Brest and Grodno.


tass--2020-08-09--Belarusian Interior troops pulled to site of protests in Minsk

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Interior troops have been pulled to the site of protests in central Minsk @ @ @ @ @ .
Interior troops in full gear joined riot police units trying to disperse unauthorized protests @ @ @ @ @ elections .
Dozens of police cars and prison vans are seen in the vicinity .
@ @ @ @ @ and pepper sprays .
Some of the protesters were injured .
Clashes are taking place @ @ @ @ @ Avenue , a traditional venue of Victory Parades .
Some of the protesters have been @ @ @ @ @ area , where they have begun to tear down state flags from a bridge across @ @ @ @

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. Interior troops have been pulled to the site of protests in central Minsk, a TASS correspondent reports.
Interior troops in full gear joined riot police units trying to disperse unauthorized protests after Sunday’s presidential elections. Dozens of police cars and prison vans are seen in the vicinity.
Police are using flash bangs and pepper sprays. Some of the protesters were injured.
Clashes are taking place at Minsk’s Masherov Avenue, a traditional venue of Victory Parades. Some of the protesters have been pushed to the Old City area, where they have begun to tear down state flags from a bridge across the Svisloch River.


tass--2020-08-09--Dozhd journalists released from police station in Minsk

MOSCOW , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
Journalists of the Russian television channel Dozhd , who were detained in Minsk on Sunday , have been released from a police station , Dozhd editor-in-chief Tikhon Dzyadko wrote on his Telegram channel .
`` Our colleagues , Dozhd journalists , have been released , '' he wrote , adding that they would be transported to Russia ’ s Smolensk .
Dozhd said earlier on Sunday that its correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky , and cameraman Nikola Antipov had been detained in Minsk by people in civilian clothes .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unregistered candidate Viktor Babariko , the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Maria Kolestinova , the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Dozhd that the Russian embassy in Belarus had been taking efforts to resolve the situation .
Dzydko wrote on his Telegram channel earlier that after formalities were over the journalists would be handed over to the Russian embassy `` for deportation . ''
Belarusian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Anatoly Gaz told TASS the Dozhd journalists were working without accreditation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
Most of polling stations closed at 20:00 local time .
Several stations in Minsk continued to work because of long queues of those willing to vote .
According to exit polls , the incumbent head of state , Alexander Lukashenko , 65 , who is seeking his sixth term , is winning more than 70 % of the vote .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , is scoring from 6.8 to 10.1 % of votes .
The voter turnout as of 18:00 was @ @

MOSCOW, August 9. /TASS/. /TASS/. Journalists of the Russian television channel Dozhd, who were detained in Minsk on Sunday, have been released from a police station, Dozhd editor-in-chief Tikhon Dzyadko wrote on his Telegram channel.
"Our colleagues, Dozhd journalists, have been released," he wrote, adding that they would be transported to Russia’s Smolensk.
Dozhd said earlier on Sunday that its correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky, and cameraman Nikola Antipov had been detained in Minsk by people in civilian clothes.
According to a representative of the headquarters of unregistered candidate Viktor Babariko, the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Maria Kolestinova, the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Dozhd that the Russian embassy in Belarus had been taking efforts to resolve the situation.
Dzydko wrote on his Telegram channel earlier that after formalities were over the journalists would be handed over to the Russian embassy "for deportation."
Belarusian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Anatoly Gaz told TASS the Dozhd journalists were working without accreditation.
On Sunday, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. Most of polling stations closed at 20:00 local time. Several stations in Minsk continued to work because of long queues of those willing to vote. According to exit polls, the incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, who is seeking his sixth term, is winning more than 70% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, is scoring from 6.8 to 10.1% of votes. The voter turnout as of 18:00 was 79%


tass--2020-08-09--Police begin to use force to disperse protesters in central Minsk

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian police have begun to use force to push protesters off the Victory Square in central Minsk , a TASS correspondent reported from the site .
The protesters who gathered here when the exit poll results after Sunday ’ s presidential elections had been released tried to break through riot police cordons , policemen used flash bangs .
Several people were hurt .
One of the protesters was taken to hospital with a serious head injury .
Some of the protesters have moved to other adjacent locations , also cordoned off by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic along the central Independence Avenue and adjacent streets was stopped after a motor rally of protest .
On Sunday , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
The incumbent head of state , Alexander Lukashenko , 65 , is seeking his sixth term .
According to the country ’ s Central Election Commission , the voter turnout was 79.01 % as of 18:00 local time .
Voting took place at 5,767 polling station , including 44 abroad .
As many as 6.8 million Belarusian nationals are eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll conducted by the CROO BKMO Youth Laboratory of Sociological Studies at the request of the Mir television channel , Lukashenko is winning 79.7 % of votes .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is winning 6.8 % of votes .
Anna Kanopatskaya is scoring 2.3 % of votes , Andrei Dmitriyev - 1.1 % , and Sergei Cherchen - 0.9 % As many as 9.2 % of voters were against all .
The elections were declared valid after the voter turnout exceeded 50 %

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. Belarusian police have begun to use force to push protesters off the Victory Square in central Minsk, a TASS correspondent reported from the site.
The protesters who gathered here when the exit poll results after Sunday’s presidential elections had been released tried to break through riot police cordons, policemen used flash bangs. Several people were hurt. One of the protesters was taken to hospital with a serious head injury.
Some of the protesters have moved to other adjacent locations, also cordoned off by the police.
According to earlier reports, traffic along the central Independence Avenue and adjacent streets was stopped after a motor rally of protest.
On Sunday, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. The incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth term. According to the country’s Central Election Commission, the voter turnout was 79.01% as of 18:00 local time. Voting took place at 5,767 polling station, including 44 abroad. As many as 6.8 million Belarusian nationals are eligible to vote.
According to an exit poll conducted by the CROO BKMO Youth Laboratory of Sociological Studies at the request of the Mir television channel, Lukashenko is winning 79.7% of votes. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is winning 6.8% of votes. Anna Kanopatskaya is scoring 2.3% of votes, Andrei Dmitriyev - 1.1%, and Sergei Cherchen - 0.9% As many as 9.2% of voters were against all.
The elections were declared valid after the voter turnout exceeded 50%


tass--2020-08-09--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 273,000 in past day

GENEVA , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
More than 273,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on August 9 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 19.46 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 9 , as many as 19,462,112 novel coronavirus cases and 722,285 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by a record of 273,552 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 6,207 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officially confirmed data from the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 10,447,261 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 156,817 and the number of deaths - by 4,182 and reached 385,076 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,562,774 and the number of fatalities is 216,426 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 16,762 and the number of deaths - by 326 .
Southeast Asia has 2,565,800 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours , the number of cases grew by 69,799 and the number of deaths - by 961 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 4,897,958 ) , Brazil ( 2,962,442 ) , India ( 2,153,010 ) , Russia ( 887,536 ) , South Africa ( 553,188 ) , Mexico ( 469,407 ) , Peru ( 463,875 ) , Chile ( 371,023 ) , Colombia ( 367,196 ) , and Iran ( 324,692 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, August 9. /TASS/. More than 273,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on August 9, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 19.46 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 9, as many as 19,462,112 novel coronavirus cases and 722,285 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by a record of 273,552 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 6,207.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 10,447,261. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 156,817 and the number of deaths - by 4,182 and reached 385,076.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,562,774 and the number of fatalities is 216,426. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 16,762 and the number of deaths - by 326.
Southeast Asia has 2,565,800 cases and 52,569 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 69,799 and the number of deaths - by 961.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (4,897,958), Brazil (2,962,442), India (2,153,010), Russia (887,536), South Africa (553,188), Mexico (469,407), Peru (463,875), Chile (371,023), Colombia (367,196), and Iran (324,692).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-08-09--Protesters clashing with riot police in central Minsk

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Clashes between protesters and riot police began in central Minsk on Sunday evening , a TASS correspondent reported from the site .
About 300 young people gathered here after most of the polling stations closed in Minsk .
A number of the protesters were detained .
Several dozens of the protesters tried to have then freed but retreated .
The police are trying to driver the protesters off the Victory Monument in central Minsk without using force .
The protesters are clapping their hands and chanting `` Shame ! ''
Cars are honking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people are trying to get inside the cordoned area .
Some have been detained .
More people are coming .
The police stopped traffic along the central Independence Avenue and adjacent streets after a motor rally of protest .
A motor rally of protest against the results of voting at Sunday ’ s presidential elections also began in Minsk after the release of exit poll results indicating the victory of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko .
According to a TASS correspondent , dozens of honking cars are driving along the central Independence Avenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People walking along the avenue are not stopped either .
However shops , typically open until 23:00 , are closed .
On Sunday , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
The incumbent head of state , Alexander Lukashenko , 65 , is seeking his sixth term .
According to the country ’ s Central Election Commission , the voter turnout was 79.01 % as of 18:00 local time .
Voting took place at 5,767 polling station , including 44 abroad .
As many as 6.8 million Belarusian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the results of a telephone exit poll conducted by Ecoom , an analytical center , Lukashenko is winning 78.9 % , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya - 7.1 % , Anna Kanopatskaya - 2.1 % , Sergei Cherchen - 0.8 % , Andrei Dmitriyev - 0.9 % , against all - 10.2 % .
According to another exit poll conducted by the CROO BKMO Youth Laboratory of Sociological Studies at the request of the Mir television channel , Lukashenko is winning 79.7 % of votes .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is winning 6.8 % of votes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes , Andrei Dmitriyev - 1.1 % , and Sergei Cherchen - 0.9 % As many as 9.2 % of voters were against all .
The elections were declared valid after the voter turnout exceeded 50 %

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. Clashes between protesters and riot police began in central Minsk on Sunday evening, a TASS correspondent reported from the site.
About 300 young people gathered here after most of the polling stations closed in Minsk. A number of the protesters were detained. Several dozens of the protesters tried to have then freed but retreated.
The police are trying to driver the protesters off the Victory Monument in central Minsk without using force. The protesters are clapping their hands and chanting "Shame!" Cars are honking when driving by. Groups of 40-50 young people are trying to get inside the cordoned area. Some have been detained. More people are coming. The police stopped traffic along the central Independence Avenue and adjacent streets after a motor rally of protest.
A motor rally of protest against the results of voting at Sunday’s presidential elections also began in Minsk after the release of exit poll results indicating the victory of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko.
According to a TASS correspondent, dozens of honking cars are driving along the central Independence Avenue. Police are not stopping them. People walking along the avenue are not stopped either. However shops, typically open until 23:00, are closed.
On Sunday, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. The incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth term. According to the country’s Central Election Commission, the voter turnout was 79.01% as of 18:00 local time. Voting took place at 5,767 polling station, including 44 abroad. As many as 6.8 million Belarusian nationals are eligible to vote.
According to the results of a telephone exit poll conducted by Ecoom, an analytical center, Lukashenko is winning 78.9%, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya - 7.1%, Anna Kanopatskaya - 2.1%, Sergei Cherchen - 0.8%, Andrei Dmitriyev - 0.9%, against all - 10.2%.
According to another exit poll conducted by the CROO BKMO Youth Laboratory of Sociological Studies at the request of the Mir television channel, Lukashenko is winning 79.7% of votes. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is winning 6.8% of votes. Anna Kanopatskaya is scoring 2.3% of votes, Andrei Dmitriyev - 1.1%, and Sergei Cherchen - 0.9% As many as 9.2% of voters were against all.
The elections were declared valid after the voter turnout exceeded 50%


tass--2020-08-09--Russia’s Su-27 fighter scrambled to intercept US spy plane over Black Sea

MOSCOW , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a US Air Force EP-3E Aries reconnaissance plane over the Black Sea , Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center reported on Sunday .
According to the Center , Russian airspace control systems detected an air target over the neutral waters of the Black Sea approaching Russia ’ s state border .
`` A Su-27 fighter from the Southern Military District ’ s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the target , the Center said .
`` The crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target at a safe distance and identified it as a US Air Force strategic reconnaissance aircraft EP-3E Aries , '' it said .
The Russian state border was not violated by the US spy plane , the National Defense Control Center stressed .
`` After the US reconnaissance planes moved away from Russia ’ s state border , the Russian fighter safely returned to its home airfield , '' the Center said .
`` The entire flight of the Russian Su-27 fighter proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 9. /TASS/. A Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a US Air Force EP-3E Aries reconnaissance plane over the Black Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Sunday.
According to the Center, Russian airspace control systems detected an air target over the neutral waters of the Black Sea approaching Russia’s state border.
"A Su-27 fighter from the Southern Military District’s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the target, the Center said. "The crew of the Russian fighter approached the air target at a safe distance and identified it as a US Air Force strategic reconnaissance aircraft EP-3E Aries," it said.
The Russian state border was not violated by the US spy plane, the National Defense Control Center stressed.
"After the US reconnaissance planes moved away from Russia’s state border, the Russian fighter safely returned to its home airfield," the Center said. "The entire flight of the Russian Su-27 fighter proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace.".


tass--2020-08-09--Voting at presidential elections in Belarus over

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Voting at Sunday ’ s presidential elections in Belarus is over as polling stations closed at 20:00 local time .
Vote counting has begun .
According to the country ’ s Central Election Commission , the voter turnout was 79.01 % as of 18:00 local time .
The highest turnout of 86.01 % was reported from the Mogilev region , the lowest turnout of 62.3 % was reported from Minsk .
Voting took place at 5,767 polling station , including 44 abroad .
As many as 6.8 million Belarusian nationals are eligible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the voter turnout exceeded 50 % A total of 41.7 % of voters took part in early voting held during five days .
The president is elected when winning more than half of votes .
On Sunday , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
The incumbent head of state , Alexander Lukashenko , 65 , is seeking his sixth term in office .
Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu ( Tell the Truth ) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former member of the lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tikhanovskaya , and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. Voting at Sunday’s presidential elections in Belarus is over as polling stations closed at 20:00 local time. Vote counting has begun.
According to the country’s Central Election Commission, the voter turnout was 79.01% as of 18:00 local time. The highest turnout of 86.01% was reported from the Mogilev region, the lowest turnout of 62.3% was reported from Minsk.
Voting took place at 5,767 polling station, including 44 abroad. As many as 6.8 million Belarusian nationals are eligible to vote.
The elections were declared valid after the voter turnout exceeded 50% A total of 41.7% of voters took part in early voting held during five days. The president is elected when winning more than half of votes.
On Sunday, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. The incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth term in office. Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen.


tass--2020-08-09--Exit poll: Lukashenko winning 79.7% of votes at Belarus’ presidential election

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus ’ incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko is winning Sunday ’ s presidential polls @ @ @ @ @ vote , as follows from an exit poll conducted by the CROO BKMO Youth Laboratory @ @ @ @ @ request of the Mir television channel .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , is @ @ @ @ @ .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. Belarus’ incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko is winning Sunday’s presidential polls with 79.7% of the vote, as follows from an exit poll conducted by the CROO BKMO Youth Laboratory of Sociological Studies at the request of the Mir television channel.
His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, is winning 6.8% of votes.


tass--2020-08-09--Voter turnout at Belarus’ presidential polls reach 79% at 18:00

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
The voter turnout at Sunday ’ s presidential polls in Belarus reached 79 % as of 18:00 local time , chairwoman of the Central Election Commission ( CEC ) Lydia Yermoshina said .
`` The voting day is coming to a close .
By 18:00 , as many as 79 % of voters took part in the polls .
Naturally , it is a big figure for 18:00 .
The turnout has surpassed 80 % in many regions - as a matter of fact , in all regions but for the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she told the Belarus 1 television channel .
According to Yermoshina , a number of polling stations report shortages of ballot papers .
`` No one expected such a high voter turnout .
Now we are transferring ballot papers from one polling stations to others , '' she said , adding shortages stem from deliberate wastage of ballot papers .
`` If it continues to be done , I would like to warn that the CEC can not provide more than one ballot paper in replacement of the one spoiled , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t do . ''
On Sunday , Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
The incumbent head of state , Alexander Lukashenko , 65 , is seeking his sixth term in office .
Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu ( Tell the Truth ) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya , housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. The voter turnout at Sunday’s presidential polls in Belarus reached 79% as of 18:00 local time, chairwoman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Lydia Yermoshina said.
"The voting day is coming to a close. By 18:00, as many as 79% of voters took part in the polls. Naturally, it is a big figure for 18:00. The turnout has surpassed 80% in many regions - as a matter of fact, in all regions but for the city of Minsk and the Minsk region," she told the Belarus 1 television channel.
According to Yermoshina, a number of polling stations report shortages of ballot papers. "No one expected such a high voter turnout. Now we are transferring ballot papers from one polling stations to others," she said, adding shortages stem from deliberate wastage of ballot papers. "If it continues to be done, I would like to warn that the CEC cannot provide more than one ballot paper in replacement of the one spoiled," she said. "Such tactic of sabotage won’t do."
On Sunday, Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. The incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth term in office. Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen.


tass--2020-08-09--Police close Minsk’s central Independence Square ahead of end of voting

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
The police have closed Minsk ’ s central Independence Square in front of @ @ @ @ @ and the Central Election Commission , a TASS correspondent reported from the site .
People @ @ @ @ @ square cordoned off by the police .
`` No passage , '' a policeman told @ @ @ @ @ at Sunday ’ s presidential polls finishes in Belarus at 20:00 local time .
The @ @ @ @ @ the time of voting would not be extended because of long queues to polling stations @

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. The police have closed Minsk’s central Independence Square in front of the buildings of the government and the Central Election Commission, a TASS correspondent reported from the site.
People are not let enter the square cordoned off by the police. "No passage," a policeman told the TASS correspondent.
Voting at Sunday’s presidential polls finishes in Belarus at 20:00 local time. The Central Election Commission said earlier the time of voting would not be extended because of long queues to polling stations.


tass--2020-08-09--Al Jazeera: clashes between protesters and police reported from central Beirut

TASS , August 9 .
Clashes between protesters and law enforcers have erupted in central Beirut , Al Jazeera TV @ @ @ @ @ to the television channel , clashes are reported from an area near the Lebanese parliament @ @ @ @ @ police are using tear gas to disperse the demonstrators .
Al Arabiya said earlier on @ @ @ @ @ to gather in downtown Beirut again .
According to the television channel , calls for @ @ @ @ @ morning via social networks .
On Saturday , an anti-government protest gripped downtown Beirut , @ @ @ @ @ Gemayel , the leader of Lebanon 's Kataeb opposition party , had earlier called for @ @ @ @ @ protesters blamed the ruling coalition for corruption and demanded an early election and an independent @ @ @ @ @ that ripped through Beirut ’ s port on August 4 , claiming more than 150 @ @ @ @ @ ’ s infrastructure .
Earlier , Arab media reported that at least 728 people were @ @ @ @ @ one police officer died of a head injury .

TASS, August 9. Clashes between protesters and law enforcers have erupted in central Beirut, Al Jazeera TV reported on Sunday.
According to the television channel, clashes are reported from an area near the Lebanese parliament’s building. The police are using tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Al Arabiya said earlier on Sunday that protesters had begun to gather in downtown Beirut again. According to the television channel, calls for participation were spread in the morning via social networks.
On Saturday, an anti-government protest gripped downtown Beirut, turning into riots. Sami Gemayel, the leader of Lebanon's Kataeb opposition party, had earlier called for mass anti-government protests. The protesters blamed the ruling coalition for corruption and demanded an early election and an independent probe into a powerful blast that ripped through Beirut’s port on August 4, claiming more than 150 lives and destroying the capital’s infrastructure.
Earlier, Arab media reported that at least 728 people were injured in the protests and one police officer died of a head injury.


tass--2020-08-09--Dozhd TV says apartment rented by its journalists in Minsk was searched

MOSCOW , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Dozhd television channel has said citing attorney Anton Gashinsky that the apartment rented in Minsk by its detained journalists has been searched .
`` The apartment rented by the Dozhd journalists in Minsk is being searched .
Attorney Anton Gashinsky told Dozhd about it .
The search is being carried out by people in civil clothing who did not introduce themselves .
The attorney was not let in , '' Dozhd said on its Telegram channel on Sunday .
Later it said that the search had not taken long .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not seize anything .
They just inspected the apartment and went away , '' it said .
Earlier in the day , Dozhd said on its Telegram channel citing Gashinsky that the journalists had not been taken to the Minsk district police office but were kept at the Belarusian interior ministry ’ s organized crime and corruption department .
Dozhd said earlier on Sunday that its correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky , and cameraman Nikola Antipov had been detained in Minsk by people in civilian clothes .
According to a representative of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Maria Kolestinova , the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street .
Belarus ’ interior ministry has been unavailable for comment .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview with Dozhd that the Russian embassy was taking efforts to resolve the situation .
On Sunday , Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
The incumbent head of state , Alexander Lukashenko , 65 , is seeking his sixth term in office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pravdu ( Tell the Truth ) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya , housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen .

MOSCOW, August 9. /TASS/. Russia’s Dozhd television channel has said citing attorney Anton Gashinsky that the apartment rented in Minsk by its detained journalists has been searched.
"The apartment rented by the Dozhd journalists in Minsk is being searched. Attorney Anton Gashinsky told Dozhd about it. The search is being carried out by people in civil clothing who did not introduce themselves. The attorney was not let in," Dozhd said on its Telegram channel on Sunday.
Later it said that the search had not taken long. "The people in civilian clothes did not seize anything. They just inspected the apartment and went away," it said.
Earlier in the day, Dozhd said on its Telegram channel citing Gashinsky that the journalists had not been taken to the Minsk district police office but were kept at the Belarusian interior ministry’s organized crime and corruption department.
Dozhd said earlier on Sunday that its correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky, and cameraman Nikola Antipov had been detained in Minsk by people in civilian clothes.
According to a representative of the headquarters of unregistered candidate Viktor Babariko, the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Maria Kolestinova, the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street.
Belarus’ interior ministry has been unavailable for comment.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview with Dozhd that the Russian embassy was taking efforts to resolve the situation.
On Sunday, Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. The incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth term in office. Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen.