tass--2020-08-15--EU to offer its help to Minsk in dialogue with opposition — statement

BRUSSELS , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
The European Union will offer to Minsk its assistance in the dialogue with the opposition to settle the current crisis in the country , EU foreign ministers said in a statement after their video conference on Friday .
`` The Ministers reiterated that the elections were neither free nor fair .
The European Union considers the results to have been falsified and therefore does not accept the results of the election as presented by the Belarus Central Election Commission , '' the statement says .
`` The European Union will therefore put forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU support in establishing and facilitating a dialogue between the political authorities , opposition and broader society in view of resolving the current crisis .
The High Representative/Vice-President and his services will begin work on this proposal immediately , '' it says .
The ministers once again called upon the Belarusian authorities `` to stop the disproportionate and unacceptable violence against peaceful protesters . ''
`` The EU expects the authorities to release immediately all unlawfully detained persons .
In light of shocking reports of inhumane treatment and detention conditions , the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into all alleged abuses , in order to hold those responsible to account , '' the document says .
The statement also confirms EU plans to impose sanctions on `` those responsible for violence , repression and the falsification of election results . ''
`` The work on additional listings within the existing sanctions framework for Belarus will start immediately , '' the ministers said .
They also expressed gratitude to journalists for their work in difficult conditions and condemned attacks on and detentions of journalists , including EU citizens .
The ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upcoming informal meeting in Berlin in the end of August .
`` As part of this review , the European Union will look at how to increase its support to the Belarusian people , including through enhanced engagement with and financial support to civil society , additional support to independent media , and increasing opportunities for student and academic mobility , '' the statement says .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who was considered his main opponent , came in second with 10.12 % and refused to recognize the results of the vote .
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9 , protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country , leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement .
The protests continued over the following days .
As a result , several thousand people were detained , dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .

BRUSSELS, August 14. /TASS/. The European Union will offer to Minsk its assistance in the dialogue with the opposition to settle the current crisis in the country, EU foreign ministers said in a statement after their video conference on Friday.
"The Ministers reiterated that the elections were neither free nor fair. The European Union considers the results to have been falsified and therefore does not accept the results of the election as presented by the Belarus Central Election Commission," the statement says.
"The European Union will therefore put forward to the Belarusian authorities a proposal for EU support in establishing and facilitating a dialogue between the political authorities, opposition and broader society in view of resolving the current crisis. The High Representative/Vice-President and his services will begin work on this proposal immediately," it says.
The ministers once again called upon the Belarusian authorities "to stop the disproportionate and unacceptable violence against peaceful protesters."
"The EU expects the authorities to release immediately all unlawfully detained persons. In light of shocking reports of inhumane treatment and detention conditions, the European Union expects a thorough and transparent investigation into all alleged abuses, in order to hold those responsible to account," the document says.
The statement also confirms EU plans to impose sanctions on "those responsible for violence, repression and the falsification of election results."
"The work on additional listings within the existing sanctions framework for Belarus will start immediately," the ministers said.
They also expressed gratitude to journalists for their work in difficult conditions and condemned attacks on and detentions of journalists, including EU citizens.
The ministers agreed to review EU-Belarus relations at their upcoming informal meeting in Berlin in the end of August.
"As part of this review, the European Union will look at how to increase its support to the Belarusian people, including through enhanced engagement with and financial support to civil society, additional support to independent media, and increasing opportunities for student and academic mobility," the statement says.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his main opponent, came in second with 10.12% and refused to recognize the results of the vote.
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9, protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement. The protests continued over the following days. As a result, several thousand people were detained, dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-15--Twelve more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day — crisis center

MOSCOW , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Twelve more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ exceeding 4,640 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ reached 4,645 .
The coronavirus situation in Moscow , which was the most serious in @ @ @ @ @ .
By today , Moscow has reported nearly 251,000 confirmed coronavirus cases .
Some 195,000 @ @ @ @ @ campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies is underway in the capital city .
According @ @ @ @ @ more than 20.9 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 755,000 deaths have @ @ @ @ @ , 912,823 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 722,964 patients having recovered @ @ @ @ @ ’ s latest data indicates 15,498 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set @ @ @ @ @ keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 14. /TASS/. Twelve more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities exceeding 4,640, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Friday.
"Twelve coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 4,645.
The coronavirus situation in Moscow, which was the most serious in Russia, has visibly stabilized. By today, Moscow has reported nearly 251,000 confirmed coronavirus cases. Some 195,000 patients have recovered. A campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies is underway in the capital city.
According to the latest statistics, more than 20.9 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 755,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, 912,823 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 722,964 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 15,498 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-15--Belarusian election authority rejects all complaints filed by presidential candidates

MINSK , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian Central Election Commission ( CEC ) head Lidiya Yermoshina said on Friday that all complaints filed by candidates in the country ’ s recent presidential election have been rejected .
`` All of them have been rejected .
We have no choice .
People think that we have the authority to review [ the results ] and declare Tikhanovskaya the winner , but this is impossible .
If violations , which they claim had taken place , are confirmed , the elections can be declared invalid .
In this case , another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place within three months , '' she said in an interview with KP Belarus .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who was considered his main opponent , came in second with 10.12 % and refused to recognize the results of the vote .
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9 , protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country , leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement .
The protests continued over the following days .
As a result , several thousand people were detained , dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .

MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Belarusian Central Election Commission (CEC) head Lidiya Yermoshina said on Friday that all complaints filed by candidates in the country’s recent presidential election have been rejected.
"All of them have been rejected. We have no choice. People think that we have the authority to review [the results] and declare Tikhanovskaya the winner, but this is impossible. If violations, which they claim had taken place, are confirmed, the elections can be declared invalid. In this case, another election campaign with new candidates should take place within three months," she said in an interview with KP Belarus.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his main opponent, came in second with 10.12% and refused to recognize the results of the vote.
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9, protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement. The protests continued over the following days. As a result, several thousand people were detained, dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-15--Moscow reports half as many coronavirus-related deaths in July than in June — authorities

MOSCOW , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus-related deaths in July in Moscow was by half less than in June , the city ’ s health department said on Friday .
`` A total of 10,773 deaths were registered in Moscow in July 2020 ( by 716 deaths more than in July 2019 and by 1,040 more than July ’ s average : 9,658 in 2017 , 9,483 in 2018 , and 10,057 in 2019 ) , '' it said .
`` COVID-19 was the key or concurrent cause of death in 1,706 cases , accounting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , the number of such deaths in July was by 50 % less than in June , and by 68 % less than in May , '' it said .
Thus , the coronavirus infection was the key cause of death in 742 cases in July , against 1,605 in June and 2,757 in May .
`` This number includes cases when patients tested negative for the coronavirus ( both when alive and post-mortem ) but the autopsy and clinical symptoms indicated the coronavirus infection as a key cause of death ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even questionable cases were included into the coronavirus mortality statistics .
No cases have been included into the statistics of regular pneumonias deaths for three months in a row , '' the health department said .
As many as 964 coronavirus-positive patients died from other diseases .
In 466 cases , coronavirus had `` a significant influence on the development of the underlying disease and its deadly complications , '' it added .
Thus , according to the health department , the coronavirus mortality rate in Moscow since the epidemic outbreak was from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the calculation method .
`` Coronavirus mortality in Moscow is 2.4 % for cases when it was the principal cause of death , and 4.9 % when COVID-19 was a principal or concurrent disease , '' it explained .

MOSCOW, August 14. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus-related deaths in July in Moscow was by half less than in June, the city’s health department said on Friday.
"A total of 10,773 deaths were registered in Moscow in July 2020 (by 716 deaths more than in July 2019 and by 1,040 more than July’s average: 9,658 in 2017, 9,483 in 2018, and 10,057 in 2019)," it said.
"COVID-19 was the key or concurrent cause of death in 1,706 cases, accounting for the entire excess mortality in July. However, the number of such deaths in July was by 50% less than in June, and by 68% less than in May," it said.
Thus, the coronavirus infection was the key cause of death in 742 cases in July, against 1,605 in June and 2,757 in May. "This number includes cases when patients tested negative for the coronavirus (both when alive and post-mortem) but the autopsy and clinical symptoms indicated the coronavirus infection as a key cause of death (141 cases). It means that even questionable cases were included into the coronavirus mortality statistics. No cases have been included into the statistics of regular pneumonias deaths for three months in a row," the health department said.
As many as 964 coronavirus-positive patients died from other diseases. In 466 cases, coronavirus had "a significant influence on the development of the underlying disease and its deadly complications," it added.
Thus, according to the health department, the coronavirus mortality rate in Moscow since the epidemic outbreak was from 2.4% to 4.9%, depending on the calculation method. "Coronavirus mortality in Moscow is 2.4% for cases when it was the principal cause of death, and 4.9% when COVID-19 was a principal or concurrent disease," it explained.


tass--2020-08-15--St. Petersburg police seize 25 kg of cocaine on ship arriving from Belgium

MOSCOW , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Police officers found more than 25 kg of cocaine aboard a ship that @ @ @ @ @ second largest city of St. Petersburg from Belgium , Russian Interior Ministry ’ s official @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
`` According to information received from Belgian colleagues , drugs were trafficked @ @ @ @ @ vessel transporting trucks .
50 trucks have been examined , and more than 25 kilograms @ @ @ @ @ experts later identified as cocaine - were found in a cabin of a truck , @ @ @ @ @ joint operation by St. Petersburg police , the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) and @ @ @ @ @ carried out following a tipoff sent by Belgian law enforcement agencies to Interpol 's National @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow .

MOSCOW, August 14. /TASS/. Police officers found more than 25 kg of cocaine aboard a ship that arrived to Russia’s second largest city of St. Petersburg from Belgium, Russian Interior Ministry’s official spokeswoman Irina Volk told TASS on Friday.
"According to information received from Belgian colleagues, drugs were trafficked into Russia aboard a heavy-tonnage vessel transporting trucks. 50 trucks have been examined, and more than 25 kilograms of a substance - which experts later identified as cocaine - were found in a cabin of a truck," she said.
The joint operation by St. Petersburg police, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Federal Customs Service was carried out following a tipoff sent by Belgian law enforcement agencies to Interpol's National Central Bureau (NCB) in Moscow.


tass--2020-08-15--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 286,000 in past day — WHO

GENEVA , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
More than 286,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on August 14 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 20.73 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Friday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 14 , as many as 20,730,456 novel coronavirus cases and 751,154 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 286,710 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 6,713 .
The WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 11,109,443 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 157,676 and the number of deaths - by 4,472 and reached 402,734 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,702,640 and the number of fatalities is 218,662 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 31,585 and the number of deaths - by 384 .
Southeast Asia has 2,900,347 cases and 57,756 fatalities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases grew by 69,943 and the number of deaths - by 1,120 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 5,150,407 ) , Brazil ( 3,164,785 ) , India ( 2,461,190 ) , Russia ( 912,823 ) , South Africa ( 572,865 ) , Peru ( 498,555 ) , Mexico ( 498,380 ) , Colombia ( 422,519 ) , Chile ( 380,034 ) , and Iran ( 336,324 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 14. /TASS/. More than 286,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on August 14, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 20.73 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Friday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 14, as many as 20,730,456 novel coronavirus cases and 751,154 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 286,710 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 6,713.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 11,109,443. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 157,676 and the number of deaths - by 4,472 and reached 402,734.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,702,640 and the number of fatalities is 218,662. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 31,585 and the number of deaths - by 384.
Southeast Asia has 2,900,347 cases and 57,756 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 69,943 and the number of deaths - by 1,120.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (5,150,407), Brazil (3,164,785), India (2,461,190), Russia (912,823), South Africa (572,865), Peru (498,555), Mexico (498,380), Colombia (422,519), Chile (380,034), and Iran (336,324).
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--2020-08-15--Number of people detained in Belarus protests nears 7,000 — UN expert

UNITED NATIONS , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Nearly 7,000 people have been detained in the first four days of protests in Belarus , UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus Anais Marin told TASS on Friday .
`` According to the data I have , according to the data provided by Belarusian human rights organizations , as of yesterday , that is , in four days of protests , over 6,000 people have been detained .
In the morning , there were reports of 6,700 people detained , but by the evening , this number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Marin noted that `` some detained persons have been released already . ''
`` However , before the vote , during the protests held since April , over 1,500 people were detained , according to our information , with criminal proceedings launched against at least 26 of them .
Some human rights organizations are calling them political prisoners , '' the UN rapporteur said .
Earlier , the Belarusian Interior Ministry informed of over 6,000 persons detained during the protests taking place in Belarus since August 9 .
Belarus held a presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who was considered his main opponent , came in second with 10.12 % .
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9 , protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country , leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement .
The protests continued over the following days .
As a result , several thousand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers and protesters were injured .

UNITED NATIONS, August 14. /TASS/. Nearly 7,000 people have been detained in the first four days of protests in Belarus, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus Anais Marin told TASS on Friday.
"According to the data I have, according to the data provided by Belarusian human rights organizations, as of yesterday, that is, in four days of protests, over 6,000 people have been detained. In the morning, there were reports of 6,700 people detained, but by the evening, this number may have risen," she said. Marin noted that "some detained persons have been released already."
"However, before the vote, during the protests held since April, over 1,500 people were detained, according to our information, with criminal proceedings launched against at least 26 of them. Some human rights organizations are calling them political prisoners," the UN rapporteur said.
Earlier, the Belarusian Interior Ministry informed of over 6,000 persons detained during the protests taking place in Belarus since August 9.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his main opponent, came in second with 10.12%.
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9, protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement. The protests continued over the following days. As a result, several thousand people were detained, dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-14--Belarus protests death toll may be higher than official numbers — UN expert

UNITED NATIONS , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
The number of casualties in the Belarusian protests may be higher than the official data provided by the government , UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus Anais Marin told TASS on Friday .
On Monday , Belarusian Interior Ministry Spokesperson Olga Chemodanova informed of one person killed during the protests .
According to the ministry , the man died after an unidentified explosive went off in his hand .
`` We know of two people killed , however , there are unconfirmed reports of at least four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But I would like to remind you there are many people missing .
Families that have not heard of their loved ones for several days have reached out to me .
People have simply disappeared and so far , it is unclear where they are , '' she added .
According to the UN expert , the search for missing persons `` is becoming more chaotic due to Internet outages . ''
`` Of course , a transparent investigation is needed .
I can not say so far whether the Belarusian government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who was considered his main opponent , came in second with 10.12 % .
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9 , protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country , leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement .
The protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result , several thousand people were detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .

UNITED NATIONS, August 14. /TASS/. The number of casualties in the Belarusian protests may be higher than the official data provided by the government, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus Anais Marin told TASS on Friday.
On Monday, Belarusian Interior Ministry Spokesperson Olga Chemodanova informed of one person killed during the protests. According to the ministry, the man died after an unidentified explosive went off in his hand.
"We know of two people killed, however, there are unconfirmed reports of at least four more casualties," Marin said.
"But I would like to remind you there are many people missing. Families that have not heard of their loved ones for several days have reached out to me. People have simply disappeared and so far, it is unclear where they are," she added.
According to the UN expert, the search for missing persons "is becoming more chaotic due to Internet outages." "Of course, a transparent investigation is needed. I cannot say so far whether the Belarusian government can ensure it," she concluded.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his main opponent, came in second with 10.12%.
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9, protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement. The protests continued over the following days. As a result, several thousand people were detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-14--UN expert believes Belarus protests not stoked from overseas

UNITED NATIONS , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
It is better to minimize comparisons between the current crisis in Belarus and Ukraine ’ s Euromaidan because Belarusians want to avoid foreign interference and a civil war , UN Special Rapporteur on the situation with human rights in Belarus Anais Marin said in an interview with TASS Friday .
`` Now it is important to minimize as much as possible parallels with Ukraine and Maidan .
The Belarusian path could be unique , scenarios could be totally different , because everything that is happening now is between the Belarusians themselves and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she noted .
Marin expressed an opinion that the Belarusian civic society itself wants to `` avoid a civil war scenario and interference from neighboring countries . ''
`` I hope that there are people in power now who want to avert a bloody outcome and find a way to reconciliation , whether in the form of conference or new elections , '' the special rapporteur added .
In light of this , according to Marin , `` international [ settlement ] initiatives should be spearheaded by the UN or the OSCE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have political interests in Belarus might further complicate the situation in the country that wants to be in good relations with its neighbors , '' she underlined .
The expert also described the changes that are taking place in Belarus now as irreversible .
`` They are now writing a new page of their history , '' she concluded .
On August 9 , Belarus held the presidential election .
Earlier on Friday , the national Central Election Commission declared the official results , showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12 % .
After exit poll results were revealed when voting was closed , many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police .
The national Interior Ministry said a few thousand people had been detained since Sunday , while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .
Tikhanovskaya ’ s campaign staff rejected the election results and does not recognize Lukashenko ’ s victory .
Tikhanovskaya herself fled the country late on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports suggest .

UNITED NATIONS, August 14. /TASS/. It is better to minimize comparisons between the current crisis in Belarus and Ukraine’s Euromaidan because Belarusians want to avoid foreign interference and a civil war, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation with human rights in Belarus Anais Marin said in an interview with TASS Friday.
"Now it is important to minimize as much as possible parallels with Ukraine and Maidan. The Belarusian path could be unique, scenarios could be totally different, because everything that is happening now is between the Belarusians themselves and their president, without foreign interference," she noted.
Marin expressed an opinion that the Belarusian civic society itself wants to "avoid a civil war scenario and interference from neighboring countries." "I hope that there are people in power now who want to avert a bloody outcome and find a way to reconciliation, whether in the form of conference or new elections," the special rapporteur added.
In light of this, according to Marin, "international [settlement] initiatives should be spearheaded by the UN or the OSCE." "Interference from countries that have political interests in Belarus might further complicate the situation in the country that wants to be in good relations with its neighbors," she underlined. The expert also described the changes that are taking place in Belarus now as irreversible. "They are now writing a new page of their history," she concluded.
On August 9, Belarus held the presidential election. Earlier on Friday, the national Central Election Commission declared the official results, showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.1% of the votes. His key rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12%. After exit poll results were revealed when voting was closed, many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police. The national Interior Ministry said a few thousand people had been detained since Sunday, while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.
Tikhanovskaya’s campaign staff rejected the election results and does not recognize Lukashenko’s victory. Tikhanovskaya herself fled the country late on Monday and is now in Lithuania, latest reports suggest.


tass--2020-08-14--Polish PM calls on Belarusian authorities to hold rerun presidential election

`` Our actions will not be interference in the domestic affairs of our neighbor .
We can and must extend a helping hand to the Belarusians , '' he said on Friday presenting a program of support for Belarus ’ civil society to Polish lawmakers .
WARSAW , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has called on the Belarusian authorities to hold rerun presidential election with the participation of international observers .
`` We call on the Belarusian authorities to look at organizing new free and fair elections , with the participation of international observers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polish prime minister , Europe ’ s and Poland ’ s security is impossible without a secure Belarus .
`` We have opened our hearts to Belarus .
We also want to open our borders and educational establishments as well , '' he noted .
Morawiecki ’ s plan of support to Belarus envisages `` support to those repressed . ''
`` Poland may become a second home for those oppressed in Belarus , '' he said .
He also promised a program of grants to students and researchers , simplified entry procedures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They will be granted a possibility to study and work in Poland , '' he said .
Another provision of the program is support for the Belarusian media and non-government organizations .
`` Belarus needs pluralism of the media .
We will set up permanent mechanisms of financing for independent media , '' he said , adding that Poland has been funding Belsat , a news agency , for years and has already spent around 40 million PLN ( more than ten million US dollars ) on that .
`` In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off in Belarus any moment , the country should have as many journalistic channels as possible , '' he added .

"Our actions will not be interference in the domestic affairs of our neighbor. We can and must extend a helping hand to the Belarusians," he said on Friday presenting a program of support for Belarus’ civil society to Polish lawmakers.
WARSAW, August 14. /TASS/. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has called on the Belarusian authorities to hold rerun presidential election with the participation of international observers.
"We call on the Belarusian authorities to look at organizing new free and fair elections, with the participation of international observers," he said.
According to the Polish prime minister, Europe’s and Poland’s security is impossible without a secure Belarus. "We have opened our hearts to Belarus. We also want to open our borders and educational establishments as well," he noted.
Morawiecki’s plan of support to Belarus envisages "support to those repressed." "Poland may become a second home for those oppressed in Belarus," he said. He also promised a program of grants to students and researchers, simplified entry procedures and access to the labor market. "They will be granted a possibility to study and work in Poland," he said.
Another provision of the program is support for the Belarusian media and non-government organizations. "Belarus needs pluralism of the media. We will set up permanent mechanisms of financing for independent media," he said, adding that Poland has been funding Belsat, a news agency, for years and has already spent around 40 million PLN (more than ten million US dollars) on that.
"In a situation when the internet may be cut off in Belarus any moment, the country should have as many journalistic channels as possible," he added.


tass--2020-08-14--Swiss International Air Lines plans to restart flights to Russia, no date fixed

Russia to resume flights to and from Switzerland on August 15 GENEVA , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
The Switzerland-based @ @ @ @ @ to resume flights to Russia suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic but the specific date @ @ @ @ @ authorities , spokesperson of the air carrier Meike Fuhlrott told TASS on Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ resume flights to Russia ; no resumption date can however be confirmed yet as it @ @ @ @ @ ’ approval , '' the spokesperson said .
Russia 's operator Aeroflot informed earlier that @ @ @ @ @ from August 15 .

Russia to resume flights to and from Switzerland on August 15
GENEVA, August 14. /TASS/. The Switzerland-based Swiss International Air Lines plans to resume flights to Russia suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic but the specific date depends on the decision of authorities, spokesperson of the air carrier Meike Fuhlrott told TASS on Friday.
"We do indeed plan to resume flights to Russia; no resumption date can however be confirmed yet as it is subject to the authorities’ approval," the spokesperson said.
Russia's operator Aeroflot informed earlier that flights to Geneva will begin from August 15.


tass--2020-08-14--Lukashenko: protests orchestrated from abroad, criminals involved

MINSK , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that protests in the country are orchestrated from @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Today we can see absolutely clearly what is happening , '' the news @ @ @ @ @ saying .
`` Today we can see the actors .
As we said before , @ @ @ @ @ all this are people from abroad .
In the first ranks there are people with @ @ @ @ @ you , with a significant criminal past .
And then there are our people - @ @ @ @ @ . ''

MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that protests in the country are orchestrated from abroad and involve criminal elements.
"Today we can see absolutely clearly what is happening," the news agency BelTA quotes Lukashenko as saying. "Today we can see the actors. As we said before, the instigators and organizers of all this are people from abroad. In the first ranks there are people with a criminal past - mind you, with a significant criminal past. And then there are our people - kids and not kids anymore."


tass--2020-08-14--EU moves to impose individual sanctions against Belarus

`` Important discussion of EU Foreign Ministers on Belarus [ took place ] , consensus [ was reached ] that elections were rigged .
EU starts working on individual targeted measures against those responsible for violence against peaceful protesters and the election fraud , '' the minister wrote on Twitter .
BRUSSELS , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Foreign ministers of the European Union ’ s 27 member states have made a political decision Friday to impose individual sanctions against people `` responsible for violence against peaceful protesters and the election fraud '' in Belarus , the reports were confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Important discussion of # EU Foreign Ministers on # Belarus , consensus that elections were rigged , EU starts working on individual targeted measures against those responsible for violence against peaceful protesters and the election fraud .
A source in one of the delegations to the European Council earlier told TASS that EU foreign ministers agreed to impose targeted sanctions against `` Belarusian officials responsible for violence and human rights abuses . ''
According to the diplomat , the ministers instructed EU diplomatic services to draft a blacklist soon .
At the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko himself would be blacklisted .
The EU foreign ministers are holding an urgent video conference on Belarus that continues to be gripped by protest rallies after the recent presidential election on August 9 .
The European Union first targeted Belarus with sanctions in 2004 as a response to disappearance of two opposition figures , a journalist and a businessman in 1999-2000 and later expanded them in 2011 for violating standards for holding presidential election ( December 2010 ) and human rights abuses .
In 2016 , the EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persons and four companies but kept embargos on arms and police equipment in place .
These sanctions were temporarily suspended in September 2008 after Moscow recognized independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on August 26 , 2008 .
However , the sanctions were reinstated after the presidential election in December 2010 and later tightened .
On August 9 , Belarus held the presidential election .
Earlier on Friday , the national Central Election Commission declared the official results , showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.1 % of the votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second with 10.12 % .
After exit poll results were revealed when voting was closed , many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police .
The national Interior Ministry said a few thousand people had been detained since Sunday , while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .
Tikhanovskaya ’ s campaign staff rejected the election results and does not recognize Lukashenko ’ s victory .
Tikhanovskaya herself fled the country late on Monday and is now in Lithuania @ @ @ @ @

"Important discussion of EU Foreign Ministers on Belarus [took place], consensus [was reached] that elections were rigged. EU starts working on individual targeted measures against those responsible for violence against peaceful protesters and the election fraud," the minister wrote on Twitter.
BRUSSELS, August 14. /TASS/. Foreign ministers of the European Union’s 27 member states have made a political decision Friday to impose individual sanctions against people "responsible for violence against peaceful protesters and the election fraud" in Belarus, the reports were confirmed by Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok.
Important discussion of #EU Foreign Ministers on #Belarus , consensus that elections were rigged, EU starts working on individual targeted measures against those responsible for violence against peaceful protesters and the election fraud.
A source in one of the delegations to the European Council earlier told TASS that EU foreign ministers agreed to impose targeted sanctions against "Belarusian officials responsible for violence and human rights abuses." According to the diplomat, the ministers instructed EU diplomatic services to draft a blacklist soon. At the same time, the source refused to answer whether incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko himself would be blacklisted.
The EU foreign ministers are holding an urgent video conference on Belarus that continues to be gripped by protest rallies after the recent presidential election on August 9.
Previous sanctions
The European Union first targeted Belarus with sanctions in 2004 as a response to disappearance of two opposition figures, a journalist and a businessman in 1999-2000 and later expanded them in 2011 for violating standards for holding presidential election (December 2010) and human rights abuses. In 2016, the EU decided to suspend sanctions against some natural persons and four companies but kept embargos on arms and police equipment in place.
These sanctions were temporarily suspended in September 2008 after Moscow recognized independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on August 26, 2008. However, the sanctions were reinstated after the presidential election in December 2010 and later tightened.
Belarus protests
On August 9, Belarus held the presidential election. Earlier on Friday, the national Central Election Commission declared the official results, showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.1% of the votes. His key rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12%. After exit poll results were revealed when voting was closed, many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police. The national Interior Ministry said a few thousand people had been detained since Sunday, while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.
Tikhanovskaya’s campaign staff rejected the election results and does not recognize Lukashenko’s victory. Tikhanovskaya herself fled the country late on Monday and is now in Lithuania, latest reports suggest.


tass--2020-08-14--Putin says there is no place for blackmail and diktat in Persian Gulf

In his statement , the Russian leader called for jointly overcoming problems arising in the region .
MOSCOW , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Any side 's blackmail and diktat is inadmissible in the Persian Gulf and in any other place in the world , Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement posted on the Kremlin ’ s website on Friday .
As the Russian leader recalled , in 2019 Russia submitted a renewed concept of security in the Persian Gulf , which `` stipulated specific ways for effectively resolving the tangle of problems in that region . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gulf ] , like in any other point in the world , there must be no place for anyone ’ s blackmail and diktat .
Unilateral approaches towards searching for solutions do not help , '' Putin stressed .
`` We are convinced that the problems can be overcome , if we treat each other ’ s positions with due attention and responsibility and act with respect and on a collective basis , '' the statement reads .
Accusations against Iran voiced within the United Nations Security Council are absolutely groundless , Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that discussions on the Iran nuclear deal within the United Nations Security Council `` are becoming more and more heated . ''
`` The situation is escalating .
Groundless accusations are being voiced against Iran .
Resolutions geared to break down the Security Council ’ s former unanimous decisions are being drafted , '' he stressed .
`` Russia stays committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) to settle the situation around the Iranian nuclear program .
Its signing back in 2015 was a major political and diplomatic achievement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat of an armed conflict and to consolidate the nuclear nonproliferation regime , '' Putin emphasized .
According to the Russian leader , `` it is important to preserve the positive ‘ heritage ’ that has been attained through serious efforts '' when building a comprehensive architecture of security in the Gulf .
Russia 's concept of collective security in the Persian Gulf Russia published its concept of collective security in the Persian Gulf in July 2019 .
The concept laid out such principles as stage-by-stage efforts , multilateral approaches and strict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions .
The document formulated the long-term strategic task of creating a comprehensive mechanism of collective security and cooperation in the Persian Gulf to involve all the region ’ s states on an equal footing .
US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft announced on Wednesday that the United States had submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council on extending the embargo on selling conventional weapons to Iran and buying them from it , urging all the Security Council members to support this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to a TASS source in the organization , the voting results will be made public at 17:30 New York time on August 14 ( 00:30 Moscow time on August 15 ) .
Under the Iran nuclear deal , the restrictions on selling armaments to Iran expire on October 18 .
US officials have numerously stated that they will seek the embargo ’ s extension , despite the US pullout from the Iran nuclear deal .
Meanwhile , diplomats polled by TASS said they doubted that the draft resolution would be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veto from a permanent Security Council member was needed to block it .
In June , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a letter to the United Nations secretary-general pointing to the lack of any objective reasons to discuss the topic of the arms embargo extension at the UN Security Council .
The Russian top diplomat recalled that under UN Security Council Resolution 2231 the procedure of arms supplies to Iran had a temporary nature .
He stressed that it did not provide for the use of restrictions on weapons supplies to Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were neither legal nor any other reasons to revise it .

In his statement, the Russian leader called for jointly overcoming problems arising in the region.
MOSCOW, August 14. /TASS/. Any side's blackmail and diktat is inadmissible in the Persian Gulf and in any other place in the world, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement posted on the Kremlin’s website on Friday.
As the Russian leader recalled, in 2019 Russia submitted a renewed concept of security in the Persian Gulf, which "stipulated specific ways for effectively resolving the tangle of problems in that region."
"In that region [the Persian Gulf], like in any other point in the world, there must be no place for anyone’s blackmail and diktat. Unilateral approaches towards searching for solutions do not help," Putin stressed.
"We are convinced that the problems can be overcome, if we treat each other’s positions with due attention and responsibility and act with respect and on a collective basis," the statement reads.
Heat turned up on Iran
Accusations against Iran voiced within the United Nations Security Council are absolutely groundless, Vladimir Putin stated.
The Russian leader noted that discussions on the Iran nuclear deal within the United Nations Security Council "are becoming more and more heated."
"The situation is escalating. Groundless accusations are being voiced against Iran. Resolutions geared to break down the Security Council’s former unanimous decisions are being drafted," he stressed.
"Russia stays committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to settle the situation around the Iranian nuclear program. Its signing back in 2015 was a major political and diplomatic achievement and has made it possible to avert the threat of an armed conflict and to consolidate the nuclear nonproliferation regime," Putin emphasized.
According to the Russian leader, "it is important to preserve the positive ‘heritage’ that has been attained through serious efforts" when building a comprehensive architecture of security in the Gulf.
Russia's concept of collective security in the Persian Gulf
Russia published its concept of collective security in the Persian Gulf in July 2019. The concept laid out such principles as stage-by-stage efforts, multilateral approaches and strict observance of international law, primarily, the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions. The document formulated the long-term strategic task of creating a comprehensive mechanism of collective security and cooperation in the Persian Gulf to involve all the region’s states on an equal footing.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft announced on Wednesday that the United States had submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council on extending the embargo on selling conventional weapons to Iran and buying them from it, urging all the Security Council members to support this initiative. Written voting is already underway. According to a TASS source in the organization, the voting results will be made public at 17:30 New York time on August 14 (00:30 Moscow time on August 15).
Under the Iran nuclear deal, the restrictions on selling armaments to Iran expire on October 18. US officials have numerously stated that they will seek the embargo’s extension, despite the US pullout from the Iran nuclear deal.
Meanwhile, diplomats polled by TASS said they doubted that the draft resolution would be able to score nine votes so that a veto from a permanent Security Council member was needed to block it.
In June, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov issued a letter to the United Nations secretary-general pointing to the lack of any objective reasons to discuss the topic of the arms embargo extension at the UN Security Council. The Russian top diplomat recalled that under UN Security Council Resolution 2231 the procedure of arms supplies to Iran had a temporary nature. He stressed that it did not provide for the use of restrictions on weapons supplies to Iran after October 18, 2020 and there were neither legal nor any other reasons to revise it.


tass--2020-08-14--Income of Russian top officials in 2019

Income of Russian top officials in 2019

The income , expenses and property declarations became available online on Friday MOSCOW , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin earned 9.726 mln rubles ( $ 133,400 ) in 2019 .
The income , expenses and property declaration was posted on Friday on the Kremlin ’ s website .
The president declared 8.65 mln rubles ( $ 118,600 ) of income in 2018 .
The property list in the declaration remained unchanged in 2019 .
Putin owns an apartment with an area of 77 square meters , a garage with an area of 18 square meters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Niva SUV and a Skif trailer .
The Russian president is using an apartment of 153.7 square meters and a garage parking lot of 18 square meters .
All this property is based in Russia .
The income of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin totaled 18.2 mln rubles ( $ 249,700 ) in 2019 , according to his income and property declaration posted on the Cabinet ’ s website on Friday .
The amount earned by the prime minister `` was formed from incomes at the place of work in the Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier earned funds , '' the government ’ s press service said .
According to the published document , Mishustin has no owned property but he is using together with his spouse and the underage child an apartment with a total area of 141.6 square meters registered in Russia .
The prime minister ’ s family also uses a residential house with an area of 861.2 square meters and a land plot of 5,500 square meters , also registered in Russia .
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev earned 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , when he held the office of the Prime Minister .
Such information is contained in the income , expenses and property declaration posted on Friday on the Kremlin ’ s website .
Medvedev earned 9.9 mln rubles ( $ 135,900 ) a year earlier .
The property used by the family of the official remained unchanged : an apartment , a land plot , two parking lots and three cars ( Volkswagen , Pobeda and Volga ) .
The income of the Speaker of the Federation Council ( parliament 's upper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 1.4 million rubles ( $ 19,206 ) and amounted to 16.7 million rubles ( $ 229,103 ) , according to her income and property declaration posted on the Federation Council 's website on Friday .
In 2018 , Matviyenko 's income decreased by almost 8 million rubles ( $ 109,765 ) to about 15.3 million rubles ( $ 209,925 ) .
The speaker of the Federation Council owns a countryside land plot ( about 3,700 square meters ) and a slope adjacent to the site and not subject to construction ( about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also owns an apartment ( 290 square meters ) , a dacha ( 729.4 square meters ) , a barn ( 255.4 square meters ) and a parking space .
She can also use one more countryside plot ( about 730 square meters ) while in office .
Matviyenko also owns three non-residential buildings and a facility which is under construction .
In addition , the speaker uses land plots on an area of 345 , 459 and 4,689 square meters .

The income, expenses and property declarations became available online on Friday
MOSCOW, August 14. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin earned 9.726 mln rubles ($133,400) in 2019. The income, expenses and property declaration was posted on Friday on the Kremlin’s website. The president declared 8.65 mln rubles ($118,600) of income in 2018. The property list in the declaration remained unchanged in 2019. Putin owns an apartment with an area of 77 square meters, a garage with an area of 18 square meters, two vintage Volga GAZ M21 cars, a Niva SUV and a Skif trailer. The Russian president is using an apartment of 153.7 square meters and a garage parking lot of 18 square meters. All this property is based in Russia. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin
Read also Mikhail Mishustin's biography
The income of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin totaled 18.2 mln rubles ($249,700) in 2019, according to his income and property declaration posted on the Cabinet’s website on Friday. The amount earned by the prime minister "was formed from incomes at the place of work in the Federal Tax Service and gains on deposits of earlier earned funds," the government’s press service said. According to the published document, Mishustin has no owned property but he is using together with his spouse and the underage child an apartment with a total area of 141.6 square meters registered in Russia. The prime minister’s family also uses a residential house with an area of 861.2 square meters and a land plot of 5,500 square meters, also registered in Russia. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev
Read also Russian government resigns


tass--2020-08-14--Riot police officers lower shields during protest in Minsk

Thousands of tractor plant workers head to downtown Minsk after PM ’ s refusal to talk MINSK , August 14 @ @ @ @ @ police officers have lowered their shields during a protest held in downtown Minsk as a @ @ @ @ @ protesters .
Several thousand protesters gathered on Independence Square in Minsk demanding the resignation of @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko , TASS reports from the scene .

Thousands of tractor plant workers head to downtown Minsk after PM’s refusal to talk
MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Belarusian riot police officers have lowered their shields during a protest held in downtown Minsk as a sign of solidarity with the protesters.
Several thousand protesters gathered on Independence Square in Minsk demanding the resignation of incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, TASS reports from the scene.


tass--2020-08-14--EU contacts US on sanctions against Nord Stream 2

BRUSSELS , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
The European Commission has confirmed communication between the EU and the US Department of State regarding the US sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline .
Earlier on Friday , German newspaper Die Welt reported that 24 EU countries had contacted the US Department of State and expressed protests over the US sanctions in connection with the construction of the gas pipeline .
According to the newspaper ’ s sources , the protests were voiced during a video conference on August 12 .
Only three EU states did not join the demarche @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries .
`` What I can tell you is that there was an informal outreach , which the EU member states joined on a voluntary basis , '' the European Commission ’ s official said on Friday responding to a relevant question from journalists .
The EC official also said that the EU is `` very much united '' on the issue of the US sanctions and during the `` informal outreach '' they reiterated their common position they expressed in a statement in July .
`` As you now , we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Department of State to update the guidance on Section 232 with respect to Russia ’ s energy and export pipeline and Countering America ’ s Adversaries Through the Sanctions Act , which broadens the scope of sanctions to include activities in support of Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream , '' the official said .
Last week , the Handelsblatt newspaper reported that in a letter dated August 5 , US senators threatened the operator of the German port of Mukran , Faehrhafen Sassnitz GmbH , with significant repercussions if it does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logistics base for Nord Stream 2 .
It is in that harbor where the Akademik Chersky pipe-laying vessel , which was named as a possible vessel to complete the gas pipeline , is moored , and pipes for this pipeline are stored .

BRUSSELS, August 14. /TASS/. The European Commission has confirmed communication between the EU and the US Department of State regarding the US sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Earlier on Friday, German newspaper Die Welt reported that 24 EU countries had contacted the US Department of State and expressed protests over the US sanctions in connection with the construction of the gas pipeline. According to the newspaper’s sources, the protests were voiced during a video conference on August 12. Only three EU states did not join the demarche, the newspaper said without naming the countries.
"What I can tell you is that there was an informal outreach, which the EU member states joined on a voluntary basis," the European Commission’s official said on Friday responding to a relevant question from journalists.
The EC official also said that the EU is "very much united" on the issue of the US sanctions and during the "informal outreach" they reiterated their common position they expressed in a statement in July.
"As you now, we are deeply concerned by the decision of the US Department of State to update the guidance on Section 232 with respect to Russia’s energy and export pipeline and Countering America’s Adversaries Through the Sanctions Act, which broadens the scope of sanctions to include activities in support of Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream," the official said.
Last week, the Handelsblatt newspaper reported that in a letter dated August 5, US senators threatened the operator of the German port of Mukran, Faehrhafen Sassnitz GmbH, with significant repercussions if it does not immediately stop providing the harbor as a logistics base for Nord Stream 2. It is in that harbor where the Akademik Chersky pipe-laying vessel, which was named as a possible vessel to complete the gas pipeline, is moored, and pipes for this pipeline are stored.


tass--2020-08-14--Thousands of tractor plant workers head to downtown Minsk after PM’s refusal to talk

MINSK , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Several thousand workers of the Minsk Tractor Plant headed from its premises to downtown Minsk after Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko refused to talk to them , a TASS onsite correspondent reported .
A procession of demonstrators , chanting `` Go away ! ''
is marching down Independence Avenue .
Passing by the Minsk Cogwheel Plant , they chant : `` Join us ! ''
Earlier , the prime minister arrived at the tractor plant to meet with its workers but they demanded to talk to him outside by the plant ’ s front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko and new elections .
Additionally , the workers demanded that `` the troops are moved out of the city and all political prisoners are released with dismissal of all charges . ''
The Central Election Commission of Belarus on Friday published the final results of the presidential election which was held on August 9 .
According to the commission , the election was won by incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko with 80.1 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who was considered his closest rival , got 10.12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other candidates were distributed as follows : Andrey Dmitriev - 1.21 % , Anna Kanopatskaya - 1.68 % , Sergey Cherechen - 1.14 % and against all candidates - 4.59 % .
Similar exit poll results were announced on Sunday after the election .
Later mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces .
Since Sunday , residents have been taking to the streets in the evenings .
As a result , according to the republic ’ s Interior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dozens of policemen and protesters were injured .

MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Several thousand workers of the Minsk Tractor Plant headed from its premises to downtown Minsk after Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko refused to talk to them, a TASS onsite correspondent reported.
A procession of demonstrators, chanting "Go away!" is marching down Independence Avenue. Passing by the Minsk Cogwheel Plant, they chant: "Join us!"
Earlier, the prime minister arrived at the tractor plant to meet with its workers but they demanded to talk to him outside by the plant’s front gate with journalists present. They demanded resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko and new elections. Additionally, the workers demanded that "the troops are moved out of the city and all political prisoners are released with dismissal of all charges."
The Central Election Commission of Belarus on Friday published the final results of the presidential election which was held on August 9. According to the commission, the election was won by incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko with 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his closest rival, got 10.12% of the vote. Votes for other candidates were distributed as follows: Andrey Dmitriev - 1.21%, Anna Kanopatskaya - 1.68%, Sergey Cherechen - 1.14% and against all candidates - 4.59%.
Similar exit poll results were announced on Sunday after the election. Later mass protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. Since Sunday, residents have been taking to the streets in the evenings. As a result, according to the republic’s Interior Ministry, over 6,000 people were detained and dozens of policemen and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-14--This week in photos: protesters on a bike, Pompeo at a brewery, capsized ship in Beirut

Russian vaccine will protect from COVID-19 for at least two years , developer says Russia became the first worldwide to @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus

Biden says alternative to sanctions against Russia would be Third World War
"Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," the US leader stressed
Read more


tass--2020-08-14--Belarusian factory workers hold mass rallies against violence

MINSK , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Rallies and meetings of factory workers with the management are underway at a number of major industrial enterprises in Belarus , the main slogans being for fair elections and against violence , the Belarusian media resource Onliner reports .
A large rally is in progress at the Belarusian Metallurgical Plant .
There is no strike there at the moment .
The plant keeps working as usual , Onliner says .
The Minsk Tractor Plant also saw a meeting between workers and the management .
The plant ’ s CEO , his deputy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part .
Also , a rally and workers ’ meeting with the management took place at the Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant .
A worker said it was a mutual initiative of the employees and the management .
A crowd of several thousand gathered on the premises of the Minsk Automobile Plant ( MAZ ) for a meeting with the administration .
One of the employees told Onliner the plant ’ s CEO promised to do his utmost to secure the release of detained MAZ workers and their relatives .
Several hundred , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azot fertilizer plant .
All senior managers were present at the meeting with the workers .
Mass demonstrations , sometimes entailing clashes with the police , began in Belarusian cities in the evening of August 9 after the results of exit polls following the presidential election were announced .
More protests followed throughout the next few days .
There have been spontaneous rallies at industrial plants .
According to police sources , several thousand people have been detained .
Dozens of police and demonstrators have been injured .
According to official returns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80.1 % of the votes , and Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , regarded as his main rival , 10.12 % .
Tikhanovskaya said she did not recognize the results and lodged a protest with the Central Election Commission .

MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Rallies and meetings of factory workers with the management are underway at a number of major industrial enterprises in Belarus, the main slogans being for fair elections and against violence, the Belarusian media resource Onliner reports.
A large rally is in progress at the Belarusian Metallurgical Plant. There is no strike there at the moment. The plant keeps working as usual, Onliner says.
The Minsk Tractor Plant also saw a meeting between workers and the management. The plant’s CEO, his deputy and chief of the local trade union took part. Also, a rally and workers’ meeting with the management took place at the Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant. A worker said it was a mutual initiative of the employees and the management.
A crowd of several thousand gathered on the premises of the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ) for a meeting with the administration. One of the employees told Onliner the plant’s CEO promised to do his utmost to secure the release of detained MAZ workers and their relatives.
Several hundred, according to Onliner, rallied at the Grodno Azot fertilizer plant. All senior managers were present at the meeting with the workers.
Mass demonstrations, sometimes entailing clashes with the police, began in Belarusian cities in the evening of August 9 after the results of exit polls following the presidential election were announced. More protests followed throughout the next few days. There have been spontaneous rallies at industrial plants. According to police sources, several thousand people have been detained. Dozens of police and demonstrators have been injured. According to official returns, the incumbent, Alexander Lukashenko, collected 80.1% of the votes, and Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, regarded as his main rival, 10.12%. Tikhanovskaya said she did not recognize the results and lodged a protest with the Central Election Commission.


tass--2020-08-14--US, Russia to hold meeting on strategic stability in Vienna on August 17-18

WASHINGTON , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump ’ s Special Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea @ @ @ @ @ on strategic stability with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov in Vienna on August 17-18 @ @ @ @ @ State said in a statement Friday .
`` Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Ambassador @ @ @ @ @ Vienna , Austria August 17-18 to meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on @ @ @ @ @ the future of nuclear arms control , '' the statement reads .

WASHINGTON, August 14. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea is set to hold talks on strategic stability with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov in Vienna on August 17-18, the US Department of State said in a statement Friday.
"Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Ambassador Marshall Billingslea will travel to Vienna, Austria August 17-18 to meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on mutually agreed topics related to the future of nuclear arms control," the statement reads.


tass--2020-08-14--Belarus’ former presidential candidate to challenge voting results with Supreme Court

MINSK , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Former candidate for Belarusian president Andrei Dmitriyev said on Friday he will challenge the presidential election results with the Country ’ s Supreme Court .
`` All the motions to recognize the election as invalid have been turned down , as has been a motion to postpone the decision , '' he wrote on his Telegram channel .
`` We are going to the Supreme Court . ''
On August 9 , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
On Friday , Belarus ’ Central Election Commission made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s voting .
The incumbent president , Alexander Lukashenko , won 80.1 % of the vote .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.12 % of votes .
Other candidates ' results are as follows : Andrei Dmitriyev - 1.21 % , Anna Kanopatskaya - 1.68 % , Sergei Cherchen - 1.14 % , and against all - 4.59 % Mass protests and clashes with the police swept Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public .
As a result , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .

MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Former candidate for Belarusian president Andrei Dmitriyev said on Friday he will challenge the presidential election results with the Country’s Supreme Court.
"All the motions to recognize the election as invalid have been turned down, as has been a motion to postpone the decision," he wrote on his Telegram channel. "We are going to the Supreme Court."
On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. On Friday, Belarus’ Central Election Commission made public the final results of Sunday’s voting. The incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.1% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.12% of votes. Other candidates' results are as follows: Andrei Dmitriyev - 1.21%, Anna Kanopatskaya - 1.68%, Sergei Cherchen - 1.14%, and against all - 4.59%
Mass protests and clashes with the police swept Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. As a result, more than 6,000 people were detained while dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured.


tass--2020-08-14--Tikhanovskaya initiates creation of coordination council to transfer power in Belarus

Tikhnovskaya thanked those who backed her and is ready to help with talks with the current authorities .
`` I ask you to unite in the coordination council .
We desperately need your help and experience .
We need your connections , contacts , expert advice and support .
This coordination council should be joined by everyone interested in dialogue and peaceful transfer of power - working groups , parties , trade unions and other organizations of the civic society , '' she added .
She added that she entrusted her authorized representative Olga Kovalkova and lawyer Maxim Znak with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations and citizen associations .
`` I , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , am initiating creation of the Coordination Council for transfer of power .
This council can be joined by civic society members , respected and famous Belarusians and true professionals of their trades , '' she said in a statement issued by her campaign staff .
MINSK , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who finished second in the race , has announced that she is initiating creation of a coordination council to ensure transfer of power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on the authorities to demonstrate their readiness for dialogue with people by releasing all those remanded and opening criminal cases against those who ordered `` to beat and shoot at people . ''
`` The authorities must demonstrate their readiness for dialogue with people .
It means they must release all those remanded .
It means they must pull riot police and troops off the streets .
It means they must open criminal cases against those who issued criminal orders to beat and shoot at people , '' the address reads .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready for dialogue with the Belarusian government .
`` My campaign office , the office of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , continues to work .
< … > I would like to state that we are ready for dialogue with the government , '' she said and called on mayors of Belarusian cities to `` come out and talk to people . ''
In this regard , she called on the international community for aid .
`` I would like to address the international community , European states with the request to help us establish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tikhanovskaya said .
On August 9 , Belarus held the presidential election .
Earlier on Friday , the national Central Election Commission declared official results , showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.1 % of the votes .
His key rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12 % .
After exit poll results were revealed when voting was closed , many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police .
The national Interior Ministry said a few thousands people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .
Tikhanovskaya ’ s campaign staff rejected the election results and does not recognize Lukashenko ’ s victory .
Tikhanovskaya herself fled the country late on Monday and is now in Lithuania , latest reports suggest .

Tikhnovskaya thanked those who backed her and is ready to help with talks with the current authorities. "I ask you to unite in the coordination council. We desperately need your help and experience. We need your connections, contacts, expert advice and support. This coordination council should be joined by everyone interested in dialogue and peaceful transfer of power - working groups, parties, trade unions and other organizations of the civic society," she added.
She added that she entrusted her authorized representative Olga Kovalkova and lawyer Maxim Znak with collecting applications to join the council from organizations and citizen associations.
"I, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, am initiating creation of the Coordination Council for transfer of power. This council can be joined by civic society members, respected and famous Belarusians and true professionals of their trades," she said in a statement issued by her campaign staff.
MINSK, August 14. /TASS/. Belarusian former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who finished second in the race, has announced that she is initiating creation of a coordination council to ensure transfer of power in the country.
The opposition leader called on the authorities to demonstrate their readiness for dialogue with people by releasing all those remanded and opening criminal cases against those who ordered "to beat and shoot at people."
"The authorities must demonstrate their readiness for dialogue with people. It means they must release all those remanded. It means they must pull riot police and troops off the streets. It means they must open criminal cases against those who issued criminal orders to beat and shoot at people," the address reads.
Tikhanovskaya stated that her campaign office is ready for dialogue with the Belarusian government. "My campaign office, the office of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, continues to work. <…> I would like to state that we are ready for dialogue with the government," she said and called on mayors of Belarusian cities to "come out and talk to people."
In this regard, she called on the international community for aid. "I would like to address the international community, European states with the request to help us establish dialogue with the Belarusian government," Tikhanovskaya said.
On August 9, Belarus held the presidential election. Earlier on Friday, the national Central Election Commission declared official results, showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.1% of the votes. His key rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12%. After exit poll results were revealed when voting was closed, many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police. The national Interior Ministry said a few thousands people had been detained since Sunday, while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.
Tikhanovskaya’s campaign staff rejected the election results and does not recognize Lukashenko’s victory. Tikhanovskaya herself fled the country late on Monday and is now in Lithuania, latest reports suggest.


tass--2020-08-14--Thailand eyes using Hainan's free trade port potential

HAIKOU , August 14 .
/TASS/ .
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Thailand Association on Hainan , Yun Changliang , during a video conference with the participation of Deputy Bureau of International Economic Development of Hainan Gong Qijun said that Bangkok is interested in unlocking the investment potential of the Chinese island , Xinhua reported .
`` The Thai government and business are showing great interest in the opportunities for investors on Hainan , '' stressed Yun Changliang .
`` I hope Hainan 's free trade port will create new incentives to further promote cooperation between Thailand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head of the association , Thai businessmen `` are actively exploring the benefits of Hainan 's preferential policies . ''
The chairman noted that he sees good prospects for joint development , increasing the volume of trade in Southeast Asia and therefore will contribute to the creation of new channels for expanding partnerships between enterprises in China and Thailand .
As the representatives of the Thai side who took part in the videoconference clarified , they are interested in strengthening cultural and humanitarian contacts with Hainan and are ready to cooperate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the field of air travel and duty free trade as well .
Gong Qijun has invited Thai companies to participate in the China International Consumer Fair due to be held on the island in 2021 .
“ We hope that even more Thai enterprises will use advantage of Hainan 's free trade port and implement their investment projects here , ” he concluded .
In April 2018 , President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities , the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy , developed tourism , top-notch scientific , technical and financial potential , and modern medicine .
The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a developed network of hotels , which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .

HAIKOU, August 14. /TASS/. Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Thailand Association on Hainan, Yun Changliang, during a video conference with the participation of Deputy Bureau of International Economic Development of Hainan Gong Qijun said that Bangkok is interested in unlocking the investment potential of the Chinese island, Xinhua reported.
"The Thai government and business are showing great interest in the opportunities for investors on Hainan," stressed Yun Changliang. "I hope Hainan's free trade port will create new incentives to further promote cooperation between Thailand and your region."
According to the head of the association, Thai businessmen "are actively exploring the benefits of Hainan's preferential policies." The chairman noted that he sees good prospects for joint development, increasing the volume of trade in Southeast Asia and therefore will contribute to the creation of new channels for expanding partnerships between enterprises in China and Thailand.
As the representatives of the Thai side who took part in the videoconference clarified, they are interested in strengthening cultural and humanitarian contacts with Hainan and are ready to cooperate in tourism, agriculture and finance, and in the field of air travel and duty free trade as well.
Gong Qijun has invited Thai companies to participate in the China International Consumer Fair due to be held on the island in 2021. “We hope that even more Thai enterprises will use advantage of Hainan's free trade port and implement their investment projects here,” he concluded.
Hainan's free trade zone
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province. By 2050, according to the authorities, the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy, developed tourism, top-notch scientific, technical and financial potential, and modern medicine. The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-08-15--Russia begins production of COVID-19 vaccine

MOSCOW , August 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has begun production of the novel coronavirus vaccine developed by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology , the Russian Health Ministry ’ s press service told reporters on Saturday .
`` The production of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus COVID-19 , developed by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology , has begun , '' the message says .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine , which was named Sputnik V. Russian Health Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology had shown its effectiveness and safety on the outcomes of clinical trials .
It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines .
According to the Russian Health Ministry , experience shows that such vaccines are capable of developing long-term immunity that lasts for up to two years .
Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) Kirill Dmitriev pointed out that Russia had received applications for more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 countries .

MOSCOW, August 15. /TASS/. Russia has begun production of the novel coronavirus vaccine developed by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, the Russian Health Ministry’s press service told reporters on Saturday.
"The production of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus COVID-19, developed by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, has begun," the message says.
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed that the vaccine created by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology had shown its effectiveness and safety on the outcomes of clinical trials. It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines. According to the Russian Health Ministry, experience shows that such vaccines are capable of developing long-term immunity that lasts for up to two years. Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev pointed out that Russia had received applications for more than 1 bln doses of the vaccine from 20 countries.


tass--2020-08-15--Minsk residents honor memory of deceased protester with minute of silence

MINSK , August 15 .
/TASS/ .
Several thousand people who gathered on Pushkinskaya Square in Minsk on Saturday held @ @ @ @ @ honor the memory of a protester who was killed on the site earlier this week @ @ @ @ @ up in the air , and passing cars stopped honking .
At about 12:00 local @ @ @ @ @ time ) , people began to gather near Pushkinskaya metro station , where a memorial @ @ @ @ @ protester was established several days ago .
People formed chains , holding flowers in their @ @ @ @ @ people attending the memorial is on the rise .
A big pile of flowers formed @ @ @ @ @ protester ’ s death .
The situation is calm , no police units are seen @ @ @

MINSK, August 15. /TASS/. Several thousand people who gathered on Pushkinskaya Square in Minsk on Saturday held a minute of silence to honor the memory of a protester who was killed on the site earlier this week. People held their fists up in the air, and passing cars stopped honking.
At about 12:00 local time (same as Moscow time), people began to gather near Pushkinskaya metro station, where a memorial in honor of the deceased protester was established several days ago. People formed chains, holding flowers in their hands.
The number of people attending the memorial is on the rise. A big pile of flowers formed at the site of the protester’s death.
The situation is calm, no police units are seen on site.


tass--2020-08-15--Lukashenko says he plans to contact Putin to discuss situation in Belarus

MINSK , August 15 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said during a session in Minsk on Saturday that he plans to discuss the situation in the country with his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin , as the events in the republic can affect the Union State .
`` What I ’ m saying is practically there is a scenario of aggression against Belarus .
We need to contact Putin , the president of Russia , so that I can hold talks with him .
Because there is a threat not only to Belarus , '' he said , quoted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection of Belarus today is nothing less than the protection of our entire area , the area of the Union State .
This is an example to others .
If the Belarusians don ’ t withstand it , this wave will arrive over there , '' he added .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who was considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 10.12 % .
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9 , protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country , leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement .
The protests continued over the following days .
As a result , several thousand people were detained , dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .

MINSK, August 15. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said during a session in Minsk on Saturday that he plans to discuss the situation in the country with his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin, as the events in the republic can affect the Union State.
"What I’m saying is practically there is a scenario of aggression against Belarus. We need to contact Putin, the president of Russia, so that I can hold talks with him. Because there is a threat not only to Belarus," he said, quoted by BelTA news agency. "The protection of Belarus today is nothing less than the protection of our entire area, the area of the Union State. This is an example to others. If the Belarusians don’t withstand it, this wave will arrive over there," he added.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his main opponent, came in second with 10.12%.
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9, protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement. The protests continued over the following days. As a result, several thousand people were detained, dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-15--Russia documents 5,061 cases of COVID-19 in past 24 hours

MOSCOW , August 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has documented 5,061 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , with the total number of people infected reaching 917,884 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday .
The daily increase rate has not surpassed 0.6 % for the past two weeks .
The lowest increase rate has been documented in the Chukotka Autonomous Region ( 0.0 % ) , the Moscow Region ( 0.2 % ) , North Ossetia ( 0.2 % ) , Moscow ( 0.3 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic ( 0.3 % ) , the Smolensk Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Karachay-Cherkess Republic ( 0.3 % ) , the Transbaikal Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Chechen Republic ( 0.3 % ) , the Kursk Region ( 0.3 % ) .
Moscow has documented 695 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours , St. Petersburg - 162 , the Sverdlovsk Region - 158 , the Moscow Region - 153 , the Rostov Region - 128 .
Currently , there are 172,856 active cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documented 6,447 recoveries from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours .
According to the crisis center , in total , 729,411 people have recovered from the virus in Russia , which constitutes 79.5 % of the total number of those infected .
Meanwhile , Russia has documented 119 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours compared to 114 the day before , the center informed .
The death toll since the start of the pandemic in the country has reached 15,617 .
The COVID-19 lethality rate in Russia reaches 1.7 % .

MOSCOW, August 15. /TASS/. Russia has documented 5,061 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, with the total number of people infected reaching 917,884, the anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters on Saturday.
The daily increase rate has not surpassed 0.6% for the past two weeks.
The lowest increase rate has been documented in the Chukotka Autonomous Region (0.0%), the Moscow Region (0.2%), North Ossetia (0.2%), Moscow (0.3%), the Tuva Republic (0.3%), the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (0.3%), the Smolensk Region (0.3%), the Karachay-Cherkess Republic (0.3%), the Transbaikal Region (0.3%), the Chechen Republic (0.3%), the Kursk Region (0.3%).
Moscow has documented 695 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, St. Petersburg - 162, the Sverdlovsk Region - 158, the Moscow Region - 153, the Rostov Region - 128. Currently, there are 172,856 active cases of COVID-19 in Russia.
Russia has documented 6,447 recoveries from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
According to the crisis center, in total, 729,411 people have recovered from the virus in Russia, which constitutes 79.5% of the total number of those infected.
Meanwhile, Russia has documented 119 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours compared to 114 the day before, the center informed. The death toll since the start of the pandemic in the country has reached 15,617. The COVID-19 lethality rate in Russia reaches 1.7%.


tass--2020-08-15--Volunteers taking part in third stage of Russian COVID-19 trials won’t be hospitalized

MOSCOW , August 15 .
/TASS/ .
Volunteers taking part in the third stage of the clinical trials of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine developed by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology will not be hospitalized , head of the center Alexander Ginzberg told TASS .
`` Of course , the volunteers won ’ t be hospitalized beforehand .
All of them will come and go from their homes , '' he said .
Ginzburg added that the volunteers would donate blood for testing on the first day of the trials .
`` This is done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , so that we can compare a rise in antibodies , '' he noted .
The next blood test will be made in 21 days after the first vaccine shot and in 21 days after the second one .
The researcher said that so far , there is no final protocol on clinical trials after the vaccine ’ s registration , however , he assumed that the trials would be less rigorous .
Earlier , Ginzburg said that all volunteers taking part in the clinical trials of the vaccine would receive insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August 11 , Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine , which was named Sputnik V. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed that the vaccine created by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology had shown its effectiveness and safety on the outcomes of clinical trials .
It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines .
According to the Russian Health Ministry , experience shows that such vaccines are capable of developing long-term immunity that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) Kirill Dmitriev pointed out that Russia had received applications for more than 1 bln doses of the vaccine from 20 countries .

MOSCOW, August 15. /TASS/. Volunteers taking part in the third stage of the clinical trials of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine developed by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology will not be hospitalized, head of the center Alexander Ginzberg told TASS.
"Of course, the volunteers won’t be hospitalized beforehand. All of them will come and go from their homes," he said.
Ginzburg added that the volunteers would donate blood for testing on the first day of the trials. "This is done so that there will be a starting point, so that we can compare a rise in antibodies," he noted. The next blood test will be made in 21 days after the first vaccine shot and in 21 days after the second one.
The researcher said that so far, there is no final protocol on clinical trials after the vaccine’s registration, however, he assumed that the trials would be less rigorous.
Earlier, Ginzburg said that all volunteers taking part in the clinical trials of the vaccine would receive insurance and would get a compensation.
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed that the vaccine created by the N. F. Gamaleya Federal Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology had shown its effectiveness and safety on the outcomes of clinical trials. It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines. According to the Russian Health Ministry, experience shows that such vaccines are capable of developing long-term immunity that lasts for up to two years. Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev pointed out that Russia had received applications for more than 1 bln doses of the vaccine from 20 countries.