tass--2020-08-18--China's Sanya to develop technologies for self-driving cars and supermarkets

SANYA , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Sanya authorities will develop technologies for self-driving transport and commercial firms , according to Hianan 's Comprehensive Smart Technology Program for 2020-2025 published by the authorities .
Among the priority areas for high-tech development of the regions , the authorities emphacise developments in the field of self-driving transport — in order to do so , mobile edge computing technologies will be developed in Haikou , Sanya , at the testing ground for unmanned vehicles in Qionghai county , as well as in the Lecheng medical tourism pilot zone and other regions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the development of smart transport in Haikou and Sanya , as well as accelerate their implementation in trade , tourism , transport etc .
Moreover , test sites will be set up in the provincial capital and Sanya , as well as key shopping and logistics centers of the province , to create networks of self-serve supermarkets and other retail outlets .
The document , drafted by the authorities , provides for the online promotion of cultural events in the key resort areas of Dadonghai , Yalunwang and Tianyhaiijiao .
It promotes Hainan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , theater performances , musicals and other cultural and nightlife events .
In addition , the government will work to promote night-time cinemas , e-sports competitions , and bookstores among residents and visitors of the island to create an environment for 24/7 consumption .
In Haikou , Sanya and Qionghai , self-serve pharmacies will also be introduced , clients will be able to receive a medication simply by scanning a special QR code with their phone .
Hainan intends to wrap up preparations for the necessary infrastructure by 2023 .
In June the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and the Сhinese State Council published the “ General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan , ” according to which the island ’ s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025 , and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region 's development .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

SANYA, August 18. /TASS/. The Sanya authorities will develop technologies for self-driving transport and commercial firms, according to Hianan's Comprehensive Smart Technology Program for 2020-2025 published by the authorities.
Among the priority areas for high-tech development of the regions, the authorities emphacise developments in the field of self-driving transport — in order to do so, mobile edge computing technologies will be developed in Haikou, Sanya, at the testing ground for unmanned vehicles in Qionghai county, as well as in the Lecheng medical tourism pilot zone and other regions. According to plans, this will accelerate the development of smart transport in Haikou and Sanya, as well as accelerate their implementation in trade, tourism, transport etc. Moreover, test sites will be set up in the provincial capital and Sanya, as well as key shopping and logistics centers of the province, to create networks of self-serve supermarkets and other retail outlets.
The document, drafted by the authorities, provides for the online promotion of cultural events in the key resort areas of Dadonghai, Yalunwang and Tianyhaiijiao. It promotes Hainan residents and tourists about marine light shows, theater performances, musicals and other cultural and nightlife events. In addition, the government will work to promote night-time cinemas, e-sports competitions, and bookstores among residents and visitors of the island to create an environment for 24/7 consumption. In Haikou, Sanya and Qionghai, self-serve pharmacies will also be introduced, clients will be able to receive a medication simply by scanning a special QR code with their phone.
Hainan intends to wrap up preparations for the necessary infrastructure by 2023.
In June the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan,” according to which the island’s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025, and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region's development.
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--2020-08-18--Unknown man threatens Russian diplomats in New York

NEW YORK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
An unknown man has repeatedly threatened the lives and well-being of Russian @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Consulate-General told TASS on Monday .
`` Starting on August 10 , an @ @ @ @ @ Consulate-General ’ s staff and has also thrown stones at them , '' the Russian @ @ @ @ @ As a result of these incidents , damage was inflicted to the Consulate-General . ''
@ @ @ @ @ during his arrest on the first day , the perpetrator was shouting and threatening the @ @ @ @ @ police .
Yet , a day later , he returned and again threw stones at @ @ @ @ @ ’ s parking lot .
Even though the attacker `` was allegedly detained '' earlier @ @ @ @ @ issue any citation against him , the diplomatic mission said .
`` In view of @ @ @ @ @ why a person , who had repeatedly made threats against the Russian staff of the @ @ @ @ @ time , '' the diplomats said .

NEW YORK, August 18. /TASS/. An unknown man has repeatedly threatened the lives and well-being of Russian diplomats in New York, the Russian Consulate-General told TASS on Monday.
"Starting on August 10, an unknown man began threatening the Consulate-General’s staff and has also thrown stones at them," the Russian diplomatic mission said. "As a result of these incidents, damage was inflicted to the Consulate-General."
According to the diplomats, during his arrest on the first day, the perpetrator was shouting and threatening the Russians in the presence of police. Yet, a day later, he returned and again threw stones at cars at the diplomatic mission’s parking lot.
Even though the attacker "was allegedly detained" earlier, the police failed to issue any citation against him, the diplomatic mission said. "In view of this, the question is why a person, who had repeatedly made threats against the Russian staff of the Consulate-General, was freed each time," the diplomats said.


tass--2020-08-18--First China's university under foreign management to be set up on Hainan

HAIKOU , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Hainan government and Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences ( Germany ) signed a strategic cooperation agreement , according to which the first China 's educational institution will be set up on the island and will be fully managed by a German university , reported the Hainan Daily .
According to the news outlet , the institute will be located in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in the northwest of the province .
It aimes at training highly qualified personnel , promoting the development of Hainan 's free trade port , attracting investments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital on the island .
According to the newspaper , the first enrollment is scheduled for 2021 .
The institution will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in `` intelligent logistics '' , `` mechatronics '' , `` data science '' , `` industrial design and services '' , `` enterprise economics '' , `` economic engineering '' , `` economic information '' , `` smart technologies '' , `` enterprise management '' , `` project management '' , etc .
The article writes that in accordance with the preferences of Hainan 's free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed duty free import of teaching materials and equipment , and teachers will enjoy visa-free travel and a preferential rate of individual income tax .
Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1971 .
It offers 37 bachelor and 25 master 's programs .
In June the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “ General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan , ” according to which the island ’ s administration intends to create an effective system to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic goals by 2025 , and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region 's development .
On July 23 , a new version of the negative list came into force in China , regulating the access of foreign investments to the Chinese market and the Chinese free trade zones ( FTA ) .
The negative list is a list of areas of activity , access to which for foreign companies or enterprises with foreign capital participation in China is partially restricted or prohibited .
In accordance with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create and manage industrial and technical educational institutions , but only on the territory of China 's free trade zones .
The previous version of the negative list for FTZs allowed only joint management of these institutions .
In April 2018 , Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the launch of Hainan 's pilot free trade zone/

HAIKOU, August 18. /TASS/. The Hainan government and Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (Germany) signed a strategic cooperation agreement, according to which the first China's educational institution will be set up on the island and will be fully managed by a German university, reported the Hainan Daily.
According to the news outlet, the institute will be located in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in the northwest of the province. It aimes at training highly qualified personnel, promoting the development of Hainan's free trade port, attracting investments from Germany and creating enterprises with foreign capital on the island.
According to the newspaper, the first enrollment is scheduled for 2021. The institution will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in "intelligent logistics", "mechatronics", "data science", "industrial design and services", "enterprise economics", "economic engineering", "economic information", "smart technologies", "enterprise management", "project management", etc.
The article writes that in accordance with the preferences of Hainan's free trade port, the educational institution will be allowed duty free import of teaching materials and equipment, and teachers will enjoy visa-free travel and a preferential rate of individual income tax.
Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1971. It offers 37 bachelor and 25 master's programs.
In June the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan,” according to which the island’s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025, and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region's development.
The Negative list
On July 23, a new version of the negative list came into force in China, regulating the access of foreign investments to the Chinese market and the Chinese free trade zones (FTA). The negative list is a list of areas of activity, access to which for foreign companies or enterprises with foreign capital participation in China is partially restricted or prohibited.
In accordance with the latest changes, foreign investors can independently create and manage industrial and technical educational institutions, but only on the territory of China's free trade zones. The previous version of the negative list for FTZs allowed only joint management of these institutions.
In April 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the launch of Hainan's pilot free trade zone/


tass--2020-08-18--Russian energy minister tests positive for coronavirus

BLAGOVESHCHENSK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak has tested positive for the coronavirus , Prime @ @ @ @ @ a meeting of the governmental commission on the social and economic development of the Far @ @ @ @ @ in the city of Blagoveshchensk in the Far East .
`` Unfortunately , Alexander Novak @ @ @ @ @ Let ’ s wish him a speedy recovery .
In fact , he came all @ @ @ @ @ to Moscow without taking part [ in the meeting ] , '' Mishustin said .
@ @ @ @ @ Olga Golant has told TASS that Novak will take part in a meeting of the @ @ @ @ @ be held on August 19 .
`` Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ to the Far East .
He doesn ’ t have any symptoms and feels well @ @ @ @ @ continue to fulfill his duties remotely .
In particular , on August 19 , he @ @ @ @ @ meeting of the OPEC+ monitoring committee via video link , '' she said .

BLAGOVESHCHENSK, August 18. /TASS/. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak has tested positive for the coronavirus, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a meeting of the governmental commission on the social and economic development of the Far East, which took place in the city of Blagoveshchensk in the Far East.
"Unfortunately, Alexander Novak has contracted the coronavirus. Let’s wish him a speedy recovery. In fact, he came all the way here and returned to Moscow without taking part [in the meeting]," Mishustin said.
Meanwhile, Energy Ministry Spokesperson Olga Golant has told TASS that Novak will take part in a meeting of the OPEC+ monitoring committee set to be held on August 19.
"Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak tested positive for COVID-19 during a working trip to the Far East. He doesn’t have any symptoms and feels well. The energy minister will continue to fulfill his duties remotely. In particular, on August 19, he will take part in a meeting of the OPEC+ monitoring committee via video link," she said.


tass--2020-08-18--Journalists from Russian PM’s pool depart from Far East over coronavirus situation

BLAGOVESHCHENSK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
The entire pool of journalists accompanying Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during his trip to the Far East departed from Blagoveshchensk , the administrative center of the Amur Region , after new coronavirus cases were confirmed , a TASS correspondent reported .
The media representatives left the hotel with those of them who had contracted the virus traveling in a separate van .
They were among the first to be taken onboard the Emergencies Ministry ’ s evacuation flight , where they were isolated .
All journalists were given protective suits , masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put on the suits , they were taken to the plane in a bus .
The flight was performed by Sukhoi Superjet 100 .
The Russian government ’ s press service reported on Monday that during routine tests some journalists of the pool tested positive for the coronavirus .
The cabinet announced that all necessary measures were taken to protect their life and health .
The reporters were isolated and remain under control of doctors .
Later they were sent to Moscow under medical supervision with all sanitary and epidemiological measures being observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime minister ’ s pool were taken from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the Far East to Moscow to be placed under quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus .
Other media representatives continued their work and traveled with the prime minister to Magadan and Blagoveshchensk .
All journalists passed their last test on August 17 after arriving in the Amur Region ’ s capital .
Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev earlier had to suspend participation in the events scheduled for his working trip after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian prime minister ’ s Far Eastern tour began on August 13 and is due to end on August 18 .
During his trip , Mishustin visited Chukotka , Kamchatka and the Magadan and Amur regions .

BLAGOVESHCHENSK, August 18. /TASS/. The entire pool of journalists accompanying Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during his trip to the Far East departed from Blagoveshchensk, the administrative center of the Amur Region, after new coronavirus cases were confirmed, a TASS correspondent reported.
The media representatives left the hotel with those of them who had contracted the virus traveling in a separate van. They were among the first to be taken onboard the Emergencies Ministry’s evacuation flight, where they were isolated. All journalists were given protective suits, masks and gloves. After all of them put on the suits, they were taken to the plane in a bus. The flight was performed by Sukhoi Superjet 100.
The Russian government’s press service reported on Monday that during routine tests some journalists of the pool tested positive for the coronavirus. The cabinet announced that all necessary measures were taken to protect their life and health. The reporters were isolated and remain under control of doctors. Later they were sent to Moscow under medical supervision with all sanitary and epidemiological measures being observed.
Earlier, some journalists of the prime minister’s pool were taken from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the Far East to Moscow to be placed under quarantine after testing positive for the coronavirus. Other media representatives continued their work and traveled with the prime minister to Magadan and Blagoveshchensk. All journalists passed their last test on August 17 after arriving in the Amur Region’s capital.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev earlier had to suspend participation in the events scheduled for his working trip after testing positive for the coronavirus.
The Russian prime minister’s Far Eastern tour began on August 13 and is due to end on August 18. During his trip, Mishustin visited Chukotka, Kamchatka and the Magadan and Amur regions.


tass--2020-08-18--New products and new scenes to be unveiled as International Airport takes initial shape

CHENGDU , China , Aug. 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by National Business Daily : Southwest China 's Chengdu is vigorously boosting the New Economy industry by launching another round of New Economy scenes and products .
`` Convergence of Scenes - Chengdu Eastern New Area Meets the Future '' , one of the events affiliated to 2020 Chengdu New Economy Double Thousand Project , will be held on August 20 at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport .
The event will introduce 100 new scenes and 100 new products of the New Economy sector .
Chengdu Eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is a significant part of Chengdu 's blueprint for development , and new economy constitutes one of the new area 's focuses .
Expected to be came into use in 2021 , Chengdu Tianfu International Airport will make Chengdu the third boasting two international airports in China , after Beijing and Shanghai .
The airport will not only serve as an international aviation hub but also take the role of creating an aviation economic zone in newly launched Chengdu Eastern New Area .
It 's noticed that Chengdu Eastern New Area is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Chongqing .
It is expected to accelerate the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle , an initiative proposed by the Chinese authorities earlier this year , in an attempt to foster a growth pole for high-quality development in western China .
The airport will be a major transportation hub of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic rim and open a gateway for further opening-up .
According to the development plan , by 2025 Chengdu Eastern New Area will take an initial shape and the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport 's function as an international aviation hub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will become a core fulcrum of the international aviation hubs .
At the time , the new economy sector is expected to take a lead in driving the development of Chengdu Eastern New Area .

CHENGDU, China, Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report by National Business Daily: Southwest China's Chengdu is vigorously boosting the New Economy industry by launching another round of New Economy scenes and products.
"Convergence of Scenes - Chengdu Eastern New Area Meets the Future", one of the events affiliated to 2020 Chengdu New Economy Double Thousand Project, will be held on August 20 at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. The event will introduce 100 new scenes and 100 new products of the New Economy sector.
Chengdu Eastern New Area, officially licensed this May, is a significant part of Chengdu's blueprint for development, and new economy constitutes one of the new area's focuses.
Expected to be came into use in 2021, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport will make Chengdu the third boasting two international airports in China, after Beijing and Shanghai. The airport will not only serve as an international aviation hub but also take the role of creating an aviation economic zone in newly launched Chengdu Eastern New Area.
It's noticed that Chengdu Eastern New Area is located on the main axis from Chengdu to Chongqing. It is expected to accelerate the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, an initiative proposed by the Chinese authorities earlier this year, in an attempt to foster a growth pole for high-quality development in western China. The airport will be a major transportation hub of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic rim and open a gateway for further opening-up.
According to the development plan, by 2025 Chengdu Eastern New Area will take an initial shape and the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport's function as an international aviation hub will gradually stand out. By 2035, it will become a core fulcrum of the international aviation hubs. At the time, the new economy sector is expected to take a lead in driving the development of Chengdu Eastern New Area.


tass--2020-08-18--Peru records 5,547 daily coronavirus cases

BOGOTA , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 5,547 coronavirus cases were recorded in Peru in the past @ @ @ @ @ total to 541,493 , according to the country 's Health Ministry .
Over 7,700 coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ past day '' The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has reached 541,493 , '' the @ @ @ @ @ .
Peru ’ s coronavirus death toll has climbed to 26,481 while 370,717 patients have @ @ @ @ @ President Martin Vizcarra declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus in mid-March .
@ @ @ @ @ later extended the state of emergency and introduced a curfew .
Vizcarra announced the gradual @ @ @ @ @ May 2 .
However , he urged the country ’ s people to keep complying @ @ @ @

BOGOTA, August 18. /TASS/. As many as 5,547 coronavirus cases were recorded in Peru in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 541,493, according to the country's Health Ministry.
Over 7,700 coronavirus cases confirmed in Peru in past day
"The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has reached 541,493," the ministry said in a statement.
Peru’s coronavirus death toll has climbed to 26,481 while 370,717 patients have recovered.
Peru’s President Martin Vizcarra declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus in mid-March. The country’s authorities later extended the state of emergency and introduced a curfew. Vizcarra announced the gradual resumption of economic activities on May 2. However, he urged the country’s people to keep complying with coronavirus precautions.


tass--2020-08-18--Over 57,000 die from coronavirus in Mexico overall

MEXICO CITY , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Mexico ’ s coronavirus death toll rose by 266 in the past @ @ @ @ @ Health Ministry ’ s chief epidemiologist Jose Luis Alomia told a news conference on Monday @ @ @ @ @ authorities reported that 214 patients had died from the coronavirus .
Since late February , @ @ @ @ @ confirmed in the country .
In the past 24 hours , the doctors recorded another @ @ @ @ @ than a day earlier .
By now , Mexico ’ s specialists have carried out @ @ @ @ @ tests , of which 577,531 showed negative results .
Some 359,347 patients have recovered .
@ @ @ @ @ coronavirus spread rate in the country continued to decline .
`` In the past week @ @ @ @ @ got infected , '' he stressed .

MEXICO CITY, August 18. /TASS/. Mexico’s coronavirus death toll rose by 266 in the past day to 57,023, the Health Ministry’s chief epidemiologist Jose Luis Alomia told a news conference on Monday.
On Sunday, the authorities reported that 214 patients had died from the coronavirus.
Since late February, 525,733 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the country. In the past 24 hours, the doctors recorded another 3,571 cases, 877 fewer than a day earlier.
By now, Mexico’s specialists have carried out a total of 1,181,695 COVID-19 tests, of which 577,531 showed negative results. Some 359,347 patients have recovered.
According to Alomia, the coronavirus spread rate in the country continued to decline. "In the past week, more people recovered than got infected," he stressed.


tass--2020-08-18--Trump calls Putin ‘world-class chess player’ along with Xi and Erdogan

WASHINGTON , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin , Chinese President Xi Jinping and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan are `` world-class chess players '' and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden won ’ t be able to deal with them if he wins the election , US President Donald Trump told his supporters on Monday .
`` Listen , one thing I ’ ve learned : Putin , President Xi of China , Kim Jong Un and Erdogan of Turkey are world-class chess players… They are all dreaming of Joe Biden [ as a president ] , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be able to work with them as an equal partner because he wasn ’ t very good `` in his best years . ''
According to Trump , Tehran allegedly also wants the Democratic candidate to win the November 3 presidential election .
`` If we win and when we win we are going to have a deal with Iran immediately , '' the US leader said .
Biden has no experience of holding talks with Beijing , Trump said , warning that `` China will own the United States '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON, August 18. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan are "world-class chess players" and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden won’t be able to deal with them if he wins the election, US President Donald Trump told his supporters on Monday.
"Listen, one thing I’ve learned: Putin, President Xi of China, Kim Jong Un and Erdogan of Turkey are world-class chess players… They are all dreaming of Joe Biden [as a president]," Trump said, noting that Biden would not be able to work with them as an equal partner because he wasn’t very good "in his best years."
According to Trump, Tehran allegedly also wants the Democratic candidate to win the November 3 presidential election. "If we win and when we win we are going to have a deal with Iran immediately," the US leader said.
Biden has no experience of holding talks with Beijing, Trump said, warning that "China will own the United States" if he did not get re-election.


tass--2020-08-17--Russian scientists improve properties of natural substances to treat malaria, cancer

STAVROPOL , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Scientists from the North-Caucasus Federal University ( NCFU ) have created a method for synthesizing an analogue of a natural substance used to fight malaria and cancer cells .
Work at the atomic level made it possible to enhance the properties of the substance and make it more accessible , the university 's press service told reporters on Monday .
`` Researchers were able to improve methods for the reproduction of indoloquinolines to increase the bioavailability of drugs based on them .
< ... > They managed to interfere with the arrangement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thereby affect the activity of indoloquinolines where it is necessary to reduce the level of toxicity and enhance medicinal properties .
By rearranging , it was possible to create an analogue of isocryptolepine , which fights cancer cells a thousand times more effectively , '' the statement reads .
Indoloquinolines are the analogs of a natural alkaloid isocryptolepine , which is found in the roots of a South African plant and has been used in traditional medicine for many years to treat malaria , and it can also fight some types of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student at NCFU , together with the scientific adviser of the project , Doctor of Chemical Sciences Nikolai Aksenov , is working on new methods of synthesizing the substance .
Changing the properties of the original substance makes it possible to enhance its effect on cells , to make its production more accessible .
The researchers received several grants from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research ( RFBR ) to continue their study .
`` It is very important that the [ RFBR ] competition is aimed at supporting postgraduate students of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain achievements .
We have submitted 28 applications and received 22 grants .
This is a very serious result , proving that a new promising generation of young researchers is being formed at the North Caucasus Federal University '' , explained the rector of the university Dmitry Bespalov .
NCFU is the largest university in the North Caucasus , which was founded in 2012 on the basis of three big universities in Stavropol .
About 25,000 students are getting education at the North Caucasus Federal University .

STAVROPOL, August 17. /TASS/. Scientists from the North-Caucasus Federal University (NCFU) have created a method for synthesizing an analogue of a natural substance used to fight malaria and cancer cells. Work at the atomic level made it possible to enhance the properties of the substance and make it more accessible, the university's press service told reporters on Monday.
"Researchers were able to improve methods for the reproduction of indoloquinolines to increase the bioavailability of drugs based on them. <...> They managed to interfere with the arrangement of atoms, change the set of substituents and thereby affect the activity of indoloquinolines where it is necessary to reduce the level of toxicity and enhance medicinal properties. By rearranging, it was possible to create an analogue of isocryptolepine, which fights cancer cells a thousand times more effectively," the statement reads.
Indoloquinolines are the analogs of a natural alkaloid isocryptolepine, which is found in the roots of a South African plant and has been used in traditional medicine for many years to treat malaria, and it can also fight some types of cancer. Aminat Gasanova, a postgraduate student at NCFU, together with the scientific adviser of the project, Doctor of Chemical Sciences Nikolai Aksenov, is working on new methods of synthesizing the substance. Changing the properties of the original substance makes it possible to enhance its effect on cells, to make its production more accessible.
The researchers received several grants from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) to continue their study. "It is very important that the [RFBR] competition is aimed at supporting postgraduate students of the first and second year who already have certain achievements. We have submitted 28 applications and received 22 grants. This is a very serious result, proving that a new promising generation of young researchers is being formed at the North Caucasus Federal University", explained the rector of the university Dmitry Bespalov.
NCFU is the largest university in the North Caucasus, which was founded in 2012 on the basis of three big universities in Stavropol. About 25,000 students are getting education at the North Caucasus Federal University.


tass--2020-08-18--Two militants killed in special operation in Ingushetia, says source

MAGAS , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Two militants were killed in a special operation in Russia ’ s North @ @ @ @ @ offering armed resistance to law enforcers , a source in the republic ’ s law @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
`` Two militants who offered armed resistance were killed .
They have not @ @ @ @ @ the source said , adding that the special operation was conducted near the settlement of @ @

MAGAS, August 18. /TASS/. Two militants were killed in a special operation in Russia’s North Caucasian Republic of Ingushetia after offering armed resistance to law enforcers, a source in the republic’s law enforcement agencies told TASS on Tuesday.
"Two militants who offered armed resistance were killed. They have not yet been identified," the source said, adding that the special operation was conducted near the settlement of Galakshi.


tass--2020-08-19--Syria’s SANA news agency reports rocket attack on US base in Deir ez-Zor

BEIRUT , August 19 .
/TASS/ .
Several rockets exploded on Tuesday on the territory of a US military base in the north of Syria ’ s Deir ez-Zor governorate , the SANA news agency reported .
According to the agency , the attack targeted a US base near the Conoco oil field controlled by US troops and Kurdish units .
No information about casualties is available so far .
This is the first-ever attack on one of the 12 military facilities , created by the United States since 2015 in Syria ’ s governorates of al-Hasakah , Raqqa and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Kurdish groups , control oil-rich areas on the eastern bank of the Euphrates river , including the oil fields of Al-Omar , Tanak , Al-Jafra and Conoco , which accounted for 80 % of all oil produced in Syria before the war broke out .
Late last year , US President Donald Trump approved the plan of US troop withdrawal from Syria , according to which only a few hundreds of US soldiers will remain in the country .
Their main task will be to ensure control over oilfields in the northeast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views the US military presence on its territory as an `` illegal occupation accompanied by plundering of natural resources that belong to the people of Syria . ''
On August 17 , helicopters of the US Armed Forces opened fire at a Syrian government army checkpoint near the settlement of Tel Dahab in the al-Hasakah governorate .
One Syrian servicemen was killed and two injured .
According to SANA , the strike took place after Syrian soldiers refused to let a US patrol pass through one of its checkpoints .

BEIRUT, August 19. /TASS/. Several rockets exploded on Tuesday on the territory of a US military base in the north of Syria’s Deir ez-Zor governorate, the SANA news agency reported.
According to the agency, the attack targeted a US base near the Conoco oil field controlled by US troops and Kurdish units. No information about casualties is available so far.
This is the first-ever attack on one of the 12 military facilities, created by the United States since 2015 in Syria’s governorates of al-Hasakah, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. US forces, together with Kurdish groups, control oil-rich areas on the eastern bank of the Euphrates river, including the oil fields of Al-Omar, Tanak, Al-Jafra and Conoco, which accounted for 80% of all oil produced in Syria before the war broke out.
Late last year, US President Donald Trump approved the plan of US troop withdrawal from Syria, according to which only a few hundreds of US soldiers will remain in the country. Their main task will be to ensure control over oilfields in the northeast of the country.
Meanwhile, Damascus views the US military presence on its territory as an "illegal occupation accompanied by plundering of natural resources that belong to the people of Syria."
On August 17, helicopters of the US Armed Forces opened fire at a Syrian government army checkpoint near the settlement of Tel Dahab in the al-Hasakah governorate. One Syrian servicemen was killed and two injured. According to SANA, the strike took place after Syrian soldiers refused to let a US patrol pass through one of its checkpoints.


tass--2020-08-19--Lebanese authorities reintroduce coronavirus-related restrictions as cases spike

BEIRUT , August 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Lebanese government announced it was re-introducing a series of anti-coronavirus measures , including a curfew , due to a spike in novel coronavirus cases following the blast in the Beirut seaport , the republic ’ s interior ministry said on Tuesday .
`` A decision has been made to resume a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. [ local time ] starting from Friday , August 21 , '' reads the statement , signed by acting Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi .
The curfew will be in place until September 7 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities and commercial offices , markets , shopping malls , sports and tourism facilities , exhibition halls , cafes , restaurants and night clubs will be closed .
Strolls along embankments , beach activities , swimming in the sea and public pools will also be prohibited .
`` The recovery effort in Beirut and blast-affected areas of the capital will continue , '' the document says .
The work schedule of medical facilities , pharmacies , laboratories , the Lebanese Red Cross will remain unchanged .
Cargo transport will continue to deliver food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A total of 420 new cases of the novel coronavirus were registered in Lebanonn on Tuesday , and 9,758 in total since the start of the pandemic .
2,852 patients have already recovered .
The overall death toll currently stands at 107 .

BEIRUT, August 19. /TASS/. The Lebanese government announced it was re-introducing a series of anti-coronavirus measures, including a curfew, due to a spike in novel coronavirus cases following the blast in the Beirut seaport, the republic’s interior ministry said on Tuesday.
"A decision has been made to resume a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. [local time] starting from Friday, August 21," reads the statement, signed by acting Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi.
The curfew will be in place until September 7.
Also starting from Friday, all governmental facilities and commercial offices, markets, shopping malls, sports and tourism facilities, exhibition halls, cafes, restaurants and night clubs will be closed. Strolls along embankments, beach activities, swimming in the sea and public pools will also be prohibited.
"The recovery effort in Beirut and blast-affected areas of the capital will continue," the document says.
The work schedule of medical facilities, pharmacies, laboratories, the Lebanese Red Cross will remain unchanged. Cargo transport will continue to deliver food, water, fuel and construction materials.
A total of 420 new cases of the novel coronavirus were registered in Lebanonn on Tuesday, and 9,758 in total since the start of the pandemic. 2,852 patients have already recovered. The overall death toll currently stands at 107.


tass--2020-08-19--Russia’s Rosoboronexport delivers humanitarian aid to Venezuela to help combat COVID-19

BUENOS AIRES , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s biggest arms trader Rosoboronexport ( incorporated in Rosctec state-run @ @ @ @ @ batch of coronavirus tests as humanitarian assistance to Venezuela to help it combat the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ Caracas said on Tuesday .
`` State agency Rosoboronexport has handed over humanitarian assistance to @ @ @ @ @ the spread of COVID-19 .
A total of 450 sets of Russia-made tests for the @ @ @ @ @ to Caracas .
These will be enough to test 43,200 people , '' it wrote @ @ @ @ @ According to the embassy , the humanitarian cargo was delivered by the non-profit organization Russian @ @ @ @ @ already received coronavirus testing systems from Russia .
The first two coronavirus cases were confirmed @ @ @ @ @ .
An emergency situation was declared on the same day .
President Nicolas Maduro imposed @ @ @ @ @ 17 .
By today , the country reports more than 34,000 coronavirus cases , with @ @ @

BUENOS AIRES, August 18. /TASS/. Russia’s biggest arms trader Rosoboronexport (incorporated in Rosctec state-run corporation) has delivered a batch of coronavirus tests as humanitarian assistance to Venezuela to help it combat the pandemic, the Russian embassy in Caracas said on Tuesday.
"State agency Rosoboronexport has handed over humanitarian assistance to Venezuela to help it curb the spread of COVID-19. A total of 450 sets of Russia-made tests for the coronavirus infection have been delivered to Caracas. These will be enough to test 43,200 people," it wrote on its Facebook account.
According to the embassy, the humanitarian cargo was delivered by the non-profit organization Russian Humanitarian Mission.
Venezuela has already received coronavirus testing systems from Russia.
The first two coronavirus cases were confirmed in Venezuela on March 13. An emergency situation was declared on the same day. President Nicolas Maduro imposed a nationwide quarantine on March 17. By today, the country reports more than 34,000 coronavirus cases, with 288 fatalities.


tass--2020-08-19--Mali government confirms detention of president, premier by mutinous troops

PRETORIA , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Mali government ’ s official spokesman officially confirmed on Tuesday that President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse were arrested by mutinous troops earlier in the day .
The two leaders `` were taken by soldiers on armored personnel carriers to the Kati base '' a few kilometers away from the capital Bamako , AFP quoted spokesman Boubou Doucoure as saying .
A mutiny broke out at an army base in Kati , outside capital city Bamako , on Tuesday morning .
The rebels arrested a number of ministers , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament speaker .
According to the Malijet news website , the rebels are led by Colonel Sadio Camara , a former director of a military school at the Kati military base .
Wakat Sera reported that the Malian General Staff is also controlled by the rebels , with a number of senior officers being arrested .
Terrorist groups stepped up their activities in Mali in recent years , including the Islamic State West Africa Province ( ISWAP ) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara ( ISGS ) .
Both are affiliated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlawed in Russia .
Besides , groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda ( also outlawed in Russia ) - are active along the country ’ s border with Burkina Faso .

PRETORIA, August 18. /TASS/. Mali government’s official spokesman officially confirmed on Tuesday that President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse were arrested by mutinous troops earlier in the day.
The two leaders "were taken by soldiers on armored personnel carriers to the Kati base" a few kilometers away from the capital Bamako, AFP quoted spokesman Boubou Doucoure as saying.
A mutiny broke out at an army base in Kati, outside capital city Bamako, on Tuesday morning. The rebels arrested a number of ministers, including foreign and finance ministers, and the parliament speaker. According to the Malijet news website, the rebels are led by Colonel Sadio Camara, a former director of a military school at the Kati military base. Wakat Sera reported that the Malian General Staff is also controlled by the rebels, with a number of senior officers being arrested.
Terrorist groups stepped up their activities in Mali in recent years, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS). Both are affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist organization, outlawed in Russia. Besides, groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda (also outlawed in Russia) - are active along the country’s border with Burkina Faso.


tass--2020-08-19--UN Security Council to hold extraordinary meeting following rebellion in Mali

UNITED NATIONS , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday will hold an emergency meeting @ @ @ @ @ following a military uprising in that country , a source in the organization told TASS @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary meeting will be held on August 19 behind closed doors , '' the source @ @ @ @ @ out at an army base in Kati , outside capital city Bamako on August 18 @ @ @ @ @ news website , the rebels are led by Colonel Sadio Camara , former director of @ @ @ @ @ Kati military base .
The rebels arrested President Ibrahim Boubacar Ke·ta and Prime Minister Boubou @ @ @ @ @ a number of ministers , including foreign and finance ministers , and the parliament speaker @ @ @ @ @ is also reportedly controlled by the rebels , with a number of senior officers being @ @ @ @ @ General Antonio Guterres has called on the Mali military to immediately release the president and @ @ @ @ @

UNITED NATIONS, August 18. /TASS/. The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday will hold an emergency meeting on the situation in Mali following a military uprising in that country, a source in the organization told TASS on Tuesday.
"An extraordinary meeting will be held on August 19 behind closed doors," the source said.
A rebellion broke out at an army base in Kati, outside capital city Bamako on August 18. According to the Malijet news website, the rebels are led by Colonel Sadio Camara, former director of a military school at the Kati military base.
The rebels arrested President Ibrahim Boubacar Ke·ta and Prime Minister Boubou Ciss·. They also arrested a number of ministers, including foreign and finance ministers, and the parliament speaker. The Malian General Staff is also reportedly controlled by the rebels, with a number of senior officers being arrested.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on the Mali military to immediately release the president and members of the government.


tass--2020-08-19--Ten more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day — crisis center

MOSCOW , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Ten more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ exceeding 4,680 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ reached 4,687 .
The coronavirus situation in Moscow , which was the most serious in @ @ @ @ @ .
By today , Moscow has reported more than 253,700 confirmed coronavirus cases .
More @ @ @ @ @ .
A campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies is underway in the capital city @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 742,628 patients having recovered from the @ @ @ @ @ latest data indicates 15,872 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an @ @ @ @ @ public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. Ten more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities exceeding 4,680, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday.
"Ten coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 4,687.
The coronavirus situation in Moscow, which was the most serious in Russia, has visibly stabilized. By today, Moscow has reported more than 253,700 confirmed coronavirus cases. More than 199,100 patients have recovered. A campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies is underway in the capital city.
To date, 932,493 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 742,628 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 15,872 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-19--Thousands of protestors gather in downtown Minsk

MINSK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Thousands of protestors gathered at the Independence Square in downtown Minsk on Tuesday evening , a TASS correspondent reported .
The rally of those who disagreed with the results of the recent presidential election and the subsequent crackdown on protests began at about 19:00 local time .
Participants carry red-white flags and banners and chant their traditional slogans .
The rally is largely similar to those taking place in past days .
However , several EU flags can be seen in the crowd .
According to a TASS correspondent , the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the Independence Square increased in the past two days .
The situation is largely calm , with no conflicts or clashes reported .
Traffic police address the crowd from time to time , asking people not to impede the traffic along the adjacent Independence Avenue .
On August 9 , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
According to the final results of Sunday ’ s voting , the incumbent president , Alexander Lukashenko , won 80.08 % of the vote .
His closest rival , Svetlana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , she did not recognize the results of the voting .
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public .
As a result , several thousands of people were detained , dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .
Rallies have been continued ever since .

MINSK, August 18. /TASS/. Thousands of protestors gathered at the Independence Square in downtown Minsk on Tuesday evening, a TASS correspondent reported.
The rally of those who disagreed with the results of the recent presidential election and the subsequent crackdown on protests began at about 19:00 local time. Participants carry red-white flags and banners and chant their traditional slogans.
The rally is largely similar to those taking place in past days. However, several EU flags can be seen in the crowd. According to a TASS correspondent, the number of EU citizens who booked rooms in hotels near the Independence Square increased in the past two days.
The situation is largely calm, with no conflicts or clashes reported. Traffic police address the crowd from time to time, asking people not to impede the traffic along the adjacent Independence Avenue.
On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the final results of Sunday’s voting, the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.08% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.09% of votes. However, she did not recognize the results of the voting.
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. As a result, several thousands of people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured. Rallies have been continued ever since.


tass--2020-08-19--Critical attitude to Russian anti-coronavirus vaccine stems from competition — academician

MOSCOW , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Critical attitudes to the newly-registered Russian anti-coronavirus vaccine voiced by foreign scientists stem from competition , once Russia has outstripped them , Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Chekhonin said on Tuesday .
`` Foreign colleagues are often very critical , sometimes too critical , about the Russian vaccine because they understand that they are somewhat lagging behind , '' he told TASS when asked to comment on the reaction of foreign scientists to the registration of the world ’ s first anti-coronavirus vaccine , Sputnik V , developed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Microbiology .
He said he did not think this situation would stay long .
`` A vaccine will soon be registered in China .
I am sure it will be done within two or three weeks , '' he said , adding that such a vaccine would be registered in the United States by the yearend too .
`` I don ’ t want to indulge in politics , it is not my domain .
But concerning purely scientific aspects , I can say that our vaccine has been developed not from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - TASS ) have a rather strong team of specialists .
They have colossal experience , both bioengineering and gene engineering experience , the experience of developing various structures on the basis of adenoviral components .
They have a vast biotechnology experience .
They have their own production facility , although quite small .
They have all the components a team developing a vaccine might need , '' he explained .
According to Chekhonin , scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences studied possibilities for the development of a two-component vaccine when research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a state assignment .
`` These decisions were based on profound scientific understanding that the Gamaleya Center has a vast experience of work with the SARS and MERS coronaviruses .
They have been working with them since the beginning of this century .
There were no grounds to doubt that they would be able to do this job with high quality , '' he added .
The very fact that Russia is developing several platforms for vaccines proves that `` we are strong in this area , we have our own powerful @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. Critical attitudes to the newly-registered Russian anti-coronavirus vaccine voiced by foreign scientists stem from competition, once Russia has outstripped them, Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Chekhonin said on Tuesday.
"Foreign colleagues are often very critical, sometimes too critical, about the Russian vaccine because they understand that they are somewhat lagging behind," he told TASS when asked to comment on the reaction of foreign scientists to the registration of the world’s first anti-coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V, developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology.
He said he did not think this situation would stay long. "A vaccine will soon be registered in China. I am sure it will be done within two or three weeks," he said, adding that such a vaccine would be registered in the United States by the yearend too.
"I don’t want to indulge in politics, it is not my domain. But concerning purely scientific aspects, I can say that our vaccine has been developed not from scratch. They (the Gamaleya Center - TASS) have a rather strong team of specialists. They have colossal experience, both bioengineering and gene engineering experience, the experience of developing various structures on the basis of adenoviral components. They have a vast biotechnology experience. They have their own production facility, although quite small. They have all the components a team developing a vaccine might need," he explained.
According to Chekhonin, scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences studied possibilities for the development of a two-component vaccine when research had only started and supported this idea as a state assignment. "These decisions were based on profound scientific understanding that the Gamaleya Center has a vast experience of work with the SARS and MERS coronaviruses. They have been working with them since the beginning of this century. There were no grounds to doubt that they would be able to do this job with high quality," he added.
The very fact that Russia is developing several platforms for vaccines proves that "we are strong in this area, we have our own powerful potential," he stressed.


tass--2020-08-19--Gazprom retains forecast for average gas price in EU at $133 in 2020

MOSCOW , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Gazprom still expects the average price of Russian gas in Europe this year to be around $ 133 per 1,000 cubic meters , a spokesperson of the Russian gas holding said on Tuesday at the VTB Capital Investments conference .
`` Forward gas prices at the Dutch TTF hub at the end of the year show a level of about $ 160 per 1,000 cubic meters , which is significantly higher than current spot prices ( about $ 90 per 1,000 cubic meters ) .
This is in line with our current forecast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's supplies to Europe of about $ 133 per 1,000 cubic meters in 2020 , '' the company ’ s representative said .
At the same time , Gazprom maintains its forecasts for the growth of world gas prices in Q4 2020 - Q1 2021 .
At the same time , the weather factor and the level of reserves in underground gas storages will have a significant impact on prices , the company ’ s representative added .
`` This year , traditional seasonal fluctuations have been accompanied by a sharp decline in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
This gives us reason to expect an increase in gas prices in the Q4 of 2020 - Q1 of 2021 , '' he said .
Meanwhile , Gazprom 's net debt to EBITDA ratio this year may exceed 2x due to worsening financial performance .
But in 2021 , as the situation on the markets improves , Gazprom 's debt load should normalize .
Gazprom will follow the earlier adopted dividend policy providing for an increase in the share of net profit directed to dividends , despite the challenging international market @ @

MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. Gazprom still expects the average price of Russian gas in Europe this year to be around $133 per 1,000 cubic meters, a spokesperson of the Russian gas holding said on Tuesday at the VTB Capital Investments conference.
"Forward gas prices at the Dutch TTF hub at the end of the year show a level of about $160 per 1,000 cubic meters, which is significantly higher than current spot prices (about $90 per 1,000 cubic meters). This is in line with our current forecast for the average the price of Gazprom's supplies to Europe of about $133 per 1,000 cubic meters in 2020," the company’s representative said.
At the same time, Gazprom maintains its forecasts for the growth of world gas prices in Q4 2020 - Q1 2021. At the same time, the weather factor and the level of reserves in underground gas storages will have a significant impact on prices, the company’s representative added. "This year, traditional seasonal fluctuations have been accompanied by a sharp decline in demand from the restrictions due to the pandemic. This gives us reason to expect an increase in gas prices in the Q4 of 2020 - Q1 of 2021," he said.
Meanwhile, Gazprom's net debt to EBITDA ratio this year may exceed 2x due to worsening financial performance. But in 2021, as the situation on the markets improves, Gazprom's debt load should normalize. Gazprom will follow the earlier adopted dividend policy providing for an increase in the share of net profit directed to dividends, despite the challenging international market situation.


tass--2020-08-18--Russia tells UNSC only Belarusian themselves can resolve national problems

UNITED NATIONS , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
The internal situation in Belarus should not be a subject to UN Security Council discussions because only Belarusians themselves can resolve their domestic issues , Russia ’ s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said following closed-doors UN Security Council consultations on Tuesday initiated by the US and Estonia .
`` While indicating that it ’ s an internal issue of this country and not a matter to be discussed in Security Council , Russia stressed [ at the meeting ] that only Belorussians themselves should resolve the problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and meddling , '' the envoy wrote on his Twitter page .
`` We also highlighted double standards of our Western colleagues who don ’ t bring to the Council similar post-election issues and cases of police brutality in their states and other countries , '' he added .
Belarus has been engulfed in mass protests since August 9 when the country held its presidential election , as people reject the official results of the vote , showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection .
In the first days of unrest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrators and police officers .
According to the national interior ministry , more than 6,000 people were detained , while dozens of police officers and protesters were wounded .
Official results of the Central Election Commission show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko winning the election with 80.1 % of the votes , while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12 %

UNITED NATIONS, August 18. /TASS/. The internal situation in Belarus should not be a subject to UN Security Council discussions because only Belarusians themselves can resolve their domestic issues, Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said following closed-doors UN Security Council consultations on Tuesday initiated by the US and Estonia.
"While indicating that it’s an internal issue of this country and not a matter to be discussed in Security Council, Russia stressed [at the meeting] that only Belorussians themselves should resolve the problems of their country without any foreign interference and meddling," the envoy wrote on his Twitter page.
"We also highlighted double standards of our Western colleagues who don’t bring to the Council similar post-election issues and cases of police brutality in their states and other countries," he added.
Belarus has been engulfed in mass protests since August 9 when the country held its presidential election, as people reject the official results of the vote, showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection. In the first days of unrest, the rallies were coupled with clashes between demonstrators and police officers. According to the national interior ministry, more than 6,000 people were detained, while dozens of police officers and protesters were wounded.
Official results of the Central Election Commission show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko winning the election with 80.1% of the votes, while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12%


tass--2020-08-18--AFP: Malian president, prime minister arrested by rebels

PRETORIA , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Ke·ta and Prime Minister Boubou Ciss· have reportedly been @ @ @ @ @ Presse said on Tuesday citing the rebellion leaders .
`` We can state that the @ @ @ @ @ are in our hands , '' AFP cited one of the rebels .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ .
Now they are being taken to the army base in Kai . ''

PRETORIA, August 18. /TASS/. Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Ke·ta and Prime Minister Boubou Ciss· have reportedly been arrested by rebels, France Presse said on Tuesday citing the rebellion leaders.
"We can state that the president and the prime minister are in our hands," AFP cited one of the rebels. "We arrested them at their homes. Now they are being taken to the army base in Kai."


tass--2020-08-18--Main member of Belarus’s Coordination Council to include 70 people

MINSK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
The main membership of the Coordination Council of the Belarusian opposition would include @ @ @ @ @ Znak , a Council member and a lawyer at ex-presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , it would be impossible to include everyone in the Council ’ s main membership @ @ @ @ @ be .
We took the number 70 as a quantitative limit .
However , we @ @ @ @ @ worthy applications : very famous Belarusians , members of a civil society contacted us .
@ @ @ @ @ everyone will be provided an opportunity to work for the sake of resolution of the @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Znak , there is `` a very high demand in expert groups @ @ @ @ @ , apart from the main membership , there will also be an extended membership that @ @ @ @ @ filed their applications .

MINSK, August 18. /TASS/. The main membership of the Coordination Council of the Belarusian opposition would include 70 people, says Maksim Znak, a Council member and a lawyer at ex-presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya’s headquarters.
"Of course, it would be impossible to include everyone in the Council’s main membership, because some limits must be. We took the number 70 as a quantitative limit. However, we had a lot of very worthy applications: very famous Belarusians, members of a civil society contacted us. And, of course, everyone will be provided an opportunity to work for the sake of resolution of the situation," he said.
According to Znak, there is "a very high demand in expert groups and specialists;" so, apart from the main membership, there will also be an extended membership that will include the people who filed their applications.


tass--2020-08-18--Belarus' opposition hopes ex-presidential candidate Tikhanovskaya will soon be back

MINSK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus ’ coordination council for peaceful transfer of power that was set up by the opposition on Tuesday hopes that former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikghanovskaya will soon return to the country .
`` She did not plan to leave the country , '' Olga Kovalkova , Tikhanovskaya ’ s proxy and a council member , told a news conference on Tuesday .
`` I am sure she will return to Belarus soon .
She will face no risks here . ''
Tikhanovskaya left Belarus after the first results of the August 9 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been her own decision to leave the country , whereas opposition activists insisted she had to do it under pressure .
On August 9 , Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
According to the final results of Sunday ’ s voting , the incumbent president , Alexander Lukashenko , won 80.08 % of the vote .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.09 % of votes .
However , she did not recognize the results of the voting .
Mass protests and clashes with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public .
As a result , several thousands of people were detained , dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .
Rallies have been continued ever since .

MINSK, August 18. /TASS/. Belarus’ coordination council for peaceful transfer of power that was set up by the opposition on Tuesday hopes that former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikghanovskaya will soon return to the country.
"She did not plan to leave the country," Olga Kovalkova, Tikhanovskaya’s proxy and a council member, told a news conference on Tuesday. "I am sure she will return to Belarus soon. She will face no risks here."
Tikhanovskaya left Belarus after the first results of the August 9 presidential elections were announced. She said it had been her own decision to leave the country, whereas opposition activists insisted she had to do it under pressure.
On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the final results of Sunday’s voting, the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.08% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.09% of votes. However, she did not recognize the results of the voting.
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. As a result, several thousands of people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured. Rallies have been continued ever since.


tass--2020-08-18--Russian general killed, two servicemen wounded in Syria explosion

MOSCOW , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
A military adviser in the rank of a major-general was killed in an @ @ @ @ @ servicemen were wounded , Russia ’ s Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday .
An improvised @ @ @ @ @ from the city of Deir ez-Zor when a Russian military convoy was returning to its @ @ @ @ @ on August 18 , the ministry ’ s press office said .
`` Three Russian @ @ @ @ @ blast .
During the evacuation and the provision of medical assistance , a Russian senior @ @ @ @ @ of a major-general died of heavy wounds , '' the press office said .
Russian @ @ @ @ @ conferring a state decoration on the killed officer posthumously .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry @ @ @ @ @ assistance to the killed officer ’ s family , the statement says .
Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ September 24 , 2017 that the head of the group of Russian military advisers in @ @ @ @ @ was killed near Deir ez-Zor .

MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. A military adviser in the rank of a major-general was killed in an explosion in Syria while two servicemen were wounded, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.
An improvised roadside bomb exploded 15 km from the city of Deir ez-Zor when a Russian military convoy was returning to its base after a humanitarian mission on August 18, the ministry’s press office said.
"Three Russian servicemen were wounded in the blast. During the evacuation and the provision of medical assistance, a Russian senior military adviser in the rank of a major-general died of heavy wounds," the press office said.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu recommended conferring a state decoration on the killed officer posthumously. Russia’s Defense Ministry will also provide all necessary assistance to the killed officer’s family, the statement says.
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on September 24, 2017 that the head of the group of Russian military advisers in Syria, Lieutenant-General Valery Asapov was killed near Deir ez-Zor.


tass--2020-08-18--Minsk tells foreign diplomats about response to increasing military presence at borders

MINSK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian Defense Ministry informed foreign military attaches about response measures against increasing military @ @ @ @ @ , the Ministry announced in the wake of a meeting with military diplomats of the @ @ @ @ @ , Poland and Ukraine .
`` The foreign partners were provided information about the current @ @ @ @ @ ; they were provided the analysis of reinforcement of foreign military contingents and personnel of @ @ @ @ @ states , '' the Ministry of Defense said .

MINSK, August 18. /TASS/. Belarusian Defense Ministry informed foreign military attaches about response measures against increasing military presence in the neighboring states, the Ministry announced in the wake of a meeting with military diplomats of the UK, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine.
"The foreign partners were provided information about the current domestic and foreign political situation; they were provided the analysis of reinforcement of foreign military contingents and personnel of armed forces of the neighboring states," the Ministry of Defense said.


tass--2020-08-18--Belarusian opposition says advocates friendly relations with Russia, other countries

MINSK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Belarusian opposition Coordination Council advocates friendly relations with all countries , including Russia , Ukraine and the European Union , says Maria Kolesnikova , one of the united opposition headquarters ’ leaders .
`` Our official position - we will maintain friendly , mutually beneficial relations that are pragmatic , crystal and transparent for everyone .
We benefit from talking to all our partners : the Russian Federation , Ukraine , and the EU , '' she said Tuesday , answering a question about allegations of pro-Western and anti-Russian course of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manipulation .
Besides , she noted that other countries already seek to establish contact with the opposition .
`` We have already received requests for dialogue from foreign partners , '' Kolesnikova said .
Meanwhile , another member of the Council , diplomat Pavel Latushko , believes that Russia and the European Union must act as moderators in the dialogue with the society , and , to a certain extent , as guarantors of the opposition in the current situation .
`` We try to come up with how to smooth out all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid a situation of persecution .
Let us speak about guarantees of the Coordination Council ’ s operation .
[ … ] Such guarantees are necessary .
And the role of our neighbors - Russia and the EU is required here .
I am certain that [ … ] this is both in Russia ’ s and the EU ’ s interests .
[ … ] We are interested in advice , dialogue mediation within the society , from these respected partners , '' Latushko said .
He underscored that the opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia - primarily because of the economic reasons .
`` A politician to suggest building a wall between Belarus and Russia will be the last one , because the Russian Federation comprises 50 % of our exports ; we also receive key resources from Russia .
It is pragmatic and trivial to have the best relations with Russia , '' he explained .
According to Latushko , the necessity to cooperate with the West stems from the same reason .
`` We are interested in stellar relations with the EU , because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exports - 30 % to 34 % , '' he said , adding that Russia and the EU must `` respond to expectations of the [ Belarusian ] society , not the authorities , who lost the society ’ s trust .
`` .

MINSK, August 18. /TASS/. The Belarusian opposition Coordination Council advocates friendly relations with all countries, including Russia, Ukraine and the European Union, says Maria Kolesnikova, one of the united opposition headquarters’ leaders.
"Our official position - we will maintain friendly, mutually beneficial relations that are pragmatic, crystal and transparent for everyone. We benefit from talking to all our partners: the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the EU," she said Tuesday, answering a question about allegations of pro-Western and anti-Russian course of the opposition.
Kolesnikova called such allegations a manipulation. Besides, she noted that other countries already seek to establish contact with the opposition.
"We have already received requests for dialogue from foreign partners," Kolesnikova said.
Meanwhile, another member of the Council, diplomat Pavel Latushko, believes that Russia and the European Union must act as moderators in the dialogue with the society, and, to a certain extent, as guarantors of the opposition in the current situation.
"We try to come up with how to smooth out all the sharpest edges, in a bid to avoid a situation of persecution. Let us speak about guarantees of the Coordination Council’s operation. […] Such guarantees are necessary. And the role of our neighbors - Russia and the EU is required here. I am certain that […] this is both in Russia’s and the EU’s interests. […] We are interested in advice, dialogue mediation within the society, from these respected partners," Latushko said.
He underscored that the opposition considers it disadvantageous to sever ties with Russia - primarily because of the economic reasons.
"A politician to suggest building a wall between Belarus and Russia will be the last one, because the Russian Federation comprises 50% of our exports; we also receive key resources from Russia. It is pragmatic and trivial to have the best relations with Russia," he explained.
According to Latushko, the necessity to cooperate with the West stems from the same reason.
"We are interested in stellar relations with the EU, because it is the second largest market for our exports - 30% to 34%," he said, adding that Russia and the EU must "respond to expectations of the [Belarusian] society, not the authorities, who lost the society’s trust.".


tass--2020-08-18--Militants involved in attacks on law enforcement neutralized in Russia’s Ingushetia

MOSCOW , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Two militants involved in attacks on law enforcement officers have been eliminated in @ @ @ @ @ the information center of the National Antiterrorism Committee told TASS .
The militants behind the @ @ @ @ @ were detected in the Sunzhensk District .
They were blocked off in the mountainous regions @ @ @ @ @ offered to lay down their arms and surrender , they opened fire .
`` Two @ @ @ @ @ gunfire .
According to information available , they were plotting a number of terrorist crimes @ @ @ @ @ .
Assault rifles , pistols , a lot of ammunition for them and improvised explosive @ @ @ @ @ site .
The committee informed that there are no casualties among civilians or law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. Two militants involved in attacks on law enforcement officers have been eliminated in Russia’s Ingushetia, the information center of the National Antiterrorism Committee told TASS.
The militants behind the attacks on law enforcement forces were detected in the Sunzhensk District. They were blocked off in the mountainous regions in the forest. When offered to lay down their arms and surrender, they opened fire. "Two criminals were neutralized in the gunfire. According to information available, they were plotting a number of terrorist crimes," the committee said.
Assault rifles, pistols, a lot of ammunition for them and improvised explosive devices were found at the site.
The committee informed that there are no casualties among civilians or law enforcement forces. Investigations are ongoing.


tass--2020-08-18--Russia’s new anti-coronavirus vaccine safe for athletes’ doping tests, vows expert

On August 11 , Russia was reported to have become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against the novel coronavirus , named Sputnik V. The inoculation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June and July .
It is based on a platform that was widely used for the development of other vaccines in the past .
MOSCOW , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s recently developed vaccine against the novel coronavirus - Sputnik V - will have no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doping tests , Nikolai Durmanov , a Russian expert in the sphere of anti-doping fight in sports , assured TASS on Tuesday .
`` This vaccine and many others do not contain any prohibited substances and it is currently impossible to even think of a risk posed by it , '' Professor Durmanov , who used to work as the head of the anti-doping service with the Russian Olympic Committee ( ROC ) , stated .
`` This vaccine and other medications are two different stories . ''
`` There are two ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued .
`` The first is through direct interaction , and the second is through the use of the vaccine , which helps to mobilize the immune system in advance . ''
`` When the virus settles within the body , [ the vaccine ] will detect it immediately and will leave it zero chances , '' Durmanov explained .
`` The vaccine keeps reminding our immune system in the future . ''
The professor also spotlighted the very tiny dose of the injection , calculated in micrograms .
`` Neither the metabolites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they produce , nor the special immune cells , which are activated by it , have anything to do with doping control , '' the Russian expert stressed .
However , Durmanov also said that the vaccine injection should not be confused with any prescribed treatment to fight the coronavirus infection , which is likely to stipulate the use of banned medical preparations in sports .
In this case , an athlete should apply for the Therapeutic Use Exemption ( TUE ) permit for the anti-coronavirus treatment period .
`` In order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must timely fill out all of the required documents , but in the case of the vaccine shot , there can be no risks at all , '' Durmanov assured .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 22,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 778,360 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 14,840,200 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 932,493 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 742,628 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 15,872 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated @ @ @ @ @

On August 11, Russia was reported to have become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, named Sputnik V. The inoculation was developed by the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Russian Healthcare Ministry and passed clinical trials in June and July. It is based on a platform that was widely used for the development of other vaccines in the past.
MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. Russia’s recently developed vaccine against the novel coronavirus - Sputnik V - will have no impact on the results of athletes’ doping tests, Nikolai Durmanov, a Russian expert in the sphere of anti-doping fight in sports, assured TASS on Tuesday.
"This vaccine and many others do not contain any prohibited substances and it is currently impossible to even think of a risk posed by it," Professor Durmanov, who used to work as the head of the anti-doping service with the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), stated. "This vaccine and other medications are two different stories."
"There are two ways of contracting the infection," he continued. "The first is through direct interaction, and the second is through the use of the vaccine, which helps to mobilize the immune system in advance."
"When the virus settles within the body, [the vaccine] will detect it immediately and will leave it zero chances," Durmanov explained. "The vaccine keeps reminding our immune system in the future."
The professor also spotlighted the very tiny dose of the injection, calculated in micrograms.
"Neither the metabolites of these vaccines, nor the antibodies they produce, nor the special immune cells, which are activated by it, have anything to do with doping control," the Russian expert stressed.
However, Durmanov also said that the vaccine injection should not be confused with any prescribed treatment to fight the coronavirus infection, which is likely to stipulate the use of banned medical preparations in sports. In this case, an athlete should apply for the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) permit for the anti-coronavirus treatment period.
"In order to avoid all possible risks, an athlete must timely fill out all of the required documents, but in the case of the vaccine shot, there can be no risks at all," Durmanov assured.
COVID-19
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 22,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 778,360 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 14,840,200 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 932,493 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 742,628 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 15,872 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-18--Lukashenko says events in Belarus are not yet at their peak

MINSK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
The developments in Belarus have not yet reached their peak , Belarusian President @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Today problems are surfacing for us both from the inside and the outside @ @ @ @ @ openly that these are absolutely coordinated actions .
But this is not even a peak @ @ @ @ @ develop correspondingly but we understand in which direction , '' the state-run BelTA news agency @ @ @ @ @

MINSK, August 18. /TASS/. The developments in Belarus have not yet reached their peak, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday.
"Today problems are surfacing for us both from the inside and the outside. We already see it openly that these are absolutely coordinated actions. But this is not even a peak yet. The events will develop correspondingly but we understand in which direction," the state-run BelTA news agency quoted Lukashenko as saying.


tass--2020-08-18--Large-scale drills with 6,000 troops start in Russian Far East

CHITA , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
About 6,000 troops of the Eastern Military District are participating in the drills @ @ @ @ @ training ground in the Trans-Baikal Region , the District ’ s press office reported on @ @ @ @ @ force-on-force exercise started in the Trans-Baikal Region… About 6,000 servicemen of the Eastern Military District @ @ @ @ @ in the Trans-Baikal and Amur Regions are participating in the exercise .
The drills involve @ @ @ @ @ armament and military hardware , '' the press office said in a statement .
Infantry @ @ @ @ @ self-propelled artillery guns , multiple rocket launchers , about 30 aircraft and helicopters and unmanned @ @ @ @ @ the drills , the statement says .
The notional enemy ’ s subversive and reconnaissance @ @ @ @ @ and drones will complicate the troops ’ operations in the drills , the press office @ @

CHITA, August 18. /TASS/. About 6,000 troops of the Eastern Military District are participating in the drills that began at the Tsugol training ground in the Trans-Baikal Region, the District’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"A large-scale force-on-force exercise started in the Trans-Baikal Region… About 6,000 servicemen of the Eastern Military District’s all-arms formations stationed in the Trans-Baikal and Amur Regions are participating in the exercise. The drills involve up to 1,000 items of armament and military hardware," the press office said in a statement.
Infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, self-propelled artillery guns, multiple rocket launchers, about 30 aircraft and helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles are involved in the drills, the statement says.
The notional enemy’s subversive and reconnaissance groups equipped with radio-electronic systems and drones will complicate the troops’ operations in the drills, the press office specified.


tass--2020-08-18--Belarus Coordination Council not seeking power grab, says Tikhanovskaya’s representative

MINSK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Coordination Council of the Belarusian opposition will hold its first meeting on August 19 , it will not be seeking to illegally seize power , Olga Kovalkova , authorized representative of former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya told a press conference Tuesday .
`` The Coordination Council is not setting a goal to seize power by employing illegal methods .
We use only legal and non-violent means , '' she underlined .
Moreover , Kovalkova noted that the council will convene for its first meeting on Wednesday , August 19 .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` guarantor of power transfer , '' while her election program `` continues to be implemented . ''
`` We want a peaceful process that is vital for our country and its citizens , '' Kovalkova noted .
Moreover , she expressed hope for a response `` from the other side . ''
If it does not follow , according to her , the country will plunge into economic and political crises .
Belarus has been engulfed in mass protests since August 9 when the country held its presidential election , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection .
In the first days of unrest , the rallies were coupled with clashes between demonstrators and police officers .
According to the national interior ministry , more than 6,000 people were detained , while dozens of police officers and protesters were wounded .
Official results of the Central Election Commission show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko winning the election with 80.1 % of the votes , while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12 % The opposition rejected the results .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest protest rally against Lukashenko .

MINSK, August 18. /TASS/. The Coordination Council of the Belarusian opposition will hold its first meeting on August 19, it will not be seeking to illegally seize power, Olga Kovalkova, authorized representative of former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya told a press conference Tuesday.
"The Coordination Council is not setting a goal to seize power by employing illegal methods. We use only legal and non-violent means," she underlined.
Moreover, Kovalkova noted that the council will convene for its first meeting on Wednesday, August 19.
She added that the opposition views Tikhanovskaya as a "guarantor of power transfer," while her election program "continues to be implemented." "We want a peaceful process that is vital for our country and its citizens," Kovalkova noted. Moreover, she expressed hope for a response "from the other side." If it does not follow, according to her, the country will plunge into economic and political crises.
Belarus has been engulfed in mass protests since August 9 when the country held its presidential election, as people reject the official results of the vote, showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection. In the first days of unrest, the rallies were coupled with clashes between demonstrators and police officers. According to the national interior ministry, more than 6,000 people were detained, while dozens of police officers and protesters were wounded.
Official results of the Central Election Commission show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko winning the election with 80.1% of the votes, while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12% The opposition rejected the results. On August 16, Minsk saw the largest protest rally against Lukashenko.


tass--2020-08-18--Russian rescuers were asked to deal with most damaged spot after Beirut blast

`` We were commissioned to deal with the most-damaged area - the administrative building near the elevator , the center of the explosion .
We were told that eighteen missing people might be under the debris , '' he said .
MOSCOW , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian rescuers from the Emergencies Ministry ’ s special task group were dispatched to the hardest-hit spot after the devastating blast in the Lebanese capital Beirut , the chief of the ministry ’ s operative center , Sergei Vorontsov , told TASS in an interview .
No drawings of the building ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another adverse factor hindering the search and rescue operation .
Moreover , there were many unauthorized makeshift buildings around the elevator .
At a certain point drones had to be used to take bird ’ s eye view pictures of the area .
Amid the heaps of steel debris the risk of being injured was high .
`` At first , we were focused on searching for survivors , but the very look of the ruins was a clear sign there could none .
The ruins were very different from the ones an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a mighty blast measuring 900 tonnes of the TNT , '' Voronstov said .
A powerful blast at Beirut ’ s seaport rocked the city on August 4 .
The explosion ruined or damaged thousands of buildings , leaving more than 300,000 people homeless and killing 178 .
About 6,000 are listed missing .
Beirut ’ s Governor Marwan Abbud has told TASS it would take $ 12 billion to $ 15 billion to rebuild the city .
On August 15 , Lebanese President Michel Aoun said the investigators have not yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Different lines of inquiry are being pursued .
Aoun added that Lebanon needed satellite images to determine whether or not the explosion might have been caused by a missile .

"We were commissioned to deal with the most-damaged area - the administrative building near the elevator, the center of the explosion. We were told that eighteen missing people might be under the debris," he said.
MOSCOW, August 18. /TASS/. Russian rescuers from the Emergencies Ministry’s special task group were dispatched to the hardest-hit spot after the devastating blast in the Lebanese capital Beirut, the chief of the ministry’s operative center, Sergei Vorontsov, told TASS in an interview.
No drawings of the building’s layout were available, which was another adverse factor hindering the search and rescue operation. Moreover, there were many unauthorized makeshift buildings around the elevator. At a certain point drones had to be used to take bird’s eye view pictures of the area. Amid the heaps of steel debris the risk of being injured was high.
"At first, we were focused on searching for survivors, but the very look of the ruins was a clear sign there could be none. The ruins were very different from the ones an earthquake might leave. Those were debris from a mighty blast measuring 900 tonnes of the TNT," Voronstov said.
A powerful blast at Beirut’s seaport rocked the city on August 4. The explosion ruined or damaged thousands of buildings, leaving more than 300,000 people homeless and killing 178. About 6,000 are listed missing. Beirut’s Governor Marwan Abbud has told TASS it would take $12 billion to $15 billion to rebuild the city.
On August 15, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said the investigators have not yet established the cause of the explosion. Different lines of inquiry are being pursued. Aoun added that Lebanon needed satellite images to determine whether or not the explosion might have been caused by a missile.


tass--2020-08-18--People gathering for more protests in downtown Minsk

MINSK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Minsk residents are gathering in the Independence Square for another protest Tuesday evening @ @ @ @ @ and white flags are stretching along the Independence Avenue , supported by hooting from passing @ @ @ @ @ the site .
There are now a few thousands of people in the square .
@ @ @ @ @ away '' , which has become a tradition after the election .
There are also @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya .
Law enforcement officers are not stopping them , following @ @ @ @ @ few days .
Throughout the day , the situation in Minsk was largely calm .
@ @ @ @ @ solidarity ’ only in a few places .
However , there were no more than @ @ @ @ @ there .

MINSK, August 18. /TASS/. Minsk residents are gathering in the Independence Square for another protest Tuesday evening, as people carrying red and white flags are stretching along the Independence Avenue, supported by hooting from passing cars, TASS reports from the site.
There are now a few thousands of people in the square. They are chanting "Go away", which has become a tradition after the election. There are also screams of support for former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.
Law enforcement officers are not stopping them, following the trend of the past few days.
Throughout the day, the situation in Minsk was largely calm. Residents formed ‘chains of solidarity’ only in a few places. However, there were no more than a few dozens of people there.


tass--2020-08-18--Belarus’s Lukashenko says creation of opposition’s Coordination Council ‘coup attempt’

MINSK , August 18 .
/TASS/ .
Creation of the opposition ’ s Coordination Council is a coup attempt , and adequate measures will be taken against the initiators of this idea , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday .
`` They [ the opposition ] toss us another side .
And demand to hand over the power , no less .
Thus , we view it unambiguously : this is an attempt of a coup , with all ensuing consequences , '' Lukashenko said during his meeting with the Belarusian Security Council , according to BelTA news agency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ headquarters '' that `` adequate measures '' will be taken against them .
`` But strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law .
We have enough of those measures to cool some hot heads , '' the President underscored .
According to Lukashenko , the opposition council is comprised of the former `` trough eaters '' [ people from circles of power , a reference to George Orwell ’ s Animal Farm ] .
`` There are the formers , the sore , who had a taste of power in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Just take a look at the list , '' Lukashenko said .
According to the Belarusian united opposition ’ s headquarters , a Coordination Council will begin operating on Tuesday .
The opposition expects the Council to become `` a single representative body of the Belarusian society . ''
The Presidential elections in Belarus took place on August 9 .
According to the Central Electoral Commission , incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko won with 80.1 % support , followed by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , with 10.12 % of votes .
Immediately after the announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and strikes have engulfed Belarus .

MINSK, August 18. /TASS/. Creation of the opposition’s Coordination Council is a coup attempt, and adequate measures will be taken against the initiators of this idea, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday.
"They [the opposition] toss us another side. And demand to hand over the power, no less. Thus, we view it unambiguously: this is an attempt of a coup, with all ensuing consequences," Lukashenko said during his meeting with the Belarusian Security Council, according to BelTA news agency.
Lukashenko warned those who "joined this headquarters" that "adequate measures" will be taken against them.
"But strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law. We have enough of those measures to cool some hot heads," the President underscored.
According to Lukashenko, the opposition council is comprised of the former "trough eaters" [people from circles of power, a reference to George Orwell’s Animal Farm].
"There are the formers, the sore, who had a taste of power in the past; as well as deliberate Nazis. Just take a look at the list," Lukashenko said.
According to the Belarusian united opposition’s headquarters, a Coordination Council will begin operating on Tuesday. The opposition expects the Council to become "a single representative body of the Belarusian society."
The Presidential elections in Belarus took place on August 9. According to the Central Electoral Commission, incumbent president Alexander Lukashenko won 80.1% of the vote, followed by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who garnered 10.12%. Immediately after the announcement of the initial results, mass protests and strikes engulfed Belarus.