tass--2020-08-09--Russian diplomat: Dozhd journalists were detained in Minsk for lack of accreditation

MOSCOW , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Journalists of the Russian television channel Dozhd were detained in Minsk because they had no accreditation , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday .
`` The reason for what has happened , or what was behind these actions , is clear now - they had no accreditation .
Accreditation was required but they none , '' she said in an interview with Dozhd TV .
Dozhd said earlier on Sunday that its correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky , and cameraman Nikola Antipov had been detained in Minsk by people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representative of the headquarters of unregistered candidate Viktor Babariko , the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Maria Kolestinova , the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street .
Russia Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev has taken the situation around the detention of Dozhd TV journalists under personal control , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said .
`` Our embassy is taking efforts to resolve the situation with your television channel journalists , '' she said in an interview with Dozhd TV .
`` Our diplomats in Belarus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies , including with the foreign ministry . ''
`` I have just spoken with Dmitry Mezentsev , our ambassador , who has outlined the situation .
He said he was keeping it under control , '' she said .
According to Zakharova , consular support is being provided to the journalists .
She said that , according to the Russian embassy , the journalists are being kept at the Minsk district police office .
`` The journalists ’ whereabouts have been established .
They are all right , < … > they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are kept at the Minsk district police office , '' she added .
Dozhd TV editor-in-chief Tikhon Dzyadko said earlier that the channel ’ s cameraman was being kept at the Belarusian interior ministry ’ s organized crime and corruption directorate in Minsk .
He also told TASS the television channel had applied for accreditation back on June 15 and its correspondents were working in Minsk pending its confirmation .
Belarus ’ interior ministry has been unavailable for comment .
On Sunday , Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state , Alexander Lukashenko , 65 , is seeking his sixth term in office .
Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu ( Tell the Truth ) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya , housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen .

MOSCOW, August 9. /TASS/. Journalists of the Russian television channel Dozhd were detained in Minsk because they had no accreditation, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday.
"The reason for what has happened, or what was behind these actions, is clear now - they had no accreditation. Accreditation was required but they none," she said in an interview with Dozhd TV.
Dozhd said earlier on Sunday that its correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky, and cameraman Nikola Antipov had been detained in Minsk by people in civilian clothes.
According to a representative of the headquarters of unregistered candidate Viktor Babariko, the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Maria Kolestinova, the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street.
Russia Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev has taken the situation around the detention of Dozhd TV journalists under personal control, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
"Our embassy is taking efforts to resolve the situation with your television channel journalists," she said in an interview with Dozhd TV. "Our diplomats in Belarus are in touch with the Belarus relevant agencies, including with the foreign ministry."
"I have just spoken with Dmitry Mezentsev, our ambassador, who has outlined the situation. He said he was keeping it under control," she said.
According to Zakharova, consular support is being provided to the journalists.
She said that, according to the Russian embassy, the journalists are being kept at the Minsk district police office. "The journalists’ whereabouts have been established. They are all right, <…> they are in touch. <…> They are kept at the Minsk district police office," she added.
Dozhd TV editor-in-chief Tikhon Dzyadko said earlier that the channel’s cameraman was being kept at the Belarusian interior ministry’s organized crime and corruption directorate in Minsk. He also told TASS the television channel had applied for accreditation back on June 15 and its correspondents were working in Minsk pending its confirmation.
Belarus’ interior ministry has been unavailable for comment.
On Sunday, Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. The incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth term in office. Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen.


tass--2020-08-09--Over 38,500 passengers use international flights since August 1

MOSCOW , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russian and foreign air companies have performed nearly 130 international flights since August 1 after Russia resumed international regular air service with foreign countries .
More than 38,500 passengers have used their services , Russia ’ s Air Transport Agency said on Sunday .
`` On August 1 , Russia resumed regular international air service with a number of countries .
Russian and foreign air companies have performed 128 flights and provided their service to more than 38,500 passengers , '' it said .
According to the agency , flights were performed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to London and Istanbul .
Three Turkish air companies , Turkish Airlines , Pegasus Airlines , and Corendon Airlines , will resume flights from Turkish resort cities of Antalya , Bodrum , and Dalaman to Russia from August 10 .
`` Turkish air companies Turkish Airlines , Pegasus Airlines , and Corendon Airlines will also resume flights from three destinations in Russia to Turkish resorts , '' Air Transport Agency said , adding that more than ten Russia air carriers are also ready to resume flights from Moscow , St. Petersburg , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air service between Russia and the rest of the world was suspended in late March due to the novel coronavirus pandemic .
Air service was resumed with three countries - the United Kingdom , Tanzania , and Turkey - from August 1 .
Flights to Switzerland will be resumed from August 15 .

MOSCOW, August 9. /TASS/. Russian and foreign air companies have performed nearly 130 international flights since August 1 after Russia resumed international regular air service with foreign countries. More than 38,500 passengers have used their services, Russia’s Air Transport Agency said on Sunday.
"On August 1, Russia resumed regular international air service with a number of countries. Russian and foreign air companies have performed 128 flights and provided their service to more than 38,500 passengers," it said.
According to the agency, flights were performed from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Rostov-on-Don to London and Istanbul.
Turkish air companies
Three Turkish air companies, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, and Corendon Airlines, will resume flights from Turkish resort cities of Antalya, Bodrum, and Dalaman to Russia from August 10.
"Turkish air companies Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, and Corendon Airlines will also resume flights from three destinations in Russia to Turkish resorts," Air Transport Agency said, adding that more than ten Russia air carriers are also ready to resume flights from Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Rostov-on-Don to these Turkish cities.
Regular air service between Russia and the rest of the world was suspended in late March due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Air service was resumed with three countries - the United Kingdom, Tanzania, and Turkey - from August 1. Flights to Switzerland will be resumed from August 15.


tass--2020-08-09--Voter turnout at Belarus’ presidential polls reach 73.4% at 16:00

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
The voter turnout at Sunday ’ s presidential polls in Belarus reached 73.4 @ @ @ @ @ time , deputy chairman of the Central Election Commission ( CEC ) Vadim Ipatov said @ @ @ @ @ the voter turnout was 75.11 % in the Brest region , 75.05 % in the @ @ @ @ @ in the Gomel region , 75.66 % in the Grodno region , 72.3 % in @ @ @ @ @ % in the Mogilev region , and 58.73 % in the capital city Minsk .
@ @ @ @ @ % by 12:00 local time and the elections were declared valid .
On Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
The incumbent head of state , Alexander @ @ @ @ @ seeking his sixth term in office .
Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu @ @ @ @ @ public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya , @ @ @ @ @ leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. The voter turnout at Sunday’s presidential polls in Belarus reached 73.4% as of 16:00 local time, deputy chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Vadim Ipatov said.
According to Ipatov, the voter turnout was 75.11% in the Brest region, 75.05% in the Vitebsk region, 81.87% in the Gomel region, 75.66% in the Grodno region, 72.3% in the Minsk region, 80.29% in the Mogilev region, and 58.73% in the capital city Minsk.
The voter turnout exceeded 50% by 12:00 local time and the elections were declared valid.
On Sunday, Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. The incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth term in office. Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen.


tass--2020-08-09--Russian Journalists Union demands Minsk explain reasons for detention of Dozhd journalists

MOSCOW , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Union of Journalists has called on the Belarusian authorities to explain the reasons why journalists of the Russian television channel Dozhd were detained in Minsk and disclose their whereabouts .
`` The journalists were tasked to provide coverage of the presidential elections .
According to witnesses , they were detained and taken to an undisclosed location .
No information is yet available about police claims to the TV channel employees .
The Russian Union of Journalists demands the Belarusian authorities explain the reasons for the detention of our colleague and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement posted on its website .
The Union said in considered the detention of journalists as a flagrant violation of the right of speech and the freedom of information .
Dozhd said earlier on Sunday that its correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky , and cameraman Nikola Antipov had been detained in Minsk by people in civilian clothes .
According to a representative of the headquarters of unregistered candidate Viktor Babariko , the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Maria Kolestinova , the journalists were detained after they had spoken with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interior ministry has been unavailable for comment .
On Sunday , Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
The incumbent head of state , Alexander Lukashenko , 65 , is seeking his sixth term in office .
Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu ( Tell the Truth ) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya , housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen .

MOSCOW, August 9. /TASS/. Russia’s Union of Journalists has called on the Belarusian authorities to explain the reasons why journalists of the Russian television channel Dozhd were detained in Minsk and disclose their whereabouts.
"The journalists were tasked to provide coverage of the presidential elections. According to witnesses, they were detained and taken to an undisclosed location. No information is yet available about police claims to the TV channel employees. The Russian Union of Journalists demands the Belarusian authorities explain the reasons for the detention of our colleague and disclose their whereabouts," the Union said in a statement posted on its website.
The Union said in considered the detention of journalists as a flagrant violation of the right of speech and the freedom of information.
Dozhd said earlier on Sunday that its correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky, and cameraman Nikola Antipov had been detained in Minsk by people in civilian clothes.
According to a representative of the headquarters of unregistered candidate Viktor Babariko, the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya Maria Kolestinova, the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street.
Belarus’ interior ministry has been unavailable for comment.
On Sunday, Belarus is holding its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. The incumbent head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking his sixth term in office. Other candidates are co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen.


tass--2020-08-09--Over 100 Lebanese military injured in Beirut protests - TV

MOSCOW , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Some 105 Lebanese troops were injured during the protests in the capital Beirut @ @ @ @ @ citing the Lebanese army 's statement on Sunday .
According to the statement , eight @ @ @ @ @ .
On Saturday , an anti-government protest gripped downtown Beirut , turning into riots .
@ @ @ @ @ of Lebanon 's Kataeb opposition party , had earlier called for mass anti-government protests .
@ @ @ @ @ coalition for corruption and demanded an early election and an independent probe into a powerful @ @ @ @ @ ’ s port on August 4 , claiming more than 150 lives and destroying the @ @ @ @ @ Earlier , Arab media reported that at least 728 people were injured in the protests @ @ @ @ @ of a head injury .

MOSCOW, August 9. /TASS/. Some 105 Lebanese troops were injured during the protests in the capital Beirut, Al-Hadath TV channel reported citing the Lebanese army's statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, eight officers were among those hurt.
On Saturday, an anti-government protest gripped downtown Beirut, turning into riots. Sami Gemayel, the leader of Lebanon's Kataeb opposition party, had earlier called for mass anti-government protests. The protesters blamed the ruling coalition for corruption and demanded an early election and an independent probe into a powerful blast that ripped through Beirut’s port on August 4, claiming more than 150 lives and destroying the capital’s infrastructure.
Earlier, Arab media reported that at least 728 people were injured in the protests and one police officer died of a head injury.


tass--2020-08-10--Russia halts denunciation of tax agreement with Cyprus

MOSCOW , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
Cyprus has agreed to Russia ’ s terms on raising the tax on @ @ @ @ @ % , Russia ’ s Finance Ministry said in a statement on Monday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ the Republic of Cyprus agreed to the terms of the Russian Federation on making changes @ @ @ @ @ avoidance of double taxation regarding increase of the tax of the source to 15 % @ @ @ @ @ '' the statement reads .
The protocol on changes to the tax agreement with Cyprus @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The protocol is to be ratified by the end of 2020 , it @ @ @ @ @ 1 , 2021 , '' it runs .
In view of this , Russia is @ @ @ @ @ of the tax agreement with Cyprus .

MOSCOW, August 10. /TASS/. Cyprus has agreed to Russia’s terms on raising the tax on dividend and interest to 15%, Russia’s Finance Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
"As part of the talks the Republic of Cyprus agreed to the terms of the Russian Federation on making changes to the Russian-Cypriot agreement on avoidance of double taxation regarding increase of the tax of the source to 15% on dividends and interest," the statement reads.
The protocol on changes to the tax agreement with Cyprus will take force starting 2021. "The protocol is to be ratified by the end of 2020, it will take force starting January 1, 2021," it runs.
"The Cypriot delegation fully agreed to the terms of the Russian side. We initialed the draft protocol that is to be signed in September 2020," Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk who headed the Russian delegation at the talks, was quoted as saying.
In view of this, Russia is halting the earlier announced denunciation of the tax agreement with Cyprus.
Russia will offer the Netherlands the same conditions for the tax convention review as for Cyprus, the Russian Ministry of Finance said on Monday.
"Russia awaits a formal response from the Netherlands to communicated proposals for the tax agreement review. If the Netherlands consents to hold negotiations, it will be offered the same conditions as for the Republic of Cyprus," the Ministry says.
Russia’s Finance Ministry also plans to finalize the talks with Luxembourg and Malta under the same terms as offered to Cyprus within a month. "As the protocol was initialed today, we are halting denunciation of the agreement. We also plan to finalize the talks with Luxembourg and Malta under the same terms as we offered to Cyprus within a month," State Secretary, Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Sazanov said.


tass--2020-08-10--Moscow court fines Google for poor filtering of banned content

`` Moscow 's Tagansky District Court issued a decision to impose a fine of 1.5 mln rubles on Google for @ @ @ @ @ filtering of prohibited content in the search engine , '' the court said .
In @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s telecom and media watchdog Alexander Zharov said that filtration of the content @ @ @ @ @ US-based search engine Google had gone down to 70 % and the corporation would be @ @ @ @ @ law , search engine operators are obliged to exclude references to resources with illegal information @ @ @ @ @ To do this , they must connect to the federal state information system containing the @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier the regulator said that the content was filtered by around 80 % .

"Moscow's Tagansky District Court issued a decision to impose a fine of 1.5 mln rubles on Google for repeated violations related to insufficient filtering of prohibited content in the search engine," the court said.
In early July, Head of Russia’s telecom and media watchdog Alexander Zharov said that filtration of the content banned in Russia by the US-based search engine Google had gone down to 70% and the corporation would be fined.
Under the Russian law, search engine operators are obliged to exclude references to resources with illegal information from the search results. To do this, they must connect to the federal state information system containing the list of prohibited Internet resources. Earlier the regulator said that the content was filtered by around 80%.


tass--2020-08-10--Internet in Belarus cut off ‘from abroad’ rather than by authorities — president

`` Someone is itching to do something and is calling to take to streets .
They are even cutting off the Internet from abroad to incite unrest among the population .
Our specialists are now studying where this block is coming from .
That ’ s why it ’ s not our initiative if the Internet is not working , it ’ s coming from abroad , '' BelTA news agency quoted him as saying .
MINSK , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Internet in Belarus is turned off `` from abroad , '' the national authorities are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Monday .
On Sunday , a number of websites operated by Belarusian media outlets as well as state bodies were not working properly .
Some portals are still reporting issues on Monday .
Beltelecom , the leading telecommunications company in the country , said it is currently working on fixing the issues caused by numerous cyber attacks .
According to preliminary results of Sunday ’ s voting in the presidential election released by the Central Election Commission on Monday , Lukashenko won 80.23 % of votes .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9.9 % of ballots .
The other three candidates managed to win less than two percent each .
After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9 , many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police .
The national Interior Ministry said 3,000 had been detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .

"Someone is itching to do something and is calling to take to streets. They are even cutting off the Internet from abroad to incite unrest among the population. Our specialists are now studying where this block is coming from. That’s why it’s not our initiative if the Internet is not working, it’s coming from abroad," BelTA news agency quoted him as saying.
MINSK, August 10. /TASS/. The Internet in Belarus is turned off "from abroad," the national authorities are not taking steps to cut it off, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Monday.
On Sunday, a number of websites operated by Belarusian media outlets as well as state bodies were not working properly. Some portals are still reporting issues on Monday. Beltelecom, the leading telecommunications company in the country, said it is currently working on fixing the issues caused by numerous cyber attacks.
According to preliminary results of Sunday’s voting in the presidential election released by the Central Election Commission on Monday, Lukashenko won 80.23% of votes. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, had 9.9% of ballots. The other three candidates managed to win less than two percent each.
After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9, many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police. The national Interior Ministry said 3,000 had been detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-10--Russian Journalists Union deplores detention of journalists in Minsk

MOSCOW , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Union of Journalists has expressed strong protest against the detention of Russian journalists in Belarus , the Union ’ s head , Vladimir Solovyov , told TASS on Monday .
`` We express resolute protest and demand immediate release of Russian journalists , '' he said .
Several Russian journalists who covered Sunday ’ s presidential election in Belarus were detained on August 9 and 10 .
According to Solovyov , they are Semyon Pegov , Maxim Solopov , Yevgeny Oleinik , Anton Starkov and Dmitry Lasenko .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beaten during the detention .
They are out of touch now , '' he said .
According to earlier reports , three journalists of Russia ’ s television channel Dozhd were detained in Minsk on Sunday .
Dozhd Editor-in-Chief Tikhon Dzyadko wrote on his Telegram channel that the three would be `` handed over to the Russian embassy to be deported . ''
On Sunday night into Monday morning , the three journalists , Vasily Polonsky , Vladimir Romensky and Nikolai Antipov returned to Russia .
According to Maria Kolesnikova , a representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Babariko and the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street .
Belarusian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Anatoly Glaz told TASS that the Dozhd journalists had been working without accreditation .

MOSCOW, August 10. /TASS/. Russia’s Union of Journalists has expressed strong protest against the detention of Russian journalists in Belarus, the Union’s head, Vladimir Solovyov, told TASS on Monday.
"We express resolute protest and demand immediate release of Russian journalists," he said.
Several Russian journalists who covered Sunday’s presidential election in Belarus were detained on August 9 and 10. According to Solovyov, they are Semyon Pegov, Maxim Solopov, Yevgeny Oleinik, Anton Starkov and Dmitry Lasenko. "We have information that Pegov and Solopov were beaten during the detention. They are out of touch now," he said.
According to earlier reports, three journalists of Russia’s television channel Dozhd were detained in Minsk on Sunday. Dozhd Editor-in-Chief Tikhon Dzyadko wrote on his Telegram channel that the three would be "handed over to the Russian embassy to be deported." On Sunday night into Monday morning, the three journalists, Vasily Polonsky, Vladimir Romensky and Nikolai Antipov returned to Russia. According to Maria Kolesnikova, a representative of the headquarters of unregistered candidate Viktor Babariko and the ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street. Belarusian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Anatoly Glaz told TASS that the Dozhd journalists had been working without accreditation.


tass--2020-08-10--Lebanese PM tells president he wants to resign — media

Press review : Who is behind the deadly blast in Beirut and Lukashenko rails against Moscow Top stories in the @ @ @ @ @ August 5

Lukashenko says Putin promises he would regard attack on Belarus as attack on Russia
The Belarusian leader pointed out that NATO was quickly building up forces on the border with Belarus in Poland and in the Baltic countries
Read more


tass--2020-08-10--Russia’s Baltic Fleet to hold large-scale drills in westernmost Kaliningrad Region

KALININGRAD , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
Over 2,500 troops of the Baltic Fleet ’ s army corps will participate @ @ @ @ @ forces of the Western Military District that will run at a training ground in the @ @ @ @ @ , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Monday .
`` The army corps @ @ @ @ @ been moved to the Pravdinsky training ground for tactical battle drills with a live-fire exercise @ @ @ @ @ large-scale command and staff drills with the Western Military District ’ s all-arms army .
@ @ @ @ @ about 300 items of military hardware are staying at the training ground , '' the @ @ @ @ @ statement .
Over 1,500 targets of various sizes and dimensions have been made to simulate @ @ @ @ @ more than 30 simulation fields have been set up , the statement says .
`` @ @ @ @ @ training assignments during the maneuvers that will run on August 24-28 will be recorded by @ @ @ @ @ the Fleet ’ s press office said .

KALININGRAD, August 10. /TASS/. Over 2,500 troops of the Baltic Fleet’s army corps will participate in large-scale drills with the forces of the Western Military District that will run at a training ground in the Kaliningrad Region on August 24-28, the Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.
"The army corps’ main forces have already been moved to the Pravdinsky training ground for tactical battle drills with a live-fire exercise as part of preparations for large-scale command and staff drills with the Western Military District’s all-arms army. Today over 2,500 troops and about 300 items of military hardware are staying at the training ground," the press office said in a statement.
Over 1,500 targets of various sizes and dimensions have been made to simulate adversary manpower and armor and more than 30 simulation fields have been set up, the statement says.
"The fulfillment of all combat training assignments during the maneuvers that will run on August 24-28 will be recorded by unmanned aerial vehicles," the Fleet’s press office said.


tass--2020-08-10--Interruption in internet service in Belarus is due to numerous cyberattacks, company says

MOSCOW , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus ’ leading telecommunications company Beltelecom is working on fixing the internet connection which was interrupted as a result of numerous cyberattacks , the company ’ s website said .
`` Numerous cyberattacks of various degree of intensity on government sites and the Beltelecom resources were registered by the company ’ s systems over the past 24 hours .
This leads to the significant overload of channels , malfunction , and breakdown of telecommunication equipment and problems with access for subscribers to some Internet resources and services , '' the statement said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant growth in traffic '' began on August 8 , it comes `` from the external IP networks beyond the borders of the Republic of Belarus . ''
In order to resolve these problems , all specialists and technical means are employed .
`` Beltelecom exerts every effort to rectify the situation by the end of the day on August 10 2020 , '' the company noted .
On Sunday a number of sites of Belarusian news outlets as well as resources of government agencies worked intermittently .
Problems with functioning of some @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 10. /TASS/. Belarus’ leading telecommunications company Beltelecom is working on fixing the internet connection which was interrupted as a result of numerous cyberattacks, the company’s website said.
"Numerous cyberattacks of various degree of intensity on government sites and the Beltelecom resources were registered by the company’s systems over the past 24 hours. This leads to the significant overload of channels, malfunction, and breakdown of telecommunication equipment and problems with access for subscribers to some Internet resources and services," the statement said.
The press service noted that a "significant growth in traffic" began on August 8, it comes "from the external IP networks beyond the borders of the Republic of Belarus."
In order to resolve these problems, all specialists and technical means are employed. "Beltelecom exerts every effort to rectify the situation by the end of the day on August 10, 2020," the company noted.
On Sunday a number of sites of Belarusian news outlets as well as resources of government agencies worked intermittently. Problems with functioning of some portals also continue on Monday.


tass--2020-08-10--Russia-US strategic stability talks due in Vienna on August 16-18

Major differences persist between Russian , US stances on strategic stability — diplomat MOSCOW , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
@ @ @ @ @ strategic stability talks will take place on August 16-18 in Vienna , Russian Deputy Foreign @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
`` The consultations will take place on August 16-18 in Vienna , @ @ @ @ @ and US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea previously held talks on strategic @ @ @ @ @ Vienna .

Major differences persist between Russian, US stances on strategic stability — diplomat
MOSCOW, August 10. /TASS/. The next round of Russian-US strategic stability talks will take place on August 16-18 in Vienna, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov informed TASS on Monday.
"The consultations will take place on August 16-18 in Vienna," Ryabkov said.
Ryabkov and US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea previously held talks on strategic stability on June 22 in Vienna.


tass--2020-08-10--Berlin considers important not to break dialogue with Russia

BERLIN , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
German government considers important not to cut off dialogue with Russia despite disagreements @ @ @ @ @ , German Foreign Office Spokesperson Christopher Burger said at a briefing on Monday , commenting @ @ @ @ @ German top diplomat Heiko Maas to Russia on August 11 .
`` It is important @ @ @ @ @ off dialogue with Moscow during difficult time , especially for the bilateral relations , '' @ @ @ @ @ reiterated that in the recent years `` there were significant problems '' in the relations @ @ @ @ @ He added that Berlin expects that `` Russia will use constructively its influence in the @ @ @ @ @ , for instance , in eastern Ukraine or in Libya .

BERLIN, August 10. /TASS/. The German government considers important not to cut off dialogue with Russia despite disagreements and complications in the relations, German Foreign Office Spokesperson Christopher Burger said at a briefing on Monday, commenting on the upcoming visit of German top diplomat Heiko Maas to Russia on August 11.
"It is important for us not to cut off dialogue with Moscow during difficult time, especially for the bilateral relations," he said. The diplomat reiterated that in the recent years "there were significant problems" in the relations between Germany and Russia. He added that Berlin expects that "Russia will use constructively its influence in the world" to settle conflicts, for instance, in eastern Ukraine or in Libya.


tass--2020-08-10--Scientists survey possible pollution at confluence of Pyasina, Tareya Rivers near Norilsk

TASS , August 10 .
A group of scientists , participating in the Big Norilsk Expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch , took samples of water , soil and sediments at the confluence of the Rivers Pyasina and Tareya some 450 km from Norilsk , the expedition ’ s press service told TASS .
“ We have taken samples at the river confluence area , as in our tests one of the rivers would be a background source , and the other – a contaminated source , ” the press service quoted the expedition ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of the locations was the confluence of the Pyasina and the Tareya .
The complex of samples remains as it is : water , soil , sediment , herbarium , biodiversity.
” Next to every location , where scientists collected soil samples , they took samples of plants , which later on will be dried and powdered for further laboratory tests .
The sampling process is very thorough – the experts have to collect samples most accurately , making sure they are free from any impurities .
Scientists register what they see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put down GPS data .
It takes the group more than one hour to take samples at one location .
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time in recent years heads for the Taimyr Peninsula at the invitation of Nornickel .
The big scientific expedition will study the peninsula and later on scientists will present suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic , on how to preserve the nature .
The expedition ’ s key points will be watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The expedition will work for five months – from July to November .
It will feature experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch .
The experts will analyze large-scale changes in the region .

TASS, August 10. A group of scientists, participating in the Great Norilsk Expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch, took samples of water, soil and sediments at the confluence of the Rivers Pyasina and Tareya some 450 km from Norilsk, the expedition’s press service told TASS.
“We have taken samples at the river confluence area, as in our tests one of the rivers would be a background source, and the other – a contaminated source,” the press service quoted the expedition’s leader Nikolai Yurkevich as saying. “One of the locations was the confluence of the Pyasina and the Tareya. The complex of samples remains as it is: water, soil, sediment, herbarium, biodiversity.”
Next to every location, where scientists collected soil samples, they took samples of plants, which later on will be dried and powdered for further laboratory tests. The sampling process is very thorough – the experts have to collect samples most accurately, making sure they are free from any impurities. Scientists register what they see, take pictures of the area, put down GPS data. It takes the group more than one hour to take samples at one location.
About expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time in recent years heads for the Taimyr Peninsula at the invitation of Nornickel. The big scientific expedition will study the peninsula and later on scientists will present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points will be watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnoye, and Lake Pyasino. The expedition will work for five months – from July to November. It will feature experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch. The experts will analyze large-scale changes in the region.


tass--2020-08-10--Russian PM points to improving coronavirus situation

MOSCOW , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus situation in Russia is gradually improving , Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin @ @ @ @ @ the government ’ s anti-coronavirus coordination council on Monday .
`` Although the coronavirus situation @ @ @ @ @ improving , we continue monitoring activities that allow us to promptly identify the sick and @ @ @ @ @ , '' he pointed out .
According to Mishustin , a large-scale campaign for coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ , which remains one of the most effective measures to prevent the infection from spreading @

MOSCOW, August 10. /TASS/. The coronavirus situation in Russia is gradually improving, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a meeting of the government’s anti-coronavirus coordination council on Monday.
"Although the coronavirus situation in the country is gradually improving, we continue monitoring activities that allow us to promptly identify the sick and provide medical treatment to them," he pointed out.
According to Mishustin, a large-scale campaign for coronavirus testing continues in the country, which remains one of the most effective measures to prevent the infection from spreading.


tass--2020-08-10--Scientists analyze soil, water, plants in fuel spill area near Norilsk

“ Over three days of work , the team examined the area beginning from the power plant along the Bezymyannyi Brook and the Dakdykan River to its confluence with the Ambarnaya River , ” the press service said .
“ The scientists have set and examined ten reporting locations.
” TASS , August 10 .
The Big Norilsk Expedition examined the key area of their route : from the CHPP-3 heat and power plant , where fuel spill occurred earlier , to the Ambarnaya River , the expedition ’ s press service told TASS .
At first , the experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the river , where the water remained clean , and then – lower – where the fuel had got into the river .
The water is filtered so that the suspension does not oxidize until the sample reaches the laboratory , and then poured into test tubes .
Soil experts have collected new samples of soil and sediment .
Botanists registered the most frequent plants - willow and horsetail .
They will make chemical tests to see how plants feel in that area .
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads for the Taimyr Peninsula at the invitation of Nornickel .
The big scientific expedition will study the peninsula and later on scientists will present suggestions for industrial companies , working in the Arctic , on how to preserve the nature .
The expedition ’ s key points will be watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnoye , and Lake Pyasino .
The expedition will work for five months – from July to November .
It will feature experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the region .

“Over three days of work, the team examined the area beginning from the power plant along the Bezymyannyi Brook and the Dakdykan River to its confluence with the Ambarnaya River,” the press service said. “The scientists have set and examined ten reporting locations.”
TASS, August 10. The Great Norilsk Expedition examined the key area of their route: from the CHPP-3 heat and power plant, where fuel spill occurred earlier, to the Ambarnaya River, the expedition’s press service told TASS.
At first, the experts took samples from the upper part of the river, where the water remained clean, and then – lower – where the fuel had got into the river. The water is filtered so that the suspension does not oxidize until the sample reaches the laboratory, and then poured into test tubes.
Soil experts have collected new samples of soil and sediment. Botanists registered the most frequent plants - willow and horsetail. They will make chemical tests to see how plants feel in that area.
About expedition to Taimyr
The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the first time in recent years heads for the Taimyr Peninsula at the invitation of Nornickel. The big scientific expedition will study the peninsula and later on scientists will present suggestions for industrial companies, working in the Arctic, on how to preserve the nature.
The expedition’s key points will be watersheds of the Rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnoye, and Lake Pyasino. The expedition will work for five months – from July to November. It will feature experts from 14 research institutes of the Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch. The experts will analyze large-scale changes in the region.


tass--2020-08-10--Lukashenko says protests were orchestrated from Poland, UK, Czech Republic

MINSK , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday that protests on Sunday evening had been orchestrated by means of telephone calls from Poland , the United Kingdom , and the Czech Republic .
`` We traced calls from abroad , and as a former intelligence officer you know that .
Calls came from Poland , Great Britain , and the Czech Republic to control , I beg your pardon , sheep : they don ’ t understand what they are doing and are easy to be controlled , '' BelTA agency quoted him as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CIS Executive Secretariat Sergei Lebedev , who headed a CIS observer mission at Sunday ’ s presidential elections .
According to Lukashenko , Russian , Polish and Ukrainian citizens attempted to take part in mass protests that took place in Belarus .
`` I ’ m not going to mention Poland : they ’ ve already settled down there , trying to pull the strings as well .
I ’ m not going to talk about Ukraine : people came from there .
I ’ m sure this is not state policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maidan-crazy '' people over there whom I ’ ve already mentioned .
Unfortunately , some people came from Russia as well , '' Lukashenko said , quoted by BelTA news agency .
Lukashenko has vowed to prevent Maidan-like events and appropriately respond to attempts to tear the country apart .
`` I said that no Maidan-like events would take place here , no matter how much some might want it to happen .
So everyone needs to calm down , '' Lukashenko said .
The head of state pledged to adequately respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We won ’ t let anyone tear the country apart , '' he added .

MINSK, August 10. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday that protests on Sunday evening had been orchestrated by means of telephone calls from Poland, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic.
"We traced calls from abroad, and as a former intelligence officer you know that. Calls came from Poland, Great Britain, and the Czech Republic to control, I beg your pardon, sheep: they don’t understand what they are doing and are easy to be controlled," BelTA agency quoted him as saying at a meeting with chairman of the CIS Executive Secretariat Sergei Lebedev, who headed a CIS observer mission at Sunday’s presidential elections.
According to Lukashenko, Russian, Polish and Ukrainian citizens attempted to take part in mass protests that took place in Belarus.
"I’m not going to mention Poland: they’ve already settled down there, trying to pull the strings as well. I’m not going to talk about Ukraine: people came from there. I’m sure this is not state policy, however, there are many "Maidan-crazy" people over there whom I’ve already mentioned. Unfortunately, some people came from Russia as well," Lukashenko said, quoted by BelTA news agency.
Lukashenko has vowed to prevent Maidan-like events and appropriately respond to attempts to tear the country apart.
"I said that no Maidan-like events would take place here, no matter how much some might want it to happen. So everyone needs to calm down," Lukashenko said.
The head of state pledged to adequately respond to attempts to destabilize the situation in Belarus. "We won’t let anyone tear the country apart," he added.


tass--2020-08-10--Press review: Lukashenko wins sixth presidential vote and what do Beirut protesters want

Incumbent Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has won his sixth presidential election , according to an exit poll conducted by the government-affiliated Youth Laboratory for Sociological Research .
He is said to receive 79.9 % of the vote .
His main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has garnered 6.8 % , Vedomosti wrote , citing the exit poll .
However , members of the Overseas Exit Poll project told Izvestia that according to their surveys , conducted in 24 countries including Russia , Tikhanovskaya had garnered 79.69 % of the vote , while Lukashenko had only 6.25 % .
An unauthorized opposition protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday evening .
Media reports said it involved tens of thousands of people .
Similar demonstrations emerged in other cities .
Dozens of people are reported to have been detained in Minsk .
Andrei Skriba , a researcher at the Higher School of Economics ’ Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies , emphasizes that the election has split society and if Lukashenko is declared the winner , more people will lose trust in him .
Besides , in Skriba ’ s words , the difficult economic situation in Belarus only adds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` both Russia and the West will take a break following Lukashenko ’ s election win , '' he told Vedomosti .
Yevgeny Preigerman , an analyst at the Minsk Dialogue expert initiative , in turn , says that the Minsk protests will not lead to political changes because the country ’ s people are not prepared for a long-term standoff .
Another issue with the Minsk protest is that there is no clear leader .
`` A leadership vacuum creates huge problems as the authorities have no one to make agreements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Izvestia : What do Beirut protesters want ?
Demonstrators in the Lebanese capital of Beirut are determined to continue their protest until the entire government steps down and honest elections are conducted in the country , people taking part in protests told Izvestia .
According to the Lebanese media , nearly 500 protesters and dozens of police officers have been injured in clashes .
Lebanon ’ s Prime Minister Hassan Diab has announced that an early parliamentary election will take place within the next two months .
The situation in Lebanon had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s devastating blast rocked Beirut , said Vyacheslav Matuzov , an expert in Asian studies .
According to him , the Lebanese people had opposed corruption and the steps of authorities at various levels , which eventually led to a government change but the system remained the same .
`` Today , protesters demand major political reforms , first and foremost , the renunciation of the system of confessionalism that reserves the highest offices for representatives of certain religious communities , '' the political scientist pointed out .
According to Matuzov , regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the United Nations could help find a way out of the crisis .
However , despite violent protests , new forces can hardly be expected to come to power in Lebanon , leading expert at the Russian Academy of Sciences ' Institute of Oriental Studies Alexei Sarabyev noted .
Although protesters demand that Hezbollah be disarmed ( particularly out of suspicion that the group used the ammonium nitrate that detonated in Beirut ’ s port area for military purposes ) , it is unlikely to step back , the expert added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the system of confessionalism to cease to exist , the entire Lebanese society needs to undergo a complete change , but so far , there are no signs showing that it is possible , the expert emphasized .
An article titled `` On the foundations of Russia ’ s State Nuclear Deterrence Strategy '' , written by Major General Andrey Sterlin and Colonel Alexander Khryapin , has been published in Krasnaya Zvezda , the official newspaper of the Russian Defense Ministry .
Sterlin is a senior official at the Main Operational Directorate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Khyrapin is a leading research fellow at the Military-Strategic Studies Center of the General Staff ’ s Military Academy .
Vedomosti ’ s sources say that the article seeks to explain to a foreign audience Russia ’ s document on strategic nuclear planning , which was published on June 2 , for the first time in history .
The article can be viewed as a continuation of the policy aimed at making the Russian government ’ s views on the country ’ s nuclear strategy open to the public , Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to him , the article emphasizes that the only goal of Russia ’ s nuclear forces is to ensure strategic deterrence by making it clear to adversaries that they could `` suffer unacceptable damage '' .
According to Mikhail Barabanov , an expert at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies , the main message of the article is the following : `` There is a specific answer to the question about the goal of aggression against Russia , a power with significant nuclear capability : the destruction of Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the article views any military aggression against Russia as reason enough for using nuclear weapons and even becoming the first to use them , the expert added .
`` We won ’ t try to figure out what kind of missiles they have and whether they are nuclear .
Once a missile attack is launched towards our country , a decision will be made on a retaliatory strike on the country from where the attack is coming , '' military political scientist Alexander Peredzhiyev told Rossiyskaya Gazeta .
According to him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce such missiles but also about countries that have given permission to deploy missiles on their soil .
Mayor of the German city of Sassnitz Frank Kracht has said that Mukran port , where pipes are stored for the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and a vessel involved in the project is moored , will ignore the threat of US sanctions .
According to the mayor , municipal and port authorities wo n't let US politicians decide which projects Germany should participate in , Vedomosti writes .
Three US senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operator Faehrhafen Sassnitz , threatening that technical assistance in efforts to complete the pipeline 's construction would entail serious consequences .
Chairman of the German Bundestag Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy Klaus Ernst slammed the letter as a direct threat .
Strong comments by German businessmen and officials make it clear that the United States and Germany have entered a new round in the standoff on Nord Stream 2 .
However , experts say Washington has not taken any effective steps yet that could hinder the construction of the pipeline .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will hardly opt to raise tensions with Germany and the European Union , particularly amid a presidential election campaign , '' Deputy Director of the Institute for Energy and Finance Alexei Belogoryev explained .
He says that given Washington ’ s uneasy relations with China and Iran , a squabble with Germany will create additional problems , particularly because Berlin is capable of introducing retaliatory sanctions .
Meanwhile , Chief Analyst at the National Energy Security Fund Igor Yushkov believes that once the pipeline is complete , new difficulties may emerge that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 .
`` Germany will need to issue operation permits , which may lead to more pressure from the US , '' the expert said .
The number of households with internet access rose by 290,000 to reach 33,790,000 in the second quarter of the year amid Russia ’ s coronavirus self-isolation , according to TelecomDaily .
All major providers saw an increase in customers in the second quarter , Kommersant writes .
However , despite a positive trend for new users , providers find it difficult to ensure revenue growth , TelecomDaily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to him , deteriorating economic situation , rising unemployment and declining purchasing power make people choose cheaper options for Internet access .
However , Kuskov believes that `` if the self-isolation scenario does not repeat itself , the market will start to slightly grow once again . ''
The Er-Telecom company expects corporate Internet service to become the main driver behind the industry 's growth .
Meanwhile , Rostelecom expects that convergent offers , which particularly include TV and mobile services along with Internet access , will contribute to the growth of fixed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Media: Lukashenko officially wins his sixth presidential election Incumbent Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has won his sixth presidential election, according to an exit poll conducted by the government-affiliated Youth Laboratory for Sociological Research. He is said to receive 79.9% of the vote. His main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has garnered 6.8%, Vedomosti wrote, citing the exit poll. However, members of the Overseas Exit Poll project told Izvestia that according to their surveys, conducted in 24 countries including Russia, Tikhanovskaya had garnered 79.69% of the vote, while Lukashenko had only 6.25%.
Read also Lukashenko gets 80.23% of the vote in Belarusian presidential election
An unauthorized opposition protest began in the Belarusian capital of Minsk on Sunday evening. Media reports said it involved tens of thousands of people. Similar demonstrations emerged in other cities. Dozens of people are reported to have been detained in Minsk. Andrei Skriba, a researcher at the Higher School of Economics’ Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, emphasizes that the election has split society and if Lukashenko is declared the winner, more people will lose trust in him. Besides, in Skriba’s words, the difficult economic situation in Belarus only adds to public discord. The expert believes that "both Russia and the West will take a break following Lukashenko’s election win," he told Vedomosti. Yevgeny Preigerman, an analyst at the Minsk Dialogue expert initiative, in turn, says that the Minsk protests will not lead to political changes because the country’s people are not prepared for a long-term standoff. Another issue with the Minsk protest is that there is no clear leader. "A leadership vacuum creates huge problems as the authorities have no one to make agreements with," the expert pointed out. Izvestia: What do Beirut protesters want? Demonstrators in the Lebanese capital of Beirut are determined to continue their protest until the entire government steps down and honest elections are conducted in the country, people taking part in protests told Izvestia. According to the Lebanese media, nearly 500 protesters and dozens of police officers have been injured in clashes. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab has announced that an early parliamentary election will take place within the next two months.
The situation in Lebanon had been tense even before last week’s devastating blast rocked Beirut, said Vyacheslav Matuzov, an expert in Asian studies. According to him, the Lebanese people had opposed corruption and the steps of authorities at various levels, which eventually led to a government change but the system remained the same. "Today, protesters demand major political reforms, first and foremost, the renunciation of the system of confessionalism that reserves the highest offices for representatives of certain religious communities," the political scientist pointed out. According to Matuzov, regional organizations, namely the Arab League, and the United Nations could help find a way out of the crisis. However, despite violent protests, new forces can hardly be expected to come to power in Lebanon, leading expert at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Oriental Studies Alexei Sarabyev noted. Although protesters demand that Hezbollah be disarmed (particularly out of suspicion that the group used the ammonium nitrate that detonated in Beirut’s port area for military purposes), it is unlikely to step back, the expert added. For any new power to emerge and the system of confessionalism to cease to exist, the entire Lebanese society needs to undergo a complete change, but so far, there are no signs showing that it is possible, the expert emphasized. Media: Defense Ministry clarifies Russian nuclear deterrence strategy An article titled "On the foundations of Russia’s State Nuclear Deterrence Strategy", written by Major General Andrey Sterlin and Colonel Alexander Khryapin, has been published in Krasnaya Zvezda, the official newspaper of the Russian Defense Ministry. Sterlin is a senior official at the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff, and Khyrapin is a leading research fellow at the Military-Strategic Studies Center of the General Staff’s Military Academy. Vedomosti’s sources say that the article seeks to explain to a foreign audience Russia’s document on strategic nuclear planning, which was published on June 2, for the first time in history. The article can be viewed as a continuation of the policy aimed at making the Russian government’s views on the country’s nuclear strategy open to the public, Russian International Affairs Council expert Alexander Yermakov said. According to him, the article emphasizes that the only goal of Russia’s nuclear forces is to ensure strategic deterrence by making it clear to adversaries that they could "suffer unacceptable damage". According to Mikhail Barabanov, an expert at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, the main message of the article is the following: "There is a specific answer to the question about the goal of aggression against Russia, a power with significant nuclear capability: the destruction of Russia as a state." That said, the article views any military aggression against Russia as reason enough for using nuclear weapons and even becoming the first to use them, the expert added. "We won’t try to figure out what kind of missiles they have and whether they are nuclear. Once a missile attack is launched towards our country, a decision will be made on a retaliatory strike on the country from where the attack is coming," military political scientist Alexander Peredzhiyev told Rossiyskaya Gazeta. According to him, it is not only about countries that produce such missiles but also about countries that have given permission to deploy missiles on their soil. Vedomosti: German officials stand their ground on Nord Stream 2 Mayor of the German city of Sassnitz Frank Kracht has said that Mukran port, where pipes are stored for the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and a vessel involved in the project is moored, will ignore the threat of US sanctions. According to the mayor, municipal and port authorities won't let US politicians decide which projects Germany should participate in, Vedomosti writes.
Read also Polish regulator imposes $57 mln penalty on Gazprom over Nord Stream 2 investigation


tass--2020-08-10--About 3,000 people detained during protests in Belarus, Interior Ministry says

MINSK , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
About 3,000 people were detained in Belarus during protests following Sunday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Spokesperson Olga Chemodanova told TASS .
`` About 3,000 people were detained across the country @ @ @ @ @ and over 2,000 in other regions , '' she pointed out .
The spokesperson added @ @ @ @ @ August 9 and in the early hours of August 10 , the Belarusian public had @ @ @ @ @ on central squares in 33 Belarusian cities .
`` During unauthorized protests , 39 law @ @ @ @ @ civilians were injured , '' she added .

MINSK, August 10. /TASS/. About 3,000 people were detained in Belarus during protests following Sunday’s presidential vote, Interior Ministry Spokesperson Olga Chemodanova told TASS.
"About 3,000 people were detained across the country, including 1,000 in Minsk and over 2,000 in other regions," she pointed out.
The spokesperson added that in the evening of August 9 and in the early hours of August 10, the Belarusian public had gathered near polling stations and on central squares in 33 Belarusian cities.
"During unauthorized protests, 39 law enforcement officers and over 50 civilians were injured," she added.


tass--2020-08-10--Russia’s upgraded Ka-52M combat helicopter makes debut flight

`` The latest upgraded Ka-52 helicopter made its debut flight at the Progress Aircraft Company of Russian Helicopters Group ( part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec ) .
This vehicle incorporates the best technical solutions earlier tested on helicopters produced both under the defense procurement plan and for exports , '' the ministry said .
The new Ka-52M helicopter features an upgraded longer-range opto-electronic target detection and identification system , a new digital drive that will help increase the aiming accuracy of the air gun .
The upgraded helicopter also carries an active phased array radar and a longer-range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Russian Helicopters Group said in their statements .
The upgraded helicopter can operate in any temperatures , including in Arctic conditions .
Its running gear is outfitted with wheels with a higher load-bearing capacity and wear resistance and the LED-based lighting equipment while the pilots ’ cabin features a new interior .
`` The production ’ s large-scale modernization and retooling under the federal target program helped considerably expand the technical possibilities of the Progress Arsenyev Aircraft Company and switch to the output of improved and more reliable combat hardware - upgraded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said .
Russian Helicopters Group CEO Andrei Boginsky said that the helicopter manufacturer had started the experimental design work on the Ka-52 ’ s upgrade on order from Russia ’ s defense minister last year , taking into account its combat employment .
`` The Ka-52M ’ s missile armament has been standardized with the armament of another latest Mi-28NM helicopter , which has made it possible to considerably increase the range of striking targets , '' the chief executive said .
The flight tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by specialists of the helicopter ’ s developer ( the Mil and Kamov National Helicopter-Building Center ) .
Some stages of the trials will run on the territory of the helicopter producer , following which the gunship will be delivered to the customer .
Upon the completion of preliminary delivery trials , state joint trials will begin .

"The latest upgraded Ka-52 helicopter made its debut flight at the Progress Aircraft Company of Russian Helicopters Group (part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec). This vehicle incorporates the best technical solutions earlier tested on helicopters produced both under the defense procurement plan and for exports," the ministry said.
The new Ka-52M helicopter features an upgraded longer-range opto-electronic target detection and identification system, a new digital drive that will help increase the aiming accuracy of the air gun. The upgraded helicopter also carries an active phased array radar and a longer-range missile, the Industry and Trade Ministry and Russian Helicopters Group said in their statements.
The upgraded helicopter can operate in any temperatures, including in Arctic conditions. Its running gear is outfitted with wheels with a higher load-bearing capacity and wear resistance and the LED-based lighting equipment while the pilots’ cabin features a new interior.
"The production’s large-scale modernization and retooling under the federal target program helped considerably expand the technical possibilities of the Progress Arsenyev Aircraft Company and switch to the output of improved and more reliable combat hardware - upgraded Ka-52 helicopters for the Russian Armed Forces," Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said.
Russian Helicopters Group CEO Andrei Boginsky said that the helicopter manufacturer had started the experimental design work on the Ka-52’s upgrade on order from Russia’s defense minister last year, taking into account its combat employment.
"The Ka-52M’s missile armament has been standardized with the armament of another latest Mi-28NM helicopter, which has made it possible to considerably increase the range of striking targets," the chief executive said.
The flight tests of the Ka-52M will be carried out by specialists of the helicopter’s developer (the Mil and Kamov National Helicopter-Building Center). Some stages of the trials will run on the territory of the helicopter producer, following which the gunship will be delivered to the customer. Upon the completion of preliminary delivery trials, state joint trials will begin.


tass--2020-08-10--Tikhanovskaya says considers herself winner of Belarusian presidential election

Tikhanovskaya pointed out that she did not recognize the results announced by the Central Election Commission .
`` Of course we do not recognize them .
The figures we got do not correspond to those that have been announced , '' she told reporters .
Tikhanovskaya also said that the country ’ s authorities had responded disproportionately to protests .
`` We stand for peaceful change .
The measures the authorities took were disproportionate .
People remained at polling stations to protect their ballots .
For our part , we will do everything possible to make sure that nothing like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I see no reason why I should be arrested , and I have no plans to leave Belarus , '' Tikhanovskaya noted .
According to preliminary data from the Belarusian Central Election Commission , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.23 % of the vote , Tikhanovskaya garnered 9.90 % and the other three presidential candidates gained less than 2 % .
Protests erupted in Minsk and other regions of the country following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces .
Commonwealth of Independent States ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who headed the CIS observer mission , said no facts had been found that could call the results of the vote into question .

Tikhanovskaya pointed out that she did not recognize the results announced by the Central Election Commission. "Of course we do not recognize them. The figures we got do not correspond to those that have been announced," she told reporters.
Tikhanovskaya also said that the country’s authorities had responded disproportionately to protests. "We stand for peaceful change. The measures the authorities took were disproportionate. People remained at polling stations to protect their ballots. For our part, we will do everything possible to make sure that nothing like this happens again," she added. "I see no reason why I should be arrested, and I have no plans to leave Belarus," Tikhanovskaya noted.
According to preliminary data from the Belarusian Central Election Commission, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.23% of the vote, Tikhanovskaya garnered 9.90% and the other three presidential candidates gained less than 2%. Protests erupted in Minsk and other regions of the country following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement forces. Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev, who headed the CIS observer mission, said no facts had been found that could call the results of the vote into question.


tass--2020-08-10--Human rights activists say over 200 people detained on election day in Belarus

MINSK , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people detained in Belarus on the presidential election day has @ @ @ @ @ to the Vesna human rights center .
`` As of 10 am on August 10 @ @ @ @ @ at least 213 people detained in Belarus on August 9 , '' the center said @ @ @ @ @ , adding that the actual number of detained could be higher .
TASS has no @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Interior Ministry at the moment .
Vesna ’ s official website contains information @ @ @ @ @ detained in the Belarusian capital of Minsk on the election day .

MINSK, August 10. /TASS/. The number of people detained in Belarus on the presidential election day has grown to 213, according to the Vesna human rights center.
"As of 10 am on August 10, Vesna had information on at least 213 people detained in Belarus on August 9," the center said in a statement on Telegram, adding that the actual number of detained could be higher.
TASS has no official information from the country’s Interior Ministry at the moment.
Vesna’s official website contains information on more than 120 people detained in the Belarusian capital of Minsk on the election day.


tass--2020-08-10--Belarusian night of protests after presidential vote

British policy towards Russia consists of 95 % of deterrence and 5 % of dialogue , envoy says The ambassador @ @ @ @ @ relations between the UK and Russia as difficult

West was covering up crimes of Kiev regime that led to Ukraine’s tragedy, Lavrov says
"During this entire period, the population of DPR and LPR was subjected to abuse, perennial shelling on the part of the Kiev regime that openly adopted a course towards Russophobia and genocide," the Russian top diplomat noted
Read more


tass--2020-08-10--Putin congratulates Lukashenko on victory in Belarusian presidential election

MOSCOW , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated his Belarusian colleague Alexander Lukashenko on his victory in the Belarusian presidential election , the Kremlin press service informed on Monday .
`` I expect that your statesmanship will facilitate the further development of mutually beneficial Russian-Belarusian relations in all spheres , as well as the further enhancement of cooperation within the Union State , the strengthening of integration processes within the Eurasian Economic Union and the CIS and of military-political ties within the Collective Security Treaty Organization , '' the telegram published by the Kremlin press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this serves the core interests of the brotherly nations of Russia and Belarus , '' Putin stated .
On August 9 , a presidential election was held in Belarus .
According to the preliminary results published on Monday by the Belarusian Election Commission , Lukashenko has won with 80.23 % of the vote .
Opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has come in second with 9.90 % .
The other three candidates received fewer than 2 % of the vote .
The voter turnout at the presidential election is reported at 84.23 % .

MOSCOW, August 10. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated his Belarusian colleague Alexander Lukashenko on his victory in the Belarusian presidential election, the Kremlin press service informed on Monday.
"I expect that your statesmanship will facilitate the further development of mutually beneficial Russian-Belarusian relations in all spheres, as well as the further enhancement of cooperation within the Union State, the strengthening of integration processes within the Eurasian Economic Union and the CIS and of military-political ties within the Collective Security Treaty Organization," the telegram published by the Kremlin press service says.
"Without a doubt, this serves the core interests of the brotherly nations of Russia and Belarus," Putin stated.
On August 9, a presidential election was held in Belarus. According to the preliminary results published on Monday by the Belarusian Election Commission, Lukashenko has won with 80.23% of the vote. Opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has come in second with 9.90%. The other three candidates received fewer than 2% of the vote. The voter turnout at the presidential election is reported at 84.23%.


tass--2020-08-10--The Japan-Shandong Industry Cooperation and Exchange Seminar gets underway

JINAN , China , Aug. 10 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shandong Sub-council ( the Sub-council ) released information about the seminar , called Dialogue with Shandong -- Japan-Shandong Industry Cooperation and Exchange , which was held simultaneously on July 30 at several venues in Jinan , Tokyo and Osaka .
High-profile people from a range of industries gathered on the cloud and engaged in fruitful online discussions .
At the seminar , comprehensive discussions took place about local industry cooperation between China and Japan against the background of the ongoing COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantageous industries and relevant policies regarding the Jinan-Qingdao-Yantai International Investment Industrial Park , and to introduce cooperative projects currently in full swing as well as to consider cooperation needs .
Concurrently , two industry connection seminars related to medical care , health care and high-end equipment manufacturing , as well as two Sino-Japanese city cooperation seminars in Jinan and Qingdao were held .
As the organizer , the Sub-council ensured the smooth and efficient staging of the event .
This event boosted confidence in local economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local cooperation .
It also helped to achieve some pleasing economic and trade cooperation outcomes , with agreement on 17 projects being reached .
The Sino-Japanese industry talent exchange and cooperation program and the platform for the transfer and transformation of Sino-Japanese industrial technology achievements were also established .
Leaders including Liu Jiayi , CPC Shandong Provincial Committee Secretary , Li Ganjie , Governor of Shandong Province , and others attended the event .
Toshihiro Nikai , Japanese Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General , Yukio Hatoyama , former Prime Minister , Hideki Makihara , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Yutaka Yokoi , Ambassador to China , sent congratulatory videos .
`` This is the first online high-end exchange event between Chinese local government leaders and Japan '' , said Sasaki Nobuhiko , Chairman of Japan External Trade Organization .
`` It is an unprecedented online event . ''

JINAN, China, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shandong Sub-council (the Sub-council) released information about the seminar, called Dialogue with Shandong -- Japan-Shandong Industry Cooperation and Exchange, which was held simultaneously on July 30 at several venues in Jinan, Tokyo and Osaka. High-profile people from a range of industries gathered on the cloud and engaged in fruitful online discussions.
At the seminar, comprehensive discussions took place about local industry cooperation between China and Japan against the background of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This gave opportunities to present advantageous industries and relevant policies regarding the Jinan-Qingdao-Yantai International Investment Industrial Park, and to introduce cooperative projects currently in full swing as well as to consider cooperation needs. Concurrently, two industry connection seminars related to medical care, health care and high-end equipment manufacturing, as well as two Sino-Japanese city cooperation seminars in Jinan and Qingdao were held. As the organizer, the Sub-council ensured the smooth and efficient staging of the event.
This event boosted confidence in local economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan and encouraged a new wave of similar local cooperation. It also helped to achieve some pleasing economic and trade cooperation outcomes, with agreement on 17 projects being reached. The Sino-Japanese industry talent exchange and cooperation program and the platform for the transfer and transformation of Sino-Japanese industrial technology achievements were also established.
Leaders including Liu Jiayi, CPC Shandong Provincial Committee Secretary, Li Ganjie, Governor of Shandong Province, and others attended the event. Toshihiro Nikai, Japanese Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General, Yukio Hatoyama, former Prime Minister, Hideki Makihara, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, and Yutaka Yokoi, Ambassador to China, sent congratulatory videos. "This is the first online high-end exchange event between Chinese local government leaders and Japan", said Sasaki Nobuhiko, Chairman of Japan External Trade Organization. "It is an unprecedented online event."


tass--2020-08-10--Belarusian Interior Ministry denies casualties in protests

MINSK , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Belarusian Interior Ministry has refuted the reports claiming one person has been @ @ @ @ @ Minsk on August 9 .
Earlier , Valentin Stefanovich , a representative of the Viasna @ @ @ @ @ TASS that one person had been killed during the protests in Minsk .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ mass protests took place in Minsk and other Belarusian regions in the wake of the @ @ @ @ @ enforcement officers were forced to use special means of constraint to subdue the protesters .
@ @ @ @ @ presidential election was held in Belarus .
According to the preliminary results published on Monday @ @ @ @ @ , Lukashenko has won with 80.23 % of the vote .
Opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya @ @ @ @ @ 9.90 % .
The other three candidates received fewer than 2 % of the vote @

MINSK, August 10. /TASS/. The Belarusian Interior Ministry has refuted the reports claiming one person has been killed during mass protests in Minsk on August 9.
Earlier, Valentin Stefanovich, a representative of the Viasna human rights center, told TASS that one person had been killed during the protests in Minsk.
On Sunday night into Monday morning, mass protests took place in Minsk and other Belarusian regions in the wake of the Belarusian presidential election. Law enforcement officers were forced to use special means of constraint to subdue the protesters.
On August 9, a presidential election was held in Belarus. According to the preliminary results published on Monday by the Belarusian Election Commission, Lukashenko has won with 80.23% of the vote. Opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has come in second with 9.90%. The other three candidates received fewer than 2% of the vote.


tass--2020-08-10--Russia records 5,118 new daily coronavirus cases

MOSCOW , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia 's coronavirus cases rose by 5,118 to 892,654 in the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ center said on Monday .
Number of coronavirus cases worldwide grows by 1.8 million in @ @ @ @ @ crisis center , the daily growth rate was below 0.6 % for the eighth day @ @ @ @ @ growth rate is the lowest in the Chuktka autonomous region ( 0 % ) , @ @ @ @ @ 0 % ) , the North Ossetia region ( 0.1 % ) , the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ , the Kabardino-Balkaria region ( 0.2 % ) and the Chechnya region ( 0.2 % @ @ @ @ @ 694 cases were identified in Moscow in the past day , 179 in the Sverdlovsk @ @ @ @ @ Petersburg , 153 in the Moscow region and 128 in the Rostov region .
There @ @ @ @ @ cases in Russia .

MOSCOW, August 10. /TASS/. Russia's coronavirus cases rose by 5,118 to 892,654 in the past 24 hours, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Monday.
Number of coronavirus cases worldwide grows by 1.8 million in past week
According to the crisis center, the daily growth rate was below 0.6% for the eighth day in a row.
The growth rate is the lowest in the Chuktka autonomous region (0%), the Nenets autonomous region (0%), the North Ossetia region (0.1%), the Moscow region (0.2%), the Kabardino-Balkaria region (0.2%) and the Chechnya region (0.2%).
As many as 694 cases were identified in Moscow in the past day, 179 in the Sverdlovsk region, 157 in St. Petersburg, 153 in the Moscow region and 128 in the Rostov region.
There are currently 180,972 active coronavirus cases in Russia.


tass--2020-08-10--Elections in Belarus conducted in accordance with legislation, head observer says

Lukashenko gets 80.23 % of the vote in Belarusian presidential election MINSK , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
Presidential elections @ @ @ @ @ conducted in accordance with the legislation , Head of the CIS Executive Committee , Executive @ @ @ @ @ Lebedev , head of the observation mission , stated on Monday .
`` The elections @ @ @ @ @ way and in accordance with Belarusian legislation , '' he said .

Lukashenko gets 80.23% of the vote in Belarusian presidential election
MINSK, August 10. /TASS/. Presidential elections in Belarus were well-organized and conducted in accordance with the legislation, Head of the CIS Executive Committee, Executive Secretary of the CIS Sergey Lebedev, head of the observation mission, stated on Monday.
"The elections were conducted in an organized way and in accordance with Belarusian legislation," he said.


tass--2020-08-10--One person killed during protests in Minsk, human rights activist says

Police in Minsk take control of the situation with numerous protests MINSK , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
One person @ @ @ @ @ in Minsk on Sunday , representative of the Viasna human rights center Valentin Stefanovich told @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Yes , there is information of one casualty .
This happened as a @ @ @ @ @ with the participants of the protest .
Three people were seriously injured , one died @ @ @ @ @ injury , '' he said .
TASS has no official information from Belarusian law enforcement @ @ @ @

Police in Minsk take control of the situation with numerous protests
MINSK, August 10. /TASS/. One person was killed in the protests in Minsk on Sunday, representative of the Viasna human rights center Valentin Stefanovich told TASS in a phone conversation.
"Yes, there is information of one casualty. This happened as a result of special transport colliding with the participants of the protest. Three people were seriously injured, one died as a result of head injury," he said.
TASS has no official information from Belarusian law enforcement on the deceased.


tass--2020-08-10--Lukashenko gets 80.23% of the vote in Belarusian presidential election

MINSK , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has won the Belarusian presidential election with 80.23 % @ @ @ @ @ results published on Monday by Lidia Yermoshina , head of the Belarusian Election Commission , @ @ @ @ @ Tikhanovskaya has come in second with 9.90 % .
The other three candidates received fewer @ @ @ @ @ vote : Anna Kanopatskaya got 1.68 % , Sergei Cherechen - 1.13 % , and @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , 6.02 % have voted against all candidates .
Yermoshina noted that the @ @ @ @ @ on , however , the final results are unlikely to change significantly .
Yermoshina also @ @ @ @ @ the preliminary results had been postponed , as the employees of the Belarusian Election Commission @ @ @ @ @ building at about 01:00 am due to mass protests in Minsk .
The voter turnout @ @ @ @ @ reported at 84.23 % .

MINSK, August 10. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has won the Belarusian presidential election with 80.23% of the vote, preliminary results published on Monday by Lidia Yermoshina, head of the Belarusian Election Commission, inform.
Opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has come in second with 9.90%. The other three candidates received fewer than 2% of the vote: Anna Kanopatskaya got 1.68%, Sergei Cherechen - 1.13%, and Andrei Dmitriev - 1.04%. Meanwhile, 6.02% have voted against all candidates. Yermoshina noted that the preliminary results would be expanded on, however, the final results are unlikely to change significantly.
Yermoshina also informed that the publication of the preliminary results had been postponed, as the employees of the Belarusian Election Commission were evacuated from the government building at about 01:00 am due to mass protests in Minsk.
The voter turnout at the presidential election is reported at 84.23%.


tass--2020-08-10--Russian medics provide aid to 268 people injured after Beirut explosion

BEIRUT , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
Medical professionals with the Russian Emergencies Ministry have provided aid to 268 people injured in the wake of the Beirut explosion , the ministry ’ s press service informed TASS on Monday .
`` Employees of the Russian Emergencies Ministry have provided medical aid to 268 people , including 29 children .
Lab workers of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing have held 248 tests for COVID-19 , and psychologists of the Russian Emergencies Ministry have provided aid in 33 cases , '' the press service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescue workers had pulled out eight bodies from the rubble in the wake of the explosion .
On August 4 , a powerful blast ripped through Beirut ’ s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave , which either destroyed or damaged dozens of buildings .
More than 300,000 people have been left homeless .
Over 150 people were killed and nearly 6,000 others were injured , while dozens went missing .
According to Lebanon ’ s Interior Ministry , a fire was started by welding work and caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ammonium nitrate , which had been seized by the customs service and stored in the port for six years .
A two-week state of emergency is in place in Lebanon ’ s capital , which was declared a disaster-stricken city .

BEIRUT, August 10. /TASS/. Medical professionals with the Russian Emergencies Ministry have provided aid to 268 people injured in the wake of the Beirut explosion, the ministry’s press service informed TASS on Monday.
"Employees of the Russian Emergencies Ministry have provided medical aid to 268 people, including 29 children. Lab workers of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing have held 248 tests for COVID-19, and psychologists of the Russian Emergencies Ministry have provided aid in 33 cases," the press service stated.
The ministry added that Russian rescue workers had pulled out eight bodies from the rubble in the wake of the explosion.
On August 4, a powerful blast ripped through Beirut’s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave, which either destroyed or damaged dozens of buildings. More than 300,000 people have been left homeless. Over 150 people were killed and nearly 6,000 others were injured, while dozens went missing.
According to Lebanon’s Interior Ministry, a fire was started by welding work and caused the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which had been seized by the customs service and stored in the port for six years. A two-week state of emergency is in place in Lebanon’s capital, which was declared a disaster-stricken city.


tass--2020-08-10--THRIVE II: releases trailer August 8th in 15 languages

LOS ANGELES , Aug. 8 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- THRIVE : What on Earth Will it Take ?
is one of the most widely viewed documentaries in history with over 90 million views across 27 different languages .
Released in November 2011 , the unconventional documentary lifted the veil on what is truly happening in our world by uncovering the global consolidation of power in nearly every aspect of our lives .
THRIVE I connected breakthroughs in science , consciousness , and activism , offering real solutions , empowering us with unprecedented and bold strategies for reclaiming our lives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kimberly Carter Gamble , prepared a powerful trailer to air on August 8 , 2020 for their sequel which answers `` what on earth it will take '' with THRIVE II : This Is What It Takes .
THRIVE II : This Is What It Takes brings viewers behind the scenes with the people and innovations that have the power to transform life for everyone .
It follows a journey across the globe investigating the most promising solutions in energy , health , consciousness , and non-coercive self-organizing while unpacking the underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make them possible .
Inspiring trans-political , grassroots , and decentralized solutions THRIVE II offers practical tools for reclaiming authority over our lives , an endeavor more significant by the failures of governments and authoritative institutions amid the pandemic and civil unrest sweeping the globe .
The film will be released September 26 , 2020 in 15 languages to a world disenchanted with the status quo and hungry for hope , grounded in solutions .
Following the release of the first film , over a thousand innovators from around the world reached out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their inventions and join the movement .
`` Many feared their inventions were so challenging to the status quo that they already had been or might be suppressed , '' said Foster Gamble .
`` The inspiring response prompted Kimberly and me to journey across Africa , China , Thailand , Egypt , Europe , Costa Rica , Mexico , and all over the United States along with a team of engineers , doctors , and other experts to vet various breakthroughs . ''
These interactions with global innovators are accompanied by on-camera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Nassim Haramein , Gregg Braden , Dr. Kelly Brogan , Bruce Lipton , Larken Rose , and others .
In this new era where the old systems rarely work for anyone but the financial elite who perpetuate them , THRIVE II : This Is What It Takes offers actionable solutions , a behind the scenes unveiling of bold breakthrough innovations , empowering new paradigms for creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive .
About ThriveOn : ThriveOn aims to educate , empower , and ignite our human potential to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aligning with the unified field and with each other to create a thriving world .

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- THRIVE: What on Earth Will it Take? is one of the most widely viewed documentaries in history with over 90 million views across 27 different languages. Released in November 2011, the unconventional documentary lifted the veil on what is truly happening in our world by uncovering the global consolidation of power in nearly every aspect of our lives.
THRIVE I connected breakthroughs in science, consciousness, and activism, offering real solutions, empowering us with unprecedented and bold strategies for reclaiming our lives and future. The creators, Foster Gamble and Kimberly Carter Gamble, prepared a powerful trailer to air on August 8, 2020 for their sequel which answers "what on earth it will take" with THRIVE II: This Is What It Takes.
THRIVE II: This Is What It Takes brings viewers behind the scenes with the people and innovations that have the power to transform life for everyone. It follows a journey across the globe investigating the most promising solutions in energy, health, consciousness, and non-coercive self-organizing while unpacking the underlying science, principles, and strategies that make them possible. Inspiring trans-political, grassroots, and decentralized solutions THRIVE II offers practical tools for reclaiming authority over our lives, an endeavor more significant by the failures of governments and authoritative institutions amid the pandemic and civil unrest sweeping the globe. The film will be released September 26, 2020 in 15 languages to a world disenchanted with the status quo and hungry for hope, grounded in solutions.
Following the release of the first film, over a thousand innovators from around the world reached out to the ThriveOn team eager to share their inventions and join the movement.
"Many feared their inventions were so challenging to the status quo that they already had been or might be suppressed," said Foster Gamble. "The inspiring response prompted Kimberly and me to journey across Africa, China, Thailand, Egypt, Europe, Costa Rica, Mexico, and all over the United States along with a team of engineers, doctors, and other experts to vet various breakthroughs."
These interactions with global innovators are accompanied by on-camera commentary from prominent scientists and philosophers such as Nassim Haramein, Gregg Braden, Dr. Kelly Brogan, Bruce Lipton, Larken Rose, and others.
In this new era where the old systems rarely work for anyone but the financial elite who perpetuate them, THRIVE II: This Is What It Takes offers actionable solutions, a behind the scenes unveiling of bold breakthrough innovations, empowering new paradigms for creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
About ThriveOn:
ThriveOn aims to educate, empower, and ignite our human potential to restore the wholeness of natural systems, aligning with the unified field and with each other to create a thriving world.


tass--2020-08-10--Russia restarts air travel to Turkey’s resort cities with Moscow-Antalya flight

A Boeing 747 plane was filled to capacity with all 522 tickets sold .
On Monday , Russia restarts flights to Turkey ’ s resort cities of Antalya , Bodrum and Dalaman .
Within the day , flights to Antalya , Bodrum and Dalaman are also expected from Moscow , St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don .
MOSCOW , August 10./TASS/ .
The first flight from Moscow to Antalya since Russia and Turkey imposed border restrictions aid the coronavirus pandemic , took off late on Sunday .
It was operated by Rossiya carrier .
This is a second stage in the reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Fewer flights were also operated inside Russia .
Due to the coronavirus pandemic , Russia was scaling down international flights from February 1 , while on March 27 all flights abroad were stopped with the exception of repatriation , cargo and post flights .
On August 1 , Russia restarted flights with the UK , Tanzania and Turkey .
On August 15 , flights between Russia and Switzerland will begin .
Upon the decision of the federal crisis management center , international flights can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the southern city of Rostov-on-Don .

A Boeing 747 plane was filled to capacity with all 522 tickets sold. On Monday, Russia restarts flights to Turkey’s resort cities of Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman. Within the day, flights to Antalya, Bodrum and Dalaman are also expected from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Rostov-on-Don.
MOSCOW, August 10./TASS/. The first flight from Moscow to Antalya since Russia and Turkey imposed border restrictions aid the coronavirus pandemic, took off late on Sunday. It was operated by Rossiya carrier.
This is a second stage in the reopening of international regular and charter flights from Russia suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fewer flights were also operated inside Russia.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Russia was scaling down international flights from February 1, while on March 27 all flights abroad were stopped with the exception of repatriation, cargo and post flights. On August 1, Russia restarted flights with the UK, Tanzania and Turkey. On August 15, flights between Russia and Switzerland will begin.
Upon the decision of the federal crisis management center, international flights can be operated from Moscow, St. Petersburg and the southern city of Rostov-on-Don.


tass--2020-08-10--Dozhd journalists released from police station in Minsk return to Russia

MOSCOW , August 10 .
/TASS/ .
Journalists of the Russian television channel Dozhd , who were detained in Minsk on Sunday , have returned to Russia , the website of the television channel reported on Monday .
`` Our journalists Vasily Polonsky , Vladimir Romensky and Nikolai Antipov , detained in Minsk , are already in Russia , '' it said .
On Sunday , Dozhd correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky , and cameraman Nikola Antipov were detained in Minsk by people in civilian clothes .
According to Maria Kolesnikova , a representative of the headquarters of unregistered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street .
Belarusian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Anatoly Glaz told TASS , for his part , that the journalists were working without accreditation .
On Sunday , a presidential election was held in Belarus .
Exit polls give incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko over 70 % of the vote .
His main rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is winning between 6.8 % and 10.1 % .
The voter turnout was 84.05 % as of 20:00 on Sunday , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended at some polling stations because of long queues .

MOSCOW, August 10. /TASS/. Journalists of the Russian television channel Dozhd, who were detained in Minsk on Sunday, have returned to Russia, the website of the television channel reported on Monday.
"Our journalists Vasily Polonsky, Vladimir Romensky and Nikolai Antipov, detained in Minsk, are already in Russia," it said.
On Sunday, Dozhd correspondents Vladimir Romensky and Vasily Polonsky, and cameraman Nikola Antipov were detained in Minsk by people in civilian clothes.
According to Maria Kolesnikova, a representative of the headquarters of unregistered candidate Viktor Babariko, and an ally of candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the journalists were detained after they had spoken with her in the street. Belarusian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Anatoly Glaz told TASS, for his part, that the journalists were working without accreditation.
On Sunday, a presidential election was held in Belarus. Exit polls give incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko over 70% of the vote. His main rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is winning between 6.8% and 10.1%. The voter turnout was 84.05% as of 20:00 on Sunday, when most polling stations closed. Voting was extended at some polling stations because of long queues.