tass--2020-08-13--Number of COVID-19 cases across globe up by over 214,000 in past day

GENEVA , August 13 .
/TASS/ .
Over 214,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , were registered worldwide on August 12 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 20.16 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin published on Wednesday night .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 12 , as many as 20,162,474 novel coronavirus cases and 737,417 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 214,985 in the past 24 hours and the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bases its data on officially confirmed statistics provided by the countries .
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 10,799,062 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 101,230 and the number of deaths - by 2,877 .
The overall death toll reaches 393,727 .
The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,641,603 and the number of fatalities is 217,716 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 23,951 and the number of deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,757,822 cases and 55,564 fatalities .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 66,370 and the number of deaths - by 931 .
The highest number of coronavirus cases was documented in the United States ( 5,039,709 ) , Brazil ( 3,057,470 ) , India ( 2,329,638 ) , Russia ( 902,701 ) , South Africa ( 566,109 ) , Mexico ( 485,836 ) , Peru ( 483,133 ) , Colombia ( 397,623 ) , Chile ( 376,616 ) , and Iran ( 331,189 ) .
A pneumonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been documented in nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, August 13. /TASS/. Over 214,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, were registered worldwide on August 12, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 20.16 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin published on Wednesday night.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 12, as many as 20,162,474 novel coronavirus cases and 737,417 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 214,985 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,835.
The WHO bases its data on officially confirmed statistics provided by the countries.
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 10,799,062. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 101,230 and the number of deaths - by 2,877. The overall death toll reaches 393,727.
The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,641,603 and the number of fatalities is 217,716. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 23,951 and the number of deaths - by 355.
Southeast Asia has 2,757,822 cases and 55,564 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 66,370 and the number of deaths - by 931.
The highest number of coronavirus cases was documented in the United States (5,039,709), Brazil (3,057,470), India (2,329,638), Russia (902,701), South Africa (566,109), Mexico (485,836), Peru (483,133), Colombia (397,623), Chile (376,616), and Iran (331,189).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been documented in nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-08-13--Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan discuss regional issues in phone call

MOSCOW , August 12./TASS/ .
The presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan , Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev , discussed regional issues in a telephone conversation on Wednesday , initiated by the Azerbaijani side , the Kremlin press service reported .
The presidents `` exchanged views on the regional topic within the context of the deterioration of the situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border in July of this year .
The Russian side emphasized the importance of avoiding any actions that could enflame tensions , '' it added .
Azerbaijan ’ s President has also congratulated Russian leader on the registration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders also discussed pressing bilateral issues and `` reaffirmed their determination to boost Russia-Azerbaijan partnership in all areas . ''
The situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border escalated on July 12 , when Azerbaijan said that the Armenian army had tried to attack Azerbaijan ’ s positions with use of artillery systems .
Armenia , in turn , said the situation on the border had worsened after Azerbaijan ’ s attempted attack .
Both sides reported casualties among their forces .
Since July 17 , the situation on the border has been relatively calm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports about shelling near the border and the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh are coming almost every day .
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up , but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians , broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
In 1992-1994 , tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group , led by its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States .

MOSCOW, August 12./TASS/. The presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, discussed regional issues in a telephone conversation on Wednesday, initiated by the Azerbaijani side, the Kremlin press service reported.
The presidents "exchanged views on the regional topic within the context of the deterioration of the situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian state border in July of this year. The Russian side emphasized the importance of avoiding any actions that could enflame tensions," it added.
Azerbaijan’s President has also congratulated Russian leader on the registration of a coronavirus vaccine.
The two leaders also discussed pressing bilateral issues and "reaffirmed their determination to boost Russia-Azerbaijan partnership in all areas."
The situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border escalated on July 12, when Azerbaijan said that the Armenian army had tried to attack Azerbaijan’s positions with use of artillery systems. Armenia, in turn, said the situation on the border had worsened after Azerbaijan’s attempted attack. Both sides reported casualties among their forces. Since July 17, the situation on the border has been relatively calm, both sides say. However, reports about shelling near the border and the contact line in Nagorno-Karabakh are coming almost every day.
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up, but primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them. Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been ongoing since 1992 under the OSCE Minsk Group, led by its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States.


tass--2020-08-13--US put to a vote draft UNSC resolution on Iran - source

UNITED NATIONS , August 13 .
/TASS/ .
The US have put to a vote at the UN Security Council a draft resolution on prolonging the arms embargo against Iran , a source in the UN told TASS on Wednesday , adding that the date of the vote will be determined by the council ’ s president .
`` The US has put the document in blue .
The date of the vote will be determined by the president of the council ( in August , Indonesia holds the UNSC presidency - TASS ) , '' the source said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in written form due to the remote work of the council .
After the voting process begins , the countries have 24 hours to send their decision to members of the UN Secretariat , after which the UN Security Council president announces the results of the vote .
The arms embargo against Iran under the nuclear deal is set to expire on October 18 , 2020 .
US representatives have repeatedly stated that they would look to prolong the embargo despite the US exit from the Iranian nuclear deal .
Meanwhile , diplomats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution would get the nine required votes .
During the session on the UNSC on Iran that took place in June , the UK , France and Germany stressed that any unilateral offers leading to renewed sanctions are unacceptable .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sent a letter to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres back in June , in which he notes that there are no objective grounds to discuss the prolongation of the arms embargo against Iran at the UN Security Council .
The Russian top diplomat reminded that the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UNSC is of a temporary nature .
Lavrov noted that there are no legal or other grounds to prolong the embargo after October 18 , 2020 .

UNITED NATIONS, August 13. /TASS/. The US have put to a vote at the UN Security Council a draft resolution on prolonging the arms embargo against Iran, a source in the UN told TASS on Wednesday, adding that the date of the vote will be determined by the council’s president.
"The US has put the document in blue. The date of the vote will be determined by the president of the council (in August, Indonesia holds the UNSC presidency - TASS)," the source said.
Since March, the voting is held in written form due to the remote work of the council. After the voting process begins, the countries have 24 hours to send their decision to members of the UN Secretariat, after which the UN Security Council president announces the results of the vote.
The arms embargo against Iran under the nuclear deal is set to expire on October 18, 2020. US representatives have repeatedly stated that they would look to prolong the embargo despite the US exit from the Iranian nuclear deal.
Meanwhile, diplomats questioned by TASS expressed doubt that the resolution would get the nine required votes. During the session on the UNSC on Iran that took place in June, the UK, France and Germany stressed that any unilateral offers leading to renewed sanctions are unacceptable.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sent a letter to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres back in June, in which he notes that there are no objective grounds to discuss the prolongation of the arms embargo against Iran at the UN Security Council. The Russian top diplomat reminded that the current arms embargo stipulated by Resolution 2231 of the UNSC is of a temporary nature. Lavrov noted that there are no legal or other grounds to prolong the embargo after October 18, 2020.


tass--2020-08-12--Belarus investigators look into death of young man arrested amid protests

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
The Gomel region directorate of the Belarusian Investigative Committee is looking into the @ @ @ @ @ arrested for taking part in protests on August 9 , BelTA news agency reported on @ @ @ @ @ Committee ’ s Spokesperson Sergei Kabakovich .
It said that the court had ruled to @ @ @ @ @ and arrest him for ten days .
He was sent to a correctional facility , @ @ @ @ @ The young man was hospitalized and died shortly .
It was emphasized that there were @ @ @ @ @ he was examined .
Forensic examination was arranged to establish the cause of the death @

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. The Gomel region directorate of the Belarusian Investigative Committee is looking into the death of a 25-year-old man arrested for taking part in protests on August 9, BelTA news agency reported on Wednesday, referring to Investigative Committee’s Spokesperson Sergei Kabakovich.
It said that the court had ruled to hold the man administrative liable and arrest him for ten days. He was sent to a correctional facility, where his condition worsened. The young man was hospitalized and died shortly.
It was emphasized that there were no visible bodily injuries when he was examined. Forensic examination was arranged to establish the cause of the death.


tass--2020-08-12--Moscow records another 11 coronavirus deaths - monitoring center

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow recorded 11 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours , the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ statement on Wednesday .
`` Another 11 patients who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested @ @ @ @ @ died in Moscow , '' the statement reads .
The city ’ s coronavirus death @ @ @ @ @ Moscow recorded over 249,600 coronavirus cases and about 192,700 recoveries as of August 12 .
@ @ @ @ @ cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 710,298 patients having recovered from the disease @ @ @ @ @ data indicates 15,260 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet @ @ @ @ @ updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. Moscow recorded 11 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, the coronavirus monitoring center said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Another 11 patients who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for the coronavirus have died in Moscow," the statement reads.
The city’s coronavirus death toll has reached 4,622. Moscow recorded over 249,600 coronavirus cases and about 192,700 recoveries as of August 12.
To date, 902,701 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 710,298 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 15,260 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-12--Moscow, Minsk to resolve issues related to detention of Russian nationals - ambassador

MINSK , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow and Minsk will resolve all issues related to the detention of 33 Russian nationals in Belarus , Russian Ambassador to Minsk Dmitry Mezentsev told TASS on Wednesday .
`` A thing to note is that cooperation between officers from the Russian Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor General ’ s office and their Belarusian colleagues makes it possible to deeply assess and comprehensively address the situation , '' he said .
`` We believe that such joint work by Moscow and Minsk will prove that all previous interpretations of our citizens ’ trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envoy added .
Belarus announced the detention of 33 Russian nationals on the night of July 29 .
The Russians are accused of plotting a terrorist attack .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in his state of the nation address on August 4 that the Russians had been sent to Belarus with a purpose .
According to media reports , Belarus has handed the list of the detained Russians over to Kiev .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said that Ukrainian passport holders could be on the list and Kiev would consider them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spokesman Dmitry Peskov , in turn , noted that Moscow did not recognize the Ukrainian citizenship of some of the detained people .
He pointed out that the Russian citizens had planned to travel to another country via Belarus .
According to the Kremlin spokesman , they are employees of a private security company and their stay in Minsk had nothing to do with Belarusian domestic affairs .

MINSK, August 12. /TASS/. Moscow and Minsk will resolve all issues related to the detention of 33 Russian nationals in Belarus, Russian Ambassador to Minsk Dmitry Mezentsev told TASS on Wednesday.
"A thing to note is that cooperation between officers from the Russian Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor General’s office and their Belarusian colleagues makes it possible to deeply assess and comprehensively address the situation," he said. "We believe that such joint work by Moscow and Minsk will prove that all previous interpretations of our citizens’ trip to Belarus were baseless," the envoy added.
Russians’ detention
Belarus announced the detention of 33 Russian nationals on the night of July 29. The Russians are accused of plotting a terrorist attack. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in his state of the nation address on August 4 that the Russians had been sent to Belarus with a purpose. According to media reports, Belarus has handed the list of the detained Russians over to Kiev. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said that Ukrainian passport holders could be on the list and Kiev would consider them to be Ukrainian nationals.
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in turn, noted that Moscow did not recognize the Ukrainian citizenship of some of the detained people. He pointed out that the Russian citizens had planned to travel to another country via Belarus. According to the Kremlin spokesman, they are employees of a private security company and their stay in Minsk had nothing to do with Belarusian domestic affairs.


tass--2020-08-12--Six people detained for attempt to break into Yemen embassy grounds in Moscow

MOSCOW , August 12./TASS/ .
Six Yemeni military failing to get back home amid the coronavirus pandemic have been detained @ @ @ @ @ into the Embassy of the Republic of Yemen in Moscow , a law enforcement source @ @ @ @ @ `` There was a conflict between Yemeni embassy ’ s staffers and military of the @ @ @ @ @ because of the refusal of Yemeni authorities to return the military home due to the @ @ @ @ @ source said .
According to him , about 20 people got together in front of @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Six of them tried to break into .
They have been detained and @ @ @ @ @ , '' the source added .
According to him , administrative offence protocols will be @ @ @ @ @ be released .
The military were in Moscow for training .
Embassy employees are looking @ @ @ @ @ situation around the embassy is calm .

MOSCOW, August 12./TASS/. Six Yemeni military failing to get back home amid the coronavirus pandemic have been detained for an attempt to break into the Embassy of the Republic of Yemen in Moscow, a law enforcement source told TASS on Wednesday.
"There was a conflict between Yemeni embassy’s staffers and military of the country’s Armed Forces because of the refusal of Yemeni authorities to return the military home due to the coronavirus pandemic," the source said.
According to him, about 20 people got together in front of the embassy on Wednesday evening. "Six of them tried to break into. They have been detained and brought to the police station," the source added. According to him, administrative offence protocols will be filed, and they will be released.
The military were in Moscow for training. Embassy employees are looking into the incident. The situation around the embassy is calm.


tass--2020-08-12--Russian Direct Investment Fund, Brazil agree to advance Russian coronavirus vaccine

MOSCOW/RIO DE JANEIRO , August 12./TASS/ .
The Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) and Brazil ’ s State of Parana have agreed on cooperation to advance Russia ’ s 'Sputnik V ' COVID-19 vaccine , the fund said in a press release .
Within the framework of a strategic cooperation agreement , th eRDIF and pharmaceutical enterprises of the Brazilian state will organize the production of the vaccine and its supply to Brazil and other Latin American countries .
Shortly , the RDIF and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology will be ready to provide the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the results of clinical tests of the vaccine and technological protocols for its production .
Russian Ambassador to Brazil Sergey Akopov said during the signing ceremony on Wednesday that the agreement with the government of Parana was opening a new dimension in relations between Russia and Brazil .
`` Today we are making a major step towards establishing productive cooperation between the State of Parana and the RDIF , which will certainly open a new dimension in relations between Russia and Brazil , '' the diplomat said .
According to him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been strengthening in the recent years , despite political and economic circumstances , since the development of bilateral relations meets the national interests of the countries .
On Wednesday , Parana Governor Ratinho Junior and Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) head Kirill Dmitriev signed a memorandum of understanding , based on which the southern state plans to test the Russian coronavirus vaccine with a further possibility to produce it .
The ceremony was held in the online format .
On August 11 , Russia became the first country to register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and underwent clinical trials in June and July .
It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines .
According to the Russian Health Ministry , experience shows that such vaccines are capable of developing long-term immunity that lasts for up to two years .
Dmitriev pointed out that Russia had received applications for more than one bln doses of the vaccine from 20 countries .

MOSCOW/RIO DE JANEIRO, August 12./TASS/. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Brazil’s State of Parana have agreed on cooperation to advance Russia’s 'Sputnik V' COVID-19 vaccine, the fund said in a press release.
Within the framework of a strategic cooperation agreement, th eRDIF and pharmaceutical enterprises of the Brazilian state will organize the production of the vaccine and its supply to Brazil and other Latin American countries.
Shortly, the RDIF and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology will be ready to provide the Parana Institute of Technology (Tecpar) with the results of clinical tests of the vaccine and technological protocols for its production.
Russian Ambassador to Brazil Sergey Akopov said during the signing ceremony on Wednesday that the agreement with the government of Parana was opening a new dimension in relations between Russia and Brazil.
"Today we are making a major step towards establishing productive cooperation between the State of Parana and the RDIF, which will certainly open a new dimension in relations between Russia and Brazil," the diplomat said. According to him, multi-faceted strategic partnership of Moscow and Brasilia has been strengthening in the recent years, despite political and economic circumstances, since the development of bilateral relations meets the national interests of the countries.
On Wednesday, Parana Governor Ratinho Junior and Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) head Kirill Dmitriev signed a memorandum of understanding, based on which the southern state plans to test the Russian coronavirus vaccine with a further possibility to produce it. The ceremony was held in the online format.
On August 11, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine, which was named Sputnik V. The vaccine was developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and underwent clinical trials in June and July. It was created on a platform that had been used for the development of a number of other vaccines. According to the Russian Health Ministry, experience shows that such vaccines are capable of developing long-term immunity that lasts for up to two years. Dmitriev pointed out that Russia had received applications for more than one bln doses of the vaccine from 20 countries.


tass--2020-08-12--Lavrov confirms support for Riyadh’s activity as G20 chair

MOSCOW , August 12./TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed support for the activity of Saudi Arabia during its @ @ @ @ @ conversation with Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud on Wednesday .
`` Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov @ @ @ @ @ of Saudi Arabia as G20 chair and Russia ’ s readiness to contribute towards achieving @ @ @ @ @ summit of its leaders and other events within the framework of G20 , '' the @ @ @ @ @ the phone call .
The diplomats also touched upon the current situation in the World @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, August 12./TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed support for the activity of Saudi Arabia during its G20 presidency in a telephone conversation with Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud on Wednesday.
"Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov confirmed support for the activity of Saudi Arabia as G20 chair and Russia’s readiness to contribute towards achieving significant results at the upcoming summit of its leaders and other events within the framework of G20," the Russian Foreign Ministry said after the phone call. The diplomats also touched upon the current situation in the World Trade Organization, it added.


tass--2020-08-12--Police push demonstrators back outside Belarusian embassy in Moscow

MOSCOW , August 12./TASS/ .
Police on duty at the Belarusian embassy in central Moscow are pushing back the people who got together outside the diplomatic mission to protest against the results of Sunday ’ s presidential election , TASS reports from the site .
Police , who took no action for two hours , only asking pedestrians to walk by without stopping , have formed a chain and began to push the protesters back .
Most protesters are now walking towards Kitai Gorod metro station .
Around 400 people got together in front of the embassy earlier in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces painted in the colors of the Belarusian flag .
They were carrying flowers and banners .
Protesters have been gathering in front of the Belarusian embassy since Sunday , the day of the presidential election in the country .
After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9 , suggesting incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s landslide victory , many cities and towns across Belarus saw mass protests that in some cases escalated into clashes with the police .
Protests continued Monday night into Tuesday morning and Tuesday night into Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed .
The country ’ s Interior Ministry said about 3,000 people had been detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .
Preliminary results show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.08 % of the vote , while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09 % .
Tikhanovskaya challenged the results , refusing to recognize them .
She also filed a complaint with the national election commission .
Tikhanovskaya then left the country and has been in Lithuania since Tuesday .

MOSCOW, August 12./TASS/. Police on duty at the Belarusian embassy in central Moscow are pushing back the people who got together outside the diplomatic mission to protest against the results of Sunday’s presidential election, TASS reports from the site.
Police, who took no action for two hours, only asking pedestrians to walk by without stopping, have formed a chain and began to push the protesters back. Most protesters are now walking towards Kitai Gorod metro station.
Around 400 people got together in front of the embassy earlier in the day. Many of them had their faces painted in the colors of the Belarusian flag. They were carrying flowers and banners.
Protesters have been gathering in front of the Belarusian embassy since Sunday, the day of the presidential election in the country.
After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9, suggesting incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko’s landslide victory, many cities and towns across Belarus saw mass protests that in some cases escalated into clashes with the police. Protests continued Monday night into Tuesday morning and Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. At least one person was killed.
The country’s Interior Ministry said about 3,000 people had been detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.
Preliminary results show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.08% of the vote, while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09%. Tikhanovskaya challenged the results, refusing to recognize them. She also filed a complaint with the national election commission. Tikhanovskaya then left the country and has been in Lithuania since Tuesday.


tass--2020-08-12--Belarus women form human chains in solidarity with protesters

MINSK , August 12./TASS/ .
Women took to the streets of Belarusian cities on the fourth day after the presidential election and formed human chains in solidarity with the people detained or injured by the police during protests across the country , TASS reports .
In the morning , the manifestation was launched in central Minsk by women dressed in white and carrying flowers .
According to media , they were joined within the day by residents of uptown Minsk , as well as residents of other cities - Grodno , Bobruisk , Smolevich and Smorgon .
Its participants emphasize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are concerned about the developments of the past few days and would like to support those who were detained .
Like in the previous few days , four central subway stations were closed in Minsk by the evening , with trains making no stops there .
Сity authorities say this is being done for safety reasons .
Meanwhile , the situation in Minsk remains tense with prison trucks parked off streets and rumors circulating that roads could possibly be blocked .
Residents are afraid of more arrests and dispersals .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarus held the presidential election on August 9 .
After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9 , suggesting Lukashenko ’ s landslide victory , many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases escalated into clashes with the police .
Protests continued Monday night into Tuesday morning and Tuesday night into Wednesday morning .
At least one person was killed .
The country ’ s Interior Ministry said about 3,000 people had been detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .
Preliminary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his reelection with 80.08 % of the vote , while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09 % .
Tikhanovskaya challenged the results , refusing to recognize them .
She also filed a complaint with the national election commission .
Tikhanovskaya then left the country , remaining in Lithuania since Tuesday .

MINSK, August 12./TASS/. Women took to the streets of Belarusian cities on the fourth day after the presidential election and formed human chains in solidarity with the people detained or injured by the police during protests across the country, TASS reports.
In the morning, the manifestation was launched in central Minsk by women dressed in white and carrying flowers. According to media, they were joined within the day by residents of uptown Minsk, as well as residents of other cities - Grodno, Bobruisk, Smolevich and Smorgon. Its participants emphasize that the action is peaceful, saying that they are concerned about the developments of the past few days and would like to support those who were detained.
Like in the previous few days, four central subway stations were closed in Minsk by the evening, with trains making no stops there. Сity authorities say this is being done for safety reasons.
Meanwhile, the situation in Minsk remains tense with prison trucks parked off streets and rumors circulating that roads could possibly be blocked. Residents are afraid of more arrests and dispersals. Some eyewitnesses say this is already happening.
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9. After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9, suggesting Lukashenko’s landslide victory, many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases escalated into clashes with the police. Protests continued Monday night into Tuesday morning and Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. At least one person was killed.
The country’s Interior Ministry said about 3,000 people had been detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.
Preliminary results show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.08% of the vote, while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09%. Tikhanovskaya challenged the results, refusing to recognize them. She also filed a complaint with the national election commission. Tikhanovskaya then left the country, remaining in Lithuania since Tuesday.


tass--2020-08-12--Russian Su-27 fighter jet scrambled to intercept US planes over Black Sea

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a US RC-135 reconnaissance plane and a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft over the Black Sea , Russia ’ s National Defense Management Center said in a statement .
According to the center , earlier on Wednesday , Russian airspace control systems detected two aerial targets flying over neutral waters of the Black Sea towards Russia ’ s border .
`` A Su-27 fighter jet of the Southern Military District ’ s air defense alert unit was scrambled to identify the targets .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe distance and identified them as a RC-135 reconnaissance plane of the US Air Force and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane of the US Navy , '' the statement reads .
After turning the two US planes away from the Russian border , the Su-27 fighter safely returned to its home airfield , the National Defense Management Center pointed out .
`` The Russian Su-27 fighter jet ’ s flight was carried out in strict compliance with international rules for the use of airspace .
The US planes were prevented from violating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement added .

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. A Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a US RC-135 reconnaissance plane and a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft over the Black Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center said in a statement.
According to the center, earlier on Wednesday, Russian airspace control systems detected two aerial targets flying over neutral waters of the Black Sea towards Russia’s border.
"A Su-27 fighter jet of the Southern Military District’s air defense alert unit was scrambled to identify the targets. The Russian aircraft approached both planes at a safe distance and identified them as a RC-135 reconnaissance plane of the US Air Force and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane of the US Navy," the statement reads.
After turning the two US planes away from the Russian border, the Su-27 fighter safely returned to its home airfield, the National Defense Control Center pointed out.
"The Russian Su-27 fighter jet’s flight was carried out in strict compliance with international rules for the use of airspace. The US planes were prevented from violating Russia’s state border," the statement added.


tass--2020-08-12--Putin extends condolences to Macron over killings of French citizens in Niger

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered condolences to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in @ @ @ @ @ over murders of French citizens in southwest Niger , the Kremlin press service reported .
@ @ @ @ @ condolences over the killings of French citizens in southwestern Niger , '' the statement reads @ @ @ @ @ Nigerian citizens were killed Sunday in an attack on Koure giraffe reserve .
Members of @ @ @ @ @ are among the dead .
The ACTED was founded in 1993 and has been providing @ @ @ @ @ persons and vulnerable groups in Niger .
The Tillaberi Region , the site of the @ @ @ @ @ important territory situated at the confluence of three borders - Niger , Mali and Burkina @ @ @ @ @ a state of emergency in 2017 .
Islamists from the Islamic State in West Africa @ @ @ @ @ commonly known as Boko Haram ) are active in this part of the continent .
@ @ @ @ @ studying the details of the murders .

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered condolences to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a phone call on Wednesday over murders of French citizens in southwest Niger, the Kremlin press service reported.
"Vladimir Putin extended sincere condolences over the killings of French citizens in southwestern Niger," the statement reads.
Six French and two Nigerian citizens were killed Sunday in an attack on Koure giraffe reserve. Members of the ACTED French non-governmental organization are among the dead. The ACTED was founded in 1993 and has been providing humanitarian aid to internally displaced persons and vulnerable groups in Niger.
The Tillaberi Region, the site of the attack, is a strategically important territory situated at the confluence of three borders - Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. The region imposed a state of emergency in 2017. Islamists from the Islamic State in West Africa (IS structural subsidiary, commonly known as Boko Haram) are active in this part of the continent.
The French counterterrorism prosecutors are studying the details of the murders.


tass--2020-08-12--FACTBOX: Remembering the Kursk nuclear-powered submarine disaster

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
August 12 , 2020 marks 20 years since the sinking of the Russian nuclear-powered submarine The Kursk .
This disaster was the gravest , and the loss of life it caused , the heaviest in the post-war history of the nation ’ s submarine fleet .
The Kursk was a nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarine of project 949A Antei , which the Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering Rubin in Leningrad ( currently St. Petersburg ) developed at the end of the 1970s - early 1980s .
The 154-meter long and 18.2-meter wide submarine had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was equipped with a 98,000-horsepower nuclear power plant .
The Kursk carried 12 twin missile launchers P-700 Granit ( 24 missiles in all ) and six 650 mm and 533 mm torpedo tubes ( 28 torpedoes ) .
A total of eleven Antei submarines were built in 1982-1996 .
According to open sources , five remain in service and two are undergoing overhaul and upgrade .
The keel-laying ceremony for The Kursk took place at the Northern Machine-Building Enterprise ( currently JSC PO Sevmash in Severodvinsk , the Arkhangelsk Region ) on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 1993 it was named The Kursk in honor of the Red Army ’ s victory in the Battle of Kursk .
The submarine was launched in May 1994 and went operational on December 30 , 1994 .
On March 1 , 1995 The Kursk was put on the list of ships of Russia ’ s Northern Fleet and became part of the 7th division of the 1st submarine flotilla ( based in Vidyayevo , the Murmansk Region ) .
On August 12 , 2000 the nuclear-powered submarine K-141 The Kursk was participating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Fleet in the Barents Sea under the command of Captain 1st Class Gennady Lyachin .
The submarine carried a standard crew , a group of officers from the division ’ s headquarters , and civilian specialists from the industrial plant Dagdizel ( based in Kaspiysk , Dagestan ) - in all , 118 men .
At 11:28 and 11:30 am Moscow time two underwater explosions were identified .
No contact could be established with the submarine for several hours .
A search and rescue operation was launched .
On August 13 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cruiser spotted the Kursk submarine on the sea floor at a depth of 108 meters .
A rescue operation began , but all attempts to dock rescue vehicles with the disabled submarine failed .
Stormy weather , a strong underwater current and poor visibility intervened with the effort .
On August 19 , the operation became international , when two Norwegian ships , The Seaway Eagle and The Normand Pioneer carrying a British rescue craft , joined in .
On August 21 , Norwegian divers managed to open the lower hatch of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those on board the submarine were dead .
August 23 , 2000 was declared Russia ’ s national day of mourning .
On August 26 , 2000 President Vladimir Putin issued a decree to award the title of the Hero of Russia posthumously to the submarine ’ s commander , Gennady Lyachin .
The 117 crewmembers and specialists were posthumously awarded The Order of Courage .
In October-November 2000 twelve bodies were brought to the surface from the wreck .
Another 103 bodies were recovered later .
The remains of three people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the submarine began on July 15 , 2001 .
The first compartment was separated and left on the seabed for some time ( its fragments were recovered a year later ) .
On October 8 , 2001 , the submarine was raised to the surface and in April 2002 sent to the Nerpa shipyards for disposal .
Mass media came up with many speculations , including the weirdest suspicions , as to what happened .
On July 26 , 2002 , Prosecutor-General Vladimir Ustinov told a news conference the probe into the Kursk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that first there was an explosion in torpedo tube No.4 due to a leak of hydrogen peroxide through a microcrack in the hull of a training torpedo ; this caused the detonation of other torpedoes in stock .
Twenty-three surviving crewmembers retreated into the 9th compartment , where they died the next day .
The Kursk disaster resulted in the demotion and eventual resignation of the Northern Fleet ’ s commander , Admiral Vyacheslav Popov , chief of the Northern Fleet ’ s staff , Vice-Admiral Mikhail Motsak and commander of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 14 senior naval officers were dismissed or demoted .
On June 15 , 2009 the front part of the submarine ’ s deck cabin was placed near Murmansk ’ s Church of the Savior on Waters .
It is part of a memorial honoring Sailors who Died in Peacetime .
Monuments and memorial plaques in honor of The Kursk ’ s sailors have since been unveiled in Severodvinsk , St. Petersburg , Moscow , Kursk , Kotlas , Yekaterinburg , Veliky Novgorod , Nizhny Novgorod , Sevastopol , Zaozyorsk , Severomorsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Marganets ( the Dnepropetrovsk Region of Ukraine ) .
The names of The Kursk submarine ’ s sailors have been given to schools in St. Petersburg , Volgograd , Belgorod , Lipetsk , Kirovsk ( the Leningrad Region ) and the village of Bagayevskaya ( the Rostov Region ) .
The Kursk submarine disaster has become a theme of Russian and foreign documentaries , television programs , books and music pieces and the feature film entitled Kursk ( a Belgian-Luxembourgian drama by Thomas Vinterberg ) .

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. August 12, 2020 marks 20 years since the sinking of the Russian nuclear-powered submarine The Kursk. This disaster was the gravest, and the loss of life it caused, the heaviest in the post-war history of the nation’s submarine fleet.
Antei project submarine
The Kursk was a nuclear-powered missile-carrying submarine of project 949A Antei, which the Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering Rubin in Leningrad (currently St. Petersburg) developed at the end of the 1970s - early 1980s. The 154-meter long and 18.2-meter wide submarine had a full displacement of 24,000 tonnes and was equipped with a 98,000-horsepower nuclear power plant. The Kursk carried 12 twin missile launchers P-700 Granit (24 missiles in all) and six 650 mm and 533 mm torpedo tubes (28 torpedoes). A total of eleven Antei submarines were built in 1982-1996. According to open sources, five remain in service and two are undergoing overhaul and upgrade.
The keel-laying ceremony for The Kursk took place at the Northern Machine-Building Enterprise (currently JSC PO Sevmash in Severodvinsk, the Arkhangelsk Region) on March 22, 1990. On April 6, 1993 it was named The Kursk in honor of the Red Army’s victory in the Battle of Kursk. The submarine was launched in May 1994 and went operational on December 30, 1994. On March 1, 1995 The Kursk was put on the list of ships of Russia’s Northern Fleet and became part of the 7th division of the 1st submarine flotilla (based in Vidyayevo, the Murmansk Region).
Emergency in the Barents Sea
On August 12, 2000 the nuclear-powered submarine K-141 The Kursk was participating in a combined naval exercise of the Northern Fleet in the Barents Sea under the command of Captain 1st Class Gennady Lyachin. The submarine carried a standard crew, a group of officers from the division’s headquarters, and civilian specialists from the industrial plant Dagdizel (based in Kaspiysk, Dagestan) - in all, 118 men. At 11:28 and 11:30 am Moscow time two underwater explosions were identified. No contact could be established with the submarine for several hours. A search and rescue operation was launched.
Rescue operation, wreck recovery, investigation findings
On August 13, the hydroacoustic instruments of the Pyotr Velikiy cruiser spotted the Kursk submarine on the sea floor at a depth of 108 meters. A rescue operation began, but all attempts to dock rescue vehicles with the disabled submarine failed. Stormy weather, a strong underwater current and poor visibility intervened with the effort. On August 19, the operation became international, when two Norwegian ships, The Seaway Eagle and The Normand Pioneer carrying a British rescue craft, joined in. On August 21, Norwegian divers managed to open the lower hatch of the ninth compartment to find out that all those on board the submarine were dead. August 23, 2000 was declared Russia’s national day of mourning.
On August 26, 2000 President Vladimir Putin issued a decree to award the title of the Hero of Russia posthumously to the submarine’s commander, Gennady Lyachin. The 117 crewmembers and specialists were posthumously awarded The Order of Courage.
In October-November 2000 twelve bodies were brought to the surface from the wreck. Another 103 bodies were recovered later. The remains of three people were not found. The operation to recover the submarine began on July 15, 2001. The first compartment was separated and left on the seabed for some time (its fragments were recovered a year later). On October 8, 2001, the submarine was raised to the surface and in April 2002 sent to the Nerpa shipyards for disposal.
Mass media came up with many speculations, including the weirdest suspicions, as to what happened. On July 26, 2002, Prosecutor-General Vladimir Ustinov told a news conference the probe into the Kursk disaster was over. The investigators found out that first there was an explosion in torpedo tube No.4 due to a leak of hydrogen peroxide through a microcrack in the hull of a training torpedo; this caused the detonation of other torpedoes in stock. Twenty-three surviving crewmembers retreated into the 9th compartment, where they died the next day.
The Kursk disaster resulted in the demotion and eventual resignation of the Northern Fleet’s commander, Admiral Vyacheslav Popov, chief of the Northern Fleet’s staff, Vice-Admiral Mikhail Motsak and commander of the submarine flotilla Vice-Admiral Oleg Burtsev. A total of 14 senior naval officers were dismissed or demoted.
Commemoration
On June 15, 2009 the front part of the submarine’s deck cabin was placed near Murmansk’s Church of the Savior on Waters. It is part of a memorial honoring Sailors who Died in Peacetime.
Monuments and memorial plaques in honor of The Kursk’s sailors have since been unveiled in Severodvinsk, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kursk, Kotlas, Yekaterinburg, Veliky Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Sevastopol, Zaozyorsk, Severomorsk, Kopeisk (the Chelyabinsk Region) and Marganets (the Dnepropetrovsk Region of Ukraine). The names of The Kursk submarine’s sailors have been given to schools in St. Petersburg, Volgograd, Belgorod, Lipetsk, Kirovsk (the Leningrad Region) and the village of Bagayevskaya (the Rostov Region).
The Kursk submarine disaster has become a theme of Russian and foreign documentaries, television programs, books and music pieces and the feature film entitled Kursk (a Belgian-Luxembourgian drama by Thomas Vinterberg).


tass--2020-08-12--Subway stations closed in downtown Minsk

MINSK , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Downtown subway stations have been closed in the Belarusian capital of Minsk in @ @ @ @ @ safety of passengers , the BelTA news agency reported on Wednesday , citing subway authorities @ @ @ @ @ election on August 9 .
According to preliminary results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received @ @ @ @ @ , Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.09 % and the other three presidential candidates gained less than 2 @ @ @ @ @ the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , @ @ @ @ @ and law enforcement officers .
According to the Belarusian Interior Ministry , about 3,000 people @ @ @ @ @ dozens of police officers and demonstrators suffered injuries .

MINSK, August 12. /TASS/. Downtown subway stations have been closed in the Belarusian capital of Minsk in a bid to ensure the safety of passengers, the BelTA news agency reported on Wednesday, citing subway authorities.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to preliminary results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.08% of the vote, Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.09% and the other three presidential candidates gained less than 2%. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. According to the Belarusian Interior Ministry, about 3,000 people were detained during protests while dozens of police officers and demonstrators suffered injuries.


tass--2020-08-12--Belarusian investigators confirm involvement of ex-presidential nominee’s team in riots

MINSK , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian law enforcement agencies have found evidence proving that members of ex-presidential nominee Viktor Babariko ’ s campaign team were involved in riots taking place in the country , the Belarus-1 TV channel reported on Wednesday .
The TV channel also said , citing the Interior Ministry , that although the riots lost in scale the night before , the level of aggression against law enforcement officers remained extremely high .
Belarus-1 added that a probe was underway into reports about attempts to bribe protesters .
In particular , about $ 10,000 were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Dana Moll shopping center .
According to the TV channel , `` there are facts that confirm '' that members of Babariko ’ s campaign team `` were organizing , coordinating and funding riots , '' as well as `` inciting their participants to aggressively confront law enforcement officers . ''
Viktor Babariko , who headed Belgazprombank for 20 years , sought to participate in the 2020 presidential election in Belarus .
On June 11 , the Belarusian State Control Committee announced that searches had been conducted at the bank and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large-scale tax evasion and the legalization of illegally-obtained large amounts of money .
Babariko claimed that the situation was politically motivated .
Babariko was later detained on suspicion of orchestrating illegal banking activities .
Babariko ’ s son Eduard , who headed his father ’ s campaign team , was also taken to a pre-trial detention center .
About 30 people were arrested in the Belgazprombank case .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to preliminary results , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.08 % of the vote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other three presidential candidates gained less than 2 % .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , spiraling into clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .
According to the Belarusian Interior Ministry , about 3,000 people were detained during protests while dozens of police officers and demonstrators suffered injuries .

MINSK, August 12. /TASS/. Belarusian law enforcement agencies have found evidence proving that members of ex-presidential nominee Viktor Babariko’s campaign team were involved in riots taking place in the country, the Belarus-1 TV channel reported on Wednesday.
The TV channel also said, citing the Interior Ministry, that although the riots lost in scale the night before, the level of aggression against law enforcement officers remained extremely high. Belarus-1 added that a probe was underway into reports about attempts to bribe protesters. In particular, about $10,000 were seized from a suspect detained near Minsk’s Dana Moll shopping center.
According to the TV channel, "there are facts that confirm" that members of Babariko’s campaign team "were organizing, coordinating and funding riots," as well as "inciting their participants to aggressively confront law enforcement officers."
Viktor Babariko, who headed Belgazprombank for 20 years, sought to participate in the 2020 presidential election in Belarus. On June 11, the Belarusian State Control Committee announced that searches had been conducted at the bank and a criminal case had been opened over large-scale tax evasion and the legalization of illegally-obtained large amounts of money. Babariko claimed that the situation was politically motivated.
Babariko was later detained on suspicion of orchestrating illegal banking activities. Babariko’s son Eduard, who headed his father’s campaign team, was also taken to a pre-trial detention center. About 30 people were arrested in the Belgazprombank case.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to preliminary results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.08% of the vote, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.09% and the other three presidential candidates gained less than 2%. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, spiraling into clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. According to the Belarusian Interior Ministry, about 3,000 people were detained during protests while dozens of police officers and demonstrators suffered injuries.


tass--2020-08-12--Expert: Arctic buildings’ destruction caused by poor maintenance, not permafrost thawing

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
The main reason why buildings in the Extreme North get destructed is poor maintenance , not thawing of the permafrost , Director of the Melnikov Permafrost Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Branch Mikhail Zheleznyak said in an interview with TASS .
The Academy ’ s continuing Big Norilsk Expedition will , among other , test the durability of buildings and land beneath them .
The experts will analyze whether the spill of fuel in Norilsk was caused by the permafrost thawing .
`` It was circulated by the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruined due to the thawing permafrost .
But the true reason is poor maintenance and incorrect exploitation of aired basement ( water is accumulated in summer that freezes in winter ) , which cause destruction of supporting structures , '' the expert said .
`` While currently in Yakutsk the average annual temperature of soils is about 2.5-3 degrees , under properly used aired basements of houses on stilts the soil temperature is minus 3.5-4 degrees , '' the scientist explained .
`` Thus , a correctly maintained aired basement is an engineering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 to later on present suggestions on how to preserve the nature for industrial companies working in the Arctic .
The expedition ’ s key points will be watersheds of the rivers Pyasina , Norilka and Ambarnaya and Lake Pyasino .
The expedition will work for five months - from July to November .
It will feature experts from 14 research institutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Branch .
By the end of August , they will collect samples of soils , plants and sediments and then will begin working at labs .
The first results may be available in November-December 2020 .

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. The main reason why buildings in the Extreme North get destructed is poor maintenance, not thawing of the permafrost, Director of the Melnikov Permafrost Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Branch Mikhail Zheleznyak said in an interview with TASS.
The Academy’s continuing Great Norilsk Expedition will, among other, test the durability of buildings and land beneath them. The experts will analyze whether the spill of fuel in Norilsk was caused by the permafrost thawing.
"It was circulated by the media that a house in Yakutsk got allegedly ruined due to the thawing permafrost. But the true reason is poor maintenance and incorrect exploitation of aired basement (water is accumulated in summer that freezes in winter), which cause destruction of supporting structures," the expert said.
"While currently in Yakutsk the average annual temperature of soils is about 2.5-3 degrees, under properly used aired basements of houses on stilts the soil temperature is minus 3.5-4 degrees," the scientist explained. "Thus, a correctly maintained aired basement is an engineering cooling system."
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 to later on present suggestions on how to preserve the nature for industrial companies working in the Arctic.
The expedition’s key points will be watersheds of the rivers Pyasina, Norilka and Ambarnaya 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. By the end of August, they will collect samples of soils, plants and sediments and then will begin working at labs. The first results may be available in November-December 2020.


tass--2020-08-12--Rosneft to double oil handling in Arkhangelsk year-on-year

TASS , August 12 .
Rosneft will double year-on-year the handling of oil products , due to be supplied to northern regions , at the terminal in Arkhangelsk , the company said on Wednesday .
`` After the upgrade of Rosneft ’ s terminal in Arkhangelsk , the company will handle 110,000 tonnes for the northern shipment , '' Rosneft said .
`` It will be twice as much as the company handled a year earlier . ''
The terminal ’ s key facilities have been upgraded to improve performance and accuracy of measurements .
In addition to that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products to Norilsk Nickel using facilities of the Arkhangelsknefteproduct Company .
By May 2020 , Rosneft will have supplied to companies in the Norilsk industrial district up to 123,900 tonnes of oil products .
Shipments will be made along the Northern Sea Route .
The company additionally eyes other options to increase handling at the terminal in Arkhangelsk .
Rosneft has been using the Arkhangelsk sea port to ship metal structures and equipment for its projects to develop Arctic fields , including the biggest project - Vostok Oil .
Earlier , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .

TASS, August 12. Rosneft will double year-on-year the handling of oil products, due to be supplied to northern regions, at the terminal in Arkhangelsk, the company said on Wednesday.
"After the upgrade of Rosneft’s terminal in Arkhangelsk, the company will handle 110,000 tonnes for the northern shipment," Rosneft said. "It will be twice as much as the company handled a year earlier."
The terminal’s key facilities have been upgraded to improve performance and accuracy of measurements.
In addition to that, from October the company will supply oil products to Norilsk Nickel using facilities of the Arkhangelsknefteproduct Company. By May 2020, Rosneft will have supplied to companies in the Norilsk industrial district up to 123,900 tonnes of oil products. Shipments will be made along the Northern Sea Route. The company additionally eyes other options to increase handling at the terminal in Arkhangelsk.
Rosneft has been using the Arkhangelsk sea port to ship metal structures and equipment for its projects to develop Arctic fields, including the biggest project - Vostok Oil. Earlier, the company shipped about 17,000 tonnes of cargo from there.


tass--2020-08-12--Possible EU sanctions against Belarus should target individuals — top Lithuanian diplomat

MOSCOW , August 12./TASS/ .
Possible sanctions of the European Union against Belarus should be slapped on individuals , they must not harm the rank and file , Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told Echo of Moscow radio on Wednesday .
`` Something concrete must be done .
Hence , sanctions must be discussed .
I believe that these should be the sanctions that would not harm the people , but would target those who violate rights and who have used force for no good reason .
Concrete sanctions against individuals whom we will agree on for they have deserved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top diplomat said .
According to Linkevicius , the foreign ministers of the EU member countries will hold an online conference on August 14 , that will focus , in particular , on the situation in Belarus .
`` We have already said that this election [ the presidential election in Belarus - TASS ] can not be seen as free .
Thus , there must be some repercussions , '' he stressed , adding that this is what the conference would discuss .
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ securing his reelection with 80.08 % of the votes , while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09 % of the ballots cast .
The other three candidates failed to get more than two percent each .
After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9 , suggesting Lukashenko ’ s landslide victory , 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 about 3,000 people had been detained while dozens of police officers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement officers apprehended a few reporters .
Tikhanovskaya challenged the results , refused to recognize them and said that she believes herself to be the elected president .
She also filed a complaint with the national election commission .
Tikhanovskaya then left the country and fled to Lithuania on Tuesday .

MOSCOW, August 12./TASS/. Possible sanctions of the European Union against Belarus should be slapped on individuals, they must not harm the rank and file, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told Echo of Moscow radio on Wednesday.
"Something concrete must be done. Hence, sanctions must be discussed. I believe that these should be the sanctions that would not harm the people, but would target those who violate rights and who have used force for no good reason. Concrete sanctions against individuals whom we will agree on for they have deserved such attention from us," the top diplomat said.
According to Linkevicius, the foreign ministers of the EU member countries will hold an online conference on August 14, that will focus, in particular, on the situation in Belarus. "We have already said that this election [the presidential election in Belarus - TASS] cannot be seen as free. Thus, there must be some repercussions," he stressed, adding that this is what the conference would discuss.
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9. Preliminary results show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.08% of the votes, while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09% of the ballots cast. The other three candidates failed to get more than two percent each.
After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9, suggesting Lukashenko’s landslide victory, 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 about 3,000 people had been detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured. Moreover, law enforcement officers apprehended a few reporters. Tikhanovskaya challenged the results, refused to recognize them and said that she believes herself to be the elected president. She also filed a complaint with the national election commission. Tikhanovskaya then left the country and fled to Lithuania on Tuesday.


tass--2020-08-12--Lithuania, Latvia, Poland float plan to resolve crisis in Belarus

VILNIUS , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Lithuania , Latvia and Poland have prepared a plan to resolve the crisis in Belarus , Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said at a press conference on Wednesday .
`` The presidents of our three countries have developed a plan for de-escalation of the situation in Belarus .
It contains three steps to resolve the situation , '' he said .
According to the Lithuanian leader , the Belarusian government should first of all cease to apply force to those protesting against the results of the presidential election .
`` Besides the rejection of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release the detainees , '' he noted .
The third step of the plan is starting dialogue with the representatives of the civic community .
For that , the three countries proposed to create a so-called national council .
`` An appropriate solution < ... > would be the formation of a certain national council including representatives of the government and the civic community with the goal to search for the ways to resolve the crisis , '' the Lithuanian president stated .
`` Upon the acceptance of this plan our countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broker the process of overcoming this crisis , '' the Lithuanian leader stated .
He noted that the failure of this plan will lead to European and national sanctions applied to Minsk .

VILNIUS, August 12. /TASS/. Lithuania, Latvia and Poland have prepared a plan to resolve the crisis in Belarus, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said at a press conference on Wednesday.
"The presidents of our three countries have developed a plan for de-escalation of the situation in Belarus. It contains three steps to resolve the situation," he said.
According to the Lithuanian leader, the Belarusian government should first of all cease to apply force to those protesting against the results of the presidential election. "Besides the rejection of the use of force it is necessary to release the detainees," he noted.
The third step of the plan is starting dialogue with the representatives of the civic community. For that, the three countries proposed to create a so-called national council. "An appropriate solution <...> would be the formation of a certain national council including representatives of the government and the civic community with the goal to search for the ways to resolve the crisis," the Lithuanian president stated.
"Upon the acceptance of this plan our countries are ready to serve as mediators to broker the process of overcoming this crisis," the Lithuanian leader stated.
He noted that the failure of this plan will lead to European and national sanctions applied to Minsk.


tass--2020-08-12--All four Lukashenko’s rivals challenge presidential election’s results

MINSK , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
All four of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s rivals in the presidential race have challenged the election ’ s results .
Anna Kanopatskaya was the last one to file a complaint with the country ’ s Central Election Commission on Wednesday .
`` I have launched a process to declare the August 9 presidential election invalid in exercise of my right as a presidential candidate .
Blatant violations of the Constitution and the Belarusian Electoral Code committed when calling and holding the election will have the most negative consequences , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` when the ‘ newly elected president ’ will take the oath of office , another branch of the government , the executive one , will be delegitimized . ''
Earlier , presidential candidates Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , Andrei Dmitriyev and Sergei Cherechen filed complaints with the Central Election Commission , challenging the election ’ s outcome .
Dmitriyev said that the commission might consider his complaint on August 19 , the last day for the announcement of the final results of the presidential vote .
Belarus held the presidential election on August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.08 % of the vote , Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.09 % and the other three presidential candidates gained less than 2 % .
Tikhanovskaya refused to recognize the election ’ s results and filed a complaint with the Central Election Commission .

MINSK, August 12. /TASS/. All four of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s rivals in the presidential race have challenged the election’s results. Anna Kanopatskaya was the last one to file a complaint with the country’s Central Election Commission on Wednesday.
"I have launched a process to declare the August 9 presidential election invalid in exercise of my right as a presidential candidate. Blatant violations of the Constitution and the Belarusian Electoral Code committed when calling and holding the election will have the most negative consequences," she wrote on Facebook.
According to Kanopatskaya, "when the ‘newly elected president’ will take the oath of office, another branch of the government, the executive one, will be delegitimized."
Earlier, presidential candidates Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Andrei Dmitriyev and Sergei Cherechen filed complaints with the Central Election Commission, challenging the election’s outcome. Dmitriyev said that the commission might consider his complaint on August 19, the last day for the announcement of the final results of the presidential vote.
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9. According to preliminary results, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.08% of the vote, Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.09% and the other three presidential candidates gained less than 2%. Tikhanovskaya refused to recognize the election’s results and filed a complaint with the Central Election Commission.


tass--2020-08-12--Tu-160M2, Tu-22M3M bombers to get communications suite from latest Su-57 fighter

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
The upgraded Tu-160M2 and Tu-22M3M strategic missile-carrying bombers will get new communications systems based on the platform for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter , the press office of Ruselectronics Group ( part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec ) told TASS on Wednesday .
`` The system has been developed using the communications platform created for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter .
As its main advantages , it is characterized by high reliability , speedy information transmission , a small weight and energy efficiency .
The technical solutions laid out in creating the system help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upgrading the software , '' the press office said .
The latest communications suite is currently being developed by specialists of the Polyot Research and Production Company within Ruselectronics Group .
`` The system is undergoing the stage of flight tests and is showing high operational characteristics , '' the press office said .
Russia ’ s top brass announced its decision in 2015 to restart the production of the Tu-160 strategic bomber in its upgraded Tu-160M2 version .
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in January 2019 that the troops would receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Tu-160M2 is a completely new aircraft with its operational characteristics unrivaled by all parameters in the world today and in the foreseeable future .
The Tupolev Aircraft Company is simultaneously upgrading Tu-22M3 bombers to the Tu-22M3M level with considerably improved combat capabilities .

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. The upgraded Tu-160M2 and Tu-22M3M strategic missile-carrying bombers will get new communications systems based on the platform for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, the press office of Ruselectronics Group (part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) told TASS on Wednesday.
"The system has been developed using the communications platform created for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter. As its main advantages, it is characterized by high reliability, speedy information transmission, a small weight and energy efficiency. The technical solutions laid out in creating the system help promptly build up its technical functionality by upgrading the software," the press office said.
The latest communications suite is currently being developed by specialists of the Polyot Research and Production Company within Ruselectronics Group.
"The system is undergoing the stage of flight tests and is showing high operational characteristics," the press office said.
Russia’s top brass announced its decision in 2015 to restart the production of the Tu-160 strategic bomber in its upgraded Tu-160M2 version. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in January 2019 that the troops would receive four new Tu-160M2 strategic bombers by 2023.
The Tu-160M2 is a completely new aircraft with its operational characteristics unrivaled by all parameters in the world today and in the foreseeable future.
The Tupolev Aircraft Company is simultaneously upgrading Tu-22M3 bombers to the Tu-22M3M level with considerably improved combat capabilities.


tass--2020-08-12--Barred Belarusian presidential candidate announces fund’s creation in Kiev

KIEV , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Valery Tsepkalo , who was not allowed to register as a candidate in the Belarusian presidential election , has announced the creation of a charity fund in Kiev to support opposition forces .
`` Dear friends , here in Kiev , Ukraine , we have set up the fund ‘ Belarus of the Future , '' Tsepkalo said in a video message posted on his Telegram channel .
According to the politician , the fund ’ s goal is to support democratic development in Belarus and provide assistance to the citizens hit by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are plans to provide assistance in finding jobs and getting education outside Belarus , Tsepkalo said .
The fund ’ s supervisory council includes Svetlana Alexievich , the winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature , opposition politicians Anatoly Lebedko and Stanislav Bogdankevich and journalist Svetlana Kalinkina .
Donations to the fund can be made via Ukraine ’ s Privatbank .
On Tuesday , Tsepkalo announced the creation of the National Salvation Front aimed at opposing constitutional violations and the current authorities as well as fighting for maintaining national sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Belarus .
Earlier , the Central Election Commission refused to register Tsepkalo , the former head of Belarus Hi-Tech Park , as a presidential candidate , explaining that he had failed to collect 100,000 signatures in support of his nomination .
His wife ’ s declaration was also questioned .
Tsepkalo said he and his two children left Belarus ahead of the election to avoid an arrest .
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9 .
According to preliminary data of the Central Election Commission , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key rival Svetlana Tihanovskaya garnered 10.09 % of the vote .
After the results of exit polls were announced , mass protests flared up in Minsk and other cities , which spiraled into clashes with police .
The protests continued at nights on August 10 and August 11 .
According to the Interior Ministry , 3,000 people were detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .
One person was killed when he tried to throw an unidentified explosive device at the law enforcement officers , but it blew up in @ @ @

KIEV, August 12. /TASS/. Valery Tsepkalo, who was not allowed to register as a candidate in the Belarusian presidential election, has announced the creation of a charity fund in Kiev to support opposition forces.
"Dear friends, here in Kiev, Ukraine, we have set up the fund ‘Belarus of the Future," Tsepkalo said in a video message posted on his Telegram channel.
According to the politician, the fund’s goal is to support democratic development in Belarus and provide assistance to the citizens hit by political repressions and political prosecution. Besides, there are plans to provide assistance in finding jobs and getting education outside Belarus, Tsepkalo said.
The fund’s supervisory council includes Svetlana Alexievich, the winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature, opposition politicians Anatoly Lebedko and Stanislav Bogdankevich and journalist Svetlana Kalinkina. Donations to the fund can be made via Ukraine’s Privatbank.
On Tuesday, Tsepkalo announced the creation of the National Salvation Front aimed at opposing constitutional violations and the current authorities as well as fighting for maintaining national sovereignty, democracy and freedom in the Republic of Belarus.
Earlier, the Central Election Commission refused to register Tsepkalo, the former head of Belarus Hi-Tech Park, as a presidential candidate, explaining that he had failed to collect 100,000 signatures in support of his nomination. His wife’s declaration was also questioned. Tsepkalo said he and his two children left Belarus ahead of the election to avoid an arrest.
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9. According to preliminary data of the Central Election Commission, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won 80.08% of the vote. His key rival Svetlana Tihanovskaya garnered 10.09% of the vote.
After the results of exit polls were announced, mass protests flared up in Minsk and other cities, which spiraled into clashes with police. The protests continued at nights on August 10 and August 11. According to the Interior Ministry, 3,000 people were detained while dozens of police officers and protesters were injured. One person was killed when he tried to throw an unidentified explosive device at the law enforcement officers, but it blew up in his hand.


tass--2020-08-12--Russia to set up continuous assembly line for Su-57 fifth-generation fighters

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Factory ( part of the Sukhoi Aircraft Company within the United Aircraft Corporation ) is modernizing its production capacities to launch the continuous assembly line for the latest Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets , the Corporation announced on Wednesday .
`` In Komsomolsk-on-Amur , the production capacities have been upgraded and retooled , which allows us to fulfill the defense procurement plan successfully and on schedule .
< … > Under the defense procurement plan , we are planning to deliver 76 Su-57 aircraft platforms to the Defense Ministry by 2028 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during his visit to the enterprise .
The Sukhoi chief executive showed the defense minister the final assembly workshop where preparations are underway for launching the continuous assembly line for the Su-57 fifth-generation multi-purpose fighters .
Defense Minister Shoigu said during a working meeting with defense industry officials earlier on Wednesday that the ministry would sign an additional contract for the delivery of Su-35S multirole fighters to the troops .
The United Aircraft Corporation said that the implementation of the two programs would allow the enterprise in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacities and keep jobs for over 10,000 workforce .
Russia ’ s Aerospace Force to get Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets by year-end Russia ’ s Aerospace Force will get the latest Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets and Il-76MD-90A military transport planes by the end of the year , Aerospace Force Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant-General Sergei Dronov said on Wednesday .
`` Defense enterprises are delivering new aircraft to the Aerospace Force .
In 2020 , they have already delivered Su-34 and Su-35S combat planes , Yak-130 and L-410UVP-E20 combat training aircraft and Mi-8 and Mi-28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of this year , the delivery of Il-76MD-90A and Su-57 aircraft is planned , '' he said .
Defense Minister Shoigu earlier said that the Defense Ministry had signed a contract on 76 Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets .
The Su-57 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter designed to destroy all types of air , ground and naval targets .
The Su-57 fighter jet features stealth technology with the broad use of composite materials , is capable of developing supersonic cruising speed and is furnished with the most advanced onboard radio-electronic equipment , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electronic second pilot ) , the radar system spread across its body and some other innovations , in particular , armament placed inside its fuselage .
The Su-57 took to the skies for the first time on January 29 , 2010 .
Compared to its predecessors , the Su-57 combines the functions of an attack plane and a fighter jet while the use of composite materials and innovation technologies and the fighter ’ s aerodynamic configuration ensure the low level of radar and infrared signature .
The plane ’ s armament will include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fifth-generation fighter jet has been successfully tested in combat conditions in Syria .

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Factory (part of the Sukhoi Aircraft Company within the United Aircraft Corporation) is modernizing its production capacities to launch the continuous assembly line for the latest Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets, the Corporation announced on Wednesday.
"In Komsomolsk-on-Amur, the production capacities have been upgraded and retooled, which allows us to fulfill the defense procurement plan successfully and on schedule. <…> Under the defense procurement plan, we are planning to deliver 76 Su-57 aircraft platforms to the Defense Ministry by 2028," Sukhoi CEO Ilya Tarasenko reported to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during his visit to the enterprise.
The Sukhoi chief executive showed the defense minister the final assembly workshop where preparations are underway for launching the continuous assembly line for the Su-57 fifth-generation multi-purpose fighters.
Defense Minister Shoigu said during a working meeting with defense industry officials earlier on Wednesday that the ministry would sign an additional contract for the delivery of Su-35S multirole fighters to the troops.
The United Aircraft Corporation said that the implementation of the two programs would allow the enterprise in the Russian Far East to utilize its production capacities and keep jobs for over 10,000 workforce.
Russia’s Aerospace Force to get Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets by year-end
Russia’s Aerospace Force will get the latest Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets and Il-76MD-90A military transport planes by the end of the year, Aerospace Force Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant-General Sergei Dronov said on Wednesday.
"Defense enterprises are delivering new aircraft to the Aerospace Force. In 2020, they have already delivered Su-34 and Su-35S combat planes, Yak-130 and L-410UVP-E20 combat training aircraft and Mi-8 and Mi-28 helicopters in various modifications. Until the end of this year, the delivery of Il-76MD-90A and Su-57 aircraft is planned," he said.
Defense Minister Shoigu earlier said that the Defense Ministry had signed a contract on 76 Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets.
The Su-57 is a fifth-generation multirole fighter designed to destroy all types of air, ground and naval targets. The Su-57 fighter jet features stealth technology with the broad use of composite materials, is capable of developing supersonic cruising speed and is furnished with the most advanced onboard radio-electronic equipment, including a powerful onboard computer (the so-called electronic second pilot), the radar system spread across its body and some other innovations, in particular, armament placed inside its fuselage.
The Su-57 took to the skies for the first time on January 29, 2010. Compared to its predecessors, the Su-57 combines the functions of an attack plane and a fighter jet while the use of composite materials and innovation technologies and the fighter’s aerodynamic configuration ensure the low level of radar and infrared signature.
The plane’s armament will include, in particular, hypersonic missiles. The fifth-generation fighter jet has been successfully tested in combat conditions in Syria.


tass--2020-08-12--Kremlin horses to perform in special boots at Spasskaya Tower Festival

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Horses of the Kremlin Equestrian School will appear in the Spasskaya Tower International @ @ @ @ @ boots tailored in the United States to protect hooves , the festival ’ s administration @ @ @ @ @ `` The boots are primarily designed to protect against the excessive wear and tear of @ @ @ @ @ contact with surface on tough terrain , '' a spokesperson of the administration says .
@ @ @ @ @ boots is that they make it possible for horses to perform on paving blocks of @ @ @ @ @ , '' he added .
The boots are sewn by a US-based company and tailored @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson noted .
They are made from blue plastic with soft lining .
Horsemen of @ @ @ @ @ perform every night throughout the festival together with the Moscow Cossack Choir .
Moscow will @ @ @ @ @ Military Music Festival on Red Square from August 28 to September 6 .
TASS is @ @ @ @ @ the festival this year .

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. Horses of the Kremlin Equestrian School will appear in the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival in special boots tailored in the United States to protect hooves, the festival’s administration told TASS on Wednesday.
"The boots are primarily designed to protect against the excessive wear and tear of horny structures and for better contact with surface on tough terrain," a spokesperson of the administration says.
The key advantage of the boots is that they make it possible for horses to perform on paving blocks of Red Square without harming extremities," he added.
The boots are sewn by a US-based company and tailored for every horse, the spokesperson noted. They are made from blue plastic with soft lining.
Horsemen of the Kremlin Equestrian School will perform every night throughout the festival together with the Moscow Cossack Choir.
Moscow will host the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival on Red Square from August 28 to September 6. TASS is the official news agency of the festival this year.


tass--2020-08-12--Ex-PM Medvedev: US trying to use Internet as its fiefdom

MOSCOW , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
The United States is trying to leverage the Internet exclusively to their advantage , which is deplorable , Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday at a meeting on establishing an equal rights regime of Internet management .
`` Not surprisingly , a number of countries , primarily the US , are seeking to use the Internet as their fiefdom and as a tool to ensure their interests are met exclusively , '' he said , recalling that the US controls a system of domain names and IP addresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s decision regarding owners of such social networks as WeChat ( belongs to Chinese Internet giant Tencent ) and apps linked to it .
According to the deputy security council chairman , it shows that the US aims to continue pursuing its policy in the Internet , while interpreting decisions of certain companies or countries solely through the prism of national interests and disregarding any international competition or rules existing today .
`` This behavior of the US and some of their partners proves that neither Internet users nor businesses nor states can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duly protected in these conditions , '' he underlined .
China experiences tough pressure in the Internet from the United States , to which Russia should also be poised , the high-ranking official said .
Several years ago `` the United States discussed an idea of disconnecting Russia from the payment verification system , that is , from the SWIFT system .
It is now the People ’ s Republic of China that is experiencing such fairly serious , tough pressure , '' Medvedev continued .
`` A portion of these sanctions '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Internet , the official added .

MOSCOW, August 12. /TASS/. The United States is trying to leverage the Internet exclusively to their advantage, which is deplorable, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday at a meeting on establishing an equal rights regime of Internet management.
"Not surprisingly, a number of countries, primarily the US, are seeking to use the Internet as their fiefdom and as a tool to ensure their interests are met exclusively," he said, recalling that the US controls a system of domain names and IP addresses.
He recalled the US administration’s decision regarding owners of such social networks as WeChat (belongs to Chinese Internet giant Tencent) and apps linked to it. According to the deputy security council chairman, it shows that the US aims to continue pursuing its policy in the Internet, while interpreting decisions of certain companies or countries solely through the prism of national interests and disregarding any international competition or rules existing today.
"This behavior of the US and some of their partners proves that neither Internet users nor businesses nor states can be sure that their interests will be duly protected in these conditions," he underlined.
Tough pressure
China experiences tough pressure in the Internet from the United States, to which Russia should also be poised, the high-ranking official said.
Several years ago "the United States discussed an idea of disconnecting Russia from the payment verification system, that is, from the SWIFT system. It is now the People’s Republic of China that is experiencing such fairly serious, tough pressure," Medvedev continued. "A portion of these sanctions" and methods of exerting pressure pertain to the Internet, the official added.


tass--2020-08-12--Hainan's Sanya to create special service for qualified specialists

SANYA , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
The Sanya authorities approved an administrative system of personalized service for highly qualified specialists , reported the Hainan Daily .
They will set up a chain of coordinators responsible for a specialist who wants to work in Sanya .
Those must be nominated by employers , the local government and the management of key industrial parks .
These intermediaries will transfer the applications of high-value personnel to the integrated window system and facilitate the timely provision of the services in need .
In 2018 , the local authorities created an integrated window service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relocation , registration , social insurance , housing subsidies , enrollment in preschool educational institutions of their children , employment of spouses and other formalities .
Recently , the Hainan authorities have been pursuing a targeted policy of attracting valuable specialists .
Thus , for example , a preferential income tax is established for this category of employees , with the maximum rate of 15 % .
In addition , the Hainan authorities provide a temporary residence permit for up to five years or a residence permit for foreign professionals and their family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revitalizing the strategically important enterprises of Hainan 's free trade port .
In April 2018 , President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province .
By 2050 , according to the authorities , the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy , developed tourism , top-notch scientific , technical and financial potential , and modern medicine .
The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hainan .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels , which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .

SANYA, August 12. /TASS/. The Sanya authorities approved an administrative system of personalized service for highly qualified specialists, reported the Hainan Daily.
They will set up a chain of coordinators responsible for a specialist who wants to work in Sanya. Those must be nominated by employers, the local government and the management of key industrial parks. These intermediaries will transfer the applications of high-value personnel to the integrated window system and facilitate the timely provision of the services in need.
In 2018, the local authorities created an integrated window service allowing high-quality employees to resolve issues of relocation, registration, social insurance, housing subsidies, enrollment in preschool educational institutions of their children, employment of spouses and other formalities.
Recently, the Hainan authorities have been pursuing a targeted policy of attracting valuable specialists. Thus, for example, a preferential income tax is established for this category of employees, with the maximum rate of 15%. In addition, the Hainan authorities provide a temporary residence permit for up to five years or a residence permit for foreign professionals and their family members. These measures are aimed at revitalizing the strategically important enterprises of Hainan's free trade port.
Hainan's free trade zone
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province. By 2050, according to the authorities, the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy, developed tourism, top-notch scientific, technical and financial potential, and modern medicine. The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-08-13--Ukraine’s ex-president supports more widespread use of Russian language in Donbass

KIEV , August 13 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine ’ s envoy to the Contact Group and former Ukrainian President Leonid @ @ @ @ @ use of the Russian language in Donbass possible , as he said in an interview @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t think that the language will bring Donbass back .
Citing the @ @ @ @ @ may raise not the issue of making Russian a state language but the issue of @ @ @ @ @ because the Constitution guarantees the development and use of the languages of national minorities .
@ @ @ @ @ is possible to implement steps on the wider use of the Russian language , which @ @ @ @ @ violation of the Ukrainian law , '' he noted .

KIEV, August 13. /TASS/. Ukraine’s envoy to the Contact Group and former Ukrainian President Leonid Kravchuk considers a more widespread use of the Russian language in Donbass possible, as he said in an interview with Ukrainian Radio.
"I don’t think that the language will bring Donbass back. Citing the common European laws, we may raise not the issue of making Russian a state language but the issue of the use of this language because the Constitution guarantees the development and use of the languages of national minorities. And in this region it is possible to implement steps on the wider use of the Russian language, which won’t be a violation of the Ukrainian law," he noted.


tass--2020-08-13--People keep taking to Minsk streets to express solidarity with protesters

People are joining the solidarity action in different neighborhoods of the capital city .
They line up along streets and avenues to protest against the results of the election and the use of force against protesters .
MINSK , August 13./TASS/ .
More and more people are joining a rally in Minsk on Thursday to express solidarity with the protesters against the results of the Sunday ’ s presidential in Belarus , TASS reports from the site .
A chorus performed pieces of classical music on the stairs of the Belarusian State Concert Hall , holding letters in their hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My vote was stolen '' .
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9 .
Preliminary results show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.08 % of the vote , while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09 % After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9 , suggesting Lukashenko ’ s landslide victory , many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police .
Protests have continued since Sunday .
The national interior ministry said about 6,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers and protesters were injured .
Tikhanovskaya challenged the results , refusing to recognize them .
She also filed a complaint with the national election commission .
Tikhanovskaya then left the country and is now in Lithuania .

People are joining the solidarity action in different neighborhoods of the capital city. They line up along streets and avenues to protest against the results of the election and the use of force against protesters.
MINSK, August 13./TASS/. More and more people are joining a rally in Minsk on Thursday to express solidarity with the protesters against the results of the Sunday’s presidential in Belarus, TASS reports from the site.
A chorus performed pieces of classical music on the stairs of the Belarusian State Concert Hall, holding letters in their hands, which read taken together as "My vote was stolen".
Belarus held the presidential election on August 9. Preliminary results show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection with 80.08% of the vote, while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received 10.09%
After exit poll results were revealed late on August 9, suggesting Lukashenko’s landslide victory, many cities and towns across the country saw mass protests that in some cases turned into clashes with the police. Protests have continued since Sunday. The national interior ministry said about 6,000 people had been detained, dozens of police officers and protesters were injured. Tikhanovskaya challenged the results, refusing to recognize them. She also filed a complaint with the national election commission. Tikhanovskaya then left the country and is now in Lithuania.