tass--2020-08-07--Alrosa unearths Russia’s largest color diamond

`` The diamond was extracted from the Ebelyakh mine in Yakutia , Russia .
This is the largest natural color @ @ @ @ @ Russia , '' the company says .
The rough diamond is of intense yellow-brown color @ @ @ @ @ mm .
According to a preliminary estimate , it is 120-230 million years old , @ @ @ @ @ a large natural color rough diamond is a unique discovery .
Now , the stone @ @ @ @ @ United Selling Organization being studied and evaluated by our specialists .
After that , we @ @ @ @ @ it to our manufacturers for cutting or sell it as a rough .
Of course @ @ @ @ @ will be interested in such a diamond , as it has the potential to give @ @ @ @ @ , '' Pavel Vinikhin , the head of Diamonds of Alrosa cutting and polishing division @ @ @ @ @ .

"The diamond was extracted from the Ebelyakh mine in Yakutia, Russia. This is the largest natural color rough diamond ever found in Russia," the company says.
The rough diamond is of intense yellow-brown color. Its sizes are 47x24x22 mm. According to a preliminary estimate, it is 120-230 million years old, Alrosa says.
"Such a large natural color rough diamond is a unique discovery. Now, the stone is at Alrosa’s United Selling Organization being studied and evaluated by our specialists. After that, we will decide whether to give it to our manufacturers for cutting or sell it as a rough. Of course, cutters in any country will be interested in such a diamond, as it has the potential to give several high quality polished diamonds," Pavel Vinikhin, the head of Diamonds of Alrosa cutting and polishing division, said in a comment.


tass--2020-08-07--Hainan's Sanya sees an increase in the number of hi-tech enterprises on the island

SANYA , Augist 7 .
/TASS/ .
The number of high-tech enterprises in Hainan 's Sanya has reached 37 , the Hainan Daily reported .
These are state-level enterprises developing fifth generation ( 5G ) mobile communications , satellite Internet , AI ( artificial intelligence ) , blockchain and other advanced technologies .
At the end of 2018 , there were 19 such companies in Sanya .
In less than two years , their number has almost doubled .
In January 2020 , the local government issued a rule to support Sanya 's high-tech industry .
It provides for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enterprises - a one-time payment in the amount of 100,000- 500,000 yuan ( $ 14,280 - 71,400 ) .
Hainan Province and Sanya , in particular , are actively developing high technology .
For example , during the year Sanya plans to build about 1,400 5G base stations .
The Sanya authorities plan to implement over 30 projects using fifth generation communication networks .
Among them are initiatives in urban management , healthcare , education , tourism , transport , road construction and other industries .
Earlier , the Central Committee of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Council published the “ General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan , ” according to which the island ’ s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025 , and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region 's development .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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, Augist 7. /TASS/. The number of high-tech enterprises in Hainan's Sanya has reached 37, the Hainan Daily reported.
These are state-level enterprises developing fifth generation (5G) mobile communications, satellite Internet, AI (artificial intelligence), blockchain and other advanced technologies. At the end of 2018, there were 19 such companies in Sanya. In less than two years, their number has almost doubled.
In January 2020, the local government issued a rule to support Sanya's high-tech industry. It provides for the allocation of financial assistance to the relevant enterprises - a one-time payment in the amount of 100,000- 500,000 yuan ($14,280 - 71,400).
Hainan Province and Sanya, in particular, are actively developing high technology. For example, during the year Sanya plans to build about 1,400 5G base stations. The Sanya authorities plan to implement over 30 projects using fifth generation communication networks. Among them are initiatives in urban management, healthcare, education, tourism, transport, road construction and other industries.
About Hainan's free trade port
Earlier, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Сhinese State Council published the “General Program for the Establishment of a Free Port on Hainan,” according to which the island’s administration intends to create an effective system to fulfill a number of important social and economic goals by 2025, and within 10 years to decisively enhance the innovative mechanisms for the region's development.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-08-07--Search and rescue operation continues in Beirut after massive blast

Rescuers and volunteers are searching through rubble and debris in a hope to find survivors .
Volunteers of Turkish public organizations offer food to people from trucks seen in Beirut ’ s rubble-and dust-covered streets .
Humanitarian assistance is coming to Lebanon from around the globe .
Countries are sending medical equipment and field hospitals , food products , building materials , fuels to help Lebanon recover after the disastrous blast .
Russia ’ s contribution included humanitarian cargoes , rescuers and medics , as well as a laboratory for coronavirus diagnosis .
BEIRUT , August 7 .
/TASS/ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beirut after the devastating explosion that rocked the city on Tuesday .
Dozens of people are still missing .
Iran was among the first to send assistance to Lebanon .
A field hospital has been organized near Beirut ’ s port .
Local medical students are helping doctors .
The Beirut tragedy has shocked the entire Arab world .
Hundreds of thousands of social networks users take part in the action with the hashtag BeirutInOurHearts .
People extend their condolences , offer assistance to those in need .
They also demand the authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the tragedy and punish those responsible for it .
The Lebanese media have launched their own probe .
Thus , the Al-Jamahiriya newspaper said citing its source in the security sphere that the range of those held responsible for the blast is not confined to the administration and employees of the port and customs office .
According to the source , security agencies learned about hazardous chemical stored at the port as far back as early 2019 and informed about it all relevant structures and court instances .
But no measures have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the source claims , welding works at the port were performed by non-professional welders who had not been instructed about safety rules .
The warehouse that held nearly 3,000 tonnes of explosive substances was not even equipped with automatic fire-fighting systems .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy ’ s base on August 4 , sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars .
Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs services in 2015 .
According to latest updates , at least 154 people were killed and more than 5,000 were injured .
Dozens are still missing .
Over 300,000 people were left homeless .

Rescuers and volunteers are searching through rubble and debris in a hope to find survivors. Volunteers of Turkish public organizations offer food to people from trucks seen in Beirut’s rubble-and dust-covered streets.
Humanitarian assistance is coming to Lebanon from around the globe. Countries are sending medical equipment and field hospitals, food products, building materials, fuels to help Lebanon recover after the disastrous blast. Russia’s contribution included humanitarian cargoes, rescuers and medics, as well as a laboratory for coronavirus diagnosis.
BEIRUT, August 7. /TASS/. A search and rescue operation continues in Beirut after the devastating explosion that rocked the city on Tuesday. Dozens of people are still missing.
Iran was among the first to send assistance to Lebanon. A field hospital has been organized near Beirut’s port. Local medical students are helping doctors.
The Beirut tragedy has shocked the entire Arab world. Hundreds of thousands of social networks users take part in the action with the hashtag BeirutInOurHearts. People extend their condolences, offer assistance to those in need. They also demand the authorities conduct a thorough and transparent probe in to the tragedy and punish those responsible for it.
The Lebanese media have launched their own probe. Thus, the Al-Jamahiriya newspaper said citing its source in the security sphere that the range of those held responsible for the blast is not confined to the administration and employees of the port and customs office. According to the source, security agencies learned about hazardous chemical stored at the port as far back as early 2019 and informed about it all relevant structures and court instances. But no measures have been taken. Apart from that, the source claims, welding works at the port were performed by non-professional welders who had not been instructed about safety rules. The warehouse that held nearly 3,000 tonnes of explosive substances was not even equipped with automatic fire-fighting systems.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy’s base on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs services in 2015.
According to latest updates, at least 154 people were killed and more than 5,000 were injured. Dozens are still missing. Over 300,000 people were left homeless.


tass--2020-08-07--Number of arrested over Beirut explosion increases to 19

BEIRUT , August 7 .
/TASS/ .
Lebanese law enforcement agencies have detained and placed under arrest 19 people over the explosion in the port district of Beirut , the Lebanese LBCI TV channel reported on Friday citing a source in law enforcement .
It also reported that an investigation has been launched of former director general of Lebanese customs Shafik Merhi .
Earlier there were reports of the detention of 16 officials of the Beirut seaport administration where a massive explosion occurred on August 4 .
On the same day Lebanese authorities made a decision to place under house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the responsibility of particular officials for the explosion is ascertained .
As Lebanon ’ s prime minister Hassan Diab said , all parties responsible for this tragedy will be justly punished .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on August 4 , sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars , leaving over 300,000 people homeless .
At least 154 people were killed as a result , about 5,000 were affected , dozens are missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the blast was caused by the detonation in a warehouse during welding of over 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , confiscated by the customs services over six years ago .

BEIRUT, August 7. /TASS/. Lebanese law enforcement agencies have detained and placed under arrest 19 people over the explosion in the port district of Beirut, the Lebanese LBCI TV channel reported on Friday citing a source in law enforcement. It also reported that an investigation has been launched of former director general of Lebanese customs Shafik Merhi.
Earlier there were reports of the detention of 16 officials of the Beirut seaport administration where a massive explosion occurred on August 4.
On the same day Lebanese authorities made a decision to place under house arrest the entire administration of the seaport until the responsibility of particular officials for the explosion is ascertained. As Lebanon’s prime minister Hassan Diab said, all parties responsible for this tragedy will be justly punished.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on August 4, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars, leaving over 300,000 people homeless. At least 154 people were killed as a result, about 5,000 were affected, dozens are missing. According to local law enforcement, the blast was caused by the detonation in a warehouse during welding of over 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, confiscated by the customs services over six years ago.


tass--2020-08-08--Russian ambassador in Minsk calls for soonest release of detained Russians

MINSK , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev is convinced that the soonest release of Russian citizens earlier detained in Belarus would be a `` justified and fair '' decision under the current circumstances .
He also told reporters on Friday that he views as justified `` the version , according to which this provocation was staged from a third country by enemies of Russia and Belarus , with an aim to complicate the relations between Moscow and Minsk in the period when preparations for the election of the Belarusian head of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current situation , it would be justified and fair to release the Russians as soon as possible and to give them an opportunity to return home , '' he told reporters on Friday .
`` On August 6-7 , staff of the Consular Department of the Russian Embassy in Belarus met with the 33 Russian citizens detained near Minsk .
They still do not understand reasons for their detention and charges of preparing to participate in mass riots , '' the ambassador said .
`` Today , convincing facts were presented , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relations between Russia and Belarus was being prepared from a third country . ''
In the diplomat ’ s words , `` Belarusian law enforces reacted straightforwardly and harshly to the group ’ s presence on the republic ’ s territory , without having full information and , regretfully , not in cooperation with Russian colleagues . ''
`` I ’ m convinced that the procedural probe launched by the Russian Investigative Committee would confirm the orchestrated nature of this massive scam , in which the Russian citizens had become embroiled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident was intended to damage the multi-facetted cooperation and special relations between our states , '' the ambassador said .
`` It is important to note that officers of the Russian Investigative Committee are ready to cooperate with partners .
We are convinced that , as a result of this work , convincing facts will be presented about Russia ’ s non-involvement into the provocative show , organized according to a scenario written in a third country , '' he added .
Mezentsev went on to say that `` the Russian side will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to violations of public order and law or incite tension in the brotherly country of Belarus , especially in the pre-election period . ''
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 Tuesday that the Russians had been sent to Belarus with a purpose .
Belarus was reported to have handed a list of the detained Russians over to Kiev .
Ukrainian Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
The issue of the detention of Russians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation between the presidents of Russia and Belarus , Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko , on August 7 .
`` Confidence was expressed that the situation would be settled in the spirit of mutual understanding that is characteristic of cooperation between the two countries , '' the Kremlin said , adding that President Putin had pledged that Russia was interested in stability and calm voting in Belarus .
In turn , the Belarusian leader ’ s press service said the sides emphasized their determination `` to work together to sort out the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available fact in order to establish the true causes of the current situation , find those responsible and hold them accountable .
`` .

MINSK, August 8. /TASS/. Russia’s Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev is convinced that the soonest release of Russian citizens earlier detained in Belarus would be a "justified and fair" decision under the current circumstances.
He also told reporters on Friday that he views as justified "the version, according to which this provocation was staged from a third country by enemies of Russia and Belarus, with an aim to complicate the relations between Moscow and Minsk in the period when preparations for the election of the Belarusian head of state are under way."
"In the current situation, it would be justified and fair to release the Russians as soon as possible and to give them an opportunity to return home," he told reporters on Friday.
"On August 6-7, staff of the Consular Department of the Russian Embassy in Belarus met with the 33 Russian citizens detained near Minsk. They still do not understand reasons for their detention and charges of preparing to participate in mass riots," the ambassador said. "Today, convincing facts were presented, proving that a provocation aimed at harming the relations between Russia and Belarus was being prepared from a third country."
In the diplomat’s words, "Belarusian law enforces reacted straightforwardly and harshly to the group’s presence on the republic’s territory, without having full information and, regretfully, not in cooperation with Russian colleagues."
"I’m convinced that the procedural probe launched by the Russian Investigative Committee would confirm the orchestrated nature of this massive scam, in which the Russian citizens had become embroiled. As envisioned by foreign masterminds, this incident was intended to damage the multi-facetted cooperation and special relations between our states," the ambassador said.
"It is important to note that officers of the Russian Investigative Committee are ready to cooperate with partners. We are convinced that, as a result of this work, convincing facts will be presented about Russia’s non-involvement into the provocative show, organized according to a scenario written in a third country," he added.
Mezentsev went on to say that "the Russian side will never resort to steps that might lead to violations of public order and law or incite tension in the brotherly country of Belarus, especially in the pre-election period."
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 Tuesday that the Russians had been sent to Belarus with a purpose. Belarus was reported to have handed a 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.
The issue of the detention of Russians was in the focus of the phone conversation between the presidents of Russia and Belarus, Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, on August 7. "Confidence was expressed that the situation would be settled in the spirit of mutual understanding that is characteristic of cooperation between the two countries," the Kremlin said, adding that President Putin had pledged that Russia was interested in stability and calm voting in Belarus.
In turn, the Belarusian leader’s press service said the sides emphasized their determination "to work together to sort out the matter" and "to thoroughly study every available fact in order to establish the true causes of the current situation, find those responsible and hold them accountable.".


tass--2020-08-08--Death toll of crash-landing in India reaches 20 — paper

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people killed in Friday 's crash landing of an Air @ @ @ @ @ Indian city of Kozhikode in the State of Kerala has risen to 20 , Hindustan @ @ @ @ @ .
The plane ’ s pilots are among the dead .
More than 140 passengers @ @ @ @ @ , some of them seriously .
The landing took place amid heavy rain , and @ @ @ @ @ twice due to adverse weather conditions .
It had 184 passengers on board , including @ @ @ @ @ crew members .
The plane was en route from Dubai ( UAE ) , performing @ @ @ @ @ of repatriation of Indian nationals stuck in foreign countries amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Air @ @ @ @ @ subsidiary of India ’ s flagship air carrier , Air India .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. The number of people killed in Friday's crash landing of an Air India Express flight in the Indian city of Kozhikode in the State of Kerala has risen to 20, Hindustan Times reported citing local authorities.
The plane’s pilots are among the dead. More than 140 passengers were injured in the accident, some of them seriously.
The landing took place amid heavy rain, and the plane approached the airport twice due to adverse weather conditions. It had 184 passengers on board, including 10 babies, and four crew members. The plane was en route from Dubai (UAE), performing a flight under the program of repatriation of Indian nationals stuck in foreign countries amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Air India Express is the low-cost subsidiary of India’s flagship air carrier, Air India.


tass--2020-08-09--Law enforcers regain control of Beirut’s center, ministries captured by protesters

BEIRUT , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
It took several hours for riot control special formations to push protesters out of the center of the Lebanese capital .
By the midnight law enforcement officers had completely forced aggressively disposed activists out of Beirut ’ s business part , regaining full control of the capital ’ s Martyrs ’ Square , TASS reports from the spot .
According to the civil defense , 490 people were injured in clashes , including around 70 police officers .
Five protesters were detained .
Lebanese service members joined the law enforcement efforts and regained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy , energy and environment ministries captured earlier by groups of protesters .
Prime Minister of Lebanon Hassan Diab said for the first time on Saturday that he will request an early parliamentary election , which is one of the main requirements of the opposition .
`` We can not get out of this crisis without early parliamentary elections , '' Diab said in a televised address , promising to propose to cabinet a draft bill for early parliamentary polls on August 10 .
On Saturday , downtown Beirut transformed into a battlefield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sami Gemayel , the leader of Lebanon 's Kataeb opposition party , called for mass anti-government protests earlier .
Particularly , the protesters blamed the ruling coalition for corruption and urged holding an early election and an independent probe into a powerful blast that ripped through Beirut ’ s port on August 4 , claiming 158 lives and destroying the capital ’ s infrastructure .

BEIRUT, August 9. /TASS/. It took several hours for riot control special formations to push protesters out of the center of the Lebanese capital. By the midnight law enforcement officers had completely forced aggressively disposed activists out of Beirut’s business part, regaining full control of the capital’s Martyrs’ Square, TASS reports from the spot.
According to the civil defense, 490 people were injured in clashes, including around 70 police officers. Five protesters were detained.
Lebanese service members joined the law enforcement efforts and regained control of buildings of the foreign, economy, energy and environment ministries captured earlier by groups of protesters.
Prime Minister of Lebanon Hassan Diab said for the first time on Saturday that he will request an early parliamentary election, which is one of the main requirements of the opposition. "We cannot get out of this crisis without early parliamentary elections," Diab said in a televised address, promising to propose to cabinet a draft bill for early parliamentary polls on August 10.
On Saturday, downtown Beirut transformed into a battlefield between the riot police and protesters. Sami Gemayel, the leader of Lebanon's Kataeb opposition party, called for mass anti-government protests earlier. Particularly, the protesters blamed the ruling coalition for corruption and urged holding an early election and an independent probe into a powerful blast that ripped through Beirut’s port on August 4, claiming 158 lives and destroying the capital’s infrastructure.


tass--2020-08-09--Member of Babariko’s election team released after detention, says press service

MINSK , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian law enforcement authorities have released Maria Kolesnikova , a member of the @ @ @ @ @ s former head Viktor Babariko , who was detained in Minsk earlier , the team @ @ @ @ @ late on Saturday .
`` Maria has been released .
Staff members said that she @ @ @ @ @ press service said .
Earlier reports said that Belarusian law enforcers detained Kolesnikova when she @ @ @ @ @ Minsk as she got into the car with her colleagues .
The car was blocked @ @ @ @ @ Maria was forced into the bus and taken away .
Head of Viktor Babariko ’ @ @ @ @ @ continues the election campaign after the candidate was denied registration .
Belarus will hold presidential @ @ @ @ @ By now , the presidential candidates are incumbent head of state Alexander Lukashenko , co-leader @ @ @ @ @ Tell the Truth ) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former member of the lower parliament @ @ @ @ @ Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen .

MINSK, August 9. /TASS/. Belarusian law enforcement authorities have released Maria Kolesnikova, a member of the election team of Belgazprombank’s former head Viktor Babariko, who was detained in Minsk earlier, the team’s press service reported late on Saturday.
"Maria has been released. Staff members said that she had been mistaken," press service said.
Earlier reports said that Belarusian law enforcers detained Kolesnikova when she was leaving the headquarters in Minsk as she got into the car with her colleagues. The car was blocked by a police minibus. Maria was forced into the bus and taken away.
Head of Viktor Babariko’s election team Maria Kolesnikova continues the election campaign after the candidate was denied registration.
Belarus will hold presidential elections on August 9. By now, the presidential candidates are incumbent head of state Alexander Lukashenko, co-leader of the Govori Pravdu (Tell the Truth) public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former member of the lower parliament house Anna Kanopatskaya, housewife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, and leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Gramada Sergei Cherchen.


tass--2020-08-09--British policy towards Russia consists of 95% of deterrence and 5% of dialogue, envoy says

LONDON , August 9 .
/TASS/ .
The policy of `` deterrence and dialogue '' towards Russia chosen by NATO and Britain consists of 95 % of deterrence and only 5 % of dialogue , Russia ’ s Ambassador in the UK Andrei Kelin said in an interview with the Chinese TV channel CGTN on Saturday .
`` NATO has taken a position as a leader of the western world - a policy of deterrence and dialogue towards Russia , and London would like to be a leader in these efforts .
But there is 95 % deterrence and only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , adding that the Russian side is worried about another wave of accusations against Moscow `` in the recent days in the media here and Britain . ''
`` It of course provides little appetite in Moscow to develop dialogue , '' he noted .
The ambassador referred to the state of relations between the UK and Russia as difficult .
`` Political contacts are close to being frozen .
And this is very bad .
I have seen some expression of intentions to review this policy to restart a relationship in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is being damned by this attack once and once again , '' he said .
`` The government in London should be realistic .
It should understand the benefits of cooperation and working with Russia but not against Russia .
Deterrence is the policy that has been , as I said , taken up against Russia , and of course it is not a cooperation that we have all envisaged , '' Kelin emphasized .

LONDON, August 9. /TASS/. The policy of "deterrence and dialogue" towards Russia chosen by NATO and Britain consists of 95% of deterrence and only 5% of dialogue, Russia’s Ambassador in the UK Andrei Kelin said in an interview with the Chinese TV channel CGTN on Saturday.
"NATO has taken a position as a leader of the western world - a policy of deterrence and dialogue towards Russia, and London would like to be a leader in these efforts. But there is 95% deterrence and only 5% of dialogue," he said, adding that the Russian side is worried about another wave of accusations against Moscow "in the recent days in the media here and Britain." "It of course provides little appetite in Moscow to develop dialogue," he noted.
The ambassador referred to the state of relations between the UK and Russia as difficult. "Political contacts are close to being frozen. And this is very bad. I have seen some expression of intentions to review this policy to restart a relationship in the political field. But all of this is being damned by this attack once and once again," he said.
"The government in London should be realistic. It should understand the benefits of cooperation and working with Russia but not against Russia. Deterrence is the policy that has been, as I said, taken up against Russia, and of course it is not a cooperation that we have all envisaged," Kelin emphasized.


tass--2020-08-08--Kiev reluctant to resolve Donbass conflict - Russian Foreign Ministry

SOLNECHNOGORSK /outside Moscow/ , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Kiev ’ s statements about `` the incomprehension '' of the Minsk accords proves that the country is not willing to resolve the Donbass crisis , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday .
`` They have a new story .
Both the president and their representative to the Contact Group have said after the five years of the Minsk accords and after the five years of attempts to implement them , ‘ We do not understand what is said in them.
’ It happens when you have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , ‘ I can not quite grasp what is said in them .
It would be good if that was explained to us once more.
’ It shows that they do not want to resolve their own issue , '' she said .
When asked about the prospects for a solution to the intra-Ukrainian conflict , Zakharova pointed out that it would happen in case Ukraine wanted to find a solution to the crisis in her regions , or Donbass .
`` Once politicians , public officials in Kiev and , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those are the citizens of their country , who have the same rights and the same responsibilities and who have suffered enough .
When they all understand that and suddenly remember that in 2015 the international community hammered out a plan for settling their domestic conflict and said that it was ready to help , and when they begin to gradually implement the Minsk agreements , they will get it .
We are ready for that and have always been ready .
We have no questions , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as a country that took part in drafting the Minsk agreements , `` has gone its part of the road and would go further on . ''
`` The other members of the international community - France and Germany - have stated that there is no alternative to the Minsk agreements , but they must be implemented .
Who should implement them ?
The parties to the conflict , or Kiev and Donbass , '' she concluded .
The Minsk Agreements are the cornerstone of the Donbass conflict settlement .
They envisage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment , amnesty , restoration of economic ties , adopting a comprehensive constitutional reform in Ukraine which would result in decentralization with a special status for separate areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions .
Lately , Ukrainian representatives repeatedly said that the agreements should be modernized before they are implemented .
At the same time , authorities of the Donetsk and Lugansk People ’ s Republics ( DPR and LPR ) continue to hammer the message home that the Minsk Agreements have no alternative in looking for ways to settle the domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change .
Russia also shares this point of view .

SOLNECHNOGORSK /outside Moscow/, August 8. /TASS/. Kiev’s statements about "the incomprehension" of the Minsk accords proves that the country is not willing to resolve the Donbass crisis, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.
"They have a new story. Both the president and their representative to the Contact Group have said after the five years of the Minsk accords and after the five years of attempts to implement them, ‘We do not understand what is said in them.’ It happens when you have been implementing that for five years and then say, ‘I cannot quite grasp what is said in them. It would be good if that was explained to us once more.’ It shows that they do not want to resolve their own issue," she said.
When asked about the prospects for a solution to the intra-Ukrainian conflict, Zakharova pointed out that it would happen in case Ukraine wanted to find a solution to the crisis in her regions, or Donbass.
"Once politicians, public officials in Kiev and, most importantly, the people eventually realize that those are the citizens of their country, who have the same rights and the same responsibilities and who have suffered enough. When they all understand that and suddenly remember that in 2015 the international community hammered out a plan for settling their domestic conflict and said that it was ready to help, and when they begin to gradually implement the Minsk agreements, they will get it. We are ready for that and have always been ready. We have no questions," the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.
The diplomat emphasized that Russia, as a country that took part in drafting the Minsk agreements, "has gone its part of the road and would go further on."
"The other members of the international community - France and Germany - have stated that there is no alternative to the Minsk agreements, but they must be implemented. Who should implement them? The parties to the conflict, or Kiev and Donbass," she concluded.
The Minsk Agreements are the cornerstone of the Donbass conflict settlement. They envisage a complete ceasefire, withdrawal of military equipment, amnesty, restoration of economic ties, adopting a comprehensive constitutional reform in Ukraine which would result in decentralization with a special status for separate areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions. Lately, Ukrainian representatives repeatedly said that the agreements should be modernized before they are implemented.
At the same time, authorities of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) continue to hammer the message home that the Minsk Agreements have no alternative in looking for ways to settle the domestic conflict and are not subject to any change. Russia also shares this point of view.


tass--2020-08-08--Moscow's death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases rises by 12 to 4,572 - crisis center

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 12 in Moscow over the past 24 hours , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday .
`` Twelve patients have passed away in Moscow .
Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection , '' the center informed .
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has topped 4,572 in Moscow .
As of August 8 , Moscow confirmed more than 247,000 coronavirus cases , while nearly 189,000 patients have recovered from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 19.3 million people have been infected worldwide and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To date , 882,347 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 690,207 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 14,854 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 12 in Moscow over the past 24 hours, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday.
"Twelve patients have passed away in Moscow. Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection," the center informed.
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has topped 4,572 in Moscow. As of August 8, Moscow confirmed more than 247,000 coronavirus cases, while nearly 189,000 patients have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 19.3 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 721,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, 882,347 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 690,207 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 14,854 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-08--Member of former banker Babariko’s election team detained in Belarus - press service

MINSK , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian law enforcers have detained Maria Kolesnikova , a member of the election @ @ @ @ @ head Viktor Babariko , its press service said on Saturday .
`` She was detained @ @ @ @ @ Minsk .
When they got into the car and began driving from the car park @ @ @ @ @ the way and police got out of it .
Maria was forced into the bus @ @ @ @ @ '' the press service said .
A spokesperson for the Belarusian Interior Ministry , Olga @ @ @ @ @ she was trying to clarify the situation with Kolesnikova .

MINSK, August 8. /TASS/. Belarusian law enforcers have detained Maria Kolesnikova, a member of the election team of the Belgazprombank former head Viktor Babariko, its press service said on Saturday.
"She was detained when leaving our headquarters in Minsk. When they got into the car and began driving from the car park, a silver bus blocked the way and police got out of it. Maria was forced into the bus and off they went," the press service said.
A spokesperson for the Belarusian Interior Ministry, Olga Chemodanova, told TASS that she was trying to clarify the situation with Kolesnikova.


tass--2020-08-08--Russian rescue efforts in Beirut emergency zone not affected by protests

BEIRUT , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Beirut ’ s anti-government protests have not affected the search and rescue operation conducted by the rescue and medical teams of the Russian Emergencies Ministry in the area of the explosion in the Lebanese capital , the crisis center told TASS on Saturday .
`` The protests have had no impact on the search and rescue efforts .
However , security is tightened in the area where the employees of the Russian Emergencies Ministry are working , '' the spokesperson said .
According to him , over 50 soldiers and officers of Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with other means ensure security of the Russian rescue team .
The Russian rescuers arrived in Beirut on August 5 to help the people affected by the explosion in the port and to take part in the search and rescue operation .
The Russian health professionals put up a mobile hospital where doctors of the Tsentrospas rescue team provided medical services to 92 patients , including 12 children .
Moreover , the rescuers sifted 1,000 square meters of rubble and found four bodies under the collapsed silo .
On Saturday , clashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in downtown Beirut .
The protesters have entered the premises of the Foreign and Economy Ministries .
They are storming the Association of Lebanese Banks .
The protests were sparked by a powerful blast that on August 4 ripped through Beirut ’ s port and generated a shockwave , which either destroyed or damaged a larger part of the city infrastructure .
According to the Health Ministry , 158 people were killed in the blast and more than 6,000 injured .
More than 300,000 people have been left homeless .
Among them are @ @ @

BEIRUT, August 8. /TASS/. Beirut’s anti-government protests have not affected the search and rescue operation conducted by the rescue and medical teams of the Russian Emergencies Ministry in the area of the explosion in the Lebanese capital, the crisis center told TASS on Saturday.
"The protests have had no impact on the search and rescue efforts. However, security is tightened in the area where the employees of the Russian Emergencies Ministry are working," the spokesperson said.
According to him, over 50 soldiers and officers of Lebanon’s army equipped with armored platforms along with other means ensure security of the Russian rescue team.
The Russian rescuers arrived in Beirut on August 5 to help the people affected by the explosion in the port and to take part in the search and rescue operation. The Russian health professionals put up a mobile hospital where doctors of the Tsentrospas rescue team provided medical services to 92 patients, including 12 children. Moreover, the rescuers sifted 1,000 square meters of rubble and found four bodies under the collapsed silo.
On Saturday, clashes erupted between the riot police and protesters in downtown Beirut. The protesters have entered the premises of the Foreign and Economy Ministries. They are storming the Association of Lebanese Banks.
The protests were sparked by a powerful blast that on August 4 ripped through Beirut’s port and generated a shockwave, which either destroyed or damaged a larger part of the city infrastructure. According to the Health Ministry, 158 people were killed in the blast and more than 6,000 injured. More than 300,000 people have been left homeless. Among them are 100,000 children.


tass--2020-08-08--WHO reports one-day surge in coronavirus cases by over 284,000

GENEVA , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
More than 284,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , exceeding 19.18 million , while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 6,000 to surpass 716,000 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Saturday .
As of 11.00 Moscow time on August 8 , as many as 19,187,943 novel coronavirus cases and 716,075 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 284,441 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 278,291 new cases and 6,815 fatalities were documented throughout the world .
The WHO statistics are based on officially confirmed data provided by countries .
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 10,290,444 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 155,122 and the number of deaths - by 4,288 to top 380,894 .
The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,545,395 and the number of fatalities is 216,097 .
In the past 24 hours , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of deaths went up by 458 .
South East Asia is ranked third with 2,496,001 cases and 51,608 fatalities .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 67,417 and the number of deaths - by 1,037 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases is registered in the United States ( 4,836,930 ) , followed by Brazil ( 2,912,212 ) , India ( 2,088,611 ) , Russia ( 882,347 ) , South Africa ( 545,476 ) , Mexico ( 462,690 ) , Peru ( 455,409 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 357,710 ) and Iran ( 322,567 ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, August 8. /TASS/. More than 284,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, exceeding 19.18 million, while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 6,000 to surpass 716,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Saturday.
As of 11.00 Moscow time on August 8, as many as 19,187,943 novel coronavirus cases and 716,075 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 284,441 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 6,565.
The day before, 278,291 new cases and 6,815 fatalities were documented throughout the world. The WHO statistics are based on officially confirmed data provided by countries.
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 10,290,444. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 155,122 and the number of deaths - by 4,288 to top 380,894. The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,545,395 and the number of fatalities is 216,097. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew, by 31,409 and the number of deaths went up by 458.
South East Asia is ranked third with 2,496,001 cases and 51,608 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 67,417 and the number of deaths - by 1,037.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases is registered in the United States (4,836,930), followed by Brazil (2,912,212), India (2,088,611), Russia (882,347), South Africa (545,476), Mexico (462,690), Peru (455,409), Chile (368,825), Colombia (357,710) and Iran (322,567).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-08-08--Situation calm around Russia’s embassy in Beirut - diplomat

BEIRUT , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
The situation remains calm outside the Russian embassy in Lebanon ’ s capital gripped on Saturday by clashes between the police and anti-government protesters , and there are no immediate reports about the injured among the Russian nationals , Vyacheslav Maksudov , the Russian embassy ’ s counsellor , told TASS .
`` There were no immediate reports about the injured people among the Russian nationals during the demonstrations in downtown Beirut , '' he said .
`` The situation in the area outside the embassy is calm .
Required security measures are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clashes erupted between the riot police and protesters in downtown Beirut .
The protesters have entered the premises of the Foreign and Economy Ministries .
They are storming the Association of Lebanese Banks .
The protests were sparked by a powerful blast that on August 4 ripped through Beirut ’ s port and generated a shockwave , which either destroyed or damaged a larger part of the city infrastructure .
According to the Health Ministry , 158 people were killed in the blast and more than 6,000 injured .
More than 300,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are 100,000 children .

BEIRUT, August 8. /TASS/. The situation remains calm outside the Russian embassy in Lebanon’s capital gripped on Saturday by clashes between the police and anti-government protesters, and there are no immediate reports about the injured among the Russian nationals, Vyacheslav Maksudov, the Russian embassy’s counsellor, told TASS.
"There were no immediate reports about the injured people among the Russian nationals during the demonstrations in downtown Beirut," he said. "The situation in the area outside the embassy is calm. Required security measures are in place."
On Saturday, clashes erupted between the riot police and protesters in downtown Beirut. The protesters have entered the premises of the Foreign and Economy Ministries. They are storming the Association of Lebanese Banks.
The protests were sparked by a powerful blast that on August 4 ripped through Beirut’s port and generated a shockwave, which either destroyed or damaged a larger part of the city infrastructure. According to the Health Ministry, 158 people were killed in the blast and more than 6,000 injured. More than 300,000 people have been left homeless. Among them are 100,000 children.


tass--2020-08-08--Over 230 injured in Beirut protests - Lebanese Red Cross Society

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
More than 230 people have been injured in Saturday protests in Beirut , the Lebanese Red Cross Society wrote on its Twitter account .
`` The Lebanese Red Cross has transported 63 people to nearby hospitals and has treated 175 people at the scene , '' the tweet says .
On Saturday , downtown Beirut transformed into a battlefield between the riot police and protesters , who demand the resignation of the country ’ s political leadership .
Prime Minister Hassan Diab called for an early parliamentary election , but his statement did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue escalating in Beirut .
Participants in an anti-government demonstration are storming governmental buildings , with the Environment Ministry among them .
According to Lebanon-24 channel , they are storming the Association of Lebanese Banks and the Energy Ministry .
The protests were sparked by a powerful blast that on August 4 ripped through Beirut ’ s port and generated a shockwave , which either destroyed or damaged a larger part of the city infrastructure .
According to the Health Ministry , 158 people were killed in the blast and more than 6,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been left homeless .
Among them are 100,000 children .
According to Lebanon ’ s Interior Ministry , welding work started a fire that detonated more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in the port for six years after being seized by the customs service .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. More than 230 people have been injured in Saturday protests in Beirut, the Lebanese Red Cross Society wrote on its Twitter account.
"The Lebanese Red Cross has transported 63 people to nearby hospitals and has treated 175 people at the scene," the tweet says.
On Saturday, downtown Beirut transformed into a battlefield between the riot police and protesters, who demand the resignation of the country’s political leadership. Prime Minister Hassan Diab called for an early parliamentary election, but his statement did not calm the protesters down. Tensions continue escalating in Beirut. Participants in an anti-government demonstration are storming governmental buildings, with the Environment Ministry among them. According to Lebanon-24 channel, they are storming the Association of Lebanese Banks and the Energy Ministry.
The protests were sparked by a powerful blast that on August 4 ripped through Beirut’s port and generated a shockwave, which either destroyed or damaged a larger part of the city infrastructure. According to the Health Ministry, 158 people were killed in the blast and more than 6,000 injured. More than 300,000 people have been left homeless. Among them are 100,000 children.
According to Lebanon’s Interior Ministry, welding work started a fire that detonated more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port for six years after being seized by the customs service.


tass--2020-08-08--Protesters storming governmental buildings in Beirut

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Participants in an anti-government demonstration in Beirut that transformed into mass unrest on @ @ @ @ @ , including the Environment Ministry , Lebanon ’ s Al Hadath television said .
A @ @ @ @ @ , it reported .
Earlier , the protesters entered the premises of the Foreign Ministry @ @ @ @ @ Al Jadeed television channel reported that they were storming the economy ministry .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. Participants in an anti-government demonstration in Beirut that transformed into mass unrest on Saturday are storming governmental buildings, including the Environment Ministry, Lebanon’s Al Hadath television said.
A fire erupted outside the parliament, it reported.
Earlier, the protesters entered the premises of the Foreign Ministry. The country’s Al Jadeed television channel reported that they were storming the economy ministry.


tass--2020-08-08--Impossible to assess transparency of Belarus’ election before it takes place - diplomat

SOLNECHNOGORSK /outside Moscow/ , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said she can not assess the transparency of Belarus ’ presidential election before it is actually held , adding that observers from a wide range of countries have been deployed to that country , and therefore , they should assess the electoral process .
`` I can not assess the transparency of the election before it takes place , '' Zakharova said on Saturday at a meeting with participants of a Russian youth educational forum .
`` Secondly , there is a mission of observers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to evaluate the entire process of elections . ''
The diplomat recalled that Russia has been calling on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) along with other international organizations for many years to work out a code and common criteria for assessing the transparency of electoral processes .
`` So many men , so many minds .
So many political parties , so many discontented or , on the contrary , positive assessments .
How can we speak without a clear defined criterion that this was more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-transparent at all ? ''
Zakharova added .
Zakharova pointed out that the conclusions of experts and observers should be based on general rules .
`` As a foreign ministry , we undoubtedly follow this situation and will give assessments relying on the observers ’ work .
But this will be done after the election , '' Zakharova concluded .
A presidential election will be held in Belarus on August 9 .
On August 4 , an early vote kicked off , which will last until August 8 .
Five candidates are running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Lukashenko , Co-Chairman of the Tell the Truth public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former lawmaker Anna Kanopatskaya , Belarusian activist Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and Chairman of the Belarusian Social-Democratic Party Gramada Sergei Cherechen .
Two more applicants , Valery Tsepkalo and Viktor Babariko , who is currently under arrest , were denied registration .

SOLNECHNOGORSK /outside Moscow/, August 8. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said she cannot assess the transparency of Belarus’ presidential election before it is actually held, adding that observers from a wide range of countries have been deployed to that country, and therefore, they should assess the electoral process.
"I cannot assess the transparency of the election before it takes place," Zakharova said on Saturday at a meeting with participants of a Russian youth educational forum. "Secondly, there is a mission of observers from a variety of countries whose duty is to evaluate the entire process of elections."
The diplomat recalled that Russia has been calling on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) along with other international organizations for many years to work out a code and common criteria for assessing the transparency of electoral processes.
"So many men, so many minds. So many political parties, so many discontented or, on the contrary, positive assessments. How can we speak without a clear defined criterion that this was more transparent and that was less transparent or non-transparent at all?" Zakharova added.
Zakharova pointed out that the conclusions of experts and observers should be based on general rules.
"As a foreign ministry, we undoubtedly follow this situation and will give assessments relying on the observers’ work. But this will be done after the election," Zakharova concluded.
A presidential election will be held in Belarus on August 9. On August 4, an early vote kicked off, which will last until August 8. Five candidates are running for the top post - incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, Co-Chairman of the Tell the Truth public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former lawmaker Anna Kanopatskaya, Belarusian activist Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and Chairman of the Belarusian Social-Democratic Party Gramada Sergei Cherechen. Two more applicants, Valery Tsepkalo and Viktor Babariko, who is currently under arrest, were denied registration.


tass--2020-08-08--Protesters seize Foreign Ministry building in Beirut - TV

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Protesters have entered the premises of the Foreign Ministry in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Saturday , Lebanon 's LBCI television station said .
According to the TV channel , police officers are holding negotiations with the protesters outside the building .
The protesters have burned a portrait of President Michel Aoun and declared the Foreign Ministry premises their headquarters .
On Saturday , downtown Beirut transformed into a battlefield between the riot police and protesters .
Sami Gemayel , the leader of Lebanon 's Kataeb opposition party , called for mass anti-government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cross Society , more than 120 people have been injured in the Saturday protests across the capital .
On August 4 , a powerful blast ripped through Beirut ’ s port and generated a shockwave , which either destroyed or damaged dozens of buildings .
According to the Health Ministry , 158 people were killed in the blast and more than 6,000 injured .
More than 300,000 people have been left homeless .
Among them are 100,000 children .
According to Lebanon ’ s Interior Ministry , welding work started a fire that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nitrate , stored in the port for six years after being seized by the customs service .
A two-week state of emergency is in place in Lebanon ’ s capital , which was declared a disaster-stricken city .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. Protesters have entered the premises of the Foreign Ministry in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Saturday, Lebanon's LBCI television station said.
According to the TV channel, police officers are holding negotiations with the protesters outside the building. The protesters have burned a portrait of President Michel Aoun and declared the Foreign Ministry premises their headquarters.
On Saturday, downtown Beirut transformed into a battlefield between the riot police and protesters. Sami Gemayel, the leader of Lebanon's Kataeb opposition party, called for mass anti-government protests. According to the Lebanese Red Cross Society, more than 120 people have been injured in the Saturday protests across the capital.
On August 4, a powerful blast ripped through Beirut’s port and generated a shockwave, which either destroyed or damaged dozens of buildings. According to the Health Ministry, 158 people were killed in the blast and more than 6,000 injured. More than 300,000 people have been left homeless. Among them are 100,000 children.
According to Lebanon’s Interior Ministry, welding work started a fire that detonated more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port for six years after being seized by the customs service. A two-week state of emergency is in place in Lebanon’s capital, which was declared a disaster-stricken city.


tass--2020-08-08--Beirut port explosion death toll climbs to 158 - TV

BEIRUT , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from the Beirut port explosion has risen to 158 and about 6,000 people were reported injured , the Al Arabiya television channel said on Saturday citing the Lebanese Health Ministry .
On Friday , the Health Ministry published a list of 152 casualties .
The latest reports say that among them are at least 43 Syrians , six Bangladeshis , three Filipinos , an Australian , a Pakistani and two Egyptians .
It is known that among the victims are an employee of the German embassy , the wife of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and eleven Armenians .
A spokesperson for Lebanon ’ s Health Ministry told AFP on Saturday that more than 60 people are reported missing .
The search and rescue operation is underway at the sea port of the Lebanese capital .
The rescue teams are being concentrated on the collapsed silo .
Hopes still remain that survivors could be on its ground floor .
On August 4 , a powerful blast ripped through Beirut ’ s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave , which either destroyed or damaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have been left homeless .
Among them are 100,000 children .
According to Lebanon ’ s Interior Ministry , a fire was started by welding work and caused the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , which had been stored in the port for six years after being seized by the customs service .
A two-week state of emergency is in place in Lebanon ’ s capital , which was declared a disaster-stricken city .

BEIRUT, August 8. /TASS/. The death toll from the Beirut port explosion has risen to 158 and about 6,000 people were reported injured, the Al Arabiya television channel said on Saturday citing the Lebanese Health Ministry.
On Friday, the Health Ministry published a list of 152 casualties. The latest reports say that among them are at least 43 Syrians, six Bangladeshis, three Filipinos, an Australian, a Pakistani and two Egyptians. It is known that among the victims are an employee of the German embassy, the wife of the Dutch ambassador, two Belgians, and eleven Armenians.
A spokesperson for Lebanon’s Health Ministry told AFP on Saturday that more than 60 people are reported missing.
The search and rescue operation is underway at the sea port of the Lebanese capital. The rescue teams are being concentrated on the collapsed silo. Hopes still remain that survivors could be on its ground floor.
On August 4, a powerful blast ripped through Beirut’s port located near the Lebanese naval base and generated a shockwave, which either destroyed or damaged dozens of buildings. More than 300,000 people have been left homeless. Among them are 100,000 children.
According to Lebanon’s Interior Ministry, a fire was started by welding work and caused the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which had been stored in the port for six years after being seized by the customs service. A two-week state of emergency is in place in Lebanon’s capital, which was declared a disaster-stricken city.


tass--2020-08-08--Police detain campaign manager of Belarusian presidential candidate Tikhanovskaya

MINSK , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Law enforcers have detained Maria Moroz , the campaign manager of Belarusian presidential hopeful Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , the candidate ’ s spokeswoman Anna Krasulina told TASS on Saturday .
`` As it was said during the detention , Moroz was detained to take part in an administrative process , '' Krasulina said .
`` Taking into consideration that today is a day-off , it means that Moroz will not be released until a court hearing on Monday .
Tikhanovskaya ’ s press secretary added that their campaign manager is being taken to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Krasulina , Tikhanovskaya ’ s team do not know what administrative process is meant , since no charges have been ever filed against Moroz .
`` Our headquarters is left without its head , '' Krasulina said .
No comment from the Belarusian law enforcement agencies was immediately available by TASS .
On August 7 , Nikolai Lysenkov , the campaign manager of another candidate , Sergei Cherechen , was detained by police and later , a court remanded him in custody for ten days .
Lysenkov is accused of alleged violations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass rallies .
A presidential election will be held in Belarus on August 9 .
On August 4 , an early vote kicked off , which will last until August 8 .
Five candidates are running for the top post - incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , Co-Chairman of the Tell the Truth public movement Andrei Dmitriyev , former lawmaker Anna Kanopatskaya , Belarusian activist Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and Chairman of the Belarusian Social-Democratic Party Gramada Sergei Cherechen .
Two more applicants , Valery Tsepkalo and Viktor Babariko , who is currently under arrest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been dogged by detentions of opposition politicians and activists , and also by unsanctioned protests .
The European Union and the United States voiced their concerns about the incidents and urged Minsk to hold a free election .

MINSK, August 8. /TASS/. Law enforcers have detained Maria Moroz, the campaign manager of Belarusian presidential hopeful Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the candidate’s spokeswoman Anna Krasulina told TASS on Saturday.
"As it was said during the detention, Moroz was detained to take part in an administrative process," Krasulina said. "Taking into consideration that today is a day-off, it means that Moroz will not be released until a court hearing on Monday.
Tikhanovskaya’s press secretary added that their campaign manager is being taken to the central police station in Minsk. According to Krasulina, Tikhanovskaya’s team do not know what administrative process is meant, since no charges have been ever filed against Moroz.
"Our headquarters is left without its head," Krasulina said.
No comment from the Belarusian law enforcement agencies was immediately available by TASS.
On August 7, Nikolai Lysenkov, the campaign manager of another candidate, Sergei Cherechen, was detained by police and later, a court remanded him in custody for ten days. Lysenkov is accused of alleged violations in the organization order and of staging mass rallies.
A presidential election will be held in Belarus on August 9. On August 4, an early vote kicked off, which will last until August 8. Five candidates are running for the top post - incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, Co-Chairman of the Tell the Truth public movement Andrei Dmitriyev, former lawmaker Anna Kanopatskaya, Belarusian activist Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and Chairman of the Belarusian Social-Democratic Party Gramada Sergei Cherechen. Two more applicants, Valery Tsepkalo and Viktor Babariko, who is currently under arrest, were denied registration.
The presidential race has been dogged by detentions of opposition politicians and activists, and also by unsanctioned protests. The European Union and the United States voiced their concerns about the incidents and urged Minsk to hold a free election.


tass--2020-08-08--Diplomat says detention of 33 Russians in Minsk was third country’s provocation

SOLNECHNOGORSK /outside Moscow/ , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
The detention of 33 Russian nationals was a carefully designed provocation of a third state , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday .
`` The story about 33 Russian citizens detained in Belarus has been rocking the information space for a week minimum .
It was presented as almost a Russian operation to deploy some specially trained people to destabilize our neighboring country .
And what has turned out ?
It happened to be a third country ’ s provocation as is now being established based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People have lived on that for a week .
Over a week , it was a talking point , articles were written , conclusions made , an outlook on the future shaped , '' she said .
`` How difficult it will be to give up the assertion that has been shaped in those recent days , as it is hard to admit being wrong . ''
Zakharova also noted that It is unacceptable to use the situation with Russian nationals detained in Belarus for electoral purposes .
`` Those people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is inadmissible to use these people for certain electoral purposes or interests , '' the diplomat said .
`` The main thing is that it is inadmissible to use this situation , to promote - as it has already been reiterated at all levels - that performance with participation of Russian citizens for electoral goals . ''
Citing a source with the Russian intelligence agencies , the Russian daily Komsomolskaya Pravda reported on Friday that the Russian nationals , who were detained in Belarus in late July , fell victim to a provocation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The article depicts how the Russians were recruited .
The so-called ‘ employers ’ called from virtual numbers .
In the phone calls , they used false identities and fake positons in the Russian major oil company Rosneft .
Belarus reported about the detention of 33 Russian nationals in the early hours of July 29 .
Minsk claimed they are employees of a foreign private military company .
According to latest reports , they are suspected of plotting mass unrest .
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier pointed out that Moscow did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nor did Russia know about any illegal activities that could have prompted their detention .
He said that statements that these developments were linked with the upcoming presidential elections in Belarus were mere speculations .

SOLNECHNOGORSK /outside Moscow/, August 8. /TASS/. The detention of 33 Russian nationals was a carefully designed provocation of a third state, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.
"The story about 33 Russian citizens detained in Belarus has been rocking the information space for a week minimum. It was presented as almost a Russian operation to deploy some specially trained people to destabilize our neighboring country. And what has turned out? It happened to be a third country’s provocation as is now being established based on the facts," she said.
"People have lived on that for a week. Over a week, it was a talking point, articles were written, conclusions made, an outlook on the future shaped," she said. "How difficult it will be to give up the assertion that has been shaped in those recent days, as it is hard to admit being wrong."
Zakharova also noted that It is unacceptable to use the situation with Russian nationals detained in Belarus for electoral purposes.
"Those people’s guilt has not been proved. It is inadmissible to use these people for certain electoral purposes or interests," the diplomat said.
"The main thing is that it is inadmissible to use this situation, to promote - as it has already been reiterated at all levels - that performance with participation of Russian citizens for electoral goals."
Citing a source with the Russian intelligence agencies, the Russian daily Komsomolskaya Pravda reported on Friday that the Russian nationals, who were detained in Belarus in late July, fell victim to a provocation orchestrated by the Ukrainian intelligence agencies. The article depicts how the Russians were recruited. The so-called ‘employers’ called from virtual numbers. In the phone calls, they used false identities and fake positons in the Russian major oil company Rosneft.
Belarus reported about the detention of 33 Russian nationals in the early hours of July 29. Minsk claimed they are employees of a foreign private military company. According to latest reports, they are suspected of plotting mass unrest.
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier pointed out that Moscow did not yet have compete information about the incident. Nor did Russia know about any illegal activities that could have prompted their detention. He said that statements that these developments were linked with the upcoming presidential elections in Belarus were mere speculations.


tass--2020-08-08--Russian diplomat calls US actions against TikTok an example of unfair competition

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
The United States ’ actions against the TikTok social media platform are a blatant example of unfair competition , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday .
`` We view America ’ s unreasonably tough restrictive actions against one of the biggest social networks , TikTok , as a violation of a wide range of Washington ’ s obligations to ensure free and wide dissemination of all forms of information , free choice of its sources and encouragement of cooperation in this area , '' she said .
`` The ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese company ByteDance , which owns TikTok , based on unsubstantiated accusations '' within the framework of aggressive coercion to sell that social media platform to American corporations is another egregious example of unfair competition in the struggle for dominance in the international information space . ''
The diplomat stressed that Washington ’ s actions were out of sync with the basic principles of the market economy and violated the norms of the World Trade Organization .
`` The attempt by the Washington establishment to justify such an unceremonious arm-twisting in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure national security looks especially cynical , '' Zakharova went on to say .
She called on the United States to `` reconsider its methods of struggle to maintain the monopoly of US IT giants in the international segment of social networks and bring them in line with generally accepted democratic values and international legal standards . ''
`` We expect specialized international agencies and human rights organizations to react in a proper manner and give an impartial assessment of these actions , '' the diplomat concluded .
On Thursday , US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banning any transactions with TikTok owner ByteDance and its subsidiaries and transactions involving the WeChat app with its owner , Chinese Internet giant Tencent , and its subsidiaries .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. The United States’ actions against the TikTok social media platform are a blatant example of unfair competition, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.
"We view America’s unreasonably tough restrictive actions against one of the biggest social networks, TikTok, as a violation of a wide range of Washington’s obligations to ensure free and wide dissemination of all forms of information, free choice of its sources and encouragement of cooperation in this area," she said. "The ban for American citizens to cooperate with the Chinese company ByteDance, which owns TikTok, based on unsubstantiated accusations" within the framework of aggressive coercion to sell that social media platform to American corporations is another egregious example of unfair competition in the struggle for dominance in the international information space."
The diplomat stressed that Washington’s actions were out of sync with the basic principles of the market economy and violated the norms of the World Trade Organization. "The attempt by the Washington establishment to justify such an unceremonious arm-twisting in order to absorb its Chinese competitor by the need to ensure national security looks especially cynical," Zakharova went on to say.
She called on the United States to "reconsider its methods of struggle to maintain the monopoly of US IT giants in the international segment of social networks and bring them in line with generally accepted democratic values and international legal standards." "We expect specialized international agencies and human rights organizations to react in a proper manner and give an impartial assessment of these actions," the diplomat concluded.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed two executive orders banning any transactions with TikTok owner ByteDance and its subsidiaries and transactions involving the WeChat app with its owner, Chinese Internet giant Tencent, and its subsidiaries.


tass--2020-08-08--Foreign Ministry: mending Russia-Georgia ties important for stability in South Caucasus

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
The consistent normalization of Russian-Georgian relations is an important factor of stability and security in the South Caucasus , the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday in a commentary on the 12th anniversary of the August 2008 events in the region .
`` The consistent normalization of Russian-Georgian relations is an important element of ensuring full stability and security in the South Caucasus .
Russia has always valued friendly ties with the Georgian people whom we lived with in a single country , which had different names , for more than one century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing disagreements as soon as possible , restoring and developing bilateral ties meets the long-term interests of our countries and peoples , '' the ministry stressed .
The Russian Foreign Ministry recalled the tragic events of 12 years ago .
`` Overnight into August 8 , 2008 , the government of Mikhail Saakashvili launched the so-called operation to restore constitutional order in South Ossetia , which in practice turned into a massive shelling of Tskhinval and the storming of a camp of Russian peacekeepers who were part of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s actions were a flagrant violation of international agreements on the peaceful settlement of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict that resulted in numerous casualties , including among Russian military servicemen and Russian citizens , and destruction , and , ultimately , preconditioned Russia ’ s response operation to enforce peace and Russia ’ s subsequent decision to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia . ''
The long-term negotiation mechanisms to resolve the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-South Ossetian conflicts , which ceased to exist , were replaced by the Geneva International Discussions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it pointed out .
`` The significance of the Geneva Discussions is obvious .
It is the only international forum providing direct dialogue between Georgia and Abkhazia , Georgia and South Ossetia .
The very existence of that platform has made it possible to maintain the peace negotiation process for the past twelve years without any armed standoff while maintaining relative stability on the borders of these three countries , '' the Foreign Ministry said .
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry , the main lesson of the tragic events of 2008 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force to resolve international disputes is pointless and counterproductive .
`` Especially when it comes to such a complex and sensitive issue as interethnic relations .
Any violence here leads to the most painful and sometimes irreparable consequences .
Russia ’ s efforts all these years have been aimed at restoring dialogue and full-fledged negotiation process between Georgia on the one hand and Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the other , in particular , by signing an agreement on the non-use of force between them , '' the ministry stressed .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. The consistent normalization of Russian-Georgian relations is an important factor of stability and security in the South Caucasus, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday in a commentary on the 12th anniversary of the August 2008 events in the region.
"The consistent normalization of Russian-Georgian relations is an important element of ensuring full stability and security in the South Caucasus. Russia has always valued friendly ties with the Georgian people whom we lived with in a single country, which had different names, for more than one century. We are certain that overcoming the existing disagreements as soon as possible, restoring and developing bilateral ties meets the long-term interests of our countries and peoples," the ministry stressed.
The only forum
The Russian Foreign Ministry recalled the tragic events of 12 years ago. "Overnight into August 8, 2008, the government of Mikhail Saakashvili launched the so-called operation to restore constitutional order in South Ossetia, which in practice turned into a massive shelling of Tskhinval and the storming of a camp of Russian peacekeepers who were part of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces," the ministry noted. "Georgia’s actions were a flagrant violation of international agreements on the peaceful settlement of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict that resulted in numerous casualties, including among Russian military servicemen and Russian citizens, and destruction, and, ultimately, preconditioned Russia’s response operation to enforce peace and Russia’s subsequent decision to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia."
The long-term negotiation mechanisms to resolve the Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-South Ossetian conflicts, which ceased to exist, were replaced by the Geneva International Discussions on Security and Stability in the South Caucasus, it pointed out.
"The significance of the Geneva Discussions is obvious. It is the only international forum providing direct dialogue between Georgia and Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia. The very existence of that platform has made it possible to maintain the peace negotiation process for the past twelve years without any armed standoff while maintaining relative stability on the borders of these three countries," the Foreign Ministry said.
The main lesson
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the main lesson of the tragic events of 2008 is another reminder that the use of force to resolve international disputes is pointless and counterproductive.
"Especially when it comes to such a complex and sensitive issue as interethnic relations. Any violence here leads to the most painful and sometimes irreparable consequences. Russia’s efforts all these years have been aimed at restoring dialogue and full-fledged negotiation process between Georgia on the one hand and Abkhazia and South Ossetia on the other, in particular, by signing an agreement on the non-use of force between them," the ministry stressed.


tass--2020-08-08--Putin offers condolences to India’s leadership on Kozhikode plane crash

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to Indian President Ram Nath @ @ @ @ @ Modi on the plane crash at Kozhikode airport , the Kremlin press service reported on @ @ @ @ @ my deepest condolences in connection with the tragic consequences of a passenger plane crash in @ @ @ @ @ '' the president noted .
Putin also asked to convey his words of sympathy and @ @ @ @ @ friends of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the crash @ @ @ @ @ Boeing 737 aircraft crashed while landing at Kozhikode airport in India ’ s Kerala State @ @ @ @ @ landing took place amid heavy rain , and the plane approached the airport twice due @ @ @ @ @ According to NDTV , It had 184 passengers on board , including 10 babies , @ @ @ @ @ members .
The plane was en route from Dubai ( UAE ) , performing a @ @ @ @ @ repatriation of Indian nationals stranded abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the plane crash at Kozhikode airport, the Kremlin press service reported on Saturday.
"Please accept my deepest condolences in connection with the tragic consequences of a passenger plane crash in the city of Kozhikode," the president noted.
Putin also asked to convey his words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the crash.
An Air India Express Boeing 737 aircraft crashed while landing at Kozhikode airport in India’s Kerala State on August 7. The landing took place amid heavy rain, and the plane approached the airport twice due to adverse weather conditions. According to NDTV, It had 184 passengers on board, including 10 babies, two pilots and four crew members. The plane was en route from Dubai (UAE), performing a flight under the program of repatriation of Indian nationals stranded abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic.


tass--2020-08-08--Medvedev: events in Abkhazia, South Ossetia 12 years ago "declaration of war on Russia"

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has described the events in Abkhazia and South Ossetia of 12 years ago `` when Russia responded to the criminal behavior of the then president of Georgia '' as `` essentially a declaration of war on the Russian Federation . ''
`` Russia responded to the actions of those scoundrels who issued the order to open fire on civilians ’ homes , on defenseless senior citizens and children , Russian peacekeepers who ensured peace and security , including for residents of Georgian villages , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time the Russian President , noted on his VKontakte page .
`` That was why I made a tough , but the only possible decision - to defend Abkhazia and South Ossetia , first shielding them from aggression and then , at the request of their citizens , recognizing their full independence .
Otherwise , South Caucasus would have turned into a powder keg , and that would be absolutely unacceptable for Russia , which has always favored lasting peace in neighboring countries , '' he stressed .
According to Medvedev , Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the countries bordering it . ''
`` Each of our decisions and actions stemmed from that absolutely sincere desire .
At the same time , Russia , and one has to understand that , will never allow anyone to attack our citizens , wherever it happens .
Our response will always be proportionate to the circumstances in order to ensure stability and security both in our country and the world over , '' he noted .
On August 8 , 2008 , Georgia mounted an overnight armed attack against South Ossetia .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the five-day armed clash , more than one thousand people , including 72 Russian peacekeepers , lost their lives .
On August 26 , 2008 , Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has described the events in Abkhazia and South Ossetia of 12 years ago "when Russia responded to the criminal behavior of the then president of Georgia" as "essentially a declaration of war on the Russian Federation."
"Russia responded to the actions of those scoundrels who issued the order to open fire on civilians’ homes, on defenseless senior citizens and children, Russian peacekeepers who ensured peace and security, including for residents of Georgian villages," Medvedev, who was at that time the Russian President, noted on his VKontakte page.
"That was why I made a tough, but the only possible decision - to defend Abkhazia and South Ossetia, first shielding them from aggression and then, at the request of their citizens, recognizing their full independence. Otherwise, South Caucasus would have turned into a powder keg, and that would be absolutely unacceptable for Russia, which has always favored lasting peace in neighboring countries," he stressed.
According to Medvedev, Russia has always advocated peace and stability in the countries bordering it." "Each of our decisions and actions stemmed from that absolutely sincere desire. At the same time, Russia, and one has to understand that, will never allow anyone to attack our citizens, wherever it happens. Our response will always be proportionate to the circumstances in order to ensure stability and security both in our country and the world over," he noted.
On August 8, 2008, Georgia mounted an overnight armed attack against South Ossetia. Russia intervened to protect civilians and its peacekeepers. In the five-day armed clash, more than one thousand people, including 72 Russian peacekeepers, lost their lives. On August 26, 2008, Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.


tass--2020-08-08--Another 191 COVID-19 patients complete treatment in Moscow Region

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
More than 48,100 people have recovered from COVID-19 in the Moscow Region , @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours , the regional anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on its Telegram channel @ @ @ @ @ have completed treatment for COVID-19 in the Moscow Region .
All of them were discharged @ @ @ @ @ novel coronavirus , '' the crisis center said .
A total of 48,196 coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ Region by now .
To date , 877,135 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia @ @ @ @ @ recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 14,725 fatalities nationwide .
@ @ @ @ @ set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. More than 48,100 people have recovered from COVID-19 in the Moscow Region, 191 patients completed treatment in the past 24 hours, the regional anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on its Telegram channel.
"Another 191 people have completed treatment for COVID-19 in the Moscow Region. All of them were discharged after testing negative for the novel coronavirus," the crisis center said. A total of 48,196 coronavirus patients have recovered in the Moscow Region by now.
To date, 877,135 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 683,592 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 14,725 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-08--Over 60 people missing after Beirut blast

TASS , August 8 .
More than 60 people are still missing in Beirut after the explosion that rocked its @ @ @ @ @ a health ministry official told the AFP news agency on Saturday .
`` The number @ @ @ @ @ including 25 who have not yet been identified , '' he was quoted as saying @ @ @ @ @ we have more than 60 people still missing . ''
A powerful blast rocked the @ @ @ @ @ 4 , sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave @ @ @ @ @ buildings and cars , while more than 300,000 people were left without homes .
At @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 were injured .
Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of @ @ @ @ @ ammonium nitrate , stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs service six @ @ @

TASS, August 8. More than 60 people are still missing in Beirut after the explosion that rocked its port area on Tuesday, a health ministry official told the AFP news agency on Saturday.
"The number of dead is 154, including 25 who have not yet been identified," he was quoted as saying. "In addition, we have more than 60 people still missing."
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars, while more than 300,000 people were left without homes. At least 154 people died and 5,000 were injured. Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs service six years ago.


tass--2020-08-08--Russia reports 5,212 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia grew by 5,212 in the past 24 hours , bringing the total number of infected people to 882,347 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Saturday .
According to the crisis center , the daily growth rate was 0.6 % .
Another 6,615 coronavirus patients recovered in Russia in the past 24 hours .
According to the crisis center , a total of 690,207 people ( 78 % of the total number of infected individuals ) have recovered by now .
In particular , 1,278 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Khanty-Mansi autonomous region , 292 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region , 268 in the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous region and 220 in the Irkutsk Region .
Meanwhile , Russia ’ s coronavirus fatalities grew by 129 in the past 24 hours compared to 119 deaths reported the day before .
Coronavirus deaths account for 1.68 % of all infected individuals .
Another 14 deaths were recorded in Moscow , 12 in the Arkhangelsk Region , 10 in St. Petersburg , 7 in the Sverdlovsk Region , 6 in the Rostov Region , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatalities each .
The number of fatalities did not exceed 4 in another 37 regions of Russia .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Russia grew by 5,212 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infected people to 882,347, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Saturday.
According to the crisis center, the daily growth rate was 0.6%.
Another 6,615 coronavirus patients recovered in Russia in the past 24 hours.
According to the crisis center, a total of 690,207 people (78% of the total number of infected individuals) have recovered by now.
In particular, 1,278 patients were discharged in Moscow, 344 in the Khanty-Mansi autonomous region, 292 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 268 in the Yamalo-Nenets autonomous region and 220 in the Irkutsk Region.
Meanwhile, Russia’s coronavirus fatalities grew by 129 in the past 24 hours compared to 119 deaths reported the day before. Coronavirus deaths account for 1.68% of all infected individuals.
Another 14 deaths were recorded in Moscow, 12 in the Arkhangelsk Region, 10 in St. Petersburg, 7 in the Sverdlovsk Region, 6 in the Rostov Region, while the Krasnoyarsk and Leningrad regions reported five fatalities each. The number of fatalities did not exceed 4 in another 37 regions of Russia.


tass--2020-08-08--Over 242,000 people in Russia remain under medical supervision due to COVID-19

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
More than 242,000 people in Russia remain under medical supervision due to being @ @ @ @ @ the press service of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and @ @ @ @ @ .
`` [ A total of ] 242,672 people in Russia remain under medical supervision @ @ @ @ @ said .
According to the watchdog , Russian specialists have so far conducted 30.3 million @ @ @ @ @ tests conducted in the past 24 hours .

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. More than 242,000 people in Russia remain under medical supervision due to being suspected of having COVID-19, the press service of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported on Saturday.
"[A total of] 242,672 people in Russia remain under medical supervision," the press service said.
According to the watchdog, Russian specialists have so far conducted 30.3 million coronavirus tests, with 303,000 tests conducted in the past 24 hours.


tass--2020-08-08--Another 1,278 COVID-19 patients recover in Moscow

MOSCOW , August 8 .
/TASS/ .
Another 1,278 coronavirus patients have recovered in Moscow , the total number of @ @ @ @ @ Moscow Deputy Mayor for Social Development Issues Anastasia Rakova told reporters on Saturday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ Moscow continues to grow .
Another 1,278 patients recovered in the past 24 hours after @ @ @ @ @ number of recoveries has reached 188,854 , '' she said .
According to Rakova , @ @ @ @ @ under medical supervision receive the necessary recommendations before leaving the hospital .
Those who recover @ @ @ @ @ to become blood plasma donors .
People aged between 18 and 55 who have recovered @ @ @ @ @ plasma donors , provided they don ’ t have chronic illnesses and test negative for @ @ @ @ @ C. People who have recovered can also become social volunteers and help those who are @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. Another 1,278 coronavirus patients have recovered in Moscow, the total number of recoveries has surpassed 188,800, Moscow Deputy Mayor for Social Development Issues Anastasia Rakova told reporters on Saturday.
"The number of recoveries in Moscow continues to grow. Another 1,278 patients recovered in the past 24 hours after undergoing treatment. The total number of recoveries has reached 188,854," she said.
According to Rakova, patients who need to remain under medical supervision receive the necessary recommendations before leaving the hospital.
Those who recover from the disease are offered to become blood plasma donors. People aged between 18 and 55 who have recovered from COVID-19 can become blood plasma donors, provided they don’t have chronic illnesses and test negative for HIV, Hepatitis B and C.
People who have recovered can also become social volunteers and help those who are treated at home.