tass--2020-08-05--Russia launches serial production of latest Udav army pistol

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
TsNIITochMash ( part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec ) has launched the production of the first batch of the latest 9mm Udav self-loading pistol , the Rostec press office reported on Wednesday .
`` The work on the pistol that started in March 2014 has switched to the stage of its serial production .
This indicates that the armed forces tested the firearm and gave recommendations and wishes on its improvement , which were implemented by our enterprise .
We have received an order for the first serial-produced batch , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bakov as saying .
The chief executive said he was confident that thanks to its characteristics and ergonomics , the Udav would be of interest not only to the Russian Armed Forces but also to other security and law-enforcement agencies as well as amateurs of practical shooting in Russia and abroad .
The latest pistol ’ s design incorporates original solutions that give it some advantages compared to CZ , Glock , Walther , Colt and other pistols , Rostec stressed .
`` The patented technologies include the magazine ’ s design as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which helps determine a fully-loaded magazine both visually and tactually .
Besides , the pistol ’ s equipment set includes a silencer with a replaceable heat-absorbing module and two types of rounds with the increased piercing capacity and the bullet ’ s reduced speed , '' Rostec explained .
The Udav has an effective firing range of 100 meters .
The pistol is capable of piercing individual armor vests ( including fabric vests ) and Type II helmets at a distance of up to 75 meters .
The Udav can operate within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to plus 50 degrees Celsius .
The pistol weighs just 780 g with its magazine ( without rounds ) and is 206mm long and 145mm high .
The magazine ’ s capacity is 18 9x21mm rounds .
It has a guaranteed service life of 10,000 shots .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. TsNIITochMash (part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) has launched the production of the first batch of the latest 9mm Udav self-loading pistol, the Rostec press office reported on Wednesday.
"The work on the pistol that started in March 2014 has switched to the stage of its serial production. This indicates that the armed forces tested the firearm and gave recommendations and wishes on its improvement, which were implemented by our enterprise. We have received an order for the first serial-produced batch," the Rostec press office quoted TsNIITochMash CEO Albert Bakov as saying.
The chief executive said he was confident that thanks to its characteristics and ergonomics, the Udav would be of interest not only to the Russian Armed Forces but also to other security and law-enforcement agencies as well as amateurs of practical shooting in Russia and abroad.
The latest pistol’s design incorporates original solutions that give it some advantages compared to CZ, Glock, Walther, Colt and other pistols, Rostec stressed.
"The patented technologies include the magazine’s design as an indicator of the number of rounds, which helps determine a fully-loaded magazine both visually and tactually. Besides, the pistol’s equipment set includes a silencer with a replaceable heat-absorbing module and two types of rounds with the increased piercing capacity and the bullet’s reduced speed," Rostec explained.
The Udav has an effective firing range of 100 meters. The pistol is capable of piercing individual armor vests (including fabric vests) and Type II helmets at a distance of up to 75 meters.
The Udav can operate within a temperature range of minus 50 degrees to plus 50 degrees Celsius. The pistol weighs just 780 g with its magazine (without rounds) and is 206mm long and 145mm high. The magazine’s capacity is 18 9x21mm rounds. It has a guaranteed service life of 10,000 shots.


tass--2020-08-05--Beirut governor estimates blast damage at up to $5 bln

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The damage caused by the deadly explosion in the Beirut port area on Tuesday could be estimated at $ 3 bln - $ 5 bln , Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud told LBC TV channel .
According to the Beirut governor , ten firefighters sent to the accident scene were killed .
About 300,000 could be left homeless after the blast , the Beirut governor noted .
`` About 300,000 people displaced , '' Al Arabiya news channel quoted the governor on its Twitter page .
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 .
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 the latest data , more than 100 people were killed and nearly 4,000 others were injured .
Since Wednesday , a two-week state of emergency has been in place in the Lebanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city .
The authorities announced that Wednesday would be a national day of mourning .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The damage caused by the deadly explosion in the Beirut port area on Tuesday could be estimated at $3 bln -$5 bln, Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud told LBC TV channel.
According to the Beirut governor, ten firefighters sent to the accident scene were killed.
Displaced people
About 300,000 could be left homeless after the blast, the Beirut governor noted. "About 300,000 people displaced," Al Arabiya news channel quoted the governor on its Twitter page.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district near the Lebanese Navy’s base 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. 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 2014.
According to the latest data, more than 100 people were killed and nearly 4,000 others were injured. Since Wednesday, a two-week state of emergency has been in place in the Lebanese capital, which was declared a disaster-stricken city. The authorities announced that Wednesday would be a national day of mourning.


tass--2020-08-05--Press review: Who is behind the deadly blast in Beirut and Lukashenko rails against Moscow

Izvestia : Who ’ s behind the deadly blast in Beirut Terrorists seeking to do away with former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri ahead of a verdict in a trial of the killing of his father could be behind the blasts that rocked Beirut on Tuesday .
According to another version , the cause of the tragedy lies in tensions on the border with Israel , said experts interviewed by Izvestia .
The first explosion occurred in the Lebanese capital ’ s port , where , according to preliminary reports , explosives detonated at a storage facility .
Fifteen minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place close to Hariri ’ s residence in the city center .
Reports say that hundreds were killed and up to 3,000 people suffered injuries .
Political scientist Roland Bidzhamov believes that the blasts could have been carried out in order to frame the pro-Iranian Hezbollah group as it is what both domestic and foreign players - including the US , Saudi Arabia and Israel - are interested in .
`` The situation comes amid a deep political and economic crisis in Lebanon .
In fact , the country has come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like it was in the mid-1970s , '' the expert explained .
Prime Minister Saad Hariri stepped down last fall following mass protests in Beirut and Tripoli , and the country ’ s parliament backed Hassan Diab , a compromise candidate , for prime minister .
However , once the coronavirus pandemic started to decline in mid-April , the Lebanese people took to the streets once again , protesting against economic reforms urged by the International Monetary Fund .
Meanwhile , the Al-Hadath TV channel has reported that the Israeli air force carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ port , which could have been used for storing Iranian weapons .
Israeli military expert Yakov Kedmi explained that Israel did not have a reason to carry out missile strikes on Beirut port because no benefit would come from an attack on a peaceful commercial port .
`` Beirut port 's warehouses may pose a threat only if they are involved in weapons supplies from Iran .
But even in this case , no one would have used such a method to destroy them , '' the expert emphasized .
According to Andrei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Economics ’ Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies , Lukashenko can be expected to make more anti-Russian statements in the future .
`` First , it is always handy to have an external threat because it unites people - state officials - around their leader , the president in this case .
Secondly , the Belarusian president has a monopoly on contacts with Moscow .
By raising the stakes , he is sending a signal that there is only one partner - himself - with whom talks can be held on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
In his view , Russia seeks to reshape its relations with Belarus so that they don ’ t depend on who becomes the country ’ s leader .
Uncertainty created by Lukashenko is the reason , Vedomosti writes .
Konstantin Makiyenko , an expert with the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies , points out that the arrest of such a large number of an allied country ’ s citizens on charges like these is unprecedented in international practice .
According to him , actions like these will inevitably lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two countries .
However , head of the Minsk Dialogue expert initiative Yevgeny Preigerman believes that there is no reason to talk about a discord between Russia and Belarus .
He pointed out that the Belarusian leader had reiterated strategic relations with Russia at the beginning of his address .
`` It is just an attempt to highlight the importance of this relationship and underline the issues that have emerged .
And as for the shift from brotherly ties to partnership , it is something that Lukashenko has been talking about for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protracted energy negotiations , '' the political scientist told Izvestia .
Pakistan ’ s Prime Minister Imran Khan has said in an interview with Al Jazeera that his country contributed to the easing of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia .
Although Islamabad is not the only mediator between the two regional powers , experts are confident that they are unable to build meaningful dialogue at the moment , Nezavisimaya Gazeta notes .
`` Iran tends to search for mediators to contact the countries it doesn ’ t have diplomatic relations with , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Russian International Affairs Council , pointed out .
`` There are permanent channels for communicating with the United States , which particularly include the Swiss embassy , '' he specified .
`` After Donald Trump launched the policy of maximum pressure , Iran decided that since there seemed to be little chance of an agreement with the US , it should at least try to force Saudi Arabia to settle the situation to some extent , '' Smagin added .
`` This is the reason behind the support for Houthis in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Arabia , '' the analyst said .
In his opinion , it points to Iran ’ s desire to prove that the US is unable to ensure Saudi Arabia ’ s security , and the only way to do it is to build dialogue with Iran and agree on zones of influence .
At the same time , even assuming that the two countries launch talks , Iran may put forward initiatives that will hardly satisfy Saudi Arabia , the expert noted .
`` Iran is unlikely to abandon the positions it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Smagin said .
In this regard , the expert highlighted Iran ’ s growing influence in Syria , Yemen and Iraq .
`` Yemen is probably the only area where Iran would be ready to make concessions but Saudi Arabia is not comfortable with its conditions and dialogue is unlikely to take place , though Iran keeps reiterating its willingness to settle relations , '' the expert concluded .
Izvestia : Russia plans to shift from fuel oil to LNG in the Arctic The Public Council under the Russian Ministry of Natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ministry on August 5 , calling to ban the use of fuel oil in the Arctic and shift to liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) , Izvestia writes .
The shift to LNG will eliminate the risk of fuel spills in the region , the document points out .
The May fuel spill disaster in Norilsk made it clear that it takes much money and effort to deal with the aftermath of such emergencies .
However , shifting large entities to LNG will require huge investments , experts said .
Big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active in the Arctic .
Finam analyst Alexei Kalachev explained that the refurbishment of hundreds of major containers used for the storage and transportation of fuel oil would cost between 200 and 500 bln rubles ( $ 2.7-6.8 bln ) .
Director of the Operational Risks and Sustainability Group at KPMG Russia and CIS Ivan Barsola says that it is impossible to fully abandon oil fuel in the Arctic .
There is a need to have stockpiles given the harsh climate conditions , he said .
When it comes to LNG , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to a total loss of fuel because gas quickly evaporates and , in most cases , it is impossible to promptly replenish stocks .
Liquid fuel storage facilities are a more reliable option , particularly in extreme temperature conditions .
High LNG transportation costs are another factor to take into account , VYGON Consulting consultant Artem Lebedskoi-Tambiyev added .
According to him , shifting Arctic industrial enterprises to LNG would be cost-effective only for companies that already have gas assets in the region .
The business activity index calculated by the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points to recovering retail sales .
The index plummeted in the last week of March , when nationwide restrictions were introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic , but began to recover later and returned to the early January level by the last week of July , Vedomosti writes .
That said , in July Russians made four times as many purchases as they did in late March , though significantly less compared to July 2019 .
`` The most deep-pocketed of our fellow citizens stayed home instead of travelling overseas this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support retail sales , '' Director of Higher School of Economics ’ Banking Institute Vasily Solodkov pointed out .
Retail ’ s return to last winter ’ s figures is the first sign of an economic recovery but high recovery rates are unlikely to persist , experts say .
There has been a surge in retail sales lately , Associate Professor at the Plekhanov Economics University Ekaterina Novikova noted .
`` Consumers fear that the economic situation will radically change in the fall , and , unfortunately , not for the better .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall , we are more likely to face an economic crisis in the near future , '' she added .
However , hopes of escaping a deep crisis are fueled by bankruptcy data .
According to the FinExpertiza international audit and consulting network , while the number of newly registered enterprises increased in June , there were two shut down businesses for every new one .
The rate is in line with the pre-lockdown level , analysts emphasize .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Izvestia: Who’s behind the deadly blast in Beirut Terrorists seeking to do away with former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri ahead of a verdict in a trial of the killing of his father could be behind the blasts that rocked Beirut on Tuesday. According to another version, the cause of the tragedy lies in tensions on the border with Israel, said experts interviewed by Izvestia. The first explosion occurred in the Lebanese capital’s port, where, according to preliminary reports, explosives detonated at a storage facility. Fifteen minutes later, another, much bigger blast took place close to Hariri’s residence in the city center. Reports say that hundreds were killed and up to 3,000 people suffered injuries.
Read also Death toll in Beirut explosion tops 100
Political scientist Roland Bidzhamov believes that the blasts could have been carried out in order to frame the pro-Iranian Hezbollah group as it is what both domestic and foreign players - including the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel - are interested in. "The situation comes amid a deep political and economic crisis in Lebanon. In fact, the country has come to the brink of civil war, just like it was in the mid-1970s," the expert explained. Prime Minister Saad Hariri stepped down last fall following mass protests in Beirut and Tripoli, and the country’s parliament backed Hassan Diab, a compromise candidate, for prime minister. However, once the coronavirus pandemic started to decline in mid-April, the Lebanese people took to the streets once again, protesting against economic reforms urged by the International Monetary Fund. Meanwhile, the Al-Hadath TV channel has reported that the Israeli air force carried out airstrikes on military warehouses in Beirut port, which could have been used for storing Iranian weapons. Israeli military expert Yakov Kedmi explained that Israel did not have a reason to carry out missile strikes on Beirut port because no benefit would come from an attack on a peaceful commercial port. "Beirut port's warehouses may pose a threat only if they are involved in weapons supplies from Iran. But even in this case, no one would have used such a method to destroy them," the expert emphasized. Media: Belarusian president continues blaming Russians for election meddling
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has delivered his state-of-the-nation address ahead of the August 9 presidential election, lashing out at opposition leaders and actually threatening Moscow for its policy towards Minsk. He reiterated that 33 Russian nationals, arrested on July 29 on suspicion of planning riots, had been sent to Belarus with a purpose, Vedomosti writes.
Read also Belarusian leader says another foreign unit was deployed to destabilize country
According to Andrei Skriba, a researcher at Higher School of Economics’ Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies, Lukashenko can be expected to make more anti-Russian statements in the future. "First, it is always handy to have an external threat because it unites people - state officials - around their leader, the president in this case. Secondly, the Belarusian president has a monopoly on contacts with Moscow. By raising the stakes, he is sending a signal that there is only one partner - himself - with whom talks can be held on any issue," the expert pointed out. In his view, Russia seeks to reshape its relations with Belarus so that they don’t depend on who becomes the country’s leader. Uncertainty created by Lukashenko is the reason, Vedomosti writes. Konstantin Makiyenko, an expert with the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, points out that the arrest of such a large number of an allied country’s citizens on charges like these is unprecedented in international practice. According to him, actions like these will inevitably lead to a long-lasting setback in relations between the two countries. However, head of the Minsk Dialogue expert initiative Yevgeny Preigerman believes that there is no reason to talk about a discord between Russia and Belarus. He pointed out that the Belarusian leader had reiterated strategic relations with Russia at the beginning of his address. "It is just an attempt to highlight the importance of this relationship and underline the issues that have emerged. And as for the shift from brotherly ties to partnership, it is something that Lukashenko has been talking about for years, particularly in relation to the protracted energy negotiations," the political scientist told Izvestia. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Saudi Arabia, Iran continue fighting for regional influence
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has said in an interview with Al Jazeera that his country contributed to the easing of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Although Islamabad is not the only mediator between the two regional powers, experts are confident that they are unable to build meaningful dialogue at the moment, Nezavisimaya Gazeta notes. "Iran tends to search for mediators to contact the countries it doesn’t have diplomatic relations with," Nikita Smagin, an Iran-based expert with the Russian International Affairs Council, pointed out. "There are permanent channels for communicating with the United States, which particularly include the Swiss embassy," he specified. "After Donald Trump launched the policy of maximum pressure, Iran decided that since there seemed to be little chance of an agreement with the US, it should at least try to force Saudi Arabia to settle the situation to some extent," Smagin added. "This is the reason behind the support for Houthis in Yemen, who carry out attacks on Saudi Arabia," the analyst said. In his opinion, it points to Iran’s desire to prove that the US is unable to ensure Saudi Arabia’s security, and the only way to do it is to build dialogue with Iran and agree on zones of influence. At the same time, even assuming that the two countries launch talks, Iran may put forward initiatives that will hardly satisfy Saudi Arabia, the expert noted. "Iran is unlikely to abandon the positions it has already achieved in the region," Smagin said. In this regard, the expert highlighted Iran’s growing influence in Syria, Yemen and Iraq. "Yemen is probably the only area where Iran would be ready to make concessions but Saudi Arabia is not comfortable with its conditions and dialogue is unlikely to take place, though Iran keeps reiterating its willingness to settle relations," the expert concluded. Izvestia: Russia plans to shift from fuel oil to LNG in the Arctic
Read also Shell plans to expand oil and LNG business in Russia
The Public Council under the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will submit an initiative to the ministry on August 5, calling to ban the use of fuel oil in the Arctic and shift to liquefied natural gas (LNG), Izvestia writes. The shift to LNG will eliminate the risk of fuel spills in the region, the document points out. The May fuel spill disaster in Norilsk made it clear that it takes much money and effort to deal with the aftermath of such emergencies. However, shifting large entities to LNG will require huge investments, experts said. Big mining, processing and energy enterprises are active in the Arctic. Finam analyst Alexei Kalachev explained that the refurbishment of hundreds of major containers used for the storage and transportation of fuel oil would cost between 200 and 500 bln rubles ($2.7-6.8 bln). Director of the Operational Risks and Sustainability Group at KPMG Russia and CIS Ivan Barsola says that it is impossible to fully abandon oil fuel in the Arctic. There is a need to have stockpiles given the harsh climate conditions, he said. When it comes to LNG, even the slightest damage to storage tanks will lead to a total loss of fuel because gas quickly evaporates and, in most cases, it is impossible to promptly replenish stocks. Liquid fuel storage facilities are a more reliable option, particularly in extreme temperature conditions. High LNG transportation costs are another factor to take into account, VYGON Consulting consultant Artem Lebedskoi-Tambiyev added. According to him, shifting Arctic industrial enterprises to LNG would be cost-effective only for companies that already have gas assets in the region. Vedomosti: Russians beef up their spending
Read also Russians spend more money on video games amid quarantine — retailers


tass--2020-08-05--Defense manufacturer delivers 2nd regiment set of S-400 missile systems to Russian troops

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer delivered the second regiment set of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to the Defense Ministry , the company ’ s press office reported on Wednesday .
`` The Almaz-Antey Group delivered the second regiment set of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to the Defense Ministry this year .
The handover ceremony was held at the Kapustin Yar proving ground in the Astrakhan Region , '' the press office said .
The second regiment set of S-400 air defense systems was delivered to the Defense Ministry ahead of schedule , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Novikov as saying .
Pursuant to the requirements of Russia ’ s Defense Ministry , the air defense systems were delivered to the proving ground where they tracked real air targets , the press office said .
`` Following the results of initial firings , the systems operated without a hitch and the delivery/acceptance trials passed successfully , '' the press office said .
Russia ’ s S-400 ‘ Triumf ’ ( NATO reporting name : SA-21 Growler ) is the latest long- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system that went into service in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aircraft , cruise and ballistic missiles , and can also be used against ground installations .
The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km under intensive enemy fire and jamming .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. Russia’s Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer delivered the second regiment set of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to the Defense Ministry, the company’s press office reported on Wednesday.
"The Almaz-Antey Group delivered the second regiment set of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems to the Defense Ministry this year. The handover ceremony was held at the Kapustin Yar proving ground in the Astrakhan Region," the press office said.
The second regiment set of S-400 air defense systems was delivered to the Defense Ministry ahead of schedule, the press office quoted Almaz-Antey CEO Yan Novikov as saying.
Pursuant to the requirements of Russia’s Defense Ministry, the air defense systems were delivered to the proving ground where they tracked real air targets, the press office said.
"Following the results of initial firings, the systems operated without a hitch and the delivery/acceptance trials passed successfully," the press office said.
Russia’s S-400 ‘Triumf’ (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is the latest long- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system that went into service in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and can also be used against ground installations. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km under intensive enemy fire and jamming.


tass--2020-08-05--Russian intelligence kept Safronov under surveillance since autumn 2019 — lawyer

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Russian special services kept former journalist Ivan Safronov under surveillance since September 2019 and the evidence they gathered constitutes the basis of the criminal charges against him , Safronov ’ s lawyer Ivan Pavlov told TASS .
`` The bill of indictment mentions two reports by some foreign intelligence units dated September 2019 and March 2020 , when he reportedly met with a foreign secret service agent , '' Pavlov said .
According to the lawyer , the intelligence reports say that the Czech secret service agent that had received classified materials from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in the operation of a foreign secret service , and the data collected by Safronov was passed to other foreign secret services . ''
Pavlov said he was curious why Russian special services , if they had long known about Safronov ’ s illegal activities and kept him under surveillance , detained him just recently .
`` What were they waiting for ?
The charges and the materials the defense has been allowed to study leave these questions unanswered , '' Pavlov said .
He added that the accusations against the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Safronov worked for two Russian dailies - Kommersant and Vedomosti .
In May 2020 , he was offered and took the job of an adviser to the chief of the Russian space corporation Roscosmos .
On July 7 , he was detained and charged with high treason .
Safronov pled not guilty .
The federal security service FSB says he was recruited in 2012 and in 2017 he collected and passed to his handlers information about Russia ’ s military-technical cooperation with African countries and the Russian military ’ s activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation , Safronov worked for the Czech Republic ’ s External Relations and Information Directorate .
The United States was the end recipient of the classified information .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. Russian special services kept former journalist Ivan Safronov under surveillance since September 2019 and the evidence they gathered constitutes the basis of the criminal charges against him, Safronov’s lawyer Ivan Pavlov told TASS.
"The bill of indictment mentions two reports by some foreign intelligence units dated September 2019 and March 2020, when he reportedly met with a foreign secret service agent," Pavlov said.
According to the lawyer, the intelligence reports say that the Czech secret service agent that had received classified materials from Safronov "has special training and is involved in the operation of a foreign secret service, and the data collected by Safronov was passed to other foreign secret services."
Pavlov said he was curious why Russian special services, if they had long known about Safronov’s illegal activities and kept him under surveillance, detained him just recently.
"What were they waiting for? The charges and the materials the defense has been allowed to study leave these questions unanswered," Pavlov said. He added that the accusations against the former journalist had not been specified to this day.
Safronov worked for two Russian dailies - Kommersant and Vedomosti. In May 2020, he was offered and took the job of an adviser to the chief of the Russian space corporation Roscosmos. On July 7, he was detained and charged with high treason. Safronov pled not guilty. The federal security service FSB says he was recruited in 2012 and in 2017 he collected and passed to his handlers information about Russia’s military-technical cooperation with African countries and the Russian military’s activity in the Middle East. According to the investigation, Safronov worked for the Czech Republic’s External Relations and Information Directorate. The United States was the end recipient of the classified information.


tass--2020-08-05--Brent futures add 1.6% on London’s ICE, above $45/bbl

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Brent oil futures with delivery in October 2020 gained 1.6 % to $ @ @ @ @ @ London-based ICE on Wednesday .
Brent oil price exceed $ 43 per barrel on ICE @ @ @ @ @ were above $ 45 per barrel last time on March 6 , the day before @ @ @ @ @ WTI June futures prices add 1.53 % to $ 42.35 per barrel .
The dollar @ @ @ @ @ the ruble to 73.02 rubles on the Moscow Exchange .
The euro declined by 0.3 @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. Brent oil futures with delivery in October 2020 gained 1.6% to $45.14 a barrel on the London-based ICE on Wednesday.
Brent oil price exceed $ 43 per barrel on ICE Exchange in London
Brent prices were above $45 per barrel last time on March 6, the day before the price collapse.
Meanwhile WTI June futures prices add 1.53% to $42.35 per barrel.
The dollar dropped by 0.54% against the ruble to 73.02 rubles on the Moscow Exchange. The euro declined by 0.3% to 86.46 rubles.


tass--2020-08-05--Emergency hospital to be sent to Beirut can function autonomously for one month

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Mobile hospital of the Central Search and Rescue Unit ( CENTROSPAS ) of Russia ’ s Emergencies Ministry which will be sent to Lebanon to provide aid to explosion victims is capable of working autonomously for 30 days , the Emergencies Ministry ’ s press service told TASS on Wednesday .
`` The hospital is completely autonomous and in this regime it is capable of functioning for 30 days , '' the press service said .
It can treat up to 200 outpatients a day , its in-patient facilities are designed for 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service specified that the hospital has intensive care , surgical and consultation and diagnostics units as well as ultrasound , X-ray and ECG facilities and a blood lab .
It is equipped to conduct the most complex surgeries .
If necessary , it may be parachuted to the disaster area to treat the first injuries in 40 minutes .
Additionally , the CENTROSPAS hospital is included in the top three of the global rating of the emergency medical brigades working in disaster areas drawn up by the WHO .
Its staff includes general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialists and cardiologists who used to provide medical aid in disaster zones in Russia and worldwide .
The hospital can function at a temperature range from minus 50 to plus 50 Centigrade .
The first experience of its combat use was during the war in Yugoslavia in 1999 .
Back then , the medics were performing surgeries directly under fire of the NATO planes .
Earlier , the Emergencies Ministry ’ s press service reported that on August 5 , the ministry will send to Lebanon a mobile hospital with medics and rescuers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In all , five planes will depart for Beirut carrying the mobile hospital , doctors and the CENTROSPAS rescuers .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district not far from Lebanon ’ s naval base on Tuesday , sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars , windows were smashed in many city blocks .
According to local authorities , the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customs services in 2015 .
According to the latest data , more than 100 people were killed and over 4,000 injured .
The authorities declared an official period of mourning .
A two-week state of emergency has been announced in the Lebanese capital , which was declared a disaster zone .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. Mobile hospital of the Central Search and Rescue Unit (CENTROSPAS) of Russia’s Emergencies Ministry which will be sent to Lebanon to provide aid to explosion victims is capable of working autonomously for 30 days, the Emergencies Ministry’s press service told TASS on Wednesday.
"The hospital is completely autonomous and in this regime it is capable of functioning for 30 days," the press service said. It can treat up to 200 outpatients a day, its in-patient facilities are designed for 50 patients. The ministry’s press service specified that the hospital has intensive care, surgical and consultation and diagnostics units as well as ultrasound, X-ray and ECG facilities and a blood lab. It is equipped to conduct the most complex surgeries. If necessary, it may be parachuted to the disaster area to treat the first injuries in 40 minutes.
Additionally, the CENTROSPAS hospital is included in the top three of the global rating of the emergency medical brigades working in disaster areas drawn up by the WHO. Its staff includes general practitioners, surgeons, neuropathologists, trauma specialists and cardiologists who used to provide medical aid in disaster zones in Russia and worldwide. The hospital can function at a temperature range from minus 50 to plus 50 Centigrade. The first experience of its combat use was during the war in Yugoslavia in 1999. Back then, the medics were performing surgeries directly under fire of the NATO planes.
Earlier, the Emergencies Ministry’s press service reported that on August 5, the ministry will send to Lebanon a mobile hospital with medics and rescuers to provide aid to the explosion victims. In all, five planes will depart for Beirut carrying the mobile hospital, doctors and the CENTROSPAS rescuers.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district not far from Lebanon’s naval base on Tuesday, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars, windows were smashed in many city blocks. According to local authorities, 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 2014. According to the latest data, more than 100 people were killed and over 4,000 injured. The authorities declared an official period of mourning. A two-week state of emergency has been announced in the Lebanese capital, which was declared a disaster zone.


tass--2020-08-05--Belarus to receive 1.21 mln tonnes of oil from Russia in August

MINSCK , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Russian companies confirmed requests for supplies of 1.21 mln tonnes of crude oil @ @ @ @ @ press secretary of Belneftekhim holding Alexander Tischenko told reporters on Wednesday .
`` Russian companies @ @ @ @ @ 1.21 mln tonnes of oil to Belarus in August , including 77,000 tonnes to be @ @ @ @ @ remaining volume over the oil pipeline , '' the press secretary said .
Belarusian refineries @ @ @ @ @ of oil in August , Tischenko said .
Deficient volumes will be covered by supplies @ @ @ @ @ amounting to 160,000 tonnes , he added .
The Mozyr Refinery with already completed overhaul @ @ @ @ @ of refining in August because scheduled repairs will start at a range of facilities at @ @ @ @ @ press secretary said .
Moscow and Minsk negotiated the pricing for oil supplied to Belarus @ @ @ @ @ of supplies from Russian oil majors .
Scheduled shipments restarted in April 2020 .

MINSCK, August 5. /TASS/. Russian companies confirmed requests for supplies of 1.21 mln tonnes of crude oil to Belarus in August, press secretary of Belneftekhim holding Alexander Tischenko told reporters on Wednesday.
"Russian companies confirmed requests for supply of 1.21 mln tonnes of oil to Belarus in August, including 77,000 tonnes to be shipped by rail and the remaining volume over the oil pipeline," the press secretary said.
Belarusian refineries will need 1.37 mln tonnes of oil in August, Tischenko said. Deficient volumes will be covered by supplies of Azerbaijani and US oil amounting to 160,000 tonnes, he added.
The Mozyr Refinery with already completed overhaul will account for the bulk of refining in August because scheduled repairs will start at a range of facilities at the Novopolotsk Refinery, the press secretary said.
Moscow and Minsk negotiated the pricing for oil supplied to Belarus in late March and resumption of supplies from Russian oil majors. Scheduled shipments restarted in April 2020.


tass--2020-08-05--18 injured in bridge collapse during military drills in Jewish Autonomous Region

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Bridge structures have collapsed during military drills in the Jewish Autonomous Region , @ @ @ @ @ emergency services told TASS .
`` In the Thalmann settlement in the Smidovichesky District during @ @ @ @ @ parts of a bridge have collapsed .
18 people sustained injuries , '' the source @ @ @ @ @ that all the injured were transported to a military hospital in Khabarovsk .
Currently the @ @ @ @ @ being ascertained .
According to one of the versions , safety regulations may have been @ @ @ @ @ have confirmed the information .
`` A pontoon bridge has collapsed in the Thalmann settlement @ @ @ @ @ injuries , '' representative of the Smidovichesky district administration commented for TASS on Wednesday .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. Bridge structures have collapsed during military drills in the Jewish Autonomous Region, injuring 18 people, the emergency services told TASS.
"In the Thalmann settlement in the Smidovichesky District during the drills of railway troops parts of a bridge have collapsed. 18 people sustained injuries," the source said.
The source specified that all the injured were transported to a military hospital in Khabarovsk. Currently the causes of the accident are being ascertained. According to one of the versions, safety regulations may have been violated.
The local authorities have confirmed the information. "A pontoon bridge has collapsed in the Thalmann settlement during military drills, causing injuries," representative of the Smidovichesky district administration commented for TASS on Wednesday.


tass--2020-08-05--Russia reports over 5,200 COVID-19 cases in the past day

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases recorded in Russia in the past day reached 5,204 , bringing the total caseload in the country to 866,627 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday .
According to its data , the daily growth rate was estimated at 0.6 % .
Some 687 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Moscow , 181 - in the Sverdlovsk Region , 169 - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region , 162 - in the Moscow Region and 156 - in St. Petersburg .
The lowest growth rate in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Autonomous Region ( 0 % ) , Sevastopol ( 0 % ) , the Pskov Region ( 0.1 % ) , the Karachay-Circassian Region ( 0.2 % ) and North Ossetia ( 0.2 % ) .
Currently , 185,601 people in Russia are undergoing treatment for the coronavirus .
The number of fatalities rose by 139 in the past day to 14,490 , the crisis center informed .
Of these , 18 fatalities were registered in St. Petersburg , 11 - in Moscow , seven - in the Irkutsk Region , and six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Sverdlovsk regions each .
According to the center , 1.67 % of coronavirus patients have died in the country .
The number of coronavirus patients discharged over the past 24 hours has increased by 7,555 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday .
According to the crisis center , in all , 669,026 patients have recovered .
Of these , 462 recoveries were registered in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region , 360 - in the Irkutsk Region , 354 - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area , and 303 - in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recoveries makes up 77 % of the total COVID-19 case tally in Russia .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases recorded in Russia in the past day reached 5,204, bringing the total caseload in the country to 866,627, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday.
According to its data, the daily growth rate was estimated at 0.6%.
Some 687 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Moscow, 181 - in the Sverdlovsk Region, 169 - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, 162 - in the Moscow Region and 156 - in St. Petersburg.
The lowest growth rate in the past day was registered in the Chukotka Autonomous Region (0%), Sevastopol (0%), the Pskov Region (0.1%), the Karachay-Circassian Region (0.2%) and North Ossetia (0.2%).
Currently, 185,601 people in Russia are undergoing treatment for the coronavirus.
The number of fatalities rose by 139 in the past day to 14,490, the crisis center informed. Of these, 18 fatalities were registered in St. Petersburg, 11 - in Moscow, seven - in the Irkutsk Region, and six - in the Tambov, Tula, and Sverdlovsk regions each.
According to the center, 1.67% of coronavirus patients have died in the country.
Recoveries
The number of coronavirus patients discharged over the past 24 hours has increased by 7,555, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday.
According to the crisis center, in all, 669,026 patients have recovered. Of these, 462 recoveries were registered in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, 360 - in the Irkutsk Region, 354 - in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, and 303 - in the Murmansk Region.
The total share of recoveries makes up 77% of the total COVID-19 case tally in Russia.


tass--2020-08-05--Fire after explosion in Beirut not extinguished yet

According to its data , units of the Lebanese army are guarding the port area where the explosion occurred .
@ @ @ @ @ harbor are blocked .
The rescuers continue to clear the debris since people might be @ @ @ @ @ blast rocked the Beirut seaport district not far from Lebanon ’ s naval base on @ @ @ @ @ that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged @ @ @ @ @ , windows were smashed in many city blocks .
According to local authorities , the @ @ @ @ @ detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in the port after being confiscated @ @ @ @ @ 2015 .
According to the latest data , more than 100 people were killed and @ @ @ @ @ authorities declared an official period of mourning .
A two-week state of emergency has been @ @ @ @ @ , which was declared a disaster zone .

According to its data, units of the Lebanese army are guarding the port area where the explosion occurred. All roads leading to the harbor are blocked. The rescuers continue to clear the debris since people might be trapped underneath.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district not far from Lebanon’s naval base on Tuesday, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars, windows were smashed in many city blocks. According to local authorities, 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 2014. According to the latest data, more than 100 people were killed and over 4,000 injured. The authorities declared an official period of mourning. A two-week state of emergency has been announced in the Lebanese capital, which was declared a disaster zone.


tass--2020-08-05--Hainan's clinics begin to cover insurance of oncology patients

HAIKOU , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Clinics in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Zone ( the east of Hainan ) have begun to cover patients ' expenses for many drugs used to treat cancer , the Hainan Daily reported .
According to the news outlet , this measure `` has a global scale . ''
It applies to people who pay an annual premium of 29 yuan ( about $ 4 ) and use the services of hospitals located in this special zone .
The insurance can cover the cost of drugs , the total cost of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about $ 142,000 ) .
The list of such drugs for the fight against cancer includes about 70 Chinese and foreign drugs .
`` Thus , the gap in the insurance system of Hainan was closed , '' said Gu Gang , head of the Lecheng Zone Administration .
He specified that the corresponding program is being implemented with the active support of not only the government , but also the business community , individual interested companies .
The main task is to `` improve the people 's well-being '' , `` to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island . ''
Lecheng Medical Tourism Zone with an area of 20 square km was created in 2013 .
Billions of dollars have been invested in the development of advanced infrastructure .
There are Chinese and Western medicine clinics providing world-class wellness services .
By 2025 , the authorities plan to set up modern laboratories in this part of Hainan and introduce a number of the latest technologies .

HAIKOU, August 5. /TASS/. Clinics in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Zone (the east of Hainan) have begun to cover patients' expenses for many drugs used to treat cancer, the Hainan Daily reported.
According to the news outlet, this measure "has a global scale." It applies to people who pay an annual premium of 29 yuan (about $ 4) and use the services of hospitals located in this special zone.
The insurance can cover the cost of drugs, the total cost of which does not exceed 1 million yuan (about $ 142,000). The list of such drugs for the fight against cancer includes about 70 Chinese and foreign drugs.
"Thus, the gap in the insurance system of Hainan was closed," said Gu Gang, head of the Lecheng Zone Administration. He specified that the corresponding program is being implemented with the active support of not only the government, but also the business community, individual interested companies. The main task is to "improve the people's well-being", "to form a diversified insurance system on the island."
Lecheng Medical Tourism Zone with an area of 20 square km was created in 2013. Billions of dollars have been invested in the development of advanced infrastructure. There are Chinese and Western medicine clinics providing world-class wellness services.
By 2025, the authorities plan to set up modern laboratories in this part of Hainan and introduce a number of the latest technologies.


tass--2020-08-05--Ukraine reports record high number of daily coronavirus cases

KIEV , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian doctors confirmed a record high of 1,271 new COVID-19 cases in the @ @ @ @ @ ’ s National Security and Defense Council said in a statement on Wednesday .
Over @ @ @ @ @ in Brazil in past day According to the Council , in the past day 24 @ @ @ @ @ recovered .
Most new cases were reported in the Lvov Region ( 156 ) , @ @ @ @ @ ) and the Ivano-Frankovsk Region ( 127 ) , as well as in the capital @ @ @ @ @

KIEV, August 5. /TASS/. Ukrainian doctors confirmed a record high of 1,271 new COVID-19 cases in the past day, the country’s National Security and Defense Council said in a statement on Wednesday.
Over 51,000 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Brazil in past day
According to the Council, in the past day 24 people died and 914 patients recovered.
Most new cases were reported in the Lvov Region (156), the Kharkov Region (148) and the Ivano-Frankovsk Region (127), as well as in the capital Kiev (150).


tass--2020-08-05--Cabinet lifts restrictions on visa-free entry for short trips to Russia for foreigners

Russia to resume flights to and from Switzerland on August 15 MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian government has allowed holders of service , as well as diplomatic passports , from a number of countries to enter the territory of the Russian Federation for short-term business trips visa-free , according to a respective decree published on the cabinet ’ s website on Wednesday .
`` The decree allows foreigners to enter Russia visa-free for short-term business trips .
The issue is about holders of diplomatic or service passports from the countries with which agreements on visa-free trips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ note to the decree .
The government has also reopened passenger railway service between Russia ’ s Kaliningrad and other cities .
`` Passenger railway service between Kaliningrad and other cities has been reopened for all Russian citizens , '' the note said .
Railway service was suspended on that direction on April 6 due to the threat of the coronavirus spread .
Starting July 1 trains from Moscow and St. Petersburg returned to the schedule , however only those with permanent registered domicile in the Kaliningrad Region could use them .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @

Russia to resume flights to and from Switzerland on August 15
MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The Russian government has allowed holders of service, as well as diplomatic passports, from a number of countries to enter the territory of the Russian Federation for short-term business trips visa-free, according to a respective decree published on the cabinet’s website on Wednesday.
"The decree allows foreigners to enter Russia visa-free for short-term business trips. The issue is about holders of diplomatic or service passports from the countries with which agreements on visa-free trips exist," according to an explanatory note to the decree.
The government has also reopened passenger railway service between Russia’s Kaliningrad and other cities.
"Passenger railway service between Kaliningrad and other cities has been reopened for all Russian citizens," the note said.
Railway service was suspended on that direction on April 6 due to the threat of the coronavirus spread. Starting July 1 trains from Moscow and St. Petersburg returned to the schedule, however only those with permanent registered domicile in the Kaliningrad Region could use them. Now that restriction has been removed.


tass--2020-08-05--Another 1,329 COVID-19 recoveries recorded in Moscow in past 24 hours

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The number of recoveries in Moscow after treatment for the coronavirus infection has increased by 1,329 over the past 24 hours to reach 184,969 , Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Wednesday .
`` The number of recoveries in Moscow keeps growing .
Over the past day another 1,329 patients recovered after undergoing treatment .
The total number of people who recovered from the infection has risen to 184,969 , '' she said .
According to the deputy mayor , doctors conduct special tests after treatment to confirm the absence of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all patients who need to remain under observation receive appropriate recommendations .
Moscow residents , who have recovered , have been asked to donate their plasma .
People aged 18 to 55 can become blood plasma donors , provided they do not have chronic illnesses and test negative for HIV , and Hepatitis B and C. They may also become social volunteers and help those who are being treated for the infection at home .
`` If you have recovered from the coronavirus infection and want to donate blood plasma or become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number 8 ( 495 ) 870-45-16 which works daily from 9:00 to 19:00 , '' she added .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The number of recoveries in Moscow after treatment for the coronavirus infection has increased by 1,329 over the past 24 hours to reach 184,969, Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Wednesday.
"The number of recoveries in Moscow keeps growing. Over the past day another 1,329 patients recovered after undergoing treatment. The total number of people who recovered from the infection has risen to 184,969," she said.
According to the deputy mayor, doctors conduct special tests after treatment to confirm the absence of the disease. She reiterated that upon discharge, all patients who need to remain under observation receive appropriate recommendations. Moscow residents, who have recovered, have been asked to donate their plasma.
People aged 18 to 55 can become blood plasma donors, provided they do not have chronic illnesses and test negative for HIV, and Hepatitis B and C. They may also become social volunteers and help those who are being treated for the infection at home.
"If you have recovered from the coronavirus infection and want to donate blood plasma or become a social volunteer, call the hotline number 8 (495) 870-45-16 which works daily from 9:00 to 19:00," she added.


tass--2020-08-05--246,600 people remain under observation in Russia due to COVID-19

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

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


tass--2020-08-05--Aeroflot not planning personnel cuts in the near future

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Russia 's flagship carrier Aeroflot is not planning to fire staff in the near future , CEO Vitaly Saveliev said in an interview with TASS project Top Business Officials .
`` We haven ’ t cut a single job and we have no plans to do this in the near future .
We hope that the situation will get better by the end of this year .
In fact , it is getting better already .
My hope is that the industry will recover slowly but surely , '' Saveliev said .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several anti-crisis scenarios , which suggested personnel cuts , the sales or bankruptcy of subsidiaries , but finally it decided to avoid this .
`` We drafted three scenarios , three packages of solutions I would have activated depending on the circumstances .
Precisely the way it was done in 2009 .
[ ... ] I would prefer not to disclose the details .
It ’ s our internal corporate business , but measures to be taken in case of a crisis should be kept handy .
At the very least there can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most there can be the auctioning or bankruptcy of subsidiaries for the sake of survival .
We decided to avoid this , '' he said .
The full text of the interview is available at https : //tass.com/business-officials/1185811 .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. Russia's flagship carrier Aeroflot is not planning to fire staff in the near future, CEO Vitaly Saveliev said in an interview with TASS project Top Business Officials.
"We haven’t cut a single job and we have no plans to do this in the near future. We hope that the situation will get better by the end of this year. In fact, it is getting better already. My hope is that the industry will recover slowly but surely," Saveliev said.
According to Saveliev, the company had considered several anti-crisis scenarios, which suggested personnel cuts, the sales or bankruptcy of subsidiaries, but finally it decided to avoid this.
"We drafted three scenarios, three packages of solutions I would have activated depending on the circumstances. Precisely the way it was done in 2009. [...] I would prefer not to disclose the details. It’s our internal corporate business, but measures to be taken in case of a crisis should be kept handy. At the very least there can be personnel cuts, and at the most there can be the auctioning or bankruptcy of subsidiaries for the sake of survival. We decided to avoid this," he said.
The full text of the interview is available at https://tass.com/business-officials/1185811.


tass--2020-08-05--Death toll in Beirut explosion tops 100

Death toll in Beirut explosion tops 100

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
More than 100 people were killed in the blast in Beirut , Sky News Arabia TV channel reported on Wednesday citing the Lebanese Red Cross .
According to the report , more than 4,000 people were injured .
At least 10 firefighters went missing in an effort to extinguish the fire triggered by the blast , Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud told OTV channel .
The firefighters were sent in two vehicles to the seaport district , where the blast occurred .
They were accompanied by three ambulance vehicles .
The Lebanese Civil Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beirut .
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 .
According to local authorities , 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 .
Since Wednesday , a two-week state of emergency has been in place in the Lebanese capital , which was declared a disaster-stricken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a national day of mourning .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. More than 100 people were killed in the blast in Beirut, Sky News Arabia TV channel reported on Wednesday citing the Lebanese Red Cross.
According to the report, more than 4,000 people were injured.
Earlier reports put the death toll at 78.
At least 10 firefighters went missing in an effort to extinguish the fire triggered by the blast, Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud told OTV channel.
The firefighters were sent in two vehicles to the seaport district, where the blast occurred. They were accompanied by three ambulance vehicles. The Lebanese Civil Defense personnel continue putting out the fire in Beirut.
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. According to local authorities, 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 2014. Since Wednesday, a two-week state of emergency has been in place in the Lebanese capital, which was declared a disaster-stricken city. The authorities announced that Wednesday would be a national day of mourning.


tass--2020-08-05--Over 51,000 new coronavirus cases confirmed in Brazil in past day

The ministry said in its daily bulletin that a total of 1,970,767 patients - or about 70 % of all cases - have recovered by now .
The number of active cases currently stands at 735,335 .
RIO DE JANEIRO , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Brazil surged by 51,603 in the past 24 hours to reach 2,801,921 , according to data from the country ’ s Health Ministry published late on Tuesday .
The death toll climbed by 1,154 people in the past 24 hours , to 95,819 .
There are 1,333 infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's citizens , according to the statistics .
Last week , 313,364 new cases were registered , nearly 6,300 fewer than on July 19-25 , when this figure reached a record high of 319,653 .
Before that for the first time since the start of the epidemic in the country the number of cases began to decrease .
The number of fatalities despite some decline ( 7,114 on July 26-August 1 ) over the past 10 weeks reaches nearly 1,000 per day or more .
Brazil , where the first coronavirus case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranked second after the United States for the biggest number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities .
The Health Ministry earlier predicted that the situation would stabilize by July and in August the infection spread would begin to slow .
According to the ministry , in June the country reached a plateau in the number of fatalities .

The ministry said in its daily bulletin that a total of 1,970,767 patients - or about 70% of all cases - have recovered by now. The number of active cases currently stands at 735,335.
RIO DE JANEIRO, August 5. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Brazil surged by 51,603 in the past 24 hours to reach 2,801,921, according to data from the country’s Health Ministry published late on Tuesday.
The death toll climbed by 1,154 in the past 24 hours, to 95,819.
There are 1,333 infections and 45 deaths per 100,000 of the country's citizens, according to the statistics.
Last week, 313,364 new cases were registered, nearly 6,300 fewer than on July 19-25, when this figure reached a record high of 319,653. Before that for the first time since the start of the epidemic in the country the number of cases began to decrease. The number of fatalities despite some decline (7,114 on July 26-August 1) over the past 10 weeks reaches nearly 1,000 per day or more.
Brazil, where the first coronavirus case was confirmed on February 26, is ranked second after the United States for the biggest number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities. The Health Ministry earlier predicted that the situation would stabilize by July and in August the infection spread would begin to slow. According to the ministry, in June the country reached a plateau in the number of fatalities.


tass--2020-08-05--Global coronavirus death toll tops 700,000 — Johns Hopkins University

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from the novel coronavirus reached 700,647 worldwide , according to the US-based Johns Hopkins University , which relies on data provided by international organizations , federal and local authorities .
According to the research university , the highest death toll was recorded in the United States ( more than 156,700 ) , Brazil ( over 95,800 ) and Mexico ( over 48,800 ) .
To date , more than 18.4 mln people have contracted the coronavirus worldwide .
Most cases were recorded in the US ( 4,770,273 ) .
Brazil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases ( 2,801,921 ) , followed by India ( 1,855,921 ) and Russia ( 861,423 - according to data provided by the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The death toll from the novel coronavirus reached 700,647 worldwide, according to the US-based Johns Hopkins University, which relies on data provided by international organizations, federal and local authorities.
According to the research university, the highest death toll was recorded in the United States (more than 156,700), Brazil (over 95,800) and Mexico (over 48,800).
To date, more than 18.4 mln people have contracted the coronavirus worldwide. Most cases were recorded in the US (4,770,273). Brazil is ranked second for the number of cases (2,801,921), followed by India (1,855,921) and Russia (861,423 - according to data provided by the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-08-05--Hainan's three cities to introduce mandatory waste sorting starting from October 1

HAIKOU , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The administrative center of Hainan the city of Haikou as well as the cities of Sansha and Danzhou will introduce mandatory sorting of household waste starting from October 1 , reported www.hinews.cn .
Separate waste collection will be carried out in four categories : `` recyclable waste '' , `` hazardous waste '' , `` food waste '' and `` other waste '' .
According to the news outlet , the construction of new facilities in these cities should be carried out in accordance with the requirements for waste sorting .
All the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territory of residential micro-districts , and special equipment for separate waste collection must be installed .
Earlier , the Hainan Daily reported that mandatory sorting of household waste from October 1 is also introduced in the resort city of Sanya .
In 2020 , the government of Hainan introduced separate waste collection in such cities as Haikou ( the administrative center of the region ) , Sanya , Sansha and Danzhou .
In addition , the authorities will create marine stations for environmental monitoring of water conditions , as well as build four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hainan authorities intend to build water treatment facilities in cities , villages and ports , as well as create marine sanitary zones in coastal areas to combat pollution of the oceans .
The government also intends to revive forests and plant 280 hectares of mangrove forests .
In order to combat environmental pollution and protect the ecology , the Hainan authorities intend to completely stop selling gasoline and diesel cars on the island by 2030 .
In order to do so , the government will encourage the people to buy electric vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the necessary infrastructure .

HAIKOU, August 5. /TASS/. The administrative center of Hainan the city of Haikou as well as the cities of Sansha and Danzhou will introduce mandatory sorting of household waste starting from October 1, reported www.hinews.cn.
Separate waste collection will be carried out in four categories: "recyclable waste", "hazardous waste", "food waste" and "other waste". According to the news outlet, the construction of new facilities in these cities should be carried out in accordance with the requirements for waste sorting. All the necessary conditions must be created on the territory of residential micro-districts, and special equipment for separate waste collection must be installed.
Earlier, the Hainan Daily reported that mandatory sorting of household waste from October 1 is also introduced in the resort city of Sanya.
In 2020, the government of Hainan introduced separate waste collection in such cities as Haikou (the administrative center of the region), Sanya, Sansha and Danzhou. In addition, the authorities will create marine stations for environmental monitoring of water conditions, as well as build four waste incineration plants. In 2020, the Hainan authorities intend to build water treatment facilities in cities, villages and ports, as well as create marine sanitary zones in coastal areas to combat pollution of the oceans. The government also intends to revive forests and plant 280 hectares of mangrove forests.
In order to combat environmental pollution and protect the ecology, the Hainan authorities intend to completely stop selling gasoline and diesel cars on the island by 2030. In order to do so, the government will encourage the people to buy electric vehicles and hybrids, as well as develop the necessary infrastructure.


tass--2020-08-05--Russia calls for investigation into leaks of UN reports on North Korea — deputy envoy

UNITED NATIONS , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Russia calls upon the UN Secretariat to investigate leaks of confidential expert reports about the compliance with UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea , Russia ’ s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said .
`` We regret that the confidential report of the UN experts on the DPRK is likely to be leaked to the press again and strongly condemn such practices which may have serious consequences , '' Polyansky said .
`` We call on UN to investigate every such incident and prevent them , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued by the Chinese embassy to the UN .
`` China requests the Secretariat to take this issue seriously and avoid leakage in the future , '' Chinese diplomats said in a statement .
`` China has been completely and strictly implementing DPRK-related resolutions of the Security Council , and faithfully fulfilling its international obligations . ''
Reuters reported on Tuesday , citing a confidential report of independent UN experts , that , according to certain nations North Korea continues to pursue its nuclear weapons program and probably developed nuclear devices to fit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the states that came forward with those assertions .
North Korea is currently under the strictest set of international sanctions .
The UN Security Council ’ s Resolution 2397 passed in 2017 stipulates new restrictions on supplies of crude oil .
Countries were required to expel all North Korean workers by the end of 2019 .
The restrictions came as Pyongyang continued developing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons .

UNITED NATIONS, August 5. /TASS/. Russia calls upon the UN Secretariat to investigate leaks of confidential expert reports about the compliance with UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea, Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said.
"We regret that the confidential report of the UN experts on the DPRK is likely to be leaked to the press again and strongly condemn such practices which may have serious consequences," Polyansky said.
"We call on UN to investigate every such incident and prevent them," he added.
A similar statement was issued by the Chinese embassy to the UN.
"China requests the Secretariat to take this issue seriously and avoid leakage in the future," Chinese diplomats said in a statement. "China has been completely and strictly implementing DPRK-related resolutions of the Security Council, and faithfully fulfilling its international obligations."
Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing a confidential report of independent UN experts, that, according to certain nations North Korea continues to pursue its nuclear weapons program and probably developed nuclear devices to fit ballistic missiles. Reuters did not specify the states that came forward with those assertions.
North Korea is currently under the strictest set of international sanctions. The UN Security Council’s Resolution 2397 passed in 2017 stipulates new restrictions on supplies of crude oil. Countries were required to expel all North Korean workers by the end of 2019. The restrictions came as Pyongyang continued developing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.


tass--2020-08-05--US military has no evidence of ‘attack’ in Beirut mentioned by Trump — TV

NEW YORK , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The US military has no evidence suggesting that the powerful blast in Beirut was the result of an `` attack , '' as US President Donald Trump said earlier , CNN said citing three unnamed sources in the Pentagon .
At a media briefing on Tuesday Trump described the events in Beirut as a `` terrible attack . ''
When asked by a reporter whether he was sure that the incident in Beirut was a result of an attack , the US leader replied : `` I ’ ve met with some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem to feel that it was not a - some kind of manufacturing explosion type of event .
`` `` They seem to think it was an attack .
It was a bomb of some kind , '' the US leader added .
At the same time , CNN sources in the US Department of Defense `` said they did n't know what the President was talking about . ''
One of them said that if there were indications anyone in the region pulled something off of this scale , the US would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces and property in the region .
No such instructions have been issued so far .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on Tuesday , sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars .
According to preliminary data , the blast was caused by the detonation of large amounts of ammonium nitrate , stored in the port after being confiscated from a ship in 2015 .
So far , at least 78 people are said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disaster .
Since Wednesday , a two-week state of emergency has been in place in the Lebanese capital , which has been declared a disaster-stricken city .

NEW YORK, August 5. /TASS/. The US military has no evidence suggesting that the powerful blast in Beirut was the result of an "attack," as US President Donald Trump said earlier, CNN said citing three unnamed sources in the Pentagon.
At a media briefing on Tuesday Trump described the events in Beirut as a "terrible attack." When asked by a reporter whether he was sure that the incident in Beirut was a result of an attack, the US leader replied: " I’ve met with some of our great generals and they just seem to feel that it was not a - some kind of manufacturing explosion type of event.""They seem to think it was an attack. It was a bomb of some kind," the US leader added.
At the same time, CNN sources in the US Department of Defense " said they didn't know what the President was talking about." One of them said that if there were indications anyone in the region pulled something off of this scale, the US would immediately take additional measures to protect its forces and property in the region. No such instructions have been issued so far.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district on Tuesday, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. According to preliminary data, the blast was caused by the detonation of large amounts of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated from a ship in 2015. So far, at least 78 people are said to be killed and over 4,000 injured in the disaster. Since Wednesday, a two-week state of emergency has been in place in the Lebanese capital, which has been declared a disaster-stricken city.


tass--2020-08-05--Lebanese capital struggling to recover after devastating seaport blast

BEIRUT , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Beirut plunged into darkness overnight to Wednesday , with ambulance sirens heard wailing all over the city as hundreds of people injured by a powerful blast were being rushed to overcrowded hospitals .
`` There are lots of injured , hospitals are packed .
We will use nearby hotels in the center of Beirut to accommodate patients who do not require surgery , '' Health Minister Hassan Hamad said .
In his words , the government now focuses on rescuing people and recovering dead bodies under the rubble of collapsed buildings in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet extinguished all fires in the seaport zone , and clouds of acrid smoke are still rising to the sky .
Meanwhile , road services started to clear highways , blocked by fallen debris .
The shockwave ripped through the city , smashing windows and walls and knocking down ceiling elements and lighting fixtures .
Citizens rushed outside , thinking that the capital was struck by an earthquake .
The seismic center in Jordan said the blast generated seismic waves equal to a 4.5-magnitude earthquake .
Many people received shrapnel wounds and glass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and buses were damaged by the shockwave or falling debris .
`` Nearly all Russian institutions sustained damage , including the Russian embassy in the Msaytbeh district , where doors and a facade window were blown out , '' embassy counsellor Vyacheslav Maksudov said , adding that one of the employees had to seek medical assistance .
The Russian Scientific and Cultural center on Verdun Street was `` rocked very seriously , '' Rossotrudnichestvo official Vadim Zaychikov said .
`` We had some unpleasant moments . ''
Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud compared the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hiroshima and Nagasaki .
In his words , residential buildings and officers were damaged in half of the city .
Starting from 00:00 on Wednesday , the two-week state of emergency has been in place in the Lebanese capital , which has been declared a disaster-stricken city .
A commission to investigate the explosion is to prepare its report within the next five days .
Prime Minister Hassan Diab told the Supreme Defense Council of Lebanon that all those guilty will be found and punished .
Diab also said it was inadmissible that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stored in the port for six years , without necessary precautions being taken .
According to latest reports , 78 people were killed and some 4,000 injured in the disaster .
An effort to search for victims and remove debris is now under way .
The government declared a four-day nationwide mourning .

BEIRUT, August 5. /TASS/. Beirut plunged into darkness overnight to Wednesday, with ambulance sirens heard wailing all over the city as hundreds of people injured by a powerful blast were being rushed to overcrowded hospitals.
"There are lots of injured, hospitals are packed. We will use nearby hotels in the center of Beirut to accommodate patients who do not require surgery," Health Minister Hassan Hamad said.
In his words, the government now focuses on rescuing people and recovering dead bodies under the rubble of collapsed buildings in the seaport zone.
Firefighting squads have not yet extinguished all fires in the seaport zone, and clouds of acrid smoke are still rising to the sky. Meanwhile, road services started to clear highways, blocked by fallen debris.
The shockwave ripped through the city, smashing windows and walls and knocking down ceiling elements and lighting fixtures. Citizens rushed outside, thinking that the capital was struck by an earthquake. The seismic center in Jordan said the blast generated seismic waves equal to a 4.5-magnitude earthquake.
Many people received shrapnel wounds and glass cuts. A huge number of cars and buses were damaged by the shockwave or falling debris.
"Nearly all Russian institutions sustained damage, including the Russian embassy in the Msaytbeh district, where doors and a facade window were blown out," embassy counsellor Vyacheslav Maksudov said, adding that one of the employees had to seek medical assistance.
The Russian Scientific and Cultural center on Verdun Street was "rocked very seriously," Rossotrudnichestvo official Vadim Zaychikov said. "We had some unpleasant moments."
Beirut Governor Marwan Abboud compared the blast to the 1945 nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In his words, residential buildings and officers were damaged in half of the city.
Starting from 00:00 on Wednesday, the two-week state of emergency has been in place in the Lebanese capital, which has been declared a disaster-stricken city. A commission to investigate the explosion is to prepare its report within the next five days.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab told the Supreme Defense Council of Lebanon that all those guilty will be found and punished. Diab also said it was inadmissible that 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate had been stored in the port for six years, without necessary precautions being taken.
According to latest reports, 78 people were killed and some 4,000 injured in the disaster. An effort to search for victims and remove debris is now under way. The government declared a four-day nationwide mourning.


tass--2020-08-05--London exaggerates its importance in Russia’s politics — ambassador

LONDON , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
London significantly overestimates its importance in the Russian politics by constantly accusing Moscow of meddling into the United Kingdom ’ s internal affairs , Russia ’ s UK Ambassador Andrei Kelin said in an interview with Daily Mail .
`` I feel that Britain exaggerates , very much , its place in Russian thinking .
The scope and place of Great Britain in Russian politics is not that big .
We have other problems of much larger magnitude , '' the ambassador said .
Kelin once again rejected claims that Russia somehow tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland independence referendum , the 2016 Brexit referendum and the 2019 parliamentary elections in the UK .
According to the diplomat , in all this cases Russia was not politically interested in any particular outcome .
`` For us , there is no sense to choose any side , '' he said .
`` These accusations are invented , if not to say false .
These are senseless accusations which we do not understand , '' the ambassador added .
Kelin went on to say that at present , the relations between Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frozen.
’ The UK is throwing ‘ a lot of mud ... in our direction , ’ he added , and this type of attitude `` does not provoke much of an appetite for improving dialogue or relations in Moscow .
`` .

LONDON, August 5. /TASS/. London significantly overestimates its importance in the Russian politics by constantly accusing Moscow of meddling into the United Kingdom’s internal affairs, Russia’s UK Ambassador Andrei Kelin said in an interview with Daily Mail.
"I feel that Britain exaggerates, very much, its place in Russian thinking. The scope and place of Great Britain in Russian politics is not that big. We have other problems of much larger magnitude," the ambassador said.
Kelin once again rejected claims that Russia somehow tried to affect the results of the 2014 Scotland independence referendum, the 2016 Brexit referendum and the 2019 parliamentary elections in the UK. According to the diplomat, in all this cases Russia was not politically interested in any particular outcome. "For us, there is no sense to choose any side," he said.
"These accusations are invented, if not to say false. These are senseless accusations which we do not understand," the ambassador added.
Kelin went on to say that at present, the relations between Moscow and London are ‘close to being frozen.’ The UK is throwing ‘a lot of mud... in our direction,’ he added, and this type of attitude "does not provoke much of an appetite for improving dialogue or relations in Moscow.".


tass--2020-08-05--Beirut blast leaves 48 UN employees injured — spokesman

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 48 UN workers were injured in the deadly blast that ripped through Lebanon ’ s capital Beirut , Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq told Al Jazeera .
`` As a result of the Beirut blast , 48 UN employees and 27 members of their families were injured , '' Haq said .
Earlier in the day , the Office of the UN Secretary General said the organization has been actively helping Lebanon in dealing with the aftermath of the disaster .
`` The United Nations remains committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and is actively assisting in the response to this incident , '' Haq said in a statement .
`` The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims , as well as to the people and Government of Lebanon , following the horrific explosions in Beirut today , '' the statement reads .
`` He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured , including several United Nations personnel working in Lebanon . ''
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district near the Lebanese Navy ’ s base .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildings and cars .
According to latest reports , at least 78 people died and some 4,000 were injured .
The Supreme Defense Council of Lebanon , which convened for an emergency meeting on Tuesday night , declared Beirut a disaster-stricken city .
It also declared a two-week state of emergency in the capital .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. A total of 48 UN workers were injured in the deadly blast that ripped through Lebanon’s capital Beirut, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq told Al Jazeera.
"As a result of the Beirut blast, 48 UN employees and 27 members of their families were injured," Haq said.
Earlier in the day, the Office of the UN Secretary General said the organization has been actively helping Lebanon in dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.
"The United Nations remains committed to supporting Lebanon at this difficult time, and is actively assisting in the response to this incident," Haq said in a statement.
"The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Lebanon, following the horrific explosions in Beirut today," the statement reads. "He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, including several United Nations personnel working in Lebanon."
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport district near the Lebanese Navy’s base. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. According to latest reports, at least 78 people died and some 4,000 were injured. The Supreme Defense Council of Lebanon, which convened for an emergency meeting on Tuesday night, declared Beirut a disaster-stricken city. It also declared a two-week state of emergency in the capital.


tass--2020-08-06--Russia’s Accounts Chamber expenses reach $63.14 mln in 2019

MOSCOW , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
Expenditures of the Russian Accounts Chamber in 2019 amounted to 4.6 bln rubles @ @ @ @ @ , which is 4.9 % more than was included in the federal budget , according @ @ @ @ @ Accounts Chamber .
According to the report , cash execution in 2019 amounted to 4.6 @ @ @ @ @ mln ) , or 104.9 % of the budgetary allocations approved by Federal Law N459-FZ @ @ @ @ @ , 2.89 bln rubles ( $ 39.67 mln ) fell on wages .
The department @ @ @ @ @ to 10.3 mln rubles ( $ 141,393 ) , which is 2.2-fold less than the @ @ @ @ @ unused funds amounted to 3.7 % of the allocated federal budget funds .

MOSCOW, August 6. /TASS/. Expenditures of the Russian Accounts Chamber in 2019 amounted to 4.6 bln rubles ($63.14 mln), which is 4.9% more than was included in the federal budget, according to the conclusion of the Accounts Chamber.
According to the report, cash execution in 2019 amounted to 4.6 bln rubles ($63.14 mln), or 104.9% of the budgetary allocations approved by Federal Law N459-FZ.
At the same time, 2.89 bln rubles ($39.67 mln) fell on wages. The department's revenues in 2019 amounted to 10.3 mln rubles ($141,393), which is 2.2-fold less than the forecast. The volume of unused funds amounted to 3.7% of the allocated federal budget funds.


tass--2020-08-06--US, Russia made progress at arms control talks - Pompeo

WASHINGTON , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
The United States and Russia have made progress at the arms control talks , and Washington hopes for a new meeting in the near future , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at a briefing on Wednesday .
`` In the last handful of months , we ’ ve been working diligently to get the three nations that have the largest nuclear capabilities - the United States , Russia , and China - to have a strategic dialogue about how we move forward together to decrease the risk to the world that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve made progress with the Russians .
We ’ ve had two good gatherings ; I hope we ’ ll have one before too long , '' he said .
`` And we are hopeful that the Chinese will choose to participate .
We think it ’ s in their best interest .
We know it ’ s in the best interest of the world , '' Pompeo said with confidence .
`` I hope they ’ ll participate in that .
We hope the Russians will urge them to participate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world will come to understand that it ’ s very important that those three nuclear powers with significant resources and capabilities will all come together to create a more robust , more stable strategic situation with respect to the risks not only of the use of nuclear weapons , but on their proliferation as well , '' he added .
US President Donald Trump said answering a TASS question on November 4 , 2019 , that the United States would like to make a new arms control agreement with Russia and China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump declined to answer a question whether Washington sought to extend New START ( Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ) .
On April 9 , a US Department of State official said that the US Administration was considering a possibility of extending the treaty , taking into account the current threats along with Russia ’ s readiness to renew the treaty without preconditions .
The New START Treaty will expire at the beginning of 2021 unless Moscow and Washington agree to renew it .
The Treaty between the United States of America and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( the New START Treaty ) entered into force on February 5 , 2011 .
The document stipulates that seven years after its entry into effect each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles ( ICBM ) , submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBM ) and strategic bombers , as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs , deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers , and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers , SLBM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ START Treaty will remain in force for 10 years , until February 5 , 2021 , unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms .
It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years ( that is , until 2026 ) by the parties ’ mutual consent .
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as a golden standard in the area of disarmament .

WASHINGTON, August 6. /TASS/. The United States and Russia have made progress at the arms control talks, and Washington hopes for a new meeting in the near future, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at a briefing on Wednesday.
"In the last handful of months, we’ve been working diligently to get the three nations that have the largest nuclear capabilities - the United States, Russia, and China - to have a strategic dialogue about how we move forward together to decrease the risk to the world that these massive weapons are used, and we’ve made progress with the Russians. We’ve had two good gatherings; I hope we’ll have one before too long," he said.
"And we are hopeful that the Chinese will choose to participate. We think it’s in their best interest. We know it’s in the best interest of the world," Pompeo said with confidence.
"I hope they’ll participate in that. We hope the Russians will urge them to participate in that and we hope the whole world will come to understand that it’s very important that those three nuclear powers with significant resources and capabilities will all come together to create a more robust, more stable strategic situation with respect to the risks not only of the use of nuclear weapons, but on their proliferation as well," he added.
US President Donald Trump said answering a TASS question on November 4, 2019, that the United States would like to make a new arms control agreement with Russia and China, and maybe some other countries. However, Trump declined to answer a question whether Washington sought to extend New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty). On April 9, a US Department of State official said that the US Administration was considering a possibility of extending the treaty, taking into account the current threats along with Russia’s readiness to renew the treaty without preconditions.
The New START Treaty will expire at the beginning of 2021 unless Moscow and Washington agree to renew it. The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) entered into force on February 5, 2011. The document stipulates that seven years after its entry into effect each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and strategic bombers, as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers, and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers, SLBM launchers and strategic bombers.
The New START Treaty will remain in force for 10 years, until February 5, 2021, unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years (that is, until 2026) by the parties’ mutual consent.
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as a golden standard in the area of disarmament.


tass--2020-08-06--Law enforcement to prevent riots during presidential election in Belarus - police

MINSK , August 6 .
/TASS/ .
The Belarusian law enforcement agencies will not allow chaos and will prevent unrest during the presidential race , since they are capable of confronting any lawbreakers , Belarusian Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Barsukov said in a televised interview on Belarus-1 channel on Wednesday night .
`` We will not allow chaos and will not allow riots on streets .
Believe me , we have enough capabilities and means to confront those who do not want to obey the law , '' Barsukov said .
According to Barsukov , the current presidential race was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsanctioned rallies are being held and calls against stability in the republic are being heard . ''
`` The current developments are part of political technology aimed at derailing and destabilizing the situation , '' Barsukov said warning the organizers of unsanctioned mass gatherings of their personal responsibility and called on the Belarusians to stay away from those protests .
Barsukov pointed out that provoking the law enforcement bodies to take preventive steps , the organizers are jeopardizing public security .
A presidential election will be held in Belarus on August 9 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States voiced their concerns about the incidents and urged Minsk to hold a free election .

MINSK, August 6. /TASS/. The Belarusian law enforcement agencies will not allow chaos and will prevent unrest during the presidential race, since they are capable of confronting any lawbreakers, Belarusian Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Barsukov said in a televised interview on Belarus-1 channel on Wednesday night.
"We will not allow chaos and will not allow riots on streets. Believe me, we have enough capabilities and means to confront those who do not want to obey the law," Barsukov said.
According to Barsukov, the current presidential race was ongoing amid tense conditions, since "unsanctioned rallies are being held and calls against stability in the republic are being heard."
"The current developments are part of political technology aimed at derailing and destabilizing the situation," Barsukov said warning the organizers of unsanctioned mass gatherings of their personal responsibility and called on the Belarusians to stay away from those protests.
Barsukov pointed out that provoking the law enforcement bodies to take preventive steps, the organizers are jeopardizing public security.
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.