tass--2020-08-17--Top Russian diplomat expresses solidarity with Lebanese people

MOSCOW , August 17./TASS/ .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people at a meeting @ @ @ @ @ Representative of Lebanon ’ s former Prime Minister Saad Hariri .
`` The Russian side @ @ @ @ @ people in the current difficult situation , and confirmed the fundamental stance of support for @ @ @ @ @ integrity and domestic political stability of Lebanon , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry said in @ @ @ @ @ that Bogdanov , who is Russian president ’ s special envoy for the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ discussed political , social and economic situation in Lebanon which has deteriorated following a huge @ @ @ @ @ Beirut .
`` Shaaban gave high marks to practical assistance from Russia in dealing with @ @ @ @ @ , '' the document stressed .

MOSCOW, August 17./TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people at a meeting with George Shaaban, Personal Representative of Lebanon’s former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.
"The Russian side confirmed solidarity with the Lebanese people in the current difficult situation, and confirmed the fundamental stance of support for sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and domestic political stability of Lebanon," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a report.
It said that Bogdanov, who is Putin’s special envoy for the Middle East and Africa, and Shaaban discussed political, social and economic situation in Lebanon which has deteriorated following a huge blast in the port of Beirut. "Shaaban gave high marks to practical assistance from Russia in dealing with the aftermath of this disaster," the document stressed.


tass--2020-08-17--Belarus largest oil refinery Naftan expresses distrust in leader Lukashenko

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Naftan , a major Belarusian oil refinery , has put forward a number of demands to the national authorities , including resignation of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko .
`` We demand resignation of Alexander Luakshenko from the post of president of the Republic of Belarus due to loss of trust , '' head of the product sales department Olga Britikova announced one of the demands of the works .
Moreover , she added , workers want head of the Belarusian Central Election Commission Lidia Yermoshina to step down , release of all political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end to violence and persecution of people .
At the same time , the refinery continues to operate as normal .
Naftan is one of the two oil refineries in Belarus , it is located in Novopolotsk ’ s industrial zone , Vitebsk Region .
The refinery produces various types of fuel , oils and other petrochemicals .
Belarus has been engulfed by mass protests since August 9 when the country held its presidential election , as people reject the official results of the vote , showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrest , the rallies were coupled with clashes between demonstrators and police officers .
According to the national interior ministry , more than 6,000 people were detained , while dozens of police officers and protesters were wounded .
Official results of the Central Election Commission show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko winning the election with 80.1 % of the votes , while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12 % However , Tikhanovskaya did not cede victory and rejected these results .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Naftan, a major Belarusian oil refinery, has put forward a number of demands to the national authorities, including resignation of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko.
"We demand resignation of Alexander Luakshenko from the post of president of the Republic of Belarus due to loss of trust," head of the product sales department Olga Britikova announced one of the demands of the works.
Moreover, she added, workers want head of the Belarusian Central Election Commission Lidia Yermoshina to step down, release of all political prisoners and detainees during the protests, end to violence and persecution of people.
At the same time, the refinery continues to operate as normal.
Naftan is one of the two oil refineries in Belarus, it is located in Novopolotsk’s industrial zone, Vitebsk Region. The refinery produces various types of fuel, oils and other petrochemicals.
Belarus has been engulfed by mass protests since August 9 when the country held its presidential election, as people reject the official results of the vote, showing incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko securing his reelection. In the first days of unrest, the rallies were coupled with clashes between demonstrators and police officers. According to the national interior ministry, more than 6,000 people were detained, while dozens of police officers and protesters were wounded.
Official results of the Central Election Commission show incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko winning the election with 80.1% of the votes, while his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came second with 10.12% However, Tikhanovskaya did not cede victory and rejected these results.


tass--2020-08-17--Russian scientists plan to test theory of existence of life on Venus in future missions

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Scientists plan to test Russian astrophysicist Leonid Ksanfomaliti ’ s theory about the existence of life on Venus during future missions to that planet , Lev Zeleny , director of the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Space Research Institute , told TASS on Monday .
`` We hope to test this theory during our future expeditions .
Nothing special will be needed for that - just high-quality television and tele transmission , '' he said , adding that the theory is a quite logical assumption that `` live can have absolutely different forms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Russian scientist Leonid Ksanfomaliti , who died in 2019 , analyzed photos received from Russian Venus landers Venera-9 , Venera-10 , Venera-13 , and Venera-14 to see movement of some objects and advance a hypothesis that these were living objects .
The Novosibirsk-based Institute of Catalysis of the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Department showed interest in these data .
Their experiments in conditions of extremely high temperatures and pressures , although not that high like on Venus , yielded a different self-organization of molecules , Zeleny explained .
`` What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of matter .
Venus may have archeobiotic elements different from Earth ’ s , '' he noted , adding that in future it is planned to `` conduct laboratory experiments to see what kind of organic chemistry may emerge under such extremal temperatures .
`` .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Scientists plan to test Russian astrophysicist Leonid Ksanfomaliti’s theory about the existence of life on Venus during future missions to that planet, Lev Zeleny, director of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Space Research Institute, told TASS on Monday.
"We hope to test this theory during our future expeditions. Nothing special will be needed for that - just high-quality television and tele transmission," he said, adding that the theory is a quite logical assumption that "live can have absolutely different forms in different environment."
He recalled that Russian scientist Leonid Ksanfomaliti, who died in 2019, analyzed photos received from Russian Venus landers Venera-9, Venera-10, Venera-13, and Venera-14 to see movement of some objects and advance a hypothesis that these were living objects.
The Novosibirsk-based Institute of Catalysis of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Siberian Department showed interest in these data. Their experiments in conditions of extremely high temperatures and pressures, although not that high like on Venus, yielded a different self-organization of molecules, Zeleny explained.
"What is life? It is mere self-organization of matter. Venus may have archeobiotic elements different from Earth’s," he noted, adding that in future it is planned to "conduct laboratory experiments to see what kind of organic chemistry may emerge under such extremal temperatures.".


tass--2020-08-17--Russian specialists work on mission to bring soil from Venus to the Earth, says scientist

MOSCOW , August 17./TASS/ .
Specialists from the Space Research Institute ( IKI ) at the Russian Academy of Sciences @ @ @ @ @ mission to get soil from Venus to the Earth , IKI Science Advisor Lev Zelenyi @ @ @ @ @ We are working on this .
This interesting task was set , but it is @ @ @ @ @ said .
This task can be put into practice within the framework of a new @ @ @ @ @ The science advisor suggested that attempts to bring soil to the Earth would most likely @ @ @ @ @ of next generation vehicles , not with the help of Venera-D , since a unique @ @ @ @ @ .
In mid-May , Zelenyi told TASS that a new program to explore Venus would @ @ @ @ @ dispatch of at least three scientific vehicles .
According to the scientist , the first @ @ @ @ @ the program would be Venera-D space mission , planned for the end of the 2020s @ @ @ @ @ explore Venus dates back to the USSR times .

MOSCOW, August 17./TASS/. Specialists from the Space Research Institute (IKI) at the Russian Academy of Sciences have started work on a mission to get soil from Venus to the Earth, IKI Science Advisor Lev Zelenyi told TASS on Monday
"We are working on this. This interesting task was set, but it is very difficult," Zelenyi said.
This task can be put into practice within the framework of a new program to explore Venus. The science advisor suggested that attempts to bring soil to the Earth would most likely be made with the use of next generation vehicles, not with the help of Venera-D, since a unique launch system would be required.
In mid-May, Zelenyi told TASS that a new program to explore Venus would be developed, envisaging the dispatch of at least three scientific vehicles. According to the scientist, the first expedition within the framework of the program would be Venera-D space mission, planned for the end of the 2020s. The previous program to explore Venus dates back to the USSR times.


tass--2020-08-17--Russian top manager arrested in Italy at US request returns home

ROME , August 12 .
/TASS/ .
Alexander Korshunov , business development director of the Russian United Engine Corporation ( UEC ) , who was arrested in Italy at the request of the United States has been in Russia since late July , his defense attorney Gian Domenico Caiazza told reporters Monday .
`` Korshunov returned to Moscow in late July accompanied by Russian law enforcement officers under arrest , '' the attorney informed .
Therefore , Korshunov , who is accused of espionage in the US and was arrested in Naples on August 30 last year , was extradited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian justice ministry and in accordance with the relevant request .
The US side was also seeking his extradition , Italy ’ s judiciary earlier approved their request .
Korshunov was arrested on August 30 , 2019 in Naples in accordance with an international arrest order issued by the United States .
American authorities accuse him of collusion and attempted theft of commercial secrets from an American aviation company .
Simultaneously , Russian authorities were also seeking his extradition as Korshunov is accused in his home country of embezzlement and fraud .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and earlier agreed to be extradited back home .
The Italian Cassation Court confirmed the ruling of a court of appeal on US extradition , but any such handover is carried out under the justice minister ’ s permission .
The Korshunov case revolves around the PD-14 plane engine , developed in a cooperation of the UEC companies for the MS-21 plane , utilizing a number of newest technologies and materials , including the composite ones .
The first mass-produced PD-14 engine is expected in 2020-2021 .
Besides Korshunov , an Italian national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case .
According to the US authorities , he previously held a senior office in GE Aviation and supervised business in China , Russia and Asia , before moving to Italy ’ s Aeronova , which provides consultations to Russia .
Commenting on apprehensions of Russian nationals in third countries on US requests , President Vladimir Putin called it a `` very bad practice that is probably connected to competition . ''
According to the Italian lawyers , US accuses foreign nationals of alleged crimes they conduct in third countries - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not considered to be crimes , and where no criminal prosecution has been initiated against them , creating a `` jurisdiction defect .
`` .

ROME, August 12. /TASS/. Alexander Korshunov, business development director of the Russian United Engine Corporation (UEC), who was arrested in Italy at the request of the United States has been in Russia since late July, his defense attorney Gian Domenico Caiazza told reporters Monday.
"Korshunov returned to Moscow in late July accompanied by Russian law enforcement officers under arrest," the attorney informed.
Therefore, Korshunov, who is accused of espionage in the US and was arrested in Naples on August 30 last year, was extradited to Russia under the decision of the Italian justice ministry and in accordance with the relevant request. The US side was also seeking his extradition, Italy’s judiciary earlier approved their request.
Korshunov case
Korshunov was arrested on August 30, 2019 in Naples in accordance with an international arrest order issued by the United States. American authorities accuse him of collusion and attempted theft of commercial secrets from an American aviation company. Simultaneously, Russian authorities were also seeking his extradition as Korshunov is accused in his home country of embezzlement and fraud. He was released from custody under home arrest and earlier agreed to be extradited back home. The Italian Cassation Court confirmed the ruling of a court of appeal on US extradition, but any such handover is carried out under the justice minister’s permission.
The Korshunov case revolves around the PD-14 plane engine, developed in a cooperation of the UEC companies for the MS-21 plane, utilizing a number of newest technologies and materials, including the composite ones. The first mass-produced PD-14 engine is expected in 2020-2021.
Besides Korshunov, an Italian national named Mauricio Paolo Bianchi is a defendant in the case. According to the US authorities, he previously held a senior office in GE Aviation and supervised business in China, Russia and Asia, before moving to Italy’s Aeronova, which provides consultations to Russia.
Commenting on apprehensions of Russian nationals in third countries on US requests, President Vladimir Putin called it a "very bad practice that is probably connected to competition."
According to the Italian lawyers, US accuses foreign nationals of alleged crimes they conduct in third countries - France and Italy - where they are not considered to be crimes, and where no criminal prosecution has been initiated against them, creating a "jurisdiction defect.".


tass--2020-08-17--Law enforcement officers, unidentified gunmen exchange fire in Ingushetia, says source

MAGAS , August 17./TASS/ .
Unidentified gunmen attacked a group of law enforcement officers near the settlement of Galashki in @ @ @ @ @ s North Caucasus , a source from a region ’ s law enforcement agency has @ @ @ @ @ gunfight between law enforcement officers and unidentified people occurred late on Monday in the mountain-woody @ @ @ @ @ Galashki , '' the source said without specifying officers of what precisely law enforcement agency @ @ @ @ @ `` At the moment the territory is cordoned off , '' he added .
Another @ @ @ @ @ to TASS that an exchange of shots could be heard in the area of Galashki @ @ @ @ @ reports about casualties .
TASS has no official confirmation to these reports as of yet @

MAGAS, August 17./TASS/. Unidentified gunmen attacked a group of law enforcement officers near the settlement of Galashki in Ingushetia Region, Russia’s North Caucasus, a source from a region’s law enforcement agency has told TASS.
"A gunfight between law enforcement officers and unidentified people occurred late on Monday in the mountain-woody area near the settlement of Galashki," the source said without specifying officers of what precisely law enforcement agency had come under attack. "At the moment the territory is cordoned off," he added.
Another source from emergency services confirmed to TASS that an exchange of shots could be heard in the area of Galashki.
There were no immediate reports about casualties. TASS has no official confirmation to these reports as of yet.


tass--2020-08-17--People gathering near Minsk’s detention center where blogger Tikhanovsky is kept

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Hundreds of people have gathered near a detention facility in central Minsk , @ @ @ @ @ the site .
It is believed that blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky who was denied registration as @ @ @ @ @ at this detention facility .
His wife , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , ran for Belarusian president @ @ @ @ @ people are joining .
They are coming from the rally on Minsk ’ s central @ @ @

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Hundreds of people have gathered near a detention facility in central Minsk, a TASS correspondent reported from the site.
It is believed that blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky who was denied registration as presidential candidate is being kept at this detention facility. His wife, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, ran for Belarusian president instead of him.
People are demanding his release.
More people are joining. They are coming from the rally on Minsk’s central Independence Square.


tass--2020-08-17--US military presence in Poland worsens situation near Russia’s Western borders - diplomat

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
The US increasing its military presence in Poland aggravates the situation near Russia ’ s Western borders and facilitates an escalation of tensions , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry ’ s website on Monday .
`` We would like to point out once again that increasing the US military presence in Poland does not solve any security issues , on the contrary , it aggravates the difficult situation near Russia ’ s Western borders , facilitating an escalation of tensions and increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Zakharova added that NATO ’ s claims that the military expansion is not of a significant nature is taken by the Russian side `` as an attempt to distort reality . ''
`` The implementation of the American-Polish agreement will help qualitatively strengthen the offensive capability of the US forces in Poland , '' the commentary reads .
However , this agreement was not a surprise to Russia , as it formalizes the deal reached by US President Donald Trump and Polish President Andrzej Duda back in 2019 .
Zakharova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blatantly anti-Russian nature of this documents not disguised , it is fueled by American and Polish officials .
The approved package of measures is fully in line with the recent NATO summits that have set the course for `` deterring '' Russia , creating division lines and aggravating tensions in Europe , while abandoning the joint work on the goal proclaimed in OSCE documents after the end of the Cold War - forming a common space of cooperation and trust on the continent , '' the statement says .
Zakharova reminded that these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mutual Relations , Cooperation and Security between NATO and Russia signed in 1997 , changing the security conditions in Europe .
`` The US once again demonstrates that they are ready to abandon their obligations within multilateral instruments and disregard the opinion of the majority of European states if their own interests dictate it .
This fully discredits the statements made by NATO officials claiming that this alliance is a provider of security and that it is interested in lowering tensions in Europe .
Meanwhile , the concrete offers of Russia on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia-NATO contact remain unanswered , '' the diplomat lamented .
`` We call on NATO member states to abandon their stance on confrontation with us and to return to restraint in the spirit of the Russia-NATO Founding Act .
It is also clear that the need for a substantive and honest dialogue on the issues in the sphere of European security and on recovering military contacts has been pressing for a while , '' the diplomat concluded .
Poland and the USA inked a defense cooperation deal in Warsaw on Saturday , signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak .
The signing ceremony took place at the presidential palace attended by Polish President Andrzej Duda .
In accordance with this deal , US military presence in Poland will be expanded and will acquire a permanent status .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. The US increasing its military presence in Poland aggravates the situation near Russia’s Western borders and facilitates an escalation of tensions, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website on Monday.
"We would like to point out once again that increasing the US military presence in Poland does not solve any security issues, on the contrary, it aggravates the difficult situation near Russia’s Western borders, facilitating an escalation of tensions and increasing the risk of inadvertent incidents," she said.
Zakharova added that NATO’s claims that the military expansion is not of a significant nature is taken by the Russian side "as an attempt to distort reality." "The implementation of the American-Polish agreement will help qualitatively strengthen the offensive capability of the US forces in Poland," the commentary reads.
However, this agreement was not a surprise to Russia, as it formalizes the deal reached by US President Donald Trump and Polish President Andrzej Duda back in 2019. Zakharova noted that "not only is the blatantly anti-Russian nature of this documents not disguised, it is fueled by American and Polish officials. The approved package of measures is fully in line with the recent NATO summits that have set the course for "deterring" Russia, creating division lines and aggravating tensions in Europe, while abandoning the joint work on the goal proclaimed in OSCE documents after the end of the Cold War - forming a common space of cooperation and trust on the continent," the statement says.
Zakharova reminded that these US plans contradict the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security between NATO and Russia signed in 1997, changing the security conditions in Europe. "The US once again demonstrates that they are ready to abandon their obligations within multilateral instruments and disregard the opinion of the majority of European states if their own interests dictate it. This fully discredits the statements made by NATO officials claiming that this alliance is a provider of security and that it is interested in lowering tensions in Europe. Meanwhile, the concrete offers of Russia on how to achieve de-escalation in the area of Russia-NATO contact remain unanswered," the diplomat lamented.
"We call on NATO member states to abandon their stance on confrontation with us and to return to restraint in the spirit of the Russia-NATO Founding Act. It is also clear that the need for a substantive and honest dialogue on the issues in the sphere of European security and on recovering military contacts has been pressing for a while," the diplomat concluded.
Poland and the USA inked a defense cooperation deal in Warsaw on Saturday, signed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak. The signing ceremony took place at the presidential palace attended by Polish President Andrzej Duda. In accordance with this deal, US military presence in Poland will be expanded and will acquire a permanent status.


tass--2020-08-17--About 100 people gather in front of Belarus Embassy in Moscow

MOSCOW , August 17./TASS/.About 100 people have got to the Embassy of Belarus in Moscow to protest over the results of the recent presidential election , TASS reports .
Protesters have been coming to the diplomatic mission for already nine days .
Presently , the action is not as numerous as in the past few days , with about 100 people taking part .
They have lined up in a chain on the sidewalk of Maroseika Street , carrying flowers , banners and white ribbons .
Few police officers are on duty at the embassy .
They don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent passers-by from stopping for a long while on the sidewalk which they did in the previous days .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public .
Rallies continued for several days .
As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .

MOSCOW, August 17./TASS/.About 100 people have got to the Embassy of Belarus in Moscow to protest over the results of the recent presidential election, TASS reports.
Protesters have been coming to the diplomatic mission for already nine days. Presently, the action is not as numerous as in the past few days, with about 100 people taking part. They have lined up in a chain on the sidewalk of Maroseika Street, carrying flowers, banners and white ribbons.
Few police officers are on duty at the embassy. They don’t nab anyone, and don’t prevent passers-by from stopping for a long while on the sidewalk which they did in the previous days.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. Rallies continued for several days. As a result, several thousand people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured.


tass--2020-08-17--Russian deputy defense minister, Myanmar chief of General Staff discuss cooperation

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin met with visiting Chief of the General @ @ @ @ @ Armed Forces General Mya Tun Oo to discuss military cooperation between the two countries , @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
`` The sides highly assesses the dynamically developing mutually beneficial relations in @ @ @ @ @ the countries ’ plans to make maximally efficient use of the existing potential to expand @ @ @ @ @ in the spirit of strategic partnership , '' the ministry said .
General Mya Tun @ @ @ @ @ take part in the ceremony of opening the 2020 International Army Games and the Army-2020 @ @ @ @ @ which is to be held in the Patriot exhibition center near Moscow from August 23 @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin met with visiting Chief of the General Staff of Myanmar’s Armed Forces General Mya Tun Oo to discuss military cooperation between the two countries, the Russian defense ministry said on Monday.
"The sides highly assesses the dynamically developing mutually beneficial relations in the military sphere and reiterated the countries’ plans to make maximally efficient use of the existing potential to expand military and military technical cooperation in the spirit of strategic partnership," the ministry said.
General Mya Tun Oo arrived in Moscow to take part in the ceremony of opening the 2020 International Army Games and the Army-2020 international military technical forum, which is to be held in the Patriot exhibition center near Moscow from August 23 through 29.


tass--2020-08-17--Belarus health ministry to look into reports about ambulances used by crack police

MINSK , August 17./TASS/ .
Acting Minister of Healthcare of Belarus Vladimir Karanik said on Monday that he would look into reports about ambulance cars used to bring in crack police when protests were being dispersed on August 9-11 .
`` I know nothing about the episodes in which crack police would use ambulance cars .
This could be military medics .
We will get back to this issue and will look into it , '' the minister said at a meeting with medics who had joined protests against the election results .
During clashes with the police on August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ambulance cars were used to convey crack police officers to beef up police forces .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.12 % of votes .
However , she did not recognize the results of the voting .
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exit poll results were made public .
Rallies continued for several days .
As a result , several thousands of people were detained , dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .

MINSK, August 17./TASS/. Acting Minister of Healthcare of Belarus Vladimir Karanik said on Monday that he would look into reports about ambulance cars used to bring in crack police when protests were being dispersed on August 9-11.
"I know nothing about the episodes in which crack police would use ambulance cars. This could be military medics. We will get back to this issue and will look into it," the minister said at a meeting with medics who had joined protests against the election results.
During clashes with the police on August 9-11, participants in the protests maintained that ambulance cars were used to convey crack police officers to beef up police forces.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.12% of votes. However, she did not recognize the results of the voting.
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. Rallies continued for several days. As a result, several thousands of people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured.


tass--2020-08-17--Belarusian opposition reveals makeup of Coordination Council for power transfer

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Belarusian opposition has published Monday the preliminary composition of the so-called Coordination @ @ @ @ @ , Olga Kovalkova , authorized representative of former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , presented it @ @ @ @ @ The list currently contains 36 names , including author and Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich @ @ @ @ @ rights center Ales Belyatsky , representatives of election campaign staff of Tikhanovskaya and Viktor Babariko @ @ @ @ @ businessmen and public figures of Belarus .
According to Kovalkova , the list is not @ @ @ @ @ expanded .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. The Belarusian opposition has published Monday the preliminary composition of the so-called Coordination Council for transfer of power, Olga Kovalkova, authorized representative of former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, presented it on her Facebook page.
The list currently contains 36 names, including author and Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich, chair of Vesna human rights center Ales Belyatsky, representatives of election campaign staff of Tikhanovskaya and Viktor Babariko as well as reporters, businessmen and public figures of Belarus. According to Kovalkova, the list is not finalized, it will be expanded.


tass--2020-08-17--Belaruskali miners join protests, collect signatures to go on full-scale strike

SOLIGORSK /Minsk region/ , August 17./TASS/ .
Miners of Belaruskali potash producer flocked to the central square of Soligorsk late on Monday , announcing preparations for a full-scale strike .
About 200 workers are taking part in the rally , TASS reports .
City ’ s residents can also be seen in the central square .
Miners say that they are already partially on strike , and have partially suspended work in mines .
Activists from the strike committee are collecting signatures in order to officially notify the management of Belaruskali about the launch of a full-scale strike .
Belarus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.12 % of vote .
However , she did not recognize the results of the voting .
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public .
Rallies continued for several days .
As a result , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .

SOLIGORSK /Minsk region/, August 17./TASS/. Miners of Belaruskali potash producer flocked to the central square of Soligorsk late on Monday, announcing preparations for a full-scale strike.
About 200 workers are taking part in the rally, TASS reports. City’s residents can also be seen in the central square. Miners say that they are already partially on strike, and have partially suspended work in mines. Activists from the strike committee are collecting signatures in order to officially notify the management of Belaruskali about the launch of a full-scale strike.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.12% of vote. However, she did not recognize the results of the voting.
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. Rallies continued for several days. As a result, several thousand people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured.


tass--2020-08-17--Russian gunmaker creates assault rifle chambered for NATO’s 5.56mm rounds

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Kalashnikov Group ( part of the state tech corporation Rostec ) has developed a version of the AK-12 assault rifle chambered for NATO ’ s 5.56mm rounds , the Kalashnikov Group said on its Instagram on Monday .
`` The experimental AK-19 assault rifle .
The cartridge used is the NATO 5.56 .
The barrel length - 415mm .
The twist rate - 178mm .
The weight - 3,350 g , '' the Kalashnikov Group said on its Instagram .
The new assault rifle has received a lightweight telescopic-type buttstock with improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flash suppressor that allows quickly installing a silencer .
The new assault rifle will be demonstrated to the public in the Kalashnikov Group ’ s demonstration center at the Patriot Park during the Army-2020 international arms show that will run on August 23-29 .
The work to create new versions of small arms for various calibers based on proven platforms is a world trend .
In August 2018 , the Kalashnikov gunmaker presented a new AK-308 assault rifle derived from the AK-103 gun and chambered for the 7.62x51mm cartridge , which is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a 20-round magazine .
It weighs 4.3 kg with the empty magazine and its overall length is 880-940mm .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. The Kalashnikov Group (part of the state tech corporation Rostec) has developed a version of the AK-12 assault rifle chambered for NATO’s 5.56mm rounds, the Kalashnikov Group said on its Instagram on Monday.
"The experimental AK-19 assault rifle. The cartridge used is the NATO 5.56. The barrel length - 415mm. The twist rate - 178mm. The weight - 3,350 g," the Kalashnikov Group said on its Instagram.
The new assault rifle has received a lightweight telescopic-type buttstock with improved ergonomics, a new sight and slotted flash suppressor that allows quickly installing a silencer.
The new assault rifle will be demonstrated to the public in the Kalashnikov Group’s demonstration center at the Patriot Park during the Army-2020 international arms show that will run on August 23-29.
The work to create new versions of small arms for various calibers based on proven platforms is a world trend. In August 2018, the Kalashnikov gunmaker presented a new AK-308 assault rifle derived from the AK-103 gun and chambered for the 7.62x51mm cartridge, which is the NATO standard rifle caliber. The AK-308 has a 20-round magazine. It weighs 4.3 kg with the empty magazine and its overall length is 880-940mm.


tass--2020-08-17--Several hundred protesters gather near Belarus’ health ministry building

`` We have come here to demand the health ministry ’ s administration finally say what it thinks about violence that was used after the elections , '' one of the protesting doctors told TASS .
`` Our minister has not even admitted that hospitals received people with horrible injuries . ''
MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Several hundred people , including medics , gathered near the building of the Belarusian health ministry on Monday to protest against the position taken by the ministry ’ s administration on the developments in the country .
Belarus may hold new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko says According to a TASS correspondent , people continue to come .
Addressing the protesters , one of the doctors called on her colleague not to be afraid of law enforcers .
`` They are afraid of us now , '' she said .
Another doctor demonstrated photos of people beaten up during protests and in detention facilities .
`` I don ’ t want such things to happen again , '' he stressed .
The protesting medics demand access to detention facilities to examine those kept there after protest actions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991 .
According to the final results of Sunday ’ s voting , the incumbent president , Alexander Lukashenko , won 80.1 % of the vote .
His closest rival , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , scored 10.12 % of votes .
However , she did not recognize the results of the voting .
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public .
Rallies have continued ever since .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were detained , dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured .

"We have come here to demand the health ministry’s administration finally say what it thinks about violence that was used after the elections," one of the protesting doctors told TASS. "Our minister has not even admitted that hospitals received people with horrible injuries."
MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Several hundred people, including medics, gathered near the building of the Belarusian health ministry on Monday to protest against the position taken by the ministry’s administration on the developments in the country.
Belarus may hold new elections if new constitution is adopted, Lukashenko says
According to a TASS correspondent, people continue to come.
Addressing the protesters, one of the doctors called on her colleague not to be afraid of law enforcers. "They are afraid of us now," she said.
Another doctor demonstrated photos of people beaten up during protests and in detention facilities. "I don’t want such things to happen again," he stressed.
The protesting medics demand access to detention facilities to examine those kept there after protest actions.
On August 9, Belarus held its sixth presidential election since declaring independence in 1991. According to the final results of Sunday’s voting, the incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.1% of the vote. His closest rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, scored 10.12% of votes. However, she did not recognize the results of the voting.
Mass protests and clashes with police took place in Minsk and other Belarusian cities on Sunday night into Monday morning after exit poll results were made public. Rallies have continued ever since. As a result, several thousands of people were detained, dozens of law enforcers and demonstrators were injured.


tass--2020-08-17--Belarus may hold new elections if new constitution is adopted, Lukashenko says

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
New elections may take place in Belarus if a new constitution is adopted @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s President Alexander Lukashenko said on Belarus-24 on Monday .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ constitution , '' he pointed out .
`` You need to approve it at a @ @ @ @ @ , we adopted the country ’ s constitution through a referendum .
And if you @ @ @ @ @ and local elections may be held in accordance with the new constitution , '' Lukashenko @ @

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. New elections may take place in Belarus if a new constitution is adopted through a nationwide referendum, the country’s President Alexander Lukashenko said on Belarus-24 on Monday.
"We need to adopt a new constitution," he pointed out. "You need to approve it at a referendum because in the past, we adopted the country’s constitution through a referendum. And if you wish, parliamentary, presidential and local elections may be held in accordance with the new constitution," Lukashenko added.


tass--2020-08-17--Belarusian hospitals treating 158 injured in clashes with police

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
In Belarus , 158 people who were injured in clashes between protesters and @ @ @ @ @ , acting Health Minister Vladimir Karanik told reporters Friday .
`` There are 158 people @ @ @ @ @ he said .
The acting health minister clarified that three patients have severe injuries .
@ @ @ @ @ stable and not critical condition , '' he added .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. In Belarus, 158 people who were injured in clashes between protesters and the police remain in hospitals, acting Health Minister Vladimir Karanik told reporters Friday.
"There are 158 people in hospitals now," he said.
The acting health minister clarified that three patients have severe injuries. "The others are in stable and not critical condition," he added.


tass--2020-08-17--Scientists join expedition to study polar bears on Novaya Zemlya

TASS , August 17 .
Scientists of the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution will study polar bears on the Cape Zhelaniya , the Severny Island of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago .
According to director of the Russian Arctic National Park , Alexander Kirilov , the expedition on board the Ivan Petrov vessel left Arkhangelsk on Friday .
The scientists will work on the archipelago for about three weeks , he added .
`` The group will work on the Cape Zhelaniya , where the national park has a base , for about three weeks , '' the national park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be important studies .
Scientists will take samples of pollutants and will tag animals with satellite transmitters ’ collars . ''
In late summer , polar bears head for the Novaya Zemlya ’ s northern part , where they will remain until the ice is thick enough for them .
`` The Cape Zhelaniya is a point , where polar bears wait for winter and ice , '' the scientist continued .
`` They wait for the time , when they can walk on ice and hunt seals off it .
Presently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part near the Cape Zhelaniya . ''
The polar bears , living on Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya , belong to the Kara-Barents population .
Previous studies on the Cape Zhelaniya were organized in 2011 and 214 .
Usually , studies in spring are organized on the Alexandra Land Island , where the animals have dens .
In 2020 , scientists could not tag animals due to the coronavirus pandemic .
It is complicated to quote the number of those predators in the region , the national park ’ s expert Ivan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimations quoted the Kara-Barents population at about 2,500 bears .
But that estimation was very rough , '' he said , adding about 22-31 thousand polar bears live in the Arctic .
The Russian Arctic zone is the home for about a third part of that number .
Scientists install collars only on females , as males ’ necks are wider than heads and collars fall off the animals , the Severtsov Institute ’ s expert Ilya Mordvintsev told TASS .
The transmitter traces animals , which may cover very big distances or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long time .
In order to install transmitters , scientists inject animals .
They also take samples of hair and blood .
`` We shall take samples to analyze their health and possible pollutants , '' the expert said .
`` Those would be tests to see heavy metals , PCB , pesticides , as well as items on the list of what Arctic animals may accumulate from the environment . ''
Polar bears are at the top of the food chain , and pollutants accumulate in their bodies .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means that concentrations of chemicals at each stage of the food chain increase , because the amount of food consumed by a body exceeds its own weight , while chemicals are not completely removed from the body .
The expedition members will also study walruses in the Barents Sea .
`` The group on walruses will work at first on the Oranskiye Islands , north of Novaya Zemlya , and later on it will go to Franz Josef Land , where rookeries have been registered earlier .
Scientists will also take samples , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to follow up the animals , '' Mordvintsev said .
In August , with support of the World Wide Fund for Nature ( WWF Russia ) , scientists will install 15 photo traps to watch Atlantic walruses on Franz Josef Land , and the Severtsov Institute will install additionally photo recorders on a few islands with rookeries .
Atlantic walruses , like polar bears , are on Russia ’ s Red Data Book .
They are indicator species , and their conditions reflect changes in the environment .
According to Kirillov , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection of those animals .
Both walruses and polar bears are sensitive to the changing climate in the Arctic , especially to the shrinking ice and to the ocean ’ s pollution .
Besides , the increasing numbers of ships along the Northern Sea Route will also affect the animals .
Similar studies in the Kara and Laptev Seas are due in 2021 , Mordvintsev said .
`` There lives a separate population of walruses and a separate population of polar bears , and the expedition will be very interesting , as animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Walruses , living in the Laptev Sea , are also on Russia ’ s Red Data Book .
Scientists do not have sufficient information on them or on Atlantic walruses even to estimate their populations .
The expedition on board the Ivan Petrov will return to Arkhangelsk in mid-October .
The Russian Arctic National Park is Russia ’ s northernmost and biggest nature reserve , which takes the area of 8.8 million hectares .
It was organized on June 15 , 2009 .
The Park includes a northern part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the entire Franz Josef Land Archipelago .
On Franz Josef Land , the park has the Omega year-round base on the Alexandra Land and a seasonal base on the Hooker Island .

TASS, August 17. Scientists of the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution will study polar bears on the Cape Zhelaniya, the Severny Island of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. According to director of the Russian Arctic National Park, Alexander Kirilov, the expedition on board the Ivan Petrov vessel left Arkhangelsk on Friday. The scientists will work on the archipelago for about three weeks, he added.
"The group will work on the Cape Zhelaniya, where the national park has a base, for about three weeks," the national park’s director said. "Those will be important studies. Scientists will take samples of pollutants and will tag animals with satellite transmitters’ collars."
In late summer, polar bears head for the Novaya Zemlya’s northern part, where they will remain until the ice is thick enough for them.
"The Cape Zhelaniya is a point, where polar bears wait for winter and ice," the scientist continued. "They wait for the time, when they can walk on ice and hunt seals off it. Presently, they get assembled on the coastal part near the Cape Zhelaniya."
Polar bears on Cape Zhelaniya
The polar bears, living on Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya, belong to the Kara-Barents population. Previous studies on the Cape Zhelaniya were organized in 2011 and 214. Usually, studies in spring are organized on the Alexandra Land Island, where the animals have dens. In 2020, scientists could not tag animals due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is complicated to quote the number of those predators in the region, the national park’s expert Ivan Mizin told TASS.
"The latest estimations quoted the Kara-Barents population at about 2,500 bears. But that estimation was very rough," he said, adding about 22-31 thousand polar bears live in the Arctic. The Russian Arctic zone is the home for about a third part of that number.
Scientists install collars only on females, as males’ necks are wider than heads and collars fall off the animals, the Severtsov Institute’s expert Ilya Mordvintsev told TASS. The transmitter traces animals, which may cover very big distances or may stay at a certain area for a long time.
Testing polar bears and walruses
In order to install transmitters, scientists inject animals. They also take samples of hair and blood. "We shall take samples to analyze their health and possible pollutants," the expert said. "Those would be tests to see heavy metals, PCB, pesticides, as well as items on the list of what Arctic animals may accumulate from the environment."
Polar bears are at the top of the food chain, and pollutants accumulate in their bodies. This is a mechanism of biological amplification, which means that concentrations of chemicals at each stage of the food chain increase, because the amount of food consumed by a body exceeds its own weight, while chemicals are not completely removed from the body.
The expedition members will also study walruses in the Barents Sea.
"The group on walruses will work at first on the Oranskiye Islands, north of Novaya Zemlya, and later on it will go to Franz Josef Land, where rookeries have been registered earlier. Scientists will also take samples, and will install a few satellite transmitters to follow up the animals," Mordvintsev said.
In August, with support of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF Russia), scientists will install 15 photo traps to watch Atlantic walruses on Franz Josef Land, and the Severtsov Institute will install additionally photo recorders on a few islands with rookeries.
Indicator species
Atlantic walruses, like polar bears, are on Russia’s Red Data Book. They are indicator species, and their conditions reflect changes in the environment. According to Kirillov, the studies will give additional information to improve protection of those animals. Both walruses and polar bears are sensitive to the changing climate in the Arctic, especially to the shrinking ice and to the ocean’s pollution. Besides, the increasing numbers of ships along the Northern Sea Route will also affect the animals.
Similar studies in the Kara and Laptev Seas are due in 2021, Mordvintsev said. "There lives a separate population of walruses and a separate population of polar bears, and the expedition will be very interesting, as animals in the Laptev Sea are still understudied." Walruses, living in the Laptev Sea, are also on Russia’s Red Data Book. Scientists do not have sufficient information on them or on Atlantic walruses even to estimate their populations.
The expedition on board the Ivan Petrov will return to Arkhangelsk in mid-October.
The Russian Arctic National Park is Russia’s northernmost and biggest nature reserve, which takes the area of 8.8 million hectares. It was organized on June 15, 2009. The Park includes a northern part of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago’s Severny Island and the entire Franz Josef Land Archipelago. On Franz Josef Land, the park has the Omega year-round base on the Alexandra Land and a seasonal base on the Hooker Island.


tass--2020-08-17--Mikhail Somov icebreaker leaves Arkhangelsk for expedition to Chukotka

ARKHANGELSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Mikhail Somov icebreaker on Sunday night left Arkhangelsk for an expedition across Arctic seas towards Chukotka , press service of the Northern Department for hydro-meteorology and environment monitoring told TASS .
`` The Mikhail Somov has departed heading for the Far East , to Chukotka , on Sunday night , '' the press service said .
The ship could not leave earlier as it had to wait for a strong northern wind at the Northern Dvina ’ s mouth to calm down .
The icebreaker will go along the Northern Sea Route @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seas : the White , Barents , Kara , East-Siberian , Chukchi and Laptev seas .
The Arctic expedition will continue for about two months .
The icebreaker will deliver about 600 tonnes of fuel and about 1,200 tonnes of complex cargo ( food , equipment , construction materials ) to hard-to-reach hydro-meteorology stations .
The icebreaker will also bring new shifts of personnel to a few stations .
Jointly with experts of the Arctic and Antarctic Studies Institute , the expedition members will service automatic coastal equipment en route .
The Mikhail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-October .

ARKHANGELSK, August 17. /TASS/. The Mikhail Somov icebreaker on Sunday night left Arkhangelsk for an expedition across Arctic seas towards Chukotka, press service of the Northern Department for hydro-meteorology and environment monitoring told TASS.
"The Mikhail Somov has departed heading for the Far East, to Chukotka, on Sunday night," the press service said. The ship could not leave earlier as it had to wait for a strong northern wind at the Northern Dvina’s mouth to calm down.
The icebreaker will go along the Northern Sea Route to the Wrangel Island crossing six Arctic seas: the White, Barents, Kara, East-Siberian, Chukchi and Laptev seas.
The Arctic expedition will continue for about two months. The icebreaker will deliver about 600 tonnes of fuel and about 1,200 tonnes of complex cargo (food, equipment, construction materials) to hard-to-reach hydro-meteorology stations.
The icebreaker will also bring new shifts of personnel to a few stations.
Jointly with experts of the Arctic and Antarctic Studies Institute, the expedition members will service automatic coastal equipment en route. The Mikhail Somov is expected back in Arkhangelsk in mid-October.


tass--2020-08-17--Convoy of trucks, prison buses heading to central Minsk, TASS reports from the site

MINSK , August 17./TASS/ .
A convoy of prison buses and trucks of the internal troops is heading towards central @ @ @ @ @ Uruchye district , TASS reports from the site .
Meanwhile , the situation in the @ @ @ @ @ major rally is underway in front of the building of the National State Television and @ @ @ @ @ the eastern part of the capital city .
Belarus held a presidential election on August @ @ @ @ @ final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President @ @ @ @ @ 80.1 % of the vote .
After exit poll results were announced in the evening @ @ @ @ @ erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country , leading to clashes between @ @ @ @ @ .
The protests continued over the following days .
As a result , several thousand @ @ @ @ @ of police officers and protesters were injured .

MINSK, August 17./TASS/. A convoy of prison buses and trucks of the internal troops is heading towards central Minsk from their base in Uruchye district, TASS reports from the site.
Meanwhile, the situation in the city is calm. A major rally is underway in front of the building of the National State Television and Radio Company of Belarus in the eastern part of the capital city.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9, protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. The protests continued over the following days. As a result, several thousand people were detained, dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-17--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Belarus exceeding 69,600

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Eighty-two more novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Belarus in the past day , or by 10 cases less than on the previous day , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 69,500 , the country ’ health ministry reported on Monday .
`` As many as 69,589 people ( or about 0.74 % out of the country ’ s population of 9.41 million - TASS ) have tested positive for COVID-19 , '' it said , adding that the daily tally was 82 .
`` A total of 613 coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died since the epidemic outbreak , '' it said , adding that three patients died during the past day .
According to the latest update , as many as 67,149 coronavirus patients have recovered from the disease , including 77 in the past 24 hours .
A total of 1,426,766 people , or 15.2 % of the population have been tested for the novel coronavirus .
Belarus did not impose any coronavirus lockdowns , with mass gathering not being banned .
The maximal daily tally of newly confirmed coronavirus cases was reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive in one day .
The country ’ s health ministry anticipates a second wave of the coronavirus epidemic in November-December .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Eighty-two more novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Belarus in the past day, or by 10 cases less than on the previous day, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 69,500, the country’ health ministry reported on Monday.
"As many as 69,589 people (or about 0.74% out of the country’s population of 9.41 million - TASS) have tested positive for COVID-19," it said, adding that the daily tally was 82.
"A total of 613 coronavirus patients with a number of chronic diseases have died since the epidemic outbreak," it said, adding that three patients died during the past day.
According to the latest update, as many as 67,149 coronavirus patients have recovered from the disease, including 77 in the past 24 hours. A total of 1,426,766 people, or 15.2% of the population have been tested for the novel coronavirus.
Belarus did not impose any coronavirus lockdowns, with mass gathering not being banned. The maximal daily tally of newly confirmed coronavirus cases was reported in April when more than 900 patients tested positive in one day.
The country’s health ministry anticipates a second wave of the coronavirus epidemic in November-December.


tass--2020-08-17--Number of coronavirus cases in Africa exceeds 1.1 million, says WHO

PRETORIA , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
More than 10,000 confirmed coronavirus cases were registered in African countries in the @ @ @ @ @ the overall number of such cases exceeding 1.1 million , the World Health Organization ’ @ @ @ @ @ Office for Africa said on Monday .
The overall number of COVID-19 cases in Africa @ @ @ @ @ with 10,083 cases confirmed during the past day .
The number of coronavirus-associated deaths amounts @ @ @ @ @ fatalities registered in the past 24 hours .
Some 835,000 patients have recovered .
South @ @ @ @ @ number of Africa ’ s coronavirus cases and fatalities - 587,345 and 11,839 , respectively @ @ @ @ @ South Africa in terms of coronavirus-associated deaths and cases - 5,160 and 96,475 , respectively @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus-related deaths were reported from Algeria .
In Sub-Saharan Africa , Nigeria is second after @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases ( 49,068 cases and 975 fatalities ) .
Next is Ghana ( 42,532 @ @ @ @ @ .

PRETORIA, August 17. /TASS/. More than 10,000 confirmed coronavirus cases were registered in African countries in the past 24 hours, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 1.1 million, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa said on Monday.
The overall number of COVID-19 cases in Africa currently stands at 1,119,393, with 10,083 cases confirmed during the past day. The number of coronavirus-associated deaths amounts to 25,644, with 290 fatalities registered in the past 24 hours. Some 835,000 patients have recovered.
South Africa accounts for the biggest number of Africa’s coronavirus cases and fatalities - 587,345 and 11,839, respectively. Egypt is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus-associated deaths and cases - 5,160 and 96,475, respectively. As many as 1,370 coronavirus-related deaths were reported from Algeria.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus cases (49,068 cases and 975 fatalities). Next is Ghana (42,532 cases and 231 deaths).


tass--2020-08-17--Internet access in Minsk fully restored

Internet access in Minsk fully restored

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian national communications provider Beltelecom announced that issues with Internet access , earlier @ @ @ @ @ were caused by a technical issue , and that the network access has been completely @ @ @ @ @ problems with the Internet access due to a short technical malfunction between 11:30 and 11:400 @ @ @ @ @ Currently , the network operations have been completely restored , '' the company said , @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier on Monday , users in various districts of Minsk complained about lack of @ @ @ @ @ with voice calls and inability to connect via a VPN .
Network problems in Minsk @ @ @ @ @ day , August 9 .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed that communications were disrupted due @ @ @ @ @ .
On August 12 , the Ministry of Communications and Informatization of Belarus announced that @ @ @ @ @ republic has been restored .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Belarusian national communications provider Beltelecom announced that issues with Internet access, earlier reported by the users, were caused by a technical issue, and that the network access has been completely restored.
"There were problems with the Internet access due to a short technical malfunction between 11:30 and 11:400 [Minsk time]. Currently, the network operations have been completely restored," the company said, according to BelTA news agency.
Earlier on Monday, users in various districts of Minsk complained about lack of mobile Internet access, issues with voice calls and inability to connect via a VPN.
Network problems in Minsk began on the presidential elections day, August 9. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed that communications were disrupted due to numerous cyberattacks from abroad. On August 12, the Ministry of Communications and Informatization of Belarus announced that the Internet access in the republic has been restored.


tass--2020-08-17--Moldovan president arrives in Moscow for unofficial visit

CHISINAU , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Moldovan President Igor Dodon has arrived in Moscow for an unofficial visit , @ @ @ @ @ toTASS on Monday .
`` Igor Nikolayevich has gone to Moscow for a couple of @ @ @ @ @ his plans to visit Russia , '' she said .
Sterpu did not disclose the @ @ @ @ @ president left Chisinau and provided no details of his visit to the Russian capital .

CHISINAU, August 17. /TASS/. Moldovan President Igor Dodon has arrived in Moscow for an unofficial visit, Presidential Spokesperson Carmena Sterpu confirmed toTASS on Monday.
"Igor Nikolayevich has gone to Moscow for a couple of days. He earlier mentioned his plans to visit Russia," she said.
Sterpu did not disclose the date on which the Moldovan president left Chisinau and provided no details of his visit to the Russian capital.


tass--2020-08-17--Russian Baltic Fleet kicks off naval aviation drills in westernmost Kaliningrad Region

KALININRAD , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Over 20 crews of aircraft and helicopters of the Baltic Fleet ’ s naval aviation are involved in tactical flight drills in the Kaliningrad Region , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Monday .
`` During scheduled drills , over 20 crews of Su-27 , Su-24 and Su-30SM aircraft , Mi-24 and Mi-8 attack and military-transport helicopters and also of shipborne Ka-27 gunships and An-26 military-transport planes of the Baltic Fleet ’ s naval aviation are accomplishing a set of various assignments , '' the press office said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are launching airborne missiles and rockets of various classes , firing aircraft guns , dropping bombs weighing from 100 kg to 500 kg and practicing maneuvering elements in an aerial battle and target runs under a notional enemy ’ s jamming , the statement says .
The crews of Su-24 frontline bombers and Su-30SM multirole fighters will drop bombs on a target field and fire rockets against coastal targets .
Su-27 fighters will accomplish the assignments of intercepting notional intruders of the airspace over the Kaliningrad Region and conduct electronic launches against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bombers , the press office specified .
Along with the attack and fighter aircraft , the crews of helicopters will practice missions at combat training ranges to search for and track submarines , provide air support for coastal defense troops , airlift and land a tactical airborne assault force , the statement says .
`` The naval aviation pilots are accomplishing combat training tasks both in the daytime and at night .
Around 50 combat training sorties have been performed .
Overall , the exercise involves about 20 aircraft and also over 400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baltic Fleet ’ s naval aviation , '' the press office said .
The tactical flight exercise is aimed at improving the pilots ’ flying , combat employment and professional skills , it stressed .

KALININRAD, August 17. /TASS/. Over 20 crews of aircraft and helicopters of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation are involved in tactical flight drills in the Kaliningrad Region, the Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.
"During scheduled drills, over 20 crews of Su-27, Su-24 and Su-30SM aircraft, Mi-24 and Mi-8 attack and military-transport helicopters and also of shipborne Ka-27 gunships and An-26 military-transport planes of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation are accomplishing a set of various assignments," the press office said in a statement.
During the drills, the crews are launching airborne missiles and rockets of various classes, firing aircraft guns, dropping bombs weighing from 100 kg to 500 kg and practicing maneuvering elements in an aerial battle and target runs under a notional enemy’s jamming, the statement says.
The crews of Su-24 frontline bombers and Su-30SM multirole fighters will drop bombs on a target field and fire rockets against coastal targets. Su-27 fighters will accomplish the assignments of intercepting notional intruders of the airspace over the Kaliningrad Region and conduct electronic launches against the enemy’s cruise missiles and strategic bombers, the press office specified.
Along with the attack and fighter aircraft, the crews of helicopters will practice missions at combat training ranges to search for and track submarines, provide air support for coastal defense troops, airlift and land a tactical airborne assault force, the statement says.
"The naval aviation pilots are accomplishing combat training tasks both in the daytime and at night. Around 50 combat training sorties have been performed. Overall, the exercise involves about 20 aircraft and also over 400 personnel of an air formation of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation," the press office said.
The tactical flight exercise is aimed at improving the pilots’ flying, combat employment and professional skills, it stressed.


tass--2020-08-17--Baltic states, Poland call for EU sanctions on Belarusian officials - Lithuanian president

VILNIUS , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Latvia , Lithuania , Estonia and Poland plan to call for sanctions on @ @ @ @ @ of force against protesters in Belarus , Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda ’ s press service @ @ @ @ @ meeting between the four countries ’ presidents on Monday .
According to the press service @ @ @ @ @ the upcoming European Council summit , set to take place on August 19 , needed @ @ @ @ @ responsible for election rigging and a crackdown on protesters .

VILNIUS, August 17. /TASS/. Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland plan to call for sanctions on those responsible for excessive use of force against protesters in Belarus, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda’s press service said, following a video meeting between the four countries’ presidents on Monday.
According to the press service, the presidents agreed that the upcoming European Council summit, set to take place on August 19, needed to announce sanctions against those responsible for election rigging and a crackdown on protesters.


tass--2020-08-17--Lebanese investigators issue arrest warrant for customs chief over Beirut blast

BEIRUT , August 17./TASS/ .
Lebanese investigators have issued an arrest warrant for the chief of Lebanese Customs , Badri @ @ @ @ @ port blast , Al Arabiya news channel reported on Monday .
It said the arrest @ @ @ @ @ official had given evidence .
The customs chief was questioned for four hours , it @ @

BEIRUT, August 17./TASS/. Lebanese investigators have issued an arrest warrant for the chief of Lebanese Customs, Badri Daher, over the Beirut port blast, Al Arabiya news channel reported on Monday.
It said the arrest warrant was issued after the official had given evidence. The customs chief was questioned for four hours, it stressed.


tass--2020-08-17--Belarusian Potash company partially shuts down over workers’ strike

MINSK , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Operation of the Belaruskali potash company is partially stopped , because a portion of the employees is one the strike , says Andrey Rybak , head of Belhimprofsoyuz , workers ’ union organization of the plant .
`` A portion of Belaruskali is on the strike , therefore , the production is partially stopped , '' he said .
On August 16 , Belarusian website tut.by published fragments of a video address of the Belaruskali workers , in which they stated their readiness to join the nationwide strike .
They said that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as enrichment divisions and supplementary workshops will be stopped .
The workers demanded release of `` political prisoners '' and the apprehended participants of peaceful protests ; resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko and repeat elections .
Meanwhile , the workers of the Belarussian Potash Company , the largest supplier of mineral fertilizers , published an open letter , calling to stop violence against peaceful protesters , while also calling on the peaceful protesters to remain peaceful and prevent provocations .
Mass protests have engulfed Belarus , which held presidential elections on August 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the events involved clashes with police officers .
According to the Interior Ministry , over 6,000 people were apprehended ; several dozen police officers and protesters were injured .
According to the Central Electoral Commission , president Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected with 80.10 % of votes , followed by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya with 10.12 % .
August 16 marked the largest protest of Lukashenko ’ s opponents .

MINSK, August 17. /TASS/. Operation of the Belaruskali potash company is partially stopped, because a portion of the employees is one the strike, says Andrey Rybak, head of Belhimprofsoyuz, workers’ union organization of the plant.
"A portion of Belaruskali is on the strike, therefore, the production is partially stopped," he said.
On August 16, Belarusian website tut.by published fragments of a video address of the Belaruskali workers, in which they stated their readiness to join the nationwide strike. They said that all mining and drilling complexes, as well as enrichment divisions and supplementary workshops will be stopped. The workers demanded release of "political prisoners" and the apprehended participants of peaceful protests; resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko and repeat elections.
Meanwhile, the workers of the Belarussian Potash Company, the largest supplier of mineral fertilizers, published an open letter, calling to stop violence against peaceful protesters, while also calling on the peaceful protesters to remain peaceful and prevent provocations.
Mass protests have engulfed Belarus, which held presidential elections on August 9. During the first day of protests, the events involved clashes with police officers. According to the Interior Ministry, over 6,000 people were apprehended; several dozen police officers and protesters were injured.
According to the Central Electoral Commission, president Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected with 80.10% of votes, followed by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya with 10.12%. August 16 marked the largest protest of Lukashenko’s opponents.


tass--2020-08-17--Belarus TV and Radio Company staff say over 200 people are on strike

`` Over 200 people have already joined our demands .
They are striking at their workplaces , '' one of them said .
Two other colleagues have confirmed this .
MINSK , August 17./TASS/ .
Employees of the National State TV and Radio Company of Belarus have told people who had got together at the building of the media company that more than 200 people were already taking part in a strike , TASS reports from the site .
According to them , the management of the television and radio broadcasting company had not supported the strike .
Belarus held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
His main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came in second with 10.12 % .
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9 , protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country , leading to clashes between protesters and the police .
The protests continued over the following days .
As a result , several thousand people were detained , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured .

"Over 200 people have already joined our demands. They are striking at their workplaces," one of them said. Two other colleagues have confirmed this.
MINSK, August 17./TASS/. Employees of the National State TV and Radio Company of Belarus have told people who had got together at the building of the media company that more than 200 people were already taking part in a strike, TASS reports from the site.
According to them, the management of the television and radio broadcasting company had not supported the strike.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. His main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came in second with 10.12%.
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9, protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and the police. The protests continued over the following days. As a result, several thousand people were detained, dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-17--Russian Su-27 fighter scrambled to intercept US spy plane over Baltic Sea

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
A Sukhoi Su-27SM fighter was scrambled to intercept a US Air Force RC-135 @ @ @ @ @ border over the Baltic Sea , Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center reported on @ @ @ @ @ an air target over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea approaching Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ , the Center said .
`` The Russian fighter ’ s crew approached the air @ @ @ @ @ and identified it as a US Air Force RC-135 strategic reconnaissance plane , '' the @ @ @ @ @ .
After the US spy plane moved away from Russia ’ s state border , @ @ @ @ @ returned to its home airfield , '' it said .
The Russian fighter ’ s @ @ @ @ @ with the international rules of using the airspace .
No violations of the Russian state @ @ @ @ @ National Defense Control Center said .
On August 15 , a Russian fighter was scrambled @ @ @ @ @ Aries reconnaissance plane approaching Russia ’ s state border over the Black Sea .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. A Sukhoi Su-27SM fighter was scrambled to intercept a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance plane near the Russian border over the Baltic Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Monday.
Russian radars spotted an air target over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea approaching Russia’s state border on August 17, the Center said.
"The Russian fighter’s crew approached the air object at a safe distance and identified it as a US Air Force RC-135 strategic reconnaissance plane," the National Defense Control Center said.
After the US spy plane moved away from Russia’s state border, "the Russian fighter safely returned to its home airfield," it said.
The Russian fighter’s flight proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace. No violations of the Russian state border were allowed, the National Defense Control Center said.
On August 15, a Russian fighter was scrambled to intercept a US EP-3E Aries reconnaissance plane approaching Russia’s state border over the Black Sea.


tass--2020-08-17--Experts says Belarusian protests can last for several months

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
Protests in Belarus can last for up to several months , member of the Russian Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations Bogdan Bezpalko told TASS on Monday .
`` Protests can last between several days and several months because protesters will feel solidarity from other Belarusians .
Strikes are beginning across the country and it all encourages demonstrators , especially since they are acting peacefully , '' he pointed out .
According to Bezpalko , protests will go on if foreign actors support them .
`` It can be either moral , or diplomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that social and political activity would only grow in the country .
The expert went on to say that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had failed to balance out protest activities by organizing a gathering of his supporters on Sunday .
`` According to independent estimates , the event involved 4,000 people , while official estimates say there were 20,000 .
Lukashenko is now facing huge difficulties in legitimizing his election victory , '' Bezpalko explained .
In his view , Lukashenko will either have `` to fight until the end to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a bargain at some point with `` people who will represent western elites and perhaps some of the Russian politicians . ''
`` In this case , a soft transfer of power , a velvet revolution , will take place in Belarus , '' the expert said .
He emphasized that though Lukashenko had expressed determination to take tough measures to retain power , `` it is impossible to put everyone in prison . ''
`` Russia , unfortunately , is late , because it should have created pro-Russian parties , movements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political strategists in Belarus 15 years ago .
And now , nationalist activists have taken control of the protests , '' the expert stressed .
`` People are just tired of Lukashenko but there is no one else left in Belarus who can offer support to them , '' Bezpalko concluded .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the Central Election Commission , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1 % of the vote , his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12 % .
Protests erupted in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .
According to the Belarusian Interior Ministry , over 6,000 people were detained , dozens of police officers and demonstrators suffered injuries .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. Protests in Belarus can last for up to several months, member of the Russian Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations Bogdan Bezpalko told TASS on Monday.
"Protests can last between several days and several months because protesters will feel solidarity from other Belarusians. Strikes are beginning across the country and it all encourages demonstrators, especially since they are acting peacefully," he pointed out.
According to Bezpalko, protests will go on if foreign actors support them. "It can be either moral, or diplomatic or financial support," he specified, adding that social and political activity would only grow in the country.
The expert went on to say that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had failed to balance out protest activities by organizing a gathering of his supporters on Sunday. "According to independent estimates, the event involved 4,000 people, while official estimates say there were 20,000. Lukashenko is now facing huge difficulties in legitimizing his election victory," Bezpalko explained. In his view, Lukashenko will either have "to fight until the end to remain in power" or try to make a bargain at some point with "people who will represent western elites and perhaps some of the Russian politicians." "In this case, a soft transfer of power, a velvet revolution, will take place in Belarus," the expert said. He emphasized that though Lukashenko had expressed determination to take tough measures to retain power, "it is impossible to put everyone in prison."
"Russia, unfortunately, is late, because it should have created pro-Russian parties, movements, groups of activists, journalists and political strategists in Belarus 15 years ago. And now, nationalist activists have taken control of the protests," the expert stressed. "People are just tired of Lukashenko but there is no one else left in Belarus who can offer support to them," Bezpalko concluded.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote, his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12%. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. According to the Belarusian Interior Ministry, over 6,000 people were detained, dozens of police officers and demonstrators suffered injuries.


tass--2020-08-17--Russian Pacific Fleet warships strike coastal and naval targets in drills

MOSCOW , August 17 .
/TASS/ .
The missile cruiser Varyag and the large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Panteleyev held artillery firings against coastal and sea targets during drills off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula , the Pacific Fleet ’ s press office reported on Monday .
`` The Pacific Fleet ’ s tactical naval group comprising the Guards Order of Nakhimov missile cruiser Varyag and the large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Panteleyev held drills off the coast of Kamchatka with artillery firings against naval and coastal targets , '' the press office said in a statement .
Specifically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warships struck a towed naval shield that simulated the notional enemy ’ s surface forces .
Following this , the Varyag and the Admiral Panteleyev held artillery firings in the area of the Khalaktyrsky beach against coastal targets , the statement says .
`` The fire against the targets that simulated sheltered firing positions and the amassment of the notional enemy ’ s combat hardware was delivered from a 130mm AK-130 mount and 100mm AK-100 guns , '' the press office said .
An Orlan-10 drone was employed to direct shipborne artillery , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the combat exercise , the statement says .
On August 15 , a group of the Pacific Fleet ’ s ships comprising the Guards Order of Nakhimov missile cruiser Varyag , the large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Panteleyev , the measuring vessel Marshal Krylov , the corvettes Gromky and Sovershenny , small anti-submarine warfare ships and support vessels departed from Vladivostok to participate in tactical drills in the distant maritime area .

MOSCOW, August 17. /TASS/. The missile cruiser Varyag and the large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Panteleyev held artillery firings against coastal and sea targets during drills off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Pacific Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.
"The Pacific Fleet’s tactical naval group comprising the Guards Order of Nakhimov missile cruiser Varyag and the large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Panteleyev held drills off the coast of Kamchatka with artillery firings against naval and coastal targets," the press office said in a statement.
Specifically, in the Avacha Bay, the warships struck a towed naval shield that simulated the notional enemy’s surface forces. Following this, the Varyag and the Admiral Panteleyev held artillery firings in the area of the Khalaktyrsky beach against coastal targets, the statement says.
"The fire against the targets that simulated sheltered firing positions and the amassment of the notional enemy’s combat hardware was delivered from a 130mm AK-130 mount and 100mm AK-100 guns," the press office said.
An Orlan-10 drone was employed to direct shipborne artillery, adjust fire and monitor the results of the combat exercise, the statement says.
On August 15, a group of the Pacific Fleet’s ships comprising the Guards Order of Nakhimov missile cruiser Varyag, the large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Panteleyev, the measuring vessel Marshal Krylov, the corvettes Gromky and Sovershenny, small anti-submarine warfare ships and support vessels departed from Vladivostok to participate in tactical drills in the distant maritime area.


tass--2020-08-17--Belarus workers taking part in protests against election results

Trump : US will not probably participate in online summit on Iran before elections On August 14 , Russian President @ @ @ @ @ an initiative to organize a summit of the United Nations Security Council permanent members , @ @ @ @ @ problems of the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

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tass--2020-08-17--Lukashenko promises to ‘deal with’ opponents of current government

`` They ( the opposition - TASS ) have poisoned the people through social networks .
And some people now think : that ’ s it , there is no government , the government has fallen .
The government will never fall .
You know me .
And we will deal with them .
We just need to be patient , '' BelTA news agency quotes Lukashenko as saying .
On Monday , he met with the workers of the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant .
He added that foreign players might be interested in what is going on in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sound of caterpillar tracks .
I see it .
They have chosen the right moment .
They have just provoked this situation to make us use our military to deal with domestic issues .
Who can guarantee today that those forces that are coming from outside will not affect us ?
[ Russian President Vladimir ] Putin and I share the view that this activity pursues a certain goal , '' Lukashenko said , quoted by BelTA .
On Saturday , Lukashenko expressed concern over expanded military presence in Lithuania and Poland and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the outcomes of the phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin , Lukashenko stated that Russia would help Belarus ensure the country ’ s security on its first request in case of a military threat from abroad .
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9 .
According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14 , incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1 % of the vote .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who was considered his main opponent , came in second with 10.12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced in the evening of August 9 , protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country , leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement .
The protests continued over the following days .
As a result , several thousand people were detained , dozens of police officers and protesters were injured .

"They (the opposition - TASS) have poisoned the people through social networks. And some people now think: that’s it, there is no government, the government has fallen. The government will never fall. You know me. And we will deal with them. We just need to be patient," BelTA news agency quotes Lukashenko as saying. On Monday, he met with the workers of the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant.
He added that foreign players might be interested in what is going on in the country. "We can hear the sound of caterpillar tracks. I see it. They have chosen the right moment. They have just provoked this situation to make us use our military to deal with domestic issues. Who can guarantee today that those forces that are coming from outside will not affect us? [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and I share the view that this activity pursues a certain goal," Lukashenko said, quoted by BelTA.
On Saturday, Lukashenko expressed concern over expanded military presence in Lithuania and Poland and the military drills held in those countries. On the outcomes of the phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lukashenko stated that Russia would help Belarus ensure the country’s security on its first request in case of a military threat from abroad.
Belarus held a presidential election on August 9. According to the final results provided by the Belarusian Central Election Commission on August 14, incumbent President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was considered his main opponent, came in second with 10.12%.
After exit poll results were announced in the evening of August 9, protests erupted in downtown Minsk and other regions of the country, leading to clashes between protesters and the law enforcement. The protests continued over the following days. As a result, several thousand people were detained, dozens of police officers and protesters were injured.


tass--2020-08-17--Apstra Unveils Advanced Internet-Based Network Integration with Juniper Networks and SONiC

MENLO PARK , California , Aug. 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- , the pioneer of Intent-Based Networking ( IBN ) and multinational software company today announced the latest evolution of its flagship product , Apstra AOS , preparing for the rapid growth of the Intent-Based Networking market .
AOS 3.3 introduces advanced IBN capabilities to Juniper Networks switching in addition to a wide array of operational and open-networking enhancements that enable enterprises to react more quickly to compressed timelines and unforeseen business shifts while delivering the best end-user experience possible .
These significant product enhancements will dramatically increase the speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and operated in the data center .
According to a recent , Intent-based Networking market growth exceeded $ 900 million in 2019 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 30 % between 2020 and 2026 .
The accelerated adoption of IBN solutions comes at a time when data centers must meet the compressed timelines of the business while delivering operational simplicity that meets or exceeds the cloud , but with reliability .
Deploying an IBN solution is critical for enterprises doubling down on digital transformation efforts , which require data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and improved ROI .
Businesses are three times more likely to fail in their digital transformation efforts if they do n't transform their networks first .
`` The monitoring and managing of Data Center operations continue to grow progressively more complex and increasingly mission-critical as enterprises accelerate their digital transformation , '' said Mansour Karam , Founder and President of Apstra .
`` IBN is the solution that many network architects and operators are counting on to help their organizations keep up .
As the rise of IBN comes into focus , extending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Juniper Networks , paired with the operational enhancements , allows us to deliver our industry-leading solution across a wider variety of hardware choices . ''
Apstra 's AOS is a critical piece of the puzzle in driving toward closed-loop automation and validation .
The unique technology addresses the sheer network complexity facing architects and operators by applying day 0 validation and analytics while leveraging a single network source of truth .
Apstra empowers organizations to realize the significant efficiencies and benefits of Day 0 operations resulting from IBN .
`` The extreme demands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs an infrastructure that guarantees the lowest latency and response times with high-cost efficiency and high levels of reliability , '' explains Hanspeter Tinner , Chief Service Officer and co-founder of Beelastic .
`` This is only possible if the latest technologies are used throughout .
Apstra 's end-to-end automation and simple operational model helps us deliver the lowest response times with the highest cost efficiency and reliability .
And with their rapid feature velocity , we are confident they 'll continue delivering on our and our customers ' requirements in the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automate all aspects of the network design , build , deploy , and operate phases .
The leading IBN solution leverages advanced intent-based analytics to continuously validate the network , thereby eliminating complexity , vulnerabilities , and outages resulting in a secure and resilient network .
About Apstra , Inc Apstra® is a multinational software company delivering a unified solution to automate the architecture and operations of the data center network .
Apstra 's flagship product , AOS , empowers organizations to automate all aspects of designing , building , deploying , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make changes to their networks quickly and reliably , while making efficient use of human capital and ridding themselves of hardware vendor lock-in .
Organizations using AOS have seen a more than 80 percent reduction in OpEx , 99 percent improvement in agility , and more than 70 percent improvements in reliability .
AOS uses Apstra 's advanced intent-based analytics to continually validate the network , thereby eliminating complexity , vulnerabilities , and outages resulting in a secure and resilient network .
Apstra , founded in 2014 by established and proven networking industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Sasha Ratkovic , is headquartered in Menlo Park , California , with offices worldwide .

MENLO PARK, California, Aug. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Apstra , the pioneer of Intent-Based Networking (IBN) and multinational software company today announced the latest evolution of its flagship product, Apstra AOS, preparing for the rapid growth of the Intent-Based Networking market. AOS 3.3 introduces advanced IBN capabilities to Juniper Networks switching in addition to a wide array of operational and open-networking enhancements that enable enterprises to react more quickly to compressed timelines and unforeseen business shifts while delivering the best end-user experience possible. These significant product enhancements will dramatically increase the speed and reliability of how networks are deployed and operated in the data center.
According to a recent Global Market Insights report , Intent-based Networking market growth exceeded $900 million in 2019 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 30% between 2020 and 2026. The accelerated adoption of IBN solutions comes at a time when data centers must meet the compressed timelines of the business while delivering operational simplicity that meets or exceeds the cloud, but with reliability. Deploying an IBN solution is critical for enterprises doubling down on digital transformation efforts, which require data center network agility, increased availability, and improved ROI. Businesses are three times more likely to fail in their digital transformation efforts if they don't transform their networks first.
"The monitoring and managing of Data Center operations continue to grow progressively more complex and increasingly mission-critical as enterprises accelerate their digital transformation," said Mansour Karam, Founder and President of Apstra. "IBN is the solution that many network architects and operators are counting on to help their organizations keep up. As the rise of IBN comes into focus, extending our unique and advanced IBN capabilities to Juniper Networks, paired with the operational enhancements, allows us to deliver our industry-leading solution across a wider variety of hardware choices."
Apstra's AOS is a critical piece of the puzzle in driving toward closed-loop automation and validation. The unique technology addresses the sheer network complexity facing architects and operators by applying day 0 validation and analytics while leveraging a single network source of truth. Apstra empowers organizations to realize the significant efficiencies and benefits of Day 0 operations resulting from IBN.
"The extreme demands of Switzerland's renowned financial services industry needs an infrastructure that guarantees the lowest latency and response times with high-cost efficiency and high levels of reliability," explains Hanspeter Tinner, Chief Service Officer and co-founder of Beelastic. "This is only possible if the latest technologies are used throughout. Apstra's end-to-end automation and simple operational model helps us deliver the lowest response times with the highest cost efficiency and reliability. And with their rapid feature velocity, we are confident they'll continue delivering on our and our customers' requirements in the future."
Apstra AOS empowers organizations to automate all aspects of the network design, build, deploy, and operate phases. The leading IBN solution leverages advanced intent-based analytics to continuously validate the network, thereby eliminating complexity, vulnerabilities, and outages resulting in a secure and resilient network.
About Apstra, Inc
Apstra® is a multinational software company delivering a unified solution to automate the architecture and operations of the data center network. Apstra's flagship product, AOS, empowers organizations to automate all aspects of designing, building, deploying, and operating their networks, enabling them to make changes to their networks quickly and reliably, while making efficient use of human capital and ridding themselves of hardware vendor lock-in. Organizations using AOS have seen a more than 80 percent reduction in OpEx, 99 percent improvement in agility, and more than 70 percent improvements in reliability. AOS uses Apstra's advanced intent-based analytics to continually validate the network, thereby eliminating complexity, vulnerabilities, and outages resulting in a secure and resilient network.
Apstra, founded in 2014 by established and proven networking industry leaders David Cheriton, Mansour Karam, and Sasha Ratkovic, is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, with offices worldwide.