tass--2020-08-03--Afghan president convenes parliament to discuss Taliban members' release — TV

MOSCOW , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani spoke in favor of convoking the lower chamber of the country ’ s parliament to discuss whether the last group of Taliban militants kept in Afghan prisons should be released in line with the US-Taliban deal , the Ariana News TV channel said on Sunday .
The lower chamber will gather on August 7 , for an emergency session expected to last between three and five days .
During that period , the lawmakers are to decide whether to release about 400 militants , included in Taliban ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be released under a deal with the United States .
So far , the Afghan authorities are reluctant to release about 400 extremists , who had committed grave crimes .
Some time ago , the Afghan president said he does not have the authority to decide on the issue himself and referred it to the parliament ’ s lower chamber .
Meanwhile , the Pajhwok Afghan News agency said the authorities are set to release 100 Taliban members in addition to those mentioned in the agreement between the US and Taliban .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militants were released in the past two days , and 4,914 in total .
`` The release of Taliban supporters will continue .
Overall , 5,100 radicals will be released , '' he said .
On Thursday , the Taliban said it had completed the process of handing over captured Afghan military and security officers to the Afghan government .
According to a spokesman for the radical movement , the Taliban `` released a group of 82 captives , '' bringing the overall number of those relased to 1,005 .
The United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal on February 29 in Qatar ’ s capital city Doha .
Under the terms of the deal , Washington and its allies commit to withdrawing their forces from Afghanistan in next 14 months .
The Taliban , in turn , undertakes not to use Afghanistan ’ s territory to stage actions jeopardizing the United States ’ and its allies ’ security .
Before the launch of intra-Afghan talks that were initially supposed to begin on March 10 , up to 5,000 Taliban supporters were to be released and the Taliban was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoner as a trust-building measure .
The Russian Supreme Court designated the Taliban movement as a terrorist group in 2003 .
The organization is outlawed on the territory of Russia .

MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani spoke in favor of convoking the lower chamber of the country’s parliament to discuss whether the last group of Taliban militants kept in Afghan prisons should be released in line with the US-Taliban deal, the Ariana News TV channel said on Sunday.
The lower chamber will gather on August 7, for an emergency session expected to last between three and five days. During that period, the lawmakers are to decide whether to release about 400 militants, included in Taliban’s list of its members who are to be released under a deal with the United States.
So far, the Afghan authorities are reluctant to release about 400 extremists, who had committed grave crimes. Some time ago, the Afghan president said he does not have the authority to decide on the issue himself and referred it to the parliament’s lower chamber.
Meanwhile, the Pajhwok Afghan News agency said the authorities are set to release 100 Taliban members in addition to those mentioned in the agreement between the US and Taliban.
A cabinet spokesman said on Sunday 317 Taliban militants were released in the past two days, and 4,914 in total.
"The release of Taliban supporters will continue. Overall, 5,100 radicals will be released," he said.
On Thursday, the Taliban said it had completed the process of handing over captured Afghan military and security officers to the Afghan government. According to a spokesman for the radical movement, the Taliban "released a group of 82 captives," bringing the overall number of those relased to 1,005.
The United States and the Taliban movement signed a peace deal on February 29 in Qatar’s capital city Doha. Under the terms of the deal, Washington and its allies commit to withdrawing their forces from Afghanistan in next 14 months. The Taliban, in turn, undertakes not to use Afghanistan’s territory to stage actions jeopardizing the United States’ and its allies’ security. Before the launch of intra-Afghan talks that were initially supposed to begin on March 10, up to 5,000 Taliban supporters were to be released and the Taliban was to release up to 1,000 people it keeps prisoner as a trust-building measure.
The Russian Supreme Court designated the Taliban movement as a terrorist group in 2003. The organization is outlawed on the territory of Russia.


tass--2020-08-03--Israeli warplanes strike Hamas targets in response to rocket launch from Gaza

TEL AVIV , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Israeli warplanes struck several Hamas military targets in the Gaza strip on Monday in response to Sunday ’ s launch of a rocket that was intercepted by the Israeli air defenses , the Israeli Defense Forces ( IDF ) ’ s press service said .
`` On Sunday night , a rocket targeting Israel was launched from the Gaza Strip .
In response , Israeli fighter jets and aircraft struck Hamas terrorist facilities in the Gaza Strip , '' the IDF said in a statement .
Among the sites that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plant producing concrete to build border tunnels .
`` The army < … > will continue to act if necessary against any attempt to harm Israel ’ s civilian population , '' the press service said , adding that it was holding Hamas responsible `` for all activities occurring in the Gaza Strip or emanating from it . ''
On Sunday night , IDF said Israel ’ s Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted a rocket launched by Palestinian radicals from the Gaza Strip .
Prior to that , air raid sirens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sderot and several districts bordering Gaza .
The previous such incident took place on July 5 , when a rocket was fired from Gaza and intercepted by the Israeli air defenses .
In response , Israeli warplanes attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip .
Prior to that , rockets were fired at Israel on June 26 , June 15 , May 6 and March 27 .
After all those incidents , the Israeli army retaliated by striking Hamas facilities .

TEL AVIV, August 3. /TASS/. The Israeli warplanes struck several Hamas military targets in the Gaza strip on Monday in response to Sunday’s launch of a rocket that was intercepted by the Israeli air defenses, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)’s press service said.
"On Sunday night, a rocket targeting Israel was launched from the Gaza Strip. In response, Israeli fighter jets and aircraft struck Hamas terrorist facilities in the Gaza Strip," the IDF said in a statement.
Among the sites that were attacked, IDF named subterranean facilities and a plant producing concrete to build border tunnels.
"The army <…> will continue to act if necessary against any attempt to harm Israel’s civilian population," the press service said, adding that it was holding Hamas responsible "for all activities occurring in the Gaza Strip or emanating from it."
On Sunday night, IDF said Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted a rocket launched by Palestinian radicals from the Gaza Strip. Prior to that, air raid sirens went off in the southern Israeli city of Sderot and several districts bordering Gaza.
The previous such incident took place on July 5, when a rocket was fired from Gaza and intercepted by the Israeli air defenses. In response, Israeli warplanes attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
Prior to that, rockets were fired at Israel on June 26, June 15, May 6 and March 27. After all those incidents, the Israeli army retaliated by striking Hamas facilities.


tass--2020-08-03--US, Russia likely to discuss counterterrorism in coming months - White House official

WASHINGTON , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
US and Russian envoys are likely to discuss counterterrorism issues in the coming @ @ @ @ @ adviser to the US president said in an opinion piece , published by The Washington @ @ @ @ @ Another area of potential cooperation with Russia is counterterrorism .
Both Russia and the United @ @ @ @ @ attacked by violent extremists .
U.S. officials will likely engage with their Russian intelligence and @ @ @ @ @ matters in the coming months , '' Robert O ’ Brien said .
US Secretary @ @ @ @ @ at a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov following bilateral talks in @ @ @ @ @ States were set to boost cooperation with Russia in the domain of counterterrorism and anti-drug @ @ @ @ @ words , the two countries ’ special services cooperate in those domains on a regular @ @ @ @ @ the sides would seek to make this cooperation even better .

WASHINGTON, August 3. /TASS/. US and Russian envoys are likely to discuss counterterrorism issues in the coming months, the national security adviser to the US president said in an opinion piece, published by The Washington Post on Sunday.
"Another area of potential cooperation with Russia is counterterrorism. Both Russia and the United States have had their homelands attacked by violent extremists. U.S. officials will likely engage with their Russian intelligence and law enforcement counterparts on such matters in the coming months," Robert O’Brien said.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said at a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov following bilateral talks in December 2019 that the United States were set to boost cooperation with Russia in the domain of counterterrorism and anti-drug trafficking effort. In his words, the two countries’ special services cooperate in those domains on a regular basis. He added that the sides would seek to make this cooperation even better.


tass--2020-08-03--Crew Dragon spacecraft successfully lands in Gulf of Mexico

NEW YORK , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Crew Dragon manned spacecraft of the US company SpaceX splashed down in the Mexican Gulf off the coast of Florida on Sunday , according to a live broadcast on NASA ’ s website .
The capsule ’ s drogue parachutes deployed at the altitude of about 5.5 km .
Shortly after , when the spacecraft descended to the altitude of 2 km , the four main chutes unfurled .
The splashdown took place at 14:48 EST ( 21:48 Moscow time ) .
It was the first water landing by NASA since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Apollo module returned to the Earth after the historic docking with Soviet Union ’ s Soyuz-19 .
The spacecraft ’ s crew , US astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley , said they were feeling well .
`` Congratulations SpaceX & NASA on completing first crewed Dragon flight !
!
!
America returned , '' SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Twitter .
The rescue effort involved more than 40 personnel , two search and rescue vessels , two speed boats and several helicopters .
One speedboat was used to check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the other recovered the parachute system .
Astronauts were moved to the rescue vessel for a checkup and will be delivered to Florida by air or water in the coming hours .
US President Donald Trump congratulated everyone involved in the launch and landing in a Twitter post late on Sunday .
`` Great to have NASA Astronauts return to Earth after very successful two month mission .
Thank you to all ! ''
he said .
`` Astronauts complete first splashdown in 45 years .
Very exciting ! ''
Crew Dragon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mode at 19:35 CET on Saturday ( 2:35 Sunday Moscow time ) .
It was launched to the ISS on May 30 atop the Falcon 9 rocket , making the first manned flight in nine years from the United States using a US spacecraft .
NASA stopped crewed flights in 2011 after the Space Shuttle program came to an end .
Subsequently , all astronauts were delivered to the ISS and back by Russia ’ s Soyuz spacecraft .
It was originally thought that US commercial ships would begin manned flights in 2017 @

NEW YORK, August 3. /TASS/. The Crew Dragon manned spacecraft of the US company SpaceX splashed down in the Mexican Gulf off the coast of Florida on Sunday, according to a live broadcast on NASA’s website.
The capsule’s drogue parachutes deployed at the altitude of about 5.5 km. Shortly after, when the spacecraft descended to the altitude of 2 km, the four main chutes unfurled.
The splashdown took place at 14:48 EST (21:48 Moscow time). It was the first water landing by NASA since 1975, when the US space agency’s Apollo module returned to the Earth after the historic docking with Soviet Union’s Soyuz-19.
The spacecraft’s crew, US astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, said they were feeling well.
"Congratulations SpaceX & NASA on completing first crewed Dragon flight!!! America returned," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Twitter.
The rescue effort involved more than 40 personnel, two search and rescue vessels, two speed boats and several helicopters. One speedboat was used to check that the spacecraft is hermetically sealed, while the other recovered the parachute system. Astronauts were moved to the rescue vessel for a checkup and will be delivered to Florida by air or water in the coming hours.
US President Donald Trump congratulated everyone involved in the launch and landing in a Twitter post late on Sunday.
"Great to have NASA Astronauts return to Earth after very successful two month mission. Thank you to all!" he said. "Astronauts complete first splashdown in 45 years. Very exciting!"
Crew Dragon undocked from the ISS in the automated mode at 19:35 CET on Saturday (2:35 Sunday Moscow time). It was launched to the ISS on May 30 atop the Falcon 9 rocket, making the first manned flight in nine years from the United States using a US spacecraft. NASA stopped crewed flights in 2011 after the Space Shuttle program came to an end. Subsequently, all astronauts were delivered to the ISS and back by Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft. It was originally thought that US commercial ships would begin manned flights in 2017.


tass--2020-08-03--Weekly coronavirus cases in Russia on decline for eight consecutive weeks

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
The weekly number of newly detected novel coronavirus cases in Russia has been on decline for eight consecutive weeks , with 38,385 cases recorded between July 27 and August 2 , according to the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center ’ s data .
The week before , the figure stood at 40,939 .
In relative terms , the growth was 4.7 % this week compared to 5.3 % last week .
Average daily growth also declined from 0.74 % to 0.66 % in the reported period .
The weekly growth in novel coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight weeks in a row .
The number of convalescents remains practically unchanged : a total of 49,923 patients recovered between July 27 and August 2 , while on July 20-26 the figure stood at 49,906 .
The number of recovered patients exceeds the number of new cases for the seventh consecutive week .
The share of convalescents in the overall number of detected cases now amounts to 76.4 % as of this Sunday .
On the previous Sunday , it stood at 73.9 % The anti-coronavirus crisis center said 859 coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 - August 2 .
Last week ’ s death toll was 927 .
The mortality rate in Russia remains one of the world ’ s lowest , although it increased by 0.3 percentage points this week to reach 1.66 % .
However , exact figures will be available only after the pandemic is over .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 17.8 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 685,000 deaths have been reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been confirmed in Russia , with 650,173 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 14,128 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. The weekly number of newly detected novel coronavirus cases in Russia has been on decline for eight consecutive weeks, with 38,385 cases recorded between July 27 and August 2, according to the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center’s data.
The week before, the figure stood at 40,939. In relative terms, the growth was 4.7% this week compared to 5.3% last week. Average daily growth also declined from 0.74% to 0.66% in the reported period.
The weekly growth in novel coronavirus cases in Russia has been on decline for eight weeks in a row.
The number of convalescents remains practically unchanged: a total of 49,923 patients recovered between July 27 and August 2, while on July 20-26 the figure stood at 49,906. The number of recovered patients exceeds the number of new cases for the seventh consecutive week.
The share of convalescents in the overall number of detected cases now amounts to 76.4% as of this Sunday. On the previous Sunday, it stood at 73.9%
The anti-coronavirus crisis center said 859 coronavirus patients had died in the week of July 27 - August 2. Last week’s death toll was 927.
The mortality rate in Russia remains one of the world’s lowest, although it increased by 0.3 percentage points this week to reach 1.66%. However, exact figures will be available only after the pandemic is over.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 17.8 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 685,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, 850,870 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 650,173 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 14,128 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-03--Thirteen more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day — crisis center

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Thirteen more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ nearing 4,500 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Sunday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ reached 4,498 .
To date , 850,870 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , @ @ @ @ @ from the disease .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Thirteen more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities nearing 4,500, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Sunday.
"Thirteen coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 4,498.
To date, 850,870 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 650,173 patients having recovered from the disease. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-03--No worries about opening schools in traditional format — Russian minister of education

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s ministry of education has no serious worries about opening schools after the coronavirus epidemic , Minister Sergei Kravtsov said in an interview with the Rossiiskaya Gazeta .
`` We are getting prepared to open schools and resume classes in the traditional format .
But is the epidemic situation in this or that municipality is unfavorable , we will be guided by considerations of avoiding health risks for children , their parents and teachers .
As of today , we have no serious worries , '' he said .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health ministry that medics will be present in each school during first weeks of September .
`` We have agreed with the health ministry : a medical worker will be present in each school during the first two weeks , from September 1 to 14 .
All requirements of Russia ’ s sanitary watchdog will be taken into account to reduce health risks for children and teachers , '' Kravtsov added .
The minister said earlier that format of school classes at the beginning of the new academic year would depend on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Russia’s ministry of education has no serious worries about opening schools after the coronavirus epidemic, Minister Sergei Kravtsov said in an interview with the Rossiiskaya Gazeta.
"We are getting prepared to open schools and resume classes in the traditional format. But is the epidemic situation in this or that municipality is unfavorable, we will be guided by considerations of avoiding health risks for children, their parents and teachers. As of today, we have no serious worries," he said.
According to the minister, it was agreed with the health ministry that medics will be present in each school during first weeks of September. "We have agreed with the health ministry: a medical worker will be present in each school during the first two weeks, from September 1 to 14. All requirements of Russia’s sanitary watchdog will be taken into account to reduce health risks for children and teachers," Kravtsov added.
The minister said earlier that format of school classes at the beginning of the new academic year would depend on the epidemic situation in each particular municipality.


tass--2020-08-03--Israeli army says it intercepted rocket launched from Gaza

TEL AVIV , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Israel ’ s Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted a rocket launched @ @ @ @ @ Gaza Strip on Sunday , the press service of the Israeli Defense Forces said .
@ @ @ @ @ at the Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip , it was intercepted by the Iron @ @ @ @ @ '' the statement says .
Earlier , IDF reported that air raid sirens went off @ @ @ @ @ of Sderot and several districts bordering Gaza .
The previous such incident took place on @ @ @ @ @ rocket was fired from Gaza and intercepted by the Israeli air defenses .
In response @ @ @ @ @ targets in the Gaza Strip .
Prior to that , rockets were fired at Israel @ @ @ @ @ 15 , May 6 and March 27 .
After all those incidents , the Israeli @ @ @ @ @ facilities .

TEL AVIV, August 2. /TASS/. Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted a rocket launched by Palestinian radicals from the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the press service of the Israeli Defense Forces said.
"One rocket was fired at the Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, it was intercepted by the Iron Dome Aerial Defense System," the statement says.
Earlier, IDF reported that air raid sirens went off in the southern Israeli city of Sderot and several districts bordering Gaza.
The previous such incident took place on July 5, when a rocket was fired from Gaza and intercepted by the Israeli air defenses. In response, Israeli warplanes attacked Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
Prior to that, rockets were fired at Israel on June 26, June 15, May 6 and March 27. After all those incidents, the Israeli army retaliated by striking Hamas facilities.


tass--2020-08-03--Termination of INF Treaty impacts global stability psychologically — expert

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces ( INF ) Treaty following the United States ’ withdrawal from it a year ago has told adversely on global security from the psychological point of view , Chairman of the Board of the Valdai International Discussion Club ’ s Foundation Andrei Bystritsky told TASS on Sunday .
`` From the purely military point of view , the absence of this treaty has had no radical impacts but from the psychological point of view , naturally , it has had a serious impact , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were a lot of talk that this treaty could be superseded by another one better fitting into the present-day military , technical and political reality continues to be an influencing factor . ''
According to Bystritsky , no progress has been made towards another agreement to replace the INF Treaty .
`` It looks like no such agreement will be reached in the near future , the more so , an agreement capable of ensuring comparatively universal involvement of countries which possess such weapons .
No serious talks are being conducted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a sign of certain worsening of the quality of international security . ''
He noted that chances of involving China in a new treaty , the United States insists on , are very poor .
`` We see growing strains between the United States and China .
Some gleams of positive emerge now and then but the general dynamic is negative .
Some even speak about a new cold war , but I don ’ t think it is proper word , '' he said .
`` A treaty on missiles should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacture or use such weapons , the more so as brand new types of weapons requiring a new approach are developed . ''
Speaking about possible involvement of the United Kingdom and France into a new agreement , Russia is calling for , Bystritsky noted that such initiatives meet very serious resistance from the elites in the Western countries .
`` Today , Russia can make a lot of positive steps in this direction , use its influence but this influence is unlikely to yield results without good will from other nations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities are behaving quite consistently and suggest at least something be done to look for possible solutions , '' he said , adding that it is important to keep in place such formats as Russia ’ s and the United States ’ contacts on strategic stability in Vienna .
On August 2 , 2019 , the United States formally withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces ( INF ) Treaty , signed by the Soviet Union and the United States on December 8 , 1987 .
It applied to deployed and non-deployed ground-based missiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shorter range ( 500-1,000 kilometers ) .
The US motivated its actions by Russia ’ s alleged refusal to comply with the American ultimatum-like demand that the new 9M729 cruise missiles be eliminated as violating the INF Treaty .
Moscow vehemently dismissed all accusations , saying that the technical parameters of the 9M729 missiles are within the parameters allowed by the treaty and laid counterclaims to Washington .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty following the United States’ withdrawal from it a year ago has told adversely on global security from the psychological point of view, Chairman of the Board of the Valdai International Discussion Club’s Foundation Andrei Bystritsky told TASS on Sunday.
"From the purely military point of view, the absence of this treaty has had no radical impacts but from the psychological point of view, naturally, it has had a serious impact," he said. "Moreover, the fact that there were a lot of talk that this treaty could be superseded by another one better fitting into the present-day military, technical and political reality continues to be an influencing factor."
According to Bystritsky, no progress has been made towards another agreement to replace the INF Treaty. "It looks like no such agreement will be reached in the near future, the more so, an agreement capable of ensuring comparatively universal involvement of countries which possess such weapons. No serious talks are being conducted on this matter. Generally speaking, it is a sign of certain worsening of the quality of international security."
He noted that chances of involving China in a new treaty, the United States insists on, are very poor. "We see growing strains between the United States and China. Some gleams of positive emerge now and then but the general dynamic is negative. Some even speak about a new cold war, but I don’t think it is proper word," he said. "A treaty on missiles should involve all countries that can have, manufacture or use such weapons, the more so as brand new types of weapons requiring a new approach are developed."
Speaking about possible involvement of the United Kingdom and France into a new agreement, Russia is calling for, Bystritsky noted that such initiatives meet very serious resistance from the elites in the Western countries. "Today, Russia can make a lot of positive steps in this direction, use its influence but this influence is unlikely to yield results without good will from other nations. In this respect, Russia’s authorities are behaving quite consistently and suggest at least something be done to look for possible solutions," he said, adding that it is important to keep in place such formats as Russia’s and the United States’ contacts on strategic stability in Vienna.
On August 2, 2019, the United States formally withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, signed by the Soviet Union and the United States on December 8, 1987. It applied to deployed and non-deployed ground-based missiles of intermediate range (1,000-5,000 kilometers) and shorter range (500-1,000 kilometers). The US motivated its actions by Russia’s alleged refusal to comply with the American ultimatum-like demand that the new 9M729 cruise missiles be eliminated as violating the INF Treaty. Moscow vehemently dismissed all accusations, saying that the technical parameters of the 9M729 missiles are within the parameters allowed by the treaty and laid counterclaims to Washington.


tass--2020-08-03--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 262,000 in past day — WHO

GENEVA , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
More than 262,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on August 2 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 17.66 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 2 , as many as 17,660,523 novel coronavirus cases and 680,894 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by a record of 262,929 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,851 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officially confirmed data from the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 9,476,763 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 156,433 and the number of deaths - by 3,963 and reached 359,180 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,375,535 and the number of fatalities is 213,284 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 17,419 and the number of deaths - by 323 .
Southeast Asia has 2,131,165 cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours , the number of cases grew by 58,971 and the number of deaths - by 937 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 4,523,888 ) , Brazil ( 2,662,485 ) , India ( 1,750,723 ) , Russia ( 850,870 ) , South Africa ( 503,290 ) , Mexico ( 424,637 ) , Peru ( 407,492 ) , Chile ( 357,658 ) , Iran ( 306,752 ) , and the United Kingdom ( 303,956 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, August 2. /TASS/. More than 262,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on August 2, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 17.66 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 2, as many as 17,660,523 novel coronavirus cases and 680,894 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by a record of 262,929 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,851.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 9,476,763. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 156,433 and the number of deaths - by 3,963 and reached 359,180.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,375,535 and the number of fatalities is 213,284. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 17,419 and the number of deaths - by 323.
Southeast Asia has 2,131,165 cases and 45,837 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 58,971 and the number of deaths - by 937.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (4,523,888), Brazil (2,662,485), India (1,750,723), Russia (850,870), South Africa (503,290), Mexico (424,637), Peru (407,492), Chile (357,658), Iran (306,752), and the United Kingdom (303,956).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-08-03--Number of coronavirus cases in Africa exceeds 943,000 — WHO

PRETORIA , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
More than 15,000 confirmed coronavirus cases were registered in African countries in the @ @ @ @ @ the overall number of such cases exceeding 943,000 , the World Health Organization ’ s @ @ @ @ @ for Africa said on Sunday .
The overall number of COVID-19 cases in Africa currently @ @ @ @ @ 15,488 cases confirmed during the past day .
The number of coronavirus-associated deaths amounts to @ @ @ @ @ registered during the day .
Some 600,000 patients have recovered .
South Africa accounts for @ @ @ @ @ ’ s coronavirus cases and fatalities - 503,290 and 8,153 , respectively .
Egypt is @ @ @ @ @ terms of coronavirus-associated deaths and cases - 4,834 and 94,316 , respectively .
As many @ @ @ @ @ reported from Algeria .
In Sub-Saharan Africa , Nigeria is second after South Africa in @ @ @ @ @ 43,537 cases and 883 fatalities ) .
Next is Ghana ( 35,501 cases and 182 @ @ @

PRETORIA, August 2. /TASS/. More than 15,000 confirmed coronavirus cases were registered in African countries in the past 24 hours, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 943,000, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa said on Sunday.
The overall number of COVID-19 cases in Africa currently stands at 943,808, with 15,488 cases confirmed during the past day. The number of coronavirus-associated deaths amounts to 19,681, with 290 fatalities registered during the day. Some 600,000 patients have recovered.
South Africa accounts for the biggest number of Africa’s coronavirus cases and fatalities - 503,290 and 8,153, respectively. Egypt is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus-associated deaths and cases - 4,834 and 94,316, respectively. As many as 1,223 coronavirus-related deaths were reported from Algeria.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus cases (43,537 cases and 883 fatalities). Next is Ghana (35,501 cases and 182 deaths).


tass--2020-08-02--Russia’s oil production in July kept at June’s level under OPEC+ deal - energy ministry

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s oil production in July remained at June ’ s level , as agreed under the OPEC+ deal , the Russian energy ministry said on Sunday .
`` Under the OPEC+ agreements , Russia kept oil output in July at June ’ s level .
The compliance rate will be close to that in June , '' it said .
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said earlier that Russia ’ s compliance rate in June had been 99 % .
Under the OPEC+ deal that came into force on May 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil production by 9.7 million barrels a day in May-July .
Russia and Saudi Arabia however are to cut output by 2.5 million barrels a day from the level of 11 million barrels a day .
The deal will stay in force for two years but daily cuts in a period from August to December 2020 are to be 7.7 million barrels , and 5.8 million barrels in a period from January 2021 to April 2022 .
The deal ’ s parameters may be revised in December 2021 .
According to Novak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the OPEC+ deal proportionally .
Production is expected to be down by about 19 % on February .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Russia’s oil production in July remained at June’s level, as agreed under the OPEC+ deal, the Russian energy ministry said on Sunday.
"Under the OPEC+ agreements, Russia kept oil output in July at June’s level. The compliance rate will be close to that in June," it said.
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said earlier that Russia’s compliance rate in June had been 99%.
Under the OPEC+ deal that came into force on May 1, the member nations are to cut oil production by 9.7 million barrels a day in May-July. Russia and Saudi Arabia however are to cut output by 2.5 million barrels a day from the level of 11 million barrels a day. The deal will stay in force for two years but daily cuts in a period from August to December 2020 are to be 7.7 million barrels, and 5.8 million barrels in a period from January 2021 to April 2022. The deal’s parameters may be revised in December 2021.
According to Novak, Russian oil companies are decreasing production under the OPEC+ deal proportionally. Production is expected to be down by about 19% on February.


tass--2020-08-02--Russia’s oil exports down by 25% in July, to 17.22 million tonnes

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s oil exports stood at 17.22 million tonnes in July 2020 , or down by 25.2 % on the previous year , as follows from a report of the Central Dispatching Department of Fuel Energy Complex released on Sunday .
Since the year beginning , oil exports went down by 8.8 % , to 140.2 million tonnes .
Russia takes part in the OPEC+ oil production cuts deal effective since May 2020 .
Under the deal , Russia is cutting its oil output by about 19 % on February 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 1.6 % in July , to 1.49 million tonnes , but dropped by 37.4 % on the year , to 6.1 million tonnes .
Oil exports to other countries shrank by 27 % in July , to 15.72 million tonnes ( down by 6.8 % on the year , to 134.05 million tonnes ) .
Oil transit in July decreased by 4.3 % and stood at 1.66 million tonnes ( 11.3 million tonnes since the beginning of the year ) .
A total of 22.5 million tonnes of oil were sold on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % less than a year ago .
Supplies to the domestic market went down by 2.4 % in January-July , to 162.22 million tonnes .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Russia’s oil exports stood at 17.22 million tonnes in July 2020, or down by 25.2% on the previous year, as follows from a report of the Central Dispatching Department of Fuel Energy Complex released on Sunday.
Since the year beginning, oil exports went down by 8.8%, to 140.2 million tonnes.
Russia takes part in the OPEC+ oil production cuts deal effective since May 2020. Under the deal, Russia is cutting its oil output by about 19% on February 2020.
Exports to former Soviet republics went up by 1.6% in July, to 1.49 million tonnes, but dropped by 37.4% on the year, to 6.1 million tonnes. Oil exports to other countries shrank by 27% in July, to 15.72 million tonnes (down by 6.8% on the year, to 134.05 million tonnes).
Oil transit in July decreased by 4.3% and stood at 1.66 million tonnes (11.3 million tonnes since the beginning of the year).
A total of 22.5 million tonnes of oil were sold on the domestic market, or by 11.7% less than a year ago. Supplies to the domestic market went down by 2.4% in January-July, to 162.22 million tonnes.


tass--2020-08-02--Single-engine private plane crashes near Kaliningrad

KALININGRAD , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
A private single-engine plane with three people onboard crashed in Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ people were hurt , a spokesman for the regional department of the Russian emergencies ministry @ @ @ @ @ `` According to reports that came at 15:15 local time , a Cessna private single-engine @ @ @ @ @ two men and one women - crashes near the village of Streltsovo near Kaliningrad .
@ @ @ @ @ the plane .
Currently , they are in hospital , '' the spokesman said .
@ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile a source in the emergencies services told TASS the crash might have been @ @ @ @ @ .
A spokesman for the regional health ministry told TASS that the woman is in @ @ @ @ @ the two men are in serious condition .

KALININGRAD, August 2. /TASS/. A private single-engine plane with three people onboard crashed in Russia’s westernmost Kaliningrad region, three people were hurt, a spokesman for the regional department of the Russian emergencies ministry told TASS on Sunday.
"According to reports that came at 15:15 local time, a Cessna private single-engine aircraft with three people - two men and one women - crashes near the village of Streltsovo near Kaliningrad. The three managed to leave the plane. Currently, they are in hospital," the spokesman said.
No further details were provided.
Meanwhile a source in the emergencies services told TASS the crash might have been caused by a technical malfunction.
A spokesman for the regional health ministry told TASS that the woman is in condition of moderate gravity while the two men are in serious condition.


tass--2020-08-02--Belarusian leader, to address parliament and nation on August 4

MINSK , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will deliver his annual state-of-the-nation address on August 4 , his press secretary Natalia Eismont said on Sunday .
`` Nothing has been postponed , '' BelTA agency quoted her as staying .
`` Both houses of the parliament will open their sessions on August 3 , as scheduled .
Lawmakers and senators will address procedural matters , discuss the current agenda .
On the following day , August 4 , as planned , the head of state will address the nation and the National Assembly . ''
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling the third extraordinary session of the parliament on August 3 to hear his annual state-of-the-nation address and consider other issues .
Traditionally , the Belarusian president delivers his state-of-the-nation address during a spring parliament session .
This year , the address was originally scheduled for mid-April but was postponed to a later date .
Presidential elections will be held in Belarus on August 9 .
On July 14 , Belarus ’ Central Election Commission took a decision to register five presidential candidate , including the incumbent president .
Two more candidates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently under arrest , were denied registration .

MINSK, August 2. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will deliver his annual state-of-the-nation address on August 4, his press secretary Natalia Eismont said on Sunday.
"Nothing has been postponed," BelTA agency quoted her as staying. "Both houses of the parliament will open their sessions on August 3, as scheduled. Lawmakers and senators will address procedural matters, discuss the current agenda. On the following day, August 4, as planned, the head of state will address the nation and the National Assembly."
On July 24, Lukashenko signed a decree calling the third extraordinary session of the parliament on August 3 to hear his annual state-of-the-nation address and consider other issues.
Traditionally, the Belarusian president delivers his state-of-the-nation address during a spring parliament session. This year, the address was originally scheduled for mid-April but was postponed to a later date.
Presidential elections will be held in Belarus on August 9. On July 14, Belarus’ Central Election Commission took a decision to register five presidential candidate, including the incumbent president. Two more candidates, Valery Tsepkalo and Viktor Babariko, who is currently under arrest, were denied registration.


tass--2020-08-02--People with chronic diseases advised to refrain from travels - expert

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
People who have chronic diseases and senior citizens are strongly advised to refrain from travels in order to reduced risks of the exposure to the novel coronavirus infection , Vladimir Chulanov , Russian health ministry ’ s chief visiting specialist in communicable diseases , said on Sunday .
`` People suffering from chronic diseases , such as diabetes , hypertonia , coronary heart disease , people with excess weight , and senior citizens should better refrain from travels because of high risks of complications and sever forms of the disease , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high and keeps on growing in many Russian regions .
There is no such notion as ‘ vacationing season ’ for the coronavirus infection and public places continue to be a favorable environment for the virus spread , the expert said and warned against visiting such places .
`` Those who have opted to spend vacations at a resort should avoid visiting places of mass gathering and prefer such types of activities as walks and strolls in park .
A face mask is a must in public places .
It is also recommended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often , use sanitizers and keep a social distance , '' Chulanov stressed .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. People who have chronic diseases and senior citizens are strongly advised to refrain from travels in order to reduced risks of the exposure to the novel coronavirus infection, Vladimir Chulanov, Russian health ministry’s chief visiting specialist in communicable diseases, said on Sunday.
"People suffering from chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertonia, coronary heart disease, people with excess weight, and senior citizens should better refrain from travels because of high risks of complications and sever forms of the disease," he said, adding that morbidity is still high and keeps on growing in many Russian regions.
There is no such notion as ‘vacationing season’ for the coronavirus infection and public places continue to be a favorable environment for the virus spread, the expert said and warned against visiting such places.
"Those who have opted to spend vacations at a resort should avoid visiting places of mass gathering and prefer such types of activities as walks and strolls in park. A face mask is a must in public places. It is also recommended to practice proper hygiene - wash hands often, use sanitizers and keep a social distance," Chulanov stressed.


tass--2020-08-02--Russia’s oil production down by 16.2% in July, to 39.6 mln tonnes

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s oil and gas condensate production dropped by 16.2 % in July 2020 year-on-year , to 39.63 million tonnes , as follows from a report of the Central Dispatching Department of Fuel Energy Complex released on Sunday .
Oil production has decreased by 6.2 % since the beginning of the year , to 304.3 million tonnes .
Russia takes part in the OPEC+ oil production cuts deal effective since May 2020 .
Under the deal , Russia is cutting its oil output by about 19 % on February 2020 .
Rosneft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 15.2 million tonnes ( by 7.5 % since the year beginning , to 116.38 million tonnes ) .
Lukoil ’ s output decreased by 19 % in July , to 19.7 million tonnes ( by 8.2 % since the beginning of the year , to 44.1 million tonnes ) .
Surgutneftegaz cut oil production by 19.3 % in July , to 4.18 million tonnes ( by 6.3 % since the year beginning , to 32.9 million tonnes ) .
Gazprom neft ’ s oil output in July was down by 17.3 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4.2 % since the beginning of the year , to 33.8 million tonnes ) .
Tatneft cut production by 22.2 % in July , to two million tonnes ( by 12.3 % on the year , to 15.28 million tonnes ) .
Novatek ’ s production in July was 0.92 million tonne , or down by 6.8 % ( by 2.9 % on the year , to 6.69 million tonnes ) .
Operators under the production division deal cut production of oil and gas condensate by 3.7 % in July , to 1.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the year beginning , to 8.36 million tonnes .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Russia’s oil and gas condensate production dropped by 16.2% in July 2020 year-on-year, to 39.63 million tonnes, as follows from a report of the Central Dispatching Department of Fuel Energy Complex released on Sunday.
Oil production has decreased by 6.2% since the beginning of the year, to 304.3 million tonnes.
Russia takes part in the OPEC+ oil production cuts deal effective since May 2020. Under the deal, Russia is cutting its oil output by about 19% on February 2020.
Rosneft decreased July production by 15.4%, to 15.2 million tonnes (by 7.5% since the year beginning, to 116.38 million tonnes). Lukoil’s output decreased by 19% in July, to 19.7 million tonnes (by 8.2% since the beginning of the year, to 44.1 million tonnes).
Surgutneftegaz cut oil production by 19.3% in July, to 4.18 million tonnes (by 6.3% since the year beginning, to 32.9 million tonnes). Gazprom neft’s oil output in July was down by 17.3%, to 4.5 million tonnes (by 4.2% since the beginning of the year, to 33.8 million tonnes).
Tatneft cut production by 22.2% in July, to two million tonnes (by 12.3% on the year, to 15.28 million tonnes). Novatek’s production in July was 0.92 million tonne, or down by 6.8% (by 2.9% on the year, to 6.69 million tonnes).
Operators under the production division deal cut production of oil and gas condensate by 3.7% in July, to 1.1 million tonnes, and by three percent since the year beginning, to 8.36 million tonnes.


tass--2020-08-02--Russian sanitary watchdog chief says sure of safety of Russian anti-coronavirus vaccine

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Chief of Russia ’ s sanitary watchdog Anna Popova said on Sunday she is confident in the efficiency and safety of anti-coronavirus vaccines that are being developed in Russia .
`` I have no doubts that the vaccine [ against the novel coronavirus ] that is to reach people will be absolutely safe and , of course , efficient , '' she said in an interview with the Vesti news program on the Rossiya-1 television channel .
She stressed that there had never been vaccines with questionable safety on the Russian market .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality of vaccines and exercise very strict control of their quality .
We take into account any skin reactions after using any vaccine , '' she added .
According to the sanitary watchdog ’ s chief , not a single vaccine developer in the world has complete knowledge about coronavirus immunity sustainability after inoculation .
`` I would like to hope that it ( immunity - TASS ) will be sustainable and lasting , '' she said , adding that vaccination protocol for Russia-developed vaccines envisages two inoculations .
`` It means that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the second one in a span of 21 days , '' she noted .
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said earlier that clinical tests of an anti-coronavirus vaccine developed by the ministry ’ s Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology had been completed .
Another vaccine , the one developed by the Vektor State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology of the Russian sanitary watchdog , is at a stage of clinical tests .
Mass vaccination against the novel coronavirus is planned to be launched in October .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Chief of Russia’s sanitary watchdog Anna Popova said on Sunday she is confident in the efficiency and safety of anti-coronavirus vaccines that are being developed in Russia.
"I have no doubts that the vaccine [against the novel coronavirus] that is to reach people will be absolutely safe and, of course, efficient," she said in an interview with the Vesti news program on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
She stressed that there had never been vaccines with questionable safety on the Russian market. "We are very careful about the quality of vaccines and exercise very strict control of their quality. We take into account any skin reactions after using any vaccine," she added.
According to the sanitary watchdog’s chief, not a single vaccine developer in the world has complete knowledge about coronavirus immunity sustainability after inoculation. "I would like to hope that it (immunity - TASS) will be sustainable and lasting," she said, adding that vaccination protocol for Russia-developed vaccines envisages two inoculations. "It means that the first inoculation is to be followed by the second one in a span of 21 days," she noted.
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said earlier that clinical tests of an anti-coronavirus vaccine developed by the ministry’s Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology had been completed. Another vaccine, the one developed by the Vektor State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology of the Russian sanitary watchdog, is at a stage of clinical tests. Mass vaccination against the novel coronavirus is planned to be launched in October.


tass--2020-08-02--Russian prime minister signs decree allowing entry for Swiss citizens

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree lifting restrictions on entering Russia @ @ @ @ @ , which had been imposed over the coronavirus pandemic , the cabinet ’ s press @ @ @ @ @ `` The citizens of Switzerland can arrive in Russia by planes .
The flights with @ @ @ @ @ be resumed on a mutual basis since August 15 , '' the press service said @ @ @ @ @ performed once per week on a route Moscow-Geneva-Moscow .
The airlines will be notified on @ @ @ @ @ The decision on allowing entry was made on August 1 after the meeting of the @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree lifting restrictions on entering Russia for Switzerland’s citizens, which had been imposed over the coronavirus pandemic, the cabinet’s press service said on Sunday.
"The citizens of Switzerland can arrive in Russia by planes. The flights with this country are expected to be resumed on a mutual basis since August 15," the press service said.
The flights will be performed once per week on a route Moscow-Geneva-Moscow. The airlines will be notified on the flights’ resumption.
The decision on allowing entry was made on August 1 after the meeting of the crisis center led by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova.


tass--2020-08-02--Russian lawmaker talks bilateral ties, Middle East situation with top Iranian diplomat

TEHRAN , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Chairman of the Russian State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif , the Iranian Foreign Ministry ’ s press service said on Sunday .
`` Slutsky noted that the visit during the coronavirus pandemic was explained by the level of relations between the two countries and the need to discuss important issues , '' according to the statement .
In his turn , the top Iranian diplomat highlighted the high level of cooperation between the two countries in various areas .
`` Zarif mentioned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Russia , '' the press service said .
Tehran and Moscow agreed to renew the treaty on the basis of relations and principles of cooperation between the countries inked in 2001 during Zarif ’ s visit to Russia .
During the talks the sides discussed the situation in Syria , Iraq , Yemen and Libya .
On Saturday , Slutsky held talks with Iran ’ s Majlis ( parliament ) Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf .
He handed over Russian medical equipment , including COVID-19 test systems .
The lawmaker also invited Ghalibaf to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that the two countries ’ respective committees could hold joint meetings .
Slutsky became the first member of the lower house of Russia ’ s parliament to visit Iran after the novel coronavirus outbreak .
Moreover , he was the first Russian lawmaker to meet with a new speaker of the Iranian parliament .

TEHRAN, August 2. /TASS/. Chairman of the Russian State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s press service said on Sunday.
"Slutsky noted that the visit during the coronavirus pandemic was explained by the level of relations between the two countries and the need to discuss important issues," according to the statement.
In his turn, the top Iranian diplomat highlighted the high level of cooperation between the two countries in various areas. "Zarif mentioned the treaty on long-term strategic cooperation between Iran and Russia," the press service said.
Tehran and Moscow agreed to renew the treaty on the basis of relations and principles of cooperation between the countries inked in 2001 during Zarif’s visit to Russia. During the talks the sides discussed the situation in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya.
On Saturday, Slutsky held talks with Iran’s Majlis (parliament) Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf. He handed over Russian medical equipment, including COVID-19 test systems. The lawmaker also invited Ghalibaf to pay a visit to Russia and pointed out that the two countries’ respective committees could hold joint meetings.
Slutsky became the first member of the lower house of Russia’s parliament to visit Iran after the novel coronavirus outbreak. Moreover, he was the first Russian lawmaker to meet with a new speaker of the Iranian parliament.


tass--2020-08-03--Russia starts supplies of Avifavir anti-COVID drug to South Africa

The RDIF stressed in the statement that South Africa has recently seen a rapid increase in the number of patients with coronavirus infection and in terms of infections , South Africa currently ranks 5th globally .
According to the press release , Chromis , a joint venture established by RDIF , Russia ’ s sovereign wealth fund , and ChemRar Group , announced the signing of a distribution agreement with South Africa ’ s 3Sixty Biopharmaceuticals , a subsidiary of 3Sixty Global Solutions Group , to deliver Avifavir , the first Russian anti-COVID drug , to South Africa .
MOSCOW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) and the ChemRar Group of companies have begun supplying the Avifavir anti-coronavirus drug to South Africa , RDIF announced in a press release .
Earlier , 3Sixty Biopharmaceuticals signed an agreement to import Remdesivir to South Africa , which is injected intravenously in hospitals .
However , because South Africa has a shortage of hospitals it needs other effective ways to treat patients with COVID-19 , the RDIF said .
`` Avifavir is effective in the early and middle stages of infection .
Treatment of outpatients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hospital admissions and reduce the burden on the healthcare system , '' the RDIF said .
`` South Africa is the second BRICS state after Brazil to which RDIF and ChemRar have agreed to supply Avifavir .
Thanks to the agreement with 3Sixty Biopharmaceuticals , doctors in South Africa will obtain an effective tool to treat patients at an early stage , preventing the progression of the disease and risk to the lives of patients , '' Kirill Dmitriev , CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund , said as quoted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a joint venture of RDIF and ChemRar Group .
It is one of the two registered COVID-19 drugs in the world .
Avifavir has also become the first Favipiravir-based drug in the world approved for treatment of COVID-19 .
It has shown high efficacy in clinical trials , disrupting the reproduction mechanisms of coronavirus .
On May 29 , Avifavir received a registration certificate from Russia ’ s Ministry of Health and became the first Russian drug approved for treatment of COVID-19 patients .
On June 3 , the Ministry of Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guidelines for the prevention , diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus infection .

The RDIF stressed in the statement that South Africa has recently seen a rapid increase in the number of patients with coronavirus infection and in terms of infections, South Africa currently ranks 5th globally.
According to the press release, Chromis, a joint venture established by RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, and ChemRar Group, announced the signing of a distribution agreement with South Africa’s 3Sixty Biopharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of 3Sixty Global Solutions Group, to deliver Avifavir, the first Russian anti-COVID drug, to South Africa.
MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and the ChemRar Group of companies have begun supplying the Avifavir anti-coronavirus drug to South Africa, RDIF announced in a press release.
Earlier, 3Sixty Biopharmaceuticals signed an agreement to import Remdesivir to South Africa, which is injected intravenously in hospitals. However, because South Africa has a shortage of hospitals it needs other effective ways to treat patients with COVID-19, the RDIF said.
"Avifavir is effective in the early and middle stages of infection. Treatment of outpatients with Avifavir can help decrease the number of hospital admissions and reduce the burden on the healthcare system," the RDIF said.
"South Africa is the second BRICS state after Brazil to which RDIF and ChemRar have agreed to supply Avifavir. Thanks to the agreement with 3Sixty Biopharmaceuticals, doctors in South Africa will obtain an effective tool to treat patients at an early stage, preventing the progression of the disease and risk to the lives of patients," Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, said as quoted by the press release.
Avifavir is produced by a joint venture of RDIF and ChemRar Group. It is one of the two registered COVID-19 drugs in the world. Avifavir has also become the first Favipiravir-based drug in the world approved for treatment of COVID-19. It has shown high efficacy in clinical trials, disrupting the reproduction mechanisms of coronavirus.
On May 29, Avifavir received a registration certificate from Russia’s Ministry of Health and became the first Russian drug approved for treatment of COVID-19 patients. On June 3, the Ministry of Health included Avifavir in the seventh edition of the guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus infection.


tass--2020-08-03--Russia starts training cosmonauts for record fast flight to orbital outpost

MOSCOW , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
Specialists of Russia ’ s Energia Space Rocket Corporation have started training cosmonauts for a record fast flight to the International Space Station ( ISS ) under an ultra-short scheme with a crewed spacecraft to reach the orbital outpost in three hours , a source in the domestic space industry told TASS on Monday .
Head of Russia ’ s federal space agency Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin `` has instructed the Energia Space Rocket Corporation to prepare the first crew for a flight under a super-fast scheme to the ISS where the spacecraft makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station .
The Corporation has already started the cosmonauts ’ training , '' the source said .
Today the four-orbit scheme that takes about six hours is considered as the shortest in manned flights .
Roscosmos earlier tested the two-orbit scheme on Progress resupply ships .
In particular , a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket lifted off from Site No .
31 of the Baikonur spaceport on July 23 to orbit a Progress MS-15 spacecraft , which docked to the ISS in a record three hours and 18 minutes : no one had flown to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Roscosmos Chief Rogozin uploaded a video of this space launch on his YouTube blog .
The Roscosmos chief earlier said that a Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft due to travel to the ISS with three crewmembers in October might use the two-orbit scheme .
The two-day scheme is the classical pattern of flights to orbital stations .
The basic advantage of short flight schemes developed by Roscosmos is that the crew has to adapt to zero gravity already aboard the space station and not in the spacecraft ’ s limited space where it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. Specialists of Russia’s Energia Space Rocket Corporation have started training cosmonauts for a record fast flight to the International Space Station (ISS) under an ultra-short scheme with a crewed spacecraft to reach the orbital outpost in three hours, a source in the domestic space industry told TASS on Monday.
Head of Russia’s federal space agency Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin "has instructed the Energia Space Rocket Corporation to prepare the first crew for a flight under a super-fast scheme to the ISS where the spacecraft makes just two orbits before docking with the station. The Corporation has already started the cosmonauts’ training," the source said.
Today the four-orbit scheme that takes about six hours is considered as the shortest in manned flights.
Roscosmos earlier tested the two-orbit scheme on Progress resupply ships. In particular, a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket lifted off from Site No. 31 of the Baikonur spaceport on July 23 to orbit a Progress MS-15 spacecraft, which docked to the ISS in a record three hours and 18 minutes: no one had flown to orbital stations at such a speed before. Roscosmos Chief Rogozin uploaded a video of this space launch on his YouTube blog.
The Roscosmos chief earlier said that a Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft due to travel to the ISS with three crewmembers in October might use the two-orbit scheme.
The two-day scheme is the classical pattern of flights to orbital stations. The basic advantage of short flight schemes developed by Roscosmos is that the crew has to adapt to zero gravity already aboard the space station and not in the spacecraft’s limited space where it is also quite cold, among other things.


tass--2020-08-03--Special police unit apprehends man threatening to blow up Kiev bank

KIEV , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Ukrainian special police have apprehended a man who entered a bank in @ @ @ @ @ it up , Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko announced Monday .
`` Terrorist captured alive @ @ @ @ @ happen , '' Gerashchenko wrote via Facebook .
According to him , the perpetrator will @ @ @ @ @ a `` long term prison sentence . ''

KIEV, August 3. /TASS/. The Ukrainian special police have apprehended a man who entered a bank in downtown Kiev threatening to blow it up, Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko announced Monday.
"Terrorist captured alive. The explosion didn't happen," Gerashchenko wrote via Facebook. According to him, the perpetrator will later stand trial and face a "long term prison sentence."


tass--2020-08-03--Il-114-300 turboprop to make maiden flight in September

MOSCOW , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft will make its first flight in September 2020 @ @ @ @ @ the United Aircraft Corporation ( UAC ) Yuri Slyusar said on Monday at the meeting @ @ @ @ @ `` The aircraft [ Il-114-300 - TASS ] has already been assembled .
The airplane @ @ @ @ @ preparing for the first flight .
I believe in September , according to our plans @ @ @ @ @ off in the Moscow Region , in Zhukovsky , '' Slyusar said .
The seating @ @ @ @ @ 68 passengers and the speed will be 500 km per hour , the top manager @ @

MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. The Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft will make its first flight in September 2020, Chief Executive Officer of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Yuri Slyusar said on Monday at the meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
"The aircraft [Il-114-300 - TASS] has already been assembled. The airplane undergoes ground tests and is preparing for the first flight. I believe in September, according to our plans, this aircraft will take off in the Moscow Region, in Zhukovsky," Slyusar said.
The seating capacity of the airplane is 68 passengers and the speed will be 500 km per hour, the top manager added.


tass--2020-08-03--Three Russian firms to start serial production of COVID-19 vaccine in September

MOSCOW , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
Three Russian companies are to start industrial production of the first coronavirus vaccine @ @ @ @ @ by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in September , Industry and @ @ @ @ @ in an interview with TASS .
`` The Gamaleya Institute is working on serial production @ @ @ @ @ in the Vladimir , Yaroslavl and Moscow regions , those are Generium , R-Pharm and @ @ @ @ @ We very much hope that serial production will start as early as in September , @ @ @ @ @ thousands of vaccine doses per month are planned to be produced at the initial stage @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of next year companies will increase output to several millions , the minister @ @

MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. Three Russian companies are to start industrial production of the first coronavirus vaccine in the Russian Federation developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in September, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said in an interview with TASS.
"The Gamaleya Institute is working on serial production with three enterprises with facilities in the Vladimir, Yaroslavl and Moscow regions, those are Generium, R-Pharm and Binnopharm. <...> We very much hope that serial production will start as early as in September," he said.
Several thousands of vaccine doses per month are planned to be produced at the initial stage this year, whereas by the beginning of next year companies will increase output to several millions, the minister added.


tass--2020-08-03--Russian Navy kicks off Oceanic Shield naval drills in Baltic Sea

MOSCOW , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
The naval exercise Oceanic Shield-2020 with more than 30 ships kicked off in @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Defense Ministry reported on Monday .
Russian Pacific Fleet ships , naval aircraft @ @ @ @ @ of Japan drills '' The Oceanic Shield-2020 naval drills have begun under the direction of @ @ @ @ @ , '' the statement says .
The drills involve over 30 warships of various classes @ @ @ @ @ defense troops , air defense forces and marine infantry , the ministry specified .
During @ @ @ @ @ Baltic Sea , the naval forces will conduct launches of attack and anti-aircraft missiles and @ @ @ @ @ ministry said .

MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. The naval exercise Oceanic Shield-2020 with more than 30 ships kicked off in the Baltic Sea, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Monday.
Russian Pacific Fleet ships, naval aircraft eliminate enemy sub in Sea of Japan drills
"The Oceanic Shield-2020 naval drills have begun under the direction of Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Nikolai Yevmenov," the statement says.
The drills involve over 30 warships of various classes, naval aviation, coastal defense troops, air defense forces and marine infantry, the ministry specified.
During the drills running in the Baltic Sea, the naval forces will conduct launches of attack and anti-aircraft missiles and hold artillery firings, the ministry said.


tass--2020-08-03--Every tenth Russian encountered workplace sexual harassment, poll shows

MOSCOW , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
The majority of Russians ( 87 % ) have never encountered forced physical contact at work .
However , every tenth Russian ( 9 % ) has encountered such manifestations of harassment , according to the data of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center published on its website on Monday .
`` As to the more serious harassment , the absolute majority ( 87 % ) have never in their lifetime encountered the situations of forced or unwanted physical contact at work .
Although every tenth Russian ( 9 % ) has encountered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the workplace , '' the study said .
Almost half of the respondents ( 45 % ) do not consider the proposal of sexual relations and demands of sexual nature in the workplace offensive .
The other half of the respondents are of the opposite opinion .
This position is usually taken by women and younger people , according to the poll .
For every second woman ( 51 % ) it is undoubtedly offensive .
Among men this opinion is shared by 22 % .
Among younger people ( aged 18-24 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 42 % view them as offensive among the elderly ( aged 60+ ) .
The absolute majority of the respondents ( 90 % ) have not encountered the necessity to turn down hints or open offers of sexual relations by the supervisors .
For 4 % of those polled the refusal had no consequences while 3 % confirmed employment termination or other consequences .
12 % of Russians report receiving indecent commentaries regarding their appearance , while 4 % report that this is happening constantly .
`` The unconcealed visual examination of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of our compatriots ( 88 % of men and 81 % of women ) , while 11 % of Russians found themselves in this situation with some frequency , '' the study said .
The survey was conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center together with Sputnik countrywide on July 29 , with 1,600 people aged 18 and above participating .
The margin of error does not exceed 2.5 % with a probability of 95 % .
In addition to the margin of error , the survey data may be shifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various circumstances arising during fieldwork .

MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. The majority of Russians (87%) have never encountered forced physical contact at work. However, every tenth Russian (9%) has encountered such manifestations of harassment, according to the data of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center published on its website on Monday.
"As to the more serious harassment, the absolute majority (87%) have never in their lifetime encountered the situations of forced or unwanted physical contact at work. Although every tenth Russian (9%) has encountered offers or demands of sexual nature in the workplace," the study said.
Almost half of the respondents (45%) do not consider the proposal of sexual relations and demands of sexual nature in the workplace offensive. The other half of the respondents are of the opposite opinion. This position is usually taken by women and younger people, according to the poll. For every second woman (51%) it is undoubtedly offensive. Among men this opinion is shared by 22%. Among younger people (aged 18-24) 60% consider such proposals offensive and 42% view them as offensive among the elderly (aged 60+).
The absolute majority of the respondents (90%) have not encountered the necessity to turn down hints or open offers of sexual relations by the supervisors. For 4% of those polled the refusal had no consequences while 3% confirmed employment termination or other consequences.
12% of Russians report receiving indecent commentaries regarding their appearance, while 4% report that this is happening constantly. "The unconcealed visual examination of their bodies has never been noticed by 84% of our compatriots (88% of men and 81% of women), while 11% of Russians found themselves in this situation with some frequency," the study said.
The survey was conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center together with Sputnik countrywide on July 29, with 1,600 people aged 18 and above participating. The margin of error does not exceed 2.5% with a probability of 95%. In addition to the margin of error, the survey data may be shifted due to the wording of questions and various circumstances arising during fieldwork.


tass--2020-08-03--Polish regulator imposes $57 mln penalty on Gazprom over Nord Stream 2 investigation

WARSAW , June 3 .
/TASS/ .
Poland ’ s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection ( UOKiK ) has imposed a penalty of around $ 57 mln on Russia ’ s top gas producer Gazprom for failure to cooperate in the investigation conducted in relation to construction of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline , the regulator said in a statement on Monday .
`` President of UOKiK Tomasz Chrostny has imposed a penalty of almost 213 mln zloty ( around $ 57 mln ) on Gazprom for failure to cooperate in the investigation conducted in relation to the construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the statement runs .
Such an obligation is fixed in the European legislation , on which the Polish Act on Competition and Consumer Protection is based , UOKiK noted .
`` The penalty imposed on Gazprom is related to the proceedings conducted with regard to the creation of a consortium financing the construction of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline without a required consent of the President of UOKIK .
The Authority has made allegations in this case against six companies : Gazprom from Russia , Engie Energy from Switzerland and four companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Shell and Wintershall .
In the course of the proceedings , the Authority requested documents that are of significance to the case from Gazprom as well , however , the company refused to provide information that is important to the pending proceedings , '' the regulator said .
`` Based on the existing provisions , at the beginning of the year , we requested Gazprom to provide us with contracts concluded by its subsidiary with other companies financing the construction of Nord Stream 2 .
Despite its legal obligation to cooperate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide such information , even after the proceedings in relation to failure to cooperate , which should have been a warning for the company , were initiated in May , '' according to the statement .
`` Violation of the laws of Poland , a member-state of the European Union , will result in financial sanctions provided for in such laws .
To my mind , it is an intentional act , the aim of which was to obstruct the ongoing proceedings .
Therefore , I have decided to impose a penalty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is a maximum sanction provided for by law for failure to provide information requested by the Authority , '' President of UOKiK Tomasz Chrostny was quoted as saying .
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection initiated earlier an investigation against Gazprom and its five Nord Stream 2 partners - OMV , Wintershall , Shell , Uniper and Engie , following which it brought charges of violating Poland ’ s antitrust legislation due to the project ’ s financing against the Russian gas giant .
The regulator suggests that Gazprom without preliminary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those companies , which could lead to the restriction of competition .
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is set to run from the Russian coast along the Baltic Sea bed to the German shore through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of five countries - Russia , Finland , Sweden , Denmark , and Germany , thus bypassing transit countries of Ukraine , Belarus , Poland and other Eastern European and Baltic states .
Each of the pipeline ’ s two stretches will have a capacity of 27.5 bln cubic meters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are Germany ’ s Wintershall and Uniper , Austria ’ s OMV , France ’ s Engie and the British-Dutch Shell .

WARSAW, June 3. /TASS/. Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has imposed a penalty of around $57 mln on Russia’s top gas producer Gazprom for failure to cooperate in the investigation conducted in relation to construction of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the regulator said in a statement on Monday.
"President of UOKiK Tomasz Chrostny has imposed a penalty of almost 213 mln zloty (around $57 mln) on Gazprom for failure to cooperate in the investigation conducted in relation to the construction of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline," the statement runs. Such an obligation is fixed in the European legislation, on which the Polish Act on Competition and Consumer Protection is based, UOKiK noted.
"The penalty imposed on Gazprom is related to the proceedings conducted with regard to the creation of a consortium financing the construction of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline without a required consent of the President of UOKIK. The Authority has made allegations in this case against six companies: Gazprom from Russia, Engie Energy from Switzerland and four companies from the Netherlands: Uniper, OMV, Shell and Wintershall. In the course of the proceedings, the Authority requested documents that are of significance to the case from Gazprom as well, however, the company refused to provide information that is important to the pending proceedings," the regulator said.
"Based on the existing provisions, at the beginning of the year, we requested Gazprom to provide us with contracts concluded by its subsidiary with other companies financing the construction of Nord Stream 2. Despite its legal obligation to cooperate with the Authority, the company failed to provide such information, even after the proceedings in relation to failure to cooperate, which should have been a warning for the company, were initiated in May," according to the statement.
"Violation of the laws of Poland, a member-state of the European Union, will result in financial sanctions provided for in such laws. To my mind, it is an intentional act, the aim of which was to obstruct the ongoing proceedings. Therefore, I have decided to impose a penalty of almost 213 mln zloty on Gazprom. It is a maximum sanction provided for by law for failure to provide information requested by the Authority," President of UOKiK Tomasz Chrostny was quoted as saying.
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection initiated earlier an investigation against Gazprom and its five Nord Stream 2 partners - OMV, Wintershall, Shell, Uniper and Engie, following which it brought charges of violating Poland’s antitrust legislation due to the project’s financing against the Russian gas giant. The regulator suggests that Gazprom without preliminary approval entered into a financial transaction with those companies, which could lead to the restriction of competition.
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is set to run from the Russian coast along the Baltic Sea bed to the German shore through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of five countries - Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, thus bypassing transit countries of Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and other Eastern European and Baltic states. Each of the pipeline’s two stretches will have a capacity of 27.5 bln cubic meters. Gazprom's European partners in the project are Germany’s Wintershall and Uniper, Austria’s OMV, France’s Engie and the British-Dutch Shell.


tass--2020-08-03--Russia to start serial deliveries of latest heavy strike drone in 2024

Russia to make several million doses of COVID-19 vaccines per month by 2021 , says minister According to the sanitary @ @ @ @ @ options are being developed at 17 research institutions in Russia

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


tass--2020-08-03--Huawei Announces Global Rollout of New Device Gaming Hub – HUAWEI GameCenter

BEIJING , Aug. 3 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei today announced the rollout of its official game service and distribution platform HUAWEI GameCenter in 33 countries and regions worldwide .
GameCenter is a platform designed to bring mobile gaming communities together through high-quality content and rewards , Huawei users in Asia Pacific , Europe , Latin America , the Middle East , Africa and other regions can now enjoy richer gaming experience by downloading and using HUAWEI GameCenter via AppGallery .
A new world of gaming specially created for next-level gaming experience GameCenter creates a one-stop game service platform and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players with richer experience through two core services : content service and user welfare .
With GameCenter , users can get access to the pre-order games , new games and popular games .
Also , users can take advantage of exclusive online game packages and offers when playing the games , through which users can grow their profile , unlock further discounts and enjoy incredible benefits .
Top perks include : • Be among the first to know about new game releases and try out new games GameCenter is the platform for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are exclusive on Huawei 's platform .
These include Starship Legion-AMG , BORN AS EPIC , Farm Legend , Survival Road , Ellr Land and more .
Users can also find other new games such as Dynasty Legends : True Hero Rises from Chaos , Goddess MUA and more .
• Never miss out on globally popular games Popular games consumers can enjoy on GameCenter include : Idle Heroes , The Origin of Chaos , Brain Out , AFK Arena , Rise of Kingdoms : Lost Crusade , Lords Mobile , Asphalt 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Game , Saint Seiya Awakening : Knights of Zodiac , Perfect world and more .
• Enjoy exclusive gifts and offers , only on GameCenter Users will find several welfare packages exclusive to HUAWEI GameCenter .
For example , when playing Last Day Rules : Survival and Starship Legion-AMG , users can get exclusive package benefits such as gold coins and time-limited props , having a more enjoyable game time .
In addition , there are surprise benefits which users can discover as they explore this new gaming hub .
With GameCenter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while achieving business success For developers creating with Huawei , the rollout of GameCenter provides an opportunity to reach wider consumer audience of 700 million+ Huawei users on a global scale .
The 1.6 million HMS ( Huawei Mobile Services ) developers are already creating unique , new experiences that incorporate Huawei 's Chipset-Device-Cloud capabilities .
These developers are also unlocking the potential to reach more devoted fans through HMS ecosystem that provides all-scenario capabilities , global distribution channels , full-cycle operational management and support .
Currently , HUAWEI GameCenter has partnerships with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lilith games , IGG , Gameloft , Forshow games etc .
For developers in the gaming sector , the introduction of GameCenter now provides even further benefits including : • Free professional evaluation services for developers to acquire local feedbacks about the games from overseas regions .
This is to help developers localize their apps so the game services will be more relevant and exciting for players across various markets .
• For those developers who need to integrate their games with HMS Core , Huawei will provide technical support to facilitate integration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Access to the `` Shining-Star '' program , which provides $ 1 billion incentive fund and offers various services .
This includes a full app development life cycle , funds for development innovation , user growth , marketing and other aspects for developers .
• Developers have a favourable share of the revenue when developing with Huawei .
Additionally , we offer developers advertising and promotional space within GameCenter to reach more consumers .
In future version upgrades , GameCenter will feature an in-app social community .
That way , players will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way to socialize , make friends and build communities of fans with the same interests .

BEIJING, Aug. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei today announced the rollout of its official game service and distribution platform HUAWEI GameCenter in 33 countries and regions worldwide. GameCenter is a platform designed to bring mobile gaming communities together through high-quality content and rewards, Huawei users in Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and other regions can now enjoy richer gaming experience by downloading and using HUAWEI GameCenter via AppGallery.
A new world of gaming specially created for next-level gaming experience
GameCenter creates a one-stop game service platform and unique experience for users, providing game players with richer experience through two core services: content service and user welfare. With GameCenter, users can get access to the pre-order games, new games and popular games. Also, users can take advantage of exclusive online game packages and offers when playing the games, through which users can grow their profile, unlock further discounts and enjoy incredible benefits. Top perks include:
Be among the first to know about new game releases and try out new games
GameCenter is the platform for the global launch of featured games, which are exclusive on Huawei's platform. These include Starship Legion-AMG, BORN AS EPIC, Farm Legend, Survival Road, Ellr Land and more.
Users can also find other new games such as Dynasty Legends: True Hero Rises from Chaos, Goddess MUA and more.
GameCenter is the platform for the global launch of featured games, which are exclusive on Huawei's platform. These include Starship Legion-AMG, BORN AS EPIC, Farm Legend, Survival Road, Ellr Land and more. Users can also find other new games such as Dynasty Legends: True Hero Rises from Chaos, Goddess MUA and more. Never miss out on globally popular games
Popular games consumers can enjoy on GameCenter include: Idle Heroes, The Origin of Chaos, Brain Out, AFK Arena, Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade, Lords Mobile, Asphalt 9: Legends – Epic Car Action Racing Game, Saint Seiya Awakening: Knights of Zodiac, Perfect world and more.
Popular games consumers can enjoy on GameCenter include: Idle Heroes, The Origin of Chaos, Brain Out, AFK Arena, Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade, Lords Mobile, Asphalt 9: Legends – Epic Car Action Racing Game, Saint Seiya Awakening: Knights of Zodiac, Perfect world and more. Enjoy exclusive gifts and offers, only on GameCenter
Users will find several welfare packages exclusive to HUAWEI GameCenter. For example, when playing Last Day Rules: Survival and Starship Legion-AMG, users can get exclusive package benefits such as gold coins and time-limited props, having a more enjoyable game time. In addition, there are surprise benefits which users can discover as they explore this new gaming hub.
With GameCenter, developers can attract and retain players globally while achieving business success
For developers creating with Huawei, the rollout of GameCenter provides an opportunity to reach wider consumer audience of 700 million+ Huawei users on a global scale. The 1.6 million HMS (Huawei Mobile Services) developers are already creating unique, new experiences that incorporate Huawei's Chipset-Device-Cloud capabilities. These developers are also unlocking the potential to reach more devoted fans through HMS ecosystem that provides all-scenario capabilities, global distribution channels, full-cycle operational management and support. Currently, HUAWEI GameCenter has partnerships with top global game companies, such as Lilith games, IGG, Gameloft, Forshow games etc.
For developers in the gaming sector, the introduction of GameCenter now provides even further benefits including:
Free professional evaluation services for developers to acquire local feedbacks about the games from overseas regions. This is to help developers localize their apps so the game services will be more relevant and exciting for players across various markets.
For those developers who need to integrate their games with HMS Core, Huawei will provide technical support to facilitate integration with HMS Core efficiently as needed.
Access to the "Shining-Star" program, which provides $1 billion incentive fund and offers various services. This includes a full app development life cycle, funds for development innovation, user growth, marketing and other aspects for developers.
Developers have a favourable share of the revenue when developing with Huawei. Additionally, we offer developers advertising and promotional space within GameCenter to reach more consumers.
In future version upgrades, GameCenter will feature an in-app social community. That way, players will be able to use the platform as a way to socialize, make friends and build communities of fans with the same interests.


tass--2020-08-03--Russia’s upgraded Tu-95 strategic bomber to make debut flight by late August

MOSCOW , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Tupolev Tu-95MSM heavily upgraded strategic missile-carrying bomber will perform its @ @ @ @ @ end of August this year , United Aircraft Corporation ( UAC ) Head Yuri Slyusar @ @ @ @ @ Putin on Monday .
`` I hope our Tu-95 long-awaited heavily-upgraded plane will take to @ @ @ @ @ the end of August , '' the chief executive said .

MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. Russia’s Tupolev Tu-95MSM heavily upgraded strategic missile-carrying bomber will perform its first test flight before the end of August this year, United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Head Yuri Slyusar reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
"I hope our Tu-95 long-awaited heavily-upgraded plane will take to the skies in Taganrog before the end of August," the chief executive said.


tass--2020-08-03--Russia to initiate denunciation of tax convention with Cyprus from August 3

MOSCOW , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will initiate denunciation of the double tax agreement with Cyprus from August 3 , the Russian Finance Ministry said on Monday .
`` The Russian Finance Ministry starts the agreement denouncing procedure to fulfill the assignment of the Russian President on taxation of incomes in the form of dividends and interest paid from the territory of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Cyprus at the rate of 15 % , '' the Ministry says .
The Russian Finance Ministry considered Cyprus ’ proposals on amendments to tax laws as unfeasible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finance Ministry held negotiations with the Cyprus ’ Ministry of Finance on amendments to the Russian-Cypriot double taxation agreement in respect of increasing the withholding tax to 15 % for dividends and interest payments .
Cyprus put forward its proposals during talks .
Having analyzed them , the Russian Finance Ministry arrived at a conclusion that they essentially dilute and make unfeasible the anticipated effect of the Russian side from undertaken measures to support the national economy and social programs , and will promote tax-free withdrawal of huge financial resources of Russian origin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurisdiction of Cyprus , '' the Ministry added .

MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. Russia will initiate denunciation of the double tax agreement with Cyprus from August 3, the Russian Finance Ministry said on Monday.
"The Russian Finance Ministry starts the agreement denouncing procedure to fulfill the assignment of the Russian President on taxation of incomes in the form of dividends and interest paid from the territory of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Cyprus at the rate of 15%," the Ministry says.
The Russian Finance Ministry considered Cyprus’ proposals on amendments to tax laws as unfeasible, the Ministry said.
"The Russian Finance Ministry held negotiations with the Cyprus’ Ministry of Finance on amendments to the Russian-Cypriot double taxation agreement in respect of increasing the withholding tax to 15% for dividends and interest payments. Cyprus put forward its proposals during talks. Having analyzed them, the Russian Finance Ministry arrived at a conclusion that they essentially dilute and make unfeasible the anticipated effect of the Russian side from undertaken measures to support the national economy and social programs, and will promote tax-free withdrawal of huge financial resources of Russian origin from the territory of Russia through the jurisdiction of Cyprus," the Ministry added.