tass--2020-09-08--Roscosmos rejects reports of NASA’s refusal to buy seats on Soyuz for spring 2021

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s state space corporation Roscosmos on Tuesday rejected media reports that NASA has not purchased a seat for its astronaut on Russia ’ s Soyuz spacecraft departing for the Internaitonal Space Station in the spring of 2021 .
US confirms purchase of one seat in Soyuz spacecraft lifting off this fall '' This is not true , '' Roscosmos said in a Twitter post , commenting on media reports that made reference to the state corporation ’ s annual report .
Next year , Russia will train international crews for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Station ( ISS ) , Roscosmos said .
`` Roscosmos will soon consider proposals on crew members of ISS missions , who will train for Soyuz-MS spaceflights in 2021 .
The crews will be international , '' Russia ’ s state space corporation said .
Roscosmos said that further details would be available once the space corporation ’ s director general gives his approval of new crew members .
The annual report of Roscosmos says that last year , a modification project has been prepared for deliveries of NASA astronauts to the ISS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spring of 2021 .
According to the document , the US has so far confirmed only the purchase of one seat for its astronaut on a Soyuz spacecraft departing in the fall of 2020 .

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. Russia’s state space corporation Roscosmos on Tuesday rejected media reports that NASA has not purchased a seat for its astronaut on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft departing for the Internaitonal Space Station in the spring of 2021.
US confirms purchase of one seat in Soyuz spacecraft lifting off this fall
"This is not true," Roscosmos said in a Twitter post, commenting on media reports that made reference to the state corporation’s annual report.
Next year, Russia will train international crews for its future Soyuz missions to the International Space Station (ISS), Roscosmos said.
"Roscosmos will soon consider proposals on crew members of ISS missions, who will train for Soyuz-MS spaceflights in 2021. The crews will be international," Russia’s state space corporation said.
Roscosmos said that further details would be available once the space corporation’s director general gives his approval of new crew members.
The annual report of Roscosmos says that last year, a modification project has been prepared for deliveries of NASA astronauts to the ISS in the fall of 2020 and in the spring of 2021. According to the document, the US has so far confirmed only the purchase of one seat for its astronaut on a Soyuz spacecraft departing in the fall of 2020.


tass--2020-09-08--Putin to lead Russian delegation to General Assembly's 75th session, to address it online

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin will lead Russia ’ s delegation to the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly but will address the gathering online , as follows from the president ’ s decree posted on the official internet portal of legal information on Tuesday .
`` The Russian delegation to the 75th session of the General Assembly includes : Putin V.V.
, President of the Russian Federation ( head of the delegation ) , '' the document reads .
After the president ( in the format of a video address ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete their participation , the Russian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov .
The Russian delegation will also include chairman of the international committee of Russia ’ s Federation Council upper parliament house Konstantin Kosachev , chairman of the international committee of the Russian State Duma lower parliament house Leonid Slutsky , Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin , director of the foreign ministry ’ s nonproliferation and arms control department Vladimir Yermakov , director of the foreign ministry ’ s legal department Yevgeny Zagainov , director of the foreign ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya .
The UNGA High-level Week will be held from September 22 through September 29 , 2020 .
Most of the leaders will address the Assembly in a video format because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Putin plans to focus attention in his speech at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly on the challenge presented to the world by the coronavirus pandemic , his press secretary Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Tuesday .
`` What can one speak about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented challenge the pandemic has thrown down to us .
About numerous problems of humankind this pandemic has aggravated .
About these things , naturally , '' he said when asked about possible topics of Putin ’ s speech .

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will lead Russia’s delegation to the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly but will address the gathering online, as follows from the president’s decree posted on the official internet portal of legal information on Tuesday.
"The Russian delegation to the 75th session of the General Assembly includes: Putin V.V., President of the Russian Federation (head of the delegation)," the document reads.
After the president (in the format of a video address) and president’s aide Yuri Ushakov complete their participation, the Russian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The Russian delegation will also include chairman of the international committee of Russia’s Federation Council upper parliament house Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the international committee of the Russian State Duma lower parliament house Leonid Slutsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin, director of the foreign ministry’s nonproliferation and arms control department Vladimir Yermakov, director of the foreign ministry’s legal department Yevgeny Zagainov, director of the foreign ministry’s international organizations department Pyotr Ilyichev, and Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya.
The UNGA High-level Week will be held from September 22 through September 29, 2020. Most of the leaders will address the Assembly in a video format because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Putin plans to focus attention in his speech at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly on the challenge presented to the world by the coronavirus pandemic, his press secretary Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Tuesday.
"What can one speak about at the United Nations? About the unprecedented challenge the pandemic has thrown down to us. About numerous problems of humankind this pandemic has aggravated. About these things, naturally," he said when asked about possible topics of Putin’s speech.


tass--2020-09-08--Germany should complete Nord Stream 2 project in any case — German politician

KARPACZ ( Poland ) , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Germany should complete the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline first , and only after that Berlin should think about possible sanctions and the future of gas supplies via this pipeline , Dirk Niebel , a German politician , former Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany ( 2009-2013 ) said at an economic forum in Poland on Tuesday .
When asked whether Germany should abandon Nord Stream 2 , the politician pointed out that , on the one hand , this project is political in nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we must resolve the issue of energy supplies as a sovereign nation , '' he stressed .
`` It will be good to finish work on the pipe , but we should n't start buying gas , '' Niebel said .
According to him , in a situation where the laying of the pipe is almost complete , it would be wrong to stop the project .
`` This is stupid , '' he said .
`` We have to finish the pipeline and then decide whether to buy gas or not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to the possible imposition of sanctions against Russia .
Earlier , the leaders of Germany ’ s Union-90/Greens party demanded termination of the Nord Stream 2 project following the incident with Russian blogger Alexei Navlny .
The Free Democratic Party proposed a temporary moratorium on construction until all issues are clarified .
Candidate for the post of Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union , Friedrich Merz , also spoke for the suspension of the project .
Klaus Ernst , the leader of the parliamentary committee for economy and energy , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the project .
Alexei Navalny was taken to the hospital in Omsk on August 20 after he felt sick on a plane en route from Tomsk to Moscow .
He sank into a coma and was put on a lung ventilator .
Later he was delivered to Berlin ’ s Charite hospital , where doctors said they had found traces of intoxication in the patient ’ s blood .
Doctors said on Monday that he had been taken out of his coma and would be gradually switched off from a ventilator .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citing the results of a toxicological analysis carried out by Bundeswehr experts , that Navalny had been poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent .
Russia said it was interested in investigating the incident but expected Germany to respond to Moscow ’ s official request .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russian doctors had detected no traces of poisonous substances in Navalny ’ s body .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova , in turn , noted that Germany had failed to provide any evidence of poisoning .

KARPACZ (Poland), September 8. /TASS/. Germany should complete the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline first, and only after that Berlin should think about possible sanctions and the future of gas supplies via this pipeline, Dirk Niebel, a German politician, former Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (2009-2013) said at an economic forum in Poland on Tuesday.
When asked whether Germany should abandon Nord Stream 2, the politician pointed out that, on the one hand, this project is political in nature.
"But on the other hand, we must resolve the issue of energy supplies as a sovereign nation," he stressed.
"It will be good to finish work on the pipe, but we shouldn't start buying gas," Niebel said.
According to him, in a situation where the laying of the pipe is almost complete, it would be wrong to stop the project. "This is stupid," he said.
"We have to finish the pipeline and then decide whether to buy gas or not," the German politician added, referring to the possible imposition of sanctions against Russia.
Earlier, the leaders of Germany’s Union-90/Greens party demanded termination of the Nord Stream 2 project following the incident with Russian blogger Alexei Navlny. The Free Democratic Party proposed a temporary moratorium on construction until all issues are clarified. Candidate for the post of Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union, Friedrich Merz, also spoke for the suspension of the project. Klaus Ernst, the leader of the parliamentary committee for economy and energy, said he did not consider it necessary to stop the project.
Navalny affair
Alexei Navalny was taken to the hospital in Omsk on August 20 after he felt sick on a plane en route from Tomsk to Moscow. He sank into a coma and was put on a lung ventilator. Later he was delivered to Berlin’s Charite hospital, where doctors said they had found traces of intoxication in the patient’s blood. Doctors said on Monday that he had been taken out of his coma and would be gradually switched off from a ventilator.
The German government said on September 2, citing the results of a toxicological analysis carried out by Bundeswehr experts, that Navalny had been poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent. Russia said it was interested in investigating the incident but expected Germany to respond to Moscow’s official request. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russian doctors had detected no traces of poisonous substances in Navalny’s body. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in turn, noted that Germany had failed to provide any evidence of poisoning.


tass--2020-09-08--Belarusian opposition members say they entered Ukraine legally

KIEV , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Members of the Coordination Council set up by the Belarusian opposition Anton Rodnenkov @ @ @ @ @ they had arrived in Ukraine legally and that they are not planning to ask for @ @ @ @ @ We entered Ukrainian territory in an absolutely legal manner .
We had all the documents @ @ @ @ @ test for COVID-19 and a temporary residence permit , '' Rodnenkov said .
He added @ @ @ @ @ members of a volunteer organization in Ukraine , which is why they got the residence @ @ @ @ @ about requesting political asylum , Rodnenkov stated that `` there are no such plans so @ @ @ @ @ have not discussed this issue yet , '' Kravtsov said .

KIEV, September 8. /TASS/. Members of the Coordination Council set up by the Belarusian opposition Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov stated that they had arrived in Ukraine legally and that they are not planning to ask for political asylum yet.
"We entered Ukrainian territory in an absolutely legal manner. We had all the documents: passport, insurance, test for COVID-19 and a temporary residence permit," Rodnenkov said. He added that he and Kravtsov are members of a volunteer organization in Ukraine, which is why they got the residence permit beforehand. When asked about requesting political asylum, Rodnenkov stated that "there are no such plans so far." "We have not discussed this issue yet," Kravtsov said.


tass--2020-09-08--Putin won’t come to New York for UNGA session as COVID-19 situation remains unstable

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not come to New York for the UN General Assembly session , as the epidemiological situation in the USA remains unstable , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Tuesday .
`` For obvious reasons , the president won ’ t come [ to the UN General Assembly ] , like many other leaders .
From the viewpoint of ensuring security , including epidemiological security , the security of the president , the head of state , the situation remains unstable , especially in such places as New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trip there is not advisable right now , '' Peskov said .
Earlier , Peskov said that Putin would address the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in a video format .
According to the preliminary program published by the UN on September 1 , Putin may address the UN General Assembly on September 22 .
Putin will lead Russia ’ s delegation to the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly but will address the gathering online , as follows from the president ’ s decree posted on the official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After the president ( in the format of a video address ) and president ’ s aide Yuri Ushakov complete their participation , the Russian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov .

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will not come to New York for the UN General Assembly session, as the epidemiological situation in the USA remains unstable, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Tuesday.
"For obvious reasons, the president won’t come [to the UN General Assembly], like many other leaders. From the viewpoint of ensuring security, including epidemiological security, the security of the president, the head of state, the situation remains unstable, especially in such places as New York. So of course, a trip there is not advisable right now," Peskov said.
Earlier, Peskov said that Putin would address the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in a video format. According to the preliminary program published by the UN on September 1, Putin may address the UN General Assembly on September 22.
Putin will lead Russia’s delegation to the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly but will address the gathering online, as follows from the president’s decree posted on the official internet portal of legal information on Tuesday. After the president (in the format of a video address) and president’s aide Yuri Ushakov complete their participation, the Russian delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.


tass--2020-09-08--Coronavirus situation stays stable in Russia after opening borders

ARKHANGELSK , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus situation in Russia is stable , even after borders with a number of countries were opened , Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Tuesday .
`` So far , the situation is quite stable .
We have established rule for opening borders and abidance by these rules is a way to protest the country ’ s population , '' he said when asked by TASS whether excess incidence could be expected after opening of borders .
In a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection Russia suspended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regular service was resumed with the United Kingdom , Turkey , and Tanzania from August 1 .
On September 3 , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a resolution on resuming international flights to and from Egypt ( three flights a week ) , the United Arab Emirates and the Maldives ( two flights a week in both destinations ) .
To date , 1,035,789 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 850,049 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 17,993 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

ARKHANGELSK, September 8. /TASS/. The coronavirus situation in Russia is stable, even after borders with a number of countries were opened, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Tuesday.
"So far, the situation is quite stable. We have established rule for opening borders and abidance by these rules is a way to protest the country’s population," he said when asked by TASS whether excess incidence could be expected after opening of borders.
In a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection Russia suspended international air service in late March. Regular service was resumed with the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Tanzania from August 1. On September 3, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a resolution on resuming international flights to and from Egypt (three flights a week), the United Arab Emirates and the Maldives (two flights a week in both destinations).
To date, 1,035,789 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 850,049 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 17,993 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-09-08--Belarus’ government tried to force Maria Kolesnikova to leave Belarus - opposition member

KIEV , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Anton Rodnenkov , a spokesman for the Coordination Council set up by the Belarusian opposition , said that the Belarusian special forces had attempted to force opposition member Maria Kolesnikova to leave the country .
`` The main goal of their special operation was to transport [ Maria ] Kolesnikova abroad .
We were an instrument in this process , '' he said during a press conference in Kiev .
However , he said that the operation had failed .
`` We heard [ on the border ] that Maria Kolesnikova was led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rodnenkov added that Kolesnikova had torn up her passport and left the area of the border .
Despite the fact that she was resisting , `` she was pushed inside '' a car , which was then shut , the spokesman said .
`` She could not get out , she was screaming that she would not leave .
When she was in the car and saw her passport in the front , she got hold of it immediately and tore it up in small pieces .
She then took those pieces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the window , '' Rodnenkov said .
`` I think that Maria Kolesnikova will not leave Belarus under any circumstances , she feels her responsibility before society , '' he added .
Earlier on Tuesday , the Ukrainian border service informed that members of the Belarusian opposition Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov had arrived on Ukrainian territory .
According to Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Anton Gerashchenko , they were expelled from Belarus by force .
Meanwhile , it is reported that another opposition member Maria Kolesnikova did not arrive at the border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she had been detained during an attempt to cross the border illegally .
However , according to the Belarusian state border committee , Kolesnikova was going through border control with Rodnenkov and Kravtsov in the early hours of Tuesday .

KIEV, September 8. /TASS/. Anton Rodnenkov, a spokesman for the Coordination Council set up by the Belarusian opposition, said that the Belarusian special forces had attempted to force opposition member Maria Kolesnikova to leave the country.
"The main goal of their special operation was to transport [Maria] Kolesnikova abroad. We were an instrument in this process," he said during a press conference in Kiev. However, he said that the operation had failed.
"We heard [on the border] that Maria Kolesnikova was led by force," he stated. Rodnenkov added that Kolesnikova had torn up her passport and left the area of the border. Despite the fact that she was resisting, "she was pushed inside" a car, which was then shut, the spokesman said. "She could not get out, she was screaming that she would not leave. When she was in the car and saw her passport in the front, she got hold of it immediately and tore it up in small pieces. She then took those pieces, crumpled them up and threw them out of the window," Rodnenkov said.
"I think that Maria Kolesnikova will not leave Belarus under any circumstances, she feels her responsibility before society," he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Ukrainian border service informed that members of the Belarusian opposition Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov had arrived on Ukrainian territory. According to Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Anton Gerashchenko, they were expelled from Belarus by force. Meanwhile, it is reported that another opposition member Maria Kolesnikova did not arrive at the border crossing. State TV channel Belarus-1 informed that she had been detained during an attempt to cross the border illegally. However, according to the Belarusian state border committee, Kolesnikova was going through border control with Rodnenkov and Kravtsov in the early hours of Tuesday.


tass--2020-09-08--UN rights chief indulges in highly-likely style statements on Navalny - Russian diplomat

The Russian diplomat stressed that the UN human rights commissioner is expected to be unbiased .
`` Regrettably , but the high commissioner affords to make public statements that are based on unverified information .
International officials must understand that they are responsible for what they say , '' he said .
GENEVA , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet ’ s statement on the incident with Russian opposition blogger Alexei Navalny is based on unverified information and is yet another highly-likely-style ungrounded allegation , Gennady Gatilov , Russian Permanent Representative to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations , told TASS on Tuesday , commenting on her call for an independent investigation of this `` assassination attempt . ''
`` First , it is disturbing that the high commissioner ( or her spokesperson ) indulges in repeating highly-likely-style allegations and makes conclusions never bothering to check the facts or wait for concrete objective information , '' he said .
`` Fact finding is not yet over but the high commissioner uses such terms as ‘ poisoning ’ and ‘ assassination attempt.
’ Second , no one challenges the necessity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident . ''
He drew attention to the fact that no reply has come from Germany to the inquiry of the Russian prosecutor general ’ s office and it `` makes one think that certain circles are unwilling to conduct an objective and fair investigation . ''
`` So , the question is : who is using such situations and , what is most important , what for ?
It looks like it is done to appoint those to blame beforehand and provoke a heat-of-the-moment reaction of those who can influence public opinion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position , '' Gatilov noted .
Navalny felt sick on August 20 while flying from Tomsk to Moscow and the plane made an emergency landing in Omsk .
The man was taken to hospital in a state of coma and was connected to a ventilator .
He was airlifted to the Berlin-based Charite clinic in the morning on August 22 .
Its doctors said that indicators of poisoning had been found in his body .
Charite medics said on Monday Navalny had been taken out of the medically-induced coma and was being disconnected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the German government said that German military toxicologists had found that Navalny had been exposed to a nerve agent of the Novichok family .
Following this , Berlin and its Western partners demanded Moscow clarify the circumstances of the incident and warned they would look at possible sanctions against Moscow .
The Russian side stresses that it is interested in a thorough investigation of the incident but has not yet received any reply from Germany to its inquiry .
Apart from that , Moscow points to the fact that no toxic agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samples before he was taken to Germany whereas the latter has given no evidence to back its theory .

The Russian diplomat stressed that the UN human rights commissioner is expected to be unbiased. "Regrettably, but the high commissioner affords to make public statements that are based on unverified information. International officials must understand that they are responsible for what they say," he said.
GENEVA, September 8. /TASS/. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet’s statement on the incident with Russian opposition blogger Alexei Navalny is based on unverified information and is yet another highly-likely-style ungrounded allegation, Gennady Gatilov, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Geneva office and other Geneva-based international organizations, told TASS on Tuesday, commenting on her call for an independent investigation of this "assassination attempt."
"First, it is disturbing that the high commissioner (or her spokesperson) indulges in repeating highly-likely-style allegations and makes conclusions never bothering to check the facts or wait for concrete objective information," he said. "Fact finding is not yet over but the high commissioner uses such terms as ‘poisoning’ and ‘assassination attempt.’ Second, no one challenges the necessity of a thorough and unbiased investigation of the incident."
He drew attention to the fact that no reply has come from Germany to the inquiry of the Russian prosecutor general’s office and it "makes one think that certain circles are unwilling to conduct an objective and fair investigation."
"So, the question is: who is using such situations and, what is most important, what for? It looks like it is done to appoint those to blame beforehand and provoke a heat-of-the-moment reaction of those who can influence public opinion due to his or her authority or position," Gatilov noted.
Navalny felt sick on August 20 while flying from Tomsk to Moscow and the plane made an emergency landing in Omsk. The man was taken to hospital in a state of coma and was connected to a ventilator. He was airlifted to the Berlin-based Charite clinic in the morning on August 22. Its doctors said that indicators of poisoning had been found in his body.
Charite medics said on Monday Navalny had been taken out of the medically-induced coma and was being disconnected from the ventilator.
On August 2, the German government said that German military toxicologists had found that Navalny had been exposed to a nerve agent of the Novichok family. Following this, Berlin and its Western partners demanded Moscow clarify the circumstances of the incident and warned they would look at possible sanctions against Moscow.
The Russian side stresses that it is interested in a thorough investigation of the incident but has not yet received any reply from Germany to its inquiry. Apart from that, Moscow points to the fact that no toxic agent had been spotted in Navalny’s samples before he was taken to Germany whereas the latter has given no evidence to back its theory.


tass--2020-09-08--Lukashenko says most Belarussians supported him, though many may see him as a "bore"

MINSK , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that most Belarussians supported him in the presidential election , although many may have begun to see him as a bore .
He made the statement in an interview to Russian mass media .
Some extracts from it were published by the RT television channel on Tuesday .
Lukashenko acknowledged he felt upset at the thought part of the Belarussian population was against him .
`` Of course , it was very upsetting and even tragic , if you wish .
But that does not mean that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I look at this philosophically , '' he said .
Lukashenko stressed he regarded it as his duty to defend the positive results achieved over the years of his rule .
`` I must protect what has been made by our hands .
Protect the people who accomplished it .
These people are in an overwhelming majority .
They voted for me , although they see and hear me each day on TV .
Possibly , some of them have begun to feel bored , but they supported me .
Now I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
In Belarus ’ s August 9 presidential election Lukashenko emerged the winner with 80.1 % of the votes .
The runner-up , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who received 10.12 % , did not recognize the election returns .
Shortly afterwards she moved to neighboring Lithuania , where she has remained since .
Right after the election returns were made public several Belarussian cities saw mass protest demonstrations .
During the first days there were clashes with police .

MINSK, September 8. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that most Belarusians supported him in the presidential election, although many may have begun to see him as a bore. He made the statement in an interview to Russian mass media. Some extracts from it were published by the RT television channel on Tuesday.
Lukashenko acknowledged he felt upset at the thought part of the Belarusian population was against him.
"Of course, it was very upsetting and even tragic, if you wish. But that does not mean that I’ve given up, because I look at this philosophically," he said.
Lukashenko stressed he regarded it as his duty to defend the positive results achieved over the years of his rule.
"I must protect what has been made by our hands. Protect the people who accomplished it. These people are in an overwhelming majority. They voted for me, although they see and hear me each day on TV. Possibly, some of them have begun to feel bored, but they supported me. Now I have to live with this," Lukashenko said.
In Belarus’ August 9 presidential election Lukashenko emerged the winner with 80.1% of the votes. The runner-up, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who received 10.12%, did not recognize the election returns. Shortly afterwards she moved to neighboring Lithuania, where she has remained since. Right after the election returns were made public several Belarusian cities saw mass protest demonstrations. During the first days there were clashes with police.


tass--2020-09-08--Hague Tribunal does not let lawyers visit Mladic for six months

BELGRADE , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals has for the past six months denied permission to lawyers to visit the jailed former Bosnian Serb commander , Ratko Mladic , the general ’ s son Darko Mladic told TASS in a commentary .
`` The problem is the IRMCT does not let him hold consultations with his lawyers due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Although he has had no chance to get ready for hearings with his lawyers , the appellate hearings did take place .
The family has not visited him since February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The coronavirus pandemic was used to restrict the lawyers ’ access .
We suggested that the lawyers might put protective suits on , like the medics who treat coronavirus patients , but the idea was turned down .
A group of independent medics was not allowed to see him on the same excuse , '' Mladic Jr. said .
`` On the other hand , the hairdresser is allowed to visit him .
Also , he is in contact with technical personnel , who help him with the computer .
This is absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be let in , while a group of doctors is kept away , contrary to the tribunal ’ s own rules , '' the general ’ s son said .
Ratko Mladic remains in poor condition and his son believes that inadequate medical assistance is largely to blame .
`` Regrettably , the general ’ s health has not improved , although he does not run a temperature any more .
Before the appellate hearings he ran a temperature .
We were hearing meaningless explanations it was a result of a heatstroke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , but the testing took place six days before he began to run a temperature .
The test was part of the preparations for the hearings .
We were afraid he might contract the coronavirus when he was taken to the hospital for testing , '' Darko Mladic said .
`` In the past doctors expressed strong criticism over the medical assistance Mladic was getting .
Now we are not allowed to see the documents about his health .
What we are allowed to see is not documentation at all .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even on the basis of this scarce documentation our specialists have arrived at the conclusion that medical assistance is inappropriate , which constitutes a criminal offence by the medics responsible .
Apparently , they are afraid and pose obstructions to us , because they are aware how many drawbacks were committed during his treatment . ''
Darko Mladic and lawyers keep demanding that independent medics should be allowed to see the general .
In their opinion the appellate hearings did not match the standards , but the prosecution interprets the situation differently .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure , because the hearings , originally scheduled for June , were postponed till August due to the epidemiological situation .
In August , the coronavirus situation turned still worse , but the hearings did take place anyway .
`` In fact , the judges are now writing the final sentence , for which they will need 9-12 months , '' he explained .
General Ratko Mladic , a former Bosnian Serb commander , on November 22 , 2017 was sentenced by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia to life imprisonment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations of the laws and customs of war .
He had spent 16 years in hiding until his arrest in Serbia in May 2011 and subsequent extradition to the Hague .
The hearings on the Mladic case lasted 530 days , during which time testimonies by 377 witnesses were heard and nearly 10,000 pieces of material evidence presented .
In March , 2018 Mladic ’ s lawyers filed an appeal at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals .
The appellate hearings took place in the Hague on August 25-26 .
The defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial and Mladic ’ s acquittal on all ten counts .
As an alternative , the lawyers proposed a retrial .
While in custody Mladic suffered three brain strokes and a heart attack .
The defense lawyers and his son believe that in prison he was denied proper medical assistance .

BELGRADE, September 8. /TASS/. The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals has for the past six months denied permission to lawyers to visit the jailed former Bosnian Serb commander, Ratko Mladic, the general’s son Darko Mladic told TASS in a commentary.
"The problem is the IRMCT does not let him hold consultations with his lawyers due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although he has had no chance to get ready for hearings with his lawyers, the appellate hearings did take place. The family has not visited him since February and the lawyers, since March. The coronavirus pandemic was used to restrict the lawyers’ access. We suggested that the lawyers might put protective suits on, like the medics who treat coronavirus patients, but the idea was turned down. A group of independent medics was not allowed to see him on the same excuse," Mladic Jr. said.
"On the other hand, the hairdresser is allowed to visit him. Also, he is in contact with technical personnel, who help him with the computer. This is absolutely inexplainable to us, why a hairdresser can be let in, while a group of doctors is kept away, contrary to the tribunal’s own rules," the general’s son said.
Poor medical treatment
Ratko Mladic remains in poor condition and his son believes that inadequate medical assistance is largely to blame.
"Regrettably, the general’s health has not improved, although he does not run a temperature any more. Before the appellate hearings he ran a temperature. We were hearing meaningless explanations it was a result of a heatstroke. He had been tested for the coronavirus, but the testing took place six days before he began to run a temperature. The test was part of the preparations for the hearings. We were afraid he might contract the coronavirus when he was taken to the hospital for testing," Darko Mladic said.
"In the past doctors expressed strong criticism over the medical assistance Mladic was getting. Now we are not allowed to see the documents about his health. What we are allowed to see is not documentation at all. The secretariat poses obstructions all along. But even on the basis of this scarce documentation our specialists have arrived at the conclusion that medical assistance is inappropriate, which constitutes a criminal offence by the medics responsible. Apparently, they are afraid and pose obstructions to us, because they are aware how many drawbacks were committed during his treatment."
Court hearing
Darko Mladic and lawyers keep demanding that independent medics should be allowed to see the general. In their opinion the appellate hearings did not match the standards, but the prosecution interprets the situation differently. Mladic Jr. believes that judges were under pressure, because the hearings, originally scheduled for June, were postponed till August due to the epidemiological situation. In August, the coronavirus situation turned still worse, but the hearings did take place anyway. "In fact, the judges are now writing the final sentence, for which they will need 9-12 months," he explained.
Sentence and appeal
General Ratko Mladic, a former Bosnian Serb commander, on November 22, 2017 was sentenced by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia to life imprisonment for genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war. He had spent 16 years in hiding until his arrest in Serbia in May 2011 and subsequent extradition to the Hague. The hearings on the Mladic case lasted 530 days, during which time testimonies by 377 witnesses were heard and nearly 10,000 pieces of material evidence presented.
In March, 2018 Mladic’s lawyers filed an appeal at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. The appellate hearings took place in the Hague on August 25-26. The defense demanded correction of the mistakes committed during the trial and Mladic’s acquittal on all ten counts. As an alternative, the lawyers proposed a retrial.
While in custody Mladic suffered three brain strokes and a heart attack. The defense lawyers and his son believe that in prison he was denied proper medical assistance.


tass--2020-09-08--Africa reports over 1.3 million COVID-19 cases, reports WHO

PRETORIA , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
More than 7,300 confirmed coronavirus cases were registered in African countries in the past 24 hours , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 1.3 million , the World Health Organization ’ s ( WHO ) Regional Office for Africa said on Tuesday .
The overall number of COVID-19 cases in Africa currently stands at 1,307,190 , with 7,347 cases confirmed during the past day .
The number of coronavirus-associated deaths amounts to 31,515 , with 202 fatalities registered in the past 24 hours .
More than one million patients have recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of Africa ’ s coronavirus cases and fatalities - 639,362 and 15,004 , respectively .
Egypt is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus-associated deaths and cases - 5,541 and 100,041 , respectively .
As many as 1,562 coronavirus-related deaths were reported from Algeria .
In Sub-Saharan Africa , Nigeria is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus cases ( 55,160 cases and 1,061 fatalities ) .
Next is Ghana ( 44,777 cases and 283 deaths ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 27,500,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 896,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 19,594,700 individuals have recovered from the illness @ @ @ @

PRETORIA, September 8. /TASS/. More than 7,300 confirmed coronavirus cases were registered in African countries in the past 24 hours, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 1.3 million, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa said on Tuesday.
The overall number of COVID-19 cases in Africa currently stands at 1,307,190, with 7,347 cases confirmed during the past day. The number of coronavirus-associated deaths amounts to 31,515, with 202 fatalities registered in the past 24 hours. More than one million patients have recovered.
South Africa accounts for the biggest number of Africa’s coronavirus cases and fatalities - 639,362 and 15,004, respectively. Egypt is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus-associated deaths and cases - 5,541 and 100,041, respectively. As many as 1,562 coronavirus-related deaths were reported from Algeria.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria is second after South Africa in terms of coronavirus cases (55,160 cases and 1,061 fatalities). Next is Ghana (44,777 cases and 283 deaths).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 27,500,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 896,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 19,594,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-09-08--Russia is halfway through coronavirus pandemic, most Russians say

According to the survey ’ s results , 12 % of Russians are pessimistic and say that `` everything is just beginning . ''
MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Most Russians ( 64 % ) believe that the country is halfway through the coronavirus pandemic and another 24 % say that the pandemic is over , according to a poll conducted by the Romir research company .
When speaking about areas affected by the pandemic , 55 % of respondents said that the coronavirus posed a danger to people ’ s health , 47 % said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time , one in five ( 19 % ) said that the coronavirus issue was exaggerated .
The nationwide poll involving 1,500 respondents over 18 years of age was conducted in September 2020 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 27,500,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 896,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 19,594,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , 1,035,789 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 850,049 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 17,993 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus situation .

According to the survey’s results, 12% of Russians are pessimistic and say that "everything is just beginning."
MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. Most Russians (64%) believe that the country is halfway through the coronavirus pandemic and another 24% say that the pandemic is over, according to a poll conducted by the Romir research company.
When speaking about areas affected by the pandemic, 55% of respondents said that the coronavirus posed a danger to people’s health, 47% said it was an economic and political problem. At the same time, one in five (19%) said that the coronavirus issue was exaggerated.
The nationwide poll involving 1,500 respondents over 18 years of age was conducted in September 2020.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 27,500,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 896,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 19,594,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, 1,035,789 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 850,049 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 17,993 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-09-08--Russia will be next if Belarus collapses, Lukashenko tells Russian journalists

`` You better stay alert .
Some political events may soon take place in your country , and perhaps for no reason at all .
You know what conclusions the Russian leadership and we have made ?
If Belarus collapses now , Russia will be next , '' Lukashenko pointed out .
MINSK , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia may be the next to face political tensions , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview with Russian journalists , parts of which have been posted on the RT TV channel ’ s Telegram channel .
`` If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia will handle it , you are wrong .
I have talked to many presidents , including my senior friend - my older brother , as I call him [ Russian President Vladimir Putin ] - and I warned him : there is no way to resist it , '' Lukashenko noted .
When asked what was the most important thing in life for him , he said : `` What is keeping me up in this situation - you can guess what it is - is that if Lukashenko fell , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have collapsed , too . ''
`` I will probably step down one day but I won ’ t let them destroy what we created together with these people , with these generations .
This is what my life is about and how the country has changed , '' Lukashenko emphasized .
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9 .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s data , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1 % of the vote , while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who garnered 10.12 % , refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is currently in Lithuania .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .

"You better stay alert. Some political events may soon take place in your country, and perhaps for no reason at all. You know what conclusions the Russian leadership and we have made? If Belarus collapses now, Russia will be next," Lukashenko pointed out.
MINSK, September 8. /TASS/. Russia may be the next to face political tensions, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in an interview with Russian journalists, parts of which have been posted on the RT TV channel’s Telegram channel.
"If you think that a rich country such as Russia will handle it, you are wrong. I have talked to many presidents, including my senior friend - my older brother, as I call him [Russian President Vladimir Putin] - and I warned him: there is no way to resist it," Lukashenko noted.
When asked what was the most important thing in life for him, he said: "What is keeping me up in this situation - you can guess what it is - is that if Lukashenko fell, the entire system would have collapsed and Belarus would have collapsed, too." "I will probably step down one day but I won’t let them destroy what we created together with these people, with these generations. This is what my life is about and how the country has changed," Lukashenko emphasized.
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission’s data, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote, while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who garnered 10.12%, refused to recognize the election’s results and is currently in Lithuania. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers.


tass--2020-09-08--Russian senator surprised over Tikhanovskaya’s calls to pressure Minsk

`` Ms. Tikhanovskaya set the tone for today ’ s discussion , calling to put pressure on her country , '' the senator said .
According to him , `` instead of working on the issues in their republic , they [ Tikhanovskaya and her supporters ] are mostly working on gathering support for putting pressure on their own country , on their own leadership . ''
`` I am astonished by it , '' Kislyak said .
PARIS , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
The calls of former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya for the Parliamentary Assembly of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put pressure on Minsk are surprising , First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council ( upper house ) Committee for Foreign Affairs Sergei Kislyak said during a session of the PACE Committee for Political Affairs and Democracy held on Tuesday in a video format .
The senator added that `` the main and undisputed thing is that the absolute majority of Belarusians supported their president . ''
`` It is important to give the Belarusians themselves a chance to build their own future , '' he added .
`` Belarus itself must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday , Tikhanovskaya called on PACE members to put international pressure on Belarus .
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9 .
According to the Central Election Commission ’ s data , incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1 % of the vote , while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12 % .
After the election , she left for Lithuania .
Protests erupted in the country 's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote , leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers .
The opposition set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power in the country , calling on protesters to continue demonstrations .
Member of the council Pavel Latushko stated that since August 9 , over 10,000 people had been detained in Belarus .

"Ms. Tikhanovskaya set the tone for today’s discussion, calling to put pressure on her country," the senator said. According to him, "instead of working on the issues in their republic, they [Tikhanovskaya and her supporters] are mostly working on gathering support for putting pressure on their own country, on their own leadership." "I am astonished by it," Kislyak said.
PARIS, September 8. /TASS/. The calls of former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to put pressure on Minsk are surprising, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council (upper house) Committee for Foreign Affairs Sergei Kislyak said during a session of the PACE Committee for Political Affairs and Democracy held on Tuesday in a video format.
The senator added that "the main and undisputed thing is that the absolute majority of Belarusians supported their president." "It is important to give the Belarusians themselves a chance to build their own future," he added. "Belarus itself must resolve all its problems."
Earlier on Tuesday, Tikhanovskaya called on PACE members to put international pressure on Belarus.
Belarus held its presidential election on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission’s data, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko received 80.1% of the vote, while Svetlana Tikhanovskaya garnered 10.12%. After the election, she left for Lithuania. Protests erupted in the country's capital of Minsk and several other cities following the presidential vote, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers. The opposition set up the Coordination Council for the transition of power in the country, calling on protesters to continue demonstrations. Member of the council Pavel Latushko stated that since August 9, over 10,000 people had been detained in Belarus.


tass--2020-09-08--Brent oil price drops below $40 per barrel, first time since June 25

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
The cost of a November futures contract for Brent crude oil on the @ @ @ @ @ 4.9 % to $ 39.96 per barrel , according to the data of the site @ @ @ @ @ .
The last time Brent crude price was below $ 40 per barrel on June @ @ @ @ @ of 4:41 pm Moscow time , the price of Brent oil fell by 5.3 to @ @ @ @ @ At 4:45 pm Moscow time , the price of Brent oil was at $ 39.87 @ @ @ @ @ ) .
In turn , the price of WTI oil fell by 7.15 % to @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. The cost of a November futures contract for Brent crude oil on the London ICE Exchange fell by 4.9% to $39.96 per barrel, according to the data of the site at 4:36 pm Moscow time.
The last time Brent crude price was below $40 per barrel on June 25 this year.
As of 4:41 pm Moscow time, the price of Brent oil fell by 5.3 to $39.77 per barrel.
At 4:45 pm Moscow time, the price of Brent oil was at $39.87 per barrel (-5.1%). In turn, the price of WTI oil fell by 7.15% to $37.28 per barrel.


tass--2020-09-08--Lukashenko blames US for protests in Belarus

MINSK , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has blamed the United States for protests in his @ @ @ @ @ unrest in the United States was the result of the development of techniques used by @ @ @ @ @ in other countries .
`` What do you do about Telegram channels ?
Can you @ @ @ @ @ No one can , even those who invented this entire web .
The Americans , @ @ @ @ @ interview with Russian journalists , extracts of which was published by the RT television channel @

MINSK, September 8. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has blamed the United States for protests in his country, adding that the unrest in the United States was the result of the development of techniques used by Washington to destabilize the situation in other countries.
"What do you do about Telegram channels? Can you block these Telegram channels? No one can, even those who invented this entire web. The Americans," he said in an interview with Russian journalists, extracts of which was published by the RT television channel.


tass--2020-09-08--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Belarus exceeds 73,200

`` As many as 73,208 people ( or about 0.77 % out of the country ’ s population of 9.41 million - TASS ) have tested positive for COVID-19 , '' it said , adding that the daily tally was 177 .
MINSK , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 177 more novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Belarus in the past day , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 73,200 , the country ’ health ministry reported on Tuesday .
`` A total of 721 coronavirus patients with a number of chronic diseases have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the past day ) , '' it said , adding that five coronavirus-related deaths were reported during the day .
According to the latest update , as many as 71,916 coronavirus patients have recovered from the disease , including 33 in the past 24 hours .
A total of 1,596,826 people , or 16.8 % of the population have been tested for the novel coronavirus , including 5,579 during the day .
Belarus did not impose any coronavirus lockdowns , with mass gathering not being banned .
The maximal daily tally of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April when more than 900 patients tested positive in one day .
The country ’ s health ministry anticipates a second wave of the coronavirus epidemic in November-December .

"As many as 73,208 people (or about 0.77% out of the country’s population of 9.41 million - TASS) have tested positive for COVID-19," it said, adding that the daily tally was 177.
MINSK, September 8. /TASS/. As many as 177 more novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Belarus in the past day, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 73,200, the country’ health ministry reported on Tuesday.
"A total of 721 coronavirus patients with a number of chronic diseases have died since the epidemic outbreak (five deaths during the past day)," it said, adding that five coronavirus-related deaths were reported during the day.
According to the latest update, as many as 71,916 coronavirus patients have recovered from the disease, including 33 in the past 24 hours. A total of 1,596,826 people, or 16.8% of the population have been tested for the novel coronavirus, including 5,579 during the day.
Belarus did not impose any coronavirus lockdowns, with mass gathering not being banned. The maximal daily tally of newly confirmed coronavirus cases was reported in April when more than 900 patients tested positive in one day.
The country’s health ministry anticipates a second wave of the coronavirus epidemic in November-December.


tass--2020-09-08--US confirms purchase of one seat in Soyuz spacecraft lifting off this fall

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
The US has confirmed purchasing only one seat in the Soyuz spacecraft for @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , according to the state space corporation Roscosmos ' annual report .
`` In @ @ @ @ @ side expressed readiness to purchase delivery services for only one astronaut in fall 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ Earlier , a modified project had been prepared for deliveries of NASA astronauts to the @ @ @ @ @ spring 2021 .
The US space agency announced earlier that it finalized consultations with Roscosmos @ @ @ @ @ seat in the Soyuz spacecraft , scheduled for launch this fall .
According to NASA @ @ @ @ @ agency will pay over $ 90 million for the seat and the accompanying services .
@ @ @ @ @ the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft is scheduled to lift off on October 14 .

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. The US has confirmed purchasing only one seat in the Soyuz spacecraft for a manned flight in autumn 2020, according to the state space corporation Roscosmos' annual report.
"In early 2020, the American side expressed readiness to purchase delivery services for only one astronaut in fall 2020," the report reads.
Earlier, a modified project had been prepared for deliveries of NASA astronauts to the ISS for autumn 2020 and spring 2021.
The US space agency announced earlier that it finalized consultations with Roscosmos on the purchase of a seat in the Soyuz spacecraft, scheduled for launch this fall. According to NASA spokeswoman Stephanie Schierholz, the agency will pay over $90 million for the seat and the accompanying services.
The Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft is scheduled to lift off on October 14.


tass--2020-09-08--Russian fighter scrambled to escort Norwegian patrol aircraft over Barents Sea

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian MiG-29 fighter jet of the Northern Fleet was scrambled to escort a Norwegian Orion patrol aircraft approaching the Russian border over the Barents Sea , Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center reported on Tuesday .
According to the center , Russian airspace control systems detected an aerial target over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea approaching Russia ’ s state border .
`` A MiG-29 fighter from the Northern Fleet ’ s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the targets , '' the center said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighter approached the aerial target at a safe distance , identified it as a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion patrol plane and escorted it over the Barents Sea . ''
The Russian border was not violated .
After the Norwegian plane turned away from Russia ’ s state border , the Russian fighter safely returned to its home airfield .
`` The entire flight of the Russian MiG-29 fighter proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace , '' the center stressed .
It was the fourth such incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two days .
On Monday , the center reported that a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet of the Russian Northern Fleet had intercepted a Norwegian Orion patrol aircraft .
Apart from that , MiG-29 fighters escorted British R.1 Sentinel and RC-135 reconnaissance planes .
Moreover , Russian MiG-31 fighters were scrambled to escort Norwegian Orion aircraft over the Barents Sea three times last week .
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on September 5 that NATO ’ s reconnaissance activity near Russia ’ s aerial borders had increased by more than 30 % as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in his words , 87 such flights were reported in August 2019 , whereas in August 2020 there were around 120 of them .

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. A Russian MiG-29 fighter jet of the Northern Fleet was scrambled to escort a Norwegian Orion patrol aircraft approaching the Russian border over the Barents Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Tuesday.
According to the center, Russian airspace control systems detected an aerial target over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea approaching Russia’s state border. "A MiG-29 fighter from the Northern Fleet’s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the targets," the center said. "The crew of the Russian fighter approached the aerial target at a safe distance, identified it as a Norwegian Air Force P-3C Orion patrol plane and escorted it over the Barents Sea."
The Russian border was not violated. After the Norwegian plane turned away from Russia’s state border, the Russian fighter safely returned to its home airfield.
"The entire flight of the Russian MiG-29 fighter proceeded in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace," the center stressed.
Interceptions over the Barents Sea
It was the fourth such incident over the Barents Sea over the past two days. On Monday, the center reported that a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet of the Russian Northern Fleet had intercepted a Norwegian Orion patrol aircraft. Apart from that, MiG-29 fighters escorted British R.1 Sentinel and RC-135 reconnaissance planes.
Moreover, Russian MiG-31 fighters were scrambled to escort Norwegian Orion aircraft over the Barents Sea three times last week.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on September 5 that NATO’s reconnaissance activity near Russia’s aerial borders had increased by more than 30% as compared with the previous year. Thus, in his words, 87 such flights were reported in August 2019, whereas in August 2020 there were around 120 of them.


tass--2020-09-08--Northern Fleet keeps track of US destroyer-led NATO group in Barents Sea

`` The Northern Fleet is monitoring NATO ’ s group led by the USS Ross destroyer of the US Navy , which entered the Barents Sea on September 7 , 2020 , '' the Defense Control Center said .
MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Northern Fleet keeps track of the USS Ross destroyer-led NATO group in the Barents Sea , the National Defense Control Center told the media on Tuesday .
On Monday , the British Navy said that NATO countries would carry out an operation inside the Arctic Circle in order to demonstrate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of shipping in this area .
Taking part in the operation will be Britain ’ s Type 23 frigate The Sutherland and Tide class tanker The Tidespring , the United States ’ Arleigh Burke class destroyer , and a Fridtjof Nansen-type frigate ( The Thor Heyerdahl ) of the Norwegian Navy , with a Danish patrol plane providing support .
The British Navy said the current operation was another phase of the British-US naval exercise that was held in May .
NATO ’ s combined naval group - the United States ’ guided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Porter and USS Roosevelt and Britain ’ s frigate HMS Kent - stayed in the Barents Sea on May 4-9 .
The universal transport ship USS Supply , a Virginia class nuclear-powered submarine , Ula-class diesel-electric submarine and two patrol planes P-3C Orion of the Norwegian Navy provided support .

"The Northern Fleet is monitoring NATO’s group led by the USS Ross destroyer of the US Navy, which entered the Barents Sea on September 7, 2020," the Defense Control Center said.
MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. Russia’s Northern Fleet keeps track of the USS Ross destroyer-led NATO group in the Barents Sea, the National Defense Control Center told the media on Tuesday.
On Monday, the British Navy said that NATO countries would carry out an operation inside the Arctic Circle in order to demonstrate the alliance’s commitment to the freedom of shipping in this area. Taking part in the operation will be Britain’s Type 23 frigate The Sutherland and Tide class tanker The Tidespring, the United States’ Arleigh Burke class destroyer, and a Fridtjof Nansen-type frigate (The Thor Heyerdahl) of the Norwegian Navy, with a Danish patrol plane providing support. The British Navy said the current operation was another phase of the British-US naval exercise that was held in May.
NATO’s combined naval group - the United States’ guided missile destroyers USS Donald Cook, USS Porter and USS Roosevelt and Britain’s frigate HMS Kent - stayed in the Barents Sea on May 4-9. The universal transport ship USS Supply, a Virginia class nuclear-powered submarine, Ula-class diesel-electric submarine and two patrol planes P-3C Orion of the Norwegian Navy provided support.


tass--2020-09-08--Number of confirmed COVID cases in Azerbaijan up to over 37,500

BAKU , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 139 novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Azerbaijan over the past day , or by 50 more than on the previous day , the coronavirus response headquarters under the Azerbaijani government said on Tuesday .
The overall number of coronavirus cases in Azerbaijan has reached 37,557 , or 0.4 % of the country ’ s entire population of some ten million .
The basic reproduction number ( R0 ) , or a rate at which a disease is capable of spreading in a population , for the past eight days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was reported during the day , '' it said , adding that the overall number of coronavirus-related fatalities stands at 552 .
A total of 34,965 coronavirus patients have recovered , or 93.1 % of all coronavirus cases , with 128 recoveries reported in the past day .
As many as 2,040 coronavirus-positive patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals .
A total of 973,838 people , or 9.7 % of the entire population ) have been tested for the coronavirus infection , including 6,798 in the past day .
The first coronavirus case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The epidemic reached its peak at the beginning of the summer , with the biggest number of newly confirmed cases - 590 - being reported on June 24 .
The morbidity rate began to go down from mid-July , dropping to less than 100 cases a day on August 9 .
However it began to go up again in mid-August .
Capital city Baku and its environs account for more than half of the cases .
The nationwide quarantine that was to expire on August 31 has been extended until September 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital city Baku and its environs and in the city of Sumgait , which report the biggest number of coronavirus cases .

BAKU, September 8. /TASS/. As many as 139 novel coronavirus cases were confirmed in Azerbaijan over the past day, or by 50 more than on the previous day, the coronavirus response headquarters under the Azerbaijani government said on Tuesday.
The overall number of coronavirus cases in Azerbaijan has reached 37,557, or 0.4% of the country’s entire population of some ten million. The basic reproduction number (R0), or a rate at which a disease is capable of spreading in a population, for the past eight days is 0.9.
"One coronavirus-related death was reported during the day," it said, adding that the overall number of coronavirus-related fatalities stands at 552.
A total of 34,965 coronavirus patients have recovered, or 93.1% of all coronavirus cases, with 128 recoveries reported in the past day. As many as 2,040 coronavirus-positive patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals. A total of 973,838 people, or 9.7% of the entire population) have been tested for the coronavirus infection, including 6,798 in the past day.
The first coronavirus case was confirmed in Azerbaijan on February 28. The epidemic reached its peak at the beginning of the summer, with the biggest number of newly confirmed cases - 590 - being reported on June 24. The morbidity rate began to go down from mid-July, dropping to less than 100 cases a day on August 9. However it began to go up again in mid-August. Capital city Baku and its environs account for more than half of the cases.
The nationwide quarantine that was to expire on August 31 has been extended until September 30. Stricter lockdowns are in force in the capital city Baku and its environs and in the city of Sumgait, which report the biggest number of coronavirus cases.


tass--2020-09-08--Lukashenko says won’t talk to opposition’s Coordination Council

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has no plans to talk to the opposition ’ @ @ @ @ @ he himself said in an interview with Russian journalists on Tuesday .
`` I won @ @ @ @ @ opposition ’ s Coordination Council because I don ’ t know who these people are @ @ @ @ @ .
What they suggest will be a catastrophe for Belarus and the Belarusian people .
@ @ @ @ @ with our brotherly country , Russia , they want people to pay for healthcare and @ @ @ @ @ industrial facilities to be destroyed and workers to lose their jobs , '' Editor-in-Chief of @ @ @ @ @ Roman Babayan quoted Lukashenko on Telegram .

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has no plans to talk to the opposition’s Coordination Council, as he himself said in an interview with Russian journalists on Tuesday.
"I won’t talk to the opposition’s Coordination Council because I don’t know who these people are. They are no opposition. What they suggest will be a catastrophe for Belarus and the Belarusian people. They want to cut ties with our brotherly country, Russia, they want people to pay for healthcare and education. They want our industrial facilities to be destroyed and workers to lose their jobs," Editor-in-Chief of the Govoril Moskva radio station Roman Babayan quoted Lukashenko on Telegram.


tass--2020-09-08--Opposition leader’s representative disappears in Belarus

MINSK , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya ’ s authorized representative Antonina Konovalova has @ @ @ @ @ statement published on Tikhanovskaya ’ s Telegram channel .
`` Antonina Konovalova , an authorized @ @ @ @ @ has disappeared .
Her whereabouts are unknown , '' the statement reads .
Ex-presidential nominee @ @ @ @ @ there was no information on the whereabouts of Maria Kolesnikova , Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan @ @ @ @ @ opposition ’ s Coordination Council .
The Belarus-1 state TV channel said on Telegram on @ @ @ @ @ detained while trying to illegally cross the Belarus-Ukraine border .
The Ukrainian State Border Service @ @ @ @ @ that Rodnenkov and Kravtsov had crossed the Belarus-Ukraine border .

MINSK, September 8. /TASS/. Former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya’s authorized representative Antonina Konovalova has disappeared, according to a statement published on Tikhanovskaya’s Telegram channel.
"Antonina Konovalova, an authorized representative of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, has disappeared. Her whereabouts are unknown," the statement reads.
Ex-presidential nominee Viktor Babariko said earlier that there was no information on the whereabouts of Maria Kolesnikova, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov, members of the opposition’s Coordination Council.
The Belarus-1 state TV channel said on Telegram on Tuesday that Kolesnikova had been detained while trying to illegally cross the Belarus-Ukraine border. The Ukrainian State Border Service said, in turn, that Rodnenkov and Kravtsov had crossed the Belarus-Ukraine border.


tass--2020-09-08--Russian fighter jet escorts US, Swedish recon planes over Baltic Sea

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian Su-27 fighter jet escorted an American RC-135 reconnaissance plane and a @ @ @ @ @ the Baltic Sea , the Russian National Defense Control Center reported Tuesday .
According to @ @ @ @ @ targets were detected approaching the Russian border by the Russian radars .
A Baltic Navy @ @ @ @ @ to identify and deter the targets .
The plane identified the targets as a US @ @ @ @ @ and a Swedish Air Force Gulfstream reconnaissance aircraft , the center said .
After the @ @ @ @ @ the Russian border , the Russian jet returned to the home airfield , the center @ @ @ @ @ sortie was conducted in strict compliance with the international air law .
There has been @ @ @ @ @ border , '' the center stressed .

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. A Russian Su-27 fighter jet escorted an American RC-135 reconnaissance plane and a Swedish Gulfstream reconnaissance jet over the Baltic Sea, the Russian National Defense Control Center reported Tuesday.
According to the center, two air targets were detected approaching the Russian border by the Russian radars. A Baltic Navy Su-27 fighter jet was scrambled to identify and deter the targets. The plane identified the targets as a US Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft and a Swedish Air Force Gulfstream reconnaissance aircraft, the center said.
After the foreign aircraft turned away from the Russian border, the Russian jet returned to the home airfield, the center informed.
"The entire sortie was conducted in strict compliance with the international air law. There has been no violation of the Russian border," the center stressed.


tass--2020-09-08--Russia, Cyprus sign protocol on amending tax agreement

NICOSIA , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Cyprus signed a protocol on Tuesday amending the intergovernmental agreement on the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital .
According to the Russian Ministry of Finance , on behalf of Russia the document was signed by State Secretary , Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Sazanov , and on behalf of Cyprus - by Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides .
`` The protocol should be ratified before the end of this year , so that the provisions of the protocol begin to apply from January 1 , 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The document was signed in the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides .
Lavrov noted that the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation was signed back in 1998 , and today it is time to upgrade it .
`` Our Ministry of Finance conducts such work with all our partners with whom we are bound by the same agreements , and these efforts are aimed at ensuring that the investments made by our companies , our citizens , are indeed used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits , '' he explained .
According to the approved protocol , the tax levied on dividends and interest should not exceed 15 % of the total amount of dividends .
In some cases , dividend tax can be up to 5 % , in particular if the person entitled to the dividends is a foreign insurance company or a pension fund , as well as a local authority or central bank .
The protocol will enter into force in 2021 .
Negotiations with Cyprus began in June , and on August 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an agreement could not be reached and the procedure for denunciation of the agreement was launched .
Later , the Cypriot government announced that it expects to settle the issue of amendments to the agreement with Russia .
On August 10 , at the talks in Moscow , the amendments were settled .

NICOSIA, September 8. /TASS/. Russia and Cyprus signed a protocol on Tuesday amending the intergovernmental agreement on the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital. According to the Russian Ministry of Finance, on behalf of Russia the document was signed by State Secretary, Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Sazanov, and on behalf of Cyprus - by Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides.
"The protocol should be ratified before the end of this year, so that the provisions of the protocol begin to apply from January 1, 2021," the Russian Finance Ministry reported. The document was signed in the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides.
Lavrov noted that the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation was signed back in 1998, and today it is time to upgrade it. "Our Ministry of Finance conducts such work with all our partners with whom we are bound by the same agreements, and these efforts are aimed at ensuring that the investments made by our companies, our citizens, are indeed used to implement specific projects that bring practical benefits," he explained.
According to the approved protocol, the tax levied on dividends and interest should not exceed 15% of the total amount of dividends. In some cases, dividend tax can be up to 5%, in particular if the person entitled to the dividends is a foreign insurance company or a pension fund, as well as a local authority or central bank. The protocol will enter into force in 2021.
Negotiations with Cyprus began in June, and on August 3, the Russian Finance Ministry announced that an agreement could not be reached and the procedure for denunciation of the agreement was launched. Later, the Cypriot government announced that it expects to settle the issue of amendments to the agreement with Russia. On August 10, at the talks in Moscow, the amendments were settled.


tass--2020-09-08--Belarusian activist Kolesnikova taken to Gomel Region — ex-presidential nominee’s team

MINSK , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Member of the Belarusian opposition ’ s Coordination Council Maria Kolesnikova has been @ @ @ @ @ the Gomel Region , ex-presidential nominee Viktor Babariko ’ s team said on Telegram on @ @ @ @ @ have provided us with information that Maria Kolesnikova was detained and taken to the Mozyrsky @ @ @ @ @ 1257-247768 , the Gomel Region , the Mozyrsky District , Prudok settlement ) , '' @ @ @ @ @ team demanded that the Belarusian authorities `` disclose Maria Kolesnikova ’ s whereabouts and immediately @ @ @ @ @ been detained , ensuring her right to legal protection . ''
The Belarus-1 state TV @ @ @ @ @ that Kolesnikova had been detained when trying to illegally cross the Belarus-Ukraine border .
According @ @ @ @ @ Latushko , an attempt was made to force Kolesnikova to leave Belarus but she tore @ @ @ @ @ border .

MINSK, September 8. /TASS/. Member of the Belarusian opposition’s Coordination Council Maria Kolesnikova has been taken to Prudok settlement in the Gomel Region, ex-presidential nominee Viktor Babariko’s team said on Telegram on Tuesday.
"Anonymous sources have provided us with information that Maria Kolesnikova was detained and taken to the Mozyrsky border unit (military unit 1257-247768, the Gomel Region, the Mozyrsky District, Prudok settlement)," the statement reads.
The team demanded that the Belarusian authorities "disclose Maria Kolesnikova’s whereabouts and immediately release her if she has been detained, ensuring her right to legal protection."
The Belarus-1 state TV channel said on Telegram earlier that Kolesnikova had been detained when trying to illegally cross the Belarus-Ukraine border. According to Coordination Council member Pavel Latushko, an attempt was made to force Kolesnikova to leave Belarus but she tore her passport when crossing the border.


tass--2020-09-08--German ambassador to visit Russian Foreign Ministry on September 9

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
German Ambassador to Russia Geza Andreas von Geyr will come to the Russian @ @ @ @ @ with Russian diplomats on September 9 , the German Embassy in Russia informed TASS on @ @ @ @ @ ambassador will take part in a discussion at the Russian Foreign Ministry , '' the @ @ @ @ @ Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters that the Russian Foreign Ministry expects the @ @ @ @ @ ministry in order to discuss the situation around Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny .

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. German Ambassador to Russia Geza Andreas von Geyr will come to the Russian Foreign Ministry for a discussion with Russian diplomats on September 9, the German Embassy in Russia informed TASS on Tuesday.
"The German ambassador will take part in a discussion at the Russian Foreign Ministry," the embassy informed.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters that the Russian Foreign Ministry expects the German ambassador to visit the ministry in order to discuss the situation around Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.


tass--2020-09-08--Lukashenko attributes heavy-handed response by police during rallies to heat of the moment

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that the heavy-handed response by Belarusian law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ protests were triggered by the heat of the moment , adding that in doing so @ @ @ @ @ protected the country , '' according to Rossiya-1 reporter Yevgeny Rozhkov , who participated in @ @ @ @ @ Russian reporters .
`` Regarding the beatings , we also asked what it was , @ @ @ @ @ of journalists .
He said that this was the heat of the moment , and @ @ @ @ @ be reproached , because they protected the country from a blitzkrieg and actually defended the @ @ @ @ @ his sole opinion , '' Rozhkov said on TV Tuesday .

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that the heavy-handed response by Belarusian law enforcement during the string of mass protests were triggered by the heat of the moment, adding that in doing so, the police officers "protected the country," according to Rossiya-1 reporter Yevgeny Rozhkov, who participated in Lukashenko’s interview for Russian reporters.
"Regarding the beatings, we also asked what it was, including [the beatings] of journalists. He said that this was the heat of the moment, and the police shouldn’t be reproached, because they protected the country from a blitzkrieg and actually defended the country then. This is his sole opinion," Rozhkov said on TV Tuesday.


tass--2020-09-08--Doctors in Omsk did not use special anti-Novichok therapy in Navalny case

OMSK , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Doctors in Omsk , where blogger Alexei Navalny spent nearly two days in @ @ @ @ @ did not use the special form of therapy called ultrahemodiafiltration , crucial to saving the @ @ @ @ @ with a Novichok class agent , the chief toxicologist of the Omsk Region and the @ @ @ @ @ Sabayev , told the media on Tuesday , adding that there were no signs such @ @ @ @ @ is used in case of a grave poisoning with organophosphorus compounds to which the Novichok @ @ @ @ @ Without ultrahemodiafiltration a poisoned person can not be saved .
We did not use this @ @ @ @ @ no need for it .
Had there been such a poisoning , he would have @ @ @ @ @ Sabayev said .

OMSK, September 8. /TASS/. Doctors in Omsk, where blogger Alexei Navalny spent nearly two days in hospital in a coma, did not use the special form of therapy called ultrahemodiafiltration, crucial to saving the life of a person poisoned with a Novichok class agent, the chief toxicologist of the Omsk Region and the Siberian Federal District, Alexander Sabayev, told the media on Tuesday, adding that there were no signs such treatment was required.
Ultrahemodiafiltration is used in case of a grave poisoning with organophosphorus compounds to which the Novichok class agents belong,
"Without ultrahemodiafiltration a poisoned person cannot be saved. We did not use this therapy, because there was no need for it. Had there been such a poisoning, he would have died within hours," Sabayev said.


tass--2020-09-08--Lukashenko admits he ‘sat a bit too long' in presidential chair

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confessed that he might have overstayed his term of @ @ @ @ @ that he is the only one who can `` protect Belarusians , '' according to @ @ @ @ @ Rozhkov , who took part in Lukahsenko ’ s interview for Russian reporters .
`` @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve sat [ in the presidential chair ] for a bit too long maybe @ @ @ @ @ not only on TV , but on irons and kettles as well .
But truthfully @ @ @ @ @ one who can protect Belarusians right now , '' Rozhkov quoted Lukashenko as saying Tuesday @

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confessed that he might have overstayed his term of office, but he emphasized that he is the only one who can "protect Belarusians," according to Rossiya-1 TV channel reporter Yevgeny Rozhkov, who took part in Lukahsenko’s interview for Russian reporters.
"Yes, perhaps, I’ve sat [in the presidential chair] for a bit too long maybe, I’m shown not only on TV, but on irons and kettles as well. But truthfully I’m the only one who can protect Belarusians right now," Rozhkov quoted Lukashenko as saying Tuesday.


tass--2020-09-08--Russian Foreign Ministry summons German ambassador to discuss Navalny case

MOSCOW , September 8 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned German Ambassador to Moscow Geza Andreas von Geyr to discuss the situation around blogger Alexei Navalny , the ministry ’ s Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Tuesday .
`` We expect Berlin to provide us with all the available data , including the results of lab tests conducted by the Bundeswehr as well as the ‘ evidence ’ that the German Foreign Ministry has .
We are waiting to receive the German ambassador [ in the Foreign Ministry ’ s building ] on Smolenskaya Square , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media reports about the exchange of information on Navalny between Germany ’ s Charite hospital , a Bendeswehr laboratory , the United Kingdom ’ s Porton Down laboratory and Bulgarian facilities .
`` It becomes available to outlets that publish leaks , such as Bellingcat .
At the same time , when asked about the Russian state ’ s involvement in the incident , German Foreign Minister Maas told reporters that ‘ there is a lot of evidence of that ’ , '' the Russian diplomat noted .
`` It is too serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` It ’ s time to show the cards because it is clear that Berlin is bluffing for the sake of dirty political scheming , '' Zakharova added .
On August 20 , a plane carrying Russian blogger Alexei Navalny made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk after the blogger had suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight .
Navalny was taken to hospital in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator .
On August 22 , he was flown to Germany for treatment at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on September 7 that he had been taken out of coma and would be gradually switched off from the ventilator .
The German government said on September 2 , citing the results of a toxicological analysis carried out by Bundeswehr experts , that Navalny had been poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent .
Russia said it was interested in investigating the incident but expected Germany to respond to Moscow ’ s official request .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russian doctors had detected no traces of poisonous substances in Navalny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova , in turn , noted that Germany had failed to provide any evidence of poisoning .

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. The Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned German Ambassador to Moscow Geza Andreas von Geyr to discuss the situation around blogger Alexei Navalny, the ministry’s Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Tuesday.
"We expect Berlin to provide us with all the available data, including the results of lab tests conducted by the Bundeswehr as well as the ‘evidence’ that the German Foreign Ministry has. We are waiting to receive the German ambassador [in the Foreign Ministry’s building] on Smolenskaya Square," the diplomat said.
Zakharova mentioned media reports about the exchange of information on Navalny between Germany’s Charite hospital, a Bendeswehr laboratory, the United Kingdom’s Porton Down laboratory and Bulgarian facilities. "It becomes available to outlets that publish leaks, such as Bellingcat. At the same time, when asked about the Russian state’s involvement in the incident, German Foreign Minister Maas told reporters that ‘there is a lot of evidence of that’," the Russian diplomat noted. "It is too serious to allow German officials to remain silent," she said. "It’s time to show the cards because it is clear that Berlin is bluffing for the sake of dirty political scheming," Zakharova added.
Navalny incident
On August 20, a plane carrying Russian blogger Alexei Navalny made an emergency landing in the Russian city of Omsk after the blogger had suddenly felt unwell in mid-flight. Navalny was taken to hospital in a coma and was hooked up to a ventilator. On August 22, he was flown to Germany for treatment at Berlin’s Charite hospital. Doctors said on September 7 that he had been taken out of coma and would be gradually switched off from the ventilator.
The German government said on September 2, citing the results of a toxicological analysis carried out by Bundeswehr experts, that Navalny had been poisoned with the Novichok nerve agent. Russia said it was interested in investigating the incident but expected Germany to respond to Moscow’s official request. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed out that Russian doctors had detected no traces of poisonous substances in Navalny’s body. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in turn, noted that Germany had failed to provide any evidence of poisoning.


tass--2020-09-09--Lukashenko does not rule out snap presidential election in Belarus

`` If we amend the Constitution , we must enshrine presidential elections in the Constitution , but [ enshrine ] separately , and I am inclined to do that , in order to hold early presidential elections .
I do not rule out that , '' he said in an interview with Russian media outlets broadcast by the RT television channel on Wednesday .
Lukashenko stressed that he was leaning toward that decision .
`` No one told me about that , and this is the first time I telling you that .
I am inclined to do that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not give the exact date for the election .
`` I am not speaking about the dates .
We need to adopt the Constitution and hold elections to local government bodies .
If a presidential election is held ahead of time , it should probably take place earlier than parliamentary elections .
After all , the parliament should be preserved until a new president appears , and then hold parliamentary elections , according to the new Constitution , it will be already approved , '' he said , repeating , `` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

"If we amend the Constitution, we must enshrine presidential elections in the Constitution, but [enshrine] separately, and I am inclined to do that, in order to hold early presidential elections. I do not rule out that," he said in an interview with Russian media outlets broadcast by the RT television channel on Wednesday.
Lukashenko stressed that he was leaning toward that decision. "No one told me about that, and this is the first time I telling you that. I am inclined to do that," he noted.
However, he did not give the exact date for the election. "I am not speaking about the dates. We need to adopt the Constitution and hold elections to local government bodies. If a presidential election is held ahead of time, it should probably take place earlier than parliamentary elections. After all, the parliament should be preserved until a new president appears, and then hold parliamentary elections, according to the new Constitution, it will be already approved," he said, repeating, "If we hold a snap presidential election."


tass--2020-09-09--Lukashenko says he may argue with Putin on any issues except security

`` We make many decisions but fail to implement many of them , '' he said in an interview to Russian media outlets aired on Wednesday .
`` We approached a point where we unleashed gas wars , milk wars , candy wars and oil wars .
We reached a point of absurdity .
I do hope that we have derived a proper lesson from this situation .
This concerns the presidents of both countries .
At negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin about six months ago we discussed this issue and agreed that we may argue in a manly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and security will remain sacrosanct . ''
Lukashenko said the latest events in Belarus proved this once again .
`` Remember I said once , which made you smile then , that possibly we will see the day when Putin and yours truly will have to stand back to back to fight against the attackers .
You took this as a joke then !
Now you can see how life has turned out , '' the Belarusian leader said .
Lukashenko is certain it is too early to relax .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say to my fellow citizens , '' he insisted .
`` It ’ s not the Poles behind this .
It ’ s just Poland ’ s policy .
Belarus has been the first to take the blow .
Through Belarus they ’ ll hit Russia and do you know what forces are behind this ?
It ’ s wrong to simplify anything ! ''

"We make numerous decisions but fail to implement many of them," he said in an interview with Russian media outlets aired on Wednesday. "We got to the point where we unleashed gas wars, milk wars, candy wars and oil wars. We reached a point of absurdity. I do hope that we have derived a proper lesson from this situation. This concerns the presidents of both countries. During talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about six months ago, we discussed this issue and agreed that we may spar in a manly way over any issue, but defense and security will remain sacrosanct."
Lukashenko said the latest events in Belarus proved this once again. "Remember when I said – and you laughed at it then - that perhaps we would see the day when Putin and yours truly would have to stand back to back to fight against the attackers. You took that as a joke then! Now you can see how reality has turned out," the Belarusian leader insisted.
Lukashenko is certain it is too early to relax. "This is just the beginning, as I often say to my fellow citizens," he stated. "It’s not the Poles behind this. It’s just Poland’s policy. Belarus has been the first to take the blow. Through Belarus they’ll hit Russia and do you know what forces are behind this? It’s wrong to trivialize anything!"