tass--2020-08-01--Experts detect high mercury levels in sewage water from closed Siberian chemical plant

MOSCOW , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
Samples of sewage water taken from the premises of the closed Usolyekhimprom chemical plant near the Siberian town of Usolye-Sibirskoye revealed that the concentration of mercury there was 33,000 times above the threshold limit value ( TLV ) , sources in local environmental and technical control agencies told TASS on Saturday .
`` Samples taken on the territory of the Usolyekhimprom plant reveal that the concentration of mercury in air was 367 times above the threshold limit value ( TLV ) , of benzol - 5.2 times .
In sewage waters , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the TLV , oil products - 3,000 times , iron - 190 times , copper - 22 times , phosphates - 5,000 times , '' the source said .
Soil samples showed the presence of mercury ( 32 times above the TLV ) , lead - 629 times , oil products - 8.7 times , zinc - 5.4 times , copper - 21 times .
According to preliminary information , the mercury electrolysis facility , operational between 1970 and 1998 , was the most likely source of the contamination .
At the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonnes of mercury were stored there .
Other sections of the plant have also been identified as potentially dangerous .
Besides , 24 reservoirs with dangerous chemicals , some with unknown contents , still remain in the facility .
Their owner is also unknown .
Usolyekhimprom , once the biggest chemical facility east of the Urals mountains , became a source of environmental danger since its closure in 2005 .
Since 2018 , the state of emergency has been in place in the nearby town of Usolye-Sibirskoye , home to more than 76,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ km away from the regional administrative center of Irkutsk , on the left bank of the Angara River that drains out of Lake Baikal .
On July 30 , Russian President Vladimir Putin tasked to isolate the industrial site in Usolye-Sibirskoe as soon as practicable .
The access to hazardous facilities for individuals should also be closed , so that they do not put their life and health at risk , Putin said .
The situation in Usolye-Sibirskoe requires urgent and comperehensive measures in general , the President added .
Russian Investigative Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pre-investigation check into environmental issues of Usolye-Sibirskoye .

MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. Samples of sewage water taken from the premises of the closed Usolyekhimprom chemical plant near the Siberian town of Usolye-Sibirskoye revealed that the concentration of mercury there was 33,000 times above the threshold limit value (TLV), sources in local environmental and technical control agencies told TASS on Saturday.
"Samples taken on the territory of the Usolyekhimprom plant reveal that the concentration of mercury in air was 367 times above the threshold limit value (TLV), of benzol - 5.2 times. In sewage waters, the concentration of mercury was 33,000 times above the TLV, oil products - 3,000 times, iron - 190 times, copper - 22 times, phosphates - 5,000 times," the source said.
Soil samples showed the presence of mercury (32 times above the TLV), lead - 629 times, oil products - 8.7 times, zinc - 5.4 times, copper - 21 times.
According to preliminary information, the mercury electrolysis facility, operational between 1970 and 1998, was the most likely source of the contamination. At the moment it was closed, about 1,200 metric tonnes of mercury were stored there.
Other sections of the plant have also been identified as potentially dangerous.
Besides, 24 reservoirs with dangerous chemicals, some with unknown contents, still remain in the facility. Their owner is also unknown.
Usolyekhimprom, once the biggest chemical facility east of the Urals mountains, became a source of environmental danger since its closure in 2005. Since 2018, the state of emergency has been in place in the nearby town of Usolye-Sibirskoye, home to more than 76,000 inhabitants. The town is located 77 km away from the regional administrative center of Irkutsk, on the left bank of the Angara River that drains out of Lake Baikal.
On July 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin tasked to isolate the industrial site in Usolye-Sibirskoe as soon as practicable. The access to hazardous facilities for individuals should also be closed, so that they do not put their life and health at risk, Putin said. The situation in Usolye-Sibirskoe requires urgent and comperehensive measures in general, the President added.
Russian Investigative Committee Chairman Alexander Bastrykin ordered to carry out a pre-investigation check into environmental issues of Usolye-Sibirskoye.


tass--2020-08-01--Trump dismisses media claims of Russia and Taliban as ‘another Russia hoax’

WASHINGTON , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump once again dismissed as a hoax US media reports alleging that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan .
`` I read it ( US intelligence briefings ) all the time , I see them all the time .
It was never brought to my attention .
I think it ’ s another Russia hoax , '' the US leader said .
`` It was never brought to my attention , because it never reached the level .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it never took place .
If it did take place , it would have been brought to my attention , and I would take a very strong action , '' he added .
On June 26 , the New York Times published an article claiming that a Russian military intelligence unit allegedly secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition troops in Afghanistan .
According to the daily , the intelligence finding was briefed to US President Donald Trump several months earlier , and the White House National Security Council ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interagency meeting in late March .
On June 27 , Russian Foreign Ministry labeled the initial publication on this issue as intentionally false .
According to the Ministry , `` that unpretentious fake news clearly illustrates low intellectual abilities of the US intelligence propagandists who have to come up with this nonsense instead of inventing something more credible . ''
On June 28 , Trump tweeted that the US intelligence labelled the reports of the alleged Russian attempts to offer bounty to the Afghan militants for assassination of US servicemen as false .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which published the initial report , could have published `` another fabricated Russia Hoax , '' in a bid to `` make Republicans look bad . ''
Many senior US officials have since commented on those reports , admitting that they had found no evidence of them being true .
The Russian Supreme Court designated the Taliban movement as a terrorist group in 2003 .
The organization is outlawed on the territory of Russia .

WASHINGTON, August 1. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump once again dismissed as a hoax US media reports alleging that a Russian military intelligence unit secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan.
"I read it (US intelligence briefings) all the time, I see them all the time. It was never brought to my attention. I think it’s another Russia hoax," the US leader said.
"It was never brought to my attention, because it never reached the level. A lot of people, including Democrats, said it never took place. If it did take place, it would have been brought to my attention, and I would take a very strong action," he added.
On June 26, the New York Times published an article claiming that a Russian military intelligence unit allegedly secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing coalition troops in Afghanistan. According to the daily, the intelligence finding was briefed to US President Donald Trump several months earlier, and the White House National Security Council (NSC) discussed the issue at an interagency meeting in late March.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov called these allegations a lie and a "total hoax."
On June 27, Russian Foreign Ministry labeled the initial publication on this issue as intentionally false. According to the Ministry, "that unpretentious fake news clearly illustrates low intellectual abilities of the US intelligence propagandists who have to come up with this nonsense instead of inventing something more credible."
On June 28, Trump tweeted that the US intelligence labelled the reports of the alleged Russian attempts to offer bounty to the Afghan militants for assassination of US servicemen as false. Trump said that The New York Times, which published the initial report, could have published "another fabricated Russia Hoax," in a bid to "make Republicans look bad."
Many senior US officials have since commented on those reports, admitting that they had found no evidence of them being true.
The Russian Supreme Court designated the Taliban movement as a terrorist group in 2003. The organization is outlawed on the territory of Russia.


tass--2020-08-01--Format of Minsk talks on Ukraine crisis should be changed if they stall — Kiev envoy

KIEV , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
The head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Contact Group on reconciliation in Eastern Ukraine , Leonid Kravchuk , told the UNN news agency that the Minsk format of talks should be changed if the negotiations stall .
`` I want to try to do something… If I fail and nothing will be offered in response , then I would say that the Minsk format has run aground , because Ukraine did everything in its power .
If we are deadlocked and are unable to solve this issue , it means that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Kravchuk said .
Earlier , Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said the solution for the Ukrainian crisis in the Minsk format should be found within one year .
The countdown started after the Normandy Quartet summit in Paris on December 9 , 2019 .
The peace settlement process in Donbass relies on the Minsk Accords envisaging a ceasefire , pullback of forces , amnesty , restoration of economic ties and a fundamental constitutional reform in Ukraine with the aim of decentralization of power and of granting a special status to some areas of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these conditions have been met so far .
The law on the special status the Ukrainian parliament had adopted earlier has remained frozen , for it was complemented by amendments running counter to the Minsk Accords .
Moreover , the operation of this law was restricted to one year and has been prolonged several times .
The authorities of the self-proclaimed people ’ s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk ( DPR and LPR ) have repeatedly said the Minsk talks have no alternative and their format can not be altered .
Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @

KIEV, August 1. /TASS/. The head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Contact Group on reconciliation in Eastern Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, told the UNN news agency that the Minsk format of talks should be changed if the negotiations stall.
"I want to try to do something… If I fail and nothing will be offered in response, then I would say that the Minsk format has run aground, because Ukraine did everything in its power. If we are deadlocked and are unable to solve this issue, it means that we need to search for another format," Kravchuk said.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said the solution for the Ukrainian crisis in the Minsk format should be found within one year. The countdown started after the Normandy Quartet summit in Paris on December 9, 2019.
The peace settlement process in Donbass relies on the Minsk Accords envisaging a ceasefire, pullback of forces, amnesty, restoration of economic ties and a fundamental constitutional reform in Ukraine with the aim of decentralization of power and of granting a special status to some areas of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions. None of these conditions have been met so far. The law on the special status the Ukrainian parliament had adopted earlier has remained frozen, for it was complemented by amendments running counter to the Minsk Accords. Moreover, the operation of this law was restricted to one year and has been prolonged several times.
The authorities of the self-proclaimed people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR and LPR) have repeatedly said the Minsk talks have no alternative and their format cannot be altered. Moscow supports this point of view.


tass--2020-08-02--Belarus president orders to ensure security of voting stations - news agency

MINSK , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has ordered Saturday to ensure security of voting stations during the upcoming presidential election .
He described it as a `` sacred duty '' of the authorities at a meeting with representatives of his election campaign headquarters .
`` I ask Viktor ( Sheiman , chief of staff - TASS ) to pay special attention to ensure security of voting stations .
It is because I ’ m increasingly often receiving information that they do not want to hold the presidential election calmly .
It is our sacred duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is safe , '' BelTA news agency quoted Lukashenko as saying .
`` You see what ’ s happening around .
Let them scream and make some noise .
There should not be any excessiveness .
There should not be anything that they start criticizing us for using the moment to restrict anyone in anything , '' he said .
`` There is a law , the election campaign and the whole work should go ahead in accordance with the law , '' Lukashenko added .
Belarus will hold the presidential election on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national election commission officially registered five candidates running for presidency , while two more were refused entry into the official race .

MINSK, August 2. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has ordered Saturday to ensure security of voting stations during the upcoming presidential election. He described it as a "sacred duty" of the authorities at a meeting with representatives of his election campaign headquarters.
"I ask Viktor (Sheiman, chief of staff - TASS) to pay special attention to ensure security of voting stations. It is because I’m increasingly often receiving information that they do not want to hold the presidential election calmly. It is our sacred duty to make sure that every voting stations is safe," BelTA news agency quoted Lukashenko as saying.
"You see what’s happening around. Let them scream and make some noise. There should not be any excessiveness. There should not be anything that they start criticizing us for using the moment to restrict anyone in anything," he said. "There is a law, the election campaign and the whole work should go ahead in accordance with the law," Lukashenko added.
Belarus will hold the presidential election on August 9. On July 14, the national election commission officially registered five candidates running for presidency, while two more were refused entry into the official race.


tass--2020-08-02--Crew Dragon undocks from ISS, Atlantic splashdown scheduled for Sunday

NEW YORK , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
American Crew Dragon spacecraft with astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley aboard has undocked from the International Space Station on Saturday at 19:35 US east coast time , NASA is broadcasting live .
The spacecraft is expected to splash down off Florida ’ s coast on Sunday at 14:42 local time .
Deputy Manager for Commercial Crew in NASA Steve Stich earlier noted that the landing site will depend on weather conditions , while a range of parameters will be taken into account like wave height , lighting and visibility .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialists , two rescue vessels , two high-speed boats and a few helicopters .
One speedboat will be used to check that the spacecraft is hermetically sealed , while the other will recover the parachute system .
Astronauts are expected to be moved to the rescue vessel for a checkup and will be delivered to Florida by air or water in four hours .
SpaceX ’ s Crew Dragon was launched to the ISS on May 30 as the launch marked the first manned flight in nine years from the United States using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights in 2011 after the Space Shuttle program came to an end .
Subsequently , all astronauts were delivered to the ISS and back by Russia ’ s Soyuz spacecraft .
It was originally thought that US commercial ships would begin manned flights in 2017 .

NEW YORK, August 2. /TASS/. American Crew Dragon spacecraft with astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley aboard has undocked from the International Space Station on Saturday at 19:35 US east coast time, NASA is broadcasting live.
The spacecraft is expected to splash down off Florida’s coast on Sunday at 14:42 local time. Deputy Manager for Commercial Crew in NASA Steve Stich earlier noted that the landing site will depend on weather conditions, while a range of parameters will be taken into account like wave height, lighting and visibility.
The astronaut evacuation will involve more than 40 specialists, two rescue vessels, two high-speed boats and a few helicopters. One speedboat will be used to check that the spacecraft is hermetically sealed, while the other will recover the parachute system. Astronauts are expected to be moved to the rescue vessel for a checkup and will be delivered to Florida by air or water in four hours.
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon was launched to the ISS on May 30 as the launch marked the first manned flight in nine years from the United States using a US spacecraft. NASA stopped crewed flights in 2011 after the Space Shuttle program came to an end. Subsequently, all astronauts were delivered to the ISS and back by Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft. It was originally thought that US commercial ships would begin manned flights in 2017.


tass--2020-08-02--WHO extends state of emergency over coronavirus pandemic

GENEVA , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has extended its emergency of international concern over the coronavirus pandemic for another three months , the WHO Emergency Committee said Saturday , following its meeting on July 31 that took place in Geneva .
It is underlined that the committee `` unanimously agreed that the pandemic still constitutes a public health emergency of international concern . ''
The recommendation of the committee was offered to Who Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who agreed with it .
In light of this , the committee `` will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discretion of the Director-General , '' the statement reads .
Speaking at the meeting , the WHO chief highlighted that this pandemic `` is a once-in-a-century health crisis , the effects of which will be felt for decades to come . ''
According to him , `` Many countries that believed they were past the worst are now grappling with new outbreaks .
Some that were less affected in the earliest weeks are now seeing escalating numbers of cases and deaths .
And some that had large outbreaks have brought them under control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO `` continue to mobilize global and regional multilateral organizations and partners for COVID-19 preparedness and response , to support Member States in maintaining health services , while accelerating the research and eventual access to diagnostics , therapeutics , and vaccines . ''
This was the fourth meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee of 18 experts and 13 consultants .
It aims to assess the current state of affairs in the fight against the pandemic and devise recommendations to efficiently counter the spread of the virus .
The three previous meetings took place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 , Dr. Tedros imposed a state of emergency in public healthcare over the coronavirus pandemic .

GENEVA, August 2. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) has extended its emergency of international concern over the coronavirus pandemic for another three months, the WHO Emergency Committee said Saturday, following its meeting on July 31 that took place in Geneva.
It is underlined that the committee "unanimously agreed that the pandemic still constitutes a public health emergency of international concern." The recommendation of the committee was offered to Who Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who agreed with it. In light of this, the committee "will be reconvened within three months, at the discretion of the Director-General," the statement reads.
Speaking at the meeting, the WHO chief highlighted that this pandemic "is a once-in-a-century health crisis, the effects of which will be felt for decades to come." According to him, "Many countries that believed they were past the worst are now grappling with new outbreaks. Some that were less affected in the earliest weeks are now seeing escalating numbers of cases and deaths. And some that had large outbreaks have brought them under control."
The committee recommended that the WHO "continue to mobilize global and regional multilateral organizations and partners for COVID-19 preparedness and response, to support Member States in maintaining health services, while accelerating the research and eventual access to diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines."
This was the fourth meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee of 18 experts and 13 consultants. It aims to assess the current state of affairs in the fight against the pandemic and devise recommendations to efficiently counter the spread of the virus. The three previous meetings took place in January and April. On January 30, Dr. Tedros imposed a state of emergency in public healthcare over the coronavirus pandemic.


tass--2020-08-02--Soyuz MS-17 crew to head to Baikonur in September, launch planned for October - Roscosmos

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Crewmembers of the new expedition to the International Space Station ( ISS ) @ @ @ @ @ arriving at the Baikonur Cosmodrome late September .
The Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft will blast off @ @ @ @ @ service for the Russian space agency , Roscosmos , told TASS .
`` The crew @ @ @ @ @ Baikonur in late September .
The next expedition to the ISS with an international crew @ @ @ @ @ MS spacecraft in October 2020 , '' the press service noted .
The crew includes @ @ @ @ @ Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and NASA astronaut Kathleen Rubins .
Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitsky , Pyotr Dubrov @ @ @ @ @ Hei are standing-by as their backups .
Roscosmos clarified that the crew is currently completing @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cosmonaut training center .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Crewmembers of the new expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) will start pre-flight training after arriving at the Baikonur Cosmodrome late September. The Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft will blast off in October, the press service for the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, told TASS.
"The crew is expected to fly to Baikonur in late September. The next expedition to the ISS with an international crew is starting aboard a Soyuz MS spacecraft in October 2020," the press service noted.
The crew includes Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov, Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and NASA astronaut Kathleen Rubins. Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitsky, Pyotr Dubrov and American astronaut Mark Vande Hei are standing-by as their backups.
Roscosmos clarified that the crew is currently completing training in the Moscow Region’s cosmonaut training center.


tass--2020-08-02--Two space tourists to blast off to ISS in late 2021 - Roscosmos

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Two space tourists will be launched on a rocket to travel to the International Space Station ( ISS ) in late 2021 , their names will be revealed early next year , the press service for the Russian space agency , Roscosmos , told TASS .
`` In accordance with the agreement with [ US ] Space Adventures company , specializing in space tourism , a launch will take place , involving two tourists .
The launch is scheduled for late 2021 , '' the press service said , adding that their names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .
Roscosmos also informed that the agency is in talks with a few American companies to send tourists to the ISS .
In February 2019 , Roscosmos and Space Adventures signed a new contract to fly two space tourists to the ISS aboard one spacecraft before 2022 .
The Russian state corporation then clarified that space industry facilities had already begun manufacturing a Soyuz-MS spacecraft and a Soyuz-2 carrier missile for the space flight .
Roscosmos added that the tourists are covering all expenses to produce all the necessary equipment and hardware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent the first tourist , Dennis Tito , to space back in 2001 .
Overall , seven people travelled to space under their contracts ( one did it twice ) .
The last such flight took place in September 2009 .
In 2015 , singer Sarah Brightman was supposed to travel to the ISS , but she later terminated her training and withdrew her application , citing family reasons .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Two space tourists will be launched on a rocket to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in late 2021, their names will be revealed early next year, the press service for the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, told TASS.
"In accordance with the agreement with [US] Space Adventures company, specializing in space tourism, a launch will take place, involving two tourists. The launch is scheduled for late 2021," the press service said, adding that their names will be announced in the beginning of 2021.
Roscosmos also informed that the agency is in talks with a few American companies to send tourists to the ISS.
In February 2019, Roscosmos and Space Adventures signed a new contract to fly two space tourists to the ISS aboard one spacecraft before 2022.
The Russian state corporation then clarified that space industry facilities had already begun manufacturing a Soyuz-MS spacecraft and a Soyuz-2 carrier missile for the space flight. Roscosmos added that the tourists are covering all expenses to produce all the necessary equipment and hardware.
The Russian side and Space Adventures sent the first tourist, Dennis Tito, to space back in 2001. Overall, seven people travelled to space under their contracts (one did it twice). The last such flight took place in September 2009. In 2015, singer Sarah Brightman was supposed to travel to the ISS, but she later terminated her training and withdrew her application, citing family reasons.


tass--2020-08-01--Moscow's death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases rises by 12 to 4,485

MOSCOW , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 12 in Moscow over the past 24 hours , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday .
`` Twelve patients have passed away in Moscow .
Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection , '' the center informed .
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has topped 4,485 in Moscow .
As of August 1 , the Russian capital registered over 242,00 COVID-19 cases , with over 180,500 recoveries .
In late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 , about 17,600,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 679,000 deaths have been reported .
To date , 845,443 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with 646,524 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 14,058 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has risen by 12 in Moscow over the past 24 hours, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Saturday.
"Twelve patients have passed away in Moscow. Their diagnoses of pneumonia were confirmed and they tested positive for the coronavirus infection," the center informed.
The death toll from confirmed coronavirus cases has topped 4,485 in Moscow. As of August 1, the Russian capital registered over 242,00 COVID-19 cases, with over 180,500 recoveries.
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, about 17,600,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 679,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, 845,443 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 646,524 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 14,058 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-01--Race for military dominance in Europe may bring back Cold War times - diplomat

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Attempts to gain military superiority in Europe could trigger a situation resembling the Cold War times , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told TASS commenting on the 45th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act .
`` I think that it should be understood sooner or later that a policy that fails to respect lawful interests of all member states of the OSCE region is counterproductive .
Any steps contradicting this logic undermine European security and undermine the security of those nations that are pushing for military dominance now .
They will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a situation similar to the Cold War times , at all costs to their own security , '' he warned .
The diplomat added that the present-day attempts to gain military superiority and to enhance own security in this way are extremely dangerous trends .
`` They are destabilizing and definitely will not bolster whoever ’ s security , including that of the nations that are currently declaring themselves ‘ frontline ’ and that , 45 years after the Helsinki Final Act was signed , have entered a competition for the privilege to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` It is a key marker of the crisis that have evolved in the sphere of European security , '' he pointed out .
Forty-five years ago , the Helsinki Final Act was approved on August 1 , 1975 .
The agreement was a milestone to shape Euro-Atlantic security under the two warring systems during the Cold War .
The Final Act was signed by 33 European countries , the United States and Canada as a result of three-year-long talks .
Leonid Brezhnev put his signature under the Final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Attempts to gain military superiority in Europe could trigger a situation resembling the Cold War times, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told TASS commenting on the 45th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act.
"I think that it should be understood sooner or later that a policy that fails to respect lawful interests of all member states of the OSCE region is counterproductive. Any steps contradicting this logic undermine European security and undermine the security of those nations that are pushing for military dominance now. They will not achieve that, but they could prompt a situation similar to the Cold War times, at all costs to their own security," he warned.
The diplomat added that the present-day attempts to gain military superiority and to enhance own security in this way are extremely dangerous trends.
"They are destabilizing and definitely will not bolster whoever’s security, including that of the nations that are currently declaring themselves ‘frontline’ and that, 45 years after the Helsinki Final Act was signed, have entered a competition for the privilege to host US troops on their territories," he said. "It is a key marker of the crisis that have evolved in the sphere of European security," he pointed out.
Forty-five years ago, the Helsinki Final Act was approved on August 1, 1975. The agreement was a milestone to shape Euro-Atlantic security under the two warring systems during the Cold War.
The Final Act was signed by 33 European countries, the United States and Canada as a result of three-year-long talks. Leonid Brezhnev put his signature under the Final Act on behalf of the Soviet Union.


tass--2020-08-01--WHO reports one-day surge in coronavirus cases by over 289,000

GENEVA , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
More than 289,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day , exceeding 17.39 million , while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 6,000 to surpass 675,000 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Saturday .
As of 11.00 Moscow time on August 1 , as many as 17,396,943 novel coronavirus cases and 675,060 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 289,321 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 292,527 new cases and 6,812 fatalities were documented throughout the world .
The WHO statistics are based on officially confirmed data provided by countries .
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 9,320,330 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 168,157 and the number of deaths - by 4,096 to top 355,217 .
The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,357,465 and the number of fatalities is 212,978 .
In the past 24 hours , the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of deaths went up by 450 .
South East Asia has 2,072,94 cases and 44,900 fatalities .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 62,231 and the number of deaths - by 869 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases is registered in the United States ( 4,456,389 ) , followed by Brazil ( 2,610,102 ) ) , India ( 1,695,988 ) , Russia ( 845,443 ) , South Africa ( 493,183 ) , Mexico ( 416,179 ) , Peru ( 407,492 ) , Chile ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the United Kingdom ( 303,185 ) .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, August 1. /TASS/. More than 289,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide in the past day, exceeding 17.39 million, while the coronavirus-related fatalities increased by over 6,000 to surpass 675,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Saturday.
As of 11.00 Moscow time on August 1, as many as 17,396,943 novel coronavirus cases and 675,060 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 289,321 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 6,142.
The day before, 292,527 new cases and 6,812 fatalities were documented throughout the world. The WHO statistics are based on officially confirmed data provided by countries.
South and North America account for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 9,320,330. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 168,157 and the number of deaths - by 4,096 to top 355,217. The number of confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,357,465 and the number of fatalities is 212,978. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew, by 22,550 and the number of deaths went up by 450.
South East Asia has 2,072,94 cases and 44,900 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 62,231 and the number of deaths - by 869.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases is registered in the United States (4,456,389), followed by Brazil (2,610,102)), India (1,695,988), Russia (845,443), South Africa (493,183), Mexico (416,179), Peru (407,492), Chile (355,667), Iran (304,204) and the United Kingdom (303,185).
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-08-01--OSCE reports 225 ceasefire violations in Donbass since July 27 - report

MOSCOW , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
Observers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) @ @ @ @ @ the ceasefire agreement in Donbass , which came into force on July 27 , the @ @ @ @ @ SMM ) in Ukraine said in a daily report on Saturday .
`` From 00.01 @ @ @ @ @ end of the reporting period , the SMM recorded a total of 225 ceasefire violations @ @ @ @ @ .
On July 22 , the Contact Group seeking peace for east Ukraine approved via @ @ @ @ @ to hold a ceasefire along the contact line in Donbass .
They came into effect @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. Observers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have registered 225 violations of the ceasefire agreement in Donbass, which came into force on July 27, the OSCE Special Monitoring Group (SMM) in Ukraine said in a daily report on Saturday.
"From 00.01 on 27 July until the end of the reporting period, the SMM recorded a total of 225 ceasefire violations," the report says.
On July 22, the Contact Group seeking peace for east Ukraine approved via a video conference additional measures to hold a ceasefire along the contact line in Donbass. They came into effect on July 27.


tass--2020-08-01--Travelers from Russia to face quarantine in Switzerland - embassy

MOSCOW , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
A 10-day quarantine will be imposed in Switzerland on those arriving from Russia , the Swiss embassy told TASS on Saturday .
`` Russia is among the high-risk countries , so the 10-day quarantine at home is compulsory , '' the spokesperson said when asked by TASS .
`` Only citizens with residence permit are allowed to visit Switzerland .
Russian tourists are still barred from entering. ''
.
Earlier in the day , the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center announced resumption of flights to Switzerland from August 15 , 2020 .
The Moscow-Geneva-Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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 , about 17,600,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date , 845,443 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 646,524 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 14,058 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. A 10-day quarantine will be imposed in Switzerland on those arriving from Russia, the Swiss embassy told TASS on Saturday.
"Russia is among the high-risk countries, so the 10-day quarantine at home is compulsory," the spokesperson said when asked by TASS. "Only citizens with residence permit are allowed to visit Switzerland. Russian tourists are still barred from entering.".
Earlier in the day, the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center announced resumption of flights to Switzerland from August 15, 2020. The Moscow-Geneva-Moscow flights will be operated once a week.
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, about 17,600,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 679,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, 845,443 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 646,524 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 14,058 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-01--Thirty-three Russians remanded in custody in Belarus

MINSK , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
The Belarusian Attorney ’ s Office has ruled that the 33 detained Russian men should be remanded in custody , Chairman of the Investigation Committee Ivan Noskevich said at a meeting with President Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday .
`` The main investigation directorate of the Investigation Committee ’ s central office continues an active phase of the criminal investigation launched on July 29 under Articles 13 and 293 part 2 of the Criminal Code ( preparation for mass riots ) .
Thirty-three citizens of the Russian Federation were recognized as suspects in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On July 31 , the investigation ruled and the prosecutor approved that they would be remanded in custody , '' Noskevich said , quoted by BelTA as saying .
According to Noskevich , the Russians entered Belarus in the evening of July 24 to allegedly take a Minsk-Istanbul flight .
`` Some suspects say about the 10.50 flight .
Nevertheless , having enough time to check in , and respectively , to leave the country , the group went past the airport and accommodated at the IBB hotel in Minsk , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian nationals had booked rooms in the hotel in advance and simultaneously reserved accommodation at the Belorusochka holiday center outside Minsk .
`` In order to support the conclusions about those individuals ’ weird behavior , the investigators cracked the detainees ’ phones to find out that they were expecting several other groups of their colleagues - citizens of the Russian Federation .
In addition , we were tipped off that almost all of them have serious combat experience , as they were fighting in east Ukraine , '' Noskevich said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Vagner ‘ private military company ’ , '' he alleged .
`` It is obvious that no other judgement against those individuals were expected , but for detention and other procedural measures , '' he added .
Belarus reported earlier that 33 Russian men were detained in the country in the early hours of July 29 .
Minsk said they were contractors of a foreign private military company .
According to the latest reports , they are suspected of masterminding mass unrest .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry said in response that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Istanbul , with a transit stopover in Minsk , and that they had all the required papers , including air tickets to their ultimate destination .
Belarus ’ Investigation Committee claims that the Russians were not going to take a flight to Istanbul from Minsk .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 31 that Moscow had not been provided with complete information about the incident , including about any illegal activities that could prompt the arrest of the Russian nationals .
Peskov dismissed allegations about a link between the incident and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` speculations '' .

MINSK, August 1. /TASS/. The Belarusian Attorney’s Office has ruled that the 33 detained Russian men should be remanded in custody, Chairman of the Investigation Committee Ivan Noskevich said at a meeting with President Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday.
"The main investigation directorate of the Investigation Committee’s central office continues an active phase of the criminal investigation launched on July 29 under Articles 13 and 293 part 2 of the Criminal Code (preparation for mass riots). Thirty-three citizens of the Russian Federation were recognized as suspects in this criminal case, and they were detained. On July 31, the investigation ruled and the prosecutor approved that they would be remanded in custody," Noskevich said, quoted by BelTA as saying.
According to Noskevich, the Russians entered Belarus in the evening of July 24 to allegedly take a Minsk-Istanbul flight.
"Some suspects say about the 10.50 flight. Nevertheless, having enough time to check in, and respectively, to leave the country, the group went past the airport and accommodated at the IBB hotel in Minsk," the Investigation Committee head said.
The Russian nationals had booked rooms in the hotel in advance and simultaneously reserved accommodation at the Belorusochka holiday center outside Minsk.
"In order to support the conclusions about those individuals’ weird behavior, the investigators cracked the detainees’ phones to find out that they were expecting several other groups of their colleagues - citizens of the Russian Federation. In addition, we were tipped off that almost all of them have serious combat experience, as they were fighting in east Ukraine," Noskevich said.
"Nearly all of them are members of the Vagner ‘private military company’," he alleged. "It is obvious that no other judgement against those individuals were expected, but for detention and other procedural measures," he added.
Detention of Russian nationals
Belarus reported earlier that 33 Russian men were detained in the country in the early hours of July 29. Minsk said they were contractors of a foreign private military company. According to the latest reports, they are suspected of masterminding mass unrest. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in response that the group of Russian men was travelling to Istanbul, with a transit stopover in Minsk, and that they had all the required papers, including air tickets to their ultimate destination. Belarus’ Investigation Committee claims that the Russians were not going to take a flight to Istanbul from Minsk.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 31 that Moscow had not been provided with complete information about the incident, including about any illegal activities that could prompt the arrest of the Russian nationals. Peskov dismissed allegations about a link between the incident and the upcoming presidential election in Belarus as "speculations".


tass--2020-08-01--Russians detained in Belarus were first from 180-200-strong group, Lukashenko claims

MINSK , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
The 33 Russian men apprehended in Belarus were the first from a group of 180-200 , who were meant to be deployed to the country to destabilize the situation , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Saturday at a meeting with Chairman of the State Security Committee Valery Vakulchik and Chairman of the Investigation Committee Ivan Noskevich .
`` Good job to detect that it was the first group .
I can see that it was a first group from 180 to 200 people who were meant to be inserted into Belarus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I have read a report , it is accurate information today .
And the attempt to ‘ hide a tail ’ in Russia and allege that they have almost agreed that group ’ s arrival with us is complete nonsense , '' BelTA news agency said citing Lukashenko as saying .
Lukashenko pointed out that Belarus was ready for cooperation with Russia on the case of the Russian nationals detained in Minsk .
`` We will not build politics on lies .
We will not find a solution shouting down each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russians wants to get extra information , we are always open .
We conceal nothing , but we need the truth , '' Lukashenko emphasized .
The Belarusian president called on law enforcers not to get tough with the detained Russian nationals .
`` They [ the Russians - TASS ] are certainly guilty , but not so much that some tough measures should be taken against them .
They are soldiers .
They were given orders and off they went .
We have to deal with those who were giving orders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
Lukashenko added that `` elder brothers have become quiet . ''
`` They are not shouting any more that they sent those guys to Istanbul .
There was no Istanbul and could not be , as it turned out .
It is clear that the group had other goals .
And the investigation ’ s task is to find out those goals , '' he claims .
According to Lukashenko , when Belarus hosts events with participation of Russian service members , the two countries ’ profile agencies maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can give permission for arrival of military personnel , for a visit to Belarus .
With or without hardware , planes , helicopters and so on .
No permission was issued .
Moreover , we have serious suspicions about the goals that the group set out , '' Lukashenko said .
`` Work carefully , but the truth should be brought to light , '' Lukashenko asked the heads of law enforcement bodies .
Belarus reported earlier that 33 Russian men were detained in the country in the early hours of July 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a foreign private military company .
According to the latest reports , they are suspected of masterminding mass unrest .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry said in response that the group of Russian men was travelling to Istanbul , with a transit stopover in Minsk , and that they had all the required papers , including air tickets to their ultimate destination .
Belarus ’ Investigation Committee claims that the Russians were not going to take a flight to Istanbul from Minsk .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 31 that Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the incident , including about any illegal activities that could prompt the arrest of the Russian nationals .
Peskov dismissed allegations about a link between the incident and the upcoming presidential election in Belarus as `` speculations '' .

MINSK, August 1. /TASS/. The 33 Russian men apprehended in Belarus were the first from a group of 180-200, who were meant to be deployed to the country to destabilize the situation, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Saturday at a meeting with Chairman of the State Security Committee Valery Vakulchik and Chairman of the Investigation Committee Ivan Noskevich.
"Good job to detect that it was the first group. I can see that it was a first group from 180 to 200 people who were meant to be inserted into Belarus. And yet, when I say it, I have read a report, it is accurate information today. And the attempt to ‘hide a tail’ in Russia and allege that they have almost agreed that group’s arrival with us is complete nonsense," BelTA news agency said citing Lukashenko as saying.
Lukashenko pointed out that Belarus was ready for cooperation with Russia on the case of the Russian nationals detained in Minsk.
"We will not build politics on lies. We will not find a solution shouting down each other. Therefore, if any of the Russians wants to get extra information, we are always open. We conceal nothing, but we need the truth," Lukashenko emphasized.
The Belarusian president called on law enforcers not to get tough with the detained Russian nationals.
"They [the Russians - TASS] are certainly guilty, but not so much that some tough measures should be taken against them. They are soldiers. They were given orders and off they went. We have to deal with those who were giving orders and who were sending them in here," he said.
Lukashenko added that "elder brothers have become quiet."
"They are not shouting any more that they sent those guys to Istanbul. There was no Istanbul and could not be, as it turned out. It is clear that the group had other goals. And the investigation’s task is to find out those goals," he claims.
According to Lukashenko, when Belarus hosts events with participation of Russian service members, the two countries’ profile agencies maintain regular contacts.
"Only the president can give permission for arrival of military personnel, for a visit to Belarus. With or without hardware, planes, helicopters and so on. No permission was issued. Moreover, we have serious suspicions about the goals that the group set out," Lukashenko said.
"Work carefully, but the truth should be brought to light," Lukashenko asked the heads of law enforcement bodies.
Detention of Russian nationals
Belarus reported earlier that 33 Russian men were detained in the country in the early hours of July 29. Minsk said they were contractors of a foreign private military company. According to the latest reports, they are suspected of masterminding mass unrest. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in response that the group of Russian men was travelling to Istanbul, with a transit stopover in Minsk, and that they had all the required papers, including air tickets to their ultimate destination. Belarus’ Investigation Committee claims that the Russians were not going to take a flight to Istanbul from Minsk.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 31 that Moscow had not been provided with complete information about the incident, including about any illegal activities that could prompt the arrest of the Russian nationals. Peskov dismissed allegations about a link between the incident and the upcoming presidential election in Belarus as "speculations".


tass--2020-08-01--Abkhazia lifts curbs to reopen border with Russia

SUKHUM , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
Abkhazia has lifted the restrictions , imposed in the wake of the novel @ @ @ @ @ the border with Russia , the Abkhazian presidential spokesperson , Marianna Kvitsinia told TASS on @ @ @ @ @ [ with Russia ] can be unimpededly crossed both by pedestrians and vehicles , '' @ @ @ @ @ Minister Alexander Ankvab said that the border was reopened immediately by the republic after the @ @ @ @ @ a corresponding order .
`` At the moment , the border is not overcrowded , @ @ @ @ @ those willing to cross it .
No negative coronavirus tests are required , '' he @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier in the day , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin had signed an order @ @ @ @ @ .

SUKHUM, August 1. /TASS/. Abkhazia has lifted the restrictions, imposed in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, on crossing the border with Russia, the Abkhazian presidential spokesperson, Marianna Kvitsinia told TASS on Saturday.
"The border [with Russia] can be unimpededly crossed both by pedestrians and vehicles," she said.
Abkhazian Prime Minister Alexander Ankvab said that the border was reopened immediately by the republic after the Russian prime minister had signed a corresponding order.
"At the moment, the border is not overcrowded, but there are lots of those willing to cross it. No negative coronavirus tests are required," he said at a news conference.
Earlier in the day, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin had signed an order to reopen the Russian-Abkhazian border.


tass--2020-08-01--Over ten protesters detained at unauthorized rally in downtown Moscow

MOSCOW , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
Police have detained at least 13 protesters in Moscow at an unauthorized rally @ @ @ @ @ Governor Sergei Furgal , who was arrested on criminal charges , a TASS correspondent reported @ @ @ @ @ .
The unsanctioned protest has taken place in Novo-Pushkin square in Moscow .
According to @ @ @ @ @ police repeatedly called on the protesters to disperse since the rally had not been sanctioned @ @ @ @ @ .
However , the protesters did not obey to the police orders .
As a @ @ @ @ @ people were detained .
On Saturday , rallies in support of Furgal were held in @ @ @ @ @ other cities .
On July 20 , Russian President Vladimir Putin fired Furgal due to @ @ @ @ @ Furgal ’ s resignation followed his detention and arrest on July 9 .
The man @ @ @ @ @ and attempted murders committed by an organized group in 2004-2005 in the Khabarovsk territory and @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. Police have detained at least 13 protesters in Moscow at an unauthorized rally showing support to former Khabarovsk Governor Sergei Furgal, who was arrested on criminal charges, a TASS correspondent reported from the site on Saturday.
The unsanctioned protest has taken place in Novo-Pushkin square in Moscow. According to the TASS correspondent, the police repeatedly called on the protesters to disperse since the rally had not been sanctioned by the Moscow city authorities. However, the protesters did not obey to the police orders. As a result, at least 13 people were detained.
On Saturday, rallies in support of Furgal were held in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities.
On July 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin fired Furgal due to the loss of trust. Furgal’s resignation followed his detention and arrest on July 9. The man is charged with masterminding murders and attempted murders committed by an organized group in 2004-2005 in the Khabarovsk territory and the Amur region.


tass--2020-08-01--Russian lawmaker visits Iran to hold talks with parliament speaker

TEHRAN , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
Chairman of the Russian State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky has paid @ @ @ @ @ held talks with Iran ’ s Majlis ( parliament ) Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf , the @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday .
`` Slutsky held talks with Bagher Ghalibaf and with the head of @ @ @ @ @ Mojtaba Zonnour , '' the statement says .
Slutsky has become the first member of @ @ @ @ @ ’ s parliament to visit Iran after the novel coronavirus outbreak .
Moreover , he @ @ @ @ @ to meet with a new speaker of the Iranian parliament .

TEHRAN, August 1. /TASS/. Chairman of the Russian State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky has paid a visit to Iran and held talks with Iran’s Majlis (parliament) Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf, the Russian embassy in Tehran said on Saturday.
"Slutsky held talks with Bagher Ghalibaf and with the head of Majlis national security committee, Mojtaba Zonnour," the statement says.
Slutsky has become the first member of the lower house of Russia’s parliament to visit Iran after the novel coronavirus outbreak. Moreover, he was the first Russian lawmaker to meet with a new speaker of the Iranian parliament.


tass--2020-08-01--Russia reopens the border with Abkhazia

Russia reopens the border with Abkhazia

MOSCOW , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed an order to reopen the border @ @ @ @ @ cabinet ’ s press office said on Saturday .
`` Russia is lifting restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ imposed over the coronavirus situation , '' explanatory notes to the order say .
The @ @ @ @ @ Friday meeting of the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova @ @ @ @ @ to take into consideration the conclusions of the Russian consumer safety watchdog and the Health @ @ @ @ @ and the readiness of Abkhazia ’ s infrastructure to accommodate tourists .
On July 31 @ @ @ @ @ told TASS that the republic is ready to reopen the border with Russia in coming @ @ @ @ @ is taken by Moscow .

MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed an order to reopen the border with Abkhazia, the Russian cabinet’s press office said on Saturday.
"Russia is lifting restrictions on crossing the border with Abkhazia imposed over the coronavirus situation," explanatory notes to the order say.
The decision was approved at the Friday meeting of the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova. The decision is said to take into consideration the conclusions of the Russian consumer safety watchdog and the Health Ministry about the epidemiological situation and the readiness of Abkhazia’s infrastructure to accommodate tourists.
On July 31, Abkhazian President Aslan Bzhania told TASS that the republic is ready to reopen the border with Russia in coming days once a corresponding decision is taken by Moscow.


tass--2020-08-01--Moscow calls for cooperation with Minsk over detained Russians - ambassador

MINSK , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
Russia calls for a speedy release of the Russian nationals detained in Belarus and urges close cooperation with the Belarusian law enforcement agencies and the lawyers on the case , Russia ’ s Ambassador in Minsk Dmitry Mezentsev told reporters on Saturday .
`` We insist that our citizens be released as soon as possible and that we closely cooperate with the Belarusian law enforcement agencies and lawyers , '' the Russian ambassador said .
`` The complaints and double interpretations of why our citizens were staying in the Republic of Belarus can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also extremely surprising , '' Mezentsev said .
`` There are no facts to believe that those people were up to breaking the public order .
The Belarusian side has not brought them to light yet . ''
The ambassador informed that a meeting between consular officials and the detained Russians lasted from 10:00 p.m. Moscow time on Friday until 05:00 a.m. on Saturday .
Mezentsev said that the diplomats `` asked the questions they had to ask ( the Russian citizens - TASS ) . ''
`` The questions were about their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their plans for future movements , prison conditions and the papers shown to each detainee , '' the Russian ambassador added .
Mezentsev pointed out that the Russian nationals are suspected of offences under Article 293 ( mass riots ) and Article 13 ( preparations for an offence ) of Belarus ’ Criminal Code .
`` In other words , they are suspected of plotting mass riots , and there are no references to terrorism , '' the ambassador explained .
`` The indictment handed to each Russian national means that Belarus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I emphasize that one can not agree with that since there are no reasons , nor are there facts to substantiate this suspicion , '' the Russian ambassador stressed .
Belarus reported earlier that 33 Russian men were detained in the country in the early hours of July 29 .
Minsk said they were contractors of a foreign private military company .
According to the latest reports , they are suspected of masterminding mass unrest .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry said in response that the group of Russian men was travelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minsk , and that they had all the required papers , including air tickets to their ultimate destination .
Belarus ’ Committee of Investigations claims that the Russians were not going to take a flight to Istanbul from Minsk .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 31 that Moscow had not been provided with complete information about the incident , including about any illegal activities that could prompt the arrest of the Russian nationals .
Peskov dismissed allegations about a link between the incident and the upcoming presidential election in Belarus @ @ @ @ @

MINSK, August 1. /TASS/. Russia calls for a speedy release of the Russian nationals detained in Belarus and urges close cooperation with the Belarusian law enforcement agencies and the lawyers on the case, Russia’s Ambassador in Minsk Dmitry Mezentsev told reporters on Saturday.
"We insist that our citizens be released as soon as possible and that we closely cooperate with the Belarusian law enforcement agencies and lawyers," the Russian ambassador said.
"The complaints and double interpretations of why our citizens were staying in the Republic of Belarus can be seen as groundless and far-fetched and also extremely surprising," Mezentsev said. "There are no facts to believe that those people were up to breaking the public order. The Belarusian side has not brought them to light yet."
The ambassador informed that a meeting between consular officials and the detained Russians lasted from 10:00 p.m. Moscow time on Friday until 05:00 a.m. on Saturday. Mezentsev said that the diplomats "asked the questions they had to ask (the Russian citizens - TASS)."
"The questions were about their goals for visiting the Republic of Belarus, their plans for future movements, prison conditions and the papers shown to each detainee," the Russian ambassador added.
Mezentsev pointed out that the Russian nationals are suspected of offences under Article 293 (mass riots) and Article 13 (preparations for an offence) of Belarus’ Criminal Code.
"In other words, they are suspected of plotting mass riots, and there are no references to terrorism," the ambassador explained. "The indictment handed to each Russian national means that Belarus interprets this detention as imprisonment from today. I emphasize that one cannot agree with that since there are no reasons, nor are there facts to substantiate this suspicion," the Russian ambassador stressed.
Detention of Russian nationals
Belarus reported earlier that 33 Russian men were detained in the country in the early hours of July 29. Minsk said they were contractors of a foreign private military company. According to the latest reports, they are suspected of masterminding mass unrest. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in response that the group of Russian men was travelling to Istanbul, with a transit stopover in Minsk, and that they had all the required papers, including air tickets to their ultimate destination. Belarus’ Committee of Investigations claims that the Russians were not going to take a flight to Istanbul from Minsk.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 31 that Moscow had not been provided with complete information about the incident, including about any illegal activities that could prompt the arrest of the Russian nationals. Peskov dismissed allegations about a link between the incident and the upcoming presidential election in Belarus as "speculations".


tass--2020-08-01--Poland’s probe into Tu-154 crash turns into fantasy-making process - Russian diplomat

MOSCOW , August 1 .
/TASS/ .
The Polish government subcommittee ’ s allegation that explosions had occurred aboard the presidential tu-154 aircraft in 2010 before it crashed are part of a fantasy-making process , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Facebook .
`` For a week , I have been reading various reports claiming that the Polish commission for the reinvestigation of President Lech Kaczynski ’ s Tu-154 aircraft crash believes that it was caused by TNT planted during maintenance works carried out in Russia , '' she said .
`` This reinvestigation and its interim results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fictional Mississippi county created by American writer William Faulkner - TASS ] for today ’ s Poland .
It is a reality based on make-believe , which creates an endless fantasy-making process , '' Zakharova pointed out .
In this regard , she emphasized the need to pay attention to the transcript of cockpit conversations .
Poland ’ s Air Force One , a Tu-154 plane , crashed near the Russian city of Smolensk on April 10 , 2010 .
Under the conditions of reduced visibility , the pilots decided to land the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it to the landing strip by a few meters and first struck trees before crashing into the ground .
The crash killed all 96 people on board , including Poland ’ s then President Lech Kaczynski .

MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. The Polish government subcommittee’s allegation that explosions had occurred aboard the presidential tu-154 aircraft in 2010 before it crashed are part of a fantasy-making process, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on Facebook.
"For a week, I have been reading various reports claiming that the Polish commission for the reinvestigation of President Lech Kaczynski’s Tu-154 aircraft crash believes that it was caused by TNT planted during maintenance works carried out in Russia," she said.
"This reinvestigation and its interim results have become the Yoknapatawpha county [a fictional Mississippi county created by American writer William Faulkner - TASS] for today’s Poland. It is a reality based on make-believe, which creates an endless fantasy-making process," Zakharova pointed out.
In this regard, she emphasized the need to pay attention to the transcript of cockpit conversations.
Poland’s Air Force One, a Tu-154 plane, crashed near the Russian city of Smolensk on April 10, 2010. Under the conditions of reduced visibility, the pilots decided to land the plane. The Tu-154 didn’t make it to the landing strip by a few meters and first struck trees before crashing into the ground. The crash killed all 96 people on board, including Poland’s then President Lech Kaczynski.


tass--2020-08-02--Russian diplomat calls on Zelensky and his predecessors to discuss Minsk deal

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and his predecessors should meet together to discuss the essence of the Minsk peace deal on settling the Ukrainian crisis , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page on Sunday .
The diplomat commented on a remark by Leonid Kravchuk , a former Ukrainian president and new head of Kiev ’ s delegation to the Contact Group for ironing out the crisis in Donbass , who said that he did not quite understand the essence of the special status of Donbass mentioned in the Minsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endless international summits they should finally hold a Ukrainian one , gather for a four-way meeting ( former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kravchuk , Leonid Kuchma , Pyotr Poroshenko and Zelensky ) and try to understand what was written down in the Minsk agreements , '' Zakharova wrote .
`` The participants are familiar with the matter : two were in the Contact Group , one signed the Minsk documents and one made them part of his election campaign . ''
`` It ’ s also important that two out of this quartet did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minsk package '' and they never said that they did not understand something when energetically discussing the implementation with global capitals and calling on Moscow `` not to stonewall the process . ''
Let them tell the two others what was written down there , '' the diplomat noted .
In February 2015 , participants of the Contact Group for settling the crisis in Donbass signed the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements , known as Minsk-2 , which had been earlier backed by the Normandy Four ( Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders .
The document envisages not only ceasefire , the withdrawal of hardware , amnesty and the restoration of economic ties , but also a constitutional reform in Ukraine aimed at ensuring the decentralization of powers while taking into account a special status for Donbass .
However , this plan has not been fulfilled due to Kiev ’ s stance .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and his predecessors should meet to discuss the essence of the Minsk peace deal on settling the Ukrainian crisis, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page on Sunday.
The diplomat commented on a remark by Leonid Kravchuk, a former Ukrainian president and new head of Kiev’s delegation to the Contact Group for ironing out the crisis in Donbass, who said that he did not quite understand the essence of the special status of Donbass mentioned in the Minsk deal.
"Maybe instead of convening endless international summits they should finally hold a Ukrainian one, gather for a four-way meeting (former Ukrainian presidents Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma, Pyotr Poroshenko and Zelensky) and try to understand what was written down in the Minsk agreements," Zakharova wrote. "The participants are familiar with the matter: two were in the Contact Group, one signed the Minsk documents and one made them part of his election campaign."
"It’s also important that two out of this quartet did not have any questions regarding the "Minsk package" and they never said that they did not understand something when energetically discussing the implementation with global capitals and calling on Moscow "not to stonewall the process." Let them tell the two others what was written down there," the diplomat noted.
In February 2015, participants of the Contact Group for settling the crisis in Donbass signed the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements, known as Minsk-2, which had been earlier backed by the Normandy Four (Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine) leaders. The document envisages not only ceasefire, the withdrawal of hardware, amnesty and the restoration of economic ties, but also a constitutional reform in Ukraine aimed at ensuring the decentralization of powers while taking into account a special status for Donbass. However, this plan has not been fulfilled due to Kiev’s stance.


tass--2020-08-02--Coronavirus spread declines or stabilizes in 80 Russian regions - chief sanitary doctor

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
The spread of the coronavirus infection is declining or stabilizing in 80 Russian regions , Russia ’ s chief sanitary doctor Anna Popova said in an interview with Vesti program on Rossiya-1 TV channel on Sunday .
`` The situation in each region is different , basically today there are 80 regions of the Russian Federation where there is either clear stabilization [ of the situation with the disease spread ] or decline [ in cases ] .
Only in five regions we observe not very significant and not very evident but unfortunately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said .
The chief sanitary doctor noted that the growth in COVID-19 cases could have been caused by hastily lifted restrictions or negligence .
In some regions the authorities jumped the gun with ending the lockdown and in others people were skeptical over the coronavirus threat , she explained .
Since the start of the pandemic , over 17.8 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 685,000 deaths have been reported .
To date , 850,870 coronavirus cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 14,128 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. The spread of the coronavirus infection is declining or stabilizing in 80 Russian regions, Russia’s chief sanitary doctor Anna Popova said in an interview with Vesti program on Rossiya-1 TV channel on Sunday.
"The situation in each region is different, basically today there are 80 regions of the Russian Federation where there is either clear stabilization [of the situation with the disease spread] or decline [in cases]. Only in five regions we observe not very significant and not very evident but unfortunately explained growth," the head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said.
The chief sanitary doctor noted that the growth in COVID-19 cases could have been caused by hastily lifted restrictions or negligence. In some regions the authorities jumped the gun with ending the lockdown and in others people were skeptical over the coronavirus threat, she explained.
Since the start of the pandemic, over 17.8 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 685,000 deaths have been reported. To date, 850,870 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 650,173 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 14,128 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-02--Russia’s Vector research center plans to launch COVID-19 vaccine production in November

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology plans to launch production of the novel coronavirus vaccine in November , its Director-General Rinat Maksyutov told Vesti program on Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` We expect to start production already in November this year .
So , closer to the end of the year and the start of the next year we can talk about switching to vaccination at least for [ people ] from risk groups with a further switch to massive vaccination , '' Maksyutov said .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meeting on the sanitary and epidemiological situation , which was attended by President Vladimir Putin , that the state registration of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Vector was scheduled for September and the first batch was due to be produced by October .
Since the start of the pandemic , over 17.8 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 685,000 deaths have been reported .
To date , 850,870 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 650,173 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Russia’s Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology plans to launch production of the novel coronavirus vaccine in November, its Director-General Rinat Maksyutov told Vesti program on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"We expect to start production already in November this year. So, closer to the end of the year and the start of the next year we can talk about switching to vaccination at least for [people] from risk groups with a further switch to massive vaccination," Maksyutov said.
Earlier, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova told a meeting on the sanitary and epidemiological situation, which was attended by President Vladimir Putin, that the state registration of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Vector was scheduled for September and the first batch was due to be produced by October.
Since the start of the pandemic, over 17.8 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 685,000 deaths have been reported. To date, 850,870 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 650,173 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 14,128 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-02--Russia’s coronavirus cases rise by over 5,400 in the past day

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases grew by 5,427 in the past day , reaching 850,870 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday .
According to its data , the daily growth rate did not exceed 0.7 % in the past 12 days .
Some 664 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Moscow , 199 in the Sverdlovsk Region , 168 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region , 163 in St. Petersburg and 157 in the Moscow Region .
The lowest growth rate was registered in the Moscow Region ( 0.2 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Jewish Autonomous Region ( 0.2 % ) , Moscow ( 0.3 % ) , Karachayevo-Cherkessia ( 0.3 % ) , Kabardino-Balkaria ( 0.3 % ) , the Tula Region ( 0.3 % ) , the Lipetsk Region ( 0.3 % ) and the Trans-Baikal Region ( 0.3 % ) .
To date , some 186,569 people are undergoing treatment for the coronavirus infection .
The number of patients diagnosed with the coronavirus in Russia grew by 3,649 in the past day , taking the total number of recoveries to 650,173 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of those infected have recovered .
In the past day , 761 patients were discharged from hospitals in Moscow , 212 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region , 201 in the Moscow Region , 159 in the Khabarovsk Region and 156 in the Sverdlovsk Region .
Russia ’ s coronavirus death toll grew by 70 in the past day versus 95 a day earlier , the lowest figure since May 3 .
1.66 % of all those infected in Russia died and the total death toll hit 14,128 .
Over the past day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 6 in the Novosibirsk Region , 5 in the Sverdlovsk Region , 4 in St. Petersburg , the Moscow and Tula Regions .
The death toll in 23 other Russian regions did not exceed 3 .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases grew by 5,427 in the past day, reaching 850,870, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday.
According to its data, the daily growth rate did not exceed 0.7% in the past 12 days.
Some 664 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Moscow, 199 in the Sverdlovsk Region, 168 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, 163 in St. Petersburg and 157 in the Moscow Region.
The lowest growth rate was registered in the Moscow Region (0.2%), North Ossetia (0.2%), the Jewish Autonomous Region (0.2%), Moscow (0.3%), Karachayevo-Cherkessia (0.3%), Kabardino-Balkaria (0.3%), the Tula Region (0.3%), the Lipetsk Region (0.3%) and the Trans-Baikal Region (0.3%).
To date, some 186,569 people are undergoing treatment for the coronavirus infection.
The number of patients diagnosed with the coronavirus in Russia grew by 3,649 in the past day, taking the total number of recoveries to 650,173.
According to the crisis center, 76% of those infected have recovered.
In the past day, 761 patients were discharged from hospitals in Moscow, 212 in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, 201 in the Moscow Region, 159 in the Khabarovsk Region and 156 in the Sverdlovsk Region.
Russia’s coronavirus death toll grew by 70 in the past day versus 95 a day earlier, the lowest figure since May 3.
1.66% of all those infected in Russia died and the total death toll hit 14,128.
Over the past day, 12 fatalities were registered in Moscow, 6 in the Novosibirsk Region, 5 in the Sverdlovsk Region, 4 in St. Petersburg, the Moscow and Tula Regions. The death toll in 23 other Russian regions did not exceed 3.


tass--2020-08-02--No second wave of coronavirus infection in Moscow - mayor

MOSCOW , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
There is no second wave of the novel coronavirus infection in Moscow , and the number of new daily infections has dropped 10-fold from 6,500 to 650 , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday .
`` The second wave is when people for the second time face the danger of being infected .
Neither we nor the world have this .
Why are we seeing such a rapid growth in a number of regions ?
That ’ s because they have not overcome even the first wave , the first process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fully quarantined .
Such cities as London , New York , Paris and Moscow have already passed this stage , '' Sobyanin said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel .
According to the mayor , during the first wave of the coronavirus spread the Russian capital recorded some 6,500 new cases every day .
`` Today this is a completely different picture .
Over the past month we saw that we are nearly in one ‘ corridor ’ - some 650 cases [ of the coronavirus infection ] and plus or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow introduced a state of high alert over the novel coronavirus pandemic starting from March 5 and imposed a lockdown starting on March 29 .
All stores , except for those selling essentials and goods for pets , were shut down .
Theaters , restaurants , cafes , gyms , beauty salons and parks were closed .
In addition , all entertainment events were prohibited .
People were strongly advised to go into self-isolation .
Restrictions began to be gradually rolled back in mid-May as the situation improved .
On June 9 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted but precautionary measures remained in place such as wearing face masks and gloves in public places and observing social distancing .

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/. There is no second wave of the novel coronavirus infection in Moscow, and the number of new daily infections has dropped 10-fold from 6,500 to 650, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Sunday.
"The second wave is when people for the second time face the danger of being infected. Neither we nor the world have this. Why are we seeing such a rapid growth in a number of regions? That’s because they have not overcome even the first wave, the first process. They were either closed like Hong Kong and fully quarantined. Such cities as London, New York, Paris and Moscow have already passed this stage," Sobyanin said in an interview with Rossiya-1 TV channel.
According to the mayor, during the first wave of the coronavirus spread the Russian capital recorded some 6,500 new cases every day. "Today this is a completely different picture. Over the past month we saw that we are nearly in one ‘corridor’ - some 650 cases [of the coronavirus infection] and plus or minus 50," Sobyanin said.
Moscow introduced a state of high alert over the novel coronavirus pandemic starting from March 5 and imposed a lockdown starting on March 29. All stores, except for those selling essentials and goods for pets, were shut down. Theaters, restaurants, cafes, gyms, beauty salons and parks were closed. In addition, all entertainment events were prohibited. People were strongly advised to go into self-isolation. Restrictions began to be gradually rolled back in mid-May as the situation improved. On June 9, the lockdown measures and travel passes were lifted but precautionary measures remained in place such as wearing face masks and gloves in public places and observing social distancing.


tass--2020-08-02--US Republicans plan to hold ‘closed press’ convention for the first time

WASHINGTON , August 2 .
/TASS/ .
The US Republican Party is intending to hold its national convention , scheduled for August 21-24 in North Carolina ’ s Charlotte , as an event closed to the press for the first time in its history .
The decision comes amid the coronavirus pandemic , the convention ’ s press service said Saturday .
`` We are planning for the Charlotte activities to be closed press Friday , August 21 — Monday , August 24 , '' the service said in a statement .
`` We are happy to let you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working within the parameters set before us by state and local guidelines regarding the number of people who can attend events . ''
Moreover , alterations already took place as the number of delegates has been dramatically reduced from to 336 from 2,550 .
The conventions are traditionally visited by tens of thousands of people , including representatives of both US and foreign media outlets .
Last month , US President Donald Trump announced that he had abandoned plans to hold any convention-related events in Jacksonville , Florida , explaining the decision be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set up a bad example for fellow Americans in light of the pandemic .
The city was originally supposed to hold the second part of the Republican National Convention where the White House occupant was scheduled to deliver a speech .
Meanwhile , the first part in Charlotte is going ahead as planned , the GOP will officially nominate Trump as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election in November .
It is still not clear whether the ceremony will be broadcast live .
Trump earlier mentioned Republican plans to televise it live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered in a different format .
The US Democratic Party will convene on August 17-20 in Milwaukee , Wisconsin .
The number of press accreditations will also be drastically reduced to a minimum .
The party is expected to nominate Joe Biden to face off with Trump at the presidential election on November 3 .

WASHINGTON, August 2. /TASS/. The US Republican Party is intending to hold its national convention, scheduled for August 21-24 in North Carolina’s Charlotte, as an event closed to the press for the first time in its history. The decision comes amid the coronavirus pandemic, the convention’s press service said Saturday.
"We are planning for the Charlotte activities to be closed press Friday, August 21 — Monday, August 24," the service said in a statement. "We are happy to let you know if this changes, but we are working within the parameters set before us by state and local guidelines regarding the number of people who can attend events."
Moreover, alterations already took place as the number of delegates has been dramatically reduced from to 336 from 2,550. The conventions are traditionally visited by tens of thousands of people, including representatives of both US and foreign media outlets.
Last month, US President Donald Trump announced that he had abandoned plans to hold any convention-related events in Jacksonville, Florida, explaining the decision be saying that he did not want to set up a bad example for fellow Americans in light of the pandemic. The city was originally supposed to hold the second part of the Republican National Convention where the White House occupant was scheduled to deliver a speech. Meanwhile, the first part in Charlotte is going ahead as planned, the GOP will officially nominate Trump as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election in November. It is still not clear whether the ceremony will be broadcast live. Trump earlier mentioned Republican plans to televise it live, while his speech will apparently be delivered in a different format.
The US Democratic Party will convene on August 17-20 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The number of press accreditations will also be drastically reduced to a minimum. The party is expected to nominate Joe Biden to face off with Trump at the presidential election on November 3.


tass--2020-08-03--US hopes for arms control agreement with Russia, China — Trump’s advisor

MOSCOW , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
The United States hopes for signing an arms control agreement with Russia and China , the national security adviser to the US president said in an opinion piece , published by The Washington Post on Sunday .
`` In June , the United States commenced talks with Russia on the New START accord .
The United States is cautiously optimistic that we can reach an agreement with Moscow and China on a framework for arms control that seeks to limit all nuclear weapons in a verifiable manner , '' Robert O ’ Brien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( the New START Treaty ) entered into force on February 5 , 2011 .
The deal stipulates that seven years after it goes into effect , each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles ( ICBMs ) , submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBMs ) and strategic bombers , as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs , deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-deployed missile launchers .
The document will remain in force for 10 years , until February 5 , 2021 , unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms .
It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years ( that is , until 2026 ) by the parties ’ mutual consent .
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as a golden standard in the area of disarmament .

MOSCOW, August 3. /TASS/. The United States hopes for signing an arms control agreement with Russia and China, the national security adviser to the US president said in an opinion piece, published by The Washington Post on Sunday.
"In June, the United States commenced talks with Russia on the New START accord. The United States is cautiously optimistic that we can reach an agreement with Moscow and China on a framework for arms control that seeks to limit all nuclear weapons in a verifiable manner," Robert O’Brien said.
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) entered into force on February 5, 2011. The deal stipulates that seven years after it goes into effect, each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and strategic bombers, as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers, and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed missile launchers.
The document will remain in force for 10 years, until February 5, 2021, unless it is replaced before that date by a subsequent agreement on the reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms. It can also be extended for no longer than 5 years (that is, until 2026) by the parties’ mutual consent.
Moscow has repeatedly called on Washington not to delay prolongation of the treaty it describes as a golden standard in the area of disarmament.


tass--2020-08-03--Trump says US must once again seek death penalty for Tsarnaev

WASHINGTON , August 3 .
/TASS/ .
The US federal government should once again demand a death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , convicted for organizing the 2013 Boston marathon blast , US President Donald Trump said on Sunday .
`` The Federal Government must again seek the Death Penalty in a do-over of that chapter of the original trial .
Our Country can not let the appellate decision stand , '' Trump wrote on Twitter .
`` Rarely has anybody deserved the death penalty more than the Boston Bomber , Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , '' the US leader added .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Appeals for the First Circuit cancelled the death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev , pronounced in June 2015 .
The matter is remanded to the district court with directions to hold a new penalty-phase trial .
The court has been considering the appeal to review the case since 2016 .
According to Tsarnaev ’ s lawyers , the decision not to transfer the hearings to another city , as requested by the defense team , deprived Tsarnaev of the right to fair trial .
In their opinion , the jury could not be fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their home city .
Twin blasts with an interval of 12 seconds rocked downtown Boston on April 15 , 2013 , when the traditional Boston Marathon was taking place .
Three people were killed and more than 260 were injured .
Several days later , police identified the suspected organizers as Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev .
Tamerlan was killed in the police operation to detain him , while his brother was injured and arrested .
In April 2015 , a jury found him guilty on all 30 charges and sentenced him to @ @

WASHINGTON, August 3. /TASS/. The US federal government should once again demand a death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicted for organizing the 2013 Boston marathon blast, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday.
"The Federal Government must again seek the Death Penalty in a do-over of that chapter of the original trial. Our Country cannot let the appellate decision stand," Trump wrote on Twitter.
"Rarely has anybody deserved the death penalty more than the Boston Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev," the US leader added.
Last week, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit cancelled the death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, pronounced in June 2015. The matter is remanded to the district court with directions to hold a new penalty-phase trial.
The court has been considering the appeal to review the case since 2016. According to Tsarnaev’s lawyers, the decision not to transfer the hearings to another city, as requested by the defense team, deprived Tsarnaev of the right to fair trial. In their opinion, the jury could not be fully impartial, because the blast took place in their home city.
Twin blasts with an interval of 12 seconds rocked downtown Boston on April 15, 2013, when the traditional Boston Marathon was taking place. Three people were killed and more than 260 were injured. Several days later, police identified the suspected organizers as Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Tamerlan was killed in the police operation to detain him, while his brother was injured and arrested. In April 2015, a jury found him guilty on all 30 charges and sentenced him to death.