tass--2020-08-05--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by nearly 220,000 in past day — WHO

GENEVA , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Nearly 220,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on August 4 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 18.14 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Tuesday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 4 , as many as 18,142,718 novel coronavirus cases and 691,013 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by a record of 219,862 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,278 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed data from the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 9,741,727 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 111,129 and the number of deaths - by 2,172 and reached 365,334 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,425,017 and the number of fatalities is 214,238 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 28,964 and the number of deaths - by 647 .
Southeast Asia has 2,242,656 cases and 47,574 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the number of cases grew by 55,641 and the number of deaths - by 899 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 4,629,459 ) , Brazil ( 2,733,677 ) , India ( 1,855,745 ) , Russia ( 861,423 ) , South Africa ( 516,862 ) , Mexico ( 439,046 ) , Peru ( 428,850 ) , Chile ( 361,493 ) , Colombia ( 317,651 ) , and Iran ( 312,035 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, August 4. /TASS/. Nearly 220,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on August 4, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 18.14 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Tuesday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on August 4, as many as 18,142,718 novel coronavirus cases and 691,013 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by a record of 219,862 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,278.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 9,741,727. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 111,129 and the number of deaths - by 2,172 and reached 365,334.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 3,425,017 and the number of fatalities is 214,238. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 28,964 and the number of deaths - by 647.
Southeast Asia has 2,242,656 cases and 47,574 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 55,641 and the number of deaths - by 899.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (4,629,459), Brazil (2,733,677), India (1,855,745), Russia (861,423), South Africa (516,862), Mexico (439,046), Peru (428,850), Chile (361,493), Colombia (317,651), and Iran (312,035).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-08-05--Eleven more coronavirus patients die in Moscow in past day — crisis center

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Eleven more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day , with @ @ @ @ @ exceeding 4,500 , the city ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia have died in Moscow , '' it said , adding the overall number of @ @ @ @ @ reached 4,521 .
The coronavirus situation in Moscow , which was the most serious in @ @ @ @ @ .
By today , Moscow has reported more than 244,000 confirmed coronavirus cases More than @ @ @ @ @ A campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies is underway in the capital city .
@ @ @ @ @ , over 18.3 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 693,000 deaths have @ @ @ @ @ , 861,423 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 661,471 patients having recovered @ @ @ @ @ ’ s latest data indicates 14,351 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set @ @ @ @ @ keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Eleven more coronavirus patients died in Moscow during the past day, with the overall number of fatalities exceeding 4,500, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday.
"Eleven coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow," it said, adding the overall number of coronavirus-related deaths in Moscow has reached 4,521.
The coronavirus situation in Moscow, which was the most serious in Russia, has visibly stabilized. By today, Moscow has reported more than 244,000 confirmed coronavirus cases More than 183,600 patients have recovered. A campaign of voluntary testing for coronavirus antibodies is underway in the capital city.
According to the latest statistics, over 18.3 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 693,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, 861,423 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 661,471 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 14,351 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-08-05--Beirut port blast was equivalent to 4.5-magnitude earthquake — seismologists

CAIRO , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
The blast that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday was equivalent to a 4.5-magnitude earthquake , the Al Ghad newspaper reported citing Jordanian seismologists .
`` The Jordan Seismological Observatory at the kingdom ’ s Natural Resources Authority registered the Beirut port blast , whose seismological activity was equivalent to a 4.5-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale , '' the paper quoted the observatory as saying in a statement .
According to Cyprus Mail , the echo of the blast reached the Cyprus capital of Nicosia , which is 241 km @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cypriot villages on the slopes of Troodos Mountains also reported hearing the sound of the explosion .
In turn , the Cyprus News Agency said citing a Cypriot diplomat in Beirut that the blast damaged the embassy building and the residence of the Cyprus ambassador to Lebanon .
President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades expressed condolences to the government and the people of Lebanon , particularly to the families of all those who died in the blast .
`` We wish and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured ones , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide any assistance deemed necessary . ''
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut port district on Tuesday , sending a shockwave that ripped through residential districts of the Lebanese capital .
According to latest figures , more than 50 people were killed and 2,750 injured .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings in the vicinity .
The Lebanese Interior Ministry said the disaster was caused by the detonation of more than 50 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in the port since being confiscated from a ship nine years ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the 1945 nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki .

CAIRO, August 4. /TASS/. The blast that rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday was equivalent to a 4.5-magnitude earthquake, the Al Ghad newspaper reported citing Jordanian seismologists.
"The Jordan Seismological Observatory at the kingdom’s Natural Resources Authority registered the Beirut port blast, whose seismological activity was equivalent to a 4.5-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale," the paper quoted the observatory as saying in a statement.
According to Cyprus Mail, the echo of the blast reached the Cyprus capital of Nicosia, which is 241 km away from Beirut. Residents of western Cypriot villages on the slopes of Troodos Mountains also reported hearing the sound of the explosion.
In turn, the Cyprus News Agency said citing a Cypriot diplomat in Beirut that the blast damaged the embassy building and the residence of the Cyprus ambassador to Lebanon.
President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades expressed condolences to the government and the people of Lebanon, particularly to the families of all those who died in the blast.
"We wish and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured ones," he said. "We stand ready to provide any assistance deemed necessary."
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut port district on Tuesday, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential districts of the Lebanese capital. According to latest figures, more than 50 people were killed and 2,750 injured. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings in the vicinity.
The Lebanese Interior Ministry said the disaster was caused by the detonation of more than 50 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port since being confiscated from a ship nine years ago. The governor of Beirut compared the blast with the 1945 nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.


tass--2020-08-05--WHO working with Lebanon’s health ministry to ensure trauma supplies

GENEVA , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) is working with the Lebanese health ministry to ensure availability of trauma supplies to offer medical assistance to those hurt in a powerful blast in Beirut ’ s port , the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office said on Tuesday .
`` Our hearts and prayers are with the thousands of people affected .
We are woking with the @ mophleb to make sure trauma supplies are available , '' it wrote on its Twitter account .
`` WHO is deeply concerned about the impact of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working with partners to respond to urgent needs .
Our thoughts are with all those affected . ''
`` My thoughts and heart are with people in Beirut , Lebanon , who lost loved ones or were injured in the explosion this afternoon , '' WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on the WHO Twitter account .
`` WHO stands ready to support the government and healthworkers in saving lives . ''
A massive explosion rocked the port area of Beirut near a Lebanese Navy base on Tuesday .
The blast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the capital city .
Facades of several buildings near the port collapsed , residential buildings and offices were damaged .
According to updated reports , more than 60 people were killed and some 3,000 were injured .
Fire teams are working in the port , helicopters are used to put out fires .
According to unofficial data , the death toll may go up as many people are still buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings .

GENEVA, August 4. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with the Lebanese health ministry to ensure availability of trauma supplies to offer medical assistance to those hurt in a powerful blast in Beirut’s port, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office said on Tuesday.
"Our hearts and prayers are with the thousands of people affected. We are woking with the @mophleb to make sure trauma supplies are available," it wrote on its Twitter account. "WHO is deeply concerned about the impact of the massive explosion in Beirut city. We are working with partners to respond to urgent needs. Our thoughts are with all those affected."
"My thoughts and heart are with people in Beirut, Lebanon, who lost loved ones or were injured in the explosion this afternoon," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on the WHO Twitter account. "WHO stands ready to support the government and healthworkers in saving lives."
A massive explosion rocked the port area of Beirut near a Lebanese Navy base on Tuesday. The blast sent a shock wave through residential neighborhoods of the capital city. Facades of several buildings near the port collapsed, residential buildings and offices were damaged. According to updated reports, more than 60 people were killed and some 3,000 were injured. Fire teams are working in the port, helicopters are used to put out fires. According to unofficial data, the death toll may go up as many people are still buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings.


tass--2020-08-05--Israeli army says it’s time to ‘transcend conflict’ with Lebanon

TEL AVIV , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
The Israeli Defense Forces said on Tuesday the Jewish state offered humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon after the deadly Beirut port blast , adding that it was time to ‘ transcend conflict ’ between the two neighbors .
`` Israel has offered to send humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon via security and international channels , '' IDF said .
`` This is the time to transcend conflict . ''
Meanwhile , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the head of the Jewish state ’ s National Security Council Meir Ben @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Beirut with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov .
`` Prime Minister Netanyahu gave the permission to render humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon .
The minister tasked National Security Council head Meir Ben Shabat to speak with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov and find out what else can Israel do to help Lebanon , '' the Israeli prime minister ’ s office said in a statement .
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin offered his condolences to the people of Lebanon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We share the pain of the Lebanese people and sincerely reach out to offer our aid at this difficult time , '' he wrote on Twitter .
The Israeli Foreign Minsitry said earlier on Tuesday that at the direction of Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Defense Minister Benjamin Gantz , Israel has offered humanitarian medical assistance to the government of Lebanon via security and international channels .
Israel ’ s Kan public radio station said Israel had also expressed readiness to receive people hurt in the blast for medical treatment .
Kan said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Israel ’ s political system that Israel `` had nothing to do with '' the Beirut blast .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut port district on Tuesday , sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings in the vicinity .
The Lebanese Interior Ministry said the disaster was caused by detonation of more than 50 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in the port since being confiscated from a ship nine years ago .

TEL AVIV, August 4. /TASS/. The Israeli Defense Forces said on Tuesday the Jewish state offered humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon after the deadly Beirut port blast, adding that it was time to ‘transcend conflict’ between the two neighbors.
"Israel has offered to send humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon via security and international channels," IDF said. "This is the time to transcend conflict."
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the head of the Jewish state’s National Security Council Meir Ben Shabat to discuss ways of sending aid to Beirut with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov.
"Prime Minister Netanyahu gave the permission to render humanitarian and medical assistance to Lebanon. The minister tasked National Security Council head Meir Ben Shabat to speak with UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov and find out what else can Israel do to help Lebanon," the Israeli prime minister’s office said in a statement.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin offered his condolences to the people of Lebanon and offered assistance to the country.
"We share the pain of the Lebanese people and sincerely reach out to offer our aid at this difficult time," he wrote on Twitter.
The Israeli Foreign Minsitry said earlier on Tuesday that at the direction of Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Defense Minister Benjamin Gantz, Israel has offered humanitarian medical assistance to the government of Lebanon via security and international channels.
Israel’s Kan public radio station said Israel had also expressed readiness to receive people hurt in the blast for medical treatment.
Kan said earlier in the day citing a source in Israel’s political system that Israel "had nothing to do with" the Beirut blast.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut port district on Tuesday, sending a shockwave that ripped through residential areas of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings in the vicinity.
The Lebanese Interior Ministry said the disaster was caused by detonation of more than 50 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port since being confiscated from a ship nine years ago.


tass--2020-08-04--Putin offers condolences to Lebanese president following blast in Beirut port

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to Lebanese President Michel Aoun @ @ @ @ @ large-scale damages done by a powerful blast in Beirut ’ s port , the Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Russia shares the grief of the Lebanese people .
Please convey the words @ @ @ @ @ the families of those killed and wishes of the soonest recovery to those injured , @ @ @ @ @ telegram reads .
A massive explosion rocked the port area of Beirut on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ wave through residential neighborhoods of the capital city .
Facades of several buildings near the @ @ @ @ @ and offices were damaged .
According to updated reports , at least 12 people were @ @ @ @ @ .
Fire teams are working in the port , helicopters are used to put out @ @

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his condolences to Lebanese President Michel Aoun over numerous human casualties and large-scale damages done by a powerful blast in Beirut’s port, the Kremlin press service said on Tuesday.
"Russia shares the grief of the Lebanese people. Please convey the words of sympathy and support to the families of those killed and wishes of the soonest recovery to those injured," the president’s telegram reads.
A massive explosion rocked the port area of Beirut on Tuesday. The blast sent a shock wave through residential neighborhoods of the capital city. Facades of several buildings near the port collapsed, residential buildings and offices were damaged. According to updated reports, at least 12 people were killed and hundreds were injured. Fire teams are working in the port, helicopters are used to put out fires.


tass--2020-08-04--Lebanese Kataeb party leader killed in Beirut blast — media

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Secretary-General of the Lebanese Kataeb Party , Nazar Najarian , was killed in @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , Al Arabiya news channel said in a tweet .
Earlier , the TV @ @ @ @ @ received serious injuries and was in grave condition , unconscious .
A powerful explosion rocked @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
The blast sent a shock wave through residential neighborhoods of the capital @ @ @ @ @ buildings near the port collapsed , residential buildings and offices were damaged .
According to @ @ @ @ @ 12 people were killed and hundreds were injured .
Fire teams are working in the @ @ @ @ @ to put out fires .

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Secretary-General of the Lebanese Kataeb Party, Nazar Najarian, was killed in massive explosion in Beirut on Tuesday, Al Arabiya news channel said in a tweet .
Earlier, the TV channel reported that Najarian had received serious injuries and was in grave condition, unconscious.
A powerful explosion rocked the port area of Beirut on Tuesday. The blast sent a shock wave through residential neighborhoods of the capital city. Facades of several buildings near the port collapsed, residential buildings and offices were damaged. According to updated reports, at least 12 people were killed and hundreds were injured. Fire teams are working in the port, helicopters are used to put out fires.


tass--2020-08-04--Lebanese PM’s family and advisers hurt in blast in Beirut — media

CAIRO , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab ’ s wife and daughter have been hurt @ @ @ @ @ rocked an area near Beirut ’ s seaport , Al Arabiya TV reported on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ according to the television channel , several advisers to the prime minister have also been @ @ @ @ @ done to Baabda Palace , the official residence of the president of Lebanon .
The @ @ @ @ @ in the city , including that of the Russian embassy .
A powerful explosion rocked @ @ @ @ @ s seaport near a Lebanese naval base on Tuesday .
According to a TASS correspondent @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s dwelling quarters , causing serious damage to buildings .
Al Arabiya @ @ @ @ @ with at least ten people being killed .
The blast was followed by fire , @ @ @ @ @ put out .

CAIRO, August 4. /TASS/. Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s wife and daughter have been hurt in a powerful explosion that rocked an area near Beirut’s seaport, Al Arabiya TV reported on Tuesday.
Apart from that, according to the television channel, several advisers to the prime minister have also been hurt. Damage has been done to Baabda Palace, the official residence of the president of Lebanon. The shock wave damaged many buildings in the city, including that of the Russian embassy.
A powerful explosion rocked an area of Beirut’s seaport near a Lebanese naval base on Tuesday. According to a TASS correspondent, the shock wave reached the city’s dwelling quarters, causing serious damage to buildings. Al Arabiya TV reports numerous casualties, with at least ten people being killed. The blast was followed by fire, which has not yet been put out.


tass--2020-08-04--More than 30 Lebanon Red Cross teams working at Beirut explosion site

`` Beirut Port Explosion : more than 30 teams are responding to the explosion .
Please make way to our @ @ @ @ @ said via Twitter .
TASS , August 4 .
The Lebanese Red Cross has mobilized @ @ @ @ @ to mitigate consequences of the explosion that rocked Beirut port Tuesday .
The Lebanese Red @ @ @ @ @ is receiving thousands of calls and urged citizens to seek help there only in case @ @ @ @ @ , the organization said that dozens of people across the city were rushed to hospitals @ @ @ @ @ injured people were admitted , they are receiving urgent care , '' Lebanese Health Minister @ @ @ @ @ , Al Arabiya TV reported hundreds of injured people .
Earlier , a major explosion @ @ @ @ @ near the Lebanese navy base rocked the city .
TASS reports that residential areas of @ @ @ @ @ by the explosion , leaving some buildings and offices damaged , while some facades were @ @ @ @ @ .
Moreover , at least 10 people died in the immediate aftermath .

"Beirut Port Explosion: more than 30 teams are responding to the explosion. Please make way to our ambulances!" the organization said via Twitter.
TASS, August 4. The Lebanese Red Cross has mobilized more than 30 response teams to mitigate consequences of the explosion that rocked Beirut port Tuesday.
The Lebanese Red Cross added that its hotline is receiving thousands of calls and urged citizens to seek help there only in case of urgent need.
Earlier, the organization said that dozens of people across the city were rushed to hospitals. "A lot of injured people were admitted, they are receiving urgent care," Lebanese Health Minister Hamad Hasan said. Meanwhile, Al Arabiya TV reported hundreds of injured people.
Earlier, a major explosion in Beirut’s seaport near the Lebanese navy base rocked the city. TASS reports that residential areas of the Lebanese capital were shaken by the explosion, leaving some buildings and offices damaged, while some facades were brought down by the shockwave. Moreover, at least 10 people died in the immediate aftermath.


tass--2020-08-04--Israel not involved in Beirut explosion, state radio reports

TEL AVIV , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Israel has nothing to do with the explosion that rocked Lebanon ’ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s state radio Kan reported , citing a source in Israeli political circles .
@ @ @ @ @ TASS that they will not comment on the explosions in Beirut .
`` We do @ @ @ @ @ reports , '' the press service responded to the request from TASS .
The Israeli @ @ @ @ @ has not responded to a similar request Tuesday .

TEL AVIV, August 4. /TASS/. Israel has nothing to do with the explosion that rocked Lebanon’s Beirut Tuesday, Israel’s state radio Kan reported, citing a source in Israeli political circles.
The Israel Defense Forces told TASS that they will not comment on the explosions in Beirut. "We do not comment on foreign media reports," the press service responded to the request from TASS.
The Israeli prime minister’s office has not responded to a similar request Tuesday.


tass--2020-08-04--Doors and windows of Russian embassy building broken by shock wave after blast in Beirut

BEIRUT , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
The building of the Russian embassy to Lebanon has been damaged in a @ @ @ @ @ area near Beirut ’ s seaport , the embassy ’ s counsellor Vyachselav Maksudov told @ @ @ @ @ The doors and windows of the building ’ s face-wall have been broken by the @ @ @ @ @ said , adding that an embassy employee was hurt .
She had to seek medical @ @

BEIRUT, August 4. /TASS/. The building of the Russian embassy to Lebanon has been damaged in a powerful explosion that rocked an area near Beirut’s seaport, the embassy’s counsellor Vyachselav Maksudov told TASS on Tuesday.
"The doors and windows of the building’s face-wall have been broken by the shock wave," he said, adding that an embassy employee was hurt. She had to seek medical assistance.


tass--2020-08-04--Thousands injured after massive explosions rock Lebanese capital

At least 70 people were killed and more than 3,700 injured in the disaster , Al Jazeera reported via Twitter citing Health Minister Hassan Hamad .
However , according to unofficial data , many more lives were lost as some people remain trapped under buildings , destroyed by the shockwave .
The blast sent a shock wave through residential neighborhoods of the capital city .
Facades of several buildings near the port collapsed , residential buildings and offices were damaged .
TASS , August 4 .
More than two thousand people have been injured in devastating explosions in the port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least 30 people were killed , Al-Hadath TV reported .
Footage of the Explosion in # Beirut # Lebanon a few minutes ago .
Praying for the safety of everyone .
pic.twitter.com/6Q3y6A6DxL Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi told Al Hadath TV the explosion was caused by detonation of ammonium nitrate stored in the port .
At the same time , the Al Mayadeen TV reported , citing a law enforcement source , that the disaster was a result of detonation of `` smuggled explosive substances , confiscated from a ship nine years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all these years awaiting further reprocessing or disposal . ''
`` Four months ago , a report was prepared , indicating the threat of storing this amount of explosive substances in the harbor , '' the source was quoted as saying .
According to some reports , a short circuit caused a fire at the storage facility , and the explosives detonated .
Meanwhile , the Lebanese capital ’ s hospitals are overcrowded .
More than 300 injured were admitted to only one of them in less than one hour .
The authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Hassan Diab said in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday the explosion was `` a huge disaster '' for the nation , but those guilty will be found and punished , '' A huge disaster struck Lebanon , '' he said .
`` It will not be left unpunished , those guilty will bear responsibility . ''
The minister called upon `` all friendly and brotherly nations '' to help and support his country .

At least 70 people were killed and more than 3,700 injured in the disaster, Al Jazeera reported via Twitter citing Health Minister Hassan Hamad. However, according to unofficial data, many more lives were lost as some people remain trapped under buildings, destroyed by the shockwave.
The blast sent a shock wave through residential neighborhoods of the capital city. Facades of several buildings near the port collapsed, residential buildings and offices were damaged.
TASS, August 4. More than two thousand people have been injured in devastating explosions in the port of Lebanon’s Beirut Tuesday. At least 30 people were killed, Al-Hadath TV reported.
Footage of the Explosion in #Beirut #Lebanon a few minutes ago. Praying for the safety of everyone. pic.twitter.com/6Q3y6A6DxL
Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammad Fahmi told Al Hadath TV the explosion was caused by detonation of ammonium nitrate stored in the port.
At the same time, the Al Mayadeen TV reported, citing a law enforcement source, that the disaster was a result of detonation of "smuggled explosive substances, confiscated from a ship nine years ago and stored in the port for all these years awaiting further reprocessing or disposal."
"Four months ago, a report was prepared, indicating the threat of storing this amount of explosive substances in the harbor," the source was quoted as saying.
According to some reports, a short circuit caused a fire at the storage facility, and the explosives detonated.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese capital’s hospitals are overcrowded. More than 300 injured were admitted to only one of them in less than one hour. The authorities urge residents to donate blood.
Prime Minister Hassan Diab said in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday the explosion was "a huge disaster" for the nation, but those guilty will be found and punished,
"A huge disaster struck Lebanon," he said. "It will not be left unpunished, those guilty will bear responsibility."
The minister called upon "all friendly and brotherly nations" to help and support his country.


tass--2020-08-04--Investigative Committee states no instigators in Golunov case, attorney says

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
The Investigative Committee came to the conclusion that there were no instigators in the case of journalist Ivan Golunov , and the policemen allegedly planted drugs on him to improve their crime solving rate .
That is according to the lawyer of Igor Lyakhovets , who is the main defendant in the case of the illegal detention of the journalist .
`` The investigators did not try to identify the instigator of the case .
Moreover , according to the Investigative Committee , the policemen planted drugs on the journalist in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a citation .
We do not agree with this position , we consider the case of Lyakhovets and other defendants be framed , '' lawyer Alexey Kovrizhkin told TASS .
Golunov , an investigative correspondent working for the Riga-based Meduza online newspaper , was detained in downtown Moscow on June 6 , 2019 .
According to police , the reporter was carrying four grams of mephedrone , a synthetic stimulant drug , and five grams of cocaine had apparently been discovered during a search of his rented apartment .
Moscow ’ s Nikulinsky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrest .
Golunov ’ s defense attorney said that the drugs could have been planted on his client .
All charges were eventually dropped , and Golunov was set free on June 11 .
On December 19 , 2019 , it became known that Russia ’ s Investigative Committee had opened criminal cases against five former police officers following Golunov ’ s detention .
On January 30 , 2020 , the Basmanny Court in Moscow arrested former head of synthetic drug trafficking police department of Moscow ’ s Western Administrative District Igor Lyakhovets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Konovalov , Roman Feofanov , Akbar Sergaliev and Maxim Umetbaev , who were involved in the arrest of Golunov .
They are accused of abuse of office , falsification of evidence and drug trafficking .
Later , at the request of the investigation , the court ruled to transfer Konovalov under house arrest .

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. The Investigative Committee came to the conclusion that there were no instigators in the case of journalist Ivan Golunov, and the policemen allegedly planted drugs on him to improve their crime solving rate. That is according to the lawyer of Igor Lyakhovets, who is the main defendant in the case of the illegal detention of the journalist.
"The investigators did not try to identify the instigator of the case. Moreover, according to the Investigative Committee, the policemen planted drugs on the journalist in order to improve their crime solving rate and get a citation. We do not agree with this position, we consider the case of Lyakhovets and other defendants be framed," lawyer Alexey Kovrizhkin told TASS.
Golunov case
Golunov, an investigative correspondent working for the Riga-based Meduza online newspaper, was detained in downtown Moscow on June 6, 2019. According to police, the reporter was carrying four grams of mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant drug, and five grams of cocaine had apparently been discovered during a search of his rented apartment. Moscow’s Nikulinsky District Court placed the reporter under house arrest. Golunov’s defense attorney said that the drugs could have been planted on his client. All charges were eventually dropped, and Golunov was set free on June 11.
On December 19, 2019, it became known that Russia’s Investigative Committee had opened criminal cases against five former police officers following Golunov’s detention.
On January 30, 2020, the Basmanny Court in Moscow arrested former head of synthetic drug trafficking police department of Moscow’s Western Administrative District Igor Lyakhovets, former employees of the department Denis Konovalov, Roman Feofanov, Akbar Sergaliev and Maxim Umetbaev, who were involved in the arrest of Golunov. They are accused of abuse of office, falsification of evidence and drug trafficking. Later, at the request of the investigation, the court ruled to transfer Konovalov under house arrest.


tass--2020-08-04--Over 1,000 Northern Fleet artillery troops to hold firings in Russian Arctic drills

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
A month-long field exercise kicked off for artillery forces at the @ @ @ @ @ Northern Fleet ’ s army corps and marine infantry in the Murmansk Region , the @ @ @ @ @ reported on Tuesday .
`` The exercise involves over 1,000 troops and more than 200 @ @ @ @ @ hardware , including Grad multiple rocket launchers , Gvozdika and Akatsiya self-propelled artillery guns , @ @ @ @ @ , '' the press office said in a statement .
The field exercise will run @ @ @ @ @ chiefs of motor rifle formations and a marine infantry brigade .
During the month , @ @ @ @ @ sharpening their field skills and attending tactical , special and technical training classes , the @ @ @ @ @ will also hold exercises and qualification drills for firings and artillery fire control , the @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. /TASS/. A month-long field exercise kicked off for artillery forces at the training grounds of the Russian Northern Fleet’s army corps and marine infantry in the Murmansk Region, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"The exercise involves over 1,000 troops and more than 200 items of armament and military hardware, including Grad multiple rocket launchers, Gvozdika and Akatsiya self-propelled artillery guns, mortars and anti-tank missile systems," the press office said in a statement.
The field exercise will run under the command of artillery chiefs of motor rifle formations and a marine infantry brigade. During the month, the artillery personnel will be sharpening their field skills and attending tactical, special and technical training classes, the statement says.
The troops will also hold exercises and qualification drills for firings and artillery fire control, the press office added.


tass--2020-08-04--Russia’s MiG-31 fighter scrambled to intercept Norwegian spy plane over Barents Sea

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian MiG-31 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a Norwegian Air Force @ @ @ @ @ the neutral waters of the Barents Sea , Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center @ @ @ @ @ Su-35S , MiG-31BM scrambled to intercept US spy plane over Sea of Japan '' On @ @ @ @ @ the Russian airspace control systems detected an air target over the neutral waters of the @ @ @ @ @ s state border .
A MiG-31 fighter from the Northern Fleet ’ s air defense @ @ @ @ @ scrambled to intercept the target , '' the Center said .
The Russian fighter ’ @ @ @ @ @ target at a safe distance and identified it as a Norwegian Air Force Falcon 20 @ @ @ @ @ aircraft , it said .

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. A Russian MiG-31 fighter jet was scrambled to intercept a Norwegian Air Force Falcon 20 reconnaissance aircraft over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea, Russia’s National Defense Control Center reported on Tuesday.
Russian Su-35S, MiG-31BM scrambled to intercept US spy plane over Sea of Japan
"On August 4, 2020, the Russian airspace control systems detected an air target over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea approaching Russia’s state border. A MiG-31 fighter from the Northern Fleet’s air defense quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to intercept the target," the Center said.
The Russian fighter’s crew approached the air target at a safe distance and identified it as a Norwegian Air Force Falcon 20 radio-technical reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft, it said.


tass--2020-08-04--Belarus lost about $600 mln because of 'oil conflict' with Russia, Lukashenko says

`` In this difficult situation ( pandemic - TASS ) , we did not close our enterprises , unlike the rest of the world , we sent an additional 500 million rubles from the budget to those who needed state support most .
All this was in the situation when because of the oil conflict with Russia our budget failed to receive 1.5 billion [ Belarusian ] rubles , '' Lukashenko said .
MINSK , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus lost 1.5 billion Belarusian rubles ( about $ 600 million ) because of the oil dispute with Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the nation and the parliament on Tuesday .
The president also noted that Belarus had lost about $ 9.5 billion over five years due to expensive loans and unfair prices for energy resources .
`` The results of the current period have shown that high external dependence on one or two countries puts us in a vulnerable position .
Due to trade wars , unfair prices , expensive loans , the country has lost $ 9.5 billion in economic growth over five years , '' Lukashenko said stressing that this money could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salaries of state employees , support for families . ''
`` We have drawn conclusions and we are already implementing a strategy to ensure that by 2025 the influence of such factors is minimal , '' he said .
`` It is necessary to go further with a clear understanding of goals and prospects .
This is not an ordinary phrase .
The crisis is not only a disaster , but also a time of great opportunities , new niches , '' the Belarusian leader stressed .
`` Therefore , whatever it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank should direct all resources and reserves to the real sector of the economy .
There is only one goal - to save the country , to save jobs without losing income .
I ’ ll say it bluntly : it is about surviving before thriving , '' the president of Belarus said .
Currently , Russia and Belarus are working on the coordination of a package of 31 roadmaps for deeper integration .
Some disagreements over oil prices had cropped up in recent months .
Furthermore , Lukashenko criticized Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The presidential election will be held in Belarus on August 9 .

"In this difficult situation (pandemic - TASS), we did not close our enterprises, unlike the rest of the world, we sent an additional 500 million rubles from the budget to those who needed state support most. All this was in the situation when because of the oil conflict with Russia our budget failed to receive 1.5 billion [Belarusian] rubles," Lukashenko said.
MINSK, August 4. /TASS/. Belarus lost 1.5 billion Belarusian rubles (about $600 million) because of the oil dispute with Russia, President Alexander Lukashenko said in his address to the nation and the parliament on Tuesday.
The president also noted that Belarus had lost about $9.5 billion over five years due to expensive loans and unfair prices for energy resources.
"The results of the current period have shown that high external dependence on one or two countries puts us in a vulnerable position. Due to trade wars, unfair prices, expensive loans, the country has lost $9.5 billion in economic growth over five years," Lukashenko said stressing that this money could have been "pensions, scholarships, salaries of state employees, support for families."
"We have drawn conclusions and we are already implementing a strategy to ensure that by 2025 the influence of such factors is minimal," he said.
"It is necessary to go further with a clear understanding of goals and prospects. This is not an ordinary phrase. The crisis is not only a disaster, but also a time of great opportunities, new niches,"the Belarusian leader stressed.
"Therefore, whatever it may cost, the government and the National Bank should direct all resources and reserves to the real sector of the economy. There is only one goal - to save the country, to save jobs without losing income. I’ll say it bluntly: it is about surviving before thriving," the president of Belarus said.
Currently, Russia and Belarus are working on the coordination of a package of 31 roadmaps for deeper integration. Some disagreements over oil prices had cropped up in recent months. Furthermore, Lukashenko criticized Russia’s decision to close its border amid the pandemic.
The presidential election will be held in Belarus on August 9.


tass--2020-08-04--Guilt of Russians detained in Belarus not proven, Foreign Ministry says

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow will not leave in the lurch the group of 33 Russians detained in Belarus .
Their guilt has not been proven , Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in the wake of Tuesday ’ s statement by Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko .
`` As far as the Russian citizens detained in Belarus and the show that has been staged over this are concerned , we will not leave them in the lurch .
Minsk is well aware of this , '' Zakharova said .
She stressed that Lukashenko was an experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In her opinion `` he is right in that fraternal relations between the people of the two countries are immune to volatile , time-serving interests , including electoral ones . ''
`` They rely on a firm basis of historical proximity and modern pragmatic cooperation , '' she said .
Earlier , the Belarussian authorities detained 33 Russian citizens on the suspicion of involvement in preparations for staging mass unrest .
The Russian side denies this .
Lukashenko on Tuesday addressed the Belarussian people and parliament with a message .
He urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation following the detention of Russian citizens near Minsk .

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Moscow will not leave in the lurch the group of 33 Russians detained in Belarus. Their guilt has not been proven, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in the wake of Tuesday’s statement by Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko.
"As far as the Russian citizens detained in Belarus and the show that has been staged over this are concerned, we will not leave them in the lurch. Minsk is well aware of this," Zakharova said.
She stressed that Lukashenko was an experienced politician who had held many election campaigns. In her opinion "he is right in that fraternal relations between the people of the two countries are immune to volatile, time-serving interests, including electoral ones."
"They rely on a firm basis of historical proximity and modern pragmatic cooperation," she said.
Earlier, the Belarussian authorities detained 33 Russian citizens on the suspicion of involvement in preparations for staging mass unrest. The Russian side denies this.
Lukashenko on Tuesday addressed the Belarussian people and parliament with a message. He urged Russia not to manipulate with facts in the situation following the detention of Russian citizens near Minsk.


tass--2020-08-04--Expert says face masks are to be changed more often in hot weather

MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Face masks that are mandatory as a means of protection against the novel @ @ @ @ @ more often in hot weather , Mikhail Lebedev of the Russian sanitary watchdog ’ s @ @ @ @ @ TASS on Tuesday .
`` Face masks should be changed more often in hot weather @ @ @ @ @ , their protective layer is destroyed and the efficiency goes down .
Apart from that @ @ @ @ @ refrain from using face masks of dark colors in the summertime , '' he said @

MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Face masks that are mandatory as a means of protection against the novel coronavirus infection should be changed more often in hot weather, Mikhail Lebedev of the Russian sanitary watchdog’s center for molecular diagnosis told TASS on Tuesday.
"Face masks should be changed more often in hot weather because they become wet quicker, their protective layer is destroyed and the efficiency goes down. Apart from that, it is better to refrain from using face masks of dark colors in the summertime," he said.


tass--2020-08-04--One billion students impacted by pandemic, UN Secretary-General says

TASS , August 4 .
The coronavirus pandemic has affected the educational process of more than one billion students around the world , but developed countries partially managed to mitigate these problems by introducing distance learning , while developing ones did not always have capabilities to do the same , UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video address published on his Twitter page Tuesday .
`` In mid-July , schools were closed in more than 160 countries , affecting over one billion students , '' he noted .
`` We already faced a learning crisis before the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of school .
And only a quarter of secondary school children in developing countries were leaving school with basic skills .
Now , we face a generational catastrophe that could waste untold human potential , undermine decades of progress , and exacerbate entrenched inequalities . ''
Guterres added that the current state of affairs could also have a knock-on effect on gender inequality , child marriage and child nutrition that many kids get in schools .
The UN chief also informed that the organization had prepared a list of recommendations for governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
These pieces of advice have to do with keeping balance between urgent reopening of schools and the need to protect well-being of students , propose prioritizing education when drafting budgets and paying special attention to children living in hard-to-reach places or difficult conditions and also set out and introduce new approaches in this sphere .
A new global campaign called Save our Future , introduced by Guterres , is meant to facilitate cooperation between national governments and relevant UN agencies .
`` We are at a defining moment for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The decisions that governments and partners take you now will have lasting impact on hundreds of millions of young people , and on the development prospects of countries for decades to come , '' he added .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
Since the pandemic broke out , more than 18 million people contracted the virus around the world and almost 700,000 died .

TASS, August 4. The coronavirus pandemic has affected the educational process of more than one billion students around the world, but developed countries partially managed to mitigate these problems by introducing distance learning, while developing ones did not always have capabilities to do the same, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a video address published on his Twitter page Tuesday.
"In mid-July, schools were closed in more than 160 countries, affecting over one billion students," he noted. "We already faced a learning crisis before the pandemic. More than 250 million school-age children were out of school. And only a quarter of secondary school children in developing countries were leaving school with basic skills. Now, we face a generational catastrophe that could waste untold human potential, undermine decades of progress, and exacerbate entrenched inequalities."
Guterres added that the current state of affairs could also have a knock-on effect on gender inequality, child marriage and child nutrition that many kids get in schools.
The UN chief also informed that the organization had prepared a list of recommendations for governments to overcome the educational crisis caused by the pandemic. These pieces of advice have to do with keeping balance between urgent reopening of schools and the need to protect well-being of students, propose prioritizing education when drafting budgets and paying special attention to children living in hard-to-reach places or difficult conditions and also set out and introduce new approaches in this sphere. A new global campaign called Save our Future, introduced by Guterres, is meant to facilitate cooperation between national governments and relevant UN agencies.
"We are at a defining moment for the world’s children and young people. The decisions that governments and partners take you now will have lasting impact on hundreds of millions of young people, and on the development prospects of countries for decades to come," he added.
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. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. Since the pandemic broke out, more than 18 million people contracted the virus around the world and almost 700,000 died.


tass--2020-08-04--Russian scientists publish first results of Avifavir clinical trials

`` The pilot part of our randomized and open clinical trials demonstrated that Avifavir possesses rapid antiviral action , it eliminated the virus in four days in 62.5 % patients .
Soon we will study how different dosages influence the rate of recovery , '' the researchers wrote .
MOSCOW , August 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russian medics have revealed the results of the pilot part of phases two and three of clinical trials of Avifavir , a domestic favipiravir-based drug capable of suppressing the coronavirus .
It accelerated the removal of the coronavirus from the body in more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause any serious side effects , the scientists wrote in their article published in the medRxiv electronic library .
So far the researchers managed to single out only a few preparations capable of influencing the SARS-CoV-2 virus , including favipiravir , remdesivir , and the recombinant interferon-2-alpha protein .
They were created in order to fight the flu virus , hepatitis C , and the Ebola virus but have already proven themselves in various lab experiments directed at search for medicines against the coronavirus .
The previous experience demonstrated that these medicines do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capable of preventing the spread of the coronavirus infection or of suppressing the light forms of the infection which does not allow to use them for control and prevention of COVID-19 .
A group of scientists headed by Andrey Ivashchenko , a researcher of the ChemRar group of companies , has conducted first practical tests of the effectiveness and safety of Avifavir , a Russian analogue of the favipiravir flu medicine developed in Japan .
At the end of May , Avifavir received Russia ’ s Health Ministry registration certificate and on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of instructional guidelines of prevention , diagnostics , and treatment of the novel coronavirus infection .
Favipiravir-based drugs have not been used in other countries yet since they haven ’ t passed clinical trials .
As the researchers wrote , sixty volunteers infected with the coronavirus and suffering from the pneumonia and other COVID-19 symptoms participated in Russian clinical trials of this substance .
They were divided in three groups , one of which was receiving placebo while the other two - two different dosages of Avifavir .
Simultaneously all patients were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs to lessen the symptoms of the coronavirus infection .
The subsequent observations of their health demonstrated that on the fourth day of treatment the virus disappeared in approximately 62.5 % patients , while it occurred in only 30 % of cases in the control group .
By the tenth day of treatment , traces of SARS-CoV-2 were not registered in 90 % of medicated volunteers and in 80 % of the placebo group .
Similar positive changes were recorded regarding the body temperature and sectional lung imaging with no serious side effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nausea and dizziness which are characteristic of favipiravir as well .
The results of these pilot observations , as the researchers note , will help them conduct full clinical trials quickly and efficiently .
These experiments , as they hope , will confirm the effectiveness and safety of the drug and open the way for its practical use .

"The pilot part of our randomized and open clinical trials demonstrated that Avifavir possesses rapid antiviral action, it eliminated the virus in four days in 62.5% patients. Soon we will study how different dosages influence the rate of recovery," the researchers wrote.
MOSCOW, August 4. /TASS/. Russian medics have revealed the results of the pilot part of phases two and three of clinical trials of Avifavir, a domestic favipiravir-based drug capable of suppressing the coronavirus. It accelerated the removal of the coronavirus from the body in more than half of patients and didn’t cause any serious side effects, the scientists wrote in their article published in the medRxiv electronic library.
So far the researchers managed to single out only a few preparations capable of influencing the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including favipiravir, remdesivir, and the recombinant interferon-2-alpha protein. They were created in order to fight the flu virus, hepatitis C, and the Ebola virus but have already proven themselves in various lab experiments directed at search for medicines against the coronavirus.
The previous experience demonstrated that these medicines do not help all patients and are not capable of preventing the spread of the coronavirus infection or of suppressing the light forms of the infection which does not allow to use them for control and prevention of COVID-19.
A group of scientists headed by Andrey Ivashchenko, a researcher of the ChemRar group of companies, has conducted first practical tests of the effectiveness and safety of Avifavir, a Russian analogue of the favipiravir flu medicine developed in Japan.
Early results
At the end of May, Avifavir received Russia’s Health Ministry registration certificate and on June 3, it was included on the list of instructional guidelines of prevention, diagnostics, and treatment of the novel coronavirus infection. Favipiravir-based drugs have not been used in other countries yet since they haven’t passed clinical trials.
As the researchers wrote, sixty volunteers infected with the coronavirus and suffering from the pneumonia and other COVID-19 symptoms participated in Russian clinical trials of this substance. They were divided in three groups, one of which was receiving placebo while the other two - two different dosages of Avifavir. Simultaneously all patients were taking anticoagulants, antibiotics, and other drugs to lessen the symptoms of the coronavirus infection.
The subsequent observations of their health demonstrated that on the fourth day of treatment the virus disappeared in approximately 62.5% patients, while it occurred in only 30% of cases in the control group. By the tenth day of treatment, traces of SARS-CoV-2 were not registered in 90% of medicated volunteers and in 80% of the placebo group.
Similar positive changes were recorded regarding the body temperature and sectional lung imaging with no serious side effects in all cases with the exception of nausea and dizziness which are characteristic of favipiravir as well.
The results of these pilot observations, as the researchers note, will help them conduct full clinical trials quickly and efficiently. These experiments, as they hope, will confirm the effectiveness and safety of the drug and open the way for its practical use.


tass--2020-08-05--Coronavirus death toll worldwide exceeds 700,000

MOSCOW , August 5./TASS/ .
Over 700,000 coronavirus patients have died across the globe , US-based John Hopkins University reported on Wednesday , relying on data provided by international organizations , federal and local authorities .
According to the research university , the highest death toll was recorded in the United States ( more than 156,700 deaths ) , Brazil ( over 95,800 ) and Mexico ( over 48,800 ) .
These countries account for almost 45 % of all coronavirus deaths worldwide .
To date , more than 18.5 mln people have contracted the coronavirus across the globe with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than half of this figure .
The US , which records the biggest number of coronavirus deaths , is seeing a decline in deaths as compared with the figures of April and the first half of May .
However , fatalities have been above 1,000 in the last days of July and early in August .
The death rate in Brazil has been at this level for the past ten weeks .
As for Mexico , the third hardest hit country , the death rate from coronavirus dropped by 44 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the average exceeding 500 deaths daily .
The UK reports 46,300 coronavirus deaths , which puts it fourth on the list of fatalities worldwide .
However , the death rate there has dropped ten times as compared with the peak figures of April , remaining at the level of about 100 deaths daily in the past two weeks .
Then goes India with almost 39,800 fatalities .
The death rate has been growing there since the start of June , and has been exceeding 750 fatalities a day in the past two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France - 30,300 , while Spain - 28,400 .
After peaking in March-April , mortality there dropped to minimum figures in June , but it has been on the rise again over the past few days .
In Peru , fatalities exceeded 20,000 people by Wednesday , placing it ninth on the list .
Iran records over 17,400 fatalities .
Russia reports almost 14,500 coronavirus deaths as of now , Colombia reports 11,300 deaths , Belgium - over 9,800 , while Germany - over 9,100 coronavirus fatalities .
Most cases were recorded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , the US is `` still knee-deep in the first wave '' of the coronavirus pandemic .
Brazil is ranked second as to the number of cases ( over 2.8 million ) , followed by India ( over 1.9 million ) and Russia ( 866,600 ) .
North America and South America remain the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak , since six countries of the region are among the ten most affected nations .
Apart from the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Mexico with about 450,000 coronavirus infections and Peru ( almost 440,000 cases ) .
Chile reports about 362,000 coronavirus cases , Colombia - almost 335,000 infections .
Argentina has been seeing a spike in cases in the past few weeks , with an overall number of infections exceeding 202,000 people .
Ecuador reports over 87,000 coronavirus cases , followed by Bolivia ( over 80,000 cases ) , the Dominican Republic ( 73,000 ) , Panama ( almost 68,000 ) , Guatemala ( 51,500 ) and Honduras ( 43,000 ) .
Asia is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India is the hardest hit in the region , and the situation is also difficult in Iran , which , according to authorities , is going through a second wave .
With its 312,000 coronavirus cases reported as of Wednesday , it is the tenth on the list of ten most affected countries .
European nations , which were the hardest hit by coronavirus in spring and early in summer , have moved down the list .
The UK is now placed 11th with 306,300 infections .
Then goes Spain ( 297,000 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with its 248,200 cases ) , Germany ( placed 18th with over 211,200 coronavirus cases ) , and France , which is 20th on the list with 192,300 coronavirus cases .
The number of new cases has been on the rise in the past weeks in all of these countries , especially in Spain and France .
Restrictions are back in place there .
In France , wearing masks in the streets is compulsory now , while during the lockdown masks were to be worn only on public transport and in indoor areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic , Switzerland and some other European countries are seeing a rise in infections , due to which the process of lifting quarantine measures is being suspended , or additional restrictions are imposed .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, August 5./TASS/. Over 700,000 coronavirus patients have died across the globe, US-based John Hopkins University reported on Wednesday, relying on data provided by international organizations, federal and local authorities.
According to the research university, the highest death toll was recorded in the United States (more than 156,700 deaths), Brazil (over 95,800) and Mexico (over 48,800). These countries account for almost 45% of all coronavirus deaths worldwide.
To date, more than 18.5 mln people have contracted the coronavirus across the globe with the US, Brazil and Mexico accounting for more than half of this figure.
Coronavirus death rate
The US, which records the biggest number of coronavirus deaths, is seeing a decline in deaths as compared with the figures of April and the first half of May. However, fatalities have been above 1,000 in the last days of July and early in August.
The death rate in Brazil has been at this level for the past ten weeks. As for Mexico, the third hardest hit country, the death rate from coronavirus dropped by 44% in the past two weeks, on the average exceeding 500 deaths daily.
The UK reports 46,300 coronavirus deaths, which puts it fourth on the list of fatalities worldwide. However, the death rate there has dropped ten times as compared with the peak figures of April, remaining at the level of about 100 deaths daily in the past two weeks.
Then goes India with almost 39,800 fatalities. The death rate has been growing there since the start of June, and has been exceeding 750 fatalities a day in the past two weeks.
Italy reports 35,100 coronavirus deaths, France - 30,300, while Spain - 28,400. After peaking in March-April, mortality there dropped to minimum figures in June, but it has been on the rise again over the past few days. In Peru, fatalities exceeded 20,000 people by Wednesday, placing it ninth on the list. Iran records over 17,400 fatalities.
Russia reports almost 14,500 coronavirus deaths as of now, Colombia reports 11,300 deaths, Belgium - over 9,800, while Germany - over 9,100 coronavirus fatalities.
Geographical spread of the virus
Most cases were recorded in the US (4,770,273). According to Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the US is "still knee-deep in the first wave" of the coronavirus pandemic.
Brazil is ranked second as to the number of cases (over 2.8 million), followed by India (over 1.9 million) and Russia (866,600).
North America and South America remain the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, since six countries of the region are among the ten most affected nations. Apart from the US and Brazil, the situation is unfavorable in Mexico with about 450,000 coronavirus infections and Peru (almost 440,000 cases). Chile reports about 362,000 coronavirus cases, Colombia - almost 335,000 infections. Argentina has been seeing a spike in cases in the past few weeks, with an overall number of infections exceeding 202,000 people. Ecuador reports over 87,000 coronavirus cases, followed by Bolivia (over 80,000 cases), the Dominican Republic (73,000), Panama (almost 68,000), Guatemala (51,500) and Honduras (43,000).
Asia is the second biggest coronavirus hot spot. India is the hardest hit in the region, and the situation is also difficult in Iran, which, according to authorities, is going through a second wave. With its 312,000 coronavirus cases reported as of Wednesday, it is the tenth on the list of ten most affected countries.
European nations, which were the hardest hit by coronavirus in spring and early in summer, have moved down the list. The UK is now placed 11th with 306,300 infections. Then goes Spain (297,000), followed by Italy (placed 15th with its 248,200 cases), Germany (placed 18th with over 211,200 coronavirus cases), and France, which is 20th on the list with 192,300 coronavirus cases.
The number of new cases has been on the rise in the past weeks in all of these countries, especially in Spain and France. Restrictions are back in place there. In France, wearing masks in the streets is compulsory now, while during the lockdown masks were to be worn only on public transport and in indoor areas.
Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and some other European countries are seeing a rise in infections, due to which the process of lifting quarantine measures is being suspended, or additional restrictions are imposed.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-08-05--Justice Ministry receives notification from ECHR of Dutch lawsuit over MH17 crash

TAMBOV , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Justice Ministry has received notification from the European Court of @ @ @ @ @ of the lawsuit filed against Russia by the Dutch authorities over the Malaysian Airlines flight @ @ @ @ @ Ministry ’ s press service responded to an inquiry by TASS .
`` Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ notification from the European Court of Human Rights dated 15.07.2020 that the Kingdom of the @ @ @ @ @ against the Russian Federation in connection with the flight MH17 crash .
Composition of the @ @ @ @ @ procedure are currently not defined , any procedural timetables for Russian authorities have not been @ @ @ @ @ .

TAMBOV, August 5. /TASS/. Russia’s Justice Ministry has received notification from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) of the lawsuit filed against Russia by the Dutch authorities over the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crash, the Justice Ministry’s press service responded to an inquiry by TASS.
"Russia’s Justice Ministry received official notification from the European Court of Human Rights dated 15.07.2020 that the Kingdom of the Netherlands submitted a transnational complaint against the Russian Federation in connection with the flight MH17 crash. Composition of the court and the complaint review procedure are currently not defined, any procedural timetables for Russian authorities have not been established," it said.


tass--2020-08-05--Zelensky, Lukashenko discuss extradition of Donbass events’ participants

KIEV , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The Ukrainian and Belarusian presidents , Vladimir Zelensky and Alexander Lukashenko , discussed @ @ @ @ @ participants of Donbass events detained in Belarus , the Ukrainian president ’ s office said @ @ @ @ @ heads of state discussed in detail the issues related to the detention in Belarus in @ @ @ @ @ of individuals linked to the Wagner private military company , '' the statement runs .
@ @ @ @ @ need for further effective cooperation between competent authorities of the two states , in particular @ @ @ @ @ over to Ukraine the persons suspected of terrorist activity on our state ’ s soil @ @ @ @ @ statement .

KIEV, August 5. /TASS/. The Ukrainian and Belarusian presidents, Vladimir Zelensky and Alexander Lukashenko, discussed the issue of extraditing the participants of Donbass events detained in Belarus, the Ukrainian president’s office said on Wednesday.
"The heads of state discussed in detail the issues related to the detention in Belarus in late July of a group of individuals linked to the Wagner private military company," the statement runs.
"The sides highlighted the need for further effective cooperation between competent authorities of the two states, in particular in the context of handing over to Ukraine the persons suspected of terrorist activity on our state’s soil," according to the statement.


tass--2020-08-05--Orient Queen cruise ship sinks in Beirut port following blast

TASS , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The Orient Queen cruise ship owned by Lebanon ’ s Abou Merhi Group has sunk in Beirut 's port after the explosion that shocked the city yesterday .
As OTV reported Wednesday , two people who were onboard when the incident happened died , while seven more were injured .
According to the cruise ship owner , the vessel was docked in Beirut 's port .
The blast seriously damaged the Orient Queen , allowing water to seep in .
Attempts to quickly fix and save the ship failed and she sank in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy ’ s base on August 4 , sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars .
Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs services in 2015 .
According to the latest updates , more than 100 people were killed and nearly 4,000 others were injured .
Since Wednesday , a two-week state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lebanese capital , which was declared a disaster-stricken city .
The authorities declared Wednesday a national day of mourning .

TASS, August 5. /TASS/. The Orient Queen cruise ship owned by Lebanon’s Abou Merhi Group has sunk in Beirut's port after the explosion that shocked the city yesterday. As OTV reported Wednesday, two people who were onboard when the incident happened died, while seven more were injured.
According to the cruise ship owner, the vessel was docked in Beirut's port. The blast seriously damaged the Orient Queen, allowing water to seep in. Attempts to quickly fix and save the ship failed and she sank in the port.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy’s base on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs services in 2014.
According to the latest updates, more than 100 people were killed and nearly 4,000 others were injured. Since Wednesday, a two-week state of emergency is in place in the Lebanese capital, which was declared a disaster-stricken city. The authorities declared Wednesday a national day of mourning.


tass--2020-08-05--US spy Paul Whelan delivered to prison in Russia’s Mordovia to serve sentence

TASS , August 5 .
US citizen Paul Whelan who was found guilty of spying against Russia has arrived in prison in Russia ’ s Mordovia to serve his sentence , representative of the regional Public Oversight Commission Valery Krutov told TASS Wednesday .
`` Yes , he has arrived , '' Krutov said when asked about Whelan .
According to him , Whelan will spend about two weeks in prison No .
18 for quarantine and will later be transferred to high security prison No .
17 .
Krutov noted that the commission he represents is not planning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are no reasons for such a visit .
`` If he arrived and was settled in prison No .
18 and not in hospital , that means his health is fine , '' Krutov suggested .
Earlier on Tuesday , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters that the issue of swapping Whelan for any Russian citizens imprisoned in the US had not been discussed with Washington yet .
It was earlier reported that the Moscow City Court had issued an order for the Lefortovo detention center to begin enforcing Whelan ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , former US marine Paul Whelan , who also holds British , Canadian and Irish citizenship , was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) in a room of the Metropol Hotel in Moscow while on a spy mission .
The FSB opened a criminal case against him on charges of espionage under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code .
On June 15 , the Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison .
Whelan pleaded not guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Russian special services .

TASS, August 5. US citizen Paul Whelan who was found guilty of spying against Russia has arrived in prison in Russia’s Mordovia to serve his sentence, representative of the regional Public Oversight Commission Valery Krutov told TASS Wednesday.
"Yes, he has arrived," Krutov said when asked about Whelan.
According to him, Whelan will spend about two weeks in prison No. 18 for quarantine and will later be transferred to high security prison No. 17.
Krutov noted that the commission he represents is not planning to visit Whelan any time soon since there are no reasons for such a visit. "If he arrived and was settled in prison No. 18 and not in hospital, that means his health is fine," Krutov suggested.
Earlier on Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters that the issue of swapping Whelan for any Russian citizens imprisoned in the US had not been discussed with Washington yet.
It was earlier reported that the Moscow City Court had issued an order for the Lefortovo detention center to begin enforcing Whelan’s sentence. On December 28, 2018, former US marine Paul Whelan, who also holds British, Canadian and Irish citizenship, was detained by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in a room of the Metropol Hotel in Moscow while on a spy mission. The FSB opened a criminal case against him on charges of espionage under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code. On June 15, the Moscow City Court found Whelan guilty of spying against Russia and sentenced him to 16 years in prison. Whelan pleaded not guilty dismissing the criminal case as a provocation by Russian special services.


tass--2020-08-05--Over 60 people in critical condition following Beirut blast

BEIRUT , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
More than 60 people injured in Tuesday ’ s blast in the Lebanese capital of Beirut are in critical condition , the Al Arabiya TV channel reported on Wednesday , citing the Lebanese Red Cross .
According to the Al Mayadeen TV channel , about 300 injured people are being treated at the American University of Beirut Medical Center .
The bodies of victims have also been brought to the facility , some of them haven ’ t been identified through DNA tests yet .
Lebanese media outlets reported that three hospitals had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beirut ’ s port area near on August 4 .
Shockwaves from the explosion destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars .
Local authorities say that the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , seized by customs officials in 2015 .
According to the latest data , the explosion killed over 100 people and left more than 4,000 injured .
A two-week state of emergency has been declared in the Lebanese capital .
The authorities announced that Wednesday would be a national day of mourning .

BEIRUT, August 5. /TASS/. More than 60 people injured in Tuesday’s blast in the Lebanese capital of Beirut are in critical condition, the Al Arabiya TV channel reported on Wednesday, citing the Lebanese Red Cross.
According to the Al Mayadeen TV channel, about 300 injured people are being treated at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. The bodies of victims have also been brought to the facility, some of them haven’t been identified through DNA tests yet.
Lebanese media outlets reported that three hospitals had been destroyed.
A powerful blast rocked Beirut’s port area near on August 4. Shockwaves from the explosion destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. Local authorities say that the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, seized by customs officials in 2015.
According to the latest data, the explosion killed over 100 people and left more than 4,000 injured. A two-week state of emergency has been declared in the Lebanese capital. The authorities announced that Wednesday would be a national day of mourning.


tass--2020-08-05--Russia’s defense chief orders to bring troops’ provision with new weapons to 70%

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The provision of the Russian troops with new weapon systems must be raised to 70 % by the end of the year , despite complexities caused by the coronavirus , Russia ’ s Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday .
`` We must 100 % fulfil the defense procurement plan and reach 70 % for new weapons , while keeping a high level of the hardware ’ s serviceability , '' the defense minister said , summing up the results of Russia ’ s single military output acceptance day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year the way we began it , complying with the schedule , and no coronavirus will impede us to end this year worthily and achieve all the targets that were mapped out , put all the facilities into operation and receive all the hardware , equipment , armament and munitions that we need , '' Shoigu stressed .
Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said that the share of advanced weaponry would reach 70 % , following the fulfillment of the defense procurement plan in 2020 .
`` The fulfillment of the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase the share of advanced weapon systems to 70 % , '' he said .
`` The plans have been 44 % fulfilled for the delivery of aircraft , 59 % for helicopters and 30 % for multi-purpose vehicles .
The plans have been fulfilled 30 % for the repair of missile and artillery armament and 43 % for multi-purpose vehicles , '' he said .
Advanced weaponry made up 68.5 % in the Russian Army and Navy in the first half of 2020 , the deputy defense minister said .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The provision of the Russian troops with new weapon systems must be raised to 70% by the end of the year, despite complexities caused by the coronavirus, Russia’s Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday.
"We must 100% fulfil the defense procurement plan and reach 70% for new weapons, while keeping a high level of the hardware’s serviceability," the defense minister said, summing up the results of Russia’s single military output acceptance day.
"I hope that we will finish the year the way we began it, complying with the schedule, and no coronavirus will impede us to end this year worthily and achieve all the targets that were mapped out, put all the facilities into operation and receive all the hardware, equipment, armament and munitions that we need," Shoigu stressed.
Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said that the share of advanced weaponry would reach 70%, following the fulfillment of the defense procurement plan in 2020.
"The fulfillment of the 2020 defense procurement plan will make it possible to increase the share of advanced weapon systems to 70%," he said.
"The plans have been 44% fulfilled for the delivery of aircraft, 59% for helicopters and 30% for multi-purpose vehicles. The plans have been fulfilled 30% for the repair of missile and artillery armament and 43% for multi-purpose vehicles," he said.
Advanced weaponry made up 68.5% in the Russian Army and Navy in the first half of 2020, the deputy defense minister said.


tass--2020-08-05--Missile warning satellites cluster Kupol brought to minimum standard strength

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The integrated space system Kupol , created for monitoring ballistic missile launches , has been brought to the minimum standard strength , the CEO of the space rocket corporation Energia , Igor Ozar , said on Wednesday .
`` With the launch of a fourth space satellite Tundra the space system Kupol has been brought to the minimum standard strength , '' he said .
He explained that the satellites in highly elliptical orbits monitored the areas of ballistic missile launches on mainland territories and in the world ocean .
The fourth Tundra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In June , a source in the defense and industry complex told TASS that with the launch of a fourth such satellite Russia created a basic space segment of a missile attack warning system that allowed for monitoring the US territory for possible launches of ballistic missiles .
The Tundra satellites , equipped with new generation infrared monitoring instruments , allow for accurately identifying missile launches from the Earth ’ s surface , tracking the missiles in flight and automatically forecasting the areas where the warheads might fall .
Another source in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kupol cluster would have a total of nine satellites .
Kupol is to replace the previous generation space systems Oko and Oko-1 .
Russia ’ s missile attack warning system has two tiers : the space component , currently consisting of four Tundra satellites , and the ground network of Voronezh radars that keep all missile threat directions under control .
The main task of the system is to promptly identify and track ballistic missiles that may be launched against Russia or its allies .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The integrated space system Kupol, created for monitoring ballistic missile launches, has been brought to the minimum standard strength, the CEO of the space rocket corporation Energia, Igor Ozar, said on Wednesday.
"With the launch of a fourth space satellite Tundra the space system Kupol has been brought to the minimum standard strength," he said.
He explained that the satellites in highly elliptical orbits monitored the areas of ballistic missile launches on mainland territories and in the world ocean. The fourth Tundra satellite was orbited on May 22.
In June, a source in the defense and industry complex told TASS that with the launch of a fourth such satellite Russia created a basic space segment of a missile attack warning system that allowed for monitoring the US territory for possible launches of ballistic missiles. The Tundra satellites, equipped with new generation infrared monitoring instruments, allow for accurately identifying missile launches from the Earth’s surface, tracking the missiles in flight and automatically forecasting the areas where the warheads might fall.
Another source in the defense and industry complex told TASS that the Kupol cluster would have a total of nine satellites. Kupol is to replace the previous generation space systems Oko and Oko-1.
Russia’s missile attack warning system has two tiers: the space component, currently consisting of four Tundra satellites, and the ground network of Voronezh radars that keep all missile threat directions under control. The main task of the system is to promptly identify and track ballistic missiles that may be launched against Russia or its allies.


tass--2020-08-05--Growing Russia-US mistrust will trigger arms deployment in space — expert

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The world ’ s leading powers could start deploying arms in outer space in the near future due to current mistrust in the security field , head of military and political research at the Institute for US and Canadian Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Pavel Zolotaryov told an online conference on Wednesday .
`` As for arms deployment in outer space , this prospect is unfortunately clearly seen .
Both the Russian and US sides understand that this is a very dangerous stage , both sides don ’ t want this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted .
`` However , the level of mutual mistrust is so high that due to the lack of information , suspicions and distrust it ’ s highly likely that this process could start in the near future unless certain measures are taken . ''
According to the expert , rivalry is growing in outer space , including in terms of dividing orbits and frequencies .
`` Any developed state seeks to have its own space component . ''
The entire global information field is based on the potential of using outer space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which possesses space systems , depends on them to a great extent .
Their failure could trigger disastrous consequences on the ground , including in the financial field and global banking , '' he said .
Outer space has not been divided among states , Zolotaryov noted .
`` The countries ’ opportunities differ and anyone could bungle things .
It ’ s always easier to spoil than to create something .
Hence , there are US concerns over the situation in outer space .
They have been whipping up these concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the analyst , in order to prevent arms deployment in outer space Moscow and Washington instead of mutual accusations should look for ways to reduce mistrust and develop mechanisms of collective monitoring of the situation in outer space .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The world’s leading powers could start deploying arms in outer space in the near future due to current mistrust in the security field, head of military and political research at the Institute for US and Canadian Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Pavel Zolotaryov told an online conference on Wednesday.
"As for arms deployment in outer space, this prospect is unfortunately clearly seen. Both the Russian and US sides understand that this is a very dangerous stage, both sides don’t want this process to begin," the expert noted. "However, the level of mutual mistrust is so high that due to the lack of information, suspicions and distrust it’s highly likely that this process could start in the near future unless certain measures are taken."
According to the expert, rivalry is growing in outer space, including in terms of dividing orbits and frequencies. "Any developed state seeks to have its own space component." The entire global information field is based on the potential of using outer space, Zolotaryov said. "Each state, which possesses space systems, depends on them to a great extent. Their failure could trigger disastrous consequences on the ground, including in the financial field and global banking," he said.
Outer space has not been divided among states, Zolotaryov noted. "The countries’ opportunities differ and anyone could bungle things. It’s always easier to spoil than to create something. Hence, there are US concerns over the situation in outer space. They have been whipping up these concerns for a long time.
According to the analyst, in order to prevent arms deployment in outer space Moscow and Washington instead of mutual accusations should look for ways to reduce mistrust and develop mechanisms of collective monitoring of the situation in outer space.


tass--2020-08-05--Multilateral arms control system to replace New START, Russian expert says

MOSCOW , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ( New START ) won ’ t be extended and a new multilateral arms control system needs to be established in its place , Deputy Director of the Institute for US and Canadian Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences Pavel Zolotarev said during an online conference dubbed US Nuclear Ambitions : from Truman to Trump .
According to the expert , although Washington seeks to play the Russian threat card , it is China that US views as its opponent and rival .
`` China causes them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s stocks of weapons-grade nuclear materials , particularly weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium , makes it possible for Beijing to double its nuclear potential , '' Zolotarev noted .
In his view , Washington continues to work with Russia on arms control issues not because it wants to maintain the current system but because it wants to take advantage of Russia ’ s influence to engage China in discussions .
`` It is pointless to talk about involving China in the nuclear arms reduction process .
It is more reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear countries .
When signing New START , Russia emphasized the need for a multilateral conversation , at least with the members of the Nuclear Five , '' the expert stressed .
There is too little time left before New START expires so the treaty is unlikely to be extended , the expert emphasized .
According to him , chances are high that New START will cease to exist and Moscow and Washington will start to work together on a new agreement , trying to engage the Nuclear Five .

MOSCOW, August 5. /TASS/. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) won’t be extended and a new multilateral arms control system needs to be established in its place, Deputy Director of the Institute for US and Canadian Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences Pavel Zolotarev said during an online conference dubbed US Nuclear Ambitions: from Truman to Trump.
According to the expert, although Washington seeks to play the Russian threat card, it is China that US views as its opponent and rival. "China causes them concern because according to their estimates, China’s stocks of weapons-grade nuclear materials, particularly weapons-grade plutonium and highly enriched uranium, makes it possible for Beijing to double its nuclear potential," Zolotarev noted.
In his view, Washington continues to work with Russia on arms control issues not because it wants to maintain the current system but because it wants to take advantage of Russia’s influence to engage China in discussions. "It is pointless to talk about involving China in the nuclear arms reduction process. It is more reasonable to raise the possibility of engaging all nuclear countries. When signing New START, Russia emphasized the need for a multilateral conversation, at least with the members of the Nuclear Five," the expert stressed.
There is too little time left before New START expires so the treaty is unlikely to be extended, the expert emphasized. According to him, chances are high that New START will cease to exist and Moscow and Washington will start to work together on a new agreement, trying to engage the Nuclear Five.


tass--2020-08-05--Vessel with Russian crew damaged in Beirut blast, Russians evacuated

TASS , August 5 .
A vessel that was abandoned by the shipowner with Russian citizens onboard is in Beirut port where a massive explosion went off yesterday , inspector of the International Transport Federation ( ITF ) in Novorossiysk Olga Ananyina told TASS Wednesday .
According to the crew representative , the ship was slightly damaged , while the sailors were evacuated .
`` Near [ the port of Beirut ] , there is an abandoned vessel , there are Russians aboard .
[ The ship is ] Captain Nagdaliyev , Palmali company [ Turkish shipowner group - TASS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abandoned without salaries or food , '' she said .
The ship ’ s second mate informed that the crew is well after the blast that ripped off a door on the vessel .
`` The steamboat was damaged a little , hawsers were torn , inside as well… My door was ripped off completely .
Everything ’ s fine , we are alive and well , '' he noted .
According to him , all crewmembers left the ship and are now at the pier .
`` We were all ejected from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ships here actually .
They contacted everyone , asking to leave vessels , we are waiting at the pier now .
Everything ’ s still burning here , '' he noted .
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy ’ s base on August 4 , sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital .
The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars .
Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services in 2015 .
According to the latest updates , more than 100 people were killed and nearly 4,000 others were injured .
Since Wednesday , a two-week state of emergency is in place in the Lebanese capital , which was declared a disaster-stricken city .
The authorities declared Wednesday a national day of mourning .

TASS, August 5. A vessel that was abandoned by the shipowner with Russian citizens onboard is in Beirut port where a massive explosion went off yesterday, inspector of the International Transport Federation (ITF) in Novorossiysk Olga Ananyina told TASS Wednesday. According to the crew representative, the ship was slightly damaged, while the sailors were evacuated.
"Near [the port of Beirut], there is an abandoned vessel, there are Russians aboard. [The ship is] Captain Nagdaliyev, Palmali company [Turkish shipowner group - TASS]. [They are] also abandoned without salaries or food," she said.
The ship’s second mate informed that the crew is well after the blast that ripped off a door on the vessel. "The steamboat was damaged a little, hawsers were torn, inside as well… My door was ripped off completely. Everything’s fine, we are alive and well," he noted.
According to him, all crewmembers left the ship and are now at the pier. "We were all ejected from the steamboat, from all of the ships here actually. They contacted everyone, asking to leave vessels, we are waiting at the pier now. Everything’s still burning here," he noted.
A powerful blast rocked the Beirut seaport area near the Lebanese Navy’s base on August 4, sending a shockwave through residential neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital. The shockwave destroyed and damaged dozens of buildings and cars. Local authorities say the blast was caused by the detonation of 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, stored in the port after being confiscated by the customs services in 2014.
According to the latest updates, more than 100 people were killed and nearly 4,000 others were injured. Since Wednesday, a two-week state of emergency is in place in the Lebanese capital, which was declared a disaster-stricken city. The authorities declared Wednesday a national day of mourning.


tass--2020-08-05--China looks to attract investors from EU, other countries

BEIJING , August 5 .
/TASS/ .
Chinese authorities are interested in mutually beneficial international trade and economic cooperation and willing to improve investment climate for foreigners from the European Union and other countries , spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin said Wednesday .
`` China is contributing a lot to the development of global economy .
We are making active effort to make the national economy more open , '' he told a regular briefing , commenting on Beijing ’ s expectations of the EU .
`` Just like before , our country welcomes foreign investors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorable conditions for international cooperation . ''
According to the spokesperson , Beijing facilitates creation of a favorable business climate and is committed exclusively to mutual cooperation .
He recalled that the EU is Beijing ’ s leading trading partner , while their trade volume is steadily rising .
`` I would like to underline - irrespective of who we are talking about , European enterprises or other national companies , most of them are positive about Chinese development prospects and the business climate that is constantly improving in China , '' he @ @

BEIJING, August 5. /TASS/. Chinese authorities are interested in mutually beneficial international trade and economic cooperation and willing to improve investment climate for foreigners from the European Union and other countries, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Wenbin said Wednesday.
"China is contributing a lot to the development of global economy. We are making active effort to make the national economy more open," he told a regular briefing, commenting on Beijing’s expectations of the EU. "Just like before, our country welcomes foreign investors and will deliberately deepen reforms to lay down favorable conditions for international cooperation."
According to the spokesperson, Beijing facilitates creation of a favorable business climate and is committed exclusively to mutual cooperation. He recalled that the EU is Beijing’s leading trading partner, while their trade volume is steadily rising.
"I would like to underline - irrespective of who we are talking about, European enterprises or other national companies, most of them are positive about Chinese development prospects and the business climate that is constantly improving in China," he concluded.