themoscowtimes--2020-01-02--Moscow Adopts 15-Year Grand Plan for Northern Sea Route

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has approved the country ’ s development plan for its Northern Sea Route .
The document , which has been in the making for some time , was signed by Medvedev on Dec. 21 and published on the government website on Dec. 30 .
It was considered to be of great importance that it was approved and signed before the end of 2019 .
State nuclear company Rosatom , which has key interests in the Northern Sea Route , has been behind the development of the plan .
The document builds on President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the request to boost annual shipments on the Northern Sea Route to 80 million metric tons by 2024 .
The Russian government and its agencies and state companies are in a hurry to meet targets for the remote Arctic sea route .
The plan covers a wide range of priorities , from the development of infrastructure and the building of new ships to the mapping of natural resources and the launch of new satellites and meteorological equipment .
By April 2020 , a regional geological exploration program is to be adopted .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be taken on the development of a railway line to Sabetta , the seaport and liquified natural gas ( LNG ) terminal on the northern coast of the Yamal peninsula .
A massive development of natural resources is needed for Russia to meet its ambitions on the Arctic route , and several of the country ’ s biggest companies are involved .
Among them are oil and gas companies Novatek , Gazprom Neft , Rosneft and the Independent Oil Company .
New ships are part of the plan .
By 2035 , about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including several nuclear icebreakers .
In addition to five LK60 icebreakers , the country will build three Lider-class vessels , the first one to be ready for operations in December 2027 .
The second and third ships are to be ready in late 2030 and 2032 .
The Lider will be able to break through the thickest Arctic ice and open wide ship lanes across the region for the escort of commercial ships .
It will be equipped with a 120 MW engine capacity .
In addition , at least 13 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them a very powerful ship with top ice-class Arc7 .
Additionally , at least 16 various support and rescue ships are planned .
Decisions are to be taken on the development of new major infrastructure projects , among them several railway lines .
By December 2022 , the government will decide on whether to proceed with the planning of the Belkomur railway line between Arkhangelsk , Syktyvkar and Perm , as well as a line from Sosnogorsk to Indiga on the Pechora sea coast .
By mid-2024 , key decisions are to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connection across the River Ob from Salekhard to Labytnangi and all the way to Nadym and Novy Urengoy .
Four regional airports , in Amderma , Pevek , Chersky and Keperveem , are to get a facelift .
Major dredging operations in the Gulf of Ob to pave the way for sailing with big vessels in the area is to be completed in December 2021 .
The Murmansk Transport Hub , a project that includes a new 46 km long railway and port facilities on the western banks of the Kola Bay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new plan for the Northern Sea Route comes at the same time as the federal government is in the process of completing a new Law on the Arctic .
The new legislation is expected to be adopted in the first quarter of 2020 and include major incentives for natural resource developers .
According to government estimates , proposed tax preferences will lead to as much as 15 trillion rubles ( €216 billion ) of new investments in the Russian Arctic over the next 15 years .
Five categories of projects will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among them offshore petroleum projects , production of LNG , the petrochemical industry and mineral extraction .

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has approved the country’s development plan for its Northern Sea Route. The document, which has been in the making for some time, was signed by Medvedev on Dec. 21 and published on the government website on Dec. 30. It was considered to be of great importance that it was approved and signed before the end of 2019.
The Northern Sea Route includes the waters between archipelago Novaya Zemlya and the Bering Strait. Barents Observer
State nuclear company Rosatom, which has key interests in the Northern Sea Route, has been behind the development of the plan. The document builds on President Vladimir Putin’s decrees from May 2018 and the request to boost annual shipments on the Northern Sea Route to 80 million metric tons by 2024. The Russian government and its agencies and state companies are in a hurry to meet targets for the remote Arctic sea route. The plan covers a wide range of priorities, from the development of infrastructure and the building of new ships to the mapping of natural resources and the launch of new satellites and meteorological equipment. By April 2020, a regional geological exploration program is to be adopted. And by June, key decisions are to be taken on the development of a railway line to Sabetta, the seaport and liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal on the northern coast of the Yamal peninsula.
news Russia Rebuffs International Concern Over Environment on Northern Sea Route Read more
A massive development of natural resources is needed for Russia to meet its ambitions on the Arctic route, and several of the country’s biggest companies are involved. Among them are oil and gas companies Novatek, Gazprom Neft, Rosneft and the Independent Oil Company. New ships are part of the plan. By 2035, about 40 new vessels are to be built, including several nuclear icebreakers. In addition to five LK60 icebreakers, the country will build three Lider-class vessels, the first one to be ready for operations in December 2027. The second and third ships are to be ready in late 2030 and 2032. The Lider will be able to break through the thickest Arctic ice and open wide ship lanes across the region for the escort of commercial ships. It will be equipped with a 120 MW engine capacity. In addition, at least 13 new hydrographic ships will be built, among them a very powerful ship with top ice-class Arc7. Additionally, at least 16 various support and rescue ships are planned.
Decisions are to be taken on the development of new major infrastructure projects, among them several railway lines. By December 2022, the government will decide on whether to proceed with the planning of the Belkomur railway line between Arkhangelsk, Syktyvkar and Perm, as well as a line from Sosnogorsk to Indiga on the Pechora sea coast. By mid-2024, key decisions are to be taken on the development of a rail connection across the River Ob from Salekhard to Labytnangi and all the way to Nadym and Novy Urengoy. Four regional airports, in Amderma, Pevek, Chersky and Keperveem, are to get a facelift. Major dredging operations in the Gulf of Ob to pave the way for sailing with big vessels in the area is to be completed in December 2021.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-02--Use 1992 Yugoslavia Precedent for Russians in Tokyo - Historian

Clean Russian athletes should be allowed to compete in individual events at this year 's Tokyo Games under the banner of `` Independent Olympic Participants , '' historian Bill Mallon suggests .
It is a designation used for athletes from Yugoslavia in 1992 , and one that Mallon thinks offers a good road map of how to issue Russia a meaningful punishment without imposing a blanket ban .
The 1992 designation for what was then known as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia , composed of Serbia and Montenegro after the breakup of socialist Yugoslavia , was due to its role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Russia 's potential ban from Tokyo stems from doping violations .
Some Russian athletes were allowed to compete at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games under the designation `` Olympic Athlete from Russia , '' a punishment by the International Olympic Committee for `` systematic manipulation '' of the anti-doping system in Sochi four years previously .
But the semi-ban in 2018 did not go far enough , because of the explicit reference to `` Russia '' in the official designation , says Mallon , a past president of the International Society of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( WADA ) has banned Russia from Tokyo as punishment for manipulating doping tests , but has left the door open for clean athletes to compete if they meet rigid criteria laid out by the agency .
Although Russia 's circumstances are different from Yugoslavia 's , Mallon thinks it is timely to dust off the playbook used to handle the situation 28 years ago and occasionally since .

Clean Russian athletes should be allowed to compete in individual events at this year's Tokyo Games under the banner of "Independent Olympic Participants," historian Bill Mallon suggests.
It is a designation used for athletes from Yugoslavia in 1992, and one that Mallon thinks offers a good road map of how to issue Russia a meaningful punishment without imposing a blanket ban.
The 1992 designation for what was then known as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, composed of Serbia and Montenegro after the breakup of socialist Yugoslavia, was due to its role as aggressor in the Balkan war, while Russia's potential ban from Tokyo stems from doping violations.
Some Russian athletes were allowed to compete at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games under the designation "Olympic Athlete from Russia," a punishment by the International Olympic Committee for "systematic manipulation" of the anti-doping system in Sochi four years previously.
But the semi-ban in 2018 did not go far enough, because of the explicit reference to "Russia" in the official designation, says Mallon, a past president of the International Society of Olympic Historians.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned Russia from Tokyo as punishment for manipulating doping tests, but has left the door open for clean athletes to compete if they meet rigid criteria laid out by the agency.
Although Russia's circumstances are different from Yugoslavia's, Mallon thinks it is timely to dust off the playbook used to handle the situation 28 years ago and occasionally since.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-02--IS Claims Responsibility for New Year Attack on Police in Ingushetia

Two men reportedly drove into a policeman manning the post in Magas before attacking his colleagues with knives .
One law enforcement official died , while three more are currently being treated for their injuries .
Local media reported that one of the attackers was killed in the incident , while the second has been arrested .
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a police traffic post in the capital of Russia ’ s republic of Ingushetia in the North Caucasus on New Year ’ s Eve , the Site Intelligence Group reported .
Site Intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that IS on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the attack in the predominantly Muslim Ingushetia .
In an online statement , IS claimed that two policemen were killed , contradicting the reports in Russian media about one police casualty .
At a meeting of the anti-terrorist commission on Jan. 1 , Ingushetia ’ s Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Zhulyaev said the attack was carried out by Mikail Miziev , 18 , and Akhmed Imagozhev , 23 .
According to Interfax , Miziev died , and was the son of a director of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were searches took place shortly after the attack .
Police have frequently been targeted by militants in Russia 's volatile North Caucasus region .
In 2018 , two National Guard servicemen were killed by a grenade explosion in the Ingush town of Nazran .

Two men reportedly drove into a policeman manning the post in Magas before attacking his colleagues with knives. One law enforcement official died, while three more are currently being treated for their injuries. Local media reported that one of the attackers was killed in the incident, while the second has been arrested.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a police traffic post in the capital of Russia’s republic of Ingushetia in the North Caucasus on New Year’s Eve, the Site Intelligence Group reported .
Site Intelligence Group, which monitors terrorist activities, said that IS on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the attack in the predominantly Muslim Ingushetia. In an online statement, IS claimed that two policemen were killed, contradicting the reports in Russian media about one police casualty.
At a meeting of the anti-terrorist commission on Jan. 1, Ingushetia’s Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Zhulyaev said the attack was carried out by Mikail Miziev, 18, and Akhmed Imagozhev, 23. According to Interfax, Miziev died, and was the son of a director of a center of cultural development in Ingushetia, were searches took place shortly after the attack.
Police have frequently been targeted by militants in Russia's volatile North Caucasus region. In 2018, two National Guard servicemen were killed by a grenade explosion in the Ingush town of Nazran.
Islamic State is a terrorist organization banned in Russia.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-02--Russian State News Agency Sputnik Shuts Estonia Operations

The Russian state-controlled news agency Sputnik said Wednesday that it is closing its bureau in Tallinn after nearly three dozen @ @ @ @ @ they were facing pressure from the Estonian local authorities .
Sputnik published a statement on @ @ @ @ @ its staff in Estonia had terminated their labor contracts and resigned , fearing possible criminal @ @ @ @ @ which produces audio and text online in Russian and Estonian , is controlled by the @ @ @ @ @ Segodnya , which also includes the TV channel known as RT and the news wire @ @ @ @ @ dictates that despite the apparent absurdity of the Estonian government ’ s threats , criminal @ @ @ @ @ reality in today ’ s Europe , ” the announcement said .

The Russian state-controlled news agency Sputnik said Wednesday that it is closing its bureau in Tallinn after nearly three dozen of its employees resigned saying they were facing pressure from the Estonian local authorities.
Sputnik published a statement on Jan. 1 saying 35 of its staff in Estonia had terminated their labor contracts and resigned, fearing possible criminal prosecution. Sputnik Estonia, which produces audio and text online in Russian and Estonian, is controlled by the Russian state media organization Rossiya Segodnya, which also includes the news wire RIA-Novosti.
“Unfortunately, experience dictates that despite the apparent absurdity of the Estonian government’s threats, criminal prosecution of journalists is a reality in today’s Europe,” the announcement said.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-02--Russia in 2020: Where Are All the Foreign Banks?

Russian bankers ended 2019 as the most pessimistic executives in the Russian corporate world , a recent survey of Russia ’ s top firms , found .
With inflation and interest rates coming down , Russia ’ s businesses in little need of corporate loans , and new regulations to tighten the consumer loan market coming into force — more than one in every three financial institutions told Deloitte they were not looking forward to what the future has in store .
Nevertheless , industry leaders might find it tricky to get too worked up about their current predicament , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on something of a hot streak in recent years , as the central bank closed down or bought out the worst performers , and a living standards squeeze pushed up demand for consumer loans , overdrafts and credit cards .
Banks booked 1.3 trillion rubles of earnings last year ( more than $ 15 billion at the time ) , data from the Central Bank shows .
That was 70 % higher than in 2017 .
This year , earnings are set to grow by another 50 % , on course to hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
“ In Russia , banks can generate a lot of profits , ” said Yaroslav Sovgyra , an associate managing director at ratings agency Moody ’ s .
“ If you have proper management , if you don ’ t do silly things , you can be really profitable.
” For the few foreign retail banks still operating in Russia , such profitability can be an important source of relief from weaker performance in their home countries .
“ The main difference between the Russian banking sector and the whole of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Madina Khrustaleva , an analyst at T.S .
Lombard .
Low interest rates are generally bad for banks , since they squeeze their ability to charge a premium on their own loans — the so-called net interest margin .
In the Eurozone , central bank rates are at their lowest ever level of minus 0.5 % , while in the U.S. they have spent a decade below 2 % .
Whereas in Russia , interest rates have been at least 6 % for the last five years .
“ The net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much higher , and the returns are super in comparison .
In Russia , many businesses have double-digit returns , but returns in the banking sector are remarkably high.
” Krustaleva added .
Raiffeisen Bank is a prime example .
The Russian arm of the Austrian-headquartered lender accounts for only around 10 % of the entire bank ’ s assets , but contributes 40 % of net profits , Ekaterina Ovchinnikova , head of investor relations told the Moscow Times .
“ We deliver the highest profitability , we have the best non-performing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Compared with other groups , we are one of the best performing subsidiaries.
” Combined , the Russian subsidiaries of foreign banks have earned more than $ 3 billion in profits since the start of 2018 , data from ratings agency Fitch shows .
Raiffeisen ’ s return on equity — a measure of profitability in the banking sector — in Russia is almost 25 % .
U.S. lender Citibank ’ s Russian division returns 34 % .
That compares to an average of 6 % for banks in Europe .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banks with operations in Russia is low .
In total , they account for around 6 % of the banking sector by assets .
Russian subsidiaries of just four banks — Italy ’ s UniCredit , French bank Societe Generale ’ s subsidiary Rosbank , Austria ’ s Raiffeisen Bank and U.S. Citibank — make-up over three-quarters of that .
A number of others have been bruised by failed entries and high-profile retreats .
British bank Barclays wrote off almost $ 400 million in losses from Russia when the global financial crisis hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an attempted Eastern expansion .
HSBC also shuttered its Russian retail operations in 2011 as part of a global downsizing , leaving behind only a small team to service its international corporate clients .
So , with profits so high for those that are here , why are there still so few foreign banks in the Russian market ?
Experts point to a mix of culture , competition and politics .
“ All over the world , the top market positions are occupied by local banks , ” said Maxim Nalyutin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s the same in Russia as in the U.K. , Europe and the U.S .
Psychologically , people need to trust banks , and culturally it ’ s much easier to trust a brand that has existed on the market for a long time , rather than a new player.
” In the 1990s , with a new country and new companies — Russian and foreign — popping up all over the place , “ Russians favored foreign banks because of the brand , ” Fitch ’ s Sovgyra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , I don ’ t know if we can say it ’ s a clear competitive advantage .
People seem to be more indifferent.
” Nalyutin added : “ In Russia , given that people remember many banking crises — at the end of the U.S.S.R. , 1998 and 2008 — they are looking for more conservative strategies .
They are more interested in a bank with a good reputation and with government support .
That ’ s why in Russia , the most successful are big , state-owned banks.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both a monopoly and a highly-competitive environment , which shuts out new entrants , particularly foreign ones .
On one side , “ state banks have significantly strengthened their positions , with more than 70 % of the assets of the entire banking sector , ” said Tania Aleshkina , chief editor of Russian financial news site Frank Media .
On the other , competition between the banks remains fierce , promoting innovation and customer-friendly products .
Sberbank alone controls 56 % of mortgages and 44 % of all deposits .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and when Sberbank does something like reducing mortgage rates , everybody has to correct their own policy , ” said Khrustaleva .
Many Russians keep Sberbank accounts even if they also bank elsewhere to make use of services such as the ability to transfer money to other Sberbank accounts using just a mobile phone number .
That service — used widely for small payments like settling a dinner bill among friends or making a payment at a retailer without a card machine — strikes at the second major hurdle newbies have to overcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology , the banking sector is one step ahead of the Western market , ” Khrustaleva added .
“ Russia is one of the leaders in the speed of development of digital channels in the banking sector , ” Alexander Ovchinnikov , chief financial officer of Societe Generale subsidiary Rosbank told The Moscow Times .
The technological sophistication of the market was one reason Barclays and HSBC failed to crack Russia , says Deloitte ’ s Nalyutin .
“ The quality of services is much more interesting and developed in Russia .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have anything to bring or to offer … Russian clients didn ’ t understand what the proposition of these banks was .
If a bank has similar products , there is no value in moving from a well-known local bank to a new foreign one.
” Despite the profitability of the foreign banks in Russia , these cultural barriers and the technological sophistication of the market , combined with the wider economic and political climate , leads consultants to say they are not holding their breath for the next bank to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how to enter Russia .
“ If you were lucky enough to be a foreign bank in Russia 10 years ago , and haven ’ t left by now , you are in a good position , ” said Max Hauser , managing director at the Boston Consulting Group in Moscow .
“ But if you are right now considering entering Russia , your considerations will be very short .
It would not be an easy business case for a standardized universal bank from the West to enter Russia , given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage that the local players have.
” Deloitte ’ s Nalyutin agreed .
The foreign banks that are thriving in Moscow “ came at a good time , when there was lots of space for development and when , culturally , Russia was more open to international companies and businesses.
” Now , however , as the culmination of new tighter loan regulations is set to knock the sector in 2020 , and Russia remains firmly out of favor with international investors , Hauser says : “ From both a political standpoint and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t see anybody spending money to enter Russia right now .
”

Russian bankers ended 2019 as the most pessimistic executives in the Russian corporate world, a recent survey of Russia’s top firms, found. With inflation and interest rates coming down, Russia’s businesses in little need of corporate loans, and new regulations to tighten the consumer loan market coming into force — more than one in every three financial institutions told Deloitte they were not looking forward to what the future has in store. Nevertheless, industry leaders might find it tricky to get too worked up about their current predicament, since the Russian banking sector has been on something of a hot streak in recent years, as the central bank closed down or bought out the worst performers, and a living standards squeeze pushed up demand for consumer loans, overdrafts and credit cards. Banks booked 1.3 trillion rubles of earnings last year (more than $15 billion at the time), data from the Central Bank shows. That was 70% higher than in 2017. This year, earnings are set to grow by another 50%, on course to hit two trillion rubles ($31 billion).
“In Russia, banks can generate a lot of profits,” said Yaroslav Sovgyra, an associate managing director at ratings agency Moody’s. “If you have proper management, if you don’t do silly things, you can be really profitable.” Low interest rates For the few foreign retail banks still operating in Russia, such profitability can be an important source of relief from weaker performance in their home countries. “The main difference between the Russian banking sector and the whole of the developed world is interest rates,” said Madina Khrustaleva, an analyst at T.S. Lombard. Low interest rates are generally bad for banks, since they squeeze their ability to charge a premium on their own loans — the so-called net interest margin. In the Eurozone, central bank rates are at their lowest ever level of minus 0.5%, while in the U.S. they have spent a decade below 2%. Whereas in Russia, interest rates have been at least 6% for the last five years. “The net interest margins on the Russian market are much higher, and the returns are super in comparison. In Russia, many businesses have double-digit returns, but returns in the banking sector are remarkably high.” Krustaleva added. High profits Raiffeisen Bank is a prime example. The Russian arm of the Austrian-headquartered lender accounts for only around 10% of the entire bank’s assets, but contributes 40% of net profits, Ekaterina Ovchinnikova, head of investor relations told the Moscow Times. “We deliver the highest profitability, we have the best non-performing loan ratio and the best cost-to-income ratios. Compared with other groups, we are one of the best performing subsidiaries.” Combined, the Russian subsidiaries of foreign banks have earned more than $3 billion in profits since the start of 2018, data from ratings agency Fitch shows. Raiffeisen’s return on equity — a measure of profitability in the banking sector — in Russia is almost 25%. U.S. lender Citibank’s Russian division returns 34%. That compares to an average of 6% for banks in Europe. Low market share Despite those numbers, the share of foreign banks with operations in Russia is low. In total, they account for around 6% of the banking sector by assets. Russian subsidiaries of just four banks — Italy’s UniCredit, French bank Societe Generale’s subsidiary Rosbank, Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank and U.S. Citibank — make-up over three-quarters of that. A number of others have been bruised by failed entries and high-profile retreats. British bank Barclays wrote off almost $400 million in losses from Russia when the global financial crisis hit weeks after it bought a local bank in an attempted Eastern expansion. HSBC also shuttered its Russian retail operations in 2011 as part of a global downsizing, leaving behind only a small team to service its international corporate clients.
So, with profits so high for those that are here, why are there still so few foreign banks in the Russian market? Experts point to a mix of culture, competition and politics. “All over the world, the top market positions are occupied by local banks,” said Maxim Nalyutin, director of financial services at Deloitte Russia. “It’s the same in Russia as in the U.K., Europe and the U.S. Psychologically, people need to trust banks, and culturally it’s much easier to trust a brand that has existed on the market for a long time, rather than a new player.” In the 1990s, with a new country and new companies — Russian and foreign — popping up all over the place, “Russians favored foreign banks because of the brand,” Sovgyra of Moody's told the Moscow Times. “But now, I don’t know if we can say it’s a clear competitive advantage. People seem to be more indifferent.” Nalyutin added: “In Russia, given that people remember many banking crises — at the end of the U.S.S.R., 1998 and 2008 — they are looking for more conservative strategies. They are more interested in a bank with a good reputation and with government support. That’s why in Russia, the most successful are big, state-owned banks.” Tech advantage The Russian banking market also combines aspects of both a monopoly and a highly-competitive environment, which shuts out new entrants, particularly foreign ones. On one side, “state banks have significantly strengthened their positions, with more than 70% of the assets of the entire banking sector,” said Tania Aleshkina, chief editor of Russian financial news site Frank Media. On the other, competition between the banks remains fierce, promoting innovation and customer-friendly products. Sberbank alone controls 56% of mortgages and 44% of all deposits. “It’s kind of an elephant, and when Sberbank does something like reducing mortgage rates, everybody has to correct their own policy,” said Khrustaleva. Many Russians keep Sberbank accounts even if they also bank elsewhere to make use of services such as the ability to transfer money to other Sberbank accounts using just a mobile phone number.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-01--Russia Welcomes 2020 With Fireworks and Festivities

Street celebrations take place across Russia each year on Dec. 31 , New Year 's Eve .
The first regions @ @ @ @ @ Year are those in the Far East , before the celebrations reach Moscow some nine @ @ @

Russia Welcomes 2020 With Fireworks and Festivities
Street celebrations take place across Russia each year on Dec. 31, New Year's Eve.
The first regions to ring in the New Year are those in the Far East, before the celebrations reach Moscow some nine hours later.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-08--No Survivors After Ukrainian Airplane With 176 Aboard Crashes in Iran

A Ukrainian airliner crashed shortly after take-off from Tehran early on Wednesday , bursting into flames and killing all 176 people on board .
Debris and smoldering engine parts from the Boeing 737 , which carrier Ukraine International Airlines said was last serviced two days ago , were strewn across a field southwest of the Iranian capital where rescue workers in face masks laid out scores of body bags .
Among the victims were 82 from Iran , 63 Canadians , 11 Ukrainians , 10 Swedes , three Germans and three Britons , Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ airline said .
The accident occurred as confrontation between Iran and the United States threatens to trigger a wider conflict in the Middle East , but officials cautioned that speculation about the cause of the crash was premature .
It was the Kiev-based carrier 's first fatal accident , and it said it was doing everything possible to establish what had happened .
Under international rules , responsibility for investigating the crash lies with Iran , and Iranian state television said both of the plane 's black boxes had been found .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies and purportedly of the crashed plane , showed a flash in the sky descending rapidly with comments that the aircraft was `` on fire , '' followed by a larger flash as it appears to hit the ground .
Reuters could not independently authenticate the footage .
Asked at a briefing in Kiev if the plane could have been downed by a missile , Ukraine 's Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk cautioned against speculation until the results of the investigation were known .
Relations between Washington and Tehran are in crisis , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. forces in Iraq several hours before the plane crash , in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike last week that killed an Iranian military commander .
Major airlines canceled Iran and Iraq flights and re-routed others away from both countries ' airspace following the Iranian missile strikes .
In Paris , the maker of the plane 's engines , French-U.S. firm CFM - co-owned by General Electric and France ’ s Safran - said any speculation regarding the cause was premature .
Safety experts say airliner accidents are rarely triggered by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of investigation to understand all the factors behind them .
An official at Ukraine 's embassy in Tehran said Iranian authorities had asked it to rescind an initial statement from Iran based on preliminary information that had blamed the accident on engine failure .
Iranian TV said the crash was due to unspecified technical problems , and Iranian media quoted a local aviation official as saying the pilot did not declare an emergency .
Offering `` sincere condolences '' to relatives of victims , Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had instructed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the crash , without specifying who they would involve .
Ukraine would test the airworthiness of its entire civilian fleet of aircraft , he added .
The plane that crashed was a three-year-old Boeing 737-800NG en route to Kiev .
Its last scheduled maintenance was on Jan. 6 , the airline said .
A spokesman for the manufacturer said it was gathering more information .
`` We are in contact with our airline customer and stand by them in this difficult time .
We are ready to assist in any way needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later statement .
The 737-800 is one of the world ’ s most-flown models with a good safety record and does not have the software feature implicated in crashes of the 737 MAX .
Boeing grounded its 737 MAX fleet in March after two crashes that killed 346 people .
Modern aircraft are designed and certified to cope with an engine failure shortly after take-off and to fly for extended periods on one engine .
However , an uncontained engine failure releasing shrapnel can cause damage to other aircraft systems .
Under international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation into Wednesday 's crash , and the United States would usually be accredited as the country where the jet was designed and built .
France , where engine maker CFM has half its activities , may also be involved .
There was no immediate word on whether the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board would be involved .
The NTSB usually invites Boeing to give technical advice in such investigations .

Among the victims were 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, three Germans and three Britons, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said. Most passengers were in transit, the airline said.
Debris and smoldering engine parts from the Boeing 737, which carrier Ukraine International Airlines said was last serviced two days ago, were strewn across a field southwest of the Iranian capital where rescue workers in face masks laid out scores of body bags.
A Ukrainian airliner crashed shortly after take-off from Tehran early on Wednesday, bursting into flames and killing all 176 people on board.
The accident occurred as confrontation between Iran and the United States threatens to trigger a wider conflict in the Middle East, and officials cautioned that speculation about what happened was premature.
It was the Kiev-based carrier's first fatal crash, and it said it was doing everything possible to establish the cause.
Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said was in touch with Ukraine's government. "Our hearts are with the loved ones of the victims ... We will continue to keep Canadians informed as the situation evolves," he said on Twitter.
Under international rules, responsibility for investigating the crash lies with Iran, and Iranian state television said both of the plane's black box voice and data recorders had been found.
The semi-official Mehr news agency quoted the head of Iran's civil aviation organization as saying it was not clear which country Iran would send the black boxes to analyze the data, but it would not give them to Boeing.
Amateur video
An amateur video, run by Iranian news agencies and purportedly of the crashing plane, showed a flash in a dark sky descending rapidly with comments that the aircraft was "on fire", and then a brighter flash as it appears to hit the ground. Reuters could not authenticate the footage.
Asked at a briefing in Kiev if the plane could have been downed by a missile, Ukraine's Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk cautioned against speculation until the results of the investigation were known.
Relations between Washington and Tehran are in crisis, with Iran having launched missiles at bases housing U.S. forces in Iraq hours before the plane crash, in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike last week that killed an Iranian military commander.
Major airlines cancelled Iran and Iraq flights and re-routed others away from both countries' airspace following the missile strikes.
Safety experts say airliner accidents are rarely triggered by a single cause and that it typically takes months of investigation to understand all the factors behind them.
In Paris, the maker of the plane's engines, French-U.S. firm CFM - co-owned by General Electric and France’s Safran - said speculation regarding the cause was premature.
Iranian TV said the crash was due to unspecified technical problems, and Iranian media quoted a local aviation official as saying the pilot did not declare an emergency.
Statement rescinded
An official at Ukraine's embassy in Tehran said Iranian authorities had asked it to rescind an initial statement from Iran based on preliminary information that had blamed the accident on engine failure.
The plane that crashed was a three-year-old Boeing 737-800NG en route to Kiev. Its last scheduled maintenance was on Jan. 6, the airline said.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-08--‘U.S. Can’t Help But Respond’: Russia Reacts to Iran Strikes on U.S. Bases

Iranian state television said Iran had fired 15 missiles at U.S. targets in Iraq in response to Friday 's killing of Qassem Soleimani , a powerful general who was buried around the time of the missile launches .
Iran launched missiles at U.S.-led forces in Iraq on Wednesday in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike on an Iranian commander whose killing last week stoked fears of a new Middle East war .
The U.S. military said at least two Iraqi facilities hosting U.S.-led coalition personnel were targeted early Wednesday .
Iraq said 22 missiles were fired .
Iranian state television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been killed and U.S. helicopters and military equipment damaged .
It did not provide evidence of how it obtained that information .
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that an assessment of casualties and damage from the strikes was under way .
An unnamed U.S. official told CNN there were no initial reports of U.S. casualties .
Here ’ s how Russian lawmakers have reacted to the news : — Vladimir Dzhabarov , deputy chairman of the foreign affairs committee in Russia ’ s upper house of parliament , the Federation Council : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could lead to a full-scale war in the region .
If Washington realizes it can ’ t achieve its goal , there ’ s the danger of a nuclear war.
” “ We need to assess the losses suffered by the Americans after the Iranian missile attack .
If the damage is serious , the U.S. can ’ t help but respond.
” “ Let ’ s hope Washington will now have enough common sense to focus not on the missile attack but on Tehran ’ s official statement : ‘ The proportional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a chance to break the vicious circle of mutual violence at this stage and steer the situation toward a political path .
You can ’ t miss this chance , no matter what plans the American and Iranian radicals hatched in their heads.
” “ Our people are in the area and they ’ re of course exposed to danger .
We ’ ll somehow have to evacuate them from there sooner or later.
” “ We ’ ll of course have to divert planes .
Those responsible for passenger safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have started flying in the area.
” “ One plane has already fallen for unclear reasons .
It always causes alarm and , in this case , it ’ s better to be safe than sorry than to count airlines ’ losses from route changes.
” “ As expected , Iran retaliated against U.S. bases in Iraq .
If the U.S. responds , then a missile followed by a major land war is almost inevitable .
It will not be popular in the U.S. and will most likely cost Trump an election victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
”

Iranian state television said Iran had fired 15 missiles at U.S. targets in Iraq in response to Friday's killing of Qassem Soleimani, a powerful general who was buried around the time of the missile launches.
Iran launched missiles at U.S.-led forces in Iraq on Wednesday in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike on an Iranian commander whose killing last week stoked fears of a new Middle East war.
The U.S. military said at least two Iraqi facilities hosting U.S.-led coalition personnel were targeted early Wednesday. Iraq said 22 missiles were fired.
Iranian state television said 80 "American terrorists" had been killed and U.S. helicopters and military equipment damaged. It did not provide evidence of how it obtained that information.
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that an assessment of casualties and damage from the strikes was under way. An unnamed U.S. official told CNN there were no initial reports of U.S. casualties.
Here’s how Russian lawmakers have reacted to the news:
— Vladimir Dzhabarov, deputy chairman of the foreign affairs committee in Russia’s upper house of parliament, the Federation Council:
“Mutual strikes by the U.S. and Iran could lead to a full-scale war in the region. If Washington realizes it can’t achieve its goal, there’s the danger of a nuclear war.”
“We need to assess the losses suffered by the Americans after the Iranian missile attack. If the damage is serious, the U.S. can’t help but respond.”
— Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the Federation Council’s foreign affairs committee:
“Let’s hope Washington will now have enough common sense to focus not on the missile attack but on Tehran’s official statement: ‘The proportional response is concluded.’”
“There’s a chance to break the vicious circle of mutual violence at this stage and steer the situation toward a political path. You can’t miss this chance, no matter what plans the American and Iranian radicals hatched in their heads.”
— Franz Klintsevich, member of the Federation Council’s defense committee:
“Our people are in the area and they’re of course exposed to danger. We’ll somehow have to evacuate them from there sooner or later.”
“We’ll of course have to divert planes. Those responsible for passenger safety will do so automatically, since missiles have started flying in the area.”
“One plane has already fallen for unclear reasons. It always causes alarm and, in this case, it’s better to be safe than sorry than to count airlines’ losses from route changes.”
— Senator Alexei Pushkov:
“As expected, Iran retaliated against U.S. bases in Iraq. If the U.S. responds, then a missile followed by a major land war is almost inevitable. It will not be popular in the U.S. and will most likely cost Trump an election victory. It’s better to stop now.”
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-08--Russia Falls in 2020 World Passport Ranking

The Henley & Partners residence and citizenship planning firm ranks the strength of 199 different passports based on the availability of visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 227 destination countries .
Russia slid to 51st place in a global ranking of passport holders who can travel to other countries without a prior visa , according to a quarterly index published Tuesday .
The firm ’ s early 2020 index ranked Russia ’ s passport 51st out of 199 countries , with 118 available visa-free destinations .
Russia had finished the year 2019 in 48th place overall , when 117 countries were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior visa .
Japan continued to lead the ranking with 191 destinations , followed by Singapore with 190 .
Germany and South Korea tied in third place with visa-free entry to 189 countries .
“ Asian countries ’ dominance of the top spots is a clear argument for the benefits of open-door policies and the introduction of mutually beneficial trade agreements , ” Henley & Partners chairman Christian Kaelin said in a press release .
The 2020 index marked the widest gap between passport holders who enjoyed the highest and lowest travel freedoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Passport holders from Afghanistan , the perennial last-place finisher , are able to travel visa-free to only 26 countries .
Iraq and Syria rounded out the bottom three with 28 and 29 available destinations , respectively .

The Henley & Partners residence and citizenship planning firm ranks the strength of 199 different passports based on the availability of visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 227 destination countries.
Russia slid to 51st place in a global ranking of passport holders who can travel to other countries without a prior visa, according to a quarterly index published Tuesday.
The firm’s early 2020 index ranked Russia’s passport 51st out of 199 countries, with 118 available visa-free destinations.
Russia had finished the year 2019 in 48th place overall, when 117 countries were available to its passport holders without a prior visa.
Japan continued to lead the ranking with 191 destinations, followed by Singapore with 190. Germany and South Korea tied in third place with visa-free entry to 189 countries.
“Asian countries’ dominance of the top spots is a clear argument for the benefits of open-door policies and the introduction of mutually beneficial trade agreements,” Henley & Partners chairman Christian Kaelin said in a press release.
The 2020 index marked the widest gap between passport holders who enjoyed the highest and lowest travel freedoms since it was first introduced in 2006.
Passport holders from Afghanistan, the perennial last-place finisher, are able to travel visa-free to only 26 countries. Iraq and Syria rounded out the bottom three with 28 and 29 available destinations, respectively.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-08--Erdogan, Putin Build Trade Ties as Proxies Face Off in Libya

Turkey and Russia will inaugurate a third natural-gas pipeline between their countries on Wednesday , deepening Turkish reliance on Russian energy even as the countries dig in on opposite sides of Libya ’ s escalating proxy war .
The ceremonial opening of the TurkStream pipeline by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin underscores the tightrope Ankara has to walk as both nations expand their military footprint in the Middle East to protect interests that don ’ t always coincide .
The friendly visit to Istanbul this week of a Russian missile-cruiser , the Marshal Ustinov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ties after Turkey ’ s purchase of a Russian S-400 air-defense system .
Yet the Libyan conflict carries the risk of a direct confrontation between the countries ’ forces that Erdogan is keen to avoid .
Erdogan has confirmed sending Turkish troops to train and coordinate forces loyal to the internationally recognized Libyan government , which is trying to beat back a renewed offensive on the capital , Tripoli , by militia commander Khalifa Haftar and Kremlin-linked mercenaries .
He ’ s also said “ high-ranking ” Turkish soldiers will coordinate with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military , a possible reference to Turkish-backed Syrian rebels who ’ ve been dispatched to Libya , and an acknowledgment that Ankara is taking a hand in directing wartime operations .
Turkey also plans to send warships to protect Tripoli and prevent the fall of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj , a senior Turkish official said last week .
Two Turkish frigates , TCG Goksu and TCG Gokova , were scheduled to pay a port visit to Algeria this week , beginning Tuesday .
It wasn ’ t clear whether the vessels will stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Turkey will continue to side with the legitimate government of Libya and maintain its military and technical support to it , ” Erdogan ’ s spokesman , Ibrahim Kalin , said after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday .
Erdogan has denied that Turkish soldiers were going to Libya “ to fight or have others fight , ” but Turkey has key interests that largely depend on the survival of Sarraj ’ s government .
Turkey recently signed a maritime deal with oil-rich Libya that serves the energy interests of both countries and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business contracts thrown into limbo by the conflict .
Erdogan wants to ease Turkey ’ s isolation in the energy-rich eastern Mediterranean , where European nations , Egypt and Israel have built a forum to press their claims , said Anthony Skinner , Middle East and North Africa director at risk analyst Verisk Maplecroft .
Especially , he wants to “ limit the influence of bitter rival Egyptian President El-Sisi in Libya , ” Skinner said .
“ El-Sisi ’ s move to topple the Muslim Brotherhood ’ s Mohamed Mursi back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Turkish president.
” Erdogan and Putin have deepened economic cooperation as they sought to restore ties that soured after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near its border with Syria in November 2015 .
The TurkStream pipeline will carry Russian gas to Turkey and possibly to Europe , helping Turkey meet its heavy energy import needs .
Russia was the top exporter to Turkey in 2018 , mostly supplying natural gas , according to the state statistics institute .
Russian holidaymakers who flock to Turkish beaches also contribute to tourism revenue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This strong working partnership will prevent a head-to-head clash in Libya , ” said Skinner .
Ankara “ doesn ’ t intend for the Turkish military to be on the front line , while Russian private-sector mercenaries rather than the Russian army is providing support ” to Haftar .

Turkey and Russia will inaugurate a third natural-gas pipeline between their countries on Wednesday, deepening Turkish reliance on Russian energy even as the countries dig in on opposite sides of Libya’s escalating proxy war. The ceremonial opening of the TurkStream pipeline by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin underscores the tightrope Ankara has to walk as both nations expand their military footprint in the Middle East to protect interests that don’t always coincide. The friendly visit to Istanbul this week of a Russian missile-cruiser, the Marshal Ustinov, is a sign of improving defense ties after Turkey’s purchase of a Russian S-400 air-defense system. Yet the Libyan conflict carries the risk of a direct confrontation between the countries’ forces that Erdogan is keen to avoid. Erdogan has confirmed sending Turkish troops to train and coordinate forces loyal to the internationally recognized Libyan government, which is trying to beat back a renewed offensive on the capital, Tripoli, by militia commander Khalifa Haftar and Kremlin-linked mercenaries. He’s also said “high-ranking” Turkish soldiers will coordinate with a “combatant force” outside the Turkish military, a possible reference to Turkish-backed Syrian rebels who’ve been dispatched to Libya, and an acknowledgment that Ankara is taking a hand in directing wartime operations.
news Turkish Parliament Approves Bill Allowing Libya Troop Deployment Read more
Turkey also plans to send warships to protect Tripoli and prevent the fall of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, a senior Turkish official said last week. Two Turkish frigates, TCG Goksu and TCG Gokova, were scheduled to pay a port visit to Algeria this week, beginning Tuesday. It wasn’t clear whether the vessels will stop at Tripoli on their way back. “Turkey will continue to side with the legitimate government of Libya and maintain its military and technical support to it,” Erdogan’s spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Erdogan has denied that Turkish soldiers were going to Libya “to fight or have others fight,” but Turkey has key interests that largely depend on the survival of Sarraj’s government. Turkey recently signed a maritime deal with oil-rich Libya that serves the energy interests of both countries and aims to salvage billions of dollars of business contracts thrown into limbo by the conflict. Erdogan wants to ease Turkey’s isolation in the energy-rich eastern Mediterranean, where European nations, Egypt and Israel have built a forum to press their claims, said Anthony Skinner, Middle East and North Africa director at risk analyst Verisk Maplecroft. Especially, he wants to “limit the influence of bitter rival Egyptian President El-Sisi in Libya,” Skinner said. “El-Sisi’s move to topple the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Mursi back in 2013 is a source of deep resentment for the Turkish president.”


themoscowtimes--2020-01-08--Putin’s Syria Trip Shows He’s Unfazed by Iran Tension

With the world on edge over rising tensions in the Middle East , one leader seems unfazed : Russia ’ s Vladimir Putin .
The Russian president arrived in Damascus on Tuesday in just his second visit to Syria since the start of the country ’ s civil war nearly nine years ago .
The timing is significant .
The U.S. and its allies are assessing the damage after Iran fired a series of missiles at U.S.-Iraqi airbases early Wednesday in retaliation for the killing of Tehran ’ s top general Qassem Soleimani .
Markets are on edge and uncertainty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iraq .
But Putin is pushing ahead with his own agenda in the region .
The Russian president traveled from the Damascus airport to a command post of Russian forces where he met his counterpart and ally Bashar al-Assad .
“ This is a clear signal to allies and opponents that when stability declines and risks rise , when uncertainty appears , Russia underlines that its presence in the Middle East is unchanging , unlike the U.S. , ” said Andrey Kortunov , director of the Russian International Affairs Council , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In contrast to Donald Trump ’ s unpredictability , Russia ’ s consistency becomes advantageous.
” Russia ’ s 2015 military intervention in the Syrian conflict was not only key in saving the Assad regime but heralded the arrival of a new powerbroker in an already volatile and crowded region .
The visit was planned in advance of a Wednesday meeting with Turkey ’ s Recep Tayipp Erdogan , another leader who has entered the fray with his incursion in Libya .
Turkey is a NATO member , but has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years as Erdogan drifts further from his country ’ s historic allies in Europe and the U.S. With events in Iran monopolizing global attention , there is the risk of other significant developments falling under the radar , such as the capture of the coastal city of Sirte by Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar .
It has a symbolic and strategic value for Haftar — supported by Russia — and could determine the fate of a country that has been in trapped in a cycle of civil war ever since Western allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Back in Washington , the U.S. sent its own signals that it hasn ’ t lost its focus on the rest of the world .
Secretary of State Michael Pompeo began a relatively rare news conference on Tuesday by mentioning wildfires in Australia , China ’ s standoff with Hong Kong protesters , Iran ’ s role in Afghanistan , the plight of Uighurs in Xinjiang , political upheaval in Venezuela and a visit by Greece ’ s prime minister .
He even detailed his undersecretary of state ’ s travel plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump met the Greek prime minister , Kyriakos Mitsotakis , who said the U.S. could always count on his country as “ a reliable and predictable ally.
” But that meeting only underscored how Iran was still foremost on the president ’ s mind .
After Iran ’ s missile strikes were announced , Trump tweeted “ All is well !
” and “ So far , so good !
” Earlier , as Mitsotakis looked on , Trump said of Soleimani : “ We saved a lot of lives by terminating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ extremely happy ” with the U.S. attack , Trump added .
Russia wasn ’ t one of those nations .
The country ’ s defense ministry called Soleimani ’ s assassination a “ short-sighted ” step that will lead to a “ sharp escalation ” of tensions .
Soleimani , the ministry said , was a “ a competent military leader , who had a well-deserved authority and significant influence throughout the Middle East.
” This article was first published by Bloomberg .

With the world on edge over rising tensions in the Middle East, one leader seems unfazed: Russia’s Vladimir Putin. The Russian president arrived in Damascus on Tuesday in just his second visit to Syria since the start of the country’s civil war nearly nine years ago.
The timing is significant. The U.S. and its allies are assessing the damage after Iran fired a series of missiles at U.S.-Iraqi airbases early Wednesday in retaliation for the killing of Tehran’s top general Qassem Soleimani. Markets are on edge and uncertainty reigns over the continued U.S. military presence in Iraq. But Putin is pushing ahead with his own agenda in the region. The Russian president traveled from the Damascus airport to a command post of Russian forces where he met his counterpart and ally Bashar al-Assad. “This is a clear signal to allies and opponents that when stability declines and risks rise, when uncertainty appears, Russia underlines that its presence in the Middle East is unchanging, unlike the U.S.,” said Andrey Kortunov, director of the Russian International Affairs Council, a group with close ties to the Kremlin. “In contrast to Donald Trump’s unpredictability, Russia’s consistency becomes advantageous.” Russia’s 2015 military intervention in the Syrian conflict was not only key in saving the Assad regime but heralded the arrival of a new powerbroker in an already volatile and crowded region. The visit was planned in advance of a Wednesday meeting with Turkey’s Recep Tayipp Erdogan, another leader who has entered the fray with his incursion in Libya. Turkey is a NATO member, but has been courted with increasing success by Putin in recent years as Erdogan drifts further from his country’s historic allies in Europe and the U.S.
news Putin Now Needs a Plan B on Iran Read more


themoscowtimes--2020-01-08--Turkey, Russia Call for Libya Ceasefire as Rivals Clash

Turkey backs Fayez al-Serraj 's Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) and has said it will send troops as requested , while Russia has sent forces to back General Khalifa Haftar 's eastern-based Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .
Turkey and Russia urged Libya 's warring parties on Wednesday to declare a Jan. 12 ceasefire as eastern forces carried out air strikes on the government in a conflict drawing increasing foreign involvement and concern .
However , after talks between their presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin in Istanbul , Turkey and Russia issued a joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , normalization of life in Tripoli and other cities , and U.N.-sponsored peace talks .
The conflict is undermining regional security and `` triggering irregular migration , further spread of weapons , terrorism and other criminal activities including illicit trafficking , '' the statement said .
Haftar 's LNA took control of Sirte , a strategically important city in the center of Libya 's Mediterranean coastline , in a rapid advance on Monday and is seeking to consolidate gains .
Since April , the LNA has also been waging a campaign to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ km ( 230 miles ) northwest of Sirte , where it is battling forces aligned with the GNA .
GNA forces said they withdrew from Sirte to avoid bloodshed .
Those forces are mainly from the port of Misrata , 190 kilometers east of Tripoli , and had controlled Sirte since driving Islamic State militants from the city in late 2016 .
On Tuesday afternoon , clashes broke out around al-Washka , on the road between Sirte and Misrata , where LNA sources said nine of their men were killed in an evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LNA responded with strikes near the Abu Grein checkpoint , close to al-Washka , where clashes were continuing , LNA military officials said .
Libya has been divided since 2014 into rival camps based in Tripoli and the east , each with its own set of institutions , and Haftar 's offensive against Tripoli upended U.N. efforts to broker a political settlement .
The upheaval in Libya , where strongman Muammar Gaddafi 's long rule was toppled in 2011 , has in recent years disrupted the OPEC member 's oil production , fuelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space to Islamist extremists .
Regional powers have stepped up intervention , with the LNA also receiving support from the United Arab Emirates , Jordan and Egypt .
The European Union 's top diplomat and the foreign ministers of Britain , France , Germany and Italy this week condemned Turkey 's plans to send military experts and trainers to Libya , saying interference was exacerbating instability .
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte held talks with Haftar in Rome on Wednesday and was due to see Serraj later in the day , an Italian @ @ @ @

Turkey backs Fayez al-Serraj's Tripoli-based, internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) and has said it will send military advisers and possibly troops to reinforce its support, while Russian military contractors have been deployed alongside General Khalifa Haftar's eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA).
Turkey and Russia urged Libya's warring parties on Wednesday to declare a ceasefire on Sunday as warring factions clashed and carried out air strikes in a conflict drawing increasing foreign involvement and concern.
After talks between their presidents, Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin, in Istanbul, Turkey and Russia called jointly for an end of hostilities, normalization of life in Tripoli and other cities, and U.N.-sponsored peace talks.
The conflict is undermining regional security and "triggering irregular migration, further spread of weapons, terrorism and other criminal activities including illicit trafficking," their statement said.
Any ceasefire deal will likely be hard to enforce after a recent escalation in fighting around Tripoli and Sirte, and given the fractious, loose nature of Libya's military alliances.
The United Nations has been leading efforts for months to pave the way for a truce and political negotiations in Libya, a major oil and gas producer, with few visible signs of progress.
The GNA said late on Wednesday it welcomed any "serious call" to return to political talks, without addressing the ceasefire call directly.
The United Nations said it welcomed recent ceasefire calls, including that from Turkey and Russia, and urged Libyan parties to respond positively.
Haftar's LNA took control of Sirte, a strategically important city in the centre of Libya's Mediterranean coastline, in a rapid advance on Monday and is seeking to consolidate gains.
Since April, the LNA has also been waging a campaign to take the capital, Tripoli, about 370 kilometers (230 miles) northwest of Sirte, where it is battling forces aligned with the GNA.
GNA forces said on Tuesday they had withdrawn from Sirte to avoid bloodshed. Those forces are mainly from the port of Misrata, 190 kilometers (118 miles) east of Tripoli, and had controlled Sirte since driving Islamic State militants from the city in late 2016.
On Tuesday afternoon, clashes broke out around al-Washka, on the road between Sirte and Misrata, where LNA sources said nine of their men were killed in an evening drone attack.
On Wednesday, the LNA responded with air strikes near the Abu Grein checkpoint, close to al-Washka, where clashes were continuing, LNA military officials said.
Later, unusually heavy artillery bombardment could be heard around Mitiga airport in Tripoli, which was closed last week because of shelling and rocket fire.
Peace push upended
Libya has been divided since 2014 into rival camps based in Tripoli and the east, each with its own set of institutions, and Haftar's offensive against Tripoli upended U.N. efforts to broker a political settlement.
The upheaval in Libya, where strongman Muammar Gaddafi's long rule was toppled in 2011, has in recent years disrupted the OPEC member state's oil production, fuelled migrant smuggling to Europe and given space to Islamist extremists.
Concerned regional powers have stepped up intervention, with the LNA also receiving support from the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Egypt.
In Cairo, the foreign ministers of France, Egypt, Greece and Cyprus stressed their opposition to Turkey's decision on a troop deployment to Libya, and to a maritime deal Turkey struck with the GNA in November that Greece and Cyprus see as a threat to their natural gas drilling rights.
Serraj made a brief trip to Brussels on Wednesday to meet EU officials and Germany's foreign minister and was warned against allowing Turkish troops on Libyan soil or pursuing the maritime deal with Turkey.
The European Union, seeking to avoid being sidelined as Turkey and Russia jostle for influence in Libya, pressed Serraj to work for a ceasefire.
"Libya cannot become a second Syria and so we need rapidly to enter a political process, an agreement on an effective ceasefire and an arms embargo," said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. He added that he hoped a long-planned summit on Libya would be held in Berlin in the coming weeks.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte held talks with Haftar in Rome on Wednesday. Conte had also been due to see Serraj later in the day, but the meeting was abruptly called off.
A government source said it appeared that Serraj had pulled out of the encounter after being wrongly informed the Italians wanted him to see Haftar during the trip.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-08--Thousands of Young Syrians Opt to Study Russian at School

Many young people in Syria , where Moscow intervened in 2015 to help President Bashir al-Assad win back territory , are eager to study Russian in order to travel to Russia or work in Russian companies they expect to appear in Syria in the future .
Omar al-Tawil , a 15-year-old school boy in Damascus , is one of 24,000 Syrian youngsters now learning Russian at school after the country added the language of the government 's most powerful ally to the curriculum .
`` At first we did n't understand anything and when we first heard the words we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Tawil .
`` The teachers are helping us to love this language . ''
Radwan Rahhal , coordinator of Russian language in the Syrian Education Ministry , said demand for the classes outstrips supply .
`` We have more than 24,000 students who are learning Russian and the number is increasing .
But we can not expand more than this in the meantime unless we have more teachers . ''
The Syrian Education Ministry added Russian as an optional second foreign language in schools after English or French in 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teach it attend special courses supervised by experts from Moscow .
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Syria on Tuesday for the second time since Moscow 's decisive intervention , and met Assad in Damascus .
Russian and Iranian support has helped Assad win back nearly all the territory lost to rebels who tried to overthrow him in a civil war that grew out of a crackdown on opposition protests nearly nine years ago .

Many young people in Syria, where Moscow intervened in 2015 to help President Bashir al-Assad win back territory, are eager to study Russian in order to travel to Russia or work in Russian companies they expect to appear in Syria in the future.
Omar al-Tawil, a 15-year-old school boy in Damascus, is one of 24,000 Syrian youngsters now learning Russian at school after the country added the language of the government's most powerful ally to the curriculum.
"At first we didn't understand anything and when we first heard the words we started to laugh...it was hard," said Tawil. "The teachers are helping us to love this language."
Radwan Rahhal, coordinator of Russian language in the Syrian Education Ministry, said demand for the classes outstrips supply.
"We have more than 24,000 students who are learning Russian and the number is increasing. But we cannot expand more than this in the meantime unless we have more teachers."
The Syrian Education Ministry added Russian as an optional second foreign language in schools after English or French in 2014. Graduates in Russian literature willing to teach it attend special courses supervised by experts from Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Syria on Tuesday for the second time since Moscow's decisive intervention, and met Assad in Damascus.
Russian and Iranian support has helped Assad win back nearly all the territory lost to rebels who tried to overthrow him in a civil war that grew out of a crackdown on opposition protests nearly nine years ago.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-08--Russia Orders Mideast Safety Check After Iran Plane Crash, Missile Strikes

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ’ s order comes in response to a Ukrainian airliner crashing shortly after takeoff from Tehran , killing all 176 people on board .
The instructions also come after Iranian forces fired missiles at military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of a top Iranian general .
Russia ’ s prime minister has ordered an inspection of flight and tourism safety in the Middle East following an Iranian missile strike in Iraq and a fatal plane crash in Tehran , Interfax reported Wednesday .
Medvedev instructed one of his deputies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign , transport and economy ministers , “ to assess the safety of flights and tourism in the Middle East , the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman in light of recent events there.
” Medvedev also called for proposals “ to ensure the safety of Russian citizens , taking into account different scenarios in which the situation could develop , ” Interfax quoted his spokesman Oleg Osipov as saying .
Osipov did not specifically reference either the missile strike or the plane crash .
No Russian citizens were said to be among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airlines-run Boeing 737-800NG that crashed as it took off en route to Kiev early Wednesday .
Around 40 Russian tourists are currently estimated to be in Iran , Russia ’ s tour operators association told Interfax .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry said it was working to ensure the safety of its citizens in the region , the state-run TASS news agency reported .
Earlier in the day , Russia ’ s Federal Air Transport Agency , Rosaviatsia , told Russian air carriers to avoid flights in the airspace of Iraq , Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oman .
Major airlines canceled Iran and Iraq flights and rerouted others away from both countries ' airspace following the Iranian missile strikes .
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent letters of condolences to his Iranian and Ukrainian counterparts following the plane crash .

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s order comes in response to a Ukrainian airliner crashing shortly after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 people on board. The instructions also come after Iranian forces fired missiles at military bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of a top Iranian general.
Russia’s prime minister has ordered an inspection of flight and tourism safety in the Middle East following an Iranian missile strike in Iraq and a fatal plane crash in Tehran, Interfax reported Wednesday.
Medvedev instructed one of his deputies, as well as the country’s foreign, transport and economy ministers, “to assess the safety of flights and tourism in the Middle East, the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman in light of recent events there.”
Medvedev also called for proposals “to ensure the safety of Russian citizens, taking into account different scenarios in which the situation could develop,” Interfax quoted his spokesman Oleg Osipov as saying. Osipov did not specifically reference either the missile strike or the plane crash.
No Russian citizens were said to be among the 176 victims aboard the Ukraine International Airlines-run Boeing 737-800NG that crashed as it took off en route to Kiev early Wednesday.
Around 40 Russian tourists are currently estimated to be in Iran, Russia’s tour operators association told Interfax.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it was working to ensure the safety of its citizens in the region, the state-run TASS news agency reported.
Earlier in the day, Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, told Russian air carriers to avoid flights in the airspace of Iraq, Iran, the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Major airlines canceled Iran and Iraq flights and rerouted others away from both countries' airspace following the Iranian missile strikes.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent letters of condolences to his Iranian and Ukrainian counterparts following the plane crash.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-08--Turkey, Russia Launch TurkStream Pipeline Carrying Gas to Europe

The pipeline project , stretching 930 kilometers ( 580 miles ) across the Black Sea , reinforces strong energy ties between Moscow and Ankara , which have also increased defense cooperation after Turkey bought advanced Russian missile defenses last year .
The presidents of Turkey and Russia on Wednesday formally launched the TurkStream pipeline which will carry Russian natural gas to southern Europe through Turkey , part of Moscow 's efforts to reduce shipments via Ukraine .
Russia and Turkey are also coordinating military deployments in northeast Syria , although they back opposing sides in the conflict in Syria 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle for control of Libya .
Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated the project at a ceremony in Istanbul also attended by the leaders of Serbia and Bulgaria .
The pipeline was a sign of `` interaction and cooperation for the benefit of our people and the people of all Europe , the whole world , '' Putin said at the inauguration ceremony .
Russia has already started European gas deliveries through the pipeline , gas operator Bulgartransgaz said on Sunday .
The pipeline terminal is near the Turkish village of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles ) from the Bulgarian border .
Russia is also doubling the capacity of Nord Stream across the Baltic Sea to Germany as part of plans to bypass Ukraine , which is currently the main route of transit to Europe .
Relations between Moscow and Kiev have deteriorated sharply since Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014 and pro-Kremlin separatists seized a swath of eastern Ukraine .
Ukraine halted its own direct imports of Russian gas in November 2015 .
Last month , the U.S. Senate approved a defense bill imposing sanctions related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of measures designed `` to deter Russian aggression . ''
Russian gas producer Gazprom will ship about 3 billion cubic meters ( bcm ) of gas per year to Bulgaria via TurkStream , replacing a route that formerly passed through Ukraine and Romania .
Gazprom shipped about 3 bcm to Greece and about 500,000 mcm to North Macedonia via that route last year .
Russia is building TurkStream in two pipelines , each with an annual capacity of 15.75 bcm .
The first pipeline will supply Turkey and the second will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bulgaria hopes to be able to make shipments to Serbia by May and build the whole section by year-end .
Last month , Putin accused Sofia of delaying the building of the pipeline on its territory and said Moscow could find ways to bypass Bulgaria if needed .
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov denied any deliberate delays .
While Russia and Ukraine at the end of last year signed a five-year agreement on gas transit to Europe , volumes are set to fall from 65 bcm in 2020 to 40 bcm annually from @ @ @ @

The pipeline project, stretching 930 kilometers (580 miles) across the Black Sea, reinforces strong energy ties between Moscow and Ankara, which have also increased defense cooperation after Turkey bought advanced Russian missile defenses last year.
The presidents of Turkey and Russia on Wednesday formally launched the TurkStream pipeline which will carry Russian natural gas to southern Europe through Turkey, part of Moscow's efforts to reduce shipments via Ukraine.
Russia and Turkey are also coordinating military deployments in northeast Syria, although they back opposing sides in the conflict in Syria's northwestern Idlib region and also in the battle for control of Libya.
Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated the project at a ceremony in Istanbul also attended by the leaders of Serbia and Bulgaria.
The pipeline was a sign of "interaction and cooperation for the benefit of our people and the people of all Europe, the whole world," Putin said at the inauguration ceremony.
Russia has already started European gas deliveries through the pipeline, gas operator Bulgartransgaz said on Sunday. The pipeline terminal is near the Turkish village of Kiyikoy, some 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Bulgarian border.
Russia is also doubling the capacity of Nord Stream across the Baltic Sea to Germany as part of plans to bypass Ukraine, which is currently the main route of transit to Europe.
Relations between Moscow and Kiev have deteriorated sharply since Russia annexed Crimea in March 2014 and pro-Kremlin separatists seized a swath of eastern Ukraine. Ukraine halted its own direct imports of Russian gas in November 2015.
Last month, the U.S. Senate approved a defense bill imposing sanctions related to both TurkStream and Nord Stream 2, as part of measures designed "to deter Russian aggression."
Two pipelines
Russian gas producer Gazprom will ship about 3 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas per year to Bulgaria via TurkStream, replacing a route that formerly passed through Ukraine and Romania.
Gazprom shipped about 3 bcm to Greece and about 500,000 mcm to North Macedonia via that route last year.
Russia is building TurkStream in two pipelines, each with an annual capacity of 15.75 bcm.
The first pipeline will supply Turkey and the second will extend from Bulgaria to Serbia and Hungary. Bulgaria hopes to be able to make shipments to Serbia by May and build the whole section by year-end.
Last month, Putin accused Sofia of delaying the building of the pipeline on its territory and said Moscow could find ways to bypass Bulgaria if needed. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov denied any deliberate delays.
While Russia and Ukraine at the end of last year signed a five-year agreement on gas transit to Europe, volumes are set to fall from 65 bcm in 2020 to 40 bcm annually from 2021 to 2024.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-09--Ukraine Looking for Russian-Made Missile in Iran Plane Crash, Official Says

All 176 people died onboard the Kiev-bound Ukrainian International Airlines Boeing 737-800 when it crashed six minutes after taking off from Tehran on Wednesday .
Most of its passengers were Iranians and Iranian-Canadians who were flying the Tehran-Toronto via Kiev route in the absence of direct flights .
Ukraine wants to scour the crash site of its airliner for possible Russian-made missile debris , officials said Thursday as an initial report by Iranian investigators said the plane had been on fire immediately before it crashed .
Ukraine Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danylov said the country 's investigators plan to search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about it on the internet .
Russia in 2007 delivered 29 Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran as part of a $ 700 million contract .
Ukraine is looking at various possible causes of the crash , including a missile attack , a collision , an engine explosion or terrorism , Danylov wrote on social media .
The three-year-old airliner crashed hours after Iran launched missile attacks on U.S.-led forces in Iraq over 1,000 kilometers away , leading some observers to speculate that the plane may have been hit .
Tensions between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States ' killing of a top Iranian general Friday and Tehran retaliating with a missile strike on U.S. targets in Iraq .
While Iran did not directly respond to Danylov ’ s comments , its armed forces spokesman dismissed allegations of a missile strike as “ psychological warfare ” waged by Iran ’ s foreign-based opposition , the Associated Press reported .
Iran 's civil aviation organization said in its report that the Boeing encountered a technical problem shortly after takeoff and started to head toward a nearby airport before it crashed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a passing aircraft flying at high altitude said the plane was on fire while still aloft , the report said .
The technical problem was not specified in the Iranian report , which referred to the crash as an `` accident . ''

All 176 people died onboard the Kiev-bound Ukrainian International Airlines Boeing 737-800 when it crashed six minutes after taking off from Tehran on Wednesday. Most of its passengers were Iranians and Iranian-Canadians who were flying the Tehran-Toronto via Kiev route in the absence of direct flights.
Ukraine wants to scour the crash site of its airliner for possible Russian-made missile debris, officials said Thursday as an initial report by Iranian investigators said the plane had been on fire immediately before it crashed.
Ukraine Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danylov said the country's investigators plan to search for possible Russian missile debris after seeing information about it on the internet.
Russia in 2007 delivered 29 Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran as part of a $700 million contract.
Ukraine is looking at various possible causes of the crash, including a missile attack, a collision, an engine explosion or terrorism, Danylov wrote on social media.
The three-year-old airliner crashed hours after Iran launched missile attacks on U.S.-led forces in Iraq over 1,000 kilometers away, leading some observers to speculate that the plane may have been hit. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have risen with the United States' killing of a top Iranian general Friday and Tehran retaliating with a missile strike on U.S. targets in Iraq.
While Iran did not directly respond to Danylov’s comments, its armed forces spokesman dismissed allegations of a missile strike as “psychological warfare” waged by Iran’s foreign-based opposition, the Associated Press reported.
Iran's civil aviation organization said in its report that the Boeing encountered a technical problem shortly after takeoff and started to head toward a nearby airport before it crashed. Witnesses on the ground and in a passing aircraft flying at high altitude said the plane was on fire while still aloft, the report said.
The technical problem was not specified in the Iranian report, which referred to the crash as an "accident."


themoscowtimes--2020-01-09--Russian Airlines Continue Flying Through Iranian Airspace

Data from FlightRadar 24 shows Aeroflot flight SU512 from Moscow to Tehran departed from Moscow on schedule at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday , landed in Tehran early Thursday morning and returned to Moscow as planned .
Russia ’ s national airline Aeroflot completed a round trip from Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo airport to the Iranian capital just hours after a handful of other international airlines canceled or diverted flights to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace .
Russian airlines are continuing to operate flights to Tehran and fly over Iranian airspace following the crash of a Boeing 737 Ukrainian International Airlines flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russian flights to Dubai , which fly for more than 1,000 kilometers ( 620 miles ) over Iranian airspace , also continued following the crash , which came as Iran launched a dozen missile strikes on U.S. and coalition military bases in Iraq in response to the American killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani .
Aeroflot operated three flights from Moscow to Dubai Wednesday , while the airline ’ s low-cost subsidiary Pobeda also flew to Dubai across Iranian airspace as scheduled .
Regional airline S7 operated a regular flight from Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dubai , also across Iran , flight data shows .
Aeroflot did reroute a Wednesday night flight from Moscow to the Maldives to avoid Iran .
Flights between Moscow and Dubai Thursday were also continuing to fly across Iranian airspace as normal .
Airline representatives told Russian daily Kommersant they had prepared alternative flight plans avoiding Iran which can be implemented if necessary .
Russia ’ s Federal Air Transport Agency Wednesday recommended Russian airlines avoid airspace around the region “ due to information about current risks for safety of international passenger flights.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ short of issuing a blanket ban on Russian airlines operating flights in the region , stating that the ultimate decision over flight routes should be taken by individual carriers .
Aeroflot and the Federal Air Transport Agency authority did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
U.S. regulators have banned American airlines from flying over Iraq , Iran , the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and other major airlines including Air France , Air Canada , KLM , Lufthansa , and Qantas have confirmed they are avoiding parts of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s transport and tourism agencies are scheduled to meet Friday , Kommersant reported , to discuss the situation and potentially take further measures regarding the operation of Russian flights around the region .

Data from FlightRadar 24 shows Aeroflot flight SU512 from Moscow to Tehran departed from Moscow on schedule at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, landed in Tehran early Thursday morning and returned to Moscow as planned.
Russia’s national airline Aeroflot completed a round trip from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport to the Iranian capital just hours after a handful of other international airlines canceled or diverted flights to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace.
Russian airlines are continuing to operate flights to Tehran and fly over Iranian airspace following the crash of a Boeing 737 Ukrainian International Airlines flight Wednesday that killed 176 passengers and crew.
Russian flights to Dubai, which fly for more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) over Iranian airspace, also continued following the crash, which came as Iran launched a dozen missile strikes on U.S. and coalition military bases in Iraq in response to the American killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.
Aeroflot operated three flights from Moscow to Dubai Wednesday, while the airline’s low-cost subsidiary Pobeda also flew to Dubai across Iranian airspace as scheduled. Regional airline S7 operated a regular flight from Russia’s third largest city Novosibirsk to Dubai, also across Iran, flight data shows. Aeroflot did reroute a Wednesday night flight from Moscow to the Maldives to avoid Iran.
Flights between Moscow and Dubai Thursday were also continuing to fly across Iranian airspace as normal. Airline representatives told Russian daily Kommersant they had prepared alternative flight plans avoiding Iran which can be implemented if necessary.
Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency Wednesday recommended Russian airlines avoid airspace around the region, but fell short of issuing a blanket ban on Russian airlines operating flights in the region, stressing that the ultimate decision over flight routes is taken by individual carriers.
Aeroflot did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
U.S. regulators have banned American airlines from flying over Iraq, Iran, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and other major airlines including Air France, Air Canada, KLM, Lufthansa, and Qantas have confirmed they are avoiding parts of the region.
Government ministers and Russia’s transport and tourism agencies are scheduled to meet Friday, Kommersant reported, to discuss the situation and potentially take further measures regarding the operation of Russian flights around the region.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-09--World Bank Cuts Russia’s 2020 Growth Forecast

The multilateral development bank trimmed Russia ’ s forecast for this year by 0.1 percentage point from its previous outlook , but kept its 2021 forecast intact .
The Russian economy is expected to grow by 1.6 % in 2020 and by 1.8 % in 2021 , the World Bank said in its latest forecast Wednesday .
Stable oil production and the government ’ s $ 400 billion national investment program fueled by last year ’ s value-added tax ( VAT ) hike are expected to “ buoy ” Russia ’ s growth , the World Bank said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the projection , due to policy uncertainty and slowing potential growth over the longer term as demographic pressures increase , and as structural problems , such as the lack of competition , accumulate , ” it said .
The bank estimated Russia ’ s economy slowed down to 1.2 % in 2019 over “ softer-than-expected investment and trade , together with a continuation of international economic sanctions.
” Other contributing factors include softer industrial activity , OPEC oil production cuts and pipeline-related disruptions , as well as substantially weaker retail sales volumes after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia is one of eight countries that still drove much of the emerging market improvement , the World Bank said .
Argentina and Iran are expected to emerge from recessions in 2020 , and prospects are expected to improve for five countries other than Russia that struggled with slowdowns in 2019 : Brazil , India , Mexico , Saudi Arabia and Turkey .
Globally , the World Bank shaved 0.2 percentage points off of its growth forecasts for an outlook of 2.4 % growth in 2019 and 2.5 % in 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ slower-than-expected recovery in trade and investment despite cooler U.S.-Russia tensions .
2019 marked the weakest economic expansion since the global financial crisis a decade ago , the bank said .
2020 , while a slight improvement , remains vulnerable to uncertainties over trade and geopolitical tensions .
Both trade and overall economic growth prospects remain vulnerable to flare-ups in U.S.-China trade tensions as well as rising geopolitical tensions .
World Bank officials said they were not able to estimate the growth effects of a wider U.S.-Iran conflict , but said this would increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result .

The multilateral development bank trimmed Russia’s forecast for this year by 0.1 percentage point from its previous outlook , but kept its 2021 forecast intact.
The Russian economy is expected to grow by 1.6% in 2020 and by 1.8% in 2021, the World Bank said in its latest forecast Wednesday.
Stable oil production and the government’s $400 billion national investment program fueled by last year’s value-added tax (VAT) hike are expected to “buoy” Russia’s growth, the World Bank said.
“Nevertheless, private investment remains tepid in the projection, due to policy uncertainty and slowing potential growth over the longer term as demographic pressures increase, and as structural problems, such as the lack of competition, accumulate,” it said.
The bank estimated Russia’s economy slowed down to 1.2% in 2019 over “softer-than-expected investment and trade, together with a continuation of international economic sanctions.”
Other contributing factors include softer industrial activity, OPEC oil production cuts and pipeline-related disruptions, as well as substantially weaker retail sales volumes after the VAT hike and low consumer confidence.
Russia is one of eight countries that still drove much of the emerging market improvement, the World Bank said.
Argentina and Iran are expected to emerge from recessions in 2020, and prospects are expected to improve for five countries other than Russia that struggled with slowdowns in 2019: Brazil, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Globally, the World Bank shaved 0.2 percentage points off of its growth forecasts for an outlook of 2.4% growth in 2019 and 2.5% in 2020. It attributed the global slowdown to a slower-than-expected recovery in trade and investment despite cooler U.S.-Russia tensions.
2019 marked the weakest economic expansion since the global financial crisis a decade ago, the bank said. 2020, while a slight improvement, remains vulnerable to uncertainties over trade and geopolitical tensions.
Both trade and overall economic growth prospects remain vulnerable to flare-ups in U.S.-China trade tensions as well as rising geopolitical tensions. World Bank officials said they were not able to estimate the growth effects of a wider U.S.-Iran conflict, but said this would increase uncertainty and hurt investment prospects as a result.
Reuters contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-09--Putin Enjoys Higher Global Confidence Than Trump – Pew

German Chancellor Angela Merkel enjoys the highest positive ratings out of five global leaders , with 46 % expressing confidence in her leadership , as well as the lowest negative perception at 29 % .
She is followed by French President Emmanuel Macron , with 41 % holding positive views of his leadership and 36 % holding negative perceptions .
Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to hold a higher positive rating across the world than U.S. President Donald Trump , according to a Pew Research Center poll published Wednesday .
Putin comes in third , with 33 % of global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right thing in world affairs ” compared to Trump ’ s 29 % .
The share of Pew ’ s global respondents who expressed “ no confidence ” toward the leaders stood at 57 % for Putin and 64 % for Trump .
The Russian leader widened his favorability gap with Trump from the previous Pew survey released in late 2018 by a percentage point .
Trump , also by a single percentage point , narrowed his unfavorability gap with Putin .
Both surpassed Chinese President Xi Jinping , whose favorability dropped from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Views of the United States are generally positive worldwide , with 54 % of Pew ’ s respondents expressing a favorable opinion toward the country .
The share of Russian respondents who share that view is nearly half the global average , with only 29 % expressing a favorable opinion of the United States , the U.S.-based researcher said .
Pew conducted the survey among nearly 37,000 respondents across 33 countries between May and October 2019 .

German Chancellor Angela Merkel enjoys the highest positive ratings out of five global leaders, with 46% expressing confidence in her leadership, as well as the lowest negative perception at 29%. She is followed by French President Emmanuel Macron, with 41% holding positive views of his leadership and 36% holding negative perceptions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to hold a higher positive rating across the world than U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a Pew Research Center poll published Wednesday.
Putin comes in third, with 33% of global respondents saying he would “do the right thing in world affairs” compared to Trump’s 29%.
The share of Pew’s global respondents who expressed “no confidence” toward the leaders stood at 57% for Putin and 64% for Trump.
The Russian leader widened his favorability gap with Trump from the previous Pew survey released in late 2018 by a percentage point. Trump, also by a single percentage point, narrowed his unfavorability gap with Putin.
Both surpassed Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose favorability dropped from 34% to 28% in a year.
Views of the United States are generally positive worldwide, with 54% of Pew’s respondents expressing a favorable opinion toward the country.
The share of Russian respondents who share that view is nearly half the global average, with only 29% expressing a favorable opinion of the United States, the U.S.-based researcher said.
Pew conducted the survey among nearly 37,000 respondents across 33 countries between May and October 2019.


themoscowtimes--2020-01-09--Russian Conscript Blames Fatal Shooting Spree on Army Hazing 'Hell'

Ramil Shamsutdinov opened fire on servicemen at a military facility in the Far East region of Zabaikalsk on Oct. 25 .
He was detained shortly after the incident , has admitted his guilt and could face life in prison if convicted .
A Russian conscript who shot dead eight fellow soldiers at his army base last year said on Thursday he had been left with no other course of action after conscripts turned his life into a living `` hell . ''
The case is embarrassing for the military , which has been revamped in recent years at great cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it has stamped out the Soviet-era problem of hazing — the bullying of conscripts by older soldiers .
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu , who some tip as a possible successor to President Vladimir Putin , told Russian media last year that extensive army reform had prevented hazing altogether .
`` I regret I could n't restrain myself and that I resorted to this extreme step , but I had no other way out .
I could n't take any more mistreatment , '' Shamsutdinov wrote in an open letter circulated by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I did n't expect to end up in such hell .
There was nowhere to run and complain , '' he wrote , without providing details .
Some Russian media have quoted Shamsutdinov as saying that he had been threatened with rape and that officers were beating up conscripts and taking their money .
Russian men aged 18-27 are legally required to serve one year in the army .
Some Russians go to lengths to dodge the draft in part because of fears of hazing despite the government 's drive to overhaul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to serve as a conscript and then join the army as a career .
He apologized to the families of his victims .
Lawyer Nagiyev said last month police were investigating whether Shamsutdinov and several other soldiers had been subjected to hazing and had opened a separate criminal case .

Ramil Shamsutdinov opened fire on servicemen at a military facility in the Far East region of Zabaikalsk on Oct. 25. He was detained shortly after the incident, has admitted his guilt and could face life in prison if convicted.
A Russian conscript who shot dead eight fellow soldiers at his army base last year said on Thursday he had been left with no other course of action after conscripts turned his life into a living "hell."
The case is embarrassing for the military, which has been revamped in recent years at great cost, projects an image of might and says it has stamped out the Soviet-era problem of hazing — the bullying of conscripts by older soldiers.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who some tip as a possible successor to President Vladimir Putin, told Russian media last year that extensive army reform had prevented hazing altogether.
"I regret I couldn't restrain myself and that I resorted to this extreme step, but I had no other way out. I couldn't take any more mistreatment," Shamsutdinov wrote in an open letter circulated by his lawyer Ruslan Nagiyev on social media.
"I didn't expect to end up in such hell. There was nowhere to run and complain," he wrote, without providing details.
Some Russian media have quoted Shamsutdinov as saying that he had been threatened with rape and that officers were beating up conscripts and taking their money.
Russian men aged 18-27 are legally required to serve one year in the army. Some Russians go to lengths to dodge the draft in part because of fears of hazing despite the government's drive to overhaul the military.
Shamsutdinov said he had wanted to serve as a conscript and then join the army as a career. He apologized to the families of his victims.
Lawyer Nagiyev said last month police were investigating whether Shamsutdinov and several other soldiers had been subjected to hazing and had opened a separate criminal case.