tass--2020-02-10--Jean Nouvel's First Residential Skyscraper In New York City, Announces Immediate Occupancy

NEW YORK , Feb. 10 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hines , together with Singapore-based Pontiac Land Group and Goldman Sachs Investment Group , today announced that closings have commenced at 53 West 53 , the highly anticipated 1,050-foot-high condominium tower rising above The Museum of Modern Art ( MoMA ) , and residents are now living in the building .
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel with interior architecture by Thierry Despont , 53 West 53 features 145 residences ranging in size from one- to four-bedrooms , including full floor homes and duplex penthouses with private elevators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's signature exposed structural system , known as the diagrid , means that the layout of each residence is unique .
Current listings range from $ 3.5 million for a one-bedroom to $ 63.82 million for a four-bedroom duplex penthouse .
`` Residents and future buyers now have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to live in an architectural masterpiece that has truly raised the bar for luxury living in Manhattan , '' said David Penick , Managing Director at Hines .
Thierry Despont 's custom-designed kitchens feature backlit , translucent statuary classic marble backsplashes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fabricated in Italy by Molteni & C. Polished statuary marble countertops and islands with beveled edges complement fully-integrated Sub-Zero refrigerators and Miele ovens and low-profile cooktops .
Each residence at 53 West 53 features elegantly crafted , furniture-grade walnut doors throughout with custom-designed bronze hardware , inspired by the tower 's distinctive silhouette , and manufactured by E.R .
Butler & Co. Homes include triple-glazed , floor-to-ceiling windows , which minimize exterior noise and temperature variations , and provide acoustical privacy .
53 West 53 has the unique distinction of being integrated into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three new gallery levels are now open within the base of the building , each accessed from and connected with the museum 's existing exhibition spaces .
Residents receive deeded memberships at MoMA , which include the potential for the building to host private events in the museum 's iconic Sculpture Garden .
Impeccably curated amenities , staff and services elevate the living experience at 53 West 53 .
The Wellness Center , operated by The Wright Fit , includes a 65-foot lap pool , cold-plunge pool and hot tub with elaborate poolside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick Blanc , as well as a regulation squash court .
Floors 46 and 47 feature a double-height lounge with sweeping views and a private formal dining room overlooking Central Park .
Residents also enjoy in-home private-dining service from the in-building restaurant .
Other amenities include a library , a double-height Oenology suite for wine tasting , temperature-controlled wine storage vaults available for purchase , a private screening room , children 's playroom , and private storage available for purchase .
The building 's 24-hour staffed lobby , designed in a palette of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bronze and gold leaf , features private entrances on both 53rd and 54th Streets .
For additional information or to schedule a private appointment , please contact Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group at 212.688.5300 or visit

NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hines, together with Singapore-based Pontiac Land Group and Goldman Sachs Investment Group, today announced that closings have commenced at 53 West 53, the highly anticipated 1,050-foot-high condominium tower rising above The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and residents are now living in the building.
Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning French architect Jean Nouvel with interior architecture by Thierry Despont, 53 West 53 features 145 residences ranging in size from one- to four-bedrooms, including full floor homes and duplex penthouses with private elevators. The building's tapering design and Nouvel's signature exposed structural system, known as the diagrid, means that the layout of each residence is unique. Current listings range from $3.5 million for a one-bedroom to $63.82 million for a four-bedroom duplex penthouse.
"Residents and future buyers now have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to live in an architectural masterpiece that has truly raised the bar for luxury living in Manhattan," said David Penick, Managing Director at Hines.
Thierry Despont's custom-designed kitchens feature backlit, translucent statuary classic marble backsplashes and back-painted white glass cabinetry with polished-nickel detailing fabricated in Italy by Molteni & C. Polished statuary marble countertops and islands with beveled edges complement fully-integrated Sub-Zero refrigerators and Miele ovens and low-profile cooktops. Each residence at 53 West 53 features elegantly crafted, furniture-grade walnut doors throughout with custom-designed bronze hardware, inspired by the tower's distinctive silhouette, and manufactured by E.R. Butler & Co. Homes include triple-glazed, floor-to-ceiling windows, which minimize exterior noise and temperature variations, and provide acoustical privacy.
53 West 53 has the unique distinction of being integrated into MoMA's architecturally distinguished urban campus. Three new gallery levels are now open within the base of the building, each accessed from and connected with the museum's existing exhibition spaces. Residents receive deeded memberships at MoMA, which include the potential for the building to host private events in the museum's iconic Sculpture Garden.
Impeccably curated amenities, staff and services elevate the living experience at 53 West 53. The Wellness Center, operated by The Wright Fit, includes a 65-foot lap pool, cold-plunge pool and hot tub with elaborate poolside vertical gardens designed by noted French botanist Patrick Blanc, as well as a regulation squash court. Floors 46 and 47 feature a double-height lounge with sweeping views and a private formal dining room overlooking Central Park. Residents also enjoy in-home private-dining service from the in-building restaurant. Other amenities include a library, a double-height Oenology suite for wine tasting, temperature-controlled wine storage vaults available for purchase, a private screening room, children's playroom, and private storage available for purchase. The building's 24-hour staffed lobby, designed in a palette of cerused oak, marbles, alabaster, bronze and gold leaf, features private entrances on both 53rd and 54th Streets.
For additional information or to schedule a private appointment, please contact Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group at 212.688.5300 or visit www.53W53.com
Media Contact:
Philip Ramirez
pramirez@optimistconsulting.com
+1-347-564-6975


tass--2020-02-10--Coronavirus outbreak has no impact on political agenda between Russia, China — envoy

`` It certainly complicates things , not so much in terms of our everyday work , but in terms of the schedule of meetings , because we have relations in literally every field .
What helps to a certain extent is the fact that it is just the beginning of the year , and few events usually take place in the first two or three months of the year , '' he noted , pointing to New Year celebrations in Russia and China .
BEIJING , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
The novel coronavirus outbreak has not affected political ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to China Andrei Denisov said at a press conference on Monday .
`` We usually step up activities in the second half of March .
So we haven ’ t lost much in terms of contacts , '' Denisov pointed out .
`` The fight against the coronavirus epidemic has definitely made us change some of our plans but I hope these changes won ’ t turn out to be crucial , '' he said .
According to the Russian ambassador , the average annual number of high-level meetings , which involve ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the 2019-nCoV coronavirus as the cause of the disease .
The number of confirmed cases in China has exceeded 40,000 , over 900 patients have died .
Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 24 other countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a @ @ @ @

"It certainly complicates things, not so much in terms of our everyday work, but in terms of the schedule of meetings, because we have relations in literally every field. What helps to a certain extent is the fact that it is just the beginning of the year, and few events usually take place in the first two or three months of the year," he noted, pointing to New Year celebrations in Russia and China.
BEIJING, February 10. /TASS/. The novel coronavirus outbreak has not affected political ties between Moscow and Beijing, Russian Ambassador to China Andrei Denisov said at a press conference on Monday.
"We usually step up activities in the second half of March. So we haven’t lost much in terms of contacts," Denisov pointed out.
"The fight against the coronavirus epidemic has definitely made us change some of our plans but I hope these changes won’t turn out to be crucial," he said. According to the Russian ambassador, the average annual number of high-level meetings, which involve ministers and regional governors, stands at about 200.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the 2019-nCoV coronavirus as the cause of the disease. The number of confirmed cases in China has exceeded 40,000, over 900 patients have died. Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 24 other countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency.


tass--2020-02-10--Russia to host about 240 events during SCO

BEIJING , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow will host about 240 events during its chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS group ( Brazil , Russia , India , China and South Africa ) , Russian Ambassador to China Andrei Denisov said at a press conference on Monday .
`` The chairmanship means hard work throughout the year .
As far as I know , 90 events are planned for the SCO and even more - 150 - for BRICS .
The responsibility is on our shoulders as we are the chairing country , '' he pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the SCO underwent a crucial change with the accession of India and Pakistan .
`` Work is underway in every field and our main goal is to continue efforts to consolidate the SCO so that it operates in the most effective way in all fields , while the regional security area is the most important of all , '' Denisov said .
`` We have the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group .
Afghanistan , which is our dialogue partner , participates in the SCO ’ s activities .
Other areas particularly include the fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordination efforts in terms of international agenda and foreign policy within both the SCO and BRICS , '' he added .
According to the ambassador , Russia will focus on facilitating infrastructure cooperation between the member states and ties between lawmakers , and promoting regional cooperation .
`` A regional forum of the SCO countries is expected to take place in May , which will be aimed at building practical cooperation , '' he specified .
The Russian envoy emphasized that an effective mechanism of investment - the New Development Bank - had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We plan to give new impetus to this process .
Perhaps , there will be no new members , but at least , conditions will be created for building close ties with countries that are inclined to cooperate with the bank , '' Denisov noted .
According to him , many countries have expressed plans to expand cooperation with the mechanism .

BEIJING, February 10. /TASS/. Moscow will host about 240 events during its chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Russian Ambassador to China Andrei Denisov said at a press conference on Monday.
"The chairmanship means hard work throughout the year. As far as I know, 90 events are planned for the SCO and even more - 150 - for BRICS. The responsibility is on our shoulders as we are the chairing country," he pointed out.
SCO chairmanship
According to the Russian envoy, the SCO underwent a crucial change with the accession of India and Pakistan. "Work is underway in every field and our main goal is to continue efforts to consolidate the SCO so that it operates in the most effective way in all fields, while the regional security area is the most important of all," Denisov said. "We have the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group. Afghanistan, which is our dialogue partner, participates in the SCO’s activities. Other areas particularly include the fight against terrorism. We seek to facilitate coordination efforts in terms of international agenda and foreign policy within both the SCO and BRICS," he added.
According to the ambassador, Russia will focus on facilitating infrastructure cooperation between the member states and ties between lawmakers, and promoting regional cooperation. "A regional forum of the SCO countries is expected to take place in May, which will be aimed at building practical cooperation," he specified.
BRICS priorities
The Russian envoy emphasized that an effective mechanism of investment - the New Development Bank - had been created by the BRICS countries. "We plan to give new impetus to this process. Perhaps, there will be no new members, but at least, conditions will be created for building close ties with countries that are inclined to cooperate with the bank," Denisov noted.
According to him, many countries have expressed plans to expand cooperation with the mechanism.


tass--2020-02-10--Antares rocket launch postponed to February 13

WASHINGTON , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
The launch of the Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus spacecraft has been postponed @ @ @ @ @ United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA ) said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s Antares launch after off-nominal readings from a ground support sensor .
Northrop Grumman @ @ @ @ @ next launch attempt to no earlier than Feb. 13 at 4:06 pm EST , due @ @ @ @ @ over the next two days , and time required to address the ground support issue @ @ @ @ @ .
Northrop Grumman Corporation said earlier on Twitter that it had `` aborted today ’ @ @ @ @ @ NG-13 mission due to off-nominal data from the ground support equipment . ''
The Cygnus @ @ @ @ @ tonnes of cargo , including food , basic necessities , and research equipment , was @ @ @ @ @ International Space Station on February 11 .

WASHINGTON, February 10. /TASS/. The launch of the Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus spacecraft has been postponed to February 13, the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said in a statement.
"Northrop Grumman scrubbed tonight’s Antares launch after off-nominal readings from a ground support sensor. Northrop Grumman and NASA have set the next launch attempt to no earlier than Feb. 13 at 4:06 pm EST, due to an unfavorable weather forecast over the next two days, and time required to address the ground support issue," the statement reads.
Northrop Grumman Corporation said earlier on Twitter that it had "aborted today’s launch attempt of our NG-13 mission due to off-nominal data from the ground support equipment."
The Cygnus spacecraft loaded with about 3.6 tonnes of cargo, including food, basic necessities, and research equipment, was set to dock with the International Space Station on February 11.


tass--2020-02-10--US, Ukraine to conduct Open Skies observation flight over Russia

MOSCOW , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
A joint US-Ukrainian mission will conduct an Open Skies observation mission over Russian on February 10-14 , Russia ’ s Krasnaya Zvezda ( or Red Star ) newspaper reported on Monday , citing Chief of the National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov .
`` On February 10-14 , a joint US-Ukrainian mission will conduct an observation flight over Russia in accordance with the Treaty on Open Skies , using an Antonov An-30 survey aircraft , '' the newspaper quoted Ryzhkov as saying .
According to the paper , Russian experts will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure that the mission ’ s members adhere to the agreed parameters of the flight and use the equipment provided for in the treaty .
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in Helsinki on March 24 , 1992 , by the member-states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe , and went into force on January 1 , 2002 .
The accord includes 34 countries , among them , most NATO members , Russia , Belarus , Ukraine , Georgia , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Sweden and Finland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2001 .
The purpose of the deal is to help build confidence between countries through the improvement of mechanisms to control military activities and compliance with arms control agreements .

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. A joint US-Ukrainian mission will conduct an Open Skies observation mission over Russian on February 10-14, Russia’s Krasnaya Zvezda (or Red Star) newspaper reported on Monday, citing Chief of the National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov.
"On February 10-14, a joint US-Ukrainian mission will conduct an observation flight over Russia in accordance with the Treaty on Open Skies, using an Antonov An-30 survey aircraft," the newspaper quoted Ryzhkov as saying.
According to the paper, Russian experts will be present on board the survey plane to make sure that the mission’s members adhere to the agreed parameters of the flight and use the equipment provided for in the treaty.
The Treaty on Open Skies was signed in Helsinki on March 24, 1992, by the member-states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and went into force on January 1, 2002. The accord includes 34 countries, among them, most NATO members, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sweden and Finland. Russia ratified the Treaty on May 26, 2001. The purpose of the deal is to help build confidence between countries through the improvement of mechanisms to control military activities and compliance with arms control agreements.


tass--2020-02-10--Parasite wins Academy Award for Best International Feature Film

NEW YORK , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Parasite by South Korea 's Bong Joon-ho won the Academy Awards for @ @ @ @ @ Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay .
It is the first foreign-language film to win @ @ @ @ @ Bong Joon-ho also earned the Best Director Academy Award .
Joaquin Phoenix won the Best @ @ @ @ @ in Joker and Renee Zellweger scored the Best Actress Oscar trophy for Judy .
Brad @ @ @ @ @ for his role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Laure Dern took home @ @ @ @ @ for her performance in Marriage Story .
Elton John nabbed the Best Original Song Academy @ @ @ @ @ ( I ’ m Gon na ) Love Me Again '' from Rocketman .

NEW YORK, February 10. /TASS/. Parasite by South Korea's Bong Joon-ho won the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay. It is the first foreign-language film to win the Best Picture Category. Bong Joon-ho also earned the Best Director Academy Award.
Joaquin Phoenix won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in Joker and Renee Zellweger scored the Best Actress Oscar trophy for Judy.
Brad Pitt won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Laure Dern took home the Best Supporting Actress trophy for her performance in Marriage Story.
American Factory won the Best Documentary Oscar.
Elton John nabbed the Best Original Song Academy Award for his song "(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman.


tass--2020-02-10--China offers assistance in preparing summit of UNSC permanent members

BEIJING , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Beijing has confirmed its intention to take part in a summit of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council ( Russia , France , the United States , the United Kingdom and China ) , proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin , Russian Ambassador to China Andrei Denisov said at a press conference on Monday .
`` We can see what is going on in the world .
In such a situation , relationship between our countries , which definitely are among the global leaders based on their size and role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid the imbalanced global situation .
It is no coincidence that China was the first to support the initiative to hold a summit of the permanent members of the US Security Council that our president put forward during a visit to Israel , '' Denisov added .
`` Our Chinese friends not only expressed their support but also told us that they were ready to actively participate in preparations for the event if other countries agreed to the proposal , '' the Russian envoy pointed out .
`` I am confident that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in holding such an event , '' he said .
`` We will work on that .
We haven ’ t received an answer only from our American partners .
We ’ ll wait , '' Denisov noted .
In a January 23 address to the World Holocaust Forum in Israel , Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council .

BEIJING, February 10. /TASS/. Beijing has confirmed its intention to take part in a summit of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (Russia, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and China), proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian Ambassador to China Andrei Denisov said at a press conference on Monday.
"We can see what is going on in the world. In such a situation, relationship between our countries, which definitely are among the global leaders based on their size and role in global politics, is becoming clearer amid the imbalanced global situation. It is no coincidence that China was the first to support the initiative to hold a summit of the permanent members of the US Security Council that our president put forward during a visit to Israel," Denisov added.
"Our Chinese friends not only expressed their support but also told us that they were ready to actively participate in preparations for the event if other countries agreed to the proposal," the Russian envoy pointed out. "I am confident that it will benefit us all if we succeed in holding such an event," he said.
"We will work on that. We haven’t received an answer only from our American partners. We’ll wait," Denisov noted.
In a January 23 address to the World Holocaust Forum in Israel, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.


tass--2020-02-10--Xi Jinping to visit Russia for Victory Day celebrations

BEIJING , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Beijing has confirmed that Chinese leader Xi Jinping plans to make an official @ @ @ @ @ to attend the 75th anniversary celebration of the Soviet Union ’ s Victory over Nazi @ @ @ @ @ War , Russian Ambassador to China Andrei Denisov said at a press conference on Monday @ @ @ @ @ the situation will improve in the spring and our major events , which will start @ @ @ @ @ ’ s visit to Moscow for the 75th anniversary celebrations of the victory in the @ @ @ @ @ well as other events , will go as planned , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ that Xi Jinping plans [ to visit Russia ] , '' the envoy pointed out @ @ @ @ @ Ushakov told reporters earlier that invitations to the 2020 Victory Day celebrations had been sent @ @ @ @ @ , French President Emmanuel Macron , German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other world leaders .

BEIJING, February 10. /TASS/. Beijing has confirmed that Chinese leader Xi Jinping plans to make an official visit to Russia in May to attend the 75th anniversary celebration of the Soviet Union’s Victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War, Russian Ambassador to China Andrei Denisov said at a press conference on Monday.
"We hope that the situation will improve in the spring and our major events, which will start with Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow for the 75th anniversary celebrations of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, as well as other events, will go as planned," he said.
"Our Chinese friends have confirmed that Xi Jinping plans [to visit Russia]," the envoy pointed out.
Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters earlier that invitations to the 2020 Victory Day celebrations had been sent to US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other world leaders.


tass--2020-02-10--Coronavirus cases in China exceed 40,000

TASS , February 10 .
Novel coronavirus cases in China have exceeded 40,000 , the National Health Commission said in a statement on Monday .
According to the commission , the number of coronavirus cases in mainland China rose by 3,062 in the past 24 hours .
Another 97 patients died , taking the death toll to 908 .
A total of 632 patients have been discharged from medical facilities .
As many as 64 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Hong Kong , Macao and Taiwan .
The death toll from the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 91 to 871 , the local healthcare authority said on Monday .
According to authorities , more than 2,600 people contracted the coronavirus in the past 24 hours , so the number of infected cases in the province exceeded 29,300 .
As many as 356 patients have been discharged from medical facilities .
The total number of coronavirus cases recorded in China has exceeded 39,800 , while the death toll has hit 094 .
More than 3,000 patients have recovered from the virus .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the 2019-nCoV coronavirus as the cause of the disease .
Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 24 other countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency .

TASS, February 10. Novel coronavirus cases in China have exceeded 40,000, the National Health Commission said in a statement on Monday.
According to the commission, the number of coronavirus cases in mainland China rose by 3,062 in the past 24 hours. Another 97 patients died, taking the death toll to 908. A total of 632 patients have been discharged from medical facilities.
As many as 64 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
China’s Hubei province
The death toll from the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China’s Hubei province has risen by 91 to 871, the local healthcare authority said on Monday.
According to authorities, more than 2,600 people contracted the coronavirus in the past 24 hours, so the number of infected cases in the province exceeded 29,300. As many as 356 patients have been discharged from medical facilities.
The total number of coronavirus cases recorded in China has exceeded 39,800, while the death toll has hit 094. More than 3,000 patients have recovered from the virus.
Coronavirus outbreak
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the 2019-nCoV coronavirus as the cause of the disease. Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 24 other countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency.


tass--2020-02-10--Lavrov calls for extending New START

Lavrov calls for extending New START

MOSCOW , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ( New START ) needs to remain `` a safety net '' for Moscow and Washington even if other countries join discussions on the matter , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta .
`` We believe that there is sense in extending New START , which will expire in a year .
After February 5 , 2020 , the treaty will be no more if it is not extended , '' he pointed out .
`` Even if a multilateral process is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time because talks on such a serious issue never conclude in a couple of months .
This is why there is a need to ensure a safety net by extending New START so that as far as the political standing of Russia and the US is concerned , no one can accuse us of destroying a legally binding strategic stability tool , '' Lavrov added .
According to the Russian top diplomat , the US keeps insisting on engaging China in discussions of issues concerning intermediate and shorter range missiles and , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia `` will also be part of the process . ''
`` However , a multilateral process implies that there are more than three participants .
There are another two nuclear powers , the United Kingdom and France .
India and Pakistan , in fact , are also nuclear powers though they are not part of the Non-Proliferation Treaty .
There are a couple more countries that have nuclear weapons , '' Lavrov noted .
`` We are ready to take part in any talks on the further reduction of nuclear weapons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister added that Washington had not yet given a specific response to Moscow ’ s proposal to extend New START .
New START , which came into force in 2011 , limits Russia and the US to no more than 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles ( ICBM ) , submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBM ) and strategic bombers , no more than 1,550 deployed warheads and 800 deployed and non-deployed launchers .
The Treaty is set to remain in effect for ten years ( until 2021 ) unless a new document is signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be extended for no more than five years ( that is , until 2026 ) by mutual agreement of the parties .

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) needs to remain "a safety net" for Moscow and Washington even if other countries join discussions on the matter, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
"We believe that there is sense in extending New START, which will expire in a year. After February 5, 2020, the treaty will be no more if it is not extended," he pointed out. "Even if a multilateral process is launched, it will take a long time because talks on such a serious issue never conclude in a couple of months. This is why there is a need to ensure a safety net by extending New START so that as far as the political standing of Russia and the US is concerned, no one can accuse us of destroying a legally binding strategic stability tool," Lavrov added.
According to the Russian top diplomat, the US keeps insisting on engaging China in discussions of issues concerning intermediate and shorter range missiles and, if multilateral talks on New START begin, Russia "will also be part of the process." "However, a multilateral process implies that there are more than three participants. There are another two nuclear powers, the United Kingdom and France. India and Pakistan, in fact, are also nuclear powers though they are not part of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. There are a couple more countries that have nuclear weapons," Lavrov noted.
"We are ready to take part in any talks on the further reduction of nuclear weapons," he emphasized.
The Russian foreign minister added that Washington had not yet given a specific response to Moscow’s proposal to extend New START.
New START
New START, which came into force in 2011, limits Russia and the US to no more than 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and strategic bombers, no more than 1,550 deployed warheads and 800 deployed and non-deployed launchers.
The Treaty is set to remain in effect for ten years (until 2021) unless a new document is signed to replace it. The document can also be extended for no more than five years (that is, until 2026) by mutual agreement of the parties.


tass--2020-02-10--Antares rocket launch aborted minutes before liftoff

WASHINGTON , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
The launch of the Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus spacecraft has been aborted @ @ @ @ @ from NASA ’ s Wallops Flight Facility in the US state of Virginia .
`` @ @ @ @ @ s launch attempt of our NG-13 mission due to off-nominal data from the ground support @ @ @ @ @ Corporation said on Twitter .
The Cygnus spacecraft loaded with about 3.6 tonnes of cargo @ @ @ @ @ necessities , and research equipment , was set to dock with the International Space Station @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON, February 10. /TASS/. The launch of the Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus spacecraft has been aborted three minutes before the liftoff from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in the US state of Virginia.
"We have aborted today’s launch attempt of our NG-13 mission due to off-nominal data from the ground support equipment," Northrop Grumman Corporation said on Twitter.
The Cygnus spacecraft loaded with about 3.6 tonnes of cargo, including food, basic necessities, and research equipment, was set to dock with the International Space Station on February 11.


tass--2020-02-11--US concerned by Russian spacecraft overshadowing US spy satellite — general

NEW YORK , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
The United States has notified Russia through diplomatic channels that it was concerned by an incident in which Russian satellites allegedly approached a US one , US Space Force Commander Gen. John Raymond told the Time magazine on Monday .
According to the magazine , Russian satellites identified as Cosmos 2542 and Cosmos 2543 , were sidling near the American satellite , known to space experts as a KH-11 , in mid-January .
USA 245 is a part of the Keyhole/CHRYSTAL reconnaissance constellation and operates in a polar orbit , which enables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Earth .
`` We view this behavior as unusual and disturbing , '' the US general said .
`` It has the potential to create a dangerous situation in space . ''
`` It ’ s clear that Russia is developing on-orbit capabilities that seek to exploit our reliance on space-based systems that fuel our American way of life , '' Raymond continued .
According to the official , the United States has expressed its concerns to Russia through diplomatic channels .
The magazine said the incident marks the first time the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to a specific satellite by an adversary .
The Time believes that such maneuvers may enable Russian satellites to receive high-quality images of a US satellite while it is performing its surveillance functions .
The magazine quoted space security expert Brian Weeden as saying that the Russian satellites ’ positioning could allow them to determine where the KH-11 is pointing , what ground targets it is taking picture of and the spacecraft ’ s general operating schedule and usage .
However , Time stressed that maneuvers by Russian satellites do not constitute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international law , because no binding agreements currently exist for this sphere .
TASS was unable to get a comment from the Russian side at the time of the publication .

NEW YORK, February 11. /TASS/. The United States has notified Russia through diplomatic channels that it was concerned by an incident in which Russian satellites allegedly approached a US one, US Space Force Commander Gen. John Raymond told the Time magazine on Monday.
According to the magazine, Russian satellites identified as Cosmos 2542 and Cosmos 2543, were sidling near the American satellite, known to space experts as a KH-11, in mid-January. USA 245 is a part of the Keyhole/CHRYSTAL reconnaissance constellation and operates in a polar orbit, which enables it to cover the entire surface of the Earth.
"We view this behavior as unusual and disturbing," the US general said. "It has the potential to create a dangerous situation in space."
"It’s clear that Russia is developing on-orbit capabilities that seek to exploit our reliance on space-based systems that fuel our American way of life," Raymond continued.
According to the official, the United States has expressed its concerns to Russia through diplomatic channels.
The magazine said the incident marks the first time the US military publicly speak of a direct threat to a specific satellite by an adversary. The Time believes that such maneuvers may enable Russian satellites to receive high-quality images of a US satellite while it is performing its surveillance functions.
The magazine quoted space security expert Brian Weeden as saying that the Russian satellites’ positioning could allow them to determine where the KH-11 is pointing, what ground targets it is taking picture of and the spacecraft’s general operating schedule and usage.
However, Time stressed that maneuvers by Russian satellites do not constitute a breach of any treaty or the international law, because no binding agreements currently exist for this sphere.
TASS was unable to get a comment from the Russian side at the time of the publication.


tass--2020-02-11--Coronavirus death toll in China’s Hubei nears one thousand — authorities

BEIJING , Febraury 11 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 103 new deaths from pneumonia caused by the 2019-nCoV novel @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Hubei province in the past 24 hours , brining the overall death toll @ @ @ @ @ s National Health Commission said on Tuesday .
The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ reached 31,728 by Tuesday , with 2,097 new cases detected in the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ people have recovered by now .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World @ @ @ @ @ about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large @ @ @ @ @ central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified @ @ @ @ @ 2019-nCoV .
The virus spread to 24 more countries outside China , including Russia .
@ @ @ @ @ in China a global health emergency .

BEIJING, February 11. /TASS/. A total of 108 people died of pneumonia caused by the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus in China in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll to 1,016, China's National Health Commission said on its website on Tuesday.
"As of 24:00, February 10 (19:00 Moscow time), the number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus reached 42,638 in China, with 1,016 deaths. A total of 3,996 people recovered and have been discharged from hospitals," the commission said in a statement.
The majority of cases in mainland China were reported in the central province of Hubei, where the deadly infection broke out in late 2019. By Tuesday, the region had 31,738 coronavirus patients, 974 of whom died.
Outside mainland China, 70 confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Hong Kong (42 cases, one death), Macao (10 cases) and Taiwan (18 cases).
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The virus spread to 24 more countries outside China, including Russia. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.


tass--2020-02-11--Talks with NASA on cooperation in far space research due in April — Roscosmos

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
The head of Russia ’ s state-run space corporation Roscosmos , Dmitry Rogozin @ @ @ @ @ in far space research with the US side , the space official said on his @ @ @ @ @ `` In the run-up to the manned mission in April , we plan to hold @ @ @ @ @ cooperation in far space research , '' Rogozin wrote .
The next ISS expedition will @ @ @ @ @ Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on April 9 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ Russian cosmonauts Nikolai Tikhonov and Andrei Babkin and US astronaut Chris Cassidy .
For the @ @ @ @ @ spacecraft will be launched atop the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. The head of Russia’s state-run space corporation Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, plans to discuss cooperation in far space research with the US side in April, the space official said on his Twitter page on Monday.
"In the run-up to the manned mission in April, we plan to hold talks with US colleagues on cooperation in far space research," Rogozin wrote.
The next ISS expedition will be launched on board the Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on April 9, 2020. The crew will comprise Russian cosmonauts Nikolai Tikhonov and Andrei Babkin and US astronaut Chris Cassidy. For the first time ever, the spacecraft will be launched atop the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket.


tass--2020-02-11--NASA to keep using Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft in 2021 fiscal year — budget proposal

WASHINGTON , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
NASA will keep using Russia ’ s Soyuz spacecraft to deliver its astronauts @ @ @ @ @ ( ISS ) in 2021 fiscal year that starts on October 1 , NASA said @ @ @ @ @ summary , published on Monday .
`` Crew transportation is currently provided using the Russian @ @ @ @ @ continue to purchase Soyuz seats for crew transportation until a domestic capability is available , @ @ @ @ @ In late November 2019 , NASA said it planned to purchase two Soyuz seats to @ @ @ @ @ the orbit in the fall of 2020 and the other - in the spring of @ @

WASHINGTON, February 10. /TASS/. NASA will keep using Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft to deliver its astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2021 fiscal year that starts on October 1, NASA said it its 2021 budget request summary, published on Monday.
"Crew transportation is currently provided using the Russian Soyuz vehicle. NASA will continue to purchase Soyuz seats for crew transportation until a domestic capability is available," the document says.
In late November 2019, NASA said it planned to purchase two Soyuz seats to deliver one US astronaut to the orbit in the fall of 2020 and the other - in the spring of 2021.


tass--2020-02-11--Russian military conduct patrol mission in Syria without Turkish side

MOSCOW , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish servicemen did not take part in Monday ’ s joint patrol mission in Syria ’ s al-Hasakah governorate , which was conducted by the Russian military police unilaterally , Major General Yuri Borenkov , chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria , said on Monday .
`` The Turkish side did not arrive for a joint patrol mission and Russian military police units conducted patrolling unilaterally , '' he said , adding that the mission was conducted along the route Skeirek-Dellik-Kasrah-Arada-Qebira-Kasrah-Tawrat-Gafkat-Dell ik-Sheirek in the al-Hasakah governorate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past week when Turkish servicemen skipped joint patrolling in Syria .
`` The patrolling mission was conducted in accordance with the plans .
No incidents were reported during the mission , '' he noted .
Russia ’ s air taskforce conducted an aerial patrol mission along the route Qamishli airfield-Qwaires airfield-Metras airfield .
The Russian general also said that illegal armed groups continued to violate the ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation zone .
`` A total of 21 shelling attacks were reported during the day , '' he said , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of setlements in the Latakia , Idlib and Hama governorates .
The Turkish national defense ministry said earlier on Monday that at least five Turkish soldiers had been killed as a result of shelling in Syria ’ s Idlib .
Following this incident , Turkey delivered strikes at 115 Syrian army targets in retaliation for the attack on its soldiers in northern Syria .
Turkish servicemen came under fire from the Syrian government army twice in the past seven days .
Ten servicemen and three civil personnel were killed .
Idlib @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still controlled by illegal armed groups .
A norther de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria ’ s southern regions .
Twelve Turkish observation stations are operating in the Idlib governorate .

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Turkish servicemen did not take part in Monday’s joint patrol mission in Syria’s al-Hasakah governorate, which was conducted by the Russian military police unilaterally, Major General Yuri Borenkov, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Monday.
"The Turkish side did not arrive for a joint patrol mission and Russian military police units conducted patrolling unilaterally," he said, adding that the mission was conducted along the route Skeirek-Dellik-Kasrah-Arada-Qebira-Kasrah-Tawrat-Gafkat-Dell ik-Sheirek in the al-Hasakah governorate.
It was the third time over the past week when Turkish servicemen skipped joint patrolling in Syria.
"The patrolling mission was conducted in accordance with the plans. No incidents were reported during the mission," he noted.
Russia’s air taskforce conducted an aerial patrol mission along the route Qamishli airfield-Qwaires airfield-Metras airfield.
The Russian general also said that illegal armed groups continued to violate the ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation zone. "A total of 21 shelling attacks were reported during the day," he said, adding that militants of illegal armed groups had shelled a number of setlements in the Latakia, Idlib and Hama governorates.
The Turkish national defense ministry said earlier on Monday that at least five Turkish soldiers had been killed as a result of shelling in Syria’s Idlib. Following this incident, Turkey delivered strikes at 115 Syrian army targets in retaliation for the attack on its soldiers in northern Syria. Turkish servicemen came under fire from the Syrian government army twice in the past seven days. Ten servicemen and three civil personnel were killed.
Idlib is the only large Syrian region that is still controlled by illegal armed groups. A norther de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria’s southern regions. Twelve Turkish observation stations are operating in the Idlib governorate.


tass--2020-02-11--Two drone attacks on Russian Hmeymim base in Syria repelled by Pantsyr air defense systems

MOSCOW , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Two drone attacks on Russia ’ airbase at Syria ’ s Hmeymin were repelled by the base ’ s Pantsyr missile defense system in the evening on February 9 .
No one was hurt , Major General Yuri Borenkov , chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria , said on Monday .
`` The first attack from the northeastern direction was repelled the Panstyr-S missiles at a distance of two kilometers from the airbase .
An aerial target approaching the base from the northwestern direction ( from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was downed at a distance of six kilometers of from the base , '' he said .
`` No one was hurt .
No material damage was done . ''
According to Borenkov , the attack was staged after dark on February 9 .
Now , the base is operating in routinely .
On behalf of the Russian reconciliation center , the Russian general called on militants ’ commanders to stop provocations and embark on a path of peaceful settlement in the areas under their control .
The Russian reconciliation center continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the military campaign in Syria .
The center ’ s officers regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation .
The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones .

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Two drone attacks on Russia’ airbase at Syria’s Hmeymin were repelled by the base’s Pantsyr missile defense system in the evening on February 9. No one was hurt, Major General Yuri Borenkov, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Monday.
"The first attack from the northeastern direction was repelled the Panstyr-S missiles at a distance of two kilometers from the airbase. An aerial target approaching the base from the northwestern direction (from the Mediterranean) in the second attack was downed at a distance of six kilometers of from the base," he said. "No one was hurt. No material damage was done."
According to Borenkov, the attack was staged after dark on February 9. Now, the base is operating in routinely.
On behalf of the Russian reconciliation center, the Russian general called on militants’ commanders to stop provocations and embark on a path of peaceful settlement in the areas under their control.
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-02-10--Palestine revokes its UNSC draft resolution supposed to be voted on February 11 — source

UNITED NATIONS , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Palestine has retracted its draft resolution of the United Nations Security Council for further consultations .
The voting on the document initially scheduled for February 11 will not be held , a UN Security Council source told TASS on Monday .
`` There will be no voting tomorrow .
Additional consultations on the document are planned , '' he said .
The United Nations Security Council will gather for an open session on February 11 to discuss the US peace plan for Israel and Palestine , or the so-called deal of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas .
Palestine ’ s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Riyad Mansour said earlier a draft resolution on the United States ’ `` deal of the century '' could be considered at the meeting .
The draft has been subject for discussion till the last moment , with its text changed several times to tone it down .
Consultations on the text of the resolution will be continued , the source said .
On January 28 , US President Donald Trump unveiled key provisions of what he calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' or a peace plan for Israel and Palestine based on mutual recognition of the two-state solution .
The plan provides for recognition of Israel ’ s sovereignty over Jewish settlements already built on the Palestinian territory .
Under the plan , Jerusalem will be `` undivided '' capital of Israel and East Jerusalem will be Palestine ’ s capital .
As a precondition for the peace process , according to Trump , Palestine ’ s authorities should stop supporting the Hamas radical movement operating in Gaza and cease hostilities .
The plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be facilitated in new investments over ten years as support to the settlement efforts .
More than a half of the sum is supposed to go to Palestine and the rest is planned to be invested in Egypt , Jordan and Lebanon .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support to Trump ’ s plan and expressed readiness for immediate launch of peace talks with the Palestinians .
Meanwhile , Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas turned down Trump ’ s deal .

UNITED NATIONS, February 10. /TASS/. Palestine has retracted its draft resolution of the United Nations Security Council for further consultations. The voting on the document initially scheduled for February 11 will not be held, a UN Security Council source told TASS on Monday.
"There will be no voting tomorrow. Additional consultations on the document are planned," he said.
The United Nations Security Council will gather for an open session on February 11 to discuss the US peace plan for Israel and Palestine, or the so-called deal of the century. The meeting will be attended by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Riyad Mansour said earlier a draft resolution on the United States’ "deal of the century" could be considered at the meeting.
The draft has been subject for discussion till the last moment, with its text changed several times to tone it down. Consultations on the text of the resolution will be continued, the source said.
On January 28, US President Donald Trump unveiled key provisions of what he calls "the deal of the century," or a peace plan for Israel and Palestine based on mutual recognition of the two-state solution. The plan provides for recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over Jewish settlements already built on the Palestinian territory. Under the plan, Jerusalem will be "undivided" capital of Israel and East Jerusalem will be Palestine’s capital. As a precondition for the peace process, according to Trump, Palestine’s authorities should stop supporting the Hamas radical movement operating in Gaza and cease hostilities. The plan suggests more than 50 billion US dollars be facilitated in new investments over ten years as support to the settlement efforts. More than a half of the sum is supposed to go to Palestine and the rest is planned to be invested in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support for Trump’s plan and expressed his readiness for the immediate launch of peace talks with the Palestinians. Meanwhile, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas turned down Trump’s deal.


tass--2020-02-10--Turkey tells Russia attacks on its observation stations in Syria’s Idlib must stop

ANKARA , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey demands Syrian government troops stop attacks on Turkish observation stations in Syria ’ s Idlib governorate , Anadolu agency said on Monday after Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin ’ s talks with the visiting Russian delegation led by Russian president ’ s special envoy for Syrian settlement Alexander Lavrentyev .
According to the agency , during the contacts Ankara resolutely condemned the attack on the Turkish observation station in Idlib by `` the regime . ''
Turkey ’ s presidential Justice and Development Party spokesman Omer Celik said earlier in the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no concrete results so far and they talks were continued .
Russian and Turkish officials are holding talks in Ankara following a worsening of the situation in Syria ’ s Idlib .
After the first round of talks on February 8 it was decided to continue contacts this week .
As the Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier , the Russian and Turkish military had made another attempt to introduce ceasefire , but the terrorists merely stepped up their attacks .
As a result Russian and Turkish military specialists were killed .
The Syrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain control of the city of Saraqib in the east of the province .
Apart from that , Turkish soldiers have come under fire from the Syrian government army twice in the past eight days .
Ten soldiers and three civilian personnel were killed .
Idlib is the only large Syrian region that is still controlled by illegal armed groups .
A norther de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observation stations are operating in the Idlib governorate .

ANKARA, February 10. /TASS/. Turkey demands Syrian government troops stop attacks on Turkish observation stations in Syria’s Idlib governorate, Anadolu agency said on Monday after Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin’s talks with the visiting Russian delegation led by Russian president’s special envoy for Syrian settlement Alexander Lavrentyev.
According to the agency, during the contacts Ankara resolutely condemned the attack on the Turkish observation station in Idlib by "the regime."
Turkey’s presidential Justice and Development Party spokesman Omer Celik said earlier in the day that the talks in Ankara had yielded no concrete results so far and they talks were continued.
Russian and Turkish officials are holding talks in Ankara following a worsening of the situation in Syria’s Idlib. After the first round of talks on February 8 it was decided to continue contacts this week.
As the Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier, the Russian and Turkish military had made another attempt to introduce ceasefire, but the terrorists merely stepped up their attacks. As a result Russian and Turkish military specialists were killed. The Syrian army took countermeasures against the extremists to gain control of the city of Saraqib in the east of the province.
Apart from that, Turkish soldiers have come under fire from the Syrian government army twice in the past eight days. Ten soldiers and three civilian personnel were killed.
Idlib is the only large Syrian region that is still controlled by illegal armed groups. A norther de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria’s southern regions. Twelve Turkish observation stations are operating in the Idlib governorate.


tass--2020-02-10--Seven Russian radical group members sentenced to lengthy jail terms

PENZA , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Privolzhsky district military court in the western Russian city of Penza sentenced seven members of a radical group to prison terms ranging between six and 18 years on terrorism-and drug-related charges , a TASS correspondent reported from the courtroom on Monday .
The defendants were members of the Set ’ ( Network ) radical group , created in 2016 and later included into Russia ’ s federal list of terrorist organizations .
During the trial , the judge in the case sided with the prosecution , who argued that the group was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Penza , Moscow and St. Petersburg .
According to investigators , the group ’ s members practiced use of weapons and plotted attacks on law-enforcement officers and administrative bodies with an aim to overthrow the government .
Some of the defendants were also found guilty on drug-related charges .
Group members Ilya Shakursky and Dmitry Pchelintsev were found guilty of creating a terrorist group and illegal acquisition of weapons .
They were sentenced to 16 and 18 years in prison , respectively .
The remaining five defendants in the case were found guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three of them - Andrei Chernov ( sentenced to 14 years ) , Maxim Ivankin ( sentenced to 13 years ) and Mikhail Kulkov ( sentenced to 10 years ) - will serve their sentences in a high-security prison .
Two defendants - Vasily Kuksov and Arman Sagynbayev - were sentenced to nine and six years in a general security prison , respectively .
Defense lawyers plan to appeal the verdict within the next ten days .
`` We have 10 days [ to file an appeal ] , but we have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the judicial disposition was pronounced today .
Therefore , we will possibly file an appeal and make some additions to it later , '' Chernov ’ s lawyer Stanislav Fomenko said .
`` We generally disagree with the verdict . ''
Mikhail Kulkov ’ s lawyer Igor Kabanov told TASS he also viewed the sentencing on terrorism-related charges as unfounded .
`` We believe that the verdict on those charges was unlawful and unfounded and pronounced in violation of the ‘ innocent-until-proven-guilty ’ principle .
Kulkov ’ s participation in a terrorist group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kabanov said .
In January 2019 , another member of the group , St. Petersburg resident Igor Shishkin , pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 3.5 years in a general security prison .
At present , cases of two more suspected members of the group - Yuliy Boyarshinov and Viktor Filinkov - are being heard in St. Petersburg .

PENZA, February 10. /TASS/. The Privolzhsky district military court in the western Russian city of Penza sentenced seven members of a radical group to prison terms ranging between six and 18 years on terrorism-and drug-related charges, a TASS correspondent reported from the courtroom on Monday.
The defendants were members of the Set’ (Network) radical group, created in 2016 and later included into Russia’s federal list of terrorist organizations. During the trial, the judge in the case sided with the prosecution, who argued that the group was a trans-regional terrorist organization with branches in Penza, Moscow and St. Petersburg.
According to investigators, the group’s members practiced use of weapons and plotted attacks on law-enforcement officers and administrative bodies with an aim to overthrow the government. Some of the defendants were also found guilty on drug-related charges.
All suspects pleaded not guilty.
Group members Ilya Shakursky and Dmitry Pchelintsev were found guilty of creating a terrorist group and illegal acquisition of weapons. They were sentenced to 16 and 18 years in prison, respectively.
The remaining five defendants in the case were found guilty of participating in a terrorist organization. Three of them - Andrei Chernov (sentenced to 14 years), Maxim Ivankin (sentenced to 13 years) and Mikhail Kulkov (sentenced to 10 years) - will serve their sentences in a high-security prison.
Two defendants - Vasily Kuksov and Arman Sagynbayev - were sentenced to nine and six years in a general security prison, respectively.
Defense lawyers plan to appeal the verdict within the next ten days.
"We have 10 days [to file an appeal], but we have not yet seen the entire verdict. Only the judicial disposition was pronounced today. Therefore, we will possibly file an appeal and make some additions to it later," Chernov’s lawyer Stanislav Fomenko said. "We generally disagree with the verdict."
Mikhail Kulkov’s lawyer Igor Kabanov told TASS he also viewed the sentencing on terrorism-related charges as unfounded.
"We believe that the verdict on those charges was unlawful and unfounded and pronounced in violation of the ‘innocent-until-proven-guilty’ principle. Kulkov’s participation in a terrorist group was not proven in court," Kabanov said.
In January 2019, another member of the group, St. Petersburg resident Igor Shishkin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 3.5 years in a general security prison.
At present, cases of two more suspected members of the group - Yuliy Boyarshinov and Viktor Filinkov - are being heard in St. Petersburg.


tass--2020-02-10--Tourism on the Pole of Cold. How to survive in minus 60 degrees and to enjoy the North

A young businessman has long wanted to organize an extreme route in the Oymyakon district in the north-east of Yakutia - after all , this is the coldest point in Russia MOSCOW , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
A young businessman , Tuman Kyryarba , dreams to organize an extreme route to the Oymyakon district in Yakutia ’ s south-east .
It is Russia ’ s coldest area , where in winter temperatures may drop to minus 60 degrees Celsius .
His ideas proved to be correct : many visitors , both from Russia and abroad , want to test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the North .
Most tourists arrive in Tomtor - a small village - the world ’ s coldest inhibited area .
The lowest temperature of minus 67.7 degrees was registered there in 1933 .
Tuman was born and grew up in the Oymyakon district .
He enjoyed walking in the hills - in childhood he made short trips , and later on travelled further up the mountains .
Back then , probably , he realized it would be wonderful to share the scenic and gorgeous views with others .
`` When in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told TASS .
`` As if I remain motionless , while the time moves on . ''
At first , the young man offered tours to friends .
On the way to pick up foreign tourists he was very nervous .
`` You can ’ t guess what people are coming and how to communicate with them , '' he said .
Presently , he is the Oymyakon Tour Company ’ s director , though , he says , this occupation is more of a hobby , which brings certain profit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourists from Asia and Europe .
Every year , the company welcomes about 50-60 tourists , while the district ’ s 20 tourism companies serve about 800-900 people a year .
`` They do not care about comfort , they come here to feel the extreme , '' he said about tourists .
`` They arrive , and immediately go to the taiga or to deer herders . ''
Visitors must be prepared to endure the North ’ s extreme conditions .
First of all , every visitor , planning a trip to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cardiologist .
Secondly , take care of warm clothes : high-quality thermal underwear , the unty - boots of deer skin - and a fur coat ( deer fur would be the best choice ) , or a very warm dawn overcoat .
These could be purchased at home or in Yakutsk , where warm outfit is available both in shops and at markets .
Traveling is not easy for visitors .
At first , cars take them from Yakutsk to the Oymyakon district .
The distance is about 1,000 kilometers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours , but in summer - about 24 hours .
If ferries are delayed , the journey may take 30 hours .
`` Emergency situations happen , '' he continued .
`` Sometimes , a tourist is unable to pass the route - the heart fails . ''
Three-day trips to heights less than 2,100 meters do not require medical staff , though any group carries necessary medications .
You never know what may happen during extreme trips .
`` Once , we take a tourist from Moscow and drive a Buran ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get onto ice covered with water , and the snowmobile half-sinks , we had to drag it out .
Imagine , this happened when the air temperature was minus 55 degrees , then it takes us quite a time to strike out ice from the engine .
And later on , that very tourist managed to fall out of the trailer - and we notice it only 100 meters later .
It ’ s good we ’ ve noticed him .
He was walking towards us . ''
Luckily , nobody ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are with local guides .
`` Not so long ago , I was with tourists from Australia and Kazakhstan .
I take them to the route along hunters ’ paths - to check traps .
It was very cold - minus 63 .
At first , they refused to continue , but later on , they warmed up in the hunters ’ hut and asked me to walk on . ''
It ’ s impossible to put into words the tourists ’ emotions , which Tuman sees .
The excitement is in shining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he saw after the first trip , proved to him the choice was correct .
`` After first clients , it was clear to me I ’ ve made the right decision , '' he said .
As a rule , organized tourists do not cause problems .
`` As for the ‘ individuals , ’ problems are quite possible .
Some tourists negotiate a few companies at a time .
Every company thinks it has a deal , and the client comes to those who offer lowest rates , without telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my prices are not low , but what I offer covers them 100 % , '' he continued .
Fans of the mountain extreme normally come to the district in spring .
The Tas-Kystabyt mountainous system is a sacral and mysterious place .
At first , climb the Algystaakh Mountain ’ s peak , from where a chain of rocks spreads in different directions .
Available routes there are both for beginners and for trained travelers .
The best time to come for mountain trips is from March : it gets warmer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businessman said .
Most tourists come in January-February .
Gusts visit the residence of the local Father Frost ( Santa Klaus ) - Chyskhaan .
They participate in a purification rite by the sacred Ebe-Haya Mountain .
The local culture is another attraction .
A local history museum is in Tomtor .
Horse breeding is also interesting for tourists .
`` We have a unique breed of Yakut horses , '' he continued .
`` They can get food even in winter , from under layers of snow . ''
In neighboring Yuchgei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Visitors may choose to stay a guest house or in a traditional tent .
Practically every step stirs tourists ’ excitement , Tuman said .
Visitors are invited to taste the local cuisine : sliced frozen fish , boiled deer tongue , blood sausages , and sliced frozen stallion .
Some tourists want to have top-comfort conditions , which are not available yet .
`` This is why I tell tourists honestly what they will have , '' Tuman said .
Other tourists ask whether they may come across wild animals - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not remember a single case , big predators do not live there , they live lower , but anyway we always carry guns , rather to comfort our visitors , '' he said .
Recently , Tuman has rented a plot of land to make a tourist base there .
He also plans to develop a new route - to still remaining GULAG facilities .
The route may take about 300 kilometers of the old road .
Tuman loves hunting and fishing .
In spring , he hunts duck , and in autumn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to use these skills to organize hunting routes .
`` As for fishing , many locals would come , '' he said .
`` As for [ hunting ] snow sheep , deer and elk , those would be experienced tourists from the mainland or from abroad . ''
Another promising direction is the agriculture , namely cattle and horse breeding .
He wants to start a small farm and develop it further on .
Northern livestock farming in extreme conditions would be interesting to tourists , he said confidently .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nature for a long time , '' he told TASS .
`` I need the energy of mountains .
In summer , I make long trips .
I love sleeping in a tent .
I enjoy hunting duck in spring , or heir and wood grouse in autumn .
Haven ’ t hunted the cloven hoofed yet .
In my opinion , it requires more maturity , when you feel you ’ re equal to the nature .
This is why , I leave it for later . ''
Tuman has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will devote his life to the hobby , as the interest to the world ’ s coldest area will only grow .

A young businessman has long wanted to organize an extreme route in the Oymyakon district in the north-east of Yakutia - after all, this is the coldest point in Russia
MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. A young businessman, Tuman Kyryarba, dreams to organize an extreme route to the Oymyakon district in Yakutia’s south-east. It is Russia’s coldest area, where in winter temperatures may drop to minus 60 degrees Celsius. His ideas proved to be correct: many visitors, both from Russia and abroad, want to test themselves and to learn how people live in the North. Most tourists arrive in Tomtor - a small village - the world’s coldest inhibited area. The lowest temperature of minus 67.7 degrees was registered there in 1933. Tuman was born and grew up in the Oymyakon district. He enjoyed walking in the hills - in childhood he made short trips, and later on travelled further up the mountains. Back then, probably, he realized it would be wonderful to share the scenic and gorgeous views with others. Staying where you belong "When in Yakutsk, I feel uneasy," he told TASS. "As if I remain motionless, while the time moves on." At first, the young man offered tours to friends. On the way to pick up foreign tourists he was very nervous. "You can’t guess what people are coming and how to communicate with them," he said. Presently, he is the Oymyakon Tour Company’s director, though, he says, this occupation is more of a hobby, which brings certain profit. The business is focused mostly on foreign tourists from Asia and Europe. Every year, the company welcomes about 50-60 tourists, while the district’s 20 tourism companies serve about 800-900 people a year. Extreme tours "They do not care about comfort, they come here to feel the extreme," he said about tourists. "They arrive, and immediately go to the taiga or to deer herders." Visitors must be prepared to endure the North’s extreme conditions. First of all, every visitor, planning a trip to the Pole of Cold, must consult a cardiologist.
Read also Scientists say southern fauna come to settle in Extreme North
Secondly, take care of warm clothes: high-quality thermal underwear, the unty - boots of deer skin - and a fur coat (deer fur would be the best choice), or a very warm dawn overcoat. These could be purchased at home or in Yakutsk, where warm outfit is available both in shops and at markets. Traveling is not easy for visitors. At first, cars take them from Yakutsk to the Oymyakon district. The distance is about 1,000 kilometers. In winter, driving may take 16-18 hours, but in summer - about 24 hours. If ferries are delayed, the journey may take 30 hours. "Emergency situations happen," he continued. "Sometimes, a tourist is unable to pass the route - the heart fails." Three-day trips to heights less than 2,100 meters do not require medical staff, though any group carries necessary medications. You never know what may happen during extreme trips. "Once, we take a tourist from Moscow and drive a Buran (caterpillar snowmobile - TASS), we get onto ice covered with water, and the snowmobile half-sinks, we had to drag it out. Imagine, this happened when the air temperature was minus 55 degrees, then it takes us quite a time to strike out ice from the engine. And later on, that very tourist managed to fall out of the trailer - and we notice it only 100 meters later. It’s good we’ve noticed him. He was walking towards us." Luckily, nobody’s got frozen - tourists at all times are with local guides. "Not so long ago, I was with tourists from Australia and Kazakhstan. I take them to the route along hunters’ paths - to check traps. It was very cold - minus 63. At first, they refused to continue, but later on, they warmed up in the hunters’ hut and asked me to walk on." It’s impossible to put into words the tourists’ emotions, which Tuman sees. The excitement is in shining eyes and in exclamations. Those emotions, he saw after the first trip, proved to him the choice was correct. "After first clients, it was clear to me I’ve made the right decision," he said.
Read also Krasnoyarsk Region doubles number of passenger flights to Arctic districts


tass--2020-02-10--Russia hopes to continue close dialogue with Azerbaijan after parliamentary polls

MOSCOW , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia wants to continue close dialogue with Azerbaijan after the early parliamentary polls in that country , the Russian foreign ministry said on Monday .
`` We congratulate our Azerbaijani friends on the successful elections , which only confirmed popular support to the reforms conducted by the Azerbaijani leadership towards democratization and modernization of the country ’ s socio-political life , '' the ministry said .
`` We hope that close and constructive cooperation in the spirit of friendship and Russian-Azerbaijan strategic partnership between Russia ’ s Federal Assembly ( bicameral parliament - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament . ''
The ministry expressed regret that `` observers from the ODIHR and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe were biased and subjective in their assessments , which have nothing to do with the real state of things . ''
Early parliamentary polls were called by President Ilham Aliyev in December 2019 after the parliament ’ s voluntary dissolution .
The voting took place on Sunday , February 9 .
A total of 1,314 candidates vied for 125 parliamentary seats .
As many as 883 observers representing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls .
According to preliminary results of counting 100 % of ballots , the ruling party Eni Azerbaijan led by the president will have up to 71 seats , or a majority , in the new parliament .

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Russia wants to continue close dialogue with Azerbaijan after the early parliamentary polls in that country, the Russian foreign ministry said on Monday.
"We congratulate our Azerbaijani friends on the successful elections, which only confirmed popular support to the reforms conducted by the Azerbaijani leadership towards democratization and modernization of the country’s socio-political life," the ministry said. "We hope that close and constructive cooperation in the spirit of friendship and Russian-Azerbaijan strategic partnership between Russia’s Federal Assembly (bicameral parliament - TASS) and Azerbaijan’s new parliament."
The ministry expressed regret that "observers from the ODIHR and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe were biased and subjective in their assessments, which have nothing to do with the real state of things."
Early parliamentary polls were called by President Ilham Aliyev in December 2019 after the parliament’s voluntary dissolution. The voting took place on Sunday, February 9. A total of 1,314 candidates vied for 125 parliamentary seats. As many as 883 observers representing 59 international organizations were accredited for the polls.
According to preliminary results of counting 100% of ballots, the ruling party Eni Azerbaijan led by the president will have up to 71 seats, or a majority, in the new parliament.


tass--2020-02-10--Russian delegation holding talks on Idlib with Erdogan’s spokesman, reports say

According to the channel , the meeting is held at the presidential palace in Ankara behind closed doors .
ANKARA , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
A delegation from Russia is holding talks with Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin on the situation in Idlib , the NTV channel informs .
Earlier , talks between Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onap and members of the Russian delegation ( Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin and Russian Special Presidential Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev ) were held in Ankara .
Earlier on Monday , Omer Celik , a spokesman for the Erdogan-led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far , the ongoing talks in Ankara had not brought any concrete results .
The Russian delegation is currently holding talks with its Turkish partners in Ankara due to a recent escalation of tensions in Syria ’ s Idlib .
The Russian Foreign Ministry informed earlier that the Russian and Turkish military had made an attempt to establish a ceasefire in the Idlib area , however , terrorist attacks persisted .
As a result , military specialists from Russia and Turkey were killed .
On February 5 , Syrian government forces entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group ( banned in Russia ) in the Idlib province .
Saraqib is a town of strategic importance that sits at the junction of two main roads connecting Latakia and Damascus with Aleppo .
In the past week , the Syrian government forces have shelled Turkey ’ s positions in the area twice , which led to the death of ten Turkish soldiers and three civilian personnel .
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups since 2012 .
A northern de-escalation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 to give shelter to militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria ’ s southern regions .
The Turkish army has 12 observation outposts in the province .

According to the channel, the meeting is held at the presidential palace in Ankara behind closed doors.
ANKARA, February 10. /TASS/. A delegation from Russia is holding talks with Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin on the situation in Idlib, the NTV channel informs.
Earlier, talks between Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onap and members of the Russian delegation (Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin and Russian Special Presidential Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev) were held in Ankara.
Earlier on Monday, Omer Celik, a spokesman for the Erdogan-led Justice and Development Party, stated that so far, the ongoing talks in Ankara had not brought any concrete results.
The Russian delegation is currently holding talks with its Turkish partners in Ankara due to a recent escalation of tensions in Syria’s Idlib. The Russian Foreign Ministry informed earlier that the Russian and Turkish military had made an attempt to establish a ceasefire in the Idlib area, however, terrorist attacks persisted. As a result, military specialists from Russia and Turkey were killed.
On February 5, Syrian government forces entered the town of Saraqib, an outpost of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (banned in Russia) in the Idlib province. Saraqib is a town of strategic importance that sits at the junction of two main roads connecting Latakia and Damascus with Aleppo.
In the past week, the Syrian government forces have shelled Turkey’s positions in the area twice, which led to the death of ten Turkish soldiers and three civilian personnel.
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups since 2012. A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria’s southern regions. The Turkish army has 12 observation outposts in the province.


tass--2020-02-10--Turkey strikes 115 Syrian targets in response to attacks on its military

ANKARA , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey has attacked 115 targets of the Syrian army in response to the @ @ @ @ @ in the Idlib province , Turkey ’ s Ministry of National Defense stated .
`` @ @ @ @ @ information from various sources , 115 targets of the regime [ of Syria ’ s @ @ @ @ @ been struck .
101 soldier of the regime have been neutralized , along with three @ @ @ @ @ and one helicopter .
Defensive strikes on the approved targets continue , '' the statement @ @

ANKARA, February 10. /TASS/. Turkey has attacked 115 targets of the Syrian army in response to the previous attacks on its military in the Idlib province, Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense stated.
"In accordance with the latest information from various sources, 115 targets of the regime [of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad] have been struck. 101 soldier of the regime have been neutralized, along with three tanks, two artillery positions and one helicopter. Defensive strikes on the approved targets continue," the statement says.


tass--2020-02-10--Russia remains one of Sweden’s major oil suppliers, agency says

STOCKHOLM , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Sweden continues to import large volumes of Russian crude oil , according to the latest data from the country ’ s Energy Ministry , last year Russian crude accounted for almost a third of the country 's total oil imports - 27 % , the TT agency reported on Monday .
In recent years , supplies of Russian hydrocarbons to Sweden have declined : in 2011 they amounted to 51 % of the total volume .
However , Russia remains one of the kingdom ’ s main oil suppliers .
Other important players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 41 % ) and Nigeria ( 12 % ) .
Despite the political rhetoric and statements of environmental organizations pointing to the political and environmental aspects related to the purchase of Russian oil and its production , Swedish companies continue to import large volumes of it .
The largest fuel-producing company Preem buys an average of 400,000 barrels of Russian crude oil on a trading day .
According to preliminary data for 2019 , it makes up 41 % of total purchases .
`` We know that oil from the North Sea is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk is higher , but generally acceptable , and we follow the recommendations of the Foreign Ministry , '' Malin Hallin , head of the sustainability department at Preem told the TT agency .

STOCKHOLM, February 10. /TASS/. Sweden continues to import large volumes of Russian crude oil, according to the latest data from the country’s Energy Ministry, last year Russian crude accounted for almost a third of the country's total oil imports - 27%, the TT agency reported on Monday.
In recent years, supplies of Russian hydrocarbons to Sweden have declined: in 2011 they amounted to 51% of the total volume. However, Russia remains one of the kingdom’s main oil suppliers. Other important players in the Swedish market are Norway (41%) and Nigeria (12%).
Despite the political rhetoric and statements of environmental organizations pointing to the political and environmental aspects related to the purchase of Russian oil and its production, Swedish companies continue to import large volumes of it. The largest fuel-producing company Preem buys an average of 400,000 barrels of Russian crude oil on a trading day. According to preliminary data for 2019, it makes up 41% of total purchases. "We know that oil from the North Sea is more sustainable. The Russian level of risk is higher, but generally acceptable, and we follow the recommendations of the Foreign Ministry," Malin Hallin, head of the sustainability department at Preem told the TT agency.


tass--2020-02-10--No agreement reached on China’s handover of coronavirus strain to Russia

MOSCOW , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
China and Russia have not reached an agreement on the handover of the 2019-nCoV strain , head of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare Anna Popova told reporters on Monday .
`` So far , such an agreement [ on the handover of the 2019-nCoV strain ] has not been reached , '' she told reporters .
Russian Deputy Minister of Health Sergei Kraevoi said on February 4 that the lack of a live coronavirus strain hinders Russia ’ s search for a vaccine against the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany , Japan , India , Italy , Malaysia , Nepal , the Philippines , Russia , Singapore , South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sweden , Thailand , the United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom , the United States and Vietnam .
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 40,200 in China with 909 people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , about 3,300 people are said to have recovered from it .

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. China and Russia have not reached an agreement on the handover of the 2019-nCoV strain, head of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare Anna Popova told reporters on Monday.
"So far, such an agreement [on the handover of the 2019-nCoV strain] has not been reached," she told reporters.
Russian Deputy Minister of Health Sergei Kraevoi said on February 4 that the lack of a live coronavirus strain hinders Russia’s search for a vaccine against the disease.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.
Currently, the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 40,200 in China with 909 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, about 3,300 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-10--Multipolar world should rest on principles of cooperation, says Russian top diplomat

MOSCOW , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will spare no effort to build a multipolar world resting on the principles of cooperation rather than confrontation , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday .
`` We will do our best to ensure that the multipolar architecture that is being forged is really fair , resting not on confrontation but on cooperation , that globalization is geared towards progress and its results are available to the entire humankind , '' he said .
`` This stance is shared by the majority of African and Latin American nations which reject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of military force or blackmailing by illegitimate unilateral sanctions . ''
He noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples that was passed by the United Nations General Assembly at the initiative of the former Soviet Union .
`` It would be right to recall today that our country played a major role in the process of decolonization and offered all-round support and assistance to the young states , '' Lavrov said .
`` It is remembered and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-ever Russia-Africa summit prove that .
`` .

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Russia will spare no effort to build a multipolar world resting on the principles of cooperation rather than confrontation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
"We will do our best to ensure that the multipolar architecture that is being forged is really fair, resting not on confrontation but on cooperation, that globalization is geared towards progress and its results are available to the entire humankind," he said. "This stance is shared by the majority of African and Latin American nations which reject colonial and neo-colonial approaches, such as the use of military force or blackmailing by illegitimate unilateral sanctions."
He noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples that was passed by the United Nations General Assembly at the initiative of the former Soviet Union. "It would be right to recall today that our country played a major role in the process of decolonization and offered all-round support and assistance to the young states," Lavrov said. "It is remembered and appreciated. And the results of the first-ever Russia-Africa summit prove that.".


tass--2020-02-10--Russia always to honor memory of Great Victory in WWII, says top diplomat

MOSCOW , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Western countries should understand that Russia will never forget the Soviet soldiers ’ @ @ @ @ @ Patriotic War against Nazi Germany , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the ministry ’ @ @ @ @ @ occasion of Diplomat ’ s Day on Monday .
`` This year marks 75 years @ @ @ @ @ in which our country together will all the peoples of the former Soviet Union played @ @ @ @ @ Russian President Vladimir Putin noted , we together with you surely can not forget and @ @ @ @ @ of our fathers .
We would very much want our Western colleagues to bear this @ @ @ @ @ ’ s top diplomat said .

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Western countries should understand that Russia will never forget the Soviet soldiers’ feat in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the ministry’s festive meeting on the occasion of Diplomat’s Day on Monday.
"This year marks 75 years of the Great Victory, in which our country together will all the peoples of the former Soviet Union played a decisive role. As Russian President Vladimir Putin noted, we together with you surely cannot forget and will never forget the feats of our fathers. We would very much want our Western colleagues to bear this in mind," Russia’s top diplomat said.


tass--2020-02-10--Shipbuilders to deliver advanced nuclear-powered sub to Russian Navy in 1.5 months

MOSCOW , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
The Project 955A ( Borei-A ) lead nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Vladimir will be delivered to the Russian Navy in about a month and a half , Head of Russia ’ s United Shipbuilding Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov said on Monday .
`` All the finishing work has been done and the trials are over .
I believe that a month and a half are still needed , '' the chief executive said , replying to a question from TASS on the sidelines of a board session of the Union of Russian Machine-Builders about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Fleet .
The Knyaz Vladimir is the improved Project 955A strategic missile-carrying underwater cruiser , which represents the fourth generation of nuclear-powered subs built for the Russian Navy .
It was floated out in November 2017 .
According to the data of Russia ’ s Defense Ministry , the sub Knyaz Vladimir is less noisy and features improved maneuvering , depth and armament control systems .
All Borei-class submarines can carry 16 Bulava ballistic missiles .
They are also furnished with 533mm torpedo tubes .
The shipbuilders earlier planned to deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Navy by the end of 2019 .

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. The Project 955A (Borei-A) lead nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Vladimir will be delivered to the Russian Navy in about a month and a half, Head of Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov said on Monday.
"All the finishing work has been done and the trials are over. I believe that a month and a half are still needed," the chief executive said, replying to a question from TASS on the sidelines of a board session of the Union of Russian Machine-Builders about the timeframe of the sub’s delivery to the Fleet.
The Knyaz Vladimir is the improved Project 955A strategic missile-carrying underwater cruiser, which represents the fourth generation of nuclear-powered subs built for the Russian Navy. It was floated out in November 2017. According to the data of Russia’s Defense Ministry, the sub Knyaz Vladimir is less noisy and features improved maneuvering, depth and armament control systems.
All Borei-class submarines can carry 16 Bulava ballistic missiles. They are also furnished with 533mm torpedo tubes. The shipbuilders earlier planned to deliver the nuclear-powered sub Knyaz Vladimir to the Russian Navy by the end of 2019.


tass--2020-02-10--Chinese experts test Russian coronavirus detection system

`` Our Chinese colleagues have tested our detection system independently at their labs .
They have proven its undoubtedly high efficiency , '' she said .
MOSCOW , February 10 .
/TASS/ .
Chinese experts have tested Russian coronavirus detection system , noting its efficiency , head of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare Anna Popova told reporters on Monday .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany , Japan , India , Italy , Malaysia , Nepal , the Philippines , Russia , Singapore , South Korea , Spain , Sri Lanka , Sweden , Thailand , the United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom , the United States and Vietnam .
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 40,200 in China with 909 people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , about 3,300 people are said to have recovered from it .

"Our Chinese colleagues have tested our detection system independently at their labs. They have proven its undoubtedly high efficiency," she said.
MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Chinese experts have tested Russian coronavirus detection system, noting its efficiency, head of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare Anna Popova told reporters on Monday.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.
Currently, the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 40,200 in China with 909 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, about 3,300 people are said to have recovered from it.