tass--2020-01-28--Japan's diplomat summoned to Russian Foreign Ministry over exhibit about Southern Kurils

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The Japanese embassy ’ s minister counsellor was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry over an exhibition in Tokyo displaying exhibits allegedly substantiating Japan ’ s claims to the Southern Kuril Islands , the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday .
`` We drew attention of the Japanese diplomat to the permanent exhibition Territory and Sovereignty that opened in Tokyo on January 21 with support from the official authorities .
The exhibition displays , among other things , propaganda materials allegedly substantiating the legitimacy of Japan ’ s territorial claims to the Southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We stressed that Russia ’ s legitimate sovereignty over this territory is incontestable and warned that such actions of the Japanese side run counter to the agreement of the leaders of our countries on creating a positive atmosphere in bilateral relations . ''
`` We interpret it as another evidence to the Japanese partners ’ reluctance to accept the results of World War II in full , '' the ministry added .
Russia and Japan have been negotiating a peace treaty since the end of World War II in the mid-20th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is the issue of the ownership of the southern Kuril Islands .
After the end of World War II , all Kuril Islands were incorporated into the Soviet Union .
However , Japan challenged the ownership of Iturup , Kunashir , Shikotan islands and a number of uninhibited islands of the Lesser Kuril Ridge called the Habomai Islands in Japan .
In 1956 , the Soviet Union and Japan signed a joint declaration on ceasing the state of war .
The two countries resumed diplomatic and other relations , however no peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly said that Russia ’ s sovereignty over these islands , which is committed to paper in international documents , can not be called to question .

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. The Japanese embassy’s minister counsellor was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry over an exhibition in Tokyo displaying exhibits allegedly substantiating Japan’s claims to the Southern Kuril Islands, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
"We drew attention of the Japanese diplomat to the permanent exhibition Territory and Sovereignty that opened in Tokyo on January 21 with support from the official authorities. The exhibition displays, among other things, propaganda materials allegedly substantiating the legitimacy of Japan’s territorial claims to the Southern Kuril Islands," the ministry stated. "We stressed that Russia’s legitimate sovereignty over this territory is incontestable and warned that such actions of the Japanese side run counter to the agreement of the leaders of our countries on creating a positive atmosphere in bilateral relations."
"We interpret it as another evidence to the Japanese partners’ reluctance to accept the results of World War II in full," the ministry added.
Russia and Japan have been negotiating a peace treaty since the end of World War II in the mid-20th century. The main stumbling block to this is the issue of the ownership of the southern Kuril Islands. After the end of World War II, all Kuril Islands were incorporated into the Soviet Union. However, Japan challenged the ownership of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan islands and a number of uninhibited islands of the Lesser Kuril Ridge called the Habomai Islands in Japan.
In 1956, the Soviet Union and Japan signed a joint declaration on ceasing the state of war. The two countries resumed diplomatic and other relations, however no peace treaty has been signed until now.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly said that Russia’s sovereignty over these islands, which is committed to paper in international documents, cannot be called to question.


tass--2020-01-28--PACE committee’s report recommends to validate Russian delegation’s credentials

STRASBOURG , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ( PACE ) has supported the report on the Russian delegation ’ s credentials recommending to validate them in full , Pyotr Tolstoy , Russia ’ s delegation head and deputy speaker of Russia ’ s State Duma lower parliament house , said on Tuesday after the committee ’ s meeting .
On Monday , PACE delegates , Emanuelis Zingeris of Lithuania and Maria Golubeva of Latvia , challenged the Russian delegation ’ s credentials on substantial ground .
Thus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Court of Human Rights were allegedly void in Russia and the latter pointed to the fact that the Russian delegation had representatives from Crimea and that politicians from that region had taken part in federal parliamentary elections in Russia .
Meanwhile , PACE ’ s Committee on Rules of Procedure ratified credentials of the delegations from North Macedonia , Poland , Portugal , San Marino , Sweden and Switzerland that were contested on Monday over the poor representation of women .
`` The resolution was supported .
[ British lawmaker Roger ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said when asked by TASS whether Russia ’ s credentials would be confirmed in full .
Before a year ’ s first session , all national delegations are supposed to file applications for participation throughout the given year .
The delegations ’ credentials are validated automatically on the first day of the session in case there are no reasoned objections from PACE members .
It takes at least 30 lawmakers from at least five national delegations present at the session to challenge the delegation ’ s credentials .
The contested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee , which is to report back to the assembly within 24 hours .
Before it is done , the delegation enjoys all the rights ( to take part in the session , to speak and to vote ) but can not take part in the voting on the relevant draft resolution .
In June 2019 , PACE passed a resolution supplementing the rules of procedure with a ban on stripping national delegations of the right to vote , speech and participation in the assembly ’ s key structures through contesting or revising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia was able to get back to PACE after five years of absence .
The Russian delegation was stripped of its basic rights with the assembly in April 2014 following the developments in Ukraine and Crimea ’ s reunification with Russia .
In response , Russia refused to take part in the assembly ’ s work .
However , such rights as to take part in PACE monitoring missions at elections , to be appointed a PACE rapporteur , and to represent PACE to the Council of Europe or other organizations could @ @ @

STRASBOURG, January 28. /TASS/. The Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has supported the report on the Russian delegation’s credentials recommending to validate them in full, Pyotr Tolstoy, Russia’s delegation head and deputy speaker of Russia’s State Duma lower parliament house, said on Tuesday after the committee’s meeting.
On Monday, PACE delegates, Emanuelis Zingeris of Lithuania and Maria Golubeva of Latvia, challenged the Russian delegation’s credentials on substantial ground. Thus, the former claimed that rulings of the European Court of Human Rights were allegedly void in Russia and the latter pointed to the fact that the Russian delegation had representatives from Crimea and that politicians from that region had taken part in federal parliamentary elections in Russia.
Meanwhile, PACE’s Committee on Rules of Procedure ratified credentials of the delegations from North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Sweden and Switzerland that were contested on Monday over the poor representation of women.
"The resolution was supported. [British lawmaker Roger] Gale’s amendments were voted down," he said when asked by TASS whether Russia’s credentials would be confirmed in full.
Before a year’s first session, all national delegations are supposed to file applications for participation throughout the given year. The delegations’ credentials are validated automatically on the first day of the session in case there are no reasoned objections from PACE members. It takes at least 30 lawmakers from at least five national delegations present at the session to challenge the delegation’s credentials.
The contested credentials are further referred to the appropriate committee, which is to report back to the assembly within 24 hours. Before it is done, the delegation enjoys all the rights (to take part in the session, to speak and to vote) but cannot take part in the voting on the relevant draft resolution.
In June 2019, PACE passed a resolution supplementing the rules of procedure with a ban on stripping national delegations of the right to vote, speech and participation in the assembly’s key structures through contesting or revising their credentials. Thanks to this document, Russia was able to get back to PACE after five years of absence. The Russian delegation was stripped of its basic rights with the assembly in April 2014 following the developments in Ukraine and Crimea’s reunification with Russia. In response, Russia refused to take part in the assembly’s work.
However, such rights as to take part in PACE monitoring missions at elections, to be appointed a PACE rapporteur, and to represent PACE to the Council of Europe or other organizations could be restricted.


tass--2020-01-28--Safmar to deliver 250,000 tonnes of oil more to Belarus in February — source

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
Safmar Group companies can supply 250,000 tonnes of oil more to Belarus in February 2020 , further to 500,000 tonnes supplied in January , a source in the industry told TASS on Tuesday .
`` Deliveries of Safmar companies are planned at the level of 250,000 tonnes , '' the source said , referring to February plans .
Safmar planned to supply 750,000 tonnes of oil to Belarus in January but the plan was reduced to 500,000 tonnes because the country started importing feedstock from third countries , including Norway .
Minsk and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydrocarbons to Belarus .
Presidents of the two countries , Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin , discussed the issue in a telephone conversation on December 30-31 .
Following the talks , Lukashenko requested concluding contracts with Russian companies on oil supplies in 2020 to ensure sustainable operation of two Belarusian refineries , though the documents were not signed by January 1 .
Meanwhile , Lukashenko tasked the management of the petrochemical complex with developing options of alternative supplies .
Belneftekhim said on January 3 that Russian oil was not supplied .
Utilization of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed level .
On January 4 , one-off contracts on supplies of oil to Belarusian refineries were resumed .
A source familiar with the talks told TASS earlier that the schedule of deliveries of Russian crude oil to Belarus was signed , with another 600,000 tonnes of oil planned to be supplied by the end of the month .
Meanwhile , Belarus is actively searching for alterative supplies .
Particularly , the possibility of deliveries from Ukraine , Poland , the Baltic countries , Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is under consideration .
On January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchased 80,000 tonnes of oil from Norway .

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. Safmar Group companies can supply 250,000 tonnes of oil more to Belarus in February 2020, further to 500,000 tonnes supplied in January, a source in the industry told TASS on Tuesday.
"Deliveries of Safmar companies are planned at the level of 250,000 tonnes," the source said, referring to February plans.
Safmar planned to supply 750,000 tonnes of oil to Belarus in January but the plan was reduced to 500,000 tonnes because the country started importing feedstock from third countries, including Norway.
Minsk and Moscow are currently negotiating deliveries of Russian hydrocarbons to Belarus. Presidents of the two countries, Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, discussed the issue in a telephone conversation on December 30-31. Following the talks, Lukashenko requested concluding contracts with Russian companies on oil supplies in 2020 to ensure sustainable operation of two Belarusian refineries, though the documents were not signed by January 1. Meanwhile, Lukashenko tasked the management of the petrochemical complex with developing options of alternative supplies.
Belneftekhim said on January 3 that Russian oil was not supplied. Utilization of refineries was reduced to the minimum technologically allowed level. On January 4, one-off contracts on supplies of oil to Belarusian refineries were resumed. A source familiar with the talks told TASS earlier that the schedule of deliveries of Russian crude oil to Belarus was signed, with another 600,000 tonnes of oil planned to be supplied by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Belarus is actively searching for alterative supplies. Particularly, the possibility of deliveries from Ukraine, Poland, the Baltic countries, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is under consideration. On January 20, it became known that Belarus purchased 80,000 tonnes of oil from Norway.


tass--2020-01-28--Coronavirus can hit world economy harder than SARS did in 2003 — rating agency

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The new coronavirus outbreak in China may cause a far more significant influence on the growth rates of the world and Russian economies than the severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS ) did in 2003 , the National Credit Ratings ( NCR ) agency has said .
In its opinion in a situation like this Russia ’ s Central Bank will prefer to watch and wait without revising the key rate at its forthcoming meetings .
`` The effects of the current coronavirus on the world economy may turn out far more noticeable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The number of tourist and business trips to China is dwindling .
The first bans have been introduced already , which will influence the industries servicing tourists and businessmen .
Logistic restrictions may hit other industries of the Chinese economy in the near future , which will harm the trade turnover with the biggest trading partners .
Even a minor fall in the Chinese economy may add to the volatility of the world oil market and global trade , thus putting more pressure on the ruble and pushing up inflation risks , '' @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. The new coronavirus outbreak in China may cause a far more significant influence on the growth rates of the world and Russian economies than the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) did in 2003, the National Credit Ratings (NCR) agency has said. In its opinion in a situation like this Russia’s Central Bank will prefer to watch and wait without revising the key rate at its forthcoming meetings.
"The effects of the current coronavirus on the world economy may turn out far more noticeable than the SARS outbreak in 2003. The number of tourist and business trips to China is dwindling. The first bans have been introduced already, which will influence the industries servicing tourists and businessmen. Logistic restrictions may hit other industries of the Chinese economy in the near future, which will harm the trade turnover with the biggest trading partners. Even a minor fall in the Chinese economy may add to the volatility of the world oil market and global trade, thus putting more pressure on the ruble and pushing up inflation risks," the rating agency said.


tass--2020-01-28--Russian Baltic Fleet warships repel enemy air and sea attack during drills

KALININGRAD , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The Baltic Fleet ’ s large amphibious assault ship Korolyov and the corvette @ @ @ @ @ ’ s air and sea attacks during drills , the Fleet ’ s press office @ @ @ @ @ During their joint deployment to the sea , the crews of the corvette Stoiky and @ @ @ @ @ Korolyov performed a set of artillery firings on various targets .
The crew of the @ @ @ @ @ the elements of a battle to repel attacks by small-size targets and conduct air defense @ @ @ @ @ firings on notional coastal and naval targets and repelled a simulated enemy ’ s air @ @ @ @ @ office said in a statement .

KALININGRAD, January 28. /TASS/. The Baltic Fleet’s large amphibious assault ship Korolyov and the corvette Stoiky repelled a simulated enemy’s air and sea attacks during drills, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"During their joint deployment to the sea, the crews of the corvette Stoiky and the large amphibious assault ship Korolyov performed a set of artillery firings on various targets. The crew of the large amphibious assault ship practiced the elements of a battle to repel attacks by small-size targets and conduct air defense. The corvette also conducted firings on notional coastal and naval targets and repelled a simulated enemy’s air attack," the press office said in a statement.


tass--2020-01-28--Iranian Supreme Leader’s adviser says no talks with US

According to the Fars News Agency , Dehghan stated that Iran could never hold talks with those who had killed a state representative during his official visit to another country .
He added that everyone in the region wanted safety but the US could not ensure it .
TEHRAN , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
Iran will under no circumstances hold talks with the United States , Hossein Dehghan , the military adviser to Iran ’ s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei , said on Tuesday .
He also apologized for Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif ’ s statement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tehran might come to the negotiating table with Washington .
In a recent interview with Germany ’ s Der Spiegel magazine , Zarif commented that `` the Trump administration can correct its past , lift the sanctions and come back to the negotiating table . ''
`` We ’ re still at the negotiating table , '' the Iranian top diplomat added .
Tensions in the Middle East escalated following a US drone strike near Baghdad 's airport on January 3 , which killed Commander of Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 8 , Iran targeted Iraq ’ s Ain Al-Asad air base and a facility in Erbil , which house US troops , in retaliation for the drone attack .

According to the Fars News Agency, Dehghan stated that Iran could never hold talks with those who had killed a state representative during his official visit to another country. He added that everyone in the region wanted safety but the US could not ensure it.
TEHRAN, January 28. /TASS/. Iran will under no circumstances hold talks with the United States, Hossein Dehghan, the military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, said on Tuesday.
He also apologized for Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s statement, in which the latter had claimed that Tehran might come to the negotiating table with Washington.
In a recent interview with Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine, Zarif commented that "the Trump administration can correct its past, lift the sanctions and come back to the negotiating table." "We’re still at the negotiating table," the Iranian top diplomat added.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated following a US drone strike near Baghdad's airport on January 3, which killed Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force General Qasem Soleimani. On January 8, Iran targeted Iraq’s Ain Al-Asad air base and a facility in Erbil, which house US troops, in retaliation for the drone attack.


tass--2020-01-28--Roscosmos says first Russian nuclear space tug set for launch in 2030

`` The launch of a nuclear-powered spacecraft , and flight tests ( 2030 ) , '' the presentation reads .
After 2030 , the nuclear-propelled space vehicle must enter serial production and commercial use , it says .
MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
A space tug , equipped with a megawatt class nuclear engine is scheduled to be launched in 2030 , according to a presentation by Roscosmos First Deputy Director General Yuri Urlichich , displayed at the 44th Korolev Academic Space Conference .
Before the end of 2030 , a testing and experimenting facility must be built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be perfected on the ground , including conducting resource tests , the presentation revealed .
The mock-up engine test for the nuclear space tug is scheduled for 2020 , a state procurement website said earlier .
Initially , Rosatom planned to build a test megawatt nuclear propulsion engine for distant space travel by 2018 .
The engine was supposed to be installed on a spacecraft , codenamed `` transport energy module . ''
The work commenced in 2009 .
This is not the first time Russia has turned to atomic energy for space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the USSR launched 32 spacecraft powered by thermoelectric nuclear energy units .
Earlier , between 1960 and 1980 , a nuclear propulsion engine was developed and tested at the Semipalatinsk test site .

"The launch of a nuclear-powered spacecraft, and flight tests (2030)," the presentation reads. After 2030, the nuclear-propelled space vehicle must enter serial production and commercial use, it says.
MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. A space tug, equipped with a megawatt class nuclear engine is scheduled to be launched in 2030, according to a presentation by Roscosmos First Deputy Director General Yuri Urlichich, displayed at the 44th Korolev Academic Space Conference.
Before the end of 2030, a testing and experimenting facility must be built, and the future nuclear engine must be perfected on the ground, including conducting resource tests, the presentation revealed.
The mock-up engine test for the nuclear space tug is scheduled for 2020, a state procurement website said earlier.
Initially, Rosatom planned to build a test megawatt nuclear propulsion engine for distant space travel by 2018. The engine was supposed to be installed on a spacecraft, codenamed "transport energy module." The work commenced in 2009.
This is not the first time Russia has turned to atomic energy for space exploration. Between 1970 and 1988, the USSR launched 32 spacecraft powered by thermoelectric nuclear energy units. Earlier, between 1960 and 1980, a nuclear propulsion engine was developed and tested at the Semipalatinsk test site.


tass--2020-01-28--Number of reported data leaks up 40% in Russia in 2019

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The number of reported users ’ data leaks increased by 40 % in Russia in 2019 , President of InfoWatch Group , head of the cybersecurity workgroup within the ‘ Digital economy ’ National Project Natalya Kasperskaya said in an interview with TASS .
`` In 2019 , the number of leaks increased by more than 40 % in Russia , whereas worldwide the number of such cases rose by around 10 % .
The number of compromised records of personal data and payment information in Russia rose almost six-fold to 170 mln @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 bln records , '' she said .
In 2019 , the share of deliberate violations increased in the world , with around two thirds of leaks being deliberate , according to the data provided by InfoWatch , Kasperskaya said .
Meanwhile , the bulk of leaks recorded last year ( over 50 % ) occurred due to the fault of hackers .
In Russia , even though it increased , the share of leaks caused by hackers still amounts to less than 20 % , while around 70 % of violators are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Looking at last year ’ s leaks statistics , one may think that Russia is a special country as the leaks picture is so different from the global one , though in reality everything is a great deal simpler .
The main share of global leaks is made public in Anglo-Saxon countries , for example , the US , Britain , Canada have specialized laws obliging companies to publish the leakage cases .
< … > No one clearly wants to announce publicly : `` We did not pay attention to cybersecurity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the leakage , invent external threats as a reason of the leakage .
Consequently , external violators take a bigger share in western publications than in Russia , while the Russian companies do not face the pressure of required publications , which is why the statistics of Russian published leaks seriously differs from the global one , '' she explained .

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. The number of reported users’ data leaks increased by 40% in Russia in 2019, President of InfoWatch Group, head of the cybersecurity workgroup within the ‘Digital economy’ National Project Natalya Kasperskaya said in an interview with TASS.
"In 2019, the number of leaks increased by more than 40% in Russia, whereas worldwide the number of such cases rose by around 10%. The number of compromised records of personal data and payment information in Russia rose almost six-fold to 170 mln, whereas globally that indicator doubled to 14 bln records," she said.
In 2019, the share of deliberate violations increased in the world, with around two thirds of leaks being deliberate, according to the data provided by InfoWatch, Kasperskaya said. Meanwhile, the bulk of leaks recorded last year (over 50%) occurred due to the fault of hackers. In Russia, even though it increased, the share of leaks caused by hackers still amounts to less than 20%, while around 70% of violators are rank-and-file employees, she added.
"Looking at last year’s leaks statistics, one may think that Russia is a special country as the leaks picture is so different from the global one, though in reality everything is a great deal simpler. The main share of global leaks is made public in Anglo-Saxon countries, for example, the US, Britain, Canada have specialized laws obliging companies to publish the leakage cases. <…> No one clearly wants to announce publicly: "We did not pay attention to cybersecurity," which is why companies that let the leakage, invent external threats as a reason of the leakage. Consequently, external violators take a bigger share in western publications than in Russia, while the Russian companies do not face the pressure of required publications, which is why the statistics of Russian published leaks seriously differs from the global one," she explained.


tass--2020-01-28--Russian barques on round-the-world voyage celebrate 200 years of Antarctic’s discovery

`` The three Russian sail ships - the Kruzenshtern , the Sedov and the Pallada participating in the round-the-world expedition devoted to this remarkable event and partially following the route of the first Russian Antarctic expedition of 1819-1821 held festive line-ups of the crews and cadets at 08:00 nautical time and also solemnly raised the state flag of the Russian Federation , '' the media center said .
The Russian expedition led by prominent explorers Faddey Bellinsgauzen and Mikhail Lazarev discovered the Antarctic on January 28 , 1820 .
On that day , 200 years ago , the explorers approached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sloops Vostok and Mirny .
After circumnavigating the Antarctic ice sheets , the expedition confirmed the existence of the sixth continent , the Antarctic .
The round-the-world expedition `` Sails of the World 2020 '' is devoted to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctica and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 .
KALININGRAD , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The famous Russian barques Kruzenshtern and Sedov and the frigate Pallada participating in the round-the-world expedition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal Agency for Fishing held festive events on their board to mark 200 years since the discovery of the Antarctic , the expedition ’ s media center told TASS on Tuesday .
The captains of the training sail ships congratulated the crewmembers and the cadets with the memorable date , reminding them of the significance of the discovery made by the Russian explorers for Russia and the entire world .
Since the start of the round-the-world expedition , which began for the Pallada on November 1 , 2019 from Vladivostok and for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Kaliningrad , the three sail ships have covered a distance of over 24,000 nautical miles , calling at the foreign ports of Brest , Vigo , Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Santa Cruz de Tenerife , Rio de Janeiro , Apia and Papeete .
A total of 692 cadets of educational institutions of the Federal Agency for Fishing and 56 boy seamen will undergo training aboard the windjammers during their voyages .
As their major event , the windjammers will meet near the South Georgia Islands in the southern Atlantic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ushuaia ( Argentina ) and Cape Town ( South Africa ) where the route of the round-the-world voyage will come maximally close to the Antarctic , the barques Sedov and Kruzenshtern and the training frigate Pallada will carry out a 200-mile memorial sailing race .
The four-mast barque Kruzenshtern was built at a German Shipyard near Bremerhaven in 1926 and was given the Italian name of the Padua ( after the Italian city ) .
The windjammer was listed among the world ’ s ten largest sail ships .
She was surrendered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reparations and renamed after the 19th-century Russian admiral and explorer Ivan Kruzenshtern .
The barque was re-equipped as a training vessel with a modern engine .
Over its 94-year history , the barque has made two round-the-globe voyages , as well as a trans-Atlantic expedition , and won many international sailing races .
This is the world ’ s last classical barque initially built for voyages solely under sail without any additional engines and power generators .
Over the years of its operation , more than 17,000 cadets have undergone maritime training on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional skills .
The barque Sedov was floated out at the Shipyard in Kiel ( Germany ) in 1921 and was originally named the Magdalene Vinnen II .
During WWII , the vessel was part of Germany ’ s auxiliary fleet .
It was transferred to the Soviet Union in December 1945 in accordance with a decision by the Potsdam conference on reparations and renamed as the Sedov in honor of Russian polar researcher Georgy Sedov .
The barque has been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest sail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 117.5 meters long and displaces 7,320 tonnes , has a crew of 240 and a total sail area of almost 4,200 square meters .
In April 2017 , the barque Sedov was transferred from the Murmansk State Technical University to the Kaliningrad State Technical University , which also integrates the Baltic State Academy of the Fishing Fleet .

"The three Russian sail ships - the Kruzenshtern, the Sedov and the Pallada participating in the round-the-world expedition devoted to this remarkable event and partially following the route of the first Russian Antarctic expedition of 1819-1821 held festive line-ups of the crews and cadets at 08:00 nautical time and also solemnly raised the state flag of the Russian Federation," the media center said.
The Russian expedition led by prominent explorers Faddey Bellinsgauzen and Mikhail Lazarev discovered the Antarctic on January 28, 1820. On that day, 200 years ago, the explorers approached the shores of the ice-covered continent aboard the sloops Vostok and Mirny. After circumnavigating the Antarctic ice sheets, the expedition confirmed the existence of the sixth continent, the Antarctic.
The round-the-world expedition "Sails of the World 2020" is devoted to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctica and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.
KALININGRAD, January 28. /TASS/. The famous Russian barques Kruzenshtern and Sedov and the frigate Pallada participating in the round-the-world expedition of sail ships of Russia’s Federal Agency for Fishing held festive events on their board to mark 200 years since the discovery of the Antarctic, the expedition’s media center told TASS on Tuesday.
The captains of the training sail ships congratulated the crewmembers and the cadets with the memorable date, reminding them of the significance of the discovery made by the Russian explorers for Russia and the entire world.
Since the start of the round-the-world expedition, which began for the Pallada on November 1, 2019 from Vladivostok and for the Sedov and the Kruzenshtern on December 8 from Kaliningrad, the three sail ships have covered a distance of over 24,000 nautical miles, calling at the foreign ports of Brest, Vigo, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Rio de Janeiro, Apia and Papeete.
A total of 692 cadets of educational institutions of the Federal Agency for Fishing and 56 boy seamen will undergo training aboard the windjammers during their voyages.
As their major event, the windjammers will meet near the South Georgia Islands in the southern Atlantic. In the area between the ports of Ushuaia (Argentina) and Cape Town (South Africa) where the route of the round-the-world voyage will come maximally close to the Antarctic, the barques Sedov and Kruzenshtern and the training frigate Pallada will carry out a 200-mile memorial sailing race.
Russian barques Kruzenshtern and Sedov
The four-mast barque Kruzenshtern was built at a German Shipyard near Bremerhaven in 1926 and was given the Italian name of the Padua (after the Italian city). The windjammer was listed among the world’s ten largest sail ships. She was surrendered to the Soviet Union in 1946 in WWII reparations and renamed after the 19th-century Russian admiral and explorer Ivan Kruzenshtern. The barque was re-equipped as a training vessel with a modern engine.
Over its 94-year history, the barque has made two round-the-globe voyages, as well as a trans-Atlantic expedition, and won many international sailing races. This is the world’s last classical barque initially built for voyages solely under sail without any additional engines and power generators. Over the years of its operation, more than 17,000 cadets have undergone maritime training on its board and acquired their first maritime professional skills.
The barque Sedov was floated out at the Shipyard in Kiel (Germany) in 1921 and was originally named the Magdalene Vinnen II. During WWII, the vessel was part of Germany’s auxiliary fleet. It was transferred to the Soviet Union in December 1945 in accordance with a decision by the Potsdam conference on reparations and renamed as the Sedov in honor of Russian polar researcher Georgy Sedov.
The barque has been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest sail training ship in operation. The barque is 117.5 meters long and displaces 7,320 tonnes, has a crew of 240 and a total sail area of almost 4,200 square meters. In April 2017, the barque Sedov was transferred from the Murmansk State Technical University to the Kaliningrad State Technical University, which also integrates the Baltic State Academy of the Fishing Fleet.


tass--2020-01-28--Russian scientists expect achieving quantum supremacy in two years

Currently , the laboratory has two physical platforms for building a quantum computer — the one based on neutral atoms and the other based on photon chips .
`` There is a Perspective Research Fund project called ‘ Priboy.
’ According to the project ’ s goals , we must create a quantum simulator and achieve quantum supremacy in two years — i.e .
show a calculation that is impossible for a classical computer , '' Kulik said .
MOSCOW , Janaury 28 .
/TASS/ .
The quantum computer currently in development by Russian scientists will achieve the so-called `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to perform operations , practically impossible for the existing conventional supercomputers , in two years , says Sergei Kulik , the head of Quantum Technologies Center of the Moscow State University Faculty of Physics .
`` Today , we work with tens of rubidium atoms .
We can regularly arrange them in space at a distance of several micrometers , access them with laser fields independently , excite them and read information from them , '' Kulik explained .
He pointed out that there are about ten quantum computer platforms in development , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the MISiS University superconductor platform .
Currently , the scientists can not predict , which platform will lead to a technological breakthrough .
Google was the first to claim achieving quantum supremacy in October 2019 .
In an article for Nature , the science team led by John Martinis of the University of California said its 53 qubit Sycamore processor managed to crack a task , which would take IBM ’ s most powerful Summit classic supercomputer 10,000 years , in 3 minutes and 20 seconds .
Considering such long time span , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform the same calculation , the time span is too long to be considered feasible .
Therefore , Google asserted , Sycamore can perform calculations impossible for conventional machines .
However , the Google ’ s claim was preemptively rebuked by IBM , who said in their post that it is just a matter of programming , and that a carefully rewritten program can perform the same calculation in just 2.5 days , which is , while arguably long , totally feasible from a practical standpoint .

Currently, the laboratory has two physical platforms for building a quantum computer — the one based on neutral atoms and the other based on photon chips.
"There is a Perspective Research Fund project called ‘Priboy.’ According to the project’s goals, we must create a quantum simulator and achieve quantum supremacy in two years — i.e. show a calculation that is impossible for a classical computer," Kulik said.
MOSCOW, Janaury 28. /TASS/. The quantum computer currently in development by Russian scientists will achieve the so-called "quantum supremacy," or the ability to perform operations, practically impossible for the existing conventional supercomputers, in two years, says Sergei Kulik, the head of Quantum Technologies Center of the Moscow State University Faculty of Physics.
"Today, we work with tens of rubidium atoms. We can regularly arrange them in space at a distance of several micrometers, access them with laser fields independently, excite them and read information from them," Kulik explained.
He pointed out that there are about ten quantum computer platforms in development, four of them in Russia — including the MISiS University superconductor platform. Currently, the scientists cannot predict, which platform will lead to a technological breakthrough.
Google was the first to claim achieving quantum supremacy in October 2019. In an article for Nature, the science team led by John Martinis of the University of California said its 53 qubit Sycamore processor managed to crack a task, which would take IBM’s most powerful Summit classic supercomputer 10,000 years, in 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Considering such long time span, Google claimed that while Summit theoretically can perform the same calculation, the time span is too long to be considered feasible. Therefore, Google asserted, Sycamore can perform calculations impossible for conventional machines.
However, the Google’s claim was preemptively rebuked by IBM, who said in their post that it is just a matter of programming, and that a carefully rewritten program can perform the same calculation in just 2.5 days, which is, while arguably long, totally feasible from a practical standpoint.


tass--2020-01-28--Neo-Nazi ideas begin to spread in countries that contributed to Victory — Russian military

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
Some countries that contributed to the victory in World War II today see a resurgence of Nazi ideology , Russia ’ s Deputy Defense Minister , chief of the main military-political department , Colonel-General Andrei Kartapolov , said on Tuesday .
`` It so happened that the victory of the forces of light over darkness and the demonic spirit in the disguise of Nazi ideology has not become final .
There has been a resurgence of Neo-Nazism in many countries , including those , however strange this might seem , which in 1945 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Monuments to Red Army soldiers are being torn down massively in Poland , the Baltic countries , Ukraine and others , '' Kartapolov said at the 8th Christmas Parliamentary Meetings within the framework of the 28th International Christmas Educational Readings entitled Great Victory : the Heritage and Successors .
He believes that more efforts should be exerted for protecting historical memory and preventing falsifications of history .
`` Russia ’ s armed forces are the true successors of those victors , '' Kartapolov said .
As an example he mentioned the Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main church of the Russian Armed Forces and a memorial complex Road of Memory in the theme park Patriot near Moscow .
About 15 million entries including the names of World War II victims and one million photographs were scanned for the Road of Memory project ’ s database .
`` The Victory is the bond that keeps the people united and committed to a common morale and common values in defiance of the borders and the emergence of new states in the territory of the former Soviet Union , '' Kartapolov said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common efforts we will achieve the main goal - that of making the Victory the main landmark of national identity and preserve it in the historical memory of our people , '' he stated .

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. Some countries that contributed to the victory in World War II today see a resurgence of Nazi ideology, Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister, chief of the main military-political department, Colonel-General Andrei Kartapolov, said on Tuesday.
"It so happened that the victory of the forces of light over darkness and the demonic spirit in the disguise of Nazi ideology has not become final. There has been a resurgence of Neo-Nazism in many countries, including those, however strange this might seem, which in 1945 contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany. Monuments to Red Army soldiers are being torn down massively in Poland, the Baltic countries, Ukraine and others," Kartapolov said at the 8th Christmas Parliamentary Meetings within the framework of the 28th International Christmas Educational Readings entitled Great Victory: the Heritage and Successors.
He believes that more efforts should be exerted for protecting historical memory and preventing falsifications of history.
"Russia’s armed forces are the true successors of those victors," Kartapolov said.
As an example he mentioned the Defense Ministry’s efforts to build the main church of the Russian Armed Forces and a memorial complex Road of Memory in the theme park Patriot near Moscow. About 15 million entries including the names of World War II victims and one million photographs were scanned for the Road of Memory project’s database.
"The Victory is the bond that keeps the people united and committed to a common morale and common values in defiance of the borders and the emergence of new states in the territory of the former Soviet Union," Kartapolov said.
"I do hope that through common efforts we will achieve the main goal - that of making the Victory the main landmark of national identity and preserve it in the historical memory of our people," he stated.


tass--2020-01-28--EU slaps sanctions on Crimean officials, parliamentarians

BRUSSELS , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The European Union has officially announced its decision to blacklist seven Crimean politicians - acting Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev , Crimea ’ s Chairman of the Council of Ministers Yuri Gotsanyuk , Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Sevastopol Vladimir Nemtsev , Russia ’ s Federation Council ( upper house ) member for Sevastopol , Yekaterina Altabayeva and three heads of electoral commissions of Crimea and Sevastopol , the Council of the European Union said in a statement issued in the Official Journal of the EU on Tuesday .
`` The Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those subject to restrictive measures over actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity , sovereignty and independence of Ukraine , '' the press release reads .
According to the document , sanctions are imposed `` as a consequence of the organisation of Russian local elections on 8 September , 2019 '' in Crimea and Sevastopol which the EU continues to consider `` illegally annexed . ''
Therefore , the Ukraine blacklist of the EU now contains 177 people and 44 organizations .
Almost all legal entities included in the list are authoritative bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donetsk and Lugansk People ’ s Republics ( DPR , LPR ) while more than half natural persons in the list used to be Ukrainian citizens back in 2014 .

BRUSSELS, January 28. /TASS/. The European Union has officially announced its decision to blacklist seven Crimean politicians - acting Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev, Crimea’s Chairman of the Council of Ministers Yuri Gotsanyuk, Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Sevastopol Vladimir Nemtsev, Russia’s Federation Council (upper house) member for Sevastopol, Yekaterina Altabayeva and three heads of electoral commissions of Crimea and Sevastopol, the Council of the European Union said in a statement issued in the Official Journal of the EU on Tuesday.
"The Council added seven persons to the list of those subject to restrictive measures over actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," the press release reads. According to the document, sanctions are imposed "as a consequence of the organisation of Russian local elections on 8 September, 2019" in Crimea and Sevastopol which the EU continues to consider "illegally annexed."
Therefore, the Ukraine blacklist of the EU now contains 177 people and 44 organizations. Almost all legal entities included in the list are authoritative bodies, state and military institutions of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR, LPR) while more than half natural persons in the list used to be Ukrainian citizens back in 2014.


tass--2020-01-28--Putin to meet with Israeli PM Netanyahu on January 30 in Moscow

`` On January 30 , Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who will be in Russia on a short working visit , '' the message informs .
Golan Heights decision may come as forerunner of US ‘ deal of the century ’ — diplomat Earlier , Netanyahu ’ s spokesperson Anna Jonathan-Leus informed that the Israeli PM plans to head for Moscow after visiting Washington in order to inform Putin of the details of the US plan for Middle Eastern regulation , the so-called `` deal of the century . ''
`` Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and inform him about US President Donald Trump ’ s ‘ deal of the century , ’ as well as to discuss various issues of the regional agenda , '' she said .
The Israeli prime minister is currently visiting Washington .
On Monday , he had talks with President Trump , who promised to announce the Middle Eastern settlement plan at midday ( 20:00 Moscow time ) on Tuesday .
According to the US president , the plan was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be ultimately welcomed by the Palestinians .
Apart from that , in his words , `` many of the Arab nations '' favor this plan as well .
Last week , Palestinian officials stated that they would reject any steps proposed by the US regarding Palestine-Israel conflict regulation if they violate international law .
Moscow can not comment on the `` deal of the century , '' as it is unaware of the document ’ s contents , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday .
`` We can not say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contents , '' he replied , answering a corresponding question .
The latest meeting between Putin and Netanyahu took place in Israel on January 23 .

"On January 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will be in Russia on a short working visit," the message informs.
Golan Heights decision may come as forerunner of US ‘deal of the century’ — diplomat
Earlier, Netanyahu’s spokesperson Anna Jonathan-Leus informed that the Israeli PM plans to head for Moscow after visiting Washington in order to inform Putin of the details of the US plan for Middle Eastern regulation, the so-called "deal of the century."
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to fly from the United States to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday and inform him about US President Donald Trump’s ‘deal of the century,’ as well as to discuss various issues of the regional agenda," she said.
The Israeli prime minister is currently visiting Washington. On Monday, he had talks with President Trump, who promised to announce the Middle Eastern settlement plan at midday (20:00 Moscow time) on Tuesday. According to the US president, the plan was supported by the Israeli prime minister and would be ultimately welcomed by the Palestinians. Apart from that, in his words, "many of the Arab nations" favor this plan as well. Last week, Palestinian officials stated that they would reject any steps proposed by the US regarding Palestine-Israel conflict regulation if they violate international law.
Moscow cannot comment on the "deal of the century," as it is unaware of the document’s contents, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday. "We cannot say anything until we become acquainted with its contents," he replied, answering a corresponding question.
The latest meeting between Putin and Netanyahu took place in Israel on January 23.


tass--2020-01-28--Syrian army enters Maarat al-Numan in southeastern Idlib

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
The Syrian government forces have entered the city of Maarat al-Numan located in the southeast of the Idlib province , the Sky News Arabia TV channel informed on Tuesday .
According to the channel , the Syrian army has entered Maarat al-Numan , where a major outpost of Jabhat al-Nusra ( terrorist organization outlawed in Russia ) militants is located .
The government forces have begun reconnaissance and military patrolling in the city .
It is also stated that Syrian army units are continuing to advance in southern Idlib .
Syrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on December 19 , 2019 .
The military was able to liberate 46 settlements in southern and eastern Idlib , recovering 320 square kilometers of the territory .
On Monday , units of the Syrian army surrounded an observation post of the Turkish army in the Maar Hattat settlement to the south of Maarat al-Numan .
Idlib is the only region of Syria that has remained under the control of illegal armed formations since 2012 .
In 2017 , militants who refused to surrender in Eastern Ghouta and southern Syrian provinces moved to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are 12 observation posts of the Turkish army in the area .

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. /TASS/. The Syrian government forces have entered the city of Maarat al-Numan located in the southeast of the Idlib province, the Sky News Arabia TV channel informed on Tuesday.
According to the channel, the Syrian army has entered Maarat al-Numan, where a major outpost of Jabhat al-Nusra (terrorist organization outlawed in Russia) militants is located. The government forces have begun reconnaissance and military patrolling in the city.
It is also stated that Syrian army units are continuing to advance in southern Idlib.
Syrian government forces began to advance into Idlib on December 19, 2019. The military was able to liberate 46 settlements in southern and eastern Idlib, recovering 320 square kilometers of the territory. On Monday, units of the Syrian army surrounded an observation post of the Turkish army in the Maar Hattat settlement to the south of Maarat al-Numan.
Idlib is the only region of Syria that has remained under the control of illegal armed formations since 2012. In 2017, militants who refused to surrender in Eastern Ghouta and southern Syrian provinces moved to the de-escalation zone in Idlib. There are 12 observation posts of the Turkish army in the area.


tass--2020-01-28--NordStar to suspend flights from Russia's Novosibirsk to Hainan

NOVOSIBIRSK , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
Nordstar has suspended flights from Novosibirsk 's Tolmachevo Airport to Hainan 's resort city of Sanya .
Flights will be canceled from February 6 almost until the end of March , Tolmachevo press service told TASS on Tuesday .
`` The flights of NordStar [ from Tolmachevo ] to Sanya were canceled from February 6 to March 22 , '' the press service said .
NordStar operated direct flights from Novosibirsk to Hainan twice a week - on Thursdays and Sundays .
According to the airline 's official website , the cancellation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities is being carried out due to more frequent cases of infection with China 's new coronavirus .
NordStar carried passengers as part of the tour package of the travel agency Rus-Tour , and tickets for flights could be purchased on the airline ’ s official website .
All passengers NordStar will be offered a refund .
`` In order to cancel the tourist package bought from Rus Tour to China 's Sanya the tourists will have to address the tourist agency they bought the tours from .
passengers who bought tickets to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will need to reach call center '' , the company said on its official website .

NOVOSIBIRSK, January 28. /TASS/. Nordstar has suspended flights from Novosibirsk's Tolmachevo Airport to Hainan's resort city of Sanya. Flights will be canceled from February 6 almost until the end of March, Tolmachevo press service told TASS on Tuesday.
"The flights of NordStar [from Tolmachevo] to Sanya were canceled from February 6 to March 22," the press service said.
NordStar operated direct flights from Novosibirsk to Hainan twice a week - on Thursdays and Sundays. According to the airline's official website, the cancellation of flights to the Chinese resort from Russian cities is being carried out due to more frequent cases of infection with China's new coronavirus. NordStar carried passengers as part of the tour package of the travel agency Rus-Tour, and tickets for flights could be purchased on the airline’s official website. All passengers NordStar will be offered a refund.
"In order to cancel the tourist package bought from Rus Tour to China's Sanya the tourists will have to address the tourist agency they bought the tours from. passengers who bought tickets to Sanya from Russian cities via NordStar website will need to reach call center", the company said on its official website.


tass--2020-01-28--Naama Issachar’s mother arrives at Moscow Region’s prison to see her daughter released

Jaffa Issachar came in the waiting room to leave it several minutes later .
According to Jaffa , she did not see her daughter in there .
NOVOYE GRISHINO /Moscow Region/ .
January 28 .
/TASS/ .
Jaffa Issachar , the mother of Israeli national Naama Issachar , who was convicted to 7.5 years in prison in Russia on drugs smuggling charges , has arrived at the penitentiary facility in the Moscow Region where her daughter is serving her sentence , a TASS correspondent reported from the site .
Now , she has joined a group of journalists who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entryway since morning waiting for Naama to be released .
Naama Issachar , 25 , was detained at Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo Airport on April 9 , 2019 when she was in the airport ’ s transit zone before boarding a connecting flight to Tel Aviv after arriving from New Delhi .
The airport ’ s security guards found 9.6 grams of cannabis in her luggage .
On October 11 , 2019 , the Khimki City Court in the Moscow Region found Issachar guilty of drug possession and smuggling ( part 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ) and sentenced her to 7.5 years in a standard regime penal colony .
Issachar admitted her guilt of possessing the drug but denied smuggling charges , saying she had no access to her luggage checked in for the transit flight .
She claimed she never took drugs and had no idea of how the cannabis could happen to be in her backpack .
The Moscow Regional Court upheld the verdict on December 19 .
During his visit to Israel last week , Russian President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jaffa Issachar , and promised her that `` everything is going to be fine . ''
Issachar pled for pardon on January 26 .
On the following day , the Moscow Region ’ s commission for pardons approved her plea .

Jaffa Issachar came in the waiting room to leave it several minutes later. According to Jaffa, she did not see her daughter in there.
NOVOYE GRISHINO /Moscow Region/. January 28. /TASS/. Jaffa Issachar, the mother of Israeli national Naama Issachar, who was convicted to 7.5 years in prison in Russia on drugs smuggling charges, has arrived at the penitentiary facility in the Moscow Region where her daughter is serving her sentence, a TASS correspondent reported from the site.
Now, she has joined a group of journalists who have been flocking around the penitentiary’s entryway since morning waiting for Naama to be released.
Naama Issachar, 25, was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on April 9, 2019 when she was in the airport’s transit zone before boarding a connecting flight to Tel Aviv after arriving from New Delhi. The airport’s security guards found 9.6 grams of cannabis in her luggage.
On October 11, 2019, the Khimki City Court in the Moscow Region found Issachar guilty of drug possession and smuggling (part 1, Article 228 and part 2, Article 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code) and sentenced her to 7.5 years in a standard regime penal colony. Issachar admitted her guilt of possessing the drug but denied smuggling charges, saying she had no access to her luggage checked in for the transit flight. She claimed she never took drugs and had no idea of how the cannabis could happen to be in her backpack. The Moscow Regional Court upheld the verdict on December 19.
During his visit to Israel last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Naama’s mother, Jaffa Issachar, and promised her that "everything is going to be fine."
Issachar pled for pardon on January 26. On the following day, the Moscow Region’s commission for pardons approved her plea.


tass--2020-01-28--Over 4,600 people infected with coronavirus in China — media

Earlier reports said 4,547 people had come down with the virus , with the death toll reaching 106 .
China ’ s Hubei Province and its administrative center Wuhan account for the biggest number of those infected ( over 2,700 infections and 100 deaths ) .
Then comes the provinces of Guangdong ( 207 people ) , Zhejiang ( 173 cases ) and Henan ( 168 people infected , including one fatality ) .
BEIJING , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Over 4,600 people in China are infected with the infamous coronavirus as of Tuesday , China 's media reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to updated data , Beijing reports 91 infections ( one death reported ) with 30 people having come down with the virus in the Heilongjiang province that shares a border with Russia .
One fatality was reported there .
The Tibet Autonomous Region remains the only Chinese province , where no coronavirus cases have been reported .
On December 31 , 2019 , 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people .
On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in almost all Chinese provinces including Beijing and Shanghai as well as in other countries such as Australia , Malaysia , Nepal , France , Thailand , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States and Japan .
The World Health Organization recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring it an international one .

Earlier reports said 4,547 people had come down with the virus, with the death toll reaching 106. China’s Hubei Province and its administrative center Wuhan account for the biggest number of those infected (over 2,700 infections and 100 deaths). Then comes the provinces of Guangdong (207 people), Zhejiang (173 cases) and Henan (168 people infected, including one fatality).
BEIJING, January 27. /TASS/. Over 4,600 people in China are infected with the infamous coronavirus as of Tuesday, China's media reports, citing official data from Chinese regions.
According to updated data, Beijing reports 91 infections (one death reported) with 30 people having come down with the virus in the Heilongjiang province that shares a border with Russia. One fatality was reported there. The Tibet Autonomous Region remains the only Chinese province, where no coronavirus cases have been reported.
On December 31, 2019, 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, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
The new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in almost all Chinese provinces including Beijing and Shanghai as well as in other countries such as Australia, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Japan. The World Health Organization recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring it an international one.


tass--2020-01-28--Losses from suspending tours to China estimated at several million dollars

`` As far as outbound tourism is concerned , losses can provisionally amount to several million dollars in connection with the ban on sales of package tours to China , '' Lomidze said .
MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
Outbound tourism market players can suffer losses worth several million dollars because of suspension in sales of tours to China due to the coronavirus spread , Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia ( ATOR ) Maya Lomidze said on Tuesday on the air with the Rossiya-24 TV Channel .
`` Certainly , damages for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inbound , rather than for outbound tourism , because the Chinese market is among the leading and consistently growing ones .
The amount of such losses is difficult for estimation so far , '' she said .
Major operators suspended sales of tours to China last week in accordance with recommendations of the Russian tourism authority .
Market players also announced plans of bringing their clients back to Russia .
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 , 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people .
The pathogen , the 2019-nCoV coronavirus , was identified on January 7 .
According to the latest data , the number of confirmed cases of infection in China exceeded 4,550 people , while the death toll has risen to 106 .
Further to China , coronavirus cases were reported in fourteen other countries , including first cases confirmed in Germany and Cambodia .
The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

"As far as outbound tourism is concerned, losses can provisionally amount to several million dollars in connection with the ban on sales of package tours to China," Lomidze said.
MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. Outbound tourism market players can suffer losses worth several million dollars because of suspension in sales of tours to China due to the coronavirus spread, Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) Maya Lomidze said on Tuesday on the air with the Rossiya-24 TV Channel.
"Certainly, damages for the business are huge, primarily for the inbound, rather than for outbound tourism, because the Chinese market is among the leading and consistently growing ones. The amount of such losses is difficult for estimation so far," she said.
Major operators suspended sales of tours to China last week in accordance with recommendations of the Russian tourism authority. Market players also announced plans of bringing their clients back to Russia.
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
According to the latest data, the number of confirmed cases of infection in China exceeded 4,550 people, while the death toll has risen to 106. Further to China, coronavirus cases were reported in fourteen other countries, including first cases confirmed in Germany and Cambodia. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.


tass--2020-01-28--Russia plans no manned flights to Mars

Russia plans no manned flights to Mars

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
Manned flights to Mars are not stipulated in the guidelines of state policy @ @ @ @ @ Chief Designer and First Deputy CEO of Energia Space Rocket Corporation Yevgeny Mikrin said on @ @ @ @ @ are not planned so far and they are absent in the guidelines of the state @ @ @ @ @ , replying to a question about whether Russia planned crewed flights to Mars .
First @ @ @ @ @ s State Space Corporation Roscosmos Yuri Urlichich earlier said at the academic readings on cosmonautics @ @ @ @ @ Sergei Korolyov that Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree on the state policy @ @ @ @ @ in outer space .

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. Manned flights to Mars are not stipulated in the guidelines of state policy in the space sphere, Chief Designer and First Deputy CEO of Energia Space Rocket Corporation Yevgeny Mikrin said on Tuesday.
"Such flights are not planned so far and they are absent in the guidelines of the state policy," Mikrin said, replying to a question about whether Russia planned crewed flights to Mars.
First Deputy Head of Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos Yuri Urlichich earlier said at the academic readings on cosmonautics devoted to Soviet Rocket Designer Sergei Korolyov that Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree on the state policy in the sphere of activity in outer space.


tass--2020-01-28--Tank troops wipe out enemy force in live-fire exercise in Urals

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
Tank troops of Russia ’ s Central Military District eliminated a simulated enemy during a live-fire exercise at the Totsky training range in the Orenburg Region , the District ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` The tank troops conducted fire on the move from 125mm guns and coaxial PKT machine-guns against targets that simulated an enemy tank , a recoilless gun and manpower at distances of 500 to 2,000 meters .
The targets were tracked with the help of the latest Sosna-U fire control system mounted on armored vehicles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
The digital ballistic computer helped cut the time of preparing data for the fire on moving targets while the improved optical channels made it possible to lock on tank-type targets reliably at ranges of up to 5,000 meters , the press office specified .
`` Also , classes were held at training places to study the fundamentals and the rules of fire , solving firing tasks , disassembling and assembling the coaxial PKT machine-gun and the 12.7mm Kord anti-aircraft machine-gun , '' the statement says .
The live-fire exercise involved over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and special hardware .
Russia ’ s Central Military District is based on the territory of the Volga , Urals and Siberian integrated federal districts and 29 Russian regions .
Structurally , the Central Military District also includes some overseas facilities : the 201st military base in Tajikistan , the Kant integrated military base in Kyrgyzstan and units stationed on the territory of Kazakhstan .

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. Tank troops of Russia’s Central Military District eliminated a simulated enemy during a live-fire exercise at the Totsky training range in the Orenburg Region, the District’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"The tank troops conducted fire on the move from 125mm guns and coaxial PKT machine-guns against targets that simulated an enemy tank, a recoilless gun and manpower at distances of 500 to 2,000 meters. The targets were tracked with the help of the latest Sosna-U fire control system mounted on armored vehicles," the press office said in a statement.
The digital ballistic computer helped cut the time of preparing data for the fire on moving targets while the improved optical channels made it possible to lock on tank-type targets reliably at ranges of up to 5,000 meters, the press office specified.
"Also, classes were held at training places to study the fundamentals and the rules of fire, solving firing tasks, disassembling and assembling the coaxial PKT machine-gun and the 12.7mm Kord anti-aircraft machine-gun," the statement says.
The live-fire exercise involved over 500 troops and 30 items of combat and special hardware.
Russia’s Central Military District is based on the territory of the Volga, Urals and Siberian integrated federal districts and 29 Russian regions. Structurally, the Central Military District also includes some overseas facilities: the 201st military base in Tajikistan, the Kant integrated military base in Kyrgyzstan and units stationed on the territory of Kazakhstan.


tass--2020-01-28--Kowtowing to his Western handlers: MP bashes Zelensky’s claim of USSR ‘starting WWII’

`` Zelensky ’ s comments about the role of the Soviet Union in the outbreak of WWII suggests that Ukraine remains a territory governed by outside forces .
In order to carry water for Kiev ’ s Western handlers , the Ukrainian leader has sided with an historical falsehood , instead of the truth , '' said Slutsky .
MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky ’ s accusations about the alleged role of Russia starting WWII signal his intentions to pander to his Western sponsors , in addition it shows that the Ukrainian state is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Duma ’ s ( lower house ) Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky told reporters on Tuesday .
`` This is shameful and blasphemous towards the memory of those who gave their lives fighting against Nazism , '' the senior legislator stressed .
`` These statements also insult the veterans and victors of this utterly horrible and bloodiest war , where Russians and Ukrainians stood shoulder to shoulder , '' he emphasized .
He also pointed out that `` attempts to blot out the feat of Soviet soldiers from history are unacceptable '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 75th anniversary of this great victory .
`` We , the heirs of the victors will unwaveringly resist this at all levels and on all international platforms , '' the parliamentarian vowed .
During his trip to Poland , the Ukrainian president accused the Soviet Union of starting WWII along with Nazi Germany .
Zelensky alleged that Poland and the Poles were the first to feel `` the collusion of totalitarian regimes '' that triggered the war .

"Zelensky’s comments about the role of the Soviet Union in the outbreak of WWII suggests that Ukraine remains a territory governed by outside forces. In order to carry water for Kiev’s Western handlers, the Ukrainian leader has sided with an historical falsehood, instead of the truth," said Slutsky.
MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s accusations about the alleged role of Russia starting WWII signal his intentions to pander to his Western sponsors, in addition it shows that the Ukrainian state is not independent, Chairman of the Russian State Duma’s (lower house) Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky told reporters on Tuesday.
"This is shameful and blasphemous towards the memory of those who gave their lives fighting against Nazism," the senior legislator stressed.
"These statements also insult the veterans and victors of this utterly horrible and bloodiest war, where Russians and Ukrainians stood shoulder to shoulder," he emphasized. He also pointed out that "attempts to blot out the feat of Soviet soldiers from history are unacceptable" in the run-up to the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of this great victory. "We, the heirs of the victors will unwaveringly resist this at all levels and on all international platforms," the parliamentarian vowed.
During his trip to Poland, the Ukrainian president accused the Soviet Union of starting WWII along with Nazi Germany. Zelensky alleged that Poland and the Poles were the first to feel "the collusion of totalitarian regimes" that triggered the war.


tass--2020-01-28--Lavrov: Israeli, Palestinian voices needed to weigh US ‘deal of the century’

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The reaction of Israelis and Palestinians to Trump ’ s ‘ deal of the century ’ to resolve the ongoing Mideast conflict is needed first and foremost , Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference Tuesday when commenting on the White House ’ s peace plan that will be made public later in the day .
Washington has not informed Russia of any details of the deal , the top diplomat noted .
Judging by the media leaks , this is a fundamentally new approach to settling the conflict , `` differing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the international community so far as a basis for a settlement '' , including resolutions of the UN Security Council , the Madrid Principles , the Arab Peace Initiative , the chief diplomat noted .
`` We must wait for the official publication of the text , '' the minister insisted .
`` When this text is unveiled , it appears that the most important thing will be to learn the positions of the sides , primarily the position of the Palestinians , since as far as I understand , we are talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Lavrov specified .
It is necessary to wait for the reaction of other Arab states and of the Arab League , since it was the mastermind behind `` the Arab Peace Initiative , approved by the global community as an inalienable component of the settlement , '' he stressed .
`` I would also want to see the quartet of international mediators - Russia , the United States , the United Nations and the European Union - analyze the situation as well , '' he said , emphasizing that this `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years , and was in no way engaged in an attempt to find generally acceptable solutions , '' he elaborated .
`` So , let us refrain from drawing any preliminary conclusions .
Rumors are rumors , but we must wait for official propositions and first of all understand what the parties that are directly involved think about these official proposals , '' he concluded .
Last week , the Palestinian Authority claimed that it would deny any US-proposed steps on settling the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that contradict international law .
On Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House would publish the peace plan on Tuesday , at 12:00 EST ( 20:00 Moscow time ) .
`` We have the support of the prime minister , we have the support of the other parties , and we think we will ultimately have the support of the Palestinians , but we ’ re going to see , '' Trump said , adding that `` many of the Arab nations '' also support this plan .

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. The reaction of Israelis and Palestinians to Trump’s ‘deal of the century’ to resolve the ongoing Mideast conflict is needed first and foremost, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference Tuesday when commenting on the White House’s peace plan that will be made public later in the day.
Washington has not informed Russia of any details of the deal, the top diplomat noted. Judging by the media leaks, this is a fundamentally new approach to settling the conflict, "differing from everything that has been recognized by the international community so far as a basis for a settlement", including resolutions of the UN Security Council, the Madrid Principles, the Arab Peace Initiative, the chief diplomat noted.
"We must wait for the official publication of the text," the minister insisted. "When this text is unveiled, it appears that the most important thing will be to learn the positions of the sides, primarily the position of the Palestinians, since as far as I understand, we are talking about the creation of a Palestinian state," Lavrov specified.
It is necessary to wait for the reaction of other Arab states and of the Arab League, since it was the mastermind behind "the Arab Peace Initiative, approved by the global community as an inalienable component of the settlement," he stressed. "I would also want to see the quartet of international mediators - Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union - analyze the situation as well," he said, emphasizing that this "mechanism has been mostly inactive over the recent years, and was in no way engaged in an attempt to find generally acceptable solutions," he elaborated.
"So, let us refrain from drawing any preliminary conclusions. Rumors are rumors, but we must wait for official propositions and first of all understand what the parties that are directly involved think about these official proposals," he concluded.
Last week, the Palestinian Authority claimed that it would deny any US-proposed steps on settling the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that contradict international law.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced that the White House would publish the peace plan on Tuesday, at 12:00 EST (20:00 Moscow time).
"We have the support of the prime minister, we have the support of the other parties, and we think we will ultimately have the support of the Palestinians, but we’re going to see," Trump said, adding that "many of the Arab nations" also support this plan.


tass--2020-01-28--Coronavirus will reach peak infection rate in China in 7-10 days, expert says

`` The coronavirus will reach its peak infection rate in 7-10 days , however , the epidemic will not be of a widespread nature , '' the Xinhua agency quotes Zhong Nanshan as saying .
MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The new type of coronavirus will reach its peak infection rate in China in about 7-10 days , Zhong Nanshan , head of the team of experts established by the National Health Commission of the People 's Republic of China , stated on Tuesday .
`` Of course , it ’ s hard to predict when the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that it will happen in a week or in about 10 days , '' Nanshan added .
The expert noted that a mass epidemic of the virus in China is unlikely .
He assured that mass population movement after the end of holidays timed to the Chinese New Year would not lead to an increase in infected persons , as officials all across the country are working on detecting the infected .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
According to recent data , over 4,600 people have been infected with the virus , with 106 people dead .
The virus continues to spread in China and other states , including Australia , Vietnam , Italy , Germany , Cambodia , Malaysia , Nepal , the Republic of Korea , Singapore , the USA , Thailand , France , Sri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one .

"The coronavirus will reach its peak infection rate in 7-10 days, however, the epidemic will not be of a widespread nature," the Xinhua agency quotes Zhong Nanshan as saying.
MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. The new type of coronavirus will reach its peak infection rate in China in about 7-10 days, Zhong Nanshan, head of the team of experts established by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, stated on Tuesday.
"Of course, it’s hard to predict when the virus will reach its peak, however, I think that it will happen in a week or in about 10 days," Nanshan added.
The expert noted that a mass epidemic of the virus in China is unlikely. He assured that mass population movement after the end of holidays timed to the Chinese New Year would not lead to an increase in infected persons, as officials all across the country are working on detecting the infected.
On December 31, 2019, 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.
According to recent data, over 4,600 people have been infected with the virus, with 106 people dead. The virus continues to spread in China and other states, including Australia, Vietnam, Italy, Germany, Cambodia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the USA, Thailand, France, Sri Lanka and Japan. The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one.


tass--2020-01-28--Russian ministry urges UK’s The Telegraph to stop spreading lies about WW2

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Foreign Ministry has appealed to UK 's The Telegraph to stop @ @ @ @ @ disseminating fake news about the Red Army ’ s role in the Second World War @ @ @ @ @ The Telegraph to stop fabricating news and spreading lies , '' the ministry said in @ @ @ @ @ the newspaper published an article particularly containing statements by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki alleging @ @ @ @ @ `` rewrite the Holocaust history '' and calling on Europe to stand up to these @ @

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. The Russian Foreign Ministry has appealed to UK's The Telegraph to stop "making up" and disseminating fake news about the Red Army’s role in the Second World War.
"We are asking The Telegraph to stop fabricating news and spreading lies," the ministry said in a comment that comes after the newspaper published an article particularly containing statements by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki alleging that Russia is trying to "rewrite the Holocaust history" and calling on Europe to stand up to these attempts.


tass--2020-01-28--Reconnaissance squads help armored units eliminate enemy force in Urals drills

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The armored division of Russia ’ s Central Military District eliminated a notional @ @ @ @ @ during drills at a training range in the Chelyabinsk Region , the District ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .
Under the drills ’ scenario , a tank regiment was advancing onto the enemy @ @ @ @ @ , attacking its fortified fire positions of grenade launchers and heavy machine guns from the @ @ @ @ @ outposts and basic strike forces , the press office said in a statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ made a breakthrough from the flank and penetrated the enemy ’ s rear .
After @ @ @ @ @ they laid mines along the routes of the enemy forward positions ’ supplies , '' @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. The armored division of Russia’s Central Military District eliminated a notional enemy jointly with reconnaissance squads during drills at a training range in the Chelyabinsk Region, the District’s press office reported on Tuesday.
Under the drills’ scenario, a tank regiment was advancing onto the enemy’s heavily echeloned defense, attacking its fortified fire positions of grenade launchers and heavy machine guns from the march and engaging its combat outposts and basic strike forces, the press office said in a statement.
"Meanwhile, the reconnaissance groups made a breakthrough from the flank and penetrated the enemy’s rear. After seizing a command post, they laid mines along the routes of the enemy forward positions’ supplies," the statement reads.


tass--2020-01-28--Kremlin expects foreign leaders to confirm visits to Moscow for Victory Day Parade

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The Kremlin has not published the list of high-profile guests who will attend @ @ @ @ @ Parade in Moscow because not all of them have yet to respond to invitations , @ @ @ @ @ told reporters .
According to him , invitations to foreign leaders `` were sent a @ @ @ @ @ We have received responses from some of them , while others haven ’ t responded @ @ @ @ @ no hurry to publish the list of those who have confirmed their visit , '' @ @ @ @ @ , adding that `` we will wait a little longer . ''
On May 9 @ @ @ @ @ to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s Victory over Nazi Germany @ @ @ @ @ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said that it is going to be a @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. The Kremlin has not published the list of high-profile guests who will attend the May 9 Victory Day Parade in Moscow because not all of them have yet to respond to invitations, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
According to him, invitations to foreign leaders "were sent a while ago." "We have received responses from some of them, while others haven’t responded yet. We are in no hurry to publish the list of those who have confirmed their visit," the Kremlin spokesman pointed out, adding that "we will wait a little longer."
On May 9, Moscow will host celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s Victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said that it is going to be a major event.


tass--2020-01-28--Russian troops hold anti-terror drills in Tajikistan

`` Upon receiving a pre-arranged signal about the threat of a terrorist attack , the troops practiced procedures within the required time limits to advance to the designated area as well as organizing interaction , command and control by military police units .
In order to locate the enemy , its numerical strength and armament , the squads of unmanned aerial vehicles employed the Eleron air reconnaissance system , '' the press office said in a statement .
TASS .
January 28 .
The forces of Russia ’ s 201st military base in Tajikistan held anti-terror drills in the garrisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyaur and Sambuli training ranges , the press office of the Central Military District reported on Tuesday .
Fire support and attack groups operating BTR-82 armored personnel carriers blocked and eliminated the notional enemy .
The crews of military transport helicopters evacuated notionally wounded servicemen .
The medical staff of a military hospital practiced operations in field conditions .
`` In order to create a situation close to a real combat environment , a large number of simulated means and dummy munitions were used .
The drills involved about 500 personnel and 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press office stated .
The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia ’ s largest military facility outside its borders .
The military base is located in the cities of Dushanbe and Bokhtar .
Its armament includes T-72 tanks , BTR-82A armored personnel carriers , Grad multiple launch rocket systems and Gvozdika and Akatsiya artillery systems .
Under the agreement signed in October 2012 , Russia ’ s military base in Tajikistan will remain until 2042 .

"Upon receiving a pre-arranged signal about the threat of a terrorist attack, the troops practiced procedures within the required time limits to advance to the designated area as well as organizing interaction, command and control by military police units. In order to locate the enemy, its numerical strength and armament, the squads of unmanned aerial vehicles employed the Eleron air reconnaissance system," the press office said in a statement.
TASS. January 28. The forces of Russia’s 201st military base in Tajikistan held anti-terror drills in the garrisons in Dushanbe and Bokhtar and at the Lyaur and Sambuli training ranges, the press office of the Central Military District reported on Tuesday.
Fire support and attack groups operating BTR-82 armored personnel carriers blocked and eliminated the notional enemy. The crews of military transport helicopters evacuated notionally wounded servicemen. The medical staff of a military hospital practiced operations in field conditions.
"In order to create a situation close to a real combat environment, a large number of simulated means and dummy munitions were used. The drills involved about 500 personnel and 50 items of military hardware," the press office stated.
The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia’s largest military facility outside its borders. The military base is located in the cities of Dushanbe and Bokhtar. Its armament includes T-72 tanks, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, Grad multiple launch rocket systems and Gvozdika and Akatsiya artillery systems.
Under the agreement signed in October 2012, Russia’s military base in Tajikistan will remain until 2042.


tass--2020-01-29--Russian company prepares to offer trips to Northern Sea Route, Antarctica

MOSCOW , January 29 .
/TASS/ .
The Vodokhod ( water travel ) Company will organize in 2021 cruises along the Northern Sea Route , and later on - trips to the Antarctica , the company ’ s representative Igor Yasinsky said at a conference devoted to the 200th anniversary of Antarctica ’ s discovery .
`` For year 2020 , the Vodokhod Company has enormous plans .
We are launching an expedition tour along the Yenisei onboard the Maxim Gorky vessel , and I believe quite many people are aware of it already .
The company also begins exploitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project PV-300 ) , '' he said .
`` As for 2021 , we plan cruises along the Northern Sea Route and cruises around Franz Josef Land onboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov icebreaker - they will be served in summer .
After that , the vessel will go to Antarctica , and from 2022 it will work there together with two new expedition vessels , each taking onboard 150 people - the vessels are being built at a Finnish shipyard . ''
Earlier , TASS wrote that in mid-June , 2019 , the tourist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oy signed an agreement on building by 2021 of the first expedition vessel for Arctic cruises .
Under this agreement , the shipyard will also build another vessel in 2022 .
Vodokhod ’ s press service told reporters the company had been finalizing formalities for the icebreaker ’ s rent and continued working on the cruises ’ programs .
`` Cruises will be between 7 and 17 days long , '' the press service said .
`` We also work on using light helicopters to make tours more exciting . ''

MOSCOW, January 29. /TASS/. The Vodokhod (water travel) Company will organize in 2021 cruises along the Northern Sea Route, and later on - trips to the Antarctica, the company’s representative Igor Yasinsky said at a conference devoted to the 200th anniversary of Antarctica’s discovery.
"For year 2020, the Vodokhod Company has enormous plans. We are launching an expedition tour along the Yenisei onboard the Maxim Gorky vessel, and I believe quite many people are aware of it already. The company also begins exploitation of the Mustai Karim cruise vessel (project PV-300)," he said. "As for 2021, we plan cruises along the Northern Sea Route and cruises around Franz Josef Land onboard the Kapitan Khlebnikov icebreaker - they will be served in summer. After that, the vessel will go to Antarctica, and from 2022 it will work there together with two new expedition vessels, each taking onboard 150 people - the vessels are being built at a Finnish shipyard."
Earlier, TASS wrote that in mid-June, 2019, the tourist company and Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard Oy signed an agreement on building by 2021 of the first expedition vessel for Arctic cruises. Under this agreement, the shipyard will also build another vessel in 2022.
Vodokhod’s press service told reporters the company had been finalizing formalities for the icebreaker’s rent and continued working on the cruises’ programs.
"Cruises will be between 7 and 17 days long," the press service said. "We also work on using light helicopters to make tours more exciting."


tass--2020-01-29--US ‘deal of the century’ is capitulation before Israeli occupation — Syrian ministry

`` This project represents capitulation before the Israeli occupation and confirms that the US and Israel are hostile towards the Arab nation , '' says the ministry ’ s statement communicated by SANA news agency .
TASS , January 29 .
The Syrian Foreign Ministry has blasted the plan of Israeli-Palestinian settlement dubbed ‘ deal of the century ’ proposed by US President Donald Trump .
The statement also underscores that the US policy in the Middle East `` serves interests of Israel and its expansionist intentions at the expense of legitimate rights of Arab nations . ''
`` Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council denounce the US contempt for international legitimacy and reminds that UN resolutions call for an end to the Israeli occupation of Arab and Palestinian territories , '' the statement notes .
On Tuesday , US President Donald Trump revealed key details of his Middle Eastern plan at a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House .
As a condition for peaceful process , the US leader said that Palestinian authorities should seize supporting Hamas radical movement operating in the Gaza Strip as well as renounce means of armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump described Jerusalem as Israel ’ s `` undivided capital '' and announced the US intention to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Jewish settlements founded on Palestinian territories .
Netanyahu backed Trump ’ s plan and expressed willingness to immediately engage in peace talks with Palestinians .
In turn , Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas rejected US president ’ s proposals , branding them as a plot , while Hamas slammed the plan , saying that it is not worth of the ink it is printed in .

"This project represents capitulation before the Israeli occupation and confirms that the US and Israel are hostile towards the Arab nation," says the ministry’s statement communicated by SANA news agency.
TASS, January 29. The Syrian Foreign Ministry has blasted the plan of Israeli-Palestinian settlement dubbed ‘deal of the century’ proposed by US President Donald Trump.
The statement also underscores that the US policy in the Middle East "serves interests of Israel and its expansionist intentions at the expense of legitimate rights of Arab nations."
"Syria demands that the [UN] Security Council denounce the US contempt for international legitimacy and reminds that UN resolutions call for an end to the Israeli occupation of Arab and Palestinian territories," the statement notes.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump revealed key details of his Middle Eastern plan at a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. As a condition for peaceful process, the US leader said that Palestinian authorities should seize supporting Hamas radical movement operating in the Gaza Strip as well as renounce means of armed fighting. At the same time, Trump described Jerusalem as Israel’s "undivided capital" and announced the US intention to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Jewish settlements founded on Palestinian territories.
Netanyahu backed Trump’s plan and expressed willingness to immediately engage in peace talks with Palestinians. In turn, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas rejected US president’s proposals, branding them as a plot, while Hamas slammed the plan, saying that it is not worth the ink it is printed in.


tass--2020-01-29--US embassy apologizes for saying Auschwitz death camp was liberated by Americans

TASS , January 29 .
The US embassy in Denmark has offered apologies on Wednesday for posting a tweet which @ @ @ @ @ Nazi concentration camp was liberated by American soldiers back in 1945 .
`` Yesterday , @ @ @ @ @ troops liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau .
It was of course liberated by Soviet troops .
We acknowledge @ @ @ @ @ Allied Forces during WWII and remember the 6 million Jews who perished during the Holocaust @ @ @ @ @ said via Twitter .

TASS, January 29. The US embassy in Denmark has offered apologies on Wednesday for posting a tweet which falsely asserted that the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp was liberated by American soldiers back in 1945.
"Yesterday, we inadvertently wrote that US troops liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau. It was of course liberated by Soviet troops. We acknowledge the important contributions of all Allied Forces during WWII and remember the 6 million Jews who perished during the Holocaust," the US embassy said via Twitter.


tass--2020-01-29--About 40,000 Ukrainians granted temporary asylum in Russia

`` Back in 2014 , Russia was able to receive about a million citizens from southeastern Ukraine on its territory - more than any European state , '' she said .
`` In late 2016 , about 450,000 Ukrainian citizens had temporary asylum on the territory of Russia .
As of today , the majority of them have been integrated in the Russian society , receiving Russian citizenship .
Currently , there are about 40,000 Ukrainian citizens with temporary asylum in Russia , '' the official said during a round table discussion on migration issues .
On April 24 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decree , which relaxes Russian citizenship rules for residents of certain regions of southeastern Ukraine .
`` Individuals permanently residing in certain areas of Ukraine ’ s Donetsk and Lugansk regions have the right to apply for Russian citizenship under a fast-track procedure , '' the decree reads .
According to the document , the decision has been made `` in order to protect human rights and freedoms '' based on generally accepted international laws .
In summer 2019 , first passport offices for Donbass residents began functioning in Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every couple of months .

"Back in 2014, Russia was able to receive about a million citizens from southeastern Ukraine on its territory - more than any European state," she said. "In late 2016, about 450,000 Ukrainian citizens had temporary asylum on the territory of Russia. As of today, the majority of them have been integrated in the Russian society, receiving Russian citizenship. Currently, there are about 40,000 Ukrainian citizens with temporary asylum in Russia," the official said during a round table discussion on migration issues.
On April 24, 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree, which relaxes Russian citizenship rules for residents of certain regions of southeastern Ukraine. "Individuals permanently residing in certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Lugansk regions have the right to apply for Russian citizenship under a fast-track procedure," the decree reads. According to the document, the decision has been made "in order to protect human rights and freedoms" based on generally accepted international laws. In summer 2019, first passport offices for Donbass residents began functioning in Russia’s Rostov Region, with new facilities opening every couple of months.