tass--2020-01-24--US-China trade agreement poses risk for global trade, says Russian presidential aide

DAVOS /Switzerland/ , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The US-China trade agreement poses threat for international trade and may trigger trade disputes starting 2021-2022 , Russian Presidential Aide Maksim Oreshkin said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV news channel following the World Economic Forum in Davos .
`` The European reaction on the US-China deal , in which China commits to boosting purchases of US goods , raises fears , '' he said .
The agreement itself is not worrisome , Oreshkin said , adding though that a number of questions remain , for example , which principle China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US products , whether those will be market principles or additional barriers will appear for European products .
`` That means it is a catastrophe waiting to happen , which I do not expect in 2020 , of course , but starting from 2021-2022 ( Russia ) together with the US , China and Europe and other countries will witness many disputes , '' he explained .
Russia remains committed to multilateral formats in global trade , such as the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) , Oreshkin said .
`` I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future for international trade policy .
We in Russia definitely remain fully supportive of multilateral formats , the WTO , and I should put it very simply - what is liked by two is not necessarily liked by the third and all others , '' he emphasized .
US President Donald Trump and Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Liu He signed an agreement on the first phase of a deal to settle bilateral trade disputes on January 15 in Washington .
Particularly , Beijing agreed to increase purchases of US goods by $ 76.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 123.3 bln during the second year of the agreement .
The issue is not only about agriculture products , but about other US goods as well .

DAVOS /Switzerland/, January 24. /TASS/. The US-China trade agreement poses threat for international trade and may trigger trade disputes starting 2021-2022, Russian Presidential Aide Maksim Oreshkin said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV news channel following the World Economic Forum in Davos.
"The European reaction on the US-China deal, in which China commits to boosting purchases of US goods, raises fears," he said.
The agreement itself is not worrisome, Oreshkin said, adding though that a number of questions remain, for example, which principle China will use for shifting from European to US products, whether those will be market principles or additional barriers will appear for European products. "That means it is a catastrophe waiting to happen, which I do not expect in 2020, of course, but starting from 2021-2022 (Russia) together with the US, China and Europe and other countries will witness many disputes," he explained.
Russia remains committed to multilateral formats in global trade, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Oreshkin said. "I do not think that two-sidedness is the new future for international trade policy. We in Russia definitely remain fully supportive of multilateral formats, the WTO, and I should put it very simply - what is liked by two is not necessarily liked by the third and all others," he emphasized.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Liu He signed an agreement on the first phase of a deal to settle bilateral trade disputes on January 15 in Washington. Particularly, Beijing agreed to increase purchases of US goods by $76.7 bln during the first year and by $123.3 bln during the second year of the agreement. The issue is not only about agriculture products, but about other US goods as well.


tass--2020-01-24--Beijing health officials declare highest emergency threat level over coronavirus outbreak

The city will take emergency measures to control the spread of the virus , he said .
At the moment , 29 people have been infected in Beijing , and one patient is in serious but stable condition .
BEIJING , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Beijing Municipal Health Commission raised the public health threat level to its highest starting Friday 14:00 local time over the coronavirus outbreak , says Lei Haichao , its director .
WHO recommends all countries brace for further expansion of coronavirus Beijing has already closed the largest cultural institutions and cancelled all public Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the city of Wuhan is located , has also taken lockdown measures .
Wuhan city is the source of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus outbreak On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of the new type of pneumonia in Wuhan , a city with a population of more than 11 million people .
The culprit — the 2019-nCoV coronavirus — was identified on January 7 , 2020 .
According to the latest data , 849 people were infected with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them died .
The coronavirus has also been identified in Thailand , Vietnam , South Korea , the US , Singapore and Japan .
On January 23 , the WHO refrained from declaring an international emergency over the outbreak of the virus that originated in China .

The city will take emergency measures to control the spread of the virus, he said. At the moment, 29 people have been infected in Beijing, and one patient is in serious but stable condition.
BEIJING, January 24. /TASS/. The Beijing Municipal Health Commission raised the public health threat level to its highest starting Friday 14:00 local time over the coronavirus outbreak, says Lei Haichao, its director.
Beijing has already closed the largest cultural institutions and cancelled all public Chinese New Year events.
The Hubei province, where the city of Wuhan is located, has also taken lockdown measures. Wuhan city is the source of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus outbreak.
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of the new type of pneumonia in Wuhan, a city with a population of more than 11 million people. The culprit — the 2019-nCoV coronavirus — was identified on January 7, 2020.
According to the latest data, 849 people were infected with the new disease in China, and 26 of them died. The coronavirus has also been identified in Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, the US, Singapore and Japan. On January 23, the WHO refrained from declaring an international emergency over the outbreak of the virus that originated in China.


tass--2020-01-24--Press review: What Davos 2020 focused on and why Putin asked UNSC members to meet

Izvestia : Davos 2020 zooms in on ecology and sustainable development The 50th anniversary of the World Economic Forum ( WEF ) in Davos has concluded .
The forum ’ s official theme was `` Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World '' , but discussions about environmental degradation and climate change became the focus , Izvestia wrote .
Prior to and during the forum , supporters of teen eco-activist Greta Thunberg held demonstrations , preventing forum participants from getting around Davos and its surrounding areas .
Her performances became one of the most anticipated in Davos as the speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time , on the sidelines every now and then there was talk that Davos was not the way it used to be .
Minister of Economic Development Maxim Oreshkin was expected to head the Russian delegation to the World Economic Forum .
However , a week before the event , he suddenly became acting minister , and on the day of his first speech in Davos , he was just an `` economist '' .
There were no officials from other Russian departments at the forum .
However , Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in full force .
The forum was attended by CEO of Rusal and En+ Oleg Deripaska , Yandex CEO Arkady Volozh , Head of Renova Viktor Vekselberg , founder of VKontakte and Telegram Pavel Durov , Lukoil CEO Vagit Alekperov , and others .
The main session of the Russia House was a discussion of inequality as a barrier to economic growth .
In total , 3,000 people from 117 countries participated in the forum , including 53 heads of state and government .
Despite the intense agenda , Russian WEF participants on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being not as good as it was in 2019 , the newspaper wrote , adding that one of the Russian representatives even said that the forum , in principle , is getting worse every year .
Managing Partner of EY for Russia Alexander Ivlev did not agree with this opinion .
He told Izvestia that Davos is a platform `` where you can meet with customers , and discuss issues related to global trends and global business '' .
`` Russia ’ s agenda is well covered in the framework of the Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this year has become worse than last year .
I reached all the goals that I set for myself , '' he said .
Another forum participant , CEO of Integral Petroleum SA Murat Seitnepesov considers the Davos forum to be the most important platform for discussing pressing issues .
`` It is absolutely right that at a forum of such caliber as WEF , the environmental problem was raised .
Sustainable development includes sustainable ecology .
This may not be as important right now , but the forum always looks further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals , '' he said .
Izvestia : Putin calls on UN Security Council members to join forces for peace During Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s visit to the Jerusalem-hosted World Holocaust Forum , the president proposed that leaders from the permanent members of the UN Security Council could meet in 2020 , Izvestia wrote .
According to him , the dialogue would work towards finding solutions to many regional problems and avoid large-scale conflicts .
In Israel , the Russian leader also took part in the opening of a monument to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nazi-besieged Leningrad .
In addition , Putin held bilateral talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel ’ s President Reuven Rivlin , he also managed to talk with the mother of an Israeli woman , Naama Issachar , jailed in Russia on drug charges .
During his speech , the Russian president proposed a specific initiative .
He invited the leaders of those countries that are permanent members of the UN Security Council ( Russia , the United States , China , France and the United Kingdom ) to hold a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to him , the UN founding states shoulder primary responsibility for maintaining peace , and their actions should serve as an example to the rest of the world .
Putin noted that the event could be held in any convenient place .
The idea is very timely , given how many new conflicts have arisen in recent years , Vladimir Dzhabarov , First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council ’ s Committee on Foreign Affairs told Izvestia .
`` The initiative of the Russian president is remarkable , since it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues in the Security Council .
If a separate summit of `` the five '' is held , then they could make decisions , for example , on saving Libya , and avoid the final collapse of the state , '' he explained .
Israeli and Russian stances on World War II coincide , Dzhabarov also pointed out .
According to him , these two countries can be considered leaders in the movement to preserve historical memory .
`` The memory of the World War II is what unites us .
Attempts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , some Eastern European countries are trying to form some alternative version of the history of the Holocaust , denying the involvement of their `` national heroes '' in these horrific crimes .
Moreover , it is specifically these countries that are the driving forces behind anti-Russian resolutions , which , as we have seen , are adopted by the European Parliament , '' Alexander Dyukov , director of the Historical Memory Foundation , told Izvestia .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : Belarus bluffs with alternative oil supplies to haggle over price with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarus arrived in the port of Klaipeda , Lithuania .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko made it clear that this was a trial supply to hammer out a mechanism for operating with world oil prices .
There is no official data on its cost , but according to experts , Belarus will have to shell out more money on this oil than for Russian supplies .
In their opinion , careful thinking will force Minsk to seek a compromise with Russian suppliers , Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote .
The information and service website tut.by , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector , wrote that transportation would cost $ 20 per tonne .
Taking into account the market price of oil of around $ 470 per tonne , then it could cost Belarus $ 490-520 per tonne .
Meanwhile , Russian oil was offered for 83 % of the world price , or about $ 385 per tonne .
Thus , Minsk ’ s losses could rocket to about $ 2 bln per year , if the entire volume is bought from alternative sources .
However , right now , Belarus is not looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lukashenko has set out to buy only 30-40 % of the required volumes in Russia .
According to experts , this move indicates that by refusing to sign contracts on Russia ’ s terms , Minsk is merely bluffing and haggling over the price .
Analyzing the situation , project manager of BelarusSecurityBlog Andrey Porotnikov claims that Minsk was not ready for the Russian oil ultimatum and the decision to refuse Russian oil when buying on Russian conditions was made spontaneously and emotionally .
Experts also noted technical factors .
In particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Belarusian refineries could only work with the North Sea oil grade supplied by Norway , and Russian Urals oil .
Therefore , `` the choice of alternative supplies from our government is not so great , '' the expert noted .
Vedomosti : Libyan rivals will try to come to terms in Geneva The first meeting of the Libyan Joint Military Commission is due to take place in Geneva next week , UN Special Envoy for Libya Ghassan Salame said .
According to him , the parties to the conflict - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Accord Fayez al-Sarraj and Commander of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Khalifa Haftar - gave him the names of the participants in the meeting .
Vedomosti reported that this opened the door to convening the first meeting of the commission so that the Moscow-Ankara brokered truce announced on January 12 , would move to a full-fledged ceasefire by the end of January .
However , sources told Vedomosti , the future of the ceasefire would be difficult .
The event in Geneva is tentatively scheduled for January 28 , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together for a personal discussion of the Libyan conflict since Haftar ’ s troops attacked Tripoli in April 2019 , a diplomatic source told Vedomosti .
It is obvious , that the position of representatives of each side based on the behavior of their leaders , especially Haftar , will be as tough as possible , which reduces the chances of an early rapprochement , the source added .
Attempts to sign a ceasefire deal have failed , the source said .
Haftar is still torn between his main allies , trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to the Russian Ministry of Defense told the newspaper .
The full-scale conflict has been halted , the active use of pro-Turkish units in Libya recruited from Syrian militants has been avoided solely thanks to the agreements by the presidents of Russia and Turkey , another source told Vedomosti .
For Haftar , it is disadvantageous to withdraw troops when Tripoli is in their sights , and he wants to start negotiations from a position of strength , said Leonid Isaev , an associate professor at the Higher School of Economics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisive and still unknown factor for Haftar is Ankara ’ s position .
`` Turkey ’ s military intervention will seriously harm not Haftar ’ s army itself , but his allies , primarily Egypt , '' the expert said .
Therefore , Haftar is taking this type of ambiguous position .
Kommersant : Ankara presents Moscow with gas manufacturing offer off the coast of Cyprus Turkey and Greece renewed a long-standing dispute over the balance of power in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas .
Although formally the countries are part of one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on Greece to stop deploying weapons to islands located a few kilometers from the Turkish coast .
Furthermore , disagreements around Cyprus have exacerbated the situation , Kommersant wrote .
Nicosia slammed Turkey as a “ pirate state ” , but now Ankara is looking to Moscow as a possible ally .
The situation in the region is complicated by the fact that Ankara in the near future plans to start gas production off the coast of Cyprus .
On January 20 , top EU diplomat Josep Borrell , announced his readiness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of Turkish citizens and companies responsible for drilling to the blacklist .
Turkey , in turn , also expects to enlist the support of a partner : Russia .
According to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu , he sees an opportunity between Turkey and Russia for gas production prospects off the coast of Cyprus .
According to him , Cyprus was one of the topics that the presidents of the two countries had discussed during their last meeting .
According to Director of the Center for the Study of New Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ankara in the Mediterranean is to achieve the construction of its own gas pipeline to spite the EastMed project ( East Mediterranean Gas Pipeline ) .
The initiators of this project - Israel , Cyprus , and Greece - signed a construction agreement on January 2 .
`` Turkey is annoyed that its opinion was not taken into account on the EastMed project , so it will pressure its neighbors in different ways , '' Mavashev told Kommersant .
`` The Turks want to use Russia as an irritant for the European Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitor to the TurkStream gas pipeline .
However , all this is nothing more than cunning maneuvers by Turkish diplomacy , the ultimate goal of which is to gain access to the gas fields of Cyprus , '' the expert added .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Izvestia: Davos 2020 zooms in on ecology and sustainable development The 50th anniversary of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos has concluded. The forum’s official theme was "Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World", but discussions about environmental degradation and climate change became the focus, Izvestia wrote. Prior to and during the forum, supporters of teen eco-activist Greta Thunberg held demonstrations, preventing forum participants from getting around Davos and its surrounding areas. Her performances became one of the most anticipated in Davos as the speech by US President Donald Trump. At the same time, on the sidelines every now and then there was talk that Davos was not the way it used to be.
Read also Putin appoints three former cabinet members to new positions
Minister of Economic Development Maxim Oreshkin was expected to head the Russian delegation to the World Economic Forum. However, a week before the event, he suddenly became acting minister, and on the day of his first speech in Davos, he was just an "economist". There were no officials from other Russian departments at the forum. However, Russia’s powerful business sector was present almost in full force. The forum was attended by CEO of Rusal and En+ Oleg Deripaska, Yandex CEO Arkady Volozh, Head of Renova Viktor Vekselberg, founder of VKontakte and Telegram Pavel Durov, Lukoil CEO Vagit Alekperov, and others. The main session of the Russia House was a discussion of inequality as a barrier to economic growth. In total, 3,000 people from 117 countries participated in the forum, including 53 heads of state and government. Despite the intense agenda, Russian WEF participants on the sidelines talked about the 2020 forum being not as good as it was in 2019, the newspaper wrote, adding that one of the Russian representatives even said that the forum, in principle, is getting worse every year. Managing Partner of EY for Russia Alexander Ivlev did not agree with this opinion. He told Izvestia that Davos is a platform "where you can meet with customers, and discuss issues related to global trends and global business". "Russia’s agenda is well covered in the framework of the Russia House. I can’t say that this year has become worse than last year. I reached all the goals that I set for myself," he said. Another forum participant, CEO of Integral Petroleum SA Murat Seitnepesov considers the Davos forum to be the most important platform for discussing pressing issues. "It is absolutely right that at a forum of such caliber as WEF, the environmental problem was raised. Sustainable development includes sustainable ecology. This may not be as important right now, but the forum always looks further. This is one of the development goals," he said. Izvestia: Putin calls on UN Security Council members to join forces for peace During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Jerusalem-hosted World Holocaust Forum, the president proposed that leaders from the permanent members of the UN Security Council could meet in 2020, Izvestia wrote. According to him, the dialogue would work towards finding solutions to many regional problems and avoid large-scale conflicts. In Israel, the Russian leader also took part in the opening of a monument to honor the wartime residents and defenders of Nazi-besieged Leningrad. In addition, Putin held bilateral talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin, he also managed to talk with the mother of an Israeli woman, Naama Issachar, jailed in Russia on drug charges.
Read also Putin assures convicted Israeli woman’s mother everything will be fine
During his speech, the Russian president proposed a specific initiative. He invited the leaders of those countries that are permanent members of the UN Security Council (Russia, the United States, China, France and the United Kingdom) to hold a meeting in 2020 to solve global problems. According to him, the UN founding states shoulder primary responsibility for maintaining peace, and their actions should serve as an example to the rest of the world. Putin noted that the event could be held in any convenient place. The idea is very timely, given how many new conflicts have arisen in recent years, Vladimir Dzhabarov, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council’s Committee on Foreign Affairs told Izvestia. "The initiative of the Russian president is remarkable, since it is not always possible to discuss all complex issues in the Security Council. If a separate summit of "the five" is held, then they could make decisions, for example, on saving Libya, and avoid the final collapse of the state," he explained. Israeli and Russian stances on World War II coincide, Dzhabarov also pointed out. According to him, these two countries can be considered leaders in the movement to preserve historical memory. "The memory of the World War II is what unites us. Attempts to distort history have very specific political reasons. However, some Eastern European countries are trying to form some alternative version of the history of the Holocaust, denying the involvement of their "national heroes" in these horrific crimes. Moreover, it is specifically these countries that are the driving forces behind anti-Russian resolutions, which, as we have seen, are adopted by the European Parliament," Alexander Dyukov, director of the Historical Memory Foundation, told Izvestia. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Belarus bluffs with alternative oil supplies to haggle over price with Russia A tanker with Norwegian oil for Belarus arrived in the port of Klaipeda, Lithuania. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko made it clear that this was a trial supply to hammer out a mechanism for operating with world oil prices. There is no official data on its cost, but according to experts, Belarus will have to shell out more money on this oil than for Russian supplies. In their opinion, careful thinking will force Minsk to seek a compromise with Russian suppliers, Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote. The information and service website tut.by, referring to its sources in the oil sector, wrote that transportation would cost $20 per tonne. Taking into account the market price of oil of around $470 per tonne, then it could cost Belarus $490-520 per tonne. Meanwhile, Russian oil was offered for 83% of the world price, or about $385 per tonne. Thus, Minsk’s losses could rocket to about $2 bln per year, if the entire volume is bought from alternative sources.
However, right now, Belarus is not looking at completely rejecting Russia’s oil. Lukashenko has set out to buy only 30-40% of the required volumes in Russia. According to experts, this move indicates that by refusing to sign contracts on Russia’s terms, Minsk is merely bluffing and haggling over the price. Analyzing the situation, project manager of BelarusSecurityBlog Andrey Porotnikov claims that Minsk was not ready for the Russian oil ultimatum and the decision to refuse Russian oil when buying on Russian conditions was made spontaneously and emotionally. Experts also noted technical factors. In particular, Mikhail Grachev, a financial analyst said that Belarusian refineries could only work with the North Sea oil grade supplied by Norway, and Russian Urals oil. Therefore, "the choice of alternative supplies from our government is not so great," the expert noted. Vedomosti: Libyan rivals will try to come to terms in Geneva The first meeting of the Libyan Joint Military Commission is due to take place in Geneva next week, UN Special Envoy for Libya Ghassan Salame said. According to him, the parties to the conflict - Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord Fayez al-Sarraj and Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar - gave him the names of the participants in the meeting. Vedomosti reported that this opened the door to convening the first meeting of the commission so that the Moscow-Ankara brokered truce announced on January 12, would move to a full-fledged ceasefire by the end of January. However, sources told Vedomosti, the future of the ceasefire would be difficult.
Read also Libya's joint military committee to meet on January 28


tass--2020-01-24--Sri Lanka to host International Army Games contest for first time

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The International Army Games contest ‘ Field Kitchen ’ will be hosted by @ @ @ @ @ time , Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said at a session of the @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
`` One of the contests , Field Kitchen , will be hosted by @ @ @ @ @ time , '' the defense minister commented .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. The International Army Games contest ‘Field Kitchen’ will be hosted by Sri Lanka for the first time, Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said at a session of the Games’ organizing committee on Friday.
"One of the contests, Field Kitchen, will be hosted by Sri Lanka for the first time," the defense minister commented.


tass--2020-01-24--Russian Defense Ministry invites NATO countries to Army Games 2020

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry has invited 90 countries , including NATO members @ @ @ @ @ 2020 International Army Games , Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting @ @ @ @ @ committee .
He noted that the 6th Army Games were scheduled to be held between @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Invitations have been sent to 90 countries , including members of the North @ @ @ @ @ Shoigu stated .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry has invited 90 countries, including NATO members, to participate in the 2020 International Army Games, Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting of the Games’ organizing committee.
He noted that the 6th Army Games were scheduled to be held between August 23 and September 5.
"Invitations have been sent to 90 countries, including members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization," Shoigu stated.


tass--2020-01-24--Russian watchdog tightens checks on borders in view of coronavirus threat

MOSCOW , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor is carrying out tighter double checks of all those arriving from unsafe regions on all Russian borders following the identification of a new coronavirus in China .
`` All checkpoints on Russia ’ s state border have been making tighter double checks of all those arriving from unsafe regions .
Stationary and portable thermal imaging equipment is used , '' the watchdog ’ s news release runs .
All those arriving from China who are diagnosed with ARI ( acute respiratory infection ) in the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the arrival are isolated , taken to the hospital and undergo thorough laboratory tests .
`` The monitoring campaign has identified one patient with influenza B and adenovirus infection , one patient with parainfluenza , one patient with rhinovirus infection , three patients with influenza A , two with respiratory-syncytial infection and one with bacterial pneumonia .
No patients have been diagnosed with coronavirus , '' the watchdog said .
China ’ s authorities on December 31 informed the World Health Organization of an outbreak of unknown pneumonia in Wuhan - a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 11 million .
On January 7 , Chinese specialists identified the virus to blame - 2019-nCoV .
According to the latest statistics , there have been 877 confirmed cases in China .
The disease has claimed 26 lives .
The new type of coronavirus has been identified in Thailand , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States and Japan .
On January 23 , the World Health Organization refrained from declaring an international emergency in the light of the pneumonia outbreak in China .

MOSCOW, January 23. /TASS/. Russia’s consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor is carrying out tighter double checks of all those arriving from unsafe regions on all Russian borders following the identification of a new coronavirus in China.
"All checkpoints on Russia’s state border have been making tighter double checks of all those arriving from unsafe regions. Stationary and portable thermal imaging equipment is used," the watchdog’s news release runs.
All those arriving from China who are diagnosed with ARI (acute respiratory infection) in the process of checks or during 14 days after the arrival are isolated, taken to the hospital and undergo thorough laboratory tests.
"The monitoring campaign has identified one patient with influenza B and adenovirus infection, one patient with parainfluenza, one patient with rhinovirus infection, three patients with influenza A, two with respiratory-syncytial infection and one with bacterial pneumonia. No patients have been diagnosed with coronavirus," the watchdog said.
China’s authorities on December 31 informed the World Health Organization of an outbreak of unknown pneumonia in Wuhan - a large industrial center with a population of more than 11 million. On January 7, Chinese specialists identified the virus to blame - 2019-nCoV.
According to the latest statistics, there have been 877 confirmed cases in China. The disease has claimed 26 lives. The new type of coronavirus has been identified in Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Japan. On January 23, the World Health Organization refrained from declaring an international emergency in the light of the pneumonia outbreak in China.


tass--2020-01-24--Russia’s first space launch in 2020 delayed for 24 hours — source

The launch of the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the Meridian satellite from the Plesetsk spaceport has been cancelled for three possible technical reasons , according to the source .
The launch was expected to be the first lift-off of a space vehicle in Russia in 2020 .
`` The launch has been postponed for 24 hours , '' the source said .
MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The launch of a Meridian-M military satellite by a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket scheduled for January 24 from the Plesetsk spaceport in northern Russia has been delayed for 24 hours , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
`` Preliminarily , three possible reasons are being considered : a failure in the Fregat booster , a failure in the carrier rocket or a failure in the operation of the ground-based launch pad , '' the source informed .
It specified that the command to cancel the launch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Moscow time had been given back at around 09:00 a.m. Moscow time .
As per another source , the blast-off may be postponed indefinitely .
`` The launch may be delayed not until Saturday but for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the command to cancel the launch had been given before the rocket ’ s fueling scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Moscow time .
Commander of Russia ’ s Space Forces Colonel-General Alexander Golovko earlier reported that the Defense Ministry would launch another Meridian-M satellite in January 2020 .
The rocket was expected to blast off from the upgraded launch pad No .
3 , he added .
The first launch from that launch pad took place on December 11 , although it was initially scheduled for a day earlier .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received an order in 2017 for manufacturing four Meridian-M military satellites ( the modernized version of Meridian space vehicles ) .
Reshetnev CEO Nikolai Testoyedov earlier told TASS that the company was planning to produce the first Meridian-M satellite at the end of 2018 , the second — in 2019 , the third — in 2020 and the fourth — in 2022 .
The time was chosen to ensure the planned replacement of existing Meridian satellites , he said .
The Meridians are second-generation communications satellites that replaced Molniya and Raduga space vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satellites is seven years .

The launch of the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the Meridian satellite from the Plesetsk spaceport has been cancelled for three possible technical reasons, according to the source.
The launch was expected to be the first lift-off of a space vehicle in Russia in 2020.
"The launch has been postponed for 24 hours," the source said.
MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. The launch of a Meridian-M military satellite by a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket scheduled for January 24 from the Plesetsk spaceport in northern Russia has been delayed for 24 hours, a source in the space industry told TASS on Friday.
"Preliminarily, three possible reasons are being considered: a failure in the Fregat booster, a failure in the carrier rocket or a failure in the operation of the ground-based launch pad," the source informed. It specified that the command to cancel the launch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Moscow time had been given back at around 09:00 a.m. Moscow time.
As per another source, the blast-off may be postponed indefinitely. "The launch may be delayed not until Saturday but for an indefinite period."
The sources added that the command to cancel the launch had been given before the rocket’s fueling scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Moscow time.
Commander of Russia’s Space Forces Colonel-General Alexander Golovko earlier reported that the Defense Ministry would launch another Meridian-M satellite in January 2020. The rocket was expected to blast off from the upgraded launch pad No. 3, he added.
The first launch from that launch pad took place on December 11, although it was initially scheduled for a day earlier.
Russia’s Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems Company received an order in 2017 for manufacturing four Meridian-M military satellites (the modernized version of Meridian space vehicles).
Reshetnev CEO Nikolai Testoyedov earlier told TASS that the company was planning to produce the first Meridian-M satellite at the end of 2018, the second — in 2019, the third — in 2020 and the fourth — in 2022. The time was chosen to ensure the planned replacement of existing Meridian satellites, he said.
The Meridians are second-generation communications satellites that replaced Molniya and Raduga space vehicles. The active service life of operational satellites is seven years.


tass--2020-01-24--Bulgarian prosecution begins investigation of two Russian diplomats accused of espionage

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The pre-trial investigation of two Russian diplomats accused of espionage has begun , the Bulgarian prosecution informed on its website on Friday .
`` Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev has informed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the evidence gathered regarding the espionage activity carried out by two foreign nationals with diplomatic immunity on the territory of the country , '' the prosecution informs .
`` Two pre-trial investigations of crimes committed against the Republic of Bulgaria have begun . ''
The Bulgarian prosecution informs that the investigation is carried out against two foreigners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the aim to disclose it to a foreign state or a foreign organization . ''
`` In the course of the investigation within one of the pre-trial proceedings , it was documented that since 2017 to the present day , a Russian national has been involved in espionage activity , during which he searched for information on election mechanisms in the country .
It was established that the Russian national is a diplomat accredited as first secretary of the consular department of the Russian Embassy in Sofia , '' the message follows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian citizen `` has been gathering intelligence information , including state and professional secrets , in relation to the country ’ s sphere of energy and energy security since October 2018 to the present day . ''
`` In order to carry out these unlawful activities , the Russian national maintained contact with Bulgarian citizens with access to information from said sphere .
Further checks have shown that the Russian citizen has diplomatic immunity as an employee of the Russian Trade Delegation to Sofia , '' the statement says .
Russian Ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian embassy had not been officially informed of the charges .
`` The Russian Embassy has received no official information regarding the charges presented against Russian diplomats , '' Makarov noted .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. The pre-trial investigation of two Russian diplomats accused of espionage has begun, the Bulgarian prosecution informed on its website on Friday.
"Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev has informed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the evidence gathered regarding the espionage activity carried out by two foreign nationals with diplomatic immunity on the territory of the country," the prosecution informs. "Two pre-trial investigations of crimes committed against the Republic of Bulgaria have begun."
The Bulgarian prosecution informs that the investigation is carried out against two foreigners, who "collected state secret information with the aim to disclose it to a foreign state or a foreign organization." "In the course of the investigation within one of the pre-trial proceedings, it was documented that since 2017 to the present day, a Russian national has been involved in espionage activity, during which he searched for information on election mechanisms in the country. It was established that the Russian national is a diplomat accredited as first secretary of the consular department of the Russian Embassy in Sofia," the message follows.
According to the prosecution, another Russian citizen "has been gathering intelligence information, including state and professional secrets, in relation to the country’s sphere of energy and energy security since October 2018 to the present day." "In order to carry out these unlawful activities, the Russian national maintained contact with Bulgarian citizens with access to information from said sphere. Further checks have shown that the Russian citizen has diplomatic immunity as an employee of the Russian Trade Delegation to Sofia," the statement says.
Russian Ambassador to Sofia Anatoly Makarov told TASS that the Russian embassy had not been officially informed of the charges. "The Russian Embassy has received no official information regarding the charges presented against Russian diplomats," Makarov noted.


tass--2020-01-24--Russian Helicopters rolls out new model for Special Forces

Last summer , Russian Helicopters signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense to furnish 10 original version helicopters to the Russian Special Operations Forces .
MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Helicopters ( a Rostech subsidiary ) developed a new version of the Mi-8AMTSh-VN Special Forces helicopter with enhanced weapons , says CEO Andrey Boginsky .
`` We already have an upgraded appearance of the AMTSh-VN .
Let ’ s say , it has expanded its options and capabilities - not so much the vehicle itself , but its extra equipment , '' Boginsky said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weapons , the means of target detection and identification . ''
`` We ’ re talking higher level systems .
This is the result of integrating solutions offered through our cooperation , '' the CEO noted .
A source in the industry told TASS that the new vehicle received an unofficial designation of Mi-8AMTSh-VN2 .
According to the source , this rotorcraft is the bridge between the Mi-8 family and a promising helicopter : the Airborne Combat Vehicle for the `` new type '' of airborne units .
In March 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the existing helicopters kicked off , in line with the development of the new Airborne Combat Vehicle helicopter .
The Mi-8AMTSH-VN helicopter is equipped with new avionics , armed with two 12.7 mm side-mounted machineguns , adapted for night vision goggles , and has an onboard defense complex .
The cockpit and the main systems and protected with a titanium alloy armor , while the floor and sides of the cargo compartment are protected with lightweight removable Kevlar armor .

Last summer, Russian Helicopters signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense to furnish 10 original version helicopters to the Russian Special Operations Forces.
MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Russian Helicopters (a Rostech subsidiary) developed a new version of the Mi-8AMTSh-VN Special Forces helicopter with enhanced weapons, says CEO Andrey Boginsky.
"We already have an upgraded appearance of the AMTSh-VN. Let’s say, it has expanded its options and capabilities - not so much the vehicle itself, but its extra equipment," Boginsky said.
He explained that the makeover has "improved the weapons, the means of target detection and identification."
"We’re talking higher level systems. This is the result of integrating solutions offered through our cooperation," the CEO noted.
A source in the industry told TASS that the new vehicle received an unofficial designation of Mi-8AMTSh-VN2. According to the source, this rotorcraft is the bridge between the Mi-8 family and a promising helicopter: the Airborne Combat Vehicle for the "new type" of airborne units.
In March 2019, TASS reported that a program to upgrade the existing helicopters kicked off, in line with the development of the new Airborne Combat Vehicle helicopter.
The Mi-8AMTSH-VN helicopter is equipped with new avionics, armed with two 12.7 mm side-mounted machineguns, adapted for night vision goggles, and has an onboard defense complex. The cockpit and the main systems and protected with a titanium alloy armor, while the floor and sides of the cargo compartment are protected with lightweight removable Kevlar armor.


tass--2020-01-24--WHO recommends all countries brace for further expansion of coronavirus

`` It is expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country .
Thus , all countries should be prepared for containment , including active surveillance , early detection , isolation and case management , contact tracing and prevention of onward spread of 2019-nCoV infection , and to share full data with WHO , '' the message says .
MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization 's ( WHO ) International Health Regulations Emergency Committee experts have recommended that all countries get ready for the further penetration of the coronavirus and take measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the WHO 's official website .
The WHO ’ s report called on countries to `` place particular emphasis on reducing human infection , prevention of secondary transmission and international spread and contributing to the international response '' through multi-sectoral communication and collaboration , and actively participate in increasing knowledge on the virus and the disease and advance research .
The international organization urged the global community to demonstrate solidarity and cooperation in supporting each other `` on the identification of the source of this new virus , its full potential for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases , and research for developing necessary treatment . ''
The coronavirus , which was first discovered in China , was also identified in Thailand , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , and Japan .
Still , WHO has refrained from declaring an international emergency over the new pneumonia outbreak in China .
Earlier reports indicated 849 infection cases .
At the moment of the publication , two out of 26 lethal cases were identified beyond the initial outbreak region : in the Hebei province and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Russian border .
According to Friday morning reports , the medical condition of 177 patients is deemed serious , while 34 patients recovered and were discharged from medical facilities .
That said , 1,072 new suspected cases were identified .

"It is expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country. Thus, all countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of onward spread of 2019-nCoV infection, and to share full data with WHO," the message says .
MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. The World Health Organization's (WHO) International Health Regulations Emergency Committee experts have recommended that all countries get ready for the further penetration of the coronavirus and take measures in advance, says a statement published on the WHO's official website.
The WHO’s report called on countries to "place particular emphasis on reducing human infection, prevention of secondary transmission and international spread and contributing to the international response" through multi-sectoral communication and collaboration, and actively participate in increasing knowledge on the virus and the disease and advance research.
The international organization urged the global community to demonstrate solidarity and cooperation in supporting each other "on the identification of the source of this new virus, its full potential for human-to-human transmission, preparedness for potential importation of cases, and research for developing necessary treatment."
The coronavirus, which was first discovered in China, was also identified in Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, and Japan. Still, WHO has refrained from declaring an international emergency over the new pneumonia outbreak in China.
Earlier reports indicated 849 infection cases. At the moment of the publication, two out of 26 lethal cases were identified beyond the initial outbreak region: in the Hebei province and the Suihua city, located some 430 km from Russian border. According to Friday morning reports, the medical condition of 177 patients is deemed serious, while 34 patients recovered and were discharged from medical facilities. That said, 1,072 new suspected cases were identified.


tass--2020-01-24--FSB uncovers explosives allegedly stashed away by Ukrainian special services in Crimea

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has detained a Crimean @ @ @ @ @ stashes on the territory of the Crimean peninsula allegedly on assignment of the Ukrainian security @ @ @ @ @ Service ( FSB ) Center for Public Relations informed TASS .
`` The Russian Federal @ @ @ @ @ resident of the Republic of Crimea , who set up weapon and bomb stashes on @ @ @ @ @ service on the territory of the region , '' the FSB informed .
`` Nine @ @ @ @ @ , slow fuses , and high melting explosives exceeding a total mass of 5 kg @ @ @ @ @ hidden by him in Simferopol , '' the FSB added .
Criminal proceedings have been @ @ @ @ @ under Article 222 Part 2 and Article 222.1 Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code @ @ @ @ @ and transportation of explosives and weaponry by a group of people acting in collusion ) @ @ @ @ @ placed in custody , the FSB reported .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has detained a Crimean resident who set up bomb stashes on the territory of the Crimean peninsula allegedly on assignment of the Ukrainian security services, the Federal Security Service (FSB) Center for Public Relations informed TASS.
"The Russian Federal Security Service has detained a resident of the Republic of Crimea, who set up weapon and bomb stashes on assignment of the Ukrainian security service on the territory of the region," the FSB informed. "Nine electric detonators, three fuses, slow fuses, and high melting explosives exceeding a total mass of 5 kg were found in the stashes hidden by him in Simferopol," the FSB added.
Criminal proceedings have been launched against the detained person under Article 222 Part 2 and Article 222.1 Part 2 of the Russian Criminal Code (Unlawful purchase, possession and transportation of explosives and weaponry by a group of people acting in collusion). The suspect has been placed in custody, the FSB reported.


tass--2020-01-24--Trina Solar's first 210 module rolls off production line

CHANGZHOU , China , Jan. 24 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Solar Co. , Ltd ( `` Trina Solar '' or the `` Company '' ) announced that the first large-size module that deploys the 210mm silicon wafer ( `` 210 module '' ) developed by the company formally rolled off the company 's production line .
Trina Solar leads the industry in the R & D and manufacturing of 210 modules .
The move will greatly accelerate time-to-market for large-size modules .
Trina Solar has initiated the R & D of 210 modules in 2019 .
Based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first 210 module adopts an innovative 1/3-cut design .
Based on a comprehensive consideration of potential challenges including strong module power , yield , manufacturing difficulties , hot spot risks , output current performance and junction box safety , Trina Solar 's multi-busbar and 1/3-cut design will pave the way for the compatibility and integration of large-size , high-power modules and downstream systems .
The head of engineering technology R & D at Trina Solar said , `` With decades of accumulated experience in process and technology , we are confident that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to create another high-performance and reliable module for the photovoltaic ( PV ) industry .
Currently , our team is accelerating the transformation of our latest R & D outcomes into products that can go into mass production , leading the PV industry into the era of 500W module power . ''
Founded in 1997 , Trina Solar is the world leading global PV and smart energy total solution provider .
The company engages in PV product research and development , manufacture and sales ; PV project development , operation and maintenance ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sales , as well as energy cloud-platform operation .
In 2018 , Trina Solar launched its Energy Internet of Things ( IoT ) brand and initiated the Trina Energy IoT Industrial Development Alliance and New Energy IoT Industrial Innovation Center with worldwide leading enterprises and research institutes .
The company is committed to becoming the leader of the global smart energy industry .
For more information , please visit www.trinasolar.com .

CHANGZHOU, China, Jan. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Solar Co., Ltd ("Trina Solar" or the "Company") announced that the first large-size module that deploys the 210mm silicon wafer ("210 module") developed by the company formally rolled off the company's production line. Trina Solar leads the industry in the R&D and manufacturing of 210 modules. The move will greatly accelerate time-to-market for large-size modules.
Trina Solar has initiated the R&D of 210 modules in 2019. Based on the company's leading multi-busbar technology, the first 210 module adopts an innovative 1/3-cut design. Based on a comprehensive consideration of potential challenges including strong module power, yield, manufacturing difficulties, hot spot risks, output current performance and junction box safety, Trina Solar's multi-busbar and 1/3-cut design will pave the way for the compatibility and integration of large-size, high-power modules and downstream systems.
The head of engineering technology R&D at Trina Solar said, "With decades of accumulated experience in process and technology, we are confident that we can leverage the latest materials and technologies to create another high-performance and reliable module for the photovoltaic (PV) industry. Currently, our team is accelerating the transformation of our latest R&D outcomes into products that can go into mass production, leading the PV industry into the era of 500W module power."
Image: https://static.trinasolar.com/sites/default/files/Design_sketch.jpg
Caption: Rendering of Trina Solar's large-size module
About Trina Solar
Founded in 1997, Trina Solar is the world leading global PV and smart energy total solution provider. The company engages in PV product research and development, manufacture and sales; PV project development, operation and maintenance; smart micro-grid and multi-energy complementary system development and sales, as well as energy cloud-platform operation. In 2018, Trina Solar launched its Energy Internet of Things (IoT) brand and initiated the Trina Energy IoT Industrial Development Alliance and New Energy IoT Industrial Innovation Center with worldwide leading enterprises and research institutes. The company is committed to becoming the leader of the global smart energy industry. For more information, please visit www.trinasolar.com.
CONTACT: Ching Wang, +86-21-6057-5302, qing.wang04@trinasolar.com


tass--2020-01-24--Putin appoints three former cabinet members to new positions

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed decrees appointing former Economic Development Minister Maxim @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Medinsky as presidential aides .
Who ’ s who in Russia 's new cabinet @ @ @ @ @ In addition , former Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak has been appointed as deputy chief @ @ @ @ @ The decrees were published on the government ’ s official website containing legal information .
@ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned on January 15 after the president had proposed amendments to @ @ @ @ @ .
On January 21 , Putin approved the makeup of a new cabinet headed by @ @ @ @ @ which consists of nine deputy prime ministers and 21 ministers .
As many as 15 @ @ @ @ @ failed to make it into the new cabinet .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed decrees appointing former Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin and former Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky as presidential aides.
Who’s who in Russia's new cabinet following the sweeping government reshuffle
In addition, former Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak has been appointed as deputy chief of the presidential office.
The decrees were published on the government’s official website containing legal information.
The Russian government led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned on January 15 after the president had proposed amendments to the country’s Constitution. On January 21, Putin approved the makeup of a new cabinet headed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, which consists of nine deputy prime ministers and 21 ministers. As many as 15 members of the previous government failed to make it into the new cabinet.


tass--2020-01-24--US court sentences two Russians to prison for credit card fraud

NEW YORK , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
A court in the US state of Florida has sentenced two Russian nationals , brothers Igor and Denis Grushko , to 12 years in prison for credit card fraud , says a statement published on the website of the US Attorney 's Office of the Southern District of Florida .
`` Igor Grushko , 33 , and Denis Grushko , 29 , Russian nationals who were residing in Fort Lauderdale , Florida , were sentenced yesterday to 145 months in prison , after having been previously convicted by a South Florida federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to possess and use stolen credit cards , production of fraudulent credit cards , and production of counterfeit identification documents , '' the statement reads .
According to the document , the Grushko brothers `` were running a sophisticated credit card fraud factory out of their Fort Lauderdale residence . ''
`` When USSS agents executed a search warrant at their home , law enforcement discovered rubber molds and plastic resin which the Grushkos used to manufacture their own credit card skimming devices ; dozens of skimming devices , ATM overlays , pinhole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steal credit and debit card information ; a credit card embosser , encoder , and magnetic stripe reader used to create counterfeit cards . ''
The Grushko brothers were found to have conspired with Ukrainian national Vadim Voznyuk `` to use the personal identifying information of hundreds of unsuspecting victims across South Florida , including victims ’ credit card numbers , names , addresses , and phone numbers , to fraudulently obtain over $ 100,000 in high-end electronics from local Target retail stores '' .
Voznyuk was sentenced to 27 months in prison @

NEW YORK, January 24. /TASS/. A court in the US state of Florida has sentenced two Russian nationals, brothers Igor and Denis Grushko, to 12 years in prison for credit card fraud, says a statement published on the website of the US Attorney's Office of the Southern District of Florida.
"Igor Grushko, 33, and Denis Grushko, 29, Russian nationals who were residing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, were sentenced yesterday to 145 months in prison, after having been previously convicted by a South Florida federal jury of aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to possess and use stolen credit cards, production of fraudulent credit cards, and production of counterfeit identification documents," the statement reads.
According to the document, the Grushko brothers "were running a sophisticated credit card fraud factory out of their Fort Lauderdale residence." "When USSS agents executed a search warrant at their home, law enforcement discovered rubber molds and plastic resin which the Grushkos used to manufacture their own credit card skimming devices; dozens of skimming devices, ATM overlays, pinhole cameras, and similar devices used to steal credit and debit card information; a credit card embosser, encoder, and magnetic stripe reader used to create counterfeit cards."
The Grushko brothers were found to have conspired with Ukrainian national Vadim Voznyuk "to use the personal identifying information of hundreds of unsuspecting victims across South Florida, including victims’ credit card numbers, names, addresses, and phone numbers, to fraudulently obtain over $100,000 in high-end electronics from local Target retail stores". Voznyuk was sentenced to 27 months in prison.


tass--2020-01-24--China welcomes Russia’s initiative to hold summit of UNSC permanent members

`` Global instability and uncertainty are increasing , while multilateralism and the role of the United Nations are facing clear challenges , '' the statement reads .
`` China supports Russia ’ s initiative to hold a summit of the UNSC permanent members and is ready to maintain contact and coordinate activities with Russia and other permanent members of the UN Security Council , '' Hua Chunying added .
BEIJING , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Beijing welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s initiative to hold a summit of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hua Chunying said in a statement .
Putin , while addressing the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem on Thursday , suggested that Russia , China , the United States , France and the United Kingdom hold a summit to discuss global issues .
According to the Russian leader , the five founding members of the United Nations need to set an example of how to preserve peace .
Putin pointed out that the summit could take place in a place that the leaders found convenient .
He stated that Russia was ready for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to immediately send messages on the matter to other four permanent members of the UN Security Council .
Putin highlighted the importance of holding such a meeting in 2020 , which marks 75 years since the end of World War II and the creation of the United Nations .

"Global instability and uncertainty are increasing, while multilateralism and the role of the United Nations are facing clear challenges," the statement reads. "China supports Russia’s initiative to hold a summit of the UNSC permanent members and is ready to maintain contact and coordinate activities with Russia and other permanent members of the UN Security Council," Hua Chunying added.
BEIJING, January 24. /TASS/. Beijing welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to hold a summit of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council in 2020, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said in a statement.
Putin, while addressing the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem on Thursday, suggested that Russia, China, the United States, France and the United Kingdom hold a summit to discuss global issues. According to the Russian leader, the five founding members of the United Nations need to set an example of how to preserve peace.
Putin pointed out that the summit could take place in a place that the leaders found convenient. He stated that Russia was ready for this kind of serious conversation and planned to immediately send messages on the matter to other four permanent members of the UN Security Council. Putin highlighted the importance of holding such a meeting in 2020, which marks 75 years since the end of World War II and the creation of the United Nations.


tass--2020-01-24--Second case of new coronavirus confirmed in South Korea

SEOUL , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
A second case of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV has confirmed in South Korea , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday .
The second case was confirmed in the 55-year-old South Korean citizen who arrived in Seoul 's Gimpo airport from China .
The man visited the Chinese city of Wuhan where the outbreak of the new coronavirus was first reported .
The man was quarantined and is receiving necessary treatment .
The first case of the new coronavirus was registered in South Korea on Monday in a Chinese woman who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visiting Wuhan .
According to the latest reports , the death toll in the outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China has reached 26 , and 849 people have been infected .
Two deaths from the new coronavirus were registered outside of China 's Hubei province where the outbreak was initially registered — one in Hebei province and one in the city of Suihua in the north-eastern Heilongjong province bordering Russia .
On December 31 , the Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wuhan in central China .
On January 7 , Chinese specialists determined the virus behind the infection — coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Doctors say that the symptoms of the new coronavirus include running nose , cough , sore throat and chest tightness .
Migraines and fever are also possible , and they can last for several days .
The risk group includes people with a compromised immune system , such as the elderly and children .
They present with symptoms similar to those of penumonia and bronchitis .
Several cases of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — three in Thailand , two in Vietnam , two in Japan , one each in Singapore and the United States .
On Thursday , the WHO announced that `` it is still too early '' to declare the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern .

SEOUL, January 24. /TASS/. A second case of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV has confirmed in South Korea, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday.
The second case was confirmed in the 55-year-old South Korean citizen who arrived in Seoul's Gimpo airport from China. The man visited the Chinese city of Wuhan where the outbreak of the new coronavirus was first reported. The man was quarantined and is receiving necessary treatment.
The first case of the new coronavirus was registered in South Korea on Monday in a Chinese woman who arrived in Seoul's Incheon airport after visiting Wuhan.
According to the latest reports, the death toll in the outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China has reached 26, and 849 people have been infected. Two deaths from the new coronavirus were registered outside of China's Hubei province where the outbreak was initially registered — one in Hebei province and one in the city of Suihua in the north-eastern Heilongjong province bordering Russia.
On December 31, the Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a new type of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in central China. On January 7, Chinese specialists determined the virus behind the infection — coronavirus 2019-nCoV. Doctors say that the symptoms of the new coronavirus include running nose, cough, sore throat and chest tightness. Migraines and fever are also possible, and they can last for several days. The risk group includes people with a compromised immune system, such as the elderly and children. They present with symptoms similar to those of penumonia and bronchitis.
Several cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in other countries — three in Thailand, two in Vietnam, two in Japan, one each in Singapore and the United States.
On Thursday, the WHO announced that "it is still too early" to declare the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.


tass--2020-01-24--First death from new coronavirus registered in China's province bordering Russia — media

BEIJING , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The first death from the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV has been registered in the city of Suihua in the north-western Heilongjiang province , in 430 km from the border with Russia , China 's Central Television ( CCTV ) reported on Friday .
According to CCTV , four cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in the Heilongjiang province .
Nearly 380 people had contact with those infected .
A total of 487 people remain under medical supervision in the Heilongjiang province on suspicion of having contracted 2019-nCoV .
This is the second death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Hubei province where the outbreak was first registered .
Late Thursday , reports said that one person died from the virus in the northern Chinese province of Hebei .
On December 31 , the Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a new type of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in central China .
On January 7 , Chinese specialists determined the virus behind the infection - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Doctors say that the symptoms of the new coronavirus include running nose , cough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Migraines and fever are also possible , and they can last for several days .
The risk group includes people with a compromised immune system , such as the elderly and children .
They present with symptoms similar to those of penumonia and bronchitis .
According to the latest reports , 830 people were infected with the new coronavirus , and 26 people died .
Several cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in other countries - three in Thailand , two in Vietnam , two in Japan , one each in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States .
On Thursday , the WHO announced that `` it is still too early '' to declare the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern .

BEIJING, January 24. /TASS/. The first death from the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV has been registered in the city of Suihua in the north-western Heilongjiang province, in 430 km from the border with Russia, China's Central Television (CCTV) reported on Friday.
According to CCTV, four cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in the Heilongjiang province. Nearly 380 people had contact with those infected. A total of 487 people remain under medical supervision in the Heilongjiang province on suspicion of having contracted 2019-nCoV.
This is the second death from the new coronavirus outside of China's Hubei province where the outbreak was first registered. Late Thursday, reports said that one person died from the virus in the northern Chinese province of Hebei.
On December 31, the Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a new type of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in central China. On January 7, Chinese specialists determined the virus behind the infection - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. Doctors say that the symptoms of the new coronavirus include running nose, cough, sore throat and chest tightness. Migraines and fever are also possible, and they can last for several days. The risk group includes people with a compromised immune system, such as the elderly and children. They present with symptoms similar to those of penumonia and bronchitis.
According to the latest reports, 830 people were infected with the new coronavirus, and 26 people died. Several cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in other countries - three in Thailand, two in Vietnam, two in Japan, one each in South Korea, Singapore and the United States.
On Thursday, the WHO announced that "it is still too early" to declare the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.


tass--2020-01-24--Watchdog advises Russians against visiting China amidst outbreak

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russia 's consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor recommends Russian tourists to abstain from visiting China amidst the outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the country .
`` Rospotrebnadzor recommends Russian tourists to abstain from visiting China until the epidemiological situation stabilizes , '' the watchdog said in a statement on Friday .
`` Rospotrebnadzor has introduced screening for flights arriving from China .
As of 23 January 2020 , no cases of suspected coronavirus infection were found , '' the statement added .
The watchdog also advised Russian tourists going to China to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals , to wear masks , wash hands frequently and consume only cooked food and bottled water .
On January 21 , the watchdog recommended Russian citizens to abstain from visiting the city of Wuhan , where the new coronavirus outbreak was first registered .
On December 31 , the Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a new type of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in central China .
On January 7 , Chinese specialists determined the virus behind the infection - coronavirus 2019-nCoV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus include running nose , cough , sore throat and chest tightness .
Migraines and fever are also possible , and they can last for several days .
The risk group includes people with a compromised immune system , such as the elderly and children .
They present with symptoms similar to those of penumonia and bronchitis .
According to the latest reports , 830 people were infected with the new coronavirus , and 25 people died .
Several cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in other countries - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , two in Japan , one each in South Korea , Singapore and the United States .
On Thursday , the WHO announced that `` it is still too early '' to declare the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Russia's consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor recommends Russian tourists to abstain from visiting China amidst the outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the country.
"Rospotrebnadzor recommends Russian tourists to abstain from visiting China until the epidemiological situation stabilizes," the watchdog said in a statement on Friday.
"Rospotrebnadzor has introduced screening for flights arriving from China. As of 23 January 2020, no cases of suspected coronavirus infection were found," the statement added.
The watchdog also advised Russian tourists going to China to avoid going to zoos or events involving animals, to wear masks, wash hands frequently and consume only cooked food and bottled water.
On January 21, the watchdog recommended Russian citizens to abstain from visiting the city of Wuhan, where the new coronavirus outbreak was first registered.
On December 31, the Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a new type of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in central China. On January 7, Chinese specialists determined the virus behind the infection - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. Doctors say that the symptoms of the new coronavirus include running nose, cough, sore throat and chest tightness. Migraines and fever are also possible, and they can last for several days. The risk group includes people with a compromised immune system, such as the elderly and children. They present with symptoms similar to those of penumonia and bronchitis.
According to the latest reports, 830 people were infected with the new coronavirus, and 25 people died. Several cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in other countries - three in Thailand, two in Vietnam, two in Japan, one each in South Korea, Singapore and the United States.
On Thursday, the WHO announced that "it is still too early" to declare the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.


tass--2020-01-24--Maduro invites observers from UN and EU to parliamentary election in Venezuela

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has invited obsevers from the United Nations , European Union and several Latin American countries to the parliamentary elections that will be held in the Bolivarian Republic later this year , the press service of the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said on Friday .
`` Nicolas Maduro has suggested that the UN Secretary General sends a delegation of international observers to Venezuela for the parliamentary elections which will be held in 2020 , '' the press service said .
The press service said that Maduro also invited observers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European Union to the parliamentary elections .
Maduro earlier said that observers from the Organization of American States ( OAS ) will not be allowed to monitor the elections in Venezuela .
The political crisis in Venezuela exacerbated on January 23 , when Juan Guaido , Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker , whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by the country ’ s Supreme Court , declared himself interim president at a rally in the country ’ s capital of Caracas .
Several countries , including the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lima Group members ( excluding Mexico ) , Australia , Albania , Georgia and Israel , as well as the Organization of American States , recognized him as the legitimate leader .
Incumbent President of the country Nicolas Maduro , in turn , blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington and said he was severing diplomatic ties with the US .
In contrast , Russia , Belarus , Bolivia , Iran , Cuba , Nicaragua , El Salvador , Syria and Turkey voiced support for Maduro .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. /TASS/. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has invited obsevers from the United Nations, European Union and several Latin American countries to the parliamentary elections that will be held in the Bolivarian Republic later this year, the press service of the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
"Nicolas Maduro has suggested that the UN Secretary General sends a delegation of international observers to Venezuela for the parliamentary elections which will be held in 2020," the press service said.
The press service said that Maduro also invited observers from Mexico, Argentina, Panama and the European Union to the parliamentary elections.
Maduro earlier said that observers from the Organization of American States (OAS) will not be allowed to monitor the elections in Venezuela.
The political crisis in Venezuela exacerbated on January 23, when Juan Guaido, Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker, whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by the country’s Supreme Court, declared himself interim president at a rally in the country’s capital of Caracas. Several countries, including the United States, most of the EU states, Lima Group members (excluding Mexico), Australia, Albania, Georgia and Israel, as well as the Organization of American States, recognized him as the legitimate leader. Incumbent President of the country Nicolas Maduro, in turn, blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington and said he was severing diplomatic ties with the US. In contrast, Russia, Belarus, Bolivia, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Syria and Turkey voiced support for Maduro.


tass--2020-01-24--Death toll in China's new coronavirus outbreak reaches 26

BEIJING , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll in the outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China has reached 26 , and 849 people have been infected , China 's National Health Commission reported on Friday .
Earlier reports said 25 people died in the coronavirus outbreak , and a total of 830 cases of infection were confirmed .
Two deaths from the new coronavirus were registered outside of China 's Hubei province where the outbreak was initially registered - one in Hebei province and one in the city of Suihua in the north-eastern Heilongjong province bordering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected with the new coronavirus remain in critical condition , while 34 people left hospitals after receiving treatment .
Moreover , 1,072 suspected cases of new coronavirus have been registered .
On December 31 , the Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a new type of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in central China .
On January 7 , Chinese specialists determined the virus behind the infection — coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Doctors say that the symptoms of the new coronavirus include running nose , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Migraines and fever are also possible , and they can last for several days .
The risk group includes people with a compromised immune system , such as the elderly and children .
They present with symptoms similar to those of penumonia and bronchitis .
Several cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in other countries — three in Thailand , two in each Vietnam , Japan and outh Korea , and one each in Singapore and the United States .
On Thursday , the WHO announced that `` it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak of the new coronavirus in China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern .

BEIJING, January 24. /TASS/. The death toll in the outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China has reached 26, and 849 people have been infected, China's National Health Commission reported on Friday.
Earlier reports said 25 people died in the coronavirus outbreak, and a total of 830 cases of infection were confirmed. Two deaths from the new coronavirus were registered outside of China's Hubei province where the outbreak was initially registered - one in Hebei province and one in the city of Suihua in the north-eastern Heilongjong province bordering Russia.
A total of 177 people infected with the new coronavirus remain in critical condition, while 34 people left hospitals after receiving treatment. Moreover, 1,072 suspected cases of new coronavirus have been registered.
On December 31, the Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a new type of pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in central China. On January 7, Chinese specialists determined the virus behind the infection — coronavirus 2019-nCoV. Doctors say that the symptoms of the new coronavirus include running nose, cough, sore throat and chest tightness. Migraines and fever are also possible, and they can last for several days. The risk group includes people with a compromised immune system, such as the elderly and children. They present with symptoms similar to those of penumonia and bronchitis.
Several cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in other countries — three in Thailand, two in each Vietnam, Japan and outh Korea, and one each in Singapore and the United States.
On Thursday, the WHO announced that "it is still too early" to declare the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.


tass--2020-01-24--Russian bitcoin suspect being questioned in Paris — lawyer

`` Vinnik is currently being questioned against his will , and he is exhausted on the 35th day of hunger strike and insomnia .
They do not allow him to postpone [ questioning ] , do not allow him to contact me , '' Konstantopoulou said .
ATHENS , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian citizen Alexander Vinnik extradited to France from Greece is being questioned by investigators in Paris despite his condition after a 35-day hunger strike , Vinnik 's lawyer Zoe Konstantopoulou told reporters on Thursday .
`` The plane by which he was taken to France arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
`` Alexander is at the Hotel-Dieu hospital , he is exhausted .
He told my French colleague the following : he was not allowed to have any communication starting at 9:30am [ on Thursday ] , he was taken from the hospital [ in Greece ] at 1:30pm , that is two hours before the verdict [ of the Greek Council of State ] was announced , '' the lawyer noted .
`` He did not know what was going on .
He was put in a car , withough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to .
When he saw signs for an airport , he realized he was taken to an airport , but he did n't know which one .
At the airport , he saw French police officers , and when he got on the plane , he realized he would be taken to France .
There was no prosecutor there , to translators , and nobody told him anything , '' Konstantopoulou said .
`` It is obvious that we are talking about kidnapping , not about extradition , '' she concluded .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Konstantinos Tsiaras delivered a decision to extradite Vinnik to France , the United States and Russia .
It means that Vinnik is to be extradited first to France to consider his case and pronounce the verdict .
After that , he is to be taken back to Greece to be later extradited to the United States for a similar procedure , which is to be followed by extradition to Russia .
Following this decision , Vinnik went on another hunger strike .
Vinnik ’ s Greek defense attorney Zoe Konstantopoulou told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Council of State ’ s ( Greece ’ s Supreme Administrative Court ) fourth department had issued a temporary order to suspend enforcement of the decision to extradite Alexander Vinnik to France , the US and Russia , `` recognizing the danger '' the man would face in case of his extradition .
However , on the following day , the Council of State ’ s president questioned the department ’ s judgement and ruled to refer Vinnik ’ s case to an expanded panel of judges on January 10 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of judges rejected all claims by Vinnik ’ s defense , which demanded that the previous decision of the Greek justice minister on his extradition to France , the US and then Russia be cancelled .
The court has given the attorneys until January 16 to present additional documents in Vinnik ’ s defense .
After submiting the necessary documents , Vinnik 's lawyer Timofey Musatov said that the defense team wants a more active participation of the Russian authorities in the case .
On January 23 , the Greek Council of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to extradit Vinnik to France , and then to the United States and Russia .

"Vinnik is currently being questioned against his will, and he is exhausted on the 35th day of hunger strike and insomnia. They do not allow him to postpone [questioning], do not allow him to contact me," Konstantopoulou said.
ATHENS, January 24. /TASS/. Russian citizen Alexander Vinnik extradited to France from Greece is being questioned by investigators in Paris despite his condition after a 35-day hunger strike, Vinnik's lawyer Zoe Konstantopoulou told reporters on Thursday.
"The plane by which he was taken to France arrived from Paris specially for this," she added.
"Alexander is at the Hotel-Dieu hospital, he is exhausted. He told my French colleague the following: he was not allowed to have any communication starting at 9:30am [on Thursday], he was taken from the hospital [in Greece] at 1:30pm, that is two hours before the verdict [of the Greek Council of State] was announced," the lawyer noted.
"He did not know what was going on. He was put in a car, withough being told where he is being taken to. When he saw signs for an airport, he realized he was taken to an airport, but he didn't know which one. At the airport, he saw French police officers, and when he got on the plane, he realized he would be taken to France. There was no prosecutor there, to translators, and nobody told him anything," Konstantopoulou said.
"It is obvious that we are talking about kidnapping, not about extradition," she concluded.
On December 19, 2019, Greek Justice Minister Konstantinos Tsiaras delivered a decision to extradite Vinnik to France, the United States and Russia. It means that Vinnik is to be extradited first to France to consider his case and pronounce the verdict. After that, he is to be taken back to Greece to be later extradited to the United States for a similar procedure, which is to be followed by extradition to Russia. Following this decision, Vinnik went on another hunger strike.
Vinnik’s Greek defense attorney Zoe Konstantopoulou told reporters on December 23 that the chairperson of the Council of State’s (Greece’s Supreme Administrative Court) fourth department had issued a temporary order to suspend enforcement of the decision to extradite Alexander Vinnik to France, the US and Russia, "recognizing the danger" the man would face in case of his extradition. However, on the following day, the Council of State’s president questioned the department’s judgement and ruled to refer Vinnik’s case to an expanded panel of judges on January 10, 2020.
On January 10, the panel of judges rejected all claims by Vinnik’s defense, which demanded that the previous decision of the Greek justice minister on his extradition to France, the US and then Russia be cancelled. The court has given the attorneys until January 16 to present additional documents in Vinnik’s defense. After submiting the necessary documents, Vinnik's lawyer Timofey Musatov said that the defense team wants a more active participation of the Russian authorities in the case.
On January 23, the Greek Council of State refused all petitions and confirmed the decision to extradit Vinnik to France, and then to the United States and Russia.


tass--2020-01-24--Black boxes of downed Ukrainian plane still in Iran — Canada'a Transportation Safety Board

OTTAWA , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The black boxes of the Ukrainian passenger plane downed in Tehran on January 8 are still in Iran , the Transportation Safety Board of Canada ( TSB ) said in a statement on Thursday .
Decryption of black boxes of downed Ukrainian plane will take place in Iran Canadian specialists are taking part in the investigation of the crash .
`` The TSB understands that the aicraft 's flight data and cockpit voice recorders — the `` black boxes '' — are still in Iran , and that Iran is assessing options for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in Iran , '' the statement said .
`` The TSB has been invited to participate in the download and analysis of the recorders and will deploy a second team of investigators who specialize in aircraft recorder download and analysis wherever and whenever that activity takes places , '' the statement added .
The Boeing-737 passenger plane of Ukraine International Airlines crashed in Iran on January 8 several minutes after take-off from the Tehran airport .
All 176 people on board died in the crash .
Among passengers were citizens of Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , the United Kingdom and Sweden .
On January 11 , Iran 's Armed Forces General Staff admitted that the plane was accidentally downed by Iranian missile defense systems .

OTTAWA, January 24. /TASS/. The black boxes of the Ukrainian passenger plane downed in Tehran on January 8 are still in Iran, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) said in a statement on Thursday.
Canadian specialists are taking part in the investigation of the crash.
"The TSB understands that the aicraft's flight data and cockpit voice recorders — the "black boxes" — are still in Iran, and that Iran is assessing options for their download and analysis, including doing it in Iran," the statement said.
"The TSB has been invited to participate in the download and analysis of the recorders and will deploy a second team of investigators who specialize in aircraft recorder download and analysis wherever and whenever that activity takes places," the statement added.
The Boeing-737 passenger plane of Ukraine International Airlines crashed in Iran on January 8 several minutes after take-off from the Tehran airport. All 176 people on board died in the crash. Among passengers were citizens of Afghanistan, Germany, Iran, Canada, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Sweden. On January 11, Iran's Armed Forces General Staff admitted that the plane was accidentally downed by Iranian missile defense systems.


tass--2020-01-24--US considering possibility of new sanctions against Russia over Venezuela — Pompeo

NEW YORK , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The United States is looking closely at the possibility of imposing new sanctions on Russia over Moscow 's support for Nicolas Maduro 's government in Venezuela , US Secretary of State Pompeo said in an interview with Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald .
`` I never get out in front of decisions on sanctions , but we are looking closely , '' Pompeo said in response to a question on whether the US is ready to impose new sanctions on Russia over supporting Maduro .
`` We 're looking closely at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
`` We 're confident that the people of Venezuela will never again support Maduro , '' he noted .
`` He may still have control of the military today , but we knoe what the Venezuelan people ultimately want .
We 're determined to do all that we can to assist them in achieving that end , '' he stressed .
The political crisis in Venezuela exacerbated on January 23 , when Juan Guaido , Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker , whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared himself interim president at a rally in the country ’ s capital of Caracas .
Several countries , including the United States , most of the EU states , Lima Group members ( excluding Mexico ) , Australia , Albania , Georgia and Israel , as well as the Organization of American States , recognized him as the legitimate leader .
Incumbent President of the country Nicolas Maduro , in turn , blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington and said he was severing diplomatic ties with the US .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolivia , Iran , Cuba , Nicaragua , El Salvador , Syria and Turkey voiced support for Maduro .

NEW YORK, January 24. /TASS/. The United States is looking closely at the possibility of imposing new sanctions on Russia over Moscow's support for Nicolas Maduro's government in Venezuela, US Secretary of State Pompeo said in an interview with Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald.
"I never get out in front of decisions on sanctions, but we are looking closely," Pompeo said in response to a question on whether the US is ready to impose new sanctions on Russia over supporting Maduro. "We're looking closely at every element, resources," he added.
"We're confident that the people of Venezuela will never again support Maduro," he noted. "He may still have control of the military today, but we knoe what the Venezuelan people ultimately want. We're determined to do all that we can to assist them in achieving that end," he stressed.
The political crisis in Venezuela exacerbated on January 23, when Juan Guaido, Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker, whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by the country’s Supreme Court, declared himself interim president at a rally in the country’s capital of Caracas. Several countries, including the United States, most of the EU states, Lima Group members (excluding Mexico), Australia, Albania, Georgia and Israel, as well as the Organization of American States, recognized him as the legitimate leader. Incumbent President of the country Nicolas Maduro, in turn, blasted the move as a coup staged by Washington and said he was severing diplomatic ties with the US. In contrast, Russia, Belarus, Bolivia, Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Syria and Turkey voiced support for Maduro.


tass--2020-01-25--Russia’s ambassador to Austria notes growing discontent with anti-Russian sanctions in EU

VIENNA , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
The population of European Union countries is growing more and more dissatisfied with @ @ @ @ @ s ambassador to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky said in an interview with the Oberosterreichische Nachrichten newspaper @ @ @ @ @ Moscow welcomes Austria 's diplomatic representation about developing relations with Russia , both bilaterally and @ @ @ @ @ However , in the second case , mutual rapprochement is blocked by internal differences within @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Nevertheless , I ’ m getting an impression that more and more @ @ @ @ @ including Austria , are absolutely dissatisfied with the existing dead-end regime of sanctions , '' @ @ @ @ @ reiterated Russia ’ s readiness to restore full-fledged cooperation with EU and its member states @ @ @ @ @ , but only the side that had imposed the sanctions in the first place can @ @ @ @ @ initiative , '' he said .
`` I firmly believe that the sanctions will gradually @ @ @ @ @

VIENNA, January 25. /TASS/. The population of European Union countries is growing more and more dissatisfied with anti-Russian sanctions, Russia’s ambassador to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky said in an interview with the Oberosterreichische Nachrichten newspaper.
The ambassador said that Moscow welcomes Austria's diplomatic representation about developing relations with Russia, both bilaterally and on the EU level. However, in the second case, mutual rapprochement is blocked by internal differences within the European Union, he said.
"Nevertheless, I’m getting an impression that more and more people in EU countries, including Austria, are absolutely dissatisfied with the existing dead-end regime of sanctions," Lyubinsky said.
The ambassador reiterated Russia’s readiness to restore full-fledged cooperation with EU and its member states.
"We remain open, but only the side that had imposed the sanctions in the first place can come up with such an initiative," he said. "I firmly believe that the sanctions will gradually be lifted.".


tass--2020-01-25--Turkish earthquake death toll rises to 14 — authorities

ANKARA , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
At least 14 people were killed in Friday ’ s 6.8-magnitude earthquake in @ @ @ @ @ ’ s department for emergency situations and natural disasters said on Saturday .
According to @ @ @ @ @ died in the province of Elazig and six - in the adjacent province of Malatya @ @ @ @ @ were injured .
The Turkish department for emergency situations and natural disasters said the quake @ @ @ @ @ 35 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging between 2.5 and 5.4 .
The disaster struck at 20:55 @ @ @ @ @ depth of 10 km .
Its epicenter was located in the eastern province of Elazig @ @ @ @ @ 400,000 people .
The tremor was felt in adjacent Turkish provinces , as well as @ @ @ @ @ Syria .

ANKARA, January 25. /TASS/. At least 14 people were killed in Friday’s 6.8-magnitude earthquake in eastern Turkey, the country’s department for emergency situations and natural disasters said on Saturday.
According to the agency, eight people died in the province of Elazig and six - in the adjacent province of Malatya. At least 47 people were injured.
The Turkish department for emergency situations and natural disasters said the quake was followed by at least 35 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging between 2.5 and 5.4. The disaster struck at 20:55 local time, at the depth of 10 km. Its epicenter was located in the eastern province of Elazig with a population of about 400,000 people. The tremor was felt in adjacent Turkish provinces, as well as in Israel, Iraq and Syria.