tass--2020-02-12--Moscow urges Paris, Berlin to prompt Kiev to implement Minsk Agreements — ministry

`` The Russian side supports complete and consistent implementation of all provisions of the Package of Measures .
We support efforts of our Normandy Four partners as well as the OSCE as the [ Trilateral ] Contact group coordinator and urge them to stimulate Ukrainian authorities to promptly honor all its obligations in good faith , '' the ministry underlined .
MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is calling on its Normandy Four partners to stimulate Ukrainian authorities to promptly implement all provisions of the Minsk Agreements in good faith , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agreements were signed .
The diplomatic agency lamented the fact that no article of the Package of Measures has been fully implemented yet .
`` In spite of repeatedly declared ceasefires , complete cessation of hostilities has not been achieved yet .
Shelling continues along the line of contact , while military hardware has not been withdrawn .
Donbass is yet to be granted a special status , and an amnesty has not been carried out , '' the ministry said .
Moscow emphasized that latest decisions of the Normandy Four summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly as they could be .
`` It is primarily about political issues .
We are seeing the Ukrainian side brazenly imitating the process without even a thought about direct dialogue with Donbass , '' the ministry noted .
`` Other political aspects of the Minsk Agreements are also not translating into reality — a constitutional reform and determination of modality behind local elections .
[ Ukrainian President ] Vladimir Zelensky ’ s election promises regarding easing of economic and transport blockade of the self-proclaimed republics also seem to have been forgotten .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the settlement process is also complicated by Ukraine ’ s aggressive rhetoric , calls to revisit the Minsk Agreements , `` ideas to invite an international occupation administration to Donbass disguised as a UN peacekeeping mission as well as Kiev ’ s lawmaking , particularly bills on Donbass reintegration , education , state language , draft bill on a new administrative and territorial makeup which they are trying to pass as honoring obligations to introduce decentralization . ''
`` It even came down to the Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigations opening criminal proceedings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pyotr Poroshenko when signing the Package of Measures .
It is unclear whether these are elements of domestic political wrangling or attempts to challenge the Minsk Agreements .
In any case , revising them will have unpredictable ramifications for the broader domestic Ukrainian settlement , '' the ministry warned .

"The Russian side supports complete and consistent implementation of all provisions of the Package of Measures. We support efforts of our Normandy Four partners as well as the OSCE as the [Trilateral] Contact group coordinator and urge them to stimulate Ukrainian authorities to promptly honor all its obligations in good faith," the ministry underlined.
MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Russia is calling on its Normandy Four partners to stimulate Ukrainian authorities to promptly implement all provisions of the Minsk Agreements in good faith, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued to commemorate five years since the agreements were signed.
The diplomatic agency lamented the fact that no article of the Package of Measures has been fully implemented yet. "In spite of repeatedly declared ceasefires, complete cessation of hostilities has not been achieved yet. Shelling continues along the line of contact, while military hardware has not been withdrawn. Donbass is yet to be granted a special status, and an amnesty has not been carried out," the ministry said.
Moscow emphasized that latest decisions of the Normandy Four summit in Paris are also not implemented as quickly as they could be. "It is primarily about political issues. We are seeing the Ukrainian side brazenly imitating the process without even a thought about direct dialogue with Donbass," the ministry noted. "Other political aspects of the Minsk Agreements are also not translating into reality — a constitutional reform and determination of modality behind local elections. [Ukrainian President] Vladimir Zelensky’s election promises regarding easing of economic and transport blockade of the self-proclaimed republics also seem to have been forgotten."
The Russian diplomatic agency underscored that the settlement process is also complicated by Ukraine’s aggressive rhetoric, calls to revisit the Minsk Agreements, "ideas to invite an international occupation administration to Donbass disguised as a UN peacekeeping mission as well as Kiev’s lawmaking, particularly bills on Donbass reintegration, education, state language, draft bill on a new administrative and territorial makeup which they are trying to pass as honoring obligations to introduce decentralization."
"It even came down to the Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigations opening criminal proceedings into possible treason committed by former President Pyotr Poroshenko when signing the Package of Measures. It is unclear whether these are elements of domestic political wrangling or attempts to challenge the Minsk Agreements. In any case, revising them will have unpredictable ramifications for the broader domestic Ukrainian settlement," the ministry warned.


tass--2020-02-12--27 shelling attacks reported in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone — reconciliation center

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 27 shelling attacks staged by illegal armed groups in Syria ’ s Idlib de-escalation zone were reported from settlements in four governorates during the past day , Major General Yury Borenkov , chief of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides in Syria , said on Tuesday .
`` Twenty-seven shelling attacks were reported throughout the day , '' he said , adding that one settlement in the Aleppo governorate , six settlements in the Latakia governorate , 11 settlements in the Idlib governorate , and three settlements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also said that the Russian military police had continued patrol missions along a number of routes in the Aleppo and al-Hasakah governorates .
`` Patrolling missions proceeded routinely .
No incidents were reported , '' he noted .
Russia ’ s air taskforce conducted an aerial patrol mission from the Qamishli airfield , he added .
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria .
The center ’ s officers regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. As many as 27 shelling attacks staged by illegal armed groups in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone were reported from settlements in four governorates during the past day, Major General Yury Borenkov, chief of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides in Syria, said on Tuesday.
"Twenty-seven shelling attacks were reported throughout the day," he said, adding that one settlement in the Aleppo governorate, six settlements in the Latakia governorate, 11 settlements in the Idlib governorate, and three settlements in the Hama governorate came under fire.
He also said that the Russian military police had continued patrol missions along a number of routes in the Aleppo and al-Hasakah governorates. "Patrolling missions proceeded routinely. No incidents were reported," he noted.
Russia’s air taskforce conducted an aerial patrol mission from the Qamishli airfield, he added.
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-02-11--Middle East settlement impossible without Palestine’s consent, Russian UN envoy says

UNITED NATIONS , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
The United States ’ `` deal of the century '' has drawn attention to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict but fair solution will require invigorated efforts of the Middle East Quartet of mediators , Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said on Tuesday .
`` The ‘ deal of the century , ’ whatever you may think of it , has drawn attention to the Palestinian problem .
We are convinced that coordinated efforts of the international community are needed to reach a fair and lasting settlement , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Council .
`` We think that in the current situation , it is necessary to invigorate efforts of the quartet of international mediators , which is the only mechanism of promoting the Middle East process that has been recognized by the UN Security Council . ''
The Russian diplomat reiterated Moscow ’ s readiness to provide a venue for talks between Palestine and Israel .
`` Despite the divergence , both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel ’ s Representative Danny Danon spoke today about the necessity to continue talks .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table our suggestion that Moscow be used as a venue for direct talks between the Palestinian and Israeli leaders without preliminary conditions , '' Nebenzya said .
`` We have repeatedly said that we will accept any peace plan that would be accepted by both sides , '' he stressed .
`` But what if one side - Palestine - considers the plan to be unfair and refuses to accept it ?
The plan that suggests that key problems of the ultimate status of the Palestinian territories be resolved through unilateral concessions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution be reached unilaterally ? ''
On January 28 , US President Donald Trump unveiled key provisions of what he calls `` the deal of the century , '' or a peace plan for Israel and Palestine based on mutual recognition of the two-state solution .
The plan provides for recognition of Israel ’ s sovereignty over Jewish settlements already built on the Palestinian territory .
Under the plan , Jerusalem will be `` undivided '' capital of Israel and East Jerusalem will be Palestine ’ s capital .
As a precondition for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Palestine ’ s authorities should stop supporting the Hamas radical movement operating in Gaza and cease hostilities .
The plan suggests more than 50 billion US dollars be facilitated in new investments over ten years as support to the settlement efforts .
More than a half of the sum is supposed to go to Palestine and the rest is planned to be invested in Egypt , Jordan and Lebanon .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support to Trump ’ s plan and expressed readiness for immediate launch of peace talks with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas turned down Trump ’ s deal .

UNITED NATIONS, February 11. /TASS/. The United States’ "deal of the century" has drawn attention to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict but fair solution will require invigorated efforts of the Middle East Quartet of mediators, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said on Tuesday.
"The ‘deal of the century,’ whatever you may think of it, has drawn attention to the Palestinian problem. We are convinced that coordinated efforts of the international community are needed to reach a fair and lasting settlement," he said at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. "We think that in the current situation, it is necessary to invigorate efforts of the quartet of international mediators, which is the only mechanism of promoting the Middle East process that has been recognized by the UN Security Council."
The Russian diplomat reiterated Moscow’s readiness to provide a venue for talks between Palestine and Israel. "Despite the divergence, both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel’s Representative Danny Danon spoke today about the necessity to continue talks. In this context, we keep on the table our suggestion that Moscow be used as a venue for direct talks between the Palestinian and Israeli leaders without preliminary conditions," Nebenzya said.
"We have repeatedly said that we will accept any peace plan that would be accepted by both sides," he stressed. "But what if one side - Palestine - considers the plan to be unfair and refuses to accept it? The plan that suggests that key problems of the ultimate status of the Palestinian territories be resolved through unilateral concessions. After all, how can a fair solution be reached unilaterally?"
On January 28, US President Donald Trump unveiled key provisions of what he calls "the deal of the century," or a peace plan for Israel and Palestine based on mutual recognition of the two-state solution. The plan provides for recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over Jewish settlements already built on the Palestinian territory. Under the plan, Jerusalem will be "undivided" capital of Israel and East Jerusalem will be Palestine’s capital. As a precondition for the peace process, according to Trump, Palestine’s authorities should stop supporting the Hamas radical movement operating in Gaza and cease hostilities. The plan suggests more than 50 billion US dollars be facilitated in new investments over ten years as support to the settlement efforts. More than a half of the sum is supposed to go to Palestine and the rest is planned to be invested in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced support to Trump’s plan and expressed readiness for immediate launch of peace talks with the Palestinians. Meanwhile, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas turned down Trump’s deal.


tass--2020-02-11--Gazprom expects Nord Stream 2 launch by 2020 year-end

NEW YORK , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Gazprom expects that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline , according to @ @ @ @ @ on the Investor Day .
`` The launch will be at the turn of 2020 @ @ @ @ @ .

NEW YORK, February 11. /TASS/. Gazprom expects that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, according to the company’s presentation on the Investor Day.
"The launch will be at the turn of 2020," the presentation says.


tass--2020-02-11--Experts studying animals that can carry novel coronavirus

China ’ s Xinhua news agency earlier reported that scientists from South China Agricultural University had analyzed more than a thousand metagenome samples of wild animals and with a high probability degree identified that pangolin mammals acted as intermediary hosts of the COVID-19 virus ( previously called 2019-nCoV ) .
GENEVA , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Specialists continue to carry out research and study animals that potentially can carry the coronavirus , the source is yet to be found now , Director of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Infectious Hazard Management Department Sylvie Briand told reporters on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar to a coronavirus that can be found in bats , '' she said .
`` They ’ ve done a lot of samples in various animal species but they have not found yet which intermediate host could have been the amplifier at least in Wuhan city . ''
`` Studies are ongoing because they are checking a number of animal species so it takes some time , '' Briand added .
On Tuesday , Geneva hosts a two-day global forum aimed at establishing measures to fight the novel coronavirus .
The forum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
The key target of the meeting is to find blank spaces in what is known about the virus and coordinate international efforts aimed at developing treatments .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously called 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people - in late December .
The WHO declared it a global emergency , describing the outbreak as an epidemic with multiple foci .
The virus spread to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany , Japan , India , Italy , Malaysia , Nepal , the Philippines , Russia , Singapore , South Korea , Spain , Sri Lanka , Sweden , Thailand , the United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom , the United States and Vietnam .
The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Chinese authorities have confirmed more than 42,700 cases of the disease , over 1,000 people died , while 4,301 people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

China’s Xinhua news agency earlier reported that scientists from South China Agricultural University had analyzed more than a thousand metagenome samples of wild animals and with a high probability degree identified that pangolin mammals acted as intermediary hosts of the COVID-19 virus (previously called 2019-nCoV).
GENEVA, February 11. /TASS/. Specialists continue to carry out research and study animals that potentially can carry the coronavirus, the source is yet to be found now, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Infectious Hazard Management Department Sylvie Briand told reporters on Tuesday.
"This virus is very similar to a coronavirus that can be found in bats," she said. "They’ve done a lot of samples in various animal species but they have not found yet which intermediate host could have been the amplifier at least in Wuhan city." "Studies are ongoing because they are checking a number of animal species so it takes some time," Briand added.
On Tuesday, Geneva hosts a two-day global forum aimed at establishing measures to fight the novel coronavirus. The forum gathers around 400 experts from across the world. The key target of the meeting is to find blank spaces in what is known about the virus and coordinate international efforts aimed at developing treatments.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously called 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people - in late December. The WHO declared it a global emergency, describing the outbreak as an epidemic with multiple foci.
The virus spread to 24 more countries, apart from China: Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency. Chinese authorities have confirmed more than 42,700 cases of the disease, over 1,000 people died, while 4,301 people are reported to have recovered from the coronavirus.


tass--2020-02-11--Gazprom expects gas production growth by 21% by 2030

Gazprom plans to keep gas exports to Europe at level of previous years NEW YORK , February 11 .
/TASS/ @ @ @ @ @ production increase by 21 % by 2030 , compared to 2019 , when the company @ @ @ @ @ of gas , according to the company ’ s presentation on the Investor Day .
@ @ @ @ @ the figure of 605 bln cubic meters of gas .
Gazprom also expects an annual @ @ @ @ @ % within the period from 2020 to 2030 .

Gazprom plans to keep gas exports to Europe at level of previous years
NEW YORK, February 11. /TASS/. Gazprom expects natural gas production increase by 21% by 2030, compared to 2019, when the company produced 500 bln cubic meters of gas, according to the company’s presentation on the Investor Day.
The company can therefore reach the figure of 605 bln cubic meters of gas.
Gazprom also expects an annual reduction in investments by 11% within the period from 2020 to 2030.


tass--2020-02-11--Court extends arrest of three defendants in Calvey’s case until February 13

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
The Basmanny Court in Moscow has prolonged the arrest of three defendants in the case of the founder of the Baring Vostok private equity firm Michael Calvey - Vagan Abgaryan , Ivan Zyuzin and Maxim Vladimirov - until February 13 , a TASS correspondent reported from the courtroom .
`` The court decided to extend the preventive measure with regard to Abgaryan , Zyuzin and Vladimirov leaving them in custody until February 13 , '' the judge said .
Earlier , the Moscow City Court overturned the decision of the Basmanny Court to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 and sent it for revision .
The defendants in the case of embezzlement of 2.5 bln rubles ( $ 37.5 mln ) from Vostochny Bank , alongside with Michael Calvey are : Baring Vostok ’ s partners Philip Delpale and Vagan Abgaryan , investment partner for the financial industry sector at Baring Vostok , Ivan Zyuzin , Investment Director at Baring Vostok and also General Director of the First Collection Bureau Maxim Vladimirov and Advisor to the Management Board of Norvik Bank , Alexey Kordichev .
Calvey , Delpale , Kordichev and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On February 7 , 2019 , Serzod Yusupov , a minority shareholder in Vostochny Bank filed a complaint with Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) .
In addition , Artyom Avetisyan , another Vostochny shareholder , along with the deputy chairman of the bank ’ s board Konstantin Rogov testified against Michael Calvey .
Russia ’ s Investigative Committee launched a criminal case into the embezzlement of 2.5 bln rubles ( $ 37.5 mln ) from the Vostochny Bank on February 13 , 2019 .
Michael Calvey is the key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 , 2019 , law enforcement agencies arrested Calvey and five others : Vagan Abgaryan , partner at Baring Vostok , Philippe Delpale , an investment partner for the financial industry sector at Baring Vostok , Ivan Zyuzin , Investment Director at Baring Vostok and also General Director of the First Collection Bureau Maxim Vladimirov and Advisor to the Management Board of Norvik Bank , Alexey Kordichev .
They are all facing charges under part 4 article 159 of Russia ’ s Criminal Code ( fraud committed on a large scale by an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the largest private equity firms focusing on Russia and the CIS with $ 3.7 bln in capital .
Since 1994 , the fund has poured more than $ 2.4 bln of investments into 70 projects in the areas of financial services , oil and gas , telecommunications and media , and into the consumer sector .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. The Basmanny Court in Moscow has prolonged the arrest of three defendants in the case of the founder of the Baring Vostok private equity firm Michael Calvey - Vagan Abgaryan, Ivan Zyuzin and Maxim Vladimirov - until February 13, a TASS correspondent reported from the courtroom.
"The court decided to extend the preventive measure with regard to Abgaryan, Zyuzin and Vladimirov leaving them in custody until February 13," the judge said.
Earlier, the Moscow City Court overturned the decision of the Basmanny Court to extend the arrest of defendants until February 13 and sent it for revision.
The defendants in the case of embezzlement of 2.5 bln rubles ($37.5 mln) from Vostochny Bank, alongside with Michael Calvey are: Baring Vostok’s partners Philip Delpale and Vagan Abgaryan, investment partner for the financial industry sector at Baring Vostok, Ivan Zyuzin, Investment Director at Baring Vostok and also General Director of the First Collection Bureau Maxim Vladimirov and Advisor to the Management Board of Norvik Bank, Alexey Kordichev.
Calvey, Delpale, Kordichev and Tsakunov are held under house arrest.
Baring Vostok’s case
On February 7, 2019, Serzod Yusupov, a minority shareholder in Vostochny Bank filed a complaint with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). In addition, Artyom Avetisyan, another Vostochny shareholder, along with the deputy chairman of the bank’s board Konstantin Rogov testified against Michael Calvey.
Russia’s Investigative Committee launched a criminal case into the embezzlement of 2.5 bln rubles ($37.5 mln) from the Vostochny Bank on February 13, 2019. Michael Calvey is the key defendant in the case. On February 15, 2019, law enforcement agencies arrested Calvey and five others: Vagan Abgaryan, partner at Baring Vostok, Philippe Delpale, an investment partner for the financial industry sector at Baring Vostok, Ivan Zyuzin, Investment Director at Baring Vostok and also General Director of the First Collection Bureau Maxim Vladimirov and Advisor to the Management Board of Norvik Bank, Alexey Kordichev. They are all facing charges under part 4 article 159 of Russia’s Criminal Code (fraud committed on a large scale by an organized group).
Baring Vostok is one of the largest private equity firms focusing on Russia and the CIS with $3.7 bln in capital. Since 1994, the fund has poured more than $2.4 bln of investments into 70 projects in the areas of financial services, oil and gas, telecommunications and media, and into the consumer sector.


tass--2020-02-11--German prosecutor’s office re-arrests Russian suspect in high-profile Berlin murder

`` The federal prosecutor ’ s office requested today the issuance of a new arrest warrant for Russian national Vadim K. , aka Vadim S. , suspected of killing Tornike K. holding Russian and Georgian citizenship , as well as of violating the law on arms in circulation , '' the report said .
BERLIN , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
The German federal prosecutor ’ s office has re-arrested the Russian suspect in the high-profile murder of a Georgian national in Berlin , the office said in a report made public on Tuesday .
This arrest warrant replaces the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on August 24 , 2019 .
According to DPA news agency , this will enable officers of the prosecutor ’ s office to question the suspect once again .
Georgian citizen Zelimkhan Khangoshvili ( also known as Tornike Kavtarashvili ) , 40 , was gunned down in Berlin on August 23 .
The office of Berlin ’ s prosecutor later in the day declared that a suspect , identified as 49-year-old resident of Russia , was detained .
As a result , Germany later expelled two Russian embassy staffers due to what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities in investigating the killing .
Moscow responded in kind .
Russian President Vladimir Putin told a news conference following the Normandy Quartet summit in Paris on December 9 that the killed man was one of the masterminds of Moscow metro blasts and that his name was on the wanted list .
He said Russia had repeatedly requested his extradition .
Putin reiterated that the killed man had fought alongside militants in the North Caucasus .
Russia dismisses any involvement in the Berlin killing .

"The federal prosecutor’s office requested today the issuance of a new arrest warrant for Russian national Vadim K., aka Vadim S., suspected of killing Tornike K. holding Russian and Georgian citizenship, as well as of violating the law on arms in circulation," the report said.
BERLIN, February 11. /TASS/. The German federal prosecutor’s office has re-arrested the Russian suspect in the high-profile murder of a Georgian national in Berlin, the office said in a report made public on Tuesday.
This arrest warrant replaces the one issued by a court in Berlin on August 24, 2019. According to DPA news agency, this will enable officers of the prosecutor’s office to question the suspect once again.
Georgian citizen Zelimkhan Khangoshvili (also known as Tornike Kavtarashvili), 40, was gunned down in Berlin on August 23. The office of Berlin’s prosecutor later in the day declared that a suspect, identified as 49-year-old resident of Russia, was detained. As a result, Germany later expelled two Russian embassy staffers due to what was described as insufficient cooperation by the Russian authorities in investigating the killing. Moscow responded in kind.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told a news conference following the Normandy Quartet summit in Paris on December 9 that the killed man was one of the masterminds of Moscow metro blasts and that his name was on the wanted list. He said Russia had repeatedly requested his extradition. Putin reiterated that the killed man had fought alongside militants in the North Caucasus. Russia dismisses any involvement in the Berlin killing.


tass--2020-02-11--WHO chief says vaccine against coronavirus may be developed in 18 months

`` The first vaccine against coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) could be ready in 18 months , '' he said .
GENEVA , February 11 .
The first samples of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus may be ready in 18 months , World Health Organization ( WHO ) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a briefing in Geneva .
Novel coronavirus will reach its peak in China in mid-February , official says '' The development of vaccines and therapeutics is one important part of the research agenda - but it is only one part .
They will take time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are not defenseless , '' the director general added .
WHO has given an official name to the novel coronavirus that caused an outbreak in China : COVID-19 .
`` We now have a name for the 2019-nCoV disease : COVID-19 , '' Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus informed .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany , Japan , India , Italy , Malaysia , Nepal , the Philippines , Russia , Singapore , South Korea , Spain , Sri Lanka , Sweden , Thailand , the United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom , the United States and Vietnam .
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China with over 1,000 people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , over 4,000 people are said to have recovered from it .

"The first vaccine against coronavirus (COVID-19) could be ready in 18 months," he said.
GENEVA, February 11. The first samples of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus may be ready in 18 months, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a briefing in Geneva.
Novel coronavirus will reach its peak in China in mid-February, official says
"The development of vaccines and therapeutics is one important part of the research agenda - but it is only one part. They will take time to develop, but in the meantime, we are not defenseless," the director general added.
WHO has given an official name to the novel coronavirus that caused an outbreak in China: COVID-19. "We now have a name for the 2019-nCoV disease: COVID-19," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus informed.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.
Currently, the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 42,700 in China with over 1,000 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 4,000 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-11--Suggested amendments give Russian ex-presidents right to be senators for life

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Former presidents of the Russian Federation will get the right to become life members of the Federation Council ( upper house ) after the term of their office ends , under the amendments suggested by a group of parliamentarians from the upper and lower houses of the parliament .
According to the amendments , the former presidents may become senators for life `` after the term of their office expires or after an early termination of their term of office in case of resignation , '' the press service of the State Duma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
However , `` they reserve the right to renounce the authority of a member of the Federation Council , '' it specified .
The amendments to Chapter 5 of the Russian Constitution ( the Federal Assembly ) were initiated by Chairman of the State Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation Pavel Krasheninnikov , Chairman of the same-name commission of the upper house Andrey Klishas , Chairman of the Russian Federation Council ( upper house ) Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev , senators Svetlana Goryacheva , Alexei Pushkov , legislators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khovanskaya .
According to Krasheninnikov , amendments were worked out based on suggestions from the working group for constitutional amendments .
They concern , in particular , the procedure of shaping the Federation Council , which is made up of representatives from the regions , while the president also has the right to submit his candidacies .
The presidential share is no more than 10 % ( 17 people ) at the moment , Krasheninnikov said as quoted by the press service of the committee .
The amendments suggest `` increasing the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven representatives can be appointed by the president for life for merits to the country in their state and public activity '' .
`` These can be , for example , renowned scholars , medics , cultural and public activists , etc .
As for the rest representatives of the Russian Federation to the upper house of the parliament , a six-year term of office is suggested , '' the parliamentarian added .
On January 23 , Russia ’ s State Duma unanimously voted to approve the bill in the first reading on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin .
The document , in particular , stipulates expanding the powers of the legislature and the Constitutional Court , a ban on high-ranking officials from holding residency permits in other countries , limiting the number of presidential terms , placing the supremacy of Russia ’ s constitution over international agreements and strengthening the state ’ s social obligations .
The presidential bill also provides for a nationwide public vote on the law on amendments to Russia ’ s constitution .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Former presidents of the Russian Federation will get the right to become life members of the Federation Council (upper house) after the term of their office ends, under the amendments suggested by a group of parliamentarians from the upper and lower houses of the parliament.
According to the amendments, the former presidents may become senators for life "after the term of their office expires or after an early termination of their term of office in case of resignation," the press service of the State Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation reported on Tuesday.
However, "they reserve the right to renounce the authority of a member of the Federation Council," it specified.
The amendments to Chapter 5 of the Russian Constitution (the Federal Assembly) were initiated by Chairman of the State Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation Pavel Krasheninnikov, Chairman of the same-name commission of the upper house Andrey Klishas, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council (upper house) Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev, senators Svetlana Goryacheva, Alexei Pushkov, legislators Andrey Makarov, Yaroslav Nilov and Galina Khovanskaya. According to Krasheninnikov, amendments were worked out based on suggestions from the working group for constitutional amendments.
They concern, in particular, the procedure of shaping the Federation Council, which is made up of representatives from the regions, while the president also has the right to submit his candidacies. The presidential share is no more than 10% (17 people) at the moment, Krasheninnikov said as quoted by the press service of the committee.
The amendments suggest "increasing the presidential share to 30 people, of whom seven representatives can be appointed by the president for life for merits to the country in their state and public activity". "These can be, for example, renowned scholars, medics, cultural and public activists, etc. As for the rest representatives of the Russian Federation to the upper house of the parliament, a six-year term of office is suggested," the parliamentarian added.
On January 23, Russia’s State Duma unanimously voted to approve the bill in the first reading on the constitutional amendments submitted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The document, in particular, stipulates expanding the powers of the legislature and the Constitutional Court, a ban on high-ranking officials from holding residency permits in other countries, limiting the number of presidential terms, placing the supremacy of Russia’s constitution over international agreements and strengthening the state’s social obligations. The presidential bill also provides for a nationwide public vote on the law on amendments to Russia’s constitution.


tass--2020-02-11--Moscow Zoo’s raccoons enter winter sleep with two-month delay

`` Because of the abnormally warm weather and the lack of snow , the animals entered winter sleep two months later than usual .
Raccoons were able to do that only in early February when frosty weather hit the Russian capital .
They will spend about a month sleeping in their warn dens and when the weather is warm enough they will wake up from their wintertime snooze to be moved to a new enclosure , '' the Zoo said .
MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Raccoons at Moscow ’ s Zoo have finally entered a wintertime slumber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , two months later than they should have , the Moscow Zoo said on Tuesday .
Raccoons don ’ t actually hibernate .
They enter a long sleep , the so-called torpor , or a state of decreased physiological activity , when it gets cold and snowy .
Typically , it happens in early December .
In summertime , these animals eat large quantities of food to accumulate fat that will serve as an energy source to sustain them during their sleep .
Apart from that , their coats get thicker to withstand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to lower the amount of energy needed to survive .
While this is not true hibernation , raccoon can sleep in their dens for weeks in the winter months but easily wake up when it gets warm to spend some time foraging for food .
`` These year , raccoons were misled by the warm winter and they seemed to decide not to sleep at all .
They were active throughout December and January , climbing up and down the larch tree growing in their enclosure and curiously gazing at visitors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye on them throughout these months , '' the Zoo said .
A new spacious enclosure , with lots of wooden shelves , logs , climbing frames and dens , was arranged for the raccoons near bush dogs ’ enclosure .

"Because of the abnormally warm weather and the lack of snow, the animals entered winter sleep two months later than usual. Raccoons were able to do that only in early February when frosty weather hit the Russian capital. They will spend about a month sleeping in their warn dens and when the weather is warm enough they will wake up from their wintertime snooze to be moved to a new enclosure," the Zoo said.
MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Raccoons at Moscow’s Zoo have finally entered a wintertime slumber, known as carnivore lethargy or torpor, two months later than they should have, the Moscow Zoo said on Tuesday.
Raccoons don’t actually hibernate. They enter a long sleep, the so-called torpor, or a state of decreased physiological activity, when it gets cold and snowy. Typically, it happens in early December. In summertime, these animals eat large quantities of food to accumulate fat that will serve as an energy source to sustain them during their sleep. Apart from that, their coats get thicker to withstand cold. The long winter sleep helps them to lower the amount of energy needed to survive. While this is not true hibernation, raccoon can sleep in their dens for weeks in the winter months but easily wake up when it gets warm to spend some time foraging for food.
"These year, raccoons were misled by the warm winter and they seemed to decide not to sleep at all. They were active throughout December and January, climbing up and down the larch tree growing in their enclosure and curiously gazing at visitors. Veterinarians and zoologists were keeping a close eye on them throughout these months," the Zoo said.
A new spacious enclosure, with lots of wooden shelves, logs, climbing frames and dens, was arranged for the raccoons near bush dogs’ enclosure.


tass--2020-02-11--China’s coronavirus prevention measures provide good results, president says

BEIJING , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
China ’ s prevention measures against the novel coronavirus are providing good results @ @ @ @ @ said on Tuesday during a phone call with Qatar ’ s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin @ @ @ @ @ Since the start of the outbreak , China has implemented strict measures to prevent and @ @ @ @ @ the fight against the disease .
Currently , our prevention measures are providing good results @ @ @ @ @ , quoted by China Central Television .
`` We count on the tenacity of the @ @ @ @ @ s strong material and technical base and rich practical experience .
We are confident that @ @ @ @ @ fight against the outbreak , '' the Chinese leader concluded .

BEIJING, February 11. /TASS/. China’s prevention measures against the novel coronavirus are providing good results, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday during a phone call with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
"Since the start of the outbreak, China has implemented strict measures to prevent and combat the disease, beginning the fight against the disease. Currently, our prevention measures are providing good results," Xi Jinping said, quoted by China Central Television.
"We count on the tenacity of the Chinese nation, China’s strong material and technical base and rich practical experience. We are confident that we can win in the fight against the outbreak," the Chinese leader concluded.


tass--2020-02-11--Haikou authorities introduce new work schedule amid coronavirus outbreak

HAIKOU , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Haikou authorities in the province of Hainan adopted a set of rules for companies to work amid coronavirus outbreak in China , www.hinews.cn reported .
The city office for commerce and local committee for healthcare issued a joint statement where they urged local companies to follow the new rules in oeder to minimize risks amid the epidemic ( supermarkets , farmer 's markets , restaurants , hotels , barbershops , logistics stations and gas stations ) .
The authorities call on the business to switch to online client service , in particular , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They state that clients should not gather in places where they can not keep a distance of at least one meter from each other .
The customers need to wear medical face masks .
All companies working with clients are obliged to desinfect their equipment and premises .
The employees must check the body temperature of customers before entering the premises and record the results .
In conformity with the new rules , central air conditioning systems are now banned .
The statement issued by the city authorities indicates that all enterprises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can resume their work .

HAIKOU, February 11. /TASS/. Haikou authorities in the province of Hainan adopted a set of rules for companies to work amid coronavirus outbreak in China, www.hinews.cn reported.
The city office for commerce and local committee for healthcare issued a joint statement where they urged local companies to follow the new rules in oeder to minimize risks amid the epidemic (supermarkets, farmer's markets, restaurants, hotels, barbershops, logistics stations and gas stations).
The authorities call on the business to switch to online client service, in particular, to use online-order system and home delivery. They state that clients should not gather in places where they cannot keep a distance of at least one meter from each other. The customers need to wear medical face masks.
All companies working with clients are obliged to desinfect their equipment and premises.
The employees must check the body temperature of customers before entering the premises and record the results. In conformity with the new rules, central air conditioning systems are now banned.
The statement issued by the city authorities indicates that all enterprises that have taken the necessary sanitary measures can resume their work.


tass--2020-02-11--Russia sent its proposal to US to extend New START at end of 2019, diplomat says

ST. PETERSBURG , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia handed over its diplomatic note to the United States at the @ @ @ @ @ proposal to prolong the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic @ @ @ @ @ START Treaty ) without preconditions , Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ at the highest level to extend this treaty without any preconditions and , moreover , @ @ @ @ @ This position remains in force , '' the high-ranking diplomat stressed .
`` It was @ @ @ @ @ of the American side by a diplomatic note at the end of last year in @ @ @ @ @ which the Russian president had earlier made on this score , '' Ryabkov said .

ST. PETERSBURG, February 11. /TASS/. Russia handed over its diplomatic note to the United States at the end of 2019 with a proposal to prolong the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) without preconditions, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said on Tuesday.
"Russia confirmed its readiness at the highest level to extend this treaty without any preconditions and, moreover, to do it urgently. This position remains in force," the high-ranking diplomat stressed.
"It was officially brought to the notice of the American side by a diplomatic note at the end of last year in accordance with those statements, which the Russian president had earlier made on this score," Ryabkov said.


tass--2020-02-11--US bets on space through expanding NASA budget, Russian space corporation's chief says

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
The planned expansion of NASA budget means that the US places its bets on the development of its space industry , chief of Russian space corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin said on Twitter on Tuesday .
He added that the budget of Roscosmos is several times lower in comparison to NASA .
`` In a budget proposal for 2021 published yesterday , the [ US President Donald ] Trump ’ s administration requests a 12 % increase in NASA ’ s budget ( from $ 22.6 bln to $ 25.2 bln ) .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s budget in decades ( which still was much bigger than that of Roscosmos ) .
So we can say that the US is betting on space , '' Rogozin said .
The Roscosmos press service informed TASS that the total budget of the organization for civilian space programs in 2020 is not much higher than the proposed 12 % increase of NASA ’ s budget planned for 2021 .
`` The open budget of the Roscosmos state corporation ( not including defense industry orders - TASS ) for 2020 comes up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bln ) .
This sum is not much higher than the 12 % proposed for the expansion of the US space agency ’ s budget in 2021 , '' the press service said .
US President Donald Trump ’ s budget request for 2021 invests $ 25.2 bln in NASA activity , which marks a 12 % increase compared to the budget of the 2020 fiscal year , which ends on September 30 .
The current NASA budget reaches 22.6 bln dollars , which means that the 2021 increase will constitute about $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US civilian space program , while Roscosmos is involved both in civilian and defense spheres .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. The planned expansion of NASA budget means that the US places its bets on the development of its space industry, chief of Russian space corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin said on Twitter on Tuesday. He added that the budget of Roscosmos is several times lower in comparison to NASA.
"In a budget proposal for 2021 published yesterday, the [US President Donald] Trump’s administration requests a 12% increase in NASA’s budget (from $22.6 bln to $25.2 bln). This is the largest expansion of NASA’s budget in decades (which still was much bigger than that of Roscosmos). So we can say that the US is betting on space," Rogozin said.
The Roscosmos press service informed TASS that the total budget of the organization for civilian space programs in 2020 is not much higher than the proposed 12% increase of NASA’s budget planned for 2021. "The open budget of the Roscosmos state corporation (not including defense industry orders - TASS) for 2020 comes up to 176 bln rubles (about $2.8 bln). This sum is not much higher than the 12% proposed for the expansion of the US space agency’s budget in 2021," the press service said.
US President Donald Trump’s budget request for 2021 invests $25.2 bln in NASA activity, which marks a 12% increase compared to the budget of the 2020 fiscal year, which ends on September 30.
The current NASA budget reaches 22.6 bln dollars, which means that the 2021 increase will constitute about $2.6 bln.
NASA is responsible for the US civilian space program, while Roscosmos is involved both in civilian and defense spheres.


tass--2020-02-11--Russian Interior Ministry suspends issuance of work invitations to Chinese nationals

The ministry has halted work on `` receiving documents , and issuing invitations to the nationals of the People ’ s Republic of China to enter the Russian Federation for work .
It [ has also suspended ] approvals to employ foreign workers and job permits to the above nationals living outside the Russian Federation , '' the press service said .
MOSCOW , February 11./TASS/ .
The department for migration issues within the Russian Interior Ministry has suspended issuing work invitations to Chinese nationals , the press service of the Moscow region ’ s police headquarters told journalists Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government handed down a directive suspending visa-free tourist travel to China over the outbreak of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus .
The Russian Foreign Ministry was instructed to temporarily halt receiving documents , and [ suspend ] the processing and issuance of work visas to Chinese nationals .
The government also issued a directive , which said that the Russian Transport Ministry along with the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) and the Federal Customs Service were tasked with `` temporarily barring citizens of the People 's Republic of China from entering via the crossing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border of the Russian Federation with Mongolia '' .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese health officials reported a cluster of cases of acute respiratory illness to the World Health Organization in Wuhan , an economic and industrial metropolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus - 2019-nCoV , otherwise known as the novel coronavirus - was identified on January 7 , 2020 .
Apart from China , over 24 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest data , the overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus in China has exceeded 43,000 , more than 1,000 people have died and over 4,000 have recovered .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .

The ministry has halted work on "receiving documents, and issuing invitations to the nationals of the People’s Republic of China to enter the Russian Federation for work. It [has also suspended] approvals to employ foreign workers and job permits to the above nationals living outside the Russian Federation," the press service said.
MOSCOW, February 11./TASS/. The department for migration issues within the Russian Interior Ministry has suspended issuing work invitations to Chinese nationals, the press service of the Moscow region’s police headquarters told journalists Tuesday.
On February 1, the Russian government handed down a directive suspending visa-free tourist travel to China over the outbreak of the 2019-nCoV coronavirus. The Russian Foreign Ministry was instructed to temporarily halt receiving documents, and [suspend] the processing and issuance of work visas to Chinese nationals.
The government also issued a directive, which said that the Russian Transport Ministry along with the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Federal Customs Service were tasked with "temporarily barring citizens of the People's Republic of China from entering via the crossing points at designated sections of the state border of the Russian Federation with Mongolia".
On December 31, 2019, Chinese health officials reported a cluster of cases of acute respiratory illness to the World Health Organization in Wuhan, an economic and industrial metropolis with a population of 11 million. The virus - 2019-nCoV, otherwise known as the novel coronavirus - was identified on January 7, 2020. Apart from China, over 24 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. According to the latest data, the overall number of people who contracted the novel coronavirus in China has exceeded 43,000, more than 1,000 people have died and over 4,000 have recovered.
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations.


tass--2020-02-11--All those evacuated from Wuhan to Russia test negative for coronavirus

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
All those evacuated from Wuhan to Russia have tested negative for novel coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) so far , head of the Tyumen Region Healthcare Department Inna Kulikova told reporters on Tuesday .
`` All tests are negative [ for coronavirus ] , '' Kulikova said .
On February 5 , two Russian Aerospace Forces ’ aircrafts transported 144 people from China ’ s Wuhan ( capital of the Hubei province ) , including 128 Russian nationals along with citizens of Ukraine and the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ) member states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare Anna Popova informed earlier that all those evacuated are in good health , exhibiting no symptoms of respiratory diseases caused by the coronavirus so far .
Galina Sharukho , a regional official of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare , informed that those evacuated from Wuhan would be tested on the 10th and 12th day of their quarantine .
If the tests are negative , the evacuees will be able to return home .
The Russian Embassy in China informed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ located in the Hubei province , with 183 having contacted Russian diplomats .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malaysia , Nepal , the Philippines , Russia , Singapore , South Korea , Spain , Sri Lanka , Sweden , Thailand , the United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom , the United States and Vietnam .
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 42,700 in China with over 1,000 people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , over 4,000 people are said to have recovered from it .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. All those evacuated from Wuhan to Russia have tested negative for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) so far, head of the Tyumen Region Healthcare Department Inna Kulikova told reporters on Tuesday.
"All tests are negative [for coronavirus]," Kulikova said.
On February 5, two Russian Aerospace Forces’ aircrafts transported 144 people from China’s Wuhan (capital of the Hubei province), including 128 Russian nationals along with citizens of Ukraine and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states. Head of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare Anna Popova informed earlier that all those evacuated are in good health, exhibiting no symptoms of respiratory diseases caused by the coronavirus so far.
Galina Sharukho, a regional official of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare, informed that those evacuated from Wuhan would be tested on the 10th and 12th day of their quarantine. If the tests are negative, the evacuees will be able to return home.
The Russian Embassy in China informed earlier that there were 341 Russian nationals located in the Hubei province, with 183 having contacted Russian diplomats.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.
Currently, the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 42,700 in China with over 1,000 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 4,000 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-11--Four-month-old girl recovers from coronavirus in China's Hainan

HAIKOU , February 11./TASS/ .
Haikou City People 's Hospital on the Island of Hainan confirmed Tuesday that a four-month-old @ @ @ @ @ , according to Xinhua .
According to the news agency , earlier the child and @ @ @ @ @ from the city of Xiaogang , located at the epicenter of the outbreak of the @ @ @ @ @ .
On January 27 , doctors confirmed that the infant was infected with the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese authorities reported that the oldest patient recovered from coronavirus — the man was @ @ @ @ @ to latest updates , 142 cases of infection with 3 fatal outcomes were registered on @ @ @ @ @ .

HAIKOU, February 11./TASS/. Haikou City People's Hospital on the Island of Hainan confirmed Tuesday that a four-month-old girl recovered from the virus, according to Xinhua.
According to the news agency, earlier the child and her family returned to Haikou from the city of Xiaogang, located at the epicenter of the outbreak of the coronavirus: the Hubei Province. On January 27, doctors confirmed that the infant was infected with the coronavirus.
On February 7, the Chinese authorities reported that the oldest patient recovered from coronavirus — the man was 91 years old. According to latest updates, 142 cases of infection with 3 fatal outcomes were registered on Hainan, 19 people recovered.


tass--2020-02-11--Finance Ministry, Central Bank draw up bill on Bank’s withdrawal from capital of Sberbank

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Finance Ministry and the Bank of Russia have drawn up @ @ @ @ @ the withdrawal of the financial regulator from the capital of Sberbank .
The draft document @ @ @ @ @ for the sale of shares has been submitted to the Russian government , the ministry @ @ @ @ @ .
It is assumed that the stake of the Bank of Russia will be acquired @ @ @ @ @ National Wealth Fund ( NWF ) at market value .
The Finance Ministry said that @ @ @ @ @ shares are in line with the NWF management objectives - to ensure the safety of @ @ @ @ @ from their placement .
The expected dividend yield of Sberbank shares following the results of @ @ @ @ @ cost of borrowing on the federal loan bond market .
`` The sale of shares @ @ @ @ @ of Russia will make it possible to remove questions regarding such a conflict of interests @ @ @ @ @ regulator and participants in the financial market , '' the statement said .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Russia’s Finance Ministry and the Bank of Russia have drawn up a bill that provides for the withdrawal of the financial regulator from the capital of Sberbank. The draft document defining the procedure and conditions for the sale of shares has been submitted to the Russian government, the ministry said in a press release.
It is assumed that the stake of the Bank of Russia will be acquired at the expense of the National Wealth Fund (NWF) at market value.
The Finance Ministry said that the NWF investments in Sberbank shares are in line with the NWF management objectives - to ensure the safety of invested funds and stable income from their placement.
The expected dividend yield of Sberbank shares following the results of 2019 will significantly exceed the cost of borrowing on the federal loan bond market.
"The sale of shares of Sberbank by the Bank of Russia will make it possible to remove questions regarding such a conflict of interests and equal distance between the regulator and participants in the financial market," the statement said.


tass--2020-02-11--Turkey’s Erdogan to reveal new Syria steps on February 12

ANKARA , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced Tuesday that he will unveil new @ @ @ @ @ 12 after Turkish forces came under fire in Syria ’ s Idlib Province , he @ @ @ @ @ in Ankara .
`` The regime [ of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ] was seriously @ @ @ @ @ is not enough .
They will pay a heavy price for attacking our military personnel @ @ @ @ @ reveal the steps we are taking , '' the Turkish leader stressed .
The situation @ @ @ @ @ Russian and Turkish military ’ s another attempt to enforce a ceasefire was met by @ @ @ @ @ .
As a result , military specialists from Russia and Turkey died .
The Syrian @ @ @ @ @ and capturing the town of Saraqib near Idlib on February 5 .
Moreover , Turkish @ @ @ @ @ in Syrian army fire on February 3 and 10 , ten military servicemen and three @ @ @ @ @

ANKARA, February 11. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced Tuesday that he will unveil new measures on Syria on February 12 after Turkish forces came under fire in Syria’s Idlib Province, he said in a speech delivered in Ankara.
"The regime [of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad] was seriously hit in Idlib but it is not enough. They will pay a heavy price for attacking our military personnel. Tomorrow, I will reveal the steps we are taking," the Turkish leader stressed.
The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically after Russian and Turkish military’s another attempt to enforce a ceasefire was met by terrorists amping up their attacks. As a result, military specialists from Russia and Turkey died. The Syrian army retaliated, striking extremists and capturing the town of Saraqib near Idlib on February 5.
Moreover, Turkish forces were twice caught up in Syrian army fire on February 3 and 10, ten military servicemen and three civilian personnel were killed.


tass--2020-02-11--Russian airlines to lose $25.2 mln due to suspension of flights to China

`` These are calculations by the Transport Ministry together with the airlines , '' he said , answering the question of whether the volume of compensation could really amount to 1.6 billion rubles .
MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Transport Ministry estimates the losses national airlines suffer because of suspension of flights to China at 1.6 billion rubles ( $ 25.2 mln ) , Deputy Transport Minister Alexander Yurchik told reporters on Tuesday .
Novel coronavirus will reach its peak in China in mid-February , official says Earlier , Russian political Telegram channel Nezygar reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the meeting of the headquarters on prevention of spreading new coronavirus infection in Russia , that the amount of compensation to airlines could amount to 1.6 billion rubles .
But , according to Yurchik , this is not the final figure .
`` Now , there is a quite difficult discussion with the financial and economic bloc of the government , because it is difficult to determine how to calculate losses , '' he said .
`` From our point of view , losses are due to the fact that aircraft is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the Finance Ministry does not agree , because an airline can use aircraft for other flights .
It certainly will , but firstly , it is low season now , and secondly , it will take one and a half to two months to arrange the use of aircraft on other destinations , '' he said .
`` Therefore , there is a discussion about the methodology for calculating losses .
Therefore , these are our preliminary estimates , '' he added .
On February 1 , air traffic between Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risks of the spread of coronavirus .
Only Aeroflot , four Chinese airlines operate Sheremetyevo ’ s China-bound flights .
All flights to China are served only at terminal F. Prior to this , Russian airlines operated about 150 flights to China per week , and Chinese airlines carried out about 40 flights per week .
Until February 1 , by Iraero , Aurora , Yakutia , Ural Airlines and Siberia ( S7 Airlines ) conducted direct flights between Moscow and China alongside with Aeroflot .

"These are calculations by the Transport Ministry together with the airlines," he said, answering the question of whether the volume of compensation could really amount to 1.6 billion rubles.
MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Russia’s Transport Ministry estimates the losses national airlines suffer because of suspension of flights to China at 1.6 billion rubles ($25.2 mln), Deputy Transport Minister Alexander Yurchik told reporters on Tuesday.
Novel coronavirus will reach its peak in China in mid-February, official says
Earlier, Russian political Telegram channel Nezygar reported referring to a copy of the minutes of the meeting of the headquarters on prevention of spreading new coronavirus infection in Russia, that the amount of compensation to airlines could amount to 1.6 billion rubles. But, according to Yurchik, this is not the final figure.
"Now, there is a quite difficult discussion with the financial and economic bloc of the government, because it is difficult to determine how to calculate losses," he said.
"From our point of view, losses are due to the fact that aircraft is not used because flights were halted abruptly. But the Finance Ministry does not agree, because an airline can use aircraft for other flights. It certainly will, but firstly, it is low season now, and secondly, it will take one and a half to two months to arrange the use of aircraft on other destinations," he said.
"Therefore, there is a discussion about the methodology for calculating losses. Therefore, these are our preliminary estimates," he added.
On February 1, air traffic between Russia and China was limited to minimize the risks of the spread of coronavirus.
Only Aeroflot, four Chinese airlines operate Sheremetyevo’s China-bound flights. All flights to China are served only at terminal F.
Prior to this, Russian airlines operated about 150 flights to China per week, and Chinese airlines carried out about 40 flights per week.
Until February 1, by Iraero, Aurora, Yakutia, Ural Airlines and Siberia (S7 Airlines) conducted direct flights between Moscow and China alongside with Aeroflot.


tass--2020-02-11--Chinese student diagnosed with coronavirus in Russia’s Tyumen leaves hospital

`` Her lab tests indicate that she has recovered .
We have discharged her today , '' she said .
MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
A Chinese student at the Tyumen State Oil and Gas University , who was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus on January 31 , has been discharged from the hospital , regional Health Department chief Inna Kulikova said at a briefing on Tuesday .
Novel coronavirus will reach its peak in China in mid-February , official says Head of the Russian consumer watchdog in the Tuymen region Galina Sharukho added that the Chinese student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Chinese national poses no danger to other people , '' she said .
Kulikova pointed out that the student had received the usual treatment for flu symptoms .
Another four Chinese students were taken to the hospital along with the sick girl .
`` The students who arrived on the same flight from China remain in quarantine , and once the quarantine is over , they will be discharged .
They have tested negative for the coronavirus , '' Kulikova pointed out .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities notified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the 2019-nCoV coronavirus as the cause of the disease .
The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency .
The total number of coronavirus cases recorded in China has exceeded 42,700 , while the death toll has passed 1,000 , while more than 4,000 patients have recovered from the virus .
Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 24 other countries , including Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s Trans-Baikal and Tyumen regions on January 31 .
Both cases involved Chinese who were taken to the hospital .
According to medical sources , both of them were infected with a mild form of the coronavirus .

"Her lab tests indicate that she has recovered. We have discharged her today," she said.
MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. A Chinese student at the Tyumen State Oil and Gas University, who was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus on January 31, has been discharged from the hospital, regional Health Department chief Inna Kulikova said at a briefing on Tuesday.
Novel coronavirus will reach its peak in China in mid-February, official says
Head of the Russian consumer watchdog in the Tuymen region Galina Sharukho added that the Chinese student would continue attending university classes. "The Chinese national poses no danger to other people," she said.
Kulikova pointed out that the student had received the usual treatment for flu symptoms.
Another four Chinese students were taken to the hospital along with the sick girl. "The students who arrived on the same flight from China remain in quarantine, and once the quarantine is over, they will be discharged. They have tested negative for the coronavirus," Kulikova pointed out.
Coronavirus outbreak
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the 2019-nCoV coronavirus as the cause of the disease. The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency.
The total number of coronavirus cases recorded in China has exceeded 42,700, while the death toll has passed 1,000, while more than 4,000 patients have recovered from the virus. Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 24 other countries, including Russia.
Two coronavirus cases were identified in Russia’s Trans-Baikal and Tyumen regions on January 31. Both cases involved Chinese who were taken to the hospital. According to medical sources, both of them were infected with a mild form of the coronavirus.


tass--2020-02-11--Erdogan and Putin to discuss Idlib over the phone

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning to hold a phone conversation with @ @ @ @ @ to discuss the situation in Syria ’ s Idlib , Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu @ @ @ @ @ television .
`` The Syrian ceasefire guarantor states - Russia and Iran - should stop @ @ @ @ @ [ the Syrian government forces - TASS ] .
Erdogan and Putin will hold a @ @ @ @ @ said .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning to hold a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in Syria’s Idlib, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, according to NTV television.
"The Syrian ceasefire guarantor states - Russia and Iran - should stop the attacks by the regime [the Syrian government forces - TASS]. Erdogan and Putin will hold a phone conversation," Cavusoglu said.


tass--2020-02-11--Clashes between Syrian military, armed opposition reported near Saraqib, media reports say

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Clashes between the Syrian government forces and the armed opposition have been reported near the town of Saraqib in the Idlib province .
According to the Al Mayadeen TV channel , units of the Syrian army have repelled attacks of armed groups siding with Turkey near the settlement of Neyrab to the north of Saraqib .
Militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group ( outlawed in Russia ) took active part in the attacks on the Syrian army positions .
The channel informed of casualties among the militants .
Meanwhile , the Al @ @ @ @ @ @ @ units has seized separate areas of Neyrab , forcing the government army to leave the settlement .
Earlier , the Syrian opposition launched an offensive against the Syrian government forces in two directions : the city of Saraqib and the settlement of Neyrab to the north of Saraqib .
The armed opposition units are aided by the Turkish military .
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups , including the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group , since 2012 .
A northern de-escalation zone was set up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria ’ s southern regions .
The Turkish army has 12 observation outposts in the province .
On January 25 , the Syrian government army began an operation with the aim to regain control over the western and southern surroundings of Aleppo .
On February 5 , Syrian government forces entered the town of Saraqib , an outpost of Jabhat al-Nusra in the Idlib province .
Saraqib is a town of strategic importance that sits at the junction of two main roads connecting @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Clashes between the Syrian government forces and the armed opposition have been reported near the town of Saraqib in the Idlib province.
According to the Al Mayadeen TV channel, units of the Syrian army have repelled attacks of armed groups siding with Turkey near the settlement of Neyrab to the north of Saraqib. Militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) took active part in the attacks on the Syrian army positions. The channel informed of casualties among the militants.
Meanwhile, the Al Arabiya TV channel informs that armed opposition units has seized separate areas of Neyrab, forcing the government army to leave the settlement.
Earlier, the Syrian opposition launched an offensive against the Syrian government forces in two directions: the city of Saraqib and the settlement of Neyrab to the north of Saraqib. The armed opposition units are aided by the Turkish military.
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups, including the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group, since 2012. A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria’s southern regions. The Turkish army has 12 observation outposts in the province.
On January 25, the Syrian government army began an operation with the aim to regain control over the western and southern surroundings of Aleppo. On February 5, Syrian government forces entered the town of Saraqib, an outpost of Jabhat al-Nusra in the Idlib province. Saraqib is a town of strategic importance that sits at the junction of two main roads connecting Latakia and Damascus with Aleppo.


tass--2020-02-11--Poll: Most Russians blame Trump for worsening tensions between Washington, Moscow

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump is more likely to be exacerbating tensions between Washington and Moscow than boosting relations , yet , in contrast , Russian leader Vladimir Putin seeks to avoid conflicts , a poll conducted by the All-Russia Public Opinion Research Center indicates .
`` More than one-third of Russians ( 37 % ) believe that Donald Trump ’ s actions escalate tensions between Russia and the United States , '' the pollster said in a statement on Tuesday .
`` About the same amount of our fellow citizens ( 33 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid conflicts but is reluctant to build closer ties with Russia .
Only about eight percent of Russians assume that Donald Trump ’ s goal is to improve relations between the two countries , '' the statement adds .
As many as 43 % of those surveyed said that the Russian president seeks to avoid conflicts but does not strive to build closer ties with the US .
Another 41 % pointed out that Putin is trying to better relations between Russia and the United States .
About three percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian head of state was responsible for raising tensions with Washington .
According to the poll ’ s outcome , most Russians ( 43 % ) are indifferent to Trump , 25 % don ’ t trust him , 12 % don ’ t like him , another 12 % are skeptical and ten percent are disappointed with him .
The nationwide poll involving 1,600 respondents was conducted on October 8 , 2019 .
The margin of error does not exceed 2.5 % at the 95 % confidence level .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump is more likely to be exacerbating tensions between Washington and Moscow than boosting relations, yet, in contrast, Russian leader Vladimir Putin seeks to avoid conflicts, a poll conducted by the All-Russia Public Opinion Research Center indicates.
"More than one-third of Russians (37%) believe that Donald Trump’s actions escalate tensions between Russia and the United States," the pollster said in a statement on Tuesday. "About the same amount of our fellow citizens (33%) think that the US president seeks to avoid conflicts but is reluctant to build closer ties with Russia. Only about eight percent of Russians assume that Donald Trump’s goal is to improve relations between the two countries," the statement adds.
As many as 43% of those surveyed said that the Russian president seeks to avoid conflicts but does not strive to build closer ties with the US. Another 41% pointed out that Putin is trying to better relations between Russia and the United States. About three percent of the poll’s participants noted that the Russian head of state was responsible for raising tensions with Washington.
According to the poll’s outcome, most Russians (43%) are indifferent to Trump, 25% don’t trust him, 12% don’t like him, another 12% are skeptical and ten percent are disappointed with him.
The nationwide poll involving 1,600 respondents was conducted on October 8, 2019. The margin of error does not exceed 2.5% at the 95% confidence level.


tass--2020-02-11--Russian scientists develop chronic depression drug prototype

`` This peptide discovery is a very exciting result .
Now , pre-clinical testing is needed and we expect a lot to come from it , '' Skoltech researcher Dmitry Karlov said .
MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian molecular biologists and mathematicians have calculated a formula for a short protein molecule , capable of suppressing many forms of clinical depression without causing serious side effects , says Skolkovo Science and Technology Institute ( Skoltech ) press service .
According to current World Health Organization statistics , more than 300 million people around the Earth suffer from depression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of some 800,000 people .
Young people age between 15 and 29 are particularly susceptible .
Fighting chronic depression is complicated , because the neurophysiologists do not completely understand the nature of this illness .
For instance , the scientists have not yet discovered which brain parts exactly work wrong , and whether depression is a purely genetic disease .
It is unclear how exactly changes in brain functioning influence human motivation and mood .
This is why in one third of all cases taking anti-depressants either has no effect or makes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All this forces the scientists to look for genes related to development of depression and new drugs , capable of effectively fighting it .
The scientists from Skoltech , Moscow State University , Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry and Institute of Physiologically Active Substances have discovered a potential solution by studying the behavior of various protein molecules , capable of interacting with the so-called NMDA receptors .
Disruption of functioning of these receptors is believed to be one of the main reasons for development of many forms of chronic depression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing drugs .
Some substances , such as ketamine , can suppress the NMDA-receptors and remove some depression symptoms , but they also have a lot of dangerous side effects .
Karlov and his colleagues have picked a safe replacement for those substances by using the Zhores supercomputer installed in Skoltech last January , as well as artificial intelligence systems , capable of finding analogues of already existing molecules .
Using these algorithms , the scientists have discovered that a short protein chain of two amino acids - D-Phenylalanine and L-Tyrosine - has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the NMDA-receptor inhibitors .
After developing several versions of this peptide , the scientists have synthesized small amounts of this substance and tested it , using rat brains slices and neuron liquid solution .
These experiments confirmed that the new proteins have actually bonded with NMDA receptors and inhibited them .
In the upcoming days , the biologists plan to determine the most promising version of this molecule during live tests on rodents suffering from chronic depression .

"This peptide discovery is a very exciting result. Now, pre-clinical testing is needed and we expect a lot to come from it," Skoltech researcher Dmitry Karlov said.
MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Russian molecular biologists and mathematicians have calculated a formula for a short protein molecule, capable of suppressing many forms of clinical depression without causing serious side effects, says Skolkovo Science and Technology Institute (Skoltech) press service.
According to current World Health Organization statistics, more than 300 million people around the Earth suffer from depression. Every year, it takes lives of some 800,000 people. Young people age between 15 and 29 are particularly susceptible.
Fighting chronic depression is complicated, because the neurophysiologists do not completely understand the nature of this illness. For instance, the scientists have not yet discovered which brain parts exactly work wrong, and whether depression is a purely genetic disease. It is unclear how exactly changes in brain functioning influence human motivation and mood.
This is why in one third of all cases taking anti-depressants either has no effect or makes the problems worse, causing serious side effects. All this forces the scientists to look for genes related to development of depression and new drugs, capable of effectively fighting it.
First success
The scientists from Skoltech, Moscow State University, Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry and Institute of Physiologically Active Substances have discovered a potential solution by studying the behavior of various protein molecules, capable of interacting with the so-called NMDA receptors.
Disruption of functioning of these receptors is believed to be one of the main reasons for development of many forms of chronic depression that cannot be fought using the existing drugs. Some substances, such as ketamine, can suppress the NMDA-receptors and remove some depression symptoms, but they also have a lot of dangerous side effects.
Karlov and his colleagues have picked a safe replacement for those substances by using the Zhores supercomputer installed in Skoltech last January, as well as artificial intelligence systems, capable of finding analogues of already existing molecules. Using these algorithms, the scientists have discovered that a short protein chain of two amino acids - D-Phenylalanine and L-Tyrosine - has very similar properties to Ifenprodil, one of the NMDA-receptor inhibitors.
After developing several versions of this peptide, the scientists have synthesized small amounts of this substance and tested it, using rat brains slices and neuron liquid solution.
These experiments confirmed that the new proteins have actually bonded with NMDA receptors and inhibited them. In the upcoming days, the biologists plan to determine the most promising version of this molecule during live tests on rodents suffering from chronic depression.


tass--2020-02-12--Russian ex-prison official commits suicide in court after being found guilty

MOSCOW , February 12 .
/TASS/ .
Viktor Sviridov , a former head of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service ’ s motor transport department has committed suicide in Moscow ’ s Chertanovsky Court after a judge handed down a guilty verdict in his case , the emergency services informed TASS .
`` After the guilty verdict was handed down , Sviridov committed suicide .
He died on the spot , '' TASS was told .
The Chertanovsky Court confirmed that Sviridov shot himself dead after he was found guilty of extorting 10 mln rubles ( $ 158,500 ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The incident indeed took place in the Chertanovsky Court .
When the judge was delivering the verdict , the defendant was in the courtroom and after the judge announced the punishment < … > he used a pistol to commit suicide , '' the press service specified .
Police and Russia ’ s Investigative Committee officers are at the scene looking into the details of the incident .
Sviridov was sentenced to three years behind bars in a high-security prison .
Since his indictment , he was placed under travel restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the authorities are looking into how the defendant managed to carry a weapon into the courtroom .
According to information available to TASS , Sviridov headed the Penitentiary Service ’ s transport department but resigned more than five years ago .

MOSCOW, February 12. /TASS/. Viktor Sviridov, a former head of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service’s motor transport department has committed suicide in Moscow’s Chertanovsky Court after a judge handed down a guilty verdict in his case, the emergency services informed TASS.
"After the guilty verdict was handed down, Sviridov committed suicide. He died on the spot," TASS was told.
The Chertanovsky Court confirmed that Sviridov shot himself dead after he was found guilty of extorting 10 mln rubles ($158,500), the court’s press service said. "The incident indeed took place in the Chertanovsky Court. When the judge was delivering the verdict, the defendant was in the courtroom and after the judge announced the punishment <…> he used a pistol to commit suicide," the press service specified.
Police and Russia’s Investigative Committee officers are at the scene looking into the details of the incident.
Sviridov was sentenced to three years behind bars in a high-security prison. Since his indictment, he was placed under travel restrictions. The court’s press service added that the authorities are looking into how the defendant managed to carry a weapon into the courtroom.
According to information available to TASS, Sviridov headed the Penitentiary Service’s transport department but resigned more than five years ago.


tass--2020-02-12--Second heavy Angara-A5 missile to be sent to Plesetsk Cosmodrome this March

MOSCOW , February 12 .
/TASS/ .
The second Angara-A5 heavy carrier missile is scheduled for delivery to Plesetsk Cosmodrome ( Arkhangelsk Region ) in March-April this year , says Alexey Varochko , Director of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center , the maker of the missile .
`` We have a goal : March-April - the machine [ Angara-A5 ] goes to the Cosmodrome , '' Varochko told Russian Veterans Union and Russian Military Commanders Club during their visit to the Center .
After that , a train will return from Plesetsk to Omsk ’ s Polyot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third Angara and bring them to Moscow , to the Khrunichev Center , where the modules would undergo final tests and the missile would be assembled .
Earlier , the Maksimov Space Systems Institute Research representative Yuri Klimenko disclosed that the number of Angara flight tests was reduced from ten to six .
Angara is a family of Russian carrier missiles of light to heavy classes .
The new family uses eco-friendly duel components .
So far , the missile had only two launches : the light Angara-1.2PP and the heavy Angara-A5 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, February 12. /TASS/. The second Angara-A5 heavy carrier missile is scheduled for delivery to Plesetsk Cosmodrome (Arkhangelsk Region) in March-April this year, says Alexey Varochko, Director of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, the maker of the missile.
"We have a goal: March-April - the machine [Angara-A5] goes to the Cosmodrome," Varochko told Russian Veterans Union and Russian Military Commanders Club during their visit to the Center.
After that, a train will return from Plesetsk to Omsk’s Polyot engineering company to fetch modules for the third Angara and bring them to Moscow, to the Khrunichev Center, where the modules would undergo final tests and the missile would be assembled.
Earlier, the Maksimov Space Systems Institute Research representative Yuri Klimenko disclosed that the number of Angara flight tests was reduced from ten to six.
Angara is a family of Russian carrier missiles of light to heavy classes. The new family uses eco-friendly duel components. So far, the missile had only two launches: the light Angara-1.2PP and the heavy Angara-A5, both started from Plesetsk in 2014.


tass--2020-02-12--Aerosmith to mark 50th anniversary by rocking Moscow again this coming summer

According to the band ’ s website , the European tour starts on June 13 in Italy and ends in Russia .
`` One of the most successful bands in the history of rock music celebrates their 50th anniversary playing a large-scale European tour .
Aerosmith will perform at VTB Arena on July 30 , '' the concert agency ’ s press service said .
MOSCOW , February 12 .
/TASS/ .
Legendary American rock band Aerosmith will perform in Moscow on July 30 as part of their European tour , marking the group ’ s 50th anniversary , SAV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American indie rock band Pixies to play their first ever shows in Russia in July 2020 The last time the American rockers played in Moscow was in the spring of 2017 as part of their Aero-Vederci Baby !
Tour ( The name combined the first part of the band ’ s name with `` arrivederci , '' an Italian word for `` goodbye , '' hinting that it was a farewell tour ) .
Aerosmith was formed in Boston , Massachusetts in 1970 .
The group consists of Steven Tyler on vocals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on bass , Joey Kramer on drums and Brad Whitford on guitar .
Their style , which is rooted in blues-based hard rock and incorporates elements of pop rock , heavy metal and rhythm and blues has inspired many subsequent rock artists .
Over their 50 years , they have recorded 15 albums .
The latest one titled `` Music from Another Dimension ! ''
was released in 2012 .
Aerosmith is known as the best-selling American rock band of all time , having sold more than 150 million records worldwide , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone .
The band won four Grammy Awards .
The group has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame , put both on Rolling Stone 's and VH1 's lists of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time .

According to the band’s website, the European tour starts on June 13 in Italy and ends in Russia.
"One of the most successful bands in the history of rock music celebrates their 50th anniversary playing a large-scale European tour. Aerosmith will perform at VTB Arena on July 30," the concert agency’s press service said.
MOSCOW, February 12. /TASS/. Legendary American rock band Aerosmith will perform in Moscow on July 30 as part of their European tour, marking the group’s 50th anniversary, SAV Entertainment concert agency announced on Wednesday.
American indie rock band Pixies to play their first ever shows in Russia in July 2020
The last time the American rockers played in Moscow was in the spring of 2017 as part of their Aero-Vederci Baby! Tour (The name combined the first part of the band’s name with "arrivederci," an Italian word for "goodbye," hinting that it was a farewell tour).
Aerosmith was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler on vocals, Joe Perry on guitar, Tom Hamilton on bass, Joey Kramer on drums and Brad Whitford on guitar. Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock and incorporates elements of pop rock, heavy metal and rhythm and blues has inspired many subsequent rock artists.
Over their 50 years, they have recorded 15 albums. The latest one titled "Music from Another Dimension!" was released in 2012.
Aerosmith is known as the best-selling American rock band of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide, including over 70 million in the United States alone. The band won four Grammy Awards.
The group has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, put both on Rolling Stone's and VH1's lists of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.


tass--2020-02-12--Kiev should discuss border control issue with Donbass republics — Kremlin

MOSCOW , February 12 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine should engage representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People ’ s @ @ @ @ @ ) in negotiations over reinstating Ukraine ’ s control over the Russian-Ukrainian border section in @ @ @ @ @ Peskov told reporters Wednesday , when asked if control over the Russian-Ukrainian border in Donbass @ @ @ @ @ Kiev in exchange for resuming water supply to Crimea from Ukraine .
`` The issue @ @ @ @ @ be walked through with Donbass representatives , representatives of the two self-proclaimed republics , '' @ @ @ @ @ , at the same time , that they `` will oppose changing the essence and @ @ @ @ @ . ''

MOSCOW, February 12. /TASS/. Ukraine should engage representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) in negotiations over reinstating Ukraine’s control over the Russian-Ukrainian border section in Donbass, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Wednesday, when asked if control over the Russian-Ukrainian border in Donbass can be passed over to Kiev in exchange for resuming water supply to Crimea from Ukraine.
"The issue of border control should first be walked through with Donbass representatives, representatives of the two self-proclaimed republics," Peskov stressed. He supposed, at the same time, that they "will oppose changing the essence and crux of the Minsk Agreements."


tass--2020-02-12--Kremlin says will judge Zelensky’s new chief of staff by his actions on Donbass regulation

Zelensky ready to meet with Putin if necessary , presidential office says MOSCOW , February 12 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow @ @ @ @ @ new Ukrainian Presidential Chief of Staff Andrei Yermak on Donbass regulation based on concrete actions @ @ @ @ @ told reporters on Wednesday .
`` We will judge it based on concrete actions and @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday , Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has appointed Andrei Yermak as his new @ @ @ @ @ Andrei Bogdan .

Zelensky ready to meet with Putin if necessary, presidential office says
MOSCOW, February 12. /TASS/. Moscow will judge the influence of new Ukrainian Presidential Chief of Staff Andrei Yermak on Donbass regulation based on concrete actions, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
"We will judge it based on concrete actions and decisions," he said.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has appointed Andrei Yermak as his new chief of staff instead of Andrei Bogdan.


tass--2020-02-12--New test-launch of Angara-A5 carrier rocket planned for 2nd-3rd quarter of this year

MOSCOW , February 12 .
/TASS/ .
The second test-launch of Russia ’ s Angara-A5 heavy carrier rocket is scheduled @ @ @ @ @ this year , CEO of the Khrunichev Space Center ( the Angara rocket manufacturer ) @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The launch [ of an Angara-A5 ] will take place in the second-third @ @ @ @ @ '' the chief executive said .

MOSCOW, February 12. /TASS/. The second test-launch of Russia’s Angara-A5 heavy carrier rocket is scheduled for the second-third quarter of this year, CEO of the Khrunichev Space Center (the Angara rocket manufacturer) Alexei Varochko said on Wednesday.
"The launch [of an Angara-A5] will take place in the second-third quarter of this year," the chief executive said.