tass--2020-01-31--Russia eyes new trade agreement with post-Brexit UK — envoy

`` Of course , we would like to get a new comprehensive trade agreement [ with the British side ] .
However , it is probably too far ahead , '' the diplomat stressed .
MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russia would like to sign a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom after its departure from the European Union .
However , it is premature to talk about this now , Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin said during a video call from London with the Valdai International Discussion Club ’ s expert debate on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , transport , fissile material trade and other agreements .
Generally , we have already taken stock of what we can do with the UK , '' Kelin added .
`` At the same time , London has been completely mum so far because it is dealing with more important affairs . ''
According to the ambassador , the United Kingdom has already inked bilateral trade and economic agreements with Commonwealth countries as well as its closest partners , Switzerland in particular .
The United Kingdom will officially leave the European Union on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of political wrangling , chaos and division that ensued after the 2016 Brexit referendum .
Brexit will take place at 23:00 London time or at midnight in Brussels .
An hour before this turning point in the UK ’ s political history , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , an ardent Brexit supporter , will deliver his address to the nation .
After January 31 , the UK and the EU will enter a transition period meant to maintain the existing state of affairs , particularly on trade and tariffs , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future trading relations .
The transition period is scheduled to end on December 31 , 2020 .
London is also obliged to continue paying membership fees to the EU budget until the end of 2020 .

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Russia would like to sign a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom after its departure from the European Union. However, it is premature to talk about this now, Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin said during a video call from London with the Valdai International Discussion Club’s expert debate on Friday. "Of course, we would like to get a new comprehensive trade agreement [with the British side]. However, it is probably too far ahead," the diplomat stressed.
Read also European Parliament approves Brexit agreement
"We need to sign aviation, transport, fissile material trade and other agreements. Generally, we have already taken stock of what we can do with the UK," Kelin added. "At the same time, London has been completely mum so far because it is dealing with more important affairs." According to the ambassador, the United Kingdom has already inked bilateral trade and economic agreements with Commonwealth countries as well as its closest partners, Switzerland in particular. Improvement of bilateral ties Moscow plans to cooperate with London over the next few years, however, Russian-UK relations are unlikely to improve in the short term, the Russian ambassador to the UK stated. The diplomat noted that the future of Russian-UK relations is uncertain. "We are at the very first stages of the leadership of the new [UK] Prime Minister [Boris Johnson]. He is a very strong-willed and charismatic person, counting on a strong parliamentary majority within the Conservative Party," he explained. "This allows him to act rather independently. So far, the signals are mixed." Kelin mentioned the latest short meeting between Johnson and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Berlin international conference on Libyan regulation on January 19. "The meeting also seems rather controversial," the ambassador commented.
Read also Russia vows adequate response to any threat from UK’s new military bases


tass--2020-01-31--Kremlin says Pompeo’s visits to Ukraine, Belarus sovereign affair of US

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s visits to Ukraine , Belarus @ @ @ @ @ a sovereign affair of the USA , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ this is a completely natural phenomenon , it is a sovereign right of every state @ @ @ @ @ a global or regional scale , '' Peskov told reporters .
The spokesman stressed that @ @ @ @ @ own relations with these states [ visited by Pompeo ] . ''
He added that @ @ @ @ @ bilateral ties and trade relations with many states .
On Thursday , Pompeo arrived in @ @ @ @ @ .
On February 1 , he is set to visit Belarus , planning to come @ @ @ @ @ that .

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visits to Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are a sovereign affair of the USA, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
"In this case, this is a completely natural phenomenon, it is a sovereign right of every state to pursue international relations on a global or regional scale," Peskov told reporters.
The spokesman stressed that the USA "has its own relations with these states [visited by Pompeo]." He added that Russia has been dynamically developing bilateral ties and trade relations with many states.
On Thursday, Pompeo arrived in Ukraine on an official visit. On February 1, he is set to visit Belarus, planning to come to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan after that.


tass--2020-01-31--Press review: WHO declares global virus emergency and Netanyahu capitalizes on Moscow trip

Izvestia : WHO declares coronavirus outbreak to be global health emergency The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency .
Experts interviewed by Izvestia pointed out that the WHO ’ s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee took the same action during the SARS outbreak in 2002-2003 .
`` The declaration of a global health emergency usually entails border restrictions , as well as restrictions on the movement of goods and services .
The WHO insisted on that in similar situations .
Measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that they don ’ t cause any unnecessary inconvenience , '' former chief of Russia ’ s consumer watchdog Gennady Onishchenko told the newspaper .
Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the Peoples ' Friendship University of Russia Galina Kozhevnikova , in turn , pointed out that WHO experts always specified the steps required to be taken in such situations .
`` There are a number of measures to control the situation in countries where no infection cases have been reported so far .
We have already taken these steps and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same .
A global health emergency also means that the WHO and other international organizations will allocate funds for the development of a vaccine , '' the expert added .
No coronavirus cases have been identified in Russia yet , the consumer watchdog says .
The Health Ministry has drawn up recommendations for treating cases if needed .
The list of recommended medicines particularly includes a drug called lopinavir/ritonavir , which is used for HIV .
The coronavirus and the retrovirus have enzymes with a similar structure so medics assumed that medicines targeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting the 2019-nCoV strain , Infectious Disease Physician at H-Clinic Yekaterina Stepanova noted .
Meanwhile , Russia has temporarily suspended ground passenger transportation to China .
In addition , tour operators have stopped the sales of tours to China , and organized Russia tourists are returning home .
The situation with inbound tourism remains difficult since 1.5 mln Chinese visit Russia every year , Vice President of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia Dmitry Gorin emphasized .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : Israeli PM discusses ‘ deal of the century ’ with Putin on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have taken place in Moscow .
The parties particularly discussed a peace plan for the Middle East , dubbed the ‘ deal of the century , ’ which had been proposed by US President Donald Trump .
Unlike a number of Middle East leaders , the Russian president refrained from criticizing the initiative , which is beneficial for Israel .
Moreover , Israeli national Naama Issachar , convicted in Russia on drug charges , was pardoned as kind of a gift to Netanyahu , Nezavisimaya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Irina Zvyagelskaya , the Israeli public was closely following Netanyahu ’ s visit to Russia .
`` This is due to the Middle East deal , and , even more so , to the Issachar case , '' she said .
`` The fact that Netanyahu succeeded in bringing her back home will earn him additional points in the upcoming election , '' the expert added .
An early parliamentary election , the third one in the past 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Israel on March 2 .
As in the previous election , the main struggle will be between the center-left Kahol Lavan ( or Blue and White ) bloc led by Benny Gantz and Netanyahu ’ s right-wing Likud party .
According to opinion polls , Likud may receive 58 seats and Kahol Lavan is expected to get 55 .
As for Netanyahu , an election win would act as a personal security shield for him since he is facing several investigations and may lose his freedom because he doesn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Netanyahu could use any amount of election points , and the Issachar case sparked a significant response from the public .
As for the ‘ deal of the century , ’ it has little chance of success because the Palestinians had no say in its development , Orientalist scholar Roland Bidzhamov told Izvestia .
However , the initiative may still be considered to be a political success .
US President Donald Trump ’ s statement about plans to reduce the number of US troops in Iraq won ’ t affect the Pentagon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the focus on a military standoff with Iran is still there , Nezavisimaya Gazeta notes .
Trump has repeatedly pointed to the possibility of a military response if US-Iran tensions get any worse but many members of Congress don ’ t support his plans .
The White House faces obstacles from using military force against Iran at the moment .
In any case , the US continues to expand its troop presence in the Middle East .
According to US media , a squadron of F-15E fighters has recently been deployed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Base .
The US has also reintroduced Patriot missile systems to Jordan , Bahrain , Kuwait and Saudi Arabia .
Additionally , Washington has redeployed B-52 strategic bombers to its military base on Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean .
Meanwhile , the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group continues its mission in the Arabian Sea .
`` The Americans are reducing their troop presence in Iraq but at the same time , the number of troops in Syria is growing .
Besides , the Pentagon has decided to restore and reinforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , '' said Academy of Military Science Correspondent Member Colonel Eduard Rodyukov .
The expert cited a Syrian media report stating that `` the US is expanding an air base in the Tell Beydar settlement , several kilometers from the town of Tell Tamr ( in the Al-Hasakah province ) . ''
Rodyukov also pointed out that several clashes between Russian and US troops had taken place in the Tell Tamr area and Russian helicopters had carried out flights over the US air base .
All in all , the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation in the Middle East .
The ‘ deal of the century ’ to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , proposed by US President Donald Trump , is just more proof of its policy based on military force and illegal setup of military bases in key areas in Syria and Iraq .
The Pentagon is establishing footholds for future attacks on Shiite forces and Iran .
Brexit may provide Moscow and London with a significant opportunity to boost relations , Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin wrote in an opinion editorial for Rossiyskaya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreements between the United Kingdom and the European Union stipulate that during the transition period , which is set to last until the end of 2020 , London will in fact remain part of the EU ’ s economic space .
Once the transition period is over , the UK will become independent in its foreign economic policy though its freedom will depend on the outcome of talks with the EU .
Moscow expects that EU-imposed trade barriers and outdated restrictions between Russia and the United Kingdom will cease to exist in 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ready to assess economic cooperation with the UK , which will make it possible to figure out what areas need regulating at the bilateral level in the first place .
Clearly , this is a two-way street and much will depend on the United Kingdom ’ s attitude .
Russia understands that settling relations with the EU and the United States will be a priority for London , Kelin pointed out , adding however that it would be wrong to ignore the fact that British and Russian businessmen were interested in boosting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy , the United Kingdom is likely to continue to be guided by the principles shared by the West .
As an EU member , the UK took pride in its leading role in the policy of sanctions against Russia .
The two countries still have fundamental differences on Ukraine , Syria , the Salisbury incident and a number of other pressing global issues .
Some statements made by British officials point to their intention to go further than the EU sanctions stipulate , the Russian ambassador emphasized .
According to market participants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the US-based tech giant Apple that has production facilities in China , have delayed the supply of their goods to Russia for two weeks because Chinese factories extended their New Year vacations due to the coronavirus outbreak .
A multiple-week delay may create a certain gap in the market and lead to a 10-15 % rise in prices but it will also help retailers sell their stockpiles , Kommersant writes .
Chinese brands are important for the Russian market .
One in two smartphones purchased in Russia in 2019 was Chinese-made , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retailer .
The size of Russia ’ s smartphone market stood at 495 bln rubles ( $ 7.8 bln ) in 2019 with China ’ s Huawei and Honor companies occupying one-third of the market .
If the delay does not exceed two weeks , it will have no significant impact on the Russian market , Head of the Mobile Communication Department at Marvel Distribution Pavel Vyukov pointed out .
However , if the delay lasts two to five weeks , a shortage will emerge , but it may actually benefit business , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sell their stockpiles , he added .
However , if the suspension exceeds six weeks , serious negative consequences are possible , Vyukov noted .
The hold-up in deliveries may push smartphone prices up 10-15 % by the end of February , but the newest smartphones models will start to sell out by mid-March and stockpiles will come in handy , said leading analyst at Mobile Research Group Eldar Murtazin .
A rise in prices will reduce the demand because consumers are used to the fact that smartphone prices in Russia are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expert pointed out .
`` It will reduce the retail turnover , negatively affecting the market , '' Murtazin emphasized .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Izvestia: WHO declares coronavirus outbreak to be global health emergency
Read also WHO declares international public health emergency over coronavirus outbreak in China
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency. Experts interviewed by Izvestia pointed out that the WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee took the same action during the SARS outbreak in 2002-2003. "The declaration of a global health emergency usually entails border restrictions, as well as restrictions on the movement of goods and services. The WHO insisted on that in similar situations. Measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases need to be as people-friendly as possible so that they don’t cause any unnecessary inconvenience," former chief of Russia’s consumer watchdog Gennady Onishchenko told the newspaper. Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Galina Kozhevnikova, in turn, pointed out that WHO experts always specified the steps required to be taken in such situations. "There are a number of measures to control the situation in countries where no infection cases have been reported so far. We have already taken these steps and now other countries need to do the same. A global health emergency also means that the WHO and other international organizations will allocate funds for the development of a vaccine," the expert added. No coronavirus cases have been identified in Russia yet, the consumer watchdog says. The Health Ministry has drawn up recommendations for treating cases if needed. The list of recommended medicines particularly includes a drug called lopinavir/ritonavir, which is used for HIV. The coronavirus and the retrovirus have enzymes with a similar structure so medics assumed that medicines targeting the HIV protease could be effective in fighting the 2019-nCoV strain, Infectious Disease Physician at H-Clinic Yekaterina Stepanova noted. Meanwhile, Russia has temporarily suspended ground passenger transportation to China. In addition, tour operators have stopped the sales of tours to China, and organized Russia tourists are returning home. The situation with inbound tourism remains difficult since 1.5 mln Chinese visit Russia every year, Vice President of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia Dmitry Gorin emphasized. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Israeli PM discusses ‘deal of the century’ with Putin on visit to Moscow
Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have taken place in Moscow. The parties particularly discussed a peace plan for the Middle East, dubbed the ‘deal of the century,’ which had been proposed by US President Donald Trump. Unlike a number of Middle East leaders, the Russian president refrained from criticizing the initiative, which is beneficial for Israel. Moreover, Israeli national Naama Issachar, convicted in Russia on drug charges, was pardoned as kind of a gift to Netanyahu, Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote. According to Chief Researcher at the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Irina Zvyagelskaya, the Israeli public was closely following Netanyahu’s visit to Russia. "This is due to the Middle East deal, and, even more so, to the Issachar case," she said. "The fact that Netanyahu succeeded in bringing her back home will earn him additional points in the upcoming election," the expert added. An early parliamentary election, the third one in the past 12 months, is scheduled to be held in Israel on March 2. As in the previous election, the main struggle will be between the center-left Kahol Lavan (or Blue and White) bloc led by Benny Gantz and Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party. According to opinion polls, Likud may receive 58 seats and Kahol Lavan is expected to get 55. As for Netanyahu, an election win would act as a personal security shield for him since he is facing several investigations and may lose his freedom because he doesn’t have immunity from criminal prosecution. That said, Netanyahu could use any amount of election points, and the Issachar case sparked a significant response from the public. As for the ‘deal of the century,’ it has little chance of success because the Palestinians had no say in its development, Orientalist scholar Roland Bidzhamov told Izvestia. However, the initiative may still be considered to be a political success. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Pentagon continues military buildup in Middle East
US President Donald Trump’s statement about plans to reduce the number of US troops in Iraq won’t affect the Pentagon’s position in the Middle East because the focus on a military standoff with Iran is still there, Nezavisimaya Gazeta notes. Trump has repeatedly pointed to the possibility of a military response if US-Iran tensions get any worse but many members of Congress don’t support his plans. The White House faces obstacles from using military force against Iran at the moment. In any case, the US continues to expand its troop presence in the Middle East. According to US media, a squadron of F-15E fighters has recently been deployed to Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base. The US has also reintroduced Patriot missile systems to Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Washington has redeployed B-52 strategic bombers to its military base on Diego Garcia Island in the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group continues its mission in the Arabian Sea. "The Americans are reducing their troop presence in Iraq but at the same time, the number of troops in Syria is growing. Besides, the Pentagon has decided to restore and reinforce some of its military bases in the country," said Academy of Military Science Correspondent Member Colonel Eduard Rodyukov. The expert cited a Syrian media report stating that "the US is expanding an air base in the Tell Beydar settlement, several kilometers from the town of Tell Tamr (in the Al-Hasakah province)." Rodyukov also pointed out that several clashes between Russian and US troops had taken place in the Tell Tamr area and Russian helicopters had carried out flights over the US air base. All in all, the United States still seeks to dominate and control the situation in the Middle East. The ‘deal of the century’ to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, proposed by US President Donald Trump, is just more proof of its policy based on military force and illegal setup of military bases in key areas in Syria and Iraq. The Pentagon is establishing footholds for future attacks on Shiite forces and Iran. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Brexit may boost Russia-UK relations, ambassador says
Read also European Parliament approves Brexit agreement
Brexit may provide Moscow and London with a significant opportunity to boost relations, Russian Ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin wrote in an opinion editorial for Rossiyskaya Gazeta. According to him, the agreements between the United Kingdom and the European Union stipulate that during the transition period, which is set to last until the end of 2020, London will in fact remain part of the EU’s economic space. Once the transition period is over, the UK will become independent in its foreign economic policy though its freedom will depend on the outcome of talks with the EU. Moscow expects that EU-imposed trade barriers and outdated restrictions between Russia and the United Kingdom will cease to exist in 2021, the ambassador pointed out. Russia is ready to assess economic cooperation with the UK, which will make it possible to figure out what areas need regulating at the bilateral level in the first place. Clearly, this is a two-way street and much will depend on the United Kingdom’s attitude. Russia understands that settling relations with the EU and the United States will be a priority for London, Kelin pointed out, adding however that it would be wrong to ignore the fact that British and Russian businessmen were interested in boosting mutually beneficial ties. As for foreign policy, the United Kingdom is likely to continue to be guided by the principles shared by the West. As an EU member, the UK took pride in its leading role in the policy of sanctions against Russia. The two countries still have fundamental differences on Ukraine, Syria, the Salisbury incident and a number of other pressing global issues. Some statements made by British officials point to their intention to go further than the EU sanctions stipulate, the Russian ambassador emphasized. Kommersant: Coronavirus outbreak suspends smartphone supplies from China to Russia
Read also China to step up fight against new coronavirus together with WHO


tass--2020-01-31--Mtsensk explosion death toll climbs to five as rescue team extract woman from debris

`` Five dead , a woman has been extracted from underneath the debris , '' he said .
ORYOL , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
A rescue team has extracted a body of a woman from underneath the debris of the explosion that rocked a factory in the Oryol Region ’ s Mtsensk , says Sergei Lezhnev , an advisor from the Oryol Regional Governor ’ s press office .
In the meantime , the one dead and the three injured incident victims have been identified as Turkish nationals .
`` Three Turkish workers , their condition is stable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They have been hospitalized .
The one who died [ in the hospital ] was also a Turkish national , '' a Mtsensk hospital source told TASS .
The hospital clarified that one victim suffered hands burn , one suffered foot burn , and one suffered a vertebral compression fracture and displacement .
Earlier on Friday , the regional Civil Defense , Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters Ministry ( EMERCOM ) reported that an explosion rocked a metal structures factory in Mtsensk .
The Investigation Committee initiated a proceeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor Andrei Klychkov departed to the emergency site .

"Five dead, a woman has been extracted from underneath the debris," he said.
ORYOL, January 31. /TASS/. A rescue team has extracted a body of a woman from underneath the debris of the explosion that rocked a factory in the Oryol Region’s Mtsensk, says Sergei Lezhnev, an advisor from the Oryol Regional Governor’s press office.
In the meantime, the one dead and the three injured incident victims have been identified as Turkish nationals.
"Three Turkish workers, their condition is stable, they are conscious, no serious cases. They have been hospitalized. The one who died [in the hospital] was also a Turkish national," a Mtsensk hospital source told TASS.
The hospital clarified that one victim suffered hands burn, one suffered foot burn, and one suffered a vertebral compression fracture and displacement.
Earlier on Friday, the regional Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters Ministry (EMERCOM) reported that an explosion rocked a metal structures factory in Mtsensk. The Investigation Committee initiated a proceeding over occupational safety violation. Oryol Region Governor Andrei Klychkov departed for the emergency site.


tass--2020-01-31--China develops test capable of detecting coronavirus in 8-15 minutes

SHANGHAI , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
An express test to identify the novel coronavirus has been developed in the Chinese city of Wuxi , eastern Jiangsu Province .
The test kit delivers results in 8-15 minutes , Xinhua news agency reported citing the city ’ s science and technology department .
China to step up fight against new coronavirus together with WHO The fast analysis kit to detect the virus was developed by experts of the National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention together with one of Wuxi ’ s high-tech companies .
The express test has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the amount of kits produced is not enough to test around 4,000 people a day .
The first shipment of these tests is already employed in the most virus-hit Hubei Province .
On January 29 , the Russian general consulate in China ’ s Guangzhou reported that Russia had received genome of the new virus from China .
Russian scientists managed to develop express tests capable of identifying the virus within two hours .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - 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 19 more countries , apart from China - Australia , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany , Japan , India , Italy , Malaysia , Nepal , the Philippines , Singapore , South Korea , Sri Lanka , Thailand , the United Arab Emirates , the United States and Vietnam .
The WHO declared the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Currently , the total number of infections soared to 9,720 with 213 deaths reported .

SHANGHAI, January 31. /TASS/. An express test to identify the novel coronavirus has been developed in the Chinese city of Wuxi, eastern Jiangsu Province. The test kit delivers results in 8-15 minutes, Xinhua news agency reported citing the city’s science and technology department.
China to step up fight against new coronavirus together with WHO
The fast analysis kit to detect the virus was developed by experts of the National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention together with one of Wuxi’s high-tech companies. The express test has already been commissioned for production. Currently, the amount of kits produced is not enough to test around 4,000 people a day. The first shipment of these tests is already employed in the most virus-hit Hubei Province.
On January 29, the Russian general consulate in China’s Guangzhou reported that Russia had received genome of the new virus from China. Russian scientists managed to develop express tests capable of identifying the virus within two hours.
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 19 more countries, apart from China - Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Vietnam. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.
Currently, the total number of infections soared to 9,720 with 213 deaths reported.


tass--2020-01-31--Russia to feature Kalibr cruise missiles, Viking air defense system at India arms show

The Viking is the export version of Russia ’ s Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system , the press office specified .
MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer will feature the latest Viking surface-to-air missile system at the DefExpo-2020 arms show in India for the first time along with the export version of Kalibr cruise missiles , the company ’ s press office said on Friday .
`` At the DefExpo-2020 , the company will demonstrate for the first time in the Republic of India the models of the Viking anti-aircraft missile system ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model of the 9M317ME surface-to-air missile from the Viking complex , '' the press office said in a statement .
The visitors of the DefExpo-2020 arms show will also be able to view the models of missiles `` from the Club-S and Club-N integrated missile systems ( the export version of the Kalibr missile launcher ) , the statement says .
The Russian defense manufacturer will also feature airspace control radars , S-400 ‘ Triumf , ’ S-300VM ‘ Antey-2500 ’ anti-aircraft missile systems , Tor-M2E , Tor-M2K , Tor-M2KM air defense missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mock-ups , models , presentations and booklets , the press office specifies .
Almaz-Antey Deputy CEO for Foreign Economic Activity Vyacheslav Dzirkaln said that during the exhibition the company ’ s representatives would hold meetings and negotiations with government and business structures of India and third countries participating in the arms show and also with potential buyers of products and services .
The DEfExpo-2020 arms show will run in the city of Lucknow in the state of Uttar Pradesh ( India ) on February 5-8 .

The Viking is the export version of Russia’s Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system, the press office specified.
MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Russia’s Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer will feature the latest Viking surface-to-air missile system at the DefExpo-2020 arms show in India for the first time along with the export version of Kalibr cruise missiles, the company’s press office said on Friday.
"At the DefExpo-2020, the company will demonstrate for the first time in the Republic of India the models of the Viking anti-aircraft missile system’s combat vehicles, including the 1:3 scale model of the 9M317ME surface-to-air missile from the Viking complex," the press office said in a statement.
The visitors of the DefExpo-2020 arms show will also be able to view the models of missiles "from the Club-S and Club-N integrated missile systems (the export version of the Kalibr missile launcher), the statement says.
The Russian defense manufacturer will also feature airspace control radars, S-400 ‘Triumf,’ S-300VM ‘Antey-2500’ anti-aircraft missile systems, Tor-M2E, Tor-M2K, Tor-M2KM air defense missile complexes and other armament in the form of mock-ups, models, presentations and booklets, the press office specifies.
Almaz-Antey Deputy CEO for Foreign Economic Activity Vyacheslav Dzirkaln said that during the exhibition the company’s representatives would hold meetings and negotiations with government and business structures of India and third countries participating in the arms show and also with potential buyers of products and services.
The DEfExpo-2020 arms show will run in the city of Lucknow in the state of Uttar Pradesh (India) on February 5-8.


tass--2020-01-31--Four dead after factory blast in Russia’s Oryol Region

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Four people died in an explosion at a factory in Mtsensk , in the Oryol Region , the regional Civil Defense , Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters Ministry ( EMERCOM ) division told TASS .
`` At 10:00 a.m. Moscow time , an explosion , unclear in origin , was reported at a small factory in Mtsensk .
Some 200 square meters of roofing collapsed , no fire reported on site .
Three men died , and four were injured , '' the press service said .
Later , Sergei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regional Governor ’ s press office , clarified that the number of victims climbed to four , while three were injured in the incident .
The press service of the Investigation Committee ’ s regional branch also confirmed the emergency .
`` We confirm that [ a gas-oxygen mix explosion at the factory ] , we have reports of three dead people , '' the press office said , without providing further details .
The Mtsensk fire department stated in its report that `` a metal works factory shop under construction '' was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` three dead '' while `` four injured were rushed to the Mtsensk district hospital . ''

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Four people died in an explosion at a factory in Mtsensk, in the Oryol Region, the regional Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters Ministry (EMERCOM) division told TASS.
"At 10:00 a.m. Moscow time, an explosion, unclear in origin, was reported at a small factory in Mtsensk. Some 200 square meters of roofing collapsed, no fire reported on site. Three men died, and four were injured," the press service said. Later, Sergei Lezhnev, an advisor from the Oryol Regional Governor’s press office, clarified that the number of victims climbed to four, while three were injured in the incident.
The press service of the Investigation Committee’s regional branch also confirmed the emergency.
"We confirm that [a gas-oxygen mix explosion at the factory], we have reports of three dead people," the press office said, without providing further details.
The Mtsensk fire department stated in its report that "a metal works factory shop under construction" was the site of the explosion, leaving "three dead" while "four injured were rushed to the Mtsensk district hospital."


tass--2020-01-31--Russian Black Sea Fleet ships strike enemy targets in drills

SEVASTOPOL , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
The Black Sea Fleet frigate Admiral Grigorovich and the large amphibious assault ship @ @ @ @ @ targets during drills in the Black Sea , the Fleet ’ s press office reported @ @ @ @ @ of the frigate and the large amphibious assault ship `` held anti-aircraft artillery fire against @ @ @ @ @ target and a grenade launching exercise to practice measures for the defense of ships against @ @ @ @ @ unsafe roadstead , '' the press office said in a statement.In addition , the ships @ @ @ @ @ the air defense .
This exercise involved Su-24M aircraft from the Black Sea Fleet ’ @ @ @ @ @ defense forces , the statement says .
The Black Sea Fleet ships will participate in @ @ @ @ @ drills as part of naval tactical groups , the press office specified .

SEVASTOPOL, January 31. /TASS/. The Black Sea Fleet frigate Admiral Grigorovich and the large amphibious assault ship Novocherkassk delivered fire against enemy targets during drills in the Black Sea, the Fleet’s press office reported on Friday.
The crews of the frigate and the large amphibious assault ship "held anti-aircraft artillery fire against an air and a coastal target and a grenade launching exercise to practice measures for the defense of ships against notional underwater saboteurs in an unsafe roadstead," the press office said in a statement.In addition, the ships’ crews performed assignments for the air defense. This exercise involved Su-24M aircraft from the Black Sea Fleet’s naval aviation and air defense forces, the statement says.
The Black Sea Fleet ships will participate in the next stage of the drills as part of naval tactical groups, the press office specified.


tass--2020-01-31--A total of 55 Oniks missiles shipped to Russian Navy in 2019

REUTOV /Moscow Region/ , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
The NPO Mashinostroyenia Military and Industrial Corportation has shipped 55 Oniks @ @ @ @ @ Russian Navy in 2019 , says chief designer Alexander Leonov .
`` In 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ systems and 55 Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles were shipped in accordance with the state defense @ @ @ @ @ , adding that Bastion systems production will continue in 2020 .
The chief designed also @ @ @ @ @ BraMos company continues its operation .
According to Leonov , BraMos cruise missiles , including @ @ @ @ @ successfully fired several times last year .
The chief designer reminded that 2019 saw the @ @ @ @ @ and 105th anniversary of its founder , Vladimir Chelomey .
`` Our main achievement is @ @ @ @ @ preserved the entirety of the company ’ s focus , but be keep doing our @ @ @ @ @ , '' Leonov said .

REUTOV /Moscow Region/, January 31. /TASS/. The NPO Mashinostroyenia Military and Industrial Corportation has shipped 55 Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles to the Russian Navy in 2019, says chief designer Alexander Leonov.
"In 2019, three Bastion coastal defense missile systems and 55 Oniks anti-ship cruise missiles were shipped in accordance with the state defense order," he said, adding that Bastion systems production will continue in 2020.
The chief designed also noted that the joint Russian-Indian BraMos company continues its operation. According to Leonov, BraMos cruise missiles, including the air-based version, were successfully fired several times last year.
The chief designer reminded that 2019 saw the 75th anniversary of the NPO and 105th anniversary of its founder, Vladimir Chelomey.
"Our main achievement is that we have not only preserved the entirety of the company’s focus, but be keep doing our job on the highest level," Leonov said.


tass--2020-01-31--Russia-China railway passenger traffic suspended until March 1

`` Railway passenger traffic is temporarily restricted through certain parts of the state border between the Russian Federation and the People ’ s Republic of China , '' the statement reads .
MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Passenger railway traffic between Russia and China is temporarily suspended to curb spread of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus , Russian Railways said in a statement .
Death toll from new coronavirus in China climbs to 213 The Moscow-Beijing international rail link is still operating , however .
Russian Railways reiterated that unused tickets for cancelled trains purchased in Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fees .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According to the latest reports , the number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the coronavirus has risen to 9,692 , while 213 deaths from it were reported .
The virus spread to 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @

"Railway passenger traffic is temporarily restricted through certain parts of the state border between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China," the statement reads.
MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Passenger railway traffic between Russia and China is temporarily suspended to curb spread of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, Russian Railways said in a statement.
Death toll from new coronavirus in China climbs to 213
The Moscow-Beijing international rail link is still operating, however.
Russian Railways reiterated that unused tickets for cancelled trains purchased in Russian sales offices can be refunded without any fees.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to the latest reports, the number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the coronavirus has risen to 9,692, while 213 deaths from it were reported. The virus spread to 18 more countries, apart from China.


tass--2020-01-31--Russian PM Mishustin calls his first foreign trip symbolic

ALMATY , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has said it is symbolic that he is paying his first foreign visit as the head of government to Kazakhstan .
`` It is symbolic that I am paying my first visit as the chairman of the government to Kazakhstan .
We have long-standing relations of friendship and partnership , '' he said at a meeting with Kazakhstan ’ s Prime Minister Askar Mamin .
Mishustin noted in particular that trade , economic and investment cooperation between the two countries , as well as inter-regional ties , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it would be possible to discuss the most important issues during the meeting .
For his part , Mamin greeted his Russian counterpart .
`` I would like to congratulate you on your appointment as the Russian prime minister and wish you every success in tackling the urgent issues facing the Russian government .
I believe that you and your team will be able to do that , '' he said .
The meeting held on the sidelines of the digital forum in Almaty was attended by Russian Deputy Prime Ministers Dmitry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Novak and First Deputy Minister of Economic Development Mikhail Babich .

ALMATY, January 31. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has said it is symbolic that he is paying his first foreign visit as the head of government to Kazakhstan.
"It is symbolic that I am paying my first visit as the chairman of the government to Kazakhstan. We have long-standing relations of friendship and partnership," he said at a meeting with Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Askar Mamin.
Mishustin noted in particular that trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two countries, as well as inter-regional ties, were developing dynamically. He expressed the hope that it would be possible to discuss the most important issues during the meeting.
For his part, Mamin greeted his Russian counterpart. "I would like to congratulate you on your appointment as the Russian prime minister and wish you every success in tackling the urgent issues facing the Russian government. I believe that you and your team will be able to do that," he said.
The meeting held on the sidelines of the digital forum in Almaty was attended by Russian Deputy Prime Ministers Dmitry Chernyshenko and Alexei Overchuk, Energy Minister Alexander Novak and First Deputy Minister of Economic Development Mikhail Babich.


tass--2020-01-31--China to step up fight against new coronavirus together with WHO

BEIJING , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
The Chinese authorities will continue fighting against the new coronavirus 2019 n-CoV with the support of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) for the sake of all countries , spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hua Chunying said on Friday , commenting on WHO 's decision to declare the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .
`` The Chinese government consistently takes an absolutely responsible position , paying a lot of attention to the issue of protecting public health in the country .
We are taking comprehensive and serious measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] , '' Hua said .
`` We absolutely believe in success and have everything necessary to defeat the virus .
China is ready to work together with the WHO through all channels to ensure regional and global security in the sphere of public health , '' she added .
The spokesperson said that China ensures full transparency of information about the new coronavirus and will share all avalaible data with other countries .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According to latest reports , a total of 9,692 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China , and the death toll reached 213 .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 19 other countries .
The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .

BEIJING, January 31. /TASS/. The Chinese authorities will continue fighting against the new coronavirus 2019 n-CoV with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the sake of all countries, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Hua Chunying said on Friday, commenting on WHO's decision to declare the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.
"The Chinese government consistently takes an absolutely responsible position, paying a lot of attention to the issue of protecting public health in the country. We are taking comprehensive and serious measures [in the fight against the coronavirus]," Hua said. "We absolutely believe in success and have everything necessary to defeat the virus. China is ready to work together with the WHO through all channels to ensure regional and global security in the sphere of public health," she added.
The spokesperson said that China ensures full transparency of information about the new coronavirus and will share all avalaible data with other countries.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to latest reports, a total of 9,692 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China, and the death toll reached 213.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 19 other countries. The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.


tass--2020-01-31--Russian fighter jets were not scrambled on interception missions in last week

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian fighter jets have not been scrambled on interception missions in the last @ @ @ @ @ ( Red Star ) newspaper quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying .
According to @ @ @ @ @ foreign aircraft and eight unmanned aerial vehicles conducted reconnaissance near Russian borders .
Foreign aircraft @ @ @ @ @ Russian radars .
The defense ministry said that violations of Russian airspace were prevented .
@ @ @ @ @ Russian pilots carried out 218 sorties at 68 aerodromes in the past week .

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Russian fighter jets have not been scrambled on interception missions in the last week, the Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) newspaper quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying.
According to the defense ministry, 25 foreign aircraft and eight unmanned aerial vehicles conducted reconnaissance near Russian borders. Foreign aircraft and drones were monitored by Russian radars. The defense ministry said that violations of Russian airspace were prevented.
The defense ministry said that Russian pilots carried out 218 sorties at 68 aerodromes in the past week.


tass--2020-01-31--Earthquake of 5.7 magnitude rocks Papua New Guinea

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
An earthquake of 5.7 magnitude has rocked Papua New Guinea in @ @ @ @ @ , US Geological Survey reported .
The earthquake 's epicenter lay in 197 km to @ @ @ @ @ of Lorengau ( major town in Manus province ) at the depth of 10 km @ @ @ @ @ have been reported .
Papua New Guinea lies in the center of the so-called Pacific @ @ @ @ @ major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions @ @

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. /TASS/. An earthquake of 5.7 magnitude has rocked Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean on Friday, US Geological Survey reported.
The earthquake's epicenter lay in 197 km to the south-west of the city of Lorengau (major town in Manus province) at the depth of 10 km.
No injuries or damages have been reported.
Papua New Guinea lies in the center of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, the major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.


tass--2020-01-31--Mishustin will take part in EAEU session in Almaty on January 31

EU tried to dictate to Armenia its behavior in CSTO , EAEU , says Lavrov ALMATY , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will take part in the session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Almaty and hold separate bilateral meetings with prime ministers of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ) on Friday , the press service of the Russian government said .
Mishustin arrived in Kazakhstan late Thursday .
This is his first foreign visit as the Russian prime minister .
The agenda for the session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internal market and several other issues , including working on the draft agreement to introduce supranational regulation of trade of alcoholic beverages .
Among participants in the session will also be heads of governments of Armenia , Belarus , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan and Moldova ( as an observer country ) , as well as the chair of the collegium of the Eurasian Economic Commission .
The press service of the Russian government said that Mishustin will hold separate bilateral meetings in Almaty with Belarusian Prime Minister Sergey Rumas , Armenian Prime Minister Nikol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mamin and Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu .

EU tried to dictate to Armenia its behavior in CSTO, EAEU, says Lavrov
ALMATY, January 31. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will take part in the session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in Almaty and hold separate bilateral meetings with prime ministers of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) on Friday, the press service of the Russian government said.
Mishustin arrived in Kazakhstan late Thursday. This is his first foreign visit as the Russian prime minister.
The agenda for the session of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council includes removing obstacles on EAEU's internal market and several other issues, including working on the draft agreement to introduce supranational regulation of trade of alcoholic beverages.
Among participants in the session will also be heads of governments of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova (as an observer country), as well as the chair of the collegium of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
The press service of the Russian government said that Mishustin will hold separate bilateral meetings in Almaty with Belarusian Prime Minister Sergey Rumas, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Askar Mamin and Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu.


tass--2020-01-31--Death toll from new coronavirus in China climbs to 213

Young people and kids least susceptible to the new coronavirus , says Health Ministry BEIJING , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 9,692 cases of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV were confirmed in China , and the death toll reached 213 , China 's National Health Commission said on Friday .
The Wangyi news portal earlier reported that there were 9,390 confirmed cases in China , and the death toll reached 213 .
Most coronavirus cases are reported in Hubei province ( over 5,800 infected and 204 dead ) and its administrative center Wuhan , followed by Zhejiang province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province ( 354 people infected ) and Henan province ( 278 people infected , two people dead ) .
A total of 121 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Beijing , and one person died from the virus there .
In China 's Heilonjiang province bordering Russia , 44 cases were confirmed , and two people died .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan — a large trade and industrial center in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According to latert reports , a total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China , and the death toll reached 171 .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 19 other countries .
The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .

Young people and kids least susceptible to the new coronavirus, says Health Ministry
BEIJING, January 31. /TASS/. A total of 9,692 cases of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV were confirmed in China, and the death toll reached 213, China's National Health Commission said on Friday.
The Wangyi news portal earlier reported that there were 9,390 confirmed cases in China, and the death toll reached 213.
Most coronavirus cases are reported in Hubei province (over 5,800 infected and 204 dead) and its administrative center Wuhan, followed by Zhejiang province (428 people infected), Guangdong province (354 people infected) and Henan province (278 people infected, two people dead).
A total of 121 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Beijing, and one person died from the virus there. In China's Heilonjiang province bordering Russia, 44 cases were confirmed, and two people died.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan — a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to latert reports, a total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China, and the death toll reached 171.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 19 other countries. The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.


tass--2020-01-31--Launch of Soyuz carrier rocket with military satellite planned for February 14 — source

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
The launch of the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the Meridian military satellite from the Plesetsk spaceport has been postponed until February 14 , a source in the space rocket industry told TASS on Friday .
Earlier reports said that the Soyuz carrier rocket was scheduled to deliver the Meridian satellite to the orbit on January 24 , but the launch was postponed before the rocket was fuelled .
`` A short circuit was reported in one of the cables in onboard grid of the carrier rocket 's third stage , '' the source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upper stage was separated from the carrier rocket in order to resolve the issue .
`` As of today , the new date of February 14 is being considered for scheduling the launch , '' the source said .
`` Works continue to fix the reason behind the malfunction .
However , specialists have still not been able to localize the issue , '' the source said adding that repair works may take from 10 days to two months .
If the issue is not resolved by mid-February , `` the carrier rocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cycle of preparations will start , '' the source noted .

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. The launch of the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the Meridian military satellite from the Plesetsk spaceport has been postponed until February 14, a source in the space rocket industry told TASS on Friday.
Earlier reports said that the Soyuz carrier rocket was scheduled to deliver the Meridian satellite to the orbit on January 24, but the launch was postponed before the rocket was fuelled. "A short circuit was reported in one of the cables in onboard grid of the carrier rocket's third stage," the source explained. The source added that the upper stage was separated from the carrier rocket in order to resolve the issue.
"As of today, the new date of February 14 is being considered for scheduling the launch," the source said.
"Works continue to fix the reason behind the malfunction. However, specialists have still not been able to localize the issue," the source said adding that repair works may take from 10 days to two months. If the issue is not resolved by mid-February, "the carrier rocket will be taken apart, and the new cycle of preparations will start," the source noted.


tass--2020-01-31--Additional measures to fight new coronavirus to be discussed in Russia on Janunary 31

Watchdog says they are no confirmed cases of new coronavirus in Moscow MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
The operational headquarters for control and monitoring the situation with the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in Russia will consider additional measures to prevent and fight virus at the session on January 31 , the office of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova told reporters on Friday .
`` On January 31 , the operational headquarters will hold a session , at which members will consider additional measures to prevent and fight the coronavirus infection on the territory of Russia , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Health Organization ( WHO ) held a session of the Emergency Committee .
The WHO said that 83 cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in 18 other countries , and only seven people out of those did not previously travel to China .
In three countries outside of China , the coronavirus was transmitted between people .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According to latert reports , a total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China , and the death toll reached 171 .
The WHO declared the new coronavirus an international public health emergency .

Watchdog says they are no confirmed cases of new coronavirus in Moscow
MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. The operational headquarters for control and monitoring the situation with the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in Russia will consider additional measures to prevent and fight virus at the session on January 31, the office of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova told reporters on Friday.
"On January 31, the operational headquarters will hold a session, at which members will consider additional measures to prevent and fight the coronavirus infection on the territory of Russia," the office said.
On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) held a session of the Emergency Committee. The WHO said that 83 cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in 18 other countries, and only seven people out of those did not previously travel to China. In three countries outside of China, the coronavirus was transmitted between people.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to latert reports, a total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China, and the death toll reached 171. The WHO declared the new coronavirus an international public health emergency.


tass--2020-01-31--Watchdog says they are no confirmed cases of new coronavirus in Moscow

MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
Russia 's consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has refuted the reports about the first case of new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in Moscow , the watchdog 's press service said on Friday .
Telegram account Mash earlier reported that a patient in one of Moscow 's infectious disease clinics was disgnosed with the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
`` The operational headquarters for control and monitoring the situation with the new coronavirus has refuted information reported by the Mash account and other media about the first case of coronavirus in Moscow .
According to Rospotrebnadzor 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab tests for the new coronavirus came out negative for all patients .
Thus , there are no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Moscow , '' the press service said .
The press service added that two laboratories in Moscow are working on the coronavirus , and that patients with an acute virus infection are sent to a hospital .
`` All patients with a common cold , who were in contact with Chinese citizens in the last two weeks or who visited China in the same period of time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , '' the press service noted .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According to latert reports , a total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China , and the death toll reached 171 .
Cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 18 other countries , including Australia , Vietnam , India , Cambodia , Canada , Malaysia , Nepal , the United Arab Emirates , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , Thailand , the Philippines , Finland , France , Germany , Sri Lanka and Japan .

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Russia's consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor has refuted the reports about the first case of new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in Moscow, the watchdog's press service said on Friday.
Telegram account Mash earlier reported that a patient in one of Moscow's infectious disease clinics was disgnosed with the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
"The operational headquarters for control and monitoring the situation with the new coronavirus has refuted information reported by the Mash account and other media about the first case of coronavirus in Moscow. According to Rospotrebnadzor's office in Moscow, the results of the lab tests for the new coronavirus came out negative for all patients. Thus, there are no confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Moscow," the press service said.
The press service added that two laboratories in Moscow are working on the coronavirus, and that patients with an acute virus infection are sent to a hospital. "All patients with a common cold, who were in contact with Chinese citizens in the last two weeks or who visited China in the same period of time, undergo obligatory lab testing for the new coronavirus," the press service noted.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to latert reports, a total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China, and the death toll reached 171.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 18 other countries, including Australia, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, Canada, Malaysia, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, the Philippines, Finland, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Japan.


tass--2020-01-31--New coronavirus first confirmed in Italy — media

First case of new coronavirus in Moscow not confirmed — authorities MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
Two cases of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV were confirmed in Italy , ANSAnews agency reported on Thursday citing Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte .
`` The first two confirmed cases are two Chinese tourists who came to our country , '' Conte said .
Reuters reported that Conte also announced temporary suspension of air travel to China .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According to latert reports , a total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China , and the death toll reached 171 .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 18 other countries , including Australia , Vietnam , India , Cambodia , Canada , Malaysia , Nepal , the United Arab Emirates , South Korea , Singapore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philippines , Finland , France , Germany , Sri Lanka and Japan .

First case of new coronavirus in Moscow not confirmed — authorities
MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. /TASS/. Two cases of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV were confirmed in Italy, ANSAnews agency reported on Thursday citing Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
"The first two confirmed cases are two Chinese tourists who came to our country," Conte said.
Reuters reported that Conte also announced temporary suspension of air travel to China.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan v a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to latert reports, a total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China, and the death toll reached 171.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 18 other countries, including Australia, Vietnam, India, Cambodia, Canada, Malaysia, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, the Philippines, Finland, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Japan.


tass--2020-01-31--First case of new coronavirus in Moscow not confirmed — authorities

Russia closes border with China in Far East over coronavirus MOSCOW , January 31 .
/TASS/ .
The office of @ @ @ @ @ Golikova did not confirm information about the first case of new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ confirm this information , '' the office told reporters on Friday .
Telegram account Mash @ @ @ @ @ in one of Moscow 's infectious disease clinics was disgnosed with the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak @ @ @ @ @ the city of Wuhan — a large trade and industrial center in central China populated @ @ @ @ @ On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According @ @ @ @ @ total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China , and the @ @ @ @ @ Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 18 other countries .

Russia closes border with China in Far East over coronavirus
MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. The office of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova did not confirm information about the first case of new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in Moscow.
"We do not confirm this information," the office told reporters on Friday.
Telegram account Mash earlier reported that a patient in one of Moscow's infectious disease clinics was disgnosed with the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan — a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to latert reports, a total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China, and the death toll reached 171.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 18 other countries.


tass--2020-01-31--Russian-language media should serve as example of WWII coverage — Gusman

MOSCOW , January 30 .
/TASS/ .
Russian-language media should provide an example of objective and precise coverage of the events of the Second World War , TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman said at the presentation of the report by the Integration Club on the topic `` The Future of the Eurasian Economic Union : Digital Transformation and the Youth . ''
Gusman said that Russian-language media actively supports everything relating to the Second World War — covers events dedicated to military historical events and finds participants in the war .
`` I want to hope that Russian-language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to cover those events precisely , objectively , fairly and honestly , '' he stressed .
`` It is not a secret that several media outlets — in the Baltic States , in Poland , in several Eastern European countries — release materials that openly distort the truth about the war .
The only thing we can offer to counter that is to provide objective and honest information , precise analysis , historical documents , '' Gusman noted .
`` Our task is not to allow the distribution in the informational space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth about the Great Victory , '' he concluded .

MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Russian-language media should provide an example of objective and precise coverage of the events of the Second World War, TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman said at the presentation of the report by the Integration Club on the topic "The Future of the Eurasian Economic Union: Digital Transformation and the Youth."
Gusman said that Russian-language media actively supports everything relating to the Second World War — covers events dedicated to military historical events and finds participants in the war. "I want to hope that Russian-language media will serve as an example of how to cover those events precisely, objectively, fairly and honestly," he stressed.
"It is not a secret that several media outlets — in the Baltic States, in Poland, in several Eastern European countries — release materials that openly distort the truth about the war. The only thing we can offer to counter that is to provide objective and honest information, precise analysis, historical documents," Gusman noted.
"Our task is not to allow the distribution in the informational space of distortions or inconsistencies in the historical truth about the Great Victory," he concluded.


tass--2020-01-31--Russia values contacts with all sides in Libyan conflict — UN envoy

THE UNITED NATIONS , January 30 .
/TASS/ .
Russia maintains contact with all sides in the Libyan conflict , calling on them to abandon aggressive tactics , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said on Thursday during a UN Security Council session on Libya .
`` Russia has no hidden agenda in the Libyan conflict , '' Nebenzya said .
`` We maintain and value our contacts with all involved parties , without taking a preference to any of them . ''
`` We make our stance in favor of political regulation known , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send signals to abandon aggressive tactics in the struggle for power , stressing the importance of uniting the efforts of all responsible Libyan parties in the interest of the soonest recovery of its statehood and national institutes . ''
Nebenzya also expressed concern over reports of violations of the arms embargo .
`` We stress that any attempts to fuel the conflict by foreign players must be stopped , '' he noted .
`` Unlawful proliferation of weapons in Libya destabilizes the security situation in the country and in the Sahara-Sahel region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-level conference on Libya took place in Berlin , with at least ten heads of state and government attending the event including Russian President Vladimir Putin .
The talks were also visited by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , French President Emmanuel Macron , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , as well as representatives of Algeria , Egypt , the United Arab Emirates and China .
Moreover , Berlin also welcomed Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Commander Khalifa Haftar .
The conference ’ s final communique includes a call to ceasefire , as well as the call for foreign countries to refrain from intervening in Libya ’ s affairs , while it also proposes creation of a single government and launch of reforms to restore statehood .
The conflict sides also agreed to establish a special ceasefire monitoring commission .
Currently , Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power : the internationally recognized Government of National Accord ( GNA ) headed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s interim government , operating in the country ’ s east together with parliament and supported by Haftar ’ s LNA .

THE UNITED NATIONS, January 30. /TASS/. Russia maintains contact with all sides in the Libyan conflict, calling on them to abandon aggressive tactics, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said on Thursday during a UN Security Council session on Libya.
"Russia has no hidden agenda in the Libyan conflict," Nebenzya said. "We maintain and value our contacts with all involved parties, without taking a preference to any of them." "We make our stance in favor of political regulation known," the diplomat added. "We consistently send signals to abandon aggressive tactics in the struggle for power, stressing the importance of uniting the efforts of all responsible Libyan parties in the interest of the soonest recovery of its statehood and national institutes."
Nebenzya also expressed concern over reports of violations of the arms embargo. "We stress that any attempts to fuel the conflict by foreign players must be stopped," he noted. "Unlawful proliferation of weapons in Libya destabilizes the security situation in the country and in the Sahara-Sahel region."
On January 19, an international high-level conference on Libya took place in Berlin, with at least ten heads of state and government attending the event including Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks were also visited by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as representatives of Algeria, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and China.
Moreover, Berlin also welcomed Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar.
The conference’s final communique includes a call to ceasefire, as well as the call for foreign countries to refrain from intervening in Libya’s affairs, while it also proposes creation of a single government and launch of reforms to restore statehood. The conflict sides also agreed to establish a special ceasefire monitoring commission.
Currently, Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power: the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by al-Sarraj, and Abdullah Abdurrahman al-Thani’s interim government, operating in the country’s east together with parliament and supported by Haftar’s LNA.


tass--2020-01-31--Russia hopes problem with supply of bananas from Ecuador will be resolved — ministry

MOSCOW , January 30 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is counting on the resolution of problems related to the quality of bananas shipped from Ecuador , Alexander Shchetinin , head of the Latin American department at Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry , told TASS .
Russia to toughen rules for transportation of fruits , vegetables across border from Aug 19 He noted the relevant departments are discussing the deliveries of Ecuadorian bananas and there is not any political context in this problem .
`` The Russian sanitary and phytosanitary authorities had serious and well-grounded fears because Quito had not taken effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eurasian Economic Union ] standards of products delivered to our market .
Information on this was posted on the website of Rosselkhoznadzor [ Russian agricultural watchdog ] , '' the diplomat explained .
`` Contacts between the concerned organizations continue .
We look forward to resolving the problems that emerged , '' Schetinin stressed .
Ecuador accounts for 96 % of Russian banana imports .
On November 27 , 2019 , the Russian agricultural watchdog warned that it might restrict the import of plant products from Ecuador , including bananas .
The department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found in imported products .
On December 12 , the Russian watchdog said that the inspection had found the dangerous insect in Ecuadorian bananas again .

MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Russia is counting on the resolution of problems related to the quality of bananas shipped from Ecuador, Alexander Shchetinin, head of the Latin American department at Russia’s Foreign Ministry, told TASS.
Russia to toughen rules for transportation of fruits, vegetables across border from Aug 19
He noted the relevant departments are discussing the deliveries of Ecuadorian bananas and there is not any political context in this problem.
"The Russian sanitary and phytosanitary authorities had serious and well-grounded fears because Quito had not taken effective measures to comply with the EAEU [Eurasian Economic Union] standards of products delivered to our market. Information on this was posted on the website of Rosselkhoznadzor [Russian agricultural watchdog]," the diplomat explained.
"Contacts between the concerned organizations continue. We look forward to resolving the problems that emerged," Schetinin stressed.
Ecuador accounts for 96% of Russian banana imports. On November 27, 2019, the Russian agricultural watchdog warned that it might restrict the import of plant products from Ecuador, including bananas. The department made this statement after polyphagous humpback fly was found in imported products. On December 12, the Russian watchdog said that the inspection had found the dangerous insect in Ecuadorian bananas again.


tass--2020-01-30--WHO declares international public health emergency over coronavirus outbreak in China

GENEVA , January 30 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of a new type of coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) in China , WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday in Geneva after the Emergency Committee session .
`` We don ’ t know what sort of damage this virus could do if it were to spread in a country with a weaker health system , '' he said .
`` We must act now to help countries prepare for that possibility .
For all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of coronavirus . ''
`` So far , we have not seen any deaths outside China , for which we must all be grateful .
Although these numbers are still relatively small compared to the number of cases in China , we must all act together now to limit further spread , '' he stressed .
The number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus 2019-nCoV has jumped to 8,152 on Thursday evening .
Statements issued by Chinese regional health committees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
Medics suspect 12,000 more Chinese citizens have contracted the new type of coronavirus .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan — a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .

GENEVA, January 30. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of a new type of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday in Geneva after the Emergency Committee session.
"We don’t know what sort of damage this virus could do if it were to spread in a country with a weaker health system," he said. "We must act now to help countries prepare for that possibility. For all of these reasons, I am declaring a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of coronavirus."
"So far, we have not seen any deaths outside China, for which we must all be grateful. Although these numbers are still relatively small compared to the number of cases in China, we must all act together now to limit further spread," he stressed.
The number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus 2019-nCoV has jumped to 8,152 on Thursday evening. Statements issued by Chinese regional health committees say that 171 people died from the disease.
Medics suspect 12,000 more Chinese citizens have contracted the new type of coronavirus.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan — a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.


tass--2020-01-30--Russia suspends import of exotic animals from China due to coronavirus

MOSCOW , January 30 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has suspended the import of exotic animals from China from January 30 over the new coronavirus outbreak , Darina Isakova , head of the department of veterinary supervision , told TASS .
`` Rosselkhoznadzor has suspended the import of exotic animals from China since January 30 , '' she said .
According to Isakova , the suspension is temporary , it will last for one month , until all circumstances are clarified .
`` We monitor the situation with coronavirus and study all the circumstances of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she added .
The Chinese authorities registered the pneumonia outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus in late December 2019 in the city of Wuhan , central China .
According to the latest data , more than 8,100 people have been infected with the novel coronavirus in China , and 171 of them have died .
Besides China , the novel coronavirus has been reported in 18 countries .
The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of national concern and sent its experts to China .

MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Russia’s agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has suspended the import of exotic animals from China from January 30 over the new coronavirus outbreak, Darina Isakova, head of the department of veterinary supervision, told TASS.
"Rosselkhoznadzor has suspended the import of exotic animals from China since January 30," she said.
According to Isakova, the suspension is temporary, it will last for one month, until all circumstances are clarified. "We monitor the situation with coronavirus and study all the circumstances of the transmission of the virus and its spread," she added.
The Chinese authorities registered the pneumonia outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus in late December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, central China. According to the latest data, more than 8,100 people have been infected with the novel coronavirus in China, and 171 of them have died. Besides China, the novel coronavirus has been reported in 18 countries. The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of national concern and sent its experts to China.


tass--2020-01-30--Russian human rights chief holds talks with PACE president

MOSCOW , January 30 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova has discussed a wide range of human rights issues with President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ( PACE ) Hendrik Daems , Moskalkova ’ s press service reported on Thursday .
`` The commissioner has focused the PACE president ’ s attention on a range of current human rights issues , including rising intolerance , aggressive nationalism , discrimination of national minorities and confessional oppression , '' the press service said .
Moskalkova noted that several Council of Europe member states had set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , glorification of fascism , defamation of the heroic deeds of the Soviet people '' in the Second World War .
She added that Poland and the Baltic States are trying to undermine celebratory events of the 75th anniversary of their liberation by the Soviet army from Nazi rule .
The Russian human rights chief also mentioned `` the discrimination of the Russian-speaking population '' in Latvia , namely in schools and kindergartens .
`` At the same time , Russian is a native language or a language of communication among 37 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states .
She noted that language discrimination violates Article 21 of the EU Charter , which prohibits any type of discrimination .
Moskalkova also mentioned a tendency to hinder activities of Russian reporters on the territory of foreign states .
The commissioner asked Daems to focus on `` such human rights violations by several Council of Europe states '' and `` to raise these issues at PACE . ''

MOSCOW, January 30. /TASS/. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova has discussed a wide range of human rights issues with President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Hendrik Daems, Moskalkova’s press service reported on Thursday.
"The commissioner has focused the PACE president’s attention on a range of current human rights issues, including rising intolerance, aggressive nationalism, discrimination of national minorities and confessional oppression," the press service said.
Moskalkova noted that several Council of Europe member states had set course on "rewriting and falsifying history, glorification of fascism, defamation of the heroic deeds of the Soviet people" in the Second World War. She added that Poland and the Baltic States are trying to undermine celebratory events of the 75th anniversary of their liberation by the Soviet army from Nazi rule.
The Russian human rights chief also mentioned "the discrimination of the Russian-speaking population" in Latvia, namely in schools and kindergartens. "At the same time, Russian is a native language or a language of communication among 37% of Latvian population," the message states. She noted that language discrimination violates Article 21 of the EU Charter, which prohibits any type of discrimination.
Moskalkova also mentioned a tendency to hinder activities of Russian reporters on the territory of foreign states. The commissioner asked Daems to focus on "such human rights violations by several Council of Europe states" and "to raise these issues at PACE."


tass--2020-01-30--Russia's envoy notes lack of progress in implementing Paris summit agreements on Donbass

VIENNA , January 30 .
/TASS/ .
There is no significant progress in the process of implementing the agreements reached at the Normandy summit in the Contact Group on political track , Russia 's Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) Alexander Lukashevich said on Thrusday at the session of the OSCE Permanent Council .
`` At yesterday 's session of the Contact Group in Minsk , the sides — Kiev , Donetsk and Lugansk — have not reached any principal agreements .
There is still no tangible progress in the implementation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 9 December 2019 on the political track and in the security sphere .
All of this is not surprising against the backdrop of statements coming from Kiev about the intention to reconsider the Minsk Agreements , '' Lukashevich said .
The diplomat noted that a sustainable ceasefire regime should be established , and a productive dialogue should be launched on coordinating the legal aspects of making Donbass special status permanent .
`` Another important contribution to de-escalation would be coordinating more locations for disengagement of forces and equipment .
I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Contact Group with achieving it by the end of March 2020 .
Donetsk and Lugansk submitted their proposals back in December 2019 , right after the Paris summit .
Kiev 's proposals were submitted only a month later , however the sides have still not reached an agreement on any of the suggested options , not even on the promising location in Gnutovo , '' Lukashevich noted .
Russia 's OSCE envoy also said that the Ukrainian forces continue using drones in Donbass .
`` In violation of the Minsk Agreements , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles .
Among the recent examples confirmed by OSCE 's Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine is the Ukrainian forces ' drone near the settlement of Lebedinskoye in the Donetsk region on January 23 and a similar aerial vehicle near the settlement of Zhelannoye Vtororye on January 26 .
It is also not calm on the line of disengagement in Petrovskoye , '' he said .

VIENNA, January 30. /TASS/. There is no significant progress in the process of implementing the agreements reached at the Normandy summit in the Contact Group on political track, Russia's Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Alexander Lukashevich said on Thrusday at the session of the OSCE Permanent Council.
"At yesterday's session of the Contact Group in Minsk, the sides — Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk — have not reached any principal agreements. There is still no tangible progress in the implementation of specific tasks set at the Normandy summit on 9 December 2019 on the political track and in the security sphere. All of this is not surprising against the backdrop of statements coming from Kiev about the intention to reconsider the Minsk Agreements," Lukashevich said.
The diplomat noted that a sustainable ceasefire regime should be established, and a productive dialogue should be launched on coordinating the legal aspects of making Donbass special status permanent.
"Another important contribution to de-escalation would be coordinating more locations for disengagement of forces and equipment. I want to remind you that the Normandy Four tasked the Contact Group with achieving it by the end of March 2020. Donetsk and Lugansk submitted their proposals back in December 2019, right after the Paris summit. Kiev's proposals were submitted only a month later, however the sides have still not reached an agreement on any of the suggested options, not even on the promising location in Gnutovo," Lukashevich noted.
Russia's OSCE envoy also said that the Ukrainian forces continue using drones in Donbass. "In violation of the Minsk Agreements, the Ukrainian forces are using unmanned aerial vehicles. Among the recent examples confirmed by OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine is the Ukrainian forces' drone near the settlement of Lebedinskoye in the Donetsk region on January 23 and a similar aerial vehicle near the settlement of Zhelannoye Vtororye on January 26. It is also not calm on the line of disengagement in Petrovskoye," he said.


tass--2020-01-30--Hainan companies donate millions to fight coronavirus outbreak

HAIKOU , January 30 .
/TASS/ .
Medical and sanitary equipment producers on the Island of Hainan donated more than 21 mln yuan ( about $ 3 mln ) for purchasing sanitary and desinfection products necessary for tackling the coronavirus oubreak , according to the Hainan Daily .
Eight companies joined the national joint effort to fight coronavirus .
The money was delivered to various medical institutions in particular in the provinces of Hubei , Sichuan , Hainan , Liaoning , Guizhou and to the city of Beijing .
China 's Red Cross branch also received a part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions in China where a new type of coronavirus has been confirmed .
According to the latest official data , 46 cases of coronavirus infection were detected in the province , one of which turned out to be fatal .
The largest number of cases was registered in the resort city of Sanya , where 14 people were diagnosed with a new type of pneumonia .
The first group of doctors from the southern Chinese province of Hainan arrived in Jingzhou ( Hubei Province ) , which was most affected by the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help its authorities to tackle the spread of the virus .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan — a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According to latert reports , a total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China , and the death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus were also confirmed in 19 other countries .
The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .

HAIKOU, January 30. /TASS/. Medical and sanitary equipment producers on the Island of Hainan donated more than 21 mln yuan (about $3 mln) for purchasing sanitary and desinfection products necessary for tackling the coronavirus oubreak, according to the Hainan Daily.
Eight companies joined the national joint effort to fight coronavirus. The money was delivered to various medical institutions in particular in the provinces of Hubei, Sichuan, Hainan, Liaoning, Guizhou and to the city of Beijing. China's Red Cross branch also received a part of the donation.
Hainan is one of the regions in China where a new type of coronavirus has been confirmed. According to the latest official data, 46 cases of coronavirus infection were detected in the province, one of which turned out to be fatal. The largest number of cases was registered in the resort city of Sanya, where 14 people were diagnosed with a new type of pneumonia.
The first group of doctors from the southern Chinese province of Hainan arrived in Jingzhou (Hubei Province), which was most affected by the new type of coronavirus pneumonia, in order to help its authorities to tackle the spread of the virus.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan — a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to latert reports, a total of 8,100 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China, and the death toll reached 171.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 19 other countries. The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.