tass--2020-03-02--Number of countries with reported cases of coronavirus reaches 65

MOSCOW , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
President of Indonesia Joko Widodo has announced two first cases of novel coronavirus in the country on Monday .
Thus , the number of countries with reported cases of coronavirus has risen to 65 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
According to Chinese authorities , over 80,000 people have been infected with the virus in the country .
The death toll has reached 2,912 , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19 .
The second largest outbreak of COVID-19 is currently taking place in South Korea , where the number of those infected with the virus rose by 476 in the past day , reaching 4,212 , while 22 people have succumbed to the disease , South Korean officials inform .
The majority of Japanese schools have been closed on Monday to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the country .
Only one out of 47 Japanese prefectures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported , chose not to cancel classes at local schools .
Currently , there are 961 coronavirus cases in Japan with 12 recorded deaths .
The majority of those infected with the virus ( 705 people ) are passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship .
The condition of seven Russians transported from the ship to Russia ’ s Primorsky Region is satisfactory ; they do not exhibit any symptoms of the virus , the local government informed on Monday .
Italian officials have prolonged the measures taken to fight the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the largest outbreak of coronavirus in Europe ( over 1,500 people infected , 34 reported deaths ) has been documented .
The government has ruled to prolong the full lockdown of 10 cities in the northern region of Lombardy and 1 city in the neighboring region of Veneto until March 15 .
Schools have been closed on the entire territory of Lombardy , Veneto and Emilia-Romagna .
Regional authorities have cancelled all public events , including sports activities , in the aforementioned provinces .
The first two deaths from COVID-19 have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of Washington .
According to the New York Times , there are currently 80 people in the USA who have contracted or are suspected of having contracted the novel coronavirus .
This number includes those who have recovered or are recovering from the disease .
A man has been hospitalized in Moscow on suspicion of coronavirus , however , no final diagnosis has been confirmed yet , the city ’ s health department informed on Sunday .

MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. President of Indonesia Joko Widodo has announced two first cases of novel coronavirus in the country on Monday. Thus, the number of countries with reported cases of coronavirus has risen to 65.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. According to Chinese authorities, over 80,000 people have been infected with the virus in the country. The death toll has reached 2,912, while over 44,400 patients have recovered. WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19.
The second largest outbreak of COVID-19 is currently taking place in South Korea, where the number of those infected with the virus rose by 476 in the past day, reaching 4,212, while 22 people have succumbed to the disease, South Korean officials inform.
The majority of Japanese schools have been closed on Monday to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Only one out of 47 Japanese prefectures, where no cases of the virus have been reported, chose not to cancel classes at local schools. Currently, there are 961 coronavirus cases in Japan with 12 recorded deaths. The majority of those infected with the virus (705 people) are passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The condition of seven Russians transported from the ship to Russia’s Primorsky Region is satisfactory; they do not exhibit any symptoms of the virus, the local government informed on Monday.
Italian officials have prolonged the measures taken to fight the spread of the infection in the country, where the largest outbreak of coronavirus in Europe (over 1,500 people infected, 34 reported deaths) has been documented. The government has ruled to prolong the full lockdown of 10 cities in the northern region of Lombardy and 1 city in the neighboring region of Veneto until March 15. Schools have been closed on the entire territory of Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna. Regional authorities have cancelled all public events, including sports activities, in the aforementioned provinces.
The first two deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in the USA, in the state of Washington. According to the New York Times, there are currently 80 people in the USA who have contracted or are suspected of having contracted the novel coronavirus. This number includes those who have recovered or are recovering from the disease.
A man has been hospitalized in Moscow on suspicion of coronavirus, however, no final diagnosis has been confirmed yet, the city’s health department informed on Sunday.


tass--2020-03-02--Putin says Trump complained to him US military spending was ‘huge’

MOSCOW , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has shared some details of his conversation with his @ @ @ @ @ defense spending .
Russia laying groundwork so nobody dares fight against it , says Putin @ @ @ @ @ for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' the Russian leader said @ @ @ @ @ far more on defense than Moscow .
`` Donald told me… they have adopted a @ @ @ @ @ year , $ 738 billion budget , I think , '' Putin stated .
The @ @ @ @ @ regret , Putin remarked .
`` The costs were too high .
But he had @ @ @ @ @ actually advocated disarmament , as he said , '' Putin explained .
Episode 6 of @ @ @ @ @ at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has shared some details of his conversation with his US counterpart Donald Trump concerning defense spending.
Russia laying groundwork so nobody dares fight against it, says Putin
In his interview to TASS for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin" the Russian leader said that the US was spending far more on defense than Moscow.
"Donald told me… they have adopted a huge budget for the next year, $738 billion budget, I think," Putin stated.
The US leader said this with regret, Putin remarked.
"The costs were too high. But he had to do it. He actually advocated disarmament, as he said," Putin explained.
Episode 6 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-02--Putin ready to talk over New START’s future with Trump

MOSCOW , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would be prepared to hold discussions with US President Donald Trump on the future of the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( New START ) .
Moreover , refusing to prolong the agreement would be a mistake , he told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
`` I can talk about that with him .
I do not mind , I 'm well-versed on this issue , I can discuss it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that he was up-to-date on the topic and ready to discuss it with anyone .
`` The New START treaty should be extended , '' he said .
Asked why the US was reluctant to agree to the treaty ’ s prolongation , Putin said that it might have been due to the way Washington interpreted security and ways of maintaining it .
Earlier , Putin invited the United States to prolong the agreement without any preconditions .
There has been no reply from Washington to this day .
Moscow and Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms in 2010 .
Under its terms , either country must reduce its strategic offensive arms in such a way that at the end of the seventh year following its entry into force and later on their overall amounts should not exceed 700 units of deployed inter-continental ballistic missiles ( ICBMs ) , submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBMs ) and heavy bombers , 1,550 warheads and 800 operational and non-operational missile launchers and strategic bombers .
The treaty was concluded for a period of ten years ( until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be replaced by a follow-up agreement before the deadline expires , or prolonged for no more than five years ( until 2026 ) by mutual consent .
Moscow urges Washington to refrain from procrastinating on the treaty ’ s extension , because in its opinion it is the `` gold standard '' in the field of disarmament .
Episode 6 of the video interview is available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would be prepared to hold discussions with US President Donald Trump on the future of the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (New START). Moreover, refusing to prolong the agreement would be a mistake, he told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
"I can talk about that with him. I do not mind, I'm well-versed on this issue, I can discuss it with anyone," Putin said, adding that he was up-to-date on the topic and ready to discuss it with anyone.
"The New START treaty should be extended," he said.
Asked why the US was reluctant to agree to the treaty’s prolongation, Putin said that it might have been due to the way Washington interpreted security and ways of maintaining it.
Earlier, Putin invited the United States to prolong the agreement without any preconditions. There has been no reply from Washington to this day.
New START
Moscow and Washington signed the Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms in 2010. Under its terms, either country must reduce its strategic offensive arms in such a way that at the end of the seventh year following its entry into force and later on their overall amounts should not exceed 700 units of deployed inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and heavy bombers, 1,550 warheads and 800 operational and non-operational missile launchers and strategic bombers.
The treaty was concluded for a period of ten years (until February 5, 2021). It can be replaced by a follow-up agreement before the deadline expires, or prolonged for no more than five years (until 2026) by mutual consent.
Moscow urges Washington to refrain from procrastinating on the treaty’s extension, because in its opinion it is the "gold standard" in the field of disarmament.
Episode 6 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-02--Russia’s new hypersonic weapons help maintain global strategic balance — Putin

In an interview for the special project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' , the head of state pointed out that the Americans had launched their program for creating a missile defense with the aim of upsetting strategic stability and strategic balance .
`` While developing their anti-ballistic missile system , the Americans wanted to upset this strategic stability and balance thinking that if they created a missile defense umbrella , then the other side wouldn ’ t be able to respond adequately if they use nuclear weapons , '' he noted .
`` However , after having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including those which easily evade any anti-missile ballistic system , we maintain this strategic stability and strategic balance .
It is essential not only for us , but also for global security , '' Putin explained .
Replying to a remark by TASS interviewer Andrei Vandenko referring to the Chekhov principle , `` if there is a hypersonic rifle hanging on the wall , in the second or third chapter it will unquestionably go off , '' Putin said real life followed different principles .
`` That may be true for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , another rule governs .
It will go off if it is hanging on one stage .
And if a similar rifle is hanging on another stage , it is unlikely that the person near where it is hanging will take the liberty to use it , '' he said .
Putin explained that this is exactly the situation that is called strategic stability and the balance of power .
It is this balance of power that has enabled the world to avoid any major armed conflicts since World War II , Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as soon as Moscow created hypersonic weapons , other countries ’ gargantuan spending on deterrence programs would become meaningless .
For the first time ever , he said , Russia was ahead of the other countries from the standpoint of cutting-edge weapons , including hypersonic ones .
At the end of last year , the first regiment armed with Russia ’ s Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles - a weapon unparalleled in the world - had entered combat duty .
Tests were continuing of other state-of-the-art weapon systems , including the hypersonic anti-ship cruise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic missiles .
In recent months , the United States repeatedly admitted that it is lagging behind Russia and China in the production of hypersonic weapons .
US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on December 7 , 2019 said that the United States would have to catch up with other competitors .
He declared that the funding of research into hypersonic ground , air and sea-based warheads had been doubled .
According to US media , nine such military projects were underway .
Flight tests of four prototypes are scheduled for 2020 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

In an interview for the special project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin", the head of state pointed out that the Americans had launched their program for creating a missile defense with the aim of upsetting strategic stability and strategic balance.
"While developing their anti-ballistic missile system, the Americans wanted to upset this strategic stability and balance thinking that if they created a missile defense umbrella, then the other side wouldn’t be able to respond adequately if they use nuclear weapons," he noted.
"However, after having developed these modern [hypersonic] systems, including those which easily evade any anti-missile ballistic system, we maintain this strategic stability and strategic balance. It is essential not only for us, but also for global security," Putin explained.
Replying to a remark by TASS interviewer Andrei Vandenko referring to the Chekhov principle, "if there is a hypersonic rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it will unquestionably go off," Putin said real life followed different principles.
"That may be true for the theater. In security and political reality, another rule governs. It will go off if it is hanging on one stage. And if a similar rifle is hanging on another stage, it is unlikely that the person near where it is hanging will take the liberty to use it," he said.
Putin explained that this is exactly the situation that is called strategic stability and the balance of power.
It is this balance of power that has enabled the world to avoid any major armed conflicts since World War II, Putin noted.
Russia’s hypersonic weapons
Earlier, Putin said that as soon as Moscow created hypersonic weapons, other countries’ gargantuan spending on deterrence programs would become meaningless. For the first time ever, he said, Russia was ahead of the other countries from the standpoint of cutting-edge weapons, including hypersonic ones.
At the end of last year, the first regiment armed with Russia’s Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles - a weapon unparalleled in the world - had entered combat duty. Tests were continuing of other state-of-the-art weapon systems, including the hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile Tsirkon and the next-generation Sarmat silo-launched strategic missiles.
In recent months, the United States repeatedly admitted that it is lagging behind Russia and China in the production of hypersonic weapons. US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on December 7, 2019 said that the United States would have to catch up with other competitors. He declared that the funding of research into hypersonic ground, air and sea-based warheads had been doubled. According to US media, nine such military projects were underway. Flight tests of four prototypes are scheduled for 2020.
Episode 6 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-02--Russia laying groundwork so nobody dares fight against it, says Putin

MOSCOW , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is not going to fight against anyone and it is laying the groundwork so that other countries , too , will not have the slightest urge to unleash an armed conflict with Moscow , President Vladimir Putin has said .
`` We are not going to fight against anyone .
We are going to create conditions so that nobody wants to fight against us , '' Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
Putin recalled that as far as defense spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , trailing the United States , China , Saudi Arabia , Britain , France and even Japan .
`` Moreover , our annual expenditures are falling .
In contrast , other countries ’ [ military ] spending has been rising , '' he added .
He pointed to a unique situation where Russia was no longer lagging behind from the standpoint of its defense capabilities .
`` For the first time , we have created such offensive strike systems which the world has never seen .
Now they are chasing after us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a unique situation .
This has never happened before , '' Putin emphasized .
He explained that in the first place he was referring to the newly-created hypersonic attack systems , including inter-continental ones .
Also , he recalled that back in 2000 the Russian army had a strength of 1.3 million , but now it was a little over 1 million and the share of top-notch operational equipment had soared to nearly 70 % from 6 % .
Episode 6 of the video interview is available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. Russia is not going to fight against anyone and it is laying the groundwork so that other countries, too, will not have the slightest urge to unleash an armed conflict with Moscow, President Vladimir Putin has said.
"We are not going to fight against anyone. We are going to create conditions so that nobody wants to fight against us," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
Putin recalled that as far as defense spending goes, Russia ranked seventh in the world, trailing the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Britain, France and even Japan.
"Moreover, our annual expenditures are falling. In contrast, other countries’ [military] spending has been rising," he added.
He pointed to a unique situation where Russia was no longer lagging behind from the standpoint of its defense capabilities.
"For the first time, we have created such offensive strike systems which the world has never seen. Now they are chasing after us trying to catch up. This is a unique situation. This has never happened before," Putin emphasized.
He explained that in the first place he was referring to the newly-created hypersonic attack systems, including inter-continental ones.
Also, he recalled that back in 2000 the Russian army had a strength of 1.3 million, but now it was a little over 1 million and the share of top-notch operational equipment had soared to nearly 70% from 6%.
Episode 6 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-02--Ping An of China Asset Management becomes the first Asian investor to partner with CBI

HONG KONG and LONDON , March 2 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An of China Asset Management ( Hong Kong ) Company Limited ( `` PAAMC HK '' ) has joined the Climate Bonds Partners Programme .
PAAMC HK , the overseas asset management arm of Ping An Insurance ( Group ) Company of China , one of the world 's largest integrated financial service groups , is the first Chinese asset manager and the first institutional investor from Asia to becomeClimate Bonds Partner .
The partnership marks the joint effort of Climate Bonds Initiative and PAAMC HK to promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market and support the incorporation of international standards into green investment practices that , in turn , is crucial to channelling capital to genuine low carbon assets and climate change solutions in the region and along the Belt and Road .
Chi Kit Chai , CIO and Head of Capital Markets , Ping An of China Asset Management ( Hong Kong ) '' Climate change is the biggest challenge facing humanity .
Its impact and consequences have become obvious .
Ping An is committed to promote green investments and sustainable development .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to align our green investment mandates to global best practices .
It 's time for all of us to act and mobilise capital for green finance .
Let 's make this a better world for our children . ''
`` We welcome Ping An of China Asset Management ( Hong Kong ) to the Climate Bonds Partners Programme and we are excited to see their application of Climate Bonds Taxonomy on green bond selection . ''
`` Alignment to international best practices that emphasise unambiguous green definitions , as well as transparency in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green bond investors and facilitate capital mobilisation to support the transition to a low carbon economy .
The rigor of the Climate Bonds Standard and the Climate Bonds Taxonomy is well suited to this purpose . ''
`` We look forward to working closely with Ping An of China Asset Management ( Hong Kong ) in leveraging the potential of the deep and liquid capital markets in Hong Kong and steering financial resources towards filling the huge green and climate investment gaps in Asia and along the Belt and Road . ''
About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong ) Ping An of China Asset Management ( Hong Kong ) Co. , Ltd. ( `` PAAMC HK '' ) was established in 2006 .
It is a direct subsidiary of China Ping An Insurance Overseas ( Holdings ) Limited and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ping An Insurance ( Group ) Company of China , Ltd. ( 2318.HK and 601318.SH ) .
It is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong to conduct Type 1 ( Dealing in Securities ) , Type 4 ( Securities Consultation ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities .
With strong capabilities in investment research and asset management , PAAMC HK is a leading provider of global investment management solutions in equities , fixed income , ETFs , structured products and alternative assets .
For more information , please visit asset.pingan.com.hk .

HONG KONG and LONDON, March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An of China Asset Management (Hong Kong) Company Limited ("PAAMC HK") has joined the Climate Bonds Partners Programme. PAAMC HK, the overseas asset management arm of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, one of the world's largest integrated financial service groups, is the first Chinese asset manager and the first institutional investor from Asia to becomeClimate Bonds Partner.
The partnership marks the joint effort of Climate Bonds Initiative and PAAMC HK to promote investment in Asia's booming green bond market and support the incorporation of international standards into green investment practices that, in turn, is crucial to channelling capital to genuine low carbon assets and climate change solutions in the region and along the Belt and Road.
Chi Kit Chai, CIO and Head of Capital Markets, Ping An of China Asset Management (Hong Kong)
"Climate change is the biggest challenge facing humanity. Its impact and consequences have become obvious. Ping An is committed to promote green investments and sustainable development. This historic partnership with Climate Bonds Initiative is to align our green investment mandates to global best practices. It's time for all of us to act and mobilise capital for green finance. Let's make this a better world for our children."
Sean Kidney, CEO of Climate Bonds Initiative:
"We welcome Ping An of China Asset Management (Hong Kong) to the Climate Bonds Partners Programme and we are excited to see their application of Climate Bonds Taxonomy on green bond selection."
"Alignment to international best practices that emphasise unambiguous green definitions, as well as transparency in use of proceeds will give confidence to green bond investors and facilitate capital mobilisation to support the transition to a low carbon economy. The rigor of the Climate Bonds Standard and the Climate Bonds Taxonomy is well suited to this purpose."
"We look forward to working closely with Ping An of China Asset Management (Hong Kong) in leveraging the potential of the deep and liquid capital markets in Hong Kong and steering financial resources towards filling the huge green and climate investment gaps in Asia and along the Belt and Road."
About Ping An of China Asset Management (Hong Kong)
Ping An of China Asset Management (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. ("PAAMC HK") was established in 2006. It is a direct subsidiary of China Ping An Insurance Overseas (Holdings) Limited and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (2318.HK and 601318.SH). It is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong to conduct Type 1 (Dealing in Securities), Type 4 (Securities Consultation) and Type 9 (Asset Management) regulated activities. With strong capabilities in investment research and asset management, PAAMC HK is a leading provider of global investment management solutions in equities, fixed income, ETFs, structured products and alternative assets. For more information, please visit asset.pingan.com.hk.
CONTACT: Violet Zhuang, +852-3150-6724


tass--2020-03-02--Shanghai Electric achieves financial close for Coal Mine Project

THAR PARKAR , Pakistan , Feb. 28 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric Group ( `` Shanghai Electric '' or `` the Company '' ) , the world 's leading manufacturer and supplier of power generation and industrial equipment , one-stop energy solution provider , announced that it had achieved the financial close for the Coal Mine Project out of the Thar Block-1 Integrated Coal Mine-Power Project .
The Thar coalfield is the largest in Asia , which holds an estimated lignite resource exceeding175 billion tons , covers an area of over 9,000 square kilometers in the Thar Desert in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Province .
For Thar Block-1 Integrated Coal Mine-Power Project , the Coal Mine is planed with an annual production capacity of 7.8 million tons and featuring two 660-megawatt coal-fired power plants , the project is capable of powering 4 million households in Pakistan with 1320 megawatts of indigenous , affordable and reliable electricity .
Thar Block-1 Integrated Coal Mine-Power Project was developed under the umbrella of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ( the `` CPEC '' ) .
It is part of an effort by the Government of Pakistan to improve energy security and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by moving from oil to coal .
The project would energize the national grid and further help with savings on foreign exchange based on fuel costs .
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah appreciated Shanghai Electric 's support in expediting the process of benefiting from locally sourced fuel and Shanghai Electric 's vital role in the development of the Thar Coalfield power station project which will bring the economic benefits to the local community .
The project is employing over 908 local workers at this moment and will employ more staff during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also play an essential role in the social development of the region , with Shanghai Electric pledging to be an active and enthusiastic force in development efforts that help the local Thar community by improving education , health , infrastructure and the overall lifestyle of the region .
`` We are proud to help bring the country its first large-scale , local coal-based electricity project .
We are also grateful to the local government for their support . ''
said Mr. Qian Xiaolei , PR Manager of Thar Coal Block-1 Power Generation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Shanghai Electric in Pakistan ) .
Leveraging the project 's positive momentum , Shanghai Electric has already begun the construction of power plants in the Thar Coalfield .
The Company will bring power plants of ultra-supercritical technology , which can run at higher net efficiency than the annual average net efficiency required by Pakistani government .
Additionally , the plants will operate with a high Acid Gas removal rate , with low sulfur dioxide emissions to reduce environmental impact when it begins to generate electricity in 2022 .
Shanghai Electric Group Company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 601727 ) is principally engaged in the design , manufacture and sale of power equipment and industrial equipment .
It focuses on new energy business , including the manufacture and sale of wind turbine and components as well as nuclear power equipment ; clean energy business , including the manufacture and sale of thermal power equipment , power transmission and distribution equipment ; industrial equipment , including the production and sale of elevators and electric motors ; and modern service industry , including the contracting of construction of power generation plants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as other businesses .

THAR PARKAR, Pakistan, Feb. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric Group ("Shanghai Electric" or "the Company"), the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of power generation and industrial equipment, one-stop energy solution provider, announced that it had achieved the financial close for the Coal Mine Project out of the Thar Block-1 Integrated Coal Mine-Power Project. The Thar coalfield is the largest in Asia, which holds an estimated lignite resource exceeding175 billion tons, covers an area of over 9,000 square kilometers in the Thar Desert in the southeastern part of Pakistan's Sindh Province.
For Thar Block-1 Integrated Coal Mine-Power Project, the Coal Mine is planed with an annual production capacity of 7.8 million tons and featuring two 660-megawatt coal-fired power plants, the project is capable of powering 4 million households in Pakistan with 1320 megawatts of indigenous, affordable and reliable electricity.
Thar Block-1 Integrated Coal Mine-Power Project was developed under the umbrella of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (the "CPEC"). It is part of an effort by the Government of Pakistan to improve energy security and reduce the average cost of power generation by moving from oil to coal. The project would energize the national grid and further help with savings on foreign exchange based on fuel costs.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah appreciated Shanghai Electric's support in expediting the process of benefiting from locally sourced fuel and Shanghai Electric's vital role in the development of the Thar Coalfield power station project which will bring the economic benefits to the local community.
The project is employing over 908 local workers at this moment and will employ more staff during its peak construction period. The project will also play an essential role in the social development of the region, with Shanghai Electric pledging to be an active and enthusiastic force in development efforts that help the local Thar community by improving education, health, infrastructure and the overall lifestyle of the region.
"We are proud to help bring the country its first large-scale, local coal-based electricity project. We are also grateful to the local government for their support." said Mr. Qian Xiaolei, PR Manager of Thar Coal Block-1 Power Generation Company (PVT) Ltd (SPV of Shanghai Electric in Pakistan).
Leveraging the project's positive momentum, Shanghai Electric has already begun the construction of power plants in the Thar Coalfield. The Company will bring power plants of ultra-supercritical technology, which can run at higher net efficiency than the annual average net efficiency required by Pakistani government. Additionally, the plants will operate with a high Acid Gas removal rate, with low sulfur dioxide emissions to reduce environmental impact when it begins to generate electricity in 2022.
About Shanghai Electric
Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited (SEHK: 2727, SSE: 601727) is principally engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of power equipment and industrial equipment. It focuses on new energy business, including the manufacture and sale of wind turbine and components as well as nuclear power equipment; clean energy business, including the manufacture and sale of thermal power equipment, power transmission and distribution equipment; industrial equipment, including the production and sale of elevators and electric motors; and modern service industry, including the contracting of construction of power generation plants, power transmission and distribution projects as well as other businesses.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1097075/1.jpg
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1097093/Shanghai_Electric_Logo.jpg
CONTACT: Shen Jin, +86-138-1790-9115, shenjin@shanghai-electric.com


tass--2020-03-02--Researchers Worldwide Are Using Berkeley Lights' Beacon Platform To Combat COVID-19

EMERYVILLE , California , Feb. 28 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkeley Lights , Inc. , a leader in cell selection , is currently engaged with universities and medical centers in the U.S. , China , and Australia who are looking to create vaccines and therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus or , simply , Coronavirus .
Using Berkeley Lights ' proprietary technology , the Beacon® optofluidic platform , Vanderbilt University Medical Center ( VUMC ) and GenScript China are currently screening patient blood samples to find the necessary antibodies required to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia are evaluating the Beacon platform as a means to expedite development of their recombinant subunit vaccine program .
The Vanderbilt Vaccine Center ( VVC ) is one of the lead sites within the DARPA Pandemic Prevention Platform Program ( P3 ) .
Given its history of increased speed to therapy with the Zika and other viral targets , the VVC has been selected by DARPA to be a primary site in the U.S. for the development of novel antibody-based therapeutics for the prevention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving crucial human samples from recovered patients which will be screened using Berkeley Lights ' Beacon platform to enable the discovery of protective antibodies .
`` The Beacon platform allows us to use B-cells in a single cell assay , enabling exploration of a much greater diversity of potentially protective antibodies , helping us more quickly identify the best antibodies , '' said Dr. Robert Carnahan , project lead for the Crowe Lab at VUMC .
In Australia , the University of Queensland is one of several groups by the Coalition for Epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Coronavirus vaccine as a result of its recently released rapid response .
The University is assessing the Beacon platform as it looks to find ways to accelerate early development toward clinical testing .
`` The Beacon platform helps us to be manufacturing-ready more rapidly than use of traditional approaches , potentially saving months off our timeline , '' said Dr. Trent Munro , Director of the National Biologics Facility and Program Director for the CEPI-funded Vaccine Rapid Response pipeline at the University of Queensland .
`` As we are seeing , every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 outbreak and we are hopeful this approach will be enabling for future vaccine production . ''
Additionally , GenScript Biotech Corporation in early February that its researchers have successfully screened and identified antibodies for COVID-19 in less than 24 hours with the Beacon platform .
This process usually takes three months using traditional hybridoma antibody screening .
This is a huge breakthrough in fighting outbreaks faster and finding preventive and therapeutic treatment , specifically for Coronavirus .
About Berkeley Lights Here at Berkeley Lights , we think cells are awesome !
Cells @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fibers for clothing , energy in the form of biofuels , and food proteins for nutrition .
So the question is , if nature is capable of manufacturing the products we need in a scalable way , why are n't we doing more of this ?
Well , the answer is that with the solutions available today , it is hard .
It takes a long time to find the right cell for a specific job , costs lots of money , and if you have picked a suboptimal cell line , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berkeley Lights has the complete solution to find the best cells by functionally screening and recovering individual cells for antibody discovery , cell line development , T cell analysis , and synthetic biology .
Our proprietary technology and Beacon® and Lightning™ platforms accelerate the rate you can discover and develop cell-based products in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost of conventional , legacy research methods .
Using our tools and solutions , scientists can find the best cells , the first time they look .
For more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beacon and Lightning platforms and Culture Station Instrument are : For Research Use Only .
Not for use in diagnostic procedures .

EMERYVILLE, California, Feb. 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkeley Lights, Inc., a leader in cell selection, is currently engaged with universities and medical centers in the U.S., China, and Australia who are looking to create vaccines and therapeutics for the treatment of COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus or, simply, Coronavirus. Using Berkeley Lights' proprietary technology, the Beacon® optofluidic platform, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and GenScript China are currently screening patient blood samples to find the necessary antibodies required to help develop a solution to the Coronavirus, while researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia are evaluating the Beacon platform as a means to expedite development of their recombinant subunit vaccine program.
The Vanderbilt Vaccine Center (VVC) is one of the lead sites within the DARPA Pandemic Prevention Platform Program (P3). Given its history of increased speed to therapy with the Zika and other viral targets, the VVC has been selected by DARPA to be a primary site in the U.S. for the development of novel antibody-based therapeutics for the prevention of SARS-CoV2 infection. The VVC recently began receiving crucial human samples from recovered patients which will be screened using Berkeley Lights' Beacon platform to enable the discovery of protective antibodies.
"The Beacon platform allows us to use B-cells in a single cell assay, enabling exploration of a much greater diversity of potentially protective antibodies, helping us more quickly identify the best antibodies," said Dr. Robert Carnahan, project lead for the Crowe Lab at VUMC.
In Australia, the University of Queensland is one of several groups selected by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop a Coronavirus vaccine as a result of its recently released rapid response technology . The University is assessing the Beacon platform as it looks to find ways to accelerate early development toward clinical testing.
"The Beacon platform helps us to be manufacturing-ready more rapidly than use of traditional approaches, potentially saving months off our timeline," said Dr. Trent Munro, Director of the National Biologics Facility and Program Director for the CEPI-funded Vaccine Rapid Response pipeline at the University of Queensland. "As we are seeing, every day matters in our response to the COVID-19 outbreak and we are hopeful this approach will be enabling for future vaccine production."
Additionally, GenScript Biotech Corporation announced in early February that its researchers have successfully screened and identified antibodies for COVID-19 in less than 24 hours with the Beacon platform. This process usually takes three months using traditional hybridoma antibody screening. This is a huge breakthrough in fighting outbreaks faster and finding preventive and therapeutic treatment, specifically for Coronavirus.
About Berkeley Lights
Here at Berkeley Lights, we think cells are awesome! Cells are capable of manufacturing cures for diseases, fibers for clothing, energy in the form of biofuels, and food proteins for nutrition. So the question is, if nature is capable of manufacturing the products we need in a scalable way, why aren't we doing more of this? Well, the answer is that with the solutions available today, it is hard. It takes a long time to find the right cell for a specific job, costs lots of money, and if you have picked a suboptimal cell line, has a very low process yield. Berkeley Lights has the complete solution to find the best cells by functionally screening and recovering individual cells for antibody discovery, cell line development, T cell analysis, and synthetic biology. Our proprietary technology and Beacon® and Lightning™ platforms accelerate the rate you can discover and develop cell-based products in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost of conventional, legacy research methods. Using our tools and solutions, scientists can find the best cells, the first time they look. For more information, visit www.berkeleylights.com .
Berkeley Lights' Beacon and Lightning platforms and Culture Station Instrument are:
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Press Contact
berkeleylights@bulleitgroup.com
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1078159/Berkeley_Lights_Logo.jpg


tass--2020-03-02--GAC MOTOR's Luxury SUV-GS8 Under Spotlight in Russia After Launching

GUANGZHOU , China , Feb. 29 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GAC MOTOR has officially launched the luxury SUV GS8 across Russia as consumers flocked to its newly opened stores in Moscow , St. Petersburg , and Vladimir to take a test drive of this highly anticipated vehicle .
The GS8 SUV marks the automaker 's debut into Russia , following a successful launch ceremony held late last year in the Museum of Moscow .
The increasing brand awareness of GAC MOTOR amongst Russian consumers leads many that are already familiar with this brand to place an order for the vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GS8 's sales information from the launch event .
`` I used to work in China and drove this car while my office work .
I choose GS8 because of its big size , premium looking and higher reliability .
I highly recommend others to have one , '' said Nikolayev Sergey , the first GS8 owner in St. Petersburg , who has fallen in love with the GS8 SUV during his time in China and placed an order after learning that the GS8 had just launched in Russia .
Meanwhile , those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GS8 's sheer quality , power and comfort , proven through test drives and reinforced with glowing reviews .
The first owners in both Vladimir and Moscow first learned about the GS8 through the internet and commercials featuring Basta , a Russian composer , musician and the official Product Ambassador of the GS8 .
Following a positive test drive , the owners purchased the vehicle and have since recommended it to their friends and families .
Further to positive consumer feedback , the GS8 has been praised by leading Russian automotive publications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Designed to provide greater mobility for the entire family , the GS8 blends sheer power with a sleek , stylish design .
The luxury seven-seat SUV boasts a robust body and tough exterior , while the spacious interiors exude comfort and warmth with adjustable third-row seats and a panoramic sunroof .
Engineered for performance , the GS8 is powered by a second-generation 320T engine , a third-generation Aisin 6-speed AMT and a second-generation intelligent four-wheel drive and an all-terrain feedback system .
The GS8 has also stood out with features specifically for Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front windshield provide comfort during winter ; while best-in-class safety features and six driving modes offer seamless handling and off-road performance .
Priced at 1,898,000 rubles , the GS8 offers great value for money and includes a variety of after-sales services including a five-year or 150,000km warranty and one-year of free roadside assistance .
It also offers a 3-year free maintenance and roadside assistance , as well as free winter tires for the first 200 GS8 owners across Russia .
As a critical market for GAC MOTOR , the launch of the GS8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's ongoing development in Russia .
Since 2019 , GAC MOTOR has started localizing operations in Russia .
Its product supply is now on track to meet consumer demands across the country with an inventory and in-transit vehicles .
In 2020 , GAC MOTOR will focus on Moscow , St. Petersburg and other large cites with a population over 1 million for further channel development opportunities , with plans of setting up cooperation with 15 new distributers .
At the same time , it will strengthen production and sales coordination to ensure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The highly anticipated GN8 and new GS5 are also expected to be granted with access permission to the Russian market in the first half of 2020 .
GAC MOTOR will also explore the potential to provide consumers even more choices by introducing additional models on the Russian market , including sedan vehicles .
For more information , please visit : Facebook : https : //www.facebook.com/GACMotor Instagram : https : //www.instagram.com/gac_motor Twitter : https : //www.twitter.com/gac_motor YouTube : http : //www.youtube.com/c/GACMotorOfficial

GUANGZHOU, China, Feb. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GAC MOTOR has officially launched the luxury SUV GS8 across Russia as consumers flocked to its newly opened stores in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Vladimir to take a test drive of this highly anticipated vehicle. The GS8 SUV marks the automaker's debut into Russia, following a successful launch ceremony held late last year in the Museum of Moscow.
The increasing brand awareness of GAC MOTOR amongst Russian consumers leads many that are already familiar with this brand to place an order for the vehicle as soon as they have heard the GS8's sales information from the launch event.
"I used to work in China and drove this car while my office work. I choose GS8 because of its big size, premium looking and higher reliability. I highly recommend others to have one," said Nikolayev Sergey, the first GS8 owner in St. Petersburg, who has fallen in love with the GS8 SUV during his time in China and placed an order after learning that the GS8 had just launched in Russia.
Meanwhile, those unfamiliar with GAC MOTOR were drawn to the GS8's sheer quality, power and comfort, proven through test drives and reinforced with glowing reviews. The first owners in both Vladimir and Moscow first learned about the GS8 through the internet and commercials featuring Basta, a Russian composer, musician and the official Product Ambassador of the GS8. Following a positive test drive, the owners purchased the vehicle and have since recommended it to their friends and families.
Further to positive consumer feedback, the GS8 has been praised by leading Russian automotive publications for its design and power systems.
Designed to provide greater mobility for the entire family, the GS8 blends sheer power with a sleek, stylish design. The luxury seven-seat SUV boasts a robust body and tough exterior, while the spacious interiors exude comfort and warmth with adjustable third-row seats and a panoramic sunroof. Engineered for performance, the GS8 is powered by a second-generation 320T engine, a third-generation Aisin 6-speed AMT and a second-generation intelligent four-wheel drive and an all-terrain feedback system.
The GS8 has also stood out with features specifically for Russian consumers. The heated steering wheels and front windshield provide comfort during winter; while best-in-class safety features and six driving modes offer seamless handling and off-road performance.
Priced at 1,898,000 rubles, the GS8 offers great value for money and includes a variety of after-sales services including a five-year or 150,000km warranty and one-year of free roadside assistance. It also offers a 3-year free maintenance and roadside assistance, as well as free winter tires for the first 200 GS8 owners across Russia.
As a critical market for GAC MOTOR, the launch of the GS8 is a crucial step in the automaker's ongoing development in Russia. Since 2019, GAC MOTOR has started localizing operations in Russia. Its product supply is now on track to meet consumer demands across the country with an inventory and in-transit vehicles.
In 2020, GAC MOTOR will focus on Moscow, St. Petersburg and other large cites with a population over 1 million for further channel development opportunities, with plans of setting up cooperation with 15 new distributers. At the same time, it will strengthen production and sales coordination to ensure the supply of future models in Russia.
The highly anticipated GN8 and new GS5 are also expected to be granted with access permission to the Russian market in the first half of 2020. GAC MOTOR will also explore the potential to provide consumers even more choices by introducing additional models on the Russian market, including sedan vehicles.
For more information, please visit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GACMotor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gac_motor
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/gac_motor
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/GACMotorOfficial
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1097446/Pic_1_GAC_MOTOR_s_newly_opened_store_in_St__Petersburg.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1097448/Pic_2_The_GS8_luxury_flagship_7_seat_SUV_is_GAC_MOTOR_s_first_model_sold_in_Russia.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1097447/Pic_3_Interior_of_SUV_GS8.jpg
CONTACT: Media: Hongbin Ren, Phone: +86-137-2520-5687, Email: renhongbin2010@163.com ; renhb@gacmotor.com


tass--2020-03-02--Several rockets fall near US Embassy in Baghdad — media

CAIRO , March 2 .
/ TASS / .
No one was injured when several rockets fell near the US Embassy in the Iraqi capital , Al-Hadas , TV channel reported on Monday .
According to the channel , two missiles exploded in this area of the Iraqi capital , where state institutions and foreign diplomatic missions , including the US embassy , are located .
Along with the attacks , air raid sirens went off .
`` Two rockets fell some time ago in the green zone in the center of Baghdad , '' sources of the Al-Sumariya channel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces indicated .
`` There were no casualties from the shelling . ''
According to sources , rockets were fired from an area in the east of the capital .
The Green Zone is a well-fortified area in the center of Baghdad , where government offices and foreign diplomatic missions are located .
In recent months , it has repeatedly been subjected to rocket and mortar attacks , which resulted in injuries and deaths among the Iraqis .
Washington DC repeatedly accused the pro-Iranian militias and groups operating in Iraq of involvement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rockets were fired at the Green Zone .
Three of them fell directly to the territory of the US Embassy , and one got into the dining room , where dinner was taking place at that moment .
As-Sumariya , citing a source in the security services , then reported three victims , without specifying their citizenship .
The channel also claimed that several people had been evacuated from the territory of the diplomatic mission in American helicopters .

CAIRO, March 2. / TASS /. No one was injured when several rockets fell near the US Embassy in the Iraqi capital, Al-Hadas, TV channel reported on Monday.
According to the channel, two missiles exploded in this area of the Iraqi capital, where state institutions and foreign diplomatic missions, including the US embassy, are located. Along with the attacks, air raid sirens went off.
"Two rockets fell some time ago in the green zone in the center of Baghdad," sources of the Al-Sumariya channel in the Iraqi capital’s security forces indicated. "There were no casualties from the shelling." According to sources, rockets were fired from an area in the east of the capital.
The Green Zone is a well-fortified area in the center of Baghdad, where government offices and foreign diplomatic missions are located. In recent months, it has repeatedly been subjected to rocket and mortar attacks, which resulted in injuries and deaths among the Iraqis. Washington DC repeatedly accused the pro-Iranian militias and groups operating in Iraq of involvement in them.
On January 26, five rockets were fired at the Green Zone. Three of them fell directly to the territory of the US Embassy, and one got into the dining room, where dinner was taking place at that moment. As-Sumariya, citing a source in the security services, then reported three victims, without specifying their citizenship. The channel also claimed that several people had been evacuated from the territory of the diplomatic mission in American helicopters.


tass--2020-03-02--North Korea launches unidentified shell

North Korea launches unidentified shell

SEOUL , March 2 .
/ TASS / .
North Korea launched two unidentified shells , in the direction of @ @ @ @ @ the South Korean Committee of Chiefs of Staff reported on Monday .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ from the area of the city of Wonsan .
This is the first such launch @ @ @ @ @ .
In December last year , North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced that his country @ @ @ @ @ weapons .

SEOUL, March 2. / TASS /. North Korea launched two unidentified shells, in the direction of the Sea of Japan, the South Korean Committee of Chiefs of Staff reported on Monday.
According to the agency, launches were made from the area of the city of Wonsan.
This is the first such launch since the beginning of 2020. In December last year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced that his country would soon introduce new strategic weapons.


tass--2020-03-02--Brent oil prices up at auction in London by 3.16%

MOSCOW , March 2 .
/ TASS / .
The world oil prices accelerated growth during trading on the ICE @ @ @ @ @ for Brent crude oil for delivery in May 2020 rose by 3.16 % to $ @ @ @ @ @ price of oil futures WTI ( Light Sweet ) is increasing by 3.01 % up @ @ @ @ @ , according to trading data at 05:39 Moscow time .
On February 27 , the @ @ @ @ @ crude oil for delivery in May 2020 on the ICE exchange in London fell by @ @ @ @ @ $ 49.66 per barrel .
The last time the price of oil was below $ @ @ @ @ @ end of July 2017 , April futures for WTI crude oil fell 4.5 % to @ @ @ @ @ the lowest since January 2019 .

MOSCOW, March 2. / TASS /. The world oil prices accelerated growth during trading on the ICE in London, and futures for Brent crude oil for delivery in May 2020 rose by 3.16% to $ 51.29 per barrel.
The price of oil futures WTI (Light Sweet) is increasing by 3.01% up to $46.15 per barrel, according to trading data at 05:39 Moscow time.
On February 27, the cost of futures for Brent crude oil for delivery in May 2020 on the ICE exchange in London fell by more than 4% to $ 49.66 per barrel. The last time the price of oil was below $ 50 per barrel at the end of July 2017, April futures for WTI crude oil fell 4.5% to $ 44.95 per barrel, the lowest since January 2019.


tass--2020-03-02--Number of coronavirus victims in China up to 2,912

March 2./TASS/ The number of victims of the new coronavirus in China has increased to 2912 , up by 42 @ @ @ @ @ over 44,400 people recovered from the illness , the State Committee on Hygiene and Health @ @ @ @ @ According to the committee , the number of confirmed cases of infection in China has @ @ @ @ @ December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about @ @ @ @ @ unknown etiology in Wuhan , an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 12 @ @ @ @ @ , more than 50 countries and territories , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing @ @ @ @ @ multiple locations .
According to the latest reports , over 79,800 cases of patients infected @ @ @ @ @ been confirmed in China and other countries .
The virus ’ death toll has hit @ @ @ @ @ patients have recovered from the disease .

March 2./TASS/ The number of victims of the new coronavirus in China has increased to 2912, up by 42 people per day, with over 44,400 people recovered from the illness, the State Committee on Hygiene and Health of China said on Monday
According to the committee, the number of confirmed cases of infection in China has exceeded 80,000 cases.
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan, an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 12 million. As of today, more than 50 countries and territories, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. According to the latest reports, over 79,800 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries. The virus’ death toll has hit 2,870, yet about 42,000 patients have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-03-02--One dead, 16 injured in road accident near Vladimir

VLADIMIR , March 2 .
/ TASS / .
The number of injured in a collision of a minibus and a truck on the M-7 highway in the Vladimir region increased to 16 .
In total , according to updated data , 17 people were involved in the bus cabin , the regional police department told TASS on Monday .
`` According to the latest data , 16 people were injured - 15 passengers and one driver , '' the agency ’ s source said , adding that 17 people were on the bus .
One person died of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Mercedes Sprinter minibus from the Chuvash Republic and a Mercedes truck from the Republic of Mordovia collided .
The accident occurred around 03:20 Moscow time in the city of Gorokhovets on the 335th kilometer of the M-7 Volga highway .
`` Basically the passengers have injuries of various severity .
Fractures , bruises , '' emergency room representative told TASS .
According to the police , there are no children among the victims .
On March 2 , according to the forecast , the weather is icy , foggy ; air temperature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

VLADIMIR, March 2. / TASS /. The number of injured in a collision of a minibus and a truck on the M-7 highway in the Vladimir region increased to 16. In total, according to updated data, 17 people were involved in the bus cabin, the regional police department told TASS on Monday.
"According to the latest data, 16 people were injured - 15 passengers and one driver," the agency’s source said, adding that 17 people were on the bus. One person died of the sustained injuries.
The Police Department explained that Mercedes Sprinter minibus from the Chuvash Republic and a Mercedes truck from the Republic of Mordovia collided. The accident occurred around 03:20 Moscow time in the city of Gorokhovets on the 335th kilometer of the M-7 Volga highway. "Basically the passengers have injuries of various severity. Fractures, bruises," emergency room representative told TASS.
According to the police, there are no children among the victims. On March 2, according to the forecast, the weather is icy, foggy; air temperature at night varies from -2C to +3C.


tass--2020-03-03--Russian, Finnish Foreign Ministers to discuss Syria, coronavirus, and dialogue development

HELSINKI , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold a series of meetings on Tuesday in the capital of Finland , where he arrived on a working visit .
Despite the short duration of the trip , his schedule will be quite tight .
Lavrov will hold detailed talks with his Finnish counterpart , Pekka Haavisto , who retained his post in the new government of Finland .
In addition , Lavrov will hold a separate meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto .
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry , it is expected that at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss in a traditional , interested and open manner '' topical issues on the bilateral and regional agenda , as well as exchange views on international issues .
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry , a distinguishing feature of Russian-Finnish relations is a regular , intense political dialogue at the highest and highest levels .
The leaders of the two countries regularly conduct telephone calls , and their meetings are usually held twice a year .
Last time , Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a working visit to Finland last August .
Close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies .
Despite the fact that last year there was a slight decline in cooperation between the two countries , Russia ranks third among Finland ’ s trading partners .
Around 900 Finnish companies work in the Russian market today .
Cooperation is developing in the energy , transport , and environmental sectors .
Russia has developed a project for the construction of the Hanhikivi-1 nuclear power plant in Finland with the participation of Rosatom State Corporation .
In addition , Helsinki expressed interest in implementing the project for the construction of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains one of the few countries that are neutral in relation to both Russia and the United States .
Perhaps for this reason , the capital of Finland has repeatedly become the venue for Russian-American meetings .
Therefore , in July 2018 , it was the venue for the first full-format meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the American leader Donald Trump .
Moreover , Finland does not belong to military alliances , but the country still has the option of joining NATO , depending on changes in the international security situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the latest opinion polls , only about 20 % of the country 's population speaks for Finland ’ s accession to the alliance , and about half are against it .
Such indicators have remained stable for more than ten years .

HELSINKI, March 3. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold a series of meetings on Tuesday in the capital of Finland, where he arrived on a working visit.
Despite the short duration of the trip, his schedule will be quite tight. Lavrov will hold detailed talks with his Finnish counterpart, Pekka Haavisto, who retained his post in the new government of Finland. In addition, Lavrov will hold a separate meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, it is expected that at the upcoming meeting the ministers will "discuss in a traditional, interested and open manner" topical issues on the bilateral and regional agenda, as well as exchange views on international issues.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, a distinguishing feature of Russian-Finnish relations is a regular, intense political dialogue at the highest and highest levels. The leaders of the two countries regularly conduct telephone calls, and their meetings are usually held twice a year. Last time, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a working visit to Finland last August. Close interaction is also supported by foreign affairs agencies.
Despite the fact that last year there was a slight decline in cooperation between the two countries, Russia ranks third among Finland’s trading partners.
Around 900 Finnish companies work in the Russian market today. Cooperation is developing in the energy, transport, and environmental sectors. Russia has developed a project for the construction of the Hanhikivi-1 nuclear power plant in Finland with the participation of Rosatom State Corporation. In addition, Helsinki expressed interest in implementing the project for the construction of a high-speed Moscow-Helsinki highway.
Today, Finland remains one of the few countries that are neutral in relation to both Russia and the United States. Perhaps for this reason, the capital of Finland has repeatedly become the venue for Russian-American meetings. Therefore, in July 2018, it was the venue for the first full-format meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the American leader Donald Trump.
Moreover, Finland does not belong to military alliances, but the country still has the option of joining NATO, depending on changes in the international security situation. At the same time, according to the latest opinion polls, only about 20% of the country's population speaks for Finland’s accession to the alliance, and about half are against it. Such indicators have remained stable for more than ten years.


tass--2020-03-03--Rave band Little Big to represent Russia at Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Rave band Little Big will represent Russia at the Eurovision song contest to be held in Rotterdam , the Netherlands , in May , Russia ’ s Channel One TV , the event ’ s official broadcaster in Russia , said on Monday .
Founded in St. Petersburg in 2013 , Little Big includes Ilya Ilich Prusikin , Sergey Gokk Makarov , Sonya Tayurskaya , and Anton Boo Lissov .
The band has released three albums and nine singles .
Its Skibidi video scored 23 million views on YouTube over a week after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been viewed by more than 350 users .
`` The main thing is to love what you are doing and keep on working .
My life philosophy is do what you are doing and come what may .
We have never thought we could have a chance to present Russian at the Eurovision but once we have it we will do our best .
And then - come what may , '' Prusikin told Channel One .
Little Big will perform on the first day of the Eurovision semifinals on May 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia , Azerbaijan , Belarus , Belgium , Israel , Ireland , Cyprus , Lithuania , Macedonia , Malta , Norway , Romania , Slovenia , Ukraine , Croatia , and Sweden .
The 65th Eurovision Song Contest will take place at Rotterdam ’ s Ahoy concert hall from Mat 12 through 16 .
It logo will be Open Up .
Rotterdam was chosen as host city for Eurovision 2020 after Dutch singer Duncan Laurence had won the previous contest in Tel Aviv in 2019 with a song Arcade .
Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the song Scream .

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Rave band Little Big will represent Russia at the Eurovision song contest to be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in May, Russia’s Channel One TV, the event’s official broadcaster in Russia, said on Monday.
Founded in St. Petersburg in 2013, Little Big includes Ilya Ilich Prusikin, Sergey Gokk Makarov, Sonya Tayurskaya, and Anton Boo Lissov. The band has released three albums and nine singles. Its Skibidi video scored 23 million views on YouTube over a week after it realease. By now, it has been viewed by more than 350 users.
"The main thing is to love what you are doing and keep on working. My life philosophy is do what you are doing and come what may. We have never thought we could have a chance to present Russian at the Eurovision but once we have it we will do our best. And then - come what may," Prusikin told Channel One.
Little Big will perform on the first day of the Eurovision semifinals on May 12. Their rivals will be singers from Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Israel, Ireland, Cyprus, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Croatia, and Sweden.
The 65th Eurovision Song Contest will take place at Rotterdam’s Ahoy concert hall from Mat 12 through 16. It logo will be Open Up.
Rotterdam was chosen as host city for Eurovision 2020 after Dutch singer Duncan Laurence had won the previous contest in Tel Aviv in 2019 with a song Arcade. Russia’s Sergei Lazarev took the third place with the song Scream.


tass--2020-03-02--US excluded Russian companies from North Korea sanction list

WASHINGTON , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
The United States excluded Russia ’ s Independent Petroleum Company ( IPC ) @ @ @ @ @ the list of sanctions related to North Korea , the US Treasury Department said on @ @ @ @ @ the Russian oil producer Independent Petroleum Company ( IPC ) and four names of its @ @ @ @ @ the sanction list , as detailed in the statement .
Sanctions against companies were introduced @ @ @ @ @ , as reported earlier .
Earlier frozen assets of companies were unblocked , the US @ @ @

WASHINGTON, March 2. /TASS/. The United States excluded Russia’s Independent Petroleum Company (IPC) and its subsidiary IPC-Primornefteprodukt from the list of sanctions related to North Korea, the US Treasury Department said on Monday.
Three names of the Russian oil producer Independent Petroleum Company (IPC) and four names of its subsidiary IPC-Primornefteprodukt were deleted from the sanction list, as detailed in the statement.
Sanctions against companies were introduced on June 1, 2017, as reported earlier. Earlier frozen assets of companies were unblocked, the US authority said.


tass--2020-03-02--Putin's amendments to constitution oblige to create sustainable economic growth conditions

MOSCOW , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s authorities create conditions for sustainable economic growth and improving the welfare of the population .
This is stated in the amendments President Vladimir Putin made to the second reading of the bill on constitutional amendments .
According to the amendments , the authorities of the Russian Federation should create conditions `` for the country 's sustainable economic growth and improving the welfare of citizens . ''
Also `` mutual trust of the state and society , protection of the dignity of citizens and respect for the working man shall be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the citizen shall be balanced , social partnership , economic , political and social solidarity shall be ensured , '' the amendments say .
On January 23 , the State Duma unanimously adopted the bill introduced by the Russian President on amendments to the country 's main law in the first reading .
The document in particular provides for expansion of the powers of the parliament and the Constitutional Court of Russia , bans senior officials from having a residence permit in other countries , limits the number of presidential terms , sets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreements and strengthens social obligations of the state .
The President ’ s bill also provides for a nationwide vote on the law on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation .
In order to come into force , the amendments must receive the support of more than 50 % of the participants in the all-Russian vote .
Putin has repeatedly stressed that changes to the Constitution of the Russian Federation will come into force only if they are approved by citizens .
As expected , the State Duma is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The all-Russian vote is scheduled for April 22 .

MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. Russia’s authorities create conditions for sustainable economic growth and improving the welfare of the population. This is stated in the amendments President Vladimir Putin made to the second reading of the bill on constitutional amendments.
According to the amendments, the authorities of the Russian Federation should create conditions "for the country's sustainable economic growth and improving the welfare of citizens." Also "mutual trust of the state and society, protection of the dignity of citizens and respect for the working man shall be guaranteed, the rights and duties of the citizen shall be balanced, social partnership, economic, political and social solidarity shall be ensured," the amendments say.
On January 23, the State Duma unanimously adopted the bill introduced by the Russian President on amendments to the country's main law in the first reading.
The document in particular provides for expansion of the powers of the parliament and the Constitutional Court of Russia, bans senior officials from having a residence permit in other countries, limits the number of presidential terms, sets the priority of the Constitution over international agreements and strengthens social obligations of the state.
The President’s bill also provides for a nationwide vote on the law on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation. In order to come into force, the amendments must receive the support of more than 50% of the participants in the all-Russian vote.
Putin has repeatedly stressed that changes to the Constitution of the Russian Federation will come into force only if they are approved by citizens.
As expected, the State Duma is expected to hold the second reading on March 10. The all-Russian vote is scheduled for April 22.


tass--2020-03-02--Latvia reports first novel coronavirus case

RIGA , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
The first novel coronavirus case has been recorded in Latvia , the country ’ s Ministry of Health informed the LETA news agency on Monday .
`` The Ministry of Health and the Center for Disease Prevention and Control confirm that the first patient in Latvia has been diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus disease , '' the statement reads .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Besides China , major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in Italy and South Korea .
A total of 71 countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest reports , the death toll in China , which , according to WHO estimates , accounts for the majority of novel coronavirus cases , has climbed to 2,900 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total number of infected people has exceeded 80,000 .

RIGA, March 2. /TASS/. The first novel coronavirus case has been recorded in Latvia, the country’s Ministry of Health informed the LETA news agency on Monday.
"The Ministry of Health and the Center for Disease Prevention and Control confirm that the first patient in Latvia has been diagnosed with the COVID-19 coronavirus disease," the statement reads.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Besides China, major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in Italy and South Korea. A total of 71 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
According to the latest reports, the death toll in China, which, according to WHO estimates, accounts for the majority of novel coronavirus cases, has climbed to 2,900, 44,400 patients have recovered, while the total number of infected people has exceeded 80,000.


tass--2020-03-02--Putin orders to create National Projects monitoring system

MOSCOW , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
President Vladimir Putin tasked the Russian government to ensure establishment of a unified @ @ @ @ @ Projects implementation .
The relevant assignment was posted on the Kremlin ’ s website on @ @ @ @ @ is asked `` to support development of a unified information analytical system for monitoring of @ @ @ @ @ , regional and municipal level and its integration with appropriate state and department information systems @ @ @ @ @ .
The government is also ordered to develop the methodology to organize participation of local @ @ @ @ @ projects to ensure delivery of target indicators of appropriate national projects by September 1 , @ @

MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. President Vladimir Putin tasked the Russian government to ensure establishment of a unified system for monitoring of National Projects implementation. The relevant assignment was posted on the Kremlin’s website on Monday.
The Russian government is asked "to support development of a unified information analytical system for monitoring of national projects implementation at federal, regional and municipal level and its integration with appropriate state and department information systems," the document says.
The government is also ordered to develop the methodology to organize participation of local governments in implementation of regional projects to ensure delivery of target indicators of appropriate national projects by September 1, 2020.


tass--2020-03-02--Saudi Arabia confirms first novel coronavirus case

CAIRO , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
The first novel coronavirus case has been recorded in Saudi Arabia , the @ @ @ @ @ Health reported on Monday .
`` Laboratory tests have confirmed the first novel coronavirus infection @ @ @ @ @ said , explaining that a Saudi citizen who arrived from Iran via Bahrain had tested @ @ @ @ @ .
The patient has been quarantined in a medical institution where he is under medical @ @ @ @ @ individual in question had been in contact with have been identified , the ministry said @

CAIRO, March 2. /TASS/. The first novel coronavirus case has been recorded in Saudi Arabia, the country’s Ministry of Health reported on Monday.
"Laboratory tests have confirmed the first novel coronavirus infection case," the ministry said, explaining that a Saudi citizen who arrived from Iran via Bahrain had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The patient has been quarantined in a medical institution where he is under medical supervision. All those the individual in question had been in contact with have been identified, the ministry said.


tass--2020-03-02--Belarus interested in long-term oil supplies from Azerbaijan

MINSK , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus looks forward to continuation of cooperation with Azerbaijan in oil procurement , @ @ @ @ @ Sergei Rumas said on Monday at the meeting with President of the State Oil Company @ @ @ @ @ ) Rovnag Abdullayev .
`` Belarus is interested in making a long-term contract on supply @ @ @ @ @ plan to refine this oil at the Mozyr Refinery , using the Odessa - Brody @ @ @ @ @ '' Rumas said , cited by the Belarusian news agency BelTA .
SOCAR can supply @ @ @ @ @ of oil to Belarus this year , head of Belneftekhim holding Andrei Rybakov said after @ @ @ @ @ will be increased from year to year .
Volumes for this year are up to @ @ @ @ @ will be determined every month based on economic and logistical components , but this will @ @ @ @ @ , '' the top manager said , cited by BelTA .

MINSK, March 2. /TASS/. Belarus looks forward to continuation of cooperation with Azerbaijan in oil procurement, Prime Minister of the country Sergei Rumas said on Monday at the meeting with President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Rovnag Abdullayev.
"Belarus is interested in making a long-term contract on supply of Azerbaijani oil. We plan to refine this oil at the Mozyr Refinery, using the Odessa - Brody - Mozyr oil pipeline," Rumas said, cited by the Belarusian news agency BelTA.
SOCAR can supply up to 1 mln tonnes of oil to Belarus this year, head of Belneftekhim holding Andrei Rybakov said after the meeting.
"Volumes will be increased from year to year. Volumes for this year are up to 1 mln tonnes. This will be determined every month based on economic and logistical components, but this will be on a standing basis," the top manager said, cited by BelTA.


tass--2020-03-02--Russian military police deployed to Syria’s Saraqib

MOSCOW , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russian military police units have been deployed to Syria ’ s Saraqib to safeguard security and ensure unimpeded movement of motor vehicles and civilians along the M4-M5 highways , the Russian Centre for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria said on Monday .
`` Taking into account the importance of safe and unimpeded movement of motor transport and civilian population along the M4-M5 highways , units of the Russian military police were deployed to the city of Saraqib from 17:00 on March 2 , 2020 , '' the center said .
Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday that the Syrian government army had regained control over Saraqib , a strategically important city located in the east of the Idlib governorate , at the intersection of the highways linking Aleppo and Damascus and Aleppo and Latakia .
After the city was liberated by the Syrian army on February 5 , Ankara , irritated by the Syrian government army ’ s success , demanded Damascus pull its forces to the positions they used to hold in late December 2019 .
Jabhat al-Nusra ( a terrorist group outlawed in Russia ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish army , staged attacks at this section of the frontline on February 11 and 20 to be repelled by Syrian government troops .
More than 250 militants were killed .
The Syrian army was forced to retreat from Saraqib on February 28 after several days of continuous attacks by armed groups backed by covering fire from Turkish forces .

MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. Russian military police units have been deployed to Syria’s Saraqib to safeguard security and ensure unimpeded movement of motor vehicles and civilians along the M4-M5 highways, the Russian Centre for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria said on Monday.
"Taking into account the importance of safe and unimpeded movement of motor transport and civilian population along the M4-M5 highways, units of the Russian military police were deployed to the city of Saraqib from 17:00 on March 2, 2020," the center said.
Syria’s Al-Watan newspaper said earlier on Monday that the Syrian government army had regained control over Saraqib, a strategically important city located in the east of the Idlib governorate, at the intersection of the highways linking Aleppo and Damascus and Aleppo and Latakia. After the city was liberated by the Syrian army on February 5, Ankara, irritated by the Syrian government army’s success, demanded Damascus pull its forces to the positions they used to hold in late December 2019.
Jabhat al-Nusra (a terrorist group outlawed in Russia) and the armed opposition, backed by the Turkish army, staged attacks at this section of the frontline on February 11 and 20 to be repelled by Syrian government troops. More than 250 militants were killed.
The Syrian army was forced to retreat from Saraqib on February 28 after several days of continuous attacks by armed groups backed by covering fire from Turkish forces.


tass--2020-03-02--Ural Airlines reduces charters to Italy because of coronavirus

`` Tour operators optimized their programs in connection with the ban on tour sales , and we accordingly reduced the number of charter flights to Italy , '' the press service said .
YEKATERINBURG , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
Ural Airlines lowered the number of charter flights to Italian destinations in view of the coronavirus spread , press service of the air carrier told TASS on Monday .
The air carrier maintains its scheduled flight program so far , Ural Airlines noted .
According to information posted on the official website of the airlines , the air carrier is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Rimini .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple foci .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from 65 other countries , including Russia .
The most serious situation outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea .
According to the latest update , the number of confirmed cases of the disease in China has exceeded 80,000 , with more than 2,900 people killed by this coronavirus .
More than 44,400 have recovered .

"Tour operators optimized their programs in connection with the ban on tour sales, and we accordingly reduced the number of charter flights to Italy," the press service said.
YEKATERINBURG, March 2. /TASS/. Ural Airlines lowered the number of charter flights to Italian destinations in view of the coronavirus spread, press service of the air carrier told TASS on Monday.
The air carrier maintains its scheduled flight program so far, Ural Airlines noted. According to information posted on the official website of the airlines, the air carrier is flying to Rome, Milan, Venice and Rimini.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple foci.
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from 65 other countries, including Russia. The most serious situation outside China is reported in Italy and South Korea. According to the latest update, the number of confirmed cases of the disease in China has exceeded 80,000, with more than 2,900 people killed by this coronavirus. More than 44,400 have recovered.


tass--2020-03-02--Russian Constitutional Court rules to review activist Konstantin Kotov’s verdict

The Prosecutor ’ s Office asked to reduce Kotov ’ s sentence from four years to 12 months .
The court also received a complaint from the Commissioner for Human Rights , who called the sentence `` overly strict . ''
The defense insists that the sentence must be cancelled as unlawful .
MOSCOW , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
The Second Court of Appeal has redirected the case of activist Konstantin Kotov , previously sentenced to 4 years for repeated violation of rally procedure , to Moscow City Court ’ s appeal department for review .
The Court of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Court ’ s appeal body , which no side sought .
Kotov will remain in custody for two months until the Moscow City Court reviews the complaint , the judge ruled .
Kotov ’ s attorney Anna Stavitskaya says the Court of Appeal ’ s ruling is motivated by unwillingness to `` take responsibility for this case ’ s outcome . ''
On January 27 , the Constitutional Court ruled to review Kotov ’ s verdict .
The Court pointed out that lower courts must study all circumstances of the case and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Article 212.1 of the Criminal Code only if it is conclusively determined that the defendant ’ s actions at a public event carried real threat to public order .
In September 2019 , Kotov was sentenced to four years .
The Investigative Committee disclosed that , for six months , Kotov had been repeatedly fined for rally procedure violations .
Following the sentencing , Kotov ’ s representatives turned to the Constitutional Court , asking to check Article 212.1 , under which he was convicted , for compliance with the Constitution .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was activist Ildar Dadin , who was slapped with a real prison term in 2015 .
Dadin appealed the Article in the Constitutional Court , that ruled to review the sentence , resulting in Dadin ’ s release .
Article 212.1 was proposed for decriminalization , but the idea failed to gain support among the lawmakers .
In 2017 , the Constitutional Court ruled that criminal prosecution for repeated violation of rally rules must be proportional to the infringement .

The Prosecutor’s Office asked to reduce Kotov’s sentence from four years to 12 months. The court also received a complaint from the Commissioner for Human Rights, who called the sentence "overly strict." The defense insists that the sentence must be cancelled as unlawful.
MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. The Second Court of Appeal has redirected the case of activist Konstantin Kotov, previously sentenced to 4 years for repeated violation of rally procedure, to Moscow City Court’s appeal department for review.
The Court of Appeal returned the case to the Moscow City Court’s appeal body, which no side sought. Kotov will remain in custody for two months until the Moscow City Court reviews the complaint, the judge ruled.
Kotov’s attorney Anna Stavitskaya says the Court of Appeal’s ruling is motivated by unwillingness to "take responsibility for this case’s outcome."
Sentence
On January 27, the Constitutional Court ruled to review Kotov’s verdict. The Court pointed out that lower courts must study all circumstances of the case and sentence defendants to prison in accordance with Article 212.1 of the Criminal Code only if it is conclusively determined that the defendant’s actions at a public event carried real threat to public order.
In September 2019, Kotov was sentenced to four years. The Investigative Committee disclosed that, for six months, Kotov had been repeatedly fined for rally procedure violations. Following the sentencing, Kotov’s representatives turned to the Constitutional Court, asking to check Article 212.1, under which he was convicted, for compliance with the Constitution.
The first man sentenced by the same Article was activist Ildar Dadin, who was slapped with a real prison term in 2015. Dadin appealed the Article in the Constitutional Court, that ruled to review the sentence, resulting in Dadin’s release. Article 212.1 was proposed for decriminalization, but the idea failed to gain support among the lawmakers. In 2017, the Constitutional Court ruled that criminal prosecution for repeated violation of rally rules must be proportional to the infringement.


tass--2020-03-02--Hainan Airlines to resume 2,000 more flights suspended amid coronavirus

HAIKOU , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
Hainan Airlines plans to resume another 2,000 flights that were previously suspended amid coronavirus outbreak this week , Xinhua reported on Monday , citing the airline .
The decision comes as authorities see an improvement in the epidemiological situation both in the Hainan Province and in China 's other regions .
The company , first of all , intends to resume flights to the busiest and most popular cities such as Shenyang , Ningbo , Taiyuan and Guangzhou to help businesses get back to normal .
Hainan Airlines resumed over 450 flights last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charter flights for government agencies and enterprises since February 19 , thus contributing to the general efforts in resuming normal production activity across the country amid an improvement in the epidemiological situation .
Hainan Airlines has also developed special preferential programs for doctors , including discounts on tickets , simplified procedures for cargo clearance and check-in , as well as full compensation for the cost of the ticket in case of cancellation .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple foci .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from 67 other countries , including Russia .
The most serious situation outside China is reported in Italy and South Korea .
According to the latest update , the number of confirmed cases of the disease in China has exceeded 80,000 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
More than 44,400 have recovered .

HAIKOU, March 2. /TASS/. Hainan Airlines plans to resume another 2,000 flights that were previously suspended amid coronavirus outbreak this week, Xinhua reported on Monday, citing the airline.
The decision comes as authorities see an improvement in the epidemiological situation both in the Hainan Province and in China's other regions. The company, first of all, intends to resume flights to the busiest and most popular cities such as Shenyang, Ningbo, Taiyuan and Guangzhou to help businesses get back to normal.
Hainan Airlines resumed over 450 flights last week. Moreover, the airline launched charter flights for government agencies and enterprises since February 19, thus contributing to the general efforts in resuming normal production activity across the country amid an improvement in the epidemiological situation. Hainan Airlines has also developed special preferential programs for doctors, including discounts on tickets, simplified procedures for cargo clearance and check-in, as well as full compensation for the cost of the ticket in case of cancellation.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple foci.
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from 67 other countries, including Russia. The most serious situation outside China is reported in Italy and South Korea. According to the latest update, the number of confirmed cases of the disease in China has exceeded 80,000, with more than 2,900 people killed by this coronavirus. More than 44,400 have recovered.


tass--2020-03-02--Former USSR Deputy Minister of Defense dies in car accident in Moscow

MOSCOW , March 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russian General Vladimir Shuralyov , who served as Deputy Minister of Defense of the Soviet Union between 1990 and 1991 , died in a car accident in Moscow , Military Commanders Club head Nikolay Deryabin told TASS .
`` On March 1 , Vladimir Shuralyov was hit by a car .
He was taken to hospital but succumbed to deadly injuries , '' he said .
Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu has expressed condolences from the Russian Government to Shuralyov ’ s relatives in a message .
`` It was an honorable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a true patriot of the Homeland .
Resilient , brave , loyal to his country and military duty , he dedicated all his power , experience and knowledge to boosting the Armed Forces and bolstering our country ’ s military might , '' the Minister said .
In the meantime , the Investigative Committee ’ s Moscow Department requested materials on Shuralyov ’ s death in a bid to determine all circumstances , the Department ’ s Main Investigative Directorate spokeswoman Yulia Ivanova said .
Shuralyov was born in 1935 in Kovrov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was conscripted to the Soviet Army .
He graduated from the Tashkent Tank Command School in 1958 .
He commanded a squad , and later a company of Soviet forces in Germany .
In 1965 , he graduated from the Tank Forces Military Academy and in 1975 — from the General Staff Military Academy .
Since 1985 , he commanded forces of the Belarusian military district .
Between 1990 and 1991 , he served as the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Soviet Union .
In 1992 , he was dismissed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked as the lead analyst of the Military Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense .

MOSCOW, March 2. /TASS/. Russian General Vladimir Shuralyov, who served as Deputy Minister of Defense of the Soviet Union between 1990 and 1991, died in a car accident in Moscow, Military Commanders Club head Nikolay Deryabin told TASS.
"On March 1, Vladimir Shuralyov was hit by a car. He was taken to hospital but succumbed to deadly injuries," he said.
Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu has expressed condolences from the Russian Government to Shuralyov’s relatives in a message.
"It was an honorable, outstanding man, a brilliant officer and a true patriot of the Homeland. Resilient, brave, loyal to his country and military duty, he dedicated all his power, experience and knowledge to boosting the Armed Forces and bolstering our country’s military might," the Minister said.
In the meantime, the Investigative Committee’s Moscow Department requested materials on Shuralyov’s death in a bid to determine all circumstances, the Department’s Main Investigative Directorate spokeswoman Yulia Ivanova said.
Shuralyov was born in 1935 in Kovrov, Vladimir Region. In 1955, he was conscripted to the Soviet Army. He graduated from the Tashkent Tank Command School in 1958. He commanded a squad, and later a company of Soviet forces in Germany. In 1965, he graduated from the Tank Forces Military Academy and in 1975 — from the General Staff Military Academy. Since 1985, he commanded forces of the Belarusian military district.
Between 1990 and 1991, he served as the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Soviet Union. In 1992, he was dismissed in reserve. Up until recently, he worked as the lead analyst of the Military Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense.