tass--2020-02-05--First plane carrying Russia’s humanitarian aid arrives in Wuhan — media

According to the website , five Russian medical specialists who will be working on a coronavirus vaccine together with Chinese experts arrived in Wuhan on board the plane as well .
BEIJING , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
The first Russian aircraft carrying humanitarian aid has arrived in China ’ s Wuhan , the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak , SINA news website reported on Wednesday .
Number of people infected with new coronavirus in China surpasses 24,300 On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a large economic and industrial metropolis in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries , including Russia .
On January 30 , the World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .
According to the latest data , the number of people infected with novel coronavirus pneumonia in China exceeded 24,300 people , 491 people died , while @ @ @ @

According to the website, five Russian medical specialists who will be working on a coronavirus vaccine together with Chinese experts arrived in Wuhan on board the plane as well.
BEIJING, February 5. /TASS/. The first Russian aircraft carrying humanitarian aid has arrived in China’s Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, SINA news website reported on Wednesday.
Number of people infected with new coronavirus in China surpasses 24,300
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large economic and industrial metropolis in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries, including Russia. On January 30, the World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.
According to the latest data, the number of people infected with novel coronavirus pneumonia in China exceeded 24,300 people, 491 people died, while 892 others recovered.


tass--2020-02-05--Highlander Partners announces the signing of a definitive agreement to sell Akomex Group

WARSAW , Poland , Feb. 4 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlander Partners , L.P. , a leading middle market private investment firm based in Dallas , Texas , with offices in Central Europe , announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell Akomex Group , subject to approval from the Polish antimonopoly agency ( UOKiK ) .
Akomex is one of the leading manufacturers of packaging in Central Europe , specializing in high-quality solid cardboard , leaflets , labels , trays and laminated sheets for the pharmaceutical , food , electronics , technology , personal care and home appliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and founded in 1993 , maintains two manufacturing operations in Poland and one converting operation in Denmark , producing over 1.8 billion items per year .
The company is being acquired by Sebastian Śliwa , the co-founder of Akomex and a current minority shareholder , jointly with the management and support from AMC Capital IV S.c.Sp.
, a fund advised by Mezzanine Management .
Highlander acquired controlling interest in Akomex in 2010 , undertaking a significant capacity expansion through new facilities and state-of-the-art production equipment in Starogard Gdanski , Poland .
In 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aleksandrów Kujawski , Poland , to further diversify its offerings into pharmaceutical packaging .
This acquisition was followed by the acquisition of Danish packaging producer , Planopack of Herning , Denmark , in 2018 .
The combination of these three companies created one of the largest packaging companies in Central Europe , serving many of the world 's leading food and pharmaceutical producers .
`` After more than nine years and two significant add-on acquisitions , including a take-private transaction , we are very pleased with the results and outcome of the Akomex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an incredible job of integrating the businesses into a leading packaging concern , serving the biggest names in the food and pharmaceutical industries , '' stated Artur Dzagarow , Managing Partner of the Highlander Warsaw office .
`` Akomex is a perfect example of the patient capital approach that Highlander undertakes .
We have owned Akomex since 2010 , and we have significantly expanded its facilities and capabilities through capital investment , invested in professional management and completed very significant and strategic acquisitions , '' added Jeff L. Hull , Highlander President and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very pleased with the job that Grzegorz Łajca , President and CEO of Akomex Group , and his team have done in making Akomex a leader in Central Europe .
We wish them and Sebastian the best in their future endeavors .
We believe that Akomex is very well situated to succeed in the future . ''
Rothschild & Co ( Rothschild & Co Polska - www.rothschildandco.com ) acted as exclusive financial advisor to Highlander and GESSEL ( www.gessel.pl ) as Highlander 's legal adviser .
CIC Corporate Finance ( www.cic.pl ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Śliwa and Mezzanine Management .
Baker & McKenzie ( www.bakermckenzie.com ) and Norton Rose ( www.nortonrosefulbright.com ) acted as legal advisers .
Additionally , EY performed due-diligence analysis .
About Highlander Partners Highlander Partners , L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with over $ 2 billion of assets under management .
The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience , including basic manufacturing , food , chemicals , building materials , consumer products , and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and build '' investment approach , creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions .
For more information , visit www.highlander-partners.com .
About Mezzanine Management Mezzanine Management is currently investing from Accession Mezzanine Capital IV , which closed on €264 million in 2018 and is the firm 's largest vehicle to-date .
The firm is adding a direct lending strategy to its regional private debt platform to address the growing yet underserved opportunity in its core market of Central Europe .
Mezzanine Management is the exclusive advisor to the Accession Mezzanine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investments exceed €700m .
Mezzanine Management has been operating in Central and Eastern Europe since 2000 through its offices in Vienna , Warsaw , Bucharest , Budapest and Prague .
The funds ' investment portfolio is diverse , with more than 50 transactions across 12 countries in CEE .
The funds are backed by reputable institutional investors , including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development , the European Investment Fund and a number of banks , funds of funds , pension funds and insurance companies .
For more information , visit www.mezzmanagement.com @

WARSAW, Poland, Feb. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlander Partners, L.P., a leading middle market private investment firm based in Dallas, Texas, with offices in Central Europe, announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell Akomex Group, subject to approval from the Polish antimonopoly agency (UOKiK). Akomex is one of the leading manufacturers of packaging in Central Europe, specializing in high-quality solid cardboard, leaflets, labels, trays and laminated sheets for the pharmaceutical, food, electronics, technology, personal care and home appliance sectors. Akomex, headquartered in Poland and founded in 1993, maintains two manufacturing operations in Poland and one converting operation in Denmark, producing over 1.8 billion items per year.
The company is being acquired by Sebastian Śliwa, the co-founder of Akomex and a current minority shareholder, jointly with the management and support from AMC Capital IV S.c.Sp., a fund advised by Mezzanine Management.
Highlander acquired controlling interest in Akomex in 2010, undertaking a significant capacity expansion through new facilities and state-of-the-art production equipment in Starogard Gdanski, Poland. In 2014, Akomex acquired, Druk Pak in Aleksandrów Kujawski, Poland, to further diversify its offerings into pharmaceutical packaging. This acquisition was followed by the acquisition of Danish packaging producer, Planopack of Herning, Denmark, in 2018. The combination of these three companies created one of the largest packaging companies in Central Europe, serving many of the world's leading food and pharmaceutical producers.
"After more than nine years and two significant add-on acquisitions, including a take-private transaction, we are very pleased with the results and outcome of the Akomex Group. The management team has done an incredible job of integrating the businesses into a leading packaging concern, serving the biggest names in the food and pharmaceutical industries," stated Artur Dzagarow, Managing Partner of the Highlander Warsaw office.
"Akomex is a perfect example of the patient capital approach that Highlander undertakes. We have owned Akomex since 2010, and we have significantly expanded its facilities and capabilities through capital investment, invested in professional management and completed very significant and strategic acquisitions," added Jeff L. Hull, Highlander President and CEO. Hull continued, "We are very pleased with the job that Grzegorz Łajca, President and CEO of Akomex Group, and his team have done in making Akomex a leader in Central Europe. We wish them and Sebastian the best in their future endeavors. We believe that Akomex is very well situated to succeed in the future."
Rothschild & Co (Rothschild & Co Polska - www.rothschildandco.com) acted as exclusive financial advisor to Highlander and GESSEL (www.gessel.pl) as Highlander's legal adviser.
CIC Corporate Finance (www.cic.pl) acted as a transaction adviser to Sebastian Śliwa and Mezzanine Management. Baker & McKenzie (www.bakermckenzie.com) and Norton Rose (www.nortonrosefulbright.com) acted as legal advisers. Additionally, EY performed due-diligence analysis.
About Highlander Partners
Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with over $2 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including basic manufacturing, food, chemicals, building materials, consumer products, and others. Highlander Partners uses a "buy and build" investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.
About Mezzanine Management
Mezzanine Management is currently investing from Accession Mezzanine Capital IV, which closed on €264 million in 2018 and is the firm's largest vehicle to-date. The firm is adding a direct lending strategy to its regional private debt platform to address the growing yet underserved opportunity in its core market of Central Europe. Mezzanine Management is the exclusive advisor to the Accession Mezzanine Capital group of funds, whose total investments exceed €700m. Mezzanine Management has been operating in Central and Eastern Europe since 2000 through its offices in Vienna, Warsaw, Bucharest, Budapest and Prague. The funds' investment portfolio is diverse, with more than 50 transactions across 12 countries in CEE. The funds are backed by reputable institutional investors, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Fund and a number of banks, funds of funds, pension funds and insurance companies. For more information, visit www.mezzmanagement.com.
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/85592/highlander_partners_logo.jpg
CONTACT: Artur Dzagarow, ADzagarow@highlander-partners.com


tass--2020-02-05--Two Russian citizens aboard Japanese cruise ship with confirmed coronavirus cases

According to Japan 's Ministry of Health , Labor and Welfare , there are citizens of over 50 countries aboard the cruise ship .
`` According to the Japanese authorities , two Russian citizens are on board the cruise ship near Yokohama .
The embassy is taking measures to clarify the situation with our citizens and is ready to provide them assistance , '' the embassy said .
TOKYO , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
Two Russian citizens are on board Japan 's Diamond Princess cruise ship where 10 people tested positive for the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV , the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The cruise ship left Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3 .
On the way , the ship stopped at ports on the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Kyushu , as well as in Hong Kong and Vietnam .
The 80-year-old man who was initially infected with the coronavirus remained on the ship on January 20-25 , and he left the ship in Hong Kong .
He was hospitalized as well , and his condition is stable .
The Japanese authorities said that the cruise ship should remain anchored near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the passengers and confirmed 10 cases of the new coronavrus .
The patients were hospitalized in Kanagawa prefecture , and their condition is stable .
So far , 23 cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in Japan .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest reports , over 24,300 people were infected with the new coronavirus , and the death toll surpassed 490 .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .

According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, there are citizens of over 50 countries aboard the cruise ship.
"According to the Japanese authorities, two Russian citizens are on board the cruise ship near Yokohama. The embassy is taking measures to clarify the situation with our citizens and is ready to provide them assistance," the embassy said.
TOKYO, February 5. /TASS/. Two Russian citizens are on board Japan's Diamond Princess cruise ship where 10 people tested positive for the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV, the Russian Embassy in Tokyo told TASS on Wednesday.
The cruise ship left Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3. On the way, the ship stopped at ports on the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Kyushu, as well as in Hong Kong and Vietnam. The 80-year-old man who was initially infected with the coronavirus remained on the ship on January 20-25, and he left the ship in Hong Kong. He was hospitalized as well, and his condition is stable.
The Japanese authorities said that the cruise ship should remain anchored near Yokohama. Doctors performed medical exams on the passengers and confirmed 10 cases of the new coronavrus. The patients were hospitalized in Kanagawa prefecture, and their condition is stable.
So far, 23 cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in Japan.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to the latest reports, over 24,300 people were infected with the new coronavirus, and the death toll surpassed 490.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.


tass--2020-02-05--Portfolio of orders for Russian arms supplies to India exceeds $15 bln in 3 years

LUCKNOW /India/ , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
The portfolio of orders for Russian arms supplies to India has exceeded @ @ @ @ @ past three years , Deputy Director of Russia ’ s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday at the DefExpo 2020 international defense exhibition in Lucknow , India .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ 15 bln over the past three years .
If we talk about the volume of @ @ @ @ @ , since 1991 , this volume has amounted to about $ 70 bln , '' @ @ @ @ @ India are implementing a number of major joint projects in military-technical cooperation .
In particular @ @ @ @ @ Su-30MKI fighters , T-90S tanks and BrahMos cruise missiles has been launched in India .
@ @ @ @ @ production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles ( the localization of production will reach 100 % @ @ @ @ @ have been registered in India with the assistance of Russia ’ s Federal Service for @ @ @ @ @ corporation .

LUCKNOW /India/, February 5. /TASS/. The portfolio of orders for Russian arms supplies to India has exceeded $15 bln over the past three years, Deputy Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Vladimir Drozhzhov told reporters on Wednesday at the DefExpo 2020 international defense exhibition in Lucknow, India.
"The order portfolio has exceeded $15 bln over the past three years. If we talk about the volume of contracted products, that is, since 1991, this volume has amounted to about $70 bln," he said.
Russia and India are implementing a number of major joint projects in military-technical cooperation. In particular, the production of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters, T-90S tanks and BrahMos cruise missiles has been launched in India. The joint ventures for the production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles (the localization of production will reach 100%) and Kamov Ka-226T helicopters have been registered in India with the assistance of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation and the Rostec corporation.


tass--2020-02-05--Japanese cruise ship with coronavirus cases on board to be quarantined for 2 weeks

`` We plan to take all necessary measures to disinfect the ship 's premises and prevent the spread of the virus .
Moreover , we think that the ship needs to be quarantined for 14 days starting from February 5 , and that people should stay on the ship , '' the minister said .
TOKYO , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
The Japanese cruise ship Diamond Princess where 10 people tested positive for the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV will be quarantined for two weeks , Japan 's Minister of Health , Labor and Welfare Katsunobu Kato told a press conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3 .
On the way , the ship stopped at ports on the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Kyushu , as well as in Hong Kong and Vietnam .
The 80-year-old man who was initially infected with the coronavirus remained on the ship on January 20-25 , and he left the ship in Hong Kong .
He was hospitalized as well , and his condition is stable .
The Japanese authorities said that the cruise ship should remain anchored near Yokohama .
Doctors performed medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the new coronavrus .
The patients were hospitalized in Kanagawa prefecture , and their condition is stable .
So far , 23 cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in Japan .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were infected witht the new coronavirus , and the death toll surpassed 490 .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .

"We plan to take all necessary measures to disinfect the ship's premises and prevent the spread of the virus. Moreover, we think that the ship needs to be quarantined for 14 days starting from February 5, and that people should stay on the ship," the minister said.
TOKYO, February 5. /TASS/. The Japanese cruise ship Diamond Princess where 10 people tested positive for the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV will be quarantined for two weeks, Japan's Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Katsunobu Kato told a press conference on Wednesday.
The cruise ship left Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3. On the way, the ship stopped at ports on the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Kyushu, as well as in Hong Kong and Vietnam. The 80-year-old man who was initially infected with the coronavirus remained on the ship on January 20-25, and he left the ship in Hong Kong. He was hospitalized as well, and his condition is stable.
The Japanese authorities said that the cruise ship should remain anchored near Yokohama. Doctors performed medical exams on the passengers and confirmed 10 cases of the new coronavrus. The patients were hospitalized in Kanagawa prefecture, and their condition is stable.
So far, 23 cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in Japan.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to the latest reports, over 23,600 people were infected witht the new coronavirus, and the death toll surpassed 490.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.


tass--2020-02-05--Ten people on Japanese cruise ship test positive for new coronavirus — ministry

TOKYO , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
Ten people on the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV , Japan 's Ministry of Health , Labor and Welfare reported on Wednesday .
`` We have completed medical examination of all passengers and crew members .
All 273 people who had any contact with the infected people or who had any symptoms of the virus , were tested .
At the moment , we have received the results of 31 people , and ten of them tested positive , '' minister Katsunobu Katu told a press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and crewmembers on board the cruise ship .
Katsunobu said that all those infected with the coronavirus were hospitalized , and their conditions is stable .
They were brought to the shore by a coast guard ship since the cruise ship was not yet allowed to enter the port .
Patients were hospitalized in Kanagawa prefecture .
The cruise ship left Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3 .
On the way , the ship stopped at ports on the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Kyushu , as well as in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who was initially infected with the coronavirus remained on the ship on January 20-25 , and he left the ship in Hong Kong .
He was hospitalized as well , and his condition is stable .
So far , 23 cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in Japan .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .

TOKYO, February 5. /TASS/. Ten people on the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare reported on Wednesday.
"We have completed medical examination of all passengers and crew members. All 273 people who had any contact with the infected people or who had any symptoms of the virus, were tested. At the moment, we have received the results of 31 people, and ten of them tested positive," minister Katsunobu Katu told a press conference.
There are currently 3,700 passengers and crewmembers on board the cruise ship. Katsunobu said that all those infected with the coronavirus were hospitalized, and their conditions is stable. They were brought to the shore by a coast guard ship since the cruise ship was not yet allowed to enter the port. Patients were hospitalized in Kanagawa prefecture.
The cruise ship left Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3. On the way, the ship stopped at ports on the Japanese islands of Okinawa and Kyushu, as well as in Hong Kong and Vietnam. The 80-year-old man who was initially infected with the coronavirus remained on the ship on January 20-25, and he left the ship in Hong Kong. He was hospitalized as well, and his condition is stable.
So far, 23 cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in Japan.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.


tass--2020-02-05--Number of people infected with new coronavirus in China surpasses 24,300

Death toll from new coronavirus in China 's Hubei province climbs to 479 — media BEIJING , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people infected with the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China has surpassed 24,300 , and the death toll has climbed to 490 , China 's National Health Commission reported on Wednesday .
Earlier on Wednesday , the Wangyi news portal reported citing regional authorities that over 23,600 people were infected with the new coronavirus , and the death toll climbed to 491 ( including one lethal case in Hong Kong ) .
Over 185,500 people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the commission , 846 people have recovered after contracting the new coronavirus .
Most people infected with 2019-nCoV are reported from Hubei province ( 16,600 ) , where the death toll from the new coronavirus climbed to 479 .
In Zhejiang province , 829 people were infected , in Guangdong province — 813 people , in Beijing — 228 people ( one person died ) , in Heilongjiang province bordering Russia v 155 people ( two people died ) , and in Inner Mongolia province bordering Russia — 35 people .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .

BEIJING, February 5. /TASS/. The number of people infected with the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China has surpassed 24,300, and the death toll has climbed to 490, China's National Health Commission reported on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Wangyi news portal reported citing regional authorities that over 23,600 people were infected with the new coronavirus, and the death toll climbed to 491 (including one lethal case in Hong Kong).
Over 185,500 people in China remain under medical supervision.
According to the commission, 846 people have recovered after contracting the new coronavirus. Most people infected with 2019-nCoV are reported from Hubei province (16,600), where the death toll from the new coronavirus climbed to 479. In Zhejiang province, 829 people were infected, in Guangdong province — 813 people, in Beijing — 228 people (one person died), in Heilongjiang province bordering Russia v 155 people (two people died), and in Inner Mongolia province bordering Russia — 35 people.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.


tass--2020-02-05--Death toll from new coronavirus in China's Hubei province climbs to 479 — media

BEIJING , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China 's Hubei province has climbed to 479 , China Central Television reported on Wednesday .
On Tuesday , reports said that 414 people died from the new coronavirus in Hubei .
According to latest reports , over 16,600 people in Hubei province were infected with the new coronavirus .
However , the number of people who recovered after contracting the coronavirus ( 520 people ) has for the first time surpassed the number of people who died from 2019-nCoV .
On December 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According to latest reports , over 20,400 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China , and the death toll surpassed 420 .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

BEIJING, February 5. /TASS/. The death toll from the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China's Hubei province has climbed to 479, China Central Television reported on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, reports said that 414 people died from the new coronavirus in Hubei.
According to latest reports, over 16,600 people in Hubei province were infected with the new coronavirus. However, the number of people who recovered after contracting the coronavirus (520 people) has for the first time surpassed the number of people who died from 2019-nCoV.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to latest reports, over 20,400 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China, and the death toll surpassed 420.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.


tass--2020-02-05--Evacuees from China to Russia do not have coronavirus symptoms, says watchdog

YEKATERINBURG , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Among citizens of Russia , member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ) and Ukraine evacuated from China 's Wuhan , no one exhibits symptoms of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV , head of the Russian consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova told a briefing on Tuesday .
Two planes of the Russian Aerospace Forces have flown to China to evacuate people to Russia 's Tyumen region .
According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova , 147 people will be evacuated to Russia from China , including 10 Belarusian citizens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Armenia and one Ukrainian citizen .
`` I want to note that it is impossible at the moment to evacuate people with clinical signs of the virus from Wuhan .
Among those on board the planes headed to Russia are only those people who are clinically healthy as of today , '' Popova said .
She added that among those evacuated from China to Russia 's Tyumen region are several children .
`` There are children on board , families with children of various ages , and it is very important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight , '' she noted .
Popova said that the territory of the medical center in Tyumen where people evacuated from China will stay for two weeks upon arrival to Russia , will be guarded by the Russian National Guards .
`` Two lines of fences have been set up at the medical center , and the area will be guarded by the Russian National Guards , '' she said .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
According to latest reports , over 20,400 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China , and the death toll surpassed 420 .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .

YEKATERINBURG, February 4. /TASS/. Among citizens of Russia, member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Ukraine evacuated from China's Wuhan, no one exhibits symptoms of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV, head of the Russian consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova told a briefing on Tuesday.
Two planes of the Russian Aerospace Forces have flown to China to evacuate people to Russia's Tyumen region. According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, 147 people will be evacuated to Russia from China, including 10 Belarusian citizens, three citizens of Kazakhstan, one citizen of Armenia and one Ukrainian citizen.
"I want to note that it is impossible at the moment to evacuate people with clinical signs of the virus from Wuhan. Among those on board the planes headed to Russia are only those people who are clinically healthy as of today," Popova said.
She added that among those evacuated from China to Russia's Tyumen region are several children. "There are children on board, families with children of various ages, and it is very important to create comfortable conditions for them during the flight," she noted.
Popova said that the territory of the medical center in Tyumen where people evacuated from China will stay for two weeks upon arrival to Russia, will be guarded by the Russian National Guards. "Two lines of fences have been set up at the medical center, and the area will be guarded by the Russian National Guards," she said.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
According to latest reports, over 20,400 people were infected with the new coronavirus in China, and the death toll surpassed 420.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 24 other countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.


tass--2020-02-06--US Senate votes to acquit Trump on power abuse, obstruction of Congress

WASHINGTON , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
The Senate of the US Congress voted on Wednesday to acquit US President Donald Trump on both articles of impeachment - abuse of power and obstruction of the Congress .
The final vote of Trump ’ s impeachment trial was broadcast live by the Senate ’ s website .
The results of the vote on both charges were below the two-third majority , or approval of 67 senators , which was needed for Trump ’ s conviction and removal from office .
The outcome of the vote is final and can not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted against the first article of the impeachment , 48 - in favor .
The results of the second vote were largely similar , with 53 senators voting against Trump ’ s impeachment and 47 in favor of it .
Former US presidential candidate , Senator Mitt Romney ( Utah ) was the only Republican member who supported the first article .
He became the first senator in the US history who voted in favor of removing his fellow party member from the presidential post .
It was also expected that at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would vote against the impeachment , but this did not happen .
The results of the vote were not surprising , given the fact that the Republic party holds 53 seats in the Senate out of 100 .
The current row in the United States flared up over Trump ’ s telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart , Vladimir Zelensky .
The Democratic Party-controlled House of Representatives launched an impeachment procedure against the US leader on September 4 .
The Democrats argued that Trump tried to persuade Zelensky to investigate the activities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son in Ukraine in exchange for financial and military assistance to Kiev .
Biden is one of Trump ’ s most likely rivals in the presidential election due in November 2020 .
The Democrats claim that the incumbent president exerted pressure on Zelensky with the aim of securing Kiev ’ s support in efforts to discredit Biden , thus improving his chances of being re-elected for a second term .
Zelensky said Trump had never exerted pressure on him .
The impeachment procedure was led by the Chairman of the US Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House of Representatives acted as a party to the prosecution , and senators played the role of a jury .
Trump has become the fourth US head of state to face the impeachment procedure , after Andrew Johnson ( 1868 ) , Richard Nixon ( 1974 ) and Bill Clinton ( 1998-1999 ) .
Johnson and Clinton were acquitted ; Nixon stepped down before the start of the hearings .

WASHINGTON, February 6. /TASS/. The Senate of the US Congress voted on Wednesday to acquit US President Donald Trump on both articles of impeachment - abuse of power and obstruction of the Congress.
The final vote of Trump’s impeachment trial was broadcast live by the Senate’s website.
The results of the vote on both charges were below the two-third majority, or approval of 67 senators, which was needed for Trump’s conviction and removal from office. The outcome of the vote is final and cannot be appealed.
A total of 52 senators voted against the first article of the impeachment, 48 - in favor. The results of the second vote were largely similar, with 53 senators voting against Trump’s impeachment and 47 in favor of it. Former US presidential candidate, Senator Mitt Romney (Utah) was the only Republican member who supported the first article. He became the first senator in the US history who voted in favor of removing his fellow party member from the presidential post. It was also expected that at least one moderate member of the Democratic party would vote against the impeachment, but this did not happen.
The results of the vote were not surprising, given the fact that the Republic party holds 53 seats in the Senate out of 100.
Trump said in a Twitter post he would make a statement on the issue on Thursday.
"I will be making a public statement tomorrow at 12:00pm from the WhiteHouse to discuss our Country’s VICTORY on the Impeachment Hoax!" Trump wrote.
Republicans rejoice
The Democratic Party of the United States attempted to tamper with the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the upcoming presidential vote by trying to impeach President Donald Trump, the US leader’s campaign office said shortly after his acquittal.
"This terrible ordeal was always a campaign tactic to invalidate the 2016 votes of 63 million Americans and was a transparent effort to interfere with the 2020 election only nine months away," reads the statement, signed by Brad Parscale, Trump 2020 campaign manager.
The statement also claims that Democrats "know they can’t beat him [Trump], so they had to impeach him."
"This impeachment hoax will go down as the worst miscalculation in American political history," the statement says.
A similar statement was issued by the White House shortly after.
"This entire effort by the Democrats was aimed at overturning the results of the 2016 election and interfering with the 2020 election," the document says.
"Today, the sham impeachment attempt concocted by Democrats ended in the full vindication and exoneration of President Donald J. Trump. As we have said all along, he is not guilty," the White House said. "The Senate voted to reject the baseless articles of impeachment, and only the President’s political opponents - all Democrats, and one failed Republican presidential candidate - voted for the manufactured impeachment articles."
According to the White House, attempting to deprive the president of his due process rights "has now become a consistent tradition for Democrats."
The document says that Rep. Adam Schiff, the head of the House Intelligence Committee and one of those who initiated the process, "lied to Congress and the American people with a totally made up statement about the President’s phone call."
"Speaker Nancy Pelosi also lied to the American people about the need to swiftly pass impeachment articles they dreamt up, only to sit on them for a month before sending over to the Senate," the statement reads. "In the Senate, the Democrats continued to make their political motivations clear - Rep. Schiff proclaimed the issues ‘cannot be decided at the ballot box’ - proving once again they think they know better than the voters of this country."
"Throughout this wholly corrupt process, President Trump successfully advanced the interests of the United States and remained focused on the issues that matter to Americans," the White House added. "The President is pleased to put this latest chapter of shameful behavior by the Democrats in the past, and looks forward to continuing his work on behalf of the American people in 2020 and beyond."
Democrats angered
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi accused Republican senators, who voted to acquit President Donald Trump of impeachment charges on Wednesday, of betraying the American constitution.
"Sadly, because of the Republican Senate’s betrayal of the Constitution, the President remains an ongoing threat to American democracy, with his insistence that he is above the law and that he can corrupt the elections if he wants to," Pelosi said in a statement, posted on her website.
"Our Founders put safeguards in the Constitution to protect against a rogue president," she continued. "They never imagined that they would at the same time have a rogue leader in the Senate who would cowardly abandon his duty to uphold the Constitution."
"Today, the President and Senate Republicans have normalized lawlessness and rejected the system of checks and balances of our Constitution," she added.
"In December, the House defended democracy by passing two articles of impeachment to hold the President accountable," the House speaker said. "The House will continue to protect and defend the checks and balances in the Constitution that safeguard our Republic, both in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion. Democrats will continue to defend our democracy For The People."
Trump's impeachment saga
The current row in the United States flared up over Trump’s telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Vladimir Zelensky. The Democratic Party-controlled House of Representatives launched an impeachment procedure against the US leader on September 4. The Democrats argued that Trump tried to persuade Zelensky to investigate the activities of former US Vice-President Joseph Biden and his son in Ukraine in exchange for financial and military assistance to Kiev.
Biden is one of Trump’s most likely rivals in the presidential election due in November 2020. The Democrats claim that the incumbent president exerted pressure on Zelensky with the aim of securing Kiev’s support in efforts to discredit Biden, thus improving his chances of being re-elected for a second term. Zelensky said Trump had never exerted pressure on him.
The impeachment procedure was led by the Chairman of the US Supreme Court. For more than two weeks, the House of Representatives acted as a party to the prosecution, and senators played the role of a jury.
Trump has become the fourth US head of state to face the impeachment procedure, after Andrew Johnson (1868), Richard Nixon (1974) and Bill Clinton (1998-1999). Johnson and Clinton were acquitted; Nixon stepped down before the start of the hearings.


tass--2020-02-06--At least one dead in rough landing at Istanbul airport — health minister

ANKARA , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
At least one person was killed when a plane of Turkey ’ s @ @ @ @ @ at an airport of Istanbul , Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ Sabiha Gokcen International Airport left one person dead and 157 injured , '' Turkey ’ @ @ @ @ @ official as saying .
The victim is a national of Turkey .
Earlier reports said @ @ @ @ @ but none was killed .
The Russian Consulate General in Istanbul earlier told TASS that @ @ @ @ @ .
A Boeing 737-800 plane en route from Izmir to Istanbul , crash-landed at Istanbul @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
The aircraft skidded off the runway , split in three and caught @ @

ANKARA, February 6. /TASS/. At least one person was killed when a plane of Turkey’s low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines crash-landed at an airport of Istanbul, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Wednesday.
"The incident at the Sabiha Gokcen International Airport left one person dead and 157 injured," Turkey’s NTV channel quoted the official as saying.
The victim is a national of Turkey.
Earlier reports said 139 people were injured, but none was killed.
The Russian Consulate General in Istanbul earlier told TASS that no Russians were on board.
A Boeing 737-800 plane en route from Izmir to Istanbul, crash-landed at Istanbul’s Sabiaha Gokcen airport on Wednesday. The aircraft skidded off the runway, split in three and caught fire.


tass--2020-02-06--No plans yet to stop issuing visas for Chinese nationals — Russia’s Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has no plans yet to stop issuing visas for Chinese citizens as a preventive measure against the spread of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov said in an interview with Kommersant daily published on Wednesday .
`` As far as I know , as of today , such measures have not been planned , '' Ivanov said when asked about a possible ban on issuance of Russian visas for Chinese nationals .
`` Let me remind you that we have set up an emergency committee for prevention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
[ The center ] is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova .
Among other [ members ] , a representative of the Foreign Ministry sits on it .
The center monitors the situation in real time and takes decisions based on incoming information , '' he explained .
The Russian government commissioned earlier to suspend the issuance of work visas to Chinese nationals and bar Chinese from crossing the border between Russia and Mongolia .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wuhan , an economic and industrial metropolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus - 2019-nCoV - was identified on January 7 , 2020 .
Apart from China , 24 other countries , 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 , China has confirmed 24,300 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The virus ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet more than 900 patients have recovered from the disease .

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. Russia has no plans yet to stop issuing visas for Chinese citizens as a preventive measure against the spread of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov said in an interview with Kommersant daily published on Wednesday.
"As far as I know, as of today, such measures have not been planned," Ivanov said when asked about a possible ban on issuance of Russian visas for Chinese nationals.
"Let me remind you that we have set up an emergency committee for prevention of entry and spread of the coronavirus infection. [The center] is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova. Among other [members], a representative of the Foreign Ministry sits on it. The center monitors the situation in real time and takes decisions based on incoming information," he explained.
The Russian government commissioned earlier to suspend the issuance of work visas to Chinese nationals and bar Chinese from crossing the border between Russia and Mongolia.
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 metropolis with a population of 11 million. The virus - 2019-nCoV - was identified on January 7, 2020. Apart from China, 24 other countries, 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, China has confirmed 24,300 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has now neared 500, yet more than 900 patients have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-02-06--Munich to host Follow-up Committee on Libya on February 16 — Maas

BERLIN , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
Munich will host on February 16 the first meeting of the Follow-up Committee implementing the decisions of the Berlin conference on Libya , German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday .
`` The start of the talks with both conflict parties is a good sign .
Together with the UN , we will keep working on the implementation of the Berlin results .
In this regard , we will host the 1st meeting of the Follow-up Committee on 16 February in Munich , '' the German Foreign Office wrote on Twitter citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will host the 56th Munich Security Conference , which will bring together more than 450 politicians , experts , business and public representatives .
The organizers expect at least 18 heads of state and government and about 70 foreign and defense ministers to attend the conference .
On January 19 , Berlin hosted a conference on Libya at the head of state and government level with Russia taking part .
In the final document the participants urged ceasefire , pledged to refrain from intervention in Libya ’ s affairs , proposed creation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the sake of restoring statehood , ruined after NATO ’ s intervention in 2011 .
Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) Fayez Sarraj and Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Commander Khalifa Haftar had also been invited to Berlin , although they did not take part in the conference .
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power , namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) and the interim government , seated in the east of the country , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .

BERLIN, February 5. /TASS/. Munich will host on February 16 the first meeting of the Follow-up Committee implementing the decisions of the Berlin conference on Libya, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday.
"The start of the talks with both conflict parties is a good sign. Together with the UN, we will keep working on the implementation of the Berlin results. In this regard, we will host the 1st meeting of the Follow-up Committee on 16 February in Munich," the German Foreign Office wrote on Twitter citing Maas.
On February 14-16, Munich will host the 56th Munich Security Conference, which will bring together more than 450 politicians, experts, business and public representatives. The organizers expect at least 18 heads of state and government and about 70 foreign and defense ministers to attend the conference.
On January 19, Berlin hosted a conference on Libya at the head of state and government level with Russia taking part. In the final document the participants urged ceasefire, pledged to refrain from intervention in Libya’s affairs, proposed creation of a single government and launch of reforms for the sake of restoring statehood, ruined after NATO’s intervention in 2011. Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez Sarraj and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar had also been invited to Berlin, although they did not take part in the conference.
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power, namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and the interim government, seated in the east of the country, along with the parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA).


tass--2020-02-06--Syrian army enters Saraqib in Idlib region — TV

MOSCOW , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
Syrian government forces entered the town of Saraqib , the outpost of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group ( banned in Russia ) in the Idlib province , on Wednesday , Al Mayadeen television channel said .
According to the channel , the forces launched a sweep operation in Saraqib ’ s residential areas after the illegal armed units had abandoned the city .
The Syrian government forces previously encircled the enemy ’ s outpost from three sides , blocking its supply lines .
Syria ’ s army command issued an ultimatum to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms or leave the city for the sake of civilians ’ lives .
Saraqib is a town of strategic importance that sits at the junction of two main roads connecting Latakia and Damascus with Aleppo .
The Syrian army ’ s control over the town could result in the defeat of the armed groups operating in the country ’ s north .
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups since 2012 .
A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Eastern Ghouta and Syria ’ s southern regions .
The Turkish army has 12 observation outposts in the province .

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. Syrian government forces entered the town of Saraqib, the outpost of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (banned in Russia) in the Idlib province, on Wednesday, Al Mayadeen television channel said.
According to the channel, the forces launched a sweep operation in Saraqib’s residential areas after the illegal armed units had abandoned the city.
The Syrian government forces previously encircled the enemy’s outpost from three sides, blocking its supply lines. Syria’s army command issued an ultimatum to the militants, demanding that they lay down arms or leave the city for the sake of civilians’ lives.
Saraqib is a town of strategic importance that sits at the junction of two main roads connecting Latakia and Damascus with Aleppo. The Syrian army’s control over the town could result in the defeat of the armed groups operating in the country’s north.
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups since 2012. A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria’s southern regions. The Turkish army has 12 observation outposts in the province.


tass--2020-02-06--No plans so far to include US, Canada, UK into Russian e-visas project — ministry

MOSCOW , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
So far , Russia has no plans to include the United States , Canada and the United Kingdom into the list of countries , whose citizens can apply for a Russian e-visa , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister , Yevgeny Ivanov , told the Kommersant daily on Wednesday .
`` The decision to include this or that particular country into the list was made after considering numerous factors , including a country ’ s visa policy regarding Russian citizens , '' he said .
When asked whether tourist visa requirements could be eased for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the United Kingdom , the Russian diplomat replied ; `` There are no plans to introduce changes into the list so far at this stage , but this does not mean that such a possibility is ruled out in the future , on the condition of a normal visa dialogue with the countries that you have mentioned . ''
Ivanov went on to say that the visa issue is among the strongest irritants in Russian-US relations at the moment .
`` At present , more than 60 Russian Foreign Ministry employees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have been waiting to receive the US visa for months .
Some of them [ have already waited ] for more than two years , '' he said .
`` We have long been making calls to the United States to bring the visa process back to normal , but Washington has so far expressed no such desire , '' he said , recalling the September 2019 controversy when the United States failed to issue visas to a group of Russian officials supposed to take part in the 74th session of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2019 , Russia introduced electronic visas for tourists from 53 countries arriving to Russia ’ s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad , as well as to Russia ’ s second largest city of St. Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad Region .
A request for an e-visa can be filed on a special website four days before the planned arrival .
The visa is granted free of charge .
In 2020 , electronic visas are set to be introduced in Karelia , the Altai Region and the Krasnodar Region .
As of January 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valid on all Russian territory .

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. So far, Russia has no plans to include the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom into the list of countries, whose citizens can apply for a Russian e-visa, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Yevgeny Ivanov, told the Kommersant daily on Wednesday.
"The decision to include this or that particular country into the list was made after considering numerous factors, including a country’s visa policy regarding Russian citizens," he said.
When asked whether tourist visa requirements could be eased for residents of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, the Russian diplomat replied; "There are no plans to introduce changes into the list so far at this stage, but this does not mean that such a possibility is ruled out in the future, on the condition of a normal visa dialogue with the countries that you have mentioned."
Ivanov went on to say that the visa issue is among the strongest irritants in Russian-US relations at the moment.
"At present, more than 60 Russian Foreign Ministry employees, appointed to work in the United States, have been waiting to receive the US visa for months. Some of them [have already waited] for more than two years," he said.
"We have long been making calls to the United States to bring the visa process back to normal, but Washington has so far expressed no such desire," he said, recalling the September 2019 controversy when the United States failed to issue visas to a group of Russian officials supposed to take part in the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
In 2019, Russia introduced electronic visas for tourists from 53 countries arriving to Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, as well as to Russia’s second largest city of St. Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad Region. A request for an e-visa can be filed on a special website four days before the planned arrival. The visa is granted free of charge.
In 2020, electronic visas are set to be introduced in Karelia, the Altai Region and the Krasnodar Region. As of January 1, 2021, electronic visas will be valid on all Russian territory.


tass--2020-02-06--Russian senior diplomat, UN envoy discuss meeting of Libyan Joint Military Commission

MOSCOW , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Presidential Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov discussed the recent meeting of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission with Ghassan Salame , the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya ( UNSMIL ) , in a phone call on Wednesday , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement .
`` In the conversation , Ghassan Salame informed about the first session of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission , held in Geneva under the auspices of the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Libya ’ s Government of National Accord ( GNA ) and the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) with the aim of strengthening the ceasefire efforts outside Tripoli , '' the statement says .
The diplomats touched upon other aspects of international efforts facilitating the soonest solution to the Libya crisis , with regard to results of the Libya international conference held in Berlin on January 19 and the ongoing discussions at the United Nations Security Council .
The phone call was requested by the UN .
On Monday , the Libyan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each party to the conflict started talks on the efforts to strengthen the ceasefire and transform it into a ceasefire agreement .
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power , namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) and the interim government , seated in the east of the country , along with the parliament , which is supported by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. Russian Presidential Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov discussed the recent meeting of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission with Ghassan Salame, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), in a phone call on Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"In the conversation, Ghassan Salame informed about the first session of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission, held in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations, which was attended by representatives of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army (LNA) with the aim of strengthening the ceasefire efforts outside Tripoli," the statement says.
The diplomats touched upon other aspects of international efforts facilitating the soonest solution to the Libya crisis, with regard to results of the Libya international conference held in Berlin on January 19 and the ongoing discussions at the United Nations Security Council.
The phone call was requested by the UN.
On Monday, the Libyan Joint Military Commission with five representatives from each party to the conflict started talks on the efforts to strengthen the ceasefire and transform it into a ceasefire agreement.
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power, namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and the interim government, seated in the east of the country, along with the parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA).


tass--2020-02-05--Berlin does not accept exterritorial sanctions, Germany’s Cabinet says

BERLIN , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Germany views exterritorial sanctions of the US as unacceptable , a source in the Foreign Ministry told TASS , responding to a request for a comment on mass media reports concerning Washington ’ s readiness to impose new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 project participants .
`` The Foreign Ministry does not participate in speculations [ regarding future sanctions - TASS ] .
The Federal Government maintains the contact with the US on all important bilateral and international issues .
The position of the Government is known .
The Government does not accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of exterritorial restrictive measures , '' the source said .
The US intends to impose new sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline if Russia attempts to complete its construction , Handelsblatt newspaper said on Tuesday , citing US diplomatic sources .
European investors or companies wishing to buy natural gas from the pipeline can be affected this time , Handelsblatt reported .
Nord Stream 2 is an international project for the construction of a gas pipeline that will run across the bottom of the Baltic Sea from the Russian coast to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,200 kilometer pipeline , basically following the same route as Nord Stream , will traverse economic zones and territorial water of five countries , namely Russia , Finland , Sweden , Denmark , and Germany .
The pipeline ’ s capacity will be 55 billion cubic meters of gas a year .

BERLIN, February 4. /TASS/. Germany views exterritorial sanctions of the US as unacceptable, a source in the Foreign Ministry told TASS, responding to a request for a comment on mass media reports concerning Washington’s readiness to impose new sanctions against Nord Stream 2 project participants.
"The Foreign Ministry does not participate in speculations [regarding future sanctions - TASS]. The Federal Government maintains the contact with the US on all important bilateral and international issues. The position of the Government is known. The Government does not accept as a matter of principle any form of exterritorial restrictive measures," the source said.
The US intends to impose new sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline if Russia attempts to complete its construction, Handelsblatt newspaper said on Tuesday, citing US diplomatic sources. European investors or companies wishing to buy natural gas from the pipeline can be affected this time, Handelsblatt reported.
Nord Stream 2 is an international project for the construction of a gas pipeline that will run across the bottom of the Baltic Sea from the Russian coast to Germany bypassing transit states. The new 1,200 kilometer pipeline, basically following the same route as Nord Stream, will traverse economic zones and territorial water of five countries, namely Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. The pipeline’s capacity will be 55 billion cubic meters of gas a year.


tass--2020-02-05--WHO calls for $675 mln in donations to combat novel coronavirus outbreak

GENEVA , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has urged the world to donate $ 675 million to combat the newly identified coronavirus 2019-nCoV , Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , WHO Director-General , said at a news conference in Geneva on Wednesday .
`` We are requesting US $ 675 million to fund the plan for the next three months , '' Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said adding that on February 5 , the WHO is `` launching a strategic preparedness and response plan to fund and support countries to prevent , detect and diagnose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed out that `` $ 675 million is a lot of money , but it is much less than the bill we will face if we do not invest in preparedness now . ''
`` Once again , we can not defeat this outbreak without solidarity - political solidarity , technical solidarity and financial solidarity , '' he emphasized explaining that about $ 60 million of that money would be for the WHO ’ s own operations , while the remainder would go to the countries that are `` especially at risk '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghebreyesus assured that the WHO was continuing to support China ’ s efforts against the 2019-nCoV virus outbreak with its epicenter located in the city of Wuhan .
The WHO head said that China is currently home to 99 % of cases , with 80 % of those in Hubei province .
Outside China , 191 cases have been reported in 24 countries .
`` But this is not a time for fear ; this is not a time for panic .
It ’ s is a time for rational , evidence-based action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ window of opportunity to bring this outbreak under control , '' he said .
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out that the WHO had released $ 9 million from its emergency financial reserves to help combat the epidemic .
On February 5 , the WHO ’ s Consultative Group , which addresses strategic and technical issues , discussed the problem .
Moreover , a group of international experts , which will work under the WHO guidance , will fly to China in the coming days .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan , an economic and industrial metropolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus - 2019-nCoV - was identified on January 7 , 2020 .
Apart from China , 24 other countries , 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 , China has confirmed 24,300 cases of patients infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ death toll has now neared 500 , yet more than 900 patients have recovered from the disease .

GENEVA, February 5. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged the world to donate $675 million to combat the newly identified coronavirus 2019-nCoV, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said at a news conference in Geneva on Wednesday.
"We are requesting US$675 million to fund the plan for the next three months," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said adding that on February 5, the WHO is "launching a strategic preparedness and response plan to fund and support countries to prevent, detect and diagnose onward transmission."
The WHO Director-General pointed out that "$675 million is a lot of money, but it is much less than the bill we will face if we do not invest in preparedness now."
"Once again, we cannot defeat this outbreak without solidarity - political solidarity, technical solidarity and financial solidarity," he emphasized explaining that about $60 million of that money would be for the WHO’s own operations, while the remainder would go to the countries that are "especially at risk" from the deadly virus.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus assured that the WHO was continuing to support China’s efforts against the 2019-nCoV virus outbreak with its epicenter located in the city of Wuhan.
The WHO head said that China is currently home to 99% of cases, with 80% of those in Hubei province. Outside China, 191 cases have been reported in 24 countries.
"But this is not a time for fear; this is not a time for panic. It’s is a time for rational, evidence-based action and investment while we still have a window of opportunity to bring this outbreak under control," he said.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out that the WHO had released $9 million from its emergency financial reserves to help combat the epidemic. On February 5, the WHO’s Consultative Group, which addresses strategic and technical issues, discussed the problem. Moreover, a group of international experts, which will work under the WHO guidance, will fly to China in the coming days.
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 metropolis with a population of 11 million. The virus - 2019-nCoV - was identified on January 7, 2020. Apart from China, 24 other countries, 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, China has confirmed 24,300 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has now neared 500, yet more than 900 patients have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-02-05--Number of people injured in Istanbul crash landing rises to 120

ANKARA , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
At least 120 people have been injured in Wednesday ’ s crash landing @ @ @ @ @ Istanbul ’ s Sabiaha Gokcen airport , Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya informed .
`` According @ @ @ @ @ weather conditions caused the crash .
The plane crashed on the landing strip from the @ @ @ @ @ So far , 120 people have been taken to hospital , '' he said on @ @ @ @ @ .
The Russian Consulate General in Istanbul informed TASS earlier that there were no Russians @ @ @ @ @

ANKARA, February 5. /TASS/. At least 120 people have been injured in Wednesday’s crash landing of a passenger plane at Istanbul’s Sabiaha Gokcen airport, Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya informed.
"According to recent data, unfavorable weather conditions caused the crash. The plane crashed on the landing strip from the height of 30 meters. So far, 120 people have been taken to hospital," he said on Turkey’s NTV channel.
The Russian Consulate General in Istanbul informed TASS earlier that there were no Russians onboard the crashed plane.


tass--2020-02-05--France, Russia should team up to strengthen peace and security, says France’s ambassador

MOSCOW , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
France and Russia share a goal of boosting security across the world , France ’ s Ambassador to Russia Pierre Levy said in a video address posted on the embassy ’ s Facebook page on Wednesday .
`` Our objective is to strengthen peace and security in Europe and in the world .
France and Russia , as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council , have an enormous responsibility .
We are united geographically , which makes our dialogue mandatory , '' he said .
The ambassador was hopeful that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rely `` on a special relationship between the people of Russia and France and on the strength of their sustainable , sincere and strong friendship . ''
Levy recalled that French President Emmanuel Macron earlier voiced his willingness to resume dialogue between the two countries `` so as to gradually build a system of trust . ''
According to Levy , he has been daydreaming about working in Russia .
At school , he started learning Russian and became familiarized with Russian poet Anna Akhmatova ’ s oeuvre .
`` Her poems live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pierre Levy came to Russia in the middle of January .
On Wednesday , he , alongside other foreign ambassadors , handed his credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a solemn ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow .

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. France and Russia share a goal of boosting security across the world, France’s Ambassador to Russia Pierre Levy said in a video address posted on the embassy’s Facebook page on Wednesday.
"Our objective is to strengthen peace and security in Europe and in the world. France and Russia, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, have an enormous responsibility. We are united geographically, which makes our dialogue mandatory," he said.
The ambassador was hopeful that in his work he would be able to rely "on a special relationship between the people of Russia and France and on the strength of their sustainable, sincere and strong friendship."
Levy recalled that French President Emmanuel Macron earlier voiced his willingness to resume dialogue between the two countries "so as to gradually build a system of trust."
According to Levy, he has been daydreaming about working in Russia. At school, he started learning Russian and became familiarized with Russian poet Anna Akhmatova’s oeuvre.
"Her poems live in my heart," he added.
Pierre Levy came to Russia in the middle of January. On Wednesday, he, alongside other foreign ambassadors, handed his credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a solemn ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow.


tass--2020-02-05--Most Russians see progress of national science in defense and space — pollster

MOSCOW , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
More than 50 % of the Russians believe that Russian researchers dominate in the military , space and healthcare fields , the Russian Public Opinion Research Center said in a poll published on Wednesday .
`` Our compatriots most frequently speak about the dominance of Russian science in the military field ( 32 % ) , in space ( 21 % , 9 percentage points down since 2018 ) and in healthcare ( 13 % ) .
They less frequently pointed to leading positions in nuclear energy ( 5 % ) , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 % ) , '' the survey shows .
The majority of those polled said with confidence that over the past 20 years science had a positive effect on the country ’ s life .
Moreover , 31 % commended the positive influence of science on healthcare , 13 % - on the weapons sector , 8 % - on space , 8 % - on education and 7 % - on communications .
Nevertheless , the negative impact of science was mentioned by 6 % of the polled concerning education , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 5 % concerning healthcare .
In the meantime , 73 % of the polled Russians found it difficult to answer the question .
Apart from that , nearly half of the respondents ( 45 % ) said about the role small businesses play in Russia ’ s growth , 44 % touched upon the role of television and cinema , and another 37 % spoke about the positive influence of the country ’ s government .
The survey was conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center on February 1 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above interviewed over the phone .
The margin of error does not exceed 2.5 % with a probability of 95 % .

MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. More than 50% of the Russians believe that Russian researchers dominate in the military, space and healthcare fields, the Russian Public Opinion Research Center said in a poll published on Wednesday.
"Our compatriots most frequently speak about the dominance of Russian science in the military field (32%), in space (21%, 9 percentage points down since 2018) and in healthcare (13%). They less frequently pointed to leading positions in nuclear energy (5%), or in computer programming and information technologies (5%)," the survey shows.
The majority of those polled said with confidence that over the past 20 years science had a positive effect on the country’s life. Moreover, 31% commended the positive influence of science on healthcare, 13% - on the weapons sector, 8% - on space, 8% - on education and 7% - on communications. Nevertheless, the negative impact of science was mentioned by 6% of the polled concerning education, by 5% concerning environmental protection, and by 5% concerning healthcare. In the meantime, 73% of the polled Russians found it difficult to answer the question.
Apart from that, nearly half of the respondents (45%) said about the role small businesses play in Russia’s growth, 44% touched upon the role of television and cinema, and another 37% spoke about the positive influence of the country’s government.
The survey was conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center on February 1, 2020, with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and above interviewed over the phone. The margin of error does not exceed 2.5% with a probability of 95%.


tass--2020-02-05--At least 52 people injured in Istanbul crash landing, officials say

ANKARA , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
At least 52 people have been injured in Wednesday ’ s crash landing @ @ @ @ @ Istanbul ’ s Sabiaha Gokcen airport , local officials inform .
`` As of 19:40 @ @ @ @ @ as Moscow time - TASS ) , 52 people have been taken to hospital from @ @ @ @ @ Governor Ali Yerlikaya said .

ANKARA, February 5. /TASS/. At least 52 people have been injured in Wednesday’s crash landing of a passenger plane at Istanbul’s Sabiaha Gokcen airport, local officials inform.
"As of 19:40 (local time, same as Moscow time - TASS), 52 people have been taken to hospital from the airport," Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said.


tass--2020-02-05--There may not be another opportunity to implement Russia’s national projects, says Putin

`` This work is very important and extensive , because there may not be another chance , we may not have this kind of money again to spend on national development goals in the following years or even decades , '' Putin said .
MOSCOW , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
There may not be another opportunity to implement Russia ’ s national projects in the upcoming decades , Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with the Russian government , where they discussed Putin ’ s address to the Russian parliament .
The Russian leader called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made within this program aimed to improve Russia ’ s economy and social well-being of Russian citizens .
Putin noted that the composition of the new Russian government `` is optimal , because there are people who worked on these decisions for the last one-and-a-half years and defined national development goals and national projects , and at the same time , there are people who have not worked in government before but have been somewhat involved in this work in their previous positions . ''
Putin stressed that the new government has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not have the right to do this , '' the president said .
`` We can not pretend that someone is not aware of something .
Everyone knows everything , everyone is ready to work , and everyone is up to date on everything . ''
The Russian leader told government members that he expects concrete results in all areas of national development .
`` I wish success to all of us , '' Putin concluded .

"This work is very important and extensive, because there may not be another chance, we may not have this kind of money again to spend on national development goals in the following years or even decades," Putin said.
MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. There may not be another opportunity to implement Russia’s national projects in the upcoming decades, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with the Russian government, where they discussed Putin’s address to the Russian parliament.
The Russian leader called on the government to monitor the work and decisions made within this program aimed to improve Russia’s economy and social well-being of Russian citizens.
Putin noted that the composition of the new Russian government "is optimal, because there are people who worked on these decisions for the last one-and-a-half years and defined national development goals and national projects, and at the same time, there are people who have not worked in government before but have been somewhat involved in this work in their previous positions."
Putin stressed that the new government has no time to lose. "We simply do not have the right to do this," the president said. "We cannot pretend that someone is not aware of something. Everyone knows everything, everyone is ready to work, and everyone is up to date on everything."
The Russian leader told government members that he expects concrete results in all areas of national development. "I wish success to all of us," Putin concluded.


tass--2020-02-05--Situation with non-issuance of US visas to Russian officials deteriorating, ministry says

`` We regret to state that the situation with the non-issuance of visas to Russian officials heading to the US on official business not only does not improve , it continues to deteriorate , '' the ministry stated .
`` Despite numerous requests from our side and our calls to lift the restrictions , there are mass refusals to grant visas from the side of US authorities .
This is a conscious and intentional policy of Washington . ''
MOSCOW , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
The situation with the non-issuance of US visas to Russian officials continues to deteriorate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Foreign Ministry informed on Wednesday .
`` We continue to call on our American colleagues to normalize visa issuance to officials , including diplomatic workers and UN personnel , fully and without any preconditions , '' the ministry said .
`` We are ready for this at any moment . ''
The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed hope that common sense would prevail and that the Americans would stop interfering with the organization of international events on their country ’ s territory , otherwise Russia would be forced to demand that global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a more favorable political climate . ''
During the 74th session of the UN General Assembly , the UN failed to issue visas for 18 Russian delegates , including those taking part in high-level events .
In December , the UN General Assembly approved a resolution urging the US to cease non-issuance of visas to diplomats from various states , including Russia , who are invited to take part in UN events .

"We regret to state that the situation with the non-issuance of visas to Russian officials heading to the US on official business not only does not improve, it continues to deteriorate," the ministry stated. "Despite numerous requests from our side and our calls to lift the restrictions, there are mass refusals to grant visas from the side of US authorities. This is a conscious and intentional policy of Washington."
MOSCOW, February 5. /TASS/. The situation with the non-issuance of US visas to Russian officials continues to deteriorate, with mass visa refusals underway, the Russian Foreign Ministry informed on Wednesday.
"We continue to call on our American colleagues to normalize visa issuance to officials, including diplomatic workers and UN personnel, fully and without any preconditions," the ministry said. "We are ready for this at any moment."
The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed hope that common sense would prevail and that the Americans would stop interfering with the organization of international events on their country’s territory, otherwise Russia would be forced to demand that global forums be transferred "to other states with a more favorable political climate."
During the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, the UN failed to issue visas for 18 Russian delegates, including those taking part in high-level events. In December, the UN General Assembly approved a resolution urging the US to cease non-issuance of visas to diplomats from various states, including Russia, who are invited to take part in UN events.


tass--2020-02-05--Russia’s Air Transport Agency suspends charter flights to China starting on February 14

Since February 1 , the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency has curbed charter flights to China amid an outbreak of the novel coronavirus .
Russia ’ s Transport Ministry has allowed the air carriers to make charter flights from Russia to China in order to retrieve Russian nationals from that country .
`` In accordance with the minutes of the meeting , held on February 3 , 2020 , of the emergency center for the prevention of entry and spread of the new coronavirus on the territory of the Russian Federation , I inform you that from February 14 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban shall be imposed on public charter flights operated by Russian airlines from the territory of the Russian Federation to the territory of the People 's Republic of China and back , '' the statement says .
It also says that airlines should inform passengers - both Russian and Chinese citizens - about the ban .
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova , who chairs the emergency center for the prevention of entry and spread of the coronavirus in Russia , warned earlier about a possible ban on charter flights to China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan , an economic and industrial metropolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus - 2019-nCoV - was identified on January 7 , 2020 .
Apart from China , 24 other countries , 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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China .
The virus ’ death toll has now hit 492 , yet more than 900 patients have recovered from the disease .

Since February 1, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency has curbed charter flights to China amid an outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Russia’s Transport Ministry has allowed the air carriers to make charter flights from Russia to China in order to retrieve Russian nationals from that country.
"In accordance with the minutes of the meeting, held on February 3, 2020, of the emergency center for the prevention of entry and spread of the new coronavirus on the territory of the Russian Federation, I inform you that from February 14, 2020 at 00:00 Moscow time a temporary ban shall be imposed on public charter flights operated by Russian airlines from the territory of the Russian Federation to the territory of the People's Republic of China and back," the statement says.
It also says that airlines should inform passengers - both Russian and Chinese citizens - about the ban.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova, who chairs the emergency center for the prevention of entry and spread of the coronavirus in Russia, warned earlier about a possible ban on charter flights to China.
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 metropolis with a population of 11 million. The virus - 2019-nCoV - was identified on January 7, 2020. Apart from China, 24 other countries, 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, 24,300 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China. The virus’ death toll has now hit 492, yet more than 900 patients have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-02-05--Foreign interference among factors hindering Latin American integration, says Lavrov

`` Currently , integration processes in Latin America have entered a difficult period .
We are witnessing the misalignment of regional integration , and foreign powers play a role in it , '' he said .
`` This concerns UNASUR ( Union of South American Nations - TASS ) .
Some of its members have left the union to establish a different organization - Forum for the Progress and Development of South America ( Prosur ) . ''
Moscow believes that Latin American states must determine the forms of regional cooperation that are most convenient for them , Lavrov said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ready to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with all regional integration unions , '' he continued .
`` We have always supported a united , politically and economically stable Latin America .
Only under these conditions , the region can establish itself as one of the pillars of an emerging multipolar world .
Moreover , Latin Americans have always been known for their high level of unity and mutual understanding , for their ability to find collective responses to modern challenges . ''
Lavrov has noted the potential of CELAC ( Community of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has become `` a unique regional platform promoting a unifying agenda on a non-confrontational basis . ''
According to the Russian minister , Moscow hopes that during Mexico ’ s chairmanship at CELAC , the organization ’ s members will be able to overcome their differences based on a new working program approved in January at a meeting in Mexico City .
`` Overcoming these differences could help us renew dialogue mechanisms between Russia and CELAC in the form most convenient for our partners , '' Lavrov stated .
The Russian top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with CELAC in the sphere of aerospace development , emergency prevention and response with support from a regional Russian-Cuban emergency response facility in Havana .
Russia and CELAC can also cooperate on establishing a regional system of antimicrobial monitoring with the aid of the Latin American Biotechnology Institute Project in Nicaragua , supported by the Russian government .

"Currently, integration processes in Latin America have entered a difficult period. We are witnessing the misalignment of regional integration, and foreign powers play a role in it," he said. "This concerns UNASUR (Union of South American Nations - TASS). Some of its members have left the union to establish a different organization - Forum for the Progress and Development of South America (Prosur)."
Moscow believes that Latin American states must determine the forms of regional cooperation that are most convenient for them, Lavrov said. "For our part, we are ready to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with all regional integration unions," he continued. "We have always supported a united, politically and economically stable Latin America. Only under these conditions, the region can establish itself as one of the pillars of an emerging multipolar world. Moreover, Latin Americans have always been known for their high level of unity and mutual understanding, for their ability to find collective responses to modern challenges."
Lavrov has noted the potential of CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), which has become "a unique regional platform promoting a unifying agenda on a non-confrontational basis." According to the Russian minister, Moscow hopes that during Mexico’s chairmanship at CELAC, the organization’s members will be able to overcome their differences based on a new working program approved in January at a meeting in Mexico City. "Overcoming these differences could help us renew dialogue mechanisms between Russia and CELAC in the form most convenient for our partners," Lavrov stated.
The Russian top diplomat mentioned the prospects for expanding cooperation with CELAC in the sphere of aerospace development, emergency prevention and response with support from a regional Russian-Cuban emergency response facility in Havana. Russia and CELAC can also cooperate on establishing a regional system of antimicrobial monitoring with the aid of the Latin American Biotechnology Institute Project in Nicaragua, supported by the Russian government.


tass--2020-02-05--Plane skids off runway at Istanbul airport, all passengers evacuated, media reports say

ANKARA , February 5 .
/TASS/ .
A passenger plane has skidded off the runway at Istanbul ’ s Sabiaha @ @ @ @ @ , NTV channel informed .
All passengers have been evacuated , the channel says .
@ @ @ @ @ Cahit Turhan informed that nobody was killed in the crash .
`` The plane has @ @ @ @ @ no one was killed , '' he said , cited by NTV .
There were @ @ @ @ @ on board the plane .

ANKARA, February 5. /TASS/. A passenger plane has skidded off the runway at Istanbul’s Sabiaha Gokcen airport, catching fire, NTV channel informed.
All passengers have been evacuated, the channel says. Turkish Minister of Transport Mehmet Cahit Turhan informed that nobody was killed in the crash. "The plane has made a crash landing, no one was killed," he said, cited by NTV.
There were 177 passengers and 6 crew on board the plane.