tass--2020-01-17--26 terrorist cell members in North Caucasus eliminated in 2019

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Twenty-six terrorists that were members of terrorist cells active in the North Caucasus @ @ @ @ @ , the Russian National Guard ’ s press service told TASS on Friday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ that make up the Joint Force Group in close cooperation with FSB agencies eliminated 26 @ @ @ @ @ the North Caucasus in 2019 .
Military personnel and employees of the group detected and @ @ @ @ @ of criminal gangs , '' the press service said .
The National Guard also pointed @ @ @ @ @ more than 1,500 cases of seizing or voluntary surrender of arms and armaments in the @ @ @ @ @ time , more than 500 illegally acquired guns , 736 hunting weapons , more than @ @ @ @ @ were seized , while improvised explosive devices were neutralized .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Twenty-six terrorists that were members of terrorist cells active in the North Caucasus have been eliminated last year, the Russian National Guard’s press service told TASS on Friday.
"Army divisions and police units that make up the Joint Force Group in close cooperation with FSB agencies eliminated 26 members of terrorist cells in the North Caucasus in 2019. Military personnel and employees of the group detected and uprooted more than 190 facilities of criminal gangs," the press service said.
The National Guard also pointed out that last year saw more than 1,500 cases of seizing or voluntary surrender of arms and armaments in the region. At the same time, more than 500 illegally acquired guns, 736 hunting weapons, more than 77,000 munitions of various caliber were seized, while improvised explosive devices were neutralized.


tass--2020-01-17--Zelensky’s office confirms he has received PM’s resignation letter

Poland tries to impose stance on Russia ’ s role in WWII on Western colleagues , says Lavrov Leaders of @ @ @ @ @ , Italy and Austria will attend the fifth World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem on January @ @ @ @ @ anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp

Ukraine crisis
US does not supply Kiev with new equipment, fearing Russia, China seize it — expert
Matthew Hoh pointed out that "the Russians, of course, figured out how to jam the GPS" used to control the HIMARS missiles
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tass--2020-01-17--Ukrainian PM Goncharuk announces his resignation

KIEV , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Alexei Goncharuk has handed in his resignation amid a ‘ wiretapping ’ scandal involving the head of government according to a bombshell revelation by the media .
`` In order to avoid any doubts about our respect for and trust in the president , I penned a letter of resignation and handed it over to the president with the right of submitting it to parliament , '' he wrote on his Facebook page on Friday .
The prime minister stressed that the public recently witnessed `` events unfolding around some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of government meetings posted on line , '' whose content artificially creates the impression that the head of government and his team do not respect the head of state .
The office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has confirmed that it had received Goncharuk ’ s resignation letter .
`` The head of state will consider the resignation .
The office of the Ukrainian president will inform the public of the president ’ s decision in a separate message , '' the presidential office said .
Two audio clips allegedly featuring fragments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 16 , 2019 , ahead of the upcoming meeting with President Vladimir Zelensky were earlier uploaded to YouTube titled How to Deceive the President created on Wednesday .
The voice attributed to Goncharuk asked his associates to help him explain to the head of state why the hryvnia was becoming stronger and how that could affect the state budget .
Goncharuk allegedly admitted that he was an utterly ‘ ignorant ’ person as far as the economy was concerned and that the president had `` a very primitive understanding of economic processes @ @

KIEV, January 17. /TASS/. Ukrainian Prime Minister Alexei Goncharuk has handed in his resignation amid a ‘wiretapping’ scandal involving the head of government according to a bombshell revelation by the media.
"In order to avoid any doubts about our respect for and trust in the president, I penned a letter of resignation and handed it over to the president with the right of submitting it to parliament," he wrote on his Facebook page on Friday.
The prime minister stressed that the public recently witnessed "events unfolding around some edited files consisting of fragments of recordings of government meetings posted on line," whose content artificially creates the impression that the head of government and his team do not respect the head of state.
The office of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has confirmed that it had received Goncharuk’s resignation letter.
"The head of state will consider the resignation. The office of the Ukrainian president will inform the public of the president’s decision in a separate message," the presidential office said.
Two audio clips allegedly featuring fragments of Goncharuk’s informal meeting held on December 16, 2019, ahead of the upcoming meeting with President Vladimir Zelensky were earlier uploaded to YouTube titled How to Deceive the President created on Wednesday. The voice attributed to Goncharuk asked his associates to help him explain to the head of state why the hryvnia was becoming stronger and how that could affect the state budget. Goncharuk allegedly admitted that he was an utterly ‘ignorant’ person as far as the economy was concerned and that the president had "a very primitive understanding of economic processes."


tass--2020-01-17--Russia increases investment in US government securities to $11.5 bln — US Treasury

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
In November 2019 , Russia increased the volume of investments in US government @ @ @ @ @ $ 794 mln to $ 11.491 bln , the US Treasury said on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ Russia in US government bonds has been increasing for the fourth month in a row @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , Russia began to sharply reduce investment in the US public debt .
Thus @ @ @ @ @ decreased from $ 96 bln to $ 48.7 bln , and in May - to @ @ @ @ @ August 2019 , for the first time since February , Russia increased its investments in @ @ @ @ @ 9.3 bln .
Japan remained the largest holder of US government securities in November last @ @ @ @ @ in a row with a figure of $ 1.16 trillion .
The second place with @ @ @ @ @ by China , which has been the leader for a long time .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. In November 2019, Russia increased the volume of investments in US government securities compared to October by $794 mln to $11.491 bln, the US Treasury said on Friday.
Long-term bonds accounted for $ 2.979 bln, short-term - $ 8.512 bln.
The volume of investments by Russia in US government bonds has been increasing for the fourth month in a row.
In the spring of 2018, Russia began to sharply reduce investment in the US public debt. Thus, in April 2018 it decreased from $96 bln to $48.7 bln, and in May - to $14.9 bln.
In August 2019, for the first time since February, Russia increased its investments in US government securities to $9.3 bln.
Japan remained the largest holder of US government securities in November last year for the sixth month in a row with a figure of $1.16 trillion. The second place with $1.09 trillion is occupied by China, which has been the leader for a long time.


tass--2020-01-17--Russian national Vinnik’s defense calls for Russia’s active involvement in his case

According to the lawyer , Vinnik ’ s time in custody should end on January 26 , when the maximum period of pre-trial custody ( 30 months ) runs out .
`` Next week will be a turning point : either he is extradited , or he is free and sent home , '' Musatov noted , adding that the court can present a closed-session verdict at any moment .
He added that the defense plans to file a complaint regarding this incident .
`` We would like to note that not only is Alexander kept in conditions akin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it up as well .
We expect the Russian Federation to take on a more involved role in this process and to send a statement to the [ Greek ] Council of State , making its stance known , '' the attorney said .
The lawyer stated that he had visited Vinnik at a prison hospital , where he is undertaking a hunger strike that has lasted 28 days so far .
`` I insisted on Alexander Vinnik undergoing urgent medical tests , as a result of which it was found that Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition , had lost 17 additional kilograms , and his blood disease is progressing .
Alexander is under increased vigilance , the regime is extremely strict .
His mother came with me to Athens , she was only allowed to be with her son for half an hour , after which they attempted to remove us from his cell and from the prison ’ s premises , citing an unnamed general , '' Musatov said .
ATHENS , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian national Alexander Vinnik ’ s defense has called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his case , his lawyer Timofei Musatov told reporters on Thursday .
Vinnik has been in custody in a Greek prison since July 2017 .
`` We left the court at five in the evening and we know that the court has not made any decisions .
However , a council of judges may meet on Friday without notifying or inviting the attorneys in order to consult and create an illusion of having studied all the proof that we have presented and having an objective outlook on the situation .
The court might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison guards might come to Alexander ’ s cell , show him the verdict and take him away .
This may take place at any moment , '' the attorney stressed .
He noted that Vinnik ’ s hunger strike would not change much .
`` The doctors will come and say that he will be fine , he can survive the trip .
Anything can happen , '' the lawyer said .
Musatov informed that on Thursday , Vinnik ’ s defense filed a claim with the Greek State Council ( the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecution of Vinnik .
However , he noted that this claim might only be considered nominally , with the court approving the decision of the Greek minister of justice on the Russian national ’ s subsequent extradition to France , the US and then to Russia .
Vinnik was detained while vacationing in Greece on July 25 , 2017 at the United States ’ request , where he is accused of laundering four to nine billion US dollars through a no longer existent Internet exchange of cryptocurrencies BTC-e .
The Thessaloniki court of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vinnik be extradited to the United States and France .
Russia is also seeking his extradition and has a corresponding verdict of the Greek Supreme Court .
Vinnik denied Washington ’ s and Paris ’ charges and agreed to be extradited to Russia .
On December 20 , 2019 , Greek Justice Minister Konstantinos Tsiaras delivered a decision to extradite Vinnik to France , the United States and Russia .
It means that Vinnik is to be extradited first to France to consider his case and pronounce the verdict .
After that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greece to be later extradited to the United States for a similar procedure , which is to be followed by extradition to Russia .
Following this decision , Vinnik went on another hunger strike .
Vinnik ’ s Greek defense attorney Zoe Konstantopoulou told reporters on December 23 that the chairperson of the Council of State ’ s ( Greece ’ s Supreme Administrative Court ) fourth department had issued a temporary order to suspend enforcement of the decision to extradite Alexander Vinnik to France , the US and Russia , `` recognizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in case of his extradition .
However , on the following day , the Council of State ’ s president questioned the department ’ s judgement and ruled to refer Vinnik ’ s case to an expanded panel of judges on January 10 , 2020 .
On January 10 , the panel of judges rejected all claims by Vinnik ’ s defense , which demanded that the previous decision of the Greek justice minister on his extradition to France , the US and then Russia be cancelled .
The court has given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents in Vinnik ’ s defense .

According to the lawyer, Vinnik’s time in custody should end on January 26, when the maximum period of pre-trial custody (30 months) runs out. "Next week will be a turning point: either he is extradited, or he is free and sent home," Musatov noted, adding that the court can present a closed-session verdict at any moment.
He added that the defense plans to file a complaint regarding this incident. "We would like to note that not only is Alexander kept in conditions akin to torture, Greece is trying to cover it up as well. We expect the Russian Federation to take on a more involved role in this process and to send a statement to the [Greek] Council of State, making its stance known," the attorney said.
The lawyer stated that he had visited Vinnik at a prison hospital, where he is undertaking a hunger strike that has lasted 28 days so far. "I insisted on Alexander Vinnik undergoing urgent medical tests, as a result of which it was found that Alexander, who is already in a weakened condition, had lost 17 additional kilograms, and his blood disease is progressing. Alexander is under increased vigilance, the regime is extremely strict. His mother came with me to Athens, she was only allowed to be with her son for half an hour, after which they attempted to remove us from his cell and from the prison’s premises, citing an unnamed general," Musatov said.
ATHENS, January 17. /TASS/. Russian national Alexander Vinnik’s defense has called for a more active involvement of Russia in his case, his lawyer Timofei Musatov told reporters on Thursday. Vinnik has been in custody in a Greek prison since July 2017.
"We left the court at five in the evening and we know that the court has not made any decisions. However, a council of judges may meet on Friday without notifying or inviting the attorneys in order to consult and create an illusion of having studied all the proof that we have presented and having an objective outlook on the situation. The court might then give a verdict, after which prison guards might come to Alexander’s cell, show him the verdict and take him away. This may take place at any moment," the attorney stressed. He noted that Vinnik’s hunger strike would not change much. "The doctors will come and say that he will be fine, he can survive the trip. Anything can happen," the lawyer said.
Musatov informed that on Thursday, Vinnik’s defense filed a claim with the Greek State Council (the Supreme Administrative Court) regarding the unfair prosecution of Vinnik. However, he noted that this claim might only be considered nominally, with the court approving the decision of the Greek minister of justice on the Russian national’s subsequent extradition to France, the US and then to Russia.
Vinnik case
Vinnik was detained while vacationing in Greece on July 25, 2017 at the United States’ request, where he is accused of laundering four to nine billion US dollars through a no longer existent Internet exchange of cryptocurrencies BTC-e. The Thessaloniki court of appeals and the Greek Supreme Court ruled Vinnik be extradited to the United States and France. Russia is also seeking his extradition and has a corresponding verdict of the Greek Supreme Court. Vinnik denied Washington’s and Paris’ charges and agreed to be extradited to Russia.
On December 20, 2019, Greek Justice Minister Konstantinos Tsiaras delivered a decision to extradite Vinnik to France, the United States and Russia. It means that Vinnik is to be extradited first to France to consider his case and pronounce the verdict. After that, he is to be taken back to Greece to be later extradited to the United States for a similar procedure, which is to be followed by extradition to Russia. Following this decision, Vinnik went on another hunger strike.
Vinnik’s Greek defense attorney Zoe Konstantopoulou told reporters on December 23 that the chairperson of the Council of State’s (Greece’s Supreme Administrative Court) fourth department had issued a temporary order to suspend enforcement of the decision to extradite Alexander Vinnik to France, the US and Russia, "recognizing the danger" the man would face in case of his extradition. However, on the following day, the Council of State’s president questioned the department’s judgement and ruled to refer Vinnik’s case to an expanded panel of judges on January 10, 2020.
On January 10, the panel of judges rejected all claims by Vinnik’s defense, which demanded that the previous decision of the Greek justice minister on his extradition to France, the US and then Russia be cancelled. The court has given the attorneys until January 16 to present additional documents in Vinnik’s defense.


tass--2020-01-17--Supermicro Expands Oracle Relationship with Best in Class Server Solutions

SAN JOSE , California , Jan. 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Micro Computer , Inc. ( NASDAQ : SMCI ) , a Gold-level member of Oracle PartnerNetwork ( OPN ) , has expanded its relationship by testing and certifying an extensive range of servers with Oracle Linux and Oracle VM Server for x86 ( Oracle VM ) , addressing customer requirements for cloud and virtualization and enterprise database applications .
Supermicro has immediate availability of multiple servers , including 1U/2U Ultra , BigTwin , 2U TwinPro , FatTwin™ , and 4-way and 8-way MP servers .
They are available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2U blades , and are qualified to run Oracle Linux 7.6 , Oracle Linux 7.7 , and Oracle VM 3.4 .
`` The work we performed with the Oracle software stack helps ensure that Oracle and Supermicro customers can extract the best performance and best TCO value from our pre-tested and validated servers across all their Oracle workloads , '' says Raju Penumatcha , senior vice president and chief product officer , Supermicro .
`` We look forward to furthering collaboration with Oracle , as we expect to roll out additional , leading-edge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oracle in the coming months . ''
These certified systems take advantage of Supermicro 's superior system designs and high-performance 2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors .
Also , by leveraging Intel Optane DC persistent memory users can support larger datasets and higher availability with database restarts .
The systems enable users to derive outstanding performance and value from their Oracle database and applications with up to 28 cores and 2933MHz memory speed .
New and existing customers are taking full advantage of Supermicro 's enterprise-class servers , leveraging their resource-saving architecture to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most demanding cloud and hybrid Oracle workloads .
`` Supermicro 's launch of certified solutions with Oracle Linux and Oracle VM across their server lines highlights the value and demand that mutual customers are experiencing from the combined solutions , '' said Robert Shimp , product management group vice president , Oracle Linux and Virtualization at Oracle .
`` Oracle and Supermicro 's collaboration focuses on helping customers to achieve great performance for their data center , cloud , and enterprise deployments . ''
Certification testing on Supermicro hardware was completed using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Oracle VM .
All certified servers have completed rigorous testing guidelines as part of Oracle 's Hardware Compatibility List ( HCL ) program for Oracle Linux and Oracle VM .
For more information on Supermicro 's Solutions Portfolio that have achieved Oracle HCL certification , visit : For complete information on SuperServer® solutions from Supermicro , visit www.supermicro.com .
Follow Supermicro on Facebook and Twitter to receive their latest news and announcements .
Oracle PartnerNetwork ( OPN ) is Oracle 's partner program that provides partners with a differentiated advantage to develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OPN offers resources to train and support specialized knowledge of Oracle 's products and solutions and has evolved to recognize Oracle 's growing product portfolio , partner base , and business opportunity .
Key to the latest enhancements to OPN is the ability for partners to be recognized and rewarded for their investment in Oracle Cloud .
Partners engaging with Oracle will be able to differentiate their Oracle Cloud expertise and success with customers through the OPN Cloud program – an innovative program that complements existing OPN program levels with tiers of recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oracle Cloud .
To find out more visit : http : //www.oracle.com/partners Supermicro ( SMCI ) , the leading innovator in high-performance , high-efficiency server technology is a premier provider of advanced server Building Block Solutions® for Data Center , Cloud Computing , Enterprise IT , Hadoop/Big Data , HPC and Embedded Systems worldwide .
Supermicro is committed to protecting the environment through its `` We Keep IT Green® '' initiative and provides customers with the most energy-efficient , environmentally-friendly solutions available on the market .
Supermicro , Building Block Solutions and We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trademarks of Super Micro Computer , Inc. Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates .
Intel , the Intel logo , Xeon and Optane are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries .
All other brands , names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners .

SAN JOSE, California, Jan. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Micro Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMCI), a Gold-level member of Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN), has expanded its relationship by testing and certifying an extensive range of servers with Oracle Linux and Oracle VM Server for x86 (Oracle VM), addressing customer requirements for cloud and virtualization and enterprise database applications. Supermicro has immediate availability of multiple servers, including 1U/2U Ultra, BigTwin, 2U TwinPro, FatTwin™, and 4-way and 8-way MP servers. They are available in various configurations, including 1U, 2U blades, and are qualified to run Oracle Linux 7.6, Oracle Linux 7.7, and Oracle VM 3.4.
"The work we performed with the Oracle software stack helps ensure that Oracle and Supermicro customers can extract the best performance and best TCO value from our pre-tested and validated servers across all their Oracle workloads," says Raju Penumatcha, senior vice president and chief product officer, Supermicro. "We look forward to furthering collaboration with Oracle, as we expect to roll out additional, leading-edge servers and solutions designed and optimized for Oracle in the coming months."
These certified systems take advantage of Supermicro's superior system designs and high-performance 2nd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors. Also, by leveraging Intel Optane DC persistent memory users can support larger datasets and higher availability with database restarts. The systems enable users to derive outstanding performance and value from their Oracle database and applications with up to 28 cores and 2933MHz memory speed. New and existing customers are taking full advantage of Supermicro's enterprise-class servers, leveraging their resource-saving architecture to power their mission-critical Oracle software-based solutions for the most demanding cloud and hybrid Oracle workloads.
"Supermicro's launch of certified solutions with Oracle Linux and Oracle VM across their server lines highlights the value and demand that mutual customers are experiencing from the combined solutions," said Robert Shimp, product management group vice president, Oracle Linux and Virtualization at Oracle. "Oracle and Supermicro's collaboration focuses on helping customers to achieve great performance for their data center, cloud, and enterprise deployments."
Certification testing on Supermicro hardware was completed using Oracle Linux with the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel and Oracle VM. All certified servers have completed rigorous testing guidelines as part of Oracle's Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) program for Oracle Linux and Oracle VM.
For more information on Supermicro's Solutions Portfolio that have achieved Oracle HCL certification, visit: https://www.supermicro.com/support/resources/OS/OS_Certification_Intel.cfm?mlg=0
For complete information on SuperServer® solutions from Supermicro, visit www.supermicro.com. Follow Supermicro on Facebook and Twitter to receive their latest news and announcements.
About Oracle PartnerNetwork
Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) is Oracle's partner program that provides partners with a differentiated advantage to develop, sell and implement Oracle solutions. OPN offers resources to train and support specialized knowledge of Oracle's products and solutions and has evolved to recognize Oracle's growing product portfolio, partner base, and business opportunity. Key to the latest enhancements to OPN is the ability for partners to be recognized and rewarded for their investment in Oracle Cloud. Partners engaging with Oracle will be able to differentiate their Oracle Cloud expertise and success with customers through the OPN Cloud program – an innovative program that complements existing OPN program levels with tiers of recognition and progressive benefits for partners working with Oracle Cloud. To find out more visit: http://www.oracle.com/partners
About Super Micro Computer, Inc.
Supermicro (SMCI), the leading innovator in high-performance, high-efficiency server technology is a premier provider of advanced server Building Block Solutions® for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Hadoop/Big Data, HPC and Embedded Systems worldwide. Supermicro is committed to protecting the environment through its "We Keep IT Green®" initiative and provides customers with the most energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly solutions available on the market.
Supermicro, Building Block Solutions and We Keep IT Green are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Super Micro Computer, Inc.
Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates.
Intel, the Intel logo, Xeon and Optane are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
All other brands, names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SMCI-F
CONTACT: Greg Kaufman; Super Micro Computer, Inc.; pr@supermicro.com


tass--2020-01-17--Microsoft announces it will be carbon negative by 2030

REDMOND , Washington , Jan. 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. on Thursday announced an ambitious goal and a new plan to reduce and ultimately remove its carbon footprint .
By 2030 Microsoft will be carbon negative , and by 2050 Microsoft will remove from the environment all the carbon the company has emitted either directly or by electrical consumption since it was founded in 1975 .
At an event at its Redmond campus , Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella , President Brad Smith , Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood , and Chief Environmental Officer Lucas Joppa announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailed plan to become carbon negative .
`` While the world will need to reach net zero , those of us who can afford to move faster and go further should do so .
That 's why today we are announcing an ambitious goal and a new plan to reduce and ultimately remove Microsoft 's carbon footprint , '' said Microsoft President Brad Smith .
`` By 2030 Microsoft will be carbon negative , and by 2050 Microsoft will remove from the environment all the carbon the company has emitted either directly or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1975 . ''
The Official Microsoft Blog has more information about the company 's bold goal and detailed plan to remove its carbon footprint : https : //blogs.microsoft.com/ ?
p=52558785 .
The company announced an aggressive program to cut carbon emissions by more than half by 2030 , both for our direct emissions and for our entire supply and value chain .
This includes driving down our own direct emissions and emissions related to the energy we use to near zero by the middle of this decade .
It also announced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help our suppliers and customers around the world reduce their own carbon footprints and a new $ 1 billion climate innovation fund to accelerate the global development of carbon reduction , capture and removal technologies .
Beginning next year , the company will also make carbon reduction an explicit aspect of our procurement processes for our supply chain .
A new annual Environmental Sustainability Report will detail Microsoft 's carbon impact and reduction journey .
And lastly , the company will use its voice and advocacy to support public policy that will accelerate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information can be found at the Microsoft microsite : https : //news.microsoft.com/climate .
Microsoft ( Nasdaq `` MSFT '' @ microsoft ) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge .
Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more .
NOTE TO EDITORS : For more information , news and perspectives from Microsoft , please visit the Microsoft News Center at http : //news.microsoft.com .
Web links , telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance , journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft 's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at https : //news.microsoft.com/microsoft-public-relations-contacts .
CONTACT : For more information , press only : Microsoft Media Relations , WE Communications , ( 425 ) 638-7777 , rrt @ we-worldwide.com

REDMOND, Washington, Jan. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. on Thursday announced an ambitious goal and a new plan to reduce and ultimately remove its carbon footprint. By 2030 Microsoft will be carbon negative, and by 2050 Microsoft will remove from the environment all the carbon the company has emitted either directly or by electrical consumption since it was founded in 1975.
At an event at its Redmond campus, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella, President Brad Smith, Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood, and Chief Environmental Officer Lucas Joppa announced the company's new goals and a detailed plan to become carbon negative.
"While the world will need to reach net zero, those of us who can afford to move faster and go further should do so. That's why today we are announcing an ambitious goal and a new plan to reduce and ultimately remove Microsoft's carbon footprint," said Microsoft President Brad Smith. "By 2030 Microsoft will be carbon negative, and by 2050 Microsoft will remove from the environment all the carbon the company has emitted either directly or by electrical consumption since it was founded in 1975."
The Official Microsoft Blog has more information about the company's bold goal and detailed plan to remove its carbon footprint: https://blogs.microsoft.com/?p=52558785.
The company announced an aggressive program to cut carbon emissions by more than half by 2030, both for our direct emissions and for our entire supply and value chain. This includes driving down our own direct emissions and emissions related to the energy we use to near zero by the middle of this decade. It also announced a new initiative to use Microsoft technology to help our suppliers and customers around the world reduce their own carbon footprints and a new $1 billion climate innovation fund to accelerate the global development of carbon reduction, capture and removal technologies. Beginning next year, the company will also make carbon reduction an explicit aspect of our procurement processes for our supply chain. A new annual Environmental Sustainability Report will detail Microsoft's carbon impact and reduction journey. And lastly, the company will use its voice and advocacy to support public policy that will accelerate carbon reduction and removal opportunities.
More information can be found at the Microsoft microsite: https://news.microsoft.com/climate.
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://news.microsoft.com. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-public-relations-contacts. CONTACT: For more information, press only: Microsoft Media Relations, WE Communications, (425) 638-7777, rrt@we-worldwide.com


tass--2020-01-17--Kat Von D Departs Sells  Shares Of Kat Von D Beauty, KENDO BRANDS Acquires Remaining Stake

SAN FRANCISCO , Jan. 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kat Von D Beauty announced today that founder Kat Von D has made a full departure from the brand to focus on other artistic endeavors ( namely , her vegan shoe line and upcoming album ) , thus making KENDO the sole owner and force behind the beauty line .
Effective immediately , the brand will now be called KVD Vegan Beauty .
The company will continue offering its current product lineup , as well as creating new , innovative high-performance , vegan , and cruelty-free makeup for consumers all over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to value self-expression and compassion , and be an early adopter of buzz-worthy collaborations with entertainers , brands , arts organizations and animal charities .
The development of the KVD Vegan Beauty brand and its iconic products have been the result of a twelve-year partnership between Kat Von D and KENDO .
`` I want to thank Kat for helping to change the beauty industry with us .
The products we created together have stood the test of time and become icons .
KENDO , along with our global retail partner , SEPHORA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of KVD Vegan Beauty under KENDO 's leadership , ownership , and direction .
We are fully positioned to continue the brand 's growth and development in both product and marketing .
We have developed a very strong product pipeline for 2020 and beyond .
The same KENDO team that made history with KVD Vegan Beauty is ready to do it again.
`` `` This past year has been one of great change for me .
As many of you know , I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy , launched my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busy prepping to release my long-awaited album in the Spring , followed by an international tour !
As much as I wish I could balance all of this , on top of continuing my makeup line , it has become clear to me that I just ca n't do everything at the maximum capacity .
With that said , I 've decided to step down as founder ( and from all other capacities ) of Kat Von D Beauty , and sell my shares of the brand , turning it all over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 years .
This was not an easy decision , but after careful consideration , I decided I wanted the makeup line to continue to thrive and grow , and KENDO is primed to do just that . ''
The brand launched in 2008 with four red lipsticks .
Today , KVD Vegan Beauty has more than 250 innovative products in almost every beauty category .
It is sold globally , in every major market , in 36 countries around the world , primarily at SEPHORAs and kvdveganbeauty.com .
Since its inception , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nationally and internationally , for innovative and best-in-class product formulas , packaging and marketing .
Thus , resulting in long list of time-tested , best-sellers , including but not limited to : • Go Big or Go Home Mascara , a volumizing vegan mascara powered by plant-based fats • Lolita , the universal , beloved , chestnut-rose shade sold in lipsticks , eye and lip liners , and eye- shadow palettes ABOUT KVD VEGAN BEAUTY KVD VEGAN BEAUTY is an iconic , global , high-performance , vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's debut in 2008 -- with 4 high-pigment , long-wear , cruelty-free red lipsticks .
In 2010 , we created our # 1 award-winning eyeliner—Tattoo Liner—and it remains the uncontested holy grail of liquid eyeliner .
After pioneering the liquid lipstick craze , we changed the beauty industry again in 2016 when we reformulated our entire line to be 100 % vegan , without sacrificing the performance we 're known for .
Today , we have more than 250 innovative products in every category , hundreds of awards and we 're distributed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sephora , Sephora inside JC Penney and Debenhams in the UK and Ireland and www.kvdveganbeauty.com // Follow us @ kvdveganbeauty ABOUT KENDO BRANDS KENDO BRANDS solely owns and operates KVD VEGAN BEAUTY .
KENDO is an innovative beauty brand incubator that creates and acquires beauty brands and turns them into global powerhouses : FENTY Beauty by Rihanna , Ole Henriksen Skin Care , Marc Jacobs Beauty , Bite Beauty , Lip Lab Stores , and KVD Vegan Beauty .
KENDO offices are in San Francisco , Paris , Dubai , London , @ @ @ @

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kat Von D Beauty announced today that founder Kat Von D has made a full departure from the brand to focus on other artistic endeavors (namely, her vegan shoe line and upcoming album), thus making KENDO the sole owner and force behind the beauty line. Effective immediately, the brand will now be called KVD Vegan Beauty.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8664451-kat-von-d-departs-from-namesake-brand-kendo-kvd-vegan-beauty/
The company will continue offering its current product lineup, as well as creating new, innovative high-performance, vegan, and cruelty-free makeup for consumers all over the world. KVD Vegan Beauty continues to value self-expression and compassion, and be an early adopter of buzz-worthy collaborations with entertainers, brands, arts organizations and animal charities. The development of the KVD Vegan Beauty brand and its iconic products have been the result of a twelve-year partnership between Kat Von D and KENDO.
David Suliteanu , CEO, KENDO stated:
"I want to thank Kat for helping to change the beauty industry with us. The products we created together have stood the test of time and become icons. KENDO, along with our global retail partner, SEPHORA, look forward to the continued growth of KVD Vegan Beauty under KENDO's leadership, ownership, and direction. We are fully positioned to continue the brand's growth and development in both product and marketing. We have developed a very strong product pipeline for 2020 and beyond. The same KENDO team that made history with KVD Vegan Beauty is ready to do it again. "
Kat Von D , Founder and Artist explained:
"This past year has been one of great change for me. As many of you know, I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy, launched my vegan shoe line, and am now busy prepping to release my long-awaited album in the Spring, followed by an international tour! As much as I wish I could balance all of this, on top of continuing my makeup line, it has become clear to me that I just can't do everything at the maximum capacity.
With that said, I've decided to step down as founder (and from all other capacities) of Kat Von D Beauty, and sell my shares of the brand, turning it all over to KENDO, my partners for the past 12 years. This was not an easy decision, but after careful consideration, I decided I wanted the makeup line to continue to thrive and grow, and KENDO is primed to do just that."
The brand launched in 2008 with four red lipsticks. Today, KVD Vegan Beauty has more than 250 innovative products in almost every beauty category. It is sold globally, in every major market, in 36 countries around the world, primarily at SEPHORAs and kvdveganbeauty.com. Since its inception, KVD Vegan Beauty has won extensive awards, nationally and internationally, for innovative and best-in-class product formulas, packaging and marketing. Thus, resulting in long list of time-tested, best-sellers, including but not limited to:
Tattoo Liner, a worldwide icon and our #1 product
Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks, sparked the liquid lipstick revolution
Shade + Light Contour Palette, led the contour craze
Go Big or Go Home Mascara, a volumizing vegan mascara powered by plant-based fats
True Portrait Foundation, a truly lightweight, liquid-to-powder, high-performance vegan foundation
Lolita, the universal, beloved, chestnut-rose shade sold in lipsticks, eye and lip liners, and eye- shadow palettes
ABOUT KVD VEGAN BEAUTY
KVD VEGAN BEAUTY is an iconic, global, high-performance, vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand that's disrupted the industry since the brand's debut in 2008 -- with 4 high-pigment, long-wear, cruelty-free red lipsticks. In 2010, we created our #1 award-winning eyeliner—Tattoo Liner—and it remains the uncontested holy grail of liquid eyeliner. After pioneering the liquid lipstick craze, we changed the beauty industry again in 2016 when we reformulated our entire line to be 100% vegan, without sacrificing the performance we're known for. Today, we have more than 250 innovative products in every category, hundreds of awards and we're distributed in 36 countries around the world exclusively at, Sephora, Sephora inside JC Penney and Debenhams in the UK and Ireland and www.kvdveganbeauty.com // Follow us @kvdveganbeauty
ABOUT KENDO BRANDS
KENDO BRANDS solely owns and operates KVD VEGAN BEAUTY. KENDO is an innovative beauty brand incubator that creates and acquires beauty brands and turns them into global powerhouses: FENTY Beauty by Rihanna, Ole Henriksen Skin Care, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Bite Beauty, Lip Lab Stores, and KVD Vegan Beauty. KENDO offices are in San Francisco, Paris, Dubai, London, Sydney and Singapore.
PRESS CONTACT for KVD VEGAN BEAUTY: kvdveganbeauty@cmmpr.com


tass--2020-01-17--US should improve relations with Russia in order to counter China, expert says

NEW YORK , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
The United States should develop a general strategy of countering China on the international arena and seek a more constructive relationship with Russia , Senior Fellow for US Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations Robert Blackwill said in a report titled `` Implementing Grand Strategy Toward China '' released on Thursday .
To more effectively compete with China , the US should follow 22 policy prescriptions outlined by Blackwill in the report .
One of the policy prescriptions is to improve relations with Russia .
`` Washington will have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship with Moscow ; it can not do so while retaining all its current policies toward Russia , '' Blackwill wrote .
`` In that spirit , the United States should seek to negotiate an agreement with Russia in which North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) enlargement is over and done , the United States lifts its sanctions against Russia < ... > and Russia is readmitted to the G8 , '' he added .
`` The Arctic is a promising area for the United States and Russia to seek a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of navigation , Arctic search and rescue , environmental response , or the plight of indigenuous populations , '' Blackwill noted .
The expert said that `` China wants to replace the United States as the strongest and most influential power in Asia and beyond , '' adding that `` Washington should launch an all-out effort to limit the dangers that Beijing 's economic , diplomatic , technological and military expansion pose to U.S. interests in Asia and globally . ''

NEW YORK, January 17. /TASS/. The United States should develop a general strategy of countering China on the international arena and seek a more constructive relationship with Russia, Senior Fellow for US Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations Robert Blackwill said in a report titled "Implementing Grand Strategy Toward China" released on Thursday.
To more effectively compete with China, the US should follow 22 policy prescriptions outlined by Blackwill in the report. One of the policy prescriptions is to improve relations with Russia. "Washington will have to make concessions in order to improve its relationship with Moscow; it cannot do so while retaining all its current policies toward Russia," Blackwill wrote. "In that spirit, the United States should seek to negotiate an agreement with Russia in which North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) enlargement is over and done, the United States lifts its sanctions against Russia <...> and Russia is readmitted to the G8," he added.
"The Arctic is a promising area for the United States and Russia to seek a more cooperative relationship based on research, safety of navigation, Arctic search and rescue, environmental response, or the plight of indigenuous populations," Blackwill noted.
The expert said that "China wants to replace the United States as the strongest and most influential power in Asia and beyond," adding that "Washington should launch an all-out effort to limit the dangers that Beijing's economic, diplomatic, technological and military expansion pose to U.S. interests in Asia and globally."


tass--2020-01-17--Russian servicemen hand out around one tonne of food to refugees in Aleppo

ALEPPO , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian servicemen have carried out a humanitarian operation in the Al-Auda refugee camp @ @ @ @ @ and handed out around one tonne of food sets , spokesman for the Russian Center @ @ @ @ @ sides in Syria Pyotr Vangeli told reporters .
`` We have distributed around one tonne @ @ @ @ @ family out of 250 living here in temporary tents , got one , '' Vangeli @ @ @ @ @ Russian servicemen also handed out warm clothes and blankets .
This time of the year @ @ @ @ @ , and temperatures may fall below 0 degrees Celsius at night .
The Al-Auda camp @ @ @ @ @ from Idlib province which is mostly controlled by militants .
According to the Russian reconciliation @ @ @ @ @ carried out 2,300 humanitarian operations in Syria since the start of the settlement process .
@ @ @ @ @ tonnes of food , bottled water and necessities .

ALEPPO, January 17. /TASS/. Russian servicemen have carried out a humanitarian operation in the Al-Auda refugee camp in Syria's Aleppo province and handed out around one tonne of food sets, spokesman for the Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides in Syria Pyotr Vangeli told reporters.
"We have distributed around one tonne of food sets. Every family out of 250 living here in temporary tents, got one," Vangeli said.
He added that Russian servicemen also handed out warm clothes and blankets. This time of the year is the coldest in Syria, and temperatures may fall below 0 degrees Celsius at night.
The Al-Auda camp is mostly populated by refugees from Idlib province which is mostly controlled by militants.
According to the Russian reconciliation center, Russian servicemen have carried out 2,300 humanitarian operations in Syria since the start of the settlement process. Syrian residents received almost 4,000 tonnes of food, bottled water and necessities.


tass--2020-01-17--Killing Soleimani broke international law, former Nuremberg war crimes prosecutor says

NEW YORK , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump 's order to `` take out '' head of the Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ' Quds Force Major General Qassem Soleimani on the territory of Iraq was immoral and constituted a violation of international law , American lawyer and former Nuremberg war crimes prosecutor Benjamin Ferencz wrote in a letter to The New York Times .
Ferencz , aged 99 , was an investigator of Nazi war crimes after World War II and the Chief Prosecutor for the United States Army at the Einsatzgruppen Trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the US authorities in Nuremberg , Germany .
`` The [ US ] administration recently announced that , on orders of the president , the United States had 'taken out ' ( which really means 'murdered ' ) an important military leader of a country with which we were not at war .
As a Harvard Law School graduate who has written extensively on the subject , I view such immoral action as a clear violation of national and international law , '' Ferencz wrote .
`` The public is entitled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charter , the International Crimincal Court and the International Court of Justice in The Hague are all being bypassed .
In this cyberspace world , young people everywhere are in mortal danger unless we change the hearts and minds of those who seem to prefer war to law , '' he added .
The situation in the Middle East escalated on January 3 , when the United States delivered air strikes at the area near the Baghdad airport , killing commander of Iran 's Quds Force Major General Qasem Soleimani .
In response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities in Iraq used by US forces — Ayn al Asad air base and airport in Erbil .

NEW YORK, January 17. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump's order to "take out" head of the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force Major General Qassem Soleimani on the territory of Iraq was immoral and constituted a violation of international law, American lawyer and former Nuremberg war crimes prosecutor Benjamin Ferencz wrote in a letter to The New York Times.
Ferencz, aged 99, was an investigator of Nazi war crimes after World War II and the Chief Prosecutor for the United States Army at the Einsatzgruppen Trial. one of the 12 military trials held by the US authorities in Nuremberg, Germany.
"The [US] administration recently announced that, on orders of the president, the United States had 'taken out' (which really means 'murdered') an important military leader of a country with which we were not at war. As a Harvard Law School graduate who has written extensively on the subject, I view such immoral action as a clear violation of national and international law," Ferencz wrote.
"The public is entitled to know the truth. The United Nations Charter, the International Crimincal Court and the International Court of Justice in The Hague are all being bypassed. In this cyberspace world, young people everywhere are in mortal danger unless we change the hearts and minds of those who seem to prefer war to law," he added.
The situation in the Middle East escalated on January 3, when the United States delivered air strikes at the area near the Baghdad airport, killing commander of Iran's Quds Force Major General Qasem Soleimani. In response, Tehran delivered air strikes at two facilities in Iraq used by US forces — Ayn al Asad air base and airport in Erbil.


tass--2020-01-17--Earthquake of 5.3 magnitude rocks southern Mexico

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude has rocked southern Mexico on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ .
The earthquake 's epicenter lay in the state of Oaxaca at the depth of @ @ @ @ @ or damages were reported .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. /TASS/. An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude has rocked southern Mexico on Thursday, US Geological Survey reported.
The earthquake's epicenter lay in the state of Oaxaca at the depth of 27 km.
No injuries or damages were reported.


tass--2020-01-17--Italian prime minister says it is time "to engage in dialogue" on Libya

RABAT , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Italy and Algeria support a common approach to the resolution of the conflict in Libya and insist on the importance of dialogue as the only way to find a political solution to the crisis , Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said after talks with Algeria 's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Rabat as quoted by Algeria Press Service .
`` Algeria and Italy share a joint vision and approach with regards to the Libyan question .
This question is a source of concern for the two countries , '' Conte said .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultations , '' he added .
`` We should have confidence in the instruments of diplomacy which are always more efficient than weapons , because they offer options for peace and stability , '' Conte noted .
The Italian prime minister said that Rome and Rabat `` work together '' in anticipation of the international conference on Libya that will be held in Berlin on January 19 .
The two countries examine all the `` possible options as part of a peaceful and political solution to the crisis , '' Conte said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Libya will be held in Berlin .
It is expected that Prime Minister of Libya ’ s Government of National Accord ( GNA ) in Tripoli Fayez al-Sarraj and Commander of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar will attend the conference .
Heads of state of Russia , Algeria , the United Kingdom , Egypt , the United Arab Emirates , China , Turkey and France will also take part in the conference .

RABAT, January 16. /TASS/. Italy and Algeria support a common approach to the resolution of the conflict in Libya and insist on the importance of dialogue as the only way to find a political solution to the crisis, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said after talks with Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Rabat as quoted by Algeria Press Service.
"Algeria and Italy share a joint vision and approach with regards to the Libyan question. This question is a source of concern for the two countries," Conte said.
"It is time to engage in dialogue and consultations," he added. "We should have confidence in the instruments of diplomacy which are always more efficient than weapons, because they offer options for peace and stability," Conte noted.
The Italian prime minister said that Rome and Rabat "work together" in anticipation of the international conference on Libya that will be held in Berlin on January 19. The two countries examine all the "possible options as part of a peaceful and political solution to the crisis," Conte said.
On Janaury 19, an international conference on Libya will be held in Berlin. It is expected that Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli Fayez al-Sarraj and Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar will attend the conference. Heads of state of Russia, Algeria, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, China, Turkey and France will also take part in the conference.


tass--2020-01-17--US will advocate for continuation of ceasefire in Libya at conference — official

WASHINGTON , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will advocate for the continuation of a ceasefire in Libya at the international conference in Berlin on January 19 , a senior official of the US Department of State told reporters during a special briefing on Thursday .
`` In Berlin , the Secretary will engage with world leaders , and he 's going to advocate for three things : one , the continuation of a ceasefire in Libya ; two , the withdrawal of all external forces ; and three , a return to a UN-facilitated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior official said .
He added that `` the United States will continue to support Libyan parties in achieving a long-term cessation of hostilities and a political settlement that will enable all Libyans to enjoy a more peaceful future . ''
`` So the successful outcome would be the — number one , the primary issue there is a ceasefire .
So other things , of course , would be nice to have and , in fact , they 're important .
I do n't want to downplay them , but the imperative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the official said .
When asked about whether there are still US forces in Libya , the official said : `` So on the question of U.S. forces , I must refer ou to DOD [ Department of Defense ] on that front . ''
When commenting on the recent announcement that Turkey is sending its troops to Libya , the official said that `` we are very keen to see that there are no external or foreign interventions . ''
`` We do not want the conflict widened beyond what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a situation now where their interventions , the foreign interventions , are only exacerbating humanitarian crises in the country , '' he added .
On Janaury 19 , an international conference on Libya will be held in Berlin .
It is expected that Prime Minister of Libya ’ s Government of National Accord ( GNA ) in Tripoli Fayez al-Sarraj and Commander of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar will attend the conference .
Heads of state of Russia , Algeria , the United Kingdom , Egypt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Turkey and France will also take part in the conference .

WASHINGTON, January 16. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will advocate for the continuation of a ceasefire in Libya at the international conference in Berlin on January 19, a senior official of the US Department of State told reporters during a special briefing on Thursday.
"In Berlin, the Secretary will engage with world leaders, and he's going to advocate for three things: one, the continuation of a ceasefire in Libya; two, the withdrawal of all external forces; and three, a return to a UN-facilitated, Libyan-led political process," the senior official said.
He added that "the United States will continue to support Libyan parties in achieving a long-term cessation of hostilities and a political settlement that will enable all Libyans to enjoy a more peaceful future."
"So the successful outcome would be the — number one, the primary issue there is a ceasefire. So other things, of course, would be nice to have and, in fact, they're important. I don't want to downplay them, but the imperative would be the continuation of a ceasefire," the official said.
When asked about whether there are still US forces in Libya, the official said: "So on the question of U.S. forces, I must refer ou to DOD [Department of Defense] on that front."
When commenting on the recent announcement that Turkey is sending its troops to Libya, the official said that "we are very keen to see that there are no external or foreign interventions." "We do not want the conflict widened beyond what it has already become, and this is a situation now where their interventions, the foreign interventions, are only exacerbating humanitarian crises in the country," he added.
On Janaury 19, an international conference on Libya will be held in Berlin. It is expected that Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli Fayez al-Sarraj and Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar will attend the conference. Heads of state of Russia, Algeria, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, China, Turkey and France will also take part in the conference.


tass--2020-01-17--Earthquake of 5.5 magnitude rocks Russia's Kamchatka

Third earthquake in 24 hours occurs near Kuril Islands PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
An earthquake of 5.5 @ @ @ @ @ the Pacific Ocean off Kamchatka coast in Russia 's Far East , the Russian Emergencies @ @ @ @ @ The earthquake 's epicenter lay in 94 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at the depth of 20 @ @ @ @ @ registered at 4:31am local time ( 7:31pm Moscow time ) .
Residents of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky reported @ @ @ @ @ injuries or damages were reported .

Third earthquake in 24 hours occurs near Kuril Islands
PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, January 17. /TASS/. An earthquake of 5.5 magnitude has been registered in the Pacific Ocean off Kamchatka coast in Russia's Far East, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said on Friday.
The earthquake's epicenter lay in 94 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at the depth of 20 km. The earthquake was registered at 4:31am local time (7:31pm Moscow time).
Residents of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky reported feeling the tremors. No injuries or damages were reported.


tass--2020-01-17--Russian fighter jets scrambled 3 times on interception missions in last week

Su-30SM fighter jets intercept 'enemy ' aircraft in stratosphere during drills in Siberia MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
@ @ @ @ @ scrambled three times on interception missions in the last week , the Krasnaya Zvezda ( @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Defense Ministry as saying .
According to the defense ministry , 27 foreign @ @ @ @ @ borders .
The defense ministry said that violations of Russian airspace were prevented .
The @ @ @ @ @ pilots carried out 14 sorties at 11 aerodromes in the past week .

Su-30SM fighter jets intercept 'enemy' aircraft in stratosphere during drills in Siberia
MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Russian fighter jets have been scrambled three times on interception missions in the last week, the Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) newspaper quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying.
According to the defense ministry, 27 foreign aircraft conducted reconnaissance near Russian borders. The defense ministry said that violations of Russian airspace were prevented.
The defense ministry said that Russian pilots carried out 14 sorties at 11 aerodromes in the past week.


tass--2020-01-17--Russian Defense Ministry refutes reports about alleged air strikes on Idlib facilities

MOSCOW , January 16./TASS/ .
Reports by several media outlets about Russian air strikes on civilian facilities in the Idlib de-escalation zone are untrue , chief of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides in Syria Yury Borenkov told reporters on Thursday .
`` Reports by some information resources about alleged air strikes on civilian facilities in the Idlib de-escalation zone contradict the reality , '' Borenkov said .
`` The Russian Aerospace Forces have not conducted any combat sorties since the ceasefire came into effect , '' he added .
The ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 .
Four de-escalation zones were set up in Syria in May 2017 in accordance with a decision made by Russia , Iran and Turkey — the guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire .
The four zones include the Idlib province , certain parts of neighboring areas in the Latakia , Hama and Aleppo provinces , as well as some areas in the Daraa and Quneitra provinces in southern Syria .
Damascus took control of three of the four zones in 2018 , but the fourth one , which covers the Idlib province and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Aleppo provinces , is still controlled by terrorists from the Jabhat al-Nusra terror group ( banned in Russia ) .

MOSCOW, January 16./TASS/. Reports by several media outlets about Russian air strikes on civilian facilities in the Idlib de-escalation zone are untrue, chief of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides in Syria Yury Borenkov told reporters on Thursday.
"Reports by some information resources about alleged air strikes on civilian facilities in the Idlib de-escalation zone contradict the reality," Borenkov said. "The Russian Aerospace Forces have not conducted any combat sorties since the ceasefire came into effect," he added.
The ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation zone in northern Syria was introduced on January 9.
Four de-escalation zones were set up in Syria in May 2017 in accordance with a decision made by Russia, Iran and Turkey — the guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire. The four zones include the Idlib province, certain parts of neighboring areas in the Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces, as well as some areas in the Daraa and Quneitra provinces in southern Syria. Damascus took control of three of the four zones in 2018, but the fourth one, which covers the Idlib province and certain parts of the Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces, is still controlled by terrorists from the Jabhat al-Nusra terror group (banned in Russia).


tass--2020-01-17--Russian officers report 60 ceasefire violations in Syria in past day

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Sixty ceasefire violations were reported during the day in Syria ’ s governorates of Latakia , Aleppo , Idlib and Hama , Major General Yury Borenkov , chief of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides in Syria , told reporters on Thursday .
`` Sixty episodes of shelling by armed groups have been reported over the past 24 hours , '' Borenkov said .
He added that one of the three checkpoints created to allow civilians to leave the Idlib de-escalation zone , came under mortar fire on January 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilians and Russian police officers .
In another development , this time on January 15 , up to 150 militants riding 20 light trucks and armed with heavy machine guns made another attempt of an offensive on the positions of the Syrian army towards the settlements of Malka and al-Tah in Idlib governorate .
During the day , officers of the Russian reconciliation center conducted two humanitarian operations and distributed a total of 3.15 tonnes of food sets among civilians in the settlement of Jaba ( Quneitra governorate ) and Abukra ( Al-Hasakah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2,333 humanitarian operations have been carried out since the start of the settlement process .
The ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation zone in northern Syria entered into force on January 12 .
The Syrian government forces however stopped fighting at 2pm local time on January 9 .
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill the tasks assigned to them after the completion of the military campaign in Syria .
They regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation .
The main efforts of the Russian military are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are returning back to their homes and evacuating civilians from the war-torn country ’ s de-escalation zones .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Sixty ceasefire violations were reported during the day in Syria’s governorates of Latakia, Aleppo, Idlib and Hama, Major General Yury Borenkov, chief of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the conflicting sides in Syria, told reporters on Thursday.
"Sixty episodes of shelling by armed groups have been reported over the past 24 hours," Borenkov said.
He added that one of the three checkpoints created to allow civilians to leave the Idlib de-escalation zone, came under mortar fire on January 14, putting at risk the lives of civilians and Russian police officers. In another development, this time on January 15, up to 150 militants riding 20 light trucks and armed with heavy machine guns made another attempt of an offensive on the positions of the Syrian army towards the settlements of Malka and al-Tah in Idlib governorate.
During the day, officers of the Russian reconciliation center conducted two humanitarian operations and distributed a total of 3.15 tonnes of food sets among civilians in the settlement of Jaba (Quneitra governorate) and Abukra (Al-Hasakah governorate), Borenkov said. Overall, 2,333 humanitarian operations have been carried out since the start of the settlement process.
The ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation zone in northern Syria entered into force on January 12. The Syrian government forces however stopped fighting at 2pm local time on January 9.
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill the tasks assigned to them after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. They regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on aiding the refugees who are returning back to their homes and evacuating civilians from the war-torn country’s de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-01-17--Putin makes Mishustin permanent member of Russian Security Council

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian Security Council , the statement on the Kremlin website said on Thursday .
`` To make a change to the composition of the Security Council of the Russian Federation < ... > by adding as a permanent members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation M.V .
Mishustin — chairman of the government of the Russian Federation , '' the statement said .
Mikhail Mushustin was appointed as Prime Minister on January 16 , replacing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council .
The Russian Security Council currently includes Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev , Director of the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) Alexander Bortnikov , Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vayno , State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin , Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko , presidential envoy for environment , ecology and transport Sergey Ivanov , acting foreign minister Sergey Lavrov , acting interior minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev , acting defense minister Sergey Shoigu , Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service ( SVR ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrushev .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in the Russian Security Council, the statement on the Kremlin website said on Thursday.
"To make a change to the composition of the Security Council of the Russian Federation <...> by adding as a permanent members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation M.V. Mishustin — chairman of the government of the Russian Federation," the statement said.
Mikhail Mushustin was appointed as Prime Minister on January 16, replacing outgoing Dmitry Medvedev, who was appointed as deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council.
The Russian Security Council currently includes Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev, Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vayno, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, presidential envoy for environment, ecology and transport Sergey Ivanov, acting foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, acting interior minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, acting defense minister Sergey Shoigu, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Sergey Naryshkin, Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev.


tass--2020-01-17--Major differences persist between Russian, US stances on strategic stability — diplomat

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Major differences between Russia and the United States persist on issues of strategic stability , but the sides seek to continue work , Acting Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS after consultations on strategic stability with the US in Vienna on Thursday .
`` After a long break , the entire range of issues related to arms control and strategic stability was discussed with the US in Vienna on January 16 in an inter-departmental format .
The conversation was very substantive , and detailed in certain aspects , '' Ryabkov said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ differences on a number of issues , but in the end the understanding was confirmed that work in this format will be continued , and we go on with an assumption that there will be no more long pauses , '' he added .
He also said that the date for a next round of consultations has not been set yet .
`` But this pause will not be too long , '' he assured .
`` We will additionally coordinate the concrete timeframe , as well as the venue of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An agreement was put on paper that the Russian-American dialogue on the issue will get a boost at the expert level on the additionally coordinated agenda , '' the diplomat noted .
`` This is a good result , given the importance of the problems we are facing , '' he added .
At the talks , Russia was represented by Sergey Ryabkov , and the US was represented by Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Christopher Ford , who `` has been delegated the authorities and functions of the Under Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security . ''

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Major differences between Russia and the United States persist on issues of strategic stability, but the sides seek to continue work, Acting Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told TASS after consultations on strategic stability with the US in Vienna on Thursday.
"After a long break, the entire range of issues related to arms control and strategic stability was discussed with the US in Vienna on January 16 in an inter-departmental format. The conversation was very substantive, and detailed in certain aspects," Ryabkov said.
"It confirmed the existence of major differences on a number of issues, but in the end the understanding was confirmed that work in this format will be continued, and we go on with an assumption that there will be no more long pauses," he added.
He also said that the date for a next round of consultations has not been set yet. "But this pause will not be too long," he assured. "We will additionally coordinate the concrete timeframe, as well as the venue of the new meeting," Ryabkov added.
"An agreement was put on paper that the Russian-American dialogue on the issue will get a boost at the expert level on the additionally coordinated agenda," the diplomat noted. "This is a good result, given the importance of the problems we are facing," he added.
At the talks, Russia was represented by Sergey Ryabkov, and the US was represented by Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Christopher Ford, who "has been delegated the authorities and functions of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security."


tass--2020-01-17--Pompeo to attend international conference on Libya in Berlin

Haftar says he is ready to adhere to Libya ceasefire — German top diplomat WASHINGTON , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will visit Berlin on January 19 where he will take part in the international conference on Libya , Spokesperson for the US Department of State Morgan Ortgaus said in a statement released on Thursday .
`` Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will travel to Berlin on January 19 to attend the jointly hosted German-UN international conference on Libya , as part of the three-point plan UN Special Representative [ for Libya Ghassan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council , '' Ortagus said .
Next week , Pompeo will also visit Colombia , Costa Rica and Jamaica .
On Janaury 19 , an international conference on Libya will be held in Berlin .
It is expected that Prime Minister of Libya ’ s Government of National Accord ( GNA ) in Tripoli Fayez al-Sarraj and Commander of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar will attend the conference .
Heads of state of Russia , Algeria , the United Kingdom , Egypt , the United Arab Emirates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also take part in the conference .

Haftar says he is ready to adhere to Libya ceasefire — German top diplomat
WASHINGTON, January 16. /TASS/. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will visit Berlin on January 19 where he will take part in the international conference on Libya, Spokesperson for the US Department of State Morgan Ortgaus said in a statement released on Thursday.
"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will travel to Berlin on January 19 to attend the jointly hosted German-UN international conference on Libya, as part of the three-point plan UN Special Representative [for Libya Ghassan] Salame outlined to the UN Security Council," Ortagus said.
Next week, Pompeo will also visit Colombia, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
On Janaury 19, an international conference on Libya will be held in Berlin. It is expected that Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli Fayez al-Sarraj and Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar will attend the conference. Heads of state of Russia, Algeria, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, China, Turkey and France will also take part in the conference.


tass--2020-01-17--Putin submits draft law to Duma introducing position of deputy chair of Security Council

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted a draft law to the State Dume that introduces a position of the deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council .
The text of the draft law was published on Thursday in the electronic database of the lower house of parliament .
`` The draft federal law envisages introducing a position of a deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council , who will be among permanent members of the Russian Security Council , as well as determining the procedure for his appointment and dismissal , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the draft law , the deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council is appointed and dismissed by the president .
The powers of the deputy chairperson will also be determined by the president .
`` The deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council should inform in accordance with the procedure envisaged by Russian presidential decrees about the emergence of a personal interest when fulfilling his obligations which leads or may lead to a conflict of interests , as well as take measures to prevent or settle such conflict , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who do not have citizenship or residence permit of other countries may be appointed to this position .
Earlier on Thursday , Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree introducing a new position - deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council .
He appointed former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to this position .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted a draft law to the State Dume that introduces a position of the deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council. The text of the draft law was published on Thursday in the electronic database of the lower house of parliament.
"The draft federal law envisages introducing a position of a deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council, who will be among permanent members of the Russian Security Council, as well as determining the procedure for his appointment and dismissal," the explanatory note to the draft law said.
According to the draft law, the deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council is appointed and dismissed by the president. The powers of the deputy chairperson will also be determined by the president. "The deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council should inform in accordance with the procedure envisaged by Russian presidential decrees about the emergence of a personal interest when fulfilling his obligations which leads or may lead to a conflict of interests, as well as take measures to prevent or settle such conflict," the draft law said. Russian citizens who do not have citizenship or residence permit of other countries may be appointed to this position.
Earlier on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree introducing a new position - deputy chairperson of the Russian Security Council. He appointed former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to this position.


tass--2020-01-17--US and Russia discuss possibility of moving beyond bilateral format on arms control

WASHINGTON , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and the United States have discussed the possibility of moving beyond a bilateral format on arms control , the US Department of State said in a statement released on Thursday .
At the talks , Russia was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov , and the US was represented by Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Christopher Ford , who `` has been delegated the authorities and functions of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security . ''
The delegations discussed `` their respective national strategic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and misperceptions on key security issues , '' the statement said .
`` The U.S. and Russian delegations discussed nuclear stockpiles and strategy , crisis and arms race stability , and the role and potential future of arms control , including the importance of moving beyond a solely bilateral format , '' the statement noted .
`` The delegations decided to continue the Strategic Security Dialogue and also to begin expert-level engagement on particular topics in the near future , '' the statement said adding that `` the United States and Russia intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Last Russian-US consultations on strategic stability and arms control were held on 17 July 2019 in Geneva .

WASHINGTON, January 16. /TASS/. Russia and the United States have discussed the possibility of moving beyond a bilateral format on arms control, the US Department of State said in a statement released on Thursday.
At the talks, Russia was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, and the US was represented by Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Christopher Ford, who "has been delegated the authorities and functions of the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security."
The delegations discussed "their respective national strategic policies as a means to reduce misunderstandings and misperceptions on key security issues," the statement said. "The U.S. and Russian delegations discussed nuclear stockpiles and strategy, crisis and arms race stability, and the role and potential future of arms control, including the importance of moving beyond a solely bilateral format," the statement noted.
"The delegations decided to continue the Strategic Security Dialogue and also to begin expert-level engagement on particular topics in the near future," the statement said adding that "the United States and Russia intended to hold additional consultations as needed."
Last Russian-US consultations on strategic stability and arms control were held on 17 July 2019 in Geneva.


tass--2020-01-16--Turkey among reasons for Haftar's leaving talks without signing deal, says speaker

CAIRO , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey was among the reasons why the commander of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) , Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar , left the talks in Moscow on January 13 without signing a ceasefire agreement , President of the Libyan House of Representatives Aguila Saleh said in an interview with the Egyptian Akhbar el-Yom newspaper on Thursday .
`` When it became clear to us that there was an intention to announce a joint statement by [ Prime Minister of Libya ’ s Government of National Accord in Tripoli Fayez ] Sarraj and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some other points , we refused to sign this agreement , because it was Sarraj who featured on the other side , who is not recognized in Libya and his government is seen as illegitimate , especially after he twice lost a vote of confidence in parliament , '' the speaker said .
`` Then a proposal came that each side will ink the document individually .
However , after the statement had been read , it became clear that it did not contain many important points , as a result of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Turkey ’ s presence at the talks was among the main reasons , since it is an inalienable part of the problem , and not a solution , '' Aguila Saleh went on to say .
`` How can it be taking part in this when it supports one of the sides in the dispute ? ''
he wondered .
`` Another reason is the ceasefire — we agreed to a ceasefire with the government of Sarraj out of respect for Russia which seeks to find ways to settle the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the terrorist groups won ’ t abide by the ceasefire , which is what happened as a result , '' he explained .
The Libyan National Army `` is not fighting another army , it fights terrorists and killers '' .
`` The third reason for the refusal is the absence of any sign of the withdrawal of militants and mercenaries from Libya , and fourthly — the Russian-Turkish ceasefire initiative gave no timeframes , '' Saleh added .
He said that reports coming after the talks in Moscow about Haftar ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , were not true .
Saleh also said that he shared the view of certain LNA commanders that the military solution was the most suitable option in the current situation .
`` I will agree with this , since the political solution has failed , '' he pointed out .
`` We are now dealing with armed militias in Tripoli .
Within four years , the Turks and Italians have failed to evict from Tripoli the terrorists supported by the Cabinet of Sarraj , who himself has nothing to offer for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressed .

CAIRO, January 16. /TASS/. Turkey was among the reasons why the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, left the talks in Moscow on January 13 without signing a ceasefire agreement, President of the Libyan House of Representatives Aguila Saleh said in an interview with the Egyptian Akhbar el-Yom newspaper on Thursday.
"When it became clear to us that there was an intention to announce a joint statement by [Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Accord in Tripoli Fayez] Sarraj and Haftar on a ceasefire in addition to some other points, we refused to sign this agreement, because it was Sarraj who featured on the other side, who is not recognized in Libya and his government is seen as illegitimate, especially after he twice lost a vote of confidence in parliament," the speaker said.
"Then a proposal came that each side will ink the document individually. However, after the statement had been read, it became clear that it did not contain many important points, as a result of which we refused flatly," he added.
"Turkey’s presence at the talks was among the main reasons, since it is an inalienable part of the problem, and not a solution," Aguila Saleh went on to say. "How can it be taking part in this when it supports one of the sides in the dispute?" he wondered. "Another reason is the ceasefire — we agreed to a ceasefire with the government of Sarraj out of respect for Russia which seeks to find ways to settle the crisis, although we are absolutely confident that the terrorist groups won’t abide by the ceasefire, which is what happened as a result," he explained.
The Libyan National Army "is not fighting another army, it fights terrorists and killers". "The third reason for the refusal is the absence of any sign of the withdrawal of militants and mercenaries from Libya, and fourthly — the Russian-Turkish ceasefire initiative gave no timeframes," Saleh added.
He said that reports coming after the talks in Moscow about Haftar’s intentions to sign the deal within two days, were not true. Saleh also said that he shared the view of certain LNA commanders that the military solution was the most suitable option in the current situation. "I will agree with this, since the political solution has failed," he pointed out. "We are now dealing with armed militias in Tripoli. Within four years, the Turks and Italians have failed to evict from Tripoli the terrorists supported by the Cabinet of Sarraj, who himself has nothing to offer for the settlement of the crisis," he stressed.


tass--2020-01-16--Russia’s Audit Chamber head Kudrin not expecting major cabinet reshuffle

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Chairperson of the Russian Audit Chamber Alexey Kudrin thinks that there won ’ t be a significant reshuffle of ministers in the Russian government , he told reporters .
`` I am not expecting a significant reshuffle .
This government is fairly young and I believe that in all but a few cases it will remain as it is , '' he said .
Kudrin also added that he had not received any invitations to join the new cabinet , specifying that he has obligations in the Audit Chamber that he answers directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t feel like I am disengaged from the most pressing issues — you ’ ve seen my speech at the Strategic Development Council .
Those proposals that we came up with made it to the list of presidential instructions .
Generally , I am happy with this process , '' the Audit Chamber head said .
The State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) earlier on Thursday backed Mikhail Mishustin to be appointed as new Russian Prime Minister .
Later , Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
Following the State Duma ’ s plenary session , Mishustin said that he will present a new cabinet lineup shortly .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Chairperson of the Russian Audit Chamber Alexey Kudrin thinks that there won’t be a significant reshuffle of ministers in the Russian government, he told reporters.
"I am not expecting a significant reshuffle. This government is fairly young and I believe that in all but a few cases it will remain as it is," he said.
Kudrin also added that he had not received any invitations to join the new cabinet, specifying that he has obligations in the Audit Chamber that he answers directly to the president for. "I don’t feel like I am disengaged from the most pressing issues — you’ve seen my speech at the Strategic Development Council. Those proposals that we came up with made it to the list of presidential instructions. Generally, I am happy with this process," the Audit Chamber head said.
The State Duma (lower house of parliament) earlier on Thursday backed Mikhail Mishustin to be appointed as new Russian Prime Minister. Later, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order, officially making him the head of Russian government. Following the State Duma’s plenary session, Mishustin said that he will present a new cabinet lineup shortly.


tass--2020-01-16--Putin notes ECHR sometimes makes unlawful decisions regarding Russia

NOVO-OGARYOVO , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes it is important to carefully study the situation involving attempts to impose certain international laws on Russia from overseas , he said Thursday at a meeting with the working group tasked with drafting proposals to introduce amendments to the Russian constitution .
During the meeting , Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrey Klishas pointed out that sometimes supranational institutions , for instance the European Court of Human Rights , interpret conventions in a way that whole new provisions emerge that Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin responded , emphasizing that `` some always have a desire springing out to manipulate Russia from outside . ''
`` We have long been faced with it , I personally see it myself , '' the president lamented .
`` Sometimes the European Court , and we always comply with all its decision , unfortunately delivers blatantly unlawful decisions , which is unacceptable .
However , even in this case we abide by [ these decisions ] , however strange it may seem , '' the leader continued .
`` But when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is excessive , it is too much , '' Putin added .
He concluded , saying that this issue needs to be addressed carefully and underscored that the idea to enshrine primacy of the Russian constitution particularly comes from this .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, January 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes it is important to carefully study the situation involving attempts to impose certain international laws on Russia from overseas, he said Thursday at a meeting with the working group tasked with drafting proposals to introduce amendments to the Russian constitution.
During the meeting, Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrey Klishas pointed out that sometimes supranational institutions, for instance the European Court of Human Rights, interpret conventions in a way that whole new provisions emerge that Russia has never put its signature to.
Putin responded, emphasizing that "some always have a desire springing out to manipulate Russia from outside." "We have long been faced with it, I personally see it myself," the president lamented. "Sometimes the European Court, and we always comply with all its decision, unfortunately delivers blatantly unlawful decisions, which is unacceptable. However, even in this case we abide by [these decisions], however strange it may seem," the leader continued.
"But when certain interpretations imposed from overseas arise - it is excessive, it is too much," Putin added. He concluded, saying that this issue needs to be addressed carefully and underscored that the idea to enshrine primacy of the Russian constitution particularly comes from this.


tass--2020-01-16--Merkel lauds Haftar’s willingness to abide by Libyan ceasefire as 'good news'

BERLIN , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has welcomed Commander of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar ’ s expressed readiness to honor the ceasefire in the country , she said Thursday following a meeting with Croatia ’ s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Berlin .
`` Our foreign minister [ Heiko Maas ] had a meeting today with General Haftar .
The fact that he is willing to comply with the ceasefire is good news , '' the chancellor underscored , hailing it as a precondition to achieve settlement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Berlin international conference on Libya should secure that the arms embargo banning countries from supplying weapons to parties to the conflict is observed .
Earlier on Thursday , German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas travelled to Libya ’ s Benghazi for talks with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar where the Libyan commander gave assurances that he is ready to abide by the ceasefire .
On January 12 , a ceasefire in Libya proposed by the Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan as part of a larger initiative to achieve peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midnight .
The ceasefire ’ s objective is to stop hostilities between the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and Fayez al-Sarraj ’ s Government of National Accord ( GNA ) sitting in Tripoli .
On January 13 , representatives of the parties to the conflict arrived in Moscow for talks after which GNA envoys signed the ceasefire agreement .
Haftar took a pause to study the agreement .
However , later he left Moscow without putting his signature to the document , claiming that he needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders of tribes that support him .
In the early hours of January 14 , armed clashes re-erupted in south Tripoli - the target of a decisive offensive declared by Haftar in December .
The LNA issued a statement declaring `` readiness and determination to achieve victory . ''
To break the deadlock , Germany is planning to hold an international conference on the Libyan settlement in Berlin on January 19 , officially inviting Haftar and Sarraj to attend it earlier .

BERLIN, January 16. /TASS/. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has welcomed Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s expressed readiness to honor the ceasefire in the country, she said Thursday following a meeting with Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Berlin.
"Our foreign minister [Heiko Maas] had a meeting today with General Haftar. The fact that he is willing to comply with the ceasefire is good news," the chancellor underscored, hailing it as a precondition to achieve settlement in the country. According to her, the Berlin international conference on Libya should secure that the arms embargo banning countries from supplying weapons to parties to the conflict is observed.
Earlier on Thursday, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas travelled to Libya’s Benghazi for talks with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar where the Libyan commander gave assurances that he is ready to abide by the ceasefire.
Ceasefire and conference
On January 12, a ceasefire in Libya proposed by the Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan as part of a larger initiative to achieve peace in the country entered into force at midnight. The ceasefire’s objective is to stop hostilities between the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and Fayez al-Sarraj’s Government of National Accord (GNA) sitting in Tripoli. On January 13, representatives of the parties to the conflict arrived in Moscow for talks after which GNA envoys signed the ceasefire agreement.
Haftar took a pause to study the agreement. However, later he left Moscow without putting his signature to the document, claiming that he needed time to discuss the agreements reached with leaders of tribes that support him. In the early hours of January 14, armed clashes re-erupted in south Tripoli - the target of a decisive offensive declared by Haftar in December. The LNA issued a statement declaring "readiness and determination to achieve victory."
To break the deadlock, Germany is planning to hold an international conference on the Libyan settlement in Berlin on January 19, officially inviting Haftar and Sarraj to attend it earlier.


tass--2020-01-16--EU Council head welcomes gas agreement between Russia, Ukraine in call with Putin

BRUSSELS , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
President of the European Council Charles Michel has had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and welcomed the agreement reached by Moscow and Kiev on natural gas transit to Europe through Ukraine , the council said in a statement on Thursday .
`` During the first contact between Charles Michel , in his capacity as president of the European Council , and Vladimir Putin , president Michel recalled the EU 's position on the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements ; noted the Paris Summit held in December 2019 in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement concluded between Ukraine and Russia , '' the statement reads .
The statement reiterates , `` The EU supports Ukraine 's independence , sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders . ''
On December 19 , reports emerged that Russia , Ukraine and the EU reached an agreement in principle on gas transit following talks in Berlin .
On December 27 , former Vice-President of the European Commission for the Energy Union Maros Sefcovic signed a letter confirming that the Ukrainian gas transmission system was ready to operate in accordance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller announced earlier that the package of agreements with Ukraine ’ s Naftogaz was signed by parties on December 30 after five days of continuous negotiations in Vienna .
The documents came into force after December 31 , 2019 to ensure transit of Russian gas through Ukraine .

BRUSSELS, January 16. /TASS/. President of the European Council Charles Michel has had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and welcomed the agreement reached by Moscow and Kiev on natural gas transit to Europe through Ukraine, the council said in a statement on Thursday.
"During the first contact between Charles Michel, in his capacity as president of the European Council, and Vladimir Putin, president Michel recalled the EU's position on the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements; noted the Paris Summit held in December 2019 in the Normandy format and welcomed the gas transit agreement concluded between Ukraine and Russia," the statement reads.
The statement reiterates, "The EU supports Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders."
On December 19, reports emerged that Russia, Ukraine and the EU reached an agreement in principle on gas transit following talks in Berlin. On December 27, former Vice-President of the European Commission for the Energy Union Maros Sefcovic signed a letter confirming that the Ukrainian gas transmission system was ready to operate in accordance with EU legislation.
Russian energy giant Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller announced earlier that the package of agreements with Ukraine’s Naftogaz was signed by parties on December 30 after five days of continuous negotiations in Vienna. The documents came into force after December 31, 2019 to ensure transit of Russian gas through Ukraine.