tass--2020-01-16--China values Medvedev’s contribution to bilateral relations

`` The resignation of Mr. Medvedev and the Russian government is a domestic affair of the country .
As Russia ’ s friendly partner , China respects this .
In his tenure as head of the Russian government , Mr. Medvedev has played an active role in developing Russian-Chinese relations for many years , '' the diplomat noted .
BEIJING , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Chinese government commends the contribution of Dmitry Medvedev to the development of Russian-Chinese relations , hoping that he will continue to facilitate cooperation between the two states in his new position , Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to a TASS request for comment .
`` He has made a significant contribution to trade-economic , investment and energy cooperation , as well as cooperation in other spheres .
China highly values this .
We hope that Mr. Medvedev will continue to contribute to the development of new-age Russian-Chinese relations of strategic partnership and cooperation in his new position , and we are confident that he will , '' the spokesman concluded .
The entire Russian government , headed by Dmitry Medvedev , resigned on Wednesday .
However , President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry out its duties until a new government is formed , appointing Medvedev Acting PM .
The Russian leader then proposed the candidacy of Russian Federal Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin for the post of Prime Minister .
The Russian State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) will consider approving the candidacy of Mishustin during a plenary session on Thursday .

"The resignation of Mr. Medvedev and the Russian government is a domestic affair of the country. As Russia’s friendly partner, China respects this. In his tenure as head of the Russian government, Mr. Medvedev has played an active role in developing Russian-Chinese relations for many years," the diplomat noted.
BEIJING, January 16. /TASS/. The Chinese government commends the contribution of Dmitry Medvedev to the development of Russian-Chinese relations, hoping that he will continue to facilitate cooperation between the two states in his new position, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said in response to a TASS request for comment.
"He has made a significant contribution to trade-economic, investment and energy cooperation, as well as cooperation in other spheres. China highly values this. We hope that Mr. Medvedev will continue to contribute to the development of new-age Russian-Chinese relations of strategic partnership and cooperation in his new position, and we are confident that he will," the spokesman concluded.
The entire Russian government, headed by Dmitry Medvedev, resigned on Wednesday. However, President Vladimir Putin instructed the cabinet to continue to carry out its duties until a new government is formed, appointing Medvedev Acting PM. The Russian leader then proposed the candidacy of Russian Federal Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin for the post of Prime Minister.
The Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) will consider approving the candidacy of Mishustin during a plenary session on Thursday.


tass--2020-01-16--Ukraine’s notorious website Mirotvorets blacklists Mikhail Mishustin

KIEV , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
The chief of Russia ’ s Federal Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin , whom @ @ @ @ @ the post of prime minister has been blacklisted by Ukraine ’ s notorious website Mirotvorets @ @ @ @ @ Mishustin `` intentionally violated Ukraine ’ s state border for the purpose of getting into @ @ @

KIEV, January 16. /TASS/. The chief of Russia’s Federal Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin, whom President Vladimir Putin nominated for the post of prime minister has been blacklisted by Ukraine’s notorious website Mirotvorets.
The website claims that Mishustin "intentionally violated Ukraine’s state border for the purpose of getting into Crimea."


tass--2020-01-16--Lavrov meets with Uzbekistan’s president

Lavrov who is paying an official visit to Uzbekistan earlier held talks with his Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ at the beginning of the meeting that preparations for Mirziyoyev ’ s upcoming visit to @ @ @ @ @ is the last country in Lavrov ’ s Asia tour .
He earlier visited Sri @ @ @ @

Lavrov who is paying an official visit to Uzbekistan earlier held talks with his Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov. Russia’s top diplomat noted at the beginning of the meeting that preparations for Mirziyoyev’s upcoming visit to Russia were underway.
Uzbekistan is the last country in Lavrov’s Asia tour. He earlier visited Sri Lanka and India.


tass--2020-01-16--PM candidate Mishustin to take up removing barriers for business

`` The most important thing is to remove barriers for business , reduce costs for business , in any case , talk significantly with business , '' Mishustin said on Thursday at a meeting with deputies of the United Russia faction in the State Duma .
`` These are the most important issues that I will immediately consider from the first days , '' Mishustin added .
MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Head of Russia ’ s Federal Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin , whose candidacy has been proposed by President Vladimir Putin as Prime Minister , said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he will first deal with removing barriers for business .
He called the situation stable in the Russian economy .
`` We have a fairly stable situation , because the Russian National Wealth Fund is decent , gold and currency reserves - this all stabilizes the situation quite well .
We have inflation , I think it will not exceed 4 % , this is obvious , '' he continued .
`` Of course , the first thing that needs to be done is to seriously engage in institutional , management reforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , [ we need ] to bring in the latest information technologies .
I will deal with programs , Digital Economy national project .
Without a doubt , the state should be a digital platform that is created for people , '' he said .
In his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday , Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested amending the country ’ s Constitution , including vesting the State Duma with powers to approve the prime minister , deputy prime ministers and federal ministers .
Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to perform its duties until a new Cabinet is formed .
He also nominated Russian Federal Tax Service head Mikhail Mishustin for the position of the Russian Prime Minister .
Russia ’ s State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) will hold a plenary session on Thursday to consider Mishustin for the position of prime minister .

"The most important thing is to remove barriers for business, reduce costs for business, in any case, talk significantly with business," Mishustin said on Thursday at a meeting with deputies of the United Russia faction in the State Duma. "These are the most important issues that I will immediately consider from the first days," Mishustin added.
MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Head of Russia’s Federal Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin, whose candidacy has been proposed by President Vladimir Putin as Prime Minister, said that if he is appointed as Prime Minister, he will first deal with removing barriers for business.
He called the situation stable in the Russian economy. "We have a fairly stable situation, because the Russian National Wealth Fund is decent, gold and currency reserves - this all stabilizes the situation quite well. We have inflation, I think it will not exceed 4%, this is obvious," he continued.
"Of course, the first thing that needs to be done is to seriously engage in institutional, management reforms," Mishustin said. "Of course, [we need] to bring in the latest information technologies. I will deal with programs, Digital Economy national project. Without a doubt, the state should be a digital platform that is created for people," he said.
In his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested amending the country’s Constitution, including vesting the State Duma with powers to approve the prime minister, deputy prime ministers and federal ministers.
Putin instructed Dmitry Medvedev’s outgoing government to perform its duties until a new Cabinet is formed. He also nominated Russian Federal Tax Service head Mikhail Mishustin for the position of the Russian Prime Minister. Russia’s State Duma (lower house of parliament) will hold a plenary session on Thursday to consider Mishustin for the position of prime minister.


tass--2020-01-16--Putin suggests providing 1st to 4th graders with free hot meals

`` I propose to provide free hot meals to all elementary school students from the first to the fourth grades , '' he said .
President Putin admitted that this decision provoked numerous discussions .
MOSCOW , January 15 .
/ TASS / .
All elementary school students in Russia from the first to the fourth grades should be provided with free hot meals , said Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly .
`` Colleagues in general do not object to this , not because they do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that it is not very fair that people with decent incomes and low incomes will receive the same support from the state that is the logic - it is true .
But there is a logic that is characteristic of our society as well .
Everyone should feel equal : children and parents , who are often humiliated by the current situation , should not feel that they can not even feed a child , '' President Putin explained , expressing his confidence that the measure will be justified .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be used for its implementation : federal , regional and local .
In addition to the financial component , the president emphasized , the infrastructure should be updated in schools , canteens and cafeterias should be equipped , and systems for supplying quality products should be set up .
`` It will , of course , take time .
In regions where there is technical readiness , free hot meals should be available as of September 1 , 2020 .
I ask other colleagues to step up on this work .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elementary school students across the country should be provided with quality free hot food , '' President Putin said .

"I propose to provide free hot meals to all elementary school students from the first to the fourth grades," he said. President Putin admitted that this decision provoked numerous discussions.
MOSCOW, January 15. / TASS /. All elementary school students in Russia from the first to the fourth grades should be provided with free hot meals, said Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly.
"Colleagues in general do not object to this, not because they do not want to support the children. They say that it is not very fair that people with decent incomes and low incomes will receive the same support from the state that is the logic - it is true. But there is a logic that is characteristic of our society as well. Everyone should feel equal: children and parents, who are often humiliated by the current situation, should not feel that they cannot even feed a child," President Putin explained, expressing his confidence that the measure will be justified.
According to the president, funds from three sources must be used for its implementation: federal, regional and local. In addition to the financial component, the president emphasized, the infrastructure should be updated in schools, canteens and cafeterias should be equipped, and systems for supplying quality products should be set up.
"It will, of course, take time. In regions where there is technical readiness, free hot meals should be available as of September 1, 2020. I ask other colleagues to step up on this work. No later than September 1, 2023, elementary school students across the country should be provided with quality free hot food," President Putin said.


tass--2020-01-16--Communist Party to abstain from voting on PM candidate Mishustin — source

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Communist Party ’ s faction in the State Duma ( the @ @ @ @ @ will abstain from voting on the president ’ s candidate for prime minister , Federal @ @ @ @ @ , a senior party official told TASS .
`` We will abstain [ from voting @ @ @ @ @ .
The Russian government led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned after President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday .
Medvedev pointed out that he @ @ @ @ @ to do in light of the constitutional amendments proposed by the head of state .
@ @ @ @ @ s resignation and instructed the government to continue to carry out its duties until the @ @ @ @ @ .
Putin nominated Federal Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin to be the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ State Duma is expected to vote on the candidate for prime minister on Thursday .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. The Russian Communist Party’s faction in the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) will abstain from voting on the president’s candidate for prime minister, Federal Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin, a senior party official told TASS.
"We will abstain [from voting]," he said.
The Russian government led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev resigned after President Vladimir Putin had delivered his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday. Medvedev pointed out that he considered it the right thing to do in light of the constitutional amendments proposed by the head of state. Putin accepted the cabinet’s resignation and instructed the government to continue to carry out its duties until the establishment of a new cabinet. Putin nominated Federal Tax Service chief Mikhail Mishustin to be the country’s next prime minister.
The State Duma is expected to vote on the candidate for prime minister on Thursday.


tass--2020-01-16--Medvedev to remain Chairman of United Russia party, says party official

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Dmitry Medvedev as Deputy Chairman of Russia ’ s Security Council will remain Chairman of the United Russia political party , which he led during his tenure as Russian Prime Minister , Secretary of the party ’ s General Council Andrei Turchak told reporters after a meeting of the United Russia faction at the State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) , which supported Mikhail Mishustin ’ s nomination for the position of prime minister .
`` Yesterday , I have a substantive conversation with Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev , Chairman of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative restrictions related to appointing the deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council and concurrently holding the position of the chairman of a political party .
Dmitry Medvedev has remained Chairman of the United Russia party , '' Turchak said .
At a meeting with the United Russia party ’ s faction , Mishustin conveyed Dmitry Medvedev ’ s greetings to lawmakers , a source at the meeting said .
`` [ Medvedev ] stressed that it was very comfortable for him to work with the faction .
He hopes this work will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ format , '' the source quoted Mishustin as saying .
In his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday , Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested amending the country ’ s Constitution , including vesting the State Duma with powers to approve the prime minister , deputy prime ministers and federal ministers .
Putin instructed Dmitry Medvedev ’ s outgoing government to perform its duties until a new Cabinet is formed .
He also nominated Russian Federal Tax Service head Mikhail Mishustin for the position of the Russian prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower house of parliament ) will hold a plenary session on Thursday to consider Mishustin for the position of prime minister .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Dmitry Medvedev as Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council will remain Chairman of the United Russia political party, which he led during his tenure as Russian Prime Minister, Secretary of the party’s General Council Andrei Turchak told reporters after a meeting of the United Russia faction at the State Duma (lower house of parliament), which supported Mikhail Mishustin’s nomination for the position of prime minister.
"Yesterday, I have a substantive conversation with Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, Chairman of the United Russia party. There are no legislative restrictions related to appointing the deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council and concurrently holding the position of the chairman of a political party. Dmitry Medvedev has remained Chairman of the United Russia party," Turchak said.
At a meeting with the United Russia party’s faction, Mishustin conveyed Dmitry Medvedev’s greetings to lawmakers, a source at the meeting said. "[Medvedev] stressed that it was very comfortable for him to work with the faction. He hopes this work will continue within the framework of the party format," the source quoted Mishustin as saying.
In his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested amending the country’s Constitution, including vesting the State Duma with powers to approve the prime minister, deputy prime ministers and federal ministers.
Putin instructed Dmitry Medvedev’s outgoing government to perform its duties until a new Cabinet is formed. He also nominated Russian Federal Tax Service head Mikhail Mishustin for the position of the Russian prime minister. Russia’s State Duma (lower house of parliament) will hold a plenary session on Thursday to consider Mishustin for the position of prime minister.


tass--2020-01-16--PM candidate Mishustin announces planned changes in new Cabinet

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Head of Russia ’ s Federal Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin , whom Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed as a candidate for the position of prime minister , has said at a meeting with the United Russia party 's faction in the Russian State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) that some changes are planned in the new government , head of the United Russia party ’ s parliamentary faction Sergei Neverov told TASS on Thursday .
`` Mishustin said that he would discuss candidates for the positions of ministers , including with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be some changes [ in the composition of the new Cabinet ] , '' Neverov said .
Similar information was earlier provided to TASS by a source speaking from the faction ’ s meeting .
In his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday , Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested amending the country ’ s Constitution , including vesting the State Duma with powers to approve the prime minister , deputy prime ministers and federal ministers .
Putin instructed Dmitry Medvedev ’ s outgoing government to perform its duties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also nominated Russian Federal Tax Service head Mikhail Mishustin for the position of the Russian prime minister .
Russia ’ s State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) will hold a plenary session on Thursday to consider Mishustin for the position of prime minister .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Head of Russia’s Federal Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin, whom Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed as a candidate for the position of prime minister, has said at a meeting with the United Russia party's faction in the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) that some changes are planned in the new government, head of the United Russia party’s parliamentary faction Sergei Neverov told TASS on Thursday.
"Mishustin said that he would discuss candidates for the positions of ministers, including with factions. The candidate said there would be some changes [in the composition of the new Cabinet]," Neverov said. Similar information was earlier provided to TASS by a source speaking from the faction’s meeting.
In his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested amending the country’s Constitution, including vesting the State Duma with powers to approve the prime minister, deputy prime ministers and federal ministers.
Putin instructed Dmitry Medvedev’s outgoing government to perform its duties until a new Cabinet is formed. He also nominated Russian Federal Tax Service head Mikhail Mishustin for the position of the Russian prime minister. Russia’s State Duma (lower house of parliament) will hold a plenary session on Thursday to consider Mishustin for the position of prime minister.


tass--2020-01-16--United Russia Party supports PM candidate Mishustin

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
The United Russia Party ’ s faction in the State Duma ( the @ @ @ @ @ has unanimously voted to support prime minister candidate Mikhail Mishustin , the chief of the @ @ @ @ @ was nominated to the position by the president , faction head Sergei Neverov told reporters @ @ @ @ @ support Mikhail Mishustin , nominated by President Vladimir Putin , has been made unanimously , @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. The United Russia Party’s faction in the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) has unanimously voted to support prime minister candidate Mikhail Mishustin, the chief of the Federal Tax Service, who was nominated to the position by the president, faction head Sergei Neverov told reporters.
"The decision to support Mikhail Mishustin, nominated by President Vladimir Putin, has been made unanimously," he said.


tass--2020-01-16--Chinese expert certain Russian government’s resignation will not affect bilateral ties

BEIJING , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
The resignation of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the remaining Cabinet members @ @ @ @ @ , Zhao Huirong , a Research Fellow of the Institute of Russian , Eastern European @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences , told the Global Times , an English-language Chinese @ @ @ @ @ that the move would not influence China-Russia relations , stressing that bilateral cooperation would not @ @ @ @ @ reshuffle .
According to the expert , there is speculation about reshuffle after 2024 , @ @ @ @ @ succession arrangements .

BEIJING, January 16. /TASS/. The resignation of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the remaining Cabinet members will not affect Chinese-Russian relations, Zhao Huirong, a Research Fellow of the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times, an English-language Chinese newspaper.
She was confident that the move would not influence China-Russia relations, stressing that bilateral cooperation would not be shaken by this domestic reshuffle.
According to the expert, there is speculation about reshuffle after 2024, and Putin is supposedly making succession arrangements.


tass--2020-01-16--Central tower of 700 MW CSP project by Shanghai Electric and DEWA tops out in Dubai

SHANGHAI , Jan. 16 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Significant progress has been made in the Dubai 700 MW concentrated solar power project , announced as the world 's largest single-site CSP project .
On Jan 9th , a topping-out ceremony for the project 's 222-meter central tower was held , welcoming representatives from Shanghai Electric - the project 's general contractor - Dubai Electricity and Water Authority ( DEWA ) , Noor Energy 1 and China Construction Third Engineering Bureau .
`` SEGC（Shanghai Electric Group Company） showed us their outstanding performance , finishing the concrete solar tower according to schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the way , '' said Enrique Valades Nieto , Noor Energy 1 Construction Manager .
The 700 MW CSP project marks phase four of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai and is a crucial part of the UAE government 's `` Vision 2021 '' initiative to ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly development .
In addition to `` Vision 2021 '' , the government also launched the `` Energy Strategy 2050 Plan '' , which aims to increase the contribution of clean energy in the total energy mix from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 2050 .
Once operational , the CSP plant will reduce Dubai 's carbon footprint by 1.6 million tons per year .
Sustainability is the focus of the project .
Shanghai Electric engaged experts and partners to relocate wild animals and 180 mesquite trees across the 40 sq km site to a new wildlife park to minimize the impact of construction .
The project also aims to generate jobs for residents and is supported by an international team .
It is estimated that as the project progresses , it will create around 6,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and construction sectors .
Concentrated solar power systems generate solar power by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area .
Electricity is generated when the focused light is converted into to heat , which drives a steam turbine connected to an electrical power generator .
The solar power collectors of the 700 MW CSP plant include both tower and tube collectors .
The central tower is the crucial component of the plant and is used for receiving all the focused sunlight from the 70,000 mirrors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 ºC , and with this heat produce the steam turbine connected to the electrical power generator .
With a total height of 267 meters , it is currently the world 's highest thermal tower .
Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited ( SEHK:2727 , SSE:601727 ) is principally engaged in design , manufacture and distribution of electric power and industrial equipment .
Its primary focus is on new energy , including the manufacture and sale of wind turbines and components and nuclear power equipment ; efficient and clean energy business , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and power transmission and distribution equipment ; industrial equipment , including the production and sale of elevators and motors ; modern service industry , including the contracting of construction projects of thermal power and transmission and distribution projects , as well as other businesses .

SHANGHAI, Jan. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Significant progress has been made in the Dubai 700 MW concentrated solar power project, announced as the world's largest single-site CSP project. On Jan 9th, a topping-out ceremony for the project's 222-meter central tower was held, welcoming representatives from Shanghai Electric - the project's general contractor - Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Noor Energy 1 and China Construction Third Engineering Bureau.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8676751-shanghai-electric-dewa-dubai-solar-power-project/
"SEGC（Shanghai Electric Group Company） showed us their outstanding performance, finishing the concrete solar tower according to schedule, even if they suffered tough challenges along the way," said Enrique Valades Nieto, Noor Energy 1 Construction Manager.
The 700 MW CSP project marks phase four of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai and is a crucial part of the UAE government's "Vision 2021" initiative to ensure sustainable and environmentally friendly development.
In addition to "Vision 2021", the government also launched the "Energy Strategy 2050 Plan", which aims to increase the contribution of clean energy in the total energy mix from 25 per cent to 50 per cent by 2050. Once operational, the CSP plant will reduce Dubai's carbon footprint by 1.6 million tons per year.
Sustainability is the focus of the project. Shanghai Electric engaged experts and partners to relocate wild animals and 180 mesquite trees across the 40 sq km site to a new wildlife park to minimize the impact of construction.
The project also aims to generate jobs for residents and is supported by an international team. It is estimated that as the project progresses, it will create around 6,000 jobs in the technology, energy management and construction sectors.
About Concentrated Solar Power Systems
Concentrated solar power systems generate solar power by using mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight onto a small area. Electricity is generated when the focused light is converted into to heat, which drives a steam turbine connected to an electrical power generator. The solar power collectors of the 700 MW CSP plant include both tower and tube collectors. The central tower is the crucial component of the plant and is used for receiving all the focused sunlight from the 70,000 mirrors to increase the temperature to more than 500 ºC, and with this heat produce the steam turbine connected to the electrical power generator. With a total height of 267 meters, it is currently the world's highest thermal tower.
About Shanghai Electric
Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited (SEHK:2727, SSE:601727) is principally engaged in design, manufacture and distribution of electric power and industrial equipment. Its primary focus is on new energy, including the manufacture and sale of wind turbines and components and nuclear power equipment; efficient and clean energy business, including the manufacture and sale of thermal power equipment and power transmission and distribution equipment; industrial equipment, including the production and sale of elevators and motors; modern service industry, including the contracting of construction projects of thermal power and transmission and distribution projects, as well as other businesses.
CONTACT: Shen Jin, forshenjin@163.com, shenjin@shanghai-electric.com, 13817909115


tass--2020-01-16--Palestinian top diplomat sees zero chance for talks with Israel under Netanyahu

UNITED NATIONS , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Palestinian government sees zero possibility for resumption of talks with Israel @ @ @ @ @ Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power , Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki has told reporters in @ @ @ @ @ the last years , while Netanyahu was a prime minister , he was successful in @ @ @ @ @ renewing of negotiations between Israel and Palestine .
He killed all prospects for that , @ @ @ @ @ `` So , as long as Netanyahu is in power , as long as Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t expect to see any resumption of negotiations between Israel and Palestine @ @ @ @ @ [ in Israel ] produce the same results and will bring Netanyahu back to power @ @ @ @ @ the idea of resumption of negotiations with Israel is almost zero , '' he added @

UNITED NATIONS, January 16. /TASS/. The Palestinian government sees zero possibility for resumption of talks with Israel as long as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki has told reporters in New York.
"For the last years, while Netanyahu was a prime minister, he was successful in destroying all prospects for the renewing of negotiations between Israel and Palestine. He killed all prospects for that," the minister said. "So, as long as Netanyahu is in power, as long as Netanyahu is the prime minister, we don’t expect to see any resumption of negotiations between Israel and Palestine."
"If elections [in Israel] produce the same results and will bring Netanyahu back to power, then of course, the idea of resumption of negotiations with Israel is almost zero," he added.


tass--2020-01-16--One dead, one injured in shooting at Siberian magistrates’ court

KEMEROVO , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
A man and a woman were injured on Thursday in a shooting in a magistrates ' court building in Siberia , the man succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital , various sources have told TASS .
According to an emergencies source , doctors in Novokuznetsk , a city in southeastern Siberia ’ s Kemerovo region , responded to a call at 9:20 local time ( 5:20 Moscow time ) .
`` Two gunshot wounds , two wounded - a man and a woman , '' the source said .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man died of injuries on the way to hospital .
`` He was in critical condition , suffering a gunshot wound to his abdomen and being in the state of a severe traumatic shock , '' the press service said , adding that the other victim has been rushed to a hospital in Novokuznetsk in severe condition , with a gunshot wound to a leg and pellet injuries to the face .
`` She is on the operating table , doctors fight for her life , but the surgery is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center said , adding that the surgical procedure is expected to take a few hours .
A law enforcement source told TASS that the shooter ’ s case was being heard at the time of the incident .
`` The shooter , presumably a defendant , got angry over something in the course of the hearings .
He walked out , took a gun from his car , returned to the building and fired a shot at a bailiff who tried to stop him .
He then proceeded to the courtroom and shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the source said .
The shooter , whose name was not disclosed , was born in 1975 .
He was detained .

KEMEROVO, January 16. /TASS/. A man and a woman were injured on Thursday in a shooting in a magistrates' court building in Siberia, the man succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital, various sources have told TASS.
According to an emergencies source, doctors in Novokuznetsk, a city in southeastern Siberia’s Kemerovo region, responded to a call at 9:20 local time (5:20 Moscow time).
"Two gunshot wounds, two wounded - a man and a woman," the source said.
A spokesperson for the Disaster Medicine Center said the man died of injuries on the way to hospital.
"He was in critical condition, suffering a gunshot wound to his abdomen and being in the state of a severe traumatic shock," the press service said, adding that the other victim has been rushed to a hospital in Novokuznetsk in severe condition, with a gunshot wound to a leg and pellet injuries to the face.
"She is on the operating table, doctors fight for her life, but the surgery is going to be difficult," the Disaster Medicine Center said, adding that the surgical procedure is expected to take a few hours.
A law enforcement source told TASS that the shooter’s case was being heard at the time of the incident.
"The shooter, presumably a defendant, got angry over something in the course of the hearings. He walked out, took a gun from his car, returned to the building and fired a shot at a bailiff who tried to stop him. He then proceeded to the courtroom and shot another person, presumably an eyewitness," the source said.
The shooter, whose name was not disclosed, was born in 1975. He was detained.


tass--2020-01-16--Syrian troops liberate two villages in eastern Idlib — radio

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
After intense fighting with militants from the Jabhat al-Nusrah terrorist group ( outlawed @ @ @ @ @ Syrian armed forces liberated two villages in the east of the Idlib governorate , the @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .
Pro-government troops resumed their offensive in the region after militants disrupted the @ @ @ @ @ .
The Syrian state army launched an offensive on December 19 , 2020 , and @ @ @ @ @ 46 settlements in the southern and eastern parts of Idlib .
The troops regained control @ @ @ @ @ square kilometers .
Idlib is the only large Syrian region that is still controlled by @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , a de-escalation zone in the north was set up in Idlib to give @ @ @ @ @ families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria ’ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish observation stations are operating in the Idlib governorate .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. After intense fighting with militants from the Jabhat al-Nusrah terrorist group (outlawed in Russia), the Syrian armed forces liberated two villages in the east of the Idlib governorate, the Sham FM radio station reported on Thursday.
Pro-government troops resumed their offensive in the region after militants disrupted the ceasefire declared five days ago.
The Syrian state army launched an offensive on December 19, 2020, and by now it has liberated 46 settlements in the southern and eastern parts of Idlib. The troops regained control over the territory of 320 square kilometers.
Idlib is the only large Syrian region that is still controlled by well-armed outlawed clans. In 2017, a de-escalation zone in the north was set up in Idlib to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria’s southern regions. Twelve Turkish observation stations are operating in the Idlib governorate.


tass--2020-01-16--New US Ambassador John Sullivan to arrive in Moscow on Thursday

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
The new US ambassador to Russia , John Sullivan , will arrive to the Russian capital on Thursday .
Sullivan will replace Jon Huntsman who tendered his resignation in early August and left Russia in the beginning of October as his mandate expired .
In mid-October , US President Donald Trump nominated Sullivan and submitted his candidacy to the US Senate for approval .
On November 20 , the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved his candidacy .
About a month later , US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo administered the new ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as US Acting Secretary of State between April 1 and 26 , 2018 following the resignation of Rex Tillerson .
In July 2019 , Sullivan led a US delegation in Geneva at the talks with Russia on the strategic security .
Sullivan said in mid-December that his work in Moscow would focus on areas where Moscow and Washington can still cooperate despite current contradictions .
He said the priority would be on the issues of the arms control in the interests of both countries , exchange of information in the sphere of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as other issues .
According to the US embassy , `` Ambassador Sullivan looks forward to enhancing the overall bilateral relationship and strengthening U.S.-Russian cooperation on several global and regional issues of mutual interest . ''
Ahead of Sullivan ’ s arrival , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Russia had `` realistic expectations in connection with the new ambassador ’ s arrival '' He also expressed hope that the new US Ambassador to Russia will contribute to breaking the deadlock in the dialogue between Moscow and Washington , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We would like to hope that US Ambassador to Moscow Sullivan will work on mending ties , which are in a challenging situation .
We hope that we will start overcoming the crisis at least in some areas such as drifts on the bilateral track and arms control and start moving towards a more constructive agenda even by slow steps , '' Ryabkov told reporters .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his US counterpart Michael Pompeo last month that he would be glad to work with John Sullivan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly professional and experienced diplomat . ''
The Russian Foreign Ministry released a greeting message for the ambassador on Wednesday .
`` New US Ambassador John Sullivan is preparing to move to Moscow , and Russia has been waiting for him for a long time .
We ’ ll see to it whether the weather in Moscow is the same as in Washington .
We wonder whether John Sullivan will want to follow in Jon Huntsman ’ s footsteps and plunge into Russia ’ s realities .
Russia is waiting , Mr. Sullivan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the message reads .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. The new US ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, will arrive to the Russian capital on Thursday.
Sullivan will replace Jon Huntsman who tendered his resignation in early August and left Russia in the beginning of October as his mandate expired.
In mid-October, US President Donald Trump nominated Sullivan and submitted his candidacy to the US Senate for approval. On November 20, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved his candidacy. About a month later, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo administered the new ambassador’s oath of office.
Sullivan served as US Acting Secretary of State between April 1 and 26, 2018 following the resignation of Rex Tillerson. In July 2019, Sullivan led a US delegation in Geneva at the talks with Russia on the strategic security.
Sullivan said in mid-December that his work in Moscow would focus on areas where Moscow and Washington can still cooperate despite current contradictions. He said the priority would be on the issues of the arms control in the interests of both countries, exchange of information in the sphere of anti-terrorism fight, security in the Arctic as well as other issues.
According to the US embassy, "Ambassador Sullivan looks forward to enhancing the overall bilateral relationship and strengthening U.S.-Russian cooperation on several global and regional issues of mutual interest."
Ahead of Sullivan’s arrival, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Russia had "realistic expectations in connection with the new ambassador’s arrival" He also expressed hope that the new US Ambassador to Russia will contribute to breaking the deadlock in the dialogue between Moscow and Washington, including on bilateral issues and arms control.
"We would like to hope that US Ambassador to Moscow Sullivan will work on mending ties, which are in a challenging situation. We hope that we will start overcoming the crisis at least in some areas such as drifts on the bilateral track and arms control and start moving towards a more constructive agenda even by slow steps," Ryabkov told reporters.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks with his US counterpart Michael Pompeo last month that he would be glad to work with John Sullivan, whom he described as "a highly professional and experienced diplomat."
The Russian Foreign Ministry released a greeting message for the ambassador on Wednesday.
"New US Ambassador John Sullivan is preparing to move to Moscow, and Russia has been waiting for him for a long time. We’ll see to it whether the weather in Moscow is the same as in Washington. We wonder whether John Sullivan will want to follow in Jon Huntsman’s footsteps and plunge into Russia’s realities. Russia is waiting, Mr. Sullivan. Take a deep dive," the message reads.


tass--2020-01-16--Social, economic goals from Putin’s address require 400-500 bln rubles annually — official

MOSCOW , January 15 .
/TASS/ .
The implementation of social and economic measures voiced by Russian President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly will require about 400-500 bln rubles ( $ @ @ @ @ @ at the current exchange rate ) annually , according to preliminary estimates by the head @ @ @ @ @ Chamber .
`` We should now evaluate the influence [ of the announced measures ] @ @ @ @ @ .
The measures that were announced are fairly expensive , they would require from 400 @ @ @ @ @ , '' head of the Russian Accounts Chamber Alexei Kudrin told reporters .
Therefore , @ @ @ @ @ plans , the government will need to raise funds amounting to about 0.4-0.5 % of @ @ @ @ @ Russian official continued .
In his words , the government will have to review Russia @ @ @ @ @ in connection with the measures announced by Putin .

MOSCOW, January 15. /TASS/. The implementation of social and economic measures voiced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly will require about 400-500 bln rubles ($6.5-$8.1 bln) at the current exchange rate) annually, according to preliminary estimates by the head of Russia’s Accounts Chamber.
"We should now evaluate the influence [of the announced measures] on mortality and birth rates. The measures that were announced are fairly expensive, they would require from 400 to 500 bln rubles annually," head of the Russian Accounts Chamber Alexei Kudrin told reporters.
Therefore, in order to fulfill those plans, the government will need to raise funds amounting to about 0.4-0.5% of the Russian GDP, the Russian official continued.
In his words, the government will have to review Russia’s three-year Russian budget in connection with the measures announced by Putin.


tass--2020-01-16--Chinese vice premier describes US-Chinese cooperation as 'the only correct option'

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Cooperation is the only correct variant of relations between Beijing and Washington , because both nations will be hurt in case of rivalry , China ’ s CGTN TV channel quoted Chinese Vice Premier Liu He as saying on Thursday .
`` Cooperation is the only correct option , especially in this new era , '' Liu said during the ceremony to sign Phase One Trade Agreement with the United States in Washington .
`` We do n't think tariffs are a good solution .
Both sides need to solve problems through negotiation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liu also said that although China and the US have different views regarding trade , both want to solve current problems .
The Chinese vice premier added that the US had made the right choice when it excluded China from the currency manipulator list .
The ceremony to sign the US-China Phase One Trade Agreement took place in Washington on Wednesday .
US President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He put their signatures under the document .
`` As the two sides have agreed based on the market demand in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese businesses will purchase 40 billion US dollars of agricultural products from the United States annually .
If the demand is strong , the companies may buy more , '' Liu said during the ceremony .
He also said the implementation of the deal , which he said was `` good for China , for the US , and for the whole world , '' was a priority for Beijing .
Liu went on to say that the agreement does not affect the legitimate interests of third states and said both sides should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase of the deal .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. Cooperation is the only correct variant of relations between Beijing and Washington, because both nations will be hurt in case of rivalry, China’s CGTN TV channel quoted Chinese Vice Premier Liu He as saying on Thursday.
"Cooperation is the only correct option, especially in this new era," Liu said during the ceremony to sign Phase One Trade Agreement with the United States in Washington.
"We don't think tariffs are a good solution. Both sides need to solve problems through negotiation," the Chinese official added.
Liu also said that although China and the US have different views regarding trade, both want to solve current problems.
The Chinese vice premier added that the US had made the right choice when it excluded China from the currency manipulator list.
The ceremony to sign the US-China Phase One Trade Agreement took place in Washington on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He put their signatures under the document.
"As the two sides have agreed based on the market demand in China, in line with market terms, Chinese businesses will purchase 40 billion US dollars of agricultural products from the United States annually. If the demand is strong, the companies may buy more," Liu said during the ceremony.
He also said the implementation of the deal, which he said was "good for China, for the US, and for the whole world," was a priority for Beijing.
Liu went on to say that the agreement does not affect the legitimate interests of third states and said both sides should create favorable conditions for signing the next phase of the deal.


tass--2020-01-16--Vote on constitutional amendments may take place in September — senator

MOSCOW , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
A popular vote on constitutional amendments , proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his State of the Nation Address on Wednesday , may take place during the single voting day in September , a Russian senator told TASS .
`` A vote of this kind may take place in September , on the single voting day .
As far as I understand , the president already has certain variants of those amendments .
It will not be a referendum on a draft constitution , it will be a citizens ’ vote and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the proposed amendments , '' said Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Yelena Mizulina .
In his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday , the Russian president suggested amending the country ’ s Constitution , including vesting the State Duma with powers to approve the prime minister , deputy prime ministers and the federal ministers .
According to the proposal , the president will be obliged to appoint the proposed candidates .
Putin said that at the moment , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Russia ’ s Constitution , the president just secures the State Duma 's consent to appoint the chairman of the government , and after that he appoints the head of government , his deputies and all ministers .
The president also suggested appointing heads of security agencies after consultations with the Federation Council .
Later in the day , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin would sign a decree determining the timeframe and procedure of the vote on constitutional amendments .

MOSCOW, January 16. /TASS/. A popular vote on constitutional amendments, proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his State of the Nation Address on Wednesday, may take place during the single voting day in September, a Russian senator told TASS.
"A vote of this kind may take place in September, on the single voting day. As far as I understand, the president already has certain variants of those amendments. It will not be a referendum on a draft constitution, it will be a citizens’ vote and their stance on concrete initiatives, related to the proposed amendments," said Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Yelena Mizulina.
In his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday, the Russian president suggested amending the country’s Constitution, including vesting the State Duma with powers to approve the prime minister, deputy prime ministers and the federal ministers. According to the proposal, the president will be obliged to appoint the proposed candidates.
Putin said that at the moment, in accordance with Article 111 and Article 112 of Russia’s Constitution, the president just secures the State Duma's consent to appoint the chairman of the government, and after that he appoints the head of government, his deputies and all ministers. The president also suggested appointing heads of security agencies after consultations with the Federation Council.
Later in the day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin would sign a decree determining the timeframe and procedure of the vote on constitutional amendments.


tass--2020-01-16--House of Representatives sends Trump's impeachment charges to Senate

WASHINGTON , January 16 .
/TASS/ .
Democrats of the House of Representatives of the US Congress handed over charges for the indictment process of US President Donald Trump to the Senate late on Wednesday .
The ceremony was broadcast by top US television channels .
Earlier in the day , the House voted to adopt a resolution on the issue .
Speaker of the US parliament ’ s lower chamber , Nancy Pelosi , signed the two charges of the indictment - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
After that , seven impeachment managers , led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried the document to the Senate , where it was received by majority leader Mitch McConnell .
Once the indictment , prepared as a result of the investigation in the Legal Committee and approved by the House of Representatives on December 18 , is transferred to the Senate , the procedure turns into a trial .
It will be led by the Chairman of the US Supreme Court .
In this case the House of Representatives actually acts as a party to the prosecution , and senators play the role of a jury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no less than two thirds of senators ( at least 67 votes ) .
The Republican party holds 53 seats in the Senate out of 100 and can easily block an attempt to oust Trump .
The current row in the United States flared up over Trump ’ s telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart , Vladimir Zelensky .
The Democratic Party-controlled House of Representatives launched an impeachment procedure against the US leader on September 4 .
The Democrats argue that Trump tried to persuade Zelensky to investigate the activities of former US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine in exchange for financial and military assistance to Kiev .
Trump has become the fourth US head of state to face the impeachment procedure , after Andrew Johnson ( 1868 ) , Richard Nixon ( 1974 ) and Bill Clinton ( 1998-1999 ) .
Johnson and Clinton were acquitted ; Nixon stepped down before the start of the hearings .

WASHINGTON, January 16. /TASS/. Democrats of the House of Representatives of the US Congress handed over charges for the indictment process of US President Donald Trump to the Senate late on Wednesday.
The ceremony was broadcast by top US television channels.
Earlier in the day, the House voted to adopt a resolution on the issue.
Speaker of the US parliament’s lower chamber, Nancy Pelosi, signed the two charges of the indictment - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. After that, seven impeachment managers, led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, carried the document to the Senate, where it was received by majority leader Mitch McConnell.
Once the indictment, prepared as a result of the investigation in the Legal Committee and approved by the House of Representatives on December 18, is transferred to the Senate, the procedure turns into a trial. It will be led by the Chairman of the US Supreme Court. In this case the House of Representatives actually acts as a party to the prosecution, and senators play the role of a jury.
The impeachment procedure requires support from no less than two thirds of senators (at least 67 votes). The Republican party holds 53 seats in the Senate out of 100 and can easily block an attempt to oust Trump.
The current row in the United States flared up over Trump’s telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Vladimir Zelensky. The Democratic Party-controlled House of Representatives launched an impeachment procedure against the US leader on September 4. The Democrats argue that Trump tried to persuade Zelensky to investigate the activities of former US Vice-President Joseph Biden and his son in Ukraine in exchange for financial and military assistance to Kiev.
Trump has become the fourth US head of state to face the impeachment procedure, after Andrew Johnson (1868), Richard Nixon (1974) and Bill Clinton (1998-1999). Johnson and Clinton were acquitted; Nixon stepped down before the start of the hearings.


tass--2020-01-15--Alibaba plans to plant salt-tolerant rice in China

HAIKOU , January 15 .
/TASS/ .
The agricultural division of China 's Internet giant Alibaba and a group of Hainan-based scientists , led by Academician Yuan Longping , have signed a cooperation agreement to grow hybrid salt-tolerant rice .
According to the Hainan Daily newspaper , within three years they intend to plant 14,000 hectares of this crop and in 10 years — to bring this indicator to 7 million hectares .
`` According to an agreement between Yuan Longping 's team and the Alibaba Digital Agriculture Division , the two sides will cooperate in the creation of salt-tolerant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200,000 mu within three years [ Chinese land area measure , equals about 0.07 ha — TASS ] in Hingan in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region , '' the newspaper writes .
According to the news publication , this project will double the farmers ' income , as well as tackle hunger and malnutrition in poor areas .
Moreover , the parties aim to bring the total area of land sown with this type of rice in China to 7 million hectares within the next 10 years .
At the same time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and improvement of the crop , as well as its growth , while Alibaba will have to build a supply chain for these plantations and set up the necessary infrastructure for the delivery and sale of products .
`` This year we plan to increase the yield to 20 tonnes of rice per ha , which is about 1350 kg per mu , '' said Yuan Longping .
`` The maximum yield of seasalt rice amounted to 800 kg , which exceeded our expectations .
According to our previous estimates , the yield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no more than 300 kg per mu , '' he said .
According to the scientist , about 142.900 yuan ( about $ 20.600 ) will be required to sow one hectare of salt-tolerant rice .
However , after that , no additional investment in improving soil conditions will be required for 10 years .
Over the years , Academician Yuan Longping has been leading a project to develop a salt-tolerant culture , also dubbed seasalt rice .
Although , this unofficial name is not exactly correct , since the plant is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rice emerges and survives in the salt marsh - the soil , the top layer of which is characterized by the presence of easily soluble salts .
To date , rice bred by scientists is able to survive at a salt concentration in ambient water of up to 1.2 % , when most plants die .
Currently , the academician 's group has set up several plantations in Inner Mongolia , the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region , Qingdao and Hainan provinces .
What is more , scientists organized an experimental base in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
In Teli County experts conduct experiments to increase the survival and yield of a new crop in cold climate .
The total area of salt marshes in China amounts to about 56 million hectares : they are mainly located in the northwest , north and northeast of China , and in coastal areas .
According to scientists , part of these soils can be gradually returned to circulation by cultivation of salt-tolerant rice .
1 , 000 mu ( about 70 ha ) were sown in Hingan ( the autonomous region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yield per mu was 508.8 kg of rice .
Soil acidity ( pH ) there comes close to 9 , and the amount of salt exceeds 0.6 % , thus , even ordinary grass has a difficulty growing in such soil .

HAIKOU, January 15. /TASS/. The agricultural division of China's Internet giant Alibaba and a group of Hainan-based scientists, led by Academician Yuan Longping, have signed a cooperation agreement to grow hybrid salt-tolerant rice. According to the Hainan Daily newspaper, within three years they intend to plant 14,000 hectares of this crop and in 10 years — to bring this indicator to 7 million hectares.
"According to an agreement between Yuan Longping's team and the Alibaba Digital Agriculture Division, the two sides will cooperate in the creation of salt-tolerant rice plantations with a total area of 200,000 mu within three years [Chinese land area measure, equals about 0.07 ha — TASS] in Hingan in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region," the newspaper writes. According to the news publication, this project will double the farmers' income, as well as tackle hunger and malnutrition in poor areas.
Moreover, the parties aim to bring the total area of land sown with this type of rice in China to 7 million hectares within the next 10 years. At the same time, scientists will be responsible for the cultivation and improvement of the crop, as well as its growth, while Alibaba will have to build a supply chain for these plantations and set up the necessary infrastructure for the delivery and sale of products.
"This year we plan to increase the yield to 20 tonnes of rice per ha, which is about 1350 kg per mu," said Yuan Longping. "The maximum yield of seasalt rice amounted to 800 kg, which exceeded our expectations. According to our previous estimates, the yield of salt-tolerant rice was meant to be no more than 300 kg per mu," he said. According to the scientist, about 142.900 yuan (about $ 20.600) will be required to sow one hectare of salt-tolerant rice. However, after that, no additional investment in improving soil conditions will be required for 10 years.
"Seasalt Rice"
Over the years, Academician Yuan Longping has been leading a project to develop a salt-tolerant culture, also dubbed seasalt rice. Although, this unofficial name is not exactly correct, since the plant is not cultivated directly in sea water. Such rice emerges and survives in the salt marsh - the soil, the top layer of which is characterized by the presence of easily soluble salts. To date, rice bred by scientists is able to survive at a salt concentration in ambient water of up to 1.2%, when most plants die.
Currently, the academician's group has set up several plantations in Inner Mongolia, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Qingdao and Hainan provinces. What is more, scientists organized an experimental base in the north-eastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang, bordering Russia. In Teli County experts conduct experiments to increase the survival and yield of a new crop in cold climate.
The total area of salt marshes in China amounts to about 56 million hectares: they are mainly located in the northwest, north and northeast of China, and in coastal areas. According to scientists, part of these soils can be gradually returned to circulation by cultivation of salt-tolerant rice. 1, 000 mu (about 70 ha) were sown in Hingan (the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia), the average yield per mu was 508.8 kg of rice. Soil acidity (pH) there comes close to 9, and the amount of salt exceeds 0.6%, thus, even ordinary grass has a difficulty growing in such soil.


tass--2020-01-15--Putin proposes monthly payments for children ages 3-7

MOSCOW , January 15 .
/ TASS / .
Russian President Vladimir Putin , in his annual State of the @ @ @ @ @ Assembly on Wednesday , proposed to provide monthly payments for children ages 3-7 starting on @ @ @ @ @ According to the President , these payments will be received by families whose incomes do @ @ @ @ @ per person , and the procedure for receiving these funds will be as simple as @ @ @ @ @ child turns three , the payments are terminated , so the family can immediately land @ @ @ @ @ .
That is actually , what happens , and it can not be allowed .
@ @ @ @ @ propose to provide monthly payments for children between the ages of three and seven .
@ @ @ @ @ it will be enough to simply apply and indicate your legal , official income , @ @ @ @ @ noting that payments should be made starting January 1 , 2020 .
President Putin said @ @ @ @ @ first stage will be half the subsistence level - 5,500 rubles .

MOSCOW, January 15. / TASS /. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his annual State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Wednesday, proposed to provide monthly payments for children ages 3-7 starting on January 1, 2020. According to the President, these payments will be received by families whose incomes do not exceed one living wage per person, and the procedure for receiving these funds will be as simple as possible.
"When the child turns three, the payments are terminated, so the family can immediately land in a difficult income situation. That is actually, what happens, and it cannot be allowed. Due to this, I propose to provide monthly payments for children between the ages of three and seven. To receive these payments, it will be enough to simply apply and indicate your legal, official income," President Putin said, noting that payments should be made starting January 1, 2020.
President Putin said that the payments in the first stage will be half the subsistence level - 5,500 rubles.


tass--2020-01-17--Foreign Ministry confirms Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will be completed despite pressure

`` Despite ongoing pressure , North Stream 2 will be completed .
To the clear-thinking Europeans , the benefits of creating an additional gas export route are obvious , '' the ministry said .
MOSCOW , January 17 .
/ TASS / .
Construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will be completed despite outside pressure and US sanctions against the project , the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a response on its website following Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov 's press conference on summing up the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
The relevant question was not voiced at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US sanctions against the pipeline blatant interference with EU internal affairs .
The purpose of these restrictive measures , according to Russian diplomats , is not a push for the energy security of the integration union , but to `` push American liquefied natural gas '' into Europe 's markets .
`` We know that not everyone in the EU welcomes this project , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized .
`` Opponents exist both among the member states and in the European institutions .
It is well known that the amendments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union , aimed at trying to convince against the construction of Nord Stream 2 , '' the statement reads .
The United States Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) specifying the annual budget and expenditures of the US Department of Defense for 2020 fiscal year ( started on October 1 ) , which obliges the administration to impose sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines .
Earlier , on December 11 , the House of Representatives voted for the document .
The Nord Stream 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters of gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany .
Gazprom ’ s European partners in the project are German Uniper and Wintershall , Austrian OMV , French Engie and Anglo-Dutch Shell .
The pipeline bypasses transit states — Ukraine , Belarus , Poland , and other East European and Baltic countries — through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Russia , Finland , Sweden , Denmark , and Germany .

"Despite ongoing pressure, North Stream 2 will be completed. To the clear-thinking Europeans, the benefits of creating an additional gas export route are obvious," the ministry said.
MOSCOW, January 17. / TASS /. Construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will be completed despite outside pressure and US sanctions against the project, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a response on its website following Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's press conference on summing up the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019. The relevant question was not voiced at the conference.
The Ministry has called US sanctions against the pipeline blatant interference with EU internal affairs. The purpose of these restrictive measures, according to Russian diplomats, is not a push for the energy security of the integration union, but to "push American liquefied natural gas" into Europe's markets.
"We know that not everyone in the EU welcomes this project," the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized. "Opponents exist both among the member states and in the European institutions. It is well known that the amendments to the Gas Directive were adopted in the European Union, aimed at trying to convince against the construction of Nord Stream 2," the statement reads.
The United States Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) specifying the annual budget and expenditures of the US Department of Defense for 2020 fiscal year (started on October 1), which obliges the administration to impose sanctions on the Russian Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines. Earlier, on December 11, the House of Representatives voted for the document.
The Nord Stream 2 project involves construction of two lines with a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters of gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. Gazprom’s European partners in the project are German Uniper and Wintershall, Austrian OMV, French Engie and Anglo-Dutch Shell. The pipeline bypasses transit states — Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and other East European and Baltic countries — through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.


tass--2020-01-17--This week in photos: Russia's new PM, Moscow’s long-awaited snow, ash rains on Philippines

Russia , India to sign first contract with third state for BrahMos cruise missile in spring BrahMos Aerospace is currently @ @ @ @ @ number of other nations

West was covering up crimes of Kiev regime that led to Ukraine’s tragedy, Lavrov says
"During this entire period, the population of DPR and LPR was subjected to abuse, perennial shelling on the part of the Kiev regime that openly adopted a course towards Russophobia and genocide," the Russian top diplomat noted
Read more


tass--2020-01-17--Gazprom Neft will transfer Salymsky-2 site to its joint venture with Shell

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/ TASS / .
Gazprom Neft and Shell have agreed to expand their joint venture Salym Petroleum Development ( SPD ) , which will receive a license for geological exploration , exploration and production of traditional hydrocarbon reserves of the Salymsky-2 site in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District , the companies said in a statement on Friday .
`` The transfer of Salymsky-2 to the perimeter of the SPD and the synergy of the project with the already existing infrastructure of the enterprise will allow us to get the maximum return from this licensed site and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dividing the geological uncertainties at the stage of exploration , '' said Deputy Director General for Exploration and Production of Gazprom Neft Vadim Yakovlev .
Under the agreement , the SPD acquires 100 % from Gazpromneft-Huntos and Gazpromneft-Invest in LLC `` Salymsky-2 '' for which a license for the site of the same name will be renewed .
The licensed site `` Salymsky-2 '' is located near the already developed SPD fields .
Salym Petroleum Development is a joint venture whose shareholders are on a parity basis Shell Salym Development BV , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Projects , a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft .
SPD has been developing the Salym Oil Group since 2003 .

MOSCOW, January 17. / TASS /. Gazprom Neft and Shell have agreed to expand their joint venture Salym Petroleum Development (SPD), which will receive a license for geological exploration, exploration and production of traditional hydrocarbon reserves of the Salymsky-2 site in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District, the companies said in a statement on Friday.
"The transfer of Salymsky-2 to the perimeter of the SPD and the synergy of the project with the already existing infrastructure of the enterprise will allow us to get the maximum return from this licensed site and to realize its production potential most effectively, dividing the geological uncertainties at the stage of exploration," said Deputy Director General for Exploration and Production of Gazprom Neft Vadim Yakovlev. Under the agreement, the SPD acquires 100% from Gazpromneft-Huntos and Gazpromneft-Invest in LLC "Salymsky-2" for which a license for the site of the same name will be renewed. The licensed site "Salymsky-2" is located near the already developed SPD fields.
Salym Petroleum Development is a joint venture whose shareholders are on a parity basis Shell Salym Development BV, member of the Shell concern and GPN-Salymskyye Projects, a subsidiary of Gazprom Neft. SPD has been developing the Salym Oil Group since 2003.


tass--2020-01-17--Lavrov says putting Russia’s Persian Gulf Concept into action could facilitate settlement

Last year , Russia contributed significantly to the settlement of conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa , Lavrov said during a press conference on summing up the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Implementing Russia ’ s concept of collective security in the Persian Gulf zone would play an important role in bettering the situation throughout the entire region , Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday .
`` The realization of the Russian concept of collective security in the Persian Gulf zone could become an important step towards improving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he underscored .
`` We presented an updated version of the concept in September last year , during a science seminar , attended by all regional academics and experts . ''
So far , according to Lavrov , efforts to convince the Arab states of the Persian Gulf and Iran to engage in talks failed .
`` Unfortunately , divisions between some Gulf Arab states and Iranians are too deep .
In our contacts with Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates and Iranians , we stand for launching dialogue between them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we have so far failed to persuade our friends to start this work , '' Lavrov commented .
He underlined that Tehran proposed signing a non-aggression treaty between Iran and Persian Gulf states and then the Hormuz peace initiative on cooperation to ensure security of these waters .
`` We have a similar approach , we proposed a strategy of ensuring security in the Persian Gulf and adjacent areas , '' the diplomat added .
`` We want to not only bring together all coastal states of the Persian Gulf — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to boost their efforts with participation of external actors , particularly the Arab League , the Organization of Islamic Cooperation , five permanent members of the UN Security Council and the European Union . ''
According to Lavrov , such a framework could roll out a conference on security and trust in the region .
`` Later , if this process starts other countries of the region could join in , '' he said referring to Middle Eastern and North African countries .
Russia ’ s Persian Gulf Collective Security Concept for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 , 2019 , provides for the creation of an initiative group that would prepare an international conference on security and cooperation in the Persian Gulf , which , in turn , would lead to the establishment of an organization on security and cooperation in the region .
Besides , Moscow suggested setting up demilitarized zones in the region , and proposed halting the permanent deployment of groups from extra-regional nations and the creation of hotlines between the militaries .

Last year, Russia contributed significantly to the settlement of conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, Lavrov said during a press conference on summing up the results of Russian diplomacy in 2019.
"The realization of the Russian concept of collective security in the Persian Gulf zone could become an important step towards improving the situation in the entire region," he underscored. "We presented an updated version of the concept in September last year, during a science seminar, attended by all regional academics and experts."
So far, according to Lavrov, efforts to convince the Arab states of the Persian Gulf and Iran to engage in talks failed. "Unfortunately, divisions between some Gulf Arab states and Iranians are too deep. In our contacts with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iranians, we stand for launching dialogue between them. This understanding seems to be there, but we have so far failed to persuade our friends to start this work," Lavrov commented.
He underlined that Tehran proposed signing a non-aggression treaty between Iran and Persian Gulf states and then the Hormuz peace initiative on cooperation to ensure security of these waters. "We have a similar approach, we proposed a strategy of ensuring security in the Persian Gulf and adjacent areas," the diplomat added. "We want to not only bring together all coastal states of the Persian Gulf — both Arabs and Iranians — but also to boost their efforts with participation of external actors, particularly the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, five permanent members of the UN Security Council and the European Union."
According to Lavrov, such a framework could roll out a conference on security and trust in the region. "Later, if this process starts other countries of the region could join in," he said referring to Middle Eastern and North African countries.
Russia’s Persian Gulf Collective Security Concept
Russia’s Persian Gulf Collective Security Concept for the Persian Gulf Region, presented on July 23, 2019, provides for the creation of an initiative group that would prepare an international conference on security and cooperation in the Persian Gulf, which, in turn, would lead to the establishment of an organization on security and cooperation in the region. Besides, Moscow suggested setting up demilitarized zones in the region, and proposed halting the permanent deployment of groups from extra-regional nations and the creation of hotlines between the militaries.


tass--2020-01-17--PM Mishustin appointed Daniil Egorov as tax service chief

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin appointed Daniil Egorov as the head of @ @ @ @ @ FTS ) .
The relevant executive order was posted on the official website of the @ @ @ @ @ Daniil Egorov to be appointed as the head of the Federal Tax Service , '' @ @ @ @ @ worked earlier as the deputy head of the Russian fiscal service .
The executive order @ @ @ @ @ documents on staff appointments signed by the new Prime Minister .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin appointed Daniil Egorov as the head of the Federal Tax Service (FTS). The relevant executive order was posted on the official website of the Cabinet on Friday.
"Daniil Egorov to be appointed as the head of the Federal Tax Service," the document says.
Egorov worked earlier as the deputy head of the Russian fiscal service.
The executive order has become the first published documents on staff appointments signed by the new Prime Minister.


tass--2020-01-17--Top Russian diplomat draws parallels between investigations of MH17 crash, Skripal case

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Foreign colleagues are not presenting evidence in investigations into the Skripal case or the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 crash , coming up with bizarre reasons behind their absence , Russian acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference outlining results of Russian diplomatic efforts in 2019 .
Commenting on the MH17 crash investigation , Lavrov noted , `` To answer your question where is Ukrainian radar data , the answer is strange - they aren ’ t there .
Then somebody said that all radars just turned off by mistake .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the airspace in Ukraine just switched off at some point . ''
`` Similarly , a CCTV camera turned off for first part of the day when the Skripals were found on a park bench .
The camera that was watching their house switched off and then switched on again , '' he added .
The Boeing 777 passenger plane operated by Malaysian Airlines crashed on July 17 , 2014 , en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur in the east of the Donetsk Region .
As a result , 298 people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them were Dutch citizens .
The parties to the armed conflict in Donbass accused each other of being complicit in the tragedy .
The Joint Investigation Team ( JIT ) , consisting of representatives from Australia , Belgium , Malaysia , the Netherlands and Ukraine , was established to investigate the crash .
Russian officials have repeatedly expressed doubts of the JIT investigation , pointed to the groundless nature of arguments presented and used by prosecution to draw up accusations and rejection of Russian conclusions in the probe .
On March 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers , and his daughter Yulia suffered the effects of the so-called Novichok nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury .
Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been a nerve agent allegedly developed in Russia , London rushed to accuse Moscow of being involved in the incident .
The Russian side flatly rejected all of the United Kingdom ’ s accusations , saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Russia .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Foreign colleagues are not presenting evidence in investigations into the Skripal case or the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 crash, coming up with bizarre reasons behind their absence, Russian acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a press conference outlining results of Russian diplomatic efforts in 2019.
Commenting on the MH17 crash investigation, Lavrov noted, "To answer your question where is Ukrainian radar data, the answer is strange - they aren’t there. Then somebody said that all radars just turned off by mistake. All radars that were watching this part of the airspace in Ukraine just switched off at some point."
"Similarly, a CCTV camera turned off for first part of the day when the Skripals were found on a park bench. The camera that was watching their house switched off and then switched on again," he added.
The Boeing 777 passenger plane operated by Malaysian Airlines crashed on July 17, 2014, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur in the east of the Donetsk Region. As a result, 298 people were killed in the crash, the majority of them were Dutch citizens. The parties to the armed conflict in Donbass accused each other of being complicit in the tragedy. The Joint Investigation Team (JIT), consisting of representatives from Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine, was established to investigate the crash. Russian officials have repeatedly expressed doubts of the JIT investigation, pointed to the groundless nature of arguments presented and used by prosecution to draw up accusations and rejection of Russian conclusions in the probe.
On March 4, 2018, Sergei Skripal, who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers, and his daughter Yulia suffered the effects of the so-called Novichok nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury. Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been a nerve agent allegedly developed in Russia, London rushed to accuse Moscow of being involved in the incident. The Russian side flatly rejected all of the United Kingdom’s accusations, saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had existed neither in the Soviet Union nor in Russia.


tass--2020-01-17--Russian shipbuilders to float out latest minesweeper on January 29

ST. PETERSBURG , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in St. Petersburg in Russia ’ s northwest will @ @ @ @ @ fourth serial-produced minesweeper Yakov Balyayev on January 29 , the Shipyard ’ s press office @ @ @ @ @ `` The ship Yakov Balyayev will be floated out on January 29 , '' the @ @ @ @ @ .
Project 12700 Alexandrit-class coastal-type minesweepers are referred to the new generation of minesweeping forces @ @ @ @ @ sea mines , including smart naval mines , which the new ships can encounter in @ @ @ @ @ seabed without entering the dangerous zone .
The minesweepers can employ various sweeps , as @ @ @ @ @ autonomous underwater drones .
The minesweepers of this Project displace 890 tonnes , are 62 @ @ @ @ @ wide and have a crew of over 40 men .

ST. PETERSBURG, January 17. /TASS/. The Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in St. Petersburg in Russia’s northwest will float out the Project 12700 fourth serial-produced minesweeper Yakov Balyayev on January 29, the Shipyard’s press office told TASS on Friday.
"The ship Yakov Balyayev will be floated out on January 29," the Shipyard’s spokesman said.
Project 12700 Alexandrit-class coastal-type minesweepers are referred to the new generation of minesweeping forces and are designated to fight sea mines, including smart naval mines, which the new ships can encounter in the sea and on the seabed without entering the dangerous zone. The minesweepers can employ various sweeps, as well as remotely controlled and autonomous underwater drones. The minesweepers of this Project displace 890 tonnes, are 62 meters long and ten meters wide and have a crew of over 40 men.


tass--2020-01-17--Russian Su-27 fighters hold aerial battles over Baltic Sea during drills

KALININGRAD , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets from the Baltic Fleet ’ s naval aviation held aerial battles over the sea during drills , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Friday .
`` Pilots of the fighter squadron of the Fleet ’ s naval aviation performed flights to practice the tactic of conducting an aerial battle with a notional enemy ’ s aircraft .
The crews of Su-27s practiced the technique of piloting with the use of offensive and defensive maneuvers at various altitudes and at a different time of day and night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
In the course of accomplishing their assignments , the crews of Su-27 planes and also Su-30SM fighters alternately practiced searching for , detecting and destroying the notional enemy ’ s aircraft during the tactical standoff , the statement says .
As the press office specified for TASS , the drills involved up to 10 aircraft crews .
The flight route of the Russian fighter jets was agreed with the air traffic authorities and was implemented in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace over the neutral waters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s press office reported .
The Su-27 is a fourth-generation multirole supersonic all-weather fighter aircraft armed with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles of various types ( it has from 10 to 12 external hardpoints for missiles ) .
The fighter jet is also furnished with a 30mm automatic aircraft gun ( with a rate of fire of 1,500 rounds per minute and an ammunition load of 150 rounds ) .
The Su-30SM is a generation 4++ serial-produced and upgraded two-seat super-maneuverable fighter jet .
The Su-30SM is furnished with two AL-31FP thrust-vectoring reheated double-flow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating range of 1,500 km and a flight endurance of 3.5 hours without refueling .

KALININGRAD, January 17. /TASS/. Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets from the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation held aerial battles over the sea during drills, the Fleet’s press office reported on Friday.
"Pilots of the fighter squadron of the Fleet’s naval aviation performed flights to practice the tactic of conducting an aerial battle with a notional enemy’s aircraft. The crews of Su-27s practiced the technique of piloting with the use of offensive and defensive maneuvers at various altitudes and at a different time of day and night," the press office said in a statement.
In the course of accomplishing their assignments, the crews of Su-27 planes and also Su-30SM fighters alternately practiced searching for, detecting and destroying the notional enemy’s aircraft during the tactical standoff, the statement says.
As the press office specified for TASS, the drills involved up to 10 aircraft crews.
The flight route of the Russian fighter jets was agreed with the air traffic authorities and was implemented in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, the Fleet’s press office reported.
The Su-27 is a fourth-generation multirole supersonic all-weather fighter aircraft armed with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles of various types (it has from 10 to 12 external hardpoints for missiles). The fighter jet is also furnished with a 30mm automatic aircraft gun (with a rate of fire of 1,500 rounds per minute and an ammunition load of 150 rounds).
The Su-30SM is a generation 4++ serial-produced and upgraded two-seat super-maneuverable fighter jet. The Su-30SM is furnished with two AL-31FP thrust-vectoring reheated double-flow turbofan engines. The fighter has an operating range of 1,500 km and a flight endurance of 3.5 hours without refueling.


tass--2020-01-17--Poland tries to impose stance on Russia’s role in WWII on Western colleagues, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Poland attempts to impose its stance on Russia ’ s role in the Second World War on its Western partners in the run-up to the events in Jerusalem timed to International Holocaust Remembrance Day , Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday during a news conference on the outcomes of Russian diplomacy in 2019 .
`` Next week , an international event will be held in Jerusalem in memory of Holocaust victims with participation of [ Russian ] President [ Vladimir ] Putin , '' Lavrov said .
`` Although [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already announced that he won ’ t be attending this event , we can ascertain that our Polish colleagues are trying to convince Western participants of the ceremony , namely the US and other Western leaders , to reflect Poland ’ s point of view on Russia ’ s approaches to the Second World War . ''
`` These methods are simply indecent , especially taking into account the event during which they will be applied , '' the Russian top diplomat stressed .
Leaders of Russia , France , Germany , Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem on January 23 , on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Poland attempts to impose its stance on Russia’s role in the Second World War on its Western partners in the run-up to the events in Jerusalem timed to International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday during a news conference on the outcomes of Russian diplomacy in 2019.
"Next week, an international event will be held in Jerusalem in memory of Holocaust victims with participation of [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin," Lavrov said. "Although [Polish] President [Andrzej] Duda already announced that he won’t be attending this event, we can ascertain that our Polish colleagues are trying to convince Western participants of the ceremony, namely the US and other Western leaders, to reflect Poland’s point of view on Russia’s approaches to the Second World War."
"These methods are simply indecent, especially taking into account the event during which they will be applied," the Russian top diplomat stressed.
Leaders of Russia, France, Germany, Italy and Austria will attend the fifth World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem on January 23, on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp.


tass--2020-01-17--Libya’s Haftar accepts Putin’s invitation to come to Russia for settlement talks — Kremlin

Haftar addressed Putin as his `` dear friend '' and expressed his `` personal gratitude for Russia ’ s efforts towards peace and stability in Libya . ''
`` Please accept our profound gratitude and respect , '' he added .
`` I express my full support to Russia ’ s initiative on peace talks in Moscow that are to bring peace to Libya .
I confirm that we are ready to accept your invitation to visit Russia to continue dialogue , '' the letter reads .
MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Commander of the Libyan National Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s invitation to come to Moscow to continue dialogue on settling the conflict in Libya , the Kremlin press service said on Friday citing Haftar ’ s letter to Putin .
The letter came ahead of an international conference on the settlement of the situation in Libya in Berlin scheduled for January 19 .
Both Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) Fayez al-Sarraj and Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Commander Khalifa Haftar are expected to take part .
High @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom , Egypt , the United Arab Emirates , China , Turkey , and France will also attend the conference .
As a Libyan diplomatic source informed TASS on Friday , Commander of the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Khalifa Haftar plans to visit Moscow after the Berlin conference on Libyan regulation , set to take place on January 19 .
`` Currently , the field marshal is in Athens , and then he will head to Berlin .
The date of his visit to Moscow is unknown so far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Berlin conference , '' the source stated .
Russian Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists earlier that the Berlin conference ’ s final documents were practically ready .
They are in full accordance with the decisions taken by the [ UN ] Security Council on Libyan regulation .
`` They [ these documents ] do not include any points contradicting the Security Council ’ s decisions , '' he said .

Haftar addressed Putin as his "dear friend" and expressed his "personal gratitude for Russia’s efforts towards peace and stability in Libya." "Please accept our profound gratitude and respect," he added.
"I express my full support to Russia’s initiative on peace talks in Moscow that are to bring peace to Libya. I confirm that we are ready to accept your invitation to visit Russia to continue dialogue," the letter reads.
MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to come to Moscow to continue dialogue on settling the conflict in Libya, the Kremlin press service said on Friday citing Haftar’s letter to Putin.
The letter came ahead of an international conference on the settlement of the situation in Libya in Berlin scheduled for January 19. Both Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar are expected to take part. High representatives from Russia, Algeria, the United Kingdom, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, China, Turkey, and France will also attend the conference.
As a Libyan diplomatic source informed TASS on Friday, Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar plans to visit Moscow after the Berlin conference on Libyan regulation, set to take place on January 19.
"Currently, the field marshal is in Athens, and then he will head to Berlin. The date of his visit to Moscow is unknown so far, however, it will take place after the Berlin conference," the source stated.
Russian Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists earlier that the Berlin conference’s final documents were practically ready. They are in full accordance with the decisions taken by the [UN] Security Council on Libyan regulation. "They [these documents] do not include any points contradicting the Security Council’s decisions," he said.


tass--2020-01-17--Paratroopers in Russia’s northwest receive over 30 latest BMD-4M combat vehicles

Airborne Force Deputy Commander Major-General Anatoly Kontsevoi was quoted as saying in the statement that this year two more battalion sets of combat vehicles were due to be delivered to the Russian paratroopers .
`` The seventh battalion set of military hardware for the Pskov paratroopers includes 39 items of the next-generation combat equipment : 31 BMD-4M and eight BTR-MDM ‘ Rakushka ’ vehicles , '' the ministry said in a statement .
MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
Paratroopers based in Pskov in Russia ’ s northwest have received a battalion set of next-generation combat hardware that includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and BTR-MDM ‘ Rakushka ’ armored personnel carriers , the Defense Ministry reported on Friday .
`` All the servicemen of the air assault regiment that has received the military hardware have undergone training and re-training courses at the 242nd training center in Omsk for Airborne Force junior specialists to learn to operate the new types of armament , '' the statement reads .
The 14-tonne BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicle is armed with a 100mm gun that also serves as a launcher for Arkan anti-tank missiles with an ammunition load of 34 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automatic cannon with an ammunition load of 500 rounds and a 7.62mm machine-gun .
The BMD-4M is capable of developing a maximum speed of 70 km/h and moving in the water at a maximum speed of 10 km/h .
The combat vehicle has a crew of three and can also transport up to five assault force personnel .
The BTR-MDM ‘ Rakushka ’ is a Russian armored personnel carrier developed at the Volgograd Tractor Factory .
The 13.2-tonne combat vehicle is armed with two machine-guns .
It has a crew of two and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel .
The Rakushka is designated to carry personnel ( the assault force ) , ammunition , spare parts , fuels and lubricants to Airborne Force and marine infantry units .

Airborne Force Deputy Commander Major-General Anatoly Kontsevoi was quoted as saying in the statement that this year two more battalion sets of combat vehicles were due to be delivered to the Russian paratroopers.
"The seventh battalion set of military hardware for the Pskov paratroopers includes 39 items of the next-generation combat equipment: 31 BMD-4M and eight BTR-MDM ‘Rakushka’ vehicles," the ministry said in a statement.
MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Paratroopers based in Pskov in Russia’s northwest have received a battalion set of next-generation combat hardware that includes over 35 BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicles and BTR-MDM ‘Rakushka’ armored personnel carriers, the Defense Ministry reported on Friday.
"All the servicemen of the air assault regiment that has received the military hardware have undergone training and re-training courses at the 242nd training center in Omsk for Airborne Force junior specialists to learn to operate the new types of armament," the statement reads.
The 14-tonne BMD-4M airborne infantry fighting vehicle is armed with a 100mm gun that also serves as a launcher for Arkan anti-tank missiles with an ammunition load of 34 rounds and four missiles, a 30mm automatic cannon with an ammunition load of 500 rounds and a 7.62mm machine-gun.
The BMD-4M is capable of developing a maximum speed of 70 km/h and moving in the water at a maximum speed of 10 km/h. The combat vehicle has a crew of three and can also transport up to five assault force personnel.
The BTR-MDM ‘Rakushka’ is a Russian armored personnel carrier developed at the Volgograd Tractor Factory. The 13.2-tonne combat vehicle is armed with two machine-guns. It has a crew of two and can carry up to 13 assault force personnel. The Rakushka is designated to carry personnel (the assault force), ammunition, spare parts, fuels and lubricants to Airborne Force and marine infantry units.


tass--2020-01-17--Putin, Merkel discuss upcoming Berlin conference on Libya

MOSCOW , January 17 .
/TASS/ .
During Friday ’ s phone call , Russian President Vladimir Putin and German @ @ @ @ @ the organization of the Berlin international conference on Libya set to take place on January @ @ @ @ @ service informed .
`` On the initiative of the German side , a phone call @ @ @ @ @ and German Chancellor Angela Merkel was held .
They discussed various aspects related to the @ @ @ @ @ to take place in Berlin on January 19 , '' the message informs .

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. During Friday’s phone call, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have discussed the organization of the Berlin international conference on Libya set to take place on January 19, the Kremlin press service informed.
"On the initiative of the German side, a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel was held. They discussed various aspects related to the international conference in Libya set to take place in Berlin on January 19," the message informs.