tass--2020-01-27--Terrorists plan to stage chemical attack in northern Syria — agency

According to the agency , terrorists and `` Turkish mercenaries '' have begun preparations to stage a chemical weapons attack @ @ @ @ @ part of the Aleppo province .
SANA added that militants would try to draw the @ @ @ @ @ to the incident in order to stop the Syrian army ’ s advance .
On @ @ @ @ @ out an offensive , taking control over important heights south of the city of Aleppo @ @ @ @ @ be able to move towards the settlement of Khan Tuman , located along a highway @ @ @ @ @ which is held by terrorists from the Jabhat al-Nusra group ( outlawed in Russia ) @

According to the agency, terrorists and "Turkish mercenaries" have begun preparations to stage a chemical weapons attack on civilians in the western part of the Aleppo province. SANA added that militants would try to draw the international community’s attention to the incident in order to stop the Syrian army’s advance.
On Sunday, Syrian troops carried out an offensive, taking control over important heights south of the city of Aleppo. The troops will now be able to move towards the settlement of Khan Tuman, located along a highway connecting Aleppo and Damascus, which is held by terrorists from the Jabhat al-Nusra group (outlawed in Russia).


tass--2020-01-27--Press review: Russian, Ukrainian delegates return to PACE and coronavirus gains strength

Izvestia : Russian , Ukrainian delegations to meet in PACE after lengthy hiatus A regular session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ( PACE ) is kicking off in Strasbourg .
The assembly will gather in full for the first time in the past three years , including the Russian and Ukrainian delegations , Izvestia writes .
The Council of Europe ’ s mechanism of sanctions is expected to top the agenda .
The issue at hand is a joint procedure of the Committee of Ministers and PACE involving the secretary general , which envisages measures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization , against states violating their statutory obligations .
The reason for the decision to create that mechanism was the Russian delegation ’ s situation , where it had been stripped of the right to vote and refused to make contributions to the council in response to that .
Members of the German delegation told the paper that PACE was expected to approve the mechanism at the upcoming session .
One of them , Andrej Hunko , stressed that the procedure would help prevent conflict situations in the organization .
According to Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( lower house ) Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy , Moscow is ready for constructive work and will pay special attention to the proposed mechanism .
`` Our delegation believes that the sanctions procedure should be applied in extraordinary circumstances .
The assembly ’ s task is not to punish anyone , but to build Europe without dividing lines .
That ’ s why in order to impose them on a certain state , it is necessary to boost the quorum , '' he told Izvestia .
The now-infamous novel coronavirus virus first detected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becoming increasingly more dangerous .
According to Chinese officials , the disease is now more easily transmitted from one person to another .
The coronavirus has claimed scores of lives so far , while over 2,000 have been infected , Kommersant writes .
Coronavirus cases have been reported in more than ten countries .
Major events have been cancelled and borders are have been closed because of the spread of the disease .
The World Health Organization ’ s head said on Sunday he would travel to China over the novel coronavirus-induced pneumonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus genome with already known ones shows that it is a ‘ close relative ’ of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) , that is , atypical pneumonia , which claimed over 700 lives in 2002-2003 ( having a mortality rate about 9 % ) , '' the paper quotes Irina Yakutentko , a molecular biologist and science journalist , as saying .
`` The trend is quite worrisome , considering that this is a virus .
Viruses mutate very quickly .
This is particularly true of RNA viruses , which include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus have already been developed , the expert noted .
She added , however , that using thermal observation devices and taking one ’ s temperature at airports was `` useless , since this type of pneumonia has an incubation period of five to six days , when the symptoms are not yet visible but a person has already been infected . ''
Meanwhile , Russia ’ s consumer watchdog announced that all of its diagnostic laboratories had the necessary equipment and specialists to use the diagnostic tools developed `` once the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structure had appeared . ''
Kiev has said that Russia ’ s energy giant Gazprom had curtailed gas transit to Europe by more than 50 % of the planned supplies .
This move stems from excessive gas reserves in European storage facilities , which were made because of the uncertainty in Russian-Ukrainian relations , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
Now that Russia and Ukraine have signed a five-year transit contract , fuel prices in Europe have dropped .
Experts pointed out that declining gas prices in Europe are caused by a market glut and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 2020 , Gazprom reduced gas supplies to Europe by 25 % compared to last January from 17.6 bln to 13.3 bln cubic meters .
Lower figures were recorded in 2015 when exports fell to 11 bln .
There are several reasons for the drop in the supplies of Russian pipeline gas , Head of AMarkets ’ analytical department Artem Deev informed the paper .
`` To begin with , in the autumn , European gas storage facilities were filled to capacity ( the EU was gearing up for potential interruptions in supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Europe is experiencing a warm winter , so consumption has fallen at least 20 % compared to forecasts .
Thirdly , liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) from Qatar and the United States poured into the European market .
Because of that , prices on Russian gas supplies fell more than 30 % in the second half of the year compared to the ones at the beginning of the year , '' he explained .
The European gas market is oversaturated , prices are low and will be even lower , Stanislav @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Energy Security Fund , told the paper .
`` For Gazprom , this is a problem in terms of revenue reduction .
However , the situation can turn out to be even more complicated for Gazprom ’ s competitors , because Gazprom can endure the race for survival amid falling prices longer than they can , '' he pointed out , adding that `` given the oversaturation of the EU market , the importance of transit countries , such as Belarus and Poland , is decreasing . ''
Russia and Germany have maintained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the economic , scientific and cultural tracks , German Ambassador to Russia Geza Andreas von Geyr said in an interview published by Kommersant .
He noted that in the political sphere , the two countries focused on specific issues , which their governments believe pragmatic cooperation is necessary .
In pursuit of the best solutions , Moscow and Berlin need to analyze the situation together and jointly promote certain initiatives , he stressed , adding that that was the objective of the Libyan negotiations held in Moscow some time ago .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the challenges that the world faces .
According to the ambassador , as far as politics is concerned , the time has not come yet to go back to the previous relationship that both countries had .
We have so far had many complex issues , on which we disagree , and sometimes have opposite points of view , he pointed out .
At the same time , the envoy hoped that Moscow and Berlin could restore confidence and resolve disagreements , thus fully unlocking the potential for cooperation .
That concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because German foreign policy is also part of the EU ’ s foreign policy .
When asked whether Berlin was going to take measures to protect German companies ’ investment in the Nord Stream 2 project , the ambassador stressed that the German government did not recognize extraterritorial sanctions similar to those the US slapped on Nord Stream 2 .
He noted that the project would help ensure Germany ’ s energy security and contribute to the diversification of supply routes .
The envoy pointed out that this was a business project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s project .
That ’ s why companies themselves must deal with the sanctions and any fallout from them , he emphasized .
The demand for mobile telephony in Russia has been decreasing steadily , Izvestia writes citing data provided by the Russian Ministry of Digital Development , Communications and Mass Media .
In January-September 2019 , the total duration of mobile phone calls in Russia amounted to 335.5 bln minutes , a 1.3 % decrease over the past year .
In Moscow and St. Petersburg , voice traffic has been declining more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ) .
TMT Consulting Director General Konstantin Ankilov explained that interest in traditional mobile telephony was on the decline because Russians began to communicate more by messengers and along social networking websites .
Interest in them is growing , so the drop in voice traffic will continue , the expert noted .
The reduction in traditional voice traffic is a global trend related to growing penetration of smartphones and messengers , the paper quotes Vlad Wolfson , MegaFon ’ s Chief Commercial Officer , as saying .
That does not necessarily mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declining .
For example , on New Year ’ s Eve the number of phone calls deceased by 5.5 % , while the volume of voice traffic in messengers grew by 85 % , he explained to Izvestia .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Izvestia: Russian, Ukrainian delegations to meet in PACE after lengthy hiatus A regular session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is kicking off in Strasbourg. The assembly will gather in full for the first time in the past three years, including the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, Izvestia writes. The Council of Europe’s mechanism of sanctions is expected to top the agenda. The issue at hand is a joint procedure of the Committee of Ministers and PACE involving the secretary general, which envisages measures, going as far as expulsion from the organization, against states violating their statutory obligations. The reason for the decision to create that mechanism was the Russian delegation’s situation, where it had been stripped of the right to vote and refused to make contributions to the council in response to that.
Read also Russia urges Council of Europe to react to Ukrainian disinformation bill
Members of the German delegation told the paper that PACE was expected to approve the mechanism at the upcoming session. One of them, Andrej Hunko, stressed that the procedure would help prevent conflict situations in the organization. According to Russia’s chief negotiator, State Duma (lower house) Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy, Moscow is ready for constructive work and will pay special attention to the proposed mechanism. "Our delegation believes that the sanctions procedure should be applied in extraordinary circumstances. The assembly’s task is not to punish anyone, but to build Europe without dividing lines. That’s why in order to impose them on a certain state, it is necessary to boost the quorum," he told Izvestia. Kommersant: China coronavirus is getting stronger The now-infamous novel coronavirus virus first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan is becoming increasingly more dangerous. According to Chinese officials, the disease is now more easily transmitted from one person to another. The coronavirus has claimed scores of lives so far, while over 2,000 have been infected, Kommersant writes. Coronavirus cases have been reported in more than ten countries. Major events have been cancelled and borders are have been closed because of the spread of the disease. The World Health Organization’s head said on Sunday he would travel to China over the novel coronavirus-induced pneumonia outbreak.
Read also Chinese coronavirus death toll rises to 80
"A comparison of the virus genome with already known ones shows that it is a ‘close relative’ of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), that is, atypical pneumonia, which claimed over 700 lives in 2002-2003 (having a mortality rate about 9%)," the paper quotes Irina Yakutentko, a molecular biologist and science journalist, as saying. "The trend is quite worrisome, considering that this is a virus. Viruses mutate very quickly. This is particularly true of RNA viruses, which include coronaviruses." Test systems for identifying the virus have already been developed, the expert noted. She added, however, that using thermal observation devices and taking one’s temperature at airports was "useless, since this type of pneumonia has an incubation period of five to six days, when the symptoms are not yet visible but a person has already been infected." Meanwhile, Russia’s consumer watchdog announced that all of its diagnostic laboratories had the necessary equipment and specialists to use the diagnostic tools developed "once the information on the novel coronavirus’ gene structure had appeared." Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russia reduces gas transit to Europe Kiev has said that Russia’s energy giant Gazprom had curtailed gas transit to Europe by more than 50% of the planned supplies. This move stems from excessive gas reserves in European storage facilities, which were made because of the uncertainty in Russian-Ukrainian relations, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Now that Russia and Ukraine have signed a five-year transit contract, fuel prices in Europe have dropped.
Read also Belarusian president approves draft protocol on amending gas deal with Russia
Experts pointed out that declining gas prices in Europe are caused by a market glut and a warm winter in Europe. In January 2020, Gazprom reduced gas supplies to Europe by 25% compared to last January from 17.6 bln to 13.3 bln cubic meters. Lower figures were recorded in 2015 when exports fell to 11 bln. There are several reasons for the drop in the supplies of Russian pipeline gas, Head of AMarkets’ analytical department Artem Deev informed the paper. "To begin with, in the autumn, European gas storage facilities were filled to capacity (the EU was gearing up for potential interruptions in supplies via the Ukrainian route). Secondly, Europe is experiencing a warm winter, so consumption has fallen at least 20% compared to forecasts. Thirdly, liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and the United States poured into the European market. Because of that, prices on Russian gas supplies fell more than 30% in the second half of the year compared to the ones at the beginning of the year," he explained. The European gas market is oversaturated, prices are low and will be even lower, Stanislav Mitrakhovich, an expert at the National Energy Security Fund, told the paper. "For Gazprom, this is a problem in terms of revenue reduction. However, the situation can turn out to be even more complicated for Gazprom’s competitors, because Gazprom can endure the race for survival amid falling prices longer than they can," he pointed out, adding that "given the oversaturation of the EU market, the importance of transit countries, such as Belarus and Poland, is decreasing." Kommersant: German ambassador evaluates prospects for Moscow-Berlin ties Russia and Germany have maintained significant relations in many areas, including along the economic, scientific and cultural tracks, German Ambassador to Russia Geza Andreas von Geyr said in an interview published by Kommersant. He noted that in the political sphere, the two countries focused on specific issues, which their governments believe pragmatic cooperation is necessary. In pursuit of the best solutions, Moscow and Berlin need to analyze the situation together and jointly promote certain initiatives, he stressed, adding that that was the objective of the Libyan negotiations held in Moscow some time ago. He also highlighted the need to find solutions to the challenges that the world faces. According to the ambassador, as far as politics is concerned, the time has not come yet to go back to the previous relationship that both countries had. We have so far had many complex issues, on which we disagree, and sometimes have opposite points of view, he pointed out. At the same time, the envoy hoped that Moscow and Berlin could restore confidence and resolve disagreements, thus fully unlocking the potential for cooperation. That concerns not only bilateral ties, he stressed, because German foreign policy is also part of the EU’s foreign policy. When asked whether Berlin was going to take measures to protect German companies’ investment in the Nord Stream 2 project, the ambassador stressed that the German government did not recognize extraterritorial sanctions similar to those the US slapped on Nord Stream 2. He noted that the project would help ensure Germany’s energy security and contribute to the diversification of supply routes. The envoy pointed out that this was a business project, and not the German government’s project. That’s why companies themselves must deal with the sanctions and any fallout from them, he emphasized. Izvestia: Social networks, messengers steer Russians away from mobile calls The demand for mobile telephony in Russia has been decreasing steadily, Izvestia writes citing data provided by the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media. In January-September 2019, the total duration of mobile phone calls in Russia amounted to 335.5 bln minutes, a 1.3% decrease over the past year. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, voice traffic has been declining more dynamically (2.5% over the past year).


tass--2020-01-27--Iranian foreign minister accuses Trump of cultural terrorism

TEHRAN , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that US President Donald @ @ @ @ @ attack various targets in Iran , many of them on the UNESCO World Heritage list @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The US president ’ s threats to destroy cultural objects in Iran amount @ @ @ @ @ '' IRNA news agency quotes him as saying .
`` This is a continuation of @ @ @ @ @ ] aimed to violate international law in order to break the resistance of the Iranian @ @ @ @ @ the minister , `` on the one hand , [ the US ] uses economic @ @ @ @ @ the Iranian people to food and medicine . ''
`` On the other hand , @ @ @ @ @ killing one of the most beloved figures in the country and in the region — @ @ @ @ @ he stated .

TEHRAN, January 27. /TASS/. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that US President Donald Trump’s threats to attack various targets in Iran, many of them on the UNESCO World Heritage list, amount to cultural terrorism.
"The US president’s threats to destroy cultural objects in Iran amount to international cultural terrorism," IRNA news agency quotes him as saying. "This is a continuation of Washington’s [policy] aimed to violate international law in order to break the resistance of the Iranian people."
According to the minister, "on the one hand, [the US] uses economic terrorism to restrict access of the Iranian people to food and medicine." "On the other hand, they use state terrorism, killing one of the most beloved figures in the country and in the region — General Qasem Soleimani," he stated.


tass--2020-01-27--ZTE helps China Telecom realize first 5G remote diagnosis of new coronavirus pneumonia

SHENZHEN , China , Jan. 27 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTE Corporation ( 0763.HK/000063 , SZ ) , a major international provider of telecommunications , enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the Mobile Internet , and Sichuan Branch of China Telecom today have realized China 's first 5G remote diagnosis of new coronavirus pneumonia backed up with the latest 5G technology .
5G , featuring high bandwidth and low latency , makes diagnosis and treatment more efficient and convenient.The 5G remote diagnosis involves West China Hospital and Chengdu Public Health Clinic Center of Sichuan University .
According to the on-site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment to commission 5G services by means of outdoor 5G signals while constructing indoor coverage points .
On January 25 , 5G indoor base stations were built and interconnected , and the conference room for remote diagnosis and treatment in West China Hospital was first connected to the remote diagnosis and treatment system .
On January 26 , ZTE completed the rapid construction , optimization , speed test , and commissioning of the 5G indoor distribution system at another core point of the remote diagnosis and treatment system .
After the 5G network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission , West China Hospital , and Chengdu Public Health Clinic Center conducted remote video consultation .
In accordance with the work arrangement of the Sichuan Health and Health Commission , the 5G remote consultation system will take West China Hospital of Sichuan University as the central node , and be the first batch to access 27 hospitals that have accepted and treated patients .
In the next step , ZTE will build China 's first new 5G remote diagnosis coronavirus infection system covering three levels : Sichuan province , city , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network '' for remote diagnosis in front-line hospitals that help Wuhan .
In the future , ZTE will carry out video consultation with the Wuhan front-end medical rescue team through the 5G network , so that critical patients in Wuhan can also enjoy expert diagnosis and treatment services in the West China Hospital .
ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems , mobile devices and enterprise technology solutions to consumers , operators , companies and public sector customers .
As a part of ZTE 's strategy , the company is committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge .
Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen ( H share stock code : 0763.HK / A share stock code : 000063.SZ ) , ZTE sells its products and services in more than 160 countries .
To date , ZTE has obtained 35 commercial 5G contracts in major markets , such as Europe , Asia Pacific , Middle East and Africa ( MEA ) .
ZTE commits 10 percent of its annual revenues to research and development and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTE Corporation (0763.HK/000063,SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the Mobile Internet, and Sichuan Branch of China Telecom today have realized China's first 5G remote diagnosis of new coronavirus pneumonia backed up with the latest 5G technology. 5G, featuring high bandwidth and low latency, makes diagnosis and treatment more efficient and convenient.The 5G remote diagnosis involves West China Hospital and Chengdu Public Health Clinic Center of Sichuan University.
According to the on-site situation, ZTE has employed its CPE equipment to commission 5G services by means of outdoor 5G signals while constructing indoor coverage points. On January 25, 5G indoor base stations were built and interconnected, and the conference room for remote diagnosis and treatment in West China Hospital was first connected to the remote diagnosis and treatment system.
On January 26, ZTE completed the rapid construction, optimization, speed test, and commissioning of the 5G indoor distribution system at another core point of the remote diagnosis and treatment system. After the 5G network was commissioned, Sichuan health and health commission, West China Hospital, and Chengdu Public Health Clinic Center conducted remote video consultation.
In accordance with the work arrangement of the Sichuan Health and Health Commission, the 5G remote consultation system will take West China Hospital of Sichuan University as the central node, and be the first batch to access 27 hospitals that have accepted and treated patients. In the next step, ZTE will build China's first new 5G remote diagnosis coronavirus infection system covering three levels: Sichuan province, city, and county, to provide a "one network" for remote diagnosis in front-line hospitals that help Wuhan. In the future, ZTE will carry out video consultation with the Wuhan front-end medical rescue team through the 5G network, so that critical patients in Wuhan can also enjoy expert diagnosis and treatment services in the West China Hospital.
ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems, mobile devices and enterprise technology solutions to consumers, operators, companies and public sector customers. As a part of ZTE's strategy, the company is committed to providing customers with integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge. Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE sells its products and services in more than 160 countries.
To date, ZTE has obtained 35 commercial 5G contracts in major markets, such as Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (MEA). ZTE commits 10 percent of its annual revenues to research and development and takes leadership roles in international standard-setting organizations.
CONTACT: Margaret Ma, ZTE Corporation, Tel: +86 755 26775189, ma.gaili@zte.com.cn


tass--2020-01-27--More than 1.3 million people examined for coronavirus in Russia

MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being of Russia has examined more than 1.3 million people since December 31 in a bid to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in Russia , the watchdog head Anna Popova told journalists Monday .
`` Since December 31 , we have inspected 20,365 transports , 6,746 of them - from the People ’ s Republic of China .
This number includes both plane flights and ground transport .
We have examined more than 1.3 million people , picking more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examination , whom we have diagnosed individually , '' she said .
The watchdog is ready to look into requests for assistance from China , if needed .
`` We are ready to look into requests from our Chinese colleagues .
I would like to underscore that , during the first days of the outbreak , we have relayed an offer of epidemiological security assistance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , through Russian Embassy in China , '' Popova said .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in almost all Chinese provinces including Beijing and Shanghai as well as in other countries - Australia , France , Thailand , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States and Japan .
The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one .

MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. The Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being of Russia has examined more than 1.3 million people since December 31 in a bid to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in Russia, the watchdog head Anna Popova told journalists Monday.
"Since December 31, we have inspected 20,365 transports, 6,746 of them - from the People’s Republic of China. This number includes both plane flights and ground transport. We have examined more than 1.3 million people, picking more than 100 people for a [detailed] examination, whom we have diagnosed individually," she said.
The watchdog is ready to look into requests for assistance from China, if needed.
"We are ready to look into requests from our Chinese colleagues. I would like to underscore that, during the first days of the outbreak, we have relayed an offer of epidemiological security assistance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through Russian Embassy in China," Popova said.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in almost all Chinese provinces including Beijing and Shanghai as well as in other countries - Australia, France, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Japan. The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but refrained from declaring an international one.


tass--2020-01-27--Most Russians unafraid of losing job over artificial intelligence — poll

As many as 30 % of the respondents told the pollster about their fears over artificial intelligence .
About a half of those polled ( 48 % ) said they had a positive attitude towards the development of artificial intelligence .
Another 31 % had a neutral position on this issue while 12 % of those polled expressed negative emotions on this issue .
MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Most Russians ( 68 % ) have no fear that artificial intelligence will start performing some of functions in their profession , according to a poll released by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
Among the fears related to artificial intelligence , Russians most frequently pointed to possible technical failures ( 31 % ) and the personal data security threat ( 21 % ) .
The respondents believe that such technologies should be developed in the sphere of science ( 72 % ) , industry ( 69 % ) , transport ( 66 % ) , leisure and entertainment ( 60 % ) , the poll says .
Russians spoke about their readiness to use services based on artificial intelligence for receiving public services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters ( 54 % ) , in the sphere of entertainment ( 54 % ) and for receiving healthcare assistance ( 52 % ) .
Among possible measures of state support for developing this technology , the respondents pointed to vocational education programs ( 38 % ) and personnel re-training ( 36 % ) , the introduction of artificial intelligence into health care and education ( 36 % ) , the financial support for companies operating in the sphere of artificial intelligence ( 35 % ) , the improvement of legislation ( 34 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions in providing public services ( 34 % ) .
About 5 % of those polled do not consider such support necessary .
As many as 37 % of the respondents expressed their desire to undergo training in the sphere of artificial intelligence in the immediate future while 59 % of those polled said they had no such plans .
The VTsIOM pollster conducted its poll on order from the Russian government ’ s analytical center in October 2019 by interviewing 1,600 respondents aged above 18 over the phone .
The maximum error @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 95 % probability .

As many as 30% of the respondents told the pollster about their fears over artificial intelligence. About a half of those polled (48%) said they had a positive attitude towards the development of artificial intelligence. Another 31% had a neutral position on this issue while 12% of those polled expressed negative emotions on this issue.
MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Most Russians (68%) have no fear that artificial intelligence will start performing some of functions in their profession, according to a poll released by the All-Russia Public Opinion Center (VTsIOM) on Monday.
Among the fears related to artificial intelligence, Russians most frequently pointed to possible technical failures (31%) and the personal data security threat (21%). The respondents believe that such technologies should be developed in the sphere of science (72%), industry (69%), transport (66%), leisure and entertainment (60%), the poll says.
Russians spoke about their readiness to use services based on artificial intelligence for receiving public services (68%), solving household matters (54%), in the sphere of entertainment (54%) and for receiving healthcare assistance (52%).
Among possible measures of state support for developing this technology, the respondents pointed to vocational education programs (38%) and personnel re-training (36%), the introduction of artificial intelligence into health care and education (36%), the financial support for companies operating in the sphere of artificial intelligence (35%), the improvement of legislation (34%), the use of new solutions in providing public services (34%).
About 5% of those polled do not consider such support necessary. As many as 37% of the respondents expressed their desire to undergo training in the sphere of artificial intelligence in the immediate future while 59% of those polled said they had no such plans.
The VTsIOM pollster conducted its poll on order from the Russian government’s analytical center in October 2019 by interviewing 1,600 respondents aged above 18 over the phone. The maximum error margin does not exceed 2.5% with a 95% probability.


tass--2020-01-27--The Siege of Leningrad: 900 days of suffering from Nazi barbarism

Number of infected with new coronavirus rises to almost 2,000 in China , 56 dead About 21,500 people in China @ @ @ @ @ infected and are under the supervision of doctors

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--2020-01-27--Russian, Moldovan prime ministers to meet at EAEU forum in Kazakhstan

CHISINAU , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu plans to hold talks with his Russian counterpart @ @ @ @ @ forum on digital economy to be held as part of the Eurasian Economic Union ( @ @ @ @ @ Kazakhstan ) on January 31 .
`` There I will have a meeting with Russian @ @ @ @ @ '' Chicu wrote on his Facebook page on Monday referring to his plans for the @ @ @ @ @ , a source in the Russian government informed TASS that the Russian prime minister would @ @ @ @ @ the EAEU forum , but there have been no official reports on the issue .
@ @ @ @ @ Russian head of government ’ s first foreign trip .

CHISINAU, January 27. /TASS/. Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu plans to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin at an international forum on digital economy to be held as part of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in Almaty (Kazakhstan) on January 31.
"There I will have a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin," Chicu wrote on his Facebook page on Monday referring to his plans for the week.
On January 24, a source in the Russian government informed TASS that the Russian prime minister would travel to Almaty to attend the EAEU forum, but there have been no official reports on the issue. That could be the new Russian head of government’s first foreign trip.


tass--2020-01-27--ECHR must ensure safety of Donetsk People’s Republic resident Tsemakh — attorney

`` I filed a statement on protective measures to the Strasbourg Court .
We are waiting for a response .
The statement pleads to bar the Netherlands and Ukraine from undertaking any kind of unlawful action for [ Tsemakh ’ s ] apprehension or abduction .
I very much expect the court to respond , but there ’ s no response yet , '' the attorney told Russia 's Rossiya 24 TV channel on Monday .
MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Anatoly Kucherena , the attorney of Donetsk People ’ s Republic ( DPR ) resident Vladimir Tsemakh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boeing 2014 crash case , demanded the European Court of Human Rights ( ECHR ) to introduce protective measures in a bid to prevent unlawful actions by Ukrainian and Dutch intelligence agencies .
Kucherena underscored that the protective measures must be introduced immediately .
`` We believe that [ the measures ] must be introduced immediately , because this man is in danger .
Previous actions perpetrated against him were intimidating , shocking and psychically traumatizing , '' the lawyer added .
`` We hope that the Strasbourg Court receives explanation from Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Tshemakh ’ s statement and we hope this procedure is undertaken as soon as possible . ''
On December 18 , 2019 , Kucherena told TASS that he filed another complaint in Tsemakh ’ s interest against Ukrainian and Dutch intelligence services with the ECHR .
In the complaint , Kucherena highlighted the circumstances of Tsemakh ’ s abduction , detention in the Kiev facility , and use of psychotropic substances .
All this , the lawyer noted , was a `` flagrant violation of human rights . ''
According to Kucherena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dutch and Ukrainian law enforcement .
In June 2019 , Ukrainian intelligence services abducted the former militia air defense commander Vladimir Tsemakh from DPR territory .
He was secretly moved to Kiev through the front line .
The DPR authorities demanded their resident to be returned back and called on international human rights organizations to intervene .
According to DPR head Denis Pushilin , the abduction was connected to Kiev ’ s intention to falsify the Malaysian Boeing crash circumstances .
A special team led by the Netherlands , known as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was established to conduct the Boeing crash investigation .
In June this year , the Netherlands declared Tsemakh a suspect in the case .
In September , Tsemakh was handed over to Russia by Ukraine within the `` 35 for 35 '' captive exchange agreement .
Tsemakh is currently back in the DPR .

"I filed a statement on protective measures to the Strasbourg Court. We are waiting for a response. The statement pleads to bar the Netherlands and Ukraine from undertaking any kind of unlawful action for [Tsemakh’s] apprehension or abduction. I very much expect the court to respond, but there’s no response yet," the attorney told Russia's Rossiya 24 TV channel on Monday.
MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Anatoly Kucherena, the attorney of Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) resident Vladimir Tsemakh, the suspect in the Malaysia MH17 Boeing 2014 crash case, demanded the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to introduce protective measures in a bid to prevent unlawful actions by Ukrainian and Dutch intelligence agencies.
Kucherena underscored that the protective measures must be introduced immediately.
"We believe that [the measures] must be introduced immediately, because this man is in danger. Previous actions perpetrated against him were intimidating, shocking and psychically traumatizing," the lawyer added. "We hope that the Strasbourg Court receives explanation from Ukraine and the Netherlands on the facts presented in Tshemakh’s statement and we hope this procedure is undertaken as soon as possible."
On December 18, 2019, Kucherena told TASS that he filed another complaint in Tsemakh’s interest against Ukrainian and Dutch intelligence services with the ECHR. In the complaint, Kucherena highlighted the circumstances of Tsemakh’s abduction, detention in the Kiev facility, and use of psychotropic substances. All this, the lawyer noted, was a "flagrant violation of human rights." According to Kucherena, Tsemakh is ready to testify before the Dutch and Ukrainian law enforcement.
Tsemakh’s abduction
In June 2019, Ukrainian intelligence services abducted the former militia air defense commander Vladimir Tsemakh from DPR territory. He was secretly moved to Kiev through the front line. The DPR authorities demanded their resident to be returned back and called on international human rights organizations to intervene. According to DPR head Denis Pushilin, the abduction was connected to Kiev’s intention to falsify the Malaysian Boeing crash circumstances.
A special team led by the Netherlands, known as the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), was established to conduct the Boeing crash investigation. In June this year, the Netherlands declared Tsemakh a suspect in the case. In September, Tsemakh was handed over to Russia by Ukraine within the "35 for 35" captive exchange agreement. Tsemakh is currently back in the DPR.


tass--2020-01-27--At least 140 Russians located in Wuhan and Hubei province

BEIJING , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Embassy in the People ’ s Republic of China is aware of at least 140 Russian citizens currently located in the Hubei province and its administrative center Wuhan , where a new type of coronavirus appeared , embassy spokesman Georgy Yegorov informed TASS on Monday .
`` We maintain contact with all of them .
The Russian embassy fulfils all their requests , demands , including those related to food and water supply , working together with the Chinese Foreign Ministry and local government bodies , '' the diplomat said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ manually , '' he added .
The diplomat added that a Russian student from Wuhan University had complained to the embassy over the lack of protective masks , after which the embassy contacted the university administration to resolve this issue .
`` In general , these 140 people inform us that they are provided with everything they need , '' he noted .
`` According to Chinese officials , the situation in Wuhan and the Hubei province is under control , '' Yegorov said .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Currently , the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in China exceeded 2,700 with 80 deaths reported .
The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in almost all Chinese provinces including Beijing and Shanghai as well as in other countries - Australia , Malaysia , Nepal , France , Thailand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States and Japan .
The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one .

BEIJING, January 27. /TASS/. The Russian Embassy in the People’s Republic of China is aware of at least 140 Russian citizens currently located in the Hubei province and its administrative center Wuhan, where a new type of coronavirus appeared, embassy spokesman Georgy Yegorov informed TASS on Monday.
"We maintain contact with all of them. The Russian embassy fulfils all their requests, demands, including those related to food and water supply, working together with the Chinese Foreign Ministry and local government bodies," the diplomat said. "We try to resolve all issues manually," he added.
The diplomat added that a Russian student from Wuhan University had complained to the embassy over the lack of protective masks, after which the embassy contacted the university administration to resolve this issue. "In general, these 140 people inform us that they are provided with everything they need," he noted.
"According to Chinese officials, the situation in Wuhan and the Hubei province is under control," Yegorov said.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
Currently, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in China exceeded 2,700 with 80 deaths reported. The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in almost all Chinese provinces including Beijing and Shanghai as well as in other countries - Australia, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Japan. The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one.


tass--2020-01-27--Flight en route to Moscow returns to Khabarovsk over bomb threat

MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Security experts have inspected a Moscow-bound aircraft , which had to return to @ @ @ @ @ threat , and found no trace of an explosive device , a transport police spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ District told TASS .
`` The aircraft was checked and the bomb threat turned out @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
According to data from flightradar24.com , an Aeroflot Airbus A330 @ @ @ @ @ an hour after departing from Khabarovsk and began turning back to the airport of departure @ @ @ @ @ and ten crew members aboard the flight .

MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Security experts have inspected a Moscow-bound aircraft, which had to return to Khabarovsk due to a bomb threat, and found no trace of an explosive device, a transport police spokesperson in the Far Eastern Federal District told TASS.
"The aircraft was checked and the bomb threat turned out to be a false alarm," he said.
According to data from flightradar24.com, an Aeroflot Airbus A330 bound for Moscow declared Mayday an hour after departing from Khabarovsk and began turning back to the airport of departure.
There were 262 passengers and ten crew members aboard the flight.


tass--2020-01-27--Buddhist Leader's annual peace proposal applauds youth climate action

TOKYO , Jan. 27 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 26 , 2020 , the 38th annual peace proposal by Daisaku Ikeda , president of the Soka Gakkai International ( SGI ) Buddhist network , titled `` Toward Our Shared Future : Constructing an Era of Human Solidarity '' was released , marking the anniversary of the founding of the SGI .
Climate action and nuclear weapons abolition are Ikeda 's main themes , with a focus on the individual lives and suffering often hidden behind macroeconomic indices .
He describes climate change as `` a fundamental challenge , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and stresses that it threatens to render meaningless global efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) .
Praising the energy of youth climate activists , he states , `` When young people 's will to transform reality merges with an indomitable optimism , the possibilities are limitless . ''
Ikeda proposes that UN Youth Climate Summits be held every year toward 2030 and calls for a Security Council Resolution mainstreaming youth participation in climate-related decision-making .
Consistent with his decades of action toward the abolition of nuclear weapons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons ( TPNW ) reaches 50 ratifications and thus enters into force this year , the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki .
He proposes holding a People 's Forum for a World Without Nuclear Weapons centered on hibakusha and civil society in Hiroshima or Nagasaki to follow the treaty 's entry into force .
He also calls for a five-year extension of the New START Treaty between the US and Russia as the first step toward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations .
Alarmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( AI ) could destabilize nuclear weapons systems , he urges that deliberations on a prohibition regime related to cyberattacks on nuclear systems , AI and other new technologies should begin at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty ( NPT ) Review Conference to be held from April at UN Headquarters in New York .
Ikeda also highlights the plight of children and youth deprived of educational opportunities due to armed conflict or natural disasters , and therefore calls for strengthening of the financial foundation of the UNICEF-hosted Education Can not Wait global fund .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ grassroots action , saying , `` The SGI will further promote empowerment of , by and for the people , as we address the climate crisis and other challenges with an expanding movement of global solidarity . ''
The Soka Gakkai International ( SGI ) is a community-based Buddhist network promoting peace , culture and education with 12 million members .
Every year since 1983 , SGI President Daisaku Ikeda ( 1928- ) has issued a peace proposal offering a Buddhist perspective and solutions to global problems on January 26 , to commemorate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 2020 marks the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Soka Gakkai and the 45th anniversary of the founding of the SGI .

TOKYO, Jan. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 26, 2020, the 38th annual peace proposal by Daisaku Ikeda, president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist network, titled "Toward Our Shared Future: Constructing an Era of Human Solidarity" was released, marking the anniversary of the founding of the SGI.
Climate action and nuclear weapons abolition are Ikeda's main themes, with a focus on the individual lives and suffering often hidden behind macroeconomic indices. He describes climate change as "a fundamental challenge, on which the fate of humankind hinges," and stresses that it threatens to render meaningless global efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Praising the energy of youth climate activists, he states, "When young people's will to transform reality merges with an indomitable optimism, the possibilities are limitless."
Ikeda proposes that UN Youth Climate Summits be held every year toward 2030 and calls for a Security Council Resolution mainstreaming youth participation in climate-related decision-making.
Consistent with his decades of action toward the abolition of nuclear weapons, Ikeda urges efforts to ensure that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) reaches 50 ratifications and thus enters into force this year, the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
He proposes holding a People's Forum for a World Without Nuclear Weapons centered on hibakusha and civil society in Hiroshima or Nagasaki to follow the treaty's entry into force. He also calls for a five-year extension of the New START Treaty between the US and Russia as the first step toward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations.
Alarmed by risks that cyberattacks or Artificial Intelligence (AI) could destabilize nuclear weapons systems, he urges that deliberations on a prohibition regime related to cyberattacks on nuclear systems, AI and other new technologies should begin at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference to be held from April at UN Headquarters in New York.
Ikeda also highlights the plight of children and youth deprived of educational opportunities due to armed conflict or natural disasters, and therefore calls for strengthening of the financial foundation of the UNICEF-hosted Education Cannot Wait global fund.
Ikeda concludes with a commitment to continued grassroots action, saying, "The SGI will further promote empowerment of, by and for the people, as we address the climate crisis and other challenges with an expanding movement of global solidarity."
The Soka Gakkai International (SGI) is a community-based Buddhist network promoting peace, culture and education with 12 million members. Every year since 1983, SGI President Daisaku Ikeda (1928- ) has issued a peace proposal offering a Buddhist perspective and solutions to global problems on January 26, to commemorate the founding of the SGI. The year 2020 marks the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the Soka Gakkai and the 45th anniversary of the founding of the SGI.
Contact:
Joan Anderson
Office of Public Information
Soka Gakkai International
Tel: +81-80-5957-4711
E-mail: Anderson[at]soka.jp
www.sgi.org


tass--2020-01-27--Spring Festival Gala on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge rises a dynamic Zhuhai to view

ZHUHAI , China , Jan. 27 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrate the Spring Festival on the charming Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area !
On January 24 , the Spring Festival 's Eve , the Greater Bay Area sub venue gala of the 2020 Spring Festival Gala took place at the artificial island of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge .
Against the brilliant landscape of the 55-kilometer bridge , the bell of the Spring Festival rang .
Zhuhai , as the host of the sub venue gala and the forerunner of opening up , sent the new year wishes to the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and innovation with other cities in this Area .
Dazzling fireworks display , lion dancing with LED and technology of light and shadow , special effect beam and human-screen interaction created fantastic atmosphere .
Thousands of residents of the three cities sang a song together and expressed their aspirations for 2020 by wonderful performances on the `` Super Project '' .
Performances with Chinese science and technology innovation products and culture presented a dynamic Greater Bay Area that integrates tradition and innovation , classic and fashion to the world .
While the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Greater Bay Area embraces a better future .
Today , as one of the most open and economically vibrant regions , the Area is presenting great prospects .
Thanks to the `` golden channel '' , namely the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge , Zhuhai is promoting the in-depth cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao .
Resources including innovation , talents , capital , technology and culture of the Area and even the world are gathered , connected , allocated and integrated in Zhuhai , stimulating its development continuously .
With the operation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Huawei , Alibaba , Tencent , and Foxconn have carried out in-depth cooperation with Zhuhai in fields including smart cities , artificial intelligence , cloud computing and chips to expand a broad prospect for a new economy .
`` With further development of the Greater Bay Area , Zhuhai enjoys strong momentum and bright prospects based on prominent geographical advantages , '' said Zhang Jianfeng , partner and Chief Technology Officer of Alibaba Group .
At present , the construction of the Area goes into the fast lane , which promotes the exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to data from the People 's Government of Zhuhai Municipality , in the first half of 2019 alone , there were 310 newly established Macao-invested companies in Zhuhai , accounting for more than half of the newly established enterprises in the city .
In addition , the connectivity between Zhuhai and Macao also provides benefits for the residents of both sides .
Recently , the Zhuhai Real Estate Registration Center and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China ( Macau ) Co. , Ltd. signed a cooperation agreement to set up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macao , allowing Macao enterprises and individuals to deal with the cross-border real estate mortgage registration within Macao .
The continuously-expanding Zhuhai-Macao cooperation space witnesses the speeding opening-up of the Area and also reflects China 's actions and determination to make a new ground in pursuing opening up .
By 2020 , the time limit for foreign investment putting on files outside the negative list will be reduced to less than one working day , and the time limit for starting a business will be controlled within four working days .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enterprises will reach to 12,000 .
The business scope of individual industrial and commercial households of Hong Kong and Macao residents will be fully liberalized .
Guangdong has made it clear that in the future , it will promote the integration of resources , the complementarity of advantages and the linkage of opening-up measures in the Area to lead an opening pattern with the connection of land and sea , domestic and overseas areas and mutual beneficial cooperation between the east and the west bank of the Pearl River .
The sub-venue of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only reflects the continuously improving city-to-city connectivity but also witnesses the expansion of cooperation fields between these three places .
It is foreseeable that the construction of the Area will promote the development of Hong Kong and Macao , and expand new space for cooperation between China and the world .

ZHUHAI, China, Jan. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrate the Spring Festival on the charming Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area! On January 24, the Spring Festival's Eve, the Greater Bay Area sub venue gala of the 2020 Spring Festival Gala took place at the artificial island of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Against the brilliant landscape of the 55-kilometer bridge, the bell of the Spring Festival rang. Zhuhai, as the host of the sub venue gala and the forerunner of opening up, sent the new year wishes to the world and drew a new picture of openness and innovation with other cities in this Area.
Dazzling fireworks display, lion dancing with LED and technology of light and shadow, special effect beam and human-screen interaction created fantastic atmosphere. Thousands of residents of the three cities sang a song together and expressed their aspirations for 2020 by wonderful performances on the "Super Project". Performances with Chinese science and technology innovation products and culture presented a dynamic Greater Bay Area that integrates tradition and innovation, classic and fashion to the world.
While the three places celebrate the new year together, the Greater Bay Area embraces a better future. Today, as one of the most open and economically vibrant regions, the Area is presenting great prospects. Thanks to the "golden channel", namely the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Zhuhai is promoting the in-depth cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao. Resources including innovation, talents, capital, technology and culture of the Area and even the world are gathered, connected, allocated and integrated in Zhuhai, stimulating its development continuously.
With the operation of the Bridge, industrial giants such as Huawei, Alibaba, Tencent, and Foxconn have carried out in-depth cooperation with Zhuhai in fields including smart cities, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and chips to expand a broad prospect for a new economy. "With further development of the Greater Bay Area, Zhuhai enjoys strong momentum and bright prospects based on prominent geographical advantages," said Zhang Jianfeng, partner and Chief Technology Officer of Alibaba Group.
At present, the construction of the Area goes into the fast lane, which promotes the exchange and cooperation between Zhuhai and Macao. According to data from the People's Government of Zhuhai Municipality, in the first half of 2019 alone, there were 310 newly established Macao-invested companies in Zhuhai, accounting for more than half of the newly established enterprises in the city.
In addition, the connectivity between Zhuhai and Macao also provides benefits for the residents of both sides. Recently, the Zhuhai Real Estate Registration Center and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China(Macau) Co., Ltd. signed a cooperation agreement to set up a warmly-welcomed real estate registration service center in Macao, allowing Macao enterprises and individuals to deal with the cross-border real estate mortgage registration within Macao.
The continuously-expanding Zhuhai-Macao cooperation space witnesses the speeding opening-up of the Area and also reflects China's actions and determination to make a new ground in pursuing opening up.
By 2020, the time limit for foreign investment putting on files outside the negative list will be reduced to less than one working day, and the time limit for starting a business will be controlled within four working days. The number of newly registered Hong Kong and Macao-funded enterprises will reach to 12,000. The business scope of individual industrial and commercial households of Hong Kong and Macao residents will be fully liberalized. Guangdong has made it clear that in the future, it will promote the integration of resources, the complementarity of advantages and the linkage of opening-up measures in the Area to lead an opening pattern with the connection of land and sea, domestic and overseas areas and mutual beneficial cooperation between the east and the west bank of the Pearl River.
The sub-venue of the Spring Festival Gala on the Bridge not only reflects the continuously improving city-to-city connectivity but also witnesses the expansion of cooperation fields between these three places. It is foreseeable that the construction of the Area will promote the development of Hong Kong and Macao, and expand new space for cooperation between China and the world.
CONTACT: Ms. Cui, +86-20-83107576


tass--2020-01-27--BP's Bob Dudley on working in Russia: 'We have the trust'

- Here in Davos we hear many calls to curb investments into fossil fuels .
Some hedge funds pledged to stop investing in such assets .
How do you think this will affect the future of the industry ?
While the world is working on this energy transition how to get to 2040 , where there is likely to be 2 bln more people on the planet , the world will need 30-40 % more energy by 2040 , which is the equivalent of another China and another United States or another China and another Europe .
So that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how we provide energy for a growing population that is really moving people onto poverty and we need to reduce our emissions by half , by 50 % .
So it is a complex problem .
It requires everyone to do this ; the world will need all kinds of fuels .
It can not be just companies or some companies to solve this issue or stop producing because others will just fill that , because the world needs this energy .
So , we ’ ve got to work together : companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers .
So , if we look at 200 years of economic history , without price on something or cost , you don ’ t change anyone ’ s behavior .
So , we do need to put some sort of price or tax on carbon and equally turn things that will actually help reducing emission .
Some people say , it is easy , we just need to go to all renewable energy but renewable energy today , not counting hydro , but solar , wind and biofuels , make up between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand for energy today .
We can not cover all by renewables , we will not get there .
And as the world turns its back on nuclear , which is unfortunate , we need to go back and look at use of natural gas and oil , to reduce coal , as much renewables as we can .
We need something called carbon capture , and storage or carbon capture and storage .
Most ideas on it are already here but we will be hearing a lot in decades ahead about CCS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am confident this will happen but it can not be just the companies it requires , government policy as well .
- So you don ’ t see fundamental reasons for deterioration of oil demand in the long term ?
I mean , you do not expect people to stop using oil any time soon ?
Well , I think we will see a transition here .
I think there will be a reduction in use of oil and coal over time .
I think there will be advantaged oil economically and light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of chemicals .
I mean in coming time , for decades and decades , we will still be using oil to make pertochemicals , most certainly , but displacing fuel oils with natural gas or other things to generate power – it has got to happen .
So we will see reduction in global oil demand as we get farther in the century , and in some places it may come down quite a lot .
In some countries , if they outlaw the internal combustion engines , for example , to encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil demand drop in those countries , but globally I do not see that happening .
- With energy transition on track how the oil industry will change in ten years ?
How the ideal oil producing company should look like ?
I think , firstly , the energy transition is on track but I do expect greenhouse gas emissions to go up here for several years before they start coming down .
Same is with coal usage .
So the ideal oil company will depend on where it is geographically in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the oil and gas companies truly will , and I think we are already , be energy companies .
In some companies energy just means power , but I think about all forms of energy , so BP has about 8,000 people working in renewable energy today , biofuels , wind and solar development companies .
The returns from them are not as high as they are on oil and certainly gas projects but I think if there is such a thing as an ideal company , it will position itself always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade after that , so investing in new technologies , to be ready for win as those become high return projects and as the old ones phase out , but this can take decades .
Bill Gates said it very well : there are two kinds of people in the world , those denying climate activity and those that think it is really simple to solve .
And the answer is somewhere in the middle .
- Do you think that oil majors are becoming `` bad guys '' for the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Are they facing real difficulties in attracting financing ?
I think in particular in Northern Europe , and in the East Coast and in the West Coast of the United States , energy companies , oil and gas companies are quite out of favor .
And there is a new thing that in my view is very early days quite simplistic – this is ESG investment ( Environment , Social and Governance ) .
And there are about a hundred and thirty different groups setting their ESG indexes and surveys .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big capital ‘ E , ’ may be just a little bit of ‘ S ’ and they do not care much about ‘ G. ’ You know , really this should be ‘ ESG ’ all through .
Companies like BP and the other big oil companies – I think the governance is excellent in those companies .
We do not get much credit for that .
Socially we do things all over the world .
So , really , the ESG movement seems to be mostly about ‘ E ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be a better definition of what this is about .
So , yes , it will put pressure on divestment , it will put pressure on voting resolutions on companies , directing them and their activities .
I think it is overly simplified , unfortunately .
Complex problems are usually complex , for a reason .
But I think companies like BP are doing a lot , Rosneft is doing a lot , by the way .
They are working to define greenhouse gas emissions baseline and reducing it , reducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to SDG - sustainability development goals , so Rosneft is doing well .
But I think the European companies and some US companies we have greater pressure on us but if we manage it well , we will thrive and I am confident we will do that .
- How do you think the oil market will react to these challenges ?
We all remember times with $ 100 per barrel , do you think these days have gone ?
Well , at least for a moment , I think it is .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not managed very well , we can get up with a shortage of all forms of energy , because population will grow and economic activity will increase .
So there has to be a balancing pace of investment .
Or else you could end up with higher oil prices .
I think that was different in the last 5 to 7 years - in the past , it mainly been Russia and Saudi Arabia ; they were two great oil and gas producing countries and now you have the third one – the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first one ?
It is , it has the highest production today .
But everything is changing in terms of the price spikes and I think this is a downside , because now if the price goes higher because of shortages in other places , temporary blockages , the US can increase its production .
On the downside , the US responds very very quickly to price signals .
So when the price of oil will drop very precipitously , companies in the US , which do not follow a greater economic policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so they will start drilling , add production .
The US has created a dampener on the price of oil up and down .
I think this is a new point we have not seen in three or four years… I think it will be good for the world to have the price of oil not swinging up and down so much .
- Bob , you have been working with Russia for over 30 years .
You keep doing this , even when others were selling assets and leaving .
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special knowledge that allows a foreigner to successfully conduct business in Russia ?
I have worked with Russia for a long-long time .
Going back in 1980s , I ’ ve always enjoyed that .
There were some ups and downs , but I always enjoyed it .
I think , like everything in life , you need to enjoy what you do , take patience and perseverance , always put yourself into other person ’ s shoes and this , as I think , was successful for such venture as TNK-BP .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I do not read and write , only speaking .
- You are about to leave the company at the end of March .
What will you do ?
What are your plans ?
Well , after March I will continue on with Rosneft on the Board , continue in the industry , in someways , in the Climate Initiative ( OGCI , headquartered in London , brings together major energy companies , TASS ) .
I will keep an office in London , I have a place in London and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really carefully committing my time .
For forty years I worked almost seven days per week , continuing as the CEO .
I think it is time I owe to my family , to just spend a little time and carefully think of what I want and what I have to do .
I am excited about it .
I am very pleased with passing in BP , very smoothly , to a really good CEO and management .
- How did Rosneft react to your decision to leave ?
Well , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Sechin ] and the team said why ?
I think it just caught everyone a little bit by surprise but I think I always planned that , for a couple of years in advance .
I explained to team in Rosneft and others that it is fine , it is a good thing , I am happy with it but I 'll stay in Board .
- Have you decided to stay in the Board because of a special relationship with the management of Rosneft , with Igor Sechin ?
Yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transition .
But I think , as you know , trust is really important in Russia .
It takes a long time to build the trust and I think we have the trust ; there is no reason why not to continue .
- Do you think Mr. Looney can take this position in the Board in a future ?
A : Well , when we originally did the transaction with TNK-BP , it was part of the condition of doing that , there was a Rosneft ’ s request that I be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure this is a right thing for a CEO of a Western company to be on the Board , because it takes a lot of time .
But we have great people in BP that can fill this role in the Board in the future .
I think it will be fine .
And Bernard may do that , but CEO ’ s role is so busy , travel all the time , that there may be someone or two who can devote more time to it in the future .
- As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about to resign .
Is this somehow related to your decision ?
Will the BP team be fully updated ?
Some of the team will definitely [ be renewed ] .
Brian is really a close friend of mine .
We worked together for 20 years , he ’ s been with BP for 34 years .
I think he will see some people who really worked a lot for this .
He probably deserve retiring .
And we have got really good people behind in the company , with experience in transition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new Russian government in the oil and gas industry ?
What needs to be done in the first place to prevent a drop in oil production in Russia ?
( The interview was done before Russian cabinet was announced , TASS ) .
Well , I think and I do not want to get into the politics of this ; I am certain there will be a wise Cabinet selected amid changes because there is a lot of wise experience in running government in Russia and a lot of wise experience in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I think production today is somewhat capped by the OPEC+ agreement .
I am not too worried about production falling .
I know taxes in Russia are higher than in most countries around the world in oil and gas .
I think at some point , to remain competitive , to ease back on that , make sure that investments continue , this is probably a natural thing .
- So the first steps should be towards reducing the tax burden ?
Well , I think you have to balance it with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitive , particularly on late oil fields in Siberia , reduction of the tax burden will extend the lives of the fields ; and I think that is what we ’ ve seen with Samotlor , Priobskoe .
And in some new areas which may be more difficult to develop , might require reduction of taxes but I am not giving advice to the government .
I think this is just natural economic .
Interviewed by Iuliia Khazagaeva with contribution of Vlad Kozin

- Here in Davos we hear many calls to curb investments into fossil fuels. Some hedge funds pledged to stop investing in such assets. How do you think this will affect the future of the industry?
While the world is working on this energy transition how to get to 2040, where there is likely to be 2 bln more people on the planet, the world will need 30-40% more energy by 2040, which is the equivalent of another China and another United States or another China and another Europe. So that’s is a great dual challenge, how we provide energy for a growing population that is really moving people onto poverty and we need to reduce our emissions by half, by 50%.
So it is a complex problem. It requires everyone to do this; the world will need all kinds of fuels. It cannot be just companies or some companies to solve this issue or stop producing because others will just fill that, because the world needs this energy.
So, we’ve got to work together: companies, governments, government policy, and consumers. So, if we look at 200 years of economic history, without price on something or cost, you don’t change anyone’s behavior. So, we do need to put some sort of price or tax on carbon and equally turn things that will actually help reducing emission.
Some people say, it is easy, we just need to go to all renewable energy but renewable energy today, not counting hydro, but solar, wind and biofuels, make up between 3 and 4 percent of the primary demand for energy today. We cannot cover all by renewables, we will not get there. And as the world turns its back on nuclear, which is unfortunate, we need to go back and look at use of natural gas and oil, to reduce coal, as much renewables as we can.
We need something called carbon capture, and storage or carbon capture and storage. Most ideas on it are already here but we will be hearing a lot in decades ahead about CCS and CC&S. And I am confident this will happen but it cannot be just the companies it requires, government policy as well.
- So you don’t see fundamental reasons for deterioration of oil demand in the long term? I mean, you do not expect people to stop using oil any time soon?
Well, I think we will see a transition here. I think there will be a reduction in use of oil and coal over time. I think there will be advantaged oil economically and light oils, they will always be part of chemicals. I mean in coming time, for decades and decades, we will still be using oil to make pertochemicals, most certainly, but displacing fuel oils with natural gas or other things to generate power – it has got to happen.
So we will see reduction in global oil demand as we get farther in the century, and in some places it may come down quite a lot. In some countries, if they outlaw the internal combustion engines, for example, to encourage electrification and e-vehicles, you will see oil demand drop in those countries, but globally I do not see that happening.
- With energy transition on track how the oil industry will change in ten years? How the ideal oil producing company should look like?
I think, firstly, the energy transition is on track but I do expect greenhouse gas emissions to go up here for several years before they start coming down. Same is with coal usage.
So the ideal oil company will depend on where it is geographically in the world. I think the oil companies, the oil and gas companies truly will, and I think we are already, be energy companies. In some companies energy just means power, but I think about all forms of energy, so BP has about 8,000 people working in renewable energy today, biofuels, wind and solar development companies.
The returns from them are not as high as they are on oil and certainly gas projects but I think if there is such a thing as an ideal company, it will position itself always for the next decade and the next decade after that, so investing in new technologies, to be ready for win as those become high return projects and as the old ones phase out, but this can take decades.
Bill Gates said it very well: there are two kinds of people in the world, those denying climate activity and those that think it is really simple to solve. And the answer is somewhere in the middle.
- Do you think that oil majors are becoming "bad guys" for the rest of the world because of the climate agenda? Are they facing real difficulties in attracting financing?
I think in particular in Northern Europe, and in the East Coast and in the West Coast of the United States, energy companies, oil and gas companies are quite out of favor.
And there is a new thing that in my view is very early days quite simplistic – this is ESG investment (Environment, Social and Governance). And there are about a hundred and thirty different groups setting their ESG indexes and surveys. In many of them, it’s a big capital ‘E,’ may be just a little bit of ‘S’ and they do not care much about ‘G.’
You know, really this should be ‘ESG’ all through. Companies like BP and the other big oil companies – I think the governance is excellent in those companies. We do not get much credit for that. Socially we do things all over the world. So, really, the ESG movement seems to be mostly about ‘E’ right now. And I think there needs to be a better definition of what this is about.
So, yes, it will put pressure on divestment, it will put pressure on voting resolutions on companies, directing them and their activities. I think it is overly simplified, unfortunately. Complex problems are usually complex, for a reason. But I think companies like BP are doing a lot, Rosneft is doing a lot, by the way. They are working to define greenhouse gas emissions baseline and reducing it, reducing flaring. Rosneft has tied its strategy to SDG - sustainability development goals, so Rosneft is doing well.
But I think the European companies and some US companies we have greater pressure on us but if we manage it well, we will thrive and I am confident we will do that.
- How do you think the oil market will react to these challenges? We all remember times with $100 per barrel, do you think these days have gone?
Well, at least for a moment, I think it is. I think if the energy transition is not managed very well, we can get up with a shortage of all forms of energy, because population will grow and economic activity will increase. So there has to be a balancing pace of investment. Or else you could end up with higher oil prices.
I think that was different in the last 5 to 7 years - in the past, it mainly been Russia and Saudi Arabia; they were two great oil and gas producing countries and now you have the third one – the United States.
- Or even the first one?
It is, it has the highest production today. But everything is changing in terms of the price spikes and I think this is a downside, because now if the price goes higher because of shortages in other places, temporary blockages, the US can increase its production.
On the downside, the US responds very very quickly to price signals. So when the price of oil will drop very precipitously, companies in the US, which do not follow a greater economic policy, they just respond to the market, so they will start drilling, add production. The US has created a dampener on the price of oil up and down. I think this is a new point we have not seen in three or four years… I think it will be good for the world to have the price of oil not swinging up and down so much.
- Bob, you have been working with Russia for over 30 years. You keep doing this, even when others were selling assets and leaving. Why did you stay? Is there any special knowledge that allows a foreigner to successfully conduct business in Russia?
I have worked with Russia for a long-long time. Going back in 1980s, I’ve always enjoyed that. There were some ups and downs, but I always enjoyed it.
I think, like everything in life, you need to enjoy what you do, take patience and perseverance, always put yourself into other person’s shoes and this, as I think, was successful for such venture as TNK-BP.
- Do you still command Russian language?
I do not read and write, only speaking.
- You are about to leave the company at the end of March. What will you do? What are your plans?
Well, after March I will continue on with Rosneft on the Board, continue in the industry, in someways, in the Climate Initiative (OGCI, headquartered in London, brings together major energy companies, TASS).
I will keep an office in London, I have a place in London and in the US and then I am just really carefully committing my time. For forty years I worked almost seven days per week, continuing as the CEO.
I think it is time I owe to my family, to just spend a little time and carefully think of what I want and what I have to do. I am excited about it. I am very pleased with passing in BP, very smoothly, to a really good CEO and management.
- How did Rosneft react to your decision to leave?
Well, it was charming reaction, because Igor Ivanovich [Sechin] and the team said why? I think it just caught everyone a little bit by surprise but I think I always planned that, for a couple of years in advance. I explained to team in Rosneft and others that it is fine, it is a good thing, I am happy with it but I'll stay in Board.
- Have you decided to stay in the Board because of a special relationship with the management of Rosneft, with Igor Sechin?
Yes, in time, all these things will transition. But I think, as you know, trust is really important in Russia. It takes a long time to build the trust and I think we have the trust; there is no reason why not to continue.
- Do you think Mr. Looney can take this position in the Board in a future?
A: Well, when we originally did the transaction with TNK-BP, it was part of the condition of doing that, there was a Rosneft’s request that I be involved in that. I am not sure this is a right thing for a CEO of a Western company to be on the Board, because it takes a lot of time. But we have great people in BP that can fill this role in the Board in the future. I think it will be fine. And Bernard may do that, but CEO’s role is so busy, travel all the time, that there may be someone or two who can devote more time to it in the future.
- As we learned BP CFO Brian Gilvary is about to resign. Is this somehow related to your decision? Will the BP team be fully updated?
Some of the team will definitely [be renewed].
Brian is really a close friend of mine. We worked together for 20 years, he’s been with BP for 34 years. I think he will see some people who really worked a lot for this. He probably deserve retiring. And we have got really good people behind in the company, with experience in transition.
- What are your expectations from the new Russian government in the oil and gas industry? What needs to be done in the first place to prevent a drop in oil production in Russia? (The interview was done before Russian cabinet was announced, TASS).
Well, I think and I do not want to get into the politics of this; I am certain there will be a wise Cabinet selected amid changes because there is a lot of wise experience in running government in Russia and a lot of wise experience in the oil and gas industry as well.
I think production today is somewhat capped by the OPEC+ agreement. I am not too worried about production falling. I know taxes in Russia are higher than in most countries around the world in oil and gas. I think at some point, to remain competitive, to ease back on that, make sure that investments continue, this is probably a natural thing.
- So the first steps should be towards reducing the tax burden?
Well, I think you have to balance it with the OPEC+ agreement today. To remain competitive, particularly on late oil fields in Siberia, reduction of the tax burden will extend the lives of the fields; and I think that is what we’ve seen with Samotlor, Priobskoe. And in some new areas which may be more difficult to develop, might require reduction of taxes but I am not giving advice to the government. I think this is just natural economic.
Interviewed by Iuliia Khazagaeva with contribution of Vlad Kozin


tass--2020-01-27--Russian consumer watchdog outlines measures to prevent spread of coronavirus

MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s consumer watchdog has developed a package of measures aimed at @ @ @ @ @ novel coronavirus in the country , the watchdog said in a statement on Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ 2020 , the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare developed an @ @ @ @ @ health officer ‘ On measures to prevent the 2019-nCoV coronavirus infection ’ , '' the @ @ @ @ @ the document had been drawn up at the government ’ s instruction .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ at preventing the spread of the new coronavirus in Russia , '' the watchdog added @

MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Russia’s consumer watchdog has developed a package of measures aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, the watchdog said in a statement on Monday.
"On January 24, 2020, the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare developed an ordinance by the Russian chief health officer ‘On measures to prevent the 2019-nCoV coronavirus infection’," the statement reads, adding that the document had been drawn up at the government’s instruction. "The ordinance contains major steps aimed at preventing the spread of the new coronavirus in Russia," the watchdog added.


tass--2020-01-27--China’s top official arrives in Wuhan amid pneumonia outbreak - portal

BEIJING , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
China ’ s State Council Premier Li Keqiang has arrived on Monday to Wuhan where a new pneumonia-like virus epidemic broke out , The Paper news portal reports .
According to the portal , the head of the Chinese government will visit hospitals where the infected are taken to .
Moreover , he intends to directly study the situation on the ground and talk to doctors overseeing treatment of the people who contracted the pneumonia .
According to the official data , the number of coronavirus cases exceeded 2,700 while 80 people died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected and 76 deaths ) are concentrated in the central Hubei Province with its administrative center of Wuhan .
It is followed by the Guangdong Province ( south ) and Zhejiang Province ( east ) .
Sixty-eight patients were identified in Beijing , while the Heilongjiang Province neighboring Russia has 21 detected cases with one person dead from the disease .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in other countries - Australia , Malaysia , Nepal , France , Thailand , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States and Japan .
The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one .

BEIJING, January 27. /TASS/. China’s State Council Premier Li Keqiang has arrived on Monday to Wuhan where a new pneumonia-like virus epidemic broke out, The Paper news portal reports.
According to the portal, the head of the Chinese government will visit hospitals where the infected are taken to. Moreover, he intends to directly study the situation on the ground and talk to doctors overseeing treatment of the people who contracted the pneumonia.
According to the official data, the number of coronavirus cases exceeded 2,700 while 80 people died from it. Most cases (1423 infected and 76 deaths) are concentrated in the central Hubei Province with its administrative center of Wuhan. It is followed by the Guangdong Province (south) and Zhejiang Province (east). Sixty-eight patients were identified in Beijing, while the Heilongjiang Province neighboring Russia has 21 detected cases with one person dead from the disease.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in other countries - Australia, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Japan. The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one.


tass--2020-01-27--Russian scientists in Novosibirsk developing two novel coronavirus vaccines

NOVOSIBIRSK , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Two experimental vaccines for novel coronavirus that are being developed by scientists at Russian Novosibirsk ’ s State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR will be tested in June , the Nauka v Sibiri journal of the Russian Academy of Sciences ' Siberian branch reports .
`` We are developing two vaccines , their prototypes should undergo first tests in June , '' the article says citing the center ’ s General Director Rinat Maksyutov .
According to him , VECTOR has already created two diagnostic sets for novel coronavirus .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Currently , the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in China exceeded 2,700 with 80 deaths reported .
The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in almost all Chinese provinces including Beijing and Shanghai as well as in other countries - Australia , Malaysia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States and Japan .
The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one .

NOVOSIBIRSK, January 27. /TASS/. Two experimental vaccines for novel coronavirus that are being developed by scientists at Russian Novosibirsk’s State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR will be tested in June, the Nauka v Sibiri journal of the Russian Academy of Sciences' Siberian branch reports.
"We are developing two vaccines, their prototypes should undergo first tests in June," the article says citing the center’s General Director Rinat Maksyutov.
According to him, VECTOR has already created two diagnostic sets for novel coronavirus.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
Currently, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in China exceeded 2,700 with 80 deaths reported. The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in almost all Chinese provinces including Beijing and Shanghai as well as in other countries - Australia, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Japan. The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one.


tass--2020-01-27--China allocates $43.5 million to fight pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan - TV

BEIJING , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Chinese government has allocated 300 million yuan ( $ 43.5 million ) to counter the novel coronavirus causing pneumonia in the city of Wuhan and Hubei Province adjacent to it , China ’ s Central TV said Monday .
According to the Central TV , the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission has already approved the allocation of urgent financial aid from the central budget .
The funds will be used to construct two hospitals for those who contracted the pneumonia as well as to purchase specialized medical equipment .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases exceeded 2,700 while 80 people died from it .
Most cases ( 1423 infected and 76 deaths ) are concentrated in the central Hubei Province with its administrative center of Wuhan .
It is followed by the Guangdong Province ( south ) and Zhejiang Province ( east ) .
Sixty-eight patients were identified in Beijing , while the Heilongjiang Province neighboring Russia has 21 detected cases with one person dead from the disease .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in other countries - Australia , Malaysia , Nepal , France , Thailand , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States and Japan .
The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one .

BEIJING, January 27. /TASS/. The Chinese government has allocated 300 million yuan ($43.5 million) to counter the novel coronavirus causing pneumonia in the city of Wuhan and Hubei Province adjacent to it, China’s Central TV said Monday.
According to the Central TV, the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission has already approved the allocation of urgent financial aid from the central budget. The funds will be used to construct two hospitals for those who contracted the pneumonia as well as to purchase specialized medical equipment.
According to the official data, the number of coronavirus cases exceeded 2,700 while 80 people died from it. Most cases (1423 infected and 76 deaths) are concentrated in the central Hubei Province with its administrative center of Wuhan. It is followed by the Guangdong Province (south) and Zhejiang Province (east). Sixty-eight patients were identified in Beijing, while the Heilongjiang Province neighboring Russia has 21 detected cases with one person dead from the disease.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in other countries - Australia, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Japan. The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one.


tass--2020-01-27--Bolivia's interim president asks all ministers to resign

BUENOS AIRES , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Acting Bolivian President Jeanine Anez has addressed all the government ministers calling for their resignation to hold a cabinet reshuffle after she declared her intention to run for president , the presidential administration ’ s press service reported on Sunday .
`` Constitutional President Jeanine Anez believes that it is common to make rearrangements in the executive authority team on the eve of registration of candidates running in a free , impartial and transparent election on May 3 .
In light of this , she decided to ask all ministers to resign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic government , '' says the statement published on the website of Bolivia ’ s La Razon newspaper .
Anez pledged to reveal the new cabinet lineup soon .
On January 24 , the interim president revealed that she would run in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for May 3 , contrary to what she said previously .
After the news broke out , Communications Minister Roxana Lizarraga tendered her resignation , rebuking the decision made by Anez .
Bolivia held a presidential election on January 20 , 2019 which showed then incumbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes , according to the Bolivian Supreme Electoral Tribunal .
Carlos Mesa , his key opponent , announced that he did not concede the election and recognize Morales ’ first round victory .
After the results were officially released , Morales ’ opponents organized protests rallies and the country plunged into unrest and turmoil .
After three weeks of chaos , Morales stepped down branding the developments as coup d ’ etat .
Second Deputy Speaker of the Bolivian Senate Jeanine Anez representing opposition assumed the presidency until a new election is held @

BUENOS AIRES, January 27. /TASS/. Acting Bolivian President Jeanine Anez has addressed all the government ministers calling for their resignation to hold a cabinet reshuffle after she declared her intention to run for president, the presidential administration’s press service reported on Sunday.
"Constitutional President Jeanine Anez believes that it is common to make rearrangements in the executive authority team on the eve of registration of candidates running in a free, impartial and transparent election on May 3. In light of this, she decided to ask all ministers to resign before a new stage in the transitional democratic government," says the statement published on the website of Bolivia’s La Razon newspaper.
Anez pledged to reveal the new cabinet lineup soon.
On January 24, the interim president revealed that she would run in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for May 3, contrary to what she said previously. After the news broke out, Communications Minister Roxana Lizarraga tendered her resignation, rebuking the decision made by Anez.
Bolivia held a presidential election on January 20, 2019 which showed then incumbent president Evo Morales grabbing most of the votes, according to the Bolivian Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Carlos Mesa, his key opponent, announced that he did not concede the election and recognize Morales’ first round victory. After the results were officially released, Morales’ opponents organized protests rallies and the country plunged into unrest and turmoil.
After three weeks of chaos, Morales stepped down branding the developments as coup d’etat. Second Deputy Speaker of the Bolivian Senate Jeanine Anez representing opposition assumed the presidency until a new election is held.