tass--2020-03-04--First confirmed coronavirus case reported from Chile

BUENOS AIRES , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The first novel coronavirus case has been confirmed in Chile , Chilean @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
`` The first confirmed coronavirus case was reported from Talca today , '' @ @ @ @ @ broadcast on his Twitter account .
According to Pinera , the patient is a 33-year-oil @ @ @ @ @ .
The patient will be quarantined at home .

BUENOS AIRES, March 3. /TASS/. The first novel coronavirus case has been confirmed in Chile, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said on Tuesday.
"The first confirmed coronavirus case was reported from Talca today," he said in an address broadcast on his Twitter account.
According to Pinera, the patient is a 33-year-oil medical doctor who visited Singapore. The patient will be quarantined at home.


tass--2020-03-04--AliExpress says deliveries may be delayed because of coronavirus

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Products purchased on AliExpress internet platform may be delivered with delays , AliExpress Russia told TASS on Tuesday .
Earlier on Tuesday , AliExpress said in a statement on its English-language Facebook account that they are `` working hard to get your parcels delivered , but there may be some delays due to Coronavirus . ''
`` In China , many companies had their holidays extended over the Chinese New Year .
Some orders that were made on AliExpress on January 20 or later , may be processed and sent with delays .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything possible to deliver parcels on time as there are no logistical obstacles to this , '' AliExpress Russia said .
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the city of Wuhan .
Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in more than 70 other countries , including in Russia .
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern .
Outside of China , most cases of the new coronavirus were reported in South Korea and Italy .
According to latest reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , while the total number of confirmed cases surpassed 80,000 , and around 47,200 people recovered .
Outside of China , over 120 people died from the new coronaivurs , and the number of confirmed cases is almost 9,000 .

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Products purchased on AliExpress internet platform may be delivered with delays, AliExpress Russia told TASS on Tuesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, AliExpress said in a statement on its English-language Facebook account that they are "working hard to get your parcels delivered, but there may be some delays due to Coronavirus."
"In China, many companies had their holidays extended over the Chinese New Year. Some orders that were made on AliExpress on January 20 or later, may be processed and sent with delays. However, we are trying to do everything possible to deliver parcels on time as there are no logistical obstacles to this," AliExpress Russia said.
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the city of Wuhan. Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in more than 70 other countries, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Outside of China, most cases of the new coronavirus were reported in South Korea and Italy.
According to latest reports, over 2,900 people died from the coronavirus, while the total number of confirmed cases surpassed 80,000, and around 47,200 people recovered. Outside of China, over 120 people died from the new coronaivurs, and the number of confirmed cases is almost 9,000.


tass--2020-03-04--Russians with suspected coronavirus to undergo another test in UAE — embassy

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The two Russian athletes who are said to have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) will have to undergo repeated testing , Yury Vidakas , a senior counsellor of the Russian embassy in the UAE , told TASS on Tuesday .
`` We have seen the official statement from the UAE health ministry , although the embassy has not yet been officially notified by the country ’ foreign ministry .
They [ the Russian citizens ] will have to undergo repeated testing , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the Russia team underwent testing for the coronavirus as well .
`` There are some ten or 12 of them .
They tested negative .
But they will have to stay in the UAE for at least a week until the situation clarifies , '' he said , adding that the embassy stays in touch with the UAE authorities and is offering all necessary assistance to the Russian citizens .
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention said earlier on Tuesday that two Russian nationals , who are participating in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed with the novel coronavirus .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple foci .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 70 other countries , including Russia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in Italy and South Korea .
According to the latest update , the number of confirmed cases of the disease in China has exceeded 80,000 , with more than 2,900 people killed by this coronavirus .
More than 47,200 have recovered .
The number of coronavirus patients outside China nears 9,000 .
More than 120 have died .

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. The two Russian athletes who are said to have been diagnosed with the new coronavirus in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will have to undergo repeated testing, Yury Vidakas, a senior counsellor of the Russian embassy in the UAE, told TASS on Tuesday.
"We have seen the official statement from the UAE health ministry, although the embassy has not yet been officially notified by the country’ foreign ministry. They [the Russian citizens] will have to undergo repeated testing," he said.
According to Vidakas, other members of the Russia team underwent testing for the coronavirus as well. "There are some ten or 12 of them. They tested negative. But they will have to stay in the UAE for at least a week until the situation clarifies," he said, adding that the embassy stays in touch with the UAE authorities and is offering all necessary assistance to the Russian citizens.
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention said earlier on Tuesday that two Russian nationals, who are participating in the UAE Tour cycling event, had beed diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple foci.
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 70 other countries, including Russia. The most serious situation outside China is reported in Italy and South Korea.
According to the latest update, the number of confirmed cases of the disease in China has exceeded 80,000, with more than 2,900 people killed by this coronavirus. More than 47,200 have recovered. The number of coronavirus patients outside China nears 9,000. More than 120 have died.


tass--2020-03-03--Lavrov says Ukrainian authorities bear responsibility for situation in Donbass

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that the Ukrainian authorities bear responsibility for the situation in which Donbass residents found themselves in .
Responding to a statement by his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto about the situation in Donbass , Lavrov stressed that humanitarian crisis in eastern Ukraine emerged after the decisions made by former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko to impose a blockade on the territory not controlled by Kiev , while the incumbent Ukrainian authorities are not doing anything to change the situation .
`` I want to say a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordinary people who live there [ in Donbass ] , '' Haavisto told a press conference after talks with Lavrov .
`` I recently visited the territory of Lugansk and saw there , for instance , old women who find it really hard to cross the border [ contact line between the Ukrainian forces and the self-defense forces of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People 's Republic ] for food or pensions .
The situation for ordinary people there is not good at all , '' he added .
Lavrov in turn noted that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contact line for food , are forced to do so because three years ago , [ former Ukrainian ] President Poroshenko imposed a full trade , economic and transport blockade on Donbass , and [ current ] President Zelensky can not lift this blockade , '' the Russian foreign minister said .

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that the Ukrainian authorities bear responsibility for the situation in which Donbass residents found themselves in. Responding to a statement by his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto about the situation in Donbass, Lavrov stressed that humanitarian crisis in eastern Ukraine emerged after the decisions made by former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko to impose a blockade on the territory not controlled by Kiev, while the incumbent Ukrainian authorities are not doing anything to change the situation.
"I want to say a couple of things from the point of view of ordinary people who live there [in Donbass]," Haavisto told a press conference after talks with Lavrov. "I recently visited the territory of Lugansk and saw there, for instance, old women who find it really hard to cross the border [contact line between the Ukrainian forces and the self-defense forces of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic] for food or pensions. The situation for ordinary people there is not good at all," he added.
Lavrov in turn noted that "old women seen by Mr Minister crossing the contact line for food, are forced to do so because three years ago, [former Ukrainian] President Poroshenko imposed a full trade, economic and transport blockade on Donbass, and [current] President Zelensky cannot lift this blockade," the Russian foreign minister said.


tass--2020-03-03--Argentine authorities confirm first coronavirus case in the country

BUENOS AIRES , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Argentine doctors have confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ Health Minister Gines Gonzalez Garcia said on Tuesday .
`` We have the first confirmed @ @ @ @ @ the country , '' he told a press conference .
The minister said that the @ @ @ @ @ to Argentina from a trip to Europe , including to Italy .
The person with @ @ @ @ @ at a private clinic in Buenos Aires and has been isolated from other patients .
@ @ @ @ @ outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the city of Wuhan .
Cases of new @ @ @ @ @ other countries and territories , including in Russia .
The World Health Organization declared the @ @ @ @ @ emergency of international concern .

BUENOS AIRES, March 3. /TASS/. Argentine doctors have confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus in the country, Argentina's Health Minister Gines Gonzalez Garcia said on Tuesday.
"We have the first confirmed case of the coronavirus in the country," he told a press conference.
The minister said that the person with the coronavirus returned to Argentina from a trip to Europe, including to Italy. The person with the coronavirus is currently hospitalized at a private clinic in Buenos Aires and has been isolated from other patients.
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the city of Wuhan. Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 45 other countries and territories, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.


tass--2020-03-03--Two Russians diagnosed with new coronavirus in UAE

All people hospitalized on suspicion of coronavirus in Moscow test negative MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
@ @ @ @ @ in the United Arab Emirates have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus , the UAE @ @ @ @ @ said on its Facebook account on Tuesday .
The Russian embassy in that country has @ @ @ @ @ .

All people hospitalized on suspicion of coronavirus in Moscow test negative
MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. /TASS/. Two Russian nationals currently staying in the United Arab Emirates have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention said on its Facebook account on Tuesday.
The Russian embassy in that country has been unavailable for immediate comment.


tass--2020-03-03--Moscow Court to try Twitter’s appeal against fine on March 16

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
US-based Twitter Inc. has filed a complaint against the earlier decision of the Moscow Court to impose a fine worth 4 mln rubles ( $ 60,614 ) on the company because of violation of personal data legislation , press service of Tagansky District Court told TASS on Tuesday .
`` The Twitter ’ s counsel contested the decision to fine the company in the amount of 4 mln rubles ( $ 60,614 ) .
The appeal was received by Tagansky District Court and will be considered on March 16 , '' the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice of the Peace in Moscow ’ s Tagansky District earlier recognized Twitter as the guilty party under Part 8 of Article 13.11 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses ( Breach of Russian Federation laws in personal data sphere ) and imposed the fine .
The case against Twitter was opened on the initiative of Russian mass media and telecom regulator Roskomnadzor due to refusal of the company to provide data about Russian users .
Twitter will have to pay the fine within 60 days .
Under the Russian law on personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 , 2015 , national and foreign companies are obliged to keep and process personal data of Russian users on the territory of Russia .

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. US-based Twitter Inc. has filed a complaint against the earlier decision of the Moscow Court to impose a fine worth 4 mln rubles ($60,614) on the company because of violation of personal data legislation, press service of Tagansky District Court told TASS on Tuesday.
"The Twitter’s counsel contested the decision to fine the company in the amount of 4 mln rubles ($60,614). The appeal was received by Tagansky District Court and will be considered on March 16," the court said.
The judicial district of the Justice of the Peace in Moscow’s Tagansky District earlier recognized Twitter as the guilty party under Part 8 of Article 13.11 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offenses (Breach of Russian Federation laws in personal data sphere) and imposed the fine.
The case against Twitter was opened on the initiative of Russian mass media and telecom regulator Roskomnadzor due to refusal of the company to provide data about Russian users. Twitter will have to pay the fine within 60 days.
Under the Russian law on personal data, which took effect on September 1, 2015, national and foreign companies are obliged to keep and process personal data of Russian users on the territory of Russia.


tass--2020-03-03--STLC floated 7-year Eurobonds worth $600 mln

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The State Transport Leasing Company ( STLC ) , the largest leasing company @ @ @ @ @ Eurobonds worth $ 600 mln with the coupon rate of 4.65 % , press service @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
`` On March 3 , 2002 , STLC floated dollar-denominated Eurobonds amounting to @ @ @ @ @ in seven years , with the coupon rate of 4.65 % , '' First Vice @ @ @ @ @ said , cited by the press service .
The company announced the bid book opening @ @ @ @ @ global sell-out of risky assets and the decline of stock markets due to coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ STLC completed the offering with the maximum amount and the minimum coupon rate throughout its @ @ @ @ @ press service added .

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. The State Transport Leasing Company (STLC), the largest leasing company in Russia, floated seven-year Eurobonds worth $600 mln with the coupon rate of 4.65%, press service of Gazprombank told TASS on Tuesday.
"On March 3, 2002, STLC floated dollar-denominated Eurobonds amounting to $600 mln, mature in seven years, with the coupon rate of 4.65%," First Vice President of Gazprombank Denis Shulakov said, cited by the press service.
The company announced the bid book opening against the background of the global sell-out of risky assets and the decline of stock markets due to coronavirus. Despite the negative background, STLC completed the offering with the maximum amount and the minimum coupon rate throughout its offerings history," the press service added.


tass--2020-03-03--Ukraine’s PM tenders resignation

Ukraine’s PM tenders resignation

KIEV , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine ’ s Prime Minister Alexei Goncharuk has tendered his resignation , speaker @ @ @ @ @ the Verkhovna Rada , Dmitry Razumkov said on Tuesday .
`` The parliament has received @ @ @ @ @ resignation , '' Ukraine ’ s media outlet Strana ( Country ) quoted him as @ @ @ @ @ the People faction is holding a meeting , which is being attended by President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ according to lawmaker Alexander Kachura , nominated Denis Shmygal as the next prime minister .
@ @ @ @ @ be appointed new prime minister , '' he wrote on his Telegram account .

KIEV, March 3. /TASS/. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Alexei Goncharuk has tendered his resignation, speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, Dmitry Razumkov said on Tuesday.
"The parliament has received Goncharuk’s statement of resignation," Ukraine’s media outlet Strana (Country) quoted him as saying.
The Servant of the People faction is holding a meeting, which is being attended by President Vladimir Zelensky. The president, according to lawmaker Alexander Kachura, nominated Denis Shmygal as the next prime minister. "The president suggested Smygal be appointed new prime minister," he wrote on his Telegram account.


tass--2020-03-03--Religious and other NGOs operating in Russia must respect Russian law — top diplomat

HELSINKI , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Any non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ) operating on Russian territory , including religious @ @ @ @ @ comply with the Russian law , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday , during @ @ @ @ @ counterpart Pekka Haavisto .
`` We have discussed the human rights issues , including the @ @ @ @ @ ’ activities , '' the top diplomat said .
`` We confirmed our position that @ @ @ @ @ ones , must respect Russian laws .
Unfortunately , the ‘ Jehovah ’ s Witnesses @ @ @ @ @ Russia directly called for not complying with the Russian law .
Of course , we @ @ @ @ @ . ''
In August 2017 , the Russian Ministry of Justice listed ‘ Jehovah ’ @ @ @ @ @ 395 local religious organizations within its structure as a banned organization over its unlawful activities @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court of Russia satisfied the Ministry ’ s legal demand to liquidate this @ @

HELSINKI, March 3. /TASS/. Any non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating on Russian territory, including religious ones, must respect and comply with the Russian law, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday, during a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto.
"We have discussed the human rights issues, including the ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ activities," the top diplomat said. "We confirmed our position that all NGOs, including religious ones, must respect Russian laws. Unfortunately, the ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ structure that worked in Russia directly called for not complying with the Russian law. Of course, we cannot agree with that."
In August 2017, the Russian Ministry of Justice listed ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ and the 395 local religious organizations within its structure as a banned organization over its unlawful activities. The same year, the Supreme Court of Russia satisfied the Ministry’s legal demand to liquidate this organization.


tass--2020-03-03--OPEC+ Technical Committee recommends further oil cuts in second quarter

VIENNA , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The meeting of the OPEC+ Technical Committee , which lasted more than nine @ @ @ @ @ with approval of a recommendation for OPEC+ participants to further reduce oil production by 0.6-1.0 @ @ @ @ @ second quarter of 2020 due to the coronavirus spread , a source familiar with the @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
The Committee at the same time has kept the recommendation to extend the @ @ @ @ @ its terms , OPEC+ countries will reduce oil production by 1.7 mln barrels a day @ @ @ @ @ until the end of 2020 .
Committee members had big differences in estimates of the @ @ @ @ @ , TASS sources from participating delegations said earlier .

VIENNA, March 3. /TASS/. The meeting of the OPEC+ Technical Committee, which lasted more than nine hours, ended on Tuesday with approval of a recommendation for OPEC+ participants to further reduce oil production by 0.6-1.0 mln barrels daily for the second quarter of 2020 due to the coronavirus spread, a source familiar with the meeting progress told TASS on Tuesday.
The Committee at the same time has kept the recommendation to extend the current deal. According to its terms, OPEC+ countries will reduce oil production by 1.7 mln barrels a day against the October 2018 level until the end of 2020.
Committee members had big differences in estimates of the coronavirus on the oil demand, TASS sources from participating delegations said earlier.


tass--2020-03-03--Russia regrets EU supported government coup in Ukraine — top diplomat

HELSINKI , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The European Union opted for a worsening of relations with Russia and imposed sanctions on it after supporting a government coup in Ukraine , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a joint news conference following talks with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto , adding that such a turn of events was very regrettable .
`` We favor the normalization of relations between Russia and the European Union , '' he said .
`` We find it regrettable that the EU opted for introducing sanctions against Russia after in fact it reconciled itself with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ukraine , '' he stated .
Lavrov recalled that `` many Western analysts are now publishing facts that explain how the 2014 government coup in Ukraine had been plotted and staged . ''
`` These facts are available .
They make it absolutely clear how it all happened , '' he added .
`` I do hope that the EU will now read this new evidence . ''
`` I believe that in any case the European values the EU professes do not imply connivance with the ultra-radicals and neo-Nazis or tacit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented in Ukraine in crude violation of the rights of ethnic minorities , first and foremost , those in the language and education spheres , '' Lavrov said .

HELSINKI, March 3. /TASS/. The European Union opted for a worsening of relations with Russia and imposed sanctions on it after supporting a government coup in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a joint news conference following talks with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto, adding that such a turn of events was very regrettable.
"We favor the normalization of relations between Russia and the European Union," he said. "We find it regrettable that the EU opted for introducing sanctions against Russia after in fact it reconciled itself with and supported the February 2014 government coup in Ukraine," he stated.
Lavrov recalled that "many Western analysts are now publishing facts that explain how the 2014 government coup in Ukraine had been plotted and staged."
"These facts are available. They make it absolutely clear how it all happened," he added. "I do hope that the EU will now read this new evidence."
"I believe that in any case the European values the EU professes do not imply connivance with the ultra-radicals and neo-Nazis or tacit consent with the reforms that are being implemented in Ukraine in crude violation of the rights of ethnic minorities, first and foremost, those in the language and education spheres," Lavrov said.


tass--2020-03-03--Elysee Palace says no date set for Istanbul format meeting on Syria

PARIS , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The date for a possible meeting of the leaders of France , Germany @ @ @ @ @ not been defined yet , the Elysee Palace representative told TASS Tuesday .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ has not been defined yet , '' the Administration representative said .

PARIS, March 3. /TASS/. The date for a possible meeting of the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Turkey has not been defined yet, the Elysee Palace representative told TASS Tuesday.
"The date for such a meeting has not been defined yet," the Administration representative said.


tass--2020-03-03--US Federal Reserve System slashes base interest rate to 1-1.25%

WASHINGTON , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The US Federal Reserve System acting as the national central bank has lowered @ @ @ @ @ 0.5 percentage point to the level of 1-1.25 % , the Federal Open Market Committee @ @ @ @ @ after its extraordinary meeting .
`` The fundamentals of the US economy remain strong .
@ @ @ @ @ evolving risks to economic activity .
In light of these risks and in support of @ @ @ @ @ price stability goals , the Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower the target @ @ @ @ @ rate by 1/2 percentage point , to 1 to 1-1/4 % , '' the statement @ @ @ @ @ is closely monitoring developments and their implications for the economic outlook and will use its @ @ @ @ @ to support the economy , '' FOMC noted .

WASHINGTON, March 3. /TASS/. The US Federal Reserve System acting as the national central bank has lowered the base interest rate by 0.5 percentage point to the level of 1-1.25%, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) said Wednesday after its extraordinary meeting.
"The fundamentals of the US economy remain strong. However, the coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity. In light of these risks and in support of achieving its maximum employment and price stability goals, the Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower the target range for the federal funds rate by 1/2 percentage point, to 1 to 1-1/4%," the statement says.
"The Committee is closely monitoring developments and their implications for the economic outlook and will use its tools and act as appropriate to support the economy," FOMC noted.


tass--2020-03-03--Shipbuilders may deliver advanced nuclear-powered sub to Russian Navy by May 9

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Project 955A ( Borei-A ) lead nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Vladimir may be @ @ @ @ @ by May 9 , a source in the shipbuilding industry told TASS on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ expected to be delivered to the customer by the Victory Day .
Most probably , @ @ @ @ @ interlocutor said .
Head of Russia ’ s United Shipbuilding Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov informed on @ @ @ @ @ the finishing work has been done and the trials are over . ''

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. The Project 955A (Borei-A) lead nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Vladimir may be delivered to the Russian Navy by May 9, a source in the shipbuilding industry told TASS on Tuesday.
"The Knyaz Vladimir is expected to be delivered to the customer by the Victory Day. Most probably, in April," the interlocutor said.
Head of Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation Alexei Rakhmanov informed on February 10 that "all the finishing work has been done and the trials are over."


tass--2020-03-03--Hainan continues to conduct sanitary control measures amid coronavirus outbreak

HAIKOU , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Hainan authorities intend to continue to implement sanitary control measures with people arriving both from other parts of China and from abroad , despite a significant improvement in the epidemiological situation on the island , reported www.hinews.cn .
The news outlet writes that over the past 12 days Hainan no new cases of infection with a new type of coronavirus have been detected on Hainan .
However , there is still a risk of another outbreak , given the resumption of production and the unfavorable epidemiological situation in a number of countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tackle the virus , the source writes , a new outbreak is quite likely , and it can be caused by the situation abroad .
In this regard , the Hainan authorities decided to check for coronavirus symptoms in accordance with a set of rules for everyone who arrived in the province from February 27 from countries with an unfavorable epidemiological situation where the novel coronavirus was registered .
In case any symptoms are detected , those people will be sent to clinics for examination , and the rest will have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
According to Chinese authorities , over 80,000 people have been infected with the virus in the country .
The death toll has surpassed 2,900 , while about 47,200 patients have recovered .
WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19 .
Cases of coronavirus have been reported in over 70 countries , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside of China have been detected in South Korea and Italy .
According to WHO , the number of people infected with COVID-19 outside of China is nearing 9,000 , with over 120 people dead .

HAIKOU, March 3. /TASS/. The Hainan authorities intend to continue to implement sanitary control measures with people arriving both from other parts of China and from abroad, despite a significant improvement in the epidemiological situation on the island, reported www.hinews.cn.
The news outlet writes that over the past 12 days Hainan no new cases of infection with a new type of coronavirus have been detected on Hainan. However, there is still a risk of another outbreak, given the resumption of production and the unfavorable epidemiological situation in a number of countries. If the authorities stop their efforts to tackle the virus, the source writes, a new outbreak is quite likely, and it can be caused by the situation abroad.
In this regard, the Hainan authorities decided to check for coronavirus symptoms in accordance with a set of rules for everyone who arrived in the province from February 27 from countries with an unfavorable epidemiological situation where the novel coronavirus was registered. In case any symptoms are detected, those people will be sent to clinics for examination, and the rest will have to be quarantined for 14 days.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. According to Chinese authorities, over 80,000 people have been infected with the virus in the country. The death toll has surpassed 2,900, while about 47,200 patients have recovered. WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19. Cases of coronavirus have been reported in over 70 countries, including Russia. The largest outbreaks of COVID-19 outside of China have been detected in South Korea and Italy.
According to WHO, the number of people infected with COVID-19 outside of China is nearing 9,000, with over 120 people dead.


tass--2020-03-03--Businessman Deripaska seeks 1 ruble compensation from opposition politician Navalny

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Businessman Oleg Deripaska has filed a defamation lawsuit with the Arbitration Court in Moscow against blogger and founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation ( ACF ) Alexei Navalny , the businessman ’ s lawyer Alexei Malnikov told TASS .
Earlier , the lawsuit submitted by Deripaska against Navalny appeared in the card file of the court .
The card did not contain any details of the case .
Talking to TASS , the businessman ’ s representative confirmed the fact of filing a lawsuit against Navalny .
`` This is a defamation lawsuit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ client enjoys incorrect and illegal state support when doing business , in particular , obtaining bad loans .
We state that such information is not true , we ask the court to oblige Navalny to refute this information and to recover a symbolic compensation for moral damage in the amount of 1 ruble from him , '' the lawyer said .
According to him , the false information appeared in a number of videos released at Navalny ’ s Youtube channel .
`` Under the guise criticism and legitimate expression of opinions Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business reputation of others , '' Melnikov added .
`` We hope that the court will establish that Mr. Navalny did not have any factual basis for such attacks , '' he stressed .
In his blog , Navalny noted that he did not know what the businessman ’ s lawsuit was about .

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Businessman Oleg Deripaska has filed a defamation lawsuit with the Arbitration Court in Moscow against blogger and founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF) Alexei Navalny, the businessman’s lawyer Alexei Malnikov told TASS.
Earlier, the lawsuit submitted by Deripaska against Navalny appeared in the card file of the court. The card did not contain any details of the case.
Talking to TASS, the businessman’s representative confirmed the fact of filing a lawsuit against Navalny.
"This is a defamation lawsuit. Mr. Navalny disseminated false information that my client enjoys incorrect and illegal state support when doing business, in particular, obtaining bad loans. We state that such information is not true, we ask the court to oblige Navalny to refute this information and to recover a symbolic compensation for moral damage in the amount of 1 ruble from him," the lawyer said.
According to him, the false information appeared in a number of videos released at Navalny’s Youtube channel.
"Under the guise criticism and legitimate expression of opinions Mr. Navalny is engaged in attacks on the business reputation of others," Melnikov added.
"We hope that the court will establish that Mr. Navalny did not have any factual basis for such attacks," he stressed.
In his blog, Navalny noted that he did not know what the businessman’s lawsuit was about.


tass--2020-03-03--All people hospitalized on suspicion of coronavirus in Moscow test negative

`` Yesterday , we informed that 24 people who came into contact with the man who contracted coronavirus in Moscow had been hospitalized .
Currently , on the outcomes of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare ’ s tests , we can announce the results : the first tests of all relatives and friends of the infected man are negative [ for coronavirus ] , the first tests of all passengers of the flight who were hospitalized with acute respiratory viral infection are negative , as well as the tests of the other 67 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other passengers ’ tests , '' Rakova informed .
MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
All people hospitalized in Moscow after coming into contact with the Russian national confirmed to be infected with novel coronavirus on his return from Italy test negative for the virus , Moscow Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Tuesday .
The crew of the aircraft and the medical staff who first attended the patient are under surveillance .
The first tests for coronavirus are negative .
`` This is a good sign ; however , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person is healthy only following a thorough multi-stage testing process in accordance with the recommendations of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare and the World Health Organization .
We will continue to inform you of the results , '' she added .
Earlier , Russia ’ s coronavirus control and monitoring task force informed that a Russian national who had recently returned from Italy had been diagnosed with novel coronavirus .
The task force specified that the man had contracted coronavirus on February 21 during a trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia on February 23 , and on February 27 , he went to a doctor ’ s office with acute respiratory viral infection symptoms , after which he was taken to hospital .
Lab tests were positive for coronavirus .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
According to Chinese authorities , over 80,000 people have been infected with the virus in the country .
The death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients have recovered .
WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19 .
Cases of coronavirus have been reported in over 70 countries , including Russia .
The largest outbreaks of COVID-19 outside of China have been detected in South Korea and Italy .
According to WHO , the number of people infected with COVID-19 outside of China is nearing 9,000 , with over 120 people dead .

"Yesterday, we informed that 24 people who came into contact with the man who contracted coronavirus in Moscow had been hospitalized. Currently, on the outcomes of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare’s tests, we can announce the results: the first tests of all relatives and friends of the infected man are negative [for coronavirus], the first tests of all passengers of the flight who were hospitalized with acute respiratory viral infection are negative, as well as the tests of the other 67 passengers. We are still working on the other passengers’ tests," Rakova informed.
MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. All people hospitalized in Moscow after coming into contact with the Russian national confirmed to be infected with novel coronavirus on his return from Italy test negative for the virus, Moscow Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Tuesday.
The crew of the aircraft and the medical staff who first attended the patient are under surveillance. The first tests for coronavirus are negative.
"This is a good sign; however, we can make a definitive confirmation that a person is healthy only following a thorough multi-stage testing process in accordance with the recommendations of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare and the World Health Organization. We will continue to inform you of the results," she added.
About the virus
Earlier, Russia’s coronavirus control and monitoring task force informed that a Russian national who had recently returned from Italy had been diagnosed with novel coronavirus. The task force specified that the man had contracted coronavirus on February 21 during a trip to Italy. He came back to Russia on February 23, and on February 27, he went to a doctor’s office with acute respiratory viral infection symptoms, after which he was taken to hospital. Lab tests were positive for coronavirus.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. According to Chinese authorities, over 80,000 people have been infected with the virus in the country. The death toll has surpassed 2,900, while about 47,200 patients have recovered. WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19. Cases of coronavirus have been reported in over 70 countries, including Russia. The largest outbreaks of COVID-19 outside of China have been detected in South Korea and Italy.
According to WHO, the number of people infected with COVID-19 outside of China is nearing 9,000, with over 120 people dead.


tass--2020-03-03--OPEC limits number of participants in meeting on March 4-6, closes access to media

VIENNA , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
OPEC Secretariat has limited the number of participants in the ministerial meetings on March 4-6 to a minimum and fully closed the access to the Secretariat office for press .
This is according to an advisory for journalists covering the meeting .
`` In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and after consultations with various authorities , members of the press will not be allowed to enter the OPEC Secretariat building for the 18th Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee , the 178th ( Extraordinary ) Meeting of the OPEC Conference and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the media advisory says .
`` We are also limiting the number of OPEC and non-OPEC delegates at the OPEC Secretariat to a bare minimum and have taken a raft of recommended precautionary measures to mitigate the potential risk of anyone being exposed to COVID-19 , '' according to the document .
Reporters will also have no access to the Secretariat office on March 5-6 , when OPEC and non-OPEC countries will discuss the oil production limiting deal , three sources in the Organization told TASS on Tuesday .
`` We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass media .
These are security measures in view of the coronavirus , '' one of the sources said .
The decision was made `` after consultations with healthcare authorities , '' two other sources added .
The decision became known after most of the journalists traditionally covering the OPEC+ meeting had already arrived in Vienna .

VIENNA, March 3. /TASS/. OPEC Secretariat has limited the number of participants in the ministerial meetings on March 4-6 to a minimum and fully closed the access to the Secretariat office for press. This is according to an advisory for journalists covering the meeting.
"In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and after consultations with various authorities, members of the press will not be allowed to enter the OPEC Secretariat building for the 18th Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, the 178th (Extraordinary) Meeting of the OPEC Conference and the 8th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting," the media advisory says.
"We are also limiting the number of OPEC and non-OPEC delegates at the OPEC Secretariat to a bare minimum and have taken a raft of recommended precautionary measures to mitigate the potential risk of anyone being exposed to COVID-19," according to the document.
Reporters will also have no access to the Secretariat office on March 5-6, when OPEC and non-OPEC countries will discuss the oil production limiting deal, three sources in the Organization told TASS on Tuesday.
"We will regrettably have to limit access for all mass media. These are security measures in view of the coronavirus," one of the sources said. The decision was made "after consultations with healthcare authorities," two other sources added. The decision became known after most of the journalists traditionally covering the OPEC+ meeting had already arrived in Vienna.


tass--2020-03-03--Trump backs Russia’s idea to hold summit of UNSC five permanent members

`` The initiative [ to hold the summit of the UNSC five permanent members ] was put forward on January 23 in President Putin ’ s speech at the forum in Jerusalem commemorating the victims of the Holocaust , '' Russia ’ s top diplomat stated .
HELSINKI , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump confirmed his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s proposal to hold a summit of UN Security Council five permanent members , Russia ’ s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday .
`` The initiative was supported by the French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese leader [ Xi Jinping ] .
And quite recently , President Trump confirmed his consent and endorsement of this proposal , '' the Russian foreign minister commented .
US President Trump earlier said at a press conference , responding to a question from TASS , that a summit of the UN Security Council five permanent members ( Great Britain , China , Russia , the United States and France ) could be held in New York to discuss primarily arms control issues .
Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry ’ s Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists that such a summit could take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly ’ s jubilee session in New York in September but there are no specific accords on that score yet .

"The initiative [to hold the summit of the UNSC five permanent members] was put forward on January 23 in President Putin’s speech at the forum in Jerusalem commemorating the victims of the Holocaust," Russia’s top diplomat stated.
HELSINKI, March 3. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump confirmed his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to hold a summit of UN Security Council five permanent members, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.
"The initiative was supported by the French president [Emmanuel Macron] and the Chinese leader [Xi Jinping]. And quite recently, President Trump confirmed his consent and endorsement of this proposal," the Russian foreign minister commented.
US President Trump earlier said at a press conference, responding to a question from TASS, that a summit of the UN Security Council five permanent members (Great Britain, China, Russia, the United States and France) could be held in New York to discuss primarily arms control issues.
Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations Pyotr Ilyichev earlier told journalists that such a summit could take place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s jubilee session in New York in September but there are no specific accords on that score yet.


tass--2020-03-03--Russia accepts no Taliban’s monopoly of power in Afghanistan — envoy

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has reiterated to the Taliban it will never accept any monopoly of power in Afghanistan , Russian President ’ s Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry ’ s Second Asian Department , Zamir Kabulov , said on Tuesday .
`` We have told the Taliban straight more than once that we accept no monopoly and [ are opposed to ] the Taliban ’ s return to power , '' he stated .
`` We are not the only ones to say it .
Afghanistan ’ s neighbors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States and China share this position . ''
`` Our position is that Afghanistan is to continue as a republic .
But it is up to the Afghan people to decide on that and to reach some consensus , '' he stressed .
Special envoys of Russia , the US , China and Pakistan for Afghanistan have agreed to meet on the sidelines of the intra-Afghan talks , according to Zamir Kabulov .
`` We agreed during the last 3 plus 1 meeting [ the US , Russia , China plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next meeting would take place back-to-back and on the sidelines of the intra-Afghan talks , '' he commented .
`` We believe that the very fact of cooperation of all the four powerful states — we would also like to be joined by Iran , which has a lot of influence in the region — will have a positive effect on both sides of the talks , so that we could encourage and motivate them for peace , '' Kabulov revealed .
The last meeting between Russia , the US , China and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
According to a peace treaty signed between the US and the Taliban movement , the intra-Afghan talks on permanent and comprehensive ceasefire must begin on March 10 .
The United States and the Taliban movement ( outlawed in Russia ) inked a peace deal on February 29 in Qatar ’ s capital city , Doha .
Under the terms of the deal , Washington and its allies commit to withdrawing their forces from Afghanistan in the next 14 months .
The US contingent in that country is to shrink to 8,600 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half months after the signing .
The US allies are to withdraw their forces proportionally .
Apart from that , the United States and its allies are to withdraw troops from five military bases .
The rest of the troops are to be withdrawn from Afghanistan in subsequent nine and a half months provided that the Taliban meets its commitments .
The Taliban , in turn , undertakes not to use Afghanistan ’ s territory to stage actions jeopardizing the United States ’ and its allies ’ security .
Talks between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start on March 10 .
Before that , as a trust-building measure , up to 5,000 Taliban supporters are to be released and the Taliban is to free up to 1,000 people it keeps prisoner .

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Russia has reiterated to the Taliban it will never accept any monopoly of power in Afghanistan, Russian President’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Second Asian Department, Zamir Kabulov, said on Tuesday.
"We have told the Taliban straight more than once that we accept no monopoly and [are opposed to] the Taliban’s return to power," he stated. "We are not the only ones to say it. Afghanistan’s neighbors — Pakistan and Iran — and also the United States and China share this position."
"Our position is that Afghanistan is to continue as a republic. But it is up to the Afghan people to decide on that and to reach some consensus," he stressed.
‘Afghan four’ meeting
Special envoys of Russia, the US, China and Pakistan for Afghanistan have agreed to meet on the sidelines of the intra-Afghan talks, according to Zamir Kabulov.
"We agreed during the last 3 plus 1 meeting [the US, Russia, China plus Pakistan] in Beijing, that our next meeting would take place back-to-back and on the sidelines of the intra-Afghan talks," he commented.
"We believe that the very fact of cooperation of all the four powerful states — we would also like to be joined by Iran, which has a lot of influence in the region — will have a positive effect on both sides of the talks, so that we could encourage and motivate them for peace," Kabulov revealed.
The last meeting between Russia, the US, China and Pakistan on Afghanistan took place in July 2019.
According to a peace treaty signed between the US and the Taliban movement, the intra-Afghan talks on permanent and comprehensive ceasefire must begin on March 10.
The United States and the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) inked a peace deal on February 29 in Qatar’s capital city, Doha. Under the terms of the deal, Washington and its allies commit to withdrawing their forces from Afghanistan in the next 14 months. The US contingent in that country is to shrink to 8,600 troops in a span of four and a half months after the signing. The US allies are to withdraw their forces proportionally. Apart from that, the United States and its allies are to withdraw troops from five military bases. The rest of the troops are to be withdrawn from Afghanistan in subsequent nine and a half months provided that the Taliban meets its commitments.
The Taliban, in turn, undertakes not to use Afghanistan’s territory to stage actions jeopardizing the United States’ and its allies’ security. Talks between the Taliban and other Afghan parties are to start on March 10. Before that, as a trust-building measure, up to 5,000 Taliban supporters are to be released and the Taliban is to free up to 1,000 people it keeps prisoner.


tass--2020-03-03--Lavrov: Date and venue of UN Security Council summit may be determined soon

HELSINKI , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia expects that the date and venue of the summit between UN Security Council permanent members will be determined in the near future , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Tuesday .
`` As for the date and venue , these matters are being discussed currently .
I hope that we will come to an agreement in the near future .
Then we will announce it , '' he said .
On January 23 , Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested holding a summit of the leaders of Russia , China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 to discuss world affairs .
The Russian leader suggested `` holding a meeting of the heads of state from the permanent members of the UN Security Council - Russia , China , the United States , France and Britain - in any country and at any point on the globe the counterparts find convenient . ''
He noted that holding such a meeting would be symbolic in 2020 , the year of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the establishment of the United Nations .
China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for the initiative .

HELSINKI, March 3. /TASS/. Russia expects that the date and venue of the summit between UN Security Council permanent members will be determined in the near future, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Tuesday.
"As for the date and venue, these matters are being discussed currently. I hope that we will come to an agreement in the near future. Then we will announce it," he said.
On January 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested holding a summit of the leaders of Russia, China, the US, France and Britain in 2020 to discuss world affairs. The Russian leader suggested "holding a meeting of the heads of state from the permanent members of the UN Security Council - Russia, China, the United States, France and Britain - in any country and at any point on the globe the counterparts find convenient." He noted that holding such a meeting would be symbolic in 2020, the year of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the establishment of the United Nations.
China, France and the UN leadership expressed support for the initiative.


tass--2020-03-03--Lavrov calls on parties to fulfill earlier agreements on Syria’s Idlib

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia stands for implementing international agreements , including those on the settlement in @ @ @ @ @ zone and in eastern Ukraine , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference @ @ @ @ @ foreign policy and other issues , Russian basically stands for fulfilling the agreements , '' @ @ @ @ @ concerns the crisis in eastern Ukraine and fully refers to the situation in Syria , @ @ @ @ @ we and our Turkish colleagues agreed a year and a half ago on how to @ @ @ @ @ Idlib de-escalation zone , in order to prevent terrorists ' domination there . ''

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Russia stands for implementing international agreements, including those on the settlement in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone and in eastern Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference on Tuesday.
"Regarding foreign policy and other issues, Russian basically stands for fulfilling the agreements," Lavrov said. "This concerns the crisis in eastern Ukraine and fully refers to the situation in Syria, namely in Idlib, where we and our Turkish colleagues agreed a year and a half ago on how to solve the problem of the Idlib de-escalation zone, in order to prevent terrorists' domination there."


tass--2020-03-03--Ukrainian top diplomat’s statements on Donbass run counter to Minsk accords — Lavrov

`` There are no alternatives to the Minsk agreements , '' he stressed .
`` And we reiterated that at today ’ s talks .
They [ the agreements — TASS ] were endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution , thus becoming part and parcel of international law . ''
`` We hear a lot of concrete ideas explicating Mr. Pristaiko ’ s thought , including the ideas that power bodies in the self-proclaimed republics are to be dissolved , that UN troops are to be deployed and that the entire perimeter of these territories is to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , etc .
We heard Ukrainian officials saying they were ready to maintain dialogue with people in Donbass , but not with the ones who had been elected to provide for their everyday life , '' he stated .
`` It runs counter to the concrete provisions of the Minsk agreements . ''
`` I have referred several appeals to the foreign ministers of Germany and France , as the members of the Normandy Four format , calling on them not to ignore such provocative statements by Ukrainian officials .
But so far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing in that regard , '' he lamented .
`` Moreover , our French and German colleagues , as a matter of fact , are doing nothing to prod their Ukrainian partners to implement what was agreed at the Normandy Four summit in December in Paris . ''

"There are no alternatives to the Minsk agreements," he stressed. "And we reiterated that at today’s talks. They [the agreements — TASS] were endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution, thus becoming part and parcel of international law."
"We hear a lot of concrete ideas explicating Mr. Pristaiko’s thought, including the ideas that power bodies in the self-proclaimed republics are to be dissolved, that UN troops are to be deployed and that the entire perimeter of these territories is to be taken under control prior to organizing elections, etc. We heard Ukrainian officials saying they were ready to maintain dialogue with people in Donbass, but not with the ones who had been elected to provide for their everyday life," he stated. "It runs counter to the concrete provisions of the Minsk agreements."
"I have referred several appeals to the foreign ministers of Germany and France, as the members of the Normandy Four format, calling on them not to ignore such provocative statements by Ukrainian officials. But so far, our Normandy format partners are undertaking nothing in that regard," he lamented. "Moreover, our French and German colleagues, as a matter of fact, are doing nothing to prod their Ukrainian partners to implement what was agreed at the Normandy Four summit in December in Paris."
'Empty' summits


tass--2020-03-03--World Wildlife Day: Animal species under threat

Snow leopard , a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species © Flickr.com/Cloudtail Greater bamboo lemur , also known as the broad-nosed bamboo lemur looking through the forest at Andasibe-Mantadia National Park in Andasibe , Madagascar .
It is one of the world 's most critically endangered primates , according to the IUCN Red List .
The East African island nation is the only place in the world to see lemurs in the wild © AP Photo/Jason Straziuso Pallas 's cat , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ montane steppes of Central Asia .
It is negatively affected by habitat degradation , prey base decline , and hunting , and has been classified as Near Threatened by IUCN © AP Photo/Keystone , Alessandro Della Bella Marbled polecat is a small mammal which is generally found in the drier areas and grasslands of southeastern Europe to western China .
In 2008 , it was classified as a vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List due to a population reduction of at least 30 % in the previous 10 years © Flickr.com/Joachim S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goat-antelope found only in the western half of the Caucasus Mountains range .
They live in rough mountainous terrain between 800 and 4,000 m above sea level .
It is classified as endangered species © Flickr.com/IUCNweb Siberian tiger , or Amur tiger , inhabites mainly the Sikhote Alin mountain region with a small population in southwest Primorye Province in the Russian Far East .
In 2005 , there were 331–393 adult and subadult Amur tigers in this region © Yuri Smityuk/TASS Franklin 's bumblebee is known to be one of the most narrowly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critically endangered bee of the western United States .
It was last seen in 2006 © AP Photo/Seth Perlman Scimitar oryx , also known as the Sahara oryx , is now extinct in the wild .
It formerly inhabited all of North Africa © Flickr.com/Buck Valley Ranch Pieridae , a large family of butterflies containing about 1,100 species , mostly from tropical Africa and tropical Asia is in the IUCN Red List of vulnerable species © Flickr.com/S .
Rae Desert tortoises are two species of tortoise native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mexico .
The tortoises are included in IUCN Red List of vulnerable species © AP Photo/Reed Saxon , File Steller sea lion also known as the northern sea lion is a near threatened species of sea lions in the northern Pacific .
The Steller sea lion has attracted considerable attention in recent decades due to significant , unexplained declines in their numbers over a large portion of their range in Alaska © Flickr.com/Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife The king cobra can be found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ venomous snake .
The king cobra is in the IUCN Red List of vulnerable species © Flickr.com/Peter Miller

Snow leopard, a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species © Flickr.com/Cloudtail
Greater bamboo lemur, also known as the broad-nosed bamboo lemur looking through the forest at Andasibe-Mantadia National Park in Andasibe, Madagascar. It is one of the world's most critically endangered primates, according to the IUCN Red List. The East African island nation is the only place in the world to see lemurs in the wild © AP Photo/Jason Straziuso
Pallas's cat, also called manul lives in the grasslands and montane steppes of Central Asia. It is negatively affected by habitat degradation, prey base decline, and hunting, and has been classified as Near Threatened by IUCN © AP Photo/Keystone, Alessandro Della Bella
Marbled polecat is a small mammal which is generally found in the drier areas and grasslands of southeastern Europe to western China. In 2008, it was classified as a vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List due to a population reduction of at least 30% in the previous 10 years © Flickr.com/Joachim S. Müller
West Caucasian tur is a mountain-dwelling goat-antelope found only in the western half of the Caucasus Mountains range. They live in rough mountainous terrain between 800 and 4,000 m above sea level. It is classified as endangered species © Flickr.com/IUCNweb
Siberian tiger, or Amur tiger, inhabites mainly the Sikhote Alin mountain region with a small population in southwest Primorye Province in the Russian Far East. In 2005, there were 331–393 adult and subadult Amur tigers in this region © Yuri Smityuk/TASS
Franklin's bumblebee is known to be one of the most narrowly distributed bumblebee species, making it a critically endangered bee of the western United States. It was last seen in 2006 © AP Photo/Seth Perlman
Scimitar oryx, also known as the Sahara oryx, is now extinct in the wild. It formerly inhabited all of North Africa © Flickr.com/Buck Valley Ranch
Pieridae, a large family of butterflies containing about 1,100 species, mostly from tropical Africa and tropical Asia is in the IUCN Red List of vulnerable species © Flickr.com/S. Rae
Desert tortoises are two species of tortoise native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The tortoises are included in IUCN Red List of vulnerable species © AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File
Steller sea lion also known as the northern sea lion is a near threatened species of sea lions in the northern Pacific. The Steller sea lion has attracted considerable attention in recent decades due to significant, unexplained declines in their numbers over a large portion of their range in Alaska © Flickr.com/Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife


tass--2020-03-03--Russia completes firing tests of propulsion unit for ExoMars lander

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The propulsion unit of the ExoMars lander module has passed firing tests , @ @ @ @ @ Association said in a statement on Tuesday .
`` As part of implementing the ExoMars @ @ @ @ @ tests of the propulsion unit of the ExoMars spacecraft ’ s lander were completed on @ @ @ @ @ '' the statement runs .
According to the preliminary analysis , the assignments were fulfilled @ @ @ @ @ Lavochkin press office reported .
ExoMars is a joint program of the European Space Agency @ @ @ @ @ federal space agency to study Mars .
The mission will be launched in July-August 2020 @ @ @ @ @ with a Briz-M booster from the Baikonur Cosmodrome .
The project aims to study the @ @ @ @ @ and climate .

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. The propulsion unit of the ExoMars lander module has passed firing tests, the Lavochkin Research and Production Association said in a statement on Tuesday.
"As part of implementing the ExoMars international project, the firing tests of the propulsion unit of the ExoMars spacecraft’s lander were completed on February 27, 2020," the statement runs.
According to the preliminary analysis, the assignments were fulfilled with positive results, the Lavochkin press office reported.
ExoMars is a joint program of the European Space Agency and Russia’s Roscosmos federal space agency to study Mars. The mission will be launched in July-August 2020 by a Proton-M carrier rocket with a Briz-M booster from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The project aims to study the Martian surface, its atmosphere and climate.


tass--2020-03-03--Russia can't solve migration issues at expense of halting anti-terror fight, says Lavrov

`` We can not contribute to solving migration problems at the expense of ending the war on terror , what some politicians in Europe are calling for , '' Lavrov said .
HELSINKI , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia can not contribute to solving the problem of migration from Syria at the expense of ending the war on terror , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference after talks with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto on Tuesday .
`` We are fully aware that the migrants ’ problem is complicated for the European Union .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the European External Action Service .
We will continue it and we will seek to contribute to solving this problem , '' Russia ’ s top diplomat noted .
On February 28 , Reuters news agency reported citing a Turkish official that Ankara had decided not to stop Syrian refugees , who are seeking to flee to Europe by land and sea routes .
The personnel of Turkey ’ s police , coast guard service and border checkpoints have been ordered not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe .
This decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been killed in Syria ’ s Idlib .
According to the latest data announced by Turkish Minister of the Interior Suleyman Soylu , more than 110,000 migrants have crossed Turkey ’ s border with the EU after Ankara made a decision on opening the border for refugees .

"We cannot contribute to solving migration problems at the expense of ending the war on terror, what some politicians in Europe are calling for," Lavrov said.
HELSINKI, March 3. /TASS/. Russia cannot contribute to solving the problem of migration from Syria at the expense of ending the war on terror, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference after talks with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto on Tuesday.
"We are fully aware that the migrants’ problem is complicated for the European Union. We are holding dialogue on migration issues between Russia and the European External Action Service. We will continue it and we will seek to contribute to solving this problem," Russia’s top diplomat noted.
On February 28, Reuters news agency reported citing a Turkish official that Ankara had decided not to stop Syrian refugees, who are seeking to flee to Europe by land and sea routes. The personnel of Turkey’s police, coast guard service and border checkpoints have been ordered not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe. This decision was made after 36 Turkish troops had been killed in Syria’s Idlib.
According to the latest data announced by Turkish Minister of the Interior Suleyman Soylu, more than 110,000 migrants have crossed Turkey’s border with the EU after Ankara made a decision on opening the border for refugees.


tass--2020-03-03--NATO has no intention to develop de-escalation and trust measures with Russia — Lavrov

HELSINKI , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Absence of NATO ’ s response to Russian proposals on security and trust buildup measures indicates the bloc ’ s unwillingness to cooperate with Russia on de-escalation of tensions , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said , following a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto .
`` We have spoken about our dialogue with the NATO member states on security issues and trust buildup and disclosed what proposals we introduced for NATO review more than one year ago , but never received a response , '' the minister commented .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to liaise with us to develop and implement concrete measures on de-escalation and trust buildup . ''
The top diplomat expressed his regret that NATO position is `` supported by practical actions of the Alliance and , first and foremost , of the US , who begin the Defender-Europe 20 military exercise , the largest in many decades . ''
`` We have discussed the Baltic Sea region situation in detail , including the Finnish President 's initiative on trust measures , '' Lavrov informed .
`` We see no problems in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution .
Our proposals remain on the table , and we hope that common sense will prevail in NATO . ''

HELSINKI, March 3. /TASS/. Absence of NATO’s response to Russian proposals on security and trust buildup measures indicates the bloc’s unwillingness to cooperate with Russia on de-escalation of tensions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, following a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto.
"We have spoken about our dialogue with the NATO member states on security issues and trust buildup and disclosed what proposals we introduced for NATO review more than one year ago, but never received a response," the minister commented. "We conclude from this that NATO does not plan to liaise with us to develop and implement concrete measures on de-escalation and trust buildup."
The top diplomat expressed his regret that NATO position is "supported by practical actions of the Alliance and, first and foremost, of the US, who begin the Defender-Europe 20 military exercise, the largest in many decades."
"We have discussed the Baltic Sea region situation in detail, including the Finnish President's initiative on trust measures," Lavrov informed. "We see no problems in this region that could require a military solution. Our proposals remain on the table, and we hope that common sense will prevail in NATO."


tass--2020-03-03--Aeroflot expects supplies of A350, SSJ 100 in this year

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Aeroflot Group expects the delivery of 55 aircraft this year , according @ @ @ @ @ analysts .
Among them are eleven wide-body Airbus A350 jets and 22 SSJ 100 jets @ @ @ @ @ .
Ten SSJ-100 airplanes were to be delivered last year but were postponed until 2020 @ @ @ @ @ presentation .
The air carrier also awaits supplies of two wide-body Boeing 777 jets , @ @ @ @ @ , three A321 and seven Boeing 737 airliners .
As regards regional aircraft , the @ @ @ @ @ new Bombardier DHC-8 and DHC-4 planes .
Thirteen airplanes will be decommissioned over the year @ @ @ @ @ of 359 airplanes , according to data as of 2019 year-end .

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. The Aeroflot Group expects the delivery of 55 aircraft this year, according to the corporate presentation for analysts. Among them are eleven wide-body Airbus A350 jets and 22 SSJ 100 jets, the Russian airline says.
Ten SSJ-100 airplanes were to be delivered last year but were postponed until 2020, Aeroflot says in the presentation.
The air carrier also awaits supplies of two wide-body Boeing 777 jets, six narrow-body Airbus A320 planes, three A321 and seven Boeing 737 airliners. As regards regional aircraft, the group plans to receive two new Bombardier DHC-8 and DHC-4 planes. Thirteen airplanes will be decommissioned over the year.
The Group fleet consisted of 359 airplanes, according to data as of 2019 year-end.


tass--2020-03-03--Russia creating balance in Middle East settlement, Hamas official says

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s efforts to iron out the Palestinian-Israeli conflict create balance in @ @ @ @ @ the Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh told a meeting with Konstantin Kosachev , who heads @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Affairs Committee .
`` Russia is the country that is creating the balance of @ @ @ @ @ It has become a sort of a counterbalance to US-Israeli policy , '' Haniyeh stressed @

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Russia’s efforts to iron out the Palestinian-Israeli conflict create balance in the region, Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh told a meeting with Konstantin Kosachev, who heads the Russian Federation Council's Foreign Affairs Committee.
"Russia is the country that is creating the balance of forces in the region. It has become a sort of a counterbalance to US-Israeli policy," Haniyeh stressed.


tass--2020-03-03--Syrian Army takes down Turkish drone in Idlib

Turkish armed forces take down Syrian fighter jet , ministry said According to the report , `` a Turkish drone @ @ @ @ @ the city of Saraqib in Idlib province . ''
Turkey has not commented on the @ @ @

Turkish armed forces take down Syrian fighter jet, ministry said
MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Syrian Armed Forces have downed a Turkish drone in Idlib province, SANA news agency reported Tuesday.
According to the report, "a Turkish drone has been taken down near the city of Saraqib in Idlib province."
Turkey has not commented on the report yet.


tass--2020-03-03--Senator slams US ‘Deal of the Century’ as ‘cowboy’ attempt to solve Palestinian issue

`` We in Russia have also thoroughly studied this multi-page document .
With regret , we note that the sympathies of its authors quite obviously go to only one side of the conflict — the Israeli side .
This [ happens ] while the interests of the Palestinian side are almost not taken into account at all , '' Kosachev said .
MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The so-called Deal of the Century , proposed earlier by US President Donald Trump , virtually fails to take the legitimate interests of the Palestinian side into account at all .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ solve the long-time Mideast conflict in one swoop , using `` cowboy methods , '' Russia ’ s Federation Council ( upper house ) Committee on Foreign Affairs head Konstantin Kosachev said during his meeting Tuesday with the Hamas ’ politburo head Ismail Haniya .
Reaction of Islamic world to 'deal of the century ' was definitively negative — envoy There are international legal documents namely , the UN Security Council resolution , the UN General Assembly resolution , and the Arab Peace Initiative , he pointed out .
`` This American project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results , achieved by many years of diplomatic efforts , and attempts to solve the long-time Middle Eastern conflict in one swoop , using cowboy methods , so characteristic of the Americans .
At least , those were our impressions from this initiative , '' Kosachev stated .
Russia is aware of the Arab League ’ s joint opinion on Trump ’ s deal .
`` We know that [ the opinion ] includes straightforward mention that renewal of multilateral talks on the Middle Eastern settlement under international auspices is necessary , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which includes Russia , could become such an aegis , '' the committee head said .
The politician underscored that the Palestinian position would be much stronger during the negotiations , should it be consolidated .
`` If we can somehow help the friendly Palestinian people , we are , of course , at your service , and I am talking about Russian politicians , and Russian lawmakers , '' Kosachev specified .
He expressed his conviction that the entire situation in the Middle East `` in many regards , if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unregulated Palestinian issue . ''
`` We see how a group of Western nations , and , of course , Israel , seeks to push the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , the Palestinian issue , to the background , using the so-called Iranian threat and other regional crises as a pretext .
This approach , as we see it , proved itself during the preparation and the presentation of this Deal of the Century , '' the senator said .
About Trump ’ s ‘ Deal of the Century ’

"We in Russia have also thoroughly studied this multi-page document. With regret, we note that the sympathies of its authors quite obviously go to only one side of the conflict — the Israeli side. This [happens] while the interests of the Palestinian side are almost not taken into account at all," Kosachev said.
MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. The so-called Deal of the Century, proposed earlier by US President Donald Trump, virtually fails to take the legitimate interests of the Palestinian side into account at all. Furthermore, it is an attempt to solve the long-time Mideast conflict in one swoop, using "cowboy methods," Russia’s Federation Council (upper house) Committee on Foreign Affairs head Konstantin Kosachev said during his meeting Tuesday with the Hamas’ politburo head Ismail Haniya.
There are international legal documents namely, the UN Security Council resolution, the UN General Assembly resolution, and the Arab Peace Initiative, he pointed out.
"This American project tosses aside all these [diplomatic] results, achieved by many years of diplomatic efforts, and attempts to solve the long-time Middle Eastern conflict in one swoop, using cowboy methods, so characteristic of the Americans. At least, those were our impressions from this initiative," Kosachev stated.
Russia is aware of the Arab League’s joint opinion on Trump’s deal.
"We know that [the opinion] includes straightforward mention that renewal of multilateral talks on the Middle Eastern settlement under international auspices is necessary, and, probably, the Middle East Quartet, which includes Russia, could become such an aegis," the committee head said.
The politician underscored that the Palestinian position would be much stronger during the negotiations, should it be consolidated.
"If we can somehow help the friendly Palestinian people, we are, of course, at your service, and I am talking about Russian politicians, and Russian lawmakers," Kosachev specified.
He expressed his conviction that the entire situation in the Middle East "in many regards, if not in every regard, is rooted in the unregulated Palestinian issue."
"We see how a group of Western nations, and, of course, Israel, seeks to push the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Palestinian issue, to the background, using the so-called Iranian threat and other regional crises as a pretext. This approach, as we see it, proved itself during the preparation and the presentation of this Deal of the Century," the senator said.
About Trump’s ‘Deal of the Century’


tass--2020-03-03--Putin-Erdogan meeting to promote implementation of agreements on Idlib — Lavrov

HELSINKI , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s meeting with his Turkish counterpart @ @ @ @ @ will help improve the situation with the implementation of agreements on Syria ’ s Idlib @ @ @ @ @ Lavrov said on Tuesday .
`` Regrettably , [ the Russian-Turkish agreements on Idlib ] @ @ @ @ @ I hope the meeting between Presidents Putin and Erdogan later this week will make it @ @ @ @ @ and begin to move along the path of the implementation of what has been agreed @ @ @ @ @ news conference .
Putin and Erdogan are expected to meet in Moscow on March 5 @

HELSINKI, March 3. /TASS/. Moscow hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will help improve the situation with the implementation of agreements on Syria’s Idlib, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.
"Regrettably, [the Russian-Turkish agreements on Idlib] are not being implemented. I hope the meeting between Presidents Putin and Erdogan later this week will make it possible to change this situation and begin to move along the path of the implementation of what has been agreed," he told a news conference.
Putin and Erdogan are expected to meet in Moscow on March 5.


tass--2020-03-03--Lavrov calls on Paris and Berlin to exert influence on Kiev

HELSINKI , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday he has called on his @ @ @ @ @ to exert influence on Kiev to make it drop its provocative statements on Donbass .
@ @ @ @ @ appeals to the foreign ministers of Germany and France , as the members of the @ @ @ @ @ on them not to ignore such provocative statements by Ukrainian officials .
But so far @ @ @ @ @ are doing nothing about that , '' he said .
`` Moreover , our French @ @ @ @ @ a matter of fact , are doing nothing to persuade their Ukrainian partners to implement @ @ @ @ @ Normandy Four summit in December in Paris . ''

HELSINKI, March 3. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday he has called on his counterparts from France and Germany to exert influence on Kiev to make it drop its provocative statements on Donbass.
"I have referred several appeals to the foreign ministers of Germany and France, as the members of the Normandy Four format, calling on them not to ignore such provocative statements by Ukrainian officials. But so far, our Normandy Format partners are doing nothing about that," he said. "Moreover, our French and German colleagues, as a matter of fact, are doing nothing to persuade their Ukrainian partners to implement what was agreed at the Normandy Four summit in December in Paris."


tass--2020-03-03--Putin, Merkel stress that Libyan sides must adhere to ceasefire regime

Currently , Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power : the internationally recognized Government of National Accord and the interim government , operating in the country ’ s east together with parliament MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed during a phone call on Tuesday that the Libyan conflict sides must adhere to the ceasefire regime , the Kremlin press service informed .
`` During an exchange of opinions on the situation in Libya , they stressed that the conflict sides must adhere to the ceasefire regime and implement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place in January of this year , '' the press service informs .
On January 19 , an international high-level conference on Libya took place in Berlin , with at least ten heads of state and government attending the event including Russian President Vladimir Putin .
The talks were also attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , French President Emmanuel Macron , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , as well as representatives of Algeria , Egypt , the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berlin also welcomed Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , Fayez al-Sarraj , and Libyan National Army ( LNA ) Commander Khalifa Haftar .
The conference ’ s final communique includes a call to ceasefire , as well as the call for foreign countries to refrain from intervening in Libya ’ s affairs , while it also proposes creation of a single government and launch of reforms to restore statehood that was demolished by NATO almost ten years ago .
The conflict sides also agreed to establish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power : the internationally recognized Government of National Accord ( GNA ) headed by al-Sarraj , and Abdullah Abdurrahman al-Thani ’ s interim government , operating in the country ’ s east together with parliament and supported by Haftar ’ s LNA .
During the phone call , Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel also hashed over the developments in Syria 's Idlib as well as the upcoming Russian-Turkish summit .
`` The sides discussed in detail the issues of the Syrian settlement given the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the statement reads .
`` In this context , they voiced hope that the upcoming March 5 Russian-Turkish high-level meeting will bear fruit . ''
The sides also agreed on further contacts .

Currently, Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power: the internationally recognized Government of National Accord and the interim government, operating in the country’s east together with parliament
MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed during a phone call on Tuesday that the Libyan conflict sides must adhere to the ceasefire regime, the Kremlin press service informed. "During an exchange of opinions on the situation in Libya, they stressed that the conflict sides must adhere to the ceasefire regime and implement the decisions of the Berlin conference that took place in January of this year," the press service informs.
Read also Participants in Berlin conference on Libya have agreed text of final document — source
On January 19, an international high-level conference on Libya took place in Berlin, with at least ten heads of state and government attending the event including Russian President Vladimir Putin. The talks were also attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as well as representatives of Algeria, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and China. Moreover, Berlin also welcomed Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar. The conference’s final communique includes a call to ceasefire, as well as the call for foreign countries to refrain from intervening in Libya’s affairs, while it also proposes creation of a single government and launch of reforms to restore statehood that was demolished by NATO almost ten years ago. The conflict sides also agreed to establish a special ceasefire monitoring commission. Currently, Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power: the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by al-Sarraj, and Abdullah Abdurrahman al-Thani’s interim government, operating in the country’s east together with parliament and supported by Haftar’s LNA. Situation in Idlib
Read also Turkish armed forces take down Syrian fighter jet, ministry said


tass--2020-03-03--Kremlin: Constitutional amendments submitted by Putin passed legal expert study

The proposed method of making and enforcing amendments is not prohibited by the existing legislation , according to the presidential press secretary MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Constitutional amendments submitted by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the lower house of Russia ’ s parliament , the State Duma , passed a legal expert study , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday .
The Russian presidential spokesman thus responded to a request to comment on the remarks by some constitutional law experts that the process of making amendments to the Fundamental Law partly contradicts the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressed to law experts .
But , as you understand , law experts in the Duma and in the presidential administration are actively involved in the expert analysis of these amendments and thus the legal expert study is underway and has already been held , '' the Kremlin spokesman said .
The proposed method of making and enforcing amendments is not prohibited by the existing legislation .
Although the law currently prescribes a certain procedure for amendments to the Constitution to come into force , `` other [ methods ] are not prohibited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman advised turning to the working group on the amendments for further explanations .
The Russian president submitted amendments to the State Duma for the second reading on Monday , including the bill ’ s supplemented article 3 that regulates some issues related to the procedure for the document ’ s provisions to come into force .
In particular , it follows from this article that after the law on amendments to the Constitution is passed and approved by no less than two-thirds of regional legislatures , it will be published and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 ( the amendments proper to the text of the Fundamental Law ) and article 2 ( on holding a nationwide vote ) .
After that , the Russian president will request the Constitutional Court of Russia to assess the unenforced provisions of the document .
Should the Constitutional Court find them compliant with chapters 1 , 2 and 9 ( the chapters that may not be altered by way of passing a federal constitutional law ) of the effective Constitution , a nationwide vote will ensue .
Upon the law ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Russian president will issue a decree on publishing the Constitution of Russia with amendments and indicating the date of their entry into force .
The official publication of the amended Constitution will take place `` immediately after the results of the nationwide vote are officially published , '' the text of the presidential bill runs .

The proposed method of making and enforcing amendments is not prohibited by the existing legislation, according to the presidential press secretary
MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. The Constitutional amendments submitted by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the lower house of Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, passed a legal expert study, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday. The Russian presidential spokesman thus responded to a request to comment on the remarks by some constitutional law experts that the process of making amendments to the Fundamental Law partly contradicts the Russian legislation. "This issue should be addressed to law experts. But, as you understand, law experts in the Duma and in the presidential administration are actively involved in the expert analysis of these amendments and thus the legal expert study is underway and has already been held," the Kremlin spokesman said.
The proposed method of making and enforcing amendments is not prohibited by the existing legislation. Although the law currently prescribes a certain procedure for amendments to the Constitution to come into force, "other [methods] are not prohibited," Peskov stressed. The Kremlin spokesman advised turning to the working group on the amendments for further explanations.
Read also Putin submits Constitutional amendments to parliament for second reading


tass--2020-03-03--Russian Baltic Fleet artillery troops kick off drills in Kaliningrad Region

`` The artillery troops will accomplish over 150 various firing assignments , employing Giatsint artillery guns , Grad and Uragan multiple launch rocket systems , Msta-S , Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers , Nona self-propelled artillery systems and other artillery armament , '' the press office said in a statement .
KALININGRAD , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
Over 500 personnel and more than 200 items of armament and military hardware are involved in the drills of the Baltic Fleet ’ s artillery troops and marine infantry at a training range in the eastern part of the Kaliningrad Region , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
The crews of combat vehicles and the combat teams of artillery guns will practice measures while on a march , accomplish procedures within the required time limits to deploy weapons and assume fire positions , equip and camouflage them , the statement says .
`` The drills aim to practice stage-by-stage cohesion of artillery units , improve the personnel ’ s combat skills , increase the commanders ’ practical skills of fire control during the defense and in an offensive , '' the press office specified .
During the month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nighttime and daytime firings against targets , accomplish qualification exercises of firings as part of standalone teams and batteries .
The artillery personnel will also accomplish the assignments of delivering direct and semi-direct fire from sheltered positions , employing various types of munitions against sole and multiple targets .
The drills will end with an artillery fire control exercise .

"The artillery troops will accomplish over 150 various firing assignments, employing Giatsint artillery guns, Grad and Uragan multiple launch rocket systems, Msta-S, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers, Nona self-propelled artillery systems and other artillery armament," the press office said in a statement.
KALININGRAD, March 3. /TASS/. Over 500 personnel and more than 200 items of armament and military hardware are involved in the drills of the Baltic Fleet’s artillery troops and marine infantry at a training range in the eastern part of the Kaliningrad Region, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.
The crews of combat vehicles and the combat teams of artillery guns will practice measures while on a march, accomplish procedures within the required time limits to deploy weapons and assume fire positions, equip and camouflage them, the statement says.
"The drills aim to practice stage-by-stage cohesion of artillery units, improve the personnel’s combat skills, increase the commanders’ practical skills of fire control during the defense and in an offensive," the press office specified.
During the month, the artillery troops will practice sets of nighttime and daytime firings against targets, accomplish qualification exercises of firings as part of standalone teams and batteries.
The artillery personnel will also accomplish the assignments of delivering direct and semi-direct fire from sheltered positions, employing various types of munitions against sole and multiple targets. The drills will end with an artillery fire control exercise.


tass--2020-03-03--Turkish armed forces take down Syrian fighter jet, ministry said

MOSCOW , March 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Turkish Defense Ministry stated on Tuesday that the country ’ s military @ @ @ @ @ fighter jet .
`` Within the Spring Shield operation , an L-39 plane belonging to @ @ @ @ @ Syrian ] regime has been taken down , '' the ministry informed on Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ that a Syrian Armed Forces plane had come under fire in the province of Idlib @ @ @ @ @ was taken down or not .
On March 1 , the Syrian Defense Ministry informed @ @ @ @ @ taken down two Syrian Armed Forces planes over the Idlib de-escalation zone ; the pilots @ @ @ @ @ .
The Turkish Defense Ministry informed that two Su-24 aircrafts had been hit by the @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. The Turkish Defense Ministry stated on Tuesday that the country’s military had taken down a Syrian fighter jet.
"Within the Spring Shield operation, an L-39 plane belonging to the forces of [the Syrian] regime has been taken down," the ministry informed on Twitter.
Meanwhile the Syrian media reported that a Syrian Armed Forces plane had come under fire in the province of Idlib, not mentioning whether it was taken down or not.
On March 1, the Syrian Defense Ministry informed that Turkish F-16 fighters had taken down two Syrian Armed Forces planes over the Idlib de-escalation zone; the pilots were able to catapult themselves. The Turkish Defense Ministry informed that two Su-24 aircrafts had been hit by the Turkish military.


tass--2020-03-04--EU Commission, Parliament restricting work due to coronavirus — source

Putin says most ‘ fake news ’ on coronavirus spread in Russia comes from abroad BRUSSELS , March 4 .
@ @ @ @ @ , the European Parliament and the EU Council will limit their public activities and restrict @ @ @ @ @ confirmed coronavirus case , a source in European institutions told reporters on Wednesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ is a first confirmed coronavirus case among employees of European institutions .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ to buildings of the institutions [ the European Commission , the European Parliament and the @ @ @ @ @ , '' will be limited , '' the source said .

BRUSSELS, March 4. /TASS/. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the EU Council will limit their public activities and restrict access to buildings after the confirmed coronavirus case, a source in European institutions told reporters on Wednesday.
"I can confirm that there is a first confirmed coronavirus case among employees of European institutions. The number of public activities and the access to buildings of the institutions [the European Commission, the European Parliament and the EU Council — TASS]," will be limited," the source said.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million, in late December. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Besides China, major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in South Korea, Iran and Italy. More than 80 countries and territories, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
In China, which accounts for the majority of the novel coronavirus cases, the death toll is nearing 3,000, while almost 80,000 people have been infected and another 50,000 have recovered. According to the WHO, the number of coronavirus sufferers outside China has exceeded 10,500 and more than 160 have died.