tass--2020-03-04--Pets can’t spread novel coronavirus, expert says

MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Cats , dogs and other pets can not spread the novel coronavirus , Viktor Maleyev , an advisor to the scientific director of the Russian consumer watchdog ’ s Research Institute of Epidemiology , told TASS .
On February 27 , Hong Kong ’ s authorities said that a pet had allegedly transmitted the virus to a human .
Preliminary tests identified the infection in the dog of a man who had tested positive for the coronavirus .
`` There are currently seven described types of coronaviruses that cause acute respiratory diseases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to contemporary data , cats , dogs , hamsters and other pets can not spread this kind of coronavirus infection , '' Maleyev pointed out .
He added , citing the World Health Organization , that no coronavirus cases among animals had been reported yet .
However , there are other types of coronaviruses that cause diseases in animals and pose no danger to humans .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus cases have also been reported in more than 70 countries , including Russia .
According to the WHO , over 90,800 people have been infected with the virus across the world .
The death toll has passed 2,900 in China , and over 160 people have died in other countries .
The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19 .

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Cats, dogs and other pets cannot spread the novel coronavirus, Viktor Maleyev, an advisor to the scientific director of the Russian consumer watchdog’s Research Institute of Epidemiology, told TASS.
On February 27, Hong Kong’s authorities said that a pet had allegedly transmitted the virus to a human. Preliminary tests identified the infection in the dog of a man who had tested positive for the coronavirus.
"There are currently seven described types of coronaviruses that cause acute respiratory diseases in humans. They include the novel coronavirus. According to contemporary data, cats, dogs, hamsters and other pets cannot spread this kind of coronavirus infection," Maleyev pointed out. He added, citing the World Health Organization, that no coronavirus cases among animals had been reported yet.
However, there are other types of coronaviruses that cause diseases in animals and pose no danger to humans.
Coronavirus outbreak
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. Coronavirus cases have also been reported in more than 70 countries, including Russia.
According to the WHO, over 90,800 people have been infected with the virus across the world. The death toll has passed 2,900 in China, and over 160 people have died in other countries.
The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19.


tass--2020-03-04--Russian government restricts exports of face masks, other medical goods till June 1

`` To impose a temporary ban from the date of entry into force of this executive order until June 1 , 2020 , on exports of products from the Russian Federation according to the list in the appendix , with the exception of exports of such products to provide international humanitarian assistance to foreign states based on decisions by the Russian government , as well as imports of materials and disposable items , which are part of these products , by individuals , '' the executive order reads .
MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some medical goods and equipment , including medical face masks and antiviral drugs , from March 2 to June 1 , 2020 , amid the spread of coronavirus .
An executive order to this effect was signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on March 2 .
According to the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade , the list of such products includes respiratory protective equipment , medical safety glasses , chemical protection suits , medical face masks , some antiviral drugs , medical gloves and gowns .
`` Let me note that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of such products for the provision of international humanitarian assistance to foreign countries ( including China ) , '' Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov has been quoted as saying .
According to previous reports , about 1.5 mln medical face masks are made in Russia daily .
The government ’ s executive order complies with the provisions of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union and other international agreements signed by Russia , Manturov added .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 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 70 countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest reports , the death toll in China , which accounts for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has approached 3,000 , nearly 50,000 patients have recovered , while the total number of infected people has exceeded 80,000 .

"To impose a temporary ban from the date of entry into force of this executive order until June 1, 2020, on exports of products from the Russian Federation according to the list in the appendix, with the exception of exports of such products to provide international humanitarian assistance to foreign states based on decisions by the Russian government, as well as imports of materials and disposable items, which are part of these products, by individuals," the executive order reads.
MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. The Russian government has imposed a temporary ban on exports of some medical goods and equipment, including medical face masks and antiviral drugs, from March 2 to June 1, 2020, amid the spread of coronavirus. An executive order to this effect was signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on March 2.
According to the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, the list of such products includes respiratory protective equipment, medical safety glasses, chemical protection suits, medical face masks, some antiviral drugs, medical gloves and gowns.
"Let me note that the ban does not apply to exports of such products for the provision of international humanitarian assistance to foreign countries (including China)," Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov has been quoted as saying.
According to previous reports, about 1.5 mln medical face masks are made in Russia daily.
The government’s executive order complies with the provisions of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union and other international agreements signed by Russia, Manturov added.
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 12 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 70 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
According to the latest reports, the death toll in China, which accounts for the majority of novel coronavirus cases, has approached 3,000, nearly 50,000 patients have recovered, while the total number of infected people has exceeded 80,000.


tass--2020-03-04--Putin stresses 2008 promise to prevent rerun of 1998 meltdown was full of risk

While commenting on the fact that the goals of Strategy 2020 - adopted in 2008 - had failed to materialize , Putin said that those were preliminary plans .
He recalled that by 2008 , the task of doubling the GDP had been tackled and social forecasts were made accordingly , but with the onset of the global financial crisis , the authorities were facing a more urgent task - `` to prevent the economy from collapsing and the public ’ s savings from being wiped out . ''
MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
The 2008 global financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the authorities then managed to prevent the economy from collapsing and the public ’ s savings from being wiped out , Russian President Vladimir Putin told TASS in an interview for its project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
`` This was in 2008 .
I became Prime Minister then and had to publicly announce - this was a huge risk , frankly speaking .
I stated that I would prevent a repeat of the 1998 crisis , when all of the public ’ s savings had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Putin emphasized .
`` The crisis did harm the country ’ s development , '' he acknowledged .
`` Honestly , here we were not to blame for that .
That global financial meltdown and the economic crisis that followed it came from the outside , '' he stressed .
The peak of the global financial crisis began in the United States in the autumn of 2008 .
In Russia , fallout came mostly due to dwindling oil prices and foreign investors fleeing emerging markets .
Whereas in 2007 , Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2008 it came to 5.2 % , with 2009 seeing a slump of 7.8 % - the worst in 10 years .
In November 2008 , Putin , who was Russia ’ s prime minster at the time , approved an action plan for improving the economic situation .
At the end of December , the government came up with a list of priority measures to fight the consequences of the crisis , for which 10 trillion rubles ( then $ 340.4 bln ) was earmarked .
By 2010 , Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( by 4.5 % ) .
Prior to the 2008 credit crunch , Russia had endured the infamous 1998 economic crisis , when on August 17 of that year , a technical default was declared on all main government liabilities .
The government then abandoned its policy of keeping a stable exchange rate of the ruble against the dollar .
Episode 8 of the video interview is available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

While commenting on the fact that the goals of Strategy 2020 - adopted in 2008 - had failed to materialize, Putin said that those were preliminary plans. He recalled that by 2008, the task of doubling the GDP had been tackled and social forecasts were made accordingly, but with the onset of the global financial crisis, the authorities were facing a more urgent task - "to prevent the economy from collapsing and the public’s savings from being wiped out."
MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. The 2008 global financial crisis impaired Russia’s development plans, but the authorities then managed to prevent the economy from collapsing and the public’s savings from being wiped out, Russian President Vladimir Putin told TASS in an interview for its project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
"This was in 2008. I became Prime Minister then and had to publicly announce - this was a huge risk, frankly speaking. I stated that I would prevent a repeat of the 1998 crisis, when all of the public’s savings had been wiped out… And we prevented that," Putin emphasized.
"The crisis did harm the country’s development," he acknowledged. "Honestly, here we were not to blame for that. That global financial meltdown and the economic crisis that followed it came from the outside," he stressed.
The peak of the global financial crisis began in the United States in the autumn of 2008. In Russia, fallout came mostly due to dwindling oil prices and foreign investors fleeing emerging markets. Whereas in 2007, Russia’s GDP was up 8.5%, in 2008 it came to 5.2%, with 2009 seeing a slump of 7.8% - the worst in 10 years. In November 2008, Putin, who was Russia’s prime minster at the time, approved an action plan for improving the economic situation. At the end of December, the government came up with a list of priority measures to fight the consequences of the crisis, for which 10 trillion rubles (then $340.4 bln) was earmarked. By 2010, Russia’s economy had rebounded, resuming growth (by 4.5%).
Prior to the 2008 credit crunch, Russia had endured the infamous 1998 economic crisis, when on August 17 of that year, a technical default was declared on all main government liabilities. The government then abandoned its policy of keeping a stable exchange rate of the ruble against the dollar.
Episode 8 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-04--Putin says economic situation not ideal, but stability serves as basis for development

Putin compared the current climate with the situation back in 2000 , when 42 million Russians lived below the poverty line and public debt stood at $ 145 billion , and the gold and foreign exchange reserves totaled a meager $ 12.5 billion .
MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
The current economic situation in Russia is far from ideal , Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged in an interview for the TASS project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
`` There was no end in sight , it was unclear how to sort it out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and real incomes have risen considerably , while those living below the poverty line totaled 13.5 million , two-thirds less than 20 years ago , '' he pointed out .
`` This does not mean that everything is fine today .
Not at all .
On the contrary , '' he emphasized .
`` People don ’ t make comparisons with what it was like before , when it was bad , but rather with how good it is supposed to be in the future .
When they see that their desires are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Frankly speaking , I agree with this perspective . ''
He shared his vision of the difference between economic stability and stagnation .
`` All in all , stability is always the foundation for development , while stagnation is basically backpedaling , without any development .
That is the main difference , '' Putin stated .
Episode 8 of the video interview is available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

Putin compared the current climate with the situation back in 2000, when 42 million Russians lived below the poverty line and public debt stood at $145 billion, and the gold and foreign exchange reserves totaled a meager $12.5 billion.
MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. The current economic situation in Russia is far from ideal, Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged in an interview for the TASS project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
"There was no end in sight, it was unclear how to sort it out," he recalled. "Pensions and real incomes have risen considerably, while those living below the poverty line totaled 13.5 million, two-thirds less than 20 years ago," he pointed out.
"This does not mean that everything is fine today. Not at all. On the contrary," he emphasized. "People don’t make comparisons with what it was like before, when it was bad, but rather with how good it is supposed to be in the future. When they see that their desires are not fulfilled, they feel let down. Frankly speaking, I agree with this perspective."
He shared his vision of the difference between economic stability and stagnation.
"All in all, stability is always the foundation for development, while stagnation is basically backpedaling, without any development. That is the main difference," Putin stated.
Episode 8 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-04--Russia’s dependency on oil, gas eases but cannot be shrugged off overnight — Putin

MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian economy ’ s dependency on oil and gas revenues has been gradually easing , but this process `` requires time , and it can not be done at the drop of a hat . ''
`` We wanted to do that [ end dependency on oil ] , and we are gradually weaning off it , by the way .
We are really moving away from it , because the share of non-oil and non-gas revenues is growing .
But this requires time , and it can not be done at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
He confessed that he was alarmed about what he described as the stagnation of the public ’ s real incomes .
Putin blamed it on a drastic fall in the prices of fossil fuels .
He agreed that people could not afford to spend years waiting for their real incomes to go up .
`` I certainly understand that it is one of today ’ s key social issues .
We are obliged to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obliged to do something to give it a boost .
There are many ways , '' the Russian leader said .
He is certain that `` along with targeting inflation , the public ’ s disposable incomes need to be raised , it ’ s obvious . ''
`` And in the context of our economic structure that ’ s not that simple .
But the government is certainly obliged to undertake additional efforts .
This is precisely what we are discussing today , '' the president said .
`` This explains why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aim of changing the economy 's structure and promoting self-sustaining development , '' Putin specified .
Asked by the interviewer , TASS journalist Andrei Vandenko , about senior officials ’ personal responsibility for the public ’ s dwindling incomes and the rise in the poverty rate , Putin replied that current factors beyond the government ’ s control were involved .
`` There are also external circumstances .
What can be said about personal responsibility at a time when world oil prices have slumped ? ''
he explained .
Putin pointed to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrasted to the 1990s .
`` In 1999 , when I became Prime Minister , it was 36 % , or 35 % I believe .
And in 1992 , inflation was 2,600 % Now it is hovering around 3.4 to 3.5 % , '' he said .
Putin noted the importance of this for the average Russian , because `` people feel the bite of rising inflation since prices increase , taking a toll on people 's wallets . ''
Episode 8 of the video interview is available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en @

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. The Russian economy’s dependency on oil and gas revenues has been gradually easing, but this process "requires time, and it cannot be done at the drop of a hat."
"We wanted to do that [end dependency on oil], and we are gradually weaning off it, by the way. We are really moving away from it, because the share of non-oil and non-gas revenues is growing. But this requires time, and it cannot be done at the drop of a hat," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
He confessed that he was alarmed about what he described as the stagnation of the public’s real incomes. Putin blamed it on a drastic fall in the prices of fossil fuels.
He agreed that people could not afford to spend years waiting for their real incomes to go up. "I certainly understand that it is one of today’s key social issues. We are obliged to do something about this. The government is obliged to do something to give it a boost. There are many ways," the Russian leader said.
He is certain that "along with targeting inflation, the public’s disposable incomes need to be raised, it’s obvious." "And in the context of our economic structure that’s not that simple. But the government is certainly obliged to undertake additional efforts. This is precisely what we are discussing today," the president said.
"This explains why we launched these National Projects with the aim of changing the economy's structure and promoting self-sustaining development," Putin specified.
Asked by the interviewer, TASS journalist Andrei Vandenko, about senior officials’ personal responsibility for the public’s dwindling incomes and the rise in the poverty rate, Putin replied that current factors beyond the government’s control were involved.
"There are also external circumstances. What can be said about personal responsibility at a time when world oil prices have slumped?" he explained.
Inflation on the decline
Putin pointed to a considerable drop in the inflation level when contrasted to the 1990s.
"In 1999, when I became Prime Minister, it was 36%, or 35% I believe. And in 1992, inflation was 2,600% Now it is hovering around 3.4 to 3.5%," he said.
Putin noted the importance of this for the average Russian, because "people feel the bite of rising inflation since prices increase, taking a toll on people's wallets."
Episode 8 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-04--Putin-Erdogan talks on Idlib crucial for resolving Syria issue, expert says

`` The Moscow talks on Syria between the presidents of Turkey and Russia , Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin , are highly important for political efforts to resolve the situation in Syria , '' he said .
`` I don ’ t rule out that the Presidents Erdogan and Putin have different expectations for the March 5 meeting .
I believe that Mr. Erdogan will seek to make sure that the [ Assad ] regime ’ s army retreats in Idlib , and will also try to find a joint solution to the refugee issue .
On the other hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with the fact that the [ Assad ] regime has recently taken control of certain areas in Idlib , '' the expert added .
ANKARA , March 5 .
/TASS/ .
Talks on Idlib between Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Vladimir Putin of Russia , which are expected to take place on Thursday , are highly important for political efforts to resolve the Syria issue , Turkish analyst Imbat Muglu told TASS on Wednesday .
According to the Turkish analyst , `` if the terms put forward by the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be difficult to achieve results during the Moscow negotiations . ''
Muglu was hopeful that the two leaders would manage to achieve progress on Idlib .
`` The Moscow talks may turn out to be Ankara ’ s last diplomatic effort aimed at settling the Syria issue , '' he noted .
`` Turkey will not accept the roadmap that Russia proposed during the recent talks [ between the two countries ’ delegations ] .
I hope that Russia will come up with another roadmap that would satisfy Ankara , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is planned to take place in Moscow on March 5 .
According to the Kremlin press service , the two presidents are expected to discuss `` ways to resolve the Syria issue with a focus on the current tensions in the Idlib de-escalation zone . ''
The situation in Idlib escalated on February 27 , when militants attempted to carry out a large-scale offensive .
The Syrian Army conducted a strike on them , which , according to Ankara , killed 36 Turkish troops .
After that , the Turkish Air Force carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed to have hit more than 200 targets .

"The Moscow talks on Syria between the presidents of Turkey and Russia, Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin, are highly important for political efforts to resolve the situation in Syria," he said. "I don’t rule out that the Presidents Erdogan and Putin have different expectations for the March 5 meeting. I believe that Mr. Erdogan will seek to make sure that the [Assad] regime’s army retreats in Idlib, and will also try to find a joint solution to the refugee issue. On the other hand, Mr. Putin expects Turkey to put up with the fact that the [Assad] regime has recently taken control of certain areas in Idlib," the expert added.
ANKARA, March 5. /TASS/. Talks on Idlib between Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Vladimir Putin of Russia, which are expected to take place on Thursday, are highly important for political efforts to resolve the Syria issue, Turkish analyst Imbat Muglu told TASS on Wednesday.
According to the Turkish analyst, "if the terms put forward by the two leaders prove too different, it will be difficult to achieve results during the Moscow negotiations."
Muglu was hopeful that the two leaders would manage to achieve progress on Idlib. "The Moscow talks may turn out to be Ankara’s last diplomatic effort aimed at settling the Syria issue," he noted. "Turkey will not accept the roadmap that Russia proposed during the recent talks [between the two countries’ delegations]. I hope that Russia will come up with another roadmap that would satisfy Ankara," he added.
A meeting between Putin and Erdogan is planned to take place in Moscow on March 5. According to the Kremlin press service, the two presidents are expected to discuss "ways to resolve the Syria issue with a focus on the current tensions in the Idlib de-escalation zone."
Idlib tensions
The situation in Idlib escalated on February 27, when militants attempted to carry out a large-scale offensive. The Syrian Army conducted a strike on them, which, according to Ankara, killed 36 Turkish troops. After that, the Turkish Air Force carried out airstrikes on Syrian positions. Turkey claimed to have hit more than 200 targets.


tass--2020-03-04--Turkish observation posts in Idlib merge with fortified terrorist positions — ministry

MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Observation posts of the Turkish forces in Syria 's Idlib de-escalation zone were located in the fortified areas of terrorist groups and practically merged with them , official spokesman for the RUssian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Wednesday .
Konashenkov reminded that in accordance with the Sochi agreements from September 2018 , Turkey pledged to oust terrorists with their heavy artillery for 15-20 km from the Idlib zone .
However , instead , terrorist groups Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ( also known as Jebhat al-Nusra , banned in Russia ) , Islamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and Hurras al-Din have been ousting militants from the `` moderate opposition '' to the Turkish border in the north for the last 18 months , he added .
`` Fortified areas of terrorists have practically merged with Turkish observation posts set up in accordance with the agreement , '' Konashenkov noted .
Russian air base in Hmeymim and Syrian cities have been subjected to daily shellings by militants because Turkey had not fulfilled its commitments on establishing a demilitarized area in the Idlib de-escalation zone , official spokesman for the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` Attacks and massive artillery shellings of neighboring peaceful settlements and of the Russian air base Hmeymim have turned from sporadic into daily , '' Konashenkov said .
At the end of February , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said that eight terrorist attacks with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles have been staged at Hmeymim since January 9 .
Turkey has already transferred to Syria 's Idlib de-escalation zone forces as large as a mechanized division but the West prefers not to notice Ankara 's open violation of international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No one in the West notices the actions of the Turkish side which has already transferred to Syria 's Idlib forces as large as a mechanized division in order to 'implement the Sochi agreements at any cost ' , '' Konashenkov said .
The Sochi agreement between Russian and Turkey from September 2018 envisages establishing a buffer zone 15-20 km from the borders of the Idlib de-escalation zone , in order to disengage militants in Idlib and Syrian government forces .
Russia has repeatedly stated that Turkey had not fulfilled its commitments on @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Observation posts of the Turkish forces in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone were located in the fortified areas of terrorist groups and practically merged with them, official spokesman for the RUssian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Wednesday.
Konashenkov reminded that in accordance with the Sochi agreements from September 2018, Turkey pledged to oust terrorists with their heavy artillery for 15-20 km from the Idlib zone. However, instead, terrorist groups Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (also known as Jebhat al-Nusra, banned in Russia), Islamic Party of Turkestan (banned in Russia) and Hurras al-Din have been ousting militants from the "moderate opposition" to the Turkish border in the north for the last 18 months, he added.
"Fortified areas of terrorists have practically merged with Turkish observation posts set up in accordance with the agreement," Konashenkov noted.
Shellings of Hmeymim air base
Russian air base in Hmeymim and Syrian cities have been subjected to daily shellings by militants because Turkey had not fulfilled its commitments on establishing a demilitarized area in the Idlib de-escalation zone, official spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Wednesday.
"Attacks and massive artillery shellings of neighboring peaceful settlements and of the Russian air base Hmeymim have turned from sporadic into daily," Konashenkov said.
At the end of February, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said that eight terrorist attacks with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles have been staged at Hmeymim since January 9.
Transfer of forces
Turkey has already transferred to Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone forces as large as a mechanized division but the West prefers not to notice Ankara's open violation of international law, Konashenkov told reporters.
"No one in the West notices the actions of the Turkish side which has already transferred to Syria's Idlib forces as large as a mechanized division in order to 'implement the Sochi agreements at any cost'," Konashenkov said.
The Sochi agreement between Russian and Turkey from September 2018 envisages establishing a buffer zone 15-20 km from the borders of the Idlib de-escalation zone, in order to disengage militants in Idlib and Syrian government forces. Russia has repeatedly stated that Turkey had not fulfilled its commitments on ousting terrorists from the demilitarized zone.


tass--2020-03-04--Number of coronavirus cases in South Korea exceeds 5,300

SEOUL , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus has climbed to 5,328 in South Korea , and the death toll reached 32 , South Korea 's Ministry of Health and Welfare said on Wednesday .
Most new coronavirus cases were confirmed in the city of Daegu ( 405 ) and in the neighboring province of Gyeongsangbuk-do ( 89 ) .
One more coronavirus case was confirmed in Seoul , and three new cases were reported in the second-largest city of Busan .
Forty-one people recovered , and around 28,400 people remain quaratined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several days , the number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in South Korea has been rapidly growing .
On February 23 , the government decided to postpone the start of the school year until March 9 .
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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in South Korea , Iran and Italy .
According to latest reports , over 2,900 people died from the coronavirus , while the total number of confirmed cases surpassed 90,000 , 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 .

SEOUL, March 4. /TASS/. The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus has climbed to 5,328 in South Korea, and the death toll reached 32, South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare said on Wednesday.
Most new coronavirus cases were confirmed in the city of Daegu (405) and in the neighboring province of Gyeongsangbuk-do (89). One more coronavirus case was confirmed in Seoul, and three new cases were reported in the second-largest city of Busan. Forty-one people recovered, and around 28,400 people remain quaratined in the country.
In the last several days, the number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in South Korea has been rapidly growing. On February 23, the government decided to postpone the start of the school year until March 9.
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, Iran and Italy.
According to latest reports, over 2,900 people died from the coronavirus, while the total number of confirmed cases surpassed 90,000, 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--Death toll from new coronavirus in China reaches 2,981

BEIJING , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from the new coronavirus in China has reached 2,981 , @ @ @ @ @ , China 's National Health Commission reported on Wednesday .
In the past day , @ @ @ @ @ cases were registered in China .
The total number of coronavirus cases in China reached @ @ @ @ @ , where the coronavirus outbreak was first reported , 115 new cases were registered , @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases climbed to 25,905 .
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new @ @ @ @ @ of Wuhan .
Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in more than 70 other countries @ @ @ @ @ The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern @ @ @ @ @ most cases of the new coronavirus were reported in South Korea , Iran and Italy @

BEIJING, March 4. /TASS/. The death toll from the new coronavirus in China has reached 2,981, while 49,856 people have recovered, China's National Health Commission reported on Wednesday.
In the past day, 38 fatalities and 119 new cases were registered in China. The total number of coronavirus cases in China reached 80,270.
In Hubei province, where the coronavirus outbreak was first reported, 115 new cases were registered, and the total number of confirmed cases climbed to 25,905.
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, Iran and Italy.


tass--2020-03-04--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Japan reaches 1,000 — media

TOKYO , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Japan has reached 1,000 , including those on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship , Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday .
In the past day , the number of confirmed cases has increased by five .
In particular , the first case of the new coronavirus was confirmed in Yamaguchi prefecture in Japan 's west .
Cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in more than half of Japanese prefectures , and the situation remains the most serious on the northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were infected with the new coronavirus .
Most confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Japan ( 706 ) are from passengers and crewmembers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship which had been quarantined for about two weeks near the port of Yokohama .
On Sunday , the last group of crewmemebrs left the ship , and the operation on evacuating the remaining people on board had been completed .
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the city of Wuhan .
Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 90,000 , 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 .

TOKYO, March 4. /TASS/. The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Japan has reached 1,000, including those on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday.
In the past day, the number of confirmed cases has increased by five. In particular, the first case of the new coronavirus was confirmed in Yamaguchi prefecture in Japan's west.
Cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in more than half of Japanese prefectures, and the situation remains the most serious on the northern island of Hokkaido, where 79 people were infected with the new coronavirus.
Most confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in Japan (706) are from passengers and crewmembers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship which had been quarantined for about two weeks near the port of Yokohama. On Sunday, the last group of crewmemebrs left the ship, and the operation on evacuating the remaining people on board had been completed.
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 90,000, 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--MSU shows best results in history in QS World University Rankings by Subject

MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow State University ( MSU ) has achieved the best results in history in the QS World University Rankings by Subject , the university 's press service said on Wednesday .
`` The MSU has achieved the best result in history , making it in the top-100 best universities in the world in four out of five broader subject areas and in 13 disciplines , '' the press service said .
The press service added that the MSU was among the top-50 best universities in the world , ranking 21st in Natural Sciences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In separate disciplines , the MSU ranked 24th in Linguistics , 33rd in Physics & Astronomy , 34th in Modern Languages , 43rd in Mathematics , 45th in Hospitality & Leisure Management .
MSU Rector Viktor Sadovnichy said that Moscow State University has traditionally ranked rather high in international rankings in the last several years .
`` Another QS Rankings by Subject confirm both the sustainable development of the university and the attention that we give to training specialists .
Natural Sciences faculties and departments have received deservedly high marks , linguistic departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mathematicians have demonstrated good results .
The university 's work in Social Sciences & Management , as well as in Engineering & Technology , has not been left unnoticed by foreign experts as well , '' Sadovnichy said .
He added that the rankings `` allow to effectively position the largest university in the country in the global educational space . ''
The press service of the MSU said that the university made it on the top-200 in such disciplines as Architecture , English Language & Literature , Pharmacy & Pharmacology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Materials Science , Business & Management Studies , Communications & Media Studies , Economics & Econometrics , Education & Training , Politics & International Studies , Sociology , Statistics & Operational Research .

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Moscow State University (MSU) has achieved the best results in history in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, the university's press service said on Wednesday.
"The MSU has achieved the best result in history, making it in the top-100 best universities in the world in four out of five broader subject areas and in 13 disciplines," the press service said.
The press service added that the MSU was among the top-50 best universities in the world, ranking 21st in Natural Sciences and 47th in Arts & Humanities. In separate disciplines, the MSU ranked 24th in Linguistics, 33rd in Physics & Astronomy, 34th in Modern Languages, 43rd in Mathematics, 45th in Hospitality & Leisure Management.
MSU Rector Viktor Sadovnichy said that Moscow State University has traditionally ranked rather high in international rankings in the last several years.
"Another QS Rankings by Subject confirm both the sustainable development of the university and the attention that we give to training specialists. Natural Sciences faculties and departments have received deservedly high marks, linguistic departments have improved their international positions, physicists and mathematicians have demonstrated good results. The university's work in Social Sciences & Management, as well as in Engineering & Technology, has not been left unnoticed by foreign experts as well," Sadovnichy said.
He added that the rankings "allow to effectively position the largest university in the country in the global educational space."
The press service of the MSU said that the university made it on the top-200 in such disciplines as Architecture, English Language & Literature, Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Earth & Marine Sciences, Geography, Materials Science, Business & Management Studies, Communications & Media Studies, Economics & Econometrics, Education & Training, Politics & International Studies, Sociology, Statistics & Operational Research.


tass--2020-03-04--Disruption of power supply reported in 10 Venezuelan states

CARACAS , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Disruption of power supply has been reported in 10 Venezuelan states , NetBlocks @ @ @ @ @ its official Twitter account on Tuesday .
`` Confirmed : A new power outage has @ @ @ @ @ various states of Venezuela ; real-time network data show significant impact from 2:45 p.m. local @ @ @ @ @ .
According to NetBlocks , infrastructure disruptions were reported in the states of Apure , @ @ @ @ @ , Merida , Portuguesa , Zulia , Tachira , Estado Trujillo and Falcon .
In @ @ @ @ @ power outages occurred in Venezuela , leaving Caracas and most states in the dark for @ @ @ @ @ Venezuelan authorities , the power outages were caused by sabotage on the Simon Bolivar Hydroelectric @ @

CARACAS, March 4. /TASS/. Disruption of power supply has been reported in 10 Venezuelan states, NetBlocks non-governmental monitoring organization wrote on its official Twitter account on Tuesday.
"Confirmed: A new power outage has again disrupted internet connectivity in various states of Venezuela; real-time network data show significant impact from 2:45 p.m. local time," NetBlocks said.
According to NetBlocks, infrastructure disruptions were reported in the states of Apure, Barinas, Carabobo, Lara, Merida, Portuguesa, Zulia, Tachira, Estado Trujillo and Falcon.
In March 2019, several massive power outages occurred in Venezuela, leaving Caracas and most states in the dark for days. According to the Venezuelan authorities, the power outages were caused by sabotage on the Simon Bolivar Hydroelectric Plant.


tass--2020-03-04--Around 89 million medical masks required each month to fight coronavirus — WHO

GENEVA , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
An estimated 89 million medical masks and 76 million examination gloves are required each month for the response to the new coronavirus outbreak , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in a news release on Tuesday .
`` WHO calls on industry and governments to increase manufacturing by 40 per cent to meet rising global demand , '' the statement said .
`` The World Health Organization has warned that severe and mointing disruption to the global supply of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) — caused by rising demand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is putting lives at risk from the new coronavirus and other infectious diseases , '' the statement added .
`` Based on WHO modelling , an estimated 89 million medical masks are required for the COVID-19 response each month .
For examination gloves , this figure goes up to 76 million , while international demand for goggles stands at 1.6 million per month , '' the statement continued .
The statement quoted WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as saying : `` Without secure supply chains , the risk to healthcare workers around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must act quickly to boost supply , ease export restrictions and put measures in place to stop speculation and hoarding .
We ca n't stop COVID-19 without protecting health workers first . ''
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to latest reports , over 2,900 people died from the coronavirus , while the total number of confirmed cases surpassed 90,000 , 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 .

GENEVA, March 4. /TASS/. An estimated 89 million medical masks and 76 million examination gloves are required each month for the response to the new coronavirus outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a news release on Tuesday.
"WHO calls on industry and governments to increase manufacturing by 40 per cent to meet rising global demand," the statement said. "The World Health Organization has warned that severe and mointing disruption to the global supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) — caused by rising demand, panic byuing, hoarding and misuse — is putting lives at risk from the new coronavirus and other infectious diseases," the statement added.
"Based on WHO modelling, an estimated 89 million medical masks are required for the COVID-19 response each month. For examination gloves, this figure goes up to 76 million, while international demand for goggles stands at 1.6 million per month," the statement continued.
The statement quoted WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as saying: "Without secure supply chains, the risk to healthcare workers around the world is real. Industry and governments must act quickly to boost supply, ease export restrictions and put measures in place to stop speculation and hoarding. We can't stop COVID-19 without protecting health workers first."
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 90,000, 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--WHO registers 1,922 new coronavirus cases in past day

MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has registered 1,922 new @ @ @ @ @ in the world in the past day , with 1,792 of those cases in China @ @ @ @ @ bulletin released on Wednesday .
The WHO said that 90,870 cases of the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ 80,304 of those in China and 10,566 cases in other countries .
A total of @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus in China and another 166 people — outside of China .
The Chinese @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the city of Wuhan .
Cases of new coronavirus were @ @ @ @ @ other countries , including in Russia .
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ international concern .
Outside of China , most cases of the new coronavirus were reported @ @ @ @ @ and Italy .

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) has registered 1,922 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the world in the past day, with 1,792 of those cases in China, according to the informational bulletin released on Wednesday.
The WHO said that 90,870 cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed, with 80,304 of those in China and 10,566 cases in other countries. A total of 2,946 people died from the new coronavirus in China and another 166 people — outside of China.
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, Iran and Italy.


tass--2020-03-05--Train service from Moscow to French Nice suspended over coronavirus fears

MOSCOW , March 5 .
/TASS/ .
Trains connecting Moscow and the southern French city of Nice will be suspended from March 5 amid the spread of the novel coronavirus .
The trains run through Belarus , Poland , the Czech Republic , Austria , Italy and Monaco .
Earlier , Russian Railways reported that the passengers could return the tickets that they wouldn ’ t be able to use without additional charges .
The train connecting Moscow and Nice is traveling once a week , departing from Moscow on Thursdays , and heading back on Sundays .
In Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of coronavirus cases , the train stops apart from other cities in Verona , Milan and Genoa located in the norther part of the country that was the epicenter .
According to updated reports , Italy has reported 2,706 confirmed coronavirus cases with 107 deaths .
The cases have been reported in almost all regions with Lombardy and Veneto being the epicenters .
The cities of the ‘ red zone ’ were quarantined .
Meanwhile , the train service on other European routes has not been suspended .
Trains continue connecting Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Paris ( crossing Belarus , Poland and Germany ) and Prague ( across Belarus and Poland ) .
Early in February , Moscow-Beijing , Chita-Manchuria ( China ) and Moscow-Tumangang ( North Korea ) trains were suspended as part of measures against the outbreak of the novel coronavirus .
Meanwhile , the World Health Organization has reported 2,223 new coronavirus cases globally over the past 24 hours , with China accounting for 120 of them , the updated coronavirus situation report says .
According to the WHO , 93,090 coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China and 12,668 in other countries .
Overall , 2,984 people have died in China ( 38 in the last 24 hours ) and 214 people have died in other countries ( 48 new deaths in the last 24 hours ) .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese health officials reported a cluster of cases of acute respiratory illness to the World Health Organization in Wuhan , an economic and industrial metropolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus - now named COVID-19 ( 2019-nCoV ) , otherwise known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on January 7 , 2020 .
Apart from China , over 70 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
South Korea , Iran and Italy are the hardest hit outside China , where most of the coronavirus cases are reported .

MOSCOW, March 5. /TASS/. Trains connecting Moscow and the southern French city of Nice will be suspended from March 5 amid the spread of the novel coronavirus. The trains run through Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy and Monaco.
Earlier, Russian Railways reported that the passengers could return the tickets that they wouldn’t be able to use without additional charges.
The train connecting Moscow and Nice is traveling once a week, departing from Moscow on Thursdays, and heading back on Sundays. In Italy, which reports the biggest in Europe number of coronavirus cases, the train stops apart from other cities in Verona, Milan and Genoa located in the norther part of the country that was the epicenter.
According to updated reports, Italy has reported 2,706 confirmed coronavirus cases with 107 deaths. The cases have been reported in almost all regions with Lombardy and Veneto being the epicenters. The cities of the ‘red zone’ were quarantined.
Meanwhile, the train service on other European routes has not been suspended. Trains continue connecting Moscow with Berlin (via Belarus and Poland), Paris (crossing Belarus, Poland and Germany) and Prague (across Belarus and Poland).
Early in February, Moscow-Beijing, Chita-Manchuria (China) and Moscow-Tumangang (North Korea) trains were suspended as part of measures against the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has reported 2,223 new coronavirus cases globally over the past 24 hours, with China accounting for 120 of them, the updated coronavirus situation report says.
According to the WHO, 93,090 coronavirus cases have been confirmed globally, including 80,422 in China and 12,668 in other countries. Overall, 2,984 people have died in China (38 in the last 24 hours) and 214 people have died in other countries (48 new deaths in the last 24 hours).
On December 31, 2019, Chinese health officials reported a cluster of cases of acute respiratory illness to the World Health Organization in Wuhan, an economic and industrial metropolis with a population of 11 million. The virus - now named COVID-19 (2019-nCoV), otherwise known as the novel coronavirus - was identified on January 7, 2020. Apart from China, over 70 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. South Korea, Iran and Italy are the hardest hit outside China, where most of the coronavirus cases are reported.


tass--2020-03-05--Over 93,000 coronavirus cases confirmed globally, growing by 2,223 in past day, says WHO

TASS , March 4 .
The World Health Organization has reported 2,223 new coronavirus cases globally over the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ for 120 of them , the updated coronavirus situation report says .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ have been confirmed globally , including 80,422 in China and 12,668 in other countries .
@ @ @ @ @ died in China ( 38 in the last 24 hours ) and 214 people have @ @ @ @ @ 48 new deaths in the last 24 hours ) .
On December 31 , 2019 @ @ @ @ @ a cluster of cases of acute respiratory illness to the World Health Organization in Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ metropolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus - now named COVID-19 ( @ @ @ @ @ as the novel coronavirus - was identified on January 7 , 2020 .
Apart from @ @ @ @ @ countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
South Korea , Iran @ @ @ @ @ hit outside China , where most of the coronavirus cases are reported .

TASS, March 4. The World Health Organization has reported 2,223 new coronavirus cases globally over the past 24 hours, with China accounting for 120 of them, the updated coronavirus situation report says.
According to the WHO, 93,090 coronavirus cases have been confirmed globally, including 80,422 in China and 12,668 in other countries. Overall, 2,984 people have died in China (38 in the last 24 hours) and 214 people have died in other countries (48 new deaths in the last 24 hours).
On December 31, 2019, Chinese health officials reported a cluster of cases of acute respiratory illness to the World Health Organization in Wuhan, an economic and industrial metropolis with a population of 11 million. The virus - now named COVID-19 (2019-nCoV), otherwise known as the novel coronavirus - was identified on January 7, 2020. Apart from China, over 70 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. South Korea, Iran and Italy are the hardest hit outside China, where most of the coronavirus cases are reported.


tass--2020-03-05--Russian authority demands restricted access to websites posting fake coronavirus news

MOSCOW , March 5 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian General Prosecutor ’ s Office has found on the Internet unreliable information about the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country , its Spokesman Andrey Ivanov told journalists on Wednesday .
`` Monitoring and analysis of Internet resources has established inaccurate socially important information about the spread of the coronavirus infection across our country and about tens of thousands of sick people .
Since these reports create a menace for public peace and security , a request to restrict access to them was submitted to Roskomnadzor , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s media watchdog Roskomnadzor will restrict access to online resources circulating fake news about the spread of the coronavirus .
`` Roskomnadzor has received a request from the Prosecutor General ’ s Office , which contains a number of links to posts on social media , including the VKontakte and Facebook networks , related to the spread of the novel coronavirus , '' the statement read .
The media watchdog pointed out that work was underway to restrict access to such websites and include the relevant links in a register of illegal content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent to website owners and hosting providers .
On Wednesday , Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with cabinet members that bogus stories about the scope of the coronavirus spread in the country were mostly coming from overseas though nothing extraordinary was actually happening .
According to Putin , `` these bogus stories are clearly aimed at sowing panic , '' and authorities need to provide reliable information to the country ’ s people in order to thwart such attempts .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
Coronavirus cases have also been reported in more than 70 countries , including Russia .
About 80,000 cases have been identified in China , with nearly 3,000 dead , while about 50,000 patients have recovered from the virus .

MOSCOW, March 5. /TASS/. The Russian General Prosecutor’s Office has found on the Internet unreliable information about the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, its Spokesman Andrey Ivanov told journalists on Wednesday.
"Monitoring and analysis of Internet resources has established inaccurate socially important information about the spread of the coronavirus infection across our country and about tens of thousands of sick people. Since these reports create a menace for public peace and security, a request to restrict access to them was submitted to Roskomnadzor," he said.
Earlier reports said that Russia’s media watchdog Roskomnadzor will restrict access to online resources circulating fake news about the spread of the coronavirus.
"Roskomnadzor has received a request from the Prosecutor General’s Office, which contains a number of links to posts on social media, including the VKontakte and Facebook networks, related to the spread of the novel coronavirus," the statement read. The media watchdog pointed out that work was underway to restrict access to such websites and include the relevant links in a register of illegal content. In addition, notifications have been sent to website owners and hosting providers.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with cabinet members that bogus stories about the scope of the coronavirus spread in the country were mostly coming from overseas though nothing extraordinary was actually happening. According to Putin, "these bogus stories are clearly aimed at sowing panic," and authorities need to provide reliable information to the country’s people in order to thwart such attempts.
Coronavirus outbreak
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. Coronavirus cases have also been reported in more than 70 countries, including Russia.
About 80,000 cases have been identified in China, with nearly 3,000 dead, while about 50,000 patients have recovered from the virus.


tass--2020-03-05--Erdogan, Macron discuss Syria’s Idlib by phone - Turkish presidential office

ANKARA , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
The presidents of Turkey and France , Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Emmanuel Macron , held talks by phone on Wednesday , the Turkish presidential office said .
`` During the talks , the sides focused on [ in Syria ’ s region of ] Idlib and the refugee crisis , '' the press release said .
On March 5 , Russian President Vladimir Putin and Erdogan will hold a summit meeting in Moscow .
The Idlib crisis is expected to dominate their talks .
The tensions in Syria ’ s Idlib region escalated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large-scale offensive , according to the Russian Defense Ministry .
The Syrian government forces conducted strikes on their positions , which , as Ankara claims , killed 36 Turkish soldiers .
In response , Turkey ’ s Air Force conducted strikes on the Syrian troops , later specifying that more than 200 targets had been hit .
On February 27 , Ankara launched a new incursion in Syria dubbed Operation Spring Shield targeting the Syrian government forces and facilities .
Previously , Turkey had carried out three offensives into Syria codenamed Operation Euphrates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peace Spring .
As a result , a buffer security zone was set up between the border towns of Aazaz and Jarabulus , the Syrian town of Afrin was captured , and other areas to the east of the Euphrates River got under control .

ANKARA, March 4. /TASS/. The presidents of Turkey and France, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Emmanuel Macron, held talks by phone on Wednesday, the Turkish presidential office said.
"During the talks, the sides focused on [in Syria’s region of] Idlib and the refugee crisis," the press release said.
On March 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Erdogan will hold a summit meeting in Moscow. The Idlib crisis is expected to dominate their talks.
The tensions in Syria’s Idlib region escalated on February 27 after militants unleashed a large-scale offensive, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The Syrian government forces conducted strikes on their positions, which, as Ankara claims, killed 36 Turkish soldiers. In response, Turkey’s Air Force conducted strikes on the Syrian troops, later specifying that more than 200 targets had been hit.
On February 27, Ankara launched a new incursion in Syria dubbed Operation Spring Shield targeting the Syrian government forces and facilities. Previously, Turkey had carried out three offensives into Syria codenamed Operation Euphrates Shield, Operation Olive Branch and Operation Peace Spring. As a result, a buffer security zone was set up between the border towns of Aazaz and Jarabulus, the Syrian town of Afrin was captured, and other areas to the east of the Euphrates River got under control.


tass--2020-03-05--Zarif: Astana peace talks the only mechanism curbing violence in Syria

TEHRAN , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
The Astana peace talks are currently the only effective instrument that has facilitated the efforts to curb violence in Syria , Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday .
`` We are convinced that today the only mechanism that considerably helped to curb violence and make a step towards stability has become the Astana process , '' IRNA news agency said citing Zarif as saying .
The foreign minister added that `` it is a successful process , so a new summit meeting must be held as soon as possible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their recent phone conversation , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed this urgency . ''
`` It is now time for Iran to host a summit meeting of the nations that are guarantors of the Astana process , '' he said .
Zarif and Lavrov held talks by phone earlier on Wednesday , focusing on the Idlib crisis , bilateral relations and the coronavirus spread .
The tensions in Syria ’ s Idlib region escalated on February 27 after militants unleashed a large-scale offensive , according to the Russian Defense Ministry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their positions , which , as Ankara claims , killed 36 Turkish soldiers .
In response , Turkey ’ s Air Force conducted strikes on the Syrian troops , later specifying that more than 200 targets had been hit .
On February 27 , Ankara launched a new incursion in Syria dubbed Operation Spring Shield targeting the Syrian government forces and facilities .
Previously , Turkey had carried out three offensives into Syria codenamed Operation Euphrates Shield , Operation Olive Branch and Operation Peace Spring .
As a result , a buffer security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towns of Aazaz and Jarabulus , the Syrian town of Afrin was captured , and other areas to the east of the Euphrates River got under control .

TEHRAN, March 4. /TASS/. The Astana peace talks are currently the only effective instrument that has facilitated the efforts to curb violence in Syria, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday.
"We are convinced that today the only mechanism that considerably helped to curb violence and make a step towards stability has become the Astana process," IRNA news agency said citing Zarif as saying.
The foreign minister added that "it is a successful process, so a new summit meeting must be held as soon as possible."
According to his words, "in their recent phone conversation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed this urgency."
"It is now time for Iran to host a summit meeting of the nations that are guarantors of the Astana process," he said.
Zarif and Lavrov held talks by phone earlier on Wednesday, focusing on the Idlib crisis, bilateral relations and the coronavirus spread.
The tensions in Syria’s Idlib region escalated on February 27 after militants unleashed a large-scale offensive, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The Syrian government forces conducted strikes on their positions, which, as Ankara claims, killed 36 Turkish soldiers. In response, Turkey’s Air Force conducted strikes on the Syrian troops, later specifying that more than 200 targets had been hit.
On February 27, Ankara launched a new incursion in Syria dubbed Operation Spring Shield targeting the Syrian government forces and facilities. Previously, Turkey had carried out three offensives into Syria codenamed Operation Euphrates Shield, Operation Olive Branch and Operation Peace Spring. As a result, a buffer security zone was set up between the border towns of Aazaz and Jarabulus, the Syrian town of Afrin was captured, and other areas to the east of the Euphrates River got under control.


tass--2020-03-04--Kaspersky Lab temporarily closes three offices in China due to coronavirus

MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russian antivirus software provider , Kaspersky Lab , temporarily closed its offices in Beijing , Tianjin and Shanghai due to the spread of a new type of coronavirus in China , the company ’ s press service reported with reference to head of HR department Marina Alekseeva .
`` Health of our employees is the highest priority for Kaspersky Lab , so the company takes all possible measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
In this regard , at the moment , we have decided to close our offices in Beijing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China work from home , '' Alekseeva said as quoted by the press service .
`` We also ask all employees to refrain from business trips as soon as possible , especially to those countries where there are many cases of coronavirus infection , '' the company ’ s press service said .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The World Health Organization recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as an international emergency .
To date , this new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in 70 countries , including Russia .
Currently , the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in China has exceeded 80,000 with almost 3000 deaths reported .
According to WHO , outside China , the number of cases exceeded 10,500 , more than 160 people died .

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Russian antivirus software provider, Kaspersky, temporarily closed its offices in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai due to the spread of a new type of coronavirus in China, the company’s press service reported with reference to head of HR department Marina Alekseeva.
"Health of our employees is the highest priority for Kaspersky, so the company takes all possible measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In this regard, at the moment, we have decided to close our offices in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai, all employees in China work from home," Alekseeva said as quoted by the press service.
"We also ask all employees to refrain from business trips as soon as possible, especially to those countries where there are many cases of coronavirus infection," the company’s press service said.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The World Health Organization recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as an international emergency.
To date, this new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in 70 countries, including Russia. Currently, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in China has exceeded 80,000 with almost 3000 deaths reported. According to WHO, outside China, the number of cases exceeded 10,500, more than 160 people died.


tass--2020-03-04--Brent crude price down by 0.35% amid news on OPEC+ meeting

MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
The cost of a futures contract for Brent crude oil for settlement in @ @ @ @ @ % to $ 51.68 per barrel in the course of trading on the ICE Exchange @ @ @ @ @ WTI crude oil is growing by 0.15 % up to $ 47.25 per barrel , @ @ @ @ @ The price of Brent oil is falling amid news about the results of the meeting @ @ @ @ @ Committee , which brought no consensus on Wednesday , as Russia and Kazakhstan did not @ @ @ @ @ production cuts by another 1.5 million bpd for the second quarter due to the influence @ @ @ @ @ s Energy Minister Alexander Novak , left the meeting of the monitoring committee ( he @ @ @ @ @ Saudi counterpart - TASS ) before it was over , a source familiar with the @ @ @ @ @ will return to Vienna on March 6 for the OPEC+ ministerial meeting , where , @ @ @ @ @ present his version of developing the oil production cut agreement .

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. The cost of a futures contract for Brent crude oil for settlement in May 2020 fell by 0.35% to $51.68 per barrel in the course of trading on the ICE Exchange in London.
Futures for WTI crude oil is growing by 0.15% up to $47.25 per barrel, according to trading data.
The price of Brent oil is falling amid news about the results of the meeting of the OPEC+ Ministerial Monitoring Committee, which brought no consensus on Wednesday, as Russia and Kazakhstan did not support the idea to increase production cuts by another 1.5 million bpd for the second quarter due to the influence of coronavirus.
Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak, left the meeting of the monitoring committee (he co-chairs it together with his Saudi counterpart - TASS) before it was over, a source familiar with the negotiations told TASS.
Novak will return to Vienna on March 6 for the OPEC+ ministerial meeting, where, as expected, he will present his version of developing the oil production cut agreement.


tass--2020-03-04--Putin, Erdogan to focus on steps aimed at de-escalating tensions in Idlib - spokesman

ANKARA , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
The presidents of Turkey and Russia , Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin , will focus on the steps aimed at reducing tensions in the Syrian region of Idlib at their talks scheduled for Thursday in Moscow , Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said at a news conference in Ankara on Wednesday .
`` At the talks in Moscow they will discuss the steps needed to normalize the situation in Idlib , '' Erdogan ’ s spokesman said adding that Ankara `` hopes for a ceasefire in Idlib to be brokered soon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said hopefully that the talks between Putin and Erdogan scheduled for March 5 could help understand the causes of the Idlib crisis and would help work out measures to stop it .
The tensions in Syria ’ s Idlib region escalated on February 27 after militants unleashed a large-scale offensive , according to the Russian Defense Ministry .
The Syrian government forces conducted strikes on their positions , which , as Ankara claims , killed 36 Turkish soldiers .
In response , Turkey ’ s Air Force conducted strikes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 200 targets had been hit .
On February 27 , Ankara launched a new incursion in Syria dubbed Operation Spring Shield targeting the Syrian government forces and facilities .
Previously , Turkey had carried out three offensives into Syria codenamed Operation Euphrates Shield , Operation Olive Branch and Operation Peace Spring .
As a result , a buffer security zone was set up between the border towns of Aazaz and Jarabulus , the Syrian town of Afrin was captured , and other areas to the east of the Euphrates River got @ @ @

ANKARA, March 4. /TASS/. The presidents of Turkey and Russia, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin, will focus on the steps aimed at reducing tensions in the Syrian region of Idlib at their talks scheduled for Thursday in Moscow, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said at a news conference in Ankara on Wednesday.
"At the talks in Moscow they will discuss the steps needed to normalize the situation in Idlib," Erdogan’s spokesman said adding that Ankara "hopes for a ceasefire in Idlib to be brokered soon."
Earlier in the day, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said hopefully that the talks between Putin and Erdogan scheduled for March 5 could help understand the causes of the Idlib crisis and would help work out measures to stop it.
The tensions in Syria’s Idlib region escalated on February 27 after militants unleashed a large-scale offensive, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The Syrian government forces conducted strikes on their positions, which, as Ankara claims, killed 36 Turkish soldiers. In response, Turkey’s Air Force conducted strikes on the Syrian troops, later specifying that more than 200 targets had been hit.
On February 27, Ankara launched a new incursion in Syria dubbed Operation Spring Shield targeting the Syrian government forces and facilities. Previously, Turkey had carried out three offensives into Syria codenamed Operation Euphrates Shield, Operation Olive Branch and Operation Peace Spring. As a result, a buffer security zone was set up between the border towns of Aazaz and Jarabulus, the Syrian town of Afrin was captured, and other areas to the east of the Euphrates River got under control.


tass--2020-03-04--Efforts underway to restore contacts between Russian-British lawmakers - embassy

LONDON , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Prospects for renewed contacts between Russian and British lawmakers were outlined at Russia @ @ @ @ @ UK Andrei Kelin ’ s meeting with members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group ( APPG @ @ @ @ @ Russian embassy in London said in a press release on Wednesday .
`` Prospects for @ @ @ @ @ contacts were also outlined .
Ambassador Kelin reaffirmed Russia ’ s openness to equitable and @ @ @ @ @ the parliamentary dimension .
The visit of House of Lords members to Moscow last December @ @ @ @ @ , '' it says .
The meeting was held on Tuesday .
It was attended @ @ @ @ @ House of Lords and the House of Commons , who represented all major political parties @ @ @ @ @ Views were exchanged on a broad range of topics , including Russia-UK relations , European @ @ @ @ @ , not least the situation in Syria , '' the embassy said .

LONDON, March 4. /TASS/. Prospects for renewed contacts between Russian and British lawmakers were outlined at Russia’s Ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin’s meeting with members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Russia, the Russian embassy in London said in a press release on Wednesday.
"Prospects for future re-establishment of Russia-UK inter-parliamentary contacts were also outlined. Ambassador Kelin reaffirmed Russia’s openness to equitable and respectful dialogue, including in the parliamentary dimension. The visit of House of Lords members to Moscow last December is further evidence of this," it says.
The meeting was held on Tuesday. It was attended by members of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons, who represented all major political parties of the UK.
"Views were exchanged on a broad range of topics, including Russia-UK relations, European security and pressing international issues, not least the situation in Syria," the embassy said.


tass--2020-03-04--No evidence of Russia’s involvement in Salisbury incident seen two years later - embassy

LONDON , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Two years have gone by since the Salisbury incident , but the public are yet to see convincing evidence of Russia ’ s involvement to support London ’ s official version of what happened , Russia ’ s embassy in London said in a press release on Wednesday .
`` Today marks two years since Russian nationals Sergei and Yulia Skripal were involved in an incident in Salisbury .
Back in March 2018 , the British government was quick in laying the blame on Russia .
Huge damage was done to Russian-British political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public are yet to see convincing evidence to support the official version of what happened .
Instead , the British narrative is full of discrepancies and raises a great deal of specific questions that remain unanswered , '' the embassy said .
On the second anniversary of the Salisbury incident the embassy published an updated report on the incident and its investigation presented a year ago .
The report titled ‘ Salisbury : Two Years of Unanswered Questions ’ outlines the circumstances of the incident and the discrepancies in the UK ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclarified issues are `` Where did the Skripals go in the morning of 4 March with mobile phones switched off ?
Why does the UK not publish recordings from the CCTV camera on Sergei ’ s house ?
How was it possible that the Skripals lost consciousness simultaneously several hours after exposure , while the first person to attend to them was the Army Chief Nurse who happened to be walking by ? ''
London ’ s `` strategy chosen is based on occasional stove-piping of unconvincing circumstantial evidence and unsubstantial facts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
We foresee that the same thing will happen with the inquest into the death of Dawn Sturgess , a procedure which is by definition non-adversarial and is not intended to allocate anyone ’ s responsibility , '' the embassy said .
The Russian diplomats pointed out that `` Russia will continue efforts aimed at establishing the truth . ''
Moscow remains `` open to cooperation in investigating the incident , as well as more broadly to normal , equal and respectful relations with the United Kingdom .
The choice is for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release reads .
According to London , former Russian military intelligence ( GRU ) Colonel Sergei Skripal , who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers , and his daughter Yulia suffered the effects of an alleged nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury on March 4 .
Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been a Novichok-class nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union , London rushed to accuse Russia of being involved in the incident .
Moscow rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations , saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had existed neither in the Soviet Union nor in Russia .
Nevertheless , some countries , including the UK and the United States , ordered the expulsions of Russian diplomats .
Moscow responded in kind .

LONDON, March 4. /TASS/. Two years have gone by since the Salisbury incident, but the public are yet to see convincing evidence of Russia’s involvement to support London’s official version of what happened, Russia’s embassy in London said in a press release on Wednesday.
"Today marks two years since Russian nationals Sergei and Yulia Skripal were involved in an incident in Salisbury. Back in March 2018, the British government was quick in laying the blame on Russia. Huge damage was done to Russian-British political relations. However, both we and the public are yet to see convincing evidence to support the official version of what happened. Instead, the British narrative is full of discrepancies and raises a great deal of specific questions that remain unanswered," the embassy said.
On the second anniversary of the Salisbury incident the embassy published an updated report on the incident and its investigation presented a year ago. The report titled ‘Salisbury: Two Years of Unanswered Questions’ outlines the circumstances of the incident and the discrepancies in the UK’s version of events.
Among the unclarified issues are "Where did the Skripals go in the morning of 4 March with mobile phones switched off? Why does the UK not publish recordings from the CCTV camera on Sergei’s house? How was it possible that the Skripals lost consciousness simultaneously several hours after exposure, while the first person to attend to them was the Army Chief Nurse who happened to be walking by?"
London’s "strategy chosen is based on occasional stove-piping of unconvincing circumstantial evidence and unsubstantial facts, aimed at supporting the political accusations of Russia. We foresee that the same thing will happen with the inquest into the death of Dawn Sturgess, a procedure which is by definition non-adversarial and is not intended to allocate anyone’s responsibility," the embassy said.
The Russian diplomats pointed out that "Russia will continue efforts aimed at establishing the truth."
Moscow remains "open to cooperation in investigating the incident, as well as more broadly to normal, equal and respectful relations with the United Kingdom. The choice is for London to make," the press release reads.
Skripal saga
According to London, former Russian military intelligence (GRU) Colonel Sergei Skripal, who had been convicted in Russia of spying for Great Britain and later swapped for Russian intelligence officers, and his daughter Yulia suffered the effects of an alleged nerve agent in the British city of Salisbury on March 4. Claiming that the substance used in the attack had been a Novichok-class nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union, London rushed to accuse Russia of being involved in the incident. Moscow rejected all of the United Kingdom’s accusations, saying that a program aimed at developing such a substance had existed neither in the Soviet Union nor in Russia.
Nevertheless, some countries, including the UK and the United States, ordered the expulsions of Russian diplomats. Moscow responded in kind.


tass--2020-03-04--MMK steel producer bans business trips of its employees to China due to coronavirus

MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russian steel producer MMK Group ( Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works and subsidiaries ) has banned business trips of its employees to China until further notice , a company representative told TASS .
`` Pursuant to the requirements of Decree No .
2 by the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation dated January 24 , 2020 , the company issued an order prohibiting , until a special order , business trips of employees of MMK and organizations of the MMK Group to the territory of China , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , special memos on hygiene for influenza , coronavirus infection and acute and respiratory infection were distributed among employees , the company representative said .
Earlier , Russian Railways , Gazprom , Alrosa , Severstal , Yandex and some other Russian companies restricted foreign business trips of their employees due to the spread of the new coronavirus .
MMK is one of the largest global steel producers .
Its operations in Russia include a steel producing complex encompassing the entire production chain , from preparation of iron ore to downstream processing of rolled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directors Viktor Rashnikov holds a 84.26 % stake in the company .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China .
On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The World Health Organization recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as an international emergency .
To date , this new strain of coronavirus has already been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Currently , the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in China has exceeded 80,000 with almost 3000 deaths reported .
According to WHO , outside China , the number of cases exceeded 10,500 , more than 160 people died .

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Russian steel producer MMK Group (Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works and subsidiaries) has banned business trips of its employees to China until further notice, a company representative told TASS.
"Pursuant to the requirements of Decree No. 2 by the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation dated January 24, 2020, the company issued an order prohibiting, until a special order, business trips of employees of MMK and organizations of the MMK Group to the territory of China," he said.
In addition to this, informational materials, special memos on hygiene for influenza, coronavirus infection and acute and respiratory infection were distributed among employees, the company representative said.
Earlier, Russian Railways, Gazprom, Alrosa, Severstal, Yandex and some other Russian companies restricted foreign business trips of their employees due to the spread of the new coronavirus.
MMK is one of the largest global steel producers. Its operations in Russia include a steel producing complex encompassing the entire production chain, from preparation of iron ore to downstream processing of rolled steel. Chairman of the board of directors Viktor Rashnikov holds a 84.26% stake in the company.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The World Health Organization recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as an international emergency.
To date, this new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in 70 countries, including Russia. Currently, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in China has exceeded 80,000 with almost 3000 deaths reported. According to WHO, outside China, the number of cases exceeded 10,500, more than 160 people died.


tass--2020-03-04--Ukraine’s parliament approves new cabinet in package vote

KIEV , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine ’ s Verkhovna Rada ( parliament ) has approved the new cabinet nominated by new Prime Minister Denis Shmygal .
The decision passed with a vote of 277 in favor , well beyond the 226 vote required .
The new cabinet will supersede the former government led by Prime Minister Alexey Goncharuk , which functioned for six months only .
First , in a package vote the lawmakers confirmed the 13 candidates nominated by the new prime minister and later approved the defense and foreign ministers nominated by President Vladimir Zelensky .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cabinet .
However , four seats are still vacant , namely the posts of ministers of Economic Development and Agriculture , of Energy and Environmental Protection , of Education and Science and also of Culture .
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov , Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Transformation Minister Mikhail Fedorov , Infrastructure Minister Vladislav Krikliy and Justice Minister Denis Maliuska retained their positions in the new cabinet .
Dmitry Kuleba , who had served as Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration in the previous government , was confirmed as new foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Minister Vadim Pristayko , now appointed deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration .
In addition , Ukraine ’ s parliament confirmed Retired Lieutenant General Andrei Taran , nominated by President Vladimir Zelensky , as new defense minister .
Previously , he was a member of the security subgroup at the Contact Group seeking peace for eastern Ukraine .
Among the new names is also Finance Minister Igor Umansky , who was an adviser to Presidents Leonid Kuchma and Pyotr Poroshenko .

KIEV, March 4. /TASS/. Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (parliament) has approved the new cabinet nominated by new Prime Minister Denis Shmygal. The decision passed with a vote of 277 in favor, well beyond the 226 vote required.
The new cabinet will supersede the former government led by Prime Minister Alexey Goncharuk, which functioned for six months only.
First, in a package vote the lawmakers confirmed the 13 candidates nominated by the new prime minister and later approved the defense and foreign ministers nominated by President Vladimir Zelensky.
Thus, 15 ministers entered the new cabinet. However, four seats are still vacant, namely the posts of ministers of Economic Development and Agriculture, of Energy and Environmental Protection, of Education and Science and also of Culture.
Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Transformation Minister Mikhail Fedorov, Infrastructure Minister Vladislav Krikliy and Justice Minister Denis Maliuska retained their positions in the new cabinet.
Dmitry Kuleba, who had served as Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration in the previous government, was confirmed as new foreign minister. He changed portfolios with former Foreign Minister Vadim Pristayko, now appointed deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
In addition, Ukraine’s parliament confirmed Retired Lieutenant General Andrei Taran, nominated by President Vladimir Zelensky, as new defense minister. Previously, he was a member of the security subgroup at the Contact Group seeking peace for eastern Ukraine.
Among the new names is also Finance Minister Igor Umansky, who was an adviser to Presidents Leonid Kuchma and Pyotr Poroshenko.


tass--2020-03-04--Ankara’s actions in Idlib aim to halt Syrian advance in the east, says Assad

MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey ’ s actions in Idlib are aimed to halt the Syrian advance @ @ @ @ @ country , Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 channel on @ @ @ @ @ Turkey `` has made every effort to hinder the liberation of it ( Idlib - @ @ @ @ @ we would not be able to move to the east , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ has deployed troops to Syria following US orders , al-Assad claimed .

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Turkey’s actions in Idlib are aimed to halt the Syrian advance in the east of the country, Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 channel on Wednesday.
He stated that Turkey "has made every effort to hinder the liberation of it (Idlib - TASS), so that we would not be able to move to the east," he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has deployed troops to Syria following US orders, al-Assad claimed.


tass--2020-03-04--Trump believes his advice would have saved Bloomberg $1 bln

MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump commented on the decision of ex-mayor of New York @ @ @ @ @ presidential race , saying that he decided to support former Vice President Joseph Biden to @ @ @ @ @ Mike Bloomberg just `` quit '' the race for President .
I could have told @ @ @ @ @ he didn ’ t have what it tales , and he would have saved himself @ @ @ @ @ real cost .
Now he will pour money into Sleepy Joe ’ s campaign , @ @ @ @ @ It won ’ t work ! ''
he wrote on Twitter On Wednesday , former @ @ @ @ @ wrote on Twitter that he would not seek Democratic Party nomination and would endorse Joe @ @

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump commented on the decision of ex-mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg to quit the presidential race, saying that he decided to support former Vice President Joseph Biden to save face.
"Mini Mike Bloomberg just "quit" the race for President. I could have told him a long ago that he didn’t have what it tales, and he would have saved himself a billion dollars, the real cost. Now he will pour money into Sleepy Joe’s campaign, hoping to save face. It won’t work!" he wrote on Twitter
On Wednesday, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg wrote on Twitter that he would not seek Democratic Party nomination and would endorse Joe Biden.


tass--2020-03-04--Ukraine’s policy on Donbass will not change, says Zelensky

KIEV , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine will not change its current policy on Donbass , Ukrainian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ Rada ( Ukrainian parliament ) on Wednesday , advising the lawmakers to make a decision @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s new government .
`` Our policy remains unchanged , our priorities remain @ @ @ @ @ doing everything possible to stop the war in Donbass and to get our territories back @ @ @ @ @ noted .
He also reaffirmed Ukraine ’ s course for EU integration .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ international partners separately… Our policy remains the same : EU integration and ascension to NATO @ @ @ @ @ war in Donbass and the return of all our territories , '' Zelensky said .
@ @ @ @ @ continue on its path of reforms in all spheres .
`` Ukraine ’ s course @ @ @ @ @ Some mistakes were made during our movement within this course , '' the president admitted @

KIEV, March 4. /TASS/. Ukraine will not change its current policy on Donbass, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said addressing the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) on Wednesday, advising the lawmakers to make a decision on the composition of the country’s new government.
"Our policy remains unchanged, our priorities remain the same: we are doing everything possible to stop the war in Donbass and to get our territories back," the Ukrainian leader noted.
He also reaffirmed Ukraine’s course for EU integration. "I would like to address our international partners separately… Our policy remains the same: EU integration and ascension to NATO, the end of the war in Donbass and the return of all our territories," Zelensky said.
Zelensky added that Ukraine would continue on its path of reforms in all spheres. "Ukraine’s course is not a mistake. Some mistakes were made during our movement within this course," the president admitted.


tass--2020-03-04--Russia’s FSB hotline receives over 56,500 phone calls in 2019

MOSCOW , March 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) received over 56,500 phone @ @ @ @ @ one in every hundred calls containing information about possible unlawful activity , the FSB Public @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` In 2019 , the Federal Security Service hotline received 56,586 phone calls @ @ @ @ @ potential unlawful activity [ there were 593 such messages ] were sent for verification and @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s FSB and FSO ( Federal Protective Service - TASS ) bodies , @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) received over 56,500 phone calls in 2019, with one in every hundred calls containing information about possible unlawful activity, the FSB Public Relations Center informed TASS on Wednesday.
"In 2019, the Federal Security Service hotline received 56,586 phone calls. Messages containing information on potential unlawful activity [there were 593 such messages] were sent for verification and application of subsequent measures to Russia’s FSB and FSO (Federal Protective Service - TASS) bodies," the FSB noted.