tass--2020-02-11--Press review: Putin may speak at UNGA’s 75th session and Turkey sustaining losses in Idlib

Russian President Vladimir Putin may deliver an address at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in New York in September .
According to Kommersant ’ s informed sources in Russia ’ s government institutions , the issue is being explored .
The sources stressed that a preliminary discussion of the issue was underway , but there is no doubt that the decision would be positive .
On the other hand , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the paper that there were no decisions on that so far .
Putin spoke from the UN podium four times , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In his last speech , he recalled that , back in 1945 , the key decisions on the principles of interaction between states had been made at the Yalta conference , where the leaders of the anti-Hitler coalition met .
If the Russian leader flies to New York again this year , he is likely to focus not only on the significance of the UN but also on the special role and responsibility of the UN Security Council ’ s permanent members ( China , France , Russia , the United Kingdom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Holocaust Forum in late January , Putin suggested holding a meeting of the UN Security Council ’ s permanent members , stressing that they shoulder special responsibility for the preservation of civilization .
However , Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said in a recent interview that the meeting was planned as a thorough conversation about the problems that had piled up in global politics .
He noted that it was difficult to arrange such an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly because of the busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the five UN Security Council permanent members have been invited to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow in May , but Kommersant ’ s interlocutors do not expect that it will be possible to bring all of them together on that occasion .
Moscow is ready to consider other options , given the consent from its partners .
So far , the initiative has been backed by China and France , while the US and the UK have kept mum on the issue .
The escalation in Syria ’ s Idlib @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Assad ’ s armed opponents , has resulted in more fatalities among Turkish troops , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense earlier reported that five Turkish soldiers had been killed at an observation post in the Idlib de-escalation zone after being attacked by the Syrian army ’ s artillery .
According to Ankara , Syrian government forces are conducting offensive operations , which contravene all agreements .
If Damascus ’ offensive persists , Turkey will implement Plan B and even plan C in Idlib , Defense Minister Hulusi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident , Russian-Turkish consultations were held in Ankara .
The February 10 meeting was the second attempt by the guarantor nations of the Syrian peace process to ensure a stable ceasefire in Idlib .
However , the meeting did not seem to yield any substantial results .
For its part , Russia says the advance of Syrian government troops stems from the need to mop up the remaining terrorists inside the militant-held province .
Officials in Moscow call for disengaging the so-called moderate opposition from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group , formerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , outlawed in Russia ) .
`` One can not talk about the conflict between Moscow and Ankara .
Rather , we can talk about the limits of bilateral cooperation , '' Russian International Affairs Council expert Anton Mardasov told the paper .
`` Given the previous deals between the two countries , it is difficult to say what specifically Turkey means by making such threats . ''
According to the expert , Ankara ’ s promises to launch an operation in Idlib are nothing more than a move to up the ante @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future .
`` All that proves that Idlib and Euphrates River issues are interrelated in the Russian-Turkish dialogue , '' he went on to say .
`` I do not believe that Ankara will ‘ force ’ Damascus to retreat to the positions envisaged by the 2018 Sochi agreement .
The option of setting up a demilitarized zone , which would include the [ M4 and M5 ] highways , would be a way out of the situation .
However , it would be difficult to make Damascus give up its positions even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neutral control , '' the expert pointed out .
Kommersant : Trump seeks to hammer Democrats in upcoming presidential campaign The Trump administration has submitted the draft federal budget for 2021 to Congress , which outlines its priorities in the run-up to the upcoming presidential election set for November .
The new budget proposal implies an increase in defense spending , in particular , in terms of countering Russia and China , Kommersant reports .
At the same time , it lays out cuts to social programs and foreign aid .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine .
Given the predominance of Democrats in the House of Representatives , the presidential budget in its current form has no chance of being passed .
However , it is important for Trump who is seeking reelection to show US voters his fortitude to protect America from `` socialism , '' which he accuses his political foes of adhering to .
The $ 4.8 trillion budget proposed by the White House for fiscal year 2021 beginning in October highlights the need for bolstering the competitiveness of the US economy , reducing taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 5 % , to $ 590 bln .
`` During the remaining time before the election , President Trump will spook voters with the ‘ socialism ’ of the leading Democratic candidates in the election campaign - Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren .
If the parties do not reach a compromise on the budget by the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1 , the work of the government could be suspended on the eve of the election , '' Anton Fedyashin , a professor at American University in Washington DC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help Trump a lot , who will try to prove that Democrats not only made a mess of Robert Mueller ’ s investigation [ on Russia ’ s alleged election meddling ] , the impeachment proceedings and the Iowa caucuses , but also that they are unable to agree on the budget and therefore they don ’ t know how to manage . ''
There is still a lot of time ahead , but so far , everything is in favor of Trump ’ s reelection , the expert added .
Russia has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told Izvestia .
`` Russia has never initiated the deterioration of relations with Georgia .
It was Tbilisi that severed diplomatic relations with Moscow in September 2008 after a treacherous armed attack on Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia .
Unfortunately , all political actors that came to power in Georgia in the subsequent years tried to demonize our country playing the anti-Russian card for the sake of short-term political gains , '' he stressed .
`` For its part , Moscow is trying to work on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mend Russian-Georgian ties and ensure peace and stability in the Transcaucasus region , '' the diplomat added .
Referring to Russian-Georgian dialogue , Rudenko noted that all necessary mechanisms were in place for solving bilateral and regional problems .
`` These include , in particular , the informal dialogue channel between Grigory Karasin and Zurab Abashidze .
Despite all the ups and downs in bilateral relations , it continues to operate effectively , '' he noted .
`` It is important to realize that Russia has always treasured friendly relations with the Georgian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a single state for more than a century .
We are certain that good relations between the peoples of our two countries that have been preserved can withstand any politically motivated pressure imposed from the outside and will serve as solid groundwork for the process of stabilizing intergovernmental relations , '' the senior diplomat pointed out .
Pobeda Airlines , a low cost subsidiary of Aeroflot , became Russia ’ s third largest airline in terms of the number of passengers carried in January 2020 , Vedomosti writes citing data provided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic grew by 34 % to reach 923,000 people .
Only Aeroflot itself and S7 Airlines transported more people ( 2.64 mln and 1.37 mln respectively ) .
In total , Russian airlines increased the number of transported passengers by 6.4 % to 8.9 mln .
Pobeda , which commenced its operations in December 2014 , ranked seventh among Russian airlines in passenger traffic in 2015 , and was sixth and fourth in 2016 and 2018 , respectively .
Aeroflot ’ s subsidiary , Rossiya Airlines , which had been the third largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop in passenger traffic by 11 % in January , dipping to fifth place .
The low coster ’ s increase stems from its growing fleet .
Over the past year , it has expanded from 24 Boeing 737 NG airliners to 30 planes .
Rossiya , on the contrary , shed seven aircraft .
Four of them are undergoing maintenance and are expected to be transferred to Pobeda and three others to Aeroflot , a source close to Rossiya explained .
Four additional planes , which will be handed over to Pobeda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase passenger traffic by 16.5 % in 2020 , two sources close to the Aeroflot Group said .
Pobeda has so far shown phenomenal results , the paper quotes Infomost Agency Director General Boris Rybak as saying .
`` They are due to the aircraft ’ s flight time and the maximum passenger load rate among regular airlines - 94 % in 2019 .
That stems from strong demand for a low cost airline in the country , where the vast majority of residents have low incomes , '' the expert explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material quoted in these press reviews

Kommersant: Putin may address 75th session of UN General Assembly Russian President Vladimir Putin may deliver an address at the 75th session of the UN General Assembly in New York in September. According to Kommersant’s informed sources in Russia’s government institutions, the issue is being explored. The sources stressed that a preliminary discussion of the issue was underway, but there is no doubt that the decision would be positive. On the other hand, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the paper that there were no decisions on that so far. Putin spoke from the UN podium four times, and the last time was in 2015. In his last speech, he recalled that, back in 1945, the key decisions on the principles of interaction between states had been made at the Yalta conference, where the leaders of the anti-Hitler coalition met. If the Russian leader flies to New York again this year, he is likely to focus not only on the significance of the UN but also on the special role and responsibility of the UN Security Council’s permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States). Speaking at the World Holocaust Forum in late January, Putin suggested holding a meeting of the UN Security Council’s permanent members, stressing that they shoulder special responsibility for the preservation of civilization. However, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said in a recent interview that the meeting was planned as a thorough conversation about the problems that had piled up in global politics. He noted that it was difficult to arrange such an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly because of the busy schedules of the participants. The leaders of the five UN Security Council permanent members have been invited to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow in May, but Kommersant’s interlocutors do not expect that it will be possible to bring all of them together on that occasion. Moscow is ready to consider other options, given the consent from its partners. So far, the initiative has been backed by China and France, while the US and the UK have kept mum on the issue. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Turkey continues to sustain losses in Syria’s Idlib The escalation in Syria’s Idlib Governorate, the last major remaining enclave of Assad’s armed opponents, has resulted in more fatalities among Turkish troops, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense earlier reported that five Turkish soldiers had been killed at an observation post in the Idlib de-escalation zone after being attacked by the Syrian army’s artillery. According to Ankara, Syrian government forces are conducting offensive operations, which contravene all agreements. If Damascus’ offensive persists, Turkey will implement Plan B and even plan C in Idlib, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar vowed.
Read also Turkish foreign minister calls for immediate ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib
A few hours before the incident, Russian-Turkish consultations were held in Ankara. The February 10 meeting was the second attempt by the guarantor nations of the Syrian peace process to ensure a stable ceasefire in Idlib. However, the meeting did not seem to yield any substantial results. For its part, Russia says the advance of Syrian government troops stems from the need to mop up the remaining terrorists inside the militant-held province. Officials in Moscow call for disengaging the so-called moderate opposition from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra (terror organization, outlawed in Russia). "One cannot talk about the conflict between Moscow and Ankara. Rather, we can talk about the limits of bilateral cooperation," Russian International Affairs Council expert Anton Mardasov told the paper. "Given the previous deals between the two countries, it is difficult to say what specifically Turkey means by making such threats." According to the expert, Ankara’s promises to launch an operation in Idlib are nothing more than a move to up the ante to secure an acceptable compromise in the future. "All that proves that Idlib and Euphrates River issues are interrelated in the Russian-Turkish dialogue," he went on to say. "I do not believe that Ankara will ‘force’ Damascus to retreat to the positions envisaged by the 2018 Sochi agreement. The option of setting up a demilitarized zone, which would include the [M4 and M5] highways, would be a way out of the situation. However, it would be difficult to make Damascus give up its positions even for the sake of some kind of neutral control," the expert pointed out. Kommersant: Trump seeks to hammer Democrats in upcoming presidential campaign The Trump administration has submitted the draft federal budget for 2021 to Congress, which outlines its priorities in the run-up to the upcoming presidential election set for November. The new budget proposal implies an increase in defense spending, in particular, in terms of countering Russia and China, Kommersant reports. At the same time, it lays out cuts to social programs and foreign aid. However, those reductions are not going to affect Ukraine. Given the predominance of Democrats in the House of Representatives, the presidential budget in its current form has no chance of being passed. However, it is important for Trump who is seeking reelection to show US voters his fortitude to protect America from "socialism," which he accuses his political foes of adhering to.


tass--2020-02-11--Diplomat says coronavirus fears in Harbin subsiding, cargo passing Russian-Chinese border

`` Fears ran high over the new type of pneumonia last week , when the Heilongjiang province was the worst in China as far as the rising number of new infection cases went .
The growth of the number of those becoming infected hit 200 % per day .
Now the situation has stabilized , '' the diplomat said .
BEIJING , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
The situation in northeastern China ’ s Harbin amid the novel coronavirus outbreak is improving and the amount of cargo on the Russian-Chinese border is increasing , Vladimir Oschepkov , the Russian Consul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Local authorities tightened the screws and everything was cordoned off in the city and traveling in personal vehicles was prohibited .
Now the situation has stabilized and gradually the bans are being lifted .
Things have become calmer and no noticeable anxiety is being felt , '' he noted .
Nevertheless , panic is still in the air here , Oschepkov cautioned .
The good news is that cargo services between Russia and China have been restored , he stressed .
`` While border crossings for passengers are not working , trucks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they are carrying soy from Blagoveschensk , in Russia ’ s Far East , under contracts .
Vegetables are arriving in Russia , '' the diplomat noted .
Passenger services have been suspended since February 3 , while cargo traffic did not stop even on holidays during the peak of the coronavirus outbreak .
On average , 15 cargo trains go through the Manzhouli railway station per day .
`` Although the border crossings are not working every day , except for Manchuria , Russian nationals [ not many of them are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calmly without facing any obstacles , '' the diplomat assured .
The effort to bring Russians back home from the Heilongjiang province is `` nearly over , '' he said .
`` Some 80 % of those who used to live or temporarily stayed here have left . ''
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 - 2019-nCoV , otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified on January 7 , 2020 .
Apart from China , over 24 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest data , the overall number of people who contracted the novel coronavirus in China has exceeded 43,000 , more than 1,000 people have died and over 4,000 have recovered .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .

"Fears ran high over the new type of pneumonia last week, when the Heilongjiang province was the worst in China as far as the rising number of new infection cases went. The growth of the number of those becoming infected hit 200% per day. Now the situation has stabilized," the diplomat said.
BEIJING, February 11. /TASS/. The situation in northeastern China’s Harbin amid the novel coronavirus outbreak is improving and the amount of cargo on the Russian-Chinese border is increasing, Vladimir Oschepkov, the Russian Consul General there, told TASS.
"Local authorities tightened the screws and everything was cordoned off in the city and traveling in personal vehicles was prohibited. Now the situation has stabilized and gradually the bans are being lifted. Things have become calmer and no noticeable anxiety is being felt," he noted.
Nevertheless, panic is still in the air here, Oschepkov cautioned.
The good news is that cargo services between Russia and China have been restored, he stressed. "While border crossings for passengers are not working, trucks are coming in both directions. For example, they are carrying soy from Blagoveschensk, in Russia’s Far East, under contracts. Vegetables are arriving in Russia," the diplomat noted.
Passenger services have been suspended since February 3, while cargo traffic did not stop even on holidays during the peak of the coronavirus outbreak. On average, 15 cargo trains go through the Manzhouli railway station per day.
"Although the border crossings are not working every day, except for Manchuria, Russian nationals [not many of them are left here] can leave the country calmly without facing any obstacles," the diplomat assured.
The effort to bring Russians back home from the Heilongjiang province is "nearly over," he said. "Some 80% of those who used to live or temporarily stayed here have left."
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 - 2019-nCoV, otherwise known as the novel coronavirus - was identified on January 7, 2020. Apart from China, over 24 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. According to the latest data, the overall number of people who contracted the novel coronavirus in China has exceeded 43,000, more than 1,000 people have died and over 4,000 have recovered.
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations.


tass--2020-02-11--Jiangzhuang Coal Mine has implemented Hikvision's smart video technology

TENGZHOU CITY , China , Feb. 11 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mines are unique operating environments with highly specific health and safety challenges .
In particular , underground mining operations typically experience low-visibility conditions and light pollution from flashlights , vehicle lights and reflective strips on equipment and clothing , making traditional surveillance and safety monitoring difficult .
These were some of the challenges facing Jiangzhuang Coal Mine in the Shangdong Province of China , which covers an underground area of 43 square kilometers , and produces more than 1.8 million tons of coal each year .
The top priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worker safety , and working practices and production are monitored 24 hours a day to minimize accident risks .
Kong Qingwei , Director of the Jiangzhuang Coal Mine Dispatch Office , says , `` We need to respond immediately to unsafe situations in the mine , whether they are caused by environmental factors , poorly performing machines , or employees not following authorized work procedures . ''
Although the mine invests heavily in safety training and equipment for workers , its aging surveillance system made health and safety monitoring difficult in key areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveillance system required us to monitor around 30 screens , 24 hours a day , often with sub-optimal image quality caused by low-light conditions or light pollution , '' says Kong Qingwei .
`` This made our jobs extremely difficult and tiring , as well as impacting our ability to respond to safety issues quickly enough . ''
To address its health and safety challenges , Jiangzhuang Coal Mine has implemented an intelligent video surveillance and control system from Hikvision .
The Hikvision solution supports crystal-clear video imaging , even in low-light conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by lights or reflective strips .
This quality and clarity of imaging ensures that hidden risks can be identified more quickly and easily , allowing the safety team to respond more quickly and to protect workers in all areas of the mine .
In addition to the improved imaging capabilities , the Hikvision cameras incorporate deep learning technologies to identify and respond to health and safety risks in the mine automatically , and in real time .
Specifically , the cameras can identify when employees deviate from approved work procedures and send alerts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be deployed before accidents occur .
For example , it is prohibited for workers to come too close to winches when they are working due to safety risks , but this is hard to monitor with traditional video cameras .
`` The new Hikvision system increases worker safety by monitoring the areas around winches and other equipment , and by sending alerts if employees get too close , '' says Kong Qingwei .
In the first three months of operation , the new Hikvision system identified more than 30 deviations from safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Engineer at Jiangzhuang Coal Mine , says , `` In the past , many of these safety risks could have gone unnoticed .
However , the Hikvision system has allowed us to identify every incident in real time and to take immediate action to protect our workers , which is a hugely satisfying outcome for us . ''
As well as alerting the team to potential security risks in real time , the Hikvision system also records the details of any safety incident for later analysis .
`` As well as accurately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hikvision system supports playback and download functions , '' says Zhang Liu .
`` We can use the insights we record to deliver continual improvement for safety procedures , and , ultimately , to support our vision for a 'zero-accident ' mine , '' he adds .
The Hikvision solution is configured to support specific mining-safety applications , such as constant monitoring of surface water levels in different areas of the mine .
`` Constant seepage from rock formations means that surface water can accumulate in different areas of the mine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential flooding , damage to infrastructure , and worker safety risks , '' says Zhang Liu .
`` With the Hikvision system , we can manage surface-water levels constantly and take action to deal with any problems that arise before water levels exceed safe limits , '' he adds .
In addition to surface water management , the Hikvision solution supports improved safety in other potentially dangerous areas of the mine , including inclined tunnels that are used for transporting coal and other materials underground .
`` The Hikvision system is like an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas of the mine , helping us to identify potential safety issues in a timely and accurate way and to protect our workers at all times , '' says Kong Qingwei .
With automated alerts for all manner of potential safety threats , the safety team can be far more effective , with no need to monitor video images constantly .
`` Instead of looking at grainy images on 30 screens , we can now spend more of our time responding to incidents , supporting workers , and keeping them safe , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a classic example of how automation can help to improve mine safety , while also reducing the tiring workloads associated with manual monitoring of screens . ''
• Deep learning technology identifies safety risks in real time , even in low-visibility conditions • 30 safety incidents detected and addressed in the first three months • The safety team spends less time monitoring screens and more time responding to safety threats • Analysis of incident data from the Hikvision system supports continual improvement for safety procedures and supports the mine 's 'zero-accident ' strategy

TENGZHOU CITY, China, Feb. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mines are unique operating environments with highly specific health and safety challenges. In particular, underground mining operations typically experience low-visibility conditions and light pollution from flashlights, vehicle lights and reflective strips on equipment and clothing, making traditional surveillance and safety monitoring difficult.
These were some of the challenges facing Jiangzhuang Coal Mine in the Shangdong Province of China, which covers an underground area of 43 square kilometers, and produces more than 1.8 million tons of coal each year. The top priority for the mine's management team is worker safety, and working practices and production are monitored 24 hours a day to minimize accident risks.
Kong Qingwei, Director of the Jiangzhuang Coal Mine Dispatch Office, says, "We need to respond immediately to unsafe situations in the mine, whether they are caused by environmental factors, poorly performing machines, or employees not following authorized work procedures."
Although the mine invests heavily in safety training and equipment for workers, its aging surveillance system made health and safety monitoring difficult in key areas of the mine. "Our previous surveillance system required us to monitor around 30 screens, 24 hours a day, often with sub-optimal image quality caused by low-light conditions or light pollution," says Kong Qingwei. "This made our jobs extremely difficult and tiring, as well as impacting our ability to respond to safety issues quickly enough."
Maximizing worker safety with Hikvision's intelligent video technology
To address its health and safety challenges, Jiangzhuang Coal Mine has implemented an intelligent video surveillance and control system from Hikvision.
The Hikvision solution supports crystal-clear video imaging, even in low-light conditions, or where light pollution is created by lights or reflective strips. This quality and clarity of imaging ensures that hidden risks can be identified more quickly and easily, allowing the safety team to respond more quickly and to protect workers in all areas of the mine.
In addition to the improved imaging capabilities, the Hikvision cameras incorporate deep learning technologies to identify and respond to health and safety risks in the mine automatically, and in real time. Specifically, the cameras can identify when employees deviate from approved work procedures and send alerts to the safety team to ensure staff can be deployed before accidents occur.
For example, it is prohibited for workers to come too close to winches when they are working due to safety risks, but this is hard to monitor with traditional video cameras. "The new Hikvision system increases worker safety by monitoring the areas around winches and other equipment, and by sending alerts if employees get too close," says Kong Qingwei.
Improving worker health and safety with real-time, actionable insights
In the first three months of operation, the new Hikvision system identified more than 30 deviations from safe operating procedures. Zhang Liu, Deputy Chief Engineer at Jiangzhuang Coal Mine, says, "In the past, many of these safety risks could have gone unnoticed. However, the Hikvision system has allowed us to identify every incident in real time and to take immediate action to protect our workers, which is a hugely satisfying outcome for us."
Delivering continual improvement for safety procedures
As well as alerting the team to potential security risks in real time, the Hikvision system also records the details of any safety incident for later analysis.
"As well as accurately capturing deviations from safe working procedures, the Hikvision system supports playback and download functions," says Zhang Liu. "We can use the insights we record to deliver continual improvement for safety procedures, and, ultimately, to support our vision for a 'zero-accident' mine," he adds.
Addressing mining-specific safety requirements
The Hikvision solution is configured to support specific mining-safety applications, such as constant monitoring of surface water levels in different areas of the mine.
"Constant seepage from rock formations means that surface water can accumulate in different areas of the mine, which is a problem in terms of potential flooding, damage to infrastructure, and worker safety risks," says Zhang Liu. "With the Hikvision system, we can manage surface-water levels constantly and take action to deal with any problems that arise before water levels exceed safe limits," he adds.
In addition to surface water management, the Hikvision solution supports improved safety in other potentially dangerous areas of the mine, including inclined tunnels that are used for transporting coal and other materials underground. "The Hikvision system is like an intelligent 'eye' for us in all areas of the mine, helping us to identify potential safety issues in a timely and accurate way and to protect our workers at all times," says Kong Qingwei.
Increasing effectiveness for the safety team
With automated alerts for all manner of potential safety threats, the safety team can be far more effective, with no need to monitor video images constantly. "Instead of looking at grainy images on 30 screens, we can now spend more of our time responding to incidents, supporting workers, and keeping them safe," says Zhang Liu. "This is a classic example of how automation can help to improve mine safety, while also reducing the tiring workloads associated with manual monitoring of screens."
[OUTBOX] Project at a glance
Hikvision surveillance and control system deployed at Jiangzhuang Coal Mine
Deep learning technology identifies safety risks in real time, even in low-visibility conditions
30 safety incidents detected and addressed in the first three months
Analysis of incidents supports continual improvement for safety procedures
The safety team spends less time monitoring screens and more time responding to safety threats
Analysis of incident data from the Hikvision system supports continual improvement for safety procedures and supports the mine's 'zero-accident' strategy
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1087963/Hikvision_camera.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1087964/Illustration.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1087965/Illustration_3.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1087966/camera.jpg
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1087967/Illustration_2.jpg
CONTACT: Kevin.chen, PR Manager, Chensi9@hikvision.com, +86-181-0019-5131


tass--2020-02-11--Thailand bars Westerdam cruise ship entry over coronavirus scare

BANGKOK , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
The government of Thailand has refused the Westerdam cruise liner entry to Laem Chabang , a scheduled port that the ship has been heading to , Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday .
The top health official said that he had handed down a directive to the authorities to refuse the ship ’ s docking at the Thai port .
On Monday , Westerdam ’ s operator Holland America Line said that on February 13 , its passengers would come ashore in Laem Chabang , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home from Bangkok .
The ship is not quarantined , the company emphasized .
The cruise ship with 1,455 passengers and 802 crew on board left Hong Kong on February 1 .
It was planning to call at a number of Japanese ports - on Ishigaki Island , in the city of Naha ( Okinawa Prefecture ) in the south of the country , as well as Nagasaki and Hakata Bay ( the city of Fukuoka ) .
Yokohama was its port of destination , from where a new tour was scheduled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Japan , because it feared that some passengers or crewmembers on board could have been infected with the pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus .
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 - 2019-nCoV , otherwise known as the novel coronavirus - was identified on January 7 , 2020 .
Apart from China , over 24 other countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
According to the latest data , the overall number of people who contracted the novel coronavirus in China has exceeded 43,000 , more than 1,000 people have died and over 4,000 have recovered .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .

BANGKOK, February 11. /TASS/. The government of Thailand has refused the Westerdam cruise liner entry to Laem Chabang, a scheduled port that the ship has been heading to, Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
The top health official said that he had handed down a directive to the authorities to refuse the ship’s docking at the Thai port.
On Monday, Westerdam’s operator Holland America Line said that on February 13, its passengers would come ashore in Laem Chabang, after which they would be able to fly home from Bangkok. The ship is not quarantined, the company emphasized.
The cruise ship with 1,455 passengers and 802 crew on board left Hong Kong on February 1. It was planning to call at a number of Japanese ports - on Ishigaki Island, in the city of Naha (Okinawa Prefecture) in the south of the country, as well as Nagasaki and Hakata Bay (the city of Fukuoka). Yokohama was its port of destination, from where a new tour was scheduled. These plans were aborted upon insistent demands from Japan, because it feared that some passengers or crewmembers on board could have been infected with the pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus.
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 - 2019-nCoV, otherwise known as the novel coronavirus - was identified on January 7, 2020. Apart from China, over 24 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. According to the latest data, the overall number of people who contracted the novel coronavirus in China has exceeded 43,000, more than 1,000 people have died and over 4,000 have recovered.
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations.


tass--2020-02-11--Syrian army gains full control of Damascus-Aleppo highway, media reports say

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
The Syrian government army has gained full control of the strategically important Damascus-Aleppo highway , the Al-Hadath TV channel informed .
According to the channel , the Syrian military has cleared the outposts of militants located between the cities of Hama and Aleppo .
The 432-km highway connects Damascus with industrial zones in northern Syria and the economic capital of Aleppo .
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups , including the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group ( outlawed in Russia ) since 2012 .
A northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 to give shelter to militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria ’ s southern regions .
The Turkish army has 12 observation outposts in the province .
On January 25 , the Syrian government army began an operation with the aim to regain control over the western and southern surroundings of Aleppo .
On February 5 , Syrian government forces entered the town of Saraqib , an outpost of Jabhat al-Nusra in the Idlib province .
Saraqib is a town of strategic importance that sits at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Damascus with Aleppo .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. The Syrian government army has gained full control of the strategically important Damascus-Aleppo highway, the Al-Hadath TV channel informed. According to the channel, the Syrian military has cleared the outposts of militants located between the cities of Hama and Aleppo.
The 432-km highway connects Damascus with industrial zones in northern Syria and the economic capital of Aleppo.
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups, including the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) since 2012. A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria’s southern regions. The Turkish army has 12 observation outposts in the province.
On January 25, the Syrian government army began an operation with the aim to regain control over the western and southern surroundings of Aleppo. On February 5, Syrian government forces entered the town of Saraqib, an outpost of Jabhat al-Nusra in the Idlib province. Saraqib is a town of strategic importance that sits at the junction of two main roads connecting Latakia and Damascus with Aleppo.


tass--2020-02-11--Four more foreigners recover from novel coronavirus infection in China

BEIJING , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
The number of foreign citizens in China who have recovered from novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang told reporters at a press briefing on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ are no new confirmed pneumonia cases among foreigners , while the number of people who @ @ @ @ @ the hospital has grown from three to seven , '' he said .
On Monday @ @ @ @ @ said that 27 foreigners had been infected with the novel coronavirus in China , two @ @ @ @ @ others recovered .

BEIJING, February 11. /TASS/. The number of foreign citizens in China who have recovered from novel coronavirus pneumonia has reached seven, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang told reporters at a press briefing on Tuesday.
"To date, there are no new confirmed pneumonia cases among foreigners, while the number of people who recovered and were discharged from the hospital has grown from three to seven," he said.
On Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that 27 foreigners had been infected with the novel coronavirus in China, two of them died, three others recovered.


tass--2020-02-11--Russia, China maintaining partnership ties regardless of global situation, says Beijing

BEIJING , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and China maintain partner relations and develop cooperation regardless of the situation @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said during a briefing on Tuesday .
`` Under the @ @ @ @ @ Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin , the comprehensive strategic cooperation and partnership between @ @ @ @ @ a new age .
Regardless of the international situation , China and Russia maintain partner @ @ @ @ @ relations , developing dialogue and practical cooperation in various spheres based on the principles of @ @ @ @ @ benefit , '' he said .
`` The sides will continue their close high-level cooperation @ @ @ @ @ reached by the leaders of both states and aiding cooperation in various spheres to make @ @ @ @ @ maintaining world peace , '' Geng Shuang concluded .

BEIJING, February 11. /TASS/. Russia and China maintain partner relations and develop cooperation regardless of the situation in the world, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang said during a briefing on Tuesday.
"Under the strategic leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the comprehensive strategic cooperation and partnership between China and Russia are entering a new age. Regardless of the international situation, China and Russia maintain partner, but not allied, relations, developing dialogue and practical cooperation in various spheres based on the principles of equality, openness and mutual benefit," he said.
"The sides will continue their close high-level cooperation, fully implementing the agreements reached by the leaders of both states and aiding cooperation in various spheres to make an even bigger contribution to maintaining world peace," Geng Shuang concluded.


tass--2020-02-11--Almost 80% of Russians faced Internet bullying in 2019, study reveals

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Microsoft , a world-renowned US-based tech giant , published its annual country rating @ @ @ @ @ Index ( DCI ) .
According to the paper , 79 % of Russian nationals @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Microsoft presents the fourth annual study on communication culture and personal safety online @ @ @ @ @ the study , the company compiled the Digital Civility Index rating .
Russia took 22nd @ @ @ @ @ 79 % of Russian users faced Internet risks in 2019 , which is higher than @ @ @ @ @ 70 % , '' the company said .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Microsoft, a world-renowned US-based tech giant, published its annual country rating on the so-called Digital Civility Index (DCI). According to the paper, 79% of Russian nationals faced Internet harassment in 2019.
"Microsoft presents the fourth annual study on communication culture and personal safety online in 2019. Based on the study, the company compiled the Digital Civility Index rating. Russia took 22nd place among 25 participants: 79% of Russian users faced Internet risks in 2019, which is higher than the average world level of 70%," the company said.


tass--2020-02-11--Flu and cold epidemic threshold exceeded in 37 regions of Russia

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Weekly flu and common cold epidemic threshold has been exceeded in 37 regions @ @ @ @ @ Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being ( Rospotrebnadzor ) announced on @ @ @ @ @ Exceedance of weekly epidemic thresholds among the population was registered in 37 regions of the @ @ @ @ @ as 9 regional capitals , '' the message reads .
Children between 7 and 14 @ @ @ @ @ flu and common cold , the message says , adding that flu virus type B @ @ @ @ @ spectrum .
A voluntary vaccination is available for flu prevention .
This year , 73.95 @ @ @ @ @ % of population , got the vaccine .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Weekly flu and common cold epidemic threshold has been exceeded in 37 regions of Russia, the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being (Rospotrebnadzor) announced on its website Tuesday.
"Exceedance of weekly epidemic thresholds among the population was registered in 37 regions of the Russian Federation, as well as 9 regional capitals," the message reads.
Children between 7 and 14 are the most vulnerable to flu and common cold, the message says, adding that flu virus type B is dominant in the viral spectrum.
A voluntary vaccination is available for flu prevention. This year, 73.95 million people, or 50.5% of population, got the vaccine.


tass--2020-02-11--Infortrend shared media storage supports Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro

TAIPEI , Feb. 11 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Infortrend® Technology , Inc. ( TWSE : 2495 ) , the industry-leading enterprise storage provider , announces that its shared media storage solutions now support major NLE software providers , including Adobe Premiere Pro , Apple Final Cut Pro , and DaVinci Resolve to simplify collaborative editing and media workflow for today 's 4K and above ultra-high resolution media files .
Over the past few years , media and entertainment industry has undergone a rapid evolution driven by ultra-high-resolution content , as well as by more complicated and powerful post-production techniques .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reliable and heavy-duty IT infrastructure to process the workloads .
More importantly , the infrastructure has to be simple and flexible for video professionals to work on , without the need to spend efforts on deployment and settings .
Infortrend introduces comprehensive shared media storages with advanced performance , capacity , and ample product selections to fulfill the demands of post-production companies of different sizes .
In addition , the shared media storage supports the industry-leading media editing software , including Adobe Premiere Pro , Apple Final Cut Pro , and DaVinci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start their work and collaborate with multiple editing roles .
Besides enterprise-level hardware design , the shared media storage comes with EonOne , a graphical management software , and EonView utility for Windows and macOS workstations that helps video editing teams to connect the workstations with storage systems and mount shared network storage as a local drive , speeding up the setup process of a collaborative environment .
Infortrend ( TWSE : 2495 ) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993 .
With a strong emphasis on in-house design , testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performance and scalability with the latest standards , user friendly data services , personal after-sales support , and unrivaled value .
For more information , please visit www.infortrend.com Infortrend® and EonStor® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology , Inc. ; other trademarks are the property of their respective owners .

TAIPEI, Feb. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Infortrend® Technology, Inc. (TWSE: 2495), the industry-leading enterprise storage provider, announces that its shared media storage solutions now support major NLE software providers, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve to simplify collaborative editing and media workflow for today's 4K and above ultra-high resolution media files.
Over the past few years, media and entertainment industry has undergone a rapid evolution driven by ultra-high-resolution content, as well as by more complicated and powerful post-production techniques. In view of this, it requires a reliable and heavy-duty IT infrastructure to process the workloads. More importantly, the infrastructure has to be simple and flexible for video professionals to work on, without the need to spend efforts on deployment and settings.
Infortrend introduces comprehensive shared media storages with advanced performance, capacity, and ample product selections to fulfill the demands of post-production companies of different sizes. In addition, the shared media storage supports the industry-leading media editing software, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve to allow video professionals to easily start their work and collaborate with multiple editing roles.
Besides enterprise-level hardware design, the shared media storage comes with EonOne, a graphical management software, and EonView utility for Windows and macOS workstations that helps video editing teams to connect the workstations with storage systems and mount shared network storage as a local drive, speeding up the setup process of a collaborative environment.
Learn more about Infortrend's shared media storage.
About Infortrend
Infortrend (TWSE: 2495) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993. With a strong emphasis on in-house design, testing, and manufacturing, Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards, user friendly data services, personal after-sales support, and unrivaled value. For more information, please visit www.infortrend.com
Infortrend® and EonStor® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology, Inc.; other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Infortrend Technology, Inc., Winnie Tsai, +886-2-2226-0126 #8557, winnie.tsai@infortrend.com


tass--2020-02-11--Coronavirus outbreak in China displays downward trend, officials say

BEIJING , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus-induced pneumonia outbreak displays a downward trend across China , even considering @ @ @ @ @ ( the outbreak epicenter ) says He Qinghua , Deputy Head of the National Health @ @ @ @ @ Disease Prevention and Control .
`` At this moment , the disease outbreak in the @ @ @ @ @ of Hubei province , displays a generally downward trend , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus cases were registered across China except Hubei province . ''
According to the @ @ @ @ @ is getting lower for the seventh day in a row . ''

BEIJING, February 11. /TASS/. The coronavirus-induced pneumonia outbreak displays a downward trend across China, even considering the situation in Hubei province (the outbreak epicenter) says He Qinghua, Deputy Head of the National Health Commission’s Bureau of Disease Prevention and Control.
"At this moment, the disease outbreak in the country, with the exception of Hubei province, displays a generally downward trend," he said. "On February 10, 381 new coronavirus cases were registered across China except Hubei province."
According to the official, this figure "is getting lower for the seventh day in a row."


tass--2020-02-11--After historic Auschwitz trip, Muslim World League pays tribute to Srebrenica victims

POTOČARI , Bosnia-Herzegovina , Feb. 11 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Secretary General of the Muslim World League paid tribute to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide on Sunday , building on his recent trip to Auschwitz to raise awareness about threats to minorities around the world .
On a visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina , Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa traveled to the Memorial Center in Potočari .
The visit to the memorial comes just two weeks after his participation in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz , which made him the most senior Islamic leader ever to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit by the Muslim World League sends an important message : We will never allow a repeat of what happened at Srebrenica to anyone , anywhere in the world , '' said Dr. Al-Issa , who is widely recognized as a global leader in the promotion of moderate Islam and interfaith partnerships .
`` This place is a site of sorrow but also resolve for the Muslim world .
It reminds us what the forces of hate can do if good people and those in a position of power do nothing to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are obliged to protect the memory and truth of the Srebrenica genocide and the mass atrocities against Bosnians in the 1990s , not only among Muslims around the world , but for all of humanity . ''
Al-Issa was welcomed at the Memorial Center by President of the Steering Board Šefket Hafizović , Director Emir Suljagić , and representatives of the victims , witnesses , and family members of those who perished in the genocide .
`` The Srebrenica Memorial Center is an institution that has an open door for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , want to proactively support our programs of education and dissemination of the truth about genocide , and are willing to work with us to prevent the crime of genocide from happening again , '' Hafizović said .
`` Dr. Al-Issa and the Muslim World League have been leaders in speaking out for the victims of genocide .
He has elevated this essential cause so that it 's at the heart of inter-religious dialogue , both here in the region , everywhere else in the world . ''

POTOČARI, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Feb. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Secretary General of the Muslim World League paid tribute to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide on Sunday, building on his recent trip to Auschwitz to raise awareness about threats to minorities around the world.
On a visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa traveled to the Memorial Center in Potočari. The visit to the memorial comes just two weeks after his participation in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, which made him the most senior Islamic leader ever to visit the camp.
"Today's visit by the Muslim World League sends an important message: We will never allow a repeat of what happened at Srebrenica to anyone, anywhere in the world," said Dr. Al-Issa, who is widely recognized as a global leader in the promotion of moderate Islam and interfaith partnerships.
"This place is a site of sorrow but also resolve for the Muslim world. It reminds us what the forces of hate can do if good people and those in a position of power do nothing to stop them," Dr. Al-Issa said. "We are obliged to protect the memory and truth of the Srebrenica genocide and the mass atrocities against Bosnians in the 1990s, not only among Muslims around the world, but for all of humanity."
Al-Issa was welcomed at the Memorial Center by President of the Steering Board Šefket Hafizović, Director Emir Suljagić, and representatives of the victims, witnesses, and family members of those who perished in the genocide.
"The Srebrenica Memorial Center is an institution that has an open door for all people who acknowledge the crime of genocide, want to proactively support our programs of education and dissemination of the truth about genocide, and are willing to work with us to prevent the crime of genocide from happening again," Hafizović said.
"Dr. Al-Issa and the Muslim World League have been leaders in speaking out for the victims of genocide. He has elevated this essential cause so that it's at the heart of inter-religious dialogue, both here in the region, everywhere else in the world."
CONTACT: Brad Klapper, 202-422-2044, brad.klapper@qorvis.com


tass--2020-02-11--Russian envoy says boosting ties with US will positively impact world events

WASHINGTON , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Fostering Russian-US relations will positively influence the entire course of global events , Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said on Monday at a reception on the occasion of the Day of Diplomatic Service .
`` For a second year in a row , we are celebrating our holiday with colleagues from the Commonwealth of Independent States .
All of us have one diplomatic school , '' Antonov noted .
`` On the eve of the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War we are even more united .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s foreign policy is aimed at `` defending national interests for the sake of internal development . ''
`` Our country has never dodged responsibility for ensuring peace and stability , '' the diplomat emphasized .
`` We will protect the principles of non-interference in domestic affairs . ''
`` We will go our part of the road towards each state , which seeks to build relations with Russia on the basis of mutual respect and the balance of interests , '' Antonov stated .
`` We are convinced that improving Russian-US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries ’ interests but will also have productive influence on the entire course of global events . ''
During the reception , the participants also watched a video greeting from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov .
The Russian Embassy in Washington D.C. is hosting two photo exhibitions .
The first one is devoted to the 75th Yalta Conference , which laid the basis for a post-war world order .
The second exhibition features photos from various periods , which are devoted to Russia ’ s diplomatic presence in the US as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s staff .

WASHINGTON, February 11. /TASS/. Fostering Russian-US relations will positively influence the entire course of global events, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said on Monday at a reception on the occasion of the Day of Diplomatic Service.
"For a second year in a row, we are celebrating our holiday with colleagues from the Commonwealth of Independent States. All of us have one diplomatic school," Antonov noted. "On the eve of the 75th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War we are even more united."
According to the ambassador, Russia’s foreign policy is aimed at "defending national interests for the sake of internal development." "Our country has never dodged responsibility for ensuring peace and stability," the diplomat emphasized. "We will protect the principles of non-interference in domestic affairs."
"We will go our part of the road towards each state, which seeks to build relations with Russia on the basis of mutual respect and the balance of interests," Antonov stated. "We are convinced that improving Russian-US cooperation does not only meet the two countries’ interests but will also have productive influence on the entire course of global events."
During the reception, the participants also watched a video greeting from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The Russian Embassy in Washington D.C. is hosting two photo exhibitions. The first one is devoted to the 75th Yalta Conference, which laid the basis for a post-war world order. The second exhibition features photos from various periods, which are devoted to Russia’s diplomatic presence in the US as well as modern photos made by the mission’s staff.


tass--2020-02-11--Global WHO forum on coronavirus to open in Geneva

GENEVA , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
A two-day global forum to discuss measures against the novel coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) , organized by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , will begin its work in Geneva on Tuesday .
The event will bring together over 400 experts , leading scientists and senior health officials from various countries .
The main goal of the forum is to identify knowledge gaps and research priorities in order to produce scientific information and medical products most needed to minimize the impact of the 2019-nCoV outbreak .
The participants will try to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchange biological samples and genome sequences .
They are expected to lay down the global program for 2019-nCoV research .
`` Harnessing the power of science is critical for bringing this outbreak under control , '' WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week .
`` There are questions we need answers to , and tools we need developed as quickly as possible .
WHO is playing an important coordinating role by bringing the scientific community together to identify research priorities and accelerate progress . ''
Russia will be represented by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare ( Rospotrebnadzor ) .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany , Japan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Philippines , Russia , Singapore , South Korea , Spain , Sri Lanka , Sweden , Thailand , the United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom , the United States and Vietnam .
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with coronavirus reached 42,638 in China , 1,016 of them have died .
Meanwhile , almost 4,000 people are said to have recovered from it .

GENEVA, February 11. /TASS/. A two-day global forum to discuss measures against the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), organized by the World Health Organization (WHO), will begin its work in Geneva on Tuesday.
The event will bring together over 400 experts, leading scientists and senior health officials from various countries.
The main goal of the forum is to identify knowledge gaps and research priorities in order to produce scientific information and medical products most needed to minimize the impact of the 2019-nCoV outbreak.
The participants will try to determine the primary source of the infection, exchange biological samples and genome sequences. They are expected to lay down the global program for 2019-nCoV research.
"Harnessing the power of science is critical for bringing this outbreak under control," WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week. "There are questions we need answers to, and tools we need developed as quickly as possible. WHO is playing an important coordinating role by bringing the scientific community together to identify research priorities and accelerate progress."
Russia will be represented by a delegation of the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor).
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The virus spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.
Currently, the total number of people infected with coronavirus reached 42,638 in China, 1,016 of them have died. Meanwhile, almost 4,000 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-11--Russia hopes for partners’ support in convening summit of UN founding nations — diplomat

WASHINGTON , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia expects its partners to support the initiative of a summit bringing together leaders of the five UN Security Council permanent members , Russia ’ s Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said .
`` Peoples have the right to demand that their governments step up efforts for strengthening peace rather than curtail them , '' he said during a reception on the occasion of the Day of Diplomatic Service .
`` In that regard , we count on support from our partners in implementing Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s initiative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are permanent members of the UN Security Council , '' the diplomat continued .
Speaking at the World Holocaust Forum on January 23 , Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested organizing a summit of the leaders of Russia , China , the United States , France and Britain in 2020 to discuss world affairs .
He said such a meeting could be held `` in any country and at any point on the globe the counterparts find convenient . ''
Moscow , in his words , is ready `` for such a serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages of these countries ’ leaders without delay .
Earlier , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that China and France had already supported the initiative .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on February 6 Russia had not yet received responses from the United States and the United Kingdom .

WASHINGTON, February 11. /TASS/. Russia expects its partners to support the initiative of a summit bringing together leaders of the five UN Security Council permanent members, Russia’s Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said.
"Peoples have the right to demand that their governments step up efforts for strengthening peace rather than curtail them," he said during a reception on the occasion of the Day of Diplomatic Service.
"In that regard, we count on support from our partners in implementing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to convoke a meeting of nations, who are permanent members of the UN Security Council," the diplomat continued.
Speaking at the World Holocaust Forum on January 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested organizing a summit of the leaders of Russia, China, the United States, France and Britain in 2020 to discuss world affairs. He said such a meeting could be held "in any country and at any point on the globe the counterparts find convenient." Moscow, in his words, is ready "for such a serious discussion" and plans to send corresponding messages of these countries’ leaders without delay.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that China and France had already supported the initiative.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on February 6 Russia had not yet received responses from the United States and the United Kingdom.


tass--2020-02-11--Over 100 US servicemen injured Iran’s January missile attack on US base

WASHINGTON , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 109 US servicemen have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) after Iran ’ s missile strike targeting US military bases in Iraq in early January , the US Department of Defense said .
The Pentagon said 109 servicemen had a mild form of TBI , and `` nearly 70 % of those diagnosed '' have already returned to duty .
A total of 27 injured soldiers were taken to Germany to receive medical assistance , 21 of them were later sent to the United States .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he resumed his service .
The updated report is a significant jump from the 50 cases , reported by Pentagon ’ s official spokesman Col. Gen. Thomas Campbell in late January .
The situation around Iran exacerbated dramatically after the US launched a strike on Baghdad ’ s airport on January 3 killing General Qasem Soleimani , the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards ’ elite Quds Force .
Tehran vowed to respond harshly in response to Washington ’ s actions .
On January 8 , Iran retaliated by launching missile strikes on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military - Al-Asad Air Base and the airport of Erbil .
US President Donald Trump said shortly after the Iranian attack that no deaths and even no injuries were reported among US soldiers .

WASHINGTON, February 11. /TASS/. A total of 109 US servicemen have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) after Iran’s missile strike targeting US military bases in Iraq in early January, the US Department of Defense said.
The Pentagon said 109 servicemen had a mild form of TBI, and "nearly 70% of those diagnosed" have already returned to duty.
A total of 27 injured soldiers were taken to Germany to receive medical assistance, 21 of them were later sent to the United States. One person has already returned to Iraq where he resumed his service.
The updated report is a significant jump from the 50 cases, reported by Pentagon’s official spokesman Col. Gen. Thomas Campbell in late January.
The situation around Iran exacerbated dramatically after the US launched a strike on Baghdad’s airport on January 3 killing General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds Force. Tehran vowed to respond harshly in response to Washington’s actions. On January 8, Iran retaliated by launching missile strikes on two facilities in Iraq used by US military - Al-Asad Air Base and the airport of Erbil.
US President Donald Trump said shortly after the Iranian attack that no deaths and even no injuries were reported among US soldiers.


tass--2020-02-11--Ukrainian president determined to end Donbass conflict — aide

KIEV , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is sincerely determined to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine ’ s region of Donbass and is doing his best to achieve the goal , his aide Andrei Yermak said .
`` I believe and I ’ m firmly convinced that it ’ s Zelensky ’ s sincere desire to end the war , and I ’ m convinced that at present our country is doing whatever it takes to make this happen , acting at all levels , including within the formats of the Normandy Quartet and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ukraine 24 TV channel .
A Normandy Four summit was held in Paris on December 9 , 2019 , for the first time after a three-year break .
Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia , Emmanuel Macron of Germany , Vladimir Zelensky of Ukraine and German Chancellor Angela Merkel gathered in the Elysee Palace to discuss ways of settling the conflict in Donbass .
The seven-hour talks yielded a final document committing to paper a number of concrete accords .
The four leaders reaffirmed their commitment to implementing a comprehensive ceasefire in Donbass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also voiced support for a plan to carry out the disengagement of forces in three more areas in Donbass by the end of March 2020 and conduct an all-for-all prisoner exchange before 2019 ends .
The leaders agreed to meet again in four months .

KIEV, February 11. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is sincerely determined to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine’s region of Donbass and is doing his best to achieve the goal, his aide Andrei Yermak said.
"I believe and I’m firmly convinced that it’s Zelensky’s sincere desire to end the war, and I’m convinced that at present our country is doing whatever it takes to make this happen, acting at all levels, including within the formats of the Normandy Quartet and the Minsk process," the official told the Ukraine 24 TV channel.
A Normandy Four summit was held in Paris on December 9, 2019, for the first time after a three-year break. Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Emmanuel Macron of Germany, Vladimir Zelensky of Ukraine and German Chancellor Angela Merkel gathered in the Elysee Palace to discuss ways of settling the conflict in Donbass.
The seven-hour talks yielded a final document committing to paper a number of concrete accords. The four leaders reaffirmed their commitment to implementing a comprehensive ceasefire in Donbass before the end of 2019. They also voiced support for a plan to carry out the disengagement of forces in three more areas in Donbass by the end of March 2020 and conduct an all-for-all prisoner exchange before 2019 ends. The leaders agreed to meet again in four months.


tass--2020-02-11--Nissan may halt St. Petersburg plant in March amid Chinese coronavirus

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Nissan may temporarily halt assembling cars at its Russian plant in St. Petersburg due to coronavirus-related shortages of Chinese-made components , a company spokesperson told TASS .
`` The situation is as follows : we are now assessing the risks .
There is a possibility of halting production in March if Chinese plants do not resume production on February 17 as was promised .
But there is only a possibility of a temporary halt .
If they [ Chinese manufacturers ] resume their work on schedule , everything will be fine , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car plant in St. Petersburg is working in normal regime .
`` For the time being , we have plenty of everything , of all automobile components , '' the spokesperson added .
Russian truck maker Kamaz also said it might adjust its production plan if the novel coronavirus infection continues to spread in China and other countries that produce parts for Kamaz .
The company said it continued assessing risks , but had a sufficient stock of Chinese-made components .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The virus spread to 24 more countries outside China , including Russia .
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Nissan may temporarily halt assembling cars at its Russian plant in St. Petersburg due to coronavirus-related shortages of Chinese-made components, a company spokesperson told TASS.
"The situation is as follows: we are now assessing the risks. There is a possibility of halting production in March if Chinese plants do not resume production on February 17 as was promised. But there is only a possibility of a temporary halt. If they [Chinese manufacturers] resume their work on schedule, everything will be fine," the source said.
At present, the car plant in St. Petersburg is working in normal regime.
"For the time being, we have plenty of everything, of all automobile components," the spokesperson added.
Russian truck maker Kamaz also said it might adjust its production plan if the novel coronavirus infection continues to spread in China and other countries that produce parts for Kamaz. The company said it continued assessing risks, but had a sufficient stock of Chinese-made components.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The virus spread to 24 more countries outside China, including Russia. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.


tass--2020-02-11--Extending New START could help Russia, US ease bilateral tensions — ex-diplomats

NEW YORK , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and the United States could ease the current tensions in bilateral relations by extending the New START treaty on nuclear arms , two former top diplomats from Russia and United States said in a joint article published by the New York Times on Monday .
Former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said `` the relationship between Russia and the United States has been mired in crisis for much of the past decade . ''
`` Communication once considered routine has been cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more difficult to reduce tensions and avoid miscalculation , '' the article reads .
`` The current state of affairs does not serve the strategic interests of either country , and it puts global security at risk because Russia and the United States are the only countries that possess enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other - and all of humanity . ''
According to the two former diplomats , restoring mutual confidence and putting United States-Russian relations on a safer track will require a long-term effort , but the two countries have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instability by extending the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty , which expires on February 5 , 2021 .
`` The United States and Russia can avoid a senseless and dangerous return to nuclear brinksmanship if they act soon .
There is no reason to wait , and extending the treaty , known as New START , is the place to begin , '' Albright and Ivanov said .
`` Russia has indicated , at the highest levels , its willingness to do so .
All that President Trump needs to do is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the article reads .
According to the authors of the article , `` time is critical '' and doing nothing while waiting for a `` better '' agreement is `` a recipe for disaster . ''
`` The treaty ’ s agreed limits on nuclear arsenals are too important to be put at risk in a game of nuclear chicken , '' the article says .
`` We have an opportunity to improve security and rebuild trust between the world ’ s two great nuclear powers .
It must not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States secretary of state from 1997 to 2001 .
Igor Ivanov was the Russian foreign minister from 1998 to 2004 .
24 other former foreign ministers , members of the Aspen Ministers Forum , expressed their support to Albright and Ivanov in a similar statement .
`` Extending New START would lay solid groundwork and build momentum towards increased international cooperation in the new decade , '' the statement says .
The diplomats believe that extending the treaty is an `` achievable step in the near-term '' and reiterate that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still in place that limits US and Russian nuclear forces '' and `` provides vital verification and transparency measures that have helped foster strategic stability . ''
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms ( the New START Treaty ) was signed in 2010 and it entered into force on February 5 , 2011 .
The document stipulates that seven years after its entry into effect each party should have no more than a total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBM ) and strategic bombers , as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs , deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers , and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers , SLBM launchers and strategic bombers .
The New START Treaty obliges the parties to exchange information on the number of warheads and carriers twice a year .
The deal will remain in force during 10 years until 2021 , unless superseded by a subsequent agreement .
It may be extended for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( i.e .
until 2026 ) upon the parties ’ mutual consent .
Moscow has numerously called on Washington not to delay the issue of the Treaty ’ s possible extension .

NEW YORK, February 11. /TASS/. Russia and the United States could ease the current tensions in bilateral relations by extending the New START treaty on nuclear arms, two former top diplomats from Russia and United States said in a joint article published by the New York Times on Monday.
Former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said "the relationship between Russia and the United States has been mired in crisis for much of the past decade."
"Communication once considered routine has been cut off, deepening mistrust and making it more difficult to reduce tensions and avoid miscalculation," the article reads. "The current state of affairs does not serve the strategic interests of either country, and it puts global security at risk because Russia and the United States are the only countries that possess enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other - and all of humanity."
According to the two former diplomats, restoring mutual confidence and putting United States-Russian relations on a safer track will require a long-term effort, but the two countries have a chance to head off even more instability by extending the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which expires on February 5, 2021.
"The United States and Russia can avoid a senseless and dangerous return to nuclear brinksmanship if they act soon. There is no reason to wait, and extending the treaty, known as New START, is the place to begin," Albright and Ivanov said.
"Russia has indicated, at the highest levels, its willingness to do so. All that President Trump needs to do is agree. Legislative approval is not required," the article reads.
According to the authors of the article, "time is critical" and doing nothing while waiting for a "better" agreement is "a recipe for disaster."
"The treaty’s agreed limits on nuclear arsenals are too important to be put at risk in a game of nuclear chicken," the article says. "We have an opportunity to improve security and rebuild trust between the world’s two great nuclear powers. It must not be thrown away."
Madeleine Albright was the United States secretary of state from 1997 to 2001. Igor Ivanov was the Russian foreign minister from 1998 to 2004.
Aspen Ministers Forum’s plea
24 other former foreign ministers, members of the Aspen Ministers Forum, expressed their support to Albright and Ivanov in a similar statement.
"Extending New START would lay solid groundwork and build momentum towards increased international cooperation in the new decade," the statement says.
The diplomats believe that extending the treaty is an "achievable step in the near-term" and reiterate that the New START is "the only agreement still in place that limits US and Russian nuclear forces" and "provides vital verification and transparency measures that have helped foster strategic stability."
New START treaty
The Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (the New START Treaty) was signed in 2010 and it entered into force on February 5, 2011.
The document stipulates that seven years after its entry into effect each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and strategic bombers, as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers, and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers, SLBM launchers and strategic bombers.
The New START Treaty obliges the parties to exchange information on the number of warheads and carriers twice a year.
The deal will remain in force during 10 years until 2021, unless superseded by a subsequent agreement. It may be extended for a period of no more than five years (i.e. until 2026) upon the parties’ mutual consent.
Moscow has numerously called on Washington not to delay the issue of the Treaty’s possible extension.


tass--2020-02-11--Kiev sees possibility of Russian-Ukrainian exchange of detainees within month

ROME , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadim Pristaiko said another exchange of detainees with Russia was @ @ @ @ @ `` A new exchange may take place this month or the next one .
It @ @ @ @ @ , '' he told reporters during his visit to Rome on Monday .
The minister @ @ @ @ @ the sides `` have been unable '' to reach an agreement .
On February 3 @ @ @ @ @ said negotiations were ongoing with the Russian side regarding convicted and investigated Ukrainians in Russia @ @ @ @ @ that [ swap ] dates will be released soon and the society will see the @ @ @ @ @ .
On September 7 , 2019 , Russia and Ukraine exchanged groups of detainees and @ @ @ @ @ carried out a 35-for-35 swap .

ROME, February 11. /TASS/. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadim Pristaiko said another exchange of detainees with Russia was possible within one month.
"A new exchange may take place this month or the next one. It’s hard to predict," he told reporters during his visit to Rome on Monday.
The minister added that so far, the sides "have been unable" to reach an agreement.
On February 3, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said negotiations were ongoing with the Russian side regarding convicted and investigated Ukrainians in Russia. "I am sure that [swap] dates will be released soon and the society will see the lists," Zelensky said.
On September 7, 2019, Russia and Ukraine exchanged groups of detainees and convicted individuals. Both countries carried out a 35-for-35 swap.


tass--2020-02-11--Syrian troops about to establish full control over Damascus-Aleppo highway — TV

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Syrian governmental troops , advancing from southwestern outskirts of Aleppo , have gained control over a vast section of the Hama-Aleppo road , the last stretch of the strategically important Damascus-Aleppo highway linking the country ’ s north and south .
According to Al-Mayadee , a pan-Arab Beirut-based TV , Syrian army units liberated from militants the villages of Khirbat Jazrayah and Qanatir in the south of Aleppo .
At present , governmental troops have approached the village of al-Qamariyah , from where they are expected to launch a rear attack to militants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A critically important development in the area took place on February 8 , when two separate formations of the Syrian armed forces , advancing from the governorates of Idlib and Aleppo , met late in the Tell Iss district on the Aleppo-Damascus highway .
As a result of the operation , they encircled the remaining militant positions in the vicinity of the road .
As a result of the ongoing operation , governmental troops expect to restore control over the entire 432-km Aleppo-Damascus highway , a strategically important road linking the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hama-Aleppo section of the highway , linking Damascus with industrial regions in the north and the country ’ s economic capital , Aleppo , has remained under the control of terrorist groups since 2014 .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Syrian governmental troops, advancing from southwestern outskirts of Aleppo, have gained control over a vast section of the Hama-Aleppo road, the last stretch of the strategically important Damascus-Aleppo highway linking the country’s north and south.
According to Al-Mayadee, a pan-Arab Beirut-based TV, Syrian army units liberated from militants the villages of Khirbat Jazrayah and Qanatir in the south of Aleppo.
At present, governmental troops have approached the village of al-Qamariyah, from where they are expected to launch a rear attack to militants in the Rashideen-4 district in western Aleppo.
A critically important development in the area took place on February 8, when two separate formations of the Syrian armed forces, advancing from the governorates of Idlib and Aleppo, met late in the Tell Iss district on the Aleppo-Damascus highway. As a result of the operation, they encircled the remaining militant positions in the vicinity of the road.
As a result of the ongoing operation, governmental troops expect to restore control over the entire 432-km Aleppo-Damascus highway, a strategically important road linking the country’s north and south.
The Hama-Aleppo section of the highway, linking Damascus with industrial regions in the north and the country’s economic capital, Aleppo, has remained under the control of terrorist groups since 2014.


tass--2020-02-11--Return of Ukrainian ambassador to Russia not on agenda — Kiev

ROME , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine so far has no plans to return its ambassador to Russia , although embassies and consular services continue their work in both countries , Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadim Pristaiko said on Monday .
According to earlier reports , candidacies of Ukrainian ambassadors to 13 out of 19 countries where they are not present at the moment are currently undergoing approval .
However , the exact list of countries was not specified .
Commenting on the reports , the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said `` the minister did not submit the candidacy of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that Russia would not object the return of ambassadors , adding that despite all difficulties in bilateral relations , the two neighbors still remain closely interconnected in economy , transport and humanitarian affairs .
`` I heard the news today from my friend , minister Lavrov , but this is not what he was talking about .
He said that at some point , the ambassadors will return .
It is true , this will happen someday .
But , at the moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being provided , '' Pristaiko told Russian reporters in Rome .
Ukraine recalled its ambassador to Russia for consultations in 2014 .
Russia did the same in 2016 .

ROME, February 11. /TASS/. Ukraine so far has no plans to return its ambassador to Russia, although embassies and consular services continue their work in both countries, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadim Pristaiko said on Monday.
According to earlier reports, candidacies of Ukrainian ambassadors to 13 out of 19 countries where they are not present at the moment are currently undergoing approval. However, the exact list of countries was not specified.
Commenting on the reports, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said "the minister did not submit the candidacy of an ambassador to Russia for presidential approval." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that Russia would not object the return of ambassadors, adding that despite all difficulties in bilateral relations, the two neighbors still remain closely interconnected in economy, transport and humanitarian affairs.
"I heard the news today from my friend, minister Lavrov, but this is not what he was talking about. He said that at some point, the ambassadors will return. It is true, this will happen someday. But, at the moment, our embassies keep working, consular assistance is being provided," Pristaiko told Russian reporters in Rome.
Ukraine recalled its ambassador to Russia for consultations in 2014. Russia did the same in 2016.


tass--2020-02-11--Novel coronavirus death toll in China reaches 1,016 — authorities

BEIJING , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 108 people died of pneumonia caused by the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus in China in the past 24 hours , bringing the overall death toll to 1,016 , China 's National Health Commission said on its website on Tuesday .
`` As of 24:00 , February 10 ( 19:00 Moscow time ) , the number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus reached 42,638 in China , with 1,016 deaths .
A total of 3,996 people recovered and have been discharged from hospitals , '' the commission said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in mainland China were reported in the central province of Hubei , where the deadly infection broke out in late 2019 .
By Tuesday , the region had 31,738 coronavirus patients , 974 of whom died .
Outside mainland China , 70 confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Hong Kong ( 42 cases , one death ) , Macao ( 10 cases ) and Taiwan ( 18 cases ) .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The virus spread to 24 more countries outside China , including Russia .
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .

BEIJING, February 11. /TASS/. A total of 108 people died of pneumonia caused by the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus in China in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll to 1,016, China's National Health Commission said on its website on Tuesday.
"As of 24:00, February 10 (19:00 Moscow time), the number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus reached 42,638 in China, with 1,016 deaths. A total of 3,996 people recovered and have been discharged from hospitals," the commission said in a statement.
The majority of cases in mainland China were reported in the central province of Hubei, where the deadly infection broke out in late 2019. By Tuesday, the region had 31,738 coronavirus patients, 974 of whom died.
Outside mainland China, 70 confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Hong Kong (42 cases, one death), Macao (10 cases) and Taiwan (18 cases).
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The virus spread to 24 more countries outside China, including Russia. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.


tass--2020-02-12--Russia cannot just sit and wait for further developments in Syria's Idlib — diplomat

MOSCOW , February 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia can not just sit and wait for further developments in Syria 's Idlib where terrorists shell Syrian army 's positions daily , head of the Russian Foreign Ministry 's Department of International Organizations Pyotr Ilyichev said on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 9th session of the Uniteted Nations Model at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs .
In response to a question on how the latest developments in Idlib affect Russian-Turkish relations , Ilyichev reminded about the memorandum on the de-escalation zone in Idlib from September 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for sovereignty , territorial integrity , unity of the Syrian Arab Republic , and that the agreement on establishing a security zone in Idlib is temporary . ''
`` Furthermore , there were very important details , according to which Turkey pledged to disengage moderate opposition from terrorists , pledged to create a demilitarized zone , pledged to ensure free access to two national highways — M-4 and M-5 .
Over the last one-and-a-half years , nothing was done , '' he added .
`` We understand difficulties that our Turkish partners face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces , the positions of Russian forces — the Hmeymim air base , drone attacks — come under fire daily , '' he noted .
`` We can not just sit and wait what will happen in Idlib next , '' he stressed .
The situation in Idlib escalataed after Russian and Turkish military made another attempt to introduce a ceasefire regime but terrorists only stepped up their attacks .
As a result , Russian and Turkish military specialists were killed .
In response , the Syrian army took control over the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 .

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Russia cannot just sit and wait for further developments in Syria's Idlib where terrorists shell Syrian army's positions daily, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of International Organizations Pyotr Ilyichev said on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 9th session of the Uniteted Nations Model at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In response to a question on how the latest developments in Idlib affect Russian-Turkish relations, Ilyichev reminded about the memorandum on the de-escalation zone in Idlib from September 2018 which "reiterates, firstly, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity of the Syrian Arab Republic, and that the agreement on establishing a security zone in Idlib is temporary." " Furthermore, there were very important details, according to which Turkey pledged to disengage moderate opposition from terrorists, pledged to create a demilitarized zone, pledged to ensure free access to two national highways — M-4 and M-5. Over the last one-and-a-half years, nothing was done," he added.
"We understand difficulties that our Turkish partners face. However, the positions of Syrian forces, the positions of Russian forces — the Hmeymim air base, drone attacks — come under fire daily," he noted. "We cannot just sit and wait what will happen in Idlib next," he stressed.
The situation in Idlib escalataed after Russian and Turkish military made another attempt to introduce a ceasefire regime but terrorists only stepped up their attacks. As a result, Russian and Turkish military specialists were killed. In response, the Syrian army took control over the city of Saraqib in Idlib province on February 5.


tass--2020-02-12--Moscow hopes Russia's position will be considered in resolution on Libya — envoy

THE UNITED NATIONS , February 12 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow hopes that Russia 's position will be considered in the resolution on Libya which will be submitted for voting at the UN Security Council on Wednesday , Russia 's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya told TASS on Tuesday .
A source earlier told TASS that the United Kingdom 's draft resolution in support of the Berlin conference on Libya will be submitted for voting to the UN Security Council on February 12 .
`` We still have time for discussion .
There are several questions which we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that our position will be considered , '' Nebenzya said .
Neogtiations on the resolution have been held for several weeks .
UK 's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Karen Pierce said earlier that London hopes to coordinate a draft that will be acceptable for everyone .
On January 19 , a conference on Libyan settlement was held in Berlin at the level of heads of state and government .
In the final document , participants in the conference called for a ceasefire , pledged to refrain from interfering into Libya 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a unified government and launch reforms for restoring statehood .
The sides in the conflict also agreed to setting up a special commission for ceasefire monitoring .
There are currently two executive bodies operating in Libya - the internationally recognized Government of National Accord , and the transitional cabinet in the east of the country which is supported by the House of Representatives ( parliament ) and the Libyan National Army .

THE UNITED NATIONS, February 12. /TASS/. Moscow hopes that Russia's position will be considered in the resolution on Libya which will be submitted for voting at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya told TASS on Tuesday.
A source earlier told TASS that the United Kingdom's draft resolution in support of the Berlin conference on Libya will be submitted for voting to the UN Security Council on February 12.
"We still have time for discussion. There are several questions which we are coordinating with them, and we hope that our position will be considered," Nebenzya said.
Neogtiations on the resolution have been held for several weeks. UK's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Karen Pierce said earlier that London hopes to coordinate a draft that will be acceptable for everyone.
On January 19, a conference on Libyan settlement was held in Berlin at the level of heads of state and government. In the final document, participants in the conference called for a ceasefire, pledged to refrain from interfering into Libya's internal affairs, suggested to set up a unified government and launch reforms for restoring statehood. The sides in the conflict also agreed to setting up a special commission for ceasefire monitoring.
There are currently two executive bodies operating in Libya - the internationally recognized Government of National Accord, and the transitional cabinet in the east of the country which is supported by the House of Representatives (parliament) and the Libyan National Army.