tass--2020-02-06--Russia to aid national accord process in Central African Republic — ministry

`` We continue to support the process of national accord in the Central African Republic , working in close coordination with the country ’ s government led by President Faustin-Archange Touadera , the African Union and CAR ’ s international partners , as well as within the platform of the UN and its Security Council , '' the ministry said .
The ministry reminded that today marks one year since the signing of a peace agreement in CAR ’ s capital of Bangui between the country ’ s government and armed groups operating on its territory .
`` The implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event in CAR ’ s political life , jumpstarting the process of national accord , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry stated .
MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will continue to aid the process of national accord in the Central African Republic ( CAR ) in coordination with the country ’ s government , the African Union and the United Nations , the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday .
Russia `` aims to continue providing comprehensive support to CAR with the goal of regulating the situation , namely through aiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We are confident that raising the capacity and training of the national army and law enforcement will help combat the activity of illegal armed formations , ensure the protection of civil population and facilitate the spread of state authority on the entire territory of CAR , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry added .
Russian diplomats pointed out that Russia had always taken active part in promoting Central African settlement , adding that the peace agreement had been signed in part due to mediation efforts of Russia and Sudan , who initiated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khartoum .
In January-February 2019 , direct talks between CAR ’ s government and armed formations were held , which led to the signing of the peace agreement in Bangui on February 6 , 2019 , the ministry reminded .
The ministry stressed that since February 2019 , a lot had been achieved despite certain obstacles .
`` There is gradual improvement in the sphere of security and human rights .
Armed violence has gone down .
There is progress in the implementation of the program on disarmament , demobilization , reintegration and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , national armed forces and law enforcement are establishing themselves on CAR ’ s territory , '' the message informs .
`` We believe that under current circumstances , all interested parties must continue to adhere to the political agreement , abstaining from destabilizing the domestic policy situation in CAR in the interest of achieving a key objective : organizing and holding free , peaceful and transparent parliamentary and presidential elections within the stipulated period , which will become an important milestone in stabilization and normalization of the situation in the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

"We continue to support the process of national accord in the Central African Republic, working in close coordination with the country’s government led by President Faustin-Archange Touadera, the African Union and CAR’s international partners, as well as within the platform of the UN and its Security Council," the ministry said.
The ministry reminded that today marks one year since the signing of a peace agreement in CAR’s capital of Bangui between the country’s government and armed groups operating on its territory. "The implementation of these agreements has become a landmark event in CAR’s political life, jumpstarting the process of national accord," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.
MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Russia will continue to aid the process of national accord in the Central African Republic (CAR) in coordination with the country’s government, the African Union and the United Nations, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Russia "aims to continue providing comprehensive support to CAR with the goal of regulating the situation, namely through aiding defense reforms," the ministry added. "We are confident that raising the capacity and training of the national army and law enforcement will help combat the activity of illegal armed formations, ensure the protection of civil population and facilitate the spread of state authority on the entire territory of CAR," the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
Russian diplomats pointed out that Russia had always taken active part in promoting Central African settlement, adding that the peace agreement had been signed in part due to mediation efforts of Russia and Sudan, who initiated the 2018 talks between armed formations in Khartoum. In January-February 2019, direct talks between CAR’s government and armed formations were held, which led to the signing of the peace agreement in Bangui on February 6, 2019, the ministry reminded.
The ministry stressed that since February 2019, a lot had been achieved despite certain obstacles. "There is gradual improvement in the sphere of security and human rights. Armed violence has gone down. There is progress in the implementation of the program on disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation of combatants. Slowly but steadily, national armed forces and law enforcement are establishing themselves on CAR’s territory," the message informs.
"We believe that under current circumstances, all interested parties must continue to adhere to the political agreement, abstaining from destabilizing the domestic policy situation in CAR in the interest of achieving a key objective: organizing and holding free, peaceful and transparent parliamentary and presidential elections within the stipulated period, which will become an important milestone in stabilization and normalization of the situation in the country," the Russian Foreign Ministry concluded.


tass--2020-02-06--Chairman of Russian Accounts Chamber meets with new US ambassador

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Chairman of the Russian Accounts Chamber Alexey Kudrin has said that he discussed @ @ @ @ @ Russia John Sullivan bilateral cooperation and the work of the Russian Accounts Chamber as the @ @ @ @ @ of Supreme Audit Institutions ( INTOSAI ) .
`` New US Ambassador John Sullivan has @ @ @ @ @ We exchanged information on cooperation between our countries and on the work of the Accounts @ @ @ @ @ INTOSAI .
We expressed mutual hope for easing sanctions in the future .
The ambassador @ @ @ @ @ will help him in his work in Russia , '' Kudrin wrote on his official @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Chairman of the Russian Accounts Chamber Alexey Kudrin has said that he discussed with new US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan bilateral cooperation and the work of the Russian Accounts Chamber as the chair of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).
"New US Ambassador John Sullivan has visited the Accounts Chamber. We exchanged information on cooperation between our countries and on the work of the Accounts Chamber as the chair of INTOSAI. We expressed mutual hope for easing sanctions in the future. The ambassador plays hockey, and this will help him in his work in Russia," Kudrin wrote on his official Twitter account on Thursday.


tass--2020-02-06--Plane with Russian children on board departs from Syria

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
A plane with Russian children on board has departed from Syria , the press service of the Russian Children 's Rights Commissioner Anna Kuznetsova told reporters on Thursday .
`` The plane with Russian children has departed from Syria on Thursday , '' the press service said .
The press service noted that the children will be taken to the National Medical Research Center of Children 's Health , where relatives will be waiting for them .
Before the departure from the Russian air base Hmeymim in Syria , Kuznetsova said that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nine more people stayed in Damascus to finish paperwork .
`` We have to leave several children in Damascus for now because their paperwork has not been completed .
However , it will be ready very soon , and the children will be brought back on the first available plane .
So we hope that everything will resolve positively , thanks to our military , '' Kuznetsova told reporters .
Several Russian children ended up in Syria and Iraq because their parents joined the Islamic State ( IS ) terrorist organization ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , terrorists started sending those children to camps so that they can undergo ideological and military training and later join militants .
The work to return Russian children from the zone of military conflict is underway after Russian President Vladimir Putin 's order .
Since 2017 , the Russian children 's rights commissioner together with the Foreign Ministry , Emergencies Ministry , Interior Ministry , Health Ministry and other agencies , developed a plan of action to return the children to Russia .

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. A plane with Russian children on board has departed from Syria, the press service of the Russian Children's Rights Commissioner Anna Kuznetsova told reporters on Thursday.
"The plane with Russian children has departed from Syria on Thursday," the press service said.
The press service noted that the children will be taken to the National Medical Research Center of Children's Health, where relatives will be waiting for them.
Before the departure from the Russian air base Hmeymim in Syria, Kuznetsova said that there are 26 children on board the plane. Nine more people stayed in Damascus to finish paperwork.
"We have to leave several children in Damascus for now because their paperwork has not been completed. However, it will be ready very soon, and the children will be brought back on the first available plane. So we hope that everything will resolve positively, thanks to our military," Kuznetsova told reporters.
Several Russian children ended up in Syria and Iraq because their parents joined the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization (banned in Russia). In 2017, terrorists started sending those children to camps so that they can undergo ideological and military training and later join militants.
The work to return Russian children from the zone of military conflict is underway after Russian President Vladimir Putin's order. Since 2017, the Russian children's rights commissioner together with the Foreign Ministry, Emergencies Ministry, Interior Ministry, Health Ministry and other agencies, developed a plan of action to return the children to Russia.


tass--2020-02-06--Russian military conduct patrol mission in Syria without Turkish side

`` As the Turkish side failed to arrive for a joint patrol , units of the Russian military police unilaterally conducted patrolling in Al-Hasakah Governorate , '' he said .
MOSCOW , February 6./TASS/ .
Turkish military in Syria have failed to arrive for a joint with the Russian military patrol mission for a second time this week .
The mission was conducted by the Russian military police only , Major General Yuri Borenkov , chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria , said on Thursday .
It was carried out `` in accordance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incidents , '' the general specified .
Besides , Russian helicopters conducted an aerial patrol mission along two routes .
In the past 24 hours , militants violated the ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation zone 31 times , shelling Latakia , Idlib and Hama governorate .
Prior to that , Turkish military failed to arrive for a joint patrol mission on February 3 against the background of an overnight incident in Idlib Governorate , when positions of the Turkish troops in the area of Saraqib came under the fire from the Syrian army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilians .
Ankara claimed that the Syrian army had been notified about the Turkish forces ’ location in advance .
On the same day , Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkish jets and artillery had carried out strikes against 40 targets in Syria ’ s Idlib in response to the shelling of its troops in the area of Saraqib .
According to the Russian reconciliation center , Turkish positions came under fire on Monday night because the Turkish side had failed to notify Russia about the movement of its forces whereas Syrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Idlib is the only large Syrian region that is still controlled by illegal armed groups .
A norther de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria ’ s southern regions .
Twelve Turkish observation stations are operating in the Idlib governorate .

"As the Turkish side failed to arrive for a joint patrol, units of the Russian military police unilaterally conducted patrolling in Al-Hasakah Governorate," he said.
MOSCOW, February 6./TASS/. Turkish military in Syria have failed to arrive for a joint with the Russian military patrol mission for a second time this week. The mission was conducted by the Russian military police only, Major General Yuri Borenkov, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Thursday.
It was carried out "in accordance with the approved plans, without any incidents," the general specified. Besides, Russian helicopters conducted an aerial patrol mission along two routes.
In the past 24 hours, militants violated the ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation zone 31 times, shelling Latakia, Idlib and Hama governorate.
Prior to that, Turkish military failed to arrive for a joint patrol mission on February 3 against the background of an overnight incident in Idlib Governorate, when positions of the Turkish troops in the area of Saraqib came under the fire from the Syrian army that killed five Turkish soldiers and three civilians. Ankara claimed that the Syrian army had been notified about the Turkish forces’ location in advance.
On the same day, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkish jets and artillery had carried out strikes against 40 targets in Syria’s Idlib in response to the shelling of its troops in the area of Saraqib.
According to the Russian reconciliation center, Turkish positions came under fire on Monday night because the Turkish side had failed to notify Russia about the movement of its forces whereas Syrian government troops targeted terrorists retreating to Saraqib.
Idlib is the only large Syrian region that is still controlled by illegal armed groups. A norther de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria’s southern regions. Twelve Turkish observation stations are operating in the Idlib governorate.


tass--2020-02-06--Chinese newspaper refutes death of doctor who reported China coronavirus

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
China ’ s Global Times daily has refuted previous reports of Li Wenliang ’ s death .
Li Wenliang is one of the first doctors to report an outbreak of novel coronavirus in China .
He is currently in critical condition , the newspaper informed .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , over 1,400 people are said to have recovered from it .

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. China’s Global Times daily has refuted previous reports of Li Wenliang’s death. Li Wenliang is one of the first doctors to report an outbreak of novel coronavirus in China. He is currently in critical condition, the newspaper informed.
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 exceeded 28,000 in China with over 560 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 1,400 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-06--One of first doctors to report coronavirus in China dies in Wuhan, reports say

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
One of eight doctors who first reported an outbreak of novel coronavirus in China , Li Wenliang , has died in Wuhan on Thursday .
The Global Times daily informed that he had succumbed to pneumonia caused by the virus .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 exceeded 28,000 in China with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the disease .
Meanwhile , over 1,400 people are said to have recovered from it .

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. One of eight doctors who first reported an outbreak of novel coronavirus in China, Li Wenliang, has died in Wuhan on Thursday. The Global Times daily informed that he had succumbed to pneumonia caused by the virus.
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 exceeded 28,000 in China with over 560 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 1,400 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-06--Russian, US companies interested in expanding cooperation in energy sector, says Minister

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Russian and American energy companies are interested in expanding cooperation and fulfilment of Russia ’ s investment potential , Energy Minister Alexander Novak said after a meeting with US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan .
`` Russian Energy Ministry is ready to resume dialogue with the US side in the energy sector , including on potential areas of cooperation such as the environment and analysis of the situation on the oil and gas market , as well as interaction on international platforms , including the G20 , provided there is a constructive approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Novak said as quoted by the Energy Ministry .
`` We welcome cooperation at the corporate level - the work of the companies of our countries shows their interest in expanding cooperation and fulfilment of our investment potential , '' Novak said .
Russian-US energy cooperation has stalled due to Washington ’ s sanctions policy .
In particular , US sectoral sanctions prohibit investment and technological cooperation on projects to develop the Russian offshore zone , including the Arctic .
The most recent US sanctions have halted the construction of the Nord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost complete .
The White House has lately threatened with new sanctions against the gas project and Russian state oil company Rosneft over the company ’ s cooperation with Venezuela .

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Russian and American energy companies are interested in expanding cooperation and fulfilment of Russia’s investment potential, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said after a meeting with US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan.
"Russian Energy Ministry is ready to resume dialogue with the US side in the energy sector, including on potential areas of cooperation such as the environment and analysis of the situation on the oil and gas market, as well as interaction on international platforms, including the G20, provided there is a constructive approach on the part of our partners," Novak said as quoted by the Energy Ministry.
"We welcome cooperation at the corporate level - the work of the companies of our countries shows their interest in expanding cooperation and fulfilment of our investment potential," Novak said.
Russian-US energy cooperation has stalled due to Washington’s sanctions policy. In particular, US sectoral sanctions prohibit investment and technological cooperation on projects to develop the Russian offshore zone, including the Arctic.
The most recent US sanctions have halted the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is almost complete. The White House has lately threatened with new sanctions against the gas project and Russian state oil company Rosneft over the company’s cooperation with Venezuela.


tass--2020-02-06--Museum set to open in Russia-restored palace in Italy’s L’Aquila on June 21

ROME , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
A museum of modern art will officially open its doors to visitors on June 21 in the Ardinghelli Palace which was damaged in a major earthquake in the Italian town of L ’ Aquila in 2009 but has been since reconstructed thanks to funding allocated by Russia , Fondazione MAXXI , the National Museum of 21st Century Arts , General Secretary Pietro Barrera announced Thursday .
`` We can finally reveal that MAXXI ’ s branch in L ’ Aquila will be opened on the first day of summer - June 21 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of great restoration artists .
It was also possible due to generous financial support from Russia , '' Barrera said .
He underlined that it is especially symbolic that the museum is launching its branch on its tenth anniversary .
`` On March 31 , the official handover ceremony of the palace where all works have been completed will take place in presence of [ Italian ] Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities Dario Franceschini .
We will arrange separate one-time cultural initiatives there already starting in April , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening on June 21 artworks of six young artists - five Italians and one Russian , Anastasia Potyomkina - were chosen .
Their pieces were created `` specifically for L ’ Aquila with consideration of the town ’ s cultural heritage , '' he said .
`` Works of two photographers will be added to these artworks as well as important exhibits from MAXXI ’ s permanent collection , '' the foundation ’ s general secretary shared .
`` However , as with any other modern art museum , exhibits will change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Aquila earthquake , the Italian authorities addressed the G8 leaders at the inter-governmental political forum asking for help to restore the historical monuments damaged or destroyed by the forces of nature .
Russia chose to rebuild the palace constructed for the aristocratic Ardinghelli family in the first half of the 17th century , as well as the church of San Gregorio Magno that dates back to the beginning of the 14th century , only the altar of which survived .
In total , Russia allocated 9 mln euro , 7.2 mln of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.8 mln were used to restore the church .
Both buildings have been fully restored .
It was Minister Franceschini who proposed hosting MAXXI ’ s branch in L ’ Aquila a few years ago .
Due to political shakeups , he later left the culture minister ’ s office but returned to the cabinet last September .
Nevertheless , Barrera confirmed that the project to organize a MAXXI branch in the Ardinghelli Palace has never been dropped despite changes in the Italian leadership as well as the regional and municipal levels .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ ll be honest , it is a rare case of stability and consistency for the Italian politics , '' Barrera revealed .

ROME, February 6. /TASS/. A museum of modern art will officially open its doors to visitors on June 21 in the Ardinghelli Palace which was damaged in a major earthquake in the Italian town of L’Aquila in 2009 but has been since reconstructed thanks to funding allocated by Russia, Fondazione MAXXI, the National Museum of 21st Century Arts, General Secretary Pietro Barrera announced Thursday.
"We can finally reveal that MAXXI’s branch in L’Aquila will be opened on the first day of summer - June 21. It is not our achievement but that of great restoration artists. It was also possible due to generous financial support from Russia," Barrera said.
He underlined that it is especially symbolic that the museum is launching its branch on its tenth anniversary. "On March 31, the official handover ceremony of the palace where all works have been completed will take place in presence of [Italian] Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities Dario Franceschini. We will arrange separate one-time cultural initiatives there already starting in April," he added.
Barrera told TASS that the initial exhibition opening on June 21 artworks of six young artists - five Italians and one Russian, Anastasia Potyomkina - were chosen. Their pieces were created "specifically for L’Aquila with consideration of the town’s cultural heritage," he said. "Works of two photographers will be added to these artworks as well as important exhibits from MAXXI’s permanent collection," the foundation’s general secretary shared. "However, as with any other modern art museum, exhibits will change," he emphasized.
After the L’Aquila earthquake, the Italian authorities addressed the G8 leaders at the inter-governmental political forum asking for help to restore the historical monuments damaged or destroyed by the forces of nature. Russia chose to rebuild the palace constructed for the aristocratic Ardinghelli family in the first half of the 17th century, as well as the church of San Gregorio Magno that dates back to the beginning of the 14th century, only the altar of which survived. In total, Russia allocated 9 mln euro, 7.2 mln of which were spent on the palace and 1.8 mln were used to restore the church. Both buildings have been fully restored.
It was Minister Franceschini who proposed hosting MAXXI’s branch in L’Aquila a few years ago. Due to political shakeups, he later left the culture minister’s office but returned to the cabinet last September. Nevertheless, Barrera confirmed that the project to organize a MAXXI branch in the Ardinghelli Palace has never been dropped despite changes in the Italian leadership as well as the regional and municipal levels. "The work continued throughout these years. I’ll be honest, it is a rare case of stability and consistency for the Italian politics," Barrera revealed.


tass--2020-02-06--Russian emergencies ministry to send humanitarian aid to China on Feb 8

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Emergencies Ministry plans to send humanitarian aid to China on February 8 , the ministry ’ s press service informed TASS .
The aid will include medicine and means of individual protection .
`` On the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian government , the Russian Emergencies Ministry has begun to collect humanitarian aid for Chinese citizens .
The ministry plans to deliver means of individual protection and medicine coming up to the volume of 183 cubic meters , '' the press service stated .
`` The aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Il-76 plane .
The plane is set to leave from Ramenskoye Airport in the Moscow Region on February 8 . ''
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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 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 exceeded 28,000 in China with over 560 people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , over 1,400 people are said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 , two Russian military planes evacuated 144 people from Wuhan to Russia ’ s Tyumen .
Neither of them have shown symptoms of coronavirus so far .
All passengers have been quarantined for 14 days on their arrival .

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. The Russian Emergencies Ministry plans to send humanitarian aid to China on February 8, the ministry’s press service informed TASS. The aid will include medicine and means of individual protection.
"On the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian government, the Russian Emergencies Ministry has begun to collect humanitarian aid for Chinese citizens. The ministry plans to deliver means of individual protection and medicine coming up to the volume of 183 cubic meters," the press service stated. "The aid will be delivered on a ministry’s Il-76 plane. The plane is set to leave from Ramenskoye Airport in the Moscow Region on February 8."
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 exceeded 28,000 in China with over 560 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 1,400 people are said to have recovered from it.
On February 5, two Russian military planes evacuated 144 people from Wuhan to Russia’s Tyumen. Neither of them have shown symptoms of coronavirus so far. All passengers have been quarantined for 14 days on their arrival.


tass--2020-02-06--WHO to convene global forum on coronavirus research on February 11-12

GENEVA , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) is planning to convene a global @ @ @ @ @ study the new coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) on February 11-12 .
The forum ’ s @ @ @ @ @ and frameworks for combating the disease , WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on @ @ @ @ @ in Geneva .
`` Harnessing the power of science is critical for bringing this outbreak @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` There are questions we need answers to , and tools we need @ @ @ @ @ .
WHO is playing an important coordinating role by bringing the scientific community together to @ @ @ @ @ progress . ''
He noted that the forum would be attended by researchers from all @ @ @ @ @ China .
The aim of the meeting is to speed up development of tests , @ @ @ @ @ the virus .

GENEVA, February 6. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) is planning to convene a global research and innovation forum to study the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) on February 11-12. The forum’s aim is to set priorities and frameworks for combating the disease, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday during a press conference in Geneva.
"Harnessing the power of science is critical for bringing this outbreak under control," he said. "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."
He noted that the forum would be attended by researchers from all over the world, including China. The aim of the meeting is to speed up development of tests, vaccine and medicine to combat the virus.


tass--2020-02-06--China’s coronavirus infection rate starts to decline outside of Hubei province

The Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare informed that no new cases of coronavirus had been detected in Russia apart from the two cases documented earlier .
MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
The infection rate of 2019-nCoV coronavirus has been declining outside of China ’ s Hubei province for the last two days , the Chinese National Health Commission informed .
China ’ s National Health Commission informed that the highest amount of new cases is detected in the Hubei province and its capital of Wuhan .
However , the infection rate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last two days .
On February 3 , there were 890 cases of infection in China outside of the Hubei province , on February 4 - 731 cases , on February 5 - 707 cases .
The amount of people infected in China outside the Hubei province was on the rise until late January , however , this trend began to reverse starting January 31 .
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry , 19 foreign citizens have been infected with the virus on the territory of China , with two of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There have been no new cases of coronavirus in Russia in the past 24 hours , the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare ’ s press service informed on Thursday .
63 Chinese citizens with a Russian residence permit are under medical supervision in Russia ’ s Far East Region .
A Chinese student of Tyumen Industrial University who was confirmed to be infected with coronavirus on January 31 is feeling well , head of the department of healthcare for the Tyumen Region Inna Kulikova told reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tatyana Golikova informed that Russian medical professionals had not managed to receive a strain of the novel coronavirus so far .
She added that Russian experts are working closely with their Chinese colleagues ; however , she was unable to provide a timeframe for obtaining the 2019-nCoV strain .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with over 560 people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , over 1,400 people are said to have recovered from it .

The Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare informed that no new cases of coronavirus had been detected in Russia apart from the two cases documented earlier.
MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. The infection rate of 2019-nCoV coronavirus has been declining outside of China’s Hubei province for the last two days, the Chinese National Health Commission informed.
China’s National Health Commission informed that the highest amount of new cases is detected in the Hubei province and its capital of Wuhan. However, the infection rate in other Chinese provinces has gone down in the last two days. On February 3, there were 890 cases of infection in China outside of the Hubei province, on February 4 - 731 cases, on February 5 - 707 cases. The amount of people infected in China outside the Hubei province was on the rise until late January, however, this trend began to reverse starting January 31.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, 19 foreign citizens have been infected with the virus on the territory of China, with two of them discharged from hospital and 17 undergoing treatment.
There have been no new cases of coronavirus in Russia in the past 24 hours, the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare’s press service informed on Thursday. 63 Chinese citizens with a Russian residence permit are under medical supervision in Russia’s Far East Region. A Chinese student of Tyumen Industrial University who was confirmed to be infected with coronavirus on January 31 is feeling well, head of the department of healthcare for the Tyumen Region Inna Kulikova told reporters on Thursday.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova informed that Russian medical professionals had not managed to receive a strain of the novel coronavirus so far. She added that Russian experts are working closely with their Chinese colleagues; however, she was unable to provide a timeframe for obtaining the 2019-nCoV strain.
About the virus
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 exceeded 28,000 in China with over 560 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 1,400 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-06--Russia moving towards greater pragmatism in relations with Latin America, says expert

`` Considering Russia ’ s positions in Latin America , we are definitely shifting towards a more pragmatic position in bilateral ties with most countries .
A clear example is Brazil and Argentina , while Colombia is a good example , '' he emphasized .
`` We have evident differences with Brazil and Colombia about understanding the situation in Venezuela .
These differences were successfully separated from the rest of the whole complex of bilateral relations . ''
MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is building more and more pragmatic relations with Latin American countries meaning that bilateral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of global political issues , Director of the Institute for Latin American Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences and expert of the Valdai International Discussion Club Dmitry Razumovsky told TASS on Thursday on the occasion of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ’ s tour around Latin America .
The expert underlined that Moscow and Bogota ’ s striving for pragmatic cooperation in spite of difference of opinion on a number of political issues was clearly manifested in last year ’ s visit of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top Colombian diplomat to Russia where he held a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov .
Lavrov ’ s current tour that includes visits to Cuba , Venezuela and Mexico means that he is coming to the region for the second time in a year , the expert recalled .
At the same time , Washington that traditionally regards Latin America as its sphere of interest did not react in any way to these trips because `` it is not a top visit that can provoke a bitter reaction of the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire of all sides to build constructive cooperation bypassing issues that incite differences can be clearly traced at the meeting of BRICS ( Brazil , Russia , India , China and South Africa ) leaders during the G20 summit in Japan ’ s Osaka last June .
Then , Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro distanced himself from discussing the Venezuelan crisis with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin .
Venezuela has not been raised at the meeting at all but the sides debated `` a large set of pragmatic issues '' , the expert pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contradiction in perception .
On the one hand , Realpolitik regarding most countries is becoming more and more ideologized - we are managing to build constructive relations and maintain larger part of cooperation with countries that used to stick to left wing camp where right wing leaders rose to power .
Those are , for instance , Brazil or Argentina when Mauricio Macri was president there , '' he added .
`` Most joint projects , maybe apart from a narrow set of military contracts , was preserved , while even new ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Russian foreign minister ’ s visit should not be tied to developments in Venezuela .
He believes that statements put forward by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying that Russia ’ s support is the key factor that preserves stability of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro ’ s power are not fully reflect the real situation there .
`` The key factor behind this stability is still the army ’ s position and consensus , stability in the ruling elite , lack of division despite the continuing attempts to play the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he continued .
`` Saying that Maduro is staying in power only because of Russia is to excessively simplify the situation . ''
According to Razumovsky , the United States itself recognizes the tactics of swift power change in Venezuela through backing opposition leader Juan Guaido have failed .
Meanwhile , Washington continues to advance its hardline policies against Venezuela .
`` The US seriously hopes that keeping in place the unprecedented sanction pressure will sooner or later lead to regime change and incite a new wave of protests , '' @ @ @ @

"Considering Russia’s positions in Latin America, we are definitely shifting towards a more pragmatic position in bilateral ties with most countries. A clear example is Brazil and Argentina, while Colombia is a good example," he emphasized. "We have evident differences with Brazil and Colombia about understanding the situation in Venezuela. These differences were successfully separated from the rest of the whole complex of bilateral relations."
MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Russia is building more and more pragmatic relations with Latin American countries meaning that bilateral cooperation is preserved despite the differences on a number of global political issues, Director of the Institute for Latin American Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences and expert of the Valdai International Discussion Club Dmitry Razumovsky told TASS on Thursday on the occasion of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s tour around Latin America.
The expert underlined that Moscow and Bogota’s striving for pragmatic cooperation in spite of difference of opinion on a number of political issues was clearly manifested in last year’s visit of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov to Colombia and a reciprocal visit of the top Colombian diplomat to Russia where he held a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
Lavrov’s current tour that includes visits to Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico means that he is coming to the region for the second time in a year, the expert recalled. At the same time, Washington that traditionally regards Latin America as its sphere of interest did not react in any way to these trips because "it is not a top visit that can provoke a bitter reaction of the US."
According to Razumovsky, the desire of all sides to build constructive cooperation bypassing issues that incite differences can be clearly traced at the meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) leaders during the G20 summit in Japan’s Osaka last June. Then, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro distanced himself from discussing the Venezuelan crisis with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Venezuela has not been raised at the meeting at all but the sides debated "a large set of pragmatic issues", the expert pointed out.
"We see a certain contradiction in perception. On the one hand, Realpolitik regarding most countries is becoming more and more ideologized - we are managing to build constructive relations and maintain larger part of cooperation with countries that used to stick to left wing camp where right wing leaders rose to power. Those are, for instance, Brazil or Argentina when Mauricio Macri was president there," he added. "Most joint projects, maybe apart from a narrow set of military contracts, was preserved, while even new ones were signed."
Situation in Venezuela
The expert emphasized that the Russian foreign minister’s visit should not be tied to developments in Venezuela. He believes that statements put forward by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying that Russia’s support is the key factor that preserves stability of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s power are not fully reflect the real situation there.
"The key factor behind this stability is still the army’s position and consensus, stability in the ruling elite, lack of division despite the continuing attempts to play the card of internal disagreements of the Chavists," he continued. "Saying that Maduro is staying in power only because of Russia is to excessively simplify the situation."
According to Razumovsky, the United States itself recognizes the tactics of swift power change in Venezuela through backing opposition leader Juan Guaido have failed. Meanwhile, Washington continues to advance its hardline policies against Venezuela. "The US seriously hopes that keeping in place the unprecedented sanction pressure will sooner or later lead to regime change and incite a new wave of protests," the expert concluded.


tass--2020-02-06--Russia requests resumption of talks on need for new OPEC+ reductions, says source

`` They asked to resume consultations , '' he said , adding that the format of the negotiations is not yet clear .
Another TASS source also confirmed that the Russian side initially did not agree to the new restrictions in OPEC + .
According to sources , the recommendation of the OPEC + technical committee to strengthen the reduction in production by another 600,000 bpd applies to the second quarter of 2020 .
While TASS does not have an official Ministry of Energy position on this matter , the head of the Ministry Alexander Novak said that Russia is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain measures , since the forecast for the development of the market is still unclear .
MOSCOW , February 6 .
/ TASS / .
Russia did not support the general recommendation of the OPEC + technical committee on the need for an additional reduction in oil production by 600,000 barrels per day at a meeting on Wednesday and requested the resumption of consultations , a source told TASS .
`` JTC is continuing to work in Vienna .
Our specialists are there , they are watching the situation , discussing various options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell you what we are ready or not ready to do , not fully understanding the situation and clear forecasts for the development of events in connection with coronavirus .
To do this , more time is needed to see how the situation will develop , what impact will be on world markets for oil , '' Novak said .
Earlier , Moody ` s published a report from which it followed that the demand for oil in China , the largest consumer of this resource , could be reduced by 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the effects of the outbreak of pneumonia in the country caused by the new coronavirus .
If the epidemic lasts for six months , then the increase in oil inventories will put pressure on oil quotes for another year .
The OPEC + ministerial monitoring committee should still evaluate the conclusion of the OPEC + technical committee , the meeting of which is still scheduled for early March 2020 .
The OPEC + agreement provides for a reduction in oil production by the alliance countries by 1.7 million bpd by March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China arose , OPEC countries were inclined to believe that this quota could be extended until the end of the year with the possibility of revision in June .
However , after the outbreak of the disease , which has already led to a reduction in air travel with China and a slowdown in economic activity in the country due to the prolongation of the New Year holidays , analysts and observers predicted a sharp drop in oil demand .

"They asked to resume consultations," he said, adding that the format of the negotiations is not yet clear. Another TASS source also confirmed that the Russian side initially did not agree to the new restrictions in OPEC +. According to sources, the recommendation of the OPEC + technical committee to strengthen the reduction in production by another 600,000 bpd applies to the second quarter of 2020. While TASS does not have an official Ministry of Energy position on this matter, the head of the Ministry Alexander Novak said that Russia is not yet ready to announce support for certain measures, since the forecast for the development of the market is still unclear.
MOSCOW, February 6. / TASS /. Russia did not support the general recommendation of the OPEC + technical committee on the need for an additional reduction in oil production by 600,000 barrels per day at a meeting on Wednesday and requested the resumption of consultations, a source told TASS.
"JTC is continuing to work in Vienna. Our specialists are there, they are watching the situation, discussing various options. I’m not even ready to tell you what we are ready or not ready to do, not fully understanding the situation and clear forecasts for the development of events in connection with coronavirus. To do this, more time is needed to see how the situation will develop, what impact will be on world markets for oil," Novak said.
Earlier, Moody`s published a report from which it followed that the demand for oil in China, the largest consumer of this resource, could be reduced by 10% or 1.4 mln barrels per day due to the effects of the outbreak of pneumonia in the country caused by the new coronavirus . If the epidemic lasts for six months, then the increase in oil inventories will put pressure on oil quotes for another year.
The OPEC + ministerial monitoring committee should still evaluate the conclusion of the OPEC + technical committee, the meeting of which is still scheduled for early March 2020.
The OPEC + agreement provides for a reduction in oil production by the alliance countries by 1.7 million bpd by March 31. Before the situation with coronavirus from China arose, OPEC countries were inclined to believe that this quota could be extended until the end of the year with the possibility of revision in June. However, after the outbreak of the disease, which has already led to a reduction in air travel with China and a slowdown in economic activity in the country due to the prolongation of the New Year holidays, analysts and observers predicted a sharp drop in oil demand.


tass--2020-02-06--Head of Norilsk Nickel Potanin heads Forbes Russia's richest people rating

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/ TASS / .
The head and beneficiary of Norilsk Nickel , Vladimir Potanin , took the first spot in the Russian rating of the international Forbes richest people list , according to the Forbes Real Time billionaire index released on Thursday .
According to the publication , Potanin ’ s fortune increased during the day ( February 6 , 2020 ) by $ 418 million , to $ 25.1 billion .
`` This happened due to the consistent increase in the shares of Norilsk Nickel , the main asset of Potanin ( now the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Since the beginning of 2019 , the securities of the metallurgical giant have added about 60 % .
If a year ago they were trading at the Moscow Exchange at the level of 13 , 500 ( $ 213 ) rubles apiece , then today rose to 21,426 rubles per share , '' Forbes reported .
The head of Lukoil Vagit Alekperov with a fortune of $ 25 billion is second in the rating , while the head of Novatek Leonid Mikhelson ( $ 24.9 billion ) closes the top three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new shareholders agreement in 2012 , providing in particular for payment of dividends based on the floating rate computed as the EBITDA ratio linked to the debt level .
According to the dividend policy , the minimum level of dividends by 2022 is set as $ 1 bln .
Norilsk Nickel is the world 's largest producer of nickel and palladium , the leading producer of platinum , cobalt , copper and rhodium in the world .
The company also produces gold , silver , iridium , selenium , ruthenium and tellurium .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of companies are located in Russia in the Norilsk industrial region , on the Kola Peninsula and in the Trans-Baikal Territory , as well as in Finland and South Africa .

MOSCOW, February 6. / TASS /. The head and beneficiary of Norilsk Nickel, Vladimir Potanin, took the first spot in the Russian rating of the international Forbes richest people list, according to the Forbes Real Time billionaire index released on Thursday.
According to the publication, Potanin’s fortune increased during the day (February 6, 2020) by $ 418 million, to $ 25.1 billion.
"This happened due to the consistent increase in the shares of Norilsk Nickel, the main asset of Potanin (now the billionaire owns 34.6% of the company). Since the beginning of 2019, the securities of the metallurgical giant have added about 60%. If a year ago they were trading at the Moscow Exchange at the level of 13, 500 ($213) rubles apiece, then today rose to 21,426 rubles per share," Forbes reported.
The head of Lukoil Vagit Alekperov with a fortune of $ 25 billion is second in the rating, while the head of Novatek Leonid Mikhelson ($ 24.9 billion) closes the top three.
Shareholders of Norilsk Nickel signed the new shareholders agreement in 2012, providing in particular for payment of dividends based on the floating rate computed as the EBITDA ratio linked to the debt level. According to the dividend policy, the minimum level of dividends by 2022 is set as $1 bln. Norilsk Nickel is the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium, the leading producer of platinum, cobalt, copper and rhodium in the world. The company also produces gold, silver, iridium, selenium, ruthenium and tellurium. The production units of the Norilsk Nickel group of companies are located in Russia in the Norilsk industrial region, on the Kola Peninsula and in the Trans-Baikal Territory, as well as in Finland and South Africa.


tass--2020-02-06--Turkish forces shell Damascus’ positions near Saraqib in Idlib, media reports say

According to the channel , Turkish forces located near Saraqib shelled Syrian army units in the area of Neyrab in the city ’ s northern outskirts .
MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish forces have shelled Syrian government positions near Saraqib in the Idlib province , Al Jazeera TV channel informed on Thursday .
Turkey sets up four new observation points in Syria ’ s Idlib , media reports say Turkey ’ s attack came at the same time as the counterattack of Syrian armed groups attempting to return to their previous positions lost during the Syrian government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On February 5 , Syrian government forces entered the town of Saraqib , an outpost of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group ( banned in Russia ) 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 .
The Syrian army ’ s control over the town could result in the defeat of the armed groups operating in the country ’ s north .
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday during a press conference in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to ongoing attacks by Damascus .
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups 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 .

According to the channel, Turkish forces located near Saraqib shelled Syrian army units in the area of Neyrab in the city’s northern outskirts.
MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Turkish forces have shelled Syrian government positions near Saraqib in the Idlib province, Al Jazeera TV channel informed on Thursday.
Turkey sets up four new observation points in Syria’s Idlib, media reports say
Turkey’s attack came at the same time as the counterattack of Syrian armed groups attempting to return to their previous positions lost during the Syrian government’s advance in the area.
On February 5, Syrian government forces entered the town of Saraqib, an outpost of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (banned in Russia) 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. The Syrian army’s control over the town could result in the defeat of the armed groups operating in the country’s north.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday during a press conference in Baku that Ankara would provide a tough response to ongoing attacks by Damascus.
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups 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.


tass--2020-02-06--Lukoil completes reconstruction of Belorechenskaya hydroelectric station

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/ TASS / .
Russian oil giant Lukoil completed the reconstruction of the Belorechenskaya hydroelectric station , which has been ongoing since 2017 , the company said in a statement on Thursday .
During the reconstruction , two hydropower units were completely replaced with an increase in the unit installed capacity of each from 16 to 24 MW , the total capacity of the Belorechensk hydroelectric station amounted to 48 MW .
`` After the reconstruction , the net supply of clean electricity at the power plants will increase by almost 80 % and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will help to annually prevent emissions of about 130,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent , '' the report says .
At the same time , the life of the Belorechenskaya hydroelectric station was extended by 40 years ; reliability and environmental safety were improved .
The efficiency of using hydropotential is also increased due to the use of modern technologies .
In addition , comprehensive measures were taken to modernize almost all the auxiliary systems of the station .
Belorechenskaya Hydroelectric Power Station is the leader in hydropower in the Krasnodar Region .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1954 .
The station operates according to the derivation scheme - using the elevation difference between the Belaya and Pshish rivers , its capacity is 48 MW .
The renewable energy capacities of Lukoil include 4 hydroelectric power plants in Russia with a total capacity of 291 MW , 3 solar power plants at own refineries in Russia , Romania and Bulgaria with a total capacity of 20 MW and one wind farm in Romania with a capacity of 84 MW .

MOSCOW, February 6. / TASS /. Russian oil giant Lukoil completed the reconstruction of the Belorechenskaya hydroelectric station, which has been ongoing since 2017, the company said in a statement on Thursday.
During the reconstruction, two hydropower units were completely replaced with an increase in the unit installed capacity of each from 16 to 24 MW, the total capacity of the Belorechensk hydroelectric station amounted to 48 MW.
"After the reconstruction, the net supply of clean electricity at the power plants will increase by almost 80% and will reach 260 mln kWh per year, which will help to annually prevent emissions of about 130,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent," the report says.
At the same time, the life of the Belorechenskaya hydroelectric station was extended by 40 years; reliability and environmental safety were improved. The efficiency of using hydropotential is also increased due to the use of modern technologies. In addition, comprehensive measures were taken to modernize almost all the auxiliary systems of the station.
Belorechenskaya Hydroelectric Power Station is the leader in hydropower in the Krasnodar Region. The history of the station begins in 1954. The station operates according to the derivation scheme - using the elevation difference between the Belaya and Pshish rivers, its capacity is 48 MW.
The renewable energy capacities of Lukoil include 4 hydroelectric power plants in Russia with a total capacity of 291 MW, 3 solar power plants at own refineries in Russia, Romania and Bulgaria with a total capacity of 20 MW and one wind farm in Romania with a capacity of 84 MW.


tass--2020-02-06--Russian Baltic Fleet fighter jets hold dogfight in drills over Baltic Sea

KALININGRAD , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Su-27 and Su-30SM fighter jets of the Baltic Fleet ’ s naval aviation held training aerial battles over the Baltic Sea , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Thursday .
`` The crews of the planes performed a set of various combat training elements in the sky during their scheduled flights over the Baltic Sea , practicing the tactic of fighting a notional enemy ’ s aircraft , '' the press office said in a statement .
During the drills , the crews paid special attention to piloting techniques , performing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ altitudes and at a different time of day or night , the statement says .
During their tactical aerial battle , the crews of Su-27 and Su-30SM planes alternately held training to search for , detect and destroy the notional enemy ’ s aircraft .
The drills involved up to ten fighter jets .
`` The route of the Russian fighters ’ flights was agreed with the air traffic control authorities and was implemented in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea @ @ @ @ @ @ @

KALININGRAD, February 6. /TASS/. Su-27 and Su-30SM fighter jets of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation held training aerial battles over the Baltic Sea, the Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.
"The crews of the planes performed a set of various combat training elements in the sky during their scheduled flights over the Baltic Sea, practicing the tactic of fighting a notional enemy’s aircraft," the press office said in a statement.
During the drills, the crews paid special attention to piloting techniques, performing various offensive and defensive maneuvers at various altitudes and at a different time of day or night, the statement says.
During their tactical aerial battle, the crews of Su-27 and Su-30SM planes alternately held training to search for, detect and destroy the notional enemy’s aircraft. The drills involved up to ten fighter jets.
"The route of the Russian fighters’ flights was agreed with the air traffic control authorities and was implemented in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea," the press office said.


tass--2020-02-06--Moldova to seek international recognition of its neutrality

CHISINAU , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Moldova will be seeking that its status of a neutral country enshrined in the constitution is recognized by the international community as it will unblock the way to resolving the Transnistria issue , Moldovan Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Aureliu Ciocoi told a press conference in Chisinau on Thursday .
`` This is a very current issue but it is yet to be discussed with our external partners , '' he said .
The minister explained that to `` start a serious discussion about this , accord should be reached inside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is not such an accord , '' Ciocoi concluded .
Moldovan President Igor Dodon delivered speeches at the UN and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ( PACE ) podiums to announce that he will seek international recognition of the neutrality and underscore that he opposes Moldova ’ s participation in military blocs .
The president called to make every effort to achieve a mutually acceptable solution to the Transnistrian conflict which will bring long-lasting peace to the Moldovan land and lay conditions for economic and social development of both banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dodon , resolution of the Transnistria issue can become `` a diplomatic success for our [ Moldovan ] external partners '' involved in the 5+2 talks ( Moldova , Transnistria , the OSCE , Russia , Ukraine and observers from the US and the EU ) .
Polls suggest that a majority of Moldovans oppose the country ’ s accession to NATO .
Even though the Moldovan constitution has a provision outlining Moldova ’ s neutral country status , the republic has been cooperating with the alliance since 1994 in the framework of @ @ @ @ @

CHISINAU, February 6. /TASS/. Moldova will be seeking that its status of a neutral country enshrined in the constitution is recognized by the international community as it will unblock the way to resolving the Transnistria issue, Moldovan Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Aureliu Ciocoi told a press conference in Chisinau on Thursday.
"This is a very current issue but it is yet to be discussed with our external partners," he said. The minister explained that to "start a serious discussion about this, accord should be reached inside the country." "For now, there is not such an accord," Ciocoi concluded.
Moldovan President Igor Dodon delivered speeches at the UN and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) podiums to announce that he will seek international recognition of the neutrality and underscore that he opposes Moldova’s participation in military blocs. The president called to make every effort to achieve a mutually acceptable solution to the Transnistrian conflict which will bring long-lasting peace to the Moldovan land and lay conditions for economic and social development of both banks of the Dniester River. According to Dodon, resolution of the Transnistria issue can become "a diplomatic success for our [Moldovan] external partners" involved in the 5+2 talks (Moldova, Transnistria, the OSCE, Russia, Ukraine and observers from the US and the EU).
Polls suggest that a majority of Moldovans oppose the country’s accession to NATO. Even though the Moldovan constitution has a provision outlining Moldova’s neutral country status, the republic has been cooperating with the alliance since 1994 in the framework of an individual partnership plan.


tass--2020-02-06--Russian General Staff chief, NATO commander in Europe discuss incidents prevention

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
The chief of the Russian Armed Forces ’ General Staff , General of @ @ @ @ @ his working visit to Baku discussed incidents prevention with the Commander-in-Chief of NATO forces in @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday .
The two exchanged opinion of strategic stability @ @ @ @ @ and discussed practical steps to prevent military incidents , the Defense Ministry said .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ received by Azerbaijan ’ s President Ilkham Aliyev .
Also , he met with his @ @ @ @ @ .
The two sides discussed international and regional security and crucial issues of military and @ @ @ @ @ defense ministries interaction in the Caspian .

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. The chief of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov during his working visit to Baku discussed incidents prevention with the Commander-in-Chief of NATO forces in Europe General Tod Wolters, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
The two exchanged opinion of strategic stability and situations in crisis regions and discussed practical steps to prevent military incidents, the Defense Ministry said.
Earlier on Thursday, Gerasimov was received by Azerbaijan’s President Ilkham Aliyev. Also, he met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Colonel-General Nijmeddin Sadykov.
The two sides discussed international and regional security and crucial issues of military and military-technical cooperation, including the defense ministries interaction in the Caspian.


tass--2020-02-06--Belarus loses $330 mln in 2019 because of Russia’s tax maneuver, says PM

MINSK , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Belarus lost about $ 330 mln in 2019 due to a tax maneuver in Russia , Belarusian Prime Minister Sergey Rumas said at a meeting with the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday , BelTA agency reported .
`` In 2019 , Belarus ’ losses totaled about $ 330 mln , including budget losses amounting to $ 130 mln , losses of oil refineries amounting to almost $ 200 mln , '' Rumas said as quoted by BelTA .
On Thursday , Alexander Lukashenko convened a meeting on the work of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his visit to Sochi .
He stated the need to discuss a number of measures to achieve forecast indicators , to overcome the negative trends that have emerged in the economy due to recent events in the world , including disagreements with Russia .
Currently , Minsk wants Moscow to compensate for losses it suffers due to worsened oil trade conditions , and Moscow in response proposes to deepen integration in accordance with the 1999 Union State Treaty .
Belarus ’ Finance Ministry previously estimated that budget losses from the implementation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could amount to about $ 400 mln .
Following the results of negotiations between Presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin in December 2019 in Sochi , the Belarusian ambassador to Russia Vladimir Semashko said that the issue of compensation could be completely resolved after the unification of the tax laws of the two countries .
But in order to prevent further deterioration of the situation for Belarusian refineries in the next two years , the authorities of the two countries have found options that will partially offset the losses of the Belarusian side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maneuver in the oil sector implies a reduction of crude export duties and simultaneously raising the mineral extraction tax .
The tax maneuver is aimed at reducing the dependence of Russia ’ s budget on export duties , which drop following global oil price movements .

MINSK, February 6. /TASS/. Belarus lost about $330 mln in 2019 due to a tax maneuver in Russia, Belarusian Prime Minister Sergey Rumas said at a meeting with the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday, BelTA agency reported.
"In 2019, Belarus’ losses totaled about $330 mln, including budget losses amounting to $130 mln, losses of oil refineries amounting to almost $200 mln," Rumas said as quoted by BelTA.
On Thursday, Alexander Lukashenko convened a meeting on the work of the country's energy complex on the eve of his visit to Sochi. He stated the need to discuss a number of measures to achieve forecast indicators, to overcome the negative trends that have emerged in the economy due to recent events in the world, including disagreements with Russia.
Currently, Minsk wants Moscow to compensate for losses it suffers due to worsened oil trade conditions, and Moscow in response proposes to deepen integration in accordance with the 1999 Union State Treaty.
Belarus’ Finance Ministry previously estimated that budget losses from the implementation of the tax maneuver in Russia in 2019 could amount to about $400 mln.
Following the results of negotiations between Presidents Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin in December 2019 in Sochi, the Belarusian ambassador to Russia Vladimir Semashko said that the issue of compensation could be completely resolved after the unification of the tax laws of the two countries. But in order to prevent further deterioration of the situation for Belarusian refineries in the next two years, the authorities of the two countries have found options that will partially offset the losses of the Belarusian side from the tax maneuver.
Tax maneuver
The tax maneuver in the oil sector implies a reduction of crude export duties and simultaneously raising the mineral extraction tax. The tax maneuver is aimed at reducing the dependence of Russia’s budget on export duties, which drop following global oil price movements.


tass--2020-02-06--Russia’s top brass uploads video of upgraded Tu-160M bomber’s debut flight

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry uploaded a video to its official YouTube channel showing the debut flight of the Tu-160M ‘ Igor Sikorsky ’ heavily upgraded strategic missile-carrying bomber .
As the press office of the Tupolev Aircraft Company reported earlier , the flight took place at the aerodrome of the Kazan Aviation Factory ( a branch of the company ) on February 2 and lasted 34 minutes .
During the test flight , the aircraft climbed to a maximum altitude of 1,500 meters .
The Tu-160M bomber that performed the debut flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the operational bomber Tu-160 ‘ Igor Sikorsky ’ ( side No 14 , red color ) .
The video uploaded by the Defense Ministry shows the remaining part of the name on the plane ’ s fuselage .
The aircraft-building industry explained for TASS that there were no plans to rename the plane after the upgrade .
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said in an interview with the newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda in December 2019 that the deliveries of heavily upgraded T-160M bombers to the troops were due to begin from 2021 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an article published in the corporate magazine Radio-Electronic Technologies issued by KRET Group that Russia ’ s first Tu-160M bomber manufactured ‘ from scratch ’ as compared to its upgraded version would make its debut flight in 2021 .
The newly manufactured Tu-160 bombers and their heavily upgraded versions will not differ from each other but technically they have received different labels from the Defense Ministry : the Tu-160M for upgraded operational aircraft and the Tu-160M2 for bombers manufactured ‘ from scratch.
’ The Tu-160M features the latest onboard defensive aids suite , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enhanced jamming resistance and unique weapons that will boost considerably its combat capabilities when it employs both conventional and nuclear munitions .

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Russia’s Defense Ministry uploaded a video to its official YouTube channel showing the debut flight of the Tu-160M ‘Igor Sikorsky’ heavily upgraded strategic missile-carrying bomber.
As the press office of the Tupolev Aircraft Company reported earlier, the flight took place at the aerodrome of the Kazan Aviation Factory (a branch of the company) on February 2 and lasted 34 minutes. During the test flight, the aircraft climbed to a maximum altitude of 1,500 meters.
The Tu-160M bomber that performed the debut flight has been made on the basis of the operational bomber Tu-160 ‘Igor Sikorsky’ (side No 14, red color). The video uploaded by the Defense Ministry shows the remaining part of the name on the plane’s fuselage. The aircraft-building industry explained for TASS that there were no plans to rename the plane after the upgrade.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said in an interview with the newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda in December 2019 that the deliveries of heavily upgraded T-160M bombers to the troops were due to begin from 2021.
The deputy defense minister later said in an article published in the corporate magazine Radio-Electronic Technologies issued by KRET Group that Russia’s first Tu-160M bomber manufactured ‘from scratch’ as compared to its upgraded version would make its debut flight in 2021.
The newly manufactured Tu-160 bombers and their heavily upgraded versions will not differ from each other but technically they have received different labels from the Defense Ministry: the Tu-160M for upgraded operational aircraft and the Tu-160M2 for bombers manufactured ‘from scratch.’
The Tu-160M features the latest onboard defensive aids suite, an advanced and reliable communications system with enhanced jamming resistance and unique weapons that will boost considerably its combat capabilities when it employs both conventional and nuclear munitions.


tass--2020-02-06--Visa waiver agreement between Russia and Qatar enters into force on Feb 23

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
The visa waiver agreement between Russia and Qatar will enter into force on @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Ministry informed on Thursday .
The agreement abolishes visas for trips with the maximum @ @ @ @ @ The ministry noted that these conditions apply to citizens of Russia and Qatar `` who @ @ @ @ @ , study or establish a permanent residence on the territory of the other state .
@ @ @ @ @ do not need to apply for a visa to enter the territory of the other @ @ @ @ @ out that the total length of visa-free stay can not exceed 90 days within a @ @ @ @ @ waiver agreement was signed by the governments of Russia and Qatar on December 27 , @ @

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. The visa waiver agreement between Russia and Qatar will enter into force on February 23, the Russian Foreign Ministry informed on Thursday. The agreement abolishes visas for trips with the maximum duration of 90 days.
The ministry noted that these conditions apply to citizens of Russia and Qatar "who do not intend to work, study or establish a permanent residence on the territory of the other state." Citizens of both states do not need to apply for a visa to enter the territory of the other country.
Russian diplomats pointed out that the total length of visa-free stay cannot exceed 90 days within a 180-day period.
The visa waiver agreement was signed by the governments of Russia and Qatar on December 27, 2019.


tass--2020-02-06--Four Russians on board cruise ship quarantined over coronavirus scare, says diplomat

`` According to available information , there are no Russian nationals among the passengers .
Four crewmembers are Russians .
According to the Hong Kong authorities , they feel well , and are showing no symptoms of the disease , '' he specified .
MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Four Russian nationals are among the crew of the World Dream cruise liner quarantined in Hong Kong over fears of the coronavirus .
They have no symptoms of the disease , Vice Consul of the Russian Consulate in Hong Kong , Boris Ezdrin , told Rossiya-24 television on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Hong Kong from Taiwan on Wednesday .
Three Chinese nationals who were on board the ship between January 19 and 24 , during its previous trip from Guangzhou to Vietnam , were later diagnosed with pneumonia caused by the 2019-nCoV coronavirus .
There are about 1,800 passengers on board the vessel at the moment ( 90 % of them are residents of Hong Kong ) , and the same number of the crewmembers .
Thirty crewmembers demonstrated symptoms of a cold and cough during the cruise .
Medical services said that none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed to come ashore until medics complete their tests and examination .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large economic and industrial hub in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
At least 25 countries have reported infection cases , including Russia .
The WHO declared the outbreak an international public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data from China ’ s National Health Commission , the number of coronavirus cases in China topped 28,000 .
More than 560 people died , while more than 1,380 people have recovered by Thursday .

"According to available information, there are no Russian nationals among the passengers. Four crewmembers are Russians. According to the Hong Kong authorities, they feel well, and are showing no symptoms of the disease," he specified.
MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Four Russian nationals are among the crew of the World Dream cruise liner quarantined in Hong Kong over fears of the coronavirus. They have no symptoms of the disease, Vice Consul of the Russian Consulate in Hong Kong, Boris Ezdrin, told Rossiya-24 television on Thursday.
The World Dream cruise liner returned to Hong Kong from Taiwan on Wednesday. Three Chinese nationals who were on board the ship between January 19 and 24, during its previous trip from Guangzhou to Vietnam, were later diagnosed with pneumonia caused by the 2019-nCoV coronavirus. There are about 1,800 passengers on board the vessel at the moment (90% of them are residents of Hong Kong), and the same number of the crewmembers.
Thirty crewmembers demonstrated symptoms of a cold and cough during the cruise. Medical services said that none of the 3,600 people on board would be allowed to come ashore until medics complete their tests and examination.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large economic and industrial hub in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV. At least 25 countries have reported infection cases, including Russia. The WHO declared the outbreak an international public health emergency. According to the latest data from China’s National Health Commission, the number of coronavirus cases in China topped 28,000. More than 560 people died, while more than 1,380 people have recovered by Thursday.


tass--2020-02-06--Upcoming Aist-2T satellites to digitize entire Russian surface in one year

SAMARA , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
The capabilities of the two Aist-2T satellites allow them to digitize the entire @ @ @ @ @ year , says Ivan Tkachenko of Samara Korolyov University .
`` The satellite group was @ @ @ @ @ Russian surface in one year , '' Tkachenko said .

SAMARA, February 6. /TASS/. The capabilities of the two Aist-2T satellites allow them to digitize the entire surface of Russia in one year, says Ivan Tkachenko of Samara Korolyov University.
"The satellite group was tasked with digitizing the entire Russian surface in one year," Tkachenko said.


tass--2020-02-06--Lawmakers from over 60 states apply to take part in parliamentary forum in Moscow

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
About 140 lawmakers from over 60 states have applied to take part in the Development of Parliamentarism forum set to take place in Moscow on June 28-July 1 , Chairman of the Russian State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) Committee for Foreign Affairs Leonid Slutsky told reporters on Thursday .
`` There are requests from about 300 people , including about 140 lawmakers from over 60 countries , '' he said .
Requests will be taken during the entire period of the forum ’ s organization .
Slutsky stressed that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow for the third time , is of key importance to the Russian State Duma ’ s foreign policy agenda , which in turn reflects Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s foreign policy .
`` Based on the number of participants , this forum only comes second to the Inter-Parliamentary Union , but it is over 100 years old , and we are the youngest : the forum will only be held for the third time .
This means that Moscow is truly becoming one of the capitals of global parliamentarism , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Development of Parliamentarism '' was held on July 1-3 , 2019 under the initiative of the Russian State Duma .
The forum was attended by representatives of 132 states , with about 800 lawmakers and experts taking part in the forum ’ s events .
41 parliamentary speakers attended the forum : twice more than in 2018 .

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. About 140 lawmakers from over 60 states have applied to take part in the Development of Parliamentarism forum set to take place in Moscow on June 28-July 1, Chairman of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Committee for Foreign Affairs Leonid Slutsky told reporters on Thursday.
"There are requests from about 300 people, including about 140 lawmakers from over 60 countries," he said. Requests will be taken during the entire period of the forum’s organization.
Slutsky stressed that the forum, which will be held in Moscow for the third time, is of key importance to the Russian State Duma’s foreign policy agenda, which in turn reflects Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy.
"Based on the number of participants, this forum only comes second to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, but it is over 100 years old, and we are the youngest: the forum will only be held for the third time. This means that Moscow is truly becoming one of the capitals of global parliamentarism," he concluded.
The Second International Forum "Development of Parliamentarism" was held on July 1-3, 2019 under the initiative of the Russian State Duma. The forum was attended by representatives of 132 states, with about 800 lawmakers and experts taking part in the forum’s events. 41 parliamentary speakers attended the forum: twice more than in 2018.


tass--2020-02-06--More cruise ship passengers might be put on lockdown due to 2019-nCoV coronavirus

According to the Japanese authorities , the Westerdam , which currently heads towards Japan , might have the infected onboard .
If these suspicions get confirmed , the passengers would be denied disembarking , the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said during the meeting of the government HQ on coronavirus prevention .
MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Tourists aboard the Westerdam ship might join the passengers of two other cruise ships , taken hostage by the 2019-nCoV coronavirus .
At this moment , the Diamond Princess cruise ship is anchored near Japan ’ s Yokohama , bearing 3,700 passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two dozen Russian nationals .
According to the Japanese Ministry of Health , Labour and Welfare , 20 passengers have been diagnosed with the 2019-nCoV coronavirus-induced pneumonia .
The infected have been evacuated to hospitals in Kanagawa prefecture .
The remaining passengers have been quarantined for two weeks aboard the ship .
Russian Embassy in Japan reported that no Russian nationals have been diagnosed with the coronavirus so far .
A Russian tourist told TASS that the passengers are barred from leaving their quarters .
The passengers of the World Dream cruise ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Three Chinese passengers aboard the ship , which went from China ’ s Guangzhou to Vietnam between January 19 and January 24 , were diagnosed with the coronavirus .
During the later trip to Taiwan , some 30 passengers complained about similar symptoms , and the ship has been quarantined in Hong Kong .
There are some 1.800 passengers aboard the World Dream - 90 % of them being Hong Kong residents - and roughly the same number of crew members .
The medical staff warned that none would be allowed ashore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests .
There are no Russian nationals among the tourists , but there are four Russian nationals among the ships ’ crew .
They show no symptoms of infection , Russian Vice Consul in Hong Kong Boris Ezdrin said .

According to the Japanese authorities, the Westerdam, which currently heads towards Japan, might have the infected onboard. If these suspicions get confirmed, the passengers would be denied disembarking, the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said during the meeting of the government HQ on coronavirus prevention.
MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Tourists aboard the Westerdam ship might join the passengers of two other cruise ships, taken hostage by the 2019-nCoV coronavirus.
At this moment, the Diamond Princess cruise ship is anchored near Japan’s Yokohama, bearing 3,700 passengers from more than 50 nations, including two dozen Russian nationals. According to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 20 passengers have been diagnosed with the 2019-nCoV coronavirus-induced pneumonia.
The infected have been evacuated to hospitals in Kanagawa prefecture. The remaining passengers have been quarantined for two weeks aboard the ship.
Russian Embassy in Japan reported that no Russian nationals have been diagnosed with the coronavirus so far. A Russian tourist told TASS that the passengers are barred from leaving their quarters.
The passengers of the World Dream cruise ship have found themselves in a similar predicament. Three Chinese passengers aboard the ship, which went from China’s Guangzhou to Vietnam between January 19 and January 24, were diagnosed with the coronavirus. During the later trip to Taiwan, some 30 passengers complained about similar symptoms, and the ship has been quarantined in Hong Kong.
There are some 1.800 passengers aboard the World Dream - 90% of them being Hong Kong residents - and roughly the same number of crew members. The medical staff warned that none would be allowed ashore until the doctors perform medical examination and tests.
There are no Russian nationals among the tourists, but there are four Russian nationals among the ships’ crew. They show no symptoms of infection, Russian Vice Consul in Hong Kong Boris Ezdrin said.


tass--2020-02-06--Hainan's Sanya sets up fund worth $14.2 mln to boost tourism

HAIKOU , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Sanya authorities created a fund worth 100 mln yuan ( $ 14.2 mln ) to boost tourism amid coronavirus outbreak , said the local department for tourism , culture , TV and sports .
According to the authorities , the city took measures to stop the decrease in tourism industry and local services sector .
In particular , by the end of this month , the governmenent will allocate funds to compensate the financial damage brought by posponed public celebrations in the country .
The air carriers will also receive compensations for cancelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to be implemented within a year .
The authorities await applications for assistance from travel agencies and tourist services firms .
Hainan is one of the regions in China where a new type of coronavirus has been confirmed .
According to the latest official data , 106 cases of coronavirus infection were detected in the province , five people are said to have recovered from it .
The largest number of cases was registered in the resort cities of Sanya and Haikou .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the 2019-nCoV coronavirus as the cause of the disease .
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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeded 28,000 in China with 564 people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , over 1,100 people are said to have recovered from it .

HAIKOU, February 6. /TASS/. Sanya authorities created a fund worth 100 mln yuan ($14.2 mln) to boost tourism amid coronavirus outbreak, said the local department for tourism, culture, TV and sports.
According to the authorities, the city took measures to stop the decrease in tourism industry and local services sector. In particular, by the end of this month, the governmenent will allocate funds to compensate the financial damage brought by posponed public celebrations in the country. The air carriers will also receive compensations for cancelled flights amid coronavirus oubreak.
The program is expected to be implemented within a year. The authorities await applications for assistance from travel agencies and tourist services firms.
Hainan is one of the regions in China where a new type of coronavirus has been confirmed. According to the latest official data, 106 cases of coronavirus infection were detected in the province, five people are said to have recovered from it. The largest number of cases was registered in the resort cities of Sanya and Haikou.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities notified the WHO about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the 2019-nCoV coronavirus as the cause of the disease. 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 exceeded 28,000 in China with 564 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 1,100 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-06--Putin to discuss hot bilateral issues with Lukashenko on February 7

MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on @ @ @ @ @ The Belarusian leader will be in Russia with a working visit to promote bilateral cooperation @ @ @ @ @ Russian-Belarusian cooperation , including the Union State integration processes , are expected to be discussed @ @ @ @ @ service said as it announced Lukashenko ’ s visit .
Earlier , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry @ @ @ @ @ meeting `` was preceded by constant working-level contacts '' between the representatives of the two @ @ @ @ @ contacts ] are constant , '' Peskov said .

MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on February 7 in Sochi. The Belarusian leader will be in Russia with a working visit to promote bilateral cooperation.
"Current issues of Russian-Belarusian cooperation, including the Union State integration processes, are expected to be discussed," the Kremlin press service said as it announced Lukashenko’s visit.
Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that the upcoming meeting "was preceded by constant working-level contacts" between the representatives of the two nations.
"They [contacts] are constant," Peskov said.


tass--2020-02-06--Russia’s research community may become youngest in the world this decade, Putin says

The Russian leader reminded that in his address to parliament , he mentioned a high amount of young experts in the Russian scientific community .
`` It is expected that by mid-decade , every second researcher in Russia will be younger than 40 .
Our research community will be one of the youngest in the world .
This trend has remained in the past few years , and I hope that it will continue , '' Putin said .
MOSCOW , February 6 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian scientific community may become one of the youngest in the world this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday during an award ceremony for young Russian researchers .
Volume of state financing of science in Russia is 33 times less than in US — MP The president added that the zeal of young researchers , along with their talent and knowledge , `` will bring positive results for the country . ''
`` The government will continue to develop the instrument base of research organizations and universities , their research infrastructure , including megascience facilities , in order for your peers and those who will come after you to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional growth , '' Putin noted .
He reminded that Russia ’ s national project in the sphere of science had allocated over 220 bln ( about $ 3.5 bln ) rubles for these purposes .
The leader said that Russia plans to launch the NICA collider in Dubna ( Moscow Region ) by late 2022 and the Skif photon emitter in Novosibirsk by 2023 .
`` We are also starting to develop and create an unparalleled device that combines synchrotron radiation emitters and lasers based on free electrons .
This will allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sphere of agriculture , new materials and medicine , and in other areas of critical importance to Russia ’ s technological development , '' Putin added .

The Russian leader reminded that in his address to parliament, he mentioned a high amount of young experts in the Russian scientific community. "It is expected that by mid-decade, every second researcher in Russia will be younger than 40. Our research community will be one of the youngest in the world. This trend has remained in the past few years, and I hope that it will continue," Putin said.
MOSCOW, February 6. /TASS/. The Russian scientific community may become one of the youngest in the world this decade, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday during an award ceremony for young Russian researchers.
Volume of state financing of science in Russia is 33 times less than in US — MP
The president added that the zeal of young researchers, along with their talent and knowledge, "will bring positive results for the country." "The government will continue to develop the instrument base of research organizations and universities, their research infrastructure, including megascience facilities, in order for your peers and those who will come after you to have all the necessary conditions for work and professional growth," Putin noted.
He reminded that Russia’s national project in the sphere of science had allocated over 220 bln (about $3.5 bln) rubles for these purposes.
The leader said that Russia plans to launch the NICA collider in Dubna (Moscow Region) by late 2022 and the Skif photon emitter in Novosibirsk by 2023.
"We are also starting to develop and create an unparalleled device that combines synchrotron radiation emitters and lasers based on free electrons. This will allow us to carry out unique research in the sphere of agriculture, new materials and medicine, and in other areas of critical importance to Russia’s technological development," Putin added.