tass--2020-02-17--China’s coronavirus death toll reaches 1,770

BEIJING , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people who died from the novel coronavirus in China has reached 1,770 , more than 70,500 cases of the disease have been confirmed , while more than 10,800 people are said to have recovered from it , China ’ s health committee reported Monday .
On Sunday , the committee informed about more than 68,500 cases , 1,665 deaths and 9,419 recovered .
According to the data update , the official coronavirus death rate is now standing at 2.5 % compared to Sunday ’ s 2.43 % Among China ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most cases with 58,100 people identified to have contracted coronavirus , 1,696 of them dead and 6,639 recoveries .
Hubei is followed by the Guangdong Province ( south China ) with 1,300 infections , the Henan Province ( central China ) and the Zhejiang Province ( east China ) which report 1,200 and 1,100 cases respectively .
According to data available on Sunday , there are 381 coronavirus cases in Beijing , 144 of them were discharged from hospitals , while four people died .
According to the latest official reports , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the country because they had close contacts with those who are known to have contracted the disease .
China also says there are about 7,200 people placed in quarantine because of coronavirus fears .
According to doctors , more than 10,600 people are in critical condition .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously called 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people - in late December .
The WHO declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak as an epidemic with multiple foci .
The virus spread to 25 more countries , apart from China : Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Egypt , 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 .
The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the disease , over 1,665 people died , while more than 9,400 people are reported to have recovered .

BEIJING, February 17. /TASS/. The number of people who died from the novel coronavirus in China has reached 1,770, more than 70,500 cases of the disease have been confirmed, while more than 10,800 people are said to have recovered from it, China’s health committee reported Monday.
On Sunday, the committee informed about more than 68,500 cases, 1,665 deaths and 9,419 recovered. According to the data update, the official coronavirus death rate is now standing at 2.5% compared to Sunday’s 2.43%
Among China’s regions, the Hubei Province has the most cases with 58,100 people identified to have contracted coronavirus, 1,696 of them dead and 6,639 recoveries. Hubei is followed by the Guangdong Province (south China) with 1,300 infections, the Henan Province (central China) and the Zhejiang Province (east China) which report 1,200 and 1,100 cases respectively.
According to data available on Sunday, there are 381 coronavirus cases in Beijing, 144 of them were discharged from hospitals, while four people died.
According to the latest official reports, more than 150,500 Chinese citizens are monitored in the country because they had close contacts with those who are known to have contracted the disease. China also says there are about 7,200 people placed in quarantine because of coronavirus fears. According to doctors, more than 10,600 people are in critical condition.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously called 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people - in late December. The WHO declared it a global emergency, describing the outbreak as an epidemic with multiple foci.
The virus spread to 25 more countries, apart from China: Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Egypt, 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. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency. Chinese authorities have confirmed more than 68,500 cases of the disease, over 1,665 people died, while more than 9,400 people are reported to have recovered.


tass--2020-02-17--Coronavirus death toll in China’s Hubei rises to 1,696, while 6,639 people recovered

BEIJING , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people who contracted the novel coronavirus in central China ’ s Hubei Province over the whole outbreak period has now exceeded 58,100 people , with 1,696 of them dead and 6,639 recovered , the province ’ s health committee said Monday .
On Sunday morning , authorities reported more than 56,200 cases with 1,596 deaths and 5,623 recovered people .
According to the data update , the death rate in Hubei is now 2.91 % , an increase to 2.83 % reported yesterday .
The statement issued points out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Hubei Province ’ s capital of Wuhan , considered to be the epicenter of the pneumonia outbreak .
The cities of Xiaogan and Huanggang follow in second and third places with 3,200 and 2,800 cases respectively .
Four other cities across the region are said to have more than 1,000 coronavirus cases each .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously called 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared it a global emergency , describing the outbreak as an epidemic with multiple epicenters .
The virus spread to 25 more countries , apart from China : Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Egypt , 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 .
The WHO declared the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chinese authorities have confirmed more than 68,500 cases of the disease , over 1,665 people died , while more than 9,400 people are reported to have recovered .

BEIJING, February 17. /TASS/. The number of people who contracted the novel coronavirus in central China’s Hubei Province over the whole outbreak period has now exceeded 58,100 people, with 1,696 of them dead and 6,639 recovered, the province’s health committee said Monday.
On Sunday morning, authorities reported more than 56,200 cases with 1,596 deaths and 5,623 recovered people. According to the data update, the death rate in Hubei is now 2.91%, an increase to 2.83% reported yesterday.
The statement issued points out that more than 41,100 people contracted the disease in the Hubei Province’s capital of Wuhan, considered to be the epicenter of the pneumonia outbreak. The cities of Xiaogan and Huanggang follow in second and third places with 3,200 and 2,800 cases respectively. Four other cities across the region are said to have more than 1,000 coronavirus cases each.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously called 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people - in late December. The WHO declared it a global emergency, describing the outbreak as an epidemic with multiple epicenters.
The virus spread to 25 more countries, apart from China: Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Egypt, 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. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency. Chinese authorities have confirmed more than 68,500 cases of the disease, over 1,665 people died, while more than 9,400 people are reported to have recovered.


tass--2020-02-17--Trump warns Erdogan intervention in Libya will lead to deterioration

WASHINGTON , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump has had a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to warn him that carrying on with intervention into Libya will only undermine the situation further , Deputy White House press secretary Judd Deere told reporters on Sunday .
`` President Trump also reiterated that continued foreign interference in Libya would only serve to worsen the situation , '' Deere stressed .
Currently , Libya has two supreme executive authorities , namely Tripoli ’ s Government of National Accord recognized by the international community and headed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government headed by Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani , which operates in the country ’ s east along with the elected parliament and is supported by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .
On April 4 , Haftar announced the launch of an offensive in Tripoli to eliminate the terrorist groups that got hold there .
In turn , Sarraj ordered all military units loyal to him to gear up to defend the capital , while the armed units in the capital launched operation dubbed ‘ Volcano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The conflict led to death of hundreds of people and destruction of vital infrastructure facilities , while thousands of Libyans were forced to flee their homes .
On December 12 , Haftar announced that his troops are beginning `` the decisive battle for the capital '' to `` free it from the terrorists . ''
The GNA mobilized all troops loyal to it to defend Tripoli , officially appealing to Turkey for help based on a memorandum of military cooperation signed in late November .
The army command has repeatedly accused Ankara of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support to Tripoli ’ s authorities bypassing the international embargo as well as transferring hundreds of hired guns from Syria to Libya , including ISIS terrorists .

WASHINGTON, February 17. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump has had a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to warn him that carrying on with intervention into Libya will only undermine the situation further, Deputy White House press secretary Judd Deere told reporters on Sunday.
"President Trump also reiterated that continued foreign interference in Libya would only serve to worsen the situation," Deere stressed.
Currently, Libya has two supreme executive authorities, namely Tripoli’s Government of National Accord recognized by the international community and headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and the interim government headed by Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani, which operates in the country’s east along with the elected parliament and is supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. On April 4, Haftar announced the launch of an offensive in Tripoli to eliminate the terrorist groups that got hold there. In turn, Sarraj ordered all military units loyal to him to gear up to defend the capital, while the armed units in the capital launched operation dubbed ‘Volcano of Rage’ to fight back. The conflict led to death of hundreds of people and destruction of vital infrastructure facilities, while thousands of Libyans were forced to flee their homes.
On December 12, Haftar announced that his troops are beginning "the decisive battle for the capital" to "free it from the terrorists." The GNA mobilized all troops loyal to it to defend Tripoli, officially appealing to Turkey for help based on a memorandum of military cooperation signed in late November. The army command has repeatedly accused Ankara of supplying arms and providing other assistance and support to Tripoli’s authorities bypassing the international embargo as well as transferring hundreds of hired guns from Syria to Libya, including ISIS terrorists.


tass--2020-02-17--Trump informs Erdogan of his ‘concern’ over situation in Syria’s Idlib

WASHINGTON , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump has had a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to stress his concerns about the situation in Syria ’ s Idlib and underlined that he would like to see Russia end its support of the Syrian government , Deputy White House Press Secretary Judd Deere told reporters on Sunday .
`` President Trump expressed concern over the violence in Idlib , Syria , and thanked President Erdogan for Turkey ’ s efforts to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe , '' the White House informed .
`` President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see an end to Russia ’ s support for the Assad regime ’ s atrocities and for a political resolution to the Syrian conflict . ''
The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically after another attempt by the Russian and Turkish militaries to enforce a ceasefire that was met by increased attacks from the terrorists .
As a result , military specialists from Russia and Turkey were killed .
The Syrian army retaliated , striking extremists and capturing the town of Saraqib near Idlib on February 5 .
On the morning of February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive attacks against Syrian army troops on two fronts - the town of Saraqib and the community of Nayrab situated to the north of Saraqib in Idlib .
The opposition ’ s offensive was carried out with support from Turkish artillery forces .
Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists took an active part in the fighting .
Nevertheless , the Syrian forces repelled these attacks , with the militants suffering enormous losses .

WASHINGTON, February 17. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump has had a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to stress his concerns about the situation in Syria’s Idlib and underlined that he would like to see Russia end its support of the Syrian government, Deputy White House Press Secretary Judd Deere told reporters on Sunday.
"President Trump expressed concern over the violence in Idlib, Syria, and thanked President Erdogan for Turkey’s efforts to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe," the White House informed. "President Trump conveyed the United States’ desire to see an end to Russia’s support for the Assad regime’s atrocities and for a political resolution to the Syrian conflict."
The situation in Idlib deteriorated dramatically after another attempt by the Russian and Turkish militaries to enforce a ceasefire that was met by increased attacks from the terrorists. As a result, military specialists from Russia and Turkey were killed. The Syrian army retaliated, striking extremists and capturing the town of Saraqib near Idlib on February 5.
On the morning of February 11, the Turkish-backed Syrian opposition launched massive attacks against Syrian army troops on two fronts - the town of Saraqib and the community of Nayrab situated to the north of Saraqib in Idlib. The opposition’s offensive was carried out with support from Turkish artillery forces. Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists took an active part in the fighting. Nevertheless, the Syrian forces repelled these attacks, with the militants suffering enormous losses.


tass--2020-02-16--Munich conference turns blind eye to growing nationalism in Ukraine — Russian diplomat

MOSCOW , February 16 .
/TASS/ .
Instead of discussing the problem of growing Ukrainian nationalism , participants in the @ @ @ @ @ to include the so-called Ukrainian factor into the array of problems that cause much concern @ @ @ @ @ Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday .
In her interview with the Voskresny Vecher @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Solovyov program on the Rossiya-1 television channel , she noted that the discussion of @ @ @ @ @ the backdrop of an initiative of the `` corresponding group , '' which referred to @ @ @ @ @ special commission its ideas about a total ban of the Russian language in the mass @ @ @ @ @ to some unknown reason , no one from among those who discussed Ukraine here had @ @ @ @ @ ideology that is gaining momentum in that country , '' she said .
`` Instead @ @ @ @ @ to include the Ukrainian factor into the array of things Europe is concerned with .
@ @

MOSCOW, February 16. /TASS/. Instead of discussing the problem of growing Ukrainian nationalism, participants in the Munich Security Conference apparently tries to include the so-called Ukrainian factor into the array of problems that cause much concern in Europe, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday.
In her interview with the Voskresny Vecher (Sunday Evening) with Vladimir Solovyov program on the Rossiya-1 television channel, she noted that the discussion of the Ukraine-related topics proceeded on the backdrop of an initiative of the "corresponding group," which referred to the Ukrainian government’s special commission its ideas about a total ban of the Russian language in the mass media. "And due to some unknown reason, no one from among those who discussed Ukraine here had any questions about the real ideology that is gaining momentum in that country," she said. "Instead, we saw away-from-reality attempts to include the Ukrainian factor into the array of things Europe is concerned with.".


tass--2020-02-16--China's Hainan begins to issue work permits for foreigners online

HAIKOU , February 16 .
/TASS/ .
Hainan authorities launched a service enabling foreigners to get work permits online , @ @ @ @ @ service , according to the statement of the provincial office for science and technology , @ @ @ @ @ on the island .
In this regard , the local authorities are doing their utmost @ @ @ @ @ online as possible in order to reduce the risk of cross-infections in public institutions and @ @ @ @ @ places .
Employees of relevant offices , according to the news website , will contact @ @ @ @ @ and deliver the documents and work permit by mail .
In special cases , when @ @ @ @ @ meeting are required , the applicant can make an appointment in the office .
At @ @ @ @ @ visitors are required to wear medical face masks and be prepared to check the body @ @ @ @ @

HAIKOU, February 16. /TASS/. Hainan authorities launched a service enabling foreigners to get work permits online, according to www.hinews.cn.
The service, according to the statement of the provincial office for science and technology, was launched amid coronavirus oubreak on the island. In this regard,the local authorities are doing their utmost to conduct as many services online as possible in order to reduce the risk of cross-infections in public institutions and to avoid crowds in public places.
Employees of relevant offices, according to the news website, will contact an applicant by phone, and deliver the documents and work permit by mail. In special cases, when a consultation and a personal meeting are required, the applicant can make an appointment in the office. At the same time, all visitors are required to wear medical face masks and be prepared to check the body temperature at the entrance.


tass--2020-02-18--Paris court rules to keep Russian cyber fraud suspect Vinnik in custody

PARIS , February 18 .
/TASS/ .
Paris ’ Court of Appeal ruled on Monday to keep Russian cyber fraud suspect Alexander Vinnik in custody .
Vinnik is charged with identity theft and extortion .
The court motivated its verdict by fears that otherwise he could destroy evidence and collude with his accomplices .
Vinnik ’ s defense attorneys said they would challenge the ruling the court of cassation .
`` We think this decision was made beforehand .
Regrettably , the history of Alexander Vinnik ’ s case seems to be made of pre-arranged decisions .
We can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Zoe Constantopulu , one of Vinnik ’ s lawyers , said , adding that the court session was organized just for appearance .
The hearing lasted for about six hours with three breaks .
The first one was requested by Vinnik ’ s attorneys who said they had had no possibility to speak with their client tete-a-tete ever since he had been extradited to France .
The court satisfied their request .
According to lawyer Timofey Musatov , the 30-minute meeting took place in a special room in the presence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court heard Vinnik ’ s attorneys who asked for leniency , saying their client had never been suspected in serious crimes and had not attempted escape over the entire period of custody .
They said the Russian embassy was ready to rent an apartment for the man , stressing that the real estate enjoyed no diplomatic protection .
When it was Vinnik ’ s turn to speak , the judge asked him not to read out a ready text but make an oral statement but agreed to hear him retell what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he had no possibility to speak to his lawyers .
He told about violations of his rights in France and in Greece and pointed to the fact that no documents about his status - either that of a witness , a defendant or a suspect - had been provided to him .
The judge cut his speech short and asked him to tell about his incomes , the family situation .
When the defense lawyers asked to hear the man to the end , the judge announced a break and left the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the verdict .
This break was the first opportunity for Vinnik to speak to his mother who had arrived in Paris to be present at the hearing .
Their previous meeting took place in Greece .
His mother told him she was suffering from cancer , like his wife .
She also said the man was deprived of a possibility to meet with his family and defense attorneys .
`` He is kept in custody and is banned from speaking with anyone , either with the defense attorneys or the family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not been allowed to make a phone call to his son on his birthday on February 16 .
The French side , in her words , explained it by `` security considerations . ''
According to Vera Vinnik , her son can not even speak to his wife who is suffering from cancer and her health condition has deteriorated dramatically in the recent days .
`` We did not tell her he is in France .
She is living her last days , '' Vera added .
`` My son is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime but merely because he is Russian , '' she said .
Alexander Vinnik , a Russian IT specialist , was detained while vacationing in Greece on July 25 , 2017 at the United States ’ request , where he is accused of laundering four to nine billion US dollars through a no longer existent Internet exchange of cryptocurrencies BTC-e. On January 23 , he was extradited to France .
The final decision was made by Greece ’ s State Council , or the Supreme Court of Greece .
Vinnik ’ s extradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States .
The Russian dismissed all the charges brought against him and expressed the readiness to return home .
On January 28 , a Paris court ruled to keep Vinnik under arrest .
The five-hour court session was held behind closed doors and , according to the defense attorneys , with numerous violations of law .
Neither the defense team nor Vinnik himself were allowed to speak during these hearings .
On February 13 , the Russian Embassy said that notes of protest over the Vinnik case had been sent to the @ @ @ @

PARIS, February 18. /TASS/. Paris’ Court of Appeal ruled on Monday to keep Russian cyber fraud suspect Alexander Vinnik in custody.
Vinnik is charged with identity theft and extortion.
The court motivated its verdict by fears that otherwise he could destroy evidence and collude with his accomplices.
Vinnik’s defense attorneys said they would challenge the ruling the court of cassation. "We think this decision was made beforehand. Regrettably, the history of Alexander Vinnik’s case seems to be made of pre-arranged decisions. We cannot describe this tribunal as independent and unbiased," Zoe Constantopulu, one of Vinnik’s lawyers, said, adding that the court session was organized just for appearance.
The hearing lasted for about six hours with three breaks. The first one was requested by Vinnik’s attorneys who said they had had no possibility to speak with their client tete-a-tete ever since he had been extradited to France. The court satisfied their request. According to lawyer Timofey Musatov, the 30-minute meeting took place in a special room in the presence of seven policemen.
After the break, the court heard Vinnik’s attorneys who asked for leniency, saying their client had never been suspected in serious crimes and had not attempted escape over the entire period of custody. They said the Russian embassy was ready to rent an apartment for the man, stressing that the real estate enjoyed no diplomatic protection.
When it was Vinnik’s turn to speak, the judge asked him not to read out a ready text but make an oral statement but agreed to hear him retell what was written in his papers after he had said he had no possibility to speak to his lawyers. He told about violations of his rights in France and in Greece and pointed to the fact that no documents about his status - either that of a witness, a defendant or a suspect - had been provided to him.
The judge cut his speech short and asked him to tell about his incomes, the family situation. When the defense lawyers asked to hear the man to the end, the judge announced a break and left the courtroom to come back later and read out the verdict.
This break was the first opportunity for Vinnik to speak to his mother who had arrived in Paris to be present at the hearing. Their previous meeting took place in Greece. His mother told him she was suffering from cancer, like his wife.
She also said the man was deprived of a possibility to meet with his family and defense attorneys.
"He is kept in custody and is banned from speaking with anyone, either with the defense attorneys or the family," she said, adding that he had not been allowed to make a phone call to his son on his birthday on February 16. The French side, in her words, explained it by "security considerations."
According to Vera Vinnik, her son cannot even speak to his wife who is suffering from cancer and her health condition has deteriorated dramatically in the recent days. "We did not tell her he is in France. She is living her last days," Vera added.
"My son is being tried not because he has committed any crime but merely because he is Russian," she said.
Alexander Vinnik, a Russian IT specialist, was detained while vacationing in Greece on July 25, 2017 at the United States’ request, where he is accused of laundering four to nine billion US dollars through a no longer existent Internet exchange of cryptocurrencies BTC-e. On January 23, he was extradited to France. The final decision was made by Greece’s State Council, or the Supreme Court of Greece. Vinnik’s extradition was also sought by Russia and the United States. The Russian dismissed all the charges brought against him and expressed the readiness to return home.
On January 28, a Paris court ruled to keep Vinnik under arrest. The five-hour court session was held behind closed doors and, according to the defense attorneys, with numerous violations of law. Neither the defense team nor Vinnik himself were allowed to speak during these hearings.
On February 13, the Russian Embassy said that notes of protest over the Vinnik case had been sent to the French Foreign Ministry.


tass--2020-02-18--Libya’s interim foreign policy chief dismisses Erdogan’s accusations against Moscow

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
The foreign policy chief at Libya ’ s interim cabinet , Abdelhadi Al Houij , dismissed on Monday Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’ s claims that Moscow is `` managing '' the conflict in Libya at the highest level .
`` When we speak about peace , we totally do not take Erdogan into account .
Of all political figures , he is the farthest from peaceful settlement .
His speeches about Russia have absolutely nothing to do with the truth , '' Abdelhadi Al Houij told journalists on the sidelines of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international discussion club , answering to a question from TASS .
`` We support and welcome Russia ’ s role in solving the Libyan crisis .
We welcome president Putin ’ s efforts for the benefit of our country , and thank him for that , '' the Libyan diplomat added .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier claimed that Russia was allegedly `` managing '' the Libyan war at the highest level .
According to Turkey ’ s NTV television , to confirm his words , Erdogan said there was a photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar , Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu , Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov and another person believed to be the head of the Wagner private military company .
Russian Presidential Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov said Erdogan ’ s assertions were `` far from the real state of affairs . ''
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also dismissed as rumors the claims that `` Russian mercenaries '' were present in the Arab country .
Libya views the deployment of Turkish troops in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it by all means possible , the foreign policy chief at Libya ’ s interim cabinet , Abdelhadi Al Houij , told journalists in Moscow on Monday .
`` On the part of Turkey this [ the deployment of Turkish servicemen ] is , naturally , not interference but aggression .
This is an attempt by Turks to once again seize Libya , '' Abdelhadi Al Houij told journalists on the sidelines of the Middle East conference of the Valdai international discussion club , referring to the fact that Libya was a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We will resist Turkey ’ s attempt to conquer Libya and any other outside attempt to bring us under submission .
We will use all means possible to protect our territory and will engage all Libyan citizens into the effort , '' the diplomat said .
`` We do not seek a war or military confrontation but will fight if we are forced to . ''
Currently , Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power : the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) led by Fayez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government operating in the country ’ s east together with parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) and its Commander Khalifa Haftar .
On April 4 , Haftar announced the launch of an offensive in Tripoli to eliminate the terrorist groups that got hold there .
In turn , Sarraj ordered all military units loyal to him to gear up to defend the capital , while the armed units in the capital launched operation dubbed ‘ Volcano of Rage ’ to fight back .
The conflict led to death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital infrastructure facilities , while thousands of Libyans were forced to flee their homes .
On December 12 , Haftar announced that his troops are beginning `` the decisive battle for the capital '' to `` free it from the terrorists . ''
The GNA mobilized all troops loyal to it to defend Tripoli , officially appealing to Turkey for help based on a memorandum of military cooperation signed in late November .
The army command has repeatedly accused Ankara of supplying arms and providing other assistance and support to Tripoli ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as transferring hundreds of hired guns from Syria to Libya , including ISIS terrorists .
On January 2 , the Turkish parliament adopted a bill that paves the way for sending Turkish servicemen to Libya .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. The foreign policy chief at Libya’s interim cabinet, Abdelhadi Al Houij, dismissed on Monday Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s claims that Moscow is "managing" the conflict in Libya at the highest level.
"When we speak about peace, we totally do not take Erdogan into account. Of all political figures, he is the farthest from peaceful settlement. His speeches about Russia have absolutely nothing to do with the truth," Abdelhadi Al Houij told journalists on the sidelines of the Middle East conference of the Valdai international discussion club, answering to a question from TASS.
"We support and welcome Russia’s role in solving the Libyan crisis. We welcome president Putin’s efforts for the benefit of our country, and thank him for that," the Libyan diplomat added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier claimed that Russia was allegedly "managing" the Libyan war at the highest level. According to Turkey’s NTV television, to confirm his words, Erdogan said there was a photo in one room of Commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov and another person believed to be the head of the Wagner private military company.
Russian Presidential Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa Mikhail Bogdanov said Erdogan’s assertions were "far from the real state of affairs." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also dismissed as rumors the claims that "Russian mercenaries" were present in the Arab country.
Deployment of Turkish troops
Libya views the deployment of Turkish troops in the country as an agression and will resist it by all means possible, the foreign policy chief at Libya’s interim cabinet, Abdelhadi Al Houij, told journalists in Moscow on Monday.
"On the part of Turkey this [the deployment of Turkish servicemen] is, naturally, not interference but aggression. This is an attempt by Turks to once again seize Libya," Abdelhadi Al Houij told journalists on the sidelines of the Middle East conference of the Valdai international discussion club, referring to the fact that Libya was a part of the Ottoman Empire in the past.
"We will resist Turkey’s attempt to conquer Libya and any other outside attempt to bring us under submission. We will use all means possible to protect our territory and will engage all Libyan citizens into the effort," the diplomat said. "We do not seek a war or military confrontation but will fight if we are forced to."
Currently, Libya has two parallel bodies of executive power: the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj and Abdullah al-Thani’s interim government operating in the country’s east together with parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA) and its Commander Khalifa Haftar.
On April 4, Haftar announced the launch of an offensive in Tripoli to eliminate the terrorist groups that got hold there. In turn, Sarraj ordered all military units loyal to him to gear up to defend the capital, while the armed units in the capital launched operation dubbed ‘Volcano of Rage’ to fight back. The conflict led to death of hundreds of people and destruction of vital infrastructure facilities, while thousands of Libyans were forced to flee their homes. On December 12, Haftar announced that his troops are beginning "the decisive battle for the capital" to "free it from the terrorists." The GNA mobilized all troops loyal to it to defend Tripoli, officially appealing to Turkey for help based on a memorandum of military cooperation signed in late November. The army command has repeatedly accused Ankara of supplying arms and providing other assistance and support to Tripoli’s authorities bypassing the international embargo as well as transferring hundreds of hired guns from Syria to Libya, including ISIS terrorists.
On January 2, the Turkish parliament adopted a bill that paves the way for sending Turkish servicemen to Libya.


tass--2020-02-18--Russia, Belarus begin joint military exercise

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Servicemen of the Russian Airborne Troops and the Belarusian Special Operations Forces began @ @ @ @ @ western Russian region of Pskov on Monday , the Russian Defense Ministry said .
A @ @ @ @ @ drills was held in the region on Monday afternoon .
`` During the upcoming exercises @ @ @ @ @ complete a series of combat training tasks , including an airdrop mission , taking control @ @ @ @ @ a raid and engaging in a defensive action , '' said Col. Roman Samokhin , @ @ @ @ @ Pskov-based air assault force .
The first joint exercise of Russian airborne forces and the @ @ @ @ @ 2020 will be held on February 18-21 at Strugi Krasnye and Zavelichye ranges in Pskov @ @ @ @ @ over 400 Russian paratroopers and close to a hundred units of hardware and 80 Belarussian @ @ @ @ @ two Mi-24 and eight Mi-8AMTSH helicopters of the Western Military District and four Il-76MD airlifters @

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Servicemen of the Russian Airborne Troops and the Belarusian Special Operations Forces began their joint exercise in the western Russian region of Pskov on Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
A formal ceremony to launch the drills was held in the region on Monday afternoon.
"During the upcoming exercises, servicemen will have to complete a series of combat training tasks, including an airdrop mission, taking control of a facility, performing a raid and engaging in a defensive action," said Col. Roman Samokhin, a deputy commander of the Pskov-based air assault force.
The first joint exercise of Russian airborne forces and the Belarussian special operations force in 2020 will be held on February 18-21 at Strugi Krasnye and Zavelichye ranges in Pskov region. It will engage over 400 Russian paratroopers and close to a hundred units of hardware and 80 Belarussian commandos, as well as two Mi-24 and eight Mi-8AMTSH helicopters of the Western Military District and four Il-76MD airlifters.


tass--2020-02-18--Russian, Turkish military conduct joint patrol mission in Syria’s al-Hasakah

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian and Turkish servicemen conducted a regular joint patrol mission in Syria ’ s al-Hasakah governorate , Oleg Zhuravlev , chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria , told reporters on Monday .
The mission was conducted under the Russian-Turkish memorandum of understanding of October 22 , 2019 .
`` A joint Russian-Turkish patrol mission was conducted along the route Qamishli-Sheirek-Dellik-Kasrah-Arada-Qebira-Kasrah-Tawrat-Sh awkat-Dellik-Sheirek-Qamishli in the al-Hasakah governorate , '' he said .
Units of the Russian military police also carried out patrolling in the Aleppo and Raqqa governorates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an aerial patrol mission from the Qamishli airfield .
`` The patrolling missions were conducted in accordance with the plans .
No incidents were reported during the mission , '' he noted .
During the day , officers of the Russian reconciliation center conducted one humanitarian operation and delivered about one tonne of food products to the settlement of Hajj Igab in the Raqqa governorate .
Zhuravlev also said that illegal armed groups continued to violate the ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation zone .
Thus , twenty-four shelling attacks were reported during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria .
The center ’ s officers regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation .
The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Russian and Turkish servicemen conducted a regular joint patrol mission in Syria’s al-Hasakah governorate, Oleg Zhuravlev, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, told reporters on Monday.
The mission was conducted under the Russian-Turkish memorandum of understanding of October 22, 2019. "A joint Russian-Turkish patrol mission was conducted along the route Qamishli-Sheirek-Dellik-Kasrah-Arada-Qebira-Kasrah-Tawrat-Sh awkat-Dellik-Sheirek-Qamishli in the al-Hasakah governorate," he said.
Units of the Russian military police also carried out patrolling in the Aleppo and Raqqa governorates. Russia’s air taskforce conducted an aerial patrol mission from the Qamishli airfield. "The patrolling missions were conducted in accordance with the plans. No incidents were reported during the mission," he noted.
During the day, officers of the Russian reconciliation center conducted one humanitarian operation and delivered about one tonne of food products to the settlement of Hajj Igab in the Raqqa governorate.
Zhuravlev also said that illegal armed groups continued to violate the ceasefire in the Idlib de-escalation zone. Thus, twenty-four shelling attacks were reported during the day.
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-02-18--Intra-Libyan Military Committee to meet in Geneva on February 18 — UN

GENEVA , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
The intra-Libyan Joint Military Commission , which includes delegates from each party to the conflict , will meet in Geneva on February 18 , the United Nations Support Mission to Libya ( UNSMIL ) said on its Twitter account on Monday .
`` UNSMIL announces the resumption on February 18 of the intra-Libyan Joint Military Commission talks in Geneva , as supported by UNSCR 2510 , '' it wrote .
`` We applaud the sense of responsibility and the serious and constructive spirit of the participants . ''
The mission expressed the hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fully inclusive Libyan Political Forum scheduled to start on 26 February and urge all parties to seize the opportunity to respond positively . ''
The first meeting of the Military Commission took place in Geneva on February 3 through 8 .
This format is one of the three tracks of intra-Libyan talks , along with political and economic ones .
After the talks , the UNSMIL said it hailed the fact that both sides had come to Geneva and expressed appreciation for `` upholding in earnest the responsibilities they had been entrusted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and positive spirit that characterized their discussions . ''
`` UNSMIL takes note of the existing consensus around the importance of maintaining the truce that had been announced on 12 January this year , of the necessity to respect it and refrain from violating it , '' it said .
Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya , Ghassan Salam· , said after the talks that progress had been reach on many important matters but `` a significant number of points of convergence '' were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-level international conference on Libyan settlement on January 19 , with at least ten heads of state and government , including Russian President Vladimir Putin , taking part .
In their final document , participants in the Berlin meeting called for a ceasefire in Libya , reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from interfering into Libya ’ s affairs , suggested a unified government be formed and reforms be launched to restore Libya ’ s state system destroyed by NATO ’ s intervention of ten years ago .
The conflicting parties also agreed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceasefire .
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power , namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) and the interim government , seated in the east of the country , along with the parliament , which is supported by the Libyan National Army ( LNA ) .

GENEVA, February 17. /TASS/. The intra-Libyan Joint Military Commission, which includes delegates from each party to the conflict, will meet in Geneva on February 18, the United Nations Support Mission to Libya (UNSMIL) said on its Twitter account on Monday.
"UNSMIL announces the resumption on February 18 of the intra-Libyan Joint Military Commission talks in Geneva, as supported by UNSCR 2510," it wrote. "We applaud the sense of responsibility and the serious and constructive spirit of the participants."
The mission expressed the hope that "this spirit is carried into the fully inclusive Libyan Political Forum scheduled to start on 26 February and urge all parties to seize the opportunity to respond positively."
The first meeting of the Military Commission took place in Geneva on February 3 through 8. This format is one of the three tracks of intra-Libyan talks, along with political and economic ones. After the talks, the UNSMIL said it hailed the fact that both sides had come to Geneva and expressed appreciation for "upholding in earnest the responsibilities they had been entrusted with as well as for the professional and positive spirit that characterized their discussions." "UNSMIL takes note of the existing consensus around the importance of maintaining the truce that had been announced on 12 January this year, of the necessity to respect it and refrain from violating it," it said.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Ghassan Salam·, said after the talks that progress had been reach on many important matters but "a significant number of points of convergence" were still in place.
Berlin hosted a high-level international conference on Libyan settlement on January 19, with at least ten heads of state and government, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, taking part. In their final document, participants in the Berlin meeting called for a ceasefire in Libya, reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from interfering into Libya’s affairs, suggested a unified government be formed and reforms be launched to restore Libya’s state system destroyed by NATO’s intervention of ten years ago. The conflicting parties also agreed to set up a commission to monitor the ceasefire.
Libya currently has two parallel bodies of executive power, namely the internationally recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and the interim government, seated in the east of the country, along with the parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA).


tass--2020-02-17--Aeroflot to cut flights to China

Aeroflot to cut flights to China

Coronavirus-infected Russian national did not request evacuation from Japan — embassy MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Aeroflot will @ @ @ @ @ to China in view of the demand decline , according to the airline ’ s @ @ @ @ @ makes changes in the schedule of flights to China in connection with the lowering demand @ @ @ @ @ .
The Russian air carrier will reduce flights to Beijing , Shanghai , Guangzhou and @ @ @ @ @ of March .

Coronavirus-infected Russian national did not request evacuation from Japan — embassy
MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Aeroflot will reduce the number of flights to China in view of the demand decline, according to the airline’s website.
"Aeroflot temporarily makes changes in the schedule of flights to China in connection with the lowering demand," the company said.
The Russian air carrier will reduce flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong by the end of March.


tass--2020-02-17--Sergei Melik-Bagdasarov appointed Russia’s ambassador to Venezuela

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Sergei Melik-Bagdasarov has been appointed Russia ’ s ambassador to Venezuela , as @ @ @ @ @ that was posted on the legal information website on Monday .
Apart from that , @ @ @ @ @ Zayemsky of the duties of Russian ambassador to that country .
Melik-Bagdasarov was born in @ @ @ @ @ Russian Foreign Ministry ’ s MGIMO University in 1994 .
Before being appointed ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ of the ministry ’ s Department of Latin America .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Sergei Melik-Bagdasarov has been appointed Russia’s ambassador to Venezuela, as follows from a presidential decree that was posted on the legal information website on Monday.
Apart from that, President Vladimir Putin relieved Vladimir Zayemsky of the duties of Russian ambassador to that country.
Melik-Bagdasarov was born in 1968 and graduated from the Russian Foreign Ministry’s MGIMO University in 1994. Before being appointed ambassador to Venezuela, he was director of the ministry’s Department of Latin America.


tass--2020-02-17--Court rules runaway patient in St. Petersburg undergo novel virus check

ST. PETERSBURG , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Quarantined patient Alla Ilyina , who earlier escaped from a hospital in @ @ @ @ @ been taken for novel coronavirus checks , has been accused of violating orders from the @ @ @ @ @ Her case is to be considered by the city ’ s magistrate court , the @ @ @ @ @ told the media .
A district court on Monday sustained a lawsuit filed by St. @ @ @ @ @ doctor , who wants Ilyina to be compelled to undergo medical examination .
Ilyina will @ @ @ @ @ until she has twice tested negative for the coronavirus infection .

ST. PETERSBURG, February 17. /TASS/. Quarantined patient Alla Ilyina, who earlier escaped from a hospital in St. Petersburg where she had been taken for novel coronavirus checks, has been accused of violating orders from the consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor. Her case is to be considered by the city’s magistrate court, the city courts’ press service told the media.
A district court on Monday sustained a lawsuit filed by St. Petersburg’s chief sanitary doctor, who wants Ilyina to be compelled to undergo medical examination. Ilyina will have to stay in hospital until she has twice tested negative for the coronavirus infection.


tass--2020-02-17--Lithuania loses 1.4 bln euro dispute with Gazprom in final instance

VILNIUS , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Lithuania has lost the case of its financial claims in the amount of @ @ @ @ @ gas giant Gazprom in the final instance , the country ’ s Energy Ministry reported @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court of Sweden rejected Lithuania ’ s request to review the decision of the @ @ @ @ @ country , which upheld the 2016 Stockholm arbitration order and was unfavorable for us , @ @ @ @ @ The litigation between Lithuania and the Russian gas giant lasted almost eight years .
Official @ @ @ @ @ unfair prices for gas in 2004-2012 taking advantage of its monopoly position in the Lithuanian @ @ @ @ @ , Vilnius failed to prove this in court .
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ to 10.5 mln euros .

VILNIUS, February 17. /TASS/. Lithuania has lost the case of its financial claims in the amount of 1.4 bln euro to Russian gas giant Gazprom in the final instance, the country’s Energy Ministry reported on Monday.
"The Supreme Court of Sweden rejected Lithuania’s request to review the decision of the court of appeal of that country, which upheld the 2016 Stockholm arbitration order and was unfavorable for us," the ministry said.
The litigation between Lithuania and the Russian gas giant lasted almost eight years. Official Vilnius claimed that Gazprom set unfair prices for gas in 2004-2012 taking advantage of its monopoly position in the Lithuanian natural gas market. However, Vilnius failed to prove this in court. According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Energy, legal costs amounted to 10.5 mln euros.


tass--2020-02-17--Kyrgyz woman convicted to 4.5 years in jail for trying to sell her baby via internet

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
A young woman from Kyrgyzstan has been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison in Russia for trying to sell her newborn baby via the internet , Lyudmila Nefedova , a spokesperson for the Moscow prosecutor ’ s office , told TASS on Monday .
Barnokhon-kyzy Rasulzhan , 24 , was charged with trafficking in minors ( part 2 , article 127.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ) .
According to Nefedova , the woman , who lived in the city of Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan , was known for her sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 , when she was pregnant with her second child , she decided to sell her yet unborn baby and posted an ad on social networks , '' Nefedova said .
`` Potential buyers , who acted under the police supervision , agreed to take her to Moscow and help obtain the necessary documents .
But shortly before giving birth to her baby , the woman changed her mind and decided to leave the baby . ''
Eighteen months later , in January 2019 , when she was pregnant with her third child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell the baby for a sum of one million rubles ( 15,760 US dollars ) when it was born .
Upon agreement with a potential `` buyer , '' she moved to Moscow and gave birth to a baby girl in February 2019 .
A month later , she wrote a child surrender note and handed over the baby in exchange for the agreed sum .
The Kyrgyz national was detained afterwards .
The woman ’ s three children have been handed over to the grandmother .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. A young woman from Kyrgyzstan has been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison in Russia for trying to sell her newborn baby via the internet, Lyudmila Nefedova, a spokesperson for the Moscow prosecutor’s office, told TASS on Monday.
Barnokhon-kyzy Rasulzhan, 24, was charged with trafficking in minors (part 2, article 127.1 of the Russian Criminal Code).
According to Nefedova, the woman, who lived in the city of Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, was known for her sexual promiscuity and antisocial lifestyle. "In 2017, when she was pregnant with her second child, she decided to sell her yet unborn baby and posted an ad on social networks," Nefedova said. "Potential buyers, who acted under the police supervision, agreed to take her to Moscow and help obtain the necessary documents. But shortly before giving birth to her baby, the woman changed her mind and decided to leave the baby."
Eighteen months later, in January 2019, when she was pregnant with her third child, she posted another ad offering to sell the baby for a sum of one million rubles (15,760 US dollars) when it was born. Upon agreement with a potential "buyer," she moved to Moscow and gave birth to a baby girl in February 2019. A month later, she wrote a child surrender note and handed over the baby in exchange for the agreed sum. The Kyrgyz national was detained afterwards.
The woman’s three children have been handed over to the grandmother.


tass--2020-02-17--Coronavirus is significant uncertainty factor for oil prices in 2020 — Bank of Russia

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Spread of the new coronavirus type is a significant uncertainty factor for dynamics @ @ @ @ @ the global economic growth in 2020 , the Bank of Russia says in its monetary @ @ @ @ @ `` Further development of the situation with the coronavirus spread is a major factor on @ @ @ @ @ oil price dynamics and growth of the global economy at large , '' the regulator @ @ @ @ @ at the same time keeps its Ural oil price outlook at $ 55 per barrel @ @ @ @ @ economic development for 2020 .
By early 2021 , oil prices are expected to decline @ @ @ @ @ and will remain close to this level later on , the Bank of Russia says @

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Spread of the new coronavirus type is a significant uncertainty factor for dynamics of oil prices and for the global economic growth in 2020, the Bank of Russia says in its monetary policy report on Monday.
"Further development of the situation with the coronavirus spread is a major factor on the horizon of 2020 for oil price dynamics and growth of the global economy at large," the regulator says.
The Central Bank at the same time keeps its Ural oil price outlook at $55 per barrel in the base case of economic development for 2020.
By early 2021, oil prices are expected to decline to $50 per barrel and will remain close to this level later on, the Bank of Russia says.


tass--2020-02-17--Foreign Ministry warns Russians about threat of prosecution by US authorities

`` We have to state that despite our repeated calls for normalization of relations under the 1999 Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters US law enforcement agencies continue to arrest Russians across the globe .
As many as 53 such cases have been reported from third countries since 2008 .
Six of them took place in 2019 , '' the ministry noted .
`` Once again , we would like to draw attention of Russian nationals planning foreign trips to a threat of being prosecuted by US law enforcement and special services .
Such a threat exists both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries at the request of US authorities , '' the ministry said on Monday .
The ministry cited Viktor Bout ’ s , Maria Butina ’ s , Roman Seleznyov ’ s and Konstantin Yaroshenko ’ s cases as an example .
`` An illustrative example is Bogdana Osipova ’ s case .
She was charged in the United States with the abduction of her own children and her alimony claims to the former American husband , who had been practicing domestic abuse , were described as extortion , '' the ministry noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are exposed to serious psychological pressure and are placed in intolerable incarceration conditions to make them confess to fabricated cases .
In case they refuse to admit their guilt , they are demonstratively sentenced to long prison terms . ''
`` The situation is complicated by the fact that after the closure of Russian general consulates in San Francisco and Seattle by the US authorities in 2017-2018 our country has no consular presence along the entire US West Coast .
It has seriously impaired our capacity to offer timely support to Russians kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted , stressing that Russian diplomats are doing their utmost to help Russian citizens , ensure their legal rights and bring them back home as soon as possible .
`` We would like to ask our nationals to thoroughly consider all possible risks of being prosecuted by the American side while planning foreign trips , '' the ministry stressed .
The ministry issued similar warnings in September 2013 , April 2014 , May 2015 , April 2016 , February 2017 , February 2018 , and January 2019 .

"We have to state that despite our repeated calls for normalization of relations under the 1999 Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters US law enforcement agencies continue to arrest Russians across the globe. As many as 53 such cases have been reported from third countries since 2008. Six of them took place in 2019," the ministry noted.
"Once again, we would like to draw attention of Russian nationals planning foreign trips to a threat of being prosecuted by US law enforcement and special services. Such a threat exists both in the United States and in third countries at the request of US authorities," the ministry said on Monday.
The ministry cited Viktor Bout’s, Maria Butina’s, Roman Seleznyov’s and Konstantin Yaroshenko’s cases as an example. "An illustrative example is Bogdana Osipova’s case. She was charged in the United States with the abduction of her own children and her alimony claims to the former American husband, who had been practicing domestic abuse, were described as extortion," the ministry noted. "They [Russian nationals] are exposed to serious psychological pressure and are placed in intolerable incarceration conditions to make them confess to fabricated cases. In case they refuse to admit their guilt, they are demonstratively sentenced to long prison terms."
"The situation is complicated by the fact that after the closure of Russian general consulates in San Francisco and Seattle by the US authorities in 2017-2018 our country has no consular presence along the entire US West Coast. It has seriously impaired our capacity to offer timely support to Russians kept in prisons there," the ministry noted, stressing that Russian diplomats are doing their utmost to help Russian citizens, ensure their legal rights and bring them back home as soon as possible.
"We would like to ask our nationals to thoroughly consider all possible risks of being prosecuted by the American side while planning foreign trips," the ministry stressed.
The ministry issued similar warnings in September 2013, April 2014, May 2015, April 2016, February 2017, February 2018, and January 2019.


tass--2020-02-17--NATO chief was unable to reply to Russia’s initiatives, Lavrov comments after Munich talks

MUNICH , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
NATO ’ s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has dodged replying to Russia ’ s initiative on measures to build up trust during drills at the contact line and to ensure security of flight over the Baltic Sea , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday .
`` When several days ago in Munich I told Stoltenberg that we were waiting for an answer to our concrete proposals , he got off with some sort of clumsy remarks that they would be looked at later , '' Lavrov told journalists after the Munich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said he meant the initiatives advanced by the Russian General Staff a year ago .
`` First , to agree to move exercises of both the Russian and NATO ’ s armed forces off the contact line to a certain distance .
Let us sit down at the negotiating table and agree on that .
Silence in response , '' he noted .
`` Our military suggested an agreement be reached to bind military planes flying over the Baltic region to use transponders , as civilian planes do .
Silence again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , also came to Russia ’ s initiative to agree a minimal possible distance , at which Russia ’ s and NATO ’ s warships and warplanes can approach each other .
`` In such conditions , naturally , we would want the thoughts repeatedly voiced by President [ of France Emmanuel ] Macron to finally cross the minds or NATO ’ s mind so that we could see how sick or healthy it really is , '' he added .

MUNICH, February 17. /TASS/. NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has dodged replying to Russia’s initiative on measures to build up trust during drills at the contact line and to ensure security of flight over the Baltic Sea, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
"When several days ago in Munich I told Stoltenberg that we were waiting for an answer to our concrete proposals, he got off with some sort of clumsy remarks that they would be looked at later," Lavrov told journalists after the Munich Security Conference he had taken part in.
He said he meant the initiatives advanced by the Russian General Staff a year ago. "First, to agree to move exercises of both the Russian and NATO’s armed forces off the contact line to a certain distance. Let us sit down at the negotiating table and agree on that. Silence in response," he noted. "Our military suggested an agreement be reached to bind military planes flying over the Baltic region to use transponders, as civilian planes do. Silence again."
No reply, in his words, also came to Russia’s initiative to agree a minimal possible distance, at which Russia’s and NATO’s warships and warplanes can approach each other.
"In such conditions, naturally, we would want the thoughts repeatedly voiced by President [of France Emmanuel] Macron to finally cross the minds or NATO’s mind so that we could see how sick or healthy it really is," he added.


tass--2020-02-17--Russian artillery troops eliminate enemy force during drills in Tajikistan’s mountains

`` Under the drills ’ scenario , the enemy took advantage of the terrain features to hide in mountain hollows , equipping firing positions to deliver artillery fire against the base ’ s military facilities .
The teams of 120mm Sani mortars fired concentrated salvos from sheltered emplacements against the targets that simulated the notional enemy ’ s positions at a distance of up to five kilometers .
Artillery fire controllers adjusted the fire and struck the targets from an observation post located at a commanding height , '' the press office said in a statement .
MOSCOW , February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia ’ s 201st military base eliminated a notional enemy ’ s artillery during drills in Tajikistan ’ s high mountains , the press office of the Central Military District said on Monday .
The one-day exercise involved about 500 motor rifle and artillery troops and over 70 items of armament and military hardware , the press office added .
Russia ’ s Central Military District is based in the territory of the Volga , Urals and Siberian integrated federal districts and 29 Russian regions .
Structurally , the Central Military District also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military base in Tajikistan , the Kant integrated military base in Kyrgyzstan and units stationed on the territory of Kazakhstan .
The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia ’ s largest military facility outside its borders .
The military base is located in the cities of Dushanbe and Bokhtar .
The military base ’ s armament includes T-72 tanks , BTR-82A armored personnel carriers , Grad multiple launch rocket systems , Gvozdika and Akatsiya artillery systems .
Under the agreement signed in October 2012 , Russia ’ s military base in @ @ @ @ @ @

"Under the drills’ scenario, the enemy took advantage of the terrain features to hide in mountain hollows, equipping firing positions to deliver artillery fire against the base’s military facilities. The teams of 120mm Sani mortars fired concentrated salvos from sheltered emplacements against the targets that simulated the notional enemy’s positions at a distance of up to five kilometers. Artillery fire controllers adjusted the fire and struck the targets from an observation post located at a commanding height," the press office said in a statement.
MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Mortar squads of Russia’s 201st military base eliminated a notional enemy’s artillery during drills in Tajikistan’s high mountains, the press office of the Central Military District said on Monday.
The one-day exercise involved about 500 motor rifle and artillery troops and over 70 items of armament and military hardware, the press office added.
Russia’s Central Military District is based in the territory of the Volga, Urals and Siberian integrated federal districts and 29 Russian regions. Structurally, the Central Military District also includes some overseas facilities: the 201st military base in Tajikistan, the Kant integrated military base in Kyrgyzstan and units stationed on the territory of Kazakhstan.
The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia’s largest military facility outside its borders. The military base is located in the cities of Dushanbe and Bokhtar. The military base’s armament includes T-72 tanks, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, Grad multiple launch rocket systems, Gvozdika and Akatsiya artillery systems.
Under the agreement signed in October 2012, Russia’s military base in Tajikistan will remain until 2042.


tass--2020-02-17--Ready to go home: Russians from MS Westerdam test negative for coronavirus

`` We ’ ve been just told that our results were negative , '' Alexei Dmitriev , head of the family , told TASS .
The issue with booking tickets for departure back to Russia is expected to be sorted out shortly .
`` Better tomorrow .
We still haven ’ t seen all the sights in the city , '' Dmitriev noted .
MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Four Russian tourists , the Dmitrievs , who traveled on board the MS Westerdam cruise liner , can soon depart from Phnom Penh , the capital of Cambodia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were negative .
About 300-400 tourists from the liner had to stay in Cambodia for some more time because of a decision by local authorities to hold mandatory coronavirus tests for all the remaining passengers .
Three other Russians traveling on board the liner have already returned to St. Petersburg .
The Westerdam cruise ship with 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members sailed from Hong Kong on February 1 and was expected to call at several Japanese ports .
These plans were canceled because of Japan ’ s objections out of fears that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus could be aboard the ship .
Subsequently , Thailand , the Philippines and Taiwan also barred the ship from entering their ports .
The vessel that had spent more than a week at sea trying to reach any Asian port was ultimately allowed to call at Cambodia ’ s Sihanoukville .

"We’ve been just told that our results were negative," Alexei Dmitriev, head of the family, told TASS. The issue with booking tickets for departure back to Russia is expected to be sorted out shortly. "Better tomorrow. We still haven’t seen all the sights in the city," Dmitriev noted.
MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Four Russian tourists, the Dmitrievs, who traveled on board the MS Westerdam cruise liner, can soon depart from Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, back home since their coronavirus test results were negative.
About 300-400 tourists from the liner had to stay in Cambodia for some more time because of a decision by local authorities to hold mandatory coronavirus tests for all the remaining passengers. Three other Russians traveling on board the liner have already returned to St. Petersburg.
The Westerdam cruise ship with 1,455 passengers and 802 crew members sailed from Hong Kong on February 1 and was expected to call at several Japanese ports. These plans were canceled because of Japan’s objections out of fears that people who might have contracted the novel coronavirus could be aboard the ship. Subsequently, Thailand, the Philippines and Taiwan also barred the ship from entering their ports. The vessel that had spent more than a week at sea trying to reach any Asian port was ultimately allowed to call at Cambodia’s Sihanoukville.


tass--2020-02-17--Storm Dennis wreaks havoc, mass flooding across UK

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tass--2020-02-17--Attorney says authorities decide to get tough on Moscow subway coronavirus ‘prankster’

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Charges against Tajik national Karomatullo Djaborov , who took part in a coronavirus-themed @ @ @ @ @ Moscow Metro , have been toughened , Djaborov 's attorney Roman Shakhmatov said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ part 1 to part 2 of Article 213 of the [ Russian ] Criminal Code @ @ @ @ @ not just with hooliganism , but with conspiracy to commit hooliganism .
This is due @ @ @ @ @ people took part in this offence , '' the attorney said , underscoring that the @ @ @ @ @ actions to be petty misconduct and not a crime .
According to the attorney , @ @ @ @ @ face up to seven years in prison .

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Charges against Tajik national Karomatullo Djaborov, who took part in a coronavirus-themed "prank" in the Moscow Metro, have been toughened, Djaborov's attorney Roman Shakhmatov said.
"His charges were changed from part 1 to part 2 of Article 213 of the [Russian] Criminal Code. He is now charged not just with hooliganism, but with conspiracy to commit hooliganism. This is due to the fact that several people took part in this offence," the attorney said, underscoring that the defense considers Djaborov’s actions to be petty misconduct and not a crime.
According to the attorney, the "pranker" might face up to seven years in prison.


tass--2020-02-17--Seventy-five Serbian troops to march in Victory Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square

BELGRADE , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia expects Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and troops from the Balkan country to take part in the military parade on Moscow ’ s Red Square on May 9 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII , Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said on Monday .
Serbia ’ s participation in 2020 Victory Parade in Moscow will be great honor , says minister '' On May 9 , we are expecting President Vucic , you and Serbian servicemen to take part in the parade on Red Square , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two .
The heroic efforts of our ancestors who fought shoulder to shoulder ensured the joint victory over Nazis and their accomplices , '' the Russian defense chief stated at a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vulin in Belgrade .
In turn , Vulin informed that 75 Serbian troops would take part in the military parade on Red Square .
Also , representatives of the Syrian army will take part in the ceremony of opening a memorial gallery , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces Cathedral being built at the Patriot Park in the Moscow Region to mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII .
`` And I am confident that your military contingent will march in a very dignified manner across Red Square , across the square that saw a parade of victors in 1945 , '' he added .
Trump told TASS he would like to attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow The Russian defense minister also congratulated his Serbian counterpart and the entire Serbian people on the national holiday , Serbia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take part in the Moscow Conference on International Security , the Army Military and Technical Forum and the International Army Games this year , Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Monday .
Serbia was really happy to see Shoigu ’ s re-appointment as Russia ’ s defense chief , Vulin commented .
`` We have no better friend in this post than you , '' Vulin stated .
He called Russia-Serbia military and technical cooperation successful , noting the Russian defense minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to thank you for the invitation to the Moscow Conference on International Security .
We have Army Day at that time but I will come for one day , '' Vulin vowed .
The Serbian military will also take part in the International Army Games this year , he added .
`` I sincerely hope that our results in the Tank Biathlon will be better this year .
Last time , we failed to get into the final but I hope that this year we will at least reach the final , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We will also take part in the Army-2020 forum .
This is traditional , '' the Serbian defense minister concluded .
In turn , Shoigu commented that bilateral military cooperation was developing dynamically .
The number of the two countries ’ joint practical events is increasing with every passing year , he underscored .

BELGRADE, February 17. /TASS/. Russia expects Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and troops from the Balkan country to take part in the military parade on Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII, Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said on Monday.
Serbia’s participation in 2020 Victory Parade in Moscow will be great honor, says minister
"On May 9, we are expecting President Vucic, you and Serbian servicemen to take part in the parade on Red Square," Shoigu reported.
"This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two. The heroic efforts of our ancestors who fought shoulder to shoulder ensured the joint victory over Nazis and their accomplices," the Russian defense chief stated at a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vulin in Belgrade.
In turn, Vulin informed that 75 Serbian troops would take part in the military parade on Red Square. Also, representatives of the Syrian army will take part in the ceremony of opening a memorial gallery, the Memory Road, at the Russian Armed Forces Cathedral being built at the Patriot Park in the Moscow Region to mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII.
"And I am confident that your military contingent will march in a very dignified manner across Red Square, across the square that saw a parade of victors in 1945," he added.
Trump told TASS he would like to attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow
The Russian defense minister also congratulated his Serbian counterpart and the entire Serbian people on the national holiday, Serbia’s Statehood Day.
Other Russia-based events involving Serbian military
The Serbian military will take part in the Moscow Conference on International Security, the Army Military and Technical Forum and the International Army Games this year, Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Monday.
Serbia was really happy to see Shoigu’s re-appointment as Russia’s defense chief, Vulin commented.
"We have no better friend in this post than you," Vulin stated. He called Russia-Serbia military and technical cooperation successful, noting the Russian defense minister’s personal contribution.
"I want to thank you for the invitation to the Moscow Conference on International Security. We have Army Day at that time but I will come for one day," Vulin vowed.
The Serbian military will also take part in the International Army Games this year, he added.
"I sincerely hope that our results in the Tank Biathlon will be better this year. Last time, we failed to get into the final but I hope that this year we will at least reach the final," the Serbian defense minister went on.
"We will also take part in the Army-2020 forum. This is traditional," the Serbian defense minister concluded.
In turn, Shoigu commented that bilateral military cooperation was developing dynamically. The number of the two countries’ joint practical events is increasing with every passing year, he underscored.


tass--2020-02-17--Grenade launcher teams eliminate enemy armor in Volga area drills

Under the drills ’ scenario , the enemy switched to an offensive with the support of tanks and vehicles with suicide bombers to assume advantageous positions and seize a small community .
MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Grenade launcher squads of Russia ’ s Central Military District eliminated a notional enemy ’ s tanks and camouflaged vehicles during drills at the Roshchinky and Totsky training ranges in the Samara and Orenburg regions , the District ’ s press office reported on Monday .
Over 20 Russian Baltic Fleet ships take to sea for tactical drills '' The teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deployed to their positions , opened fire at a distance of up to 1,400 meters and cut off the manpower from the armor , thus disrupting the enemy ’ s advance , '' the press office said in a statement .
After that , motor rifle troops armed with RPG-7V grenade launchers started to eliminate the notional militants , the statement says .
The drills involved more than 500 grenade launcher gunners .
They accomplished more than 250 fire assignments , with no less than half of them practiced at night , the @ @ @ @

Under the drills’ scenario, the enemy switched to an offensive with the support of tanks and vehicles with suicide bombers to assume advantageous positions and seize a small community.
MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. Grenade launcher squads of Russia’s Central Military District eliminated a notional enemy’s tanks and camouflaged vehicles during drills at the Roshchinky and Totsky training ranges in the Samara and Orenburg regions, the District’s press office reported on Monday.
"The teams of 30mm AGS-17 Plamya automatic grenade launchers deployed to their positions, opened fire at a distance of up to 1,400 meters and cut off the manpower from the armor, thus disrupting the enemy’s advance," the press office said in a statement.
After that, motor rifle troops armed with RPG-7V grenade launchers started to eliminate the notional militants, the statement says.
The drills involved more than 500 grenade launcher gunners. They accomplished more than 250 fire assignments, with no less than half of them practiced at night, the press office specified.


tass--2020-02-17--Donbass sees Zelensky’s border patrol scheme as ploy to bog down Minsk Agreements

DONETSK , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky ’ s new initiative on joint patrols of the border with Russia are an attempt to waste time talking instead of enacting the Minsk Agreements , Head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People ’ s Republic , Denis Pushilin , said in a statement on Monday .
`` These statements by Zelensky reveal the infamous methods practiced by today ’ s Ukrainian politicians : getting bogged down in empty talk and dragging others into this swamp , '' the Donetsk news agency quoted the DPR head as saying .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ joint patrols ’ proposal , for example .
Kiev has not yet taken a single step to coordinate the legal aspects of a special status for Donbass with the DPR and LPR [ Lugansk People ’ s Republic ] , '' he went on to say .
`` Under the Package of Measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements , early local elections is a political process that is part of a full and comprehensive political settlement , '' he added .
`` Ukraine should stop being evasive and come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a peaceful settlement to the conflict , in other words to implement step-by-step all the provisions of the Minsk accords , '' Pushilin stressed .
At a news conference in Munich on Saturday , President Zelensky suggested looking into the possibility of organizing joint patrols along the border with Russia with representatives from the OSCE , as well as the Donetsk and Lugansk republics .
According to him , these patrols could be carried out during the preparations for and in the process of local elections in the region .
The Minsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlement .
The deal includes such measures as a ceasefire , disengagement of forces and equipment , amnesty , the re-establishment of economic ties , along with thorough constitutional reform in Ukraine , which should lead to a special status for separate districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions within Ukraine .
However , this plan has not been implemented so far due to Kiev ’ s refusal to comply with the political provisions of the agreements .
Ukraine , in particular , insists on taking control over a section of the border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state that this can only happen after new elections in Donbass .

DONETSK, February 17. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s new initiative on joint patrols of the border with Russia are an attempt to waste time talking instead of enacting the Minsk Agreements, Head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, Denis Pushilin, said in a statement on Monday.
"These statements by Zelensky reveal the infamous methods practiced by today’s Ukrainian politicians: getting bogged down in empty talk and dragging others into this swamp," the Donetsk news agency quoted the DPR head as saying. "Let’s take a look at the ‘joint patrols’ proposal, for example. Kiev has not yet taken a single step to coordinate the legal aspects of a special status for Donbass with the DPR and LPR [Lugansk People’s Republic]," he went on to say.
"Under the Package of Measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, early local elections is a political process that is part of a full and comprehensive political settlement," he added.
"Ukraine should stop being evasive and come into compliance with the commitments it assumed for a peaceful settlement to the conflict, in other words to implement step-by-step all the provisions of the Minsk accords," Pushilin stressed.
At a news conference in Munich on Saturday, President Zelensky suggested looking into the possibility of organizing joint patrols along the border with Russia with representatives from the OSCE, as well as the Donetsk and Lugansk republics. According to him, these patrols could be carried out during the preparations for and in the process of local elections in the region.
The Minsk Agreements are a cornerstone of the Donbass settlement. The deal includes such measures as a ceasefire, disengagement of forces and equipment, amnesty, the re-establishment of economic ties, along with thorough constitutional reform in Ukraine, which should lead to a special status for separate districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk Regions within Ukraine.
However, this plan has not been implemented so far due to Kiev’s refusal to comply with the political provisions of the agreements. Ukraine, in particular, insists on taking control over a section of the border with Russia, although the Minsk accords state that this can only happen after new elections in Donbass.


tass--2020-02-17--Coronavirus-infected Russian national did not request evacuation from Japan — embassy

TOKYO , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Embassy in Tokyo did not receive an evacuation request from the @ @ @ @ @ Diamond Princess Cruise ship , diagnosed earlier with the COVID-19 coronavirus .
`` There were @ @ @ @ @ from the infected Russian national , or from the rest of Russian nationals aboard the @ @ @ @ @ is expected to be hospitalized in Japan , '' the embassy said , adding that @ @ @ @ @ on where the woman would be hospitalized .
This is the first confirmed coronavirus case @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , the Japanese medics registered 99 new coronavirus cases at the ship , @ @ @ @ @ the infected aboard increased to 454 .

TOKYO, February 17. /TASS/. The Russian Embassy in Tokyo did not receive an evacuation request from the Russian national stranded on the Diamond Princess Cruise ship, diagnosed earlier with the COVID-19 coronavirus.
"There were no evacuation requests, either from the infected Russian national, or from the rest of Russian nationals aboard the ship. The infected woman is expected to be hospitalized in Japan," the embassy said, adding that there is no information yet on where the woman would be hospitalized.
This is the first confirmed coronavirus case among Russian nationals. Earlier on Monday, the Japanese medics registered 99 new coronavirus cases at the ship, while the total number of the infected aboard increased to 454.


tass--2020-02-17--Syrian air defenses shoot down terrorists’ drone over Homs refinery

MOSCOW , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Syrian air defense forces shot down a drone near an oil refinery @ @ @ @ @ ( 165 km from Damascus ) , Syria ’ s news agency SANA reported on @ @ @ @ @ to attack the refinery with the drone loaded with ammunition , SANA said .
On @ @ @ @ @ troops used electronic warfare systems to thwart a terrorists ’ attempt to hit the Homs @ @ @ @ @ According to SANA , the Syrian forces intercepted control and landed five drones that intended @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, February 17. /TASS/. The Syrian air defense forces shot down a drone near an oil refinery in the city of Homs (165 km from Damascus), Syria’s news agency SANA reported on Monday.
The terrorists attempted to attack the refinery with the drone loaded with ammunition, SANA said.
On Sunday, the Syrian government troops used electronic warfare systems to thwart a terrorists’ attempt to hit the Homs refinery with five drones. According to SANA, the Syrian forces intercepted control and landed five drones that intended to strike the refinery.


tass--2020-02-17--Macron showed intention to hold dialogue with Russia — Lavrov

`` There are some proposals from France and France is showing true political and geopolitical wisdom , pragmatism and its wish to hold dialogue .
This sounded along with all reservations , which President Macron made regarding his relation to sanctions and Russia in general .
He called for accepting the reality : Russia exists and Russia influences many processes happening in the world .
Moreover , Russia is close to Europe , '' Lavrov stated .
Paris has put forward particular proposals on launching strategic stability dialogue with Moscow , Lavrov told reporters .
`` You have mentioned his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular proposals on launching dialogue on the issue of security architecture with Russia .
Yes , there have been some particular proposals , '' he specified .
According to Lavrov , some 99 % of discussions at the conference focused on finding those to blame and those who would better outline their claims .
`` Certainly , against this background President Macron ’ s speech was absolutely wise , sober and aimed at searching for solutions , rather than an attempt to find those to blame and thus justify one ’ s own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his speech at the Munich conference on Saturday , the French president once again called for developing dialogue with Moscow .
He emphasized that the policy of sanctions and countersanctions had brought nothing positive either to Russia or to Europe , noting that Europe was the most real partner for Russia given its geographic proximity .
The French leader also praised Russia ’ s role in the UN Security Council and recalled Putin ’ s proposal on holding a meeting of the UNSC permanent members .

"There are some proposals from France and France is showing true political and geopolitical wisdom, pragmatism and its wish to hold dialogue. This sounded along with all reservations, which President Macron made regarding his relation to sanctions and Russia in general. He called for accepting the reality: Russia exists and Russia influences many processes happening in the world. Moreover, Russia is close to Europe," Lavrov stated.
Paris has put forward particular proposals on launching strategic stability dialogue with Moscow, Lavrov told reporters. "You have mentioned his [French President Emmanuel Macron's] particular proposals on launching dialogue on the issue of security architecture with Russia. Yes, there have been some particular proposals," he specified.
According to Lavrov, some 99% of discussions at the conference focused on finding those to blame and those who would better outline their claims. "Certainly, against this background President Macron’s speech was absolutely wise, sober and aimed at searching for solutions, rather than an attempt to find those to blame and thus justify one’s own inaction," Lavrov noted.
During his speech at the Munich conference on Saturday, the French president once again called for developing dialogue with Moscow. He emphasized that the policy of sanctions and countersanctions had brought nothing positive either to Russia or to Europe, noting that Europe was the most real partner for Russia given its geographic proximity. The French leader also praised Russia’s role in the UN Security Council and recalled Putin’s proposal on holding a meeting of the UNSC permanent members.


tass--2020-02-17--NATO does not solve Ukraine’s problems, only makes them worse — Lavrov

Russia is engaged in a dialogue with those Western countries , which are involved in the Ukrainian settlement process , @ @ @ @ @ are , first and foremost , members of the Normandy format - France and Germany @ @ @ @ @ joined the Ukrainian negotiations from time to time , we have contacts with them as @ @ @ @ @ NATO has nothing to do with Ukrainian problems , it can only make them worse @ @ @ @ @ that that NATO is waiting for Ukraine to join its ranks with open arms .
@ @ @ @ @ and undermines efforts aimed at implementing the Minsk agreements , '' he said .
Lavrov @ @ @ @ @ on February 15 .
Russia ’ s top diplomat and NATO ’ s secretary general @ @ @ @ @ the alliance as well as pressing international and European issues , including the situation in @ @

Russia is engaged in a dialogue with those Western countries, which are involved in the Ukrainian settlement process, he stressed.
"These are, first and foremost, members of the Normandy format - France and Germany. Since the Americans also joined the Ukrainian negotiations from time to time, we have contacts with them as well. <…> NATO has nothing to do with Ukrainian problems, it can only make them worse, saying all the time that that NATO is waiting for Ukraine to join its ranks with open arms. That only exacerbates the situation and undermines efforts aimed at implementing the Minsk agreements," he said.
Lavrov and Stoltenberg met in Munich on February 15. Russia’s top diplomat and NATO’s secretary general discussed relations between Russia and the alliance as well as pressing international and European issues, including the situation in Afghanistan.


tass--2020-02-17--Italy still backs ‘two-state solution’ to Israeli-Palestinian conflict, says top diplomat

ROME , February 17 .
/TASS/ .
Italy welcomes US endeavors in the Middle East peace process , and remains @ @ @ @ @ two-state solution ’ to settle the conflict , Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said @ @ @ @ @ on Monday when asked to comment on US President Donald Trump ’ s plan for @ @ @ @ @ Any attempt to get the Israelis and the Palestinians to the negotiating table must be @ @ @ @ @ and this is exactly what the European Union is doing .
The decision on the @ @ @ @ @ in accordance with the vital resolutions of the United Nations and internationally recognized rules remains @ @ @ @ @ in our view , '' the top diplomat said .
`` The task of the @ @ @ @ @ in any possible way in getting the sides to the negotiating table .
This will @ @ @ @ @ It is necessary to convince the Israelis and the Palestinians to refrain from any unilateral @ @ @ @ @ possibility for dialogue , '' Di Maio explained .

ROME, February 17. /TASS/. Italy welcomes US endeavors in the Middle East peace process, and remains in favor of the ‘two-state solution’ to settle the conflict, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said in an interview with TASS on Monday when asked to comment on US President Donald Trump’s plan for the Israeli-Palestinian settlement.
"Any attempt to get the Israelis and the Palestinians to the negotiating table must be taken with all seriousness, and this is exactly what the European Union is doing. The decision on the co-existence of the two states in accordance with the vital resolutions of the United Nations and internationally recognized rules remains the most correct option, in our view," the top diplomat said.
"The task of the global community is to assist in any possible way in getting the sides to the negotiating table. This will be a long process. It is necessary to convince the Israelis and the Palestinians to refrain from any unilateral moves that would undermine any possibility for dialogue," Di Maio explained.
Trump’s peace plan


tass--2020-02-18--Creation of designer babies by editing genome impossible, Health Ministry expert

MOSCOW , February 18 .
/TASS/ .
Creating designer babies having certain properties with the use of genome editing is impossible at the moment , the director of the Research Center for Medical Genetics , President of the Russian Medical Genetics Association , Sergei Kutsev , said on Tuesday .
Russian scientists have spent many months arguing about the right to modify the embryo ’ s genome .
Russian molecular biologist Denis Rebrikov earlier said he was going to apply for and obtain permission to edit the genome of an embryo of a future baby of a married couple with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would ask the Health Ministry to impose a freeze on experiments to edit embryos ’ genome .
`` As far as the editing of the embryo ’ s genome and creating so-called designer babies are concerned , we should be aware that this belongs with the realm of science fiction and journalism .
It has nothing to do with security or ethical abuse .
I do not know if this is realistic from the scientific viewpoint or will ever be realistic .
There is no scientific base at the moment for requesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of smart and talented babies and so on and so forth .
We still lack the proper understanding the genome .
Our knowledge of different genes ’ interaction is not good enough .
That ’ s science fiction , '' Kutsev said at the round table discussion Genome Editing Technologies : Ethical and Medical Aspects at Russia ’ s Public Chamber .
In October 2019 , the Health Ministry said that granting permission to edit the human genome under clinical conditions would be premature and irresponsible , because at this stage of genome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and long term remained unexplored .
The Health Ministry said that the World Health Organization adhered to the same stance .

MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Creating designer babies having certain properties with the use of genome editing is impossible at the moment, the director of the Research Center for Medical Genetics, President of the Russian Medical Genetics Association, Sergei Kutsev, said on Tuesday.
Russian scientists have spent many months arguing about the right to modify the embryo’s genome. Russian molecular biologist Denis Rebrikov earlier said he was going to apply for and obtain permission to edit the genome of an embryo of a future baby of a married couple with hereditary deafness. In response Kutsev said he would ask the Health Ministry to impose a freeze on experiments to edit embryos’ genome.
"As far as the editing of the embryo’s genome and creating so-called designer babies are concerned, we should be aware that this belongs with the realm of science fiction and journalism. It has nothing to do with security or ethical abuse. I do not know if this is realistic from the scientific viewpoint or will ever be realistic. There is no scientific base at the moment for requesting, as journalists say, the birth of smart and talented babies and so on and so forth. We still lack the proper understanding the genome. Our knowledge of different genes’ interaction is not good enough. That’s science fiction," Kutsev said at the round table discussion Genome Editing Technologies: Ethical and Medical Aspects at Russia’s Public Chamber.
In October 2019, the Health Ministry said that granting permission to edit the human genome under clinical conditions would be premature and irresponsible, because at this stage of genome editing technologies possible complications in the short and long term remained unexplored. The Health Ministry said that the World Health Organization adhered to the same stance.