tass--2020-02-14--Russian defense firm developing small-size munitions for drones

`` This issue is important and developers are trying to reduce both the dimensional and weight characteristics of air-launched weapons .
The items in the weight category of 50 kg to 100 kg will enjoy strong demand , '' the chief executive said at a news briefing on the results of the corporation ’ s performance in 2019 .
MOSCOW , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Tactical Missiles Corporation is carrying out work on developing small-size munitions for unmanned aerial vehicles , Corporation Chief Boris Obnosov said on Friday .
The Tactical Missiles Corporation is carrying out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hi-tech firm , he added .
At the Army-2018 international arms show , Kronshtadt unveiled its Orion-E drone together with a mock-up of a 50 kg air-to-surface missile .
With its maximum take-off weight of 1,000 kg , the Orion-E can carry a 200 kg payload of four 50-kg or two 100-kg munitions .
The Tactical Missiles Corporation is one of Russia ’ s largest defense holding companies with 100 % of its stock owned by the Federal State Property Agency .
The corporation is headquartered in the town of Korolyov in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specializes in developing and delivering missiles for air- , shipborne and ground-based tactical systems and for naval underwater weapons .

"This issue is important and developers are trying to reduce both the dimensional and weight characteristics of air-launched weapons. The items in the weight category of 50 kg to 100 kg will enjoy strong demand," the chief executive said at a news briefing on the results of the corporation’s performance in 2019.
MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. Russia’s Tactical Missiles Corporation is carrying out work on developing small-size munitions for unmanned aerial vehicles, Corporation Chief Boris Obnosov said on Friday.
The Tactical Missiles Corporation is carrying out work in this area together with Kronshtadt hi-tech firm, he added.
At the Army-2018 international arms show, Kronshtadt unveiled its Orion-E drone together with a mock-up of a 50 kg air-to-surface missile. With its maximum take-off weight of 1,000 kg, the Orion-E can carry a 200 kg payload of four 50-kg or two 100-kg munitions.
The Tactical Missiles Corporation is one of Russia’s largest defense holding companies with 100% of its stock owned by the Federal State Property Agency. The corporation is headquartered in the town of Korolyov in the Moscow Region. The Tactical Missile Corporation specializes in developing and delivering missiles for air-, shipborne and ground-based tactical systems and for naval underwater weapons.


tass--2020-02-14--Over 1,700 Chinese medics infected with coronavirus

`` As of 24:00 ( 19:00 Moscow time - TASS ) on February 11 , 1,716 cases of infection have been documented among health workers .
Six of them tragically passed away , '' he said .
BEIJING , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Over 1,700 Chinese medical professionals have been infected with novel coronavirus , six of them have died , China National Health Commission Vice Minister Zeng Yixin informed during Friday ’ s press conference .
Zeng Yixin noted that the number of those infected among medical personnel is on the rise .
On December 31 , Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus .
The disease spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany , Japan , India , Italy , Malaysia , Nepal , the Philippines , Russia , Singapore , South Korea , Spain , Sri Lanka , Sweden , Thailand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom , the United States and Vietnam .
WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Currently , the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeds 63,800 in China with 1,380 people reported to have died from the disease .
Meanwhile , over 6,700 people are said to have recovered from it .

"As of 24:00 (19:00 Moscow time - TASS) on February 11, 1,716 cases of infection have been documented among health workers. Six of them tragically passed away," he said.
BEIJING, February 14. /TASS/. Over 1,700 Chinese medical professionals have been infected with novel coronavirus, six of them have died, China National Health Commission Vice Minister Zeng Yixin informed during Friday’s press conference.
Zeng Yixin noted that the number of those infected among medical personnel is on the rise.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. The source of the outbreak is the COVID-19 coronavirus. The disease spread to 24 more countries apart from China - Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency.
Currently, the total number of people infected with coronavirus exceeds 63,800 in China with 1,380 people reported to have died from the disease. Meanwhile, over 6,700 people are said to have recovered from it.


tass--2020-02-14--Vasyl Latsanych to step down as Beeline Russia CEO in June

MOSCOW , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Chief Executive Officer of Veon ’ s operations in Russia Vasyl Latsanych will @ @ @ @ @ of June 2020 , the parent holding said in a statement on Friday .
His @ @ @ @ @ due course , the statement said .

MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. Chief Executive Officer of Veon’s operations in Russia Vasyl Latsanych will step down at the end of June 2020, the parent holding said in a statement on Friday.
His successor will be announced in due course, the statement said.


tass--2020-02-14--Turkey increases security measures at Russian embassy due to threats

ANKARA , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish officials have increased security at the Russian Embassy in Ankara in the wake of threats addressed to Ambassador Alexey Yerkhov due to an escalation of tensions in Syria ’ s Idlib , spokesperson for the Russian diplomatic mission in Turkey Irina Kasimova informed TASS on Friday .
`` Yes , it is true , tensions have escalated lately .
Due to this , we asked the Turkish officials to apply additional security measures , '' she said .
According to Kasimova , the Russian ambassador is receiving messages warning him against going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We understand that the people who write this are unlikely to go out and kill , this is a way of expressing their anger .
However , we need to take this into account , '' she noted .
Earlier , the Russian Foreign Ministry noted a rise in tensions in the Idlib de-escalation zone in the past few weeks .
The Russian and Turkish military attempted to establish a ceasefire in the region , however , terrorist attacks persisted .
As a result , military specialists from Russia and Turkey were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government forces entered the town of Saraqib , an outpost of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group ( banned in Russia ) in the Idlib province .
Saraqib is a town of strategic importance that sits at the junction of two main roads connecting Latakia and Damascus with Aleppo .
On February 10 , Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed of casualties among the Turkish military in Idlib .
In response , the Turkish military hit over 120 targets of the Syrian army .
Ankara announced deployment of additional forces to the area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks on Idlib in Ankara , with Moscow expecting to continue the discussion in the near future .
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups since 2012 .
A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria ’ s southern regions .
The Turkish army has 12 observation outposts in the province .

ANKARA, February 14. /TASS/. Turkish officials have increased security at the Russian Embassy in Ankara in the wake of threats addressed to Ambassador Alexey Yerkhov due to an escalation of tensions in Syria’s Idlib, spokesperson for the Russian diplomatic mission in Turkey Irina Kasimova informed TASS on Friday.
"Yes, it is true, tensions have escalated lately. Due to this, we asked the Turkish officials to apply additional security measures," she said.
According to Kasimova, the Russian ambassador is receiving messages warning him against going out on the streets of Ankara. "We understand that the people who write this are unlikely to go out and kill, this is a way of expressing their anger. However, we need to take this into account," she noted.
Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted a rise in tensions in the Idlib de-escalation zone in the past few weeks. The Russian and Turkish military attempted to establish a ceasefire in the region, however, terrorist attacks persisted. As a result, military specialists from Russia and Turkey were killed.
On February 5, Syrian government forces entered the town of Saraqib, an outpost of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (banned in Russia) in the Idlib province. Saraqib is a town of strategic importance that sits at the junction of two main roads connecting Latakia and Damascus with Aleppo.
On February 10, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan informed of casualties among the Turkish military in Idlib. In response, the Turkish military hit over 120 targets of the Syrian army. Ankara announced deployment of additional forces to the area. Earlier, Russian and Turkish diplomats held talks on Idlib in Ankara, with Moscow expecting to continue the discussion in the near future.
Idlib is the only Syrian region that has been controlled by illegal armed groups since 2012. A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants who refused to surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and Syria’s southern regions. The Turkish army has 12 observation outposts in the province.


tass--2020-02-14--Russian parliament to monitor US measures against ‘Russian propaganda’

MOSCOW , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) Commission on Foreign Interference in Russia ’ s Internal Affairs will track how the US administration spends budget funds allocated for countering `` Russian propaganda , '' first deputy head of the United Russia parliamentary fraction Adalbi Shkhagoshev told TASS on Friday .
He informed that the commission had made this decision during Thursday ’ s session .
`` I have put forward a proposal for the commission to track the spending of those funds : where they go , which countries receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US ] will use to influence our `` propaganda , '' as they say , '' Shkhagoshev said , noting that he is ready to supervise this area .
`` The commission has agreed with me , we will get to work on this , '' the MP added .
The lawmaker explained that US President Donald Trump ’ s administration had asked Congress earlier to allocate $ 700 mln to counteract the so-called Russian influence .
`` A separate article offers to allocate $ 24 mln to counteract `` Russian propaganda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed confidence that those funds would go to the media outlets discussed during earlier sessions of the commission on foreign interference .
The White House informed on Monday that the US administration plans to allocate at least $ 700 mln to counter `` Russian influence '' in the 2021 fiscal year within the US State Department .
The Global Engagement Center of the US State Department will receive $ 24 mln to fight alleged Russian propaganda and disinformation .
The center ’ s main aim is to fight terrorist propaganda and to counter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , North Korea and Russia .

MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. The Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Commission on Foreign Interference in Russia’s Internal Affairs will track how the US administration spends budget funds allocated for countering "Russian propaganda," first deputy head of the United Russia parliamentary fraction Adalbi Shkhagoshev told TASS on Friday.
He informed that the commission had made this decision during Thursday’s session. "I have put forward a proposal for the commission to track the spending of those funds: where they go, which countries receive them, which non-commercial organizations they [the US] will use to influence our "propaganda," as they say," Shkhagoshev said, noting that he is ready to supervise this area. "The commission has agreed with me, we will get to work on this," the MP added.
The lawmaker explained that US President Donald Trump’s administration had asked Congress earlier to allocate $700 mln to counteract the so-called Russian influence. "A separate article offers to allocate $24 mln to counteract "Russian propaganda,"" Shkhagoshev added. He expressed confidence that those funds would go to the media outlets discussed during earlier sessions of the commission on foreign interference.
The White House informed on Monday that the US administration plans to allocate at least $700 mln to counter "Russian influence" in the 2021 fiscal year within the US State Department. The Global Engagement Center of the US State Department will receive $24 mln to fight alleged Russian propaganda and disinformation. The center’s main aim is to fight terrorist propaganda and to counter alleged digital influence from the side of China, North Korea and Russia.


tass--2020-02-14--Ukraine plans to evacuate its citizens from China’s Wuhan on Feb 18

KIEV , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
The Ukrainian government plans to send a plane to China ’ s Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ remain in the city on February 18 , Ukrainian Health Minister Zoryana Skaletska said on @ @ @ @ @ `` On Tuesday [ February 18 ] , a plane will be sent to China @ @ @ @ @ February 19 ] , the Ukrainian citizens will be home , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ Chinese medical professionals would examine all Ukrainians remaining in Wuhan , with only those proven @ @ @ @ @ plane .
Ukrainian doctors will examine the passengers during the flight .
After returning to @ @ @ @ @ undergo a 14-day quarantine .

KIEV, February 14. /TASS/. The Ukrainian government plans to send a plane to China’s Wuhan to evacuate Ukrainian citizens that remain in the city on February 18, Ukrainian Health Minister Zoryana Skaletska said on the 1+1 TV channel.
"On Tuesday [February 18], a plane will be sent to China, and on Wednesday [February 19], the Ukrainian citizens will be home," she said.
She noted that first, Chinese medical professionals would examine all Ukrainians remaining in Wuhan, with only those proven healthy allowed on board the plane. Ukrainian doctors will examine the passengers during the flight. After returning to Ukraine, all passengers will undergo a 14-day quarantine.


tass--2020-02-14--One in two Russians prefers to search for love within their circle of friends — poll

`` One in two Russians ( 48 % ) think that it is better to look for love among common acquaintances .
One can also meet their future partner at work or at school ( 30 % ) , in a social club or a workshop ( 15 % ) , or even on the street ( 15 % ) , '' the polling center informs .
About 7 % of Russians claim that they have met their significant other on the street .
MOSCOW , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
About one in two Russians think that it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half '' in their friend circle , a poll held by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center in the run-up to St. Valentine ’ s Day informs .
The share of those who think that love can be found online has reached 12 % , while 5 % of those polled said that they are now in a relationship that began on the Internet .
Those who are currently in a relationship claim that they have met their boyfriend or girlfriend among friends ( 27 % ) , while 24 % say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at school .
`` Three-quarters of Russians have already met their other half ( only 25 % said the opposite ) , '' the poll notes .
The majority of Russians polled ( 94 % ) have been in a relationship for over a year , with the average duration of a relationship reaching 21 years .
`` This figure goes up in accordance with the age of those polled .
For example , on average , Russians over 60 years of age have spent 39 years with their other half , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was held via a phone interview on February 11 , 2020 among 1,600 respondents .
The margin of error does not surpass 2.5 % with the probability of 95 % .

"One in two Russians (48%) think that it is better to look for love among common acquaintances. One can also meet their future partner at work or at school (30%), in a social club or a workshop (15%), or even on the street (15%)," the polling center informs. About 7% of Russians claim that they have met their significant other on the street.
MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. About one in two Russians think that it is better to look for their "other half" in their friend circle, a poll held by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center in the run-up to St. Valentine’s Day informs.
The share of those who think that love can be found online has reached 12%, while 5% of those polled said that they are now in a relationship that began on the Internet.
Those who are currently in a relationship claim that they have met their boyfriend or girlfriend among friends (27%), while 24% say that they have found love at work or at school. "Three-quarters of Russians have already met their other half (only 25% said the opposite)," the poll notes.
The majority of Russians polled (94%) have been in a relationship for over a year, with the average duration of a relationship reaching 21 years. "This figure goes up in accordance with the age of those polled. For example, on average, Russians over 60 years of age have spent 39 years with their other half," the research center informs.
The poll was held via a phone interview on February 11, 2020 among 1,600 respondents. The margin of error does not surpass 2.5% with the probability of 95%.


tass--2020-02-14--China calls on international community to join efforts in fight against coronavirus

BEIJING , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
China calls on all countries to join efforts in the fight against the @ @ @ @ @ Minister Wang Yi told reporters after talks with his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Berlin @ @ @ @ @ borders , and it requires united joint efforts from the international community .
In this @ @ @ @ @ the most important thing is mutual understanding , mutual trust and support regardless of borders @ @ @ @ @ The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories , including in Russia .
The World @ @ @ @ @ outbreak a public health emergency of international concern .
According to latest reports , over @ @ @ @ @ were confirmed , while 1,380 people died , and over 6,700 recovered .

BEIJING, February 14. /TASS/. China calls on all countries to join efforts in the fight against the new coronavirus, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters after talks with his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Berlin.
"The coronavirus transcends borders, and it requires united joint efforts from the international community. In this fight for public health, the most important thing is mutual understanding, mutual trust and support regardless of borders," Wang said.
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan. Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. According to latest reports, over 63,800 cases of new coronavirus were confirmed, while 1,380 people died, and over 6,700 recovered.


tass--2020-02-14--Moscow hopes Argentine president or vice president will visit Russia this year — diplomat

USHUAIA , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian authorities hope that Argentine President Alberto Fernandez or Vice President Cristina @ @ @ @ @ year , Russia 's Ambassador to Buenos Aires Dmitry Feoktistov told reporters on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ Fernandez and Cristina Kirchner to visit Russia .
I hope it will happen already this @ @ @ @ @ .
A possible visit is currently being discussed , he added .
In December 2019 @ @ @ @ @ Federation Council 's International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev , who represented Russia at the inauguration @ @ @ @ @ said that Fernandez expressed interest in visiting Russia .

USHUAIA, February 14. /TASS/. The Russian authorities hope that Argentine President Alberto Fernandez or Vice President Cristina Kirchner will visit Russia this year, Russia's Ambassador to Buenos Aires Dmitry Feoktistov told reporters on Thursday.
"We have invited Alverto Fernandez and Cristina Kirchner to visit Russia. I hope it will happen already this year," Feoktistov said. A possible visit is currently being discussed, he added.
In December 2019, head of the Russian Federation Council's International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev, who represented Russia at the inauguration of the Argentine president, said that Fernandez expressed interest in visiting Russia.


tass--2020-02-14--Chinese authorities correct statistics on death toll from new coronavirus

Death toll from new coronavirus grows by 116 in China 's Hubei province in past day BEIJING , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll in the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China has reached 1,380 , while 6,723 people recovered , and the number of confirmed cases climbed to 63,851 , China 's National Health Commission reported on Friday noting that the statistics were corrected after the mistaken double count of the data from Hubei province , where the outbreak was first registered .
The Wangyi news portal earlier reported that 1,488 people died from the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of cases reached 63,918 .
`` As of 12am on February 13 , a total of 1,380 deaths from the coronavirus was registered in China ( number decreased by 108 after eliminating the mistaken double count of data from Hubei province ) , a total of 6,723 people recovered , and the number of those infected reached 63,851 , '' the commission said .
Over 493,000 people had close contacts with those infected with the new coronavirus , and nearly 178,000 people remain under medical supervision .
The Chinese authorities registered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city of Wuhan .
Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories , including in Russia .
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern .

Death toll from new coronavirus grows by 116 in China's Hubei province in past day
BEIJING, February 14. /TASS/. The death toll in the outbreak of the new coronavirus in China has reached 1,380, while 6,723 people recovered, and the number of confirmed cases climbed to 63,851, China's National Health Commission reported on Friday noting that the statistics were corrected after the mistaken double count of the data from Hubei province, where the outbreak was first registered.
The Wangyi news portal earlier reported that 1,488 people died from the new coronavirus, 6,982 people recovered, and the number of cases reached 63,918.
"As of 12am on February 13, a total of 1,380 deaths from the coronavirus was registered in China (number decreased by 108 after eliminating the mistaken double count of data from Hubei province), a total of 6,723 people recovered, and the number of those infected reached 63,851," the commission said.
Over 493,000 people had close contacts with those infected with the new coronavirus, and nearly 178,000 people remain under medical supervision.
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan. Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.


tass--2020-02-14--Death toll from new coronavirus in China reaches 1,488 — portal

BEIJING , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from the new coronavirus in China has climbed to 1,488 , while 6,982 people recovered , and the total number of confirmed cases grew to 63,918 , the Wangyi news portal reported on Friday citing regional authorities .
On Thursday , China 's National Health Commission reported that the death toll from the new coronavirus reached 1,367 , the number of confirmed cases increased to around 59,800 cases , and over 5,900 people recovered .
Among Chinese regions Hubei province , where the outbreak was first registered , has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hubei , 1,426 people died from the new coronavirus , and 4,131 people recovered .
The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus outside of China reached 505 , and the death toll in other countries stands at two .
Most cases were confirmed in Japan ( 251 ) , Singapore ( 58 ) and Thailand ( 33 ) .
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan .
Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories , including in Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern .

BEIJING, February 14. /TASS/. The death toll from the new coronavirus in China has climbed to 1,488, while 6,982 people recovered, and the total number of confirmed cases grew to 63,918, the Wangyi news portal reported on Friday citing regional authorities.
On Thursday, China's National Health Commission reported that the death toll from the new coronavirus reached 1,367, the number of confirmed cases increased to around 59,800 cases, and over 5,900 people recovered.
Among Chinese regions Hubei province, where the outbreak was first registered, has the most confirmed cases — 51,986. In Hubei, 1,426 people died from the new coronavirus, and 4,131 people recovered.
The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus outside of China reached 505, and the death toll in other countries stands at two. Most cases were confirmed in Japan (251), Singapore (58) and Thailand (33).
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan. Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.


tass--2020-02-14--Russia and OIC have similar or same positions on many political issues — envoy

RABAT , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC ) have similar or same approaches to main issues in world politics and conflicts in the Islamic world , Russia 's Permanent Representative to the OIC Ramazan Abdulatipov told TASS on Thursday .
`` Russia 's place in the Islamic world has been historically determined .
Russia does not have any colonial experience in Arab and African countries .
Moreover , the USSR initiated the Declaration on Decolonization 60 years afo that practically provided a political and legal grounds for liberating those countries from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` In the first years of Russian statehood , we left the Arab Muslim world .
However , after Vladimir Putin became Russian president , the process of our return to the Arab Muslim world is underway .
In the spring of 2019 , we held the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum , followed by the Russia-Africa summit in Sochi in October .
The process has strated , and the process continues , but in many spheres we still have to grow to reach to Soviet level , of course , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Russia and the OIC , we hold political consultations every year .
We do n't have significant disagreements .
Moreover , Russia and the OIC have similar or same positions on main issues in world politics and conflicts in the Islamic world , '' Abdulatipov noted .
Earlier on Thursday , Abdulatipov met with Director General of the Islamic Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization ( ISESCO ) Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik in Rabat .
The sides discussed prospects for cooperation .

RABAT, February 14. /TASS/. Russia and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have similar or same approaches to main issues in world politics and conflicts in the Islamic world, Russia's Permanent Representative to the OIC Ramazan Abdulatipov told TASS on Thursday.
"Russia's place in the Islamic world has been historically determined. Russia does not have any colonial experience in Arab and African countries. Moreover, the USSR initiated the Declaration on Decolonization 60 years afo that practically provided a political and legal grounds for liberating those countries from colonial dependence," Abdulatipov said.
"In the first years of Russian statehood, we left the Arab Muslim world. However, after Vladimir Putin became Russian president, the process of our return to the Arab Muslim world is underway. In the spring of 2019, we held the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum, followed by the Russia-Africa summit in Sochi in October. The process has strated, and the process continues, but in many spheres we still have to grow to reach to Soviet level, of course," he added.
"In accordance with the framework agreement between Russia and the OIC, we hold political consultations every year. We don't have significant disagreements. Moreover, Russia and the OIC have similar or same positions on main issues in world politics and conflicts in the Islamic world," Abdulatipov noted.
Earlier on Thursday, Abdulatipov met with Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik in Rabat. The sides discussed prospects for cooperation.


tass--2020-02-14--Reaction of Islamic world to 'deal of the century' was definitively negative — envoy

RABAT , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
The reaction of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC ) to the Israeli-Palestinian settlement plan proposed by the United States — the so-called `` deal of the century '' — was definitively negative , Russia 's Permanent Representative to the OIC Ramazan Abdulatipov told TASS on Thursday .
`` When the US Administration announced 'the deal of the century ' for the Palestinian-Israeli settlement , the reaction of the OIC was definitively negative .
First of all , the OIC stated that this was unacceptable .
And this is something the OIC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , '' Abdulatipov pointed out .
`` The session of the OIC Executive Committee was recently held with participation of ministers of the member countries .
I attended that session as well .
Palestine 's foreign minister made a speech there , and his main thesis was that no Muslim countries should support 'the deal of the century ' .
A corresponding resolution was adopted after the session of the Executive Committee , '' he added .
`` An amendment was then added to the document by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed at the UN .
Thus , the Arab Muslim world withstood a challenge and showed unity on the approaches toward 'the deal of the century ' , '' Abdulatipov continued .
`` In general , the position has been determined , and since those countries are members of the OIC , they need to take into account the decision made by the OIC , especially the decision made at the level of the Executive Committee .
However , one can not deny that some countries may have their own views .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslim countries that are very dependent on the United States , '' he noted .
`` In general , though , I will stress this again , that I was pleasantly surprised by the unanimity of the OIC regarding 'the deal of the century ' .
The member countries came together at a decisive moment , even though they have major disagreements , '' he concluded .
US President Donald Trump revealed the key provisions of the so-called ‘ deal of the century ’ with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve a peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians , which is based on mutual recognition of the two states .
The US proposes connecting the Palestinian territories in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank by high-speed railway , while recognizing only a part of East Jerusalem as the Arab state ’ s capital ( Netanyahu said that Jerusalem ’ s Abu Dis neighborhood is meant to become the capital ) .
At the same time , the US leader described Jerusalem as Israel ’ s `` undivided capital '' and announced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish settlements founded on Palestinian territories .
As a condition for the peace process , the US leader said that Palestinian authorities should cease supporting Hamas , the radical movement operating in the Gaza Strip , as well as renounce all means of armed aggression .
To advance the settlement process , the US promises that the deal would bring in $ 50 billion in investments which would particularly be allocated to create new jobs for Palestinians and as compensation for lost homes .
Netanyahu backed Trump ’ s plan and expressed willingness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palestinians .
Abbas rejected the White House ’ s proposals , branding them as a plot , while Hamas slammed the plan , saying that it is not worth the ink it is printed in .

RABAT, February 14. /TASS/. The reaction of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to the Israeli-Palestinian settlement plan proposed by the United States — the so-called "deal of the century" — was definitively negative, Russia's Permanent Representative to the OIC Ramazan Abdulatipov told TASS on Thursday.
"When the US Administration announced 'the deal of the century' for the Palestinian-Israeli settlement, the reaction of the OIC was definitively negative. First of all, the OIC stated that this was unacceptable. And this is something the OIC does not say often, by the way," Abdulatipov pointed out.
"The session of the OIC Executive Committee was recently held with participation of ministers of the member countries. I attended that session as well. Palestine's foreign minister made a speech there, and his main thesis was that no Muslim countries should support 'the deal of the century'. A corresponding resolution was adopted after the session of the Executive Committee," he added.
"An amendment was then added to the document by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu who said that this issue should be discussed at the UN. Thus, the Arab Muslim world withstood a challenge and showed unity on the approaches toward 'the deal of the century'," Abdulatipov continued.
"In general, the position has been determined, and since those countries are members of the OIC, they need to take into account the decision made by the OIC, especially the decision made at the level of the Executive Committee. However, one cannot deny that some countries may have their own views. Even more so, there are regrettably several Muslim countries that are very dependent on the United States," he noted.
"In general, though, I will stress this again, that I was pleasantly surprised by the unanimity of the OIC regarding 'the deal of the century'. The member countries came together at a decisive moment, even though they have major disagreements," he concluded.
‘Deal of the century’
US President Donald Trump revealed the key provisions of the so-called ‘deal of the century’ with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on January 28. The plan seeks to achieve a peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians, which is based on mutual recognition of the two states. The US proposes connecting the Palestinian territories in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank by high-speed railway, while recognizing only a part of East Jerusalem as the Arab state’s capital (Netanyahu said that Jerusalem’s Abu Dis neighborhood is meant to become the capital). At the same time, the US leader described Jerusalem as Israel’s "undivided capital" and announced the US intention to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Jewish settlements founded on Palestinian territories.
As a condition for the peace process, the US leader said that Palestinian authorities should cease supporting Hamas, the radical movement operating in the Gaza Strip, as well as renounce all means of armed aggression. To advance the settlement process, the US promises that the deal would bring in $50 billion in investments which would particularly be allocated to create new jobs for Palestinians and as compensation for lost homes.
Netanyahu backed Trump’s plan and expressed willingness to immediately engage in peace talks with Palestinians. Abbas rejected the White House’s proposals, branding them as a plot, while Hamas slammed the plan, saying that it is not worth the ink it is printed in.


tass--2020-02-14--US concerned about North Korea's vulnerability to coronavirus outbreak — spokesperson

WASHINGTON , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
The United States is concerned about the vulnerability of the North Korean people to a coronavirus outbreak , spokesperson for the US Department of State Morgan Ortagus said in a statement on Thursday .
`` The United States is deeply concerned about the vulnerability of the North Korean people to a coronavirus outbreak , '' the statement said .
`` We strongly support and encourage the work of U.S. and international aid and health organizations to counter and contain the spread of coronavirus in the DPRK [ Democratic People 's Republic of Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The United States is ready and prepared to expeditiously facilitate the approval of assistance from these organizations , '' the statement noted .
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan .
Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories , including in Russia .
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern .
According to latest reports , over 59,800 cases of new coronavirus were confirmed , over 1,300 people died , and @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON, February 14. /TASS/. The United States is concerned about the vulnerability of the North Korean people to a coronavirus outbreak, spokesperson for the US Department of State Morgan Ortagus said in a statement on Thursday.
"The United States is deeply concerned about the vulnerability of the North Korean people to a coronavirus outbreak," the statement said. "We strongly support and encourage the work of U.S. and international aid and health organizations to counter and contain the spread of coronavirus in the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea]," the statement added. "The United States is ready and prepared to expeditiously facilitate the approval of assistance from these organizations," the statement noted.
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan. Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. According to latest reports, over 59,800 cases of new coronavirus were confirmed, over 1,300 people died, and nearly 6,000 recovered.


tass--2020-02-14--Death toll from new coronavirus grows by 116 in China's Hubei province in past day

MOSCOW , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from the new coronavirus in China 's Hubei @ @ @ @ @ , Global Times reported on Friday citing regional authorities .
The number of confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ in the last 24 hours , bringing the total number of cases in Hubei to @ @ @ @ @ 690 people recovered from the new coronavirus .
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of @ @ @ @ @ city of Wuhan .
Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and @ @ @ @ @ .
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international @ @ @ @ @ reports , over 59,800 cases of new coronavirus were confirmed , over 1,300 people died @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. /TASS/. The death toll from the new coronavirus in China's Hubei province has increased by 116, Global Times reported on Friday citing regional authorities.
The number of confirmed cases has increased by over 4,800 in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in Hubei to 51,986. A total of 690 people recovered from the new coronavirus.
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan. Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. According to latest reports, over 59,800 cases of new coronavirus were confirmed, over 1,300 people died, and nearly 6,000 recovered.


tass--2020-02-14--Temporary suspension of charter flights between Russia and China enters into force

MOSCOW , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Charter flights between Russia and China has officially been suspended starting on February 14 .
Russia 's air transport authorities allowed airlines to perform charter flights between Russian and Chinese regions to return passengers home before that .
Regular flights from Russian regions to Chinese cities were officially suspended on February 1 over the outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China .
Before the suspension , several Russian airlines performed regular ( Aeroflot , Iraero , Aurora , Yakutia , Ural Airlines , S7 Airlines ) and charter flights ( Nordwind , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China .
At the moment , direct regular flights to China are performed only from Moscow by Russia 's Aeroflot , as well as Air China , Hainan Airlines , China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines .
According to Russia 's Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsiya , around 230 Russian nationals are waiting in China to return home .
They were supposed to fly to Russia by S7 Airlines or Ural Airlines before February 29 .
They are all currently waiting to be placed on alternative flights or reimbursed .
Rosaviatsiya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed on alternative flights or reimbursed .
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan in December 2019 .
Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories , including in Russia .
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern .
According to latest reports , over 59,800 cases of new coronavirus were confirmed , over 1,300 people died , and nearly 6,000 recovered .

MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. Charter flights between Russia and China has officially been suspended starting on February 14. Russia's air transport authorities allowed airlines to perform charter flights between Russian and Chinese regions to return passengers home before that.
Regular flights from Russian regions to Chinese cities were officially suspended on February 1 over the outbreak of the new coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China. Before the suspension, several Russian airlines performed regular (Aeroflot, Iraero, Aurora, Yakutia, Ural Airlines, S7 Airlines) and charter flights (Nordwind, iFly, Azur air) to and from China.
At the moment, direct regular flights to China are performed only from Moscow by Russia's Aeroflot, as well as Air China, Hainan Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines.
According to Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsiya, around 230 Russian nationals are waiting in China to return home. They were supposed to fly to Russia by S7 Airlines or Ural Airlines before February 29. They are all currently waiting to be placed on alternative flights or reimbursed. Rosaviatsiya said that 1,404 passengers have already been placed on alternative flights or reimbursed.
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the new coronavirus in the city of Wuhan in December 2019. Cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 24 other countries and territories, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. According to latest reports, over 59,800 cases of new coronavirus were confirmed, over 1,300 people died, and nearly 6,000 recovered.


tass--2020-02-14--New US sanctions against Russia 'another wave of Russophobia' — embassy

WASHINGTON , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
Washington 's new sanctions imposed on three Russian organizations represent `` another wave of Russophobia , '' the Russian Embassy in the United States wrote on its official Facebook account on Thursday .
The US Department of State earlier announced new sanctions against the Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise , the military-industrial corporation Scientific and Production Association of Mechanical Engineering and the Instrument Design Bureau .
The US Department of State said that those organizations violate US laws on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction ( WMD ) against Iran , North Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this step constitutes an attempt `` to ensure narrowly defined interests on the international market of defense technologies . ''
`` We have once again became witnesses to the US efforts to spin the sanctions spiral against Russia , '' the embassy added .
`` In this approach , we see another wave of Russophobia , '' the embassy noted .
`` We would want to remind our colleagues in Washington that only UN Security Council has the right to impose restrictions over such issues .
Serious grounds are needed for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to provide any evidence , '' the embassy stressed .

WASHINGTON, February 13. /TASS/. Washington's new sanctions imposed on three Russian organizations represent "another wave of Russophobia," the Russian Embassy in the United States wrote on its official Facebook account on Thursday.
The US Department of State earlier announced new sanctions against the Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, the military-industrial corporation Scientific and Production Association of Mechanical Engineering and the Instrument Design Bureau. The US Department of State said that those organizations violate US laws on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) against Iran, North Korea and Syria.
The Russian Embassy said that this step constitutes an attempt "to ensure narrowly defined interests on the international market of defense technologies."
"We have once again became witnesses to the US efforts to spin the sanctions spiral against Russia," the embassy added. "In this approach, we see another wave of Russophobia," the embassy noted.
"We would want to remind our colleagues in Washington that only UN Security Council has the right to impose restrictions over such issues. Serious grounds are needed for that. The US Administration has once again failed to provide any evidence," the embassy stressed.


tass--2020-02-14--Russian fighter jets scrambled on interception missions twice in last week

MOSCOW , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russian fighter jets have been scrambled twice on interception missions in the last @ @ @ @ @ ( Red Star ) newspaper quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying .
According to @ @ @ @ @ foreign aircraft and six unmanned aerial vehicles conducted reconnaissance near Russian borders .
Foreign aircraft @ @ @ @ @ Russian radars .
The defense ministry said that violations of Russian airspace were prevented .
@ @ @ @ @ Russian pilots carried out 256 sorties at 91 aerodromes in the past week .

MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. Russian fighter jets have been scrambled twice on interception missions in the last week, the Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) newspaper quoted the Russian Defense Ministry as saying.
According to the defense ministry, 33 foreign aircraft and six unmanned aerial vehicles conducted reconnaissance near Russian borders. Foreign aircraft and drones were monitored by Russian radars. The defense ministry said that violations of Russian airspace were prevented.
The defense ministry said that Russian pilots carried out 256 sorties at 91 aerodromes in the past week.


tass--2020-02-13--Hainan schoolchildren send 60 tonnes of vegetables to Wuhan

HAIKOU , February 13 .
/TASS/ .
Schoolchildren from the Chinese province of Hainan sent 60 tonnes of fresh vegetables to the city of Wuhan , www.hinews.cn reported .
The cargo intended for medical institutions and local residents was delivered to Wuhan 's Qiaokou district on February 11 .
The step drew the attention of local media as it did not come from the government or charities .
Three Hainan schoolchildren initiated the move .
“ I was thinking maybe I could raise money and buy vegetables from Hainan farmers to deliver them to the people of Wuhan , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schoolgirls Zheng Wenyu .
With the help of her parents and two other classmates , Zheng Wenyu managed to start fundraising online on February 7 .
Within just three days , 115 people took part in this charity project , contributing about 120,000 yuan ( $ 17,300 ) .
Jointly with the provincial anti-poverty agency , the organizers purchased 60 tonnes of fresh vegetables and sent the humanitarian aid to Wuhan .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , central China .
Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 24 other countries , including Russia .
The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency .
According to recent data , the number of infected people in China has exceeded 63,800 .
The coronavirus death toll stands at 1,380 , while over 6,700 patients have recovered .

HAIKOU, February 13. /TASS/. Schoolchildren from the Chinese province of Hainan sent 60 tonnes of fresh vegetables to the city of Wuhan, www.hinews.cn reported.
The cargo intended for medical institutions and local residents was delivered to Wuhan's Qiaokou district on February 11. The step drew the attention of local media as it did not come from the government or charities. Three Hainan schoolchildren initiated the move.
“I was thinking maybe I could raise money and buy vegetables from Hainan farmers to deliver them to the people of Wuhan,” the news outlet quotes one of the schoolgirls Zheng Wenyu.
With the help of her parents and two other classmates, Zheng Wenyu managed to start fundraising online on February 7. Within just three days, 115 people took part in this charity project, contributing about 120,000 yuan ($ 17,300). Jointly with the provincial anti-poverty agency, the organizers purchased 60 tonnes of fresh vegetables and sent the humanitarian aid to Wuhan.
Coronavirus outbreak
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 24 other countries, including Russia. The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency. According to recent data, the number of infected people in China has exceeded 63,800. The coronavirus death toll stands at 1,380, while over 6,700 patients have recovered.


tass--2020-02-15--Number of people infected with coronavirus in Hubei reaches 54,400

BEIJING , February 15 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in Hubei province ( central China ) has exceeded 54,400 , 1,457 of them have died , and 4,774 people have recovered , the regional health commission reported on Saturday .
On Friday morning , the authorities said that more than 51,900 people had contracted the novel coronavirus , 1,318 of them died and 3,862 recovered .
According to updated statistics , the official mortality rate in Hubei stood at around 2.67 % instead of 2.53 % the day before .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wuhan ( the capital of Hubei province ) has exceeded 37,900 .
It is followed by Xiaogan ( 3,100 infected people ) and Huanggang ( 2,800 people ) .
In addition , there are more than 5,500 people suspected of having the infection .
They have been quarantined .
More than 77,300 people who had close contacts with those infected are under medical supervision .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 11 million .
The virus - 2019-nCoV - was identified on January 7 , 2020 .
Apart from China , more than twenty other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest data , the overall number of people who contracted the novel coronavirus in China has exceeded 63,800 , 1,380 people have died , and more than 6,700 have recovered .
The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , describing it as an epidemic with @ @ @

BEIJING, February 15. /TASS/. The death toll from the novel coronavirus outbreak in China has climbed to 1,523, 8,096 patients have recovered, while the number of those infected has exceeded 66,400, China’s National Health Commission reported on Saturday.
On Friday, it said that more than 63,800 people had been infected, 1,380 people died and 6,723 others recovered. According to updated statistics, the official coronavirus mortality rate in the country is 2.29%.
Hubei province ranks first in the number of people infected with the novel coronavirus, with more than 54,500 cases reported, 1,457 people have died and 4,774 patients have recovered. It is followed by Guangdong province (1,200 infected people), Henan and Zhejiang provinces, with about 1,100 coronavirus cases recorded in each of them.
In Beijing, as of Friday, the number of infected people stands at 372, 80 of them have been discharged from hospitals and three people have died. In Heilongjiang province bordering Russia, novel coronavirus pneumonia has claimed 11 lives, the number of infected people has reached 419, 47 of them have recovered.
According to the latest official statistics, more than 169,000 residents who had close contact with infected people are under medical supervision. There are more than 8,900 people in China suspected of having the infection, they have been quarantined.


tass--2020-02-15--Russian Embassy in UK perplexed by statements on 'persecution of Christians' in Russia

LONDON , February 15 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Embassy in the UK has expressed bewilderment about remarks by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Heather Wheeler who claimed that Christians ' rights were not respected in Russia .
Wheeler made such a statement in the British parliament on February 6 , mentioning Russia as part of a debate on the persecution of Christians around the world .
She provided neither details nor evidence to substantiate her claims .
`` This statement raises eyebrows at the very least .
Orthodox Christians make up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new churches are being built , and the Russian Orthodox Church plays an active role in discussing socially significant issues .
All conditions have been created for freely practicing the religion by followers of other Christian churches , '' the embassy ’ s press officer said in a statement .
`` Patriarch Kirill ’ s meetings with head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis and Queen Elizabeth II , the head of the Church of England , in 2016 were the evidence of the recognition of the revival of Christian spiritual values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Orthodox Church in Russia and throughout the world .
We know nothing about the issue of discrimination against Christians in Russia being raised at these meetings .
Reports by personal envoys of the current OSCE chairperson-in-office on combating racism , xenophobia and discrimination make no mention of that either , '' the diplomat stressed , adding that `` the same is true of the problem of religious and racial intolerance towards representatives of other religions . ''
`` At the same time , we have to state that the problems of religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are well known in Britain itself , '' he pointed out .
`` While declaring their determination to protect the rights of Christians , our British partners are , in actual fact , politicizing the issue , as evidenced by the fact that they refer to China , North Korea and Iran as the main [ rights ] abusers .
We urge London to start cooperation to solve real problems facing Christians , primarily in the Middle East .
A lot of work lies ahead , and its results depend on coordinated efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

LONDON, February 15. /TASS/. The Russian Embassy in the UK has expressed bewilderment about remarks by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Heather Wheeler who claimed that Christians' rights were not respected in Russia.
Wheeler made such a statement in the British parliament on February 6, mentioning Russia as part of a debate on the persecution of Christians around the world. She provided neither details nor evidence to substantiate her claims.
"This statement raises eyebrows at the very least. Orthodox Christians make up the vast majority of Russian believers. Hundreds of new churches are being built, and the Russian Orthodox Church plays an active role in discussing socially significant issues. All conditions have been created for freely practicing the religion by followers of other Christian churches," the embassy’s press officer said in a statement.
"Patriarch Kirill’s meetings with head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis and Queen Elizabeth II, the head of the Church of England, in 2016 were the evidence of the recognition of the revival of Christian spiritual values and the substantial beneficial role of the Russian Orthodox Church in Russia and throughout the world. We know nothing about the issue of discrimination against Christians in Russia being raised at these meetings. Reports by personal envoys of the current OSCE chairperson-in-office on combating racism, xenophobia and discrimination make no mention of that either," the diplomat stressed, adding that "the same is true of the problem of religious and racial intolerance towards representatives of other religions."
"At the same time, we have to state that the problems of religious intolerance, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, are well known in Britain itself," he pointed out.
"While declaring their determination to protect the rights of Christians, our British partners are, in actual fact, politicizing the issue, as evidenced by the fact that they refer to China, North Korea and Iran as the main [rights] abusers. We urge London to start cooperation to solve real problems facing Christians, primarily in the Middle East. A lot of work lies ahead, and its results depend on coordinated efforts by many countries," he said.


tass--2020-02-15--Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center should have regional character - Interior Ministry

NIS /Serbia/ , February 15 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center ( RSHC ) in Nis should have a regional character , Secretary of State of the Serbian Ministry of Interior Milosav Milickovic said on Friday responding to a question from TASS .
`` The center is supposed to have a regional character .
We hope that the center will work at full capacity in the direction , for which it was established .
I should point out that the center ’ s openness indicates that this is a humanitarian center , and not something else , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s First Deputy Emergencies Minister Alexander Chupriyan noted that he saw huge prospects for the humanitarian center in Nis .
`` Today we made important decisions on the development and status of the center .
They will be an impetus for its development and will be important not only for Serbia , but also for the entire region .
The center will have a humanitarian role of a regional character .
We believe that the center has good prospects , and the International Civil Defense Organization ( ICDO ) has confirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was established under an agreement signed in Nis on April 25 , 2012 , between Russia ’ s emergencies minister and Serbia ’ s interior minister .
The legal basis for setting up the center was the 2009 agreement between the two governments on cooperation in emergency humanitarian response , preventing disasters and manmade accidents , and also eliminating their aftermath .
The center is an intergovernmental humanitarian non-profit organization , which acts as a legal entity .
It was set up with the goal of ensuring humanitarian response to emergency situations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major task is to take measures on preventing and eliminating emergency situations and providing humanitarian assistance to citizens .
The center is responsible for implementing joint projects and programs in Serbia and other countries in the Balkan region , including on humanitarian mine clearance effort .

NIS /Serbia/, February 15. /TASS/. The Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center (RSHC) in Nis should have a regional character, Secretary of State of the Serbian Ministry of Interior Milosav Milickovic said on Friday responding to a question from TASS.
"The center is supposed to have a regional character. We hope that the center will work at full capacity in the direction, for which it was established. I should point out that the center’s openness indicates that this is a humanitarian center, and not something else," he said.
For his part, Russia’s First Deputy Emergencies Minister Alexander Chupriyan noted that he saw huge prospects for the humanitarian center in Nis. "Today we made important decisions on the development and status of the center. They will be an impetus for its development and will be important not only for Serbia, but also for the entire region. The center will have a humanitarian role of a regional character. We believe that the center has good prospects, and the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) has confirmed that today."
Humanitarian Center’s mission
The Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center was established under an agreement signed in Nis on April 25, 2012, between Russia’s emergencies minister and Serbia’s interior minister. The legal basis for setting up the center was the 2009 agreement between the two governments on cooperation in emergency humanitarian response, preventing disasters and manmade accidents, and also eliminating their aftermath.
The center is an intergovernmental humanitarian non-profit organization, which acts as a legal entity. It was set up with the goal of ensuring humanitarian response to emergency situations in Serbia and other Balkan countries. Its major task is to take measures on preventing and eliminating emergency situations and providing humanitarian assistance to citizens.
The center is responsible for implementing joint projects and programs in Serbia and other countries in the Balkan region, including on humanitarian mine clearance effort.


tass--2020-02-14--UN calls for de-escalation in Syria’s Idlib - spokesperson

UNITED NATIONS , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
United Nations calls on Syria , Turkey and Russia to take steps towards de-escalation of the situation in Syria ’ s Idlib in order to ensure humanitarian access to this region in light of the recent aggravation , St·phane Dujarric , Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General , said on Friday .
`` Our message is clear .
We are pushing for de-escalation and looking for ways not to increase the violence , not to increase fighting , to lead to a ceasefire so that we could get the humanitarian aid into Idlib @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TASS to comment on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’ s recent statements about Russia ’ s alleged actions in Syria .
Erdogan claimed on Wednesday the Russian and Syrian government forces were targeting civilians in the Idlib governorate rather than terrorists .
Ankara , in his words , will no longer `` put up with any ceasefire violations in Idlib . ''
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in response that Russia rejected such accusations and stressed that Turkey ’ s allegations about attacks in the Idlib de-escalation zone were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the Russian and Turkish taskforces had made another attempt in January to impose a ceasefire .
Terrorists only intensified their attacks instead , killing Russian and Turkish military specialists .
The Syrian government army took retaliatory actions against extremists and gained control of the city of Saraqib near Idlib .
Apart from that , Turkish soldiers twice came under shelling by the Syrian army , on February 3 and 10 .
In retaliation , the Turkish military delivered strikes at more than 120 targets in Idlib .
Idlib is the only large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal armed groups .
A norther de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria ’ s southern regions .
Twelve Turkish observation outposts are operating in the Idlib governorate .

UNITED NATIONS, February 14. /TASS/. United Nations calls on Syria, Turkey and Russia to take steps towards de-escalation of the situation in Syria’s Idlib in order to ensure humanitarian access to this region in light of the recent aggravation, St·phane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said on Friday.
"Our message is clear. We are pushing for de-escalation and looking for ways not to increase the violence, not to increase fighting, to lead to a ceasefire so that we could get the humanitarian aid into Idlib," he said when asked by TASS to comment on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent statements about Russia’s alleged actions in Syria.
Erdogan claimed on Wednesday the Russian and Syrian government forces were targeting civilians in the Idlib governorate rather than terrorists. Ankara, in his words, will no longer "put up with any ceasefire violations in Idlib." Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in response that Russia rejected such accusations and stressed that Turkey’s allegations about attacks in the Idlib de-escalation zone were not true.
The situation in Idlib deteriorated after the Russian and Turkish taskforces had made another attempt in January to impose a ceasefire. Terrorists only intensified their attacks instead, killing Russian and Turkish military specialists. The Syrian government army took retaliatory actions against extremists and gained control of the city of Saraqib near Idlib.
Apart from that, Turkish soldiers twice came under shelling by the Syrian army, on February 3 and 10. In retaliation, the Turkish military delivered strikes at more than 120 targets in Idlib.
Idlib is the only large Syrian region that is still controlled by illegal armed groups. A norther de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria’s southern regions. Twelve Turkish observation outposts are operating in the Idlib governorate.


tass--2020-02-14--Mexico not to buy Russian military helicopters - newspaper

MEXICO CITY , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Mexico doesn ’ t plan to buy more combat helicopters from Russia @ @ @ @ @ on Friday citing its sources in the Mexican foreign ministry .
Neither further details nor @ @ @ @ @ given .
Addressing a news conference in Mexico City last week , Russian Foreign Minister @ @ @ @ @ s government was looking at a `` concrete offer '' from Rosobornexport , Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ including on preliminary contracts for Russian helicopters .
According to the Russian top diplomat , @ @ @ @ @ Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters , a service and a pilot training centers .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ Central America Hugo Rodriguez said on February 13 Washington did not rule out a possibility @ @ @ @ @ in case it bought Russian military helicopters .

MEXICO CITY, February 14. /TASS/. Mexico doesn’t plan to buy more combat helicopters from Russia, El Universal newspaper said on Friday citing its sources in the Mexican foreign ministry.
Neither further details nor the reasons for that were given.
Addressing a news conference in Mexico City last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Mexico’s government was looking at a "concrete offer" from Rosobornexport, Russia’s state-run arms exporter, including on preliminary contracts for Russian helicopters. According to the Russian top diplomat, Mexico already has about 50 Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters, a service and a pilot training centers.
Meanwhile, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central America Hugo Rodriguez said on February 13 Washington did not rule out a possibility of imposing sanctions against Mexico in case it bought Russian military helicopters.


tass--2020-02-14--Kiev rejects Donbass ‘peace plan’ published in Munich - newspaper

KIEV , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Kiev believes that a document proposed at the 2020 Munich Security Conference on Friday containing ideas to achieve settlement in Donbass is a private initiative and voices its disagreement with its provisions , the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a comment .
`` The document [ entitled ] ‘ Twelve Steps Toward Greater Security in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Region ’ is a private initiative of a group of politicians and experts passionate about issues of international security and the situation in Ukraine , '' Ukrainskaya Pravda newspaper quotes the ministry as saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not reflect the official position of the Ukrainian state , '' the ministry added .
At the same time , the diplomatic agency recalled that the Munich Security Conference itself lowered the status of the published plan after it attracted criticism .
`` According to the management of the Munich Security Conference ’ s information , the conference also does not recognize this material as an official document of the conference .
Its text was deleted from the conference ’ s official website , '' the ministry stressed .
Earlier on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conference published a document entitled ‘ Twelve Steps Toward Greater Security in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Region ’ .
The European Leadership Network was cited as the author of the plan .
The document proposed additional checkpoints in Donbass , redoubling efforts to look for those missing and mine clearing .
Moreover , proposals were put forward to study economic capabilities of the European Union , Russia and western companies to revive infrastructure in eastern Ukraine as well as aspects for easing sanctions imposed on Russia .

KIEV, February 14. /TASS/. Kiev believes that a document proposed at the 2020 Munich Security Conference on Friday containing ideas to achieve settlement in Donbass is a private initiative and voices its disagreement with its provisions, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a comment.
"The document [entitled] ‘Twelve Steps Toward Greater Security in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Region’ is a private initiative of a group of politicians and experts passionate about issues of international security and the situation in Ukraine," Ukrainskaya Pravda newspaper quotes the ministry as saying.
"Provisions contained in this document do not reflect the official position of the Ukrainian state," the ministry added. At the same time, the diplomatic agency recalled that the Munich Security Conference itself lowered the status of the published plan after it attracted criticism. "According to the management of the Munich Security Conference’s information, the conference also does not recognize this material as an official document of the conference. Its text was deleted from the conference’s official website," the ministry stressed.
Earlier on Friday, the website of the Munich Security Conference published a document entitled ‘Twelve Steps Toward Greater Security in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic Region’. The European Leadership Network was cited as the author of the plan. The document proposed additional checkpoints in Donbass, redoubling efforts to look for those missing and mine clearing. Moreover, proposals were put forward to study economic capabilities of the European Union, Russia and western companies to revive infrastructure in eastern Ukraine as well as aspects for easing sanctions imposed on Russia.


tass--2020-02-14--WHO says didn’t give recommendations about Tokyo Olympics

GENEVA , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has not put forward any recommendations regarding holding mass gatherings in the coming months amid the outbreak of a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme Mike Ryan told a briefing in Geneva on Friday .
He responded to a question posed to him about Japan ’ s holding the Olympics in Tokyo .
Ryan recalled that WHO is `` constantly in touch with organizers of major events , '' adding that experts of the organization have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last two decades in terms of the risk management .
`` At this stage there has been no specific discussion or no specific decision made regarding any of those mass events in the coming months , '' he said , underlining that WHO stands ready to offer member states and organizing agencies its support and expertise .
Ryan explained that WHO role is not to `` call off or not call off any event , it is the role of WHO to offer technical advice , to support a considerate multi-layered risk assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on risk reduction and risk mitigation measures , to offer advice on risk response measures . ''
He emphasized , `` It is the decision of hosting countries and organizing agencies to make that decision '' to go ahead with the event or not .
Earlier , Reuters published comments of John Coates , a member of the International Olympic Commission ( IOC ) Coordination Commission for the Olympics in Tokyo .
According to him , WHO told the IOC that there are no reasons to cancel or reschedule the Games .
Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 24 and August 9 .

GENEVA, February 14. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not put forward any recommendations regarding holding mass gatherings in the coming months amid the outbreak of a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme Mike Ryan told a briefing in Geneva on Friday.
He responded to a question posed to him about Japan’s holding the Olympics in Tokyo. Ryan recalled that WHO is "constantly in touch with organizers of major events," adding that experts of the organization have been working at virtually every Olympics in the last two decades in terms of the risk management. "At this stage there has been no specific discussion or no specific decision made regarding any of those mass events in the coming months," he said, underlining that WHO stands ready to offer member states and organizing agencies its support and expertise.
Ryan explained that WHO role is not to "call off or not call off any event, it is the role of WHO to offer technical advice, to support a considerate multi-layered risk assessment around the event, to offer advice on risk reduction and risk mitigation measures, to offer advice on risk response measures." He emphasized, "It is the decision of hosting countries and organizing agencies to make that decision" to go ahead with the event or not.
Earlier, Reuters published comments of John Coates, a member of the International Olympic Commission (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Olympics in Tokyo. According to him, WHO told the IOC that there are no reasons to cancel or reschedule the Games. Tokyo is set to hold the Olympics between July 24 and August 9.


tass--2020-02-14--US pulling out of Iranian nuclear deal was mistake, says German president

MUNICH , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
The United States ’ withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on the Iranian nuclear program has had a negative effect on the Middle Eastern security , German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Friday at the opening of the 2020 Munich Security Conference .
`` It was a mistake to reject the agreement with Iran .
The Middle East did not become a safer place .
On the contrary , it is a more dangerous region now , '' he said .
According to the German president , Europeans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear weapons and prevent an arms race in the region .
The JCPOA was signed between Iran , the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council ( Russia , the United Kingdom , China , the United States and France ) and Germany in 2015 .
Under the deal , Iran undertook to curb its nuclear activities and place them under total control of the International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) in exchange of abandonment of the sanctions imposed previously by the United Nations Security Council , the European Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
Iran pledged not to enrich uranium above the level of 3.67 % for 15 years and maintain enriched uranium stockpiles at the level not exceeding 300 kg , as well as not to build new heavy-water reactors , not to accumulate heavy water and not to develop nuclear explosive devices .
Tensions over Iran ’ s nuclear program exacerbated after Washington unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8 , 2018 and slapped US economic sanctions on Iran ’ s oil exports .
On May 8 , 2019 , President of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspending the fulfilment of its part of the nuclear deal obligations .
According to the Iranian side , the parties to the deal , particularly the Europeans , are not fully honoring their economic obligations and , therefore , the JCPOA in its current form is meaningless .
Tehran continued to scale back on its commitments to the deal throughout 2019 .
On January 5 , Iran announced that it would no longer abide by restrictions set by the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on the Iranian nuclear program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Iran will no longer honor the JCPOA-set limitations on the number of centrifuges required to enrich uranium .
On January 14 , France , Germany and the United Kingdom announced that they had triggered the dispute resolution mechanism in the JCPOA , justifying the move by saying that Iran ’ s actions left them no other choice .

MUNICH, February 14. /TASS/. The United States’ withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program has had a negative effect on the Middle Eastern security, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Friday at the opening of the 2020 Munich Security Conference.
"It was a mistake to reject the agreement with Iran. The Middle East did not become a safer place. On the contrary, it is a more dangerous region now," he said. According to the German president, Europeans have a goal to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and prevent an arms race in the region.
The JCPOA was signed between Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (Russia, the United Kingdom, China, the United States and France) and Germany in 2015. Under the deal, Iran undertook to curb its nuclear activities and place them under total control of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in exchange of abandonment of the sanctions imposed previously by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union and the United States over its nuclear program. Iran pledged not to enrich uranium above the level of 3.67% for 15 years and maintain enriched uranium stockpiles at the level not exceeding 300 kg, as well as not to build new heavy-water reactors, not to accumulate heavy water and not to develop nuclear explosive devices.
Tensions over Iran’s nuclear program exacerbated after Washington unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8, 2018 and slapped US economic sanctions on Iran’s oil exports. On May 8, 2019, President of Iran Hassan Rouhani said that Tehran was suspending the fulfilment of its part of the nuclear deal obligations. According to the Iranian side, the parties to the deal, particularly the Europeans, are not fully honoring their economic obligations and, therefore, the JCPOA in its current form is meaningless. Tehran continued to scale back on its commitments to the deal throughout 2019.
On January 5, Iran announced that it would no longer abide by restrictions set by the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program. Tehran’s latest move means that Iran will no longer honor the JCPOA-set limitations on the number of centrifuges required to enrich uranium. On January 14, France, Germany and the United Kingdom announced that they had triggered the dispute resolution mechanism in the JCPOA, justifying the move by saying that Iran’s actions left them no other choice.


tass--2020-02-14--Germany to try to lay down basis of Normandy Four meeting in Munich, says minister

MUNICH , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Representatives of the German government will try to prepare foundation to hold the @ @ @ @ @ together with colleagues from Russia , France and Ukraine , German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas @ @ @ @ @ Security Conference on Friday .
`` We will discuss here , in Munich , with @ @ @ @ @ and Kiev the basis for the upcoming Normandy Four meeting in Berlin , '' he @ @ @ @ @ format of negotiations on Ukraine has existed since June 2014 , when the leaders of @ @ @ @ @ and Germany who gathered in Normandy for the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of D-Day @ @ @ @ @ troops in 1944 ) discussed the settlement of the conflict in southeastern Ukraine for the @ @ @ @ @ Normandy Four summit took place in Paris on December 9 , 2019 after a lengthy @ @

MUNICH, February 14. /TASS/. Representatives of the German government will try to prepare foundation to hold the Normandy Four meeting in Berlin together with colleagues from Russia, France and Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said at the 2020 Munich Security Conference on Friday.
"We will discuss here, in Munich, with colleagues from Paris, Moscow and Kiev the basis for the upcoming Normandy Four meeting in Berlin," he said.
The Normandy Four format of negotiations on Ukraine has existed since June 2014, when the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany who gathered in Normandy for the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of D-Day (the landing of allied troops in 1944) discussed the settlement of the conflict in southeastern Ukraine for the first time. The last Normandy Four summit took place in Paris on December 9, 2019 after a lengthy break.


tass--2020-02-14--WHO mission to China to feature 12 int’l and 12 Chinese experts

Addressing the briefing attendees via television link from Kinshasa where he travelled to for a visit , the WHO chief underscored , `` I ’ m glad to say that the WHO-led Joint Mission with China on COVID-19 is moving forward .
We expect the full team to touch down over the weekend . ''
`` The mission consists of 12 international and WHO experts and a similar number of national expert counterparts from the People ’ s Republic of China , '' Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added .
The experts will hold meetings with representatives of key Chinese institutes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures to counter the disease outbreak taken by local and national authorities , he noted .
The aim is to quickly inform about next steps in containing the coronavirus spread and the necessary preparation works in China and the rest of the world .
Experts will focus on learning more about the issues relating to transmission of the coronavirus , the degree of danger that the virus poses and how effective the measures undertaken are .
`` The [ Chinese ] vice minister of the national health commission has said that as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected , and six have died [ in China ] , '' the WHO head stressed , adding that the WHO needs to `` know more about this figure , including the time period and circumstances in which the health workers became sick . ''
`` This is a critical piece of information , because health workers are the glue that holds the health system and outbreak response together , '' Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously called 2019-nCoV ) was reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 24 more countries , apart from China : Australia , Belgium , Cambodia , Canada , Finland , France , Germany , Japan , India , Italy , Malaysia , Nepal , the Philippines , Russia , Singapore , South Korea , Spain , Sri Lanka , Sweden , Thailand , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the United States and Vietnam .
The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency .
Chinese authorities have confirmed more than 63,800 cases of the disease , over 1,300 people died , while over 6,700 people are reported to have recovered .

Addressing the briefing attendees via television link from Kinshasa where he travelled to for a visit, the WHO chief underscored, "I’m glad to say that the WHO-led Joint Mission with China on COVID-19 is moving forward. We expect the full team to touch down over the weekend." "The mission consists of 12 international and WHO experts and a similar number of national expert counterparts from the People’s Republic of China," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added.
The experts will hold meetings with representatives of key Chinese institutes and pay visits to three provinces to study measures to counter the disease outbreak taken by local and national authorities, he noted. The aim is to quickly inform about next steps in containing the coronavirus spread and the necessary preparation works in China and the rest of the world. Experts will focus on learning more about the issues relating to transmission of the coronavirus, the degree of danger that the virus poses and how effective the measures undertaken are.
"The [Chinese] vice minister of the national health commission has said that as of Tuesday 1716 health care workers have been infected, and six have died [in China]," the WHO head stressed, adding that the WHO needs to "know more about this figure, including the time period and circumstances in which the health workers became sick." "This is a critical piece of information, because health workers are the glue that holds the health system and outbreak response together," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pointed out.
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 24 more countries, apart from China: Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. The WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak in China a global health emergency. Chinese authorities have confirmed more than 63,800 cases of the disease, over 1,300 people died, while over 6,700 people are reported to have recovered.


tass--2020-02-14--Businessman Deripaska calls FT article about him "portion of lies"

On Friday , FT wrote the U.S. believes that Deripaska laundered money for President Vladimir Putin .
According to the publication , that was the reason why Washington imposed sanctions against the businessman .
The newspaper referred to a U.S. Treasury letter to Deripaska ’ s lawyers explaining the sanctions .
MOSCOW , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska called the recent article about him published by the Financial Times ( FT ) `` a portion of lies . ''
`` Another portion of lies , '' the businessman wrote on his channel in the Telegram messenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the British newspaper .
Later , on Friday , the businessman added an ironic comment on the FT publication about his alleged investments made on behalf of the Russian President .
`` What money ?
He didn ’ t entrust me with a pen for 10 minutes , '' Deripaska wrote on his Telegram channel .
The businessman , obviously , recalled the meeting in the town of Pikalevo in 2009 , when Vladimir Putin , who was then Prime Minister , put a pen on the table and ordered Deripaska to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply of raw materials to the Pikalevo plant , which made it possible to protect the rights of workers .
When Deripaska , having signed the document , headed for his place , Putin stopped him with the words : `` Give me the pen back ! ''
The FT article also contained the words of Putin ’ s spokesman Dmitry Peskov , who rejected the assumption that any money laundering took place or that Deripaska made investments following orders from Vladimir Putin .
`` That 's not true .
That 's all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , the US Treasury Department introduced sanctions against Oleg Deripaska and companies controlled by him .
Sanctions covered Rusal , Basic Element , En+ , Russian Machines , EuroSibEnergo , GAZ Group , B-Finance and Kuban agricultural holding .
On January 27 , 2019 Washington time ( January 28 Moscow time ) , the US Department of Treasury announced the removal of sanctions against Rusal , En + and EuroSibEnergo .
However , it cost Deripaska control in his enterprises : in particular , his share in the En+ holding decreased from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Rusal he directly owns only 0.01 % of shares and is not entitled to receive dividends .
The restrictions against the co-owner of those companies , Oleg Deripaska , remain in force .
In March 2019 , Deripaska filed a lawsuit with the US Treasury in the federal court of Washington .
He called sanctions introduced against him in April 2018 as unfair and illegal and notes that his wealth contracted by more than $ 7.5 bln due to sanctions in the complaint .
In September 2019 , Deripaska filed a lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Krasnodar region against The Nation , The Telegraph and The Times newspapers due to the fact that the articles in these publications had triggered personal sanctions against him in 2018 .
On October 25 , 2019 , the Arbitration court of Russia ’ s Krasnodar region upheld the lawsuit of Deripaska against the Western media and stated that the publications did not correspond to reality .
In January , in an interview with Bloomberg , Deripaska said he expects the US court to announce its decision on his lawsuit against the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions against him will be lifted .

On Friday, FT wrote the U.S. believes that Deripaska laundered money for President Vladimir Putin. According to the publication, that was the reason why Washington imposed sanctions against the businessman. The newspaper referred to a U.S. Treasury letter to Deripaska’s lawyers explaining the sanctions.
MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska called the recent article about him published by the Financial Times (FT) "a portion of lies."
"Another portion of lies," the businessman wrote on his channel in the Telegram messenger and attached a link to the article in the British newspaper.
Later, on Friday, the businessman added an ironic comment on the FT publication about his alleged investments made on behalf of the Russian President.
"What money? He didn’t entrust me with a pen for 10 minutes," Deripaska wrote on his Telegram channel.
The businessman, obviously, recalled the meeting in the town of Pikalevo in 2009, when Vladimir Putin, who was then Prime Minister, put a pen on the table and ordered Deripaska to sign an agreement with PhosAgro on the supply of raw materials to the Pikalevo plant, which made it possible to protect the rights of workers. When Deripaska, having signed the document, headed for his place, Putin stopped him with the words: "Give me the pen back!"
The FT article also contained the words of Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who rejected the assumption that any money laundering took place or that Deripaska made investments following orders from Vladimir Putin. "That's not true. That's all," Peskov said.
Sanctions and lawsuit
In April 2018, the US Treasury Department introduced sanctions against Oleg Deripaska and companies controlled by him. Sanctions covered Rusal, Basic Element, En+, Russian Machines, EuroSibEnergo, GAZ Group, B-Finance and Kuban agricultural holding.
On January 27, 2019 Washington time (January 28 Moscow time), the US Department of Treasury announced the removal of sanctions against Rusal, En + and EuroSibEnergo. However, it cost Deripaska control in his enterprises: in particular, his share in the En+ holding decreased from 70% to 44.95%, while in Rusal he directly owns only 0.01% of shares and is not entitled to receive dividends. The restrictions against the co-owner of those companies, Oleg Deripaska, remain in force.
In March 2019, Deripaska filed a lawsuit with the US Treasury in the federal court of Washington. He called sanctions introduced against him in April 2018 as unfair and illegal and notes that his wealth contracted by more than $7.5 bln due to sanctions in the complaint.
In September 2019, Deripaska filed a lawsuit in the Arbitration Court of Russia’s Krasnodar region against The Nation, The Telegraph and The Times newspapers due to the fact that the articles in these publications had triggered personal sanctions against him in 2018.
On October 25, 2019, the Arbitration court of Russia’s Krasnodar region upheld the lawsuit of Deripaska against the Western media and stated that the publications did not correspond to reality.
In January, in an interview with Bloomberg, Deripaska said he expects the US court to announce its decision on his lawsuit against the US Treasury this year and hopes that the sanctions against him will be lifted.


tass--2020-02-14--This week in photos: Parasite's Oscar, PM’s Novgorod visit, and Koreans’ coronavirus fight

Press review : Turkey may be using proxies in Syria and Russian envoy chides US visa policy Top stories in @ @ @ @ @ , February 12

Lukashenko says Putin promises he would regard attack on Belarus as attack on Russia
The Belarusian leader pointed out that NATO was quickly building up forces on the border with Belarus in Poland and in the Baltic countries
Read more


tass--2020-02-14--Russians spending more on romantic gifts over last three years, MasterCard reports

MOSCOW , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russians have started spending more on gifts as St Valentine 's Day approaches .
In particular , over $ 146 mln had been shelled out on romantic gifts last year , or $ 25 mln ( 21 % ) more than in 2017 , MasterCard reported in its research .
A similar trend has been observed across the globe , with the number of transactions within the period from February 11-14 climbing 31 % .
Another worldwide trend highlighted in the research is that traditional flowers and jewelry for St. Valentine 's Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In particular , romantic trips in Russia grew by 19 % since 2017 , the research noted .
Russians shelled out over $ 60 mln on air tickets and tours last year .
Hotel stays remain among the most popular for St. Valentine ’ s Day .
Russians started booking hotel suites more often over the last three years .
Bookings climbed 59 % and booking expenses rose 18 % .
Dining out romantically is on the rise as well .
Transactions in Russian restaurants surged by 47 % since 2017 , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 43.8 mln in 2019 .

MOSCOW, February 14. /TASS/. Russians have started spending more on gifts as St Valentine's Day approaches. In particular, over $146 mln had been shelled out on romantic gifts last year, or $25 mln (21%) more than in 2017, MasterCard reported in its research.
A similar trend has been observed across the globe, with the number of transactions within the period from February 11-14 climbing 31%.
Another worldwide trend highlighted in the research is that traditional flowers and jewelry for St. Valentine's Day are gradually substituted by gift impressions. In particular, romantic trips in Russia grew by 19% since 2017, the research noted. Russians shelled out over $60 mln on air tickets and tours last year.
Hotel stays remain among the most popular for St. Valentine’s Day. Russians started booking hotel suites more often over the last three years. Bookings climbed 59% and booking expenses rose 18%.
Dining out romantically is on the rise as well. Transactions in Russian restaurants surged by 47% since 2017, while expenses grew by 26% to $43.8 mln in 2019.


tass--2020-02-14--Top Russian, US diplomats hold brief meeting in Munich, says source

MUNICH , February 14 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has held a brief meeting with US Secretary @ @ @ @ @ the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference , a source in the Russian delegation told @ @ @ @ @ meeting between Lavrov and Pompeo took place in Munich , '' the source informed .

MUNICH, February 14. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has held a brief meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, a source in the Russian delegation told TASS.
"A brief meeting between Lavrov and Pompeo took place in Munich," the source informed.