tass--2020-02-20--Pilot error seen as possible cause of Magadan plane incident — source

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
The incident at an airport of Russia ’ s Far Eastern city of @ @ @ @ @ a pilot error , a law enforcement source told TASS on Thursday .
One person @ @ @ @ @ incident in Russia ’ s Far East '' A pilot error during takeoff is among @ @ @ @ @ '' the source said .
`` According to preliminary information , the plane underwent a @ @ @ @ @ preparations .
No problems were identified .
This information is being verified at the moment @ @ @ @ @ Ministry ’ s press service earlier told TASS that an An-2 plane crash-landed at the @ @ @ @ @ preliminary information from rescuers , the aircraft hit the ground with its tail during takeoff @ @ @ @ @ from the altitude of about ten meters .
The plane had 14 people on board @ @ @ @ @ crew members .
They safely left the aircraft using an inflatable evacuation slide .

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. The incident at an airport of Russia’s Far Eastern city of Magadan was probably caused by a pilot error, a law enforcement source told TASS on Thursday.
One person in serious condition after plane incident in Russia’s Far East
"A pilot error during takeoff is among the most likely versions," the source said. "According to preliminary information, the plane underwent a pre-flight checkup and all necessary preparations. No problems were identified. This information is being verified at the moment."
The Russian Foreign Ministry’s press service earlier told TASS that an An-2 plane crash-landed at the Magadan-13 airport. According to preliminary information from rescuers, the aircraft hit the ground with its tail during takeoff. Presumably, it fell from the altitude of about ten meters.
The plane had 14 people on board - 11 passengers and three crew members. They safely left the aircraft using an inflatable evacuation slide.


tass--2020-02-20--Novel coronavirus death toll in China reaches 2,118

BEIJING , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from the novel coronavirus in China has reached 2,118 people , China ’ s national health commission said on Thursday .
The number of confirmed cases topped 74,500 , a total of 16,100 people have already recovered .
According to updated information , the nationwide novel coronavirus mortality rate now stands at 2.83 % , slightly increasing from the 2.7 % reported the day before .
The number of newly confirmed cases declined sharply in the past 24 hours , from 1,355 by Wednesday to 394 by Thursday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus in China ’ s province of Hubei , has risen to 2,029 .
The overall number of confirmed cases in the province , where the disease broke out last December , has reached 62,000 .
Over 10,300 of them have already recovered .
A total of 1,300 cases were reported in the southern province of Guangdong , over 1,200 - in the central province of Henan and over 1,100 in the eastern province of Zhejiang .
In the past 24 hours , 13 out of the 31 provinces of mainland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the capital Beijing , 395 coronavirus cases have been confirmed so far , four of them fatal .
In the Heilongjiang province bordering Russia , 476 cases were confirmed , 12 people died and 123 others recovered .
All over the country , more than 126,300 residents , who were in close contact with those infected , are under medical supervision .
Over 4,900 people have been quarantined .
According to medics , over 11,800 novel coronavirus patients remain in serious condition .
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Outside China , cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 25 other countries and territories , including in Russia .
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern .
In late December 2019 , an outbreak of the pulmonary disease caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 11 million .
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemic with multiple locations .
Apart from China , 25 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .

BEIJING, February 20. /TASS/. The death toll from the novel coronavirus in China has reached 2,118 people, China’s national health commission said on Thursday.
The number of confirmed cases topped 74,500, a total of 16,100 people have already recovered.
According to updated information, the nationwide novel coronavirus mortality rate now stands at 2.83%, slightly increasing from the 2.7% reported the day before.
The number of newly confirmed cases declined sharply in the past 24 hours, from 1,355 by Wednesday to 394 by Thursday.
The number of people, who died of the novel coronavirus in China’s province of Hubei, has risen to 2,029. The overall number of confirmed cases in the province, where the disease broke out last December, has reached 62,000. Over 10,300 of them have already recovered.
A total of 1,300 cases were reported in the southern province of Guangdong, over 1,200 - in the central province of Henan and over 1,100 in the eastern province of Zhejiang.
In the past 24 hours, 13 out of the 31 provinces of mainland China reported no newly confirmed cases.
In the capital Beijing, 395 coronavirus cases have been confirmed so far, four of them fatal. In the Heilongjiang province bordering Russia, 476 cases were confirmed, 12 people died and 123 others recovered.
All over the country, more than 126,300 residents, who were in close contact with those infected, are under medical supervision. Over 4,900 people have been quarantined.
According to medics, over 11,800 novel coronavirus patients remain in serious condition.
The Chinese authorities registered an outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the city of Wuhan. Outside China, cases of new coronavirus were confirmed in 25 other countries and territories, including in Russia. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
In late December 2019, an outbreak of the pulmonary disease caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 11 million. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Apart from China, 25 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.


tass--2020-02-20--Two passengers of Diamond Princess cruise ship die after contracting novel coronavirus

TOKYO , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
Two Diamond Princess cruise ship passengers , earlier diagnosed with the novel coronavrius , have died , Japan ’ s public television reported on Thursday .
According to the governmental source , the victims are a man and a woman , both older than 80 years .
`` Russians are not among the deceased , '' the Russian embassy in Japan said .
Those are first fatalities among passengers and crew of the cruise ship , quarantined off Japan due to an outbreak on board .
The 14-day quarantine ended on Wednesday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested negative for novel coronavirus , started to leave it .
On Wednesday , 443 passengers walked ashore , including two Russian women .
The second group of about 500 people is expected to leave Diamond Princess on Thursday .
Nearly half of them are foreigners .
At present , about 20 Russian citizens remain on board the ship .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases onboard the ship , which is anchored in the Japanese port city of Yokohama , is 621 .
One Russian is among them and has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been sent to hospital , tested negative for the virus , but she is under medical supervision due to a high risk of infection .
Japan ’ s authorities have tested all passengers and crew members for coronavirus .
Upon the results , they compile the lists of those who can leave the vessel - these are the persons , who have not contracted coronavirus and who have passed the two-week quarantine .
Japan ’ s Ministry of Health , Labor and Welfare also reported that it had received the test results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is carrying over 3,600 passengers .
The Diamond Princess cruise ship left Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3 .
Among them was a coronavirus-infected Chinese citizen who left the ship on January 25 in Hong Kong .
In accordance with the decision made by the Japanese authorities , the ship was anchored near Yokohama and quarantined for two weeks since February 5 .
Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in Wuhan , a densely populated city in central China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19 .
Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 25 other countries , including Russia .

TOKYO, February 20. /TASS/. Two Diamond Princess cruise ship passengers, earlier diagnosed with the novel coronavrius, have died, Japan’s public television reported on Thursday.
According to the governmental source, the victims are a man and a woman, both older than 80 years.
"Russians are not among the deceased," the Russian embassy in Japan said.
Those are first fatalities among passengers and crew of the cruise ship, quarantined off Japan due to an outbreak on board. The 14-day quarantine ended on Wednesday and the ship’s passengers, who tested negative for novel coronavirus, started to leave it. On Wednesday, 443 passengers walked ashore, including two Russian women.
The second group of about 500 people is expected to leave Diamond Princess on Thursday. Nearly half of them are foreigners. At present, about 20 Russian citizens remain on board the ship.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases onboard the ship, which is anchored in the Japanese port city of Yokohama, is 621. One Russian is among them and has been hospitalized. His wife, who has also been sent to hospital, tested negative for the virus, but she is under medical supervision due to a high risk of infection.
Japan’s authorities have tested all passengers and crew members for coronavirus. Upon the results, they compile the lists of those who can leave the vessel - these are the persons, who have not contracted coronavirus and who have passed the two-week quarantine. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also reported that it had received the test results of 3,011 people from the cruise ship, which is carrying over 3,600 passengers.
The Diamond Princess cruise ship left Yokohama on January 20 and returned on February 3. Among them was a coronavirus-infected Chinese citizen who left the ship on January 25 in Hong Kong. In accordance with the decision made by the Japanese authorities, the ship was anchored near Yokohama and quarantined for two weeks since February 5.
Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in Wuhan, a densely populated city in central China, in late December 2019. The WHO declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus a global health emergency and named the virus COVID-19. Coronavirus cases have also been reported in 25 other countries, including Russia.


tass--2020-02-20--Putin says reshuffling civil servants between Kremlin and Cabinet yields results

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
Moving government officials to work in the Kremlin and presidential staff members into @ @ @ @ @ success , the head of state told TASS in an interview for the project `` @ @ @ @ @ '' .
`` Yes , it does , for sure , '' Putin said when @ @ @ @ @ of the addends in the structure of Russia ’ s governing bodies changes the sum @ @ @ @ @ there is nothing unusual or unexpected , '' he said , when focusing on proposals @ @ @ @ @ members of the Cabinet of Ministers to take jobs on the presidential staff .
`` @ @ @ @ @ '' `` You can of course ask me if I did say there would be @ @ @ @ @ for that .
Yes , I did .
If I had said that I was @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow , all work would have just stopped dead the day after tomorrow .
As @ @ @ @ @ it a day and hit the hay .

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Moving government officials to work in the Kremlin and presidential staff members into government posts has been demonstrating success, the head of state told TASS in an interview for the project "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
"Yes, it does, for sure," Putin said when asked if changing the order of the addends in the structure of Russia’s governing bodies changes the sum.
"That is why there is nothing unusual or unexpected," he said, when focusing on proposals for a number of former members of the Cabinet of Ministers to take jobs on the presidential staff. "Let them work here."
"You can of course ask me if I did say there would be no change, no plans for that. Yes, I did. If I had said that I was going to change the government tomorrow, all work would have just stopped dead the day after tomorrow. As the saying goes, call it a day and hit the hay.


tass--2020-02-20--Number of traffic accidents in Russia down by one third in past decade — minister

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of traffic accidents and related fatalities in Russia has declined by @ @ @ @ @ decade , Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said during his visit to Sweden .
`` @ @ @ @ @ Decade of Action ( to boost traffic security in 2010-2020 ) , main indicators of @ @ @ @ @ on decline : the number of accidents and related fatalities has declined by more than @ @ @ @ @ of pedestrians killed [ in traffic accidents ] was reduced by half , '' he @ @ @ @ @ Swedish Minister for Infrastructure Tomas Eneroth in Stockholm , aired by the Rossiya-24 TV .
@ @ @ @ @ this notable progress was achieved even despite the rapid growth in the number of vehicles @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Russia is ready to share its findings regarding the reduction of fatalities and @ @ @ @ @ to strengthen international cooperation in this direction , '' the Russian minister added .

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. The number of traffic accidents and related fatalities in Russia has declined by one third in the past decade, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said during his visit to Sweden.
"Since the launch of the Decade of Action (to boost traffic security in 2010-2020), main indicators of the accident rate have been on decline: the number of accidents and related fatalities has declined by more than one third, the number of pedestrians killed [in traffic accidents] was reduced by half," he said during a meeting with Swedish Minister for Infrastructure Tomas Eneroth in Stockholm, aired by the Rossiya-24 TV.
According to the minister, this notable progress was achieved even despite the rapid growth in the number of vehicles on Russia’s roads.
"Russia is ready to share its findings regarding the reduction of fatalities and injuries in car accidents, to strengthen international cooperation in this direction," the Russian minister added.


tass--2020-02-20--One person detained after Germany shooting — paper

BERLIN , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
German police detained one person in connection with the deadly shooting that took @ @ @ @ @ Hanau on Wednesday night , the Bild newspaper said on its website on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ to confirm the information .
According to latest data , eight people died and five @ @ @ @ @ .
Bild said the victims were probably ethnic Kurds .
A shooting took place in @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday evening .
The motive for the attack is unknown .
Latest publications by @ @ @ @ @ attacker probably acted alone , but earlier reports mentioned several gunmen .

BERLIN, February 20. /TASS/. German police detained one person in connection with the deadly shooting that took place in the city of Hanau on Wednesday night, the Bild newspaper said on its website on Thursday.
Police issued no official comment to confirm the information.
According to latest data, eight people died and five were injured in the attack.
Bild said the victims were probably ethnic Kurds.
A shooting took place in two shisha bars in Hanau on Wednesday evening. The motive for the attack is unknown. Latest publications by German media indicate that the attacker probably acted alone, but earlier reports mentioned several gunmen.


tass--2020-02-20--One person in serious condition after plane incident in Russia’s Far East

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/.Seven people were injured when an An-2 plane hit the ground during takeoff in Russia ’ s Far Eastern city of Magadan on Thursday , a Russian emergencies ministry spokesperson told TASS .
On Thursday morning , a plane with three crew members and 11 passengers on board crash-landed immediately after takeoff from the Magadan-13 airport .
According to preliminary information from rescuers , the aircraft fell from the altitude of about 10 meters .
Weather conditions were favorable at the moment of the incident .
`` In total , there were 12 passengers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the aircraft on their own .
According to preliminary estimates , 7 people were injured , '' the source said , adding that the aircraft was privately owned .
The spokesperson said local rescuers were alerted about the mishap at 2:45 Moscow time .
A total of 48 people and 15 vehicles are working at the scene .
A man who was onboard the An-2 plane that hit the ground during takeoff in Russia ’ s Far Eastern city of Magadan is currently in serious condition , the regional health authority ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are no deaths , no children on board < ... > , but one person was seriously injured and is now being treated in a shock ward , '' a spokesperson said .
According to regional authorities , the plane was owned by a local company and was transporting its employees .
Experts are currently examining the plane ’ s technical condition and possible causes of the incident .
An emergencies source told TASS that the plane `` failed to gain the altitude required for further takeoff . ''
`` The pilot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the runway .
The An-2 plane suffered no major external damage , '' the source said .
The Magadan-13 airport opened in 1940 .
It has an unpaved 1,450-meter runway and services local and charter flights .

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/.Seven people were injured when an An-2 plane hit the ground during takeoff in Russia’s Far Eastern city of Magadan on Thursday, a Russian emergencies ministry spokesperson told TASS.
On Thursday morning, a plane with three crew members and 11 passengers on board crash-landed immediately after takeoff from the Magadan-13 airport. According to preliminary information from rescuers, the aircraft fell from the altitude of about 10 meters. Weather conditions were favorable at the moment of the incident.
"In total, there were 12 passengers and two crew members on board. They left the aircraft on their own. According to preliminary estimates, 7 people were injured," the source said, adding that the aircraft was privately owned.
The spokesperson said local rescuers were alerted about the mishap at 2:45 Moscow time. A total of 48 people and 15 vehicles are working at the scene.
A man who was onboard the An-2 plane that hit the ground during takeoff in Russia’s Far Eastern city of Magadan is currently in serious condition, the regional health authority’s press service told TASS.
"There are no deaths, no children on board <...>, but one person was seriously injured and is now being treated in a shock ward," a spokesperson said.
According to regional authorities, the plane was owned by a local company and was transporting its employees.
Experts are currently examining the plane’s technical condition and possible causes of the incident.
An emergencies source told TASS that the plane "failed to gain the altitude required for further takeoff."
"The pilot landed the plane on its belly beyond the runway. The An-2 plane suffered no major external damage," the source said.
The Magadan-13 airport opened in 1940. It has an unpaved 1,450-meter runway and services local and charter flights.


tass--2020-02-20--Shooting spree in Germany leaves at least eight dead, five injured — paper

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
At least eight people were killed and five injured when an unidentified gunman @ @ @ @ @ the city of Hanau in central Germany , the Bild newspaper said on Wednesday citing @ @ @ @ @ the paper , the gunman started shooting at a local bar , and subsequently opened @ @ @ @ @ of the city ’ s squares .

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. At least eight people were killed and five injured when an unidentified gunman opened fire on passers-by in the city of Hanau in central Germany, the Bild newspaper said on Wednesday citing own sources.
According to the paper, the gunman started shooting at a local bar, and subsequently opened fire at passers-by on one of the city’s squares.


tass--2020-02-20--Novel coronavirus death toll in China’s Hubei rises to 2,029 — authorities

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people , who died of the novel coronavirus in China @ @ @ @ @ , has risen to 2,029 , the regional health authority said on Thursday .
The @ @ @ @ @ in the province , where the disease broke out last December , has reached 62,000 @ @ @ @ @ have already recovered .
According to updated information , the novel coronavirus mortality rate in @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , compared to 3.11 % on Wednesday .
The number of newly confirmed @ @ @ @ @ hours declined by more than a thousand , to 349 .

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. The number of people, who died of the novel coronavirus in China’s province of Hubei, has risen to 2,029, the regional health authority said on Thursday.
The overall number of confirmed cases in the province, where the disease broke out last December, has reached 62,000. Over 10,300 of them have already recovered.
According to updated information, the novel coronavirus mortality rate in Hubei stood at about 3.27 on Thursday, compared to 3.11% on Wednesday.
The number of newly confirmed cases in the past 24 hours declined by more than a thousand, to 349.


tass--2020-02-20--Russia’s new government has ‘no time for warming up’ — Putin

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to grant the newly-appointed government any time for warming up .
`` All of these people are competent , they all are well informed and know their job .
Many of them worked , one way or another , on the National Projects and national development goals , so they are totally in the know .
So there can be no window , no time for warming up , '' Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin made his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly Dmitry Medvedev announced that his government was stepping down .
He described it as a proper decision to make in the light of the presidential proposals for amending the Constitution .
On January 16 , Medvedev was appointed deputy chairman of Russia ’ s State Council .
Mikhail Mishustin , the former chief of the Federal Tax Service , took the reins as the new head of government .
On January 21 , Putin approved the structure and make-up of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members in the new Cabinet , including the prime minister and his nine deputies .
Earlier , Putin stressed that the Cabinet of Ministers did not have a moment to spare for starting work on the National Projects .
He said he was certain that the lack of some knowledge or experience was a lame excuse .

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to grant the newly-appointed government any time for warming up.
"All of these people are competent, they all are well informed and know their job. Many of them worked, one way or another, on the National Projects and national development goals, so they are totally in the know. So there can be no window, no time for warming up," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
On January 15, after President Vladimir Putin made his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly Dmitry Medvedev announced that his government was stepping down. He described it as a proper decision to make in the light of the presidential proposals for amending the Constitution. On January 16, Medvedev was appointed deputy chairman of Russia’s State Council. Mikhail Mishustin, the former chief of the Federal Tax Service, took the reins as the new head of government. On January 21, Putin approved the structure and make-up of the Mishustin-led government. There are 31 members in the new Cabinet, including the prime minister and his nine deputies.
Earlier, Putin stressed that the Cabinet of Ministers did not have a moment to spare for starting work on the National Projects. He said he was certain that the lack of some knowledge or experience was a lame excuse.


tass--2020-02-20--Putin says logical to entrust enacting National Projects to their Kremlin architects

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has explained the reasons why some Kremlin staff officials had been moved into Russia ’ s new government .
In his opinion , it is quite logical to assign the task of implementing the National Projects at the government level to those who had worked on them in the Kremlin .
`` Some people from the administration , including those directly involved in the work on national projects , have moved to the government .
This is of paramount importance , '' Putin told TASS in an interview for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin '' .
`` Since they were behind the development of these National Projects and the goals we are expected to achieve in terms of national development , it stands to logic that they should be tasked with putting into practice exactly what they have suggested as these goals and tools to achieve them , '' Putin said , elaborating on the reasons behind his decision .
He pointed out that `` the previous Cabinet has really done a lot in terms of preparing the main phase of the implementation of National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify national development goals .
And this only seems easy at first sight .
In fact , it is an enormous effort .
Then , tools needed to be developed on which to rely in order to achieve these national goals .
The government did it as well , '' Putin stated .
`` But I felt some inner certainty that here is where new people should come in to pursue work in new areas of crucial importance , '' he explained .
`` So some people from the administration have come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s where it is done . ''
`` I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the core has remained , '' he pointed out .

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has explained the reasons why some Kremlin staff officials had been moved into Russia’s new government. In his opinion, it is quite logical to assign the task of implementing the National Projects at the government level to those who had worked on them in the Kremlin.
"Some people from the administration, including those directly involved in the work on national projects, have moved to the government. This is of paramount importance," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
"Since they were behind the development of these National Projects and the goals we are expected to achieve in terms of national development, it stands to logic that they should be tasked with putting into practice exactly what they have suggested as these goals and tools to achieve them," Putin said, elaborating on the reasons behind his decision.
He pointed out that "the previous Cabinet has really done a lot in terms of preparing the main phase of the implementation of National Projects." "They had to identify national development goals. And this only seems easy at first sight. In fact, it is an enormous effort. Then, tools needed to be developed on which to rely in order to achieve these national goals. The government did it as well," Putin stated.
"But I felt some inner certainty that here is where new people should come in to pursue work in new areas of crucial importance," he explained. "So some people from the administration have come to the government to do it because that’s where it is done."
"I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the core has remained," he pointed out.


tass--2020-02-20--Putin highlights professional aptitude as main yardstick in selecting ministers

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has pointed out that he had heeded Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin ’ s advice in forming the Cabinet of Ministers .
Neither prominence nor popularity of the candidates played any role whatsoever as the main benchmarks in favor of their appointment .
`` You know , the criterion was not the lack of knowledge about those people , it was their professional qualifications .
I know , and Mikhail Mishustin knows these people as competent professionals , '' Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` To a considerable extent I was guided by Mikhail 's opinion in this regard , not somebody else 's .
There were a number of candidates whom I had doubts about , but Mikhail would prove it to me that this or that person was the best fit for the job , '' Putin said .
`` I agreed with him because , at the end of the day , he was forming his own team and the final concrete result it achieves will depend on the efficiency of its work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin ’ s Address to the Federal Assembly , Dmitry Medvedev announced his government ’ s resignation .
He said it was the right step to take against the background of the president ’ s proposals for amending the Constitution .
On January 16 , Medvedev was appointed deputy chairman of Russia ’ s Security Council .
Mikhail Mishustin , the former head of the Federal Tax Service , took over the reins as Russia ’ s new head of government .

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has pointed out that he had heeded Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s advice in forming the Cabinet of Ministers. Neither prominence nor popularity of the candidates played any role whatsoever as the main benchmarks in favor of their appointment.
"You know, the criterion was not the lack of knowledge about those people, it was their professional qualifications. I know, and Mikhail Mishustin knows these people as competent professionals," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
"To a considerable extent I was guided by Mikhail's opinion in this regard, not somebody else's. There were a number of candidates whom I had doubts about, but Mikhail would prove it to me that this or that person was the best fit for the job," Putin said. "I agreed with him because, at the end of the day, he was forming his own team and the final concrete result it achieves will depend on the efficiency of its work."
On January 15, following President Vladimir Putin’s Address to the Federal Assembly, Dmitry Medvedev announced his government’s resignation. He said it was the right step to take against the background of the president’s proposals for amending the Constitution. On January 16, Medvedev was appointed deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council. Mikhail Mishustin, the former head of the Federal Tax Service, took over the reins as Russia’s new head of government.


tass--2020-02-20--Putin says Mishustin was not among original picks for PM

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has disclosed how he selected Mikhail Mishustin for the post of prime minister .
`` Three , or maybe even four candidates were submitted .
But Mishustin was not on the list , '' Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled : `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
`` No one mentioned Mishustin except me . ''
Putin said that it was his personal decision to put forward Mishustin for the post of Russia ’ s prime minister .
Asked about the reasoning for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I took into account personal traits and professional skills of Mikhail Vladimirovich [ Mishustin ] . ''
Furthermore , Putin highlighted Mishustin ’ s performance as head of the Federal Tax Service ( FTS ) .
`` I did .
Not the fact that he carried [ the digitization of the FTS ] out , but the fact that he really became an expert in this area .
A man of practice , who understands very well what needs to be done and who knows how to do it ; and he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he explained .
It would be wrong to say that the tax service ’ s sole task is to levy taxes , Putin believes .
`` This is a very primitive understanding of the work of the tax service .
Yes , naturally , it is one of the main bodies bringing funds to the state treasury ; however , to think that a tax collector walks around with a club , squeezing money out of people is very primitive , '' he said .
`` His mission [ in the capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation for taxpayers , to make the procedure more transparent and clear and less burdensome for citizens .
An honest man who knows he properly pays all due taxes has the right to expect that the state will use the money wisely , '' Putin explained .
In his opinion , `` the first thing to do is not to simply extract money from people - it is to organize the system in such a way that both the state and tax payers could comfortably work with each other and it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and everybody could pay taxes without impediment , without unnecessary hassle and stress , and without running the risk of doing something that the state may interpret as illegal . ''

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has disclosed how he selected Mikhail Mishustin for the post of prime minister.
"Three, or maybe even four candidates were submitted. But Mishustin was not on the list," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled: "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin". "No one mentioned Mishustin except me."
Putin said that it was his personal decision to put forward Mishustin for the post of Russia’s prime minister.
Asked about the reasoning for his choice, Putin replied: "I took into account personal traits and professional skills of Mikhail Vladimirovich [Mishustin]."
Furthermore, Putin highlighted Mishustin’s performance as head of the Federal Tax Service (FTS).
"I did. Not the fact that he carried [the digitization of the FTS] out, but the fact that he really became an expert in this area. A man of practice, who understands very well what needs to be done and who knows how to do it; and he is doing it and achieves concrete results," he explained.
It would be wrong to say that the tax service’s sole task is to levy taxes, Putin believes.
"This is a very primitive understanding of the work of the tax service. Yes, naturally, it is one of the main bodies bringing funds to the state treasury; however, to think that a tax collector walks around with a club, squeezing money out of people is very primitive," he said.
"His mission [in the capacity of FTS chief] was to ease the situation for taxpayers, to make the procedure more transparent and clear and less burdensome for citizens. An honest man who knows he properly pays all due taxes has the right to expect that the state will use the money wisely," Putin explained.
In his opinion, "the first thing to do is not to simply extract money from people - it is to organize the system in such a way that both the state and tax payers could comfortably work with each other and it would be clear how things are arranged, and everybody could pay taxes without impediment, without unnecessary hassle and stress, and without running the risk of doing something that the state may interpret as illegal."


tass--2020-02-20--Security Council deputy chairman does not mirror post of vice president, Putin contends

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
The position of deputy chairman of Russia ’ s Security Council , which ex-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev occupied in January , is not identical in status to that of the nation ’ s vice president , Russian President Vladimir Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
The head of state ’ s remark on the matter came in response to LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky ’ s suggestion to make the post of Security Council deputy chairman equivalent to Russia ’ s vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were identical in status , Putin replied : `` No .
Because a vice-president is the one to step in for the President assuming all his or her rights and responsibilities . ''
`` We have introduced the post of deputy chairman of the Security Council .
The President is chairman of the Security Council .
And now I have a deputy on this particular track , '' he explained .
Putin dismissed all speculation that the new post in Russia ’ s Security Council was hastily introduced .
`` Why hastily ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , adding that `` there is nothing out of the ordinary here . ''
`` If there is something in the legislation that needs adjustment , the President in accordance with the fundamental law has the right to fill in this gap in the legislation by issuing a decree , which will be followed by the adoption of a relevant law .
This is just normal practice .
Nothing unusual , '' Putin explained .
Replying to TASS interviewer Andrei Vandenko on the establishment of the office of the Security Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Dmitry Medvedev to that post having created a `` certain feeling of hastiness , '' Putin said : `` Your feeling is not exactly the same as the reality .
You may have all sorts of feelings .
You may feel that you are running a high temperature judging by your senses , but this might not be the case .
You need a thermometer to know whether you have a fever or not . ''
Furthermore , Putin shrugged off rumors that his `` tandem '' with Dmitry Medvedev was out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sync , '' Putin maintained .
`` We are working with Dmitry Anatolyevich as we used to .
He has switched to another track in his career .
That ’ s true .
And natural , too . ''

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. The position of deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, which ex-Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev occupied in January, is not identical in status to that of the nation’s vice president, Russian President Vladimir Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin". The head of state’s remark on the matter came in response to LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s suggestion to make the post of Security Council deputy chairman equivalent to Russia’s vice president.
Asked if the two positions were identical in status, Putin replied: "No. Because a vice-president is the one to step in for the President assuming all his or her rights and responsibilities."
"We have introduced the post of deputy chairman of the Security Council. The President is chairman of the Security Council. And now I have a deputy on this particular track," he explained.
‘Tandem’ not ‘out of sync’
Putin dismissed all speculation that the new post in Russia’s Security Council was hastily introduced. "Why hastily? The law was just adopted," he said, adding that "there is nothing out of the ordinary here."
"If there is something in the legislation that needs adjustment, the President in accordance with the fundamental law has the right to fill in this gap in the legislation by issuing a decree, which will be followed by the adoption of a relevant law. This is just normal practice. Nothing unusual," Putin explained.
Replying to TASS interviewer Andrei Vandenko on the establishment of the office of the Security Council’s deputy chairman and the appointment of Dmitry Medvedev to that post having created a "certain feeling of hastiness," Putin said: "Your feeling is not exactly the same as the reality. You may have all sorts of feelings. You may feel that you are running a high temperature judging by your senses, but this might not be the case. You need a thermometer to know whether you have a fever or not."
Furthermore, Putin shrugged off rumors that his "tandem" with Dmitry Medvedev was out of sync.
"Nothing's out of sync," Putin maintained. "We are working with Dmitry Anatolyevich as we used to. He has switched to another track in his career. That’s true. And natural, too."


tass--2020-02-20--Putin reveals he informed Medvedev beforehand of government resignation

MOSCOW , February 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has divulged that he had notified Dmitry Medvedev ahead @ @ @ @ @ ’ s resignation .
`` We have enjoyed very frank , collegial , friendly relations @ @ @ @ @ years .
We have no secrets from one another .
So we discussed this issue @ @ @ @ @ told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ discussed it earlier and he knew what was going on . ''
Putin rejected suppositions @ @ @ @ @ resignation looked like a special operation .
However , he stopped short of disclosing whether @ @ @ @ @ and himself had prior knowledge of these plans , or when the corresponding decision was @ @ @ @ @ journalist Andrei Vandenko ’ s remark that the January government reshuffle created an impression of @ @ @ @ @ `` Why should we be waiting long to decide on such issues ?
What will @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has divulged that he had notified Dmitry Medvedev ahead of time about the government’s resignation.
"We have enjoyed very frank, collegial, friendly relations with Dmitry Anatolyevich for man years. We have no secrets from one another. So we discussed this issue with him," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin". "We had discussed it earlier and he knew what was going on."
Putin rejected suppositions that the Cabinet’s resignation looked like a special operation. However, he stopped short of disclosing whether anyone else other than Medvedev and himself had prior knowledge of these plans, or when the corresponding decision was made.
Replying to TASS journalist Andrei Vandenko’s remark that the January government reshuffle created an impression of hastiness, Putin asked: "Why should we be waiting long to decide on such issues? What will that achieve?"


tass--2020-02-20--Situation in Donbass calms down after flare-up on Tuesday — Ukrainian defense minister

KIEV , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
A flare-up in Donbass has not forced Ukraine 's Armed Forces to redeploy their positions in the conflict zone , as the situation there is now calm and controllable , Ukrainian Defense Minister Andrei Zagorodnyuk told reporters on Wednesday .
`` According to our information , they [ Ukrainian troops - TASS ] have temporarily abandoned a checkpoint [ in the hotspot in Donbass - TASS ] , but in general , our positions have remained unchanged , '' the minister assured the journalists .
Zagorodnyuk added that in the hotspot `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are no reasons for panic . ''
On Tuesday morning , the conflicting sides in Donbass declared that the situation on the contact line had deteriorated , trading blame over ceasefire violations According to the self-proclaimed Lugansk People ’ s Republic , a Ukrainian subversive group was blown up by a land mine when attempting to approach militia positions near Golubovskoye .
Later , the Kiev forces carried out a massive artillery strike on the LPR ’ s settlements with the goal of evacuating the servicemen , who were killed and wounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the LPR forces attacked Ukrainian troops ’ positions near Novotoshkovkoye , Orekhovo , Krymskoye and Khutor Volny .

KIEV, February 19. /TASS/. A flare-up in Donbass has not forced Ukraine's Armed Forces to redeploy their positions in the conflict zone, as the situation there is now calm and controllable, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andrei Zagorodnyuk told reporters on Wednesday.
"According to our information, they [Ukrainian troops - TASS] have temporarily abandoned a checkpoint [in the hotspot in Donbass - TASS], but in general, our positions have remained unchanged," the minister assured the journalists.
Zagorodnyuk added that in the hotspot "the situation is absolutely controllable" and "there are no reasons for panic."
On Tuesday morning, the conflicting sides in Donbass declared that the situation on the contact line had deteriorated, trading blame over ceasefire violations
According to the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic, a Ukrainian subversive group was blown up by a land mine when attempting to approach militia positions near Golubovskoye. Later, the Kiev forces carried out a massive artillery strike on the LPR’s settlements with the goal of evacuating the servicemen, who were killed and wounded. In its turn, Kiev claimed that the LPR forces attacked Ukrainian troops’ positions near Novotoshkovkoye, Orekhovo, Krymskoye and Khutor Volny.


tass--2020-02-20--OPEC+ ministers meeting to be held on March 5-6

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
The OPEC Secretariat has sent a formal invitation for the Ministers Meeting on @ @ @ @ @ countries participating in the OPEC+ oil production capping deal , sources in delegations told TASS @ @ @ @ @ , we have received the invitation for March 5-6 today , '' two sources said @ @ @ @ @ that these dates remained unchanged in the official schedule of the secretariat .
The Ministers @ @ @ @ @ preceded by the OPEC+ technical committee ’ s meeting , where experts will assess the @ @ @ @ @ report will then be considered by the OPEC+ Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee .
OPEC+ ministers @ @ @ @ @ on the basis of the Committee ’ s recommendations .

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. The OPEC Secretariat has sent a formal invitation for the Ministers Meeting on March 5-6, 2020 to countries participating in the OPEC+ oil production capping deal, sources in delegations told TASS on Wednesday.
"Yes, we have received the invitation for March 5-6 today," two sources said. The third source noted that these dates remained unchanged in the official schedule of the secretariat.
The Ministers Meeting is expected to be preceded by the OPEC+ technical committee’s meeting, where experts will assess the market once again. Their report will then be considered by the OPEC+ Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee. OPEC+ ministers will then make final decisions on the basis of the Committee’s recommendations.


tass--2020-02-20--Syrian missile defenses intercept rocket attack near Latakia — TV

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Syria ’ s missile defense forces are intercepting aerial targets near Jebla , @ @ @ @ @ sea port of Latakia , the country ’ s state-run Suraya TV reported on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ air base is located not far from Jebla .
On February 3 , several unmanned @ @ @ @ @ , launched by militants from the northern Syrian de-escalation zone , attempted to attack the @ @ @ @ @ them were shot down .
Two days earlier , on February 1 , airspace control @ @ @ @ @ detected a cluster air target of UAVs , launched from militants-controlled territory of the Idlib @ @ @ @ @ reconciliation center later reported that `` the base ’ s electronic warfare systems took over @ @ @ @ @ knocked them down by jamming their command-and-control systems . ''
On January 16 , air @ @ @ @ @ air base also destroyed three UAVs , approaching the military facility from the northeast .

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. Syria’s missile defense forces are intercepting aerial targets near Jebla, a town close to the sea port of Latakia, the country’s state-run Suraya TV reported on Wednesday.
Russia’s Hmeymim air base is located not far from Jebla.
On February 3, several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), launched by militants from the northern Syrian de-escalation zone, attempted to attack the Russian base. Two of them were shot down.
Two days earlier, on February 1, airspace control equipment of the Russian base detected a cluster air target of UAVs, launched from militants-controlled territory of the Idlib de-escalation zone. The Russian reconciliation center later reported that "the base’s electronic warfare systems took over control of the UAVs and knocked them down by jamming their command-and-control systems."
On January 16, air defense systems of the Russian air base also destroyed three UAVs, approaching the military facility from the northeast.


tass--2020-02-20--Roscosmos mulls sending backup crew to upcoming ISS mission

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s state-run space corporation Roscosmos is looking into the possibility of sending the backup crew instead of the main one for the April 9 mission to the International Space Station ( ISS ) , Executive Director for Manned Flights at the State Space Corporation Roscosmos Sergei Krikalyov told reporters on Wednesday .
`` Apparently , the [ main crew ] will be replaced with the backup crew , because one of the main crew members is temporarily unfit for the task , '' he said .
He did not reveal the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was Russian .
Roscosmos plans to discuss the matter with the US side .
The next ISS expedition will be launched on board the Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on April 9 , 2020 .
The main crew comprises Russian cosmonauts Nikolai Tikhonov and Andrei Babkin and US astronaut Chris Cassidy .
They are supposed to join Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka , who continues to work on board the ISS together with NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan and Jessica Meir .
The backup crew for the mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vagner , and US astronaut Stephen Bowen .
For the first time ever , the spacecraft will be launched atop the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket .

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. Russia’s state-run space corporation Roscosmos is looking into the possibility of sending the backup crew instead of the main one for the April 9 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), Executive Director for Manned Flights at the State Space Corporation Roscosmos Sergei Krikalyov told reporters on Wednesday.
"Apparently, the [main crew] will be replaced with the backup crew, because one of the main crew members is temporarily unfit for the task," he said.
He did not reveal the name of the crew member, but said he was Russian.
Roscosmos plans to discuss the matter with the US side.
The next ISS expedition will be launched on board the Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on April 9, 2020. The main crew comprises Russian cosmonauts Nikolai Tikhonov and Andrei Babkin and US astronaut Chris Cassidy. They are supposed to join Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka, who continues to work on board the ISS together with NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan and Jessica Meir.
The backup crew for the mission comprises Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner, and US astronaut Stephen Bowen.
For the first time ever, the spacecraft will be launched atop the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket.


tass--2020-02-20--36 shelling incidents registered in Idlib de-escalation zone in past day — ministry

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria has recorded 36 shelling incidents by illegal armed groups in the Idlib de-escalation zone in four Syrian regions in the past day , Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev , the center ’ s chief , said on Wednesday .
`` In the past 24 hours , 36 episodes of shelling have been registered , '' Zhuravlev said .
On Tuesday , 29 shelling incidents were reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone .
According to Zhuravlev , five inhabited localities in Aleppo province , nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province and five in Hama province came under shelling by militants .
Russian military police continued patrolling the area in Aleppo , Raqqa and al-Hasakah provinces .
`` All the patrolling activities were held in conformity with the approved plans .
No incidents were reported , '' he said adding that `` the air force ’ s aircraft conducted patrols . ''
The planes took off from Qamishli airport ( located in northwestern Syria on the border with Turkey ) and later flew back to land there .
Idlib is the only Syrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria .
The center ’ s officers regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation .
The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Parties in Syria has recorded 36 shelling incidents by illegal armed groups in the Idlib de-escalation zone in four Syrian regions in the past day, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev, the center’s chief, said on Wednesday.
"In the past 24 hours, 36 episodes of shelling have been registered," Zhuravlev said.
On Tuesday, 29 shelling incidents were reported in the Idlib de-escalation zone.
According to Zhuravlev, five inhabited localities in Aleppo province, nine in Latakia province, five in Idlib province and five in Hama province came under shelling by militants.
Russian military police continued patrolling the area in Aleppo, Raqqa and al-Hasakah provinces.
"All the patrolling activities were held in conformity with the approved plans. No incidents were reported," he said adding that "the air force’s aircraft conducted patrols."
The planes took off from Qamishli airport (located in northwestern Syria on the border with Turkey) and later flew back to land there.
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 Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-02-20--Preparations for 2022 Winter Olympics underway in Beijing despite coronavirus outbreak

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games ( BOCOG ) continues preparations for the competitions regardless of the novel coronavirus outbreak , Xinhua said .
On Monday , BOCOG held a video conference in Beijing with the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) on preparations for the Olympics in the wake of the outbreak .
`` After the coronavirus outbreak , IOC President Thomas Bach sent letters to the Chinese Olympic Committee , expressing his confidence that the Games ' preparations will not be affected .
Mr. Samaranch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to contain the epidemic and his confidence in its victory .
Although we did not meet in person in recent days , BOCOG has been keeping in close communications with Mr. Samaranch Jr. , Mr. [ Christophe ] Dubi [ IOC Sports Director and Deputy Olympic Games Executive Director - TASS ] and other IOC officials , reporting important updates , '' said Zhang Jiandong , Beijing vice mayor and BOCOG executive vice president , cited as saying by Xinhua .
The construction of the National Sleigh and Luge Center in Yanqing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The construction of the National Alpine Skiing Center was resumed in Yanqing after two days off .
The personnel wear protective masks and take their temperature .
Offices , canteens , dormitories and shuttle buses are regularly disinfected .
Migrant workers who had returned from Beijing were put in quarantine .
Beijing is scheduled to host the Winter Olympics on February 4 through 20 , 2022 .
In late December 2019 , a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industrial megacity with a population of 11 million .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Apart from China , 25 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest reports , China has confirmed over 74,100 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The virus ’ death toll has hit more than 2,000 , yet more than 14,300 patients have recovered from the disease @

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. The Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (BOCOG) continues preparations for the competitions regardless of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Xinhua said.
On Monday, BOCOG held a video conference in Beijing with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on preparations for the Olympics in the wake of the outbreak.
"After the coronavirus outbreak, IOC President Thomas Bach sent letters to the Chinese Olympic Committee, expressing his confidence that the Games' preparations will not be affected. Mr. Samaranch Jr. extended high praise over China's effort to contain the epidemic and his confidence in its victory. Although we did not meet in person in recent days, BOCOG has been keeping in close communications with Mr. Samaranch Jr., Mr. [Christophe] Dubi [IOC Sports Director and Deputy Olympic Games Executive Director - TASS] and other IOC officials, reporting important updates," said Zhang Jiandong, Beijing vice mayor and BOCOG executive vice president, cited as saying by Xinhua.
The construction of the National Sleigh and Luge Center in Yanqing was ongoing during the Chinese New Year. The construction of the National Alpine Skiing Center was resumed in Yanqing after two days off. The personnel wear protective masks and take their temperature. Offices, canteens, dormitories and shuttle buses are regularly disinfected. Migrant workers who had returned from Beijing were put in quarantine.
Beijing is scheduled to host the Winter Olympics on February 4 through 20, 2022.
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 11 million. The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Apart from China, 25 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. According to the latest reports, China has confirmed over 74,100 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has hit more than 2,000, yet more than 14,300 patients have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-02-19--Trafigura to end relations with Rosneft Trading by mid-May due to sanctions

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Trafigura will meet requirements of the US Treasury Department that imposed sanctions on @ @ @ @ @ provided , the Swiss-based trader said in a comment to TASS on Wednesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ addition by the US authorities of certain Rosneft entities to the Venezuela related designations and @ @ @ @ @ Trafigura complies with all applicable sanctions and will comply with the requirements of these latest @ @ @ @ @ that has been set by the general license , '' a company ’ s spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ , the US Administration announced sanctions against Rosneft Trading in connection with sales of oil @ @ @ @ @ 90 days to close out transactions with Rosneft Trading .

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. Trafigura will meet requirements of the US Treasury Department that imposed sanctions on Rosneft Trading within 90 days provided, the Swiss-based trader said in a comment to TASS on Wednesday.
"Trafigura is aware of the addition by the US authorities of certain Rosneft entities to the Venezuela related designations and the associated general license. Trafigura complies with all applicable sanctions and will comply with the requirements of these latest rules within the wind-down timeline that has been set by the general license," a company’s spokesperson said.
On February 18, the US Administration announced sanctions against Rosneft Trading in connection with sales of oil from Venezuela. Washington provided 90 days to close out transactions with Rosneft Trading.


tass--2020-02-19--Investments in Krasnoyarsk Region’s tourism cluster estimated at $81 million

KRASNOYARSK , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Investments in infrastructure of the Arctic Tourism Cluster in the Krasnoyarsk Region ’ s north are estimated at 5.2 billion rubles ( $ 81 million ) , the project ’ s coordinator — the Norilsk Development Agency — told TASS on Wednesday .
The cluster will incorporate territories of Norilsk , Dudinka and the Putorana Plateau .
Norilsk will be a center of educational , cultural and industrial tourism , Dudinka — of ethnography tours and events , and the Putorana Plateau will attract fans of extreme and ecological tourism .
`` Investments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Arctic cluster < … > are about 5.2 billion rubles , where private funding will make 3.4 billion rubles , and investments from budget sources will tally 1.8 billion rubles , '' the agency said .
Under the plan , a new berth will be built in the Oganer District — a remote part of Norilsk — to provide transport logistics services along the Norilskaya River to local lakes .
Besides , the project includes construction of local sewage treatment facilities for tourist bases on Lake Lama on the Putorana Plateau , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kamni ( Red Stones ) gorge near Norilsk .
The investments will be used for renovation and development of existing bases on Lama and Sobachye lakes , for new helicopter and trekking routes , for renovation of accommodation facilities in Norilsk and Dudinka , and for creation of camp sites on the Putorana Plateau .
The Norilsk Development Agency was established by the city administration , the Nornickel Company and the Vladimir Potanin Foundation in 2017 to implement social projects to improve the urban environment and to offer favorable conditions for sustainable social @ @ @ @

KRASNOYARSK, February 19. /TASS/. Investments in infrastructure of the Arctic Tourism Cluster in the Krasnoyarsk Region’s north are estimated at 5.2 billion rubles ($81 million), the project’s coordinator — the Norilsk Development Agency — told TASS on Wednesday.
The cluster will incorporate territories of Norilsk, Dudinka and the Putorana Plateau. Norilsk will be a center of educational, cultural and industrial tourism, Dudinka — of ethnography tours and events, and the Putorana Plateau will attract fans of extreme and ecological tourism.
"Investments in the tourist and supporting infrastructures of the Arctic cluster <…> are about 5.2 billion rubles, where private funding will make 3.4 billion rubles, and investments from budget sources will tally 1.8 billion rubles," the agency said.
Under the plan, a new berth will be built in the Oganer District — a remote part of Norilsk — to provide transport logistics services along the Norilskaya River to local lakes. Besides, the project includes construction of local sewage treatment facilities for tourist bases on Lake Lama on the Putorana Plateau, and upgrade of infrastructures in the Krasnye Kamni (Red Stones) gorge near Norilsk.
The investments will be used for renovation and development of existing bases on Lama and Sobachye lakes, for new helicopter and trekking routes, for renovation of accommodation facilities in Norilsk and Dudinka, and for creation of camp sites on the Putorana Plateau.
The Norilsk Development Agency was established by the city administration, the Nornickel Company and the Vladimir Potanin Foundation in 2017 to implement social projects to improve the urban environment and to offer favorable conditions for sustainable social and economic development.


tass--2020-02-19--Putin had brief meeting with Sberbank CEO — Kremlin

Sberbank CEO says will step down if bank ’ s strategy pivots ST. PETERSBURG , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
@ @ @ @ @ a working meeting with Chief Executive Officer of Sberbank Herman Gref in St. Petersburg on @ @ @ @ @ the President Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Wednesday .
`` Putin and Gref had a @ @ @ @ @ said .
The meeting was in private , he added .
The sale of the @ @ @ @ @ the Russian government could be among the topics for discussion at the meeting , the @ @ @ @ @ .

Sberbank CEO says will step down if bank’s strategy pivots
ST. PETERSBURG, February 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Chief Executive Officer of Sberbank Herman Gref in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, press secretary of the President Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Wednesday.
"Putin and Gref had a brief meeting," Peskov said. The meeting was in private, he added.
The sale of the bank’s shares to the Russian government could be among the topics for discussion at the meeting, the press secretary told reporters earlier.


tass--2020-02-19--Tax benefits for investors in Arctic to favor nine projects worth $235 billion

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
New tax benefits for investors in the Arctic will favor implementation of nine @ @ @ @ @ rubles ( $ 235 billion ) , Deputy Minister for Development of the Far East @ @ @ @ @ a forum dubbed Arctic 2020 on Wednesday .
Earlier , Russian legislators supported amendments to @ @ @ @ @ benefits for investors in new projects in the Arctic .
Quite a number of preferential @ @ @ @ @ mining companies .
`` According to estimations by the Ministry of Energy , those tax @ @ @ @ @ nine big economic projects in the Arctic , worth 15 trillion rubles in investments , @ @ @ @ @ , without naming the projects .
The proposed changes include a residential status to Arctic @ @ @ @ @ 10 million rubles ( $ 156,000 ) in new projects .
The status means certain @ @ @ @ @ including optional free customs zones , simplified procedure of obtaining land , curtailed inspections , @ @ @ @ @ The 5th international conference Arctic 2020 is underway in Moscow through February 20 .

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. New tax benefits for investors in the Arctic will favor implementation of nine major projects worth 15 trillion rubles ($235 billion), Deputy Minister for Development of the Far East and Arctic Alexander Krutikov told a forum dubbed Arctic 2020 on Wednesday.
Earlier, Russian legislators supported amendments to the Tax Code, introducing benefits for investors in new projects in the Arctic. Quite a number of preferential terms will be offered to mining companies.
"According to estimations by the Ministry of Energy, those tax benefits alone will favor launching nine big economic projects in the Arctic, worth 15 trillion rubles in investments," the deputy minister said, without naming the projects.
The proposed changes include a residential status to Arctic businesses, investing at least 10 million rubles ($156,000) in new projects. The status means certain tax and non-tax benefits, including optional free customs zones, simplified procedure of obtaining land, curtailed inspections, and protection in court.
The 5th international conference Arctic 2020 is underway in Moscow through February 20.


tass--2020-02-19--Parliament committee backs amendment on immunity for Russia’s ex-presidents

The amendment authored by some deputies of the State Duma ( lower house of parliament ) and members of the Federation Council ( upper house ) is meant to be added as Article 92.1 to the constitution ’ s Chapter 4 .
Under the amendment , after presidents of Russia end their tenure , they will be granted immunity .
Federal laws stipulate other guarantees for former presidents .
Nevertheless , former heads of state could be stripped of their immunity in line with the procedure for impeachment of president of Russia ( under Article 93 of Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
/TASS/ .
The State Duma ’ s Committee on State Building and Legislation supported at the Wednesday session the amendment to the Russian Constitution making former presidents of the Russian Federation immune from prosecution .
Currently , the presidential immunity regulations and the procedure stripping a Russian president , who has ended their tenure , of the immunity are enshrined in a corresponding federal law .
At the Tuesday session of the parliamentary working group , Chair of the Russian Women ’ s Union Yekaterina Lakhova put forward a proposal of enshrining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ex-presidents in the Constitution .
According to Lakhova , the regulation will become a constitutional guarantee for presidential independence .
On Wednesday , the committee considered amendments to Chapters 4 and 6 of Russia ’ s Constitution ( the President of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Russian Federation ) .
Russia ’ s State Duma on January 23 unanimously approved a bill on amendments to the Constitution in the first reading .
Among other issues , the bill expands the powers of parliament and Constitutional Court , prohibits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residence permits , limits the number of presidential terms of office , establishes supremacy of the national Constitution over international agreements and enhances the social responsibilities of the state .
Also , the presidential bill envisages a national public vote on the law on changes to the Constitution .
The second reading had been initially scheduled for February 11 .
As many amendments began to pour in , the collection of amendments was first prolonged until February 14 and then until March 2 .

The amendment authored by some deputies of the State Duma (lower house of parliament) and members of the Federation Council (upper house) is meant to be added as Article 92.1 to the constitution’s Chapter 4. Under the amendment, after presidents of Russia end their tenure, they will be granted immunity. Federal laws stipulate other guarantees for former presidents. Nevertheless, former heads of state could be stripped of their immunity in line with the procedure for impeachment of president of Russia (under Article 93 of Russia’s Constitution).
MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. The State Duma’s Committee on State Building and Legislation supported at the Wednesday session the amendment to the Russian Constitution making former presidents of the Russian Federation immune from prosecution.
Currently, the presidential immunity regulations and the procedure stripping a Russian president, who has ended their tenure, of the immunity are enshrined in a corresponding federal law. At the Tuesday session of the parliamentary working group, Chair of the Russian Women’s Union Yekaterina Lakhova put forward a proposal of enshrining the principle of presidential immunity for Russia’s ex-presidents in the Constitution. According to Lakhova, the regulation will become a constitutional guarantee for presidential independence.
On Wednesday, the committee considered amendments to Chapters 4 and 6 of Russia’s Constitution (the President of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Russian Federation).
Russia’s State Duma on January 23 unanimously approved a bill on amendments to the Constitution in the first reading. Among other issues, the bill expands the powers of parliament and Constitutional Court, prohibits top officials from having other countries’ residence permits, limits the number of presidential terms of office, establishes supremacy of the national Constitution over international agreements and enhances the social responsibilities of the state. Also, the presidential bill envisages a national public vote on the law on changes to the Constitution.
The second reading had been initially scheduled for February 11. As many amendments began to pour in, the collection of amendments was first prolonged until February 14 and then until March 2.


tass--2020-02-19--Russian lower house rejects amendment on renaming president as ‘supreme ruler’

The legislative initiative was put forward by leader of the Liberal Democratic Party ( LDPR ) Vladimir Zhirinovsky .
Several members of the LDPR faction also took part in drafting the amendment .
Zhirinovsky earlier outlined this position on numerous occasions : in the politician ’ s opinion , it is necessary to give up foreign words in the names of state posts in Russia .
MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
The State Duma ( the lower house of parliament ) Committee on State Building and Legislation rejected a constitutional amendment , which suggested renaming the post of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supreme ruler ’ at its session on Wednesday .
As Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said , Russian President Vladimir Putin has no position on this proposal .
The LDPR leader also earlier proposed renaming the post of the deputy chairman of Russia ’ s Security Council as the vice president .
The State Duma Committee also rejected this amendment , which proposed supplementing article 83 of the Constitution on the president ’ s powers with a clause : `` makes a decision on the appointment and the dismissal of the vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the lower house of Russia ’ s parliament unanimously adopted a bill submitted by President Putin on amendments to the Constitution .
In particular , the document envisages expanding the powers of the president and the Constitutional Court of Russia , prohibiting top officials from having a residence permit in other countries , restricting the number of presidential terms , establishing the priority of the Fundamental Law over international treaties and enhancing the state ’ s social commitments .
The Russian president ’ s bill also stipulates holding a nationwide vote on @ @ @ @ @ @

The legislative initiative was put forward by leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) Vladimir Zhirinovsky. Several members of the LDPR faction also took part in drafting the amendment. Zhirinovsky earlier outlined this position on numerous occasions: in the politician’s opinion, it is necessary to give up foreign words in the names of state posts in Russia.
MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. The State Duma (the lower house of parliament) Committee on State Building and Legislation rejected a constitutional amendment, which suggested renaming the post of the head of state as ‘the supreme ruler’ at its session on Wednesday.
As Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said, Russian President Vladimir Putin has no position on this proposal.
The LDPR leader also earlier proposed renaming the post of the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council as the vice president. The State Duma Committee also rejected this amendment, which proposed supplementing article 83 of the Constitution on the president’s powers with a clause: "makes a decision on the appointment and the dismissal of the vice president."
At its January 23 session, the lower house of Russia’s parliament unanimously adopted a bill submitted by President Putin on amendments to the Constitution.
In particular, the document envisages expanding the powers of the president and the Constitutional Court of Russia, prohibiting top officials from having a residence permit in other countries, restricting the number of presidential terms, establishing the priority of the Fundamental Law over international treaties and enhancing the state’s social commitments.
The Russian president’s bill also stipulates holding a nationwide vote on the amendments to the Constitution.


tass--2020-02-19--Russian scientists create basic elements for post-silicon electronics and neurocomputers

`` For the first time in the world , the research team has successfully created unique nanoswitches - devices based on vanadium dioxide monocrystals , which can change its resistance rapidly , but reversibly , while displaying ultra-low energy consumption , great speed and durability .
Such devices are necessary for creation of neuromorphic systems - neuron analogues - and effectiveness of this device is already comparable to effectiveness of neuron , '' the press-service said in a statement .
MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
The researchers from the Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics and Nikolayev Institute of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-silicon electronics and neurocomputers that function similarly to the human brain , Russian Scientific Fund press-service said .
Vanadium dioxide monocrystals have also initially been first synthesized by Russian scientists .
This material is believed to be most promising for creation of computers that work similarly to human brain : vanadium dioxide is capable of switching between metal and semiconductor state and back very fast .
The new switches are a vanadium dioxide nanocrystal with two contacts , one of which is a conductive silicon nano-needle , integrated into the crystal .
Due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at its tip , requiring remarkably small voltage to switch between metal and semiconductor state .
Because of this effect , the nano-device displays record-high energy effectiveness , comparable to that of a living neuron .
`` It is important for integration that almost entire device is made of silicon : the pad , the nano-needle , the second contact .
Only the nanocrystal between the contacts is made of vanadium dioxide .
It is impossible to form such three-dimensional nanostructure using conventional technology , especially considering there are no suitable pads for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our approach on conditions for nanocrystal synthesis at the tip of the nano-needle that we have discovered , '' says Viktor Printz , Rzhanov Semiconductor Physics Institute lead researcher .
Currently , the scientists achieved the switch density of one million per square centimeter , but it can be increased by 1,000 times .
It is large arrays of these nano-devices that are crucial for creation of post-silicon electronics and computers that work similarly to human brain .
These switches are extremely durable - more than 100 billion switches without change of properties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its low cost , because it can be integrated into traditional technology of silicon electronics production .
The complete research has been published in Nanoscale journal .

"For the first time in the world, the research team has successfully created unique nanoswitches - devices based on vanadium dioxide monocrystals, which can change its resistance rapidly, but reversibly, while displaying ultra-low energy consumption, great speed and durability. Such devices are necessary for creation of neuromorphic systems - neuron analogues - and effectiveness of this device is already comparable to effectiveness of neuron," the press-service said in a statement.
MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. The researchers from the Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics and Nikolayev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry have created key nanoelements for post-silicon electronics and neurocomputers that function similarly to the human brain, Russian Scientific Fund press-service said.
Vanadium dioxide monocrystals have also initially been first synthesized by Russian scientists. This material is believed to be most promising for creation of computers that work similarly to human brain: vanadium dioxide is capable of switching between metal and semiconductor state and back very fast.
The new switches are a vanadium dioxide nanocrystal with two contacts, one of which is a conductive silicon nano-needle, integrated into the crystal. Due to its sharpness, electric current concentrates at its tip, requiring remarkably small voltage to switch between metal and semiconductor state. Because of this effect, the nano-device displays record-high energy effectiveness, comparable to that of a living neuron.
"It is important for integration that almost entire device is made of silicon: the pad, the nano-needle, the second contact. Only the nanocrystal between the contacts is made of vanadium dioxide. It is impossible to form such three-dimensional nanostructure using conventional technology, especially considering there are no suitable pads for [crystal] growing. We based our approach on conditions for nanocrystal synthesis at the tip of the nano-needle that we have discovered," says Viktor Printz, Rzhanov Semiconductor Physics Institute lead researcher.
Currently, the scientists achieved the switch density of one million per square centimeter, but it can be increased by 1,000 times. It is large arrays of these nano-devices that are crucial for creation of post-silicon electronics and computers that work similarly to human brain. These switches are extremely durable - more than 100 billion switches without change of properties. Another advantage of this technology is its low cost, because it can be integrated into traditional technology of silicon electronics production.
The complete research has been published in Nanoscale journal.


tass--2020-02-19--Constitutional amendments will not reset presidential term limits — lawmaker

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
The adoption of amendments to the Russian Constitution will not reset the presidential @ @ @ @ @ the State Duma ( the lower house of parliament ) Committee on State Building and @ @ @ @ @ response to a question by lawmaker Sergei Ivanov , a member of the Liberal Democratic @ @ @ @ @ be no resetting .
Persons who have served two terms as president will not be @ @ @ @ @ again , '' Krasheninnikov pointed out .

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. The adoption of amendments to the Russian Constitution will not reset the presidential term limits, Chairman of the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) Committee on State Building and Legislation Pavel Krasheninnikov said in response to a question by lawmaker Sergei Ivanov, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.
"There will be no resetting. Persons who have served two terms as president will not be able to run for president again," Krasheninnikov pointed out.


tass--2020-02-19--Estonia’s resolution on WWII ‘a sacrilege,’ says Russian envoy

The Estonian parliament approved a resolution on Wednesday criticizing the Soviet Union ’ s actions during the Second World War TALLINN , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
The Estonian parliament ’ s resolution that claims that the actions of the USSR played a role in starting the Second World War is `` a sacrilege , '' Russian Ambassador to Estonia Alexander Petrov told TASS .
He added that the resolution would gravely affect the relations between both states .
`` This is a sacrilege .
This is a blatantly unfriendly move by the Estonian parliament , which will undermine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diplomat said .
`` Such pitiful actions must be strongly condemned . ''
Russia ’ s Ambassador to Estonia Alexander Petrov in his interview with TASS has listed the reasons why Tallinn fails to meet Moscow ’ s proposals for dialogue halfway .
`` I believe that the recent years in our countries ’ relationship can be described as years of missed opportunities .
We have seen chances of raising the level of cooperation , '' the diplomat stated .
Petrov pointed out that back in 2014 bilateral trade amounted to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around $ 2 billion by 2019 .
He added that Estonia was among the countries advocating for anti-Russian sanctions to be preserved .
`` Along with that , they [ Estonia ] realize that they suffer major losses because of that , '' the ambassador added .
`` There are well-known Estonian business people who call against those sanctions , but very few of the authorities give attention to what they say . ''
`` I constantly reiterate that against all the odds , we are still neighbors .
We have a centuries-long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exists huge attraction between both countries ’ peoples , '' the diplomat emphasized , referring as an example to cultural events hosted by Estonia .
`` Last year , the 15th edition of Golden Mask festival was held .
Full houses , applause , [ standing ] ovations were given to performers from Russia , '' the diplomat underscored .
`` That proves that we have a potential to develop mutually beneficial and mutually respectful relations , but regrettably , it remains untapped , although it is not our fault , '' Petrov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our readiness to build up relations with Estonia in the spirit of mutual respect and good neighborliness .
Unfortunately , no response followed from the Estonian side . ''
Touching upon reasons behind the current state of affairs in bilateral relations , the diplomat recalled that Estonia is a NATO member .
`` Estonia ’ s officials frequently define their country as sort of a frontline state .
Respectively , they see themselves as a state on an important mission on the frontier of NATO ’ s defense against , as they say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Russia , but actually [ Estonia is ] looking out for Washington all the time .
It is not much of a secret . ''
`` It would be desirable that Estonia could be more conscious of its own national interests .
That country could only gain if the previous cooperation was restored and multiplied , '' the ambassador believes .
According to Petrov , ordinary Estonians ask questions when it would be possible to visit one another visa-free and to trade `` without any problems . ''
`` Here are genuine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians must take them into account , '' he concluded .
The Estonian parliament approved a resolution on Wednesday criticizing the Soviet Union ’ s actions during the Second World War .
The resolution condemns the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and its secret protocols .
The document also expresses support for Poland and other European states , `` which Russia has lately considered responsible for the start of the Second World War . ''
The authors of the document claim that the Russian government is `` attempting to rewrite history , denying the role of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ main initiators of the Second World War . ''
During his annual news conference on December 19 , Russian President Vladimir Putin recalled that the USSR was the last country in Europe to sign the treaty on non-aggression with Germany , known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact .
Putin noted that the Soviet forces entered Poland in line with the protocols under this pact , whereas Poland had earlier taken part in dividing Czechoslovakia .
By the time the Soviet troops entered the territory , the Polish government had lost control over the armed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian president said , `` there was no one to talk to . ''
In response , the Polish Foreign Ministry voiced concerns over Putin ’ s remark .
In its statement , the ministry noted that Putin ’ s words `` represented a wrong picture of events '' and aroused concern and mistrust .
In January , the parliaments of Poland and Latvia approved similar declarative resolutions criticizing Russia ’ s behavior .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier that Russia ’ s position on the results of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We adhere to the results of the Second World War , their legal description and their legal binding by the Nuremberg trials , '' she stressed .

The Estonian parliament approved a resolution on Wednesday criticizing the Soviet Union’s actions during the Second World War
TALLINN, February 19. /TASS/. The Estonian parliament’s resolution that claims that the actions of the USSR played a role in starting the Second World War is "a sacrilege," Russian Ambassador to Estonia Alexander Petrov told TASS. He added that the resolution would gravely affect the relations between both states. "This is a sacrilege. This is a blatantly unfriendly move by the Estonian parliament, which will undermine the atmosphere of our bilateral relations," the diplomat said. "Such pitiful actions must be strongly condemned."
Read also Estonian parliament approves resolution condemning Russia’s actions during WWII
'Years of missed opportunities' Russia’s Ambassador to Estonia Alexander Petrov in his interview with TASS has listed the reasons why Tallinn fails to meet Moscow’s proposals for dialogue halfway. "I believe that the recent years in our countries’ relationship can be described as years of missed opportunities. We have seen chances of raising the level of cooperation," the diplomat stated. Petrov pointed out that back in 2014 bilateral trade amounted to $5.3 billion, but then shrank to around $2 billion by 2019. He added that Estonia was among the countries advocating for anti-Russian sanctions to be preserved. "Along with that, they [Estonia] realize that they suffer major losses because of that," the ambassador added. "There are well-known Estonian business people who call against those sanctions, but very few of the authorities give attention to what they say." "I constantly reiterate that against all the odds, we are still neighbors. We have a centuries-long shared history behind, while there still exists huge attraction between both countries’ peoples," the diplomat emphasized, referring as an example to cultural events hosted by Estonia. "Last year, the 15th edition of Golden Mask festival was held. Full houses, applause, [standing] ovations were given to performers from Russia," the diplomat underscored. "That proves that we have a potential to develop mutually beneficial and mutually respectful relations, but regrettably, it remains untapped, although it is not our fault," Petrov stressed. "We have numerously expressed our readiness to build up relations with Estonia in the spirit of mutual respect and good neighborliness. Unfortunately, no response followed from the Estonian side." Genuine interests


tass--2020-02-19--Hainan's biggest duty free store to resume work

HAIKOU , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
Hainan 's biggest duty free store in Snaya will open following a halt in trade amid coronavirus outbreak , reported the local department for tourism , culture , TV and radio broadcasting and sports .
According to the authorities , the duty free store will open on Thursday morning and will work from 11:00 to 18:00 local time .
`` The decision was made in accordance with the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council 's instructions on restoring the companies ' working hours < ... > in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the authorities said in a statement .
The department noted that the store management took all necessary measures to reduce the risks the spread of pneumonia in China .
In addition , customers will get discounts on best-selling purchases .
`` This is being done in order to stabilize consumption , to boost current trade potential , '' the statement reads .
The Sanya duty free store was visited by 2-3 million people every month before the coronavirus outbreak .
According to official statistics , in 2018 , sales in Hainan duty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about $ 1.47 billion ) , which is about 26 % of the corresponding national figure .
In 2019 , sales increased by more than 34 % , reaching 13.61 billion yuan ( $ 1.97 billion ) .
In late December 2019 , a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million people .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an epidemic with multiple locations .
According to the latest reports , China has confirmed over 74,100 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The virus ’ death toll has hit more than 2,000 , yet more than 14,300 patients have recovered from the disease .

HAIKOU, February 19. /TASS/. Hainan's biggest duty free store in Snaya will open following a halt in trade amid coronavirus outbreak, reported the local department for tourism, culture, TV and radio broadcasting and sports.
According to the authorities, the duty free store will open on Thursday morning and will work from 11:00 to 18:00 local time.
"The decision was made in accordance with the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council's instructions on restoring the companies' working hours <...> in order to provide better services to tourists," the authorities said in a statement.
The department noted that the store management took all necessary measures to reduce the risks the spread of pneumonia in China. In addition, customers will get discounts on best-selling purchases. "This is being done in order to stabilize consumption, to boost current trade potential," the statement reads.
The Sanya duty free store was visited by 2-3 million people every month before the coronavirus outbreak. According to official statistics, in 2018, sales in Hainan duty free shops reached 10.1 billion yuan (about $ 1.47 billion), which is about 26% of the corresponding national figure. In 2019, sales increased by more than 34%, reaching 13.61 billion yuan ($ 1.97 billion).
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million people. The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. According to the latest reports, China has confirmed over 74,100 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has hit more than 2,000, yet more than 14,300 patients have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-02-19--Putin fields TASS questions for special project marking 20th anniversary of his leadership

MOSCOW , February 19 .
/TASS/ .
TASS Russian News Agency is launching a special project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' on February 20 , based on an exclusive three-hour-long video interview with the Russian President .
The special project summarizes the interim results of Vladimir Putin ’ s 20 years at the helm of power .
On March 26 , 2000 , he emerged as the winner in Russia ’ s presidential election for the first time .
`` This project is the first-ever of its kind not only for TASS , but for the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Runet , as well , '' said TASS Director General Sergei Mikhailov .
`` This interview with Vladimir Putin was made especially for the Internet and in accordance with Internet rules and regulations , '' he noted , pointing out that `` it was shot in HD and uses animated infographics , '' Mikhailov emphasized .
`` The emergence of this type of television project in cyberspace is virtually an historic event .
I am very glad it was none other than TASS that conceived and implemented this project .
We strive to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genuine first-hand information , but also experiment with modern formats . ''
`` This project is essentially new for TASS and for me personally , although interviewing has been my job for the past 30 years , '' says Andrei Vandenko , who quizzed the Russian president .
`` It is not the status of the interviewee or the video format that I ’ ve never used before that really matters .
The challenge was to try to discuss twenty major topics spanning 20 years of Vladimir Putin ’ s life and work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll see how it turns out in the end .
I do hope that we will be watching it together .
I ’ d like to thank my TASS colleagues , in particular , for this chance to reset myself as a professional . ''
The list of questions the head of state was asked to answer turned out to be far longer than the twenty that are mentioned in the project ’ s title .
The Russian leader answered questions about amendments to the Constitution , the government ’ s resignation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , he shared his opinion on the role of the opposition , military spending , the middle class , and many other issues .
The episodes will be uploaded three or four times a week for one month - from February 20 to March 25 .
Furthermore , on March 26 the full version of the film will be released .
Each episode boasts animated infographics : facts , figures , quotes and charts .
The project ’ s page on the Internet has Russian and English versions .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video .
Also , subtitles in Arabic and Chinese will be available in the English version .
Russia ’ s renowned social network Odnoklassniki was selected as the platform for publishing the Russian version of the interview .
Each new episode will first appear there .

MOSCOW, February 19. /TASS/. TASS Russian News Agency is launching a special project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin" on February 20, based on an exclusive three-hour-long video interview with the Russian President.
The special project summarizes the interim results of Vladimir Putin’s 20 years at the helm of power. On March 26, 2000, he emerged as the winner in Russia’s presidential election for the first time.
"This project is the first-ever of its kind not only for TASS, but for the Russian segment of the world web, or Runet, as well," said TASS Director General Sergei Mikhailov. "This interview with Vladimir Putin was made especially for the Internet and in accordance with Internet rules and regulations," he noted, pointing out that "it was shot in HD and uses animated infographics," Mikhailov emphasized. "The emergence of this type of television project in cyberspace is virtually an historic event. I am very glad it was none other than TASS that conceived and implemented this project. We strive to not only be the first to obtain genuine first-hand information, but also experiment with modern formats."
"This project is essentially new for TASS and for me personally, although interviewing has been my job for the past 30 years," says Andrei Vandenko, who quizzed the Russian president. "It is not the status of the interviewee or the video format that I’ve never used before that really matters. The challenge was to try to discuss twenty major topics spanning 20 years of Vladimir Putin’s life and work in a three-hour-long conversation. We’ll see how it turns out in the end. I do hope that we will be watching it together. I’d like to thank my TASS colleagues, in particular, for this chance to reset myself as a professional."
The list of questions the head of state was asked to answer turned out to be far longer than the twenty that are mentioned in the project’s title. The Russian leader answered questions about amendments to the Constitution, the government’s resignation and other major domestic and international political events. In addition, he shared his opinion on the role of the opposition, military spending, the middle class, and many other issues.
The episodes will be uploaded three or four times a week for one month - from February 20 to March 25. Furthermore, on March 26 the full version of the film will be released. Each episode boasts animated infographics: facts, figures, quotes and charts. The project’s page on the Internet has Russian and English versions. A transcript of each episode is found below the video. Also, subtitles in Arabic and Chinese will be available in the English version. Russia’s renowned social network Odnoklassniki was selected as the platform for publishing the Russian version of the interview. Each new episode will first appear there.