tass--2020-01-27--US urges Iraq to fulfil obligations to protect diplomatic facilities

WASHINGTON , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
The situation after the US embassy in Baghdad was targeted by a missile attack remains tense , Washington is calling on Iraq to honor its obligations to protect US diplomatic facilities located on its territory , a representative of the US State Department press service told TASS on Sunday commenting on the missile strike on the American embassy in the Iraqi capital that saw rockets landing directly at the compound ’ s territory .
`` We are aware of reports of rockets landing in the International Zone .
We call on the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect our diplomatic facilities , '' the representative underlined .
`` The security situation remains tense and Iranian-backed armed groups remain a threat .
So , we remain vigilant . ''
According to the spokesperson , since last `` September there have been over 14 attacks by Iran and Iranian-supported militias on U.S. personnel in Iraq . ''
The representative refused to provide additional comments on the attack .
`` We will not comment further on the security situation in Baghdad , '' the spokesperson concluded .
Agence France-Presse reported on Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the attack citing local authorities .
The agency notes that the US embassy in Baghdad has been repeatedly attacked in the last couple of months but missiles landed directly in the compound for the first time .
The Sunday attack is the second to take place in the last seven days .
On January 20 , three missiles landed near the embassy .
On Sunday evening , five missiles were launched at Baghdad ’ s Green Zone - a well-fortified district in the center of the city where government buildings and foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly landed at the US embassy premises , one of them hit the canteen building where dinner was served at that moment , Agence France-Presse adds .
After the incident , acting Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi ordered national security forces to take every measure to prevent similar attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad .
He blasted the strike as an `` irresponsible act committed by separate individuals '' , underlining that this attack `` can lead to serious consequences . ''
The acting prime minister also said that he had given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice . ''
US Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller also sharply criticized the strike on Sunday .

WASHINGTON, January 27. /TASS/. The situation after the US embassy in Baghdad was targeted by a missile attack remains tense, Washington is calling on Iraq to honor its obligations to protect US diplomatic facilities located on its territory, a representative of the US State Department press service told TASS on Sunday commenting on the missile strike on the American embassy in the Iraqi capital that saw rockets landing directly at the compound’s territory.
"We are aware of reports of rockets landing in the International Zone. We call on the Government of Iraq to fulfill its obligations to protect our diplomatic facilities," the representative underlined. "The security situation remains tense and Iranian-backed armed groups remain a threat. So, we remain vigilant." According to the spokesperson, since last "September there have been over 14 attacks by Iran and Iranian-supported militias on U.S. personnel in Iraq."
The representative refused to provide additional comments on the attack. "We will not comment further on the security situation in Baghdad," the spokesperson concluded.
Agence France-Presse reported on Monday that at least one person had been injured in the attack citing local authorities. The agency notes that the US embassy in Baghdad has been repeatedly attacked in the last couple of months but missiles landed directly in the compound for the first time. The Sunday attack is the second to take place in the last seven days. On January 20, three missiles landed near the embassy.
On Sunday evening, five missiles were launched at Baghdad’s Green Zone - a well-fortified district in the center of the city where government buildings and foreign diplomatic missions are situated. Three missiles directly landed at the US embassy premises, one of them hit the canteen building where dinner was served at that moment, Agence France-Presse adds.
After the incident, acting Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi ordered national security forces to take every measure to prevent similar attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad. He blasted the strike as an "irresponsible act committed by separate individuals", underlining that this attack "can lead to serious consequences." The acting prime minister also said that he had given orders "to launch an investigation, find those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice." US Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller also sharply criticized the strike on Sunday.


tass--2020-01-27--Russia completes delivery of second S-400 missile system regimental set to China - source

MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has concluded delivery of a second S-400 Triumf ( Triumph ) missile system regimental set to China via maritime transport , the handover certificate was signed in December in China , a military diplomatic source told TASS on Monday .
`` Delivery of a second S-400 regimental set consisting of two divisions of launch devices , radiolocation stations , energy and service equipment , spare parts and instruments to China has been completed .
The client also received more than 120 advanced anti-aircraft guided missiles of two types , '' the source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the S-400 handover certificate was signed in China in December 2019 .
`` After the moment of signing , the contract provision on 18-month guarantee service of the equipment by the Russian side came into force , '' TASS was told .
The source added that all the shipments were delivered to China by a few vessels .
The first maritime transport ship headed to China in July 2019 .
TASS does not have an official confirmation of the information provided .
China became the first foreign buyer of Russia ’ s most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia signed a contract with China on the delivery of two regimental sets of S-400 in 2014 .
The first regimental set of S-400 was delivered to China in the spring of 2018 .
The Chinese military successfully test-fired the missile launchers and hit an aerodynamic and a ballistic target .
S-400 Triumph ( NATO reporting name : SA-21 Growler ) is the latest long-and medium-range surface-to-air missile system that went into service in 2007 .
It is designed to destroy aircraft , cruise and ballistic missiles , and can also be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km under intensive enemy fire and jamming .
Russia ’ s state armament program stipulates the purchase of 56 S-400 battalions by 2020 , which will allow rearming 28 Russian two-battalion surface-to-air missile regiments .
By now , the Russian Army has deployed 53 S-400 battalions in 23 regiments and two training centers .
Russia has signed delivery contracts for S-400 systems with China , Turkey ( the deliveries began on July 12 ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late 2020 ) .

MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Russia has concluded delivery of a second S-400 Triumf (Triumph) missile system regimental set to China via maritime transport, the handover certificate was signed in December in China, a military diplomatic source told TASS on Monday.
"Delivery of a second S-400 regimental set consisting of two divisions of launch devices, radiolocation stations, energy and service equipment, spare parts and instruments to China has been completed. The client also received more than 120 advanced anti-aircraft guided missiles of two types," the source said.
The source also clarified that the S-400 handover certificate was signed in China in December 2019. "After the moment of signing, the contract provision on 18-month guarantee service of the equipment by the Russian side came into force," TASS was told.
The source added that all the shipments were delivered to China by a few vessels. The first maritime transport ship headed to China in July 2019.
TASS does not have an official confirmation of the information provided.
S-400 contract with China
China became the first foreign buyer of Russia’s most advanced S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile systems. Russia signed a contract with China on the delivery of two regimental sets of S-400 in 2014.
The first regimental set of S-400 was delivered to China in the spring of 2018. The Chinese military successfully test-fired the missile launchers and hit an aerodynamic and a ballistic target.
S-400 Triumph (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is the latest long-and medium-range surface-to-air missile system that went into service in 2007. It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and can also be used against ground installations. The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of up to 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km under intensive enemy fire and jamming.
Russia’s state armament program stipulates the purchase of 56 S-400 battalions by 2020, which will allow rearming 28 Russian two-battalion surface-to-air missile regiments. By now, the Russian Army has deployed 53 S-400 battalions in 23 regiments and two training centers.
Russia has signed delivery contracts for S-400 systems with China, Turkey (the deliveries began on July 12) and India (the deliveries are expected in late 2020).


tass--2020-01-27--Chinese coronavirus death toll rises to 80

BEIJING , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
The number of victims of a new type of pneumonia in China has increased to 80 , the number of confirmed cases of those who contracted the disease has climbed above 2,700 , China ’ s Wangyi news portal reported on Monday citing local authorities .
Earlier reports pointed to 57 deaths .
According to the official statistics , most cases ( 76 ) are still concentrated in the central Hubei Province with its administrative center of Wuhan .
It is followed by the Guangdong Province ( south ) and Zhejiang Province ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Beijing , while the Heilongjiang Province neighboring Russia has 16 detected cases with one person dead from the disease .
On December 31 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in other countries - Australia , Malaysia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States and Japan .
The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one .

BEIJING, January 27. /TASS/. The number of victims of a new type of pneumonia in China has increased to 80, the number of confirmed cases of those who contracted the disease has climbed above 2,700, China’s Wangyi news portal reported on Monday citing local authorities.
Earlier reports pointed to 57 deaths. According to the official statistics, most cases (76) are still concentrated in the central Hubei Province with its administrative center of Wuhan. It is followed by the Guangdong Province (south) and Zhejiang Province (east). Sixty-eight patients were identified in Beijing, while the Heilongjiang Province neighboring Russia has 16 detected cases with one person dead from the disease.
On December 31, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhah - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent - coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The new type of coronavirus has already been identified in other countries - Australia, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Japan. The WHO recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring an international one.


tass--2020-01-27--Three people injured in missile attack on US embassy in Baghdad

TASS , January 27 .
At least three people have been injured in a missile attack on the American embassy located in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on January 26 , Iraq ’ s Alsumaria TV reported on Monday citing sources in Iraqi security services .
It is not yet revealed what citizenship does the injured person hold , US or Iraqi .
Earlier , Agence France-Pressereported one person wounded .
The agency also notes that the US embassy in Baghdad has been repeatedly attacked in the last couple of months but missiles landed directly in the compound for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second to take place in the last seven days .
On January 20 , three missiles landed near the embassy .
On Sunday evening , five missiles were launched at Baghdad ’ s Green Zone - a well-fortified district in the center of the city where government buildings and foreign diplomatic missions are situated .
Three missiles directly landed at the US embassy premises , one of them hit the canteen building where dinner was served at that moment , Agence France-Presse adds .
After the incident , acting Iraqi Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take every measure to prevent similar attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad .
He blasted the strike as an `` irresponsible act committed by separate individuals '' , underlining that this attack `` can lead to serious consequences . ''
The acting prime minister also said that he had given orders `` to launch an investigation , find those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice . ''
US Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller also sharply criticized the strike on Sunday .

TASS, January 27. At least three people have been injured in a missile attack on the American embassy located in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on January 26, Iraq’s Alsumaria TV reported on Monday citing sources in Iraqi security services. It is not yet revealed what citizenship does the injured person hold, US or Iraqi.
Earlier, Agence France-Pressereported one person wounded. The agency also notes that the US embassy in Baghdad has been repeatedly attacked in the last couple of months but missiles landed directly in the compound for the first time. The Sunday attack is the second to take place in the last seven days. On January 20, three missiles landed near the embassy.
On Sunday evening, five missiles were launched at Baghdad’s Green Zone - a well-fortified district in the center of the city where government buildings and foreign diplomatic missions are situated. Three missiles directly landed at the US embassy premises, one of them hit the canteen building where dinner was served at that moment, Agence France-Presse adds.
After the incident, acting Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi ordered national security forces to take every measure to prevent similar attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad. He blasted the strike as an "irresponsible act committed by separate individuals", underlining that this attack "can lead to serious consequences." The acting prime minister also said that he had given orders "to launch an investigation, find those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice." US Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller also sharply criticized the strike on Sunday.


tass--2020-01-26--Sanya to open 12 new stations for charging electric vehicles

SANYA , January 26 .
/TASS/ .
The authorities of Hainan 's resort city of Sanya intend to open 12 new charging stations for electric vehicles and hybrid cars by February 20 , 2020 , the Sanya Daily reported .
According to the news outlet , a total of 62 new points for recharging cars will be installed in the city .
The publication emphasizes that these measures are part of the Hainan authorities plan for the island 's `` green '' development and the transition to eco-friendly transport , in particular , electric and hybrid cars .
There were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanya at the beginning of 2020 , the total number of stations reached 154 .
In order to popularize electric vehicles and protect the region 's unique environment , the provincial authorities plan to build 65,000 charging stations next year , and increase their number to 260,000 by 2025 .
The Hainan authorities are actively tackling the pollution problem .
According to the government plan , the island will completely stop selling hydrocarbon vehicles by 2030 .
The number of gasoline-powered cars in the province is deliberately declining while the number of eco-friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hydrogen is growing .
Currently , the provincial authorities are working on the issue a developed network of charging stations for electric vehicles .

SANYA, January 26. /TASS/. The authorities of Hainan's resort city of Sanya intend to open 12 new charging stations for electric vehicles and hybrid cars by February 20, 2020, the Sanya Daily reported.
According to the news outlet, a total of 62 new points for recharging cars will be installed in the city. The publication emphasizes that these measures are part of the Hainan authorities plan for the island's "green" development and the transition to eco-friendly transport, in particular, electric and hybrid cars.
There were 16 charging stations in the city of Sanya at the beginning of 2020, the total number of stations reached 154.
In order to popularize electric vehicles and protect the region's unique environment, the provincial authorities plan to build 65,000 charging stations next year, and increase their number to 260,000 by 2025.
The Hainan authorities are actively tackling the pollution problem. According to the government plan, the island will completely stop selling hydrocarbon vehicles by 2030. The number of gasoline-powered cars in the province is deliberately declining while the number of eco-friendly cars running on electricity, hybrid fuel and hydrogen is growing. Currently, the provincial authorities are working on the issue a developed network of charging stations for electric vehicles.


tass--2020-01-26--ICBC bank becomes first official partner of Asian Beach Games on Hainan

SANYA , January 26 .
/TASS/ .
The Commercial and Industrial Bank of China ( ICBC ) became the first official partner of the VI Asian Beach Games , due on November 28 , 2020 in Hainan 's Sanya .
The signing ceremony for the agreement took place in Sanya earlier this week , according to the Hainan Daily .
The partnership agreement was signed by Vice Mayor of Sanya Zhou Jun and head of the city branch of ICBC Wang Lin .
Thus , Hainan 's ICBC branch became the strategic financial partner of the upcoming games .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the organizing committee of the games with financial services on the highest level to ensure the success of this large-scale sports event .
At the end of December last year , the organizing committee of the games also launched a campaign to search and select sponsors , goods , tickets and sports lottery tickets operators .
ICBC was chosen by the organizing committee as the banking partner of the games after a series of investment presentations with the participation of the largest banks in China .
The city of Sanya won the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March .
Competitions will be held from November 28 to December 6 , 2020 and will include 16 disciplines , including swimming , water polo , beach athletics , basketball , volleyball , handball , football , wrestling , rowing , sailing , surfing and others .
The first Asian beach games were held in 2008 in Bali , since then they have been held every two years .
Sanya is not the first Chinese city to host the competitions .
In 2012 , the games were held in Haiyang city in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different years , competitions were also held in Indonesia ( 2008 ) , Oman ( 2010 ) , Thailand ( 2014 ) and Vietnam ( 2016 ) .

SANYA, January 26. /TASS/. The Commercial and Industrial Bank of China (ICBC) became the first official partner of the VI Asian Beach Games, due on November 28, 2020 in Hainan's Sanya. The signing ceremony for the agreement took place in Sanya earlier this week, according to the Hainan Daily.
The partnership agreement was signed by Vice Mayor of Sanya Zhou Jun and head of the city branch of ICBC Wang Lin. Thus, Hainan's ICBC branch became the strategic financial partner of the upcoming games. The parties agreed that the bank will provide the organizing committee of the games with financial services on the highest level to ensure the success of this large-scale sports event.
At the end of December last year, the organizing committee of the games also launched a campaign to search and select sponsors, goods, tickets and sports lottery tickets operators. ICBC was chosen by the organizing committee as the banking partner of the games after a series of investment presentations with the participation of the largest banks in China.
The city of Sanya won the right to host the VI Beach Asian Games in March. Competitions will be held from November 28 to December 6, 2020 and will include 16 disciplines, including swimming, water polo, beach athletics, basketball, volleyball, handball, football, wrestling, rowing, sailing, surfing and others.
The first Asian beach games were held in 2008 in Bali, since then they have been held every two years. Sanya is not the first Chinese city to host the competitions. In 2012, the games were held in Haiyang city in Shandong province in eastern China. In different years, competitions were also held in Indonesia (2008), Oman (2010), Thailand (2014) and Vietnam (2016).


tass--2020-01-28--Turkish military convoy crosses Syria border, heads to southern Idlib - TV

TASS , January 28 .
A Turkish military convoy crossed the border with Syria through a checkpoint of Kafr Lusein , located in the north of the Idlib governorate , and is heading to the south , Al Arabiya TV channel reported citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights .
According to the TV channel , the Turkish convoy consists of 30 vehicles , including 12 armored vehicles carrying equipment .
Earlier , Al Mayadeen TV channel reported that the Syrian forces had surrounded a Turkish observation point in Maar Hattat , a Syrian village in the Idlib governorate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sarman , in the south of the Idlib governorate , was besieged .
The Syrian army ’ s command launched an offensive in Idlib on December 19 , 2019 .
The forces have liberated 46 settlements in the south and the east of the governorate , regaining control over 320 square kilometers of the territory .
Idlib is the only Syrian region that is still controlled by illegal armed groups .
A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghouta and in Syria ’ s southern regions .
Twelve Turkish army ’ s observation points are operating in the Idlib governorate .

TASS, January 28. A Turkish military convoy crossed the border with Syria through a checkpoint of Kafr Lusein, located in the north of the Idlib governorate, and is heading to the south, Al Arabiya TV channel reported citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
According to the TV channel, the Turkish convoy consists of 30 vehicles, including 12 armored vehicles carrying equipment.
Earlier, Al Mayadeen TV channel reported that the Syrian forces had surrounded a Turkish observation point in Maar Hattat, a Syrian village in the Idlib governorate. On December 23, another Turkish post in Sarman, in the south of the Idlib governorate, was besieged.
The Syrian army’s command launched an offensive in Idlib on December 19, 2019. The forces have liberated 46 settlements in the south and the east of the governorate, regaining control over 320 square kilometers of the territory.
Idlib is the only Syrian region that is still controlled by illegal armed groups. A northern de-escalation zone was set up in Idlib in 2017 to give shelter to militants and their families who were reluctant to voluntarily surrender arms in Eastern Ghouta and in Syria’s southern regions. Twelve Turkish army’s observation points are operating in the Idlib governorate.


tass--2020-01-28--Russian warships arrive in Antarctica for 200th discovery anniversary celebration

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Navy ’ s oceanographic research vessels Admiral Vladimirsky and Yantar have @ @ @ @ @ part in the events marking the 200th anniversary of the ice-covered continent ’ s discovery @ @ @ @ @ Spokesman Capt .
1st Rank Igor Dygalo said .
The celebrations will take place at @ @ @ @ @ .
Both vessels have called at a roadstead in Maxwell Bay .
The Russian sailors @ @ @ @ @ Society are participating in a round-the-world expedition devoted to the 200th anniversary of discovering Antarctica @ @ @ @ @ of Admiral and explorer Ivan Krusenstern .
The Marshal Gelovani hydrographic vessel will also participate @ @ @ @ @ parts of the route .
The expedition ’ s participants plan to carry out oceanographic @ @ @ @ @ the seas around Antarctica .
In particular , the research in the Bellingshausen Sea will @ @ @ @ @ nautical chart .

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. The Russian Navy’s oceanographic research vessels Admiral Vladimirsky and Yantar have arrived in Antarctica to take part in the events marking the 200th anniversary of the ice-covered continent’s discovery by Russian sailors, Navy Spokesman Capt. 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said.
The celebrations will take place at Russia’s Bellingshausen station. Both vessels have called at a roadstead in Maxwell Bay.
The Russian sailors jointly with the Russian Geographical Society are participating in a round-the-world expedition devoted to the 200th anniversary of discovering Antarctica and the 250th birthday anniversary of Admiral and explorer Ivan Krusenstern.
The Marshal Gelovani hydrographic vessel will also participate in the expedition in some parts of the route.
The expedition’s participants plan to carry out oceanographic and hydro meteorological research in the seas around Antarctica. In particular, the research in the Bellingshausen Sea will help create a new Russian nautical chart.


tass--2020-01-28--New PACE president plans to visit Russia before his mandate ends

STRASBOURG/France/ , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
Belgian MP Rick Dems , who was elected on Monday as the new president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ( PACE ) , plans to visit Russia before his mandate ends , he said in his first interview with Russian media after assuming office .
`` I absolutely want to visit all 47 parliaments , so I hope I will also be able to come to Russia .
I even would be very happy to address the Duma and have some opinions in there , we ’ ll see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before my mandate ends , '' Dems said , noting that he had visited Moscow many times .
In comment on the Russian delegation ’ s return to PACE , Dems maintained a neutral stance , saying : `` The Council of Europe is constituted of 47 countries and Russia is an important country such as the other 46 are .
So to me it is obvious that all 47 [ countries ] should be represented . ''
`` We ’ ve got some rules in the Assembly .
If people want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so , '' he said .
Besides Russia , during this session the rights of other delegations are also challenged , namely those of Switzerland , Portugal , San Marino , Poland , Moldova and Spain , Dems noted .
`` It ’ s the first time we ’ ve got all the delegations in there , it is also the first time we ’ ve got so many challenges of credentials , well let ’ s see what happens with it .
It ’ s democracy and the rules are there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
In April 2014 , Russia ’ s delegation to PACE was stripped of its right to vote , take part in monitoring missions and be a member of ruling bodies amid the events in Ukraine and Crimea ’ s reunification with Russia .
On June 26 , 2019 parties at the PACE session endorsed a resolution stating that `` the members ’ rights to vote , to speak and to be represented in the Assembly and its bodies shall not be suspended or withdrawn in the context of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The next day , all Russian delegation ’ s powers were confirmed in full and the Russian lawmakers resumed their full-fledged work at PACE .
The Russian delegation ’ s return came amid the discussion on a new mechanism on enforcing the compliance with the Council of Europe ’ s Charter or a trilateral mechanism stipulating that sanctions can be introduced against the states violating this Charter , up to their withdrawal .
On Wednesday , a vote is due to be held on a draft resolution on this mechanism , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at PACE .

STRASBOURG/France/, January 28. /TASS/. Belgian MP Rik Daems, who was elected on Monday as the new president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), plans to visit Russia before his mandate ends, he said in his first interview with Russian media after assuming office.
"I absolutely want to visit all 47 parliaments, so I hope I will also be able to come to Russia. I even would be very happy to address the Duma and have some opinions in there, we’ll see. I would love to do that before my mandate ends," Daems said, noting that he had visited Moscow many times.
In comment on the Russian delegation’s return to PACE, Daems maintained a neutral stance, saying: "The Council of Europe is constituted of 47 countries and Russia is an important country such as the other 46 are. So to me it is obvious that all 47 [countries] should be represented." "We’ve got some rules in the Assembly. If people want to use these rules they are allowed to do so," he said.
Besides Russia, during this session the rights of other delegations are also challenged, namely those of Switzerland, Portugal, San Marino, Poland, Moldova and Spain, Daems noted. "It’s the first time we’ve got all the delegations in there, it is also the first time we’ve got so many challenges of credentials, well let’s see what happens with it. It’s democracy and the rules are there, so they can use them," he said.
In April 2014, Russia’s delegation to PACE was stripped of its right to vote, take part in monitoring missions and be a member of ruling bodies amid the events in Ukraine and Crimea’s reunification with Russia. On June 26, 2019 parties at the PACE session endorsed a resolution stating that "the members’ rights to vote, to speak and to be represented in the Assembly and its bodies shall not be suspended or withdrawn in the context of a challenge to or reconsideration of credentials."
The next day, all Russian delegation’s powers were confirmed in full and the Russian lawmakers resumed their full-fledged work at PACE.
The Russian delegation’s return came amid the discussion on a new mechanism on enforcing the compliance with the Council of Europe’s Charter or a trilateral mechanism stipulating that sanctions can be introduced against the states violating this Charter, up to their withdrawal. On Wednesday, a vote is due to be held on a draft resolution on this mechanism, in particular, the process of initiating it at PACE.


tass--2020-01-28--Russian military to inspect US military facility in Germany

MOSCOW , January 28 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian military will visit a US military facility on German soil on Tuesday , Head of the Russian National Center for Nuclear Risk Reduction Sergei Ryzhkov said .
`` In accordance with the 2011 Vienna Document on confidence and security building measures , a Russian group of inspectors plans a visit to assess information about a US military facility on Germany ’ s territory , '' Ryzhkov said .
During their one-day visit , the servicemen will inspect the military facility at its location in peace time .
A briefing will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide information about the personnel and key systems of armaments and equipment .
The Vienna Document was adopted on November 30 , 2011 , during a plenary meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ( OSCE ) Forum for Security Cooperation in Vienna .
It is aimed at reducing the risk of military conflicts in the OSCE zone .
In line with the document , the 56 OSCE participating states regularly exchange information on their armed forces , military organization , manpower and major weapon and equipment systems .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning and budgets .

MOSCOW, January 28. /TASS/. The Russian military will visit a US military facility on German soil on Tuesday, Head of the Russian National Center for Nuclear Risk Reduction Sergei Ryzhkov said.
"In accordance with the 2011 Vienna Document on confidence and security building measures, a Russian group of inspectors plans a visit to assess information about a US military facility on Germany’s territory," Ryzhkov said.
During their one-day visit, the servicemen will inspect the military facility at its location in peace time. A briefing will be also held during which the command will provide information about the personnel and key systems of armaments and equipment.
The Vienna Document was adopted on November 30, 2011, during a plenary meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Forum for Security Cooperation in Vienna. It is aimed at reducing the risk of military conflicts in the OSCE zone. In line with the document, the 56 OSCE participating states regularly exchange information on their armed forces, military organization, manpower and major weapon and equipment systems. The countries also share information on their defense planning and budgets.


tass--2020-01-27--Russia, EU drafting 7 cross-border cooperation programs for 2021-2027

BRUSSELS , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and the European Union are drafting seven new practical programs of cross-border cooperation for 2021-2027 , despite the ongoing crisis in bilateral relations , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said on Monday .
`` Our relations with the European Union have never been completely frozen , even in conditions of the current crisis .
Cooperation between the Committee of the Regions and corresponding Russian structures continues , as does the implementation of the cross-border cooperation programs , '' he said at a conference on cross-border cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brussels .
`` Now , a new generation of such programs is being discussed for 2021-2027 .
It means that the European Union ’ s long-term financial plan has future .
There are seven such programs as of today .
They involve several European Union nations and , correspondingly , several Russian northwestern regions bordering the European Union , '' he said .
`` Even when the European Union imposed its notorious unilateral restrictive measures against Russia , those measures has special reservations that they are not applicable to cross-border cooperation .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon the sides ’ agreement . ''
Russia is currently maintaining cross-border cooperation with six EU nations , namely Poland , Lithuania , Latvia , Estonia , Finland , Sweden , and Norway , which is not a EU member .
Russia also participates in the multilateral cross-border cooperation program with the European Union , Interreg .
Baltic Region and enjoys an observer status in a similar program Interreg .
Northern Periphery and Arctic .
These programs are geared to promote socio-economic development of border regions in neighboring countries , environment protection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border checkpoints , and to help preserve cultural and historical heritage .
The programs encourage close contacts between the authorities of and people living in border regions in neighboring countries to help them see that cooperation with Russia is in their interests .

BRUSSELS, January 27. /TASS/. Russia and the European Union are drafting seven new practical programs of cross-border cooperation for 2021-2027, despite the ongoing crisis in bilateral relations, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said on Monday.
"Our relations with the European Union have never been completely frozen, even in conditions of the current crisis. Cooperation between the Committee of the Regions and corresponding Russian structures continues, as does the implementation of the cross-border cooperation programs," he said at a conference on cross-border cooperation between Russia and the European Union in Brussels.
"Now, a new generation of such programs is being discussed for 2021-2027. It means that the European Union’s long-term financial plan has future. There are seven such programs as of today. They involve several European Union nations and, correspondingly, several Russian northwestern regions bordering the European Union," he said. "Even when the European Union imposed its notorious unilateral restrictive measures against Russia, those measures has special reservations that they are not applicable to cross-border cooperation. So, this area of cooperation was preserved upon the sides’ agreement."
Russia is currently maintaining cross-border cooperation with six EU nations, namely Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, and Norway, which is not a EU member. Russia also participates in the multilateral cross-border cooperation program with the European Union, Interreg. Baltic Region and enjoys an observer status in a similar program Interreg. Northern Periphery and Arctic.
These programs are geared to promote socio-economic development of border regions in neighboring countries, environment protection, tourism, modernization of transport infrastructure and border checkpoints, and to help preserve cultural and historical heritage.
The programs encourage close contacts between the authorities of and people living in border regions in neighboring countries to help them see that cooperation with Russia is in their interests.


tass--2020-01-27--Putin to take decision on Israeli woman’s plea for pardon after formalities are over

MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin will take a decision on the plea for pardon from Israeli national Naama Issachar , who was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison in Russia on drugs smuggling charges , after all the formalities are over , Putin ’ s press secretary Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Monday .
`` All the formalities are currently being implemented .
The president will take his decision as soon as they are finalized , '' he said .
Naama Issachar , 25 , was detained at Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo airport on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the airport ’ s transit zone before boarding a connecting flight to Tel Aviv after arriving from New Delhi .
The airport ’ s security guards found 9.6 grams of cannabis in her luggage .
On October 11 , 2019 , the Khimki City Court in the Moscow region found Issachar guilty of drug possession and smuggling ( part 1 , Article 228 and part 2 , Article 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ) and sentenced her to 7.5 years in a standard regime penal colony .
Issachar admitted her guilt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges , saying she had no access to her luggage checked in for the transit flight .
She claimed she never took drugs and had no idea of how the cannabis could happen to be in her backpack .
Moscow ’ s region court upheld the verdict on December 19 .
During his visit to Israel last week , Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Naama ’ s mother , Jaffa Issachar , and promised her that `` everything is going to be fine . ''
Issachar pled for pardon on January 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow region ’ s commission for pardons approved her plea .

MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will take a decision on the plea for pardon from Israeli national Naama Issachar, who was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison in Russia on drugs smuggling charges, after all the formalities are over, Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov told TASS on Monday.
"All the formalities are currently being implemented. The president will take his decision as soon as they are finalized," he said.
Naama Issachar, 25, was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on April 9, 2019 when she was in the airport’s transit zone before boarding a connecting flight to Tel Aviv after arriving from New Delhi. The airport’s security guards found 9.6 grams of cannabis in her luggage.
On October 11, 2019, the Khimki City Court in the Moscow region found Issachar guilty of drug possession and smuggling (part 1, Article 228 and part 2, Article 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code) and sentenced her to 7.5 years in a standard regime penal colony. Issachar admitted her guilt of possessing the drug but denied smuggling charges, saying she had no access to her luggage checked in for the transit flight. She claimed she never took drugs and had no idea of how the cannabis could happen to be in her backpack. Moscow’s region court upheld the verdict on December 19.
During his visit to Israel last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Naama’s mother, Jaffa Issachar, and promised her that "everything is going to be fine."
Issachar pled for pardon on January 26. On the following day, the Moscow region’s commission for pardons approved her plea.


tass--2020-01-27--Assad discusses situation in and around Syria with visiting Russian delegation

MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Efforts to eliminate the remaining nests of terrorists in Syria and problems of the political settlement process in that country were in focus of Syrian President Bashar Assad ’ s meeting with a visiting delegation of senior Russian foreign and defense ministry officials , the Russian foreign ministry said on Monday .
The delegation included Russian president ’ s special envoy for Syrian settlement Alexander Lavrentyev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin and representatives from the Russian defense ministry .
`` The meeting focused on the situation in and around Syria , efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining terrorists ’ nests , as well as on measures of comprehensive humanitarian assistance to all those who need it in Syria .
It will promote voluntary and safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons , '' the ministry said .
`` Apart from that , the sides discussed the process of the United Nations-backed political settlement carried out by the Syrians , including the work of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva , '' the ministry said .
Lavrentyev and Vershinin have already visited Damascus several times .
Their previous meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Efforts to eliminate the remaining nests of terrorists in Syria and problems of the political settlement process in that country were in focus of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s meeting with a visiting delegation of senior Russian foreign and defense ministry officials, the Russian foreign ministry said on Monday.
The delegation included Russian president’s special envoy for Syrian settlement Alexander Lavrentyev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin and representatives from the Russian defense ministry.
"The meeting focused on the situation in and around Syria, efforts to ensure lasting stabilization, elimination of remaining terrorists’ nests, as well as on measures of comprehensive humanitarian assistance to all those who need it in Syria. It will promote voluntary and safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons," the ministry said.
"Apart from that, the sides discussed the process of the United Nations-backed political settlement carried out by the Syrians, including the work of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva," the ministry said.
Lavrentyev and Vershinin have already visited Damascus several times. Their previous meeting with President Assad took place in December 2019.


tass--2020-01-27--Russia, Iran to develop trade turnover, protect mutual investments

TEHRAN , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Iran should develop bilateral trade turnover and protect mutual investments , @ @ @ @ @ , the lower house of the Russian parliament , Vyacheslav Volodin said on Monday at @ @ @ @ @ parliamentary commission .
`` It is necessary to create conditions , including legislative , to @ @ @ @ @ protection of investments in the environment where the US , in defiance of international norms @ @ @ @ @ introduce unilateral sanctions against our countries , demand from European allies to stop implementation of @ @ @ @ @ Russia , '' Volodin said .
Mutual trade turnover reached $ 1.59 bln from January @ @ @ @ @ speaker said .
Settlements in national currencies are also growing , Volodin added .

TEHRAN, January 27. /TASS/. Russia and Iran should develop bilateral trade turnover and protect mutual investments, Speaker of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin said on Monday at a meeting of the bilateral parliamentary commission.
"It is necessary to create conditions, including legislative, to secure stable trade turnover and protection of investments in the environment where the US, in defiance of international norms and rules of trade, introduce unilateral sanctions against our countries, demand from European allies to stop implementation of mutual projects with Iran and Russia," Volodin said.
Mutual trade turnover reached $1.59 bln from January to September 2019, the speaker said. Settlements in national currencies are also growing, Volodin added.


tass--2020-01-27--Lavrov informs Turkish counterpart about ceasefire violations in Syria’s Idlib

MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov drew attention of his Turkish counterpart , Mevlut Cavusoglu , to the ceasefire violations committed by radicals from the Idlib de-escalation zone , the Russian foreign ministry said on Monday after their telephone conversation .
According to the ministry , the two top diplomats discussed the process of peace settlement in Syria .
`` The Russian side informed the Turkish side about ceasefire violations committed by radicals entrenched in the Idlib de-escalation zone and stressed the necessity to separate opposition forces from terrorists , '' the ministry said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close contacts between the military . ''
Lavrov and Cavusoglu discussed practical aspects of joint efforts to counter terrorist threat and ensure the de-escalation regime in the Idlb zone in line with the Russia-Turkish memorandum of September 17 , 2018 .
The sides also reiterated their support to the work of Syria ’ s Constitutional Committee `` in the context of strengthening intra-Syrian dialogue and settlement efforts mediated by the United Nations and the Astana process guarantor nations , '' the ministry added .
The conversation was initiated by the Turkish side .

MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov drew attention of his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, to the ceasefire violations committed by radicals from the Idlib de-escalation zone, the Russian foreign ministry said on Monday after their telephone conversation.
According to the ministry, the two top diplomats discussed the process of peace settlement in Syria. "The Russian side informed the Turkish side about ceasefire violations committed by radicals entrenched in the Idlib de-escalation zone and stressed the necessity to separate opposition forces from terrorists," the ministry said. "The ministers agreed to continue close contacts between the military."
Lavrov and Cavusoglu discussed practical aspects of joint efforts to counter terrorist threat and ensure the de-escalation regime in the Idlb zone in line with the Russia-Turkish memorandum of September 17, 2018. The sides also reiterated their support to the work of Syria’s Constitutional Committee "in the context of strengthening intra-Syrian dialogue and settlement efforts mediated by the United Nations and the Astana process guarantor nations," the ministry added.
The conversation was initiated by the Turkish side.


tass--2020-01-27--At least 2,857 people infected with coronavirus in China, says news portal

According to the news portal , new cases have been reported in different parts of the country , including the coastal metropolis of Tianjin in Northern China , Beijing and Qinghai province ( north-western China ) .
BEIJING , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 2,857 people in China are infected with a new coronavirus as of Monday evening , China ’ s Wangyi news portal reports , referring to official data from Chinese regions .
On Monday morning , the authorities said that more than 2,700 people were infected , the death toll amounted to 82 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
China ’ s Hubei province and its administrative center Wuhan account for the biggest number of infected people ( 1,423 people infected with the virus and 76 deaths ) .
Then goes Guangdong province ( 151 people ) , Zhejiang and Henan ( 128 cases in each ) .
Beijing reports 80 infected people ( one death reported ) and 21 people have been infected in Heilongjiang province sharing a border with Russia .
One of the patients has died there .
According to the Chinese Ministry of Finance , this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget an equivalent of $ 8.5 billion to fight the virus .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
The new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in almost all Chinese provinces including Beijing and Shanghai as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malaysia , Nepal , France , Thailand , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States and Japan .
The World Health Organization recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring it an international one .

According to the news portal, new cases have been reported in different parts of the country, including the coastal metropolis of Tianjin in Northern China, Beijing and Qinghai province (north-western China).
BEIJING, January 27. /TASS/. As many as 2,857 people in China are infected with a new coronavirus as of Monday evening, China’s Wangyi news portal reports, referring to official data from Chinese regions.
On Monday morning, the authorities said that more than 2,700 people were infected, the death toll amounted to 82, growing by two people over 24 hours. China’s Hubei province and its administrative center Wuhan account for the biggest number of infected people (1,423 people infected with the virus and 76 deaths). Then goes Guangdong province (151 people), Zhejiang and Henan (128 cases in each). Beijing reports 80 infected people (one death reported) and 21 people have been infected in Heilongjiang province sharing a border with Russia. One of the patients has died there.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Finance, this year the Chinese government will allocate from the budget an equivalent of $8.5 billion to fight the virus.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
The new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in almost all Chinese provinces including Beijing and Shanghai as well as in other countries such as Australia, Malaysia, Nepal, France, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States and Japan. The World Health Organization recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as a national emergency but stopped short of declaring it an international one.


tass--2020-01-27--Coronavirus epidemics to have small impact on global oil demand, says OPEC

RABAT , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus outbreak will have minor influence on prospects of the global oil @ @ @ @ @ Minister of Energy and President of the OPEC Conference Mohamed Arkab said on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ Service news agency .
`` Initial data shows at present that the recent epidemics is @ @ @ @ @ acute respiratory syndrome [ SARS - TASS ] epidemics in 2003 , '' Arkab said @ @ @ @ @ impact of the coronavirus epidemics on the global oil demand prospects will be mild , @ @ @ @ @ `` The Organization is closely following the evolution of oil markets in conjunction with the @ @ @ @ @ .

RABAT, January 27. /TASS/. The coronavirus outbreak will have minor influence on prospects of the global oil demand, Algeria’s Minister of Energy and President of the OPEC Conference Mohamed Arkab said on Monday, cited by the Algerie Presse Service news agency.
"Initial data shows at present that the recent epidemics is less dangerous than the severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS - TASS] epidemics in 2003," Arkab said.
"Therefore, the impact of the coronavirus epidemics on the global oil demand prospects will be mild," the official said.
"The Organization is closely following the evolution of oil markets in conjunction with the coronavirus," he added.


tass--2020-01-27--Tourist industry to feel "aftershocks" of coronavirus in a month —Federation of Hoteliers

`` I do want to express hope that the situation with the spread of coronavirus infection will not have a global impact on the tourism market .
I think we will feel some aftershocks of this problem in the near future , within a month or two , '' he said .
KAZAN , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Tourism business will feel some impact from the spread of coronavirus in the next one or two months , Vadim Prasov , Vice President of the Federation of restaurateurs and hoteliers of Russia said on Monday .
He was speaking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Committee of Russia ’ s republic of Tatarstan on tourism .
On Friday , January 24 , Russia ’ s Federal Tourism Agency recommended tour operators to stop sales of tours to China until the epidemiological situation normalizes .
After that , tour operators Anex Tour and Tez Tour suspended the sale of tours to China .
Charter airlines Azur Air and I Fly also suspended flights to some destinations .
The tours that were purchased earlier can be canceled or rebooked for other dates or destinations .
`` I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much affected by this , < ... > we do not purchase so many products in China , as far as I know .
< ... > .
In this case , the suppliers will quickly reorient themselves .
If you recall the case of import substitution , when they imposed all those bans , sanctions , anti-sanctions , the market rearranged quite quickly , despite the fact that the problem was much bigger then , '' Prasov told reporters .
He was answering a question about possible impact of a ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China to the restaurant business in Russia .
Vladivostok is one the tourist centers of Russia ’ s Far East , tourists from the Asia-Pacific region come to in particular to visit seafood restaurants .
According to Prasov , it is now difficult to imagine how the spread of coronavirus will damage this type of tourism .
`` From today , the Chinese authorities have banned the departure of organized tourist groups .
Last year , 1,300,000 Chinese tourists visited St. Petersburg .
Believe me , this is even more than in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of damage ?
Of course , there is a lot of damage .
The question [ is ] how long it will last , `` he said .
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 , 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people .
The pathogen , the 2019-nCoV coronavirus , was identified on January 7 .
Now the number of confirmed cases of infection in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll has risen to 81 .
The cases of the disease have been reported in almost all regions of China , including Beijing and Shanghai .
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , Thailand , France and Japan .
The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency .

"I do want to express hope that the situation with the spread of coronavirus infection will not have a global impact on the tourism market. I think we will feel some aftershocks of this problem in the near future, within a month or two," he said.
KAZAN, January 27. /TASS/. Tourism business will feel some impact from the spread of coronavirus in the next one or two months, Vadim Prasov, Vice President of the Federation of restaurateurs and hoteliers of Russia said on Monday. He was speaking at a meeting of the Board of the State Committee of Russia’s republic of Tatarstan on tourism.
On Friday, January 24, Russia’s Federal Tourism Agency recommended tour operators to stop sales of tours to China until the epidemiological situation normalizes. After that, tour operators Anex Tour and Tez Tour suspended the sale of tours to China. Charter airlines Azur Air and I Fly also suspended flights to some destinations. The tours that were purchased earlier can be canceled or rebooked for other dates or destinations.
"I don’t think that we will be very much affected by this, <...> we do not purchase so many products in China, as far as I know. <...>. In this case, the suppliers will quickly reorient themselves. If you recall the case of import substitution, when they imposed all those bans, sanctions, anti-sanctions, the market rearranged quite quickly, despite the fact that the problem was much bigger then," Prasov told reporters. He was answering a question about possible impact of a ban on the supply of certain types of products from China to the restaurant business in Russia.
Vladivostok is one the tourist centers of Russia’s Far East, tourists from the Asia-Pacific region come to in particular to visit seafood restaurants. According to Prasov, it is now difficult to imagine how the spread of coronavirus will damage this type of tourism.
"From today, the Chinese authorities have banned the departure of organized tourist groups. Last year, 1,300,000 Chinese tourists visited St. Petersburg. Believe me, this is even more than in Vladivostok. Accordingly, there is a lot of damage? Of course, there is a lot of damage. The question [is] how long it will last, "he said.
New virus
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
Now the number of confirmed cases of infection in China exceeded 2,800 people, while the death toll has risen to 81. The cases of the disease have been reported in almost all regions of China, including Beijing and Shanghai.
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.


tass--2020-01-27--Tehran ready to develop relations with Moscow, says Iranian president

TEHERAN , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Iran is ready to continue to develop relations with Russia , Iranian President @ @ @ @ @ at a meeting with visiting speaker of the Russian State Duma lower parliament house Vyacheslav @ @ @ @ @ the region has special importance for Iran and Russia .
That is why we are @ @ @ @ @ bilateral relations between our countries , '' Rouhani ’ s press service quoted him as @ @ @ @ @ Iranian president , Tehran ’ s trade relations with the countries of the region are @ @ @ @ @ with `` good cooperation with the Russian government on that track . ''
`` The @ @ @ @ @ Gulf of Oman involving Iran , Russia and China show that the countries want to @ @ @ @ @ other , '' he noted .
A Russian parliamentary delegation led by Volodin arrived in @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
Joint naval drills involving Iran , Russia and China were held in the @ @ @ @ @ Indian Ocean from December 27 to December 30 , 2019 .

TEHERAN, January 27. /TASS/. Iran is ready to continue to develop relations with Russia, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday at a meeting with visiting speaker of the Russian State Duma lower parliament house Vyacheslav Volodin.
"Stability in the region has special importance for Iran and Russia. That is why we are ready to continue to develop bilateral relations between our countries," Rouhani’s press service quoted him as saying.
According to the Iranian president, Tehran’s trade relations with the countries of the region are entering a new level, with "good cooperation with the Russian government on that track."
"The recent joint drills in the Gulf of Oman involving Iran, Russia and China show that the countries want to establish closer relations with each other," he noted.
A Russian parliamentary delegation led by Volodin arrived in the Iranian capital city on Monday.
Joint naval drills involving Iran, Russia and China were held in the Gulf of Oman in the Indian Ocean from December 27 to December 30, 2019.


tass--2020-01-27--Russian Baltic Fleet ships help immobilized foreign yacht in Gulf of Aden

KALININGRAD , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
The crew of the sea tug Viktor Konetsky on its deployment to the Indian Ocean as part of the Baltic Fleet naval group rendered assistance to a foreign yacht with four New Zealand citizens on its board in the Gulf of Aden , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Monday .
The event whose details were released on Monday took place on January 21 during the Russian-Japanese anti-piracy drills , the press office specified for TASS .
`` The Baltic Fleet ’ s guard ship Yaroslav Mudry received a signal from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implementing the program of the international Russian-Japanese drills in the Gulf of Aden .
The yachtsmen requested assistance due to a technical malfunction on the craft ’ s board , '' the press office said in a statement .
Naval Group Commander Captain 1st Rank Alexander Mashinetsky made a decision to send the sea tug Viktor Konetsky to assist the catamaran-yacht .
The Baltic Fleet specialists who boarded the yacht found a malfunction in the yacht ’ s electric power system .
The personnel of the sea tug made a special protective device @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thus enabling it to continue its voyage .
Also , the Baltic Fleet sailors transferred 100 liters of fresh water to the yacht at the request of its captain .
`` After they got convinced that the travelers could safely continue their oceanic transit , the crew of the sea tug Viktor Konetsky switched to fulfilling the drills ’ program .
The entire operation to provide assistance to the New Zealand sailors took two hours , '' the Baltic Fleet ’ s press office said .
Currently , the Baltic Fleet ships continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the statement .
The guard ship Yaroslav Mudry , the tanker Yelnya and the sea tug Viktor Konetsky embarked on their long-distance deployment from the Baltic Fleet ’ s main naval base of Baltiysk in the westernmost Kaliningrad Region on October 1 and set off for the Indian Ocean .
In December , the warships took part in the naval phase of the Indra-2019 Russian-Indian drills and in the Maritime Security Belt Russia-China-Iran naval maneuvers .
On January 21-22 , 2020 , they held joint anti-piracy drills with the destroyer Harusame of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Arabian Sea .

KALININGRAD, January 27. /TASS/. The crew of the sea tug Viktor Konetsky on its deployment to the Indian Ocean as part of the Baltic Fleet naval group rendered assistance to a foreign yacht with four New Zealand citizens on its board in the Gulf of Aden, the Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.
The event whose details were released on Monday took place on January 21 during the Russian-Japanese anti-piracy drills, the press office specified for TASS.
"The Baltic Fleet’s guard ship Yaroslav Mudry received a signal from the crew of a foreign yacht while implementing the program of the international Russian-Japanese drills in the Gulf of Aden. The yachtsmen requested assistance due to a technical malfunction on the craft’s board," the press office said in a statement.
Naval Group Commander Captain 1st Rank Alexander Mashinetsky made a decision to send the sea tug Viktor Konetsky to assist the catamaran-yacht. The Baltic Fleet specialists who boarded the yacht found a malfunction in the yacht’s electric power system. The personnel of the sea tug made a special protective device and installed it on the yacht, thus enabling it to continue its voyage. Also, the Baltic Fleet sailors transferred 100 liters of fresh water to the yacht at the request of its captain.
"After they got convinced that the travelers could safely continue their oceanic transit, the crew of the sea tug Viktor Konetsky switched to fulfilling the drills’ program. The entire operation to provide assistance to the New Zealand sailors took two hours," the Baltic Fleet’s press office said.
Currently, the Baltic Fleet ships continue accomplishing their long-distance deployment assignments, according to the statement.
The guard ship Yaroslav Mudry, the tanker Yelnya and the sea tug Viktor Konetsky embarked on their long-distance deployment from the Baltic Fleet’s main naval base of Baltiysk in the westernmost Kaliningrad Region on October 1 and set off for the Indian Ocean. In December, the warships took part in the naval phase of the Indra-2019 Russian-Indian drills and in the Maritime Security Belt Russia-China-Iran naval maneuvers. On January 21-22, 2020, they held joint anti-piracy drills with the destroyer Harusame of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Arabian Sea.


tass--2020-01-27--Gazprom supplies first billion cubic meters of gas over TurkStream pipeline

MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Gazprom has supplied the first billion cubic meters of natural gas over the @ @ @ @ @ Russian gas holding said on Monday .
`` About 54 % of this volume were @ @ @ @ @ market and around 46 % — to the Turkish-Bulgarian border , '' the company says @ @ @ @ @ pipeline started on January 1 , 2020 .
Presidents of Russia and Turkey held the @ @ @ @ @ TurkStream on January 8 in Istanbul .
Throughput capacity of the 930-km long gas pipeline @ @ @ @ @ of gas per year .
The first line with the capacity of 15.75 bln cubic @ @ @ @ @ for consumers in Turkey and the other one for Southern and Southeastern European nations .

MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Gazprom has supplied the first billion cubic meters of natural gas over the TurkStream gas pipeline, the Russian gas holding said on Monday.
"About 54% of this volume were delivered to the Turkish gas market and around 46% — to the Turkish-Bulgarian border," the company says.
Commercial deliveries over the pipeline started on January 1, 2020. Presidents of Russia and Turkey held the official opening ceremony of the TurkStream on January 8 in Istanbul.
Throughput capacity of the 930-km long gas pipeline is 31.5 bln cubic meters of gas per year. The first line with the capacity of 15.75 bln cubic meters of gas is intended for consumers in Turkey and the other one for Southern and Southeastern European nations.


tass--2020-01-27--Poland’s Duda hopes ‘all doubts resolved’ with Russia on World War II history

`` There was a serious exchange of opinions between Polish authorities and Russian representatives .
We hope that all doubts are resolved and there will be no more attempts to rewrite history .
We call for that .
This is important for us , '' he said .
AUSCHWITZ /Poland/ , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
President of Poland Andrzej Duda expressed his hope that `` all doubts are resolved '' in the dialogue with Russia on World War II history .
The President made his remark during the joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 75th anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp liberation by the Red Army , Duda opined that it was `` an important day in the world ’ s history . ''
`` Then , on January 27 , 1945 , a handful , several thousand survivors were finally liberated by the Red Army soldiers , and the most terrible period in their lives finally came to an end , '' he noted .
The Auschwitz events happen as Russia and Poland have a heated debate on World War II history .
Warsaw criticized Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in which Putin reminded that the Soviet Union was the last European state to sign the non-aggression treaty with Germany , and the subsequent publication of archived papers that depict actions of Polish citizens at the time in a bad light .
President Duda accused Putin of `` complete distortion of historical truth , '' and spreading `` post-Stalinist revisionism . ''
Warsaw claimed that Moscow `` attacks '' it to drive a wedge between Poland and its western allies and Israel and to shift responsibility for the beginning of World War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in January , Polish Prime Minsiter Mateusz Morawiecki reiterated the idea that the Soviet Union and the Nazi Germany were equal , and that they allegedly acted in `` alliance '' in 1939 .
He also claimed that Auschwitz-Birkenau could have been liberated much earlier .
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova underscored that this article is another attempt to rewrite World War II history , based on false statements .

"There was a serious exchange of opinions between Polish authorities and Russian representatives. We hope that all doubts are resolved and there will be no more attempts to rewrite history. We call for that. This is important for us," he said.
AUSCHWITZ /Poland/, January 27. /TASS/. President of Poland Andrzej Duda expressed his hope that "all doubts are resolved" in the dialogue with Russia on World War II history. The President made his remark during the joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin.
Speaking about the ongoing commemorative events dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp liberation by the Red Army, Duda opined that it was "an important day in the world’s history."
"Then, on January 27, 1945, a handful, several thousand survivors were finally liberated by the Red Army soldiers, and the most terrible period in their lives finally came to an end," he noted.
The Auschwitz events happen as Russia and Poland have a heated debate on World War II history. Warsaw criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s December speech, in which Putin reminded that the Soviet Union was the last European state to sign the non-aggression treaty with Germany, and the subsequent publication of archived papers that depict actions of Polish citizens at the time in a bad light.
President Duda accused Putin of "complete distortion of historical truth," and spreading "post-Stalinist revisionism." Warsaw claimed that Moscow "attacks" it to drive a wedge between Poland and its western allies and Israel and to shift responsibility for the beginning of World War II.
In a Politico article published in January, Polish Prime Minsiter Mateusz Morawiecki reiterated the idea that the Soviet Union and the Nazi Germany were equal, and that they allegedly acted in "alliance" in 1939. He also claimed that Auschwitz-Birkenau could have been liberated much earlier. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova underscored that this article is another attempt to rewrite World War II history, based on false statements.


tass--2020-01-27--Moscow Region’s commission for pardons approves Issachar’s pardoning

KRASNOGORSK /Moscow Region/ , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Moscow Region ’ s commission for pardons has approved a plea for pardon from Israeli national Naama Issachar , who was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison in Russia on drugs smuggling charges , Ekaterina Semyonova , the commission ’ s deputy chairperson and Moscow Region ’ s human rights ombudswoman , told journalists on Monday .
`` We received Naama ’ s plea for pardon today .
She [ Naama Issachar — TASS ] partially admits her guilt .
But she pleads not guilty on smuggling charges .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after considering her character reference from the prison , which is positive , the commission took a decision to satisfy this plea for pardon , '' she commented following the commission ’ s meeting .
According to Semyonova , the pardon appeal protocol act was signed unanimously .
The document will be referred to Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyev on Tuesday .
Naama Issachar , 25 , was detained at Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo Airport on April 9 , 2019 when she was in the airport ’ s transit zone before boarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arriving from New Delhi .
The airport ’ s security guards found 9.6 grams of cannabis in her luggage .
On October 11 , 2019 , the Khimki City Court in the Moscow Region found Issachar guilty of drug possession and smuggling ( part 1 , Article 228 and part 2 , Article 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ) and sentenced her to 7.5 years in a standard regime penal colony .
Issachar admitted her guilt of possessing the drug but denied smuggling charges , saying she had no access to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She claimed she never took drugs and had no idea of how the cannabis could happen to be in her backpack .
The Moscow Regional Court upheld the verdict on December 19 .
During his visit to Israel last week , Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Naama ’ s mother , Jaffa Issachar , and promised her that `` everything is going to be fine . ''

KRASNOGORSK /Moscow Region/, January 27. /TASS/. The Moscow Region’s commission for pardons has approved a plea for pardon from Israeli national Naama Issachar, who was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison in Russia on drugs smuggling charges, Ekaterina Semyonova, the commission’s deputy chairperson and Moscow Region’s human rights ombudswoman, told journalists on Monday.
"We received Naama’s plea for pardon today. She [Naama Issachar — TASS] partially admits her guilt. But she pleads not guilty on smuggling charges. She had no such malicious intent. Hence, after considering her character reference from the prison, which is positive, the commission took a decision to satisfy this plea for pardon," she commented following the commission’s meeting.
According to Semyonova, the pardon appeal protocol act was signed unanimously. The document will be referred to Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyev on Tuesday.
Naama Issachar, 25, was detained at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on April 9, 2019 when she was in the airport’s transit zone before boarding a connecting flight to Tel Aviv after arriving from New Delhi. The airport’s security guards found 9.6 grams of cannabis in her luggage.
On October 11, 2019, the Khimki City Court in the Moscow Region found Issachar guilty of drug possession and smuggling (part 1, Article 228 and part 2, Article 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code) and sentenced her to 7.5 years in a standard regime penal colony. Issachar admitted her guilt of possessing the drug but denied smuggling charges, saying she had no access to her luggage checked in for the transit flight. She claimed she never took drugs and had no idea of how the cannabis could happen to be in her backpack. The Moscow Regional Court upheld the verdict on December 19.
During his visit to Israel last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Naama’s mother, Jaffa Issachar, and promised her that "everything is going to be fine."


tass--2020-01-27--S7 passengers can refund or exchange their flight tickets to China

An official with the carrier ’ s press service told TASS , the procedure of exchange or refunding will be free .
MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Passengers of S7 can refund of exchange their flight tickets to China , the airline said in a statement .
Tickets with the departure date from January 24 to February 10 can be refunded , while the tickets with departure no later than February 29 can be exchanged .
The company made this decision amid the outbreak of coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
`` S7 Airlines offers passengers the opportunity to arrange an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the flight route contains destinations to/from China or Hong Kong with departure between January 24 and February 10 , 2020 inclusive .
Passengers can exchange air tickets under the same fare and route for the departure dates no later than February 29 , 2020 , `` the report said .
S7 also recalled that according to the `` recommendation of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare , operational plans for crew actions in the context of complicating the epidemiological situation have been updated . ''
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of Russian airlines are stopping charter flights to China .
Such intentions were reported by Azur Air , Nordwind and iFly .
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 , 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people .
The pathogen , the 2019-nCoV coronavirus , was identified on January 7 .
Now the number of confirmed cases of infection in China reached 2,027 people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also , 2,700 people are suspected to be infected , cases of the disease have been reported in almost all regions of China , including Beijing and Shanghai .
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , Thailand , France and Japan .
The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency .

An official with the carrier’s press service told TASS, the procedure of exchange or refunding will be free.
MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Passengers of S7 can refund of exchange their flight tickets to China, the airline said in a statement.
Tickets with the departure date from January 24 to February 10 can be refunded, while the tickets with departure no later than February 29 can be exchanged. The company made this decision amid the outbreak of coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
"S7 Airlines offers passengers the opportunity to arrange an emergency return or exchange of air tickets if the flight route contains destinations to/from China or Hong Kong with departure between January 24 and February 10, 2020 inclusive. Passengers can exchange air tickets under the same fare and route for the departure dates no later than February 29, 2020, "the report said.
S7 also recalled that according to the "recommendation of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare, operational plans for crew actions in the context of complicating the epidemiological situation have been updated."
Earlier on Monday, it became known that a number of Russian airlines are stopping charter flights to China. Such intentions were reported by Azur Air, Nordwind and iFly.
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
Now the number of confirmed cases of infection in China reached 2,027 people, while the death toll is 57. Also, 2,700 people are suspected to be infected, cases of the disease have been reported in almost all regions of China, including Beijing and Shanghai.
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.


tass--2020-01-27--Belgian senator Hendrik Daems elected new PACE president

STRASBOURG , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe political group and Belgian senator Hendrik Daems has been elected president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ( PACE ) on Monday .
`` Congratulations to Rik Daems from Belgium , just elected as President of the Parliamentary Assembly for a one-year term , renewable ! ''
PACE Twitter account informed .
The politician , who is heading the Belgian delegation to PACE , was the only candidate for the position .
In his inaugural speech , he stressed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to visit all Council of Europe member states during his term as president .
He expressed hope that PACE , the Council of Europe ’ s Committee of Ministers and the organization ’ s Secretary General would work together to achieve joint results .
`` We may be a Council of Europe , but we are also a Council of Europeans - we cherish and uphold the same values , this is what 'unity in diversity ' means , this is what the [ Council of Europe ] is all about , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quoted by PACE Twitter .
`` Interests divide , but values unite .
We are sent by our national parliaments , but I doubt we are sent here only to support our national interests .
We are all united by our commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights ! ''
he stressed .
Head of the Russian delegation to PACE Leonid Slutsky commented on the appointment of Daems on Monday .
`` The Russian delegation has a neutral outlook on the prospects of cooperation with Daems after his appointment as PACE President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work on the most difficult issues within the parliamentary platform of the Council of Europe , '' he said .

STRASBOURG, January 27. /TASS/. Member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe political group and Belgian senator Hendrik Daems has been elected president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Monday.
"Congratulations to Rik Daems from Belgium, just elected as President of the Parliamentary Assembly for a one-year term, renewable!" PACE Twitter account informed.
The politician, who is heading the Belgian delegation to PACE, was the only candidate for the position. In his inaugural speech, he stressed that his work is result-oriented and that he plans to visit all Council of Europe member states during his term as president.
He expressed hope that PACE, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers and the organization’s Secretary General would work together to achieve joint results.
"We may be a Council of Europe, but we are also a Council of Europeans - we cherish and uphold the same values, this is what 'unity in diversity' means, this is what the [Council of Europe] is all about," Daems said in his speech, quoted by PACE Twitter. "Interests divide, but values unite. We are sent by our national parliaments, but I doubt we are sent here only to support our national interests. We are all united by our commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights!" he stressed.
Head of the Russian delegation to PACE Leonid Slutsky commented on the appointment of Daems on Monday. "The Russian delegation has a neutral outlook on the prospects of cooperation with Daems after his appointment as PACE President. We expect constructive dialogue and joint work on the most difficult issues within the parliamentary platform of the Council of Europe," he said.


tass--2020-01-27--China, France back idea of holding summit of UN Security Council members

MOSCOW , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Paris and Beijing have come out in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ a summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council , Russian Foreign @ @ @ @ @ opening of the 28th International Christmas Educational Readings .
`` The leaders of China and @ @ @ @ @ in support of this initiative .
The gist of the initiative is to consider in @ @ @ @ @ without politicizing , ideologization and allusions to electoral cycles , ways of easing tensions , @ @ @ @ @ years — ways of stalling the world ’ s further slide towards confrontation , '' @ @ @

MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. Paris and Beijing have come out in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative of holding a summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the opening of the 28th International Christmas Educational Readings.
"The leaders of China and France have already come out in support of this initiative. The gist of the initiative is to consider in the most serious way, without politicizing, ideologization and allusions to electoral cycles, ways of easing tensions, which soared dangerously in recent years — ways of stalling the world’s further slide towards confrontation," Lavrov said.


tass--2020-01-27--PACE refuses to hold urgent debate on democracy in Russia

STRASBOURG , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ( PACE ) has refused @ @ @ @ @ on the state of democracy in Russia , TASS reports from the assembly 's session @ @ @ @ @ ( 134 ) have opposed the offer made by the European Conservatives Group voiced by @ @ @ @ @ 54 MPs voted in favor of holding such a debate , 21 abstained .
The @ @ @ @ @ urgent debates on Thursday on the issue of repatriation of underage persons from conflict zones @ @ @ @ @ a debate on Libya and the Middle East .

STRASBOURG, January 27. /TASS/. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has refused to hold an urgent debate on the state of democracy in Russia, TASS reports from the assembly's session.
The majority of MPs (134) have opposed the offer made by the European Conservatives Group voiced by UK MP Ian Liddell-Grainger. 54 MPs voted in favor of holding such a debate, 21 abstained.
The PACE Bureau has approved holding urgent debates on Thursday on the issue of repatriation of underage persons from conflict zones. Thursday will also see a debate on Libya and the Middle East.


tass--2020-01-27--Polar explorer names author of movie about the Antarctic, found in the Arctic

ARKHANGELSK , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Experts of the Russian Arctic National Park named the author of the movie about the Molodezhnaya station in the Antarctic .
Strangely , the film had been found in the Arctic — on the Franz Josef Land ’ s Heiss Island .
Its creator turned out to be engineer and artist Nikolai Shvyrkov , the national park ’ s representative Evgeny Yermolov told TASS .
Explorers had found an old film , which consisted of glued black-and-white and colored fragments , in an abandoned house of the polar station on Heiss Island .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the film was dedicated to the polar explorers ' life and work at the Ernst Krenkel observatory on the island .
However , as the film was restored , experts saw on the digital copy that it portrayed the Antarctic ’ s Molodezhnaya station , not the Arctic .
The movie dated back to the 1970s .
`` So , we began searching : it was almost a detective story , as when we took the film , nobody could define anything — neither the year , nor the place , nor the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the author was Nikolai Shvyrkov .
It was specialists from the Museum of Arctic and Antarctic in St. Petersburg who helped us to find it out , '' the national park ’ s head of the Department of Historical Heritage , Yevgeny Yermolov revealed .
The movie ’ s rather big part is devoted to the artist , depicting paintings of the Northern Lights , polar views , unloading of vessels in the ice , penguins and polar bears .
Some fragments showed the artist working .
The artist is actually the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonderful man in the Museum of Arctic and Antarctic — Valery Ippolitov .
He is a prominent polar explorer , who has repeatedly travelled to the Arctic and Antarctic , spending many winters there , and who led North Pole 19 and North Pole 30 drifting stations , as well as Antarctic stations , '' the historian commented .
`` When he saw the movie , he established that the artist was Nikolai Shvyrkov .
They used to work together , including at the Molodezhnaya station . ''
The experts concluded that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1972-1974 .
`` It was the Eighteenth Soviet Antarctic expedition , which used to work at many stations , including at the Molodezhnaya station where Nikolai Shvyrkov was an engineer , '' he added .
The movie ’ s author was engaged in launching sounding rockets .
The M-100 rockets , whose blast-offs were depicted in the movie , went as high as 100 kilometers , much higher than weather balloons .
The rocket registered temperature , humidity , air pressure and other parameters .
Lift-offs took place across the globe , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station .
`` Shvyrkov , as Ippolitov says , was a launcher at the meteorology station , '' the national park ’ s representative clarified .
`` His responsibility was the rockets , he prepared them for launches . ''
Shvyrkov was also a good artist .
His works are kept at the Museum of Arctic and Antarctic .
`` He spent seven winters in the Antarctic and a few winters on Heiss Island , '' he continued .
`` He was a high-class specialist and a very talented person : an artist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good scientist , engineer , very creative and versatile .
Just like a man of the Renaissance era : a physicist and a lyricist , as we put it . ''
Nikolai Shvyrkov passed away in 2010 .
The national park ’ s experts are searching for his family .
The park will use the movie in its projects , as research works in the Arctic and in the Antarctic were similar .
`` At first , we were rather disappointed , when we realized that the movie was about the Antarctic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same people used to work in the Arctic and in the Antarctic , '' he continued .
`` It is remarkable that the news came on the eve of the 200th anniversary of the Antarctic ’ s discovery — we shall mark that event on January 28 . ''
The Ernst Krenkel Geophysical Polar Observatory ( formerly Druzhnaya ) is located on the Franz Josef Land Archipelago ’ s Heiss Island .
The station was opened in 1957 .
It could accommodate about 200 people at a time .
After the fire of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resumed its activities in 2004 .
Currently , there are some 5-6 staff there .
The Molodezhnaya station , which could accommodate 150 people at a time , went into operation in the Antarctic in 1962 .
In 1999 , work at the station was suspended , and since 2006 it has been operational only in summer .
The Russian Arctic National Park is Russia ’ s northernmost and biggest nature reserve , which occupies an area of 8.8 million hectares .
It was established on June 15 , 2009 .
The Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zemlya Archipelago ’ s Severny Island and the entire Franz Josef Land Archipelago .

ARKHANGELSK, January 27. /TASS/. Experts of the Russian Arctic National Park named the author of the movie about the Molodezhnaya station in the Antarctic. Strangely, the film had been found in the Arctic — on the Franz Josef Land’s Heiss Island. Its creator turned out to be engineer and artist Nikolai Shvyrkov, the national park’s representative Evgeny Yermolov told TASS.
Explorers had found an old film, which consisted of glued black-and-white and colored fragments, in an abandoned house of the polar station on Heiss Island. The national park’s experts guessed the film was dedicated to the polar explorers' life and work at the Ernst Krenkel observatory on the island. However, as the film was restored, experts saw on the digital copy that it portrayed the Antarctic’s Molodezhnaya station, not the Arctic. The movie dated back to the 1970s.
"So, we began searching: it was almost a detective story, as when we took the film, nobody could define anything — neither the year, nor the place, nor the author. Later on, we learned that the author was Nikolai Shvyrkov. It was specialists from the Museum of Arctic and Antarctic in St. Petersburg who helped us to find it out," the national park’s head of the Department of Historical Heritage, Yevgeny Yermolov revealed.
The movie’s rather big part is devoted to the artist, depicting paintings of the Northern Lights, polar views, unloading of vessels in the ice, penguins and polar bears. Some fragments showed the artist working. The artist is actually the movie creator.
"There works a wonderful man in the Museum of Arctic and Antarctic — Valery Ippolitov. He is a prominent polar explorer, who has repeatedly travelled to the Arctic and Antarctic, spending many winters there, and who led North Pole 19 and North Pole 30 drifting stations, as well as Antarctic stations," the historian commented. "When he saw the movie, he established that the artist was Nikolai Shvyrkov. They used to work together, including at the Molodezhnaya station."
The experts concluded that a part of the movie was shot in 1972-1974.
"It was the Eighteenth Soviet Antarctic expedition, which used to work at many stations, including at the Molodezhnaya station where Nikolai Shvyrkov was an engineer," he added.
'A physicist and a lyricist'
The movie’s author was engaged in launching sounding rockets. The M-100 rockets, whose blast-offs were depicted in the movie, went as high as 100 kilometers, much higher than weather balloons. The rocket registered temperature, humidity, air pressure and other parameters. Lift-offs took place across the globe, including off Heiss Island and from the Molodezhnaya station.
"Shvyrkov, as Ippolitov says, was a launcher at the meteorology station," the national park’s representative clarified. "His responsibility was the rockets, he prepared them for launches."
Shvyrkov was also a good artist. His works are kept at the Museum of Arctic and Antarctic.
"He spent seven winters in the Antarctic and a few winters on Heiss Island," he continued. "He was a high-class specialist and a very talented person: an artist, an athlete, and a very good scientist, engineer, very creative and versatile. Just like a man of the Renaissance era: a physicist and a lyricist, as we put it."
Nikolai Shvyrkov passed away in 2010. The national park’s experts are searching for his family.
The park will use the movie in its projects, as research works in the Arctic and in the Antarctic were similar.
"At first, we were rather disappointed, when we realized that the movie was about the Antarctic, but on the other hand, the same people used to work in the Arctic and in the Antarctic," he continued. "It is remarkable that the news came on the eve of the 200th anniversary of the Antarctic’s discovery — we shall mark that event on January 28."
National Park and polar stations
The Ernst Krenkel Geophysical Polar Observatory (formerly Druzhnaya) is located on the Franz Josef Land Archipelago’s Heiss Island. The station was opened in 1957. It could accommodate about 200 people at a time. After the fire of 2001, the station was closed and resumed its activities in 2004. Currently, there are some 5-6 staff there.
The Molodezhnaya station, which could accommodate 150 people at a time, went into operation in the Antarctic in 1962. In 1999, work at the station was suspended, and since 2006 it has been operational only in summer.
The Russian Arctic National Park is Russia’s northernmost and biggest nature reserve, which occupies an area of 8.8 million hectares. It was established on June 15, 2009. The Park includes a northern part of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago’s Severny Island and the entire Franz Josef Land Archipelago.


tass--2020-01-27--Russia, Iran agree to look at format of parliamentary dialogue of Caspian nations

TEHERAN , January 27 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow and Teheran have agreed to look at a possibility of such format as inter-parliamentary cooperation between the Caspian littoral nations , speaker of Russia ’ s State Duma lower parliament house Vyacheslav Volodin said on Monday after a meeting with his Iranian counterpart , Ali Larijani .
`` We attach great significance to the cooperation in the Caspian region .
We agreed with Mr. Ali Larijani to look at a possibility of a new format of inter-parliamentary cooperation and approach our colleagues in the parliaments of the Caspian littoral states with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of common problems via parliamentary dimension , '' he said .
He also welcomed efficient cooperation within the Russia-Iran inter-parliamentary commission .
`` It is a new format , which will help us discuss a wide range of issues , both of the political character and absolutely concrete matters that require measures from executive authorities , '' Volodin noted .
`` On our part , we must spare no effort to ensure legislative backing to the decisions of our countries ’ presidents , the decisions that will help our countries build their relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @

TEHERAN, January 27. /TASS/. Moscow and Teheran have agreed to look at a possibility of such format as inter-parliamentary cooperation between the Caspian littoral nations, speaker of Russia’s State Duma lower parliament house Vyacheslav Volodin said on Monday after a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Larijani.
"We attach great significance to the cooperation in the Caspian region. We agreed with Mr. Ali Larijani to look at a possibility of a new format of inter-parliamentary cooperation and approach our colleagues in the parliaments of the Caspian littoral states with an initiative to take part in the resolution of common problems via parliamentary dimension," he said.
He also welcomed efficient cooperation within the Russia-Iran inter-parliamentary commission. "It is a new format, which will help us discuss a wide range of issues, both of the political character and absolutely concrete matters that require measures from executive authorities," Volodin noted.
"On our part, we must spare no effort to ensure legislative backing to the decisions of our countries’ presidents, the decisions that will help our countries build their relations more effectively," he added.