tass--2020-01-23--Putin assures convicted Israeli woman’s mother everything will be fine

`` I have just met with Naama ’ s mother , '' the head of state said after the meeting .
`` It is clear to me that Naama comes from a very good and decent family .
I am aware of the position of [ Israeli ] Prime Minister [ Benjamin Netanyahu ] who asks to make an appropriate decision .
All that will certainly be taken into account when the final decision is made , '' Putin said .
JERUSALEM , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured the mother of Israeli national Naama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges that `` everything is going to be fine . ''
Possible pardoning of convicted Israeli woman to be discussed by Putin in Israel — Kremlin He noted that `` Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova will visit Naama today . ''
`` Her mother is very much concerned , I can see that .
I told her , and I want to repeat now that everything is going to be fine , '' the Russian president assured .
In response to that , Yaffa Issachar shook Putin ’ s hand and thanked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peskov earlier informed that Putin had met with Yaffa Issachar and Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem .
Naama Issachar 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Part 2 , Section 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ) and sentenced her to 7.5 years in a standard regime penal colony .
The Moscow Regional Court upheld the verdict on December 19 .
In October 2019 , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin asked Putin to pardon Issachar .
On December 6 , Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that he had raised the issue at a meeting with Russia ’ s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov in Rome , expressing the hope that the Russian president would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

"I have just met with Naama’s mother," the head of state said after the meeting. "It is clear to me that Naama comes from a very good and decent family. I am aware of the position of [Israeli] Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] who asks to make an appropriate decision. All that will certainly be taken into account when the final decision is made," Putin said.
JERUSALEM, January 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured the mother of Israeli national Naama Issachar convicted in Russia on drug smuggling charges that "everything is going to be fine."
Possible pardoning of convicted Israeli woman to be discussed by Putin in Israel — Kremlin
He noted that "Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova will visit Naama today." "Her mother is very much concerned, I can see that. I told her, and I want to repeat now that everything is going to be fine," the Russian president assured.
In response to that, Yaffa Issachar shook Putin’s hand and thanked him in English.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier informed that Putin had met with Yaffa Issachar and Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem.
Naama Issachar 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, Section 228 and Part 2, Section 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code) and sentenced her to 7.5 years in a standard regime penal colony. The Moscow Regional Court upheld the verdict on December 19.
In October 2019, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin asked Putin to pardon Issachar. On December 6, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that he had raised the issue at a meeting with Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov in Rome, expressing the hope that the Russian president would consider request to pardon the Israeli national.


tass--2020-01-23--Press review: Putin’s visit to historic Holocaust Forum and coronavirus’ economic impact

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the World Holocaust Forum on Thursday in Jerusalem ’ s Yad Vashem memorial complex .
Putin is due to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discuss bilateral issues as well as Tehran ’ s influence in Syria .
The creation of an Iranian strategic corridor to the Mediterranean Sea has drastically changed after the killing of Qasem Soleimani , the commander of Iran 's elite Quds Force , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
The forum is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of liberating the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp .
Israeli officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part in the event .
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stressed that Russia plays an important role in the Middle East .
`` Israel acts in coordination with Russia in solving regional issues .
Israel appreciates President Putin ’ s understanding on the need to ensure Israel ’ s security , '' Katz said .
The talks between Putin and Netanyahu on Israel ’ s security are likely to be held more smoothly in the wake of Soleimani ’ s death , the newspaper says .
With Soleimani out of the picture , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost Russia ’ s influence in Syria vis-a-vis Iran , Frederic Hof , former special advisor for transition in Syria at the US Department of State , told the newspaper .
According to him , Putin may ask Jerusalem to exert pressure on Washington so that it would reconcile with Assad in order to reduce Iran ’ s influence in Syria .
The high-ranking Iranian commander had overseen and created militias under Iran ’ s wing , but this process is set to continue after his death , said Russian International Affairs Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage of the Iranian general ’ s killing to strengthen its influence among Syria ’ s military and political elite , but it is unclear whether it is ready for this , he noted .
The global outbreak of a new coronavirus from China could deal a significant blow to the world economy , which may be compared with the losses during the US-China trade war .
The consequences of the coronavirus outbreak for the Chinese economy and the entire Asian region may be more serious than the 2003 atypical pneumonia epidemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in fever : the stocks of airline companies , casinos and luxury traders are plunging along with oil prices .
If the market concerns over the outbreak are proven , oil prices will drop at least by $ 3 , Goldman Sachs warned .
`` The world economy is now waiting for ‘ black swans ’ — events that could suddenly affect the entire world .
And the virus could be such an event even if it does not trigger any global consequences , '' Head of Analytic Department at AMarkets Artem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector will be affected and this will target the transport sector .
Besides , stock markets could lose up to 3 % and the sales losses due to the virus during the holidays will deal a blow to Chinese companies ’ profits , he noted .
According to Oleg Cherednichenko , an associate professor at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics , Russia could also suffer economic consequences from the virus because the number of tourists from China , who are a significant source of revenues , will seriously decline .
Besides , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other analysts disagree , saying that the influence of coronavirus on the global economy is exaggerated .
Russia ’ s economic growth rate in 2020-2022 will be higher than in the United States and the Eurozone , according to an updated macroeconomic forecast by the Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences , Izvestia writes .
In 2020 , Russia ’ s GDP will grow 1.8 % and 2.2 % over the next two years , while the figures in the US will be 1.9 % , 1.7 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.7 % , 1.5 % and 1.5 % .
However , despite the positive dynamics , Russia is unlikely to catch up with the world ’ s average growth rates , the survey shows , attributing this to the lack of investment and weak consumer demand .
The slowdown of the world ’ s major economies will be linked to other reasons , mostly trade wars , experts say .
The key driver of Russia ’ s economic growth in the mid-term outlook will be stepping up investment activity , namely fulfilling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 1.8 % GDP growth this year will increase consumer demand and boost national economy .
Over the next three years , the public ’ s income and consumer demand will expand slower than the GDP rate , and their contribution will be less significant , said Alexander Shirov , one of the authors of the survey , and the institute ’ s deputy head .
According to him , this is linked to limits on the consumer credit market and the remaining problem of low incomes .
Director of the FBK Grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the forecast is very upbeat given the current economic situation .
He says the National Projects , though necessary , won ’ t be successful if the investment climate in the country remains unfavorable .
In order to boost growth , along with economic reforms , which requires many years , there is the need to ease the tax burden , he stressed .
Meanwhile , BCS Premier ’ s chief analyst Anton Pokatovich believes that attaining an average global growth rate of nearly 3 % provided that state investments speed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within reach .
Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev will keep his job in the new Russian government led by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin .
Along with him , key security officials will retain their positions , namely Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev .
The decision of the Russian president on Kolokoltsev ’ s reappointment was expected , Izvestia writes .
Over the past years , the interior minister has ensured the stable and efficient function of the entire system , even during the crisis and the reforms .
The police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Olympic Games and the 2018 FIFA World Cup .
Critics note that given that Putin decided to dismiss Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika , he needed to maintain a balance of power .
Chairman of the Coordination Council of the Moscow Police Trade Union Mikhail Pashkin notes that under Kolokoltsev , who assumed office in 2012 , the situation in police affairs significantly improved and the number of bribery crimes fell .
Russia ’ s Interior Ministry swiftly responded to the initiatives of the government and the Russian leader , fulfilling the goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the paper notes .
The ministry has been steadily tackling its key tasks – combating crime and maintaining public order , and its international cooperation has been successful .
For example , Russia ’ s police played a major role in the investigation against former chairman of Moldova ’ s Democratic Party Vladimir Plahotniuc .
`` As for the decisions and the focus that Kolokoltsev makes at working meetings , the priority is always the citizens and interaction with them and crime prevention… There is clear progress in the interior ministry ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens and eradicating crucial problems like crime on the streets , for example , '' Russian lawyer Anatoly Kucherena said .
Kommersant : Chlorine found in Kazakhstan could affect Rosneft ’ s supplies to China Kazakhstan has surprisingly imposed restrictions on oil exports to China after chlorine compounds were found there .
According to Kazakhstan ’ s Energy Ministry , contaminated oil was produced at one of the country ’ s major assets owned by the China National Petroleum Corporation ( CNPC ) .
Against this background , Kazakhstan was forced to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refinery and decrease exports .
Analysts told Kommersant business daily that the Kazakh pipeline ’ s contamination could affect Rosneft ’ s transit , which uses a swap scheme for its supplies to China via Kazakhstan .
Rosneft ’ s oil goes to the Pavlodar Oil Refinery while in exchange Kazakhstan supplies its oil to China via the Atasu-Alashankou pipeline .
In 2020 , Rosneft plans to deliver 10 mln tonnes of oil through this route .
So , the suspended Kazakh oil supplies to China could temporarily affect Rosneft ’ s export @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the communications department at KazTransOil , Kazakhstan ’ s oil transporter , told the newspaper that the pipeline continued working and the transit was carried out as scheduled .
A source in the Russian oil sector also denied problems with transit .
According to Sergey Garamita from Raiffeisen Bank , Transneft notes that Russian oil supplies to Kazakhstan have not diminished .
But if the crisis continued , Rosneft would be forced to look for an extra spot in the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean oil pipeline ( ESPO ) to increase exports through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The incident in Kazakhstan grabs the spotlight as it is reminiscent of the spring 2019 situation , when oil was contaminated with chlorine compounds along the Druzhba oil pipeline .
The Russian oil supplies to Eastern Europe were paralyzed for two months , triggering concerns among European consumers .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Soleimani’s death to boost Russian-Israeli dialogue
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the World Holocaust Forum on Thursday in Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem memorial complex. Putin is due to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discuss bilateral issues as well as Tehran’s influence in Syria. The creation of an Iranian strategic corridor to the Mediterranean Sea has drastically changed after the killing of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. The forum is dedicated to the 75th anniversary of liberating the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. Israeli officials have welcomed Putin’s decision to take part in the event. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stressed that Russia plays an important role in the Middle East. "Israel acts in coordination with Russia in solving regional issues. Israel appreciates President Putin’s understanding on the need to ensure Israel’s security," Katz said. The talks between Putin and Netanyahu on Israel’s security are likely to be held more smoothly in the wake of Soleimani’s death, the newspaper says. With Soleimani out of the picture, this offers Vladimir Putin a chance to boost Russia’s influence in Syria vis-a-vis Iran, Frederic Hof, former special advisor for transition in Syria at the US Department of State, told the newspaper. According to him, Putin may ask Jerusalem to exert pressure on Washington so that it would reconcile with Assad in order to reduce Iran’s influence in Syria. The high-ranking Iranian commander had overseen and created militias under Iran’s wing, but this process is set to continue after his death, said Russian International Affairs Council expert Anton Mardasov. Russia could take advantage of the Iranian general’s killing to strengthen its influence among Syria’s military and political elite, but it is unclear whether it is ready for this, he noted. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Coronavirus poses threat to global economic growth
Read also Number of coronavirus cases in China climbs to 617
The global outbreak of a new coronavirus from China could deal a significant blow to the world economy, which may be compared with the losses during the US-China trade war. The consequences of the coronavirus outbreak for the Chinese economy and the entire Asian region may be more serious than the 2003 atypical pneumonia epidemic, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Global stock exchange is in fever: the stocks of airline companies, casinos and luxury traders are plunging along with oil prices. If the market concerns over the outbreak are proven, oil prices will drop at least by $3, Goldman Sachs warned. "The world economy is now waiting for ‘black swans’ — events that could suddenly affect the entire world. And the virus could be such an event even if it does not trigger any global consequences," Head of Analytic Department at AMarkets Artem Deev said. China’s tourism sector will be affected and this will target the transport sector. Besides, stock markets could lose up to 3% and the sales losses due to the virus during the holidays will deal a blow to Chinese companies’ profits, he noted. According to Oleg Cherednichenko, an associate professor at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Russia could also suffer economic consequences from the virus because the number of tourists from China, who are a significant source of revenues, will seriously decline. Besides, trade in food commodities will also drop. Other analysts disagree, saying that the influence of coronavirus on the global economy is exaggerated. Izvestia: Russian economy to outshine US, EU
Read also PM requests drafting proposals on refining National Projects by February 20
Russia’s economic growth rate in 2020-2022 will be higher than in the United States and the Eurozone, according to an updated macroeconomic forecast by the Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Izvestia writes. In 2020, Russia’s GDP will grow 1.8% and 2.2% over the next two years, while the figures in the US will be 1.9%, 1.7% and 1.5% and in Europe — 1.7%, 1.5% and 1.5%. However, despite the positive dynamics, Russia is unlikely to catch up with the world’s average growth rates, the survey shows, attributing this to the lack of investment and weak consumer demand. The slowdown of the world’s major economies will be linked to other reasons, mostly trade wars, experts say. The key driver of Russia’s economic growth in the mid-term outlook will be stepping up investment activity, namely fulfilling the National Projects, the survey says. The 1.8% GDP growth this year will increase consumer demand and boost national economy. Over the next three years, the public’s income and consumer demand will expand slower than the GDP rate, and their contribution will be less significant, said Alexander Shirov, one of the authors of the survey, and the institute’s deputy head. According to him, this is linked to limits on the consumer credit market and the remaining problem of low incomes. Director of the FBK Grant Thornton Strategic Analysis Institute Igor Nikolaev believes that the forecast is very upbeat given the current economic situation. He says the National Projects, though necessary, won’t be successful if the investment climate in the country remains unfavorable. In order to boost growth, along with economic reforms, which requires many years, there is the need to ease the tax burden, he stressed. Meanwhile, BCS Premier’s chief analyst Anton Pokatovich believes that attaining an average global growth rate of nearly 3% provided that state investments speed up Russia’s economy, would be within reach. Izvestia: Key security officials retain posts in new Russian government
Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev will keep his job in the new Russian government led by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Along with him, key security officials will retain their positions, namely Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev. The decision of the Russian president on Kolokoltsev’s reappointment was expected, Izvestia writes. Over the past years, the interior minister has ensured the stable and efficient function of the entire system, even during the crisis and the reforms. The police prevented serious violations of the law during the Olympic Games and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Critics note that given that Putin decided to dismiss Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika, he needed to maintain a balance of power. Chairman of the Coordination Council of the Moscow Police Trade Union Mikhail Pashkin notes that under Kolokoltsev, who assumed office in 2012, the situation in police affairs significantly improved and the number of bribery crimes fell. Russia’s Interior Ministry swiftly responded to the initiatives of the government and the Russian leader, fulfilling the goals that were set in due time, the paper notes. The ministry has been steadily tackling its key tasks – combating crime and maintaining public order, and its international cooperation has been successful. For example, Russia’s police played a major role in the investigation against former chairman of Moldova’s Democratic Party Vladimir Plahotniuc. "As for the decisions and the focus that Kolokoltsev makes at working meetings, the priority is always the citizens and interaction with them and crime prevention… There is clear progress in the interior ministry’s bodies, in ensuring the safety of citizens and eradicating crucial problems like crime on the streets, for example," Russian lawyer Anatoly Kucherena said. Kommersant: Chlorine found in Kazakhstan could affect Rosneft’s supplies to China
Read also CNPC may acquire minority stake in Rosneft's Siberian projects


tass--2020-01-23--World leaders salute TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman on 70th birthday

MOSCOW , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
TASS First Deputy Director General and international affairs journalist Mikhail Gusman turned 70 on Thursday .
Russian President Vladimir Putin was among those conveying congratulatory birthday wishes .
`` For years , your life and professional history have been closely linked with one of the country ’ s oldest and most venerable news agencies .
Your top-notch professional integrity , vast knowledge , and talent as a journalist and interviewer , as well as your considerable creative contribution to the development of the iconic TASS agency and the entire Russian media , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a congratulatory message published on the Kremlin website .
Azerbaijan ’ s President Ilham Aliyev also saluted Gusman on his anniversary .
`` You have been contributing a great deal to boosting Azerbaijani-Russian cultural ties , facilitating efforts to enhance and strengthen friendly relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation , '' Aliyev pointed out .
The Azerbaijani president awarded the TASS first deputy director general the nation ’ s Sharaf ( or Honor ) Order .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko emphasized in his congratulatory message to Mikhail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of history and global politics , and ability to win people over , Gusman had succeeded in creating a whole range of exclusive landmark projects .
Moldovan President Igor Dodon , in turn , extolled Gusman ’ s contribution `` to strengthening TASS , which remains a symbol of effective and high-quality work for generations of journalists and the public , as it maintains the status of one of the world ’ s oldest and biggest news agencies . ''
Mikhail Gusman was born in Azerbaijan ’ s capital of Baku on January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azerbaijan University of Languages and the Journalism Department of the Baku Higher School of Political Science .
In 1995 , he was appointed as Vice President of the ANKOM-TASS international think tank .
In October 2000 , the Russian president signed a decree appointing Gusman as TASS first deputy director general .
His popular TV program known as The Formula of Power has been on air for nearly 20 years and earned him Russia ’ s State Award in literature and the arts .
Gusman also holds the title of Honored Worker of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition , he was awarded the Order of Friendship , the Order of Honor , the Order of Merit Fourth Class .
Over his career , he has won a number of international journalism awards .
For years , Gusman has represented Russia in UNESCO ’ s International Program for the Development of Communication .
In addition , Gusman has served on numerous boards of global media associations .

MOSCOW, January 23. /TASS/. TASS First Deputy Director General and international affairs journalist Mikhail Gusman turned 70 on Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin was among those conveying congratulatory birthday wishes. "For years, your life and professional history have been closely linked with one of the country’s oldest and most venerable news agencies. Your top-notch professional integrity, vast knowledge, and talent as a journalist and interviewer, as well as your considerable creative contribution to the development of the iconic TASS agency and the entire Russian media, have won you sincere esteem," Putin said in a congratulatory message published on the Kremlin website.
Read also TASS, ANSA sign cooperation agreement
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev also saluted Gusman on his anniversary. "You have been contributing a great deal to boosting Azerbaijani-Russian cultural ties, facilitating efforts to enhance and strengthen friendly relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation," Aliyev pointed out. The Azerbaijani president awarded the TASS first deputy director general the nation’s Sharaf (or Honor) Order. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko emphasized in his congratulatory message to Mikhail Gusman that thanks to his comprehensive knowledge of history and global politics, and ability to win people over, Gusman had succeeded in creating a whole range of exclusive landmark projects. Moldovan President Igor Dodon, in turn, extolled Gusman’s contribution "to strengthening TASS, which remains a symbol of effective and high-quality work for generations of journalists and the public, as it maintains the status of one of the world’s oldest and biggest news agencies."
Read also TASS’s most memorable moments of 2019 in pictures


tass--2020-01-23--Putin praises Israel’s efforts on commemorating World War II

JERUSALEM , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin that Moscow appreciates Israel ’ s efforts on preserving the memory about World War II .
`` For me , my colleagues it is very important today to be in Israel .
We see your efforts , the efforts of the entire Israeli leadership on preserving the memory about tragic events of World War II , '' Putin said .
Putin thanked the Israeli president for his invitation to visit Israel .
He recalled that the Red Army did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also made a crucial contribution to fighting against the Nazis .
`` The Soviet people , the Russian people suffered huge losses during this war .
Speaking about the Holocaust tragedy , the Russian leader noted that 40 % of Jews who were killed and tortured had come from the Soviet Union .
`` In the fullest sense of the word , this is our common tragedy , '' Putin said .
`` Thank you a lot for a chance to be here together with you in Israel . ''
Putin has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reuven Rivlin that manifestations of xenophobia and antisemitism should be countered anywhere in the world .
`` We need to be vigilant in order to avoid anything like this in the future and to counter any manifestations of xenophobia , antisemitism , regardless of where they take place and who they are coming from , '' the Russian leader said .
Putin commented on his Israeli colleague ’ s statement , in which he said that it is impossible to know where antisemitism ends .
`` Unfortunately , we know this .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader stated .

JERUSALEM, January 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin that Moscow appreciates Israel’s efforts on preserving the memory about World War II.
"For me, my colleagues it is very important today to be in Israel. We see your efforts, the efforts of the entire Israeli leadership on preserving the memory about tragic events of World War II," Putin said.
Putin thanked the Israeli president for his invitation to visit Israel. He recalled that the Red Army did not only liberate the Auschwitz concentration camp, but also made a crucial contribution to fighting against the Nazis. "The Soviet people, the Russian people suffered huge losses during this war. Speaking about the Holocaust tragedy, the Russian leader noted that 40% of Jews who were killed and tortured had come from the Soviet Union. "In the fullest sense of the word, this is our common tragedy," Putin said. "Thank you a lot for a chance to be here together with you in Israel."
Putin has stressed during the meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin that manifestations of xenophobia and antisemitism should be countered anywhere in the world.
"We need to be vigilant in order to avoid anything like this in the future and to counter any manifestations of xenophobia, antisemitism, regardless of where they take place and who they are coming from," the Russian leader said.
Putin commented on his Israeli colleague’s statement, in which he said that it is impossible to know where antisemitism ends. "Unfortunately, we know this. It ends in Auschwitz," the Russian leader stated.


tass--2020-01-23--Up to 450 militants attack Syrian forces in Idlib

`` On January 22 , when it became dark up to 200 militants of the Turkistan Islamic Party [ outlawed in Russia ] attacked Syrian government forces ’ positions in the direction of Abu-Djreif-Samka with the support of 20 pickup trucks , one tank , two infantry fighting vehicles and two jihad-mobiles , '' the statement runs .
MOSCOW , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
Some 450 militants attacked government forces in Syria from two directions in Idlib , the Russian Defense Ministry ’ s Center for the Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria said on Thursday .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21:00 in the direction of Maar Shamarin-Crati two terrorist units consisting of some 250 people attacked government forces .
They were supported by 34 pickup trucks with large-caliber machine guns , two tanks , infantry fighting vehicle and two jihad-mobiles .
Nearly 40 Syrian troops were killed and 80 suffered wounds in militant attacks that took place in the Idlib province overnight into January 23 , according to the Center .
`` Syrian government forces eliminated up to 50 militants , and up to 90 were wounded during an offensive .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were killed and up to 80 injured , '' the statement reads .
A militant unit attacked Syria ’ s Aleppo for the first time after the city ’ s liberation in December 2016 , the Center for the Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria commented .
`` On January 22 , a unit consisting of up to 50 militants , supported by four pickup trucks mounted with heavy machine guns , attacked government forces in the city of Aleppo from the directions of Al-Rashidin and Baliramoun , '' the statement reads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the attack also involved mortars .
`` The attack was thwarted , seven militants were killed and nine suffered wounds .
As for Syrian troops , two were killed and four injured , '' the statement added .
The Aleppo province is part of the Idlib de-escalation zone , where military activities were halted on January 9 based on an agreement with Turkey .
However , according to the Center for Reconciliation , 28 civilians died and 56 suffered wounds in shelling attacks on the city ’ s western and central areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the summer of 2016 , the Syrian army launched a large-scale operation to liberate Aleppo from militants .
In October , Russia initiated the establishment of humanitarian corridors out of the city , but militants carried out shelling attacks , preventing civilians from leaving Aleppo .
Officers from the Russian Center for the Reconciliation helped people exit the city at night .
Syrian troops started an offensive in November 2016 , and on December 16 , the Russian General Staff announced the full liberation of Aleppo .
Russian President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest humanitarian mission in modern history .

"On January 22, when it became dark up to 200 militants of the Turkistan Islamic Party [outlawed in Russia] attacked Syrian government forces’ positions in the direction of Abu-Djreif-Samka with the support of 20 pickup trucks, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles and two jihad-mobiles," the statement runs.
MOSCOW, January 23. /TASS/. Some 450 militants attacked government forces in Syria from two directions in Idlib, the Russian Defense Ministry’s Center for the Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria said on Thursday.
According to the Center, simultaneously at around 21:00 in the direction of Maar Shamarin-Crati two terrorist units consisting of some 250 people attacked government forces. They were supported by 34 pickup trucks with large-caliber machine guns, two tanks, infantry fighting vehicle and two jihad-mobiles.
Nearly 40 Syrian troops were killed and 80 suffered wounds in militant attacks that took place in the Idlib province overnight into January 23, according to the Center. "Syrian government forces eliminated up to 50 militants, and up to 90 were wounded during an offensive. At the same time, nearly 40 Syrian troops were killed and up to 80 injured," the statement reads.
Attacks in Aleppo
A militant unit attacked Syria’s Aleppo for the first time after the city’s liberation in December 2016, the Center for the Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria commented.
"On January 22, a unit consisting of up to 50 militants, supported by four pickup trucks mounted with heavy machine guns, attacked government forces in the city of Aleppo from the directions of Al-Rashidin and Baliramoun," the statement reads.
According to the Center for the Reconciliation, the attack also involved mortars. "The attack was thwarted, seven militants were killed and nine suffered wounds. As for Syrian troops, two were killed and four injured," the statement added.
The Aleppo province is part of the Idlib de-escalation zone, where military activities were halted on January 9 based on an agreement with Turkey. However, according to the Center for the Reconciliation, 28 civilians died and 56 suffered wounds in shelling attacks on the city’s western and central areas, which took place on January 16-22.
Liberation of Aleppo
In the summer of 2016, the Syrian army launched a large-scale operation to liberate Aleppo from militants. In October, Russia initiated the establishment of humanitarian corridors out of the city, but militants carried out shelling attacks, preventing civilians from leaving Aleppo. Officers from the Russian Center for the Reconciliation helped people exit the city at night. Syrian troops started an offensive in November 2016, and on December 16, the Russian General Staff announced the full liberation of Aleppo.
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed the operation to free Aleppo as the biggest humanitarian mission in modern history.


tass--2020-01-23--State Duma adopts bill on amendments to Constitution in first reading

MOSCOW , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s State Duma on Thursday adopted in the first reading Russian @ @ @ @ @ bill on amendments to the Constitution envisaging , among other things , an expansion of @ @ @ @ @ the Constitutional Court , a ban prohibiting top officials from having other countries ’ residence @ @ @ @ @ the number of presidential terms , priority of national legislation over international agreements and greater @ @ @ @ @ .
The bill was adopted unanimously by 432 votes .
The next reading of the @ @ @ @ @ the middle of February .

MOSCOW, January 23. /TASS/. Russia’s State Duma on Thursday adopted in the first reading Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bill on amendments to the Constitution envisaging, among other things, an expansion of the rights of parliament and the Constitutional Court, a ban prohibiting top officials from having other countries’ residence permits, a restriction on the number of presidential terms, priority of national legislation over international agreements and greater social responsibilities of the state.
The bill was adopted unanimously by 432 votes. The next reading of the bill may take place in the middle of February.


tass--2020-01-23--Russia’s Rosgeo signs contract with ONGC on seismic works offshore India

Rosgeo plans to explore India ’ s offshore zone , to supply seismic equipment to India MOSCOW , January 23 @ @ @ @ @ SMNG ) , a subsidiary of Rosgeo , and India ’ s state oil and @ @ @ @ @ a contract on offshore seismic 2D and 3D works offshore India , Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ statement on Thursday .
The agreement has become Rosgeo 's largest-ever overseas contract .
Currently @ @ @ @ @ seismic survey works , which are planned to start in early February 2020 .

Rosgeo plans to explore India’s offshore zone, to supply seismic equipment to India
MOSCOW, January 23. /TASS/. Sevmorneftegeofizika (SMNG), a subsidiary of Rosgeo, and India’s state oil and gas corporation ONGC have signed a contract on offshore seismic 2D and 3D works offshore India, Russia’s state holding said in a statement on Thursday.
The agreement has become Rosgeo's largest-ever overseas contract.
Currently preparations are underway for field seismic survey works, which are planned to start in early February 2020.


tass--2020-01-23--Over 30 Russian Navy ships to hold drills in Caspian Sea

ROSTOV-ON-DON , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
The crews of Caspian Flotilla ships and vessels have taken to the sea @ @ @ @ @ eliminating a notional enemy force , the press office of Russia ’ s Southern Military @ @ @ @ @ `` The crews of the missile ships Dagestan and Tatarstan , the small artillery ships @ @ @ @ @ Sviyazhsk , the landing boats and minesweepers of the Flotilla have deployed to the Caspian @ @ @ @ @ combat training assignments , '' the press office said in a statement .

ROSTOV-ON-DON, January 23. /TASS/. The crews of Caspian Flotilla ships and vessels have taken to the sea to practice combat assignments of eliminating a notional enemy force, the press office of Russia’s Southern Military District reported on Thursday.
"The crews of the missile ships Dagestan and Tatarstan, the small artillery ships Astrakhan, Volgodonsk and Grad Sviyazhsk, the landing boats and minesweepers of the Flotilla have deployed to the Caspian Sea ranges to practice planned combat training assignments," the press office said in a statement.


tass--2020-01-23--Putin arrives in Israel for Holocaust Remembrance Day events

TEL AVIV , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Israel for a short but @ @ @ @ @ head of state will also make a trip to Bethlehem on Thursday .
According to @ @ @ @ @ the visit is linked to the 75th anniversary of the Red Army ’ s liberation @ @ @ @ @ and the Holocaust Remembrance Day .
Putin is expected to address a forum dubbed Remembering @ @ @ @ @ .

TEL AVIV, January 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Israel for a short but eventful visit. The Russian head of state will also make a trip to Bethlehem on Thursday.
According to Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, the visit is linked to the 75th anniversary of the Red Army’s liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp and the Holocaust Remembrance Day. Putin is expected to address a forum dubbed Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting Antisemitism.


tass--2020-01-23--Kazakhstan agrees to make Baiterek space complex unmanned

`` This complex was supposed to be manned .
Now , Russia has suggested abandoning the ‘ manned ’ part , which will increase the economic effectiveness of the investments and cut Kazakhstan ’ s expenses .
The initial cost was around $ 314 million , and today I talked about $ 233 million required for building the launch site , and for its upgrades .
This is why we support this offer , '' Zhumagaliyev told TASS .
NUR-SULTAN , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
Kazakhstan backs Russia ’ s proposal for unmanned launches at the future Baiterek missile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Askar Zhumagaliyev , Kazakhstan ’ s Minister of Digital Development , Innovation and Aerospace Industry .
The minister explained that , `` ’ unmanned ’ means that cosmonauts will not go into space from this launch site , there will be no pilots . ''
He also reiterated that Kazakhstan , together with Russia and the UAE , is looking into another project : upgrading the Baikonur ’ s Site 1 , or `` Gagarin ’ s Start , '' which launches manned missions .
In 2018 , Russia and Kazakhstan signed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 22 , 2004 to create the Baiterek launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome .
The protocol lays out the parties ’ responsibilities on the project .
According to the document , Russia shoulders responsibility for the development of the Soyuz-5 and Soyuz-6 missiles for the complex , while Kazakhstan gets to create the ground-based infrastructure by upgrading the existing Zenit-M launch site .
To that end , Russia terminated the Zenit-M lease and handed over the complex to Kazakhstan for reconstruction .

"This complex was supposed to be manned. Now, Russia has suggested abandoning the ‘manned’ part, which will increase the economic effectiveness of the investments and cut Kazakhstan’s expenses. The initial cost was around $314 million, and today I talked about $233 million required for building the launch site, and for its upgrades. This is why we support this offer," Zhumagaliyev told TASS.
NUR-SULTAN, January 23. /TASS/. Kazakhstan backs Russia’s proposal for unmanned launches at the future Baiterek missile complex at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, says Askar Zhumagaliyev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry.
The minister explained that, "’unmanned’ means that cosmonauts will not go into space from this launch site, there will be no pilots."
He also reiterated that Kazakhstan, together with Russia and the UAE, is looking into another project: upgrading the Baikonur’s Site 1, or "Gagarin’s Start," which launches manned missions.
In 2018, Russia and Kazakhstan signed a protocol on amendments to an agreement dated December 22, 2004 to create the Baiterek launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The protocol lays out the parties’ responsibilities on the project. According to the document, Russia shoulders responsibility for the development of the Soyuz-5 and Soyuz-6 missiles for the complex, while Kazakhstan gets to create the ground-based infrastructure by upgrading the existing Zenit-M launch site. To that end, Russia terminated the Zenit-M lease and handed over the complex to Kazakhstan for reconstruction.


tass--2020-01-23--FSB shuts down website behind wave of bomb hoaxes in Russia

MOSCOW , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service announced on Thursday it has shut down a Dutch-registered Startmail.com website that has been sending thousands of hoax bomb threats to courts , schools , hospitals , shopping malls and other facilities across Russia since November 2019 .
`` Since November 28 , 2019 until now , the foreign service Startmail.com ( in the Netherlands ) has sent more than 1,000 anonymous reports with bomb threats to emails of judicial authorities in 16 Russian regions , '' the FSB Public Relations Center told TASS .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , kindergartens , hospitals , transport and shopping centers received bomb threats , which turned out to be a hoax .
`` Starting from January 23 , 2020 access to information resources of the foreign service Startmail.com will be banned , '' the FSB said , noting that the decision was made based on a demand of the Prosecutor-General ’ s Office and the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications , Information Technology and Mass Media .
The website was shut down in order to prevent hoax bomb threats and protect the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is sensitive to the public and creates a threat of harming citizens ’ life , health and property , the FSB explained .
These reports also pose a threat to public safety and to the operations of social and transport infrastructure facilities , it said .
The bomb scare wave erupted in November 2019 with anonymous perpetrators emailing bomb threats to courts , schools , shopping malls and colleges .
All threats were checked by bomb squads , but not a single one was deemed to be genuine .

MOSCOW, January 23. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service announced on Thursday it has shut down a Dutch-registered Startmail.com website that has been sending thousands of hoax bomb threats to courts, schools, hospitals, shopping malls and other facilities across Russia since November 2019.
"Since November 28, 2019 until now, the foreign service Startmail.com (in the Netherlands) has sent more than 1,000 anonymous reports with bomb threats to emails of judicial authorities in 16 Russian regions," the FSB Public Relations Center told TASS.
More than 16,000 social infrastructure facilities such as schools, kindergartens, hospitals, transport and shopping centers received bomb threats, which turned out to be a hoax.
"Starting from January 23, 2020 access to information resources of the foreign service Startmail.com will be banned," the FSB said, noting that the decision was made based on a demand of the Prosecutor-General’s Office and the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media.
The website was shut down in order to prevent hoax bomb threats and protect the Russian Internet segment from false information, which is sensitive to the public and creates a threat of harming citizens’ life, health and property, the FSB explained. These reports also pose a threat to public safety and to the operations of social and transport infrastructure facilities, it said.
The bomb scare wave erupted in November 2019 with anonymous perpetrators emailing bomb threats to courts, schools, shopping malls and colleges. All threats were checked by bomb squads, but not a single one was deemed to be genuine.


tass--2020-01-23--Number of coronavirus cases in China climbs to 617

BEIJING , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people in China diagnosed with novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV has reached @ @ @ @ @ time on Thursday ( 09:00 Moscow time ) , China ’ s regional health commissions @ @ @ @ @ of cases ( 444 ) was reported in the Hubei province .
The region accounts @ @ @ @ @ to date .
A total of 32 cases were recorded in the Guandong province and @ @ @ @ @ .
Sixteen confirmed and 22 suspected cases were reported in Shanghai and 14 in Beijing @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s National Health Commission reported more than 570 confirmed cases , 17 of @ @ @ @

BEIJING, January 23. /TASS/. The number of people in China diagnosed with novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV has reached 617 as of 14:00 local time on Thursday (09:00 Moscow time), China’s regional health commissions reported.
The largest number of cases (444) was reported in the Hubei province. The region accounts for all 17 deaths recorded to date. A total of 32 cases were recorded in the Guandong province and 27 in the Zhejiang province. Sixteen confirmed and 22 suspected cases were reported in Shanghai and 14 in Beijing.
Earlier on Thursday, China’s National Health Commission reported more than 570 confirmed cases, 17 of these people died.


tass--2020-01-23--Moscow, Minsk can find solutions to oil and gas issue soon, says Russian ambassador

MINSK , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Belarus can find optimal solutions to the oil and gas issues @ @ @ @ @ the persisting differences in the parties ’ stances , Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev @ @ @ @ @ `` Despite certain differences in the parties ’ approaches , optimal solutions , which will @ @ @ @ @ be found in the near future , which will likewise confirm the scale and practice @ @ @ @ @ and gas , '' he noted .

MINSK, January 23. /TASS/. Russia and Belarus can find optimal solutions to the oil and gas issues in the immediate future despite the persisting differences in the parties’ stances, Russian Ambassador to Belarus Dmitry Mezentsev told TASS on Thursday.
"Despite certain differences in the parties’ approaches, optimal solutions, which will suit the partners, should be found in the near future, which will likewise confirm the scale and practice of bilateral cooperation on oil and gas," he noted.


tass--2020-01-23--Kazakhstan’s parliament ratifies protocol to agreement on Baiterek space project

NUR-SULTAN , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
Kazakhstan ’ s Senate ( upper house of parliament ) on Thursday ratified the protocol on amendments and supplements to the agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and Russia on building the Baiterek space launch facility at the Baikonur space center signed on December 22 , 2004 , a TASS correspondent reported from the parliament ’ s press center .
The protocol signed in Moscow in August 2018 stipulates the basic conditions for the implementation of the project and its financing .
Under this project , Russia is developing the Soyuz-5 carrier rocket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility .
`` The protocol envisages the replacement of the launch vehicle in the project ( from the Angara launch vehicle to a Russian medium-lift launch vehicle ) , as well as the location of the construction site of the Zenit-M space-rocket complex .
It stipulates the distribution of financial resources between the parties , according to which the Russian side provides financing for the creation of a launch vehicle and transportation of its components , the upgrading of the upper stage complex , spacecraft and the reentry vehicle , '' the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security said in a statement .
For its part , Kazakhstan provides financing for the maintenance and operation of ground-based infrastructure of the Zenit-M complex and the creation of educational and training facilities for training personnel for the operation of the launch and technical facilities .
According to Kazakhstan ’ s Minister of Digital Development , Defense and Aerospace Industry Askar Zhumagaliyev , Russia plans to earmark $ 916 mln for the Baiterek project and Kazakhstan - about $ 233 mln .
After ratification by the Senate , the protocol will be submitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

NUR-SULTAN, January 23. /TASS/. Kazakhstan’s Senate (upper house of parliament) on Thursday ratified the protocol on amendments and supplements to the agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and Russia on building the Baiterek space launch facility at the Baikonur space center signed on December 22, 2004, a TASS correspondent reported from the parliament’s press center.
The protocol signed in Moscow in August 2018 stipulates the basic conditions for the implementation of the project and its financing. Under this project, Russia is developing the Soyuz-5 carrier rocket scheduled to be launched from the Baiterek facility.
"The protocol envisages the replacement of the launch vehicle in the project (from the Angara launch vehicle to a Russian medium-lift launch vehicle), as well as the location of the construction site of the Zenit-M space-rocket complex. It stipulates the distribution of financial resources between the parties, according to which the Russian side provides financing for the creation of a launch vehicle and transportation of its components, the upgrading of the upper stage complex, spacecraft and the reentry vehicle," the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Defense and Security said in a statement.
For its part, Kazakhstan provides financing for the maintenance and operation of ground-based infrastructure of the Zenit-M complex and the creation of educational and training facilities for training personnel for the operation of the launch and technical facilities.
According to Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Defense and Aerospace Industry Askar Zhumagaliyev, Russia plans to earmark $916 mln for the Baiterek project and Kazakhstan - about $233 mln.
After ratification by the Senate, the protocol will be submitted to the president of Kazakhstan for signature.


tass--2020-01-23--Kymeta and Isotropic Networks collaborate on next generation flat-panel antenna services

REDMOND , Wash. and LAKE GENEVA , Wis. , Jan. 22 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Isotropic , the trusted provider of global internet services offering unrivalled certainty , and Kymeta , the communications company that is completing the connectivity fabric for everything , everywhere , have partnered to conduct over-the-air testing on Kymeta 's u7 antenna and next generation antennas .
Testing took place last week in the Seattle area on Isotropic 's E115 network .
Previous testing took place on the AM2 and G28 satellites on the east coast .
The Kymeta u7 antenna was paired with an iDirect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which are optimized for mobility .
These successful tests demonstrate the ability of the antenna to operate across multiple satellite networks and beams , and they mark the first time Isotropic 's commercial service offering has been delivered immediately following conception .
The Kymeta u7 Ku-band satellite terminal addresses the need for lightweight , low-profile , and high-throughput communication systems on-the-move .
The u7 terminal makes connecting to nearly any vehicle , vessel , or fixed platform easier and more reliable than ever before .
`` The testing we completed with Kymeta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Hank Zbierski , Chief Catalyst and Co-Founder , Isotropic .
`` I had been waiting for the promises of holographic beamforming and was skeptical about metamaterial technology .
These tests have proven , beyond any doubt , that metamaterial science is not something that 's in the future—it 's deliverable now . ''
As part of the antenna innovator 's development and testing of its next generation antenna , Kymeta will be using bandwidth provided by Isotropic at the Lake Geneva Earth Station and Isotropic 's world class network operations center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have partnered with Isotropic to conduct these tests .
Isotropic 's network is proven to enable robust service delivery on our u7 antenna , '' said Walter Berger , President , Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer , Kymeta .
`` This exercise has proven the seamless connectivity of our revolutionary flat panel antenna technology , and we look forward to our continued work with Isotropic to shape the course of satellite communications in the future . ''
The Kymeta u7 terminal , with seamless connectivity , is available on Isotropic 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Isotropic ) is a global provider of satellite internet services and network management solutions .
With the best uptime in the satellite industry , we deliver unrivalled certainty for leaders in high-risk , high-pressure industries including oil and gas , maritime , and enterprise solutions .
Isotropic is built on high standards for troubleshooting and solving technically complex problems with the latest technologies .
Our team of highly-trained hardware and software engineers delivers personalized services and solutions that support our clients when and where they need it most—now and into the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continually raising the bar for what satellite connectivity can be .
Kymeta is unlocking the potential of satellite connectivity , combined with cellular networks , to satisfy the overwhelming demand for global ubiquitous mobile connectivity .
The company 's flat-panel satellite antenna , the first of its kind , the Kymeta connected platform , and Kymeta connectivity services provide revolutionary mobile connectivity on satellite and hybrid satellite-cellular networks to customers around the world .
Backed by U.S. and international patents and licenses , the Kymeta terminal addresses the need for lightweight , slim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not require mechanical components to steer toward a satellite .
Kymeta makes connecting easy – for any vehicle , vessel , or fixed platform .

REDMOND, Wash. and LAKE GENEVA, Wis., Jan. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Isotropic, the trusted provider of global internet services offering unrivalled certainty, and Kymeta, the communications company that is completing the connectivity fabric for everything, everywhere, have partnered to conduct over-the-air testing on Kymeta's u7 antenna and next generation antennas.
Testing took place last week in the Seattle area on Isotropic's E115 network. Previous testing took place on the AM2 and G28 satellites on the east coast. The Kymeta u7 antenna was paired with an iDirect X7 satellite router and iQ 200LTE modem, which are optimized for mobility. These successful tests demonstrate the ability of the antenna to operate across multiple satellite networks and beams, and they mark the first time Isotropic's commercial service offering has been delivered immediately following conception.
The Kymeta u7 Ku-band satellite terminal addresses the need for lightweight, low-profile, and high-throughput communication systems on-the-move. The u7 terminal makes connecting to nearly any vehicle, vessel, or fixed platform easier and more reliable than ever before.
"The testing we completed with Kymeta has been a revelation to me," said Hank Zbierski, Chief Catalyst and Co-Founder, Isotropic. "I had been waiting for the promises of holographic beamforming and was skeptical about metamaterial technology. These tests have proven, beyond any doubt, that metamaterial science is not something that's in the future—it's deliverable now."
As part of the antenna innovator's development and testing of its next generation antenna, Kymeta will be using bandwidth provided by Isotropic at the Lake Geneva Earth Station and Isotropic's world class network operations center.
"We are very pleased to have partnered with Isotropic to conduct these tests. Isotropic's network is proven to enable robust service delivery on our u7 antenna," said Walter Berger, President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Kymeta. "This exercise has proven the seamless connectivity of our revolutionary flat panel antenna technology, and we look forward to our continued work with Isotropic to shape the course of satellite communications in the future."
The Kymeta u7 terminal, with seamless connectivity, is available on Isotropic's network today.
About Isotropic Networks
Isotropic Networks, Inc. (Isotropic) is a global provider of satellite internet services and network management solutions. With the best uptime in the satellite industry, we deliver unrivalled certainty for leaders in high-risk, high-pressure industries including oil and gas, maritime, and enterprise solutions.
Isotropic is built on high standards for troubleshooting and solving technically complex problems with the latest technologies. Our team of highly-trained hardware and software engineers delivers personalized services and solutions that support our clients when and where they need it most—now and into the future.
Isotropic is connecting the planet and continually raising the bar for what satellite connectivity can be.
www.isotropic.network
About Kymeta
Kymeta is unlocking the potential of satellite connectivity, combined with cellular networks, to satisfy the overwhelming demand for global ubiquitous mobile connectivity. The company's flat-panel satellite antenna, the first of its kind, the Kymeta connected platform, and Kymeta connectivity services provide revolutionary mobile connectivity on satellite and hybrid satellite-cellular networks to customers around the world. Backed by U.S. and international patents and licenses, the Kymeta terminal addresses the need for lightweight, slim, and high-throughput communication systems that do not require mechanical components to steer toward a satellite. Kymeta makes connecting easy – for any vehicle, vessel, or fixed platform.
Kymeta is a privately held company based in Redmond, Washington.
www.kymetacorp.com
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1080573/KymetaU7.jpg
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/952870/Isotropic_Networks_Logo.jpg
CONTACT: Isotropic, Toni Lee Rudnicki, Chief Marketing Guru, +1 (603) 548-5532, tl.rudnicki@isotropic.network; Kymeta, Jill Allen, Sr. Channel Marketing Specialist, +1 (425) 658-8813, jallen@kymetacorp.com


tass--2020-01-23--Summary of Russian-Israeli relations

Summary of Russian-Israeli relations

The Soviet Union was the first to recognize de-jure the state of Israel on May 18 , 1948 , and established diplomatic relations with it about a week later .
The Soviet Union ’ s military support ( delivery of military equipment and ammunition via Czechoslovakia , including combat planes ) helped Israel to win the first Arab-Israeli War of 1948-1949 .
Relations started to worsen as the country ’ s political leadership assumed the pro-American course after the war .
In February 1953 , diplomatic ties were severed at USSR ’ s initiative .
The formal pretext for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomatic mission in Israel , in which three people were injured .
Soviet Union blamed the Israeli government for the incident .
Diplomatic ties were restored several months later , in July 1953 .
In June 1967 , after the start of the Six-Day War , the Soviet Union once again severed relations with Israel as a sign of solidarity with Arab countries .
Diplomatic relations remained suspended for 24 years , as the Soviet leadership disagreed with Israel ’ s regional policies ( including Arab-Israeli wars in 1973 and 1982 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ while full-fledged diplomatic relations resumed on October 18 , 1991 .
In December 1991 , Israel recognized Russia as the successor state of the Soviet Union .
Bilateral cooperation of Russia and Israel is streamlined by a vast number of treaties , agreements and other documents .
The two countries have already signed agreements on air traffic ( 1993 ) , on trade and economic cooperation ( 1994 ) , on cooperation in science and technology ( 1994 ) , on avoiding dual taxation ( 1994 ) , on joint fight against organized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs affairs ( 1997 ) , on sea transport ( 2003 ) , on visa-free exchanges ( 2008 ) , on cooperation in space ( 2011 ) , on cooperation in social security ( 2016 ) and many others .
The issue of Middle East settlement remained central in political contacts between Russia and Israel throughout the entire period of bilateral relations .
As an active participant of the peace process and a member of the Middle East Quartet of negotiators for the Israeli-Palestinian settlement ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union and the United Nations ) , Moscow is guided by UN resolutions 242 , 338 , 1397 and 1515 , as well as the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and the 2003 roadmap , proposed by the Quartet .
Russia stands for creating an independent Palestinian state that would peacefully co-exist with Israel within 1967 borders , and for the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from the occupied territories .
After US President Donald Trump announced in December 2017 that his country recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel , Moscow expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it `` remains committed to UN decision on reconciliation principles , '' including the status of East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine and of West Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel .
At the same time , the Russian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned terrorist attacks against peaceful citizens of Israel , carried out by Palestinian extremist groups who deny peace process and resort to violence to attain their political goals .
After Washington recognized the legitimacy of Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank , Russia said its position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s principled stance was outlined in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 stating that `` Israel ’ s creation of settlements on Palestinian soil occupied since 1967 , including East Jerusalem , has no legal force and is a violation of international law and one of major obstacles for achieving Palestinian-Israeli settlement based on a two-state principle and also establishing fair , stable and comprehensive peace in the Middle East , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry said .
In response to the March 2019 US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War , Moscow said that according to UN Security Council Resolution 497 ( dated December 17 , 1981 ) , those lands belong to Syria .
Russian President Vladimir Putin later described the US decision as a breach of UN Security Council resolutions .
As a member of the Middle East Quartet , Russia supports soonest resumption of direct talks between Israel and Palestine with an aim to forge solution to key issues , such as Israeli settlement construction , Palestinian refugees and the status of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April 2014 , after rival Palestinian factions of Fatah and Hamas announced forming a national unity government .
At that point , Israel said it would not engage in negotiations with the Palestinian government supported by `` terrorist organization Hamas , which calls for destroying Israel . ''
The situation in Syria , hit by a longtime civil conflict , became an important part of Russian-Israeli agenda in recent years .
Russia and Israel have different approaches to the issue .
Moscow actively promotes political settlement and negotiations between Syrian President Bashar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the opposition on the other .
Since September 30 , 2019 , Russia has been supporting the Syrian armed forces in their fight against the Islamic State terrorist group ( outlawed in Russia ) .
Russian Aerospace Defense Forces are conducting a military operation against extremists on the Syrian territory .
Israel does not support any party to the conflict and is not taking part in Syrian reconciliation talks .
At the same time , the Israeli Air Force regularly strike militants from Lebanon 's Hezbollah group , which supports Assad and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia has been actively cooperating with Tehran within the framework of Syrian reconciliation , Israel has expressed its concerns about Tehran ’ s growing influence in the region and Russian arms contracts ( including S-300 surface-to-air missile systems ) with the country .
In the fall of 2015 , in order to safeguard the two countries ’ military from accidental clashes in Syria , Israel and Russia established a deconfliction mechanism , and the Israeli General Staff set up a special coordination center to this aim .
However , relations between Russia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2018 air incident above Syria .
On that day , Russia ’ s Il-20 aircraft was accidently downed by Syrian air defenses over the Mediterranean Sea when it was returning to the Hmeymim airbase .
The plane had 15 servicemen on board , all of them died .
Russian top brass said a missile from Syria ’ s S-200 system downed the aircraft when it targeted four Israeli F-16 fighter jets , which attacked facilities in Latakia .
The Israeli Air Force and those who made the decision to use the Il-20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its crash , Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said .
After the incident , the Russian government decided to deliver S-300 air defense systems to Syria ( handed over in October 2018 ) .
Scheduled talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were cancelled .
Relations improved by early 2019 .
In February 2019 , Netanyahu made his first visit to Moscow after the Il-20 incident .
In the course of negotiations , the sides agreed to continue coordinating actions between Russian and Israeli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streamline Russian-Israeli economic ties , the two states set up the Mixed Russian-Israeli Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation ( created in 1994 ) and the Russian Israeli Business Council ( founded in 2010 ) .
According to Russia ’ s Federal Customs Service , the Russian-Israeli trade in 2019 stood at $ 1.73 billion on the first nine months of 2019 , down 17.63 % year-on-year .
Russian exports stood at $ 1.17 billion , Israeli imports - at $ 558 million .

The Soviet Union was the first to recognize de-jure the state of Israel on May 18, 1948, and established diplomatic relations with it about a week later. The Soviet Union’s military support (delivery of military equipment and ammunition via Czechoslovakia, including combat planes) helped Israel to win the first Arab-Israeli War of 1948-1949.
Relations started to worsen as the country’s political leadership assumed the pro-American course after the war. In February 1953, diplomatic ties were severed at USSR’s initiative. The formal pretext for the move was a blast at the Russian diplomatic mission in Israel, in which three people were injured. Soviet Union blamed the Israeli government for the incident.
Diplomatic ties were restored several months later, in July 1953.
In June 1967, after the start of the Six-Day War, the Soviet Union once again severed relations with Israel as a sign of solidarity with Arab countries. Diplomatic relations remained suspended for 24 years, as the Soviet leadership disagreed with Israel’s regional policies (including Arab-Israeli wars in 1973 and 1982). Consular relations were restored in 1987, while full-fledged diplomatic relations resumed on October 18, 1991. In December 1991, Israel recognized Russia as the successor state of the Soviet Union.
Bilateral treaties and other documents
Bilateral cooperation of Russia and Israel is streamlined by a vast number of treaties, agreements and other documents. The two countries have already signed agreements on air traffic (1993), on trade and economic cooperation (1994), on cooperation in science and technology (1994), on avoiding dual taxation (1994), on joint fight against organized crime and international terrorism (1997), on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs affairs (1997), on sea transport (2003), on visa-free exchanges (2008), on cooperation in space (2011), on cooperation in social security (2016) and many others.
Middle Eastern settlement issues
The issue of Middle East settlement remained central in political contacts between Russia and Israel throughout the entire period of bilateral relations. As an active participant of the peace process and a member of the Middle East Quartet of negotiators for the Israeli-Palestinian settlement (Russia, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations), Moscow is guided by UN resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1515, as well as the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and the 2003 roadmap, proposed by the Quartet. Russia stands for creating an independent Palestinian state that would peacefully co-exist with Israel within 1967 borders, and for the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from the occupied territories.
After US President Donald Trump announced in December 2017 that his country recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Moscow expressed concern by the move, stressing that it "remains committed to UN decision on reconciliation principles," including the status of East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine and of West Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel. At the same time, the Russian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned terrorist attacks against peaceful citizens of Israel, carried out by Palestinian extremist groups who deny peace process and resort to violence to attain their political goals.
After Washington recognized the legitimacy of Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank, Russia said its position on the issue remained unchanged. Russia’s principled stance was outlined in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 stating that "Israel’s creation of settlements on Palestinian soil occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal force and is a violation of international law and one of major obstacles for achieving Palestinian-Israeli settlement based on a two-state principle and also establishing fair, stable and comprehensive peace in the Middle East," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
In response to the March 2019 US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights, two thirds of which were seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, Moscow said that according to UN Security Council Resolution 497 (dated December 17, 1981), those lands belong to Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin later described the US decision as a breach of UN Security Council resolutions.
As a member of the Middle East Quartet, Russia supports soonest resumption of direct talks between Israel and Palestine with an aim to forge solution to key issues, such as Israeli settlement construction, Palestinian refugees and the status of Jerusalem. The negotiation process was suspended in April 2014, after rival Palestinian factions of Fatah and Hamas announced forming a national unity government. At that point, Israel said it would not engage in negotiations with the Palestinian government supported by "terrorist organization Hamas, which calls for destroying Israel."
Syrian settlement issues
The situation in Syria, hit by a longtime civil conflict, became an important part of Russian-Israeli agenda in recent years. Russia and Israel have different approaches to the issue. Moscow actively promotes political settlement and negotiations between Syrian President Bashar Assad and his government on one side and the opposition on the other. Since September 30, 2019, Russia has been supporting the Syrian armed forces in their fight against the Islamic State terrorist group (outlawed in Russia). Russian Aerospace Defense Forces are conducting a military operation against extremists on the Syrian territory. Israel does not support any party to the conflict and is not taking part in Syrian reconciliation talks. At the same time, the Israeli Air Force regularly strike militants from Lebanon's Hezbollah group, which supports Assad and has close ties to Iran. As Russia has been actively cooperating with Tehran within the framework of Syrian reconciliation, Israel has expressed its concerns about Tehran’s growing influence in the region and Russian arms contracts (including S-300 surface-to-air missile systems) with the country.
In the fall of 2015, in order to safeguard the two countries’ military from accidental clashes in Syria, Israel and Russia established a deconfliction mechanism, and the Israeli General Staff set up a special coordination center to this aim.
However, relations between Russia and Israel were soured after the September 17, 2018 air incident above Syria. On that day, Russia’s Il-20 aircraft was accidently downed by Syrian air defenses over the Mediterranean Sea when it was returning to the Hmeymim airbase. The plane had 15 servicemen on board, all of them died. Russian top brass said a missile from Syria’s S-200 system downed the aircraft when it targeted four Israeli F-16 fighter jets, which attacked facilities in Latakia. The Israeli Air Force and those who made the decision to use the Il-20 aircraft as cover are solely to blame for its crash, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said.
After the incident, the Russian government decided to deliver S-300 air defense systems to Syria (handed over in October 2018). Scheduled talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were cancelled.
Relations improved by early 2019. In February 2019, Netanyahu made his first visit to Moscow after the Il-20 incident. In the course of negotiations, the sides agreed to continue coordinating actions between Russian and Israeli military in Syria.
Economy
In order to streamline Russian-Israeli economic ties, the two states set up the Mixed Russian-Israeli Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation (created in 1994) and the Russian Israeli Business Council (founded in 2010).
According to Russia’s Federal Customs Service, the Russian-Israeli trade in 2019 stood at $1.73 billion on the first nine months of 2019, down 17.63% year-on-year. Russian exports stood at $1.17 billion, Israeli imports - at $558 million.


tass--2020-01-23--Israel begins handover of buildings in Jerusalem’s Old City to Russian church — minister

TEL AVIV , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
Israel has informed Russia that it had begun the legal process of handing over the Alexander Courtyard in Jerusalem ’ s Old City to the Russian Orthodox Church , Environmental Protection Minister Zeev Elkin , who is also a co-chair of the Russian-Israeli Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation , told TASS .
`` On January 22 , we informed the Russian side about the latest developments .
In response to Russia ’ s request , filed in the past , Israel has started the legal process to register the Russian Orthodox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Courtyard , '' he said .
`` According to the Israeli law , Russia ’ s claims to this property should be published three times [ in Israel ] , and , if it is not contested within 60 days since this moment , it will be registered automatically .
If there are claims with serious grounds behind them , then the issue will be referred to a court , '' he said .
The announcement was made in the run-up to Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s visit to Israel on January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forum in Jerusalem .
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Wednesday that the process to establish the ownership of the Alexander Courtyard `` proceeds in a positive direction '' , but `` not all legal formalities have yet been completed . ''
The Alexander Courtyard is located in Jerusalem ’ s Old City , near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre .
The complex of buildings was built by the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society in 1986 , on land bought by Tsar Alexander III in 1859 .
The dispute over the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October Revolution .

TEL AVIV, January 23. /TASS/. Israel has informed Russia that it had begun the legal process of handing over the Alexander Courtyard in Jerusalem’s Old City to the Russian Orthodox Church, Environmental Protection Minister Zeev Elkin, who is also a co-chair of the Russian-Israeli Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, told TASS.
"On January 22, we informed the Russian side about the latest developments. In response to Russia’s request, filed in the past, Israel has started the legal process to register the Russian Orthodox Church as the owner of the Alexander Courtyard," he said.
"According to the Israeli law, Russia’s claims to this property should be published three times [in Israel], and, if it is not contested within 60 days since this moment, it will be registered automatically. If there are claims with serious grounds behind them, then the issue will be referred to a court," he said.
The announcement was made in the run-up to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Israel on January 23 to attend the Fifth World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters on Wednesday that the process to establish the ownership of the Alexander Courtyard "proceeds in a positive direction", but "not all legal formalities have yet been completed."
The Alexander Courtyard is located in Jerusalem’s Old City, near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The complex of buildings was built by the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society in 1986, on land bought by Tsar Alexander III in 1859. The dispute over the property’s ownership began after the 1917 October Revolution.


tass--2020-01-23--Delivery of Nauka module to Baikonur postponed over fuel tank adjustments

MOSCOW , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
The delivery of Russia ’ s multifunctional lab module Nauka , to the Baikonur space center , from where it is to be launched to the International Space Station ( ISS ) , was postponed due to additional adjustments required for its propellant tanks , a rocket and space industry source told TASS on Thursday .
The module was initially scheduled to arrive to Baikonur in early January .
`` At present , sending the multipurpose lab module to the launch center is scheduled for between March 20 and 30 , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was caused by `` additional adjustments that should be carried out due to the use of original propellant tanks . ''
Earlier , Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozi said the research module ’ s original propellant tanks , manufactured about 18 years ago , could be replaced with those from the Fregat booster .
However , later it was decided to send the module to the ISS with its original tanks .
The construction of the Nauka module began in 1995 .
Russia initially planned to launch the Nauka lab to the ISS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( the station ’ s first module that continues its flight as part of the orbital outpost ) but the launch was numerously delayed .
In 2013 , the Nauka module was sent to the Khrunichev Space Center after metal chips were found in its fuel system .
The Nauka multi-functional laboratory module can generate oxygen for six people and regenerate water from the urine .
The Nauka will provide a second toilet for Russian cosmonauts ( the first is located in the Zvezda module ) and a room for the third crewmember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robotic Arm ( ERA ) that will help perform some operations without spacewalks .
A source in the space industry earlier told TASS that the Nauka module was due to be dispatched to the Baikonur spaceport on January 15 , 2020 .
Rogozin said on December 16 that the module may be launched to the International Space Station ( ISS ) in early 2021 instead of late 2020 as was initially planned .

MOSCOW, January 23. /TASS/. The delivery of Russia’s multifunctional lab module Nauka, to the Baikonur space center, from where it is to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS), was postponed due to additional adjustments required for its propellant tanks, a rocket and space industry source told TASS on Thursday.
The module was initially scheduled to arrive to Baikonur in early January.
"At present, sending the multipurpose lab module to the launch center is scheduled for between March 20 and 30," the source said, adding that the delay was caused by "additional adjustments that should be carried out due to the use of original propellant tanks."
Earlier, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozi said the research module’s original propellant tanks, manufactured about 18 years ago, could be replaced with those from the Fregat booster. However, later it was decided to send the module to the ISS with its original tanks.
The construction of the Nauka module began in 1995. Russia initially planned to launch the Nauka lab to the ISS as a back-up of the Zarya compartment (the station’s first module that continues its flight as part of the orbital outpost) but the launch was numerously delayed. In 2013, the Nauka module was sent to the Khrunichev Space Center after metal chips were found in its fuel system.
The Nauka multi-functional laboratory module can generate oxygen for six people and regenerate water from the urine. The Nauka will provide a second toilet for Russian cosmonauts (the first is located in the Zvezda module) and a room for the third crewmember. It will also use the European Robotic Arm (ERA) that will help perform some operations without spacewalks. A source in the space industry earlier told TASS that the Nauka module was due to be dispatched to the Baikonur spaceport on January 15, 2020.
Rogozin said on December 16 that the module may be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in early 2021 instead of late 2020 as was initially planned.


tass--2020-01-23--Libyan National Army closes Tripoli airport for all aircraft, vows to down violators

CAIRO , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Libyan National Army ( LNA ) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar announced that the Mitiga International Airport in the Libyan capital was closed for both military and civilian aircraft and vowed that any aircraft trying to use it will be downed .
LNA spokesman , Gen. Ahmed Al-Mismari said during a press conference that the army has been putting into practice its plane to introduce a no-fly zone from the city of Garyan in the country ’ s northwest to the Tripoli coast , including the airport and the nearby airbase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the international community ’ s efforts , our Russian friends , Arab brothers who tried hard to achieve a ceasefire , we have agreed to observe it without putting forward any demands in return , except for reserving our right to respond to any threat or violation of the ceasefire by terrorist groups and criminal militia , '' he said .
`` However , the Mitiga airport has turned into the main point for the delivery of terrorists , weapons and equipment , it has become a base of Turkish troops .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce a no-fly zone being imposed from now on < ... > .
Therefore , the Mitiga Airport and the airbase are from now on considered to be a closed military zone , and their use by military or civil aviation is strictly prohibited , '' the official continued .
`` Any civilian or military aircraft crossing into it , regardless of who its owners are , will be considered a ceasefire violator , and all aircraft will be immediately destroyed .
This is our last warning . ''
On Wednesday , media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire , which the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord ( GNA ) blamed on LNA .
Al-Mismari strongly rejected those accusations .
The airport said on its Facebook page that it was suspending operations until further notice .
`` All flights are diverted to the Misrata Airport ( about 200 km east of Tripoli ) starting from Thursday , January 23 , '' the airport administration said without explaining reasons behind the move .
There are currently two executive bodies in Libya - the internationally recognized Government of National Accord and temporary cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together with the parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army .
The high-level international conference on Libya was held in Berlin on January 19 .
In the final document , participants in the conference called for establishing a ceasefire , pledged to abstain from interfering into the affairs of Libya , suggested to set up a unity government and launch reforms for restoring statehood .
The parties in the conflict also agreed to set up a special commission to monitor the ceasefire .

CAIRO, January 23. /TASS/. The Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar announced that the Mitiga International Airport in the Libyan capital was closed for both military and civilian aircraft and vowed that any aircraft trying to use it will be downed.
LNA spokesman, Gen. Ahmed Al-Mismari said during a press conference that the army has been putting into practice its plane to introduce a no-fly zone from the city of Garyan in the country’s northwest to the Tripoli coast, including the airport and the nearby airbase.
"As a sign of respect to the international community’s efforts, our Russian friends, Arab brothers who tried hard to achieve a ceasefire, we have agreed to observe it without putting forward any demands in return, except for reserving our right to respond to any threat or violation of the ceasefire by terrorist groups and criminal militia," he said. "However, the Mitiga airport has turned into the main point for the delivery of terrorists, weapons and equipment, it has become a base of Turkish troops."
"In this regard, we announce a no-fly zone being imposed from now on <...>. Therefore, the Mitiga Airport and the airbase are from now on considered to be a closed military zone, and their use by military or civil aviation is strictly prohibited," the official continued. "Any civilian or military aircraft crossing into it, regardless of who its owners are, will be considered a ceasefire violator, and all aircraft will be immediately destroyed. This is our last warning."
On Wednesday, media reported that the airport came under rocket fire, which the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) blamed on LNA. Al-Mismari strongly rejected those accusations.
The airport said on its Facebook page that it was suspending operations until further notice.
"All flights are diverted to the Misrata Airport (about 200 km east of Tripoli) starting from Thursday, January 23," the airport administration said without explaining reasons behind the move.
There are currently two executive bodies in Libya - the internationally recognized Government of National Accord and temporary cabinet operating in the east of the country together with the parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army.
The high-level international conference on Libya was held in Berlin on January 19. In the final document, participants in the conference called for establishing a ceasefire, pledged to abstain from interfering into the affairs of Libya, suggested to set up a unity government and launch reforms for restoring statehood. The parties in the conflict also agreed to set up a special commission to monitor the ceasefire.


tass--2020-01-23--Number of novel coronavirus cases in China tops 570

BEIJING , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people diagnosed with novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China has topped 570 , the National Health Commission said on Thursday .
No new deaths from the virus have been reported so far .
Earlier on Thursday , the Renmin Ribao newspaper said , citing official statistics , that 554 patients in 27 regions of the country have been diagnosed with the illness .
Previous reports said the virus has been confirmed in 473 people , 17 of them died .
According to the statistics , 444 cases have been reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan served as the starting point for the current outbreak .
In the past hours , the first case of the disease was reported in the Heilongjiang province , bordering Russia .
The number of infected persons in the capital Beijing has grown by four , to 14 in total .
The Chinese government has introduced enhanced disease control measures to prevent the starting outbreak and has been in active contact with the World Health Organization , Russia and other nations .
According to the authorities , the effort against the coronavirus has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to experts , the latent stage of the viral infection lasts for two weeks .
The disease is transmitted predominantly via the respiratory route .
However , wild animals are believed to be the original source of the infection .
The disease has already crossed borders with sporadic cases registered in Thailand ( three cases ) , South Korea ( one ) , the United States ( one ) and Japan ( one ) .
Novel coronavirus is suspected in patients in Singapore and the Philippines , but it is yet to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olympic Committee ’ s press service said the first qualifying event for boxing at Tokyo 2020 , due to be held in Wuhan next month , had been cancelled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak .
`` The IOC Boxing Task Force ( BTF ) noted today 's decision of the Local Organizing Committee to cancel the Asian/Oceanian Tokyo 2020 boxing qualifying event which was due to take place in Wuhan ( CHN ) from 3-14 February 2020 , amid growing concerns in relation to the coronavirus outbreak reported in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
`` The Task Force continues to work closely with the Chinese Olympic Committee ( COC ) and all partners to explore alternatives and will immediately National Olympic Committees , National Federations and officials on any development , '' the statement reads .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of earlier unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in central China .
On January 7 , Chinese specialists denoted the virus causing the disease as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab tested .
As a result , infecting agents of such diseases as flu , bird flu , severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS ) and Middle East respiratory syndrome ( MERS ) were excluded from the list of possible pathogens .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) guidelines reveal that contracting the coronavirus is accompanied by the following symptoms - cold , cough , sore throat and chest congestion .
Patients can also experience headaches and fever that can last up to a few days .
People with low immune system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group .
They exhibit symptoms similar to those of pneumonia and bronchitis .

BEIJING, January 23. /TASS/. The number of people diagnosed with novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV in China has topped 570, the National Health Commission said on Thursday.
No new deaths from the virus have been reported so far.
Earlier on Thursday, the Renmin Ribao newspaper said, citing official statistics, that 554 patients in 27 regions of the country have been diagnosed with the illness.
Previous reports said the virus has been confirmed in 473 people, 17 of them died.
According to the statistics, 444 cases have been reported in the Hubei province, whose administrative center Wuhan served as the starting point for the current outbreak. In the past hours, the first case of the disease was reported in the Heilongjiang province, bordering Russia. The number of infected persons in the capital Beijing has grown by four, to 14 in total.
The Chinese government has introduced enhanced disease control measures to prevent the starting outbreak and has been in active contact with the World Health Organization, Russia and other nations. According to the authorities, the effort against the coronavirus has entered the "critical stage."
According to experts, the latent stage of the viral infection lasts for two weeks. The disease is transmitted predominantly via the respiratory route. However, wild animals are believed to be the original source of the infection.
The disease has already crossed borders with sporadic cases registered in Thailand (three cases), South Korea (one), the United States (one) and Japan (one). Novel coronavirus is suspected in patients in Singapore and the Philippines, but it is yet to be confirmed.
Olympic boxing qualifier cancelled
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee’s press service said the first qualifying event for boxing at Tokyo 2020, due to be held in Wuhan next month, had been cancelled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
"The IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF) noted today's decision of the Local Organizing Committee to cancel the Asian/Oceanian Tokyo 2020 boxing qualifying event which was due to take place in Wuhan (CHN) from 3-14 February 2020, amid growing concerns in relation to the coronavirus outbreak reported in the city," the BTF said in a statement.
"The Task Force continues to work closely with the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) and all partners to explore alternatives and will immediately National Olympic Committees, National Federations and officials on any development," the statement reads.
Novel coronavirus
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of earlier unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in central China. On January 7, Chinese specialists denoted the virus causing the disease as coronavirus 2019-nCoV. All cases of the suspected pneumonia were lab tested. As a result, infecting agents of such diseases as flu, bird flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) were excluded from the list of possible pathogens.
The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines reveal that contracting the coronavirus is accompanied by the following symptoms - cold, cough, sore throat and chest congestion. Patients can also experience headaches and fever that can last up to a few days. People with low immune system, children and seniors are the high-risk group. They exhibit symptoms similar to those of pneumonia and bronchitis.


tass--2020-01-23--UK parliament passes bill on Brexit — TV

LONDON , January 23 .
/TASS/ .
The bill on Brexit , prepared by Boris Johnson ’ s government to pave the way for the United Kingdom ’ s withdrawal from the European Union , was approved by both chambers of the UK parliament on Wednesday .
According to Sky News , the House of Lords had to pass the bill after the House of Commons rejected all of its proposed amendments earlier on Wednesday .
The Withdrawal Agreement Bill still requires royal assent to become a law , but is expected to receive it later this week , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brexit to take place , the bill is yet to be ratified by the European Parliament , although no hurdles are expected during the procedure .
In a statement released by his office , UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the country was ready to leave the European Union as scheduled , on January 31 .
`` Parliament has passed the Withdrawal Agreement Bill , meaning we will leave the EU on 31 January and move forwards as one United Kingdom , '' he said .
`` At times it felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line , but we ’ ve done it . ''
He also called upon his opponents and supporters to leave behind `` years of rancour and division '' and focus on solving the country ’ s acute problems , such as fighting crime and improving healthcare .
The UK was supposed to leave the EU on March 29 , 2019 , two years after a written withdrawal notice was submitted to the EU .
However , the UK has been unable to do this due to sharp domestic political contradictions .
The Conservatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last December gave Johnson free reign to have his Brexit bill voted through after the British parliament , which has been unable to ratify it since December 2018 .
Therefore , the UK will be able to carry out Brexit by January 31 , 2020 , which is the third deadline set for London by Brussels .

LONDON, January 23. /TASS/. The bill on Brexit, prepared by Boris Johnson’s government to pave the way for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, was approved by both chambers of the UK parliament on Wednesday.
According to Sky News, the House of Lords had to pass the bill after the House of Commons rejected all of its proposed amendments earlier on Wednesday.
The Withdrawal Agreement Bill still requires royal assent to become a law, but is expected to receive it later this week, on Thursday or Friday.
In order for Brexit to take place, the bill is yet to be ratified by the European Parliament, although no hurdles are expected during the procedure.
In a statement released by his office, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the country was ready to leave the European Union as scheduled, on January 31.
"Parliament has passed the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, meaning we will leave the EU on 31 January and move forwards as one United Kingdom," he said. "At times it felt like we would never cross the Brexit finish line, but we’ve done it."
He also called upon his opponents and supporters to leave behind "years of rancour and division" and focus on solving the country’s acute problems, such as fighting crime and improving healthcare.
The UK was supposed to leave the EU on March 29, 2019, two years after a written withdrawal notice was submitted to the EU. However, the UK has been unable to do this due to sharp domestic political contradictions.
The Conservatives’ majority secured during the parliamentary elections last December gave Johnson free reign to have his Brexit bill voted through after the British parliament, which has been unable to ratify it since December 2018. Therefore, the UK will be able to carry out Brexit by January 31, 2020, which is the third deadline set for London by Brussels.