tass--2020-01-24--Lavrov to UN envoy: Damascus regained control over border zones adjacent to Iraq, Turkey

`` The situation on the ground is improving .
The territory controlled by the terrorists continues to shrink .
The Syrian government has restored control over large portions of the border with Iraq and Turkey , '' Lavrov noted .
MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Syrian government has taken back control over large swathes of the border with Iraq and Turkey , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during his meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen .
Moscow does not overdramatize the absence of considerable progress in the activities of Syria ’ s Constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such plans from the outset , Sergey Lavrov stated in his opening remarks at the meeting with Geir Pedersen .
`` Just like you , we do not dramatize the fact that some couple of months since the establishment of the Constitutional Committee no big results have been achieved , '' Lavrov noted .
`` There ’ s never been such anticipation .
This situation is natural . ''
`` We will do our utmost to promote efforts to create the necessary conditions for progress at the forthcoming meeting of the editorial commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call its meeting , '' Lavrov added .
Syria ’ s Constitutional Committee met for its first session in Geneva on October 30 , but at the next meeting in November its co-chairpersons from the government and the opposition were unable to agree on an agenda .
No date for the next meeting has been set yet .
The International Syria Support Group 's ( ISSG ) Humanitarian Task Force must discuss the issue of double standards of the West regarding humanitarian aid to Syria , the Russian foreign minister believes .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the context of establishing conditions for the return of refugees to the territories under control of the legitimate government , it is necessary to mobilize international delivery of humanitarian aid , first and foremost , with the coordinating role of the UN , '' the Russian top diplomat commented .
`` Here , we see an obvious bias and double standards from the side of certain Western donors , when key Western capitals do not want to send aid to the territories under the control of the government , dispatching it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition , at times very radical opposition , '' Lavrov said .
He added that the Humanitarian Task Force active in Geneva must deal with the situation .
The Russian top diplomat noted that the remaining terrorist threat negatively tells on the Syrian regulation process .
`` Terrorists are obstructing deliveries of humanitarian aid , taking what was sent to the corresponding areas of Syria in their possession .
This issue requires special consideration , namely in Geneva , where the humanitarian task force is active , '' Lavrov claimed .

"The situation on the ground is improving. The territory controlled by the terrorists continues to shrink. The Syrian government has restored control over large portions of the border with Iraq and Turkey," Lavrov noted.
MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. The Syrian government has taken back control over large swathes of the border with Iraq and Turkey, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during his meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen.
Moscow does not overdramatize the absence of considerable progress in the activities of Syria’s Constitutional Committee, because there have been no such plans from the outset, Sergey Lavrov stated in his opening remarks at the meeting with Geir Pedersen.
"Just like you, we do not dramatize the fact that some couple of months since the establishment of the Constitutional Committee no big results have been achieved," Lavrov noted. "There’s never been such anticipation. This situation is natural."
"We will do our utmost to promote efforts to create the necessary conditions for progress at the forthcoming meeting of the editorial commission, whenever you find it appropriate to call its meeting," Lavrov added.
Syria’s Constitutional Committee met for its first session in Geneva on October 30, but at the next meeting in November its co-chairpersons from the government and the opposition were unable to agree on an agenda. No date for the next meeting has been set yet.
Task force in Geneva
The International Syria Support Group's (ISSG) Humanitarian Task Force must discuss the issue of double standards of the West regarding humanitarian aid to Syria, the Russian foreign minister believes.
"In the context of recovering Syrian statehood, in the context of establishing conditions for the return of refugees to the territories under control of the legitimate government, it is necessary to mobilize international delivery of humanitarian aid, first and foremost, with the coordinating role of the UN," the Russian top diplomat commented.
"Here, we see an obvious bias and double standards from the side of certain Western donors, when key Western capitals do not want to send aid to the territories under the control of the government, dispatching it instead to the territories controlled by the opposition, at times very radical opposition," Lavrov said. He added that the Humanitarian Task Force active in Geneva must deal with the situation.
The Russian top diplomat noted that the remaining terrorist threat negatively tells on the Syrian regulation process. "Terrorists are obstructing deliveries of humanitarian aid, taking what was sent to the corresponding areas of Syria in their possession. This issue requires special consideration, namely in Geneva, where the humanitarian task force is active," Lavrov claimed.


tass--2020-01-24--Issachar will discuss filing pardon appeal with her defense team soon

MOSCOW , January 24 .
/TASS/ .
Israeli national Naama Issachar , convicted in Russia for drug smuggling , and her defense team will discuss filing a pardon appeal addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the next few days , the defense informed TASS in a statement .
`` Over the next few days , the defense will discuss the statement made by Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on the need for a personal pardon appeal addressed to the Russian president with Naama Issachar .
In any case , this will be her personal decision , and we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that in accordance with the Russian law , Issachar must appeal for a pardon to be granted one .
`` We must follow some formalities to start this process , '' Peskov said .
Naama Issachar , an Israeli and US national , 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had raised the issue at a meeting with Russia ’ s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov in Rome , expressing hope that the Russian president would consider the request to pardon the Israeli national .
During his visit to Jerusalem on January 23 , Russian President Vladimir Putin assured Issachar ’ s mother that `` everything is going to be alright '' regarding her daughter .
`` I have just met with Naama ’ s mother , '' the head of state said after the meeting .
`` It is clear to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Israeli national Naama Issachar, convicted in Russia for drug smuggling, and her defense team will discuss filing a pardon appeal addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the next few days, the defense informed TASS in a statement.
"Over the next few days, the defense will discuss the statement made by Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on the need for a personal pardon appeal addressed to the Russian president with Naama Issachar. In any case, this will be her personal decision, and we will make it known," the statement says.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that in accordance with the Russian law, Issachar must appeal for a pardon to be granted one. "We must follow some formalities to start this process," Peskov said.
Issachar’s case
Naama Issachar, an Israeli and US national, 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 hope that the Russian president would consider the request to pardon the Israeli national.
During his visit to Jerusalem on January 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured Issachar’s mother that "everything is going to be alright" regarding her daughter. "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.


tass--2020-01-24--Kremlin says public vote on constitutional amendments won’t be formality

Public vote on constitutional amendments will be held on the law as a whole — official MOSCOW , January 24 @ @ @ @ @ ’ voting for or against the constitutional amendments proposed by President Vladimir Putin will be @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday .
Responding to a question about whether the @ @ @ @ @ before or after the president signs a relevant bill on the amendments , he said @ @ @ @ @ schedule of this vote will be specified — they are actually being drafted now .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ t view this vote as just a simple formality , '' Peskov added .
@ @ @ @ @ it is not expedient [ to introduce amendments to the constitution ] then that ’ @ @ @ @ @ It is not a formality , it is indeed a vote for or against , @ @ @ @

Public vote on constitutional amendments will be held on the law as a whole — official
MOSCOW, January 24. /TASS/. Russian citizens’ voting for or against the constitutional amendments proposed by President Vladimir Putin will be the determining factor, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.
Responding to a question about whether the nationwide vote can take place before or after the president signs a relevant bill on the amendments, he said, "The order and schedule of this vote will be specified — they are actually being drafted now."
"We primarily don’t view this vote as just a simple formality," Peskov added. "If people believe that it is not expedient [to introduce amendments to the constitution] then that’s what it is. It is not a formality, it is indeed a vote for or against," he stressed.


tass--2020-01-25--Armenian premier says may hold meeting with Azerbaijani leader at Munich conference

YEREVAN , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a big press conference on Saturday he might meet with Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the Munich security conference that would take place in mid-February .
The Armenian premier ’ s press conference was broadcast live from the town of Kapan in the country ’ s south by local TV channels .
`` At present , there is no such an agreement [ on a meeting with Aliyev ] but I do not rule out such a possibility and we are discussing this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that he viewed such meetings positively .
The Armenian premier said that he personally , the president of Azerbaijan and the head of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic bore responsibility for regional stability and peace .
`` This is personal responsibility and joint responsibility , '' he said .
The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in February 1988 , when the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region declared its secession from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic .
During the armed conflict of 1992-1994 , Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabah and seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful settlement of the conflict under the OSCE Minsk Group headed by three co-chairs ( Russia , US and France ) have been going on since 1992 .

YEREVAN, January 25. /TASS/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a big press conference on Saturday he might meet with Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the Munich security conference that would take place in mid-February.
The Armenian premier’s press conference was broadcast live from the town of Kapan in the country’s south by local TV channels.
"At present, there is no such an agreement [on a meeting with Aliyev] but I do not rule out such a possibility and we are discussing this possibility," the Armenian premier said, adding that he viewed such meetings positively.
The Armenian premier said that he personally, the president of Azerbaijan and the head of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh republic bore responsibility for regional stability and peace. "This is personal responsibility and joint responsibility," he said.
The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in February 1988, when the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region declared its secession from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. During the armed conflict of 1992-1994, Azerbaijan lost control over Nagorno-Karabah and seven neighboring areas. The negotiations on the peaceful settlement of the conflict under the OSCE Minsk Group headed by three co-chairs (Russia, US and France) have been going on since 1992.


tass--2020-01-25--Zarif: person who downed Ukrainian airliner by mistake is in prison

TEHRAN , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
The person whose error resulted in the downing of a Ukrainian airliner by the Iranian army is in prison , Iran ’ s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday .
`` The person who shot down a Ukrainian airliner in Iran by mistake is today in prison , '' the ISNA news agency quoted him as saying .
Iran ’ s top diplomat compared the incident with the crash of an Iranian airliner shot down by the US Armed Forces by mistake in 1988 .
`` Washington has not officially apologized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And even the officer complicit in this attack was decorated with a medal , '' Zarif said .
A Boeing 737 airliner of the Ukrainian International Airlines crashed several minutes after its takeoff from Tehran Airport on January 8 .
A total of 176 people , including citizens of Afghanistan , Germany , Iran , Canada , Ukraine , Great Britain and Sweden were killed in the crash .
The Iranian General Staff issued a statement on January 11 , admitting that the Ukrainian plane had been shot down by mistake .
Commander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revolutionary Guard Corps ( the elite wing of the Iranian military ) General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said that the national air defense systems had mistaken the passenger plane for a cruise missile .
On July 3 , 1988 , an Iranian A-300 Airbus was shot down by a missile launched from a US Navy cruiser , which mistook it for a military plane .
A total of 290 people died in the crash .

TEHRAN, January 25. /TASS/. The person whose error resulted in the downing of a Ukrainian airliner by the Iranian army is in prison, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday.
"The person who shot down a Ukrainian airliner in Iran by mistake is today in prison," the ISNA news agency quoted him as saying.
Iran’s top diplomat compared the incident with the crash of an Iranian airliner shot down by the US Armed Forces by mistake in 1988. "Washington has not officially apologized for this incident up to date. And even the officer complicit in this attack was decorated with a medal," Zarif said.
A Boeing 737 airliner of the Ukrainian International Airlines crashed several minutes after its takeoff from Tehran Airport on January 8. A total of 176 people, including citizens of Afghanistan, Germany, Iran, Canada, Ukraine, Great Britain and Sweden were killed in the crash.
The Iranian General Staff issued a statement on January 11, admitting that the Ukrainian plane had been shot down by mistake. Commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (the elite wing of the Iranian military) General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said that the national air defense systems had mistaken the passenger plane for a cruise missile.
On July 3, 1988, an Iranian A-300 Airbus was shot down by a missile launched from a US Navy cruiser, which mistook it for a military plane. A total of 290 people died in the crash.


tass--2020-01-25--Putin offers condolences to Erdogan after deadly earthquake

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , expressing his sincere condolences over human victims and large-scale destruction caused by a powerful earthquake , the Kremlin ’ s press office reported on Saturday .
`` Russia shares the pain and grief of those who have lost their near and dear as a result of this disaster and hopes for the quickest recovery of all those hurt in the quake , '' the telegram of the head of the Russian state says .
At least 21 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a powerful earthquake that struck eastern Turkey , the country ’ s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority reported on Saturday .
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted the eastern Turkish province of Elazig with a population of about 400,000 people at 20:55 local time ( the same as the Moscow time ) on Friday .
The epicenter of the tremor that also affected the neighboring province of Malatya was located at a depth of 10 km .
The aftershocks were felt in many regions of the country and also in Israel , Iraq and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Turkey ’ s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority .

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressing his sincere condolences over human victims and large-scale destruction caused by a powerful earthquake, the Kremlin’s press office reported on Saturday.
"Russia shares the pain and grief of those who have lost their near and dear as a result of this disaster and hopes for the quickest recovery of all those hurt in the quake," the telegram of the head of the Russian state says.
At least 21 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured in a powerful earthquake that struck eastern Turkey, the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority reported on Saturday.
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted the eastern Turkish province of Elazig with a population of about 400,000 people at 20:55 local time (the same as the Moscow time) on Friday. The epicenter of the tremor that also affected the neighboring province of Malatya was located at a depth of 10 km. The aftershocks were felt in many regions of the country and also in Israel, Iraq and Syria, according to the data reported by Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.


tass--2020-01-25--Kremlin: Russia’s policy on Ukraine remains unchanged

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow has not altered its policy on the situation in Ukraine , Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
`` As for the alleged change in the policy on the situation in @ @ @ @ @ to do with reality and reflects only a personal viewpoint of the person who speaks @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Kremlin spokesman thus commented on a statement by expert and Director of @ @ @ @ @ Alexei Chesnakov who wrote in his Telegram-channel on Saturday that Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov @ @ @ @ @ '' `` due to a change in the policy on Ukraine . ''
The Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ no presidential decree on Surkov ’ s resignation .
`` There are no decrees on @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t have such information , '' the Kremlin spokesman said .

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. Moscow has not altered its policy on the situation in Ukraine, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Saturday.
"As for the alleged change in the policy on the situation in Ukraine, this has nothing to do with reality and reflects only a personal viewpoint of the person who speaks about that," Peskov said.
The Kremlin spokesman thus commented on a statement by expert and Director of the Center for Political Studies Alexei Chesnakov who wrote in his Telegram-channel on Saturday that Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov "quit the state service" "due to a change in the policy on Ukraine."
The Kremlin spokesman also said there was no presidential decree on Surkov’s resignation. "There are no decrees on Surkov’s resignation. I don’t have such information," the Kremlin spokesman said.


tass--2020-01-25--Russian Navy minesweepers hold drills in Black Sea

SEVASTOPOL , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
The Black Sea Fleet ’ s minesweepers Kovrovets and Ivan Golubets held drills @ @ @ @ @ the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Saturday .
`` The crews of the @ @ @ @ @ ocean minesweepers Kovrovets and Ivan Golubets accomplished the elements of the second training assignment at @ @ @ @ @ ranges in the Black Sea .
As part of planned measures , the minesweepers ’ @ @ @ @ @ with an exercise to negotiate a notional mine obstacle .
The minesweepers ’ artillery teams @ @ @ @ @ floating sea mines , '' the press office said in a statement .
At the @ @ @ @ @ , specialists of minesweeping groups from both warships laid mines for training purposes and subsequently @ @ @ @ @ next stage of combat training , the minesweepers ’ crews will provide mine countermeasures support @ @ @ @ @ the Black Sea Fleet ’ s naval groups .

SEVASTOPOL, January 25. /TASS/. The Black Sea Fleet’s minesweepers Kovrovets and Ivan Golubets held drills in the Black Sea, the Fleet’s press office reported on Saturday.
"The crews of the Black Sea Fleet’s ocean minesweepers Kovrovets and Ivan Golubets accomplished the elements of the second training assignment at one of combat training naval ranges in the Black Sea. As part of planned measures, the minesweepers’ crews led ships behind sweeps with an exercise to negotiate a notional mine obstacle. The minesweepers’ artillery teams struck naval targets that simulated floating sea mines," the press office said in a statement.
At the concluding stage of the drills, specialists of minesweeping groups from both warships laid mines for training purposes and subsequently collected them.
At the next stage of combat training, the minesweepers’ crews will provide mine countermeasures support for the planned drills of the Black Sea Fleet’s naval groups.


tass--2020-01-25--Chinese authorities dispatch 1,230 medics to Wuhan closed over viral pneumonia outbreak

BEJING , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
The Chinese authorities have sent 1,230 doctors to the city of Wuhan in the central province of Hubei closed over a novel coronavirus outbreak to help local health institutions fight the deadly infection , China ’ s National Health Commission said in a statement on Saturday .
`` China ’ s National Health Commission has formed six teams numbering a total of 1,230 specialists to render medical assistance to medics in Wuhan , '' the document says .
`` Also , six back-up teams have been formed , which are ready to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement says .
China ’ s news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday that 450 military doctors specializing in respiratory and infectious diseases and infection control in intensive care units had arrived in Wuhan by decision of the country ’ s Central Military Commission .
Some of them have the experience of fighting the SARS ( Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome , also known as atypical pneumonia ) and the Ebola hemorrhagic fever .
As China ’ s National Health Commission reported on Saturday , the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected people has risen to 1,287 , including 237 in a severe condition .
A total of 15,197 people have come into close contact with the infected persons , of whom 1,230 have been screened and discharged and 13,967 are under medical observation .
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 , 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people .
The pathogen , the 2019-nCoV coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , Thailand , France and Japan .
The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency .

BEJING, January 25. /TASS/. The Chinese authorities have sent 1,230 doctors to the city of Wuhan in the central province of Hubei closed over a novel coronavirus outbreak to help local health institutions fight the deadly infection, China’s National Health Commission said in a statement on Saturday.
"China’s National Health Commission has formed six teams numbering a total of 1,230 specialists to render medical assistance to medics in Wuhan," the document says.
"Also, six back-up teams have been formed, which are ready to go Wuhan, if necessary," the statement says.
China’s news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday that 450 military doctors specializing in respiratory and infectious diseases and infection control in intensive care units had arrived in Wuhan by decision of the country’s Central Military Commission. Some of them have the experience of fighting the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, also known as atypical pneumonia) and the Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
As China’s National Health Commission reported on Saturday, the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in the country has reached 41. The number of infected people has risen to 1,287, including 237 in a severe condition. A total of 15,197 people have come into close contact with the infected persons, of whom 1,230 have been screened and discharged and 13,967 are under medical observation.
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.


tass--2020-01-25--Death toll in Turkey quake climbs to 20

Death toll in Turkey quake climbs to 20

ANKARA , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
At least 20 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured in a @ @ @ @ @ Turkey , the country ’ s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority reported on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ people were killed and over 770 injured in the earthquake .
According to the updated @ @ @ @ @ in the province of Elazig and six others in the province of Malatya .
At @ @ @ @ @ , the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said .
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted the eastern @ @ @ @ @ a population of about 400,000 people at 20:55 local time ( the same as the @ @ @ @ @ .
The epicenter of the tremor that also affected the neighboring province of Malatya was @ @ @ @ @ 10 km .
The aftershocks were felt in many regions of the country and also @ @ @ @ @ Syria , according to the data reported by Turkey ’ s Disaster and Emergency Management @ @

ANKARA, January 25. /TASS/. At least 20 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured in a powerful earthquake that struck eastern Turkey, the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority reported on Saturday.
Previous reports said that 19 people were killed and over 770 injured in the earthquake.
According to the updated data, 14 people died in the province of Elazig and six others in the province of Malatya. At least 1,105 people were injured, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said.
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted the eastern Turkish province of Elazig with a population of about 400,000 people at 20:55 local time (the same as the Moscow time) on Friday. The epicenter of the tremor that also affected the neighboring province of Malatya was located at a depth of 10 km. The aftershocks were felt in many regions of the country and also in Israel, Iraq and Syria, according to the data reported by Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.


tass--2020-01-25--Belarusian president approves draft protocol on amending gas deal with Russia

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has signed a decree to approve a draft protocol on amending an agreement with Russia on gas supplies .
The document , published by the national legislative website on Friday , stipulates `` approving the draft protocol on amending the agreement between the governments of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation about the pricing procedure for the deliveries of natural gas to the Republic of Belarus and its transportation via gas pipelines located on the territory of the Republic of Belarus , dated November 25 , 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Besides , the presidential decree vests the country ’ s government with credentials for negotiating on the draft protocol and authorizes it with introducing non-essential amendments to it .
Gazprom and Belarus signed a protocol on gas prices for January-February 2020 and supplements to transit and supply contracts extending them until 2021 on December 31 , 2019 .
According to the documents signed , the contracted volumes of supplies and transit will remain at the level of 2019 this year .
In January-February , Belarus will receive gas at last year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cubic meters .

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has signed a decree to approve a draft protocol on amending an agreement with Russia on gas supplies.
The document, published by the national legislative website on Friday, stipulates "approving the draft protocol on amending the agreement between the governments of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation about the pricing procedure for the deliveries of natural gas to the Republic of Belarus and its transportation via gas pipelines located on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, dated November 25, 2011, as a basis for negotiations."
Besides, the presidential decree vests the country’s government with credentials for negotiating on the draft protocol and authorizes it with introducing non-essential amendments to it.
Gazprom and Belarus signed a protocol on gas prices for January-February 2020 and supplements to transit and supply contracts extending them until 2021 on December 31, 2019. According to the documents signed, the contracted volumes of supplies and transit will remain at the level of 2019 this year. In January-February, Belarus will receive gas at last year’s price of $127 per 1,000 cubic meters.


tass--2020-01-25--Death toll in Turkish earthquake rises to 19, hundreds injured

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
At least 19 people were killed and more than 770 injured in a @ @ @ @ @ Turkey on Friday evening , the republic ’ s Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on @ @ @ @ @ ve lost 19 citizens .
We have 221 injured persons in Malatya and 551 - @ @ @ @ @ Anadolu news agency quoted the minister as saying .
The disaster struck at 20:55 local @ @ @ @ @ time ) on Friday , at the depth of 10 km .
Its epicenter was @ @ @ @ @ of Elazig with a population of about 400,000 people .
The tremor was felt in @ @ @ @ @ well as in Israel , Iraq and Syria .
The Turkish department for emergency situations @ @ @ @ @ quake was followed by at least 35 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging between 2.5 and 5.4 @

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. At least 19 people were killed and more than 770 injured in a powerful earthquake that struck eastern Turkey on Friday evening, the republic’s Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Saturday.
"We’ve lost 19 citizens. We have 221 injured persons in Malatya and 551 - in Elazig," the Anadolu news agency quoted the minister as saying.
The disaster struck at 20:55 local time (same as Moscow time) on Friday, at the depth of 10 km. Its epicenter was located in the eastern province of Elazig with a population of about 400,000 people. The tremor was felt in adjacent Turkish provinces, as well as in Israel, Iraq and Syria. The Turkish department for emergency situations and natural disasters said the quake was followed by at least 35 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging between 2.5 and 5.4.


tass--2020-01-25--First novel coronavirus case reported in Australia

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
The first case of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV , which already killed dozens of people in China and infected more than a thousand , has been detected in the Australian state of Victoria , ABC reported on Saturday .
Minister confirms two cases of novel coronavirus in France — radio According to the channel , the infected person is a Chinese citizen , who recently visited the infection ’ s epicenter , the Chinese city of Wuhan .
He arrived to Ausralia in January .
The man has been admitted to a Melbourne houspital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health authority of another Australian state , New South Wales , confirmed that five people are undergoing medical tests for suspected 2019-nCoV infection .
Two were discharged from hospital with negative results .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of the new type of pneumonia in Wuhan , a city with a population of more than 11 million people .
The culprit - 2019-nCoV coronavirus - was identified on January 7 , 2020 .
According to latest reports , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia caused by the virus , about 1,300 people have been infected .
The coronavirus has also been detected in Vietnam , South Korea , the United States , Singapore and Japan .
France became the first European country to detect the virus on its territory , with three cases reported on Friday night .

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. The first case of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV, which already killed dozens of people in China and infected more than a thousand, has been detected in the Australian state of Victoria, ABC reported on Saturday.
Minister confirms two cases of novel coronavirus in France — radio
According to the channel, the infected person is a Chinese citizen, who recently visited the infection’s epicenter, the Chinese city of Wuhan. He arrived to Ausralia in January.
The man has been admitted to a Melbourne houspital and is in stable condition.
The health authority of another Australian state, New South Wales, confirmed that five people are undergoing medical tests for suspected 2019-nCoV infection. Two were discharged from hospital with negative results.
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of the new type of pneumonia in Wuhan, a city with a population of more than 11 million people. The culprit - 2019-nCoV coronavirus - was identified on January 7, 2020.
According to latest reports, a total of 41 people died of pneumonia caused by the virus, about 1,300 people have been infected.
The coronavirus has also been detected in Vietnam, South Korea, the United States, Singapore and Japan. France became the first European country to detect the virus on its territory, with three cases reported on Friday night.


tass--2020-01-25--Maiden flight of new Boeing 777X postponed amid high winds

NEW YORK , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
The test flight of the Boeing 777X passenger plane has been postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions , the company said on its website .
The takeoff was initially scheduled to take place at 10:00 EST ( 21:00 Moscow time ) .
However , the aircraft had to return to its hangar after spending more than two hours on the runway .
Company spokespersons cited high winds as the reason for the delay .
The plane will make another attempt to take off on Saturday .
Last July , Boeing had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aircraft until early 2020 because of engine design issues .
Initially , the aircraft was supposed to make its first flight in the fall of 2019 , with first deliveries to contractors due in 2020 .
Boeing has been going through tough times amid problems with its Boeing 737 MAX .
In December 2019 , the company had to suspend the production after it was established that the two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft , lost in deadly crashes on October 29 , 2018 in Indonesia and on March 10 , 2019 in Ethiopia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Characteristics Augmentation System ( MCAS ) .
After the two accidents , which claimed the lives of almost 350 people in total , many countries , including Russia , the United States and the European Union , temporarily suspended flights of those planes .

NEW YORK, January 25. /TASS/. The test flight of the Boeing 777X passenger plane has been postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions, the company said on its website.
The takeoff was initially scheduled to take place at 10:00 EST (21:00 Moscow time). However, the aircraft had to return to its hangar after spending more than two hours on the runway.
Company spokespersons cited high winds as the reason for the delay.
The plane will make another attempt to take off on Saturday.
Last July, Boeing had to postpone the flight tests of the 777X aircraft until early 2020 because of engine design issues. Initially, the aircraft was supposed to make its first flight in the fall of 2019, with first deliveries to contractors due in 2020.
Boeing has been going through tough times amid problems with its Boeing 737 MAX. In December 2019, the company had to suspend the production after it was established that the two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, lost in deadly crashes on October 29, 2018 in Indonesia and on March 10, 2019 in Ethiopia, suffered from problems with the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). After the two accidents, which claimed the lives of almost 350 people in total, many countries, including Russia, the United States and the European Union, temporarily suspended flights of those planes.


tass--2020-01-25--Major Russian travel companies suspend sales of tours to China

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s biggest travel companies suspended sales of tours to China due to the novel coronavirus outbreak , in line with earlier recommendations by Federal Agency for Tourism ( Rostourism ) , the Association of Tour Operators in Russia ( ATOR ) said in a statement .
`` In line with the January 24 recommendations issued by Rostourism , Russian tour operators suspended sales of tours to China , '' the statement says , adding that flights to China have not been cancelled .
In its recommendations issued on Friday , Rostourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russian travel agents were recommended to suspend sales of tours to China until the epidemiological situation in the country is back to normal .
Tourists willing to cancel their upcoming trip are entitled to full compensation .
Meanwhile , a source close to Rostourism told TASS evacuation of Russian tourists from China has not been discussed so far , .
`` Evacuation has not been discussed yet , they will return as scheduled , '' the source said .
China was the fourth most popular destination among Russian tourists in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Russian Travel Industry Union , Irinua Tyurina , told TASS .
The tropical resort island of Hainan is the most popular destination in China among Russians .
According to ATOR Executive Director Maya Lomidze , about 6,000-7,000 Russian tourists are currently in China , and some 5,000-6,000 of them are staying on Hainan .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of the new type of pneumonia in Wuhan , a city with a population of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019-nCoV coronavirus - was identified on January 7 , 2020 .
According to the latest data , about 900 people were infected with the new disease in China , and 26 of them died .
The coronavirus is also identified in Vietnam , South Korea , the United States , Singapore and Japan .
On January 23 , the WHO refrained from declaring an international emergency over the outbreak of the virus that originated in China .

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. Russia’s biggest travel companies suspended sales of tours to China due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, in line with earlier recommendations by Federal Agency for Tourism (Rostourism), the Association of Tour Operators in Russia (ATOR) said in a statement.
"In line with the January 24 recommendations issued by Rostourism, Russian tour operators suspended sales of tours to China," the statement says, adding that flights to China have not been cancelled.
In its recommendations issued on Friday, Rostourism advised Russian tourists to avoid visiting China. Russian travel agents were recommended to suspend sales of tours to China until the epidemiological situation in the country is back to normal. Tourists willing to cancel their upcoming trip are entitled to full compensation.
Meanwhile, a source close to Rostourism told TASS evacuation of Russian tourists from China has not been discussed so far, .
"Evacuation has not been discussed yet, they will return as scheduled," the source said.
China was the fourth most popular destination among Russian tourists in the first nine months of 2019, a spokesperson for the Russian Travel Industry Union, Irinua Tyurina, told TASS. The tropical resort island of Hainan is the most popular destination in China among Russians.
According to ATOR Executive Director Maya Lomidze, about 6,000-7,000 Russian tourists are currently in China, and some 5,000-6,000 of them are staying on Hainan.
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of the new type of pneumonia in Wuhan, a city with a population of more than 11 million people. The culprit - 2019-nCoV coronavirus - was identified on January 7, 2020.
According to the latest data, about 900 people were infected with the new disease in China, and 26 of them died. The coronavirus is also identified in Vietnam, South Korea, the United States, Singapore and Japan. On January 23, the WHO refrained from declaring an international emergency over the outbreak of the virus that originated in China.


tass--2020-01-25--Zelensky confirms that Minsk agreements remain basis for reconciliation talks

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has once again confirmed that the Minsk agreements remained @ @ @ @ @ peace in eastern Ukraine .
`` The Minsk agreements , in essence , is the @ @ @ @ @ so far .
It is the only thing that gives us an opportunity .
One @ @ @ @ @ .
One might strictly observe them or seek to review them .
But it ’ @ @ @ @ @ document , a thing that makes meetings possible , '' Zelensky said .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ the 2015 Minsk agreements , saying that he was not pleased with the sequence of @ @ @ @ @ He also said the Ukrainian government had `` plan B '' and an alternative to @ @ @ @ @ not go into details .

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has once again confirmed that the Minsk agreements remained the only way to achieve peace in eastern Ukraine.
"The Minsk agreements, in essence, is the only thing that we have so far. It is the only thing that gives us an opportunity. One may follow them or not. One might strictly observe them or seek to review them. But it’s a paper, a document, a thing that makes meetings possible," Zelensky said.
Earlier, Zelensky expressed his discontent about the 2015 Minsk agreements, saying that he was not pleased with the sequence of measures outlined in them. He also said the Ukrainian government had "plan B" and an alternative to the deal, but did not go into details.


tass--2020-01-25--UK premier signs withdrawal agreement with EU

LONDON , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday put his signature under the Withdrawal Agreement , which specifies the terms of his country ’ s withdrawal from the European Union , his office said in a statement .
The signing is a formal procedure , after which the document will be referred to the European Union for ratification .
On Thursday , Queen Elizabeth II signed the bill into law , finalizing preparations for the divorce on the British side after 10 months of extensions .
`` The signing of the Withdrawal Agreement is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the result of the 2016 referendum and brings to an end far too many years of argument and division , '' Johnson said , adding that the UK Government will now focus on solving internal problems , while `` building a strong new relationship with the EU as friends and sovereign equals . ''
The European Parliament ’ s Committee on Constitutional Affairs approved the document during an urgent meeting on Thursday .
Earlier on Friday , it was signed by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom was initially supposed to exit the union on March 29 , 2019 , however , the departure date was postponed a few times as British MPs could not agree the conditions of the exit .
Theresa May , former Prime Minister , had to resign in the face of unbreakable deadlock , while her successor Boris Johnson managed to win over support of the House of Commons and get his bill through .
To achieve that , he called a snap parliamentary election in December and secured an overwhelming majority in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps in the process a formality .
After January 31 , the UK will enter a transition period ending on December 31 without any meaningful changes taking place in the relations between the UK and the EU .
However , before that date comes , London and Brussels are supposed to agree a new trade agreement to guide their future relations .

LONDON, January 25. /TASS/. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday put his signature under the Withdrawal Agreement, which specifies the terms of his country’s withdrawal from the European Union, his office said in a statement.
The signing is a formal procedure, after which the document will be referred to the European Union for ratification. On Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II signed the bill into law, finalizing preparations for the divorce on the British side after 10 months of extensions.
"The signing of the Withdrawal Agreement is a fantastic moment, which finally delivers the result of the 2016 referendum and brings to an end far too many years of argument and division," Johnson said, adding that the UK Government will now focus on solving internal problems, while "building a strong new relationship with the EU as friends and sovereign equals."
The European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs approved the document during an urgent meeting on Thursday. Earlier on Friday, it was signed by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel.
The United Kingdom was initially supposed to exit the union on March 29, 2019, however, the departure date was postponed a few times as British MPs could not agree the conditions of the exit. Theresa May, former Prime Minister, had to resign in the face of unbreakable deadlock, while her successor Boris Johnson managed to win over support of the House of Commons and get his bill through. To achieve that, he called a snap parliamentary election in December and secured an overwhelming majority in the house which practically rendered all other steps in the process a formality.
After January 31, the UK will enter a transition period ending on December 31 without any meaningful changes taking place in the relations between the UK and the EU. However, before that date comes, London and Brussels are supposed to agree a new trade agreement to guide their future relations.


tass--2020-01-25--Moscow airport launches inquiry after two cats die due to improper handling of luggage

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
The administration of Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo Airport had launched an internal inquiry following a complaint from passenger , whose two cats died as a result of improper handling of luggage .
`` At present , the administration of Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo Airport is conducting an internal investigation following a January 23 , 2020 complaint from passenger of flight SU101 .
The passenger complained about the handling of his luggage , which included three portable pet cages , '' the airport ’ s press service told TASS .
The airport said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established , those guilty will face a penalty .
The Baza portal said on Wednesday that a passenger of Aeroflot flight from New York to Sofia via Mosow , Maxim Chumachenko , said his two cats had died after sustaining serious wounds during transportation , while the third one suffered from hypothermia but survived .
`` The incident is within the zone of responsibility of the Sheremetyevo Handling company , which services the luggage of all Aeroflot flights at the Sheremetyevo airport .
At present , Sheremetyevo Handling managers are negotiating with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do our utmost to hold accountable the airport ’ s luggage handlers , who are responsible for the incident , '' the Russian flagship air carrier said , commenting on the incident .
`` We are set to initiate the review of the procedure for handling luggage and transporting portable cages with pets by handling companies at all Russian airports , '' Aeroflot said .

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. The administration of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport had launched an internal inquiry following a complaint from passenger, whose two cats died as a result of improper handling of luggage.
"At present, the administration of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport is conducting an internal investigation following a January 23, 2020 complaint from passenger of flight SU101. The passenger complained about the handling of his luggage, which included three portable pet cages," the airport’s press service told TASS.
The airport said that once the cause of the incident is established, those guilty will face a penalty.
The Baza portal said on Wednesday that a passenger of Aeroflot flight from New York to Sofia via Mosow, Maxim Chumachenko, said his two cats had died after sustaining serious wounds during transportation, while the third one suffered from hypothermia but survived.
"The incident is within the zone of responsibility of the Sheremetyevo Handling company, which services the luggage of all Aeroflot flights at the Sheremetyevo airport. At present, Sheremetyevo Handling managers are negotiating with the owner of the pets. We will do our utmost to hold accountable the airport’s luggage handlers, who are responsible for the incident," the Russian flagship air carrier said, commenting on the incident.
"We are set to initiate the review of the procedure for handling luggage and transporting portable cages with pets by handling companies at all Russian airports," Aeroflot said.


tass--2020-01-26--Death toll in Turkey earthquake rises to 31 - agency

TASS , January 26 .
The death toll from Friday 's powerful earthquake in eastern Turkey has risen to 31 @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday referring to the country 's disaster relief agency .
Earlier , the agency @ @ @ @ @ people were killed and 1,466 were injured .
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake shook the eastern Turkish @ @ @ @ @ population of about 400,000 people at 20:55 local time ( the same as the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ The epicenter of the tremor that also affected the neighboring province of Malatya was located @ @ @ @ @ km .
The aftershocks were felt in many regions of the country and also in @ @ @ @ @ , according to the data reported by Turkey ’ s Disaster relief agency .

TASS, January 26. The death toll from Friday's powerful earthquake in eastern Turkey has risen to 31, the Anadolu agency reported on Sunday referring to the country's disaster relief agency.
Earlier, the agency reported that at least 29 people were killed and 1,466 were injured.
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake shook the eastern Turkish province of Elazig with a population of about 400,000 people at 20:55 local time (the same as the Moscow time) late Friday. The epicenter of the tremor that also affected the neighboring province of Malatya was located at a depth of 10 km. The aftershocks were felt in many regions of the country and also in Israel, Iraq and Syria, according to the data reported by Turkey’s Disaster relief agency.


tass--2020-01-26--China virus toll rises to 54 deaths, 322 infection cases registered

TASS , January 26 .
The death toll from a new type of coronavirus in China has increased to 54 @ @ @ @ @ cases of infection have been recorded , AFP reported on Sunday with reference to the @ @ @ @ @ them , in Hubei Province 13 people died from pneumonia caused by the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ 41 deaths and 1,372 cases of infection in China .

BEIJING, January 26. /TASS/. The number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by a new type of coronavirus new coronavirus in China has increased up to 1,975, the number of deaths has reached 56, China’s State Health Committee reported on Sunday. The condition of 324 patients is assessed as serious.
Earlier, Chinese authorities reported 1,743 infected and 54 dead.
About 2,700 people may be infected, but their diagnosis has not yet been confirmed. About 21,500 people in China had close contacts with the infected and are under the supervision of doctors.
According to the Chinese authorities, the most cases of infection (1,052) were confirmed in Hubei Province and its administrative center Wuhan, where the 2019-nCoV coronavirus initially began to spread. The same region accounts for the largest number of victims-52 people. Cases of new type of pneumonia have been reported in Beijing (51) and Shanghai (40).
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.


tass--2020-01-26--Chinese citizens hospitalized in Moscow have no signs of pneumonia

MOSCOW , January 26 .
/TASS/ .
Chinese citizens who were hospitalized from a Moscow hotel are in a satisfactory condition and have no signs of a complicated course of acute respiratory viral infection , especially pneumonia , the press service of the Moscow Health Department told TASS .
`` Ambulance went to the place of residence of tourists primarily because they arrived from China .
Usually , in such cases , an ambulance gives advice by phone .
Doctors examined all the residents who have complaints on the spot .
Given the increased attention to the region the tourists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their further observation , seven people with signs of acute respiratory viral infection were hospitalized , '' the department ’ s press service said .
According to experts , all patients are in satisfactory condition and have minimal common manifestations of a respiratory disease .
They have no signs of a complicated course of acute respiratory viral infection , especially pneumonia .
Hospitalization was carried out as an additional measure of monitoring and examining the condition of patients .
`` At present , a full range of necessary treatment and diagnostic measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care is provided in full .
There are no threats to the lives of patients and there is no reason to speak about an aggravation of the epidemiological situation , '' the press service explained .
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 , 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people .
The pathogen , the 2019-nCoV coronavirus , was identified on January 7 .
The novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , Thailand , France and Japan .
The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency .
According to the Russian Ministry of Health , on Saturday evening , 1,438 ( 98 % in China ) confirmed cases of coronavirus 2019-nCoV were registered in the world , of which 42 ( 2.9 % ) were fatal .

MOSCOW, January 26. /TASS/. Chinese citizens who were hospitalized from a Moscow hotel are in a satisfactory condition and have no signs of a complicated course of acute respiratory viral infection, especially pneumonia, the press service of the Moscow Health Department told TASS.
"Ambulance went to the place of residence of tourists primarily because they arrived from China. Usually, in such cases, an ambulance gives advice by phone. Doctors examined all the residents who have complaints on the spot. Given the increased attention to the region the tourists arrived from, and for the purpose of their further observation, seven people with signs of acute respiratory viral infection were hospitalized," the department’s press service said.
According to experts, all patients are in satisfactory condition and have minimal common manifestations of a respiratory disease. They have no signs of a complicated course of acute respiratory viral infection, especially pneumonia. Hospitalization was carried out as an additional measure of monitoring and examining the condition of patients.
"At present, a full range of necessary treatment and diagnostic measures is being carried out, all medical care is provided in full. There are no threats to the lives of patients and there is no reason to speak about an aggravation of the epidemiological situation," the press service explained.
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.
According to the Russian Ministry of Health, on Saturday evening, 1,438 (98% in China) confirmed cases of coronavirus 2019-nCoV were registered in the world, of which 42 (2.9%) were fatal.


tass--2020-01-26--Number of Chinese citizens taken to hospital from hotel in Moscow rises to eight

MOSCOW , January 26 .
/TASS/ .
The number of Chinese citizens who were taken to hospital from the Art Moscow Voikovskaya hotel has grown to eight , the hotel ’ s manager Mikhail Volkov told TASS .
`` Now 220 citizens of the People ’ s Republic of China stay in the hotel , eight have been taken to hospital , a preliminary diagnosis of seven is acute respiratory viral infection , and another has tonsillitis , '' he said .
According to him , the first ambulance arrived at the hotel at 4:00 pm and it had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors continue to examine other members of the tourist group , which arrived on January 25 .
Most of the hotel residents are Chinese citizens , who have stayed there for two years .
`` All groups of Chinese citizens coming to us will undergo examination , '' the manager said .
Earlier , a source in medical circles told TASS that the Chinese citizens were hospitalized to an infectious disease ward .
The hotel operates as usual , there are no restrictions for visitors to enter it .
Earlier , a source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese citizens with high fever had been hospitalized from a hotel in the north of Moscow .
Preliminary there were diagnosed with acute respiratory viral infection .
The Central Television of China said earlier that the number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus in China has increased to 1,372 people .
Thus , according to data as of Saturday , the number of people infected with the virus increased to 1,372 people , the number of deaths did not change and reached 41 .
China ’ s National Health Commission said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,230 doctors to the city of Wuhan in the central province of Hubei closed over a novel coronavirus outbreak to help local health institutions fight the deadly infection .
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 , 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people .
The pathogen , the 2019-nCoV coronavirus , was identified on January 7 .
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Singapore , the United States , Thailand , France and Japan .
The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency .

MOSCOW, January 26. /TASS/. The number of Chinese citizens who were taken to hospital from the Art Moscow Voikovskaya hotel has grown to eight, the hotel’s manager Mikhail Volkov told TASS.
"Now 220 citizens of the People’s Republic of China stay in the hotel, eight have been taken to hospital, a preliminary diagnosis of seven is acute respiratory viral infection, and another has tonsillitis," he said.
According to him, the first ambulance arrived at the hotel at 4:00 pm and it had been called by the hotel personnel. Now doctors continue to examine other members of the tourist group, which arrived on January 25. Most of the hotel residents are Chinese citizens, who have stayed there for two years.
"All groups of Chinese citizens coming to us will undergo examination," the manager said.
Earlier, a source in medical circles told TASS that the Chinese citizens were hospitalized to an infectious disease ward.
The hotel operates as usual, there are no restrictions for visitors to enter it. Earlier, a source said that on Saturday evening, seven Chinese citizens with high fever had been hospitalized from a hotel in the north of Moscow. Preliminary there were diagnosed with acute respiratory viral infection.
The Central Television of China said earlier that the number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus in China has increased to 1,372 people. Thus, according to data as of Saturday, the number of people infected with the virus increased to 1,372 people, the number of deaths did not change and reached 41.
China’s National Health Commission said earlier that the Chinese authorities have sent 1,230 doctors to the city of Wuhan in the central province of Hubei closed over a novel coronavirus outbreak to help local health institutions fight the deadly infection.
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.


tass--2020-01-26--Seven cases of coronavirus noted in regions bordering Russia - Ministry of Health

MOSCOW , January 26 .
/TASS/ .
Seven cases of coronavirus infection have been recorded in Chinese regions bordering Russia , one of them is fatal , the Russian Ministry of Health said on Saturday .
`` In the Chinese administrative regions bordering the Russian Federation , 7 cases of the disease were recorded , one fatal , '' the report said .
In addition , it was noted that laboratory-confirmed cases of the disease are still not detected in Russia .
According to the Ministry of Health , on Saturday evening , 1,438 ( 98 % in China ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registered in the world , of which 42 ( 2.9 % ) were fatal .
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 , 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people .
The pathogen , the 2019-nCoV coronavirus , was identified on January 7 .
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , Thailand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency .

MOSCOW, January 26. /TASS/. Seven cases of coronavirus infection have been recorded in Chinese regions bordering Russia, one of them is fatal, the Russian Ministry of Health said on Saturday.
"In the Chinese administrative regions bordering the Russian Federation, 7 cases of the disease were recorded, one fatal," the report said.
In addition, it was noted that laboratory-confirmed cases of the disease are still not detected in Russia. According to the Ministry of Health, on Saturday evening, 1,438 (98% in China) confirmed cases of the new coronavirus were registered in the world, of which 42 (2.9%) were fatal.
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.


tass--2020-01-25--Seven China’s nationals hospitalized from hotel in Moscow

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Seven people were hospitalized with high fever with signs of an acute respiratory viral infection from a hotel in northern Moscow .
Aaccording to preliminary data , they are all Chinese citizens , a source in medical circles told TASS .
`` Tonight , seven people were hospitalized from a hotel in the Voikovsky district , according to preliminary information , they are all Chinese citizens .
They have been diagnosed with high fever , '' the agency ’ s source said .
According to the source , they arrived in Moscow a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in their group , they are currently being examined by doctors .
The Central Television of China said earlier that the number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus in China has increased to 1,372 people .
Thus , according to data as of Saturday , the number of people infected with the virus increased to 1,372 people , the number of deaths did not change and reached 41 .
China ’ s National Health Commission said earlier that the Chinese authorities have sent 1,230 doctors to the city of Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a novel coronavirus outbreak to help local health institutions fight the deadly infection .
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 , 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people .
The pathogen , the 2019-nCoV coronavirus , was identified on January 7 .
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , Thailand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency .

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. Seven people were hospitalized with high fever with signs of an acute respiratory viral infection from a hotel in northern Moscow. Aaccording to preliminary data, they are all Chinese citizens, a source in medical circles told TASS.
"Tonight, seven people were hospitalized from a hotel in the Voikovsky district, according to preliminary information, they are all Chinese citizens. They have been diagnosed with high fever," the agency’s source said.
According to the source, they arrived in Moscow a few days ago, with over 20 people in their group, they are currently being examined by doctors.
The Central Television of China said earlier that the number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus in China has increased to 1,372 people. Thus, according to data as of Saturday, the number of people infected with the virus increased to 1,372 people, the number of deaths did not change and reached 41.
China’s National Health Commission said earlier that the Chinese authorities have sent 1,230 doctors to the city of Wuhan in the central province of Hubei closed over a novel coronavirus outbreak to help local health institutions fight the deadly infection.
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.


tass--2020-01-25--Russia’s Far East to develop measures against coronavirus

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev instructed the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare , the border service and the heads of regions of the district to ensure the safety of border areas due to spreading coronavirus and to prepare a report on the issue within three days , the department said on Saturday .
`` Deputy Prime Minister of Russia - Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev instructed the Federal Service for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Border Service of the Russian Federal Security Service to ensure , together with heads of the Far Eastern regions , security of the border areas of the Far East due to coronavirus infection outbreak in the north of China and develop a set of preventive measures to protect the population .
A report on the situation and measures will be made within three days , '' the statement said .
The Central Television of China said earlier that the number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus in China has increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to data as of Saturday , the number of people infected with the virus increased to 1,372 people , the number of deaths did not change and reached 41 .
China ’ s National Health Commission said earlier that the Chinese authorities have sent 1,230 doctors to the city of Wuhan in the central province of Hubei closed over a novel coronavirus outbreak to help local health institutions fight the deadly infection .
`` China ’ s National Health Commission has formed six teams numbering a total of 1,230 specialists to render medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the document says .
`` Also , six back-up teams have been formed , which are ready to go Wuhan , if necessary , '' the statement says .
China ’ s news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday that 450 military doctors specializing in respiratory and infectious diseases and infection control in intensive care units had arrived in Wuhan by decision of the country ’ s Central Military Commission .
Some of them have the experience of fighting the SARS ( Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome , also known as atypical pneumonia ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s National Health Commission reported on Saturday , the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in the country has reached 41 .
The number of infected people has risen to 1,287 , including 237 in a severe condition .
A total of 15,197 people have come into close contact with the infected persons , of whom 1,230 have been screened and discharged and 13,967 are under medical observation .
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 , 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people .
The pathogen , the 2019-nCoV coronavirus , was identified on January 7 .
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , Thailand , France and Japan .
The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency .

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev instructed the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare, the border service and the heads of regions of the district to ensure the safety of border areas due to spreading coronavirus and to prepare a report on the issue within three days, the department said on Saturday.
"Deputy Prime Minister of Russia - Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev instructed the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare, the Border Service of the Russian Federal Security Service to ensure, together with heads of the Far Eastern regions, security of the border areas of the Far East due to coronavirus infection outbreak in the north of China and develop a set of preventive measures to protect the population. A report on the situation and measures will be made within three days," the statement said.
The Central Television of China said earlier that the number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus in China has increased to 1,372 people. Thus, according to data as of Saturday, the number of people infected with the virus increased to 1,372 people, the number of deaths did not change and reached 41.
China’s National Health Commission said earlier that the Chinese authorities have sent 1,230 doctors to the city of Wuhan in the central province of Hubei closed over a novel coronavirus outbreak to help local health institutions fight the deadly infection.
"China’s National Health Commission has formed six teams numbering a total of 1,230 specialists to render medical assistance to medics in Wuhan," the document says.
"Also, six back-up teams have been formed, which are ready to go Wuhan, if necessary," the statement says.
China’s news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday that 450 military doctors specializing in respiratory and infectious diseases and infection control in intensive care units had arrived in Wuhan by decision of the country’s Central Military Commission. Some of them have the experience of fighting the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, also known as atypical pneumonia) and the Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
As China’s National Health Commission reported on Saturday, the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in the country has reached 41. The number of infected people has risen to 1,287, including 237 in a severe condition. A total of 15,197 people have come into close contact with the infected persons, of whom 1,230 have been screened and discharged and 13,967 are under medical observation.
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.


tass--2020-01-25--Five Chinese students hospitalized in Irkutsk screened for coronavirus

IRKUTSK , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Five students of Baikal State University who are citizens of China where an outbreak of a novel coronavirus has been recently registered have been hospitalized with a respiratory disease but are also being screened for possible viral pneumonia , Chief Doctor of the Irkutsk Regional Clinical Hospital Vladimir Khabudayev said on Saturday .
`` The administration of Baikal State University approached me over the fact that several students from China who are studying at this higher educational institution did not come to classes .
It turned out that these students had fallen ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went home for the vacation and fit into the incubation period for the coronavirus infection .
Five persons were hospitalized , '' the chief doctor said .
`` As of today , their disease is known : all of them have Type A flu - a seasonal illness for this time of the year .
But in order to fully rule out the coronavirus infection , we have sent the material [ for medical tests ] to Novosibirsk , '' Khabudayev said , adding that the doctors expected the test results on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 , 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people .
The pathogen , the 2019-nCoV coronavirus , was identified on January 7 .
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , Thailand , France and Japan .
The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global health emergency .

IRKUTSK, January 25. /TASS/. Five students of Baikal State University who are citizens of China where an outbreak of a novel coronavirus has been recently registered have been hospitalized with a respiratory disease but are also being screened for possible viral pneumonia, Chief Doctor of the Irkutsk Regional Clinical Hospital Vladimir Khabudayev said on Saturday.
"The administration of Baikal State University approached me over the fact that several students from China who are studying at this higher educational institution did not come to classes. It turned out that these students had fallen ill two or three days ago. They went home for the vacation and fit into the incubation period for the coronavirus infection. Five persons were hospitalized," the chief doctor said.
"As of today, their disease is known: all of them have Type A flu - a seasonal illness for this time of the year. But in order to fully rule out the coronavirus infection, we have sent the material [for medical tests] to Novosibirsk," Khabudayev said, adding that the doctors expected the test results on Saturday night.
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.


tass--2020-01-25--Death toll in Turkey earthquake rises to 29

ANKARA , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
At least 29 people were killed and 1,466 were injured in an earthquake @ @ @ @ @ according to the country ’ s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority .
Rescuers managed to @ @ @ @ @ from under the rubble of the destroyed houses .
According to the updated data , @ @ @ @ @ the province of Elazig and 226 - in the province of Malatya .
The 6.8-magnitude @ @ @ @ @ province of Elazig with a population of about 400,000 people at 20:55 local time ( @ @ @ @ @ time ) on Friday .
The epicenter of the tremor that also affected the neighboring @ @ @ @ @ at a depth of 10 km .
The aftershocks were felt in many regions of @ @ @ @ @ Israel , Iraq and Syria , according to the data reported by Turkey ’ s @ @ @ @ @ .

ANKARA, January 25. /TASS/. At least 29 people were killed and 1,466 were injured in an earthquake that struck eastern Turkey, according to the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.
Rescuers managed to free at least 43 people from under the rubble of the destroyed houses.
According to the updated data, 843 people were injured in the province of Elazig and 226 - in the province of Malatya.
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted the eastern Turkish province of Elazig with a population of about 400,000 people at 20:55 local time (the same as the Moscow time) on Friday. The epicenter of the tremor that also affected the neighboring province of Malatya was located at a depth of 10 km. The aftershocks were felt in many regions of the country and also in Israel, Iraq and Syria, according to the data reported by Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.


tass--2020-01-25--China says number of coronavirus cases rises to 1,372

BEIJING , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus in China has increased to 1,372 people , the Central Television of China said on Saturday .
Thus , according to data as of Saturday , the number of people infected with the virus increased to 1,372 people , the number of deaths did not change and reached 41 .
China ’ s National Health Commission said earlier that the Chinese authorities have sent 1,230 doctors to the city of Wuhan in the central province of Hubei closed over a novel coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly infection .
`` China ’ s National Health Commission has formed six teams numbering a total of 1,230 specialists to render medical assistance to medics in Wuhan , '' the document says .
`` Also , six back-up teams have been formed , which are ready to go Wuhan , if necessary , '' the statement says .
China ’ s news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday that 450 military doctors specializing in respiratory and infectious diseases and infection control in intensive care units had arrived in Wuhan by decision of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of them have the experience of fighting the SARS ( Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome , also known as atypical pneumonia ) and the Ebola hemorrhagic fever .
As China ’ s National Health Commission reported on Saturday , the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in the country has reached 41 .
The number of infected people has risen to 1,287 , including 237 in a severe condition .
A total of 15,197 people have come into close contact with the infected persons , of whom 1,230 have been screened and discharged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on December 31 , 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people .
The pathogen , the 2019-nCoV coronavirus , was identified on January 7 .
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia , Vietnam , South Korea , Singapore , the United States , Thailand , France and Japan .
The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refrained from declaring it a global health emergency .

BEIJING, January 25. /TASS/. The number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by coronavirus in China has increased to 1,372 people, the Central Television of China said on Saturday.
Thus, according to data as of Saturday, the number of people infected with the virus increased to 1,372 people, the number of deaths did not change and reached 41.
China’s National Health Commission said earlier that the Chinese authorities have sent 1,230 doctors to the city of Wuhan in the central province of Hubei closed over a novel coronavirus outbreak to help local health institutions fight the deadly infection.
"China’s National Health Commission has formed six teams numbering a total of 1,230 specialists to render medical assistance to medics in Wuhan," the document says.
"Also, six back-up teams have been formed, which are ready to go Wuhan, if necessary," the statement says.
China’s news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday that 450 military doctors specializing in respiratory and infectious diseases and infection control in intensive care units had arrived in Wuhan by decision of the country’s Central Military Commission. Some of them have the experience of fighting the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, also known as atypical pneumonia) and the Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
As China’s National Health Commission reported on Saturday, the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in the country has reached 41. The number of infected people has risen to 1,287, including 237 in a severe condition. A total of 15,197 people have come into close contact with the infected persons, of whom 1,230 have been screened and discharged and 13,967 are under medical observation.
The Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 about the outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of over 11 million people. The pathogen, the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, was identified on January 7.
The novel coronavirus cases have also been reported in Australia, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, France and Japan. The WHO has recognized the virus outbreak as a national emergency for China but has so far refrained from declaring it a global health emergency.


tass--2020-01-25--Pentagon aggravates situation around interaction in Syria - Russian Defense Ministry

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
The case of a Russian general `` intercepted '' by the US military in the Syrian area of Manbij occurred more than a year ago , the Ministry of Defense of Russia said on Saturday .
`` The fact mentioned by the US representatives happened about 14 months ago in the area of the Syrian settlement of Manbij , which was then under control of the three : the US-led so-called ‘ anti-terrorist coalition ’ , Kurdish units , as well as the Syrian government forces , '' the Defense Ministry said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time all parties operating on the ground had to constantly coordinate their actions to avoid conflict situations .
`` Therefore , the case presented by the US representative is a good example of effective existing channels of interaction between the military of the two countries in Syria , '' the ministry emphasized .
The ministry added that certain Pentagon representatives artificially aggravate the situation around the interaction of countries in Syria , including patrols , which does not help stabilize the situation , the Russian Ministry of Defense said on Saturday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation by individuals from the Pentagon around situation with performing patrol tasks does not help to stabilize the situation and only prevents the military from doing their job , '' the Defense Ministry said .
The ministry noted that `` today in Syria absolutely normal and professional relations have developed between the armed forces of Russia and the United States . ''
On January 23 , US Special Representative for Syria James Jeffrey told reporters that about 14 months ago , US troops intercepted a Russian major general in the Syrian area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue was resolved through military channels .
The Russian Ministry noted that the military personnel of the two countries are always aware of the location of each other ’ s forces , and all uncoordinated actions in places of contact are quickly resolved through existing channels .

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. The case of a Russian general "intercepted" by the US military in the Syrian area of Manbij occurred more than a year ago, the Ministry of Defense of Russia said on Saturday.
"The fact mentioned by the US representatives happened about 14 months ago in the area of the Syrian settlement of Manbij, which was then under control of the three: the US-led so-called ‘anti-terrorist coalition’, Kurdish units, as well as the Syrian government forces," the Defense Ministry said.
The military department explained that at that time all parties operating on the ground had to constantly coordinate their actions to avoid conflict situations.
"Therefore, the case presented by the US representative is a good example of effective existing channels of interaction between the military of the two countries in Syria," the ministry emphasized.
The ministry added that certain Pentagon representatives artificially aggravate the situation around the interaction of countries in Syria, including patrols, which does not help stabilize the situation, the Russian Ministry of Defense said on Saturday.
"We believe that the artificial aggravation of the situation by individuals from the Pentagon around situation with performing patrol tasks does not help to stabilize the situation and only prevents the military from doing their job," the Defense Ministry said.
The ministry noted that "today in Syria absolutely normal and professional relations have developed between the armed forces of Russia and the United States."
On January 23, US Special Representative for Syria James Jeffrey told reporters that about 14 months ago, US troops intercepted a Russian major general in the Syrian area of Manbij. According to him, the issue was resolved through military channels.
The Russian Ministry noted that the military personnel of the two countries are always aware of the location of each other’s forces, and all uncoordinated actions in places of contact are quickly resolved through existing channels.


tass--2020-01-25--Russia regrets Japan joined ‘anti-Russian spy mania’

TOKYO , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russia regrets that Japan has joined ‘ anti-Russian speculations on the theme of spy mania , ’ the Russian embassy in Japan said in a statement issued on Saturday .
The statement comes amid Japanese media reports that stolen secret commercial data were allegedly transferred to employees of Russia ’ s trade mission in Japan .
‘ We regret that the Japanese side has joined anti-Russian speculations trendy in the West on the hackneyed theme of spy mania .
The communication through the media , i.e .
the notorious ‘ megaphone diplomacy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and harmful nature , '' says the statement posted by the Russian embassy on its Facebook page .
As the Russian embassy stressed , this `` runs counter to the policy line agreed by Moscow and Tokyo towards creating a positive atmosphere for developing bilateral cooperation and solving uneasy issues that are on the joint agenda . ''
The news agency Kyodo reported earlier on Saturday that the Japanese police had detained a local resident on suspicion of stealing secret commercial data that were presumably passed on to an employee of Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Kyodo ’ s data , the Japanese law-enforcement agencies sent an official inquiry to the Russian embassy in Japan , demanding that two employees of the Russian trade mission should come to the police for giving testimony .
At the time of this publication , TASS was unable to confirm this information in the Russian embassy .
As the Japanese nationwide newspaper Sankei reported , one of the employees of the Russian trade mission in Japan summoned to the police is a current staffer with ‘ diplomatic privileges ’ while the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia in 2017 .
As Kyodo claimed , the detained 48-year-old Japanese illegally stole secret data from the Softbank large telecoms company where he had previously worked .
The police believes that the data stolen from the company ’ s servers were subsequently transferred to the employee of the Russian trade mission in Japan .
The detained Japanese admitted the wrongdoing and said during the questioning that `` he transferred information and received cash for it , '' Kyodo claimed .
Japan ’ s telecoms giant Softbank issued a statement on Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and partners for the inconvenience caused .
Softbank stressed that the working documents stolen by the former employee had the low status of confidentiality and did not include the clients ’ data or confidential information on the corporation ’ s business deals .
TASS currently has no official comment from the Russian trade mission in Japan .

TOKYO, January 25. /TASS/. Russia regrets that Japan has joined ‘anti-Russian speculations on the theme of spy mania,’ the Russian embassy in Japan said in a statement issued on Saturday.
The statement comes amid Japanese media reports that stolen secret commercial data were allegedly transferred to employees of Russia’s trade mission in Japan.
‘We regret that the Japanese side has joined anti-Russian speculations trendy in the West on the hackneyed theme of spy mania. The communication through the media, i.e. the notorious ‘megaphone diplomacy’ has more than once proven its futile and harmful nature," says the statement posted by the Russian embassy on its Facebook page.
As the Russian embassy stressed, this "runs counter to the policy line agreed by Moscow and Tokyo towards creating a positive atmosphere for developing bilateral cooperation and solving uneasy issues that are on the joint agenda."
The news agency Kyodo reported earlier on Saturday that the Japanese police had detained a local resident on suspicion of stealing secret commercial data that were presumably passed on to an employee of Russia’s trade mission in Japan. According to Kyodo’s data, the Japanese law-enforcement agencies sent an official inquiry to the Russian embassy in Japan, demanding that two employees of the Russian trade mission should come to the police for giving testimony. At the time of this publication, TASS was unable to confirm this information in the Russian embassy.
As the Japanese nationwide newspaper Sankei reported, one of the employees of the Russian trade mission in Japan summoned to the police is a current staffer with ‘diplomatic privileges’ while the other is a former employee who returned to Russia in 2017.
As Kyodo claimed, the detained 48-year-old Japanese illegally stole secret data from the Softbank large telecoms company where he had previously worked. The police believes that the data stolen from the company’s servers were subsequently transferred to the employee of the Russian trade mission in Japan. The detained Japanese admitted the wrongdoing and said during the questioning that "he transferred information and received cash for it," Kyodo claimed.
Japan’s telecoms giant Softbank issued a statement on Saturday, bringing apologies to its clients, shareholders and partners for the inconvenience caused.
Softbank stressed that the working documents stolen by the former employee had the low status of confidentiality and did not include the clients’ data or confidential information on the corporation’s business deals. TASS currently has no official comment from the Russian trade mission in Japan.


tass--2020-01-25--Russia reserves right for tit-for-tat measures after diplomats’ expulsion from Bulgaria

MOSCOW , January 25 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow views the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Bulgaria as an unfriendly and a provocative step and warns the Bulgarian authorities about tit-for-tat measures , Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday .
`` We qualify this step by official Sofia as an outright unfriendly and provocative step that runs counter to the constructive and traditionally mutually respectful nature of Russian-Bulgarian relations .
We reserve the right to take tit-for-tat measures , '' the statement says .
According to the statement , the Bulgarian authorities gave no clear evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomats .
`` On January 24 , the Bulgarian authorities made a decision to expel a diplomat of the Embassy and an employee of the Trade Mission of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria from the country .
No clear evidence was given to substantiate this decision , '' the statement says .
The Bulgarian Prosecutor ’ s Office reported on its website on January 24 that pre-trial probes involving two Russian diplomats as part of an espionage case had been launched .
According to prosecutors , their illegal activities included elections and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations , Bulgaria halted criminal proceedings against two Russian citizens .
However , the Prosecutor ’ s Office claims that there are grounds for indicting them .

MOSCOW, January 25. /TASS/. Moscow views the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Bulgaria as an unfriendly and a provocative step and warns the Bulgarian authorities about tit-for-tat measures, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
"We qualify this step by official Sofia as an outright unfriendly and provocative step that runs counter to the constructive and traditionally mutually respectful nature of Russian-Bulgarian relations. We reserve the right to take tit-for-tat measures," the statement says.
According to the statement, the Bulgarian authorities gave no clear evidence for their decision to expel the Russian diplomats.
"On January 24, the Bulgarian authorities made a decision to expel a diplomat of the Embassy and an employee of the Trade Mission of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria from the country. No clear evidence was given to substantiate this decision," the statement says.
The Bulgarian Prosecutor’s Office reported on its website on January 24 that pre-trial probes involving two Russian diplomats as part of an espionage case had been launched. According to prosecutors, their illegal activities included elections and the energy sector. In accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Bulgaria halted criminal proceedings against two Russian citizens. However, the Prosecutor’s Office claims that there are grounds for indicting them.