tass--2020-02-04--First plane of Russian Aerospace Forces heading for China to evacuate Russian nationals

MOSCOW , February 4./TASS/ .
A first plane of the Russian Aerospace Forces took off from an airfield of the Eastern Military District earlier on Tuesday , heading for China to evacuate Russian nationals from Wuhan , the epicenter of the coronavirus , the Russian Defense Ministry told journalists .
The plane is carrying military medics and virologists of the Defense Ministry with diagnostic and personal protective equipment , as well as necessary medicines .
Earlier , Russian Ambassador to China Andrey Denisov said that China had given a go ahead to the Russian planes to repatriate Russian nationals from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces planes will be engaged in the evacuation operation upon instructions from President Vladimir Putin .
The planes are now stationed at an airfield in the Eastern Military District .
According to the Russian Embassy to China , there are 341 Russian nationals in the Hubei province , of whom 183 have contacted the embassy .
As many as 132 Russian nationals said they wanted to return home , Denisov specified .
None of the Russians has been infected .
The evacuation will begin overnight to Wednesday .
The pneumonia outbreak has hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Beijing and Shanghai , but the epidemic ’ s epicenter is the Hubei province and its capital of Wuhan , a city of 11 million people .
The quarantined city accommodates a large number of foreigners .
Ambassador Denisov compared the situation in Wuhan to martial law .
On January 23 , the Chinese authorities imposed a ban on entering or leaving the city .
All transport hubs were closed , including the airport , which is one of the biggest transfer hubs in the region .
A temporary airport ramp has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Il-76 planes at Baikal Airport in Ulan-Ude ( Buryatia ) .
They will refuel there on the way back before flying further into central Russia .
The Russian Healthcare Ministry said a site had been arranged for accommodating the evacuated Russian nationals , without disclosing where .
Medics , epidemiologists and rheumatologists will be dispatched there later on Tuesday to consult the medics who will be monitoring the health of the people put in quarantine .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Wuhan .
The infecting agent was identified as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also reported from 23 other countries , including Australia , Vietnam , India , Canada , the United States and Thailand .
The World Health Organization has declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .
By now , the number of confirmed cases of the disease in China has exceeded 20,400 , with more than 420 killed by this coronavirus .
Fatalities were reported outside mainland China .

MOSCOW, February 4./TASS/. A first plane of the Russian Aerospace Forces took off from an airfield of the Eastern Military District earlier on Tuesday, heading for China to evacuate Russian nationals from Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus, the Russian Defense Ministry told journalists.
The plane is carrying military medics and virologists of the Defense Ministry with diagnostic and personal protective equipment, as well as necessary medicines.
Earlier, Russian Ambassador to China Andrey Denisov said that China had given a go ahead to the Russian planes to repatriate Russian nationals from China.
A group of five Aerospace Forces planes will be engaged in the evacuation operation upon instructions from President Vladimir Putin. The planes are now stationed at an airfield in the Eastern Military District. According to the Russian Embassy to China, there are 341 Russian nationals in the Hubei province, of whom 183 have contacted the embassy. As many as 132 Russian nationals said they wanted to return home, Denisov specified. None of the Russians has been infected. The evacuation will begin overnight to Wednesday.
The pneumonia outbreak has hit all Chinese regions, including the cities of Beijing and Shanghai, but the epidemic’s epicenter is the Hubei province and its capital of Wuhan, a city of 11 million people. The quarantined city accommodates a large number of foreigners.
Ambassador Denisov compared the situation in Wuhan to martial law. On January 23, the Chinese authorities imposed a ban on entering or leaving the city. All transport hubs were closed, including the airport, which is one of the biggest transfer hubs in the region.
A temporary airport ramp has been arranged for five Aerospace Forces’ Il-76 planes at Baikal Airport in Ulan-Ude (Buryatia). They will refuel there on the way back before flying further into central Russia. The Russian Healthcare Ministry said a site had been arranged for accommodating the evacuated Russian nationals, without disclosing where. Medics, epidemiologists and rheumatologists will be dispatched there later on Tuesday to consult the medics who will be monitoring the health of the people put in quarantine.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan. The infecting agent was identified as coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also reported from 23 other countries, including Australia, Vietnam, India, Canada, the United States and Thailand. The World Health Organization has declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.
By now, the number of confirmed cases of the disease in China has exceeded 20,400, with more than 420 killed by this coronavirus. Fatalities were reported outside mainland China.


tass--2020-02-04--Russia to send humanitarian aid to China in near future

BEIJING , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia plans to send humanitarian aid to China in the next few days @ @ @ @ @ Andrei Denisov said on Tuesday during a press conference in Beijing .
`` Mainly , @ @ @ @ @ [ medical ] personnel .
Masks , glasses , protective suits and so on .
@ @ @ @ @ needed most , '' the diplomat said .
`` We are currently discussing nomenclature matters @ @ @ @ @ Over the next few days , the aid will be delivered , likely directly to @ @ @ @ @ '' the ambassador stressed .

BEIJING, February 4. /TASS/. Russia plans to send humanitarian aid to China in the next few days, Russian Ambassador to China Andrei Denisov said on Tuesday during a press conference in Beijing.
"Mainly, it includes protective clothing for [medical] personnel. Masks, glasses, protective suits and so on. This is what’s needed most," the diplomat said.
"We are currently discussing nomenclature matters with our Chinese colleagues. Over the next few days, the aid will be delivered, likely directly to the city of Wuhan," the ambassador stressed.


tass--2020-02-04--Ankara, Moscow seek to ease tensions in Idlib

ANKARA , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Ankara and Russia are taking steps to ease tensions in the Syrian province @ @ @ @ @ Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday .
`` We seek to put an end to @ @ @ @ @ , like we did within the Astana and Sochi processes .
We can not put @ @ @ @ @ forces , so we took retaliatory measures in Idlib and we will continue to act @ @ @ @ @ pointed out .
According to Cavusoglu , Ankara and Moscow `` would like to ensure @ @ @ @ @ the way for a political solution . ''

ANKARA, February 4. /TASS/. Ankara and Russia are taking steps to ease tensions in the Syrian province of Idlib, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday.
"We seek to put an end to these conflicts together with Russia, like we did within the Astana and Sochi processes. We cannot put up with attacks on our forces, so we took retaliatory measures in Idlib and we will continue to act this way," he pointed out.
According to Cavusoglu, Ankara and Moscow "would like to ensure a permanent ceasefire and pave the way for a political solution."


tass--2020-02-04--China’s Wuhan effectively under martial law, says envoy

BEIJING , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
The situation in the Chinese city of Wuhan , the center of the @ @ @ @ @ tense , and the city is effectively under martial law , says Russian Ambassador to @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s effectively martial law there .
The situation in Wuhan is tense .
@ @ @ @ @ homes , '' he said .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed @ @ @ @ @ WHO ) about an outbreak of a novel coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) in the city @ @ @ @ @ trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
The city @ @ @ @ @ for entry and exit .
Foreign states are evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and the @ @ @ @ @ There have been two cases of death from coronavirus outside mainland China - in Hong @ @ @ @ @ .
Cases of coronavirus have been detected in 24 countries outside of China , including @ @ @ @ @ , WHO declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of 2019-nCoV .

BEIJING, February 4. /TASS/. The situation in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the center of the novel coronavirus-induced pneumonia, remains tense, and the city is effectively under martial law, says Russian Ambassador to Beijing Andrey Denisov.
"There’s effectively martial law there. The situation in Wuhan is tense. Our guys stay at their homes," he said.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. The city has since been closed off for entry and exit. Foreign states are evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province.
. There have been two cases of death from coronavirus outside mainland China - in Hong Kong and in the Philippines.
Cases of coronavirus have been detected in 24 countries outside of China, including Russia. On January 30, WHO declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of 2019-nCoV.


tass--2020-02-04--Press review: Erdogan riled over Syria attack and Saudi-Iran spat emerges over Trump plan

Media : Erdogan urges Russia not to stand in Turkish army ’ s way The death of Turkish troops in Idlib may not only undermine cooperation between Moscow and Ankara in Syria but also raise tensions between the two countries .
Russia and Turkey have different views of the reasons behind the recent incident , as well as about the development in the Idlib de-escalation zone , where the Syrian army is advancing with the support of the Russian military .
Four Russian special forces members were killed in military action in early February , Kommersant writes .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has lost hope of making an agreement with Russia , who is unwilling to stop the Syrian army ’ s advance in Idlib .
The expert did not rule out a rapprochement between Ankara and Washington .
Russian International Affairs Council expert Kirill Semenov , however , believes that Moscow and Ankara will eventually agree on a new partition of the region .
`` Turkey has no choice but to reinforce the Syrian opposition and its own strongholds in Syria because it understands that [ Syrian President Bashar ] Assad can continue the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until he liberates all of Idlib , while Russia will just shrug its shoulders , '' Semenov pointed out .
`` Strictly speaking , the developments around Idlib are the result of Turkey ’ s failure to ensure the implementation of the agreements reached with Russia in Sochi in the fall of 2018 , which are enshrined in the Memorandum on stabilizing the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone , '' military expert Yuri Lyamin told Nezavisimaya Gazeta .
Russian International Affairs Council expert Anton Mardasov , in turn , noted that Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to boost relations with Ankara and strengthen its own positions at the highest levels of the Syrian government .
According to him , `` Moscow expects that the situation with Ankara will be resolved even if the most negative scenarios take place in Idlib . ''
Mardasov added that Russia and Turkey had other issues for cooperation , including Kurdish separatism and the armed conflict in Libya .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : Saudis keeps Iran out of ‘ deal of the century ’ discussion The Organization of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC ) has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss US President Donald Trump ’ s plan to resolve the Middle East conflict .
However , the meeting was overshadowed by a squabble between the host country and Iran .
Members of the Iranian delegation had been denied visas without any explanation .
In response , Tehran issued a protest and demanded that the OIC headquarters be relocated from the Saudi city of Jeddah , Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote .
The OIC , known as the Organization of the Islamic Conference before 2011 , was founded in 1969 and currently consists of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start , supporting the Palestinians against Israel has been one of the organization ’ s goals .
However , OIC members ’ reaction to Trump ’ s initiative makes it clear that they view ways to resolve the conflict differently .
Although the Saudi king expressed support for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas , who had rejected `` the deal of the century , '' the country ’ s Foreign Ministry called on Palestine and Israel to launch direct talks brokered by Washington .
Iran , in turn , strongly opposes US mediation between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as the dialogue itself .
According to Senior Researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute of Oriental Studies Vladimir Sazhin , Iran was denied participation in the OIC summit particularly because the meeting was expected to discuss Trump ’ s peace plan .
Tehran ’ s delegation would have made discussions of `` the deal of the century '' tougher than many Muslim countries would have liked .
At the same time , the move to deny Iran access to the event will have serious consequences , the expert pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Iran have never been good , but last year , tensions hit new highs .
Riyadh and Tehran had been trying to build dialogue in the past month but now the situation will get worse , '' Sazhin predicted .
`` I think that Saudi Arabia was not the only one behind the decision not to allow Iran take part in the OIC summit .
It is a decision made by several Arab countries who , to put it mildly , have strained relations with Tehran , '' the expert emphasized .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge negative shock for China in the first quarter of 2020 , Izvestia wrote , citing research by the prominent US-based multinational investment bank JPMorgan .
The spread of the novel coronavirus will have a stronger impact on the global economy than the SARS ( severe acute respiratory syndrome ) epidemic did back in 2002-2003 .
If the virus continues to spread , it will threaten global economic growth , analysts say .
The epidemic poses a danger to one of the drivers behind the market growth of the past months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global economy will recover this year , Sovcombank Chief Analyst Mikhail Vasilyev pointed out .
On Monday , the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index fell by 7.7 % , the largest drop since August 2015 .
The Moscow Exchange Index ended its Monday session at 3,070.84 points , down 4.6 % compared to the lowest level recorded in January .
The US dollar rose by two rubles and the euro by 2.4 rubles .
Russian stocks have been falling since last week as investors are withdrawing from risky assets , Head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrei Kadulin said .
According to him , as long as market jitters are prevalent , the ruble is unlikely to get much stronger .
Panic has overtaken the oil market as well .
Brent crude experienced a $ 12 decline to $ 56 per barrel since the epidemic broke out .
Market participants are wary that there will be a slump in demand because first , China is a major oil consumer and second , many countries have suspended flights to China .
If the coronavirus situation is not taken under control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 53-54 per barrel , Promsvyazbank Chief Analyst Ekaterina Krylova noted .
These developments encourage investors to turn to safety tools , Rosbank Chief Analyst Evgeny Koshelev says .
There is demand for US Treasury bonds and the sovereign debt of EU countries , as well as for the Swiss franc and Japanese yen .
Japan has sent its Takanami destroyer , which has been tasked with ensuring the unhindered movement of oil tankers along the Iranian coast .
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stated that the crewmembers ’ mission is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play the mediator between Washington and Tehran , it refrained from joining an operation that the US and its closest allies are carrying out in the region .
Experts say that Tokyo ’ s main goal is to prove its status as a naval power , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
According to plans , the warship ’ s mission will last four months , after which another destroyer ship will replace it .
Tokyo will rotate the ships three times a year .
The destroyer can use military force only if the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will stay away from areas where military activities may begin .
Tokyo has been walking a tightrope between Iran and the US .
On the one hand , Japan would like to demonstrate support for US President Donald Trump but on the other hand , it doesn ’ t want to be involved in a major conflict with Iran .
`` From Japan ’ s standpoint , it is important to show its naval flag to the world .
It seeks to establish itself as an influential global power capable of acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the US-Japan security treaty , but overseas as well , '' emphasized Valery Kistanov , who heads the Center for Japanese Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute for Far Eastern Studies .
`` This is just the first step .
Others will follow , particularly because the United States demands Japan take on more responsibility for its own security , '' the expert said .
At the same time , Japan wants to be a mediator between the US and Iran .
`` Such a stance is typical for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ G7 member , it is an Asian country .
This is why Japan wants to be a bridge connecting the East and the West , '' the expert pointed out .
The risk that Russia will face a shortage of surgical masks amid the ongoing coronavirus epidemic is raising alarm bells with officials .
In order to prevent this , the Ministry of Industry and Trade is considering the possibility of curbing the export of face masks , Kommersant wrote , citing sources in the pharmaceutical market .
Meanwhile , the newspaper ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed out that foreign buyers - particularly those in China and Thailand - kept requesting surgical masks .
DSM Group General Director Sergei Shulyak says that the annual production of surgical masks depends on the market ’ s anticipated needs .
Making more masks than the market is expected to require may turn out to be cost-ineffective .
According to Shulyak , a temporary ban on mask exports will help meet domestic needs .
The outbreak of the coronavirus has led to a surge in demand for antiviral drugs and surgical masks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80 % since mid-January .
Marketing Director of the 36.6 drugstore network Evgenia Lamina points out that surgical mask manufacturers were not ready for such a situation .
`` They are running out of their stockpiles and we can see mask prices starting to grow , '' she noted .
According to a Kommersant source , some manufacturers have raised wholesale prices of surgical masks nearly eightfold , but nevertheless , masks are still hard to find .
PNC Pharma Development Director Nikolai Bespalov emphasized that overhyped domestic demand for face masks would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face due to the export ban .
According to him , mask sales will depend on the speed of the virus spread in Russia and the media coverage of the issue .
“ If the situation does not deteriorate , then the hype will fade in about two weeks but if not , demand may remain high for a month or more , ” the expert said .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Media: Erdogan urges Russia not to stand in Turkish army’s way The death of Turkish troops in Idlib may not only undermine cooperation between Moscow and Ankara in Syria but also raise tensions between the two countries. Russia and Turkey have different views of the reasons behind the recent incident, as well as about the development in the Idlib de-escalation zone, where the Syrian army is advancing with the support of the Russian military. Four Russian special forces members were killed in military action in early February, Kommersant writes. According to Turkish security expert Metin Gurcan, Ankara has lost hope of making an agreement with Russia, who is unwilling to stop the Syrian army’s advance in Idlib. The expert did not rule out a rapprochement between Ankara and Washington.
Read also Russian Defense Ministry denies reports of Turkish air strikes on Syrian troops
Russian International Affairs Council expert Kirill Semenov, however, believes that Moscow and Ankara will eventually agree on a new partition of the region. "Turkey has no choice but to reinforce the Syrian opposition and its own strongholds in Syria because it understands that [Syrian President Bashar] Assad can continue the offensive any time and will not rest until he liberates all of Idlib, while Russia will just shrug its shoulders," Semenov pointed out. "Strictly speaking, the developments around Idlib are the result of Turkey’s failure to ensure the implementation of the agreements reached with Russia in Sochi in the fall of 2018, which are enshrined in the Memorandum on stabilizing the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone," military expert Yuri Lyamin told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Russian International Affairs Council expert Anton Mardasov, in turn, noted that Russia is still searching for ways to balance efforts to boost relations with Ankara and strengthen its own positions at the highest levels of the Syrian government. According to him, "Moscow expects that the situation with Ankara will be resolved even if the most negative scenarios take place in Idlib." Mardasov added that Russia and Turkey had other issues for cooperation, including Kurdish separatism and the armed conflict in Libya. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Saudis keeps Iran out of ‘deal of the century’ discussion The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has held an emergency meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss US President Donald Trump’s plan to resolve the Middle East conflict. However, the meeting was overshadowed by a squabble between the host country and Iran. Members of the Iranian delegation had been denied visas without any explanation. In response, Tehran issued a protest and demanded that the OIC headquarters be relocated from the Saudi city of Jeddah, Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote. The OIC, known as the Organization of the Islamic Conference before 2011, was founded in 1969 and currently consists of 57 member states. From the very start, supporting the Palestinians against Israel has been one of the organization’s goals. However, OIC members’ reaction to Trump’s initiative makes it clear that they view ways to resolve the conflict differently. Although the Saudi king expressed support for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who had rejected "the deal of the century," the country’s Foreign Ministry called on Palestine and Israel to launch direct talks brokered by Washington. Iran, in turn, strongly opposes US mediation between the Israelis and the Palestinians, as well as the dialogue itself. According to Senior Researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oriental Studies Vladimir Sazhin, Iran was denied participation in the OIC summit particularly because the meeting was expected to discuss Trump’s peace plan. Tehran’s delegation would have made discussions of "the deal of the century" tougher than many Muslim countries would have liked. At the same time, the move to deny Iran access to the event will have serious consequences, the expert pointed out. "Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran have never been good, but last year, tensions hit new highs. Riyadh and Tehran had been trying to build dialogue in the past month but now the situation will get worse," Sazhin predicted. "I think that Saudi Arabia was not the only one behind the decision not to allow Iran take part in the OIC summit. It is a decision made by several Arab countries who, to put it mildly, have strained relations with Tehran," the expert emphasized. Izvestia: 2019-nCoV virus to jolt markets harder than SARS The novel coronavirus will prove to be a huge negative shock for China in the first quarter of 2020, Izvestia wrote, citing research by the prominent US-based multinational investment bank JPMorgan. The spread of the novel coronavirus will have a stronger impact on the global economy than the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) epidemic did back in 2002-2003. If the virus continues to spread, it will threaten global economic growth, analysts say. The epidemic poses a danger to one of the drivers behind the market growth of the past months, that is, it jeopardizes expectations that the global economy will recover this year, Sovcombank Chief Analyst Mikhail Vasilyev pointed out.
Read also China puts novel coronavirus mortality rate at 2.1%
On Monday, the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index fell by 7.7%, the largest drop since August 2015. The Moscow Exchange Index ended its Monday session at 3,070.84 points, down 4.6% compared to the lowest level recorded in January. The US dollar rose by two rubles and the euro by 2.4 rubles. Russian stocks have been falling since last week as investors are withdrawing from risky assets, Head of the Analysis Department at Bank St. Petersburg Andrei Kadulin said. According to him, as long as market jitters are prevalent, the ruble is unlikely to get much stronger. Panic has overtaken the oil market as well. Brent crude experienced a $12 decline to $56 per barrel since the epidemic broke out. Market participants are wary that there will be a slump in demand because first, China is a major oil consumer and second, many countries have suspended flights to China. If the coronavirus situation is not taken under control soon, oil prices may fall to $53-54 per barrel, Promsvyazbank Chief Analyst Ekaterina Krylova noted. These developments encourage investors to turn to safety tools, Rosbank Chief Analyst Evgeny Koshelev says. There is demand for US Treasury bonds and the sovereign debt of EU countries, as well as for the Swiss franc and Japanese yen. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Japan sends warship to guard major oil route Japan has sent its Takanami destroyer, which has been tasked with ensuring the unhindered movement of oil tankers along the Iranian coast. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stated that the crewmembers’ mission is to collect intelligence. As Tokyo seeks to play the mediator between Washington and Tehran, it refrained from joining an operation that the US and its closest allies are carrying out in the region. Experts say that Tokyo’s main goal is to prove its status as a naval power, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. According to plans, the warship’s mission will last four months, after which another destroyer ship will replace it. Tokyo will rotate the ships three times a year. The destroyer can use military force only if the country’s trade vessels come under attack and will stay away from areas where military activities may begin.
Tokyo has been walking a tightrope between Iran and the US. On the one hand, Japan would like to demonstrate support for US President Donald Trump but on the other hand, it doesn’t want to be involved in a major conflict with Iran. "From Japan’s standpoint, it is important to show its naval flag to the world. It seeks to establish itself as an influential global power capable of acting not only along its coast in accordance with the US-Japan security treaty, but overseas as well," emphasized Valery Kistanov, who heads the Center for Japanese Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Far Eastern Studies. "This is just the first step. Others will follow, particularly because the United States demands Japan take on more responsibility for its own security," the expert said. At the same time, Japan wants to be a mediator between the US and Iran. "Such a stance is typical for Tokyo because even though Japan is a G7 member, it is an Asian country. This is why Japan wants to be a bridge connecting the East and the West," the expert pointed out. Kommersant: Russia may limit surgical mask exports The risk that Russia will face a shortage of surgical masks amid the ongoing coronavirus epidemic is raising alarm bells with officials. In order to prevent this, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is considering the possibility of curbing the export of face masks, Kommersant wrote, citing sources in the pharmaceutical market. Meanwhile, the newspaper’s source in a major drugstore network pointed out that foreign buyers - particularly those in China and Thailand - kept requesting surgical masks. DSM Group General Director Sergei Shulyak says that the annual production of surgical masks depends on the market’s anticipated needs. Making more masks than the market is expected to require may turn out to be cost-ineffective. According to Shulyak, a temporary ban on mask exports will help meet domestic needs.
Read also Russian medical mask maker suspends production over materials shortage


tass--2020-02-04--Russian nationals getting ready for evacuation from China’s Wuhan

`` In general , everyone is calm , everyone is focused on leaving , '' a Russian student of Wuhan University told TASS over the phone .
`` Naturally , the majority of people are not happy with the upcoming quarantine ; however , everyone understands that it is necessary and inevitable . ''
BEIJING , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russian nationals currently located in the Hubei province and its capital city of Wuhan are getting ready for evacuation planned for today .
Wuhan is a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) was first detected .
According to recent data , over a half of people infected with the virus ( 13,500 cases including 414 deaths ) are located in the Hubei province .
`` Honestly , I am not happy with this evacuation , although leaving now is perhaps the right thing to do , because transport links between Russia and China have been suspended for an indefinite period , '' another Russian student said .
`` Besides , classes at university have been suspended , and nobody knows when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So now I hope to get home safe and sound , '' she added .
Currently , 103 Russian nationals residing in the province have expressed the wish to leave China on social networks , among them Russian students and interns , entrepreneurs , tourists , several models .
The Russian Embassy in China informed that as of 10:00 local time February 4 , 132 Russian citizens have stated that they want to leave the Hubei province , 82 of them located in Wuhan .
Georgy Yegorov , a spokesman of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there is no information on any Russians who contracted the novel coronavirus in China .
The number of Russians who wish to leave Wuhan continues to fluctuate .
Several people who signed up earlier changed their mind , deciding to remain in the city .
Most of them are students who consider the measures taken by the Chinese side to combat the spread of the disease sufficient .
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova , who leads a special team for preventing the spread of the new coronavirus in Russia , informed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to evacuate over a hundred Russian citizens from China ’ s Hubei province .
According to the Russian Embassy in Beijing , there are 341 Russians located in the Hubei province , with 183 of them having contacted Russian diplomats .
Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier decreed to evacuate all Russian citizens wishing to leave the province on Russian Aerospace Forces aircrafts .
On their arrival to China , Russian citizens will undergo the necessary medical tests .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) in the city of Wuhan .
The city has since been closed off for entry and exit .
Foreign states are evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province .
The number of people infected with 2019-nCoV in China has exceeded 20,400 , with 420 recorded deaths .
There have been two cases of death from coronavirus outside mainland China - in Hong Kong and in the Philippines .
Cases of coronavirus have been detected in 23 countries outside of China , including Russia .
On January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health emergency over the outbreak of 2019-nCoV .

"In general, everyone is calm, everyone is focused on leaving," a Russian student of Wuhan University told TASS over the phone. "Naturally, the majority of people are not happy with the upcoming quarantine; however, everyone understands that it is necessary and inevitable."
BEIJING, February 4. /TASS/. Russian nationals currently located in the Hubei province and its capital city of Wuhan are getting ready for evacuation planned for today. Wuhan is a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people, where an outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first detected. According to recent data, over a half of people infected with the virus (13,500 cases including 414 deaths) are located in the Hubei province.
"Honestly, I am not happy with this evacuation, although leaving now is perhaps the right thing to do, because transport links between Russia and China have been suspended for an indefinite period," another Russian student said. "Besides, classes at university have been suspended, and nobody knows when the new semester will start." "So now I hope to get home safe and sound," she added.
Currently, 103 Russian nationals residing in the province have expressed the wish to leave China on social networks, among them Russian students and interns, entrepreneurs, tourists, several models. The Russian Embassy in China informed that as of 10:00 local time February 4, 132 Russian citizens have stated that they want to leave the Hubei province, 82 of them located in Wuhan.
Georgy Yegorov, a spokesman of the Russian embassy, informed TASS on Tuesday that there is no information on any Russians who contracted the novel coronavirus in China.
The number of Russians who wish to leave Wuhan continues to fluctuate. Several people who signed up earlier changed their mind, deciding to remain in the city. Most of them are students who consider the measures taken by the Chinese side to combat the spread of the disease sufficient.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, who leads a special team for preventing the spread of the new coronavirus in Russia, informed earlier that the Russian Aerospace Forces plan to evacuate over a hundred Russian citizens from China’s Hubei province. According to the Russian Embassy in Beijing, there are 341 Russians located in the Hubei province, with 183 of them having contacted Russian diplomats. Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier decreed to evacuate all Russian citizens wishing to leave the province on Russian Aerospace Forces aircrafts. On their arrival to China, Russian citizens will undergo the necessary medical tests.
About the virus
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the city of Wuhan. The city has since been closed off for entry and exit. Foreign states are evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province.
The number of people infected with 2019-nCoV in China has exceeded 20,400, with 420 recorded deaths. There have been two cases of death from coronavirus outside mainland China - in Hong Kong and in the Philippines.
Cases of coronavirus have been detected in 23 countries outside of China, including Russia. On January 30, WHO declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of 2019-nCoV.


tass--2020-02-04--Putin’s visit to China still planned for second half of 2020

CHEREPOVETS , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s visit to China is still planned for the latter half of 2020 , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday , answering a question on whether the coronavirus outbreak has affected the Russian leader ’ s plans to visit China this year .
Peskov noted that the year had just begun , `` so it is too early to discuss any changes to the president ’ s plans . ''
`` [ Putin ’ s ] visit [ to China ] was outlined for the latter half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on the agenda , '' the spokesman said .
In November 2019 , Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng told reporters that China is expecting a visit from Putin in 2020 .
Putin ’ s latest visit to China took place in April 2019 .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of a novel coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV ) in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for entry and exit .
Foreign states are evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province .
The number of people infected with 2019-nCoV in China has exceeded 20,400 , with 420 recorded deaths .
There have been two cases of death from coronavirus outside mainland China - in Hong Kong and in the Philippines .
Cases of coronavirus have been detected in 24 countries outside of China , including Russia .
On January 30 , WHO declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of 2019-nCoV .

CHEREPOVETS, February 4. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China is still planned for the latter half of 2020, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday, answering a question on whether the coronavirus outbreak has affected the Russian leader’s plans to visit China this year.
Peskov noted that the year had just begun, "so it is too early to discuss any changes to the president’s plans." "[Putin’s] visit [to China] was outlined for the latter half of the year, and this visit is on the agenda," the spokesman said.
In November 2019, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng told reporters that China is expecting a visit from Putin in 2020. Putin’s latest visit to China took place in April 2019.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. The city has since been closed off for entry and exit. Foreign states are evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province.
The number of people infected with 2019-nCoV in China has exceeded 20,400, with 420 recorded deaths. There have been two cases of death from coronavirus outside mainland China - in Hong Kong and in the Philippines.
Cases of coronavirus have been detected in 24 countries outside of China, including Russia. On January 30, WHO declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of 2019-nCoV.


tass--2020-02-04--Belarusian president says plans to meet with Putin on Feb 7

MINSK , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko plans to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on @ @ @ @ @ himself told reporters after visiting the Dobrush paper factory on Tuesday .
`` President Putin @ @ @ @ @ to meet on February 7 .
A moment of truth has come .
We initiated @ @ @ @ @ s not up to us to break them , '' Lukashenko said , as cited @ @ @ @ @ .

MINSK, February 4. /TASS/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko plans to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on February 7, as he himself told reporters after visiting the Dobrush paper factory on Tuesday.
"President Putin and I are most likely to meet on February 7. A moment of truth has come. We initiated these relations and it’s not up to us to break them," Lukashenko said, as cited by the BelTA news agency.


tass--2020-02-04--Russia to introduce additional security measures on domestic flights due to coronavirus

`` There is a need for additional security measures on domestic flights , '' he said .
MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s consumer rights watchdog , the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare , considers it necessary to introduce additional security measures on Russian domestic flights due to the risk of coronavirus infection , the watchdog ’ s deputy head Vyacheslav Smolensky said on Tuesday .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of a novel coronavirus ( 2019-nCoV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
The city has since been closed off for entry and exit .
Foreign states are evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province .
The number of people infected with 2019-nCoV in China has exceeded 20,400 , with 420 recorded deaths .
There have been two cases of death from coronavirus outside mainland China - in Hong Kong and in the Philippines .
Cases of coronavirus have been detected in 23 countries outside of China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of 2019-nCoV .

"There is a need for additional security measures on domestic flights," he said.
MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Russia’s consumer rights watchdog, the Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare, considers it necessary to introduce additional security measures on Russian domestic flights due to the risk of coronavirus infection, the watchdog’s deputy head Vyacheslav Smolensky said on Tuesday.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. The city has since been closed off for entry and exit. Foreign states are evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province.
The number of people infected with 2019-nCoV in China has exceeded 20,400, with 420 recorded deaths. There have been two cases of death from coronavirus outside mainland China - in Hong Kong and in the Philippines.
Cases of coronavirus have been detected in 23 countries outside of China, including Russia. On January 30, WHO declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of 2019-nCoV.


tass--2020-02-04--Roscosmos to offer new modification of Soyuz-5 rocket for Sea Launch floating spaceport

MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s State Space Corporation Roscosmos is ready to develop a new @ @ @ @ @ floating spaceport owned by S7 Group instead of Ukrainian Zenit launch vehicles , Roscosmos Chief @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
`` We are ready to develop a launch vehicle for S7 Space instead @ @ @ @ @ , the rocket will be called the Soyuz-7 - the sea version of the Soyuz-5 @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Roscosmos chief said .
With its less fueling , the Soyuz-7 will @ @ @ @ @ the same payload as the Soyuz-5 puts into low orbit thanks to the floating spaceport @ @ @ @ @ southern latitudes .
Under its technical assignment , the Soyuz-5 is designed to orbit up @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos is ready to develop a new rocket for the Sea Launch floating spaceport owned by S7 Group instead of Ukrainian Zenit launch vehicles, Roscosmos Chief Dmitry Rogozin told TASS on Tuesday.
"We are ready to develop a launch vehicle for S7 Space instead of the Zenit. Notionally, the rocket will be called the Soyuz-7 - the sea version of the Soyuz-5 carrier rocket with less fueling," the Roscosmos chief said.
With its less fueling, the Soyuz-7 will be able to deliver almost the same payload as the Soyuz-5 puts into low orbit thanks to the floating spaceport’s location in the southern latitudes. Under its technical assignment, the Soyuz-5 is designed to orbit up to 17 tonnes of payload.


tass--2020-02-04--No new coronavirus cases reported in Russia in 24 past hours, says watchdog

MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
No new cases of the novel coronavirus infection have been reported in Russia over the past 24 hours , the press service of Russia ’ s consumer watchdog , the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being , reported on Tuesday .
`` As many as 445 patients with signs of acute respiratory viral infections have been identified since the monitoring started , '' the watchdog said .
`` During the screenings , 53 patients were found with respiratory infections ( adenoviruses , rhinoviruses , RS viruses , metapneumoviruses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had influenza A , 23 patients were ill with influenza B , 12 had parainfluenza , 13 patients came down with a seasonal coronavirus infection , and 14 had a mixed infection . ''
`` As a result of the monitoring across the Russian Federation , two novel coronavirus cases were detected in Russia , among Chinese nationals arriving in Russia .
No new cases have been reported , '' it added .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , a large trade and industrial metropolis in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent : coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 23 other countries , including Russia .
On January 30 , the World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency .
The total number of coronavirus cases in China exceeded 20,400 , the death toll climbed to 426 .
One more fatality has been reported outside @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. No new cases of the novel coronavirus infection have been reported in Russia over the past 24 hours, the press service of Russia’s consumer watchdog, the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, reported on Tuesday.
"As many as 445 patients with signs of acute respiratory viral infections have been identified since the monitoring started," the watchdog said. "During the screenings, 53 patients were found with respiratory infections (adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, RS viruses, metapneumoviruses, bocaviruses, streptococci), 44 had influenza A, 23 patients were ill with influenza B, 12 had parainfluenza, 13 patients came down with a seasonal coronavirus infection, and 14 had a mixed infection."
"As a result of the monitoring across the Russian Federation, two novel coronavirus cases were detected in Russia, among Chinese nationals arriving in Russia. No new cases have been reported," it added.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial metropolis in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent: coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
Cases of the new coronavirus were also confirmed in 23 other countries, including Russia. On January 30, the World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak an international public health emergency.
The total number of coronavirus cases in China exceeded 20,400, the death toll climbed to 426. One more fatality has been reported outside China - in the Philippines.


tass--2020-02-04--Russian coronavirus test system to be used in China’s Wuhan

VLADIVOSTOK , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Chinese medics will begin using coronavirus test program , developed in Russia ’ s Primorsky Region , for Wuhan patients in the upcoming days , says World Health Organization Programs Center Executive Secretary Viktor Fersht .
The number of confirmed coronavirus-induced pneumonia cases in China has exceeded 20,400 people .
According to China ’ s regional health committees , the total number of lethal cases has exceeded 420 .
`` The [ Chinese Non-Government Medical Institutions ] Association has set up a control brigade , which went to the center of the epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they will use the [ Russian ] system to diagnose and prescribe medication to the diseased Chinese people , '' Fersht said .
The Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Far East Institute of Automation and Control Processes ( IACP ) , supported by the Vladivostok University of Economics and Service - a WHO Programs Center member - have developed a system that will assist the doctors in diagnosing diseases and pick the optimal therapy .
According to the IACP Deputy Director Valeria Gribova , the system can diagnose various diseases , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The China ’ s National Health Commission presented a document , describing how to diagnose the coronavirus infection , how to start treatment , depending on its form , using Chinese traditional medicine , '' Gribova said .
`` Using this document , we have developed [ our ] system . ''
IACP Laboratory of Intelligent Systems Senior Researcher Yelena Shalfeyeva explained that the system diagnostic precision and therapy suggestion correctness depend on how precise and elaborate the Chinese data on the coronavirus is .
`` Our technology offers quality solutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the knowledge paper was high quality , then this knowledge will be interpreted correctly , '' Shalfeyeva said .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
This new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in another 23 countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as an international emergency .

VLADIVOSTOK, February 4. /TASS/. Chinese medics will begin using coronavirus test program, developed in Russia’s Primorsky Region, for Wuhan patients in the upcoming days, says World Health Organization Programs Center Executive Secretary Viktor Fersht.
The number of confirmed coronavirus-induced pneumonia cases in China has exceeded 20,400 people. According to China’s regional health committees, the total number of lethal cases has exceeded 420.
"The [Chinese Non-Government Medical Institutions] Association has set up a control brigade, which went to the center of the epidemic. Five hundred doctors went to Wuhan and they will use the [Russian] system to diagnose and prescribe medication to the diseased Chinese people," Fersht said.
The Russian Academy of Sciences’ Far East Institute of Automation and Control Processes (IACP), supported by the Vladivostok University of Economics and Service - a WHO Programs Center member - have developed a system that will assist the doctors in diagnosing diseases and pick the optimal therapy.
According to the IACP Deputy Director Valeria Gribova, the system can diagnose various diseases, if precise data on the symptoms is entered.
"The China’s National Health Commission presented a document, describing how to diagnose the coronavirus infection, how to start treatment, depending on its form, using Chinese traditional medicine," Gribova said. "Using this document, we have developed [our] system."
IACP Laboratory of Intelligent Systems Senior Researcher Yelena Shalfeyeva explained that the system diagnostic precision and therapy suggestion correctness depend on how precise and elaborate the Chinese data on the coronavirus is.
"Our technology offers quality solutions that depend on quality knowledge. If the knowledge paper was high quality, then this knowledge will be interpreted correctly," Shalfeyeva said.
The 2019-nCoV coronavirus
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV. This new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in another 23 countries, including Russia. The World Health Organization has recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as an international emergency.


tass--2020-02-04--Terrorists attack several oil and gas facilities in Syria’s Homs, says minister

MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Terrorists have shelled oil and gas refineries in Syria ’ s Homs , @ @ @ @ @ Mineral Resources Ali Ghanem told SANA news agency .
`` Terrorist formations have once again @ @ @ @ @ facilities , causing material damage , '' he said .
The minister informed that the @ @ @ @ @ South Central Region Gas Factory , the al-Rayyan Gas Station and the Homs Refinery had @ @ @ @ @ Firefighting brigades and civil defense forces were able to contain the fires that resulted from @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Technical teams have started damage assessment and maintenance works . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ data regarding injuries or casualties .
On December 21 , 2019 , terrorists used drones @ @ @ @ @ gas refineries in Syria ’ s Homs province , causing material damage .
There were @ @ @ @ @ The facilities were repaired within a week .

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Terrorists have shelled oil and gas refineries in Syria’s Homs, Syrian Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Ali Ghanem told SANA news agency.
"Terrorist formations have once again attacked Syrian oil and gas facilities, causing material damage," he said. The minister informed that the Ebla Gas Factory, the South Central Region Gas Factory, the al-Rayyan Gas Station and the Homs Refinery had come under attack.
"Firefighting brigades and civil defense forces were able to contain the fires that resulted from the attack," Ghanim said. "Technical teams have started damage assessment and maintenance works." The minister did not provide any data regarding injuries or casualties.
On December 21, 2019, terrorists used drones to attack several oil and gas refineries in Syria’s Homs province, causing material damage. There were no reports of casualties. The facilities were repaired within a week.


tass--2020-02-04--Launch of Nauka module in November hardly possible, says Roscosmos chief

MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Specialists have identified a number of technical concerns regarding the Nauka multifunctional space laboratory module , so its launch will hardly be possible in November , Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin told TASS in an interview .
`` Specialists of the Khrunichev center and the military acceptance inspection have voiced some technical concerns .
They are being fixed , '' Rogozin said .
According to the official , even if the module is delivered to the Baikonur space center as scheduled , in March , its further tests will take at least seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch will take place in late 2020 or early 2021 , '' he said .
According to the official , some of the module ’ s systems were built 18 years ago and had to be upgraded or replaced .
`` Before sending it to Baikonur , we will need to complete all manipulations that are possible only at the production site .
It does not matter whether it [ the delivery to Baikonur ] takes place a month later or a month earlier .
What really matters is to make this spacecraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
The module was initially scheduled to arrive to Baikonur in early January , but the delivery was postponed due to additional adjustments required for its propellant tanks .
Earlier , Rogozin said the research module ’ s original propellant tanks , manufactured about 18 years ago , could be replaced with those from the Fregat booster .
However , later it was decided to send the module to the ISS with its original tanks .

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Specialists have identified a number of technical concerns regarding the Nauka multifunctional space laboratory module, so its launch will hardly be possible in November, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin told TASS in an interview.
"Specialists of the Khrunichev center and the military acceptance inspection have voiced some technical concerns. They are being fixed," Rogozin said.
According to the official, even if the module is delivered to the Baikonur space center as scheduled, in March, its further tests will take at least seven months.
"I believe that the launch will take place in late 2020 or early 2021," he said.
According to the official, some of the module’s systems were built 18 years ago and had to be upgraded or replaced.
"Before sending it to Baikonur, we will need to complete all manipulations that are possible only at the production site. It does not matter whether it [the delivery to Baikonur] takes place a month later or a month earlier. What really matters is to make this spacecraft fly, and I hope for that," he said.
The module was initially scheduled to arrive to Baikonur in early January, but the delivery was postponed due to additional adjustments required for its propellant tanks.
Earlier, Rogozin said the research module’s original propellant tanks, manufactured about 18 years ago, could be replaced with those from the Fregat booster. However, later it was decided to send the module to the ISS with its original tanks.


tass--2020-02-04--Roscosmos to start drafting its own space program later this year

MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s state-run space corporation Roscosmos will draft its 10-year space program @ @ @ @ @ it in 2021 , Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin told TASS in an interview .
@ @ @ @ @ Rogozin announced that Roscosmos planned to draft its own state space program , similar to @ @ @ @ @ that the Russian military has .
`` The state program of space activities should be @ @ @ @ @ , so that the implementation of its goals for the 10-year period began in 2021 @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Russia’s state-run space corporation Roscosmos will draft its 10-year space program in 2020 and start implementing it in 2021, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin told TASS in an interview.
In late May 2019, Rogozin announced that Roscosmos planned to draft its own state space program, similar to the state arms procurement program that the Russian military has.
"The state program of space activities should be prepared and adopted in 2020, so that the implementation of its goals for the 10-year period began in 2021," he said.


tass--2020-02-04--Some elements of Russia’s next-generation spacecraft already manufactured

MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Rocket and Space Corporation Energia ( RSC Energia ) has @ @ @ @ @ elements for the next-generation spacecraft , Oryol , Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin told TASS @ @ @ @ @ Certain elements have already been manufactured , including the bottom area and power lines , @ @ @ @ @ to the official , RSC Energia is now preparing to launch the production of the @ @ @ @ @ installing new manufacturing equipment and training its personnel to use it .
Oryol ’ s @ @ @ @ @ systems and other elements are now undergoing tests .
The first testing launch of the @ @ @ @ @ 2023 , from the Vostochny space center in Russia ’ s Far East .
The @ @ @ @ @ its first uncrewed flight to the International Space Station in the following year .
Its @ @ @ @ @ in 2025 .

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Russia’s Rocket and Space Corporation Energia (RSC Energia) has already manufactured a number of elements for the next-generation spacecraft, Oryol, Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin told TASS in an interview.
"Certain elements have already been manufactured, including the bottom area and power lines," Rogozin said.
According to the official, RSC Energia is now preparing to launch the production of the new spacecraft, including by installing new manufacturing equipment and training its personnel to use it.
Oryol’s avionics, manipulators, computer systems and other elements are now undergoing tests.
The first testing launch of the Oryol spacecraft is planned for 2023, from the Vostochny space center in Russia’s Far East. The spacecraft is expected to make its first uncrewed flight to the International Space Station in the following year. Its manned flights are to begin in 2025.


tass--2020-02-04--Top Russian, Swedish diplomats to discuss bilateral issues, situation in Syria

MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde will discuss @ @ @ @ @ a wide range of bilateral issues , including cooperation between Moscow and Stockholm in regional @ @ @ @ @ in the Arctic .
Linde is paying a working visit to the Russian capital on @ @ @ @ @ of her Russian counterpart .
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted in a statement on Monday @ @ @ @ @ of good-neighborly relations and cooperation with Stockholm in areas of mutual interest , including , @ @ @ @ @ investment , cultural and humanitarian spheres .
`` We are ready to facilitate the Russian-Swedish @ @ @ @ @ to the extent that Sweden is ready to do so , '' the Russian Foreign @ @ @ @ @ are guided by the premise that the differences in the assessment of certain events by @ @ @ @ @ be an obstacle to dialogue and a constructive search for solutions to existing issues .
@

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Swedish counterpart Ann Linde will discuss on Tuesday international problems and a wide range of bilateral issues, including cooperation between Moscow and Stockholm in regional organizations in northern Europe and in the Arctic. Linde is paying a working visit to the Russian capital on February 4-5 at the invitation of her Russian counterpart.
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted in a statement on Monday that Moscow was in favor of good-neighborly relations and cooperation with Stockholm in areas of mutual interest, including, the trade, economic, investment, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
"We are ready to facilitate the Russian-Swedish political dialogue and practical cooperation to the extent that Sweden is ready to do so," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "We are guided by the premise that the differences in the assessment of certain events by Moscow and Stockholm should not be an obstacle to dialogue and a constructive search for solutions to existing issues."


tass--2020-02-04--Russia, Iran played key effort in countering terrorists in Syria, says Russian ambassador

TEHRAN , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Iran have played a key role in preventing terrorists from establishing their rule in Syria , Russia ’ s ambassador to Tehran , Levan Dzhagaryan , told reporters on Monday .
`` If not for Russia and Iran , terrorists would have already won in Syria , '' he said .
`` Thanks to our efforts , the legitimate government of [ President ] Bashar Assad is now in power .
Even our adversaries admit it , albeit reluctantly . ''
According to the Russian diplomat , Russian-Iranian relations have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is mostly due to the fact that on many issues our positions are either close or overlapping .
Syria has become one of cooperation areas that has proven its efficiency , '' he added .
`` Fighting terrorism is a common challenge for Iran and Russia , '' the ambassador continued .
`` We also have common goals and tasks regarding other regional problems .
Besides , our countries are under Western sanctions .
This certainly makes us closer . ''
Russia and Iran stepped up bilateral cooperation in past years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran , together with Ankara , are the states guarantors of the Astana process on Syrian reconciliation .
Besides , the Russian authorities consistently support preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) on Iran ’ s nuclear program and condemn the unilateral withdrawal of the United States .

TEHRAN, February 4. /TASS/. Russia and Iran have played a key role in preventing terrorists from establishing their rule in Syria, Russia’s ambassador to Tehran, Levan Dzhagaryan, told reporters on Monday.
"If not for Russia and Iran, terrorists would have already won in Syria," he said. "Thanks to our efforts, the legitimate government of [President] Bashar Assad is now in power. Even our adversaries admit it, albeit reluctantly."
According to the Russian diplomat, Russian-Iranian relations have been on the rise in past years.
"This is mostly due to the fact that on many issues our positions are either close or overlapping. Syria has become one of cooperation areas that has proven its efficiency," he added.
"Fighting terrorism is a common challenge for Iran and Russia," the ambassador continued. "We also have common goals and tasks regarding other regional problems. Besides, our countries are under Western sanctions. This certainly makes us closer."
Russia and Iran stepped up bilateral cooperation in past years. Among other things, Moscow and Iran, together with Ankara, are the states guarantors of the Astana process on Syrian reconciliation. Besides, the Russian authorities consistently support preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program and condemn the unilateral withdrawal of the United States.


tass--2020-02-04--Russia alarmed by possibility of Iran quitting non-proliferation treaty — ambassador

TEHRAN , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is alarmed by Iran ’ s declared possibility of withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons ( NPT ) in response to European states ’ conduct , Russia ’ s ambassador to Tehran , Levan Dzhagaryan , told reporters .
`` We are very alarmed by this issue , including by the fact that it was raised at the Majles [ the Iranian parliament ] , '' he said .
`` To a significant extent , such an emotional reaction on behalf of our Iranian colleagues can be explained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honoring its obligations under the nuclear deal for quite a while .
At the same time , the trio of European powers ( the United Kingdom , Germany and France ) was only making declarations . ''
According to the diplomat , Russia has repeatedly urged Iran `` to remain committed to NPT provisions and to remain a part of this very important international treaty . ''
He added that Tehran ’ s five steps to reduce its nuclear commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) were a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States has blatantly violated its commitments and the international law , namely the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 , and then started to baselessly accuse Iran of all problems , '' Dzhagaryan said .
`` For today , Iran remains the most verifiable state in the world , and the IAEA [ International Atomic Energy Agency ] has repeatedly underscored the country ’ s commitment to its obligations [ under the nuclear deal ] , '' he went on .
`` Russia is not happy about the measures taken by Iran , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so .
Moreover , all those measures are reversible . ''
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on January 20 that Tehran would leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if EU countries refer the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) issue to the United Nations Security Council .
On Saturday , a draft bill on NPT withdrawal was submitted to the Iranian parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy .
On January 14 , the foreign ministers of Germany , France and the United Kingdom announced the launch of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear deal , claiming that Iran had failed to implement its obligations .
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the mechanism has not been launched so far .

TEHRAN, February 4. /TASS/. Russia is alarmed by Iran’s declared possibility of withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in response to European states’ conduct, Russia’s ambassador to Tehran, Levan Dzhagaryan, told reporters.
"We are very alarmed by this issue, including by the fact that it was raised at the Majles [the Iranian parliament]," he said. "To a significant extent, such an emotional reaction on behalf of our Iranian colleagues can be explained by the fact that Tehran had been honoring its obligations under the nuclear deal for quite a while. At the same time, the trio of European powers (the United Kingdom, Germany and France) was only making declarations."
According to the diplomat, Russia has repeatedly urged Iran "to remain committed to NPT provisions and to remain a part of this very important international treaty."
He added that Tehran’s five steps to reduce its nuclear commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) were a "forced measure."
"The United States has blatantly violated its commitments and the international law, namely the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, and then started to baselessly accuse Iran of all problems," Dzhagaryan said.
"For today, Iran remains the most verifiable state in the world, and the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] has repeatedly underscored the country’s commitment to its obligations [under the nuclear deal]," he went on. "Russia is not happy about the measures taken by Iran, but we understand that they were forced to do so. Moreover, all those measures are reversible."
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on January 20 that Tehran would leave the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if EU countries refer the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) issue to the United Nations Security Council. On Saturday, a draft bill on NPT withdrawal was submitted to the Iranian parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy.
On January 14, the foreign ministers of Germany, France and the United Kingdom announced the launch of the Dispute Resolution Mechanism in the Iran nuclear deal, claiming that Iran had failed to implement its obligations. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the mechanism has not been launched so far.


tass--2020-02-04--Only equal dialogue can mitigate nuclear conflict risks — Russian senate speaker

MOSCOW , Febraury 4 .
/TASS/ .
Only a fair , open and equal dialogue of nations can save the world from the threat of a nuclear conflict , Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said on Tuesday .
In a blog post , devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Yalta Conference , the speaker of the Russian parliament ’ s upper chamber wrote that `` 75 years ago , even despite serious disagreements , leading global powers managed to forge agreements , permeated by the spirit of unity and common interests . ''
`` Even in the era of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rivals - the system established by the victorious allied nations prevented the situation from reaching critical levels , '' she added .
`` This gains particular importance today , when a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and delivery vehicles has been accumulated on the planet .
Only an open , fair , equal dialogue , only the understanding that all existing problems and differences must be inevitably solved through political means , that peaceful agreements should be forged can save the world from the dangers of a conflict that would be devastating for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
`` This is exactly what our country ’ s policy is about .
And this approach is gaining more and more acceptance in the international community , '' she added .
Matviyenko welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s initiative to hold the summit of UN founders and Security Council permanent members .
She added that Russia has always spoken in favor of increasing the global role of the UN `` by adopting it to the 21st century ’ s reality . ''
`` In agree with Russian President Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should assume responsibility for saving the humanity and ensuring its sustainable development .
They should also forge common approaches to ensuring stability on the planet , '' Matviyenko added .
On February 4-11 , 1945 , Crimea ’ s Yalta hosted a meeting of the anti-Hitler coalition country leaders which made decisive decisions on post-war cooperation between states as well as the decision to establish the United Nations .

MOSCOW, Febraury 4. /TASS/. Only a fair, open and equal dialogue of nations can save the world from the threat of a nuclear conflict, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said on Tuesday.
In a blog post, devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Yalta Conference, the speaker of the Russian parliament’s upper chamber wrote that "75 years ago, even despite serious disagreements, leading global powers managed to forge agreements, permeated by the spirit of unity and common interests."
"Even in the era of rivalry between the two superpowers - ideological rivals - the system established by the victorious allied nations prevented the situation from reaching critical levels," she added.
"This gains particular importance today, when a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and delivery vehicles has been accumulated on the planet. Only an open, fair, equal dialogue, only the understanding that all existing problems and differences must be inevitably solved through political means, that peaceful agreements should be forged can save the world from the dangers of a conflict that would be devastating for the entire humanity," the speaker wrote.
"This is exactly what our country’s policy is about. And this approach is gaining more and more acceptance in the international community," she added.
Matviyenko welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to hold the summit of UN founders and Security Council permanent members. She added that Russia has always spoken in favor of increasing the global role of the UN "by adopting it to the 21st century’s reality."
"In agree with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s opinion that UN founding members should assume responsibility for saving the humanity and ensuring its sustainable development. They should also forge common approaches to ensuring stability on the planet," Matviyenko added.
On February 4-11, 1945, Crimea’s Yalta hosted a meeting of the anti-Hitler coalition country leaders which made decisive decisions on post-war cooperation between states as well as the decision to establish the United Nations.


tass--2020-02-04--Sochi investment forum organizers to submit their proposals on new possible dates

MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian government has tasked the organizing committee of the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi , rescheduled amid the novel coronavirus outbreak in China , with submitting proposals on new possible dates .
According to a decree , published on the government ’ s website , the organizing committee is to `` submit proposals on the timeframe for holding the Russian Investment Forum . ''
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Monday that the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi in 2020 , scheduled for February 12-14 , would be postponed due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forum has been gathering investors in Sochi annually since 2002 .
The 2020 Forum discussions were planned to focus on investments into regions , digital transformation of the economy and human capital .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large economic and industrial metropolis in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed in 23 other countries , including Russia , Australia , Vietnam , India , Canada , the United States and Thailand .
As of Tuesday , the number of novel coronavirus cases in China exceeded 20,400 people , at least 425 of them died .
One more fatality was reported outside China - in the Philippines .

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. The Russian government has tasked the organizing committee of the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi, rescheduled amid the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, with submitting proposals on new possible dates.
According to a decree, published on the government’s website, the organizing committee is to "submit proposals on the timeframe for holding the Russian Investment Forum."
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Monday that the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi in 2020, scheduled for February 12-14, would be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Russian Investment Forum has been gathering investors in Sochi annually since 2002. The 2020 Forum discussions were planned to focus on investments into regions, digital transformation of the economy and human capital.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large economic and industrial metropolis in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
Cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in 23 other countries, including Russia, Australia, Vietnam, India, Canada, the United States and Thailand.
As of Tuesday, the number of novel coronavirus cases in China exceeded 20,400 people, at least 425 of them died. One more fatality was reported outside China - in the Philippines.


tass--2020-02-04--China puts novel coronavirus mortality rate at 2.1%

BEIJING , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Only about 2.1 % of people who contracted the novel coronavirus die of pneumonia caused by it , Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Tuesday .
`` Although the number of new cases of the coronavirus infection is growing , the mortality rate in China is very low and stands at 2.1 % [ from the overall number of those infected ] , which is way below the mortality rates of Ebola fever , Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) or Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome ( MERS ) , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry ’ s official website .
`` At present , the number of those who had recovered is growing steadily .
We are absolutely sure of our ability to win this battle against the epidemic , '' she went on .
The Chinese diplomat added that `` China ’ s efforts in fighting the outbreak were appreciated by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and the international community . ''
According to a latest report by China 's National Health Commission , the number of people who contracted coronavirus in China has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 425 as of Tuesday .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
This new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in another 23 countries , including Russia .
The World Health Organization has recognized the pneumonia outbreak in @ @ @ @ @ @

BEIJING, February 4. /TASS/. Only about 2.1% of people who contracted the novel coronavirus die of pneumonia caused by it, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.
"Although the number of new cases of the coronavirus infection is growing, the mortality rate in China is very low and stands at 2.1% [from the overall number of those infected], which is way below the mortality rates of Ebola fever, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)," the spokesperson said on the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s official website.
"At present, the number of those who had recovered is growing steadily. We are absolutely sure of our ability to win this battle against the epidemic," she went on.
The Chinese diplomat added that "China’s efforts in fighting the outbreak were appreciated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community."
According to a latest report by China's National Health Commission, the number of people who contracted coronavirus in China has exceeded 20,400, the death toll reached to 425 as of Tuesday.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV. This new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in another 23 countries, including Russia. The World Health Organization has recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as an international emergency.


tass--2020-02-04--G7 nations to join forces to fight novel coronavirus

BERLIN , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Members of the G7 group of nations ( the United Kingdom , Germany , Italy , Canada , the United States , France and Japan ) agreed to coordinate their efforts in preventing the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV from spreading , German Health Minister Jens Spahn said .
`` The ministers have agreed to coordinate their actions as thoroughly as possible < ... > , including protective measures , research of the new virus , cooperation with the World Health Organization , the European Union and China , '' Germany ’ s DPA news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The only correct way to address this emergency is to join forces on the international and the European level , '' he added .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
This new strain of coronavirus has already been identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The World Health Organization has recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as an international emergency .
As of Tuesday , the number of novel coronavirus cases in China exceeded 17,000 people , more than 360 of them died .
One more fatality was reported outside China - in the Philippines .

BERLIN, February 4. /TASS/. Members of the G7 group of nations (the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, the United States, France and Japan) agreed to coordinate their efforts in preventing the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV from spreading, German Health Minister Jens Spahn said.
"The ministers have agreed to coordinate their actions as thoroughly as possible <...>, including protective measures, research of the new virus, cooperation with the World Health Organization, the European Union and China," Germany’s DPA news agency quoted Spahn as saying.
"The only correct way to address this emergency is to join forces on the international and the European level," he added.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV. This new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in another 23 countries, including Russia. The World Health Organization has recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as an international emergency.
As of Tuesday, the number of novel coronavirus cases in China exceeded 17,000 people, more than 360 of them died. One more fatality was reported outside China - in the Philippines.


tass--2020-02-04--Brent oil price slides below $54 per barrel for first time since early 2019

MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Brent oil futures for April 2020 declined by 4.9 % at London ’ s ICE stock exchange on Tuesday , falling below $ 54 per barrel to reach their lowest point in more than a year .
As of 04:10 Moscow time , Brent oil futures traded at $ 53.98 per barrel .
Last time , oil prices fell below $ 54 per barrel on January 3 , 2019 .
Global Oil prices have been battered over the past two weeks due to the rapid spreading of the novel coronavirus in China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourism in China caused the oil demand in the country to shrink by about 20 % , or 3 million barrels .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
On January 7 , 2020 , Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
This new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization has recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as an international emergency .
As of Tuesday , the number of novel coronavirus cases in China exceeded 20,400 people , at least 425 of them died .
One more fatality was reported outside China - in the Philippines .

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Brent oil futures for April 2020 declined by 4.9% at London’s ICE stock exchange on Tuesday, falling below $54 per barrel to reach their lowest point in more than a year.
As of 04:10 Moscow time, Brent oil futures traded at $53.98 per barrel. Last time, oil prices fell below $54 per barrel on January 3, 2019.
Global Oil prices have been battered over the past two weeks due to the rapid spreading of the novel coronavirus in China. A sharp decline in business activity and tourism in China caused the oil demand in the country to shrink by about 20%, or 3 million barrels.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. On January 7, 2020, Chinese experts identified the infecting agent as coronavirus 2019-nCoV. This new strain of coronavirus has already been identified in another 23 countries, including Russia. The World Health Organization has recognized the pneumonia outbreak in China as an international emergency.
As of Tuesday, the number of novel coronavirus cases in China exceeded 20,400 people, at least 425 of them died. One more fatality was reported outside China - in the Philippines.


tass--2020-02-04--Russian boxer suspected of drug possession, battery excluded from national team

MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Georgy Kushitashvili , a Russian boxer arrested earlier on charges of drug possession and attacking an officer of the Russian National Guard , has been excluded from Russia ’ s national boxing team , said Umar Kremlev , the secretary general of the Russian Boxing Federation ( RBF ) .
Georgy Kushitashvili and another boxer , Ovik Ogannisyan , were detained by National Guard officers on the Frunzenskaya Quay in downtown Moscow .
According to TASS sources , Kushitashvili hit one of the officers during the detention .
A search revealed that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday , the 235th Garrison Military Court ruled to place Kushitashvili in custody until April 1 .
`` Kushitashvili has been excluded from the Russian team .
He will no longer take part in the team ’ s events , '' Kremlev said .
The RBF chief said that the Russian Boxing Federation will insist on the toughest punishment possible if Kushitashvili ’ s guilt is proven .
`` The news came as a shock for us .
Until recently , there had been no grounds to suspect this person .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biochemical blood testing every week .
If the investigation proves that he indeed attacked a Russian Guard officer , we will condemn it .
It this is proven , then we will call for the toughest penalty possible , for making him face the consequences as stipulated by the law , '' he said .
`` We will not stay aside , because this person has devoted so many years to the sport , but we will insist on maximum punishment under the relevant legislation if his guilt is proven , '' Kremlev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not give up on him , we will help him and pay the bills of his lawyers , but everything must be according to the law . ''
Kushitashvili is a two-time light-heavyweight champion of Russia ( in 2015 and 2018 ) .
He won the bronze in the tournament in 2016 and the silver in 2019 .
Last year , Kushitashvili made it into the quarterfinal of the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Russia ’ s Yekaterinburg .

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Georgy Kushitashvili, a Russian boxer arrested earlier on charges of drug possession and attacking an officer of the Russian National Guard, has been excluded from Russia’s national boxing team, said Umar Kremlev, the secretary general of the Russian Boxing Federation (RBF).
Georgy Kushitashvili and another boxer, Ovik Ogannisyan, were detained by National Guard officers on the Frunzenskaya Quay in downtown Moscow. According to TASS sources, Kushitashvili hit one of the officers during the detention. A search revealed that he was in possession of cocaine. On Monday, the 235th Garrison Military Court ruled to place Kushitashvili in custody until April 1.
"Kushitashvili has been excluded from the Russian team. He will no longer take part in the team’s events," Kremlev said.
The RBF chief said that the Russian Boxing Federation will insist on the toughest punishment possible if Kushitashvili’s guilt is proven.
"The news came as a shock for us. Until recently, there had been no grounds to suspect this person. He was examined by doctor every day and underwent biochemical blood testing every week. If the investigation proves that he indeed attacked a Russian Guard officer, we will condemn it. It this is proven, then we will call for the toughest penalty possible, for making him face the consequences as stipulated by the law," he said.
"We will not stay aside, because this person has devoted so many years to the sport, but we will insist on maximum punishment under the relevant legislation if his guilt is proven," Kremlev continued. "However, we will not give up on him, we will help him and pay the bills of his lawyers, but everything must be according to the law."
Kushitashvili is a two-time light-heavyweight champion of Russia (in 2015 and 2018). He won the bronze in the tournament in 2016 and the silver in 2019. Last year, Kushitashvili made it into the quarterfinal of the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Russia’s Yekaterinburg.


tass--2020-02-04--Novel coronavirus death toll in China reaches 425, number of cases tops 20,400

BEIJING , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus in China exceeded 20,400 on Tuesday , 425 people have died , according to bulletins published by regional Chinese authorities .
The coronavirus infection is suspected in more than 23,200 residents of the country .
To date , 632 patients have recovered and have been discharged from hospitals .
In the past 24 hours , the number of people diagnosed with the disease rose by 3,200 people .
A total of 64 people died in the reported period .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all cases ( 13,500 patients and 414 deaths ) have been reported in the Hubei province , whose administrative center , Wuhan , has become the starting point of the outbreak .
A total of 2,345 new coronavirus cases have been detected in the region in the past day , 64 people died .
Hubei Is followed by the provinces of Guangdong ( 725 cases ) , Zhejiang ( 724 ) , Henan ( 566 ) , Hunan ( 521 ) and Anhui ( 408 ) .
A total of 212 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 203 - in Shanghai .
On December 31 , 2019 , Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people .
The city has since been closed off for entry and exit .
Foreign states , including the US and Japan , are evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province .
Cases of coronavirus have been detected in 23 countries outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 30 , the WHO declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of 2019-nCoV .

BEIJING, February 4. /TASS/. The number of confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus in China exceeded 20,400 on Tuesday, 425 people have died, according to bulletins published by regional Chinese authorities.
The coronavirus infection is suspected in more than 23,200 residents of the country. To date, 632 patients have recovered and have been discharged from hospitals.
In the past 24 hours, the number of people diagnosed with the disease rose by 3,200 people. A total of 64 people died in the reported period.
According to latest reports, more than half of all cases (13,500 patients and 414 deaths) have been reported in the Hubei province, whose administrative center, Wuhan, has become the starting point of the outbreak. A total of 2,345 new coronavirus cases have been detected in the region in the past day, 64 people died.
Hubei Is followed by the provinces of Guangdong (725 cases), Zhejiang (724), Henan (566), Hunan (521) and Anhui (408). A total of 212 cases have been confirmed in the capital Beijing and 203 - in Shanghai.
On December 31, 2019, Chinese authorities informed the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of an unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan - a large trade and industrial center in central China populated by 11 million people. The city has since been closed off for entry and exit. Foreign states, including the US and Japan, are evacuating their citizens from Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province.
Cases of coronavirus have been detected in 23 countries outside of China, including Russia. On January 30, the WHO declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak of 2019-nCoV.


tass--2020-02-04--Syrian army cuts supply lines for militants west of Saraqib — SANA

MOSCOW , February 4 .
/TASS/ .
Units of the Syrian armed forces entered the village of Ternaba west of Saraqib in the Idlib governorate , cutting the Latakia-Aleppo highway used as a resupply route for militant groups , the SANA news agency reported .
According to the agency , Syrian troops are now stationed eight kilometers from Idlib , the administrative center of the eponymous governorate captured by militants in 2015 .
After liberating on January 28 the town of Maaret al-Numan , a stronghold of terrorists from the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group ( outlawed in Russia ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saraqib from three directions : the south , the east and the west .
The town of Saraqib is located at the strategically important crossing of the Latakia-Aleppo and Damascus-Aleppo highways , and its liberation can substantially speed up the defeat of militant groups in Idlib .
The rapid progress of the Syrian army in this area has irritated Turkey , which renders support to militants fighting against the pro-government forces .
According to Al Arabiya , 195 Turkish military vehicles , including armored vehicles and tanks , as well as trucks with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Another Turkish military convoy entered Idlib on Monday .
The Turkish air force and artillery had carried out strikes against 40 targets in Syria ’ s Idlib on Monday .
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said 76 Syrian servicemen had been ‘ eliminated ’ as a result .
Ankara claimed that the attack was carried out to avenge the Syrian army ’ s shelling of Turkish posts in Saraqib , in which five Turkish servicemen and three members of the civilian personnel were killed .
Earlier , the Russian center for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Turkish military personnel had come under an attack of Syrian troops in Idlib , because Turkey had failed to notify Russia about the movements of its troops in advance .
The Syrian troops were firing on terrorists retreating to Saraqib .

MOSCOW, February 4. /TASS/. Units of the Syrian armed forces entered the village of Ternaba west of Saraqib in the Idlib governorate, cutting the Latakia-Aleppo highway used as a resupply route for militant groups, the SANA news agency reported.
According to the agency, Syrian troops are now stationed eight kilometers from Idlib, the administrative center of the eponymous governorate captured by militants in 2015.
After liberating on January 28 the town of Maaret al-Numan, a stronghold of terrorists from the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (outlawed in Russia), the Syrian army has begun advancing towards Saraqib from three directions: the south, the east and the west. The town of Saraqib is located at the strategically important crossing of the Latakia-Aleppo and Damascus-Aleppo highways, and its liberation can substantially speed up the defeat of militant groups in Idlib.
The rapid progress of the Syrian army in this area has irritated Turkey, which renders support to militants fighting against the pro-government forces. According to Al Arabiya, 195 Turkish military vehicles, including armored vehicles and tanks, as well as trucks with ammunition, crossed the Turkish-Syrian border on Sunday. Another Turkish military convoy entered Idlib on Monday.
The Turkish air force and artillery had carried out strikes against 40 targets in Syria’s Idlib on Monday. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said 76 Syrian servicemen had been ‘eliminated’ as a result. Ankara claimed that the attack was carried out to avenge the Syrian army’s shelling of Turkish posts in Saraqib, in which five Turkish servicemen and three members of the civilian personnel were killed.
Earlier, the Russian center for reconciliation of the opposing parties in Syria said Turkish military personnel had come under an attack of Syrian troops in Idlib, because Turkey had failed to notify Russia about the movements of its troops in advance. The Syrian troops were firing on terrorists retreating to Saraqib.