Europe

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/: The work of the previous Russian government has been commended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, it would be inappropriate to talk about an overhaul of the former government’s decisions, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.

His statement came in response to a question regarding the Russian Ministry of Education and Science’s recent reversal of an order for international cooperation, approved by the previous Cabinet of Ministers.

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/: Moscow is ready to discuss its new weapons with Washington in context of new possible agreements and in consideration of all factors that influence the strategic stability, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

According to the top diplomat, Washington is interested in new Russian weapons.

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/: Former US President Barack Obama left his successor Donald Trump a horrible legacy when he left the Oval Office, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The minister recalled as Obama, "resentful for Edward Snowden’s asylum," cancelled his visit to a summit in Moscow, where "a very interesting document on strategic stability was being prepared for signing."

KRASNOYARSK, February 10. /TASS/: Nordstar airlines passenger Boeing 737, conducting a flight from Krasnoyarsk to Moscow, prepares for emergency landing in airport of departure over flaps failure, the airport press service told TASS.

There are 100 people onboard.

"The Nordstar Boeing 737 headed to Moscow’s Domodedovo airport. After takeoff, its flaps failed to retract. The crew made a decision to burn the fuel and return to the airport of departure," the press service said.

The emergency landing is expected at around 11:20 Moscow time.

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/: A joint US-Ukrainian mission will conduct an Open Skies observation mission over Russian on February 10-14, Russia’s Krasnaya Zvezda (or Red Star) newspaper reported on Monday, citing Chief of the National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Sergei Ryzhkov.

"On February 10-14, a joint US-Ukrainian mission will conduct an observation flight over Russia in accordance with the Treaty on Open Skies, using an Antonov An-30 survey aircraft," the newspaper quoted Ryzhkov as saying.

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/: Russia’s top military brass plans to arm Tupolev Tu-160 supersonic strategic bombers with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, a source in the defense industry told TASS on Monday.

"The possibility of deploying Kinzhal missiles on Tu-160 aircraft is being considered. The work on this option is due to be completed this year," the source said.

The source did not specify, however, whether operational or upgraded Tu-160 bombers would be armed with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.

TASS has no official confirmation of this information yet.

10 February 2020; AFP: Moscovites are mystified by a flood of bomb hoaxes forcing the evacuation of courts, schools and malls while authorities appear unable to find the culprits even after months of disruption to public life.

BERLIN (Reuters) - Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s protegee and leader of their conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), will not run for chancellor in Germany’s federal election next year, a source in her party said on Monday.

Kramp-Karrenbauer, 57, won a vote in December 2018 to succeed Merkel as CDU leader, but then struggled to stamp her authority on the party. Last week, a regional branch defied her by backing a local leader helped into office by the far right.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Monday that the new coronavirus was a serious and imminent threat to public health, a step that gives the government additional powers to fight the spread of the virus.

“The Secretary of State declares that the incidence or transmission of novel coronavirus constitutes a serious and imminent threat to public health,” the health ministry said.

“Measures outlined in these regulations are considered as an effective means of delaying or preventing further transmission of the virus,” the ministry said.

LONDON (AP) — Storm Ciara battered the U.K. and northern Europe with hurricane-force winds and heavy rains Sunday, halting flights and trains and producing heaving seas that closed down ports. Soccer games, farmers’ markets and cultural events were canceled as authorities urged millions of people to stay indoors, away from falling tree branches.