tass--2020-03-18--Voting on constitutional amendments will be held on April 22 if situation allows - Putin

MOSCOW , March 18 .
/TASS/ .
The nationwide voting on the constitutional amendments will be organized on April 22 only if the coronavirus situation does not worsen , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday at a meeting with chairperson of the Russian Central Election Commission ( CEC ) Ella Pamfilova , the video footage of which was broadcast by the Rossiya-24 television channel .
The president informed the CEC chairperson that he had signed a decree calling the nationwide voting on the amendments to the constitution on April 22 .
He noted that the under the law voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month after the decree was signed but could be organized later .
`` Bearing in mind the serious epidemiological situation in the world that affects our country this or that way , although not so severely like in other countries , we will organize voting only if the situation allows to hold such events , '' Putin said , adding that the most important thing that matters is `` people ’ s lives and health . ''
`` We will reckon with the situation , '' he stressed .
He asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the voting .
`` I hope you will use all available instruments to organize the nationwide voting at the highest level , strictly observing law and using modern technologies , '' Putin said .
The president also said he hoped people `` will come to the polling stations to express their opinion about the amendments proposed .
`` .

MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. The nationwide voting on the constitutional amendments will be organized on April 22 only if the coronavirus situation does not worsen, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday at a meeting with chairperson of the Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) Ella Pamfilova, the video footage of which was broadcast by the Rossiya-24 television channel.
The president informed the CEC chairperson that he had signed a decree calling the nationwide voting on the amendments to the constitution on April 22. He noted that the under the law voting was to be called no earlier than a month after the decree was signed but could be organized later.
"Bearing in mind the serious epidemiological situation in the world that affects our country this or that way, although not so severely like in other countries, we will organize voting only if the situation allows to hold such events," Putin said, adding that the most important thing that matters is "people’s lives and health."
"We will reckon with the situation," he stressed.
He asked the CEC and its chairperson to continue preparation for the voting. "I hope you will use all available instruments to organize the nationwide voting at the highest level, strictly observing law and using modern technologies," Putin said.
The president also said he hoped people "will come to the polling stations to express their opinion about the amendments proposed.".


tass--2020-03-17--Foreign Ministry sets up task force to coordinate repatriation of Russians

MOSCOW , March 17./TASS/ .
The Russian Foreign Ministry has set up a task force to coordinate repatriation of Russian nationals who want to return home amid travel restrictions imposed over the novel coronavirus , the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday .
Earlier on Tuesday , Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov chaired an emergency meeting looking into ways to ensure the interests of the Russian nationals who have found themselves in a difficult situation amid restrictive measures taken by other states amid a coronavirus pandemic .
The meeting `` emphasized the need for the Russian diplomatic missions to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to return home settle logistic matters , '' the ministry said .
It informed that the task force will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov .
The coronavirus crisis center is the head department .
With this in view , the ministry asks all those who have found themselves in a plight to immediately contact the nearest Russian diplomatic mission , as well as give one 's whereabouts and all the necessary data .
The Foreign Ministry is available by phone as well as via WhatsApp , Facebook , Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It urges Russian nationals staying in countries where the possibility to leave for Russia still remains to avail of it no matter what kinds of transport and transfers it will necessitate .
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease , which occurred in central China at the end of 2019 , has spread to about 160 countries .
The World Health Organization on March 11 declared it as a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , more than 180,000 have contracted the virus around the world .
Almost 7,000 have died .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified 114 coronavirus cases .

MOSCOW, March 17./TASS/. The Russian Foreign Ministry has set up a task force to coordinate repatriation of Russian nationals who want to return home amid travel restrictions imposed over the novel coronavirus, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov chaired an emergency meeting looking into ways to ensure the interests of the Russian nationals who have found themselves in a difficult situation amid restrictive measures taken by other states amid a coronavirus pandemic.
The meeting "emphasized the need for the Russian diplomatic missions to take exhaustive measures to help the Russian nationals willing to return home settle logistic matters," the ministry said. It informed that the task force will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov. The coronavirus crisis center is the head department.
With this in view, the ministry asks all those who have found themselves in a plight to immediately contact the nearest Russian diplomatic mission, as well as give one's whereabouts and all the necessary data. The Foreign Ministry is available by phone as well as via WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and VKontakte social media.
It urges Russian nationals staying in countries where the possibility to leave for Russia still remains to avail of it no matter what kinds of transport and transfers it will necessitate.
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease, which occurred in central China at the end of 2019, has spread to about 160 countries. The World Health Organization on March 11 declared it as a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, more than 180,000 have contracted the virus around the world. Almost 7,000 have died. Russia’s special task force has identified 114 coronavirus cases.


tass--2020-03-17--Russian writer, politician Eduard Limonov dies in Moscow

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian writer and politician Eduard Limonov died on Tuesday night in a Moscow hospital , writer and lawmaker Sergei Shargunov told TASS .
Limonov was 77 .
`` Unfortunately , it happened about half an hour ago in a hospital in Moscow , '' Shargunov said .
`` He was in touch until the last moment , he talked , you could write to him , '' Shargunov added , not naming the cause of the death .
The information about the writer ’ s death was also confirmed to TASS by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was born on February 22 , 1943 in the city of Dzerzhinsk , Gorky Region ( now Nizhny Novgorod Region ) .
In 1974 , as a political dissident , he emigrated from the USSR and was deprived of the Soviet citizenship .
He lived in New York for several years and in 1980 moved to France where his first novel `` It ’ s me Eddie '' was published .
It was followed by the novels `` His Butler ’ s Story , '' `` The Diary of a Loser , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scoundrel '' and others .
In 1991 , Limonov returned to Russia and in 1992 received Russian citizenship .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russian writer and politician Eduard Limonov died on Tuesday night in a Moscow hospital, writer and lawmaker Sergei Shargunov told TASS. Limonov was 77.
"Unfortunately, it happened about half an hour ago in a hospital in Moscow," Shargunov said.
"He was in touch until the last moment, he talked, you could write to him," Shargunov added, not naming the cause of the death.
The information about the writer’s death was also confirmed to TASS by his assistant.
About writer
Eduard Limonov (Savenko) was born on February 22, 1943 in the city of Dzerzhinsk, Gorky Region (now Nizhny Novgorod Region).
In 1974, as a political dissident, he emigrated from the USSR and was deprived of the Soviet citizenship. He lived in New York for several years and in 1980 moved to France where his first novel "It’s me Eddie" was published. It was followed by the novels "His Butler’s Story," "The Diary of a Loser," "Teen Savenko," "Young Scoundrel" and others.
In 1991, Limonov returned to Russia and in 1992 received Russian citizenship.


tass--2020-03-17--Putin signs decree on holding nationwide voting on constitutional amendments on April 22

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on holding the nationwide voting on @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , the Kremlin press service said on Tuesday .
`` In conformity with @ @ @ @ @ article 2 of the Russian law on the amendment to the Russian Constitution ‘ On @ @ @ @ @ of the organization and functioning of public authority , ’ I hereby resolve : To @ @ @ @ @ amendments to the Russian constitution on April 22 , 2020 ; To put to voting @ @ @ @ @ Do you approve the amendments to the Russian constitution ?
, '' the document reads @

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on holding the nationwide voting on constitutional amendments on April 22, 2020, the Kremlin press service said on Tuesday.
"In conformity with parts 2 and 3 of article 2 of the Russian law on the amendment to the Russian Constitution ‘On improving regulation of certain issues of the organization and functioning of public authority,’ I hereby resolve: To hold the nationwide voting on amendments to the Russian constitution on April 22, 2020; To put to voting the following question: ‘Do you approve the amendments to the Russian constitution?," the document reads.


tass--2020-03-17--St. Petersburg authorities get no notification about Nissan’s leaving Russian market

ST. PETERSBURG , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The authorities of St. Petersburg did not receive any notification from Nissan about the carmaker ’ s intention to leave the Russian market , Alexei Yakovlev , deputy chairman of the city committee on industrial policy , innovation and trade , told TASS on Tuesday .
`` We don ’ t have such information .
It was rumored , in particular in media .
I think it is not the coronavirus which is the reason for such doubts of Nissan about its future , '' Yakovlev said , answering a question about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the market .
Earlier , the Kommersant daily reported , citing its own sources , that Nissan ’ s departure from Russia was discussed because the company allegedly has problems with the model range , which affects demand .
Earlier , the Nissan press service said it was considering an option to reduce the number of employees at the plant in St. Petersburg in connection with the transition to work in one shift .
Prior to this , the plant announced that within a few months it would switch to one shift operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian automotive market .
According to the Association of European Businesses ( AEB ) , Nissan sales in Russia in 2019 fell by 20 % , to 65,000 cars .
In January 2020 , sales dropped by 1 % , amounting to 4,900 cars .
Nissan launched its plant in St. Petersburg in June 2009 .
The plant ’ s production capacity is 100,000 cars per year .
The plant produces three models : Nissan X-Trail , Nissan Murano , Nissan Qashqai .

ST. PETERSBURG, March 17. /TASS/. The authorities of St. Petersburg did not receive any notification from Nissan about the carmaker’s intention to leave the Russian market, Alexei Yakovlev, deputy chairman of the city committee on industrial policy, innovation and trade, told TASS on Tuesday.
"We don’t have such information. It was rumored, in particular in media. I think it is not the coronavirus which is the reason for such doubts of Nissan about its future," Yakovlev said, answering a question about the possible departure of the automaker from the market.
Earlier, the Kommersant daily reported, citing its own sources, that Nissan’s departure from Russia was discussed because the company allegedly has problems with the model range, which affects demand.
Earlier, the Nissan press service said it was considering an option to reduce the number of employees at the plant in St. Petersburg in connection with the transition to work in one shift. Prior to this, the plant announced that within a few months it would switch to one shift operation due to the difficult situation in the Russian automotive market.
According to the Association of European Businesses (AEB), Nissan sales in Russia in 2019 fell by 20%, to 65,000 cars.
In January 2020, sales dropped by 1%, amounting to 4,900 cars. Nissan launched its plant in St. Petersburg in June 2009. The plant’s production capacity is 100,000 cars per year. The plant produces three models: Nissan X-Trail, Nissan Murano, Nissan Qashqai.


tass--2020-03-17--Turkish, French, German, British leaders hold talks in videoconference mode

ANKARA , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’ s talks with French President Emmanuel Macron @ @ @ @ @ and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson were held on Tuesday in a videoconference mode in @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic , Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote on his Twitter account .
At @ @ @ @ @ France , # Germany & # UK , President @ RTErdogan discussed ; - Joint @ @ @ @ @ Resolution of Syria crisis , - Humanitarian assistance to Idlib , - Refugee flow , @ @ @ @ @ - Situation in EU & our relations w/EU .
pic.twitter.com/RXDjelbDHi According to the Turkish top @ @ @ @ @ `` joint action against coronavirus , resolution of the Syria crisis , humanitarian assistance to @ @ @ @ @ developments in Libya , '' and Turkey ’ s relations with the European Union .
@ @ @ @ @ planned to be held in Istanbul but later it was decided to hold it via @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .

ANKARA, March 17. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson were held on Tuesday in a videoconference mode in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote on his Twitter account.
At video conference w/leaders of #France , #Germany & #UK , President @RTErdogan discussed; - Joint action against Coronavirus, - Resolution of Syria crisis, - Humanitarian assistance to Idlib, - Refugee flow, - Developments in Libya, - Situation in EU&our relations w/EU. pic.twitter.com/RXDjelbDHi
According to the Turkish top diplomat, the topics included "joint action against coronavirus, resolution of the Syria crisis, humanitarian assistance to Idlib, refugee flow, developments in Libya," and Turkey’s relations with the European Union.
The four-lateral summit was originally planned to be held in Istanbul but later it was decided to hold it via a videoconference due to the coronavirus pandemic.


tass--2020-03-17--Facebook provides $100 mln to support small businesses amid pandemic

NEW YORK , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Facebook has announced a $ 100 mln program to help small businesses hit by the novel coronavirus pandemic , the US company said in a statement on Tuesday .
`` We know that your business may be experiencing disruptions resulting from the global outbreak of COVID-19 .
We ’ ve heard that a little financial support can go a long way , so we are offering $ 100 mln in cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time , '' the statement said .
The grants will be available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in over 30 countries , Facebook said .
In the United States , at least 4,661 coronavirus cases have been confirmed and at least 85 people have died , according to Johns Hopkins University .
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak that occurred in late 2019 in Central China has spread to over 160 countries and territories and was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on March 11 .
According to the latest figures provided by the World Health Organization , over 180,000 individuals worldwide have got infected and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 114 infection cases have been registered .

NEW YORK, March 17. /TASS/. Facebook has announced a $100 mln program to help small businesses hit by the novel coronavirus pandemic, the US company said in a statement on Tuesday.
"We know that your business may be experiencing disruptions resulting from the global outbreak of COVID-19. We’ve heard that a little financial support can go a long way, so we are offering $100 mln in cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time," the statement said. The grants will be available for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries, Facebook said.
In the United States, at least 4,661 coronavirus cases have been confirmed and at least 85 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak that occurred in late 2019 in Central China has spread to over 160 countries and territories and was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11. According to the latest figures provided by the World Health Organization, over 180,000 individuals worldwide have got infected and around 7,000 have died. In Russia, 114 infection cases have been registered.


tass--2020-03-17--Russian president, PM congratulate TASS director general on birthday

`` A competent professional , an experienced and responsible executive , you are doing your best to consolidate the team around the most important and essential goals and set the bar high in your work , '' Putin said in a congratulatory telegram to Mikhailov .
`` As director general of one of the country ’ s oldest news agencies , you are helping preserve and develop TASS ’ legendary traditions . ''
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin also sent a congratulatory message to Mikhailov , describing him as one of the most successful media managers in Russia and a creative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency is an advanced news resource that keeps on launching new information products , opening interesting multimedia portals , digitalizing unique photo archives , '' Mishustin wrote .
`` Millions of people in Russia and abroad begin their day with TASS news which provide real-time and reliable information about major developments in the country and in the world . ''
Congratulations also came from the speakers of both houses of Russia ’ s parliament , Valentina Matviyenko of the Federation Council ( upper house ) and Vyacheslav Volodin of the State Duma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ born on March 17 , 1971 .
He has been TASS Director General since September 17 , 2012 .

"A competent professional, an experienced and responsible executive, you are doing your best to consolidate the team around the most important and essential goals and set the bar high in your work," Putin said in a congratulatory telegram to Mikhailov. "As director general of one of the country’s oldest news agencies, you are helping preserve and develop TASS’ legendary traditions."
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin also sent a congratulatory message to Mikhailov, describing him as one of the most successful media managers in Russia and a creative and energetic person.
"Today, the agency is an advanced news resource that keeps on launching new information products, opening interesting multimedia portals, digitalizing unique photo archives," Mishustin wrote. "Millions of people in Russia and abroad begin their day with TASS news which provide real-time and reliable information about major developments in the country and in the world."
Congratulations also came from the speakers of both houses of Russia’s parliament, Valentina Matviyenko of the Federation Council (upper house) and Vyacheslav Volodin of the State Duma (lower house).
Mikhailov was born on March 17, 1971. He has been TASS Director General since September 17, 2012.


tass--2020-03-17--Three more Russian planes receive bomb threats on Tuesday

`` Two of them landed routinely at the airports of destination .
The Irkutsk-Moscow plane continues the flight , its itinerary remains unchanged , '' the source said .
MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Three more planes en route from Irkutsk to Moscow , from Vladivostok to Irkutsk and from Moscow to Novosibirsk received bomb threats on Tuesday , a source in the aviation services has told TASS .
Earlier on Tuesday , bomb threats targeted three other Russian passenger planes en route from Moscow to Irkutsk , Ufa and Chelyabinsk .
The planes landed safely at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , six bomb hoaxes targeted Russian flights on Tuesday , the biggest number for one day over the recent time .
Five hoax bomb threats came on Monday .
Bomb threats targeting planes started coming on March 3 .
Over 20 hoax bomb threats have been received so far .
Beginning in November 2019 , courts , schools , shopping malls and other establishments in Moscow , St. Petersburg , and other regions have been flooded with bogus bomb scares .
The emergency services have been checking all reports , all of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier , Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) said that it had blocked access to five foreign websites , which had been used for sending hoax bomb threat messages .

"Two of them landed routinely at the airports of destination. The Irkutsk-Moscow plane continues the flight, its itinerary remains unchanged," the source said.
MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Three more planes en route from Irkutsk to Moscow, from Vladivostok to Irkutsk and from Moscow to Novosibirsk received bomb threats on Tuesday, a source in the aviation services has told TASS.
Earlier on Tuesday, bomb threats targeted three other Russian passenger planes en route from Moscow to Irkutsk, Ufa and Chelyabinsk. The planes landed safely at their destinations without changing their route.
Overall, six bomb hoaxes targeted Russian flights on Tuesday, the biggest number for one day over the recent time. Five hoax bomb threats came on Monday. Bomb threats targeting planes started coming on March 3. Over 20 hoax bomb threats have been received so far.
Beginning in November 2019, courts, schools, shopping malls and other establishments in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other regions have been flooded with bogus bomb scares. The emergency services have been checking all reports, all of which have turned out to be false alarms.
Earlier, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said that it had blocked access to five foreign websites, which had been used for sending hoax bomb threat messages.


tass--2020-03-17--56 coronavirus cases confirmed in Moscow

`` Three more coronavirus infection cases have been confirmed in Moscow .
All the patients recently visited European countries .
Now they are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kommunarka .
One more patient who returned to Moscow was taken to a hospital in the Moscow Region .
By now , as many as 56 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the capital city , '' it said , adding that the infected persons arrived in Moscow from Rome ( flight AZ-548 ) on March 8 and from Zurich ( flight SU 2487 ) also on March 8 .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 160 countries and territories , including Russia , which has 114 coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 180,000 , with more than 7,500 deaths .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic .

"Three more coronavirus infection cases have been confirmed in Moscow. All the patients recently visited European countries. Now they are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kommunarka. One more patient who returned to Moscow was taken to a hospital in the Moscow Region. By now, as many as 56 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the capital city," it said, adding that the infected persons arrived in Moscow from Rome (flight AZ-548) on March 8 and from Zurich (flight SU 2487) also on March 8.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 160 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 114 coronavirus cases. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 180,000, with more than 7,500 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-17--No evidence of animal-to-human transmission of coronavirus, says German minister

`` It has not been proved as of yet that [ the virus ] can be transmitted to humans from farm livestock or pets , '' the minister said . ''
`` With scientific data in view , we can argue that this has not happened as of yet , '' she added , noting that experts were studying that issue .
BERLIN , March 17./TASS/ .
There is no scientific evidence that humans can contract the novel coronavirus from farm livestock or pets , Germany ’ s Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Julia Klockner told a news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8,000 people have been infected with the novel coronavirus in Germany , and 20 have died according to media reports .
Earlier , experts from the French Agency for Food , Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety ( ANSES ) dismissed media reports that the novel coronavirus can be passed from pets to humans .
`` Current scientific knowledge makes it possible to state that there is no evidence that pets or animals bred by humans play any role in the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing the disease , '' ANSES said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that a dog in Hong Kong reportedly tested ‘ weak positive ’ for the virus in February after its owner had got infected with Covid-19 .
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease , which occurred in central China at the end of 2019 , has now spread to more than 160 countries .
The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , more than 180,000 people around the world have contracted the virus ; about 7,500 have died .

"It has not been proved as of yet that [the virus] can be transmitted to humans from farm livestock or pets," the minister said." "With scientific data in view, we can argue that this has not happened as of yet," she added, noting that experts were studying that issue.
BERLIN, March 17./TASS/. There is no scientific evidence that humans can contract the novel coronavirus from farm livestock or pets, Germany’s Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Julia Klockner told a news conference in Berlin on Tuesday.
More than 8,000 people have been infected with the novel coronavirus in Germany, and 20 have died according to media reports.
Earlier, experts from the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) dismissed media reports that the novel coronavirus can be passed from pets to humans.
"Current scientific knowledge makes it possible to state that there is no evidence that pets or animals bred by humans play any role in the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus causing the disease," ANSES said in a statement. Earlier media reports said that a dog in Hong Kong reportedly tested ‘weak positive’ for the virus in February after its owner had got infected with Covid-19.
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease, which occurred in central China at the end of 2019, has now spread to more than 160 countries. The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, more than 180,000 people around the world have contracted the virus; about 7,500 have died.


tass--2020-03-17--Valentina Gagarina, widow of world’s first man is space, dies at age 84

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Valentina Gagarina , the widow of the world ’ s first man in @ @ @ @ @ , has died at the age of 84 , a spokesperson for the Cosmonaut Training @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Valentina Ivanovna Gagarina has died today , '' the spokesperson said .
Valentina @ @ @ @ @ was born in Orenburg on December 15 , 1935 .
She finished the Orenburg Medical @ @ @ @ @ Mission Control Center ’ s laboratory .
She married Yuri Gagarin in October 1957 .
@ @ @ @ @ death in March 1968 , she gave no interviews , but took part in various @ @ @ @ @ .
In the recent years , she lived in Zvezdny Gorodok ( Star City ) @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Valentina Gagarina, the widow of the world’s first man in space Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, has died at the age of 84, a spokesperson for the Cosmonaut Training Center told TASS on Tuesday.
"Valentina Ivanovna Gagarina has died today," the spokesperson said.
Valentina Gagarina (nee Goryacheva) was born in Orenburg on December 15, 1935. She finished the Orenburg Medical School and worked at the Mission Control Center’s laboratory.
She married Yuri Gagarin in October 1957. After her husband’s death in March 1968, she gave no interviews, but took part in various events dedicated to her husband. In the recent years, she lived in Zvezdny Gorodok (Star City) outside Moscow.


tass--2020-03-17--Production of world’s first portable coronavirus test to begin in April

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The world ’ s first portable coronavirus test system is slated for production @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin said during his meeting with the Cabinet Tuesday .
`` The Russian Direct @ @ @ @ @ joint research with our Japanese partners , so that we can begin production of the @ @ @ @ @ .
Potentially , it would be the world ’ s first portable [ coronavirus ] @ @ @ @ @ underscored .
According to Putin , Russia pays the necessary attention to the task of @ @ @ @ @ system production ; specialists from various facilities work on it .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The world’s first portable coronavirus test system is slated for production in April, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his meeting with the Cabinet Tuesday.
"The Russian Direct Investment Fund will finance the joint research with our Japanese partners, so that we can begin production of the express tests in April already. Potentially, it would be the world’s first portable [coronavirus] express test," Putin underscored.
According to Putin, Russia pays the necessary attention to the task of massively beefing up coronavirus test system production; specialists from various facilities work on it.


tass--2020-03-17--Putin urges to control petroleum products prices

It will take current pandemic years to travel around the world , says German virologist Lothar Wieler of the Robert @ @ @ @ @ it will take the pandemic two years , or possibly several years to circle the @ @

Biden says alternative to sanctions against Russia would be Third World War
"Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," the US leader stressed
Read more


tass--2020-03-17--Putin urges prevention of speculations, rumors about coronavirus

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes it is essential to prevent groundless rumors and ill-intentioned speculations over the spread of coronavirus in Russia .
He stressed that rumors could be countered only with `` authentic , timely and full information . ''
According to the president , the people must have all essential information about the coronavirus threat , the government ’ s measures and the precautions to be taken to protect oneself from the infection .
`` It is of fundamental importance to avoid any pretexts for ill-intentioned , groundless rumors , let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Putin said at a meeting with the Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday .
Situation with coronavirus spread in a number of European countries is difficult , Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday during his meeting with the Cabinet .
`` We see how the situation with coronavirus infection spread unfolds globally ; most countries have already faced the consequences of this disease both in healthcare and economy , '' Putin said .
`` The situation in some countries , such as our friends from the People ’ s Republic of China or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the better . ''
`` However , other nations , including the European ones , are confronted with a complex , difficult situation , '' he stated .
The coronavirus spread has become global , the president admitted , noting the achievements of the Chinese and South Korean medics .
`` We can only celebrate the achievements together with our friends , '' he commented .
Speaking about situation in Europe , the president noted that the number of cases is increasing every day .
He underscored that European nations also implement emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mass event cancellation , suspension of passenger transport service , closure of educational facilities and switching of various organizations to a special regime .
`` It is obvious that such measures are justified and dictated by objective circumstances .
We , of course , wish our colleagues success on this path of fighting the infection , '' the Russian leader said .
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease , which occurred in central China at the end of 2019 , has now spread to more than 160 countries and territories .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , more than 180,000 people around the world have contracted the virus ; about 7,400 have died .
Russia has registered 114 cases of the infection .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes it is essential to prevent groundless rumors and ill-intentioned speculations over the spread of coronavirus in Russia.
He stressed that rumors could be countered only with "authentic, timely and full information." According to the president, the people must have all essential information about the coronavirus threat, the government’s measures and the precautions to be taken to protect oneself from the infection.
"It is of fundamental importance to avoid any pretexts for ill-intentioned, groundless rumors, let alone malicious speculations on this score," Putin said at a meeting with the Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday.
Situation with coronavirus spread in a number of European countries is difficult, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday during his meeting with the Cabinet.
"We see how the situation with coronavirus infection spread unfolds globally; most countries have already faced the consequences of this disease both in healthcare and economy," Putin said. "The situation in some countries, such as our friends from the People’s Republic of China or Republic of Korea, is changing for the better."
"However, other nations, including the European ones, are confronted with a complex, difficult situation," he stated.
The coronavirus spread has become global, the president admitted, noting the achievements of the Chinese and South Korean medics. "We can only celebrate the achievements together with our friends," he commented.
Speaking about situation in Europe, the president noted that the number of cases is increasing every day. He underscored that European nations also implement emergency measures, including quarantine, border closure, mass event cancellation, suspension of passenger transport service, closure of educational facilities and switching of various organizations to a special regime.
"It is obvious that such measures are justified and dictated by objective circumstances. We, of course, wish our colleagues success on this path of fighting the infection," the Russian leader said.
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease, which occurred in central China at the end of 2019, has now spread to more than 160 countries and territories. The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, more than 180,000 people around the world have contracted the virus; about 7,400 have died. Russia has registered 114 cases of the infection.


tass--2020-03-17--Rolling Ark on the Arctic shore welcomes guests

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Alexei Glebov is a mountaineer , power engineer , diver and a romantic who built a wheeled guest house on the Arctic Ocean ’ s shore .
He was born and grew in Apatity - a city by the Khibiny - the highest and biggest mountains on the Kola Peninsula .
Once , he came to Teriberka and could not resist staying in the settlement .
Do you know how it happens - you may feel easy and comfortable in one place , where you feel light , you have wings , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place you are overwhelmed with worries and seem to have no strength at all .
Alexei Glebov knows how to explain it .
`` I ’ ve fallen in love with Teriberka , with this nature , the rocks along the Arctic Ocean… As soon as the road was opened to here , I came to the settlement and realized this is a place , which matches my soul .
Here I tried freediving .
Though could stand for ten minutes only , '' he laughed .
`` The water in June is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the best , I did not have any gloves , could barely feel my feet and fingers , I couldn ’ t move , and clearly the first attempt could not open to me all the magnificence . ''
Later on , he realized this was how the fate had brought him not only to the rocks and ocean , but to the woman of his life .
Alexei has become an experienced diver , he ’ s got proper outfit and can teach others .
`` The locals say there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can feel it .
On the way to Teriberka , on the hills you may see piled stones , which are named seidas .
How could they appear there , in the middle of this transparent tundra ?
It ’ s a true mystery ! ''
`` I am a trained high-voltage power engineer , graduated in Apatity from the Kola branch of the Petrozavodsk State University .
During my third year there I began practicing industrial alpinism , and even made good money , '' he said .
`` By 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was very helpful later on . ''
Since childhood he went in for mountaineering .
At a gym in Apatity , the boy competed in climbing a 11.5-meter stand .
In addition to climbing and freediving , he loves kiting - depending on the season , he rushes across the sea or across the tundra ’ s snow blanket .
`` I keep saying : Moving is all !
If you can ’ t move , then at least lie in the direction of your goal .
But never give in ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the approach Alexei had when building the peculiar facility , which now in Teriberka is an attraction , that may be compared with Zvyagintsev ’ s Leviathan ( a drama movie , 2014 ) .
Teriberka is a small settlement , where about 1,000 live .
A few houses crowd among hills by the shore .
Not much land , just small spots .
Alexei rented one of those spots for five years .
The only condition was not to make any solid buildings there .
`` My dream was to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basement , which I could not do , thus , I had to drop solidity for mobility , '' he said .
`` Like what an Arab Sheikh has ! ''
To the question about how this idea occurred to him , he laughed : `` Like what an Arab Sheikh has ! ''
`` I am a fan of incredible , innovative , high-tech things , I admire unexpected forms .
I ’ ve been searching the net , and once came across something which struck me .
A huge five-story house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four garages , and it could move !
It was a Bedouin Caravan , a ship-house , made for an Arab Sheikh to travel across the desert .
This is how I ’ ve got the idea ! ''
He used a base from Germany ’ s Schmitz semi-trailer .
Jointly with a friend , an engineer , they made calculations and began the construction .
`` This is where my capital came in handy : from the climbing , plus from the flat sold in Apatity , and some money from friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to hire workers , rent transport to bring in materials - as you can see , we ’ ve managed it . ''
The construction began in 2017 , and on January 1 , 2019 the wheeled house welcomed first guests .
The facility is 7 meters high and 7 meters wide .
The length is 14 meters .
The weight is about 20 tonnes , thus any truck tractor could pull the house wherever you want , he added .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Alexei Glebov is a mountaineer, power engineer, diver and a romantic who built a wheeled guest house on the Arctic Ocean’s shore. He was born and grew in Apatity - a city by the Khibiny - the highest and biggest mountains on the Kola Peninsula. Once, he came to Teriberka and could not resist staying in the settlement.
Teriberka - a place of power
Do you know how it happens - you may feel easy and comfortable in one place, where you feel light, you have wings, you can do anything, but in another place you are overwhelmed with worries and seem to have no strength at all. Alexei Glebov knows how to explain it.
"I’ve fallen in love with Teriberka, with this nature, the rocks along the Arctic Ocean… As soon as the road was opened to here, I came to the settlement and realized this is a place, which matches my soul. Here I tried freediving. Though could stand for ten minutes only," he laughed. "The water in June is plus 4 degrees, the flippers were not the best, I did not have any gloves, could barely feel my feet and fingers, I couldn’t move, and clearly the first attempt could not open to me all the magnificence." Later on, he realized this was how the fate had brought him not only to the rocks and ocean, but to the woman of his life.
Alexei has become an experienced diver, he’s got proper outfit and can teach others. "The locals say there is a place of power here, and I can feel it. On the way to Teriberka, on the hills you may see piled stones, which are named seidas. How could they appear there, in the middle of this transparent tundra? It’s a true mystery!"
An ordinary guy longing for adventures
"I am a trained high-voltage power engineer, graduated in Apatity from the Kola branch of the Petrozavodsk State University. During my third year there I began practicing industrial alpinism, and even made good money," he said. "By 30, I gained certain capital, which was very helpful later on."
Since childhood he went in for mountaineering. At a gym in Apatity, the boy competed in climbing a 11.5-meter stand.
In addition to climbing and freediving, he loves kiting - depending on the season, he rushes across the sea or across the tundra’s snow blanket.
"I keep saying: Moving is all! If you can’t move, then at least lie in the direction of your goal. But never give in!" he said with a smile.
This is the approach Alexei had when building the peculiar facility, which now in Teriberka is an attraction, that may be compared with Zvyagintsev’s Leviathan (a drama movie, 2014).
From solidity to mobility
Teriberka is a small settlement, where about 1,000 live. A few houses crowd among hills by the shore. Not much land, just small spots. Alexei rented one of those spots for five years. The only condition was not to make any solid buildings there.
"My dream was to make a dome-house, but that required a basement, which I could not do, thus, I had to drop solidity for mobility," he said.
"Like what an Arab Sheikh has!"
To the question about how this idea occurred to him, he laughed: "Like what an Arab Sheikh has!"
"I am a fan of incredible, innovative, high-tech things, I admire unexpected forms. I’ve been searching the net, and once came across something which struck me. A huge five-story house on giant wheels with eight bedrooms and four garages, and it could move! It was a Bedouin Caravan, a ship-house, made for an Arab Sheikh to travel across the desert. This is how I’ve got the idea!"
He used a base from Germany’s Schmitz semi-trailer. Jointly with a friend, an engineer, they made calculations and began the construction.
"This is where my capital came in handy: from the climbing, plus from the flat sold in Apatity, and some money from friends," he said. "I had to hire workers, rent transport to bring in materials - as you can see, we’ve managed it."
The construction began in 2017, and on January 1, 2019 the wheeled house welcomed first guests. The facility is 7 meters high and 7 meters wide. The length is 14 meters. The weight is about 20 tonnes, thus any truck tractor could pull the house wherever you want, he added.


tass--2020-03-17--Officials refute reports of plans to close Moscow off for quarantine

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The reports of plans to close Moscow off for quarantine due to the @ @ @ @ @ ( COVID-19 ) are false , Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasia Rakova informed .
`` Due @ @ @ @ @ reports claiming that Moscow will allegedly be closed off for quarantine , I would like @ @ @ @ @ is false .
I urge you to follow the official reports provided by the task @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The reports of plans to close Moscow off for quarantine due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are false, Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasia Rakova informed.
"Due to the spread of media reports claiming that Moscow will allegedly be closed off for quarantine, I would like to stress that this information is false. I urge you to follow the official reports provided by the task force," Rakova said.


tass--2020-03-17--Putin calls for solidarity and discipline amid coronavirus pandemic risks

`` I ask people of the country to take the measures taken by the government with understanding .
Your solidarity , composure , responsibility , discipline and readiness to support one another are essential now as never before .
These qualities have always helped us overcome any problems , like in any good big family , '' he said on Tuesday at a meeting with government members .
He stressed the necessity to ensure smooth work at all levels .
`` We must work together to overcome this problem , we must take special care of the elderly , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We must spare no effort to protect them , '' he said .
Of special significance , in his words , are awareness-building efforts .
`` I count on active participation of the mass media and volunteer movements .
People must be aware of what is to be done , where they can turn to for support , which measures are to be taken to avoid potential risks , '' Putin stressed .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 130 countries and territories , including Russia , which has 114 coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 180,000 , with more than 7,000 deaths .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

"I ask people of the country to take the measures taken by the government with understanding. Your solidarity, composure, responsibility, discipline and readiness to support one another are essential now as never before. These qualities have always helped us overcome any problems, like in any good big family," he said on Tuesday at a meeting with government members.
He stressed the necessity to ensure smooth work at all levels. "We must work together to overcome this problem, we must take special care of the elderly, of our old parents, of our children. We must spare no effort to protect them," he said.
Of special significance, in his words, are awareness-building efforts. "I count on active participation of the mass media and volunteer movements. People must be aware of what is to be done, where they can turn to for support, which measures are to be taken to avoid potential risks," Putin stressed.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 130 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 114 coronavirus cases. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 180,000, with more than 7,000 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-17--Russian diplomatic missions abroad suspend issuing visas

`` Russia ’ s diplomatic missions and consulates have temporarily suspended accepting documents and processing and issuing all categories of visas , except for visas for the above mentioned persons .
Besides , the issuance of visas in the form of a digital document has been halted , '' the statement reads .
MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s diplomatic missions abroad have temporarily suspended accepting documents and issuing visas , except for individuals mentioned in the Russian government ’ s decree , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are dictated by special circumstances and are solely temporary . ''
In order to ensure national security , protect citizens ’ health and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus the Russian government decided to temporarily ban the entry to Russia from March 18 to May 1 of foreign nationals and persons without citizenship , including those coming from Belarus and Belarusian nationals .
These restrictions won ’ t refer to staff of diplomatic missions and consulates of foreign states in Russia , international organizations and their missions , and other official missions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They do not apply to family members of these staff , drivers employed by international services , the crews of planes and sea and river vessels , the crews of international trains , members of official delegations and holders of diplomatic , service and other private visas , issued because of the death of close relatives and those who temporarily live in Russia and transit through checkpoints at airports .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a population of 11 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported in more than 160 countries and territories , including Russia , which has 93 coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 180,000 , with more than 7,400 deaths .
The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

"Russia’s diplomatic missions and consulates have temporarily suspended accepting documents and processing and issuing all categories of visas, except for visas for the above mentioned persons. Besides, the issuance of visas in the form of a digital document has been halted," the statement reads.
MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russia’s diplomatic missions abroad have temporarily suspended accepting documents and issuing visas, except for individuals mentioned in the Russian government’s decree, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Tuesday.
The diplomat stressed that "these measures are dictated by special circumstances and are solely temporary."
In order to ensure national security, protect citizens’ health and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus the Russian government decided to temporarily ban the entry to Russia from March 18 to May 1 of foreign nationals and persons without citizenship, including those coming from Belarus and Belarusian nationals.
These restrictions won’t refer to staff of diplomatic missions and consulates of foreign states in Russia, international organizations and their missions, and other official missions of foreign states based in Russia. They do not apply to family members of these staff, drivers employed by international services, the crews of planes and sea and river vessels, the crews of international trains, members of official delegations and holders of diplomatic, service and other private visas, issued because of the death of close relatives and those who temporarily live in Russia and transit through checkpoints at airports.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported in more than 160 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 93 coronavirus cases. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 180,000, with more than 7,400 deaths. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-17--It will take current pandemic years to travel around the world, says German virologist

BERLIN , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The novel coronavirus pandemic will theoretically last for no less than two years .
This is precisely the period of time it will take it to travel around the globe , German virologist Lothar Wieler , of the Robert Koch Institute , said on Tuesday , adding that a variety of factors would influence the spread of the infection , so making any definite forecasts at this point would be impossible .
`` We assume , and we have stated this here many times , that it will take the pandemic two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , '' he said .
Wieler recalled that pandemics usually spread in waves and how fast these waves are going to be was hard to tell at this point .
`` When the 60 % -70 % that we ’ ve been constantly talking about will be infected around the world ?
It may last years .
One of the estimates is two years .
However , it all depends on when we will obtain a vaccine , '' the virologist said .
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of 2019 , has now spread to more than 130 countries .
The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , more than 170,000 people around the world have contracted the virus ; about 7,000 have died .
Russia ’ s anti-coronavirus task force has registered 93 cases of the disease .

BERLIN, March 17. /TASS/. The novel coronavirus pandemic will theoretically last for no less than two years. This is precisely the period of time it will take it to travel around the globe, German virologist Lothar Wieler, of the Robert Koch Institute, said on Tuesday, adding that a variety of factors would influence the spread of the infection, so making any definite forecasts at this point would be impossible.
"We assume, and we have stated this here many times, that it will take the pandemic two years, or possibly several years to circle the world," he said. Wieler recalled that pandemics usually spread in waves and how fast these waves are going to be was hard to tell at this point. "When the 60%-70% that we’ve been constantly talking about will be infected around the world? It may last years. One of the estimates is two years. However, it all depends on when we will obtain a vaccine," the virologist said.
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease, which occurred in central China at the end of 2019, has now spread to more than 130 countries. The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, more than 170,000 people around the world have contracted the virus; about 7,000 have died. Russia’s anti-coronavirus task force has registered 93 cases of the disease.


tass--2020-03-17--Iraq complains to UN, Security Council over US airstrikes

CAIRO , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Baghdad has lodged complaints with the United Nations and the Security Council over recent US airstrikes against Iraq , including those targeting the Karbala airport under construction , Iraqi Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Al-Sahaf said , according to Baghdad al-Youm news portal .
`` The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent two similar statements to the UN and the Security Council complaining about US bombings against the Iraqi forces , '' the diplomat said .
`` We reiterated there that the US forces ’ presence on Iraqi soil is aimed at providing assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ armaments to fight against terrorists of the Islamic State [ outlawed in Russia ] , calling on the Security Council to prevent such illegal steps by the US , which is fully responsible for casualties and destroyed infrastructure , '' the spokesman stressed .
According to Al-Sahaf , Washington , which claims that these strikes were driven by self-defense , is trying to avoid international responsibility .
He emphasized that any combat operations or movement of US forces without the government ’ s consent are `` provocation , < ... > a hostile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sovereignty and of the terms of their presence in the country . ''
On March 11 , two US servicemen and one British military doctor were killed and 14 others were wounded in a missile strike against the Iraqi military base of Al Taji , to the north of Baghdad , where US and UK troops had been quartered .
The Trump administration blamed Kata'ib Hezbollah Shia group and Iran ’ s authorities for the attack .
The next day , the US conducted airstrikes on five Kata'ib Hezbollah warehouses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move .
The Iraqi military command condemned the US airstrikes , calling them a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and of `` the principles of partnership between the Iraqi security forces and the parties that plotted and carried out this treacherous attack . ''
According to its data , five Iraqi servicemen and one civilian were killed in these airstrikes .
Later the US Army 's Central Command chief , General Kenneth McKenzie , admitted that the airstrikes on the group ’ s facilities had led to casualties among civilians .

CAIRO, March 17. /TASS/. Baghdad has lodged complaints with the United Nations and the Security Council over recent US airstrikes against Iraq, including those targeting the Karbala airport under construction, Iraqi Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Al-Sahaf said, according to Baghdad al-Youm news portal.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent two similar statements to the UN and the Security Council complaining about US bombings against the Iraqi forces," the diplomat said.
"We reiterated there that the US forces’ presence on Iraqi soil is aimed at providing assistance such as military training, consulting and armaments to fight against terrorists of the Islamic State [outlawed in Russia], calling on the Security Council to prevent such illegal steps by the US, which is fully responsible for casualties and destroyed infrastructure," the spokesman stressed.
According to Al-Sahaf, Washington, which claims that these strikes were driven by self-defense, is trying to avoid international responsibility. He emphasized that any combat operations or movement of US forces without the government’s consent are "provocation, <...> a hostile act and a flagrant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and of the terms of their presence in the country."
On March 11, two US servicemen and one British military doctor were killed and 14 others were wounded in a missile strike against the Iraqi military base of Al Taji, to the north of Baghdad, where US and UK troops had been quartered. The Trump administration blamed Kata'ib Hezbollah Shia group and Iran’s authorities for the attack. The next day, the US conducted airstrikes on five Kata'ib Hezbollah warehouses in Iraq, calling the attack a defensive move.
The Iraqi military command condemned the US airstrikes, calling them a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and of "the principles of partnership between the Iraqi security forces and the parties that plotted and carried out this treacherous attack." According to its data, five Iraqi servicemen and one civilian were killed in these airstrikes. Later the US Army's Central Command chief, General Kenneth McKenzie, admitted that the airstrikes on the group’s facilities had led to casualties among civilians.


tass--2020-03-17--Putin urges federal prosecutor’s office to protect Russians’ civil rights better

MOSCOW , March 17./TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the public prosecutor ’ s office on Tuesday to work more efficiently to protect the civil rights of Russian nationals .
It is necessary `` to make more efficient the activity to ensure law and order in the society , rights and freedoms of the citizens , '' Putin told an expanded board session of the Russian General Prosecutor ’ s Office .
He also set out on `` disclosing and preventing any violations of the law '' .
The amount of breaches of the law `` still remains rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Constitutional amendments submitted to the nationwide vote strengthen and specify the social nature of our state , and thus your responsibility for observing citizens ’ rights also expands , '' Putin noted .
Putin specifically highlighted the responsibility of employers to respect the rights of employees , vowing to impose penalties if they are not observed .
`` Each owner , head of an enterprise or organization should understand that it ’ s impossible to break the law , solve their own problems , or problems of their office at the expense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for such actions will be inevitable , '' the president warned .
`` I ask you to promptly take action against non-compliance with labor laws , including incidents when salaries are not paid , violations of labor protection and the rights of individuals of pre-retirement age , '' the president said .
He stressed that this task is especially important right now , recalling that `` last year almost 27.5 billion rubles ( $ 366.7 million ) of wage arrears were paid off with the participation of prosecutors '' .
Putin hailed this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Touching upon defending Russians ’ civil rights , he shed light on the fact that `` issues of state support for large and low-income families , citizens with health limitations , and pensioners should remain under special control '' .
The president specified that he referred to access to `` free and high-tech medical care , providing medicines , payment of benefits and other things that are extremely important for the citizenry . ''
The president also cited protection of the rights of minors among `` the unconditional priorities of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Children , teenagers , especially those without family care and relatives , are vulnerable and are at risk , '' Putin went on to say .
According to him , the task of the prosecutors and employees of other law enforcement agencies , social services and public associations is to `` ensure reliable protection for minors against various infringements that violate the law '' .
The president also called for tighter control `` over the investigation of criminal cases involving crimes against children '' .

MOSCOW, March 17./TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the public prosecutor’s office on Tuesday to work more efficiently to protect the civil rights of Russian nationals.
It is necessary "to make more efficient the activity to ensure law and order in the society, rights and freedoms of the citizens," Putin told an expanded board session of the Russian General Prosecutor’s Office. He also set out on "disclosing and preventing any violations of the law". The amount of breaches of the law "still remains rather significant," the president emphasized.
"Constitutional amendments submitted to the nationwide vote strengthen and specify the social nature of our state, and thus your responsibility for observing citizens’ rights also expands," Putin noted.
Putin specifically highlighted the responsibility of employers to respect the rights of employees, vowing to impose penalties if they are not observed. "Each owner, head of an enterprise or organization should understand that it’s impossible to break the law, solve their own problems, or problems of their office at the expense of the people, and that sanctions for such actions will be inevitable," the president warned.
"I ask you to promptly take action against non-compliance with labor laws, including incidents when salaries are not paid, violations of labor protection and the rights of individuals of pre-retirement age," the president said.
He stressed that this task is especially important right now, recalling that "last year almost 27.5 billion rubles ($366.7 million) of wage arrears were paid off with the participation of prosecutors". Putin hailed this figure as a "significant result".
Touching upon defending Russians’ civil rights, he shed light on the fact that "issues of state support for large and low-income families, citizens with health limitations, and pensioners should remain under special control".
The president specified that he referred to access to "free and high-tech medical care, providing medicines, payment of benefits and other things that are extremely important for the citizenry."
The president also cited protection of the rights of minors among "the unconditional priorities of the state and the prosecution authorities." "Children, teenagers, especially those without family care and relatives, are vulnerable and are at risk," Putin went on to say. According to him, the task of the prosecutors and employees of other law enforcement agencies, social services and public associations is to "ensure reliable protection for minors against various infringements that violate the law". The president also called for tighter control "over the investigation of criminal cases involving crimes against children".


tass--2020-03-17--Kommunarka infection hospital examined 500 patients, 32 have coronavirus

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Kommunarka infection hospital medics have examined almost 500 people since March 1 , confirming coronavirus infection in 32 patients , the hospital ’ s chief medical officer Denis Protsenko reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a video conference call .
The report took place during the President ’ s visit to the new information center on coronavirus situation monitoring .
`` During the period [ starting March 1 ] , we have accepted 499 patients either with suspected or confirmed coronavirus diagnosis .
Right now , we have 426 patients , 76 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 32 of them with confirmed coronavirus diagnosis , '' the medic said , adding that treatment goes in accordance with approved Ministry of Health protocols .
As a good news , Protsenko informed the President that the first patient in critical condition , who received intensive therapy for 10 days , was transferred to common bed over stabilized condition .
The medic also offered to use Moscow ’ s telemedicine capabilities to share the experience with colleagues in other hospitals of the countries .
The President thanked Protsenko and his colleagues for @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Kommunarka infection hospital medics have examined almost 500 people since March 1, confirming coronavirus infection in 32 patients, the hospital’s chief medical officer Denis Protsenko reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a video conference call.
The report took place during the President’s visit to the new information center on coronavirus situation monitoring.
"During the period [starting March 1], we have accepted 499 patients either with suspected or confirmed coronavirus diagnosis. Right now, we have 426 patients, 76 of them with confirmed pneumonia diagnosis, and 32 of them with confirmed coronavirus diagnosis," the medic said, adding that treatment goes in accordance with approved Ministry of Health protocols.
As a good news, Protsenko informed the President that the first patient in critical condition, who received intensive therapy for 10 days, was transferred to common bed over stabilized condition. The medic also offered to use Moscow’s telemedicine capabilities to share the experience with colleagues in other hospitals of the countries.
The President thanked Protsenko and his colleagues for their work.


tass--2020-03-17--Number of coronavirus cases in Russia reaches 114

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people in Russia infected with the novel coronavirus has increased by 21 over the past 24 hours reaching 114 , Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said at a meeting with members of the government chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin .
`` A total of 114 infected people in 26 regions of the country have been registered to date .
Of these , five have recovered and were discharged [ from the hospitals ] and 109 are in hospitals , 106 of whom are having a mild form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Golikova informed .
Golikova added that 104 cases were imported , while ten people contracted the virus during contacts with infected individuals .
She noted that the infection was not spreading throughout the country , and those who contracted the virus during contacts with infected persons shared residence with those who came from countries with an unfavorable coronavirus situation .
The current coronavirus disease was registered in central China at the end of December 2019 .
On March 11 , the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic .
COVID-19 infection cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the latest data , over 180,000 people have contracted the virus globally , about 7,500 of them have died .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The number of people in Russia infected with the novel coronavirus has increased by 21 over the past 24 hours reaching 114, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said at a meeting with members of the government chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"A total of 114 infected people in 26 regions of the country have been registered to date. Of these, five have recovered and were discharged [from the hospitals] and 109 are in hospitals, 106 of whom are having a mild form of the disease without any symptoms," Golikova informed.
Golikova added that 104 cases were imported, while ten people contracted the virus during contacts with infected individuals. She noted that the infection was not spreading throughout the country, and those who contracted the virus during contacts with infected persons shared residence with those who came from countries with an unfavorable coronavirus situation.
The current coronavirus disease was registered in central China at the end of December 2019. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. COVID-19 infection cases have been recorded in more than 160 countries. According to the latest data, over 180,000 people have contracted the virus globally, about 7,500 of them have died.


tass--2020-03-17--Western sanctions protect Crimea from coronavirus — senior official

SIMFEROPOL , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Western sanctions have played a positive role in protecting Crimea from the new @ @ @ @ @ Crimea ’ s State Council ( unicameral parliament ) , Vladimir Konstantinov told the media @ @ @ @ @ situation in Crimea is calm .
No signs of any alarm .
The sanctions have @ @ @ @ @ for a second the kind of situation we would face if planes landed here [ @ @ @ @ @ international flights due to sanctions — TASS ] .
Monitoring all arriving planes would be @ @ @ @ @ compared to other regions of Europe Crimea looks quite safe , '' Konstantinov said .
@ @ @ @ @ authorities supported Crimea ’ s idea of closing the border with Ukraine .
Crimea ’ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday sealing Crimea 's border with Ukraine in the light of the spreading coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ vast flow of Ukrainian citizens across the border .
The authorities of the city of @ @ @ @ @ with their Crimean counterparts .

SIMFEROPOL, March 17. /TASS/. Western sanctions have played a positive role in protecting Crimea from the new coronavirus, the speaker of Crimea’s State Council (unicameral parliament), Vladimir Konstantinov told the media on Tuesday.
"The situation in Crimea is calm. No signs of any alarm. The sanctions have benefited us. Just imagine for a second the kind of situation we would face if planes landed here [Crimea is closed off for international flights due to sanctions — TASS]. Monitoring all arriving planes would be a real problem. As compared to other regions of Europe Crimea looks quite safe," Konstantinov said.
He added that the federal authorities supported Crimea’s idea of closing the border with Ukraine.
Crimea’s head Sergei Aksyonov suggested on Monday sealing Crimea's border with Ukraine in the light of the spreading coronavirus epidemic, due to the vast flow of Ukrainian citizens across the border. The authorities of the city of Sevastopol see eye to eye with their Crimean counterparts.


tass--2020-03-17--New coronavirus case confirmed in Nizhny Novgorod region

`` On March 17 , 2020 , news came that the second coronavirus case had been confirmed in the Nizhny Novgorod Region .
According to Deputy Governor David Melik-Guseinov , a woman who had returned from Germany has tested positive for the coronavirus , '' the press service said .
TASS , March 17 .
Another novel coronavirus case has been registered in Russia ’ s Nizhny Novgorod Region .
A woman who had returned from Germany has tested positive for the virus , the press service of the regional government said in a statement on Tuesday .
Melik-Guseinov noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s infectious hospital No.2 and was receiving all the necessary treatment .
Her condition is satisfactory , the people she had contacts with have been traced .
All necessary preventive measures are being taken .
Earlier reports said that a Nizhny Novgorod resident who had returned from Milan and who had contracted the coronavirus has been discharged from the hospital .
According to the regional Ministry of Health , she has tested negative for the novel coronavirus .
The current coronavirus illness was registered in central China at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic .
COVID-19 infection cases have been recorded in more than 130 countries .
According to the latest data , over 180,000 people have contracted the virus , almost 7,000 of them have died .

"On March 17, 2020, news came that the second coronavirus case had been confirmed in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. According to Deputy Governor David Melik-Guseinov, a woman who had returned from Germany has tested positive for the coronavirus," the press service said.
TASS, March 17. Another novel coronavirus case has been registered in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod Region. A woman who had returned from Germany has tested positive for the virus, the press service of the regional government said in a statement on Tuesday.
Melik-Guseinov noted that the woman had been taken to the city’s infectious hospital No.2 and was receiving all the necessary treatment. Her condition is satisfactory, the people she had contacts with have been traced. All necessary preventive measures are being taken.
Earlier reports said that a Nizhny Novgorod resident who had returned from Milan and who had contracted the coronavirus has been discharged from the hospital. According to the regional Ministry of Health, she has tested negative for the novel coronavirus.
The current coronavirus illness was registered in central China at the end of December 2019. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. COVID-19 infection cases have been recorded in more than 130 countries. According to the latest data, over 180,000 people have contracted the virus, almost 7,000 of them have died.


tass--2020-03-17--Spain reports almost 2,000 new coronavirus cases

MADRID , March 17./TASS/ .
At least 11,178 coronavirus cases are reported in Spain after the virus hit the country in late January , the director of the Spanish Health Ministry ’ s Coordination Center for Health Alerts , Fernando Simon , said on Tuesday .
According to Fernando Simon , 491 people have died and 1,098 have recovered .
Madrid is the hardest hit by the virus .
`` As many as 1,987 new cases have been reported in Spain since yesterday , bringing the overall figure to 11,178 cases , '' Simon said , adding that there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus at the moment .
The first coronavirus case in Spain was identified on January 31 .
The number of infected people began growing at a quick pace after a local outbreak had seized Italy .
On March 14 , the government approved a high alert regime due to the spread of the novel coronavirus .
This includes restrictions on citizens ’ travel across the country with the exception of urgent necessity cases .
The regime will stay in place for 15 days , and then it can be prolonged if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported in more than 160 countries and territories , including Russia , which has 93 coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 180,000 , with more than 7,000 deaths .
The WHO has officially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a pandemic .

MADRID, March 17./TASS/. At least 11,178 coronavirus cases are reported in Spain after the virus hit the country in late January, the director of the Spanish Health Ministry’s Coordination Center for Health Alerts, Fernando Simon, said on Tuesday.
According to Fernando Simon, 491 people have died and 1,098 have recovered. Madrid is the hardest hit by the virus. "As many as 1,987 new cases have been reported in Spain since yesterday, bringing the overall figure to 11,178 cases," Simon said, adding that there is neither special treatment nor a vaccine against the novel coronavirus at the moment.
The first coronavirus case in Spain was identified on January 31. The number of infected people began growing at a quick pace after a local outbreak had seized Italy. On March 14, the government approved a high alert regime due to the spread of the novel coronavirus. This includes restrictions on citizens’ travel across the country with the exception of urgent necessity cases. The regime will stay in place for 15 days, and then it can be prolonged if the parliament approves it.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported in more than 160 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 93 coronavirus cases. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 180,000, with more than 7,000 deaths. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-17--Putin urges Russians not to hoard groceries, calls supply situation 'reliable'

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/ TASS / .
Russian President Vladimir Putin advised the Russians not to hoard groceries @ @ @ @ @ supplies to stores is reliable , said he during his visit to the coronavirus monitoring @ @ @ @ @ Mikhail Mishustin on Tuesday .
During the visit to the center , the president was @ @ @ @ @ monitoring the availability of products and prices in stores in the regions of the country @ @ @ @ @ buying a lot of groceries .
In fact , there are no problems .
We @ @ @ @ @ situation , '' Mishustin said .
`` The main thing is that people understand that @ @ @ @ @ so that they do not spend money on groceries that then have to be thrown @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, March 17. / TASS /. Russian President Vladimir Putin advised the Russians not to hoard groceries, as the situation with supplies to stores is reliable, said he during his visit to the coronavirus monitoring center with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Tuesday.
During the visit to the center, the president was acquainted with the system for monitoring the availability of products and prices in stores in the regions of the country.
"Now people are buying a lot of groceries. In fact, there are no problems. We have a very stable supply situation," Mishustin said. "The main thing is that people understand that the situation is reliable, so that they do not spend money on groceries that then have to be thrown away," said he.


tass--2020-03-17--China greenlights clinical testing of first vaccine against COVID-19

The report notes that during pre-trial testing , the vaccine was deemed effective and safe BEIJING , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Chinese government has approved the start of clinical testing of the first vaccine against the disease caused by the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) , China Central Television informed on Tuesday .
`` Yesterday , at 20:18 local time [ 15:18 Moscow time — TASS ] , a group of researchers led by academician Chen Wei got the approval for clinical testing , '' China Central Television stated .
The report notes that during pre-trial testing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective and safe .
Major General of China 's People 's Liberation Army ( PLA ) Chen Wei is academician at the PLA Academy of Military Medical Sciences .
She specializes in biological and chemical protection .
On January 26 , Chen Wei and her team of researchers arrived in Wuhan to establish the source of the coronavirus , to research the disease it causes and to develop treatment methods to combat the epidemic .
Earlier , head of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Science of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Qin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ types of vaccines against the novel coronavirus .
Some of them have already proven to be effective on animals , she added .
The specialist noted that animal testing is currently underway on transgenic mice and monkeys .
Currently , experts are studying possible side effects of the vaccines .
According to Qin Chuan , researchers are trying to single out the most effective drugs against pneumonia , also detecting the main ways of COVID-19 transmission .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On March 11 , WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) as a pandemic .
The disease has spread to over 160 countries .
According to latest reports , over 180,000 people have been infected with the virus globally , and about 7,000 have died .
There are 93 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia .

The report notes that during pre-trial testing, the vaccine was deemed effective and safe
BEIJING, March 17. /TASS/. The Chinese government has approved the start of clinical testing of the first vaccine against the disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), China Central Television informed on Tuesday. "Yesterday, at 20:18 local time [15:18 Moscow time — TASS], a group of researchers led by academician Chen Wei got the approval for clinical testing," China Central Television stated.
Read also China develops 8 vaccines against COVID-19, some prove effective on animals
The report notes that during pre-trial testing, Chen Wei’s vaccine was deemed effective and safe. Major General of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Chen Wei is academician at the PLA Academy of Military Medical Sciences. She specializes in biological and chemical protection. On January 26, Chen Wei and her team of researchers arrived in Wuhan to establish the source of the coronavirus, to research the disease it causes and to develop treatment methods to combat the epidemic. Development of the vaccine
Read also Over 20 coronavirus vaccines in development globally, WHO head says


tass--2020-03-17--Russia to test everyone returning from Europe for COVID-19

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Head of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare Anna Popova ordered Russian regional heads to test everyone returning from Europe to Russia in the past 14 days for the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) , the document in possession of TASS informs .
`` To ensure that all people who have returned from Europe in the past two weeks or who arrived with a stopover in a European state are tested for COVID-19 , along with all persons who have returned from abroad in the past month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold symptoms , '' the document says .
The document also rules to establish the procedure of lab testing among persons with no symptoms of the virus and those who have not come into contact with coronavirus-infected persons .
The order proposes to carry out tests for COVID-19 at airports .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On March 11 , WHO officially characterized the situation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic .
The disease has spread to over 130 countries .
According to official data , over 170,000 people have been infected with the virus globally , and about 7,000 have died .
There are 93 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Head of the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare Anna Popova ordered Russian regional heads to test everyone returning from Europe to Russia in the past 14 days for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the document in possession of TASS informs.
"To ensure that all people who have returned from Europe in the past two weeks or who arrived with a stopover in a European state are tested for COVID-19, along with all persons who have returned from abroad in the past month and sought medical aid due to having cold symptoms," the document says.
The document also rules to establish the procedure of lab testing among persons with no symptoms of the virus and those who have not come into contact with coronavirus-infected persons. The order proposes to carry out tests for COVID-19 at airports.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On March 11, WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic. The disease has spread to over 130 countries. According to official data, over 170,000 people have been infected with the virus globally, and about 7,000 have died. There are 93 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia.


tass--2020-03-17--Kremlin says current non-systemic opposition is marginalized

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The current non-systemic opposition leaders in Russia are quite marginalized and are not @ @ @ @ @ , Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists Tuesday , answering a question about whom the @ @ @ @ @ the non-systemic opposition .
`` It is not Kremlin ’ s job to name non-systemic @ @ @ @ @ not do that .
There are people who are non-systemic opposition figures , and there @ @ @ @ @ are , '' Peskov said .
`` We can note that all of them are @ @ @ @ @ have not displayed an ability to pool efforts in the political arena , '' Peskov @ @

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The current non-systemic opposition leaders in Russia are quite marginalized and are not showing any capability of unifying, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists Tuesday, answering a question about whom the Kremlin considers significant politicians within the non-systemic opposition.
"It is not Kremlin’s job to name non-systemic opposition figures, we will not do that. There are people who are non-systemic opposition figures, and there are people who pretend they are," Peskov said. "We can note that all of them are quite marginalized, segmented and have not displayed an ability to pool efforts in the political arena," Peskov said.


tass--2020-03-18--Coronavirus cases in Russia rise to 147

Coronavirus cases in Russia rise to 147

It will take current pandemic years to travel around the world , says German virologist Lothar Wieler of the Robert @ @ @ @ @ it will take the pandemic two years , or possibly several years to circle the @ @

MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. The number of the novel coronavirus cases in Russia has grown from 114 to 147, and 31 of the new cases are in Moscow, the city’s anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Wednesday.
"Over the past day, 33 new coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia among Russian citizens, and 31 of the new cases are in Moscow, one in the Tomsk Region and one in the Novosibirsk Region," the response center said, noting that all cases have been brought from overseas.
Earlier, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said there were no reasons to panic because of the spread of the novel coronavirus in Russia. All measures taken by the Russian government are preventive, she stressed. Golikova added that, due to the fact that Russia took prohibitive measures earlier than other countries, that is, in January, the infection was spreading to a limited extent. According to preliminary data for 2020, there has been no increase in the number of pneumonia cases and pneumonia-related deaths. In a number of regions, there is a decrease in these numbers compared to the same period last year.
The outbreak of a disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was registered in central China in late December 2019. The World Health Organization recognized the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Italy, South Korea and Iran. Overall, more than 130 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. According to the latest data, the novel coronavirus cases globally have exceeded 190,000, with nearly 8,000 deaths.


tass--2020-03-18--Putin to decide on April 22 constitutional vote after experts’ evaluation — Kremlin

MOSCOW , March 18 .
/TASS/ .
Specialists will decide whether the epidemiological situation permits holding a nationwide vote on @ @ @ @ @ , and it ’ s up to Russian President Vladimir Putin to make the final @ @ @ @ @ Peskov told reporters on Wednesday .
`` It ’ s obvious that it has to @ @ @ @ @ , and therefore if it turns out that participation in the vote will pose a @ @ @ @ @ , then certainly , this is out of the question and a decision will be @ @ @ @ @ , '' Peskov said .
Peskov emphasized that experts would evaluate whether the epidemiological situation @ @ @ @ @ .
However , the final word on making a decision on postponing the vote rests @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. Specialists will decide whether the epidemiological situation permits holding a nationwide vote on constitutional amendments on April 22, and it’s up to Russian President Vladimir Putin to make the final decision, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
"It’s obvious that this concerns an unfavorable development, and therefore if it turns out that participation in the vote will pose a threat to citizens’ health, then certainly, this is out of the question and a decision will be made on postponing the vote," Peskov said.
Peskov emphasized that experts would evaluate whether the epidemiological situation permits carrying out the vote. According to the Kremlin spokesman, now there are no clear guidelines to judge whether the situation could be considered as unfavorable.
"The developments will be considered without bias," he noted, stressing that "the president cannot and must not do this personally." "As you know, the headquarters and the coordination commission are working and persons in charge of health agencies are engaged in this effort," Peskov said. The final word on making a decision on postponing the vote rests with Putin, he highlighted.
Constitutional amendments
On Monday, Russia’s Constitutional Court ruled that the bill on constitutional amendments proposed by the president was in line with the Constitution.
On March 11, Russia’s State Duma (the lower house of parliament) passed in the third and final reading the bill, which was approved by the Federation Council (the upper house) later on the same day. After that, all of the country’s regional legislatures also approved the document.
The bill sets a limit of two presidential terms. However, the incumbent head of state can run for president regardless of the time spent in office before the amendment came into force. The document enhances the state’s social commitments, and also expands the authority of Russia’s parliament and Constitutional Court, bars top officials from holding foreign passports and residence permits and ensures the supremacy of the Constitution within Russia’s legal system.
The constitutional amendments will come into force if approved in a nationwide vote.


tass--2020-03-18--Kremlin says France’s experience in maintaining public order not suitable for Russia

Biden says alternative to sanctions against Russia would be Third World War
"Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," the US leader stressed
Read more


tass--2020-03-18--Current oil price is low, Kremlin says

Current oil price is low, Kremlin says

MOSCOW , March 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Kremlin believes that the current oil prices level is low , presidential @ @ @ @ @ told reporters on Wednesday .
`` Certainly , this is a low price ; we @ @ @ @ @ higher , '' Peskov said , responding to a question whether the oil price of @ @ @ @ @ is suitable for Russia .
Russia `` is very attentively monitoring the situation on international @ @ @ @ @ press secretary said .
`` We are analyzing this situation and trying to make forecasts @ @ @ @ @ the midterm ; the position will be developed depending on that , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday that Iraq called for immediate consultations of OPEC+ countries to determine joint actions on @ @ @ @ @ oil price collapsed on the back of failure to agree during the last OPEC+ talks @ @ @ @ @ fell below $ 28 a barrel during the trading session on March 18 for the @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. The Kremlin believes that the current oil prices level is low, presidential press secretary, Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
"Certainly, this is a low price; we would like to have it higher," Peskov said, responding to a question whether the oil price of about $27 a barrel is suitable for Russia.
Russia "is very attentively monitoring the situation on international oil markets," the press secretary said. "We are analyzing this situation and trying to make forecasts for the near future and the midterm; the position will be developed depending on that," he added.
It was reported on Tuesday that Iraq called for immediate consultations of OPEC+ countries to determine joint actions on the oil market.
The oil price collapsed on the back of failure to agree during the last OPEC+ talks. Brent oil futures prices fell below $28 a barrel during the trading session on March 18 for the first time since January 2016.


tass--2020-03-18--Veteran Russian voyager eyes landmark ecological monitoring mission

The first joint project will be scientific and technical assistance provided by the RAS Institute of Oceanology to Konyukhov , who seeks to cross the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans aboard a solar-powered catamaran called NOVA .
Konyukhov earlier announced plans to attempt the first solo crossing in 2021-2022 .
MOSCOW , March 18 .
/TASS/ .
Veteran Russian adventurer Fyodor Konyukhov plans to sign a memorandum with the Russian Academy of Sciences on cooperation in exploring the World Ocean , his son and director general of the expedition mission Oskar Konyukhov said .
`` The signing ceremony for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 23 , 2020 < ... > at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the RAS , '' Oskar Konyukhov said , stressing that the document is aimed at fostering trilateral cooperation between the voyager , his expedition mission and the Institute with the goal of `` fulfilling joint scientific , educational and expedition projects . ''
This cooperation is aimed at exploring the World Ocean , its bottom , underwater flora and fauna and also carrying out ecological monitoring of the seas and oceans .
One of the first projects as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technical assistance by the institute during Konyukhov ’ s crossing of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans aboard the solar-powered catamaran .
The NOVA catamaran will be fitted with a special device designed to collect debris from the ocean ’ s surface ( a special net strung between the floats ) .
Fyodor Konyukhov , 68 , is a Russian survivalist , voyager , aerial and marine explorer who has so far completed five solo circumnavigations .
He crossed the Atlantic Ocean 17 times and became the first Russian to complete the Explorers Grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on all seven continents and visited the North Pole and the South Pole .
Between 1992 and 1997 , Konyukhov conquered Mount Elbrus , Mount Everest , Aconcagua , Mt .
Kilimanjaro , Vinson Massif as well as Mount Kosciuszko and Denali ( also known as Mount McKinley , its former official name ) .

The first joint project will be scientific and technical assistance provided by the RAS Institute of Oceanology to Konyukhov, who seeks to cross the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans aboard a solar-powered catamaran called NOVA. Konyukhov earlier announced plans to attempt the first solo crossing in 2021-2022.
MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. Veteran Russian adventurer Fyodor Konyukhov plans to sign a memorandum with the Russian Academy of Sciences on cooperation in exploring the World Ocean, his son and director general of the expedition mission Oskar Konyukhov said.
"The signing ceremony for the memorandum on cooperation will take place on March 23, 2020 <...> at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the RAS," Oskar Konyukhov said, stressing that the document is aimed at fostering trilateral cooperation between the voyager, his expedition mission and the Institute with the goal of "fulfilling joint scientific, educational and expedition projects."
This cooperation is aimed at exploring the World Ocean, its bottom, underwater flora and fauna and also carrying out ecological monitoring of the seas and oceans. One of the first projects as part of this cooperation will be scientific and technical assistance by the institute during Konyukhov’s crossing of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans aboard the solar-powered catamaran. The NOVA catamaran will be fitted with a special device designed to collect debris from the ocean’s surface (a special net strung between the floats).
Fyodor Konyukhov, 68, is a Russian survivalist, voyager, aerial and marine explorer who has so far completed five solo circumnavigations. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean 17 times and became the first Russian to complete the Explorers Grand Slam: he climbed the highest mountains on all seven continents and visited the North Pole and the South Pole. Between 1992 and 1997, Konyukhov conquered Mount Elbrus, Mount Everest, Aconcagua, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Vinson Massif as well as Mount Kosciuszko and Denali (also known as Mount McKinley, its former official name).