tass--2020-04-16--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan nears 6,400

ISLAMABAD , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan grew by 516 in the past day and reached 6,383 , the country 's government reported on Wednesday .
In the past day , the number of those recovered increased by 68 and reached 1,446 in total .
At least 111 people died from coronavirus-related illnesses and complications .
A total of 73,439 coronavirus tests have been administered in the country , including 3,280 in the past day .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

ISLAMABAD, April 15. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan grew by 516 in the past day and reached 6,383, the country's government reported on Wednesday.
In the past day, the number of those recovered increased by 68 and reached 1,446 in total. At least 111 people died from coronavirus-related illnesses and complications.
A total of 73,439 coronavirus tests have been administered in the country, including 3,280 in the past day.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-16--Coronavirus death toll in Canada exceeds 1,000

OTTAWA , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The death toll from coronavirus-associated illnesses and complications in Canada has reached 1,006 @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country exceeded 28,200 , @ @ @ @ @ .
Most fatalities were reported in Quebec province ( 487 ) .
The first coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ on January 15 .
Twelve out of thirteen Canadian provinces have been affected , with @ @ @ @ @ Many Canadian provinces declared state of emergency over coronavirus outbreak .
On March 21 , @ @ @ @ @ did not rule out that a nationwide state of emergency may be declared in the @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , @ @ @ @ @ 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

OTTAWA, April 15. /TASS/. The death toll from coronavirus-associated illnesses and complications in Canada has reached 1,006, CTV television channel reported on Wednesday.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country exceeded 28,200, while over 8,900 people recovered. Most fatalities were reported in Quebec province (487).
The first coronavirus case in Canada was registered on January 15. Twelve out of thirteen Canadian provinces have been affected, with an exception of Nunavut.
Many Canadian provinces declared state of emergency over coronavirus outbreak. On March 21, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not rule out that a nationwide state of emergency may be declared in the country.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-04-16--Surrendering militants say US plotting sabotage attacks in Syria — Russian military

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
A group of 27 militants who underwent training at a US military base has surrendered to the Syrian government army .
After surrendering , they reported that the US is plotting acts of sabotage at oil and transport infrastructure facilities in Syria , Oleg Zhuravlev , chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties , said on Wednesday .
`` Overnight from April 13 to April 14 , 2020 , a group of militants from illegal armed groups who underwent training at a US military base near the Rukban camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
The militants were attacked by a US-controlled radical unit .
`` As a result of a clash , the militants from the al-Tanf zone lost three pickup cars .
Twenty-seven men finally managed to battle their way out .
Now they are under guard of Syrian government troops in Palmyra , '' Zhuravlev said .
According to the militants , `` they had been trained by US instructors to commit acts of sabotage at the oil-and-gas and transport infrastructure facilities , as well as to organize terror attacks on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
According to Zhurvalev , 27 surrendered militants are currently held by the Syrian government forces in Palmyra .
They surrendered dozens of firearms , including grenade launchers and heavy machine guns .
They said the weapons and cars have been provided by the Americans .
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria .
The center ’ s officers regularly travel around the country 's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation .
The main efforts of the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. A group of 27 militants who underwent training at a US military base has surrendered to the Syrian government army. After surrendering, they reported that the US is plotting acts of sabotage at oil and transport infrastructure facilities in Syria, Oleg Zhuravlev, chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties, said on Wednesday.
"Overnight from April 13 to April 14, 2020, a group of militants from illegal armed groups who underwent training at a US military base near the Rukban camp tried to leave the al-Tanf zone," he said.
The militants were attacked by a US-controlled radical unit. "As a result of a clash, the militants from the al-Tanf zone lost three pickup cars. Twenty-seven men finally managed to battle their way out. Now they are under guard of Syrian government troops in Palmyra," Zhuravlev said.
According to the militants, "they had been trained by US instructors to commit acts of sabotage at the oil-and-gas and transport infrastructure facilities, as well as to organize terror attacks on territories controlled by Syrian government forces," he said.
According to Zhurvalev, 27 surrendered militants are currently held by the Syrian government forces in Palmyra. They surrendered dozens of firearms, including grenade launchers and heavy machine guns. They said the weapons and cars have been provided by the Americans.
The Russian reconciliation center continues to fulfill assigned tasks after the completion of the military campaign in Syria. The center’s officers regularly travel around the country's liberated areas to assess the humanitarian situation. The main efforts of the Russian military are now focused on assistance to the refugees returning to their homes and evacuation of civilians from de-escalation zones.


tass--2020-04-16--Number of coronavirus fatalities in Turkey grows by 115 in past day

ANKARA , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Turkey has increased by over 4,200 in the past day and surpassed 69,000 , the country 's health minister Fahrettin Koca .
`` In the past 24 hours , 34,090 tests were administered , and 4,281 new coronavirus cases were confirmed , '' Koca said .
`` A total of 115 people died in the past day , so now the death toll reached 1,518 , and the number of confirmed cases reached 69,392 , '' he added .
The minister noted that 5,674 people recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was confirmed on March 10 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,000,000 people have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

ANKARA, April 15. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Turkey has increased by over 4,200 in the past day and surpassed 69,000, the country's health minister Fahrettin Koca.
"In the past 24 hours, 34,090 tests were administered, and 4,281 new coronavirus cases were confirmed," Koca said. "A total of 115 people died in the past day, so now the death toll reached 1,518, and the number of confirmed cases reached 69,392," he added. The minister noted that 5,674 people recovered.
The first coronavirus case in Turkey was confirmed on March 10.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-16--Seven more coronavirus patients die in Moscow — crisis center

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Seven more coronavirus patients suffering from concurrent diseases have died in Moscow , one of them had a severe form of the disease , Moscow ’ s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Wednesday .
`` Seven coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow .
The patients were aged from 36 to 86 .
The 36-year-old patient had a severe form of the disease .
He had viral bronchial pneumonia with confluent foci and total lung affection , '' the center said .
The death toll from coronavirus-induced diseases in Moscow amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most of these patients had concurrent diseases , including hyprtonia , diabetes , cardiosclerosis , and cancer .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 24,490 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,986 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 198 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Seven more coronavirus patients suffering from concurrent diseases have died in Moscow, one of them had a severe form of the disease, Moscow’s anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Wednesday.
"Seven coronavirus-positive patients diagnosed with pneumonia have died in Moscow. The patients were aged from 36 to 86. The 36-year-old patient had a severe form of the disease. He had viral bronchial pneumonia with confluent foci and total lung affection," the center said.
The death toll from coronavirus-induced diseases in Moscow amounts to 113.
According to the center, most of these patients had concurrent diseases, including hyprtonia, diabetes, cardiosclerosis, and cancer.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 24,490 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,986 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 198 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-15--Over 1,400 coronavirus fatalities reported in France in past day

PARIS , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in France has increased by over 2,500 in the past day and exceeded 106,000 , while the death toll grew by 1,400 and climbed to nearly 17,000 , the country 's Director General of Health Jerome Salomon told a press conference on Wednesday .
`` As of late Wednesday , a total of 106,206 coronavirus cases were confirmed in France , '' Solomon said adding that the death toll reached 17,617 .
He noted that around 32,000 people remain hospitalized in France , and nearly 6,500 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours , 263 people were transferred to intensive care units .
The number of people transferred to intensive care units has been declining for the seventh consecutive day , '' the official said stressing that `` the coronavirus epidemic is still in its active stage . ''
`` We should remain cautious , '' he said .
The self-isolation regime has been enforced in France since March 17 and will last until at least May 11 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across @ @ @

PARIS, April 15. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in France has increased by over 2,500 in the past day and exceeded 106,000, while the death toll grew by 1,400 and climbed to nearly 17,000, the country's Director General of Health Jerome Salomon told a press conference on Wednesday.
"As of late Wednesday, a total of 106,206 coronavirus cases were confirmed in France," Solomon said adding that the death toll reached 17,617.
He noted that around 32,000 people remain hospitalized in France, and nearly 6,500 people are in intensive care. "In the past 24 hours, 263 people were transferred to intensive care units. The number of people transferred to intensive care units has been declining for the seventh consecutive day," the official said stressing that "the coronavirus epidemic is still in its active stage." "We should remain cautious," he said.
The self-isolation regime has been enforced in France since March 17 and will last until at least May 11.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-15--International cooperation to play important role in economic recovery — Bank of Russia

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
International cooperation will play a noticeable role in the global economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic , First Deputy Chairperson of the Bank of Russia Kseniya Yudaeva said on Wednesday after the online meeting of finance ministers and central bank chiefs of the Group of Twenty ( G20 ) .
`` The discussion of the financial agenda of the Group of Twenty was hinged on the instruments that finance ministries and central banks can offer to soften epidemic consequences .
All the countries are already undertaking large-scale measures of economic support and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play a visible role in the recovery after the pandemic , '' she said .
The Bank of Russia supports the approved G20 Action Plan , Yudaeva said .
`` The plan assumes coordination of international efforts , support of households and businesses ( particularly small and medium enterprises ) , keeping financial services accessible , monitoring of vulnerabilities , global information and experience sharing , and provision of free trade .
Measures we are taking already are close in spirit to this plan and correspond to specific features of our economy , @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. International cooperation will play a noticeable role in the global economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic, First Deputy Chairperson of the Bank of Russia Kseniya Yudaeva said on Wednesday after the online meeting of finance ministers and central bank chiefs of the Group of Twenty (G20).
"The discussion of the financial agenda of the Group of Twenty was hinged on the instruments that finance ministries and central banks can offer to soften epidemic consequences. All the countries are already undertaking large-scale measures of economic support and will broaden them; international cooperation will also play a visible role in the recovery after the pandemic," she said.
The Bank of Russia supports the approved G20 Action Plan, Yudaeva said.
"The plan assumes coordination of international efforts, support of households and businesses (particularly small and medium enterprises), keeping financial services accessible, monitoring of vulnerabilities, global information and experience sharing, and provision of free trade. Measures we are taking already are close in spirit to this plan and correspond to specific features of our economy," she added.


tass--2020-04-15--Problem of coronavirus origin should be addressed cool-headed, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
We must spot the origin of the novel coronavirus but we must do it cool-headed , leaving emotions aside , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily posted on its website on Wednesday .
`` There are theories both about bat and about other animals , theories about military sports games in Wuhan that were attended by an American delegation , which lived in a hotel next to the notorious marketplace , and so on and so forth , '' he said .
`` Such things should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is necessary to analyze facts to get a better understanding of the crisis genesis and to learn lessons from it to be more prepared for possible new pandemics , rather than to try to find in this flood of information only what can tarnish your competitor . ''
He said he had heard the British and the Americans saying that `` China must pay trillions to pay up for not informing others in due time . ''
Apart from that , `` the mortal combat between the Democrats and the Republicans '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump being accused of ignoring the potential threat and counterclaims in the opposite direction .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. We must spot the origin of the novel coronavirus but we must do it cool-headed, leaving emotions aside, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily posted on its website on Wednesday.
"There are theories both about bat and about other animals, theories about military sports games in Wuhan that were attended by an American delegation, which lived in a hotel next to the notorious marketplace, and so on and so forth," he said. "Such things should be addressed without emotions, cool-headed. It is necessary to analyze facts to get a better understanding of the crisis genesis and to learn lessons from it to be more prepared for possible new pandemics, rather than to try to find in this flood of information only what can tarnish your competitor."
He said he had heard the British and the Americans saying that "China must pay trillions to pay up for not informing others in due time." Apart from that, "the mortal combat between the Democrats and the Republicans" is still in place, with President Donald Trump being accused of ignoring the potential threat and counterclaims in the opposite direction.


tass--2020-04-15--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 70,000 in past day, WHO says

As of 11:00 Moscow time on April 15 , as many as 1,914,916 novel coronavirus cases and 123,010 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 70,082 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,989 .
GENEVA , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
More than 70,000 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus were registered worldwide on April 15 , or by nearly 1,000 cases less than on the previous day , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Tuesday .
Europe accounts for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - 977,596 and 84,607 respectively .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 34,324 and the number of deaths - by 3,895 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in South and North America reached 673,361 and the number of deaths stands at 27,336 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 28,404 and the number of deaths - by 1,785 .
The Asia Pacific region , which includes China , South Korea and Japan , has 124,204 cases and 4,201 fatalities as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases were reported from the United States ( 578,268 ) , Spain ( 172,541 ) , Italy ( 162,488 ) , Germany ( 127,584 ) , France ( 102,533 ) , the United Kingdom ( 93,877 ) , China ( 83,745 ) , Iran ( 74,877 ) , Turkey ( 65,111 ) , and Belgium ( 31,119 ) .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

As of 11:00 Moscow time on April 15, as many as 1,914,916 novel coronavirus cases and 123,010 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 70,082 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,989.
GENEVA, April 15. /TASS/. More than 70,000 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus were registered worldwide on April 15, or by nearly 1,000 cases less than on the previous day, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Tuesday.
Europe accounts for the majority of confirmed cases and fatalities - 977,596 and 84,607 respectively. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 34,324 and the number of deaths - by 3,895.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in South and North America reached 673,361 and the number of deaths stands at 27,336. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 28,404 and the number of deaths - by 1,785.
The Asia Pacific region, which includes China, South Korea and Japan, has 124,204 cases and 4,201 fatalities as of April 15.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases were reported from the United States (578,268), Spain (172,541), Italy (162,488), Germany (127,584), France (102,533), the United Kingdom (93,877), China (83,745), Iran (74,877), Turkey (65,111), and Belgium (31,119).
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. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-04-15--Ukrainian opposition urges probe into US biolaboratories in Ukraine

KIEV , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine ’ s Opposition Platform - For Life party has urged the authorities to probe into the operation of 15 US military biological laboratories .
It argues that since their emergence Ukraine has seen outbreaks of dangerous diseases , as follows from a message by the head of the party ’ s Political Council , Viktor Medvedchuk , and parliament member from the same party Renat Kuzmin , published on the party ’ s website on Wednesday .
`` I , as the chairman of the Political Council of the Opposition Platform - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament from our party , Renat Kuzmin , have addressed Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky , Prime Minister Denis Shmygal , Health Minister Maxim Stepanov and chief of the security service SBU Ivan Bakanov with a demand for presenting information concerning the operation of 15 US military biological laboratories in Ukraine .
These laboratories carry out unlawful activity that threatens the life and health of Ukrainian citizens .
The European mass media openly write about this , '' Medvedchuk said in the statement .
`` We demand that the authorities should make public the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine and the United States concerning the activity of US biolaboratories in our country .
This ‘ cooperation ’ began back during the presidency of [ Viktor ] Yushchenko , continued under President [ Pyotr } Poroshenko and is going on under the current authorities , '' the message says .
As an example Medvedchuk and Kuzmin mentioned the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine ( STCU ) - an international organization funded by the US authorities whose employees enjoy diplomatic immunity .
`` This center is involved in financing projects for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Medvedchuk and Kuzmin say .
`` The emergence of US biolaboratories in Ukraine and the financing of STCU projects was accompanied by several outbreaks of serious infectious diseases in the country , '' Medvedchuk and Kuzmin say in their statement .
`` In view of the growing rates of serious infectious diseases there are solid grounds to say that covert and non-transparent activity of dangerous foreign biological facilities in Ukraine is in reality aimed at testing viruses and bacteria on Ukrainian citizens , '' the opposition legislators say .
They recall that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observance of safety rules exposed a number of crude violations that might have caused leaks of dangerous infections .
In 2013 , a decision was made to terminate Ukrainian-US cooperation in the field of biological experiments .
`` However , with Poroshenko ’ s rise to power this program was resumed , '' the oppositional Ukrainian politicians say .
`` Moreover , the authorities have eliminated the sanitary rules that set certain standards of ensuring biological safety , thus endangering the life and health of millions of Ukrainians . ''
Medvedchuk and Kuzmin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about how many US military laboratories funded from abroad operate in the country at the moment , the regulatory basis for their activity and what way the authorities control their operation .
`` The Ukrainian people have the right to know about secret programs .
We demand the termination of experiments that the authorities have long been carrying out on its people at the demand and in the interests of the United States , '' Medvedchuk and Kuzmin said .
In their message Medvedchuk and Kuzmin mentioned the outbreaks of dangerous infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which , in their opinion , might be connected with the activity of US laboratories .
In 2009 , a virus caused a hotbed of hemorrhagic pneumonia , which claimed 450 lives .
In 2011 , Ukraine saw an outbreak of cholera , with 33 patients taken to hospital .
Three years later another 800 patients were diagnosed with cholera .
One year later more than 100 cases of cholera were identified in Nikolayev .
In January 2016 , at least 20 military servicemen died of a flu-like virus .
Another 200 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months later 364 died in Ukraine of the swine fever virus A ( H1N1 ) pdm09 , the very same strain that caused the 2009 pandemic , Medvedchuk and Kuzmin say .
They recall that an outbreak of hepatitis A occurred in Nikolayev in 2017 .
Another one followed in the summer of that year in Zaporozhie and Odessa , one more in the autumn in Kharkov .

KIEV, April 15. /TASS/. Ukraine’s Opposition Platform - For Life party has urged the authorities to probe into the operation of 15 US military biological laboratories. It argues that since their emergence Ukraine has seen outbreaks of dangerous diseases, as follows from a message by the head of the party’s Political Council, Viktor Medvedchuk, and parliament member from the same party Renat Kuzmin, published on the party’s website on Wednesday.
"I, as the chairman of the Political Council of the Opposition Platform - For Life, and a member of parliament from our party, Renat Kuzmin, have addressed Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, Prime Minister Denis Shmygal, Health Minister Maxim Stepanov and chief of the security service SBU Ivan Bakanov with a demand for presenting information concerning the operation of 15 US military biological laboratories in Ukraine. These laboratories carry out unlawful activity that threatens the life and health of Ukrainian citizens. The European mass media openly write about this," Medvedchuk said in the statement.
"We demand that the authorities should make public the instances of illegal ‘cooperation’ between Ukraine and the United States concerning the activity of US biolaboratories in our country. This ‘cooperation’ began back during the presidency of [Viktor] Yushchenko, continued under President [Pyotr} Poroshenko and is going on under the current authorities," the message says.
As an example Medvedchuk and Kuzmin mentioned the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU) - an international organization funded by the US authorities whose employees enjoy diplomatic immunity. "This center is involved in financing projects for the creation of weapons of mass destruction," Medvedchuk and Kuzmin say.
"The emergence of US biolaboratories in Ukraine and the financing of STCU projects was accompanied by several outbreaks of serious infectious diseases in the country," Medvedchuk and Kuzmin say in their statement. "In view of the growing rates of serious infectious diseases there are solid grounds to say that covert and non-transparent activity of dangerous foreign biological facilities in Ukraine is in reality aimed at testing viruses and bacteria on Ukrainian citizens," the opposition legislators say.
They recall that 2010-2012 probes into the biological laboratories’ observance of safety rules exposed a number of crude violations that might have caused leaks of dangerous infections. In 2013, a decision was made to terminate Ukrainian-US cooperation in the field of biological experiments. "However, with Poroshenko’s rise to power this program was resumed," the oppositional Ukrainian politicians say. "Moreover, the authorities have eliminated the sanitary rules that set certain standards of ensuring biological safety, thus endangering the life and health of millions of Ukrainians."
Medvedchuk and Kuzmin urged the Ukrainian authorities to present exhaustive information about how many US military laboratories funded from abroad operate in the country at the moment, the regulatory basis for their activity and what way the authorities control their operation. "The Ukrainian people have the right to know about secret programs. We demand the termination of experiments that the authorities have long been carrying out on its people at the demand and in the interests of the United States," Medvedchuk and Kuzmin said.
Outbreaks of infectious diseases in Ukraine
In their message Medvedchuk and Kuzmin mentioned the outbreaks of dangerous infectious diseases in Ukraine in recent years, which, in their opinion, might be connected with the activity of US laboratories. In 2009, a virus caused a hotbed of hemorrhagic pneumonia, which claimed 450 lives. In 2011, Ukraine saw an outbreak of cholera, with 33 patients taken to hospital. Three years later another 800 patients were diagnosed with cholera. One year later more than 100 cases of cholera were identified in Nikolayev.
In January 2016, at least 20 military servicemen died of a flu-like virus. Another 200 people were taken to the hospital. Two months later 364 died in Ukraine of the swine fever virus A (H1N1) pdm09, the very same strain that caused the 2009 pandemic, Medvedchuk and Kuzmin say. They recall that an outbreak of hepatitis A occurred in Nikolayev in 2017. Another one followed in the summer of that year in Zaporozhie and Odessa, one more in the autumn in Kharkov.


tass--2020-04-15--Russian foreign ministry warns parents against sending their children to study in US

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s foreign ministry warns parents against sending their children to study in the United States as such trips are not protected by international agreements , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily posted on its website on Wednesday .
`` We categorically insist that parents should refrain from giving their consent to any educational programs in the United States without protection of such trips by international agreements , regrettably , we have none with the Americans .
Different problems may arise and Russian embassy has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the Russian top diplomat , seventy-four Russian schoolchildren came to the United States without notifying the Russian authorities about that .
`` Taking into account the current critical situation , we are doing our utmost to find these children , '' he went on to say .
`` We know nothing about their whereabouts .
The Department of State can not provide exhaustive information either .
We have already asked the Russian education ministry to poll all the schools that may be in such situation . ''
He recalled that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a similar program of school exchanges , FLEX .
`` We terminated it after one of our underage schoolchildren visiting the United states under it had been persuaded to be adopted by a single-sex family , in violation of the US obligation to see to it that all children return home , to their families , '' he noted .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a commentary released on Tuesday that several dozens of Russian schoolchildren had been stuck in the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had informed the Russian embassy in Washington about that providing no further detail .
According to Zakharova , 74 Russian high school students are staying in the United States under the US Department of State ’ s Secondary School Student Program alone .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Russia’s foreign ministry warns parents against sending their children to study in the United States as such trips are not protected by international agreements, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily posted on its website on Wednesday.
"We categorically insist that parents should refrain from giving their consent to any educational programs in the United States without protection of such trips by international agreements, regrettably, we have none with the Americans. Different problems may arise and Russian embassy has to address them," he said.
According to the Russian top diplomat, seventy-four Russian schoolchildren came to the United States without notifying the Russian authorities about that. "Taking into account the current critical situation, we are doing our utmost to find these children," he went on to say. "We know nothing about their whereabouts. The Department of State cannot provide exhaustive information either. We have already asked the Russian education ministry to poll all the schools that may be in such situation."
He recalled that Russia and the United States used to have a similar program of school exchanges, FLEX. "We terminated it after one of our underage schoolchildren visiting the United states under it had been persuaded to be adopted by a single-sex family, in violation of the US obligation to see to it that all children return home, to their families," he noted.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a commentary released on Tuesday that several dozens of Russian schoolchildren had been stuck in the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic. She said that the US Department of State had informed the Russian embassy in Washington about that providing no further detail. According to Zakharova, 74 Russian high school students are staying in the United States under the US Department of State’s Secondary School Student Program alone.


tass--2020-04-15--Nobel Prize winner says low oil prices jeopardize alternative energy development

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Low oil prices might threaten implementation of alternative energy sources in the future because in this case demand for clean energy will plunge due to higher costs to introduce them , Nobel Peace Prize winner Rae Kwon Chung said in an interview with President of the Global Energy Association Sergey Brilev .
`` I think that is one of the big concerns .
If the price of oil really goes down like this at the moment , then incentive for transformation for the electric car or electrification of transportation , I think , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the expert , countries are allocating unjustifiably high amounts of money to subsidize fossil fuel extraction which outnumber the funds spent on development of renewable energy sources by three times .
Rae Kwon Chung urged countries to phase out fossil fuel subsidies but , nevertheless , G20 countries still had not taken any action to resolve this issue .
The expert added that renewable energy source industry will be further burdened by the fact that industries will be more dependent on fossil fuels after the coronavirus pandemic rather than clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bounce back to $ 60-70 per barrel , it will revive the demand for alternative energy sources .
Rae Kwon Chung also reprimanded governments around the world for adjusting their tax systems to better suit fossil fuel industries , as such legislation does not incentivize research into renewable energy sources and clean energy enough .
Latest reports show that Brent Crude is losing more than 8 % at the ICE exchange in London and is trading at $ 27.18 per barrel .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Low oil prices might threaten implementation of alternative energy sources in the future because in this case demand for clean energy will plunge due to higher costs to introduce them, Nobel Peace Prize winner Rae Kwon Chung said in an interview with President of the Global Energy Association Sergey Brilev.
"I think that is one of the big concerns. If the price of oil really goes down like this at the moment, then incentive for transformation for the electric car or electrification of transportation, I think, it will suffer," he said.
According to the expert, countries are allocating unjustifiably high amounts of money to subsidize fossil fuel extraction which outnumber the funds spent on development of renewable energy sources by three times. Rae Kwon Chung urged countries to phase out fossil fuel subsidies but, nevertheless, G20 countries still had not taken any action to resolve this issue. The expert added that renewable energy source industry will be further burdened by the fact that industries will be more dependent on fossil fuels after the coronavirus pandemic rather than clean energy. However, should oil prices bounce back to $60-70 per barrel, it will revive the demand for alternative energy sources.
Rae Kwon Chung also reprimanded governments around the world for adjusting their tax systems to better suit fossil fuel industries, as such legislation does not incentivize research into renewable energy sources and clean energy enough.
Latest reports show that Brent Crude is losing more than 8% at the ICE exchange in London and is trading at $27.18 per barrel.


tass--2020-04-15--Material assistance paid to nearly 8,000 Russians stuck abroad, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Around 8,000 Russian nationals stuck in foreign countries amid the coronavirus pandemic have @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily posted on its @ @ @ @ @ We have begun to pay allowances .
As of today , material assistance has been @ @ @ @ @ compatriots .
As many as 27,000 more can count of these daily payments .
There @ @ @ @ @ for adults and for children approved by the government , '' he said .
Russian @ @ @ @ @ said earlier that a total of 37,382 Russian nationals had applied for material assistance .
@ @ @ @ @ resolution , such assistance is to be paid to those who have return tickets for @ @ @ @ @ to May 31 .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Around 8,000 Russian nationals stuck in foreign countries amid the coronavirus pandemic have received material assistance, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily posted on its website on Wednesday.
"We have begun to pay allowances. As of today, material assistance has been paid to about 8,000 our compatriots. As many as 27,000 more can count of these daily payments. There are parameters of material assistance for adults and for children approved by the government," he said.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier that a total of 37,382 Russian nationals had applied for material assistance. Under the government’s resolution, such assistance is to be paid to those who have return tickets for a period from March 16 to May 31.


tass--2020-04-15--Systemic companies to receive preferential loans, says Putin

NOVO-OGAREVO , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Systemic companies can expect to receive preferential loans , subsidized by the government @ @ @ @ @ key rate of the Central Bank , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at @ @ @ @ @ .
Companies `` critically important for the whole national economy '' should be in the @ @ @ @ @ the President said .
Over a thousand major companies constituting the backbone of the national @ @ @ @ @ , Putin noted .
`` I suggest providing a new special credit product for such @ @ @ @ @ replenish the working capital are meant , '' Putin said .
`` The rate under @ @ @ @ @ by the government in the amount of the key rate of the Bank of Russia @ @ @ @ @ actual loan value for enterprises will be 6 % lower than the current market rate @ @ @ @ @

NOVO-OGAREVO, April 15. /TASS/. Systemic companies can expect to receive preferential loans, subsidized by the government in the amount of the key rate of the Central Bank, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at the meeting with Cabinet members.
Companies "critically important for the whole national economy" should be in the list of systemic enterprises, the President said. Over a thousand major companies constituting the backbone of the national economy are in the list, Putin noted.
"I suggest providing a new special credit product for such companies: preferential loans to replenish the working capital are meant," Putin said. "The rate under such loans will be subsidized by the government in the amount of the key rate of the Bank of Russia, that is, the actual loan value for enterprises will be 6% lower than the current market rate," he added.


tass--2020-04-15--Fire near Chernobyl Plant does not affect background radiation in Russia

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The fire outbreak near the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant in Ukraine has not influenced @ @ @ @ @ , with air masses from the fire scene moving eastward and southeastward , the press @ @ @ @ @ service Rosgidromet reports .
`` Monitoring posts operating as part of the Rosgidromet monitoring system @ @ @ @ @ the radiation situation on the territory in Russia over the last day , '' the @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. The fire outbreak near the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant in Ukraine has not influenced background radiation in Russia, with air masses from the fire scene moving eastward and southeastward, the press service of the Russian weather service Rosgidromet reports.
"Monitoring posts operating as part of the Rosgidromet monitoring system did not register changes in the radiation situation on the territory in Russia over the last day," the press service said.


tass--2020-04-15--Moscow to more and more tighten control over special passes, says mayor

Earlier , Sobyanin signed a decree to introduce mandatory passes to travel around Moscow and the Moscow Region by personal or public transport .
People could apply for these passes starting with Monday , while possession of these passes became obligatory on Wednesday .
MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Control over possession of special passes allowing to move around Moscow will be tightened with every passing day , Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Wednesday .
`` We are significantly ramping up self-isolation .
Starting this week , electronic passes are introduced , control over them will be tightened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sobyanin noted .
He underlined that operation of many enterprises was restricted during the high alert regime .
`` Whole industries are restricted in their operation .
It is all of course a difficult challenge for the city , its residents and economy .
Nevertheless , we think that these are necessary measures to curb peaks of the pandemic in our city , '' the mayor pointed out .
According to him , the coronavirus threat is not subsiding .
A large number of confirmed cases is reported , including infections coupled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To date , a total of 24,490 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,986 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 198 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

Earlier, Sobyanin signed a decree to introduce mandatory passes to travel around Moscow and the Moscow Region by personal or public transport. People could apply for these passes starting with Monday, while possession of these passes became obligatory on Wednesday.
MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Control over possession of special passes allowing to move around Moscow will be tightened with every passing day, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Wednesday.
"We are significantly ramping up self-isolation. Starting this week, electronic passes are introduced, control over them will be tightened with every single day passing," Sobyanin noted.
He underlined that operation of many enterprises was restricted during the high alert regime. "Whole industries are restricted in their operation. It is all of course a difficult challenge for the city, its residents and economy. Nevertheless, we think that these are necessary measures to curb peaks of the pandemic in our city," the mayor pointed out.
According to him, the coronavirus threat is not subsiding. A large number of confirmed cases is reported, including infections coupled with pneumonia and clear signs of COVID-19.
To date, a total of 24,490 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,986 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 198 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-15--Appeal of veterans organizations to postpone Victory Parade to be considered, Kremlin vows

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The Kremlin will consider postponement of the Victory Parade in Moscow from May @ @ @ @ @ at the request of organizations of WWII veterans , Russian president ’ s press secretary @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` This appeal will be considered , '' he said .
Peskov said @ @ @ @ @ postponing the parade and other Victory Day celebrations had been taken as yet but did @ @ @ @ @ matter would be looked at .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. The Kremlin will consider postponement of the Victory Parade in Moscow from May 9 to a later date at the request of organizations of WWII veterans, Russian president’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
"This appeal will be considered," he said.
Peskov said earlier that no decisions on postponing the parade and other Victory Day celebrations had been taken as yet but did not rule out that this matter would be looked at.


tass--2020-04-15--Putin announces cabinet plans to allocate more than $306 mln to support domestic airlines

NOVO-OGAREVO , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to allocate more than 23 bln rubles @ @ @ @ @ to support domestic airlines .
`` We know that the air transportation sector is facing @ @ @ @ @ urgent measure , I consider it necessary to allocate more than 23 billion rubles to @ @ @ @ @ head of state said at a meeting with government members on Wednesday .
He specified @ @ @ @ @ will be spent on leasing aircraft , replenishing working capital , paying salaries and parked @ @ @ @ @ instructed the government to add small and medium-sized businesses selling non-food products to the list @ @ @ @ @ most seriously affected by the pandemic .
`` I think that the list of the @ @ @ @ @ I recall that these are small and medium-sized companies in catering , tourism , hospitality @ @ @ @ @ to the list of small and medium-sized businesses trading in non-food products , '' the @ @ @ @ @ with members of the government .

NOVO-OGAREVO, April 15. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to allocate more than 23 bln rubles ($306 mln) to support domestic airlines.
"We know that the air transportation sector is facing serious difficulties. As an urgent measure, I consider it necessary to allocate more than 23 billion rubles to support airlines," the head of state said at a meeting with government members on Wednesday.
He specified that these funds in particular will be spent on leasing aircraft, replenishing working capital, paying salaries and parked aircraft."
Putin also instructed the government to add small and medium-sized businesses selling non-food products to the list of the enterprises that were most seriously affected by the pandemic.
"I think that the list of the most seriously affected sectors and I recall that these are small and medium-sized companies in catering, tourism, hospitality sectors, should be added to the list of small and medium-sized businesses trading in non-food products," the President said, opening meeting with members of the government.


tass--2020-04-15--EU labs experiment with Russian-Japanese COVID-19 tests — Russian Direct Investment Fund

`` Four European countries - Italy , France , Switzerland and Germany - are conducting laboratory experiments to test the solutions for identifying COVID-19 , created by the Russian-Japanese company Evotech-Mirai Genomix with the participation of the Russian Direct Investment Fund , '' the fund ’ s spokesman has told TASS .
`` Earlier the EMG ’ s virus diagnostics technologies drew favorable comments from virologists in the United Arab Emirates . ''
MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Italy , France , Switzerland and Germany are conducting laboratory experiments to see in action COVID-19 identification solutions created by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Russian Direct Investment Fund .
Earlier , Austria was one of the first to have granted permission to use EMG tests and is already using them for diagnostics .
The director of the company that makes the EMG ’ s COVID-19 tests , Lenar Valeyev , told TASS clinical tests at the research center Vektor operating under the consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor showed the EMG test systems ’ 100 % accuracy .
`` Our method is the most sensitive one .
In terms of accuracy we belong with the group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The accuracy rate of our test system is above 99.9 % , while many isometric tests have an accuracy below 95 % .
In the current situation false negative results are absolute impermissible , because an infected person may escape observation .
This is one of our system ’ s main advantages .
It is one of the most accurate ones , '' Valeyev said .
In the middle of March the Russian Direct Investment Fund carried out investment into the Russian company OJSC Medpromresurs ( currently Evotech-Mirai Genomix operating under the EMG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to promote a newly-developed Russian-Japanese diagnostic system of exposing the novel coronavirus .
Japan ’ s K. R. Mirai Genomics and Genetic Technologies are the fund ’ s partners in the company .
The system has obtained the health service watchdog Roszdravnadzor ’ s approval for use in Russia .

"Four European countries - Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany - are conducting laboratory experiments to test the solutions for identifying COVID-19, created by the Russian-Japanese company Evotech-Mirai Genomix with the participation of the Russian Direct Investment Fund," the fund’s spokesman has told TASS. "Earlier the EMG’s virus diagnostics technologies drew favorable comments from virologists in the United Arab Emirates."
MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany are conducting laboratory experiments to see in action COVID-19 identification solutions created by the Russian-Japanese company EMG with the participation of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
Earlier, Austria was one of the first to have granted permission to use EMG tests and is already using them for diagnostics.
The director of the company that makes the EMG’s COVID-19 tests, Lenar Valeyev, told TASS clinical tests at the research center Vektor operating under the consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor showed the EMG test systems’ 100% accuracy.
"Our method is the most sensitive one. In terms of accuracy we belong with the group of the world’s best knowhows. The accuracy rate of our test system is above 99.9%, while many isometric tests have an accuracy below 95%. In the current situation false negative results are absolute impermissible, because an infected person may escape observation. This is one of our system’s main advantages. It is one of the most accurate ones," Valeyev said.
In the middle of March the Russian Direct Investment Fund carried out investment into the Russian company OJSC Medpromresurs (currently Evotech-Mirai Genomix operating under the EMG brand name), created in order to promote a newly-developed Russian-Japanese diagnostic system of exposing the novel coronavirus. Japan’s K. R. Mirai Genomics and Genetic Technologies are the fund’s partners in the company. The system has obtained the health service watchdog Roszdravnadzor’s approval for use in Russia.


tass--2020-04-15--45 computer tomography centers set up in Moscow clinics

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Forty-five new computer tomography ( CT ) clinics for patients with acute virus infection have been set up in Moscow , the capital city 's Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said Wednesday .
`` In many cases , diagnosing the coronavirus infection by clinical tests alone is impossible .
This is why , on the initiative of the clinical committee , we decided to create special centers at the city clinics where the patients will additionally undergo CT and ultrasound and other diagnostics for precise diagnosis , '' Rakova said .
`` There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where more than 5,000 CTs have been administered , revealing viral pneumonia signs in 27 % of cases .
More than 1,000 people have been prescribed antiviral drugs . ''
The deputy mayor added that , besides CT , these centers can perform other tests : common blood analysis , electrocardiogram ( ECG ) , sampling and ultrasound .
Such a complex approach allows not only to diagnose the pneumonia , but also to determine its nature .
After the required examinations , the medics come up with a diagnosis and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to either hospitalize a patient or send them for treatment at home .
The centers work around the clock .
To date , a total of 24,490 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,986 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 198 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Forty-five new computer tomography (CT) clinics for patients with acute virus infection have been set up in Moscow, the capital city's Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said Wednesday.
"In many cases, diagnosing the coronavirus infection by clinical tests alone is impossible. This is why, on the initiative of the clinical committee, we decided to create special centers at the city clinics where the patients will additionally undergo CT and ultrasound and other diagnostics for precise diagnosis," Rakova said. "There are 45 such centers in Moscow right now, where more than 5,000 CTs have been administered, revealing viral pneumonia signs in 27% of cases. More than 1,000 people have been prescribed antiviral drugs."
The deputy mayor added that, besides CT, these centers can perform other tests: common blood analysis, electrocardiogram (ECG), sampling and ultrasound. Such a complex approach allows not only to diagnose the pneumonia, but also to determine its nature.
After the required examinations, the medics come up with a diagnosis and, depending on the clinical picture, decide to either hospitalize a patient or send them for treatment at home. The centers work around the clock.
To date, a total of 24,490 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,986 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 198 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-15--Police detain man suspected of sending bomb threats to Moscow metro stations

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Police units have detained a Moscow resident suspected of sending bomb threats to @ @ @ @ @ the press service of the Moscow department of the Russian Interior Ministry informed .
According @ @ @ @ @ an unknown person called an emergency hotline in Moscow , claiming that explosives had been @ @ @ @ @ stations .
Police units have been sent to the site .
No suspicious objects have @ @ @

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Police units have detained a Moscow resident suspected of sending bomb threats to two Moscow metro stations, the press service of the Moscow department of the Russian Interior Ministry informed.
According to the press service, an unknown person called an emergency hotline in Moscow, claiming that explosives had been placed at two Moscow metro stations. Police units have been sent to the site. No suspicious objects have been found.


tass--2020-04-15--Euro reaches 82 rubles

Euro reaches 82 rubles

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The euro rose by 2.3 % to 82 rubles during the trading session @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
The dollar rose by 3 % to 75.23 rubles .
The dollar rose @ @ @ @ @ rubles .
Brent oil futures with delivery in June 2020 fell 7.94 % to $ @ @ @ @ @ London-based ICE at the same time .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. The euro rose by 2.3% to 82 rubles during the trading session on the Moscow Exchange on Wednesday.
The dollar rose by 3% to 75.23 rubles.
The dollar rose by 7.2% to 80.87 rubles.
Brent oil futures with delivery in June 2020 fell 7.94% to $27.25 per barrel on the London-based ICE at the same time.


tass--2020-04-15--Russian diplomat slams US accusations against WHO as politically motivated

According to the envoy , Washington ’ s claims `` look especially hypocritical '' because the Americans `` have a big say in the work '' of this organization as being widely represented in all of its structures , including top ones GENEVA , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The United States ’ blame-shifting statements concerning the World Health Organization ( WHO ) are politically motivated and ungrounded , Russia ’ s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Geneva Office and other Geneva-based international organizations Gennady Gatilov said on Wednesday , commenting on the US decision to suspend funding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious harm to the international organization , which has been playing the leading coordinating role in combating the pandemic , '' he said .
`` We are convinced that the WHO has acted within its mandate at all the phases of the outbreak , in strict compliance with the policies of its member nations resting on their research data .
It is wrong to accuse the WHO that some countries did not want to heed its warnings and recommendations . ''
According to the Russian diplomat , Washington ’ s claims `` look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a big say in the work '' of this organization .
Being a biggest WHO donor , the United States is widely represented in all of its structures , including top ones , as well as in expert committees , including its emergency committee , he noted .
`` So , it is simply absurd to say that the WHO was concealing something from the US , '' he said , adding that the US accusatory statements `` are politically motivated and ungrounded . ''
Gatilov noted that at the current stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States ’ decision could do to the WHO ’ s work and to international anti-coronavirus efforts .
He recalled that the United States ’ contribution to the WHO budget is around 120 million US dollars , or 22 % , with US funds and non-government organizations being the WHO ’ s biggest donors .
Altogether , the United States is the biggest debtor , with its debt to the WHO nearing 200 million US dollars .
`` Washington ’ s latest statements prompt one sad conclusion : the United States ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Rights Council , its refusal to fund United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East ( UNRWA ) and now the WHO look like elements of a deliberate policy towards breaking down the system of international organizations , especially those it doesn ’ t like , '' the Russian diplomat stressed .
He recalled that `` everyone knows what and when the WHO has been doing since the crisis outbreak . ''
Thus , the WHO has been organizing news conferences on the coronavirus pandemic three times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , it organizes online briefings for its member nations and regularly updates its recommendations on various aspects of anti-pandemic efforts .
`` So , all accusations of its passivity , non-transparency or malicious intents are absolutely groundless , '' Gatilov said .
Earlier , US President Donald Trump told a news briefing that Washington was pressing for a reform of the World Health Organization .
He declared that the United States was suspending its WHO membership dues and accused the organization of wrong judgements and recommendations , which resulted in a 20-fold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the latest statistics , over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported .
To date , a total of 24,490 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,986 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 198 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

According to the envoy, Washington’s claims "look especially hypocritical" because the Americans "have a big say in the work" of this organization as being widely represented in all of its structures, including top ones
GENEVA, April 15. /TASS/. The United States’ blame-shifting statements concerning the World Health Organization (WHO) are politically motivated and ungrounded, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Geneva Office and other Geneva-based international organizations Gennady Gatilov said on Wednesday, commenting on the US decision to suspend funding to that organization.
"Such actions do serious harm to the international organization, which has been playing the leading coordinating role in combating the pandemic," he said. "We are convinced that the WHO has acted within its mandate at all the phases of the outbreak, in strict compliance with the policies of its member nations resting on their research data. It is wrong to accuse the WHO that some countries did not want to heed its warnings and recommendations." According to the Russian diplomat, Washington’s claims "look especially hypocritical" because the Americans "have a big say in the work" of this organization. Being a biggest WHO donor, the United States is widely represented in all of its structures, including top ones, as well as in expert committees, including its emergency committee, he noted.
Read also Russian diplomat slams Washington’s decision to suspend WHO funding
"So, it is simply absurd to say that the WHO was concealing something from the US," he said, adding that the US accusatory statements "are politically motivated and ungrounded." Gatilov noted that at the current stage it is difficult to assess the harm the United States’ decision could do to the WHO’s work and to international anti-coronavirus efforts. He recalled that the United States’ contribution to the WHO budget is around 120 million US dollars, or 22%, with US funds and non-government organizations being the WHO’s biggest donors. Altogether, the United States is the biggest debtor, with its debt to the WHO nearing 200 million US dollars. "Washington’s latest statements prompt one sad conclusion: the United States’ withdrawal from UNESCO, the United Nations Human Rights Council, its refusal to fund United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and now the WHO look like elements of a deliberate policy towards breaking down the system of international organizations, especially those it doesn’t like," the Russian diplomat stressed. He recalled that "everyone knows what and when the WHO has been doing since the crisis outbreak." Thus, the WHO has been organizing news conferences on the coronavirus pandemic three times a week since February. Once a week, it organizes online briefings for its member nations and regularly updates its recommendations on various aspects of anti-pandemic efforts. "So, all accusations of its passivity, non-transparency or malicious intents are absolutely groundless," Gatilov said.
Read also US suspends its contributions to World Health Organization — Trump


tass--2020-04-15--Number of infected with COVID-19 in Moscow may go down June-July, epidemiologist says

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The number of those infected with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in Moscow may @ @ @ @ @ all preventive and security measures are taken , the Health Ministry ’ s chief epidemiologist @ @ @ @ @ and evidence-based medicine department at the Sechenov Medical University , Nikolai Briko , said on @ @ @ @ @ if all proposed recommendations are observed , then the end of April or early May @ @ @ @ @ .
First , a plateau will be achieved and then the epidemiological threat will begin @ @ @ @ @ to our forecast in Moscow we may have a plateau and eventual decline in June-July @ @ @ @ @ television .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. The number of those infected with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in Moscow may go down in June-July provided all preventive and security measures are taken, the Health Ministry’s chief epidemiologist, head of the epidemiology and evidence-based medicine department at the Sechenov Medical University, Nikolai Briko, said on Wednesday.
He stressed that if all proposed recommendations are observed, then the end of April or early May will see a turning point. First, a plateau will be achieved and then the epidemiological threat will begin to ease.
"According to our forecast in Moscow we may have a plateau and eventual decline in June-July," Briko said on television.


tass--2020-04-15--Israel documents over 12,000 COVID-19 cases, 126 deaths

TEL AVIV , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The number of documented COVID-19 cases in Israel has reached 12,200 on @ @ @ @ @ in the past 24 hours .
Nine people have died in the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ reaching 126 , the Israeli Health Ministry informed .
According to the ministry , 176 @ @ @ @ @ condition , with 132 of them put on artificial ventilation machines .
2,309 people have @ @ @ @ @ testing negative for the virus in the past 24 hours .
The number of new @ @ @ @ @ steadily going down since early April .
The maximum daily increase in cases was documented @ @ @ @ @ 819 people have tested positive for the virus in 24 hours .
On April 6 @ @ @ @ @ 593 ; on April 10 , it went down to 351 .
The first case @ @ @ @ @ documented in Israel on February 27 .
On March 20 , the first death from @ @ @ @ @

TEL AVIV, April 15. /TASS/. The number of documented COVID-19 cases in Israel has reached 12,200 on Wednesday, rising by 332 in the past 24 hours. Nine people have died in the past 24 hours, with the death toll reaching 126, the Israeli Health Ministry informed.
According to the ministry, 176 people are in a serious condition, with 132 of them put on artificial ventilation machines. 2,309 people have recovered, with 309 people testing negative for the virus in the past 24 hours.
The number of new cases in Israel has been steadily going down since early April. The maximum daily increase in cases was documented on April 3, when 819 people have tested positive for the virus in 24 hours. On April 6, this number has reached 593; on April 10, it went down to 351.
The first case of the novel coronavirus was documented in Israel on February 27. On March 20, the first death from the virus was reported.


tass--2020-04-15--Russian Baltic Fleet fighter jets wipe out enemy command posts in night drills

KALININGRAD , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The crews of over ten Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30SM fighter jets from the @ @ @ @ @ aviation struck a notional enemy ’ s command posts and military hardware during night drills @ @ @ @ @ Kaliningrad Region , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Wednesday .
`` During @ @ @ @ @ pilots of the Su-27 and Su-30SM fighters practiced take-offs and landing approaches , attacks against @ @ @ @ @ , operations to eliminate the notional enemy ’ s command posts and military hardware and @ @ @ @ @ maneuvering , '' the press office said in a statement .
During complex exercises , @ @ @ @ @ to the techniques of night flights , practicing offensive and defensive maneuvers at various altitudes @ @ @ @ @ the aircraft ’ s armament , the statement says .
The pilots conducted training flights @ @ @ @ @ terrain , according to the statement .

KALININGRAD, April 15. /TASS/. The crews of over ten Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30SM fighter jets from the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation struck a notional enemy’s command posts and military hardware during night drills in Russia’s westernmost Kaliningrad Region, the Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.
"During the night flights, the pilots of the Su-27 and Su-30SM fighters practiced take-offs and landing approaches, attacks against air low-speed and ground targets, operations to eliminate the notional enemy’s command posts and military hardware and performed advanced flying and combat maneuvering," the press office said in a statement.
During complex exercises, the pilots paid special attention to the techniques of night flights, practicing offensive and defensive maneuvers at various altitudes and speeds and notionally employing the aircraft’s armament, the statement says.
The pilots conducted training flights over the sea and featureless terrain, according to the statement.


tass--2020-04-15--Norway reports a total of 6,678 COVID-19 cases

`` In total , 6,678 people have been infected with the coronavirus , '' the message informs .
On Tuesday , the country reported a total of 6,568 cases .
Over the past few days , the daily increase in cases has remained stable at about 100 cases a day .
The country reports 139 deaths from the novel coronavirus , with 201 people hospitalized .
HELSINKI , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Norway has risen by 110 in the past 24 hours , reaching 6,678 , the Norwegian Institute of Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the novel coronavirus was detected in Norway in late February .
The Norwegian government has banned entry to the country for foreigners with no residence permit , introducing border control within the Schengen zone .
All kindergartens , schools and universities have been closed .
Everyone arriving to the country from foreign states must be placed on a 14-day quarantine .
Last week , Norway stated that the epidemic is under control .
The government ruled to open kindergartens and primary schools gradually , allowing students who are graduating this year to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities closed due to the epidemic can resume their work .
The ban on visiting country houses has also been lifted .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest statistics , over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

"In total, 6,678 people have been infected with the coronavirus," the message informs. On Tuesday, the country reported a total of 6,568 cases. Over the past few days, the daily increase in cases has remained stable at about 100 cases a day. The country reports 139 deaths from the novel coronavirus, with 201 people hospitalized.
HELSINKI, April 15. /TASS/. The number of new COVID-19 cases in Norway has risen by 110 in the past 24 hours, reaching 6,678, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health informed on Wednesday.
The first case of the novel coronavirus was detected in Norway in late February. The Norwegian government has banned entry to the country for foreigners with no residence permit, introducing border control within the Schengen zone. All kindergartens, schools and universities have been closed. Everyone arriving to the country from foreign states must be placed on a 14-day quarantine.
Last week, Norway stated that the epidemic is under control. The government ruled to open kindergartens and primary schools gradually, allowing students who are graduating this year to return to universities. Hairdressers and other facilities closed due to the epidemic can resume their work. The ban on visiting country houses has also been lifted.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-15--Audience of Russian Internet segment should reach record 100 mln in 2020

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Audience of the Russian segment of the Internet ( Runet ) should surpass 100 mln users in 2020 , Deputy Minister of Communications Alexey Volin said on Wednesday .
`` We are confidently approaching the level of 100 mln users in Runet , we must break it this year , '' he said .
In addition , Volin noted another trend - increasing number of visitors on media websites in Russia .
`` The media was leading in terms of growth in the number of monthly visitors .
They added 100 mln users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the Russian Association for Electronic Communications ( RAEC ) , audience of the Russian Internet segment reaches almost 97 mln people , or 79 % of the country 's population ( compared to 75 % in 2018 ) , on the mobile platforms - 86 mln people , or 70 % of the population .
The Association reported earlier that the volume of the Russian e-commerce market in 2020 can grow by 6-18 % up to 4.4-4.9 trillion rubles ( $ 58.9-65.7 bln ) .
In general , according to Head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribution of the Russian Internet segment to the Russian economy in 2019 amounted to 6.4 trillion rubles ( $ 85.78 bln ) .
Thus , in addition to Internet commerce , the market for online marketing and online advertising amounted to 314 bln rubles ( $ 4.2 bln ) , online infrastructure - 126.8 bln rubles ( $ 1.7 bln ) , media and entertainment - 85.7 bln rubles ( $ 1.15 bln ) , mobile economy - 1.7 bln rubles ( $ 22.8 bln ) .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Audience of the Russian segment of the Internet (Runet) should surpass 100 mln users in 2020, Deputy Minister of Communications Alexey Volin said on Wednesday.
"We are confidently approaching the level of 100 mln users in Runet, we must break it this year," he said.
In addition, Volin noted another trend - increasing number of visitors on media websites in Russia. "The media was leading in terms of growth in the number of monthly visitors. They added 100 mln users in March," he said.
According to the Russian Association for Electronic Communications (RAEC), audience of the Russian Internet segment reaches almost 97 mln people, or 79% of the country's population (compared to 75% in 2018), on the mobile platforms - 86 mln people, or 70% of the population.
The Association reported earlier that the volume of the Russian e-commerce market in 2020 can grow by 6-18% up to 4.4-4.9 trillion rubles ($58.9-65.7 bln). In general, according to Head of the association Sergey Plugotarenko, the contribution of the Russian Internet segment to the Russian economy in 2019 amounted to 6.4 trillion rubles ($85.78 bln). Thus, in addition to Internet commerce, the market for online marketing and online advertising amounted to 314 bln rubles ($4.2 bln), online infrastructure - 126.8 bln rubles ($1.7 bln), media and entertainment - 85.7 bln rubles ($1.15 bln), mobile economy - 1.7 bln rubles ($22.8 bln).


tass--2020-04-15--Kremlin decries NYT article accusing Russia of disinformation campaign as ‘low grade’

MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov called The New York Times publication accusing Russia of @ @ @ @ @ system `` low grade . ''
`` There will be no Moscow ’ s reaction @ @ @ @ @ `` We do not think such low grade publications deserve any kind of reaction .
@ @ @ @ @ `` such respectable editions publish more and more of such nonsense . ''
In his @ @ @ @ @ York Times journalist William J .
Broad claims that Russia allegedly stands behind a long-standing @ @ @ @ @ healthcare system .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted Tuesday that this publication itself @ @ @ @ @ regarding the coronavirus pandemic .

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov called The New York Times publication accusing Russia of disinformation campaign on US healthcare system "low grade."
"There will be no Moscow’s reaction," Peskov said. "We do not think such low grade publications deserve any kind of reaction."
He expressed regret that "such respectable editions publish more and more of such nonsense."
In his Monday article, The New York Times journalist William J. Broad claims that Russia allegedly stands behind a long-standing campaign to discredit the US healthcare system.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted Tuesday that this publication itself is an example of disinformation regarding the coronavirus pandemic.


tass--2020-04-15--Putin: OPEC+ deal should be complied with by all participants

NOVO-OGAREVO , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
It is important that the new OPEC+ oil production limiting deal is complied with by all its participants , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at the meeting with Cabinet members .
`` It is important that everyone executes the agreements reached .
There should be an ongoing contact with all the colleagues , mainly with leading players , '' Putin noted .
The president extended an appreciation to Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and his colleagues for the work completed in this sphere .
`` I saw how you worked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result , '' the head of state added .
OPEC+ participants managed to finalize the oil production limiting deal on April 12 .
It stipulates the oil production cut by 9.7 mln barrels per day in total in May-June 2020 , by 7.7 mln barrels per day in July-December 2020 within the alliance framework , and by 5.8 mln barrels daily in January 2021-end of April 2022 .
Russia will lower its daily oil production by 2.5 mln barrels daily from the base level of 11 mln barrels .
Deal parameters can be @ @ @ @ @

NOVO-OGAREVO, April 15. /TASS/. It is important that the new OPEC+ oil production limiting deal is complied with by all its participants, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at the meeting with Cabinet members.
"It is important that everyone executes the agreements reached. There should be an ongoing contact with all the colleagues, mainly with leading players," Putin noted.
The president extended an appreciation to Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and his colleagues for the work completed in this sphere. "I saw how you worked in this area. This is your common result," the head of state added.
OPEC+ participants managed to finalize the oil production limiting deal on April 12. It stipulates the oil production cut by 9.7 mln barrels per day in total in May-June 2020, by 7.7 mln barrels per day in July-December 2020 within the alliance framework, and by 5.8 mln barrels daily in January 2021-end of April 2022. Russia will lower its daily oil production by 2.5 mln barrels daily from the base level of 11 mln barrels. Deal parameters can be revised in December 2021.


tass--2020-04-15--Trump’s statements on WHO funding fall in line with his election campaign, says expert

`` Trump sees everything in the context of his presidential campaign , there is no doubt about it , '' the expert opined .
MOSCOW , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump ’ s statements regarding the suspension of the World Health Organization funding are driven by his election campaign , says Andrei Bystritsky , chairman of the Development and Support Foundation of the Valdai Club .
He underscored that the US leader `` is under strong pressure from the Democrats and the American left , '' who accuse him of inefficient management during the crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reform of the World Health Organization .
He underscored that the United States suspends its contributions to the WHO budget and accused the international organization of incorrect estimations and recommendations which allegedly led to infection of 20 times as many people as could have happened otherwise .
`` This is why Trump seeks to somehow place the blame on the WHO , which is rather vulnerable in this situation .
As it turns out , our readiness for this infection is not high enough , and Trump ’ s actions largely aim to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expert noted .
At the same time , Trump could have other reasons for his decision .
In particular , the US president is annoyed that the WHO `` is too dependent on representatives of small nations , '' while the funding is mostly provided by the US and Western Europe .
`` This is , of course , annoying to a certain degree : they pay while decisions are made by others , '' Bystritsky added .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 24,490 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 1,986 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 198 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"Trump sees everything in the context of his presidential campaign, there is no doubt about it," the expert opined.
MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump’s statements regarding the suspension of the World Health Organization funding are driven by his election campaign, says Andrei Bystritsky, chairman of the Development and Support Foundation of the Valdai Club.
He underscored that the US leader "is under strong pressure from the Democrats and the American left," who accuse him of inefficient management during the crisis. Earlier, Trump announced that Washington seeks reform of the World Health Organization. He underscored that the United States suspends its contributions to the WHO budget and accused the international organization of incorrect estimations and recommendations which allegedly led to infection of 20 times as many people as could have happened otherwise.
"This is why Trump seeks to somehow place the blame on the WHO, which is rather vulnerable in this situation. As it turns out, our readiness for this infection is not high enough, and Trump’s actions largely aim to divert attention and shift blame," the expert noted.
At the same time, Trump could have other reasons for his decision. In particular, the US president is annoyed that the WHO "is too dependent on representatives of small nations," while the funding is mostly provided by the US and Western Europe.
"This is, of course, annoying to a certain degree: they pay while decisions are made by others," Bystritsky added.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 126,800 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 485,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 24,490 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 1,986 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 198 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-15--China's Hainan to continue expanding visa-free travel

HAIKOU , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
China 's Hainan intends to continue expanding visa-free travel as well as easing visa procedures for those arriving on the island aboard cruise ships and yachts , Xinhua reported citing its sources in local administration .
Since May 1 , 2018 , the province has had a visa-free travel for foreigners from 59 countries , including Russia , who book their tours through travel agencies .
Last year , according to official figures , more than 470,000 foreigners used a visa-free travel to visit the Island of Hainan .
This figures for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2018 .
During the entire period of the visa-free travel for citizens of 59 countries , according to the provincial immigration service , about 770,000 foreign tourists visited Hainan without a visa .
Since July 2019 , the visa-free travel has also been extended to foreign citizens from the countries included in this list , who arrive on the island for business , undergoing treatment , participating in sports competitions and exhibitions .
In 2019 , tourist flow to the province from abroad grew by 12.4 % and amounted to about 1.42 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry for the said period reached 105 billion yuan ( $ 14.8 billion ) .
As of the end of 2019 , the Hainan Province had air routes connecting it with 62 cities in 20 countries and regions .
In 2020 , the province expects to draw over 2 million foreign tourists .
In April 2018 , President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province .
By 2050 , according to the authorities , the island should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advanced economy , developed tourism , top-notch scientific , technical and financial potential , and modern medicine .
The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends to create an `` international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .

HAIKOU, April 15. /TASS/. China's Hainan intends to continue expanding visa-free travel as well as easing visa procedures for those arriving on the island aboard cruise ships and yachts, Xinhua reported citing its sources in local administration.
Since May 1, 2018, the province has had a visa-free travel for foreigners from 59 countries, including Russia, who book their tours through travel agencies. Last year, according to official figures, more than 470,000 foreigners used a visa-free travel to visit the Island of Hainan. This figures for the said period increased by 33% compared to 2018.
During the entire period of the visa-free travel for citizens of 59 countries, according to the provincial immigration service, about 770,000 foreign tourists visited Hainan without a visa. Since July 2019, the visa-free travel has also been extended to foreign citizens from the countries included in this list, who arrive on the island for business, undergoing treatment, participating in sports competitions and exhibitions.
In 2019, tourist flow to the province from abroad grew by 12.4% and amounted to about 1.42 million people. Revenues of the tourism industry for the said period reached 105 billion yuan ($ 14.8 billion). As of the end of 2019, the Hainan Province had air routes connecting it with 62 cities in 20 countries and regions. In 2020, the province expects to draw over 2 million foreign tourists.
Hainan's free trade zone
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province. By 2050, according to the authorities, the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy, developed tourism, top-notch scientific, technical and financial potential, and modern medicine. The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-04-15--Putin: Small, medium companies will receive gratuitous aid of $162 per employee

`` In addition to the support measures that are already being taken I propose providing small and medium-sized companies of the affected sectors with direct gratuitous financial assistance from the state , '' Putin said at a meeting with members of the government .
NOVO-OGAREVO , April 15 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to provide direct gratuitous state assistance to small and medium-sized businesses in the amount of 12,130 rubles ( $ 162 ) per employee .
`` The amount of support for a particular company will be calculated taking into account the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this year , proceeding from an amount of 12,130 rubles per employee per month , `` Putin stated .
The head of state stressed that applying for such assistance should be simple and convenient for businesses .
It should also be technically possible to apply for the assistance remotely , without queues and rush .
`` I instruct the government to ensure that such a request can be submitted within a month , starting on May 1 , '' he said .
The head of state stressed that the only prerequisite for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserve not less than 90 % of the staff as of April 1 .
He added that if this requirement is met , financial support for April will be credited to a company account starting on May 18 , and funds for May will be transferred in June .
The government should start preparing new measures to support the economy , Vladimir Putin said Wednesday .
`` The situation is changing dynamically .
I request the government together with regions and business associations to assess efficiency and sufficiency of undertaken measures on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state said .
`` It is obvious that new solutions will be required , for the economy on the whole and for individual sectors , '' Putin noted .
`` Such decisions should be developed already now , consolidating required resources , '' the head of state said .
`` In general , concerning each basic and backbone sector of the economy , my request is to promptly work out and present a specific action plan , including as regards support of import substitution programs in the industry , '' Putin added .

"In addition to the support measures that are already being taken I propose providing small and medium-sized companies of the affected sectors with direct gratuitous financial assistance from the state," Putin said at a meeting with members of the government.
NOVO-OGAREVO, April 15. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to provide direct gratuitous state assistance to small and medium-sized businesses in the amount of 12,130 rubles ($162) per employee.
"The amount of support for a particular company will be calculated taking into account the total number of its employees as of April 1 of this year, proceeding from an amount of 12,130 rubles per employee per month, "Putin stated.
The head of state stressed that applying for such assistance should be simple and convenient for businesses. It should also be technically possible to apply for the assistance remotely, without queues and rush.
"I instruct the government to ensure that such a request can be submitted within a month, starting on May 1," he said.
The head of state stressed that the only prerequisite for companies to receive such assistance is to preserve not less than 90% of the staff as of April 1. He added that if this requirement is met, financial support for April will be credited to a company account starting on May 18, and funds for May will be transferred in June.
New economic support measures
The government should start preparing new measures to support the economy, Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.
"The situation is changing dynamically. I request the government together with regions and business associations to assess efficiency and sufficiency of undertaken measures on a going basis," the head of state said. "It is obvious that new solutions will be required, for the economy on the whole and for individual sectors," Putin noted.
"Such decisions should be developed already now, consolidating required resources," the head of state said.
"In general, concerning each basic and backbone sector of the economy, my request is to promptly work out and present a specific action plan, including as regards support of import substitution programs in the industry," Putin added.