tass--2020-04-18--Number of Covid patients in Moscow’s hospitals 3-4 times less than anticipated — mayor

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of those taken to hospital with coronavirus in Moscow by the end of the week is much less than anticipated , Moscow ’ s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Friday , adding that around 15,000 hospital beds could be converted to receive coronavirus patients .
`` We have a reserve of several thousands of beds in hospitals , which are coping with the situation .
And as I have already said , about the same number , about 15,000 beds , can be included in the program , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Rossiya-1 television channel .
According to the mayor , Moscow ’ s authorities anticipated that the number of patients taken to hospitals with coronavirus by the end of the current week would be `` three or four times as big . ''
`` Thank god , it did not happen .
That is why we prolong the schedule of commissioning new facilities .
Probably , we will not even need some of them , '' he added .
He noted that 37 hospitals in Moscow receive coronavirus patients .
`` Moreover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are ready to join the anti-coronavirus efforts , '' he said .
Sobyanin has warned that coronavirus lockdown measures may be further toughened in case the number of violations grows .
`` If we see that the number of violations by people or companies grows , '' he said in an interview with the Vesti program on the Rossiya-1 television channel when asked about possible toughening of the current lockdown measures .
`` We have all the instruments for that , '' he added .
`` I can say that a vast majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced by the authorities , '' he added .
By now , as many as 18,105 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moscow , or 56.6 % of the country ’ s overall number .
A total of 1,517 patients have recovered and 127 have died .
A coronavirus lockdown regime has been in force in the capital city since March 29 and a system of electronic passes was imposed on April 15 to control travels by both private and public transport .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. The number of those taken to hospital with coronavirus in Moscow by the end of the week is much less than anticipated, Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Friday, adding that around 15,000 hospital beds could be converted to receive coronavirus patients.
"We have a reserve of several thousands of beds in hospitals, which are coping with the situation. And as I have already said, about the same number, about 15,000 beds, can be included in the program," he said in an interview with the Vesti program on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
According to the mayor, Moscow’s authorities anticipated that the number of patients taken to hospitals with coronavirus by the end of the current week would be "three or four times as big." "Thank god, it did not happen. That is why we prolong the schedule of commissioning new facilities. Probably, we will not even need some of them," he added.
He noted that 37 hospitals in Moscow receive coronavirus patients. "Moreover, about the same number of clinics are ready to join the anti-coronavirus efforts," he said.
Coronavirus restricitons
Sobyanin has warned that coronavirus lockdown measures may be further toughened in case the number of violations grows.
"If we see that the number of violations by people or companies grows," he said in an interview with the Vesti program on the Rossiya-1 television channel when asked about possible toughening of the current lockdown measures.
"We have all the instruments for that," he added.
"I can say that a vast majority of Muscovites abide by the lockdown measures introduced by the authorities," he added.
By now, as many as 18,105 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moscow, or 56.6% of the country’s overall number. A total of 1,517 patients have recovered and 127 have died. A coronavirus lockdown regime has been in force in the capital city since March 29 and a system of electronic passes was imposed on April 15 to control travels by both private and public transport.


tass--2020-04-17--French coronavirus death toll tops 18,000

`` As many as 11,479 people died in hospitals , and another 7,203 passed away in elderly care homes and other social facilities .
A total of 18,681 people have died since the epidemic broke out , '' he said , adding that 82 % of the deceased were older than 70 years of age .
PARIS , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The French coronavirus death toll has reached 18,681 , head of the country ’ s health authority Jerome Salomon said at a press conference broadcast on the Health Ministry ’ s Twitter account .
According to Salomon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care in the past 24 hours .
A total of 31,120 people remain hospitalized and 6,027 are in intensive care .
As many as 1,620 patients recovered in the past 24 hours , bringing the total number of recoveries to 34,420 .
`` This is very important , this is good news , '' the health authority ’ s chief pointed out , emphasizing the need to maintain the lockdown .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"As many as 11,479 people died in hospitals, and another 7,203 passed away in elderly care homes and other social facilities. A total of 18,681 people have died since the epidemic broke out," he said, adding that 82% of the deceased were older than 70 years of age.
PARIS, April 17. /TASS/. The French coronavirus death toll has reached 18,681, head of the country’s health authority Jerome Salomon said at a press conference broadcast on the Health Ministry’s Twitter account.
According to Salomon, 243 patients were taken into intensive care in the past 24 hours. A total of 31,120 people remain hospitalized and 6,027 are in intensive care.
As many as 1,620 patients recovered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries to 34,420. "This is very important, this is good news," the health authority’s chief pointed out, emphasizing the need to maintain the lockdown.
Coronavirus pandemic
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 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-17--Lavrov, in his phone call with Pompeo, recalls initiative to resume cybersecurity dialogue

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for the resumption of dialogue on @ @ @ @ @ , the Russian foreign ministry said on Friday after Lavrov ’ s telephone conversation with @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo .
`` Sergey Lavrov recalled our proposals to resume the work of the Russian-American @ @ @ @ @ the sphere of information and communications technologies that was stopped by the previous US administration @ @ @ @ @ invigorate anti-terrorism dialogue , '' the ministry said .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for the resumption of dialogue on cybersecurity with the United States, the Russian foreign ministry said on Friday after Lavrov’s telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.
"Sergey Lavrov recalled our proposals to resume the work of the Russian-American working group on threats in the sphere of information and communications technologies that was stopped by the previous US administration, as well as to invigorate anti-terrorism dialogue," the ministry said.


tass--2020-04-17--Large jewelry grade diamond found in Archangelsk Region

ARCHANGELSK , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
A large jewelry grade diamond with the weight of 50.36 carats was found @ @ @ @ @ Concentration Plant of AGD Diamonds in the Archangelsk Region , the press service of the @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The exclusive jewelry grade diamond with the weight of 50.36 carats was found @ @ @ @ @ became the second large diamond mined by company ’ s specialists this year , '' @ @ @ @ @ diamond has regular shape and is transparent .
The mining and concentration plant is now @ @ @ @ @ of the epidemiological situation , the press service of AGD Diamonds told TASS .
`` @ @ @ @ @ all international diamond exchanges are closed , '' the press service said .
The diamond @ @ @ @ @ carats was mined at the Grib concentration plant in January 2020 .

ARCHANGELSK, April 17. /TASS/. A large jewelry grade diamond with the weight of 50.36 carats was found at the Grib Mining and Concentration Plant of AGD Diamonds in the Archangelsk Region, the press service of the regional administration said on Friday.
"The exclusive jewelry grade diamond with the weight of 50.36 carats was found on April 13. It became the second large diamond mined by company’s specialists this year," the administration said. The diamond has regular shape and is transparent.
The mining and concentration plant is now working behind closed doors because of the epidemiological situation, the press service of AGD Diamonds told TASS. "Planned activities continue, although all international diamond exchanges are closed," the press service said.
The diamond with the weight of 86.46 carats was mined at the Grib concentration plant in January 2020.


tass--2020-04-17--Average age of those dying with COVID at Kommunarka hospital is 68

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The average age of coronavirus-positive patients who died at Moscow ’ s hospital @ @ @ @ @ is around 68 , the hospital ’ s chief phusician Denis Protesenko said on Friday @ @ @ @ @ the week .
We have analyzed the fatalities .
Since March 28 , we have @ @ @ @ @ confirmed COVID infection .
The average age is 68.1 years .
Most of the patients @ @ @ @ @ diabetes , chronic cardiac distress , and others , '' he wrote on his Facebook @ @ @ @ @ a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 2,590 patients @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian @ @ @ @ @ hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. The average age of coronavirus-positive patients who died at Moscow’s hospital for coronavirus patients in Kommunarka is around 68, the hospital’s chief phusician Denis Protesenko said on Friday.
"The end of the week. We have analyzed the fatalities. Since March 28, we have 20 deaths of patients with confirmed COVID infection. The average age is 68.1 years. Most of the patients had a concurrent pathology: diabetes, chronic cardiac distress, and others," he wrote on his Facebook account.
To date, a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-17--More than 50 Russian tourists wish to leave Myanmar, embassy says

BANGKOK , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
More than 50 Russian tourists have expressed the wish to leave Myanmar amid the restrictions taken in that country for preventing the spread of the coronavirus , Russian embassy spokesman Anton Anisimov said on Friday .
`` Currently there are 57 Russians in the country .
All of them had arrived in Myanmar as tourists , but none applied for consular registration .
Those who have failed to board a regular flight to Russia from Myanmar have turned to the embassy to say they would like to leave the country .
Another five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
According to the Russian Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications ’ telegram channel the evacuation flight from Kathmandu due on April 20 is to make a stopover in Myanmar ( Yangon ) to pick up Russians eager to fly to Moscow .
The departure from Kathmandu airport is due at 12:40 ( 08:55 ) Moscow time .
It remains unclear so far when the plane will leave Myanmar .
On March 19 , Myanmar ’ s government made a decision to suspend the entry of all foreign citizens through border checkpoints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
The first patients were diagnosed with the coronavirus on March 23 .
The first death from the virus was registered on March 31 .
So far , a total of 85 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Myanmar .
Four patients died and two recovered .
The authorities suspended the issue of visas to all foreign nationals on March 29 to April 30 .
All commercial flights to Myanmar ’ s airports are banned till the end of the month .

BANGKOK, April 17. /TASS/. More than 50 Russian tourists have expressed the wish to leave Myanmar amid the restrictions taken in that country for preventing the spread of the coronavirus, Russian embassy spokesman Anton Anisimov said on Friday.
"Currently there are 57 Russians in the country. All of them had arrived in Myanmar as tourists, but none applied for consular registration. Those who have failed to board a regular flight to Russia from Myanmar have turned to the embassy to say they would like to leave the country.
Another five made a decision to stay, Anisimov added.
According to the Russian Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications’ telegram channel the evacuation flight from Kathmandu due on April 20 is to make a stopover in Myanmar (Yangon) to pick up Russians eager to fly to Moscow. The departure from Kathmandu airport is due at 12:40 (08:55) Moscow time. It remains unclear so far when the plane will leave Myanmar.
On March 19, Myanmar’s government made a decision to suspend the entry of all foreign citizens through border checkpoints as a measure against the spread of the coronavirus. The first patients were diagnosed with the coronavirus on March 23. The first death from the virus was registered on March 31. So far, a total of 85 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Myanmar. Four patients died and two recovered.
The authorities suspended the issue of visas to all foreign nationals on March 29 to April 30. All commercial flights to Myanmar’s airports are banned till the end of the month.


tass--2020-04-17--Russian, US top security officials discuss fight against coronavirus

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien have held a telephone conversation particularly to discuss the fight against the coronavirus , the Russian Security Council said in a statement on Friday .
`` Patrushev and O ’ Brien focused on Russia-US cooperation to combat the spread of COVID-19 .
They also discussed other security issues , '' the statement reads .
This was the first phone call between Patrushev and O ’ Brien , who was appointed National Security Advisor in September 2019 .
The Russian Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with O ’ Brien ’ s predecessor John Bolton .
The two last met in Jerusalem in June 2019 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statistics , over 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien have held a telephone conversation particularly to discuss the fight against the coronavirus, the Russian Security Council said in a statement on Friday.
"Patrushev and O’Brien focused on Russia-US cooperation to combat the spread of COVID-19. They also discussed other security issues," the statement reads.
This was the first phone call between Patrushev and O’Brien, who was appointed National Security Advisor in September 2019. The Russian Security Council had held a number of meetings with O’Brien’s predecessor John Bolton. The two last met in Jerusalem in June 2019.
Coronavirus pandemic
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 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-04-17--PM says 45,000 additional hospital beds to be set up in Russian regions

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 45,000 additional beds will be set up in 60 federal medical facilities across Russia , which will be involved in efforts to combat the coronavirus , Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a meeting of the coordination center for coronavirus response on Friday .
`` I have I signed an order to hand beds in federal hospitals over to regional authorities , which particularly determines medical facilities that will treat coronavirus patients .
The list includes over 60 facilities across the country , 45,000 additional beds will be set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 36 bln rubles ( $ 486 mln ) had been allocated for that purpose .
The prime minister also ordered the Health Ministry to monitor the use of hospital beds in Russia ’ s regions and report to the cabinet every week .
He welcomed the opening of a new infectious disease hospital in Moscow and the Defense Ministry ’ s multifunctional medical center in Nizhny Novgorod , which had been built within a few weeks .
`` We need to continue making stocks so that we are ready for any developments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out that President Vladimir Putin had handed down instructions to make sure that hospitals had key medical specialists and necessary equipment .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. As many as 45,000 additional beds will be set up in 60 federal medical facilities across Russia, which will be involved in efforts to combat the coronavirus, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a meeting of the coordination center for coronavirus response on Friday.
"I have I signed an order to hand beds in federal hospitals over to regional authorities, which particularly determines medical facilities that will treat coronavirus patients. The list includes over 60 facilities across the country, 45,000 additional beds will be set up," Mishustin said, noting that over 36 bln rubles ($486 mln) had been allocated for that purpose.
The prime minister also ordered the Health Ministry to monitor the use of hospital beds in Russia’s regions and report to the cabinet every week. He welcomed the opening of a new infectious disease hospital in Moscow and the Defense Ministry’s multifunctional medical center in Nizhny Novgorod, which had been built within a few weeks.
"We need to continue making stocks so that we are ready for any developments," Mishustin emphasized. He pointed out that President Vladimir Putin had handed down instructions to make sure that hospitals had key medical specialists and necessary equipment.


tass--2020-04-17--Nagorno-Karabakh settlement efforts continue despite coronavirus pandemic, says diplomat

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Consultations on settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continue , despite the novel coronavirus pandemic , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakarova said on Friday .
`` Despite the coronavirus , work on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement continues , '' she said , adding that settlement problems were in focus of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ’ s telephone talks with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts , Zograb Mtatsakanyan and Elmar Mamedyarov , in April .
`` Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk maintains regular contacts with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The ongoing series of consultations is focused on the topic of the coronavirus infection , its impacts on the negotiating process , and certain aspects of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement .
The agenda also includes the situation along the contact line and at the borders . ''
The conflict between neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh , a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up but was mainly populated by Armenians , broke out in the early 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic .
In 1991-1994 , the confrontation spilled over into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and some adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them .
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been held since 1992 in the format of the so-called OSCE Minsk Group , comprising along with its three co-chairs - Russia , France and the United States - Belarus , Germany , Italy , Sweden , Finland and Turkey .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Consultations on settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict continue, despite the novel coronavirus pandemic, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakarova said on Friday.
"Despite the coronavirus, work on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement continues," she said, adding that settlement problems were in focus of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone talks with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts, Zograb Mtatsakanyan and Elmar Mamedyarov, in April.
"Co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group and Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk maintains regular contacts with the parties," she noted. "The ongoing series of consultations is focused on the topic of the coronavirus infection, its impacts on the negotiating process, and certain aspects of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement. The agenda also includes the situation along the contact line and at the borders."
The conflict between neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan over the highland region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory that had been part of Azerbaijan before the Soviet Union break-up but was mainly populated by Armenians, broke out in the early 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijani Soviet Republic.
In 1991-1994, the confrontation spilled over into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and some adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them.
Talks on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement have been held since 1992 in the format of the so-called OSCE Minsk Group, comprising along with its three co-chairs - Russia, France and the United States - Belarus, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Finland and Turkey.


tass--2020-04-17--Russian authorities form package of measures to support industries, trade, says minister

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Industry and Trade Ministry has formed the main package of measures to support national industrial and trade enterprises and the Cabinet has already approved many of them , the head of the ministry Denis Manturov said as quoted by the ministry ’ s press service.He was speaking at a meeting of the Coordination Council for industries .
`` We have already formed the main package of general and industry-based measures to support industries and trade , and many of them have already been approved by the government .
We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next meetings with the president , '' Manturov said .
He noted that these measures will be applied to those enterprises for which the Industry and Trade Ministry received clear and timely information on emerging problems and future risks .
`` I ’ m asking you to take this under special control and keep monitoring the financial situation , cash shortages and arrears of all significant industrial enterprises in your regions , '' Manturov addressed the governors , who participated in the meeting .
Earlier , President Vladimir Putin said that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures to support the automotive industry , agriculture , housing and communal services , light industry , aircraft manufacturing and others .
As Manturov said earlier , a meeting on supporting the auto industry is scheduled for April 22 .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Russia’s Industry and Trade Ministry has formed the main package of measures to support national industrial and trade enterprises and the Cabinet has already approved many of them, the head of the ministry Denis Manturov said as quoted by the ministry’s press service.He was speaking at a meeting of the Coordination Council for industries.
"We have already formed the main package of general and industry-based measures to support industries and trade, and many of them have already been approved by the government. We will work on these issues in detail at the next meetings with the president," Manturov said.
He noted that these measures will be applied to those enterprises for which the Industry and Trade Ministry received clear and timely information on emerging problems and future risks.
"I’m asking you to take this under special control and keep monitoring the financial situation, cash shortages and arrears of all significant industrial enterprises in your regions," Manturov addressed the governors, who participated in the meeting.
Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said that in the near future he intends to discuss measures to support the automotive industry, agriculture, housing and communal services, light industry, aircraft manufacturing and others. As Manturov said earlier, a meeting on supporting the auto industry is scheduled for April 22.


tass--2020-04-17--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Serbia up to 5,690

BELGRADE , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Serbia has increased by 372 in @ @ @ @ @ 5,690 .
The number of coronavirus-related deaths has amounted to 110 , the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
Seven coronavirus-associated deaths were registered during the day , with the mortality rate @ @ @ @ @ as 3,094 people were tested for the coronavirus and 372 of them were positive .
@ @ @ @ @ patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals , with 122 of them being connected to artificial @ @ @

BELGRADE, April 17. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Serbia has increased by 372 in the past day and reached 5,690. The number of coronavirus-related deaths has amounted to 110, the country’s health ministry said on Friday.
Seven coronavirus-associated deaths were registered during the day, with the mortality rate being 1.93% As many as 3,094 people were tested for the coronavirus and 372 of them were positive.
In all, 3,765 coronavirus patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals, with 122 of them being connected to artificial lung ventilation.


tass--2020-04-17--Russia calls on key players to coordinate efforts to resolve Afghan crisis

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow calls on key players - the US , China and Pakistan - to coordinate their efforts to resolve the Afghan crisis , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Friday .
`` Russia urges key international players to coordinate their efforts to help find a way out of the current impasse and develop political solutions to ensure the interests of the Afghan people , establish true peace on Afghan soil and stability in the region , '' she emphasized .
The Russian diplomat pointed to the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which include meetings with the leaders of various Afghan political and social organizations , officials from the political office of the Taliban movement ( outlawed in Russia ) in Qatar and the Pakistani leadership .
However , in Zakharova ’ s words , intra-Afghan talks are unlikely to begin until the crisis of power in Kabul is resolved .
`` The crisis emerged following the failure of last year ’ s presidential election in Afghanistan .
Besides , the current Afghan authorities openly seek to hinder a prisoner exchange with the Taliban , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch of intra-Afghan dialogue .
We have to say in this regard that the Americans , too , are to blame for rising tensions in Kabul as they recognized the victory of one of the presidential candidates , '' Zakharova explained .
She emphasized that it ran counter to the agreements brokered by Russia , the US , China and Pakistan , which were aimed at boosting the creation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Moscow calls on key players - the US, China and Pakistan - to coordinate their efforts to resolve the Afghan crisis, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Friday.
"Russia urges key international players to coordinate their efforts to help find a way out of the current impasse and develop political solutions to ensure the interests of the Afghan people, establish true peace on Afghan soil and stability in the region," she emphasized.
The Russian diplomat pointed to the United States’ efforts to boost intra-Afghan dialogue, which include meetings with the leaders of various Afghan political and social organizations, officials from the political office of the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) in Qatar and the Pakistani leadership. However, in Zakharova’s words, intra-Afghan talks are unlikely to begin until the crisis of power in Kabul is resolved.
"The crisis emerged following the failure of last year’s presidential election in Afghanistan. Besides, the current Afghan authorities openly seek to hinder a prisoner exchange with the Taliban, which is a key condition for the launch of intra-Afghan dialogue. We have to say in this regard that the Americans, too, are to blame for rising tensions in Kabul as they recognized the victory of one of the presidential candidates," Zakharova explained.
She emphasized that it ran counter to the agreements brokered by Russia, the US, China and Pakistan, which were aimed at boosting the creation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.


tass--2020-04-17--Russia plans to produce about 300 lung ventilators weekly from next week

`` From four to five lung ventilators were made per week .
Exactly during this week we will reach the volume of 200 units .
We expect achieving 300 or may be slightly higher from the next week , '' he said .
MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to reach weekly production of about 300 lung ventilators from the next week , Minister Denis Manturov said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV Channel .
`` We should perform in three months the volume comprised in total in the order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 5,000 units across all regions , '' Manturov 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"From four to five lung ventilators were made per week. Exactly during this week we will reach the volume of 200 units. We expect achieving 300 or may be slightly higher from the next week," he said.
MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to reach weekly production of about 300 lung ventilators from the next week, Minister Denis Manturov said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV Channel.
"We should perform in three months the volume comprised in total in the order from the healthcare system; there are more than 5,000 units across all regions," Manturov 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 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-17--Russian Foreign Ministry says countries have no right to settle scores on Iraqi soil

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Other countries have no right to use Iraqi soil to settle scores with each other , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Friday .
`` We believe that decisions about the presence of foreign troops in Iraq , including US troops , should be made through dialogue based on respect for Iraq ’ s sovereignty and territorial integrity .
We consider attempts to use Iraqi soil for settling scores between countries to be unacceptable because such actions run counter to international law , violate Iraq ’ s sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests , '' Zakharova pointed out .
According to her , Moscow expects the domestic political situation in Iraq to improve following the formation of a new government .
`` We believe that Mustafa al-Kazemi , nominated for Prime Minister , will succeed in achieving this goal as , according to available information , most of the Iraqi parliamentary factions are ready to support him , '' the Russian diplomat added .
On January 3 , a US drone strike near Baghdad 's airport killed General Qasem Soleimani , the head of Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force .
Iran targeted Iraq ’ s Ain Al-Asad air base and a facility in Erbil , which house US troops , in retaliation for the attack .
On April 9 , Iraqi President Barham Salih ordered intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kazem to form a new cabinet .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Other countries have no right to use Iraqi soil to settle scores with each other, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Friday.
"We believe that decisions about the presence of foreign troops in Iraq, including US troops, should be made through dialogue based on respect for Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We consider attempts to use Iraqi soil for settling scores between countries to be unacceptable because such actions run counter to international law, violate Iraq’s sovereignty and harm the country’s national interests," Zakharova pointed out.
According to her, Moscow expects the domestic political situation in Iraq to improve following the formation of a new government. "We believe that Mustafa al-Kazemi, nominated for Prime Minister, will succeed in achieving this goal as, according to available information, most of the Iraqi parliamentary factions are ready to support him," the Russian diplomat added.
On January 3, a US drone strike near Baghdad's airport killed General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force. Iran targeted Iraq’s Ain Al-Asad air base and a facility in Erbil, which house US troops, in retaliation for the attack. On April 9, Iraqi President Barham Salih ordered intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kazem to form a new cabinet.


tass--2020-04-17--"No fears, follow instructions": How Murmansk doctors fight the virus

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Infection disease doctor Ksenia Lishko tells TASS about how doctors live at the front of fighting COVID-19 , about professional secrets , problems and superstition .
Reporters were not allowed inside the Murmansk Region ’ s Center for Infectious Diseases , where COVID-19 patients receive treatment .
The center also includes an observation facility .
The guard and police see to it that no strangers sneak inside .
An infectious disease doctor agreed to meet us , though in a neutral place .
Who is the doctor ?
In due time , together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we get to the infectious disease unit .
Here arrives a car , the center ’ s logo on its side .
A woman in uniform jumps out from the car , grabs three bags and heads for the entrance .
We follow her .
`` Hello , are you Ksenia ?
We are waiting for you , '' I say , hurrying after her .
I am surprised to hear a voice from another side : `` I am Ksenia , hello ! ''
Looking in the direction of the voice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girl with curly hair , huge eyes and a warm smile — I would rather say she is a model than a doctor .
`` I am Ksenia Lishko , an ID physician , acting chief of the regional center for infectious diseases .
You wanted to meet me .
Ask your questions . ''
`` The idea to become a doctor surprised even me , '' Ksenia said .
`` Nobody was a physician in my family , mom and dad worked on the railroad .
So I go to the kitchen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ ll study to become a doctor ! ''
Their reaction surprised me .
`` Fine , '' they said .
I was an eight-grade school student , and I thought they did not believe me .
Since early childhood I attended ballet classes .
They must have thought I wanted to become a dancer . ''
In 2016 , she graduated from Petrozavodsk State University ( in Karelia ) .
In her first years Ksenia focused on children ’ s diseases , but later on continued training to become an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a medical specialty , which has a very vast and interesting diagnostics , there is always space for thoughts and considerations , you do not need to cut , suture .
What you need is to think , analyze and make decisions quickly , '' Ksenia said .
The Murmansk Center for infectious diseases is the first and only place , where Ksenia Lishko has been working .
She took an internship program here , and here she began to work as a doctor .
Recently , she ’ s been appointed acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ’ ll have to study all the time , like a teacher , a reporter , '' I say , asking `` doesn ’ t it fear you off ? ''
`` This is exactly what I enjoy in the profession .
When updated , you have no fears . ''
Over three years at the infectious disease center , Ksenia has fought malaria from Africa , and dengue fever from Sri Lanka .
People living in the North , love traveling , and often return home with various `` surprises .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is a puzzle , which the world ’ s scientists in infections and epidemics are to solve , even though they are well familiar with RNA viruses , one of which is COVID-19 .
`` Usually , such viruses cause diseases in light forms , but some patients may have heavy acute respiratory syndromes , which may cause quick lethality .
Symptoms are similar to regular ARVI : dry coughing , fever , and dysosmia ( a distortion of the perception of smell ) .
Here , an ID physician should focus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the patient has traveled and who the patient has contacted , '' Ksenia said .
It is not about fears I ask her how dangerous it may be to enter infections wards a few times a day and whether she fears to face the virus .
It is not about fears , she replied .
`` Knowledge is our weapon .
We are not naked in this fight .
We have all the necessary protection : the overalls , masks , shoe covers , gloves .
The department has separate clean and contaminated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Our office , a room to relax , a room to eat are in the clean zone - here we have nothing to fear , just to follow the instructions . ''
`` You know , I can ’ t say our life has changed much .
We work in a regular mode : shifts , overnight shifts , visiting patients , diagnoses , treatment , and release of the recovered . ''
Unlike doctors at some hospitals across Russia , physicians in Murmansk do not stay at work for days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` In other regions , where situations are worse , I know that doctors stay at hospitals .
They have specially equipped living zones .
We do not have anything of the kind .
It is simply not necessary , '' she explained .
The `` Cuban '' will make it The infectious disease unit could take 50 patients at a time , now it has been upgraded to treat 130 people .
The Center has five lung ventilation systems , and the intensive care unit has sufficient number of such systems .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not been used .
`` We have a few patients , who need oxygen , you might have seen patients with thin tubes coming into nose to help them breathe .
With the treatment we make , all patients have positive dynamics , '' the doctor said .
I ask cautiously , whether the well-known Cuban is at the center .
The man , who lives in Apatity , brought the infection from a holiday in Cuba and refused to isolate himself .
`` You are right , here he is !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his life , unlike the media had said .
On the Internet , somebody has already `` buried '' the man , but he ’ s alive !
His condition is stable , which is most important , the dynamics is positive .
I won ’ t give any details , it ’ s against the rules .
I can only add , he ’ ll stay here , we ’ ll treat him a bit more .
Another four patients have already recovered and went home . ''
Strange as it may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Center in Murmansk there are practically no regular patients , suffering from regular infections - almost everyone brought there is suspected of having the coronavirus infection .
Most likely , people listen to what physicians say and pay more attention to their health .
However , Ksenia gave a few recommendations .
`` When wearing a mask , always hide the nose , or the protection won ’ t work .
When you wear a mask , the virus may stay inside if you sneeze , but through disposed nose you may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
Isolation , Ksenia and her colleagues said , is a most effective measure .
It can not stop the disease , but will surely cut the number of infected .
`` I ’ d like to stress - not with every ARVI symptom people should rush [ to the Center ] .
If for quite a time you have not traveled outside the region , have not contacted anybody suspicious but you do have ARVI symptoms , it does not mean you have the coronavirus infection .
Don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue the self-isolation , follow the sanitary regime , but never panic . ''
We walk Ksenia to the Center ’ s Emergency Department .
A nurse opens the door .
Taisiya Samokhvalova has been working there for many years , she knows all the doctors .
We ask her about the new chief doctor .
`` She , though very young , is highly professional .
And - she is caring , attentive , will never just walk by , will always ask how ’ s life , how do you feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only during regular visits .
She ’ s a Superdoctor ! ''
the nurse said .
We are about to leave .
I ask the last question : are there any superstition signs , which every physician observes .
`` They do exist , and they work , '' the superdoctor replied with a smile .
`` One of them is : never tell a doctor - I hope you ’ ll have a quiet shift !
`` .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Infection disease doctor Ksenia Lishko tells TASS about how doctors live at the front of fighting COVID-19, about professional secrets, problems and superstition.
Reporters were not allowed inside the Murmansk Region’s Center for Infectious Diseases, where COVID-19 patients receive treatment. The center also includes an observation facility. The guard and police see to it that no strangers sneak inside.
An infectious disease doctor agreed to meet us, though in a neutral place.
Who is the doctor?
In due time, together with a local press photographer Lev Fedoseyev, we get to the infectious disease unit. Here arrives a car, the center’s logo on its side. A woman in uniform jumps out from the car, grabs three bags and heads for the entrance. We follow her.
"Hello, are you Ksenia? We are waiting for you," I say, hurrying after her. I am surprised to hear a voice from another side: "I am Ksenia, hello!"
Looking in the direction of the voice I can see a tall, slim girl with curly hair, huge eyes and a warm smile — I would rather say she is a model than a doctor.
"I am Ksenia Lishko, an ID physician, acting chief of the regional center for infectious diseases. You wanted to meet me. Ask your questions."
"Listen, I’ll be a doctor!"
"The idea to become a doctor surprised even me," Ksenia said. "Nobody was a physician in my family, mom and dad worked on the railroad. So I go to the kitchen and tell the parents: "Here, I’ll study to become a doctor!" Their reaction surprised me. "Fine," they said. I was an eight-grade school student, and I thought they did not believe me. Since early childhood I attended ballet classes. They must have thought I wanted to become a dancer."
In 2016, she graduated from Petrozavodsk State University (in Karelia). In her first years Ksenia focused on children’s diseases, but later on continued training to become an infectious disease doctor.
"It is a medical specialty, which has a very vast and interesting diagnostics, there is always space for thoughts and considerations, you do not need to cut, suture. What you need is to think, analyze and make decisions quickly," Ksenia said.
The Murmansk Center for infectious diseases is the first and only place, where Ksenia Lishko has been working. She took an internship program here, and here she began to work as a doctor. Recently, she’s been appointed acting chief doctor at the department.
"You’ll have to study all the time, like a teacher, a reporter," I say, asking "doesn’t it fear you off?"
"This is exactly what I enjoy in the profession. When updated, you have no fears."
One-on-one with the virus
Over three years at the infectious disease center, Ksenia has fought malaria from Africa, and dengue fever from Sri Lanka. People living in the North, love traveling, and often return home with various "surprises."
As for the new coronavirus, it is a puzzle, which the world’s scientists in infections and epidemics are to solve, even though they are well familiar with RNA viruses, one of which is COVID-19.
"Usually, such viruses cause diseases in light forms, but some patients may have heavy acute respiratory syndromes, which may cause quick lethality. Symptoms are similar to regular ARVI: dry coughing, fever, and dysosmia (a distortion of the perception of smell). Here, an ID physician should focus on the epidemic anamnesis - to where the patient has traveled and who the patient has contacted," Ksenia said.
It is not about fears
I ask her how dangerous it may be to enter infections wards a few times a day and whether she fears to face the virus. It is not about fears, she replied.
"Knowledge is our weapon. We are not naked in this fight. We have all the necessary protection: the overalls, masks, shoe covers, gloves. The department has separate clean and contaminated zones," the doctor told us. "Our office, a room to relax, a room to eat are in the clean zone - here we have nothing to fear, just to follow the instructions."
"You know, I can’t say our life has changed much. We work in a regular mode: shifts, overnight shifts, visiting patients, diagnoses, treatment, and release of the recovered."
Unlike doctors at some hospitals across Russia, physicians in Murmansk do not stay at work for days. After shifts they go home.
"In other regions, where situations are worse, I know that doctors stay at hospitals. They have specially equipped living zones. We do not have anything of the kind. It is simply not necessary," she explained.
The "Cuban" will make it
The infectious disease unit could take 50 patients at a time, now it has been upgraded to treat 130 people. The Center has five lung ventilation systems, and the intensive care unit has sufficient number of such systems. As yet, Ksenia said, they have not been used.
"We have a few patients, who need oxygen, you might have seen patients with thin tubes coming into nose to help them breathe. With the treatment we make, all patients have positive dynamics," the doctor said.
I ask cautiously, whether the well-known Cuban is at the center. The man, who lives in Apatity, brought the infection from a holiday in Cuba and refused to isolate himself.
"You are right, here he is!" Ksenia smiles. "Nothing threatens his life, unlike the media had said. On the Internet, somebody has already "buried" the man, but he’s alive! His condition is stable, which is most important, the dynamics is positive. I won’t give any details, it’s against the rules. I can only add, he’ll stay here, we’ll treat him a bit more. Another four patients have already recovered and went home."
Don’t panic
Strange as it may seem, Ksenia stressed, presently at the Center in Murmansk there are practically no regular patients, suffering from regular infections - almost everyone brought there is suspected of having the coronavirus infection. Most likely, people listen to what physicians say and pay more attention to their health. However, Ksenia gave a few recommendations.
"When wearing a mask, always hide the nose, or the protection won’t work. When you wear a mask, the virus may stay inside if you sneeze, but through disposed nose you may ‘catch’ it from others," she said.
Isolation, Ksenia and her colleagues said, is a most effective measure. It cannot stop the disease, but will surely cut the number of infected.
"I’d like to stress - not with every ARVI symptom people should rush [to the Center]. If for quite a time you have not traveled outside the region, have not contacted anybody suspicious but you do have ARVI symptoms, it does not mean you have the coronavirus infection. Don’t panic. Be on guard, continue the self-isolation, follow the sanitary regime, but never panic."
"Superdoctor" about superstition
We walk Ksenia to the Center’s Emergency Department. A nurse opens the door. Taisiya Samokhvalova has been working there for many years, she knows all the doctors.
We ask her about the new chief doctor. "She, though very young, is highly professional. And - she is caring, attentive, will never just walk by, will always ask how’s life, how do you feel. She comes to see patients not only during regular visits. She’s a Superdoctor!" the nurse said.
We are about to leave. I ask the last question: are there any superstition signs, which every physician observes.
"They do exist, and they work," the superdoctor replied with a smile. "One of them is: never tell a doctor - I hope you’ll have a quiet shift!".


tass--2020-04-17--US attempts to accuse WHO of inefficiency counterproductive — diplomat

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
It was counterproductive and irresponsible of Washington to suspend funding to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and accuse it of inefficiency in combating the coronavirus pandemic , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday .
`` We consider the United States ’ attempts to accuse the WHO of inefficiency and non-transparency and to place the entire responsibility for what is going on in that country on the organization absolutely counterproductive and irresponsible , '' she said .
`` It is utterly wrong now to distance oneself from the WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Zakharova , all the accusations against the WHO of passivity , non-transparency and evil intent are absolutely groundless .
`` We have already shared the chronology of the WHO ’ s actions — it is available on the ministry ’ s website .
After receiving primary data , the WHO began to act quite actively , announcing all the steps it was taking , '' the diplomat said .
`` At all the pandemic development phases , the WHO was acting under its mandate , in strict compliance with the policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research data . ''
Zakharova noted that Washington is speaking about the WHO as though it has nothing to do with it , although two WHO director-general ’ s assistants are Americans .
Moreover , the Americans are widely represented in all WHO divisions and expert committees , including the emergency committee .
She also recalled that the WHO ’ s coordinating role in combating the pandemic is formalized in the United Nations General Assembly consensus-based resolution and the final declaration of the Group of Twenty summit .
`` The United States actively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that it is the official position of the state , '' Zakharova said .
The Russian diplomat noted that being a member of the WHO executive board the United States could have initiated back in February a special resolution to raise the WHO ’ s potential to make it more effective in emergency situations .
`` Obviously , a detailed analysis of the WHO response steps in the coronavirus situation will be needed to decide on how to boost its efficiency .
As people say , there is always room for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far , over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. It was counterproductive and irresponsible of Washington to suspend funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) and accuse it of inefficiency in combating the coronavirus pandemic, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.
"We consider the United States’ attempts to accuse the WHO of inefficiency and non-transparency and to place the entire responsibility for what is going on in that country on the organization absolutely counterproductive and irresponsible," she said. "It is utterly wrong now to distance oneself from the WHO and accuse it of everything."
According to Zakharova, all the accusations against the WHO of passivity, non-transparency and evil intent are absolutely groundless. "We have already shared the chronology of the WHO’s actions — it is available on the ministry’s website. After receiving primary data, the WHO began to act quite actively, announcing all the steps it was taking," the diplomat said. "At all the pandemic development phases, the WHO was acting under its mandate, in strict compliance with the policies of its member nations, relying on research data."
Zakharova noted that Washington is speaking about the WHO as though it has nothing to do with it, although two WHO director-general’s assistants are Americans. Moreover, the Americans are widely represented in all WHO divisions and expert committees, including the emergency committee.
She also recalled that the WHO’s coordinating role in combating the pandemic is formalized in the United Nations General Assembly consensus-based resolution and the final declaration of the Group of Twenty summit. "The United States actively supported this consensus and we proceed from the fact that it is the official position of the state," Zakharova said.
The Russian diplomat noted that being a member of the WHO executive board the United States could have initiated back in February a special resolution to raise the WHO’s potential to make it more effective in emergency situations. "Obviously, a detailed analysis of the WHO response steps in the coronavirus situation will be needed to decide on how to boost its efficiency. As people say, there is always room for improvement," she 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 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-17--Cabinet allocates extra $485 mln to regions to combat coronavirus, says Putin

NOVO-OGAREVO , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian government has allocated more than 36 billion rubles ( $ 485 @ @ @ @ @ equipment and retrofitting of bed capacity in hospitals required for fighting against the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
He was speaking at a meeting on construction of new medical facilities and @ @ @ @ @ fighting the coronavirus infection .
`` I know that the regions are sending additional requests @ @ @ @ @ of a special bed capacity .
I want to inform you that the government today @ @ @ @ @ billion rubles on such additional requests .
These funds need to be used efficiently , @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .

NOVO-OGAREVO, April 17. /TASS/. The Russian government has allocated more than 36 billion rubles ($485 mln) to regions for equipment and retrofitting of bed capacity in hospitals required for fighting against the coronavirus, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday. He was speaking at a meeting on construction of new medical facilities and re-equipment of old ones for fighting the coronavirus infection.
"I know that the regions are sending additional requests for equipment purchase and retrofitting of a special bed capacity. I want to inform you that the government today has allocated more than 36 billion rubles on such additional requests. These funds need to be used efficiently, accurately and very efficiently," he said.


tass--2020-04-17--Putin: new coronavirus hotbeds emerge through authorities’ fault

The Russian president thus commented on a statement by Head of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov who said that `` the virus is impacting hotbeds . ''
NOVO-OGARYOVO , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
New coronavirus hotbeds emerge through the fault of authorities who have overlooked something or failed to check it properly , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday .
`` Hotbeds emerge , as a rule , through our fault , when authorities have overlooked something or failed to check it timely .
That is the reason , '' Putin said at a meeting on building and repurposing health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bashkortostan head earlier said at the meeting that in the wake of the threat of virus hotbeds emerging in the republic , he had made a decision to place all the republican social facilities , including psychoneurologic dispensaries , nursing homes , social shelters and other similar facilities under full quarantine .
As the Bashkortostan head said , the staff working inside these institutions during the quarantine will get extra pay from the region .
The republican head asked Putin to consider introducing the same federal extra pays for them as for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will think about that , '' Putin answered .

The Russian president thus commented on a statement by Head of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov who said that "the virus is impacting hotbeds."
NOVO-OGARYOVO, April 17. /TASS/. New coronavirus hotbeds emerge through the fault of authorities who have overlooked something or failed to check it properly, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
"Hotbeds emerge, as a rule, through our fault, when authorities have overlooked something or failed to check it timely. That is the reason," Putin said at a meeting on building and repurposing health care institutions in Russian regions.
The Bashkortostan head earlier said at the meeting that in the wake of the threat of virus hotbeds emerging in the republic, he had made a decision to place all the republican social facilities, including psychoneurologic dispensaries, nursing homes, social shelters and other similar facilities under full quarantine.
As the Bashkortostan head said, the staff working inside these institutions during the quarantine will get extra pay from the region. The republican head asked Putin to consider introducing the same federal extra pays for them as for the medical staff.
"Well, we will think about that," Putin answered.


tass--2020-04-17--Health minister calls on five Russian regions to step up coronavirus response efforts

NOVO-OGARYOVO , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Irkutsk , Vladimir , Komi , Udmurt and Trans-Baikal regions need to step up coronavirus response efforts , Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said during a videoconference on the construction and repurposing of medical facilities on Friday .
`` We would like to point out that some regions do need to step up their efforts .
This particularly concerns the Irkutsk , Udmurt , Komi , Vladimir and Trans-Baikal regions , '' he pointed out .
Murashko added that the current situation highlighted the need to calculate all potential risks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, April 17. /TASS/. Russia’s Irkutsk, Vladimir, Komi, Udmurt and Trans-Baikal regions need to step up coronavirus response efforts, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said during a videoconference on the construction and repurposing of medical facilities on Friday.
"We would like to point out that some regions do need to step up their efforts. This particularly concerns the Irkutsk, Udmurt, Komi, Vladimir and Trans-Baikal regions," he pointed out.
Murashko added that the current situation highlighted the need to calculate all potential risks.
Coronavirus pandemic
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 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-17--Each Russian governor personally responsible for fight against COVID-19, says Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reminded governors of Russian regions that they bear @ @ @ @ @ facilities to fight coronavirus spread .
`` The personal responsibility of every head of region @ @ @ @ @ all works to increase the level of preparedness and ramp up regional healthcare capabilities , @ @ @ @ @ healthcare meeting .
The president also underlined that lives and health of people are at @ @

NOVO-OGARYOVO, April 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reminded governors of Russian regions that they bear personal responsibility for preparing medical facilities to fight coronavirus spread.
"The personal responsibility of every head of region is to personally set up all works to increase the level of preparedness and ramp up regional healthcare capabilities," Putin said after a healthcare meeting. The president also underlined that lives and health of people are at stake.


tass--2020-04-17--Health condition of Yaroshenko is stable despite coronavirus in US jail, says wife

`` His condition seems to be stable .
In the cell they are all in stable condition , but every day they take out someone who gets complications .
Today he feels fine , but tomorrow anything can happen , '' Yaroshenko said .
ROSTOV-ON-DON , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Health condition of Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko , who is serving his sentence in a US prison , remains stable , Yaroshenko ’ s wife Viktoria told TASS on Friday .
Earlier , doctors in the prison 's medical unit diagnosed the Russian pilot who had complained about coughing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection .
According to his wife , the situation with the spread of the novel coronavirus in prison remains tense .
`` Konstantin called me and said there was a creeping line on Fox News that [ US Attorney General ] Barr ordered a commission to be sent to Danbury [ the city in Connecticut where the prison is located — TASS ] , as this is the most serious outbreak [ of coronavirus ] close to New York .
Barr is sending a commission there to sort things out , because everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Yaroshenko ’ s defense sent a petition to the US Bureau of Prisons asking the authorities to extend mercy and release the Russian citizen because of the spread of the coronavirus .
US Attorney General William Barr instructed the Bureau of Prisons to transfer prisoners to house arrest due to the threat of the spread of the coronavirus .
Earlier , US Attorney General William Barr ordered the Prison Bureau to review inmates to determine whether some can be removed from prison and placed under house arrest without endangering the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will primarily affect prisoners in Elkton , Ohio , and Danberry , Connecticut , as the situation with the spread of the new coronavirus is the most serious there .
According to the spouse of the Russian , four people have already been transferred to house arrest from the jail section where Yaroshenko is kept .
To date , more than 671,000 coronavirus cases have been identified in the United States , 33,268 patients have died .
The first outbreak of the disease caused by the coronavirus was registered in Central China in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it spread to most of the countries and by March 11 , the Wold Health Organization ( WHO ) declared it as pandemic .
To date more than 2 mln people in the world got infected and almost 140,000 died .
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States on September 7 , 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison .
He pled not guilty and described his arrest as a provocation and the whole case as a frame-up .
Yaroshenko was brought to the United States from Liberia , where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Agents of the US Drug Enforcement Administration allegedly exposed Yaroshenko ’ s criminal intent to transport a large batch of cocaine .
The Russian authorities and the pilot ’ s family in Rostov-on-Don have repeatedly pled for Yaroshenko ’ s handover to Russia .

"His condition seems to be stable. In the cell they are all in stable condition, but every day they take out someone who gets complications. Today he feels fine, but tomorrow anything can happen," Yaroshenko said.
ROSTOV-ON-DON, April 17. /TASS/. Health condition of Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who is serving his sentence in a US prison, remains stable, Yaroshenko’s wife Viktoria told TASS on Friday.
Earlier, doctors in the prison's medical unit diagnosed the Russian pilot who had complained about coughing and fever, with acute respiratory viral infection.
According to his wife, the situation with the spread of the novel coronavirus in prison remains tense.
"Konstantin called me and said there was a creeping line on Fox News that [US Attorney General] Barr ordered a commission to be sent to Danbury [the city in Connecticut where the prison is located — TASS], as this is the most serious outbreak [of coronavirus] close to New York. Barr is sending a commission there to sort things out, because everyone is already infected there," she said.
Yaroshenko’s defense sent a petition to the US Bureau of Prisons asking the authorities to extend mercy and release the Russian citizen because of the spread of the coronavirus.
US Attorney General William Barr instructed the Bureau of Prisons to transfer prisoners to house arrest due to the threat of the spread of the coronavirus.
Earlier, US Attorney General William Barr ordered the Prison Bureau to review inmates to determine whether some can be removed from prison and placed under house arrest without endangering the public. According to Reuters, this order will primarily affect prisoners in Elkton, Ohio, and Danberry, Connecticut, as the situation with the spread of the new coronavirus is the most serious there.
According to the spouse of the Russian, four people have already been transferred to house arrest from the jail section where Yaroshenko is kept.
To date, more than 671,000 coronavirus cases have been identified in the United States, 33,268 patients have died.
The first outbreak of the disease caused by the coronavirus was registered in Central China in December 2019. In the following months it spread to most of the countries and by March 11, the Wold Health Organization (WHO) declared it as pandemic. To date more than 2 mln people in the world got infected and almost 140,000 died.
Yaroshenko's case
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States on September 7, 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He pled not guilty and described his arrest as a provocation and the whole case as a frame-up. Yaroshenko was brought to the United States from Liberia, where he was arrested on May 28, 2010. Agents of the US Drug Enforcement Administration allegedly exposed Yaroshenko’s criminal intent to transport a large batch of cocaine. The Russian authorities and the pilot’s family in Rostov-on-Don have repeatedly pled for Yaroshenko’s handover to Russia.


tass--2020-04-17--Twenty critical care teams of military medics begin to work at Moscow’s hospitals

NOVO-OGARYOVO , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Twenty critical care medical and nursing teams of the Russian defense ministry have begun to work at Moscow ’ s clinics .
Forty-five more such teams are in a standby mode to be sent to Russian regions , if need be , Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday .
`` A reserve has been formed in the armed forces to help Russian regions .
We have formed 65 critical care medical and nursing teams .
Twenty of them have already begun to work at Moscow ’ s clinics , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministry had organized seven mobile hospitals for 100 beds each and organized 450 beds at the Irtysh floating hospital in Vladivostok .
Apart from that , the armed forces have formed three medical taskforce teams .
Apart from that , in his words , sixteen laboratory centers for PCR-based diagnostics have been put into operation .
`` `` Seventeen rapid response teams have been organized and four field coronavirus diagnostics laboratories have been deployed , '' he added .
To date , a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, April 17. /TASS/. Twenty critical care medical and nursing teams of the Russian defense ministry have begun to work at Moscow’s clinics. Forty-five more such teams are in a standby mode to be sent to Russian regions, if need be, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday.
"A reserve has been formed in the armed forces to help Russian regions. We have formed 65 critical care medical and nursing teams. Twenty of them have already begun to work at Moscow’s clinics," he said.
He also said that the ministry had organized seven mobile hospitals for 100 beds each and organized 450 beds at the Irtysh floating hospital in Vladivostok. Apart from that, the armed forces have formed three medical taskforce teams.
Apart from that, in his words, sixteen laboratory centers for PCR-based diagnostics have been put into operation. ""Seventeen rapid response teams have been organized and four field coronavirus diagnostics laboratories have been deployed," he added.
To date, a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-17--Mail.ru Group launches Microsoft and Google competitor in corporate mail market

Earlier , Mail.ru Group has already launched Myteam corporate messenger , Teambox cloud service for business , and Atom browser @ @ @ @ @ new mail service for corporations form a single platform for business , the company said @ @ @ @ @ the client ’ s server , ensuring data security , and selects the best ways @ @ @ @ @ to reduce the load on the server and save storage space .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ President , Head of Cloud and Business Services Egor Ganin , the product was created @ @ @ @ @ , the largest mail service in the country with about 100 mln users .
`` @ @ @ @ @ on Mail.ru , which means that in implementing the solution , the company ’ s @ @ @ @ @ relearn and get used to something new , which will significantly reduce the company 's @ @ @ @ @ .

Earlier, Mail.ru Group has already launched Myteam corporate messenger, Teambox cloud service for business, and Atom browser, which together with the new mail service for corporations form a single platform for business, the company said. The mail service uses the client’s server, ensuring data security, and selects the best ways to process data in order to reduce the load on the server and save storage space.
According to the company’s Deputy Vice President, Head of Cloud and Business Services Egor Ganin, the product was created on the basis of Mail.ru, the largest mail service in the country with about 100 mln users. "Many Russians have personal mailboxes on Mail.ru, which means that in implementing the solution, the company’s employees will not have to relearn and get used to something new, which will significantly reduce the company's costs," he said.


tass--2020-04-17--Coronavirus immunity discovered in 30 Pirogov Center medics out of 204 tested

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center has become the first federal hospital where medics were tested for the novel coronavirus antibodies .
Immunity to the disease was found in 30 out of 204 tested employees , Russian Health Ministry told journalists Friday .
`` The first practical use of the COVID-19 test systems , developed by the Novosibirsk-based Vector Institute took place among the Pirogov Center employees , '' the message says .
`` Testing was conducted on 204 employees who displayed no respiratory disease symptoms for the last two months .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered in 30 employees that work in the ‘ red ’ zone and near its entrance , '' the message says .
Secondary tests will take place in two weeks , the Ministry of Health said .
`` The presence of IgG class COVID-19 antibodies might indicate that the novel disease passed without symptoms , including the situation of a contact of our medics with the patients , even despite the unprecedented protection and prevention measures .
At the same time , resistance to the virus may come from an earlier infection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its antigen structure , which caused the so-called cross immunity to COVID-19 .
The scientists will find this out , '' says Pirogov Center CEO Oleg Karpov , cited by the Health Ministry press service .
To date , a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. The Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center has become the first federal hospital where medics were tested for the novel coronavirus antibodies. Immunity to the disease was found in 30 out of 204 tested employees, Russian Health Ministry told journalists Friday.
"The first practical use of the COVID-19 test systems, developed by the Novosibirsk-based Vector Institute took place among the Pirogov Center employees," the message says. "Testing was conducted on 204 employees who displayed no respiratory disease symptoms for the last two months. Following the testing, coronavirus antibodies were discovered in 30 employees that work in the ‘red’ zone and near its entrance," the message says.
Secondary tests will take place in two weeks, the Ministry of Health said.
"The presence of IgG class COVID-19 antibodies might indicate that the novel disease passed without symptoms, including the situation of a contact of our medics with the patients, even despite the unprecedented protection and prevention measures. At the same time, resistance to the virus may come from an earlier infection, most close to the novel coronavirus by its antigen structure, which caused the so-called cross immunity to COVID-19. The scientists will find this out," says Pirogov Center CEO Oleg Karpov, cited by the Health Ministry press service.
To date, a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-17--Putin gives instructions to start preparations for coronavirus vaccine production

`` One of the aspects is the production .
It is not enough just to find the corresponding medicinal preparation .
It is also necessary to produce it in required amounts and it is necessary to take care about that already now .
Now it is necessary to start preparations for the process of the [ vaccine ] production , '' Putin said at a meeting on building and repurposing health care institutions in the regions .
NOVO-OGARYOVO , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave instructions on Friday to launch preparations for the coronavirus vaccine production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that work was underway at seven research centers to find a vaccine against the coronavirus and `` in principle , this work is proceeding successfully , in any case , at some of them . ''
Putin asked Health Minister Mikhail Murashko about whether it was possible to develop the vaccine earlier than the designated timeframe , i.e .
before the third quarter of this year .
The health minister replied that various options were being explored to expedite the work .
`` I understand that you should display caution in these estimates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all those who are working in this area successes , '' the Russian president said .
`` We all understand how important these results are for our country and for the entire world , '' Putin said .
The Russian leader said he hoped that `` the work will be completed with a positive result and as soon as possible .
`` .

"One of the aspects is the production. It is not enough just to find the corresponding medicinal preparation. It is also necessary to produce it in required amounts and it is necessary to take care about that already now. Now it is necessary to start preparations for the process of the [vaccine] production," Putin said at a meeting on building and repurposing health care institutions in the regions.
NOVO-OGARYOVO, April 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin gave instructions on Friday to launch preparations for the coronavirus vaccine production in Russia.
The Russian leader noted that work was underway at seven research centers to find a vaccine against the coronavirus and "in principle, this work is proceeding successfully, in any case, at some of them."
Putin asked Health Minister Mikhail Murashko about whether it was possible to develop the vaccine earlier than the designated timeframe, i.e. before the third quarter of this year. The health minister replied that various options were being explored to expedite the work.
"I understand that you should display caution in these estimates and forecasts and I want to wish all those who are working in this area successes," the Russian president said.
"We all understand how important these results are for our country and for the entire world," Putin said.
The Russian leader said he hoped that "the work will be completed with a positive result and as soon as possible.".


tass--2020-04-17--Diplomat chides EU for overlooking its internal problems while eyeing ‘global’ challenges

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The EU leadership has forgotten about the difficulties inside the European Union due to the coronavirus pandemic , as it makes statements regarding the entire world , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing Friday .
The diplomat referred to a comment made by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrel , who claimed that Brussels intends to put an emphasis on providing aid to African nations and therefore ensuring European security .
`` I very well understand all the relevance of aid by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Brussels to the African continent .
But , maybe , it makes sense to begin with Italy , for example , who asked for help so much and did not receive any during its hour of need ?
It is very telling indeed that while making statements of a global dimension , things that should be seen closest to European institutions are not , '' Zakharova stressed .
`` I think , before taking on responsibility for the whole world , before criticizing the helping hand that Russia [ extends ] to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should help , basically , themselves , '' she emphasized .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. The EU leadership has forgotten about the difficulties inside the European Union due to the coronavirus pandemic, as it makes statements regarding the entire world, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing Friday.
The diplomat referred to a comment made by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrel, who claimed that Brussels intends to put an emphasis on providing aid to African nations and therefore ensuring European security.
"I very well understand all the relevance of aid by the EU and European structures, and by Brussels to the African continent. But, maybe, it makes sense to begin with Italy, for example, who asked for help so much and did not receive any during its hour of need? It is very telling indeed that while making statements of a global dimension, things that should be seen closest to European institutions are not," Zakharova stressed.
"I think, before taking on responsibility for the whole world, before criticizing the helping hand that Russia [extends] to its long-time, old partners, one should help, basically, themselves," she emphasized.


tass--2020-04-17--Coronavirus affects all Russian regions, Putin says

NOVO-OGARYOVO , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus outbreak has affected Moscow and all other Russian regions , President Vladimir Putin said during a videoconference on the construction and repurposing of medical facilities .
`` I would like to reiterate that Moscow was the first to face this problem but now we can see the problem moving to other regions of the country , and we need to make sure that people in every region are ready to face any difficulties that may emerge , '' Putin pointed out .
The president expressed concern about the situation in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the new head of the Komi region , Vladimir Uiba , `` understands these issues well because he served as head of the Federal Biomedical Agency for many years . ''
Putin also said that he expected to hear reports on coronavirus response from a number of other regional heads .
To date , a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updated on the coronavirus situation .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, April 17. /TASS/. The coronavirus outbreak has affected Moscow and all other Russian regions, President Vladimir Putin said during a videoconference on the construction and repurposing of medical facilities.
"I would like to reiterate that Moscow was the first to face this problem but now we can see the problem moving to other regions of the country, and we need to make sure that people in every region are ready to face any difficulties that may emerge," Putin pointed out.
The president expressed concern about the situation in the Komi and Vladimir regions. He emphasized that the new head of the Komi region, Vladimir Uiba, "understands these issues well because he served as head of the Federal Biomedical Agency for many years." Putin also said that he expected to hear reports on coronavirus response from a number of other regional heads.
To date, a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-17--Russia has many questions to US about its activities in outer space — diplomat

`` We also have a lot of questions .
We asked them quite a long time ago and want to have an answer after all .
A full-fledged meaningful Russian-US dialogue on a wide spectrum of issues of space activities security Russian and US senior diplomats agreed on on January 16 will help resolve mutual concerns , '' she said .
MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow is waiting for Washington to answer its questions about the US activities in outer space , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday , commenting on the statements by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of space operations for the U.S. Space Force , about Russia ’ s alleged test launch of an antisatellite missile .
Zakharova described Raymond ’ s statements as `` Washington ’ s deliberate campaign to discredit Russia ’ s space activities and peace initiatives to prevent an arms race in outer space . ''
She recalled that it was not the first such allegation voiced by the US side .
`` Previously , such claims were voiced by US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Ford .
We have commented on each and every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the United States ’ attempt to divert public attention from real threats in space and to justify its moves to deploy weapons in outer space and obtain extra financing for such causes , '' Zakharova stressed .
`` It is obvious that serious concerns , if any , can not be resolved by means of such statements , by means of fakes .
It is necessary to use the existing channels for expert and political dialogue for that , '' the diplomat stated .
`` We do have such channels and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unwillingness to do so is rather an evidence of insufficiently grounded position of our American colleagues . ''
The Russian diplomat reiterated Russia ’ s preparedness to discuss space activities involving the sides ’ corresponding agencies and organizations .

"We also have a lot of questions. We asked them quite a long time ago and want to have an answer after all. A full-fledged meaningful Russian-US dialogue on a wide spectrum of issues of space activities security Russian and US senior diplomats agreed on on January 16 will help resolve mutual concerns," she said.
MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Moscow is waiting for Washington to answer its questions about the US activities in outer space, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday, commenting on the statements by Gen. John Raymond, the first chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force, about Russia’s alleged test launch of an antisatellite missile.
Zakharova described Raymond’s statements as "Washington’s deliberate campaign to discredit Russia’s space activities and peace initiatives to prevent an arms race in outer space." She recalled that it was not the first such allegation voiced by the US side. "Previously, such claims were voiced by US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Ford. We have commented on each and every such anti-Russian attack which are all nothing but the United States’ attempt to divert public attention from real threats in space and to justify its moves to deploy weapons in outer space and obtain extra financing for such causes," Zakharova stressed.
"It is obvious that serious concerns, if any, cannot be resolved by means of such statements, by means of fakes. It is necessary to use the existing channels for expert and political dialogue for that," the diplomat stated. "We do have such channels and it is necessary simply to use them. Unwillingness to do so is rather an evidence of insufficiently grounded position of our American colleagues."
The Russian diplomat reiterated Russia’s preparedness to discuss space activities involving the sides’ corresponding agencies and organizations.


tass--2020-04-17--Number of players on Hainan market reaches 940,000 in February

HAIKOU , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
China 's Hainan has achieved significant results over the past two years in promotion of the pilot free trade zone .
According to the Hainan Daily , by the end of February 2020 , the number of market participants in the region reached 940,000 .
In April 2018 , President Xi Jinping announced the construction of a pilot free trade zone on the island .
The project is aimed at involving the province in the process of globalization , as well as increasing its investment potential .
According to the news outlet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enterprises with foreign capital were registered in the province , which is two times higher than in 2018 .
At the same time , the actual use of foreign investment amounted to $ 1.5 billion — twice as much in annual terms as well .
The newspaper writes hat the local authorities pay special attention to the island 's `` green '' development .
Thus , 12 key industries of Hainan fully meet the requirements of green production and environmental protection .
Their contribution to the region 's economic growth exceeds 67 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technologies : in 2019 , more than 560 new enterprises of the high-tech industry were registered on the island .
The news outlet notes that over the past two years , Hainan Province drew more than 83,000 talented specialists , more than 7,700 being foreign personnel .
It is stated that the construction of the pilot free trade zone has a positive impact on poverty alleviation in the region .
By the end of 2019 , the indicator for Hainan 's rural areas decreased to 0.01 % from 0.79 % in 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

HAIKOU, April 17. /TASS/. China's Hainan has achieved significant results over the past two years in promotion of the pilot free trade zone. According to the Hainan Daily, by the end of February 2020, the number of market participants in the region reached 940,000.
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping announced the construction of a pilot free trade zone on the island. The project is aimed at involving the province in the process of globalization, as well as increasing its investment potential.
According to the news outlet, over the past year, 338 new enterprises with foreign capital were registered in the province, which is two times higher than in 2018. At the same time, the actual use of foreign investment amounted to $ 1.5 billion — twice as much in annual terms as well.
The newspaper writes hat the local authorities pay special attention to the island's "green" development. Thus, 12 key industries of Hainan fully meet the requirements of green production and environmental protection. Their contribution to the region's economic growth exceeds 67%. The province is also promoting high technologies: in 2019, more than 560 new enterprises of the high-tech industry were registered on the island.
The news outlet notes that over the past two years, Hainan Province drew more than 83,000 talented specialists, more than 7,700 being foreign personnel. It is stated that the construction of the pilot free trade zone has a positive impact on poverty alleviation in the region. By the end of 2019, the indicator for Hainan's rural areas decreased to 0.01% from 0.79% in 2018.
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.


tass--2020-04-17--Hengtong India donates masks and hand sanitisers to communities in Khed City

SUZHOU , China , April 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hengtong 's Indian subsidiary ( hereinafter referred to as `` Hengtong India '' ) is reaching out to marginalized communities such as rural areas of Khed city to help the people there fight the battle against this crisis .
In the face of the pandemic , the whole society needs to take actions and fight against it .
The COVID-19 pandemic has almost brought the world down to its knees .
Not only have developing countries like India , but the developed nations are also struggling to keep up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is spreading .
As of April 17 , more than 12,000 cases have been confirmed in India .
Hengtong is committed to taking initiatives that will benefit the local community .
Hengtong India clearly understands the shortage of basic masks and hand sanitisers , especially in rural areas .
Hengtong India has distributed face masks and hand sanitiser kits to over 2500 families in the villages in and around Khed , Chakan area , as well as the police officers and security personnel there .
The idea is to help them to cope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right measures of wearing a mask and washing or sanitizing hands regularly will likely to help prevent the transmission of this deadly virus , Hengtong has risen to the occasion and is trying its best to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Khed City , Pune , India .
Hengtong India hopes its efforts and contributions can save many vulnerable lives in Khed City .

SUZHOU, China, April 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hengtong's Indian subsidiary (hereinafter referred to as "Hengtong India") is reaching out to marginalized communities such as rural areas of Khed city to help the people there fight the battle against this crisis. In the face of the pandemic, the whole society needs to take actions and fight against it.
The COVID-19 pandemic has almost brought the world down to its knees. Not only have developing countries like India, but the developed nations are also struggling to keep up with the speed at which the deadly disease is spreading. As of April 17, more than 12,000 cases have been confirmed in India.
Hengtong is committed to taking initiatives that will benefit the local community. Hengtong India clearly understands the shortage of basic masks and hand sanitisers, especially in rural areas. Hengtong India has distributed face masks and hand sanitiser kits to over 2500 families in the villages in and around Khed, Chakan area, as well as the police officers and security personnel there. The idea is to help them to cope with the pandemic.
As taking the right measures of wearing a mask and washing or sanitizing hands regularly will likely to help prevent the transmission of this deadly virus, Hengtong has risen to the occasion and is trying its best to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Khed City, Pune, India.
Hengtong India hopes its efforts and contributions can save many vulnerable lives in Khed City.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1156714/Hengtong.jpg
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