tass--2020-03-07--First Russian diagnosed with coronavirus after returning from Italy recovers

MOSCOW , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
A man who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus after a trip to Italy has been discharged from a Moscow hospital after recovery , a source in the Moscow coronavirus task force informed TASS on Saturday .
`` [ He ] has just been discharged [ from the hospital ] .
[ David ] Berov has left the hospital , '' the source said .
According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin , on March 2 , doctors confirmed that a Muscovite had tested positive for the novel coronavirus after travelling to Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anastasia Rakova said the man had recovered and would be discharged from the hospital soon .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center , in late December 2019 .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Besides China , major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in South Korea , Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. A man who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus after a trip to Italy has been discharged from a Moscow hospital after recovery, a source in the Moscow coronavirus task force informed TASS on Saturday.
"[He] has just been discharged [from the hospital]. [David] Berov has left the hospital," the source said.
According to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, on March 2, doctors confirmed that a Muscovite had tested positive for the novel coronavirus after travelling to Italy. On March 6, Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said the man had recovered and would be discharged from the hospital soon.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center, in late December 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Besides China, major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in South Korea, Iran and Italy. More than 90 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.


tass--2020-03-07--Malta confirms first novel coronavirus case

MOSCOW , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
The first novel coronavirus case has been confirmed in Malta , the country @ @ @ @ @ Fearne said on Saturday , the Malta Today newspaper reported .
According to the minister @ @ @ @ @ 12-year-old girl who returned from Italy on Tuesday .
Upon arrival , the girl and @ @ @ @ @ had accompanied her were quarantined .
On Thursday , she began to show the symptoms @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported @ @ @ @ @ , a large trade and industrial center , in late December 2019 .
The World @ @ @ @ @ declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , describing it @ @ @ @ @ locations .
Besides China , major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in South Korea , @ @ @ @ @ than 90 countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. The first novel coronavirus case has been confirmed in Malta, the country’s Health Minister Chris Fearne said on Saturday, the Malta Today newspaper reported.
According to the minister, the patient is a 12-year-old girl who returned from Italy on Tuesday. Upon arrival, the girl and members of her family who had accompanied her were quarantined. On Thursday, she began to show the symptoms of the disease.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center, in late December 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Besides China, major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in South Korea, Iran and Italy. More than 90 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.


tass--2020-03-07--Nazarbayev, Putin discuss outcome of Russian-Turkish talks on Syria

NUR-SULTAN , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
Kazakhstan ’ s first President Nursultan Nazarbayev has had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin with whom he discussed the results of the Russian-Turkish negotiations on the situation in Syria , Nazarbayev ’ s press service reported on Saturday .
`` The interlocutors exchanged views on pressing bilateral and international issues , including the results of the recent Russian-Turkish top-level negotiations on the Syrian settlement process , during which the important role of the Astana process was reaffirmed , '' the press service said .
Nursultan Nazarbayev and Vladimir Putin also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` At the end of the conversation , the parties noted with satisfaction the high intensity of Kazakhstani-Russian political contacts this year , '' it added .
The Kremlin press service earlier reported that Putin and Nazarbayev had held a telephone conversation .
On Friday , Kazakhstan ’ s first president met with Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev .
They exchanged views on foreign policy issues , discussing , in particular , the Syrian settlement process .
Putin and Nazarbayev met in Moscow in early September .
They discussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional and global issues .
The incumbent Russian president and the first president of Kazakhstan often talk over the phone as well .

NUR-SULTAN, March 7. /TASS/. Kazakhstan’s first President Nursultan Nazarbayev has had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin with whom he discussed the results of the Russian-Turkish negotiations on the situation in Syria, Nazarbayev’s press service reported on Saturday.
"The interlocutors exchanged views on pressing bilateral and international issues, including the results of the recent Russian-Turkish top-level negotiations on the Syrian settlement process, during which the important role of the Astana process was reaffirmed," the press service said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev and Vladimir Putin also discussed the schedule of upcoming meetings. "At the end of the conversation, the parties noted with satisfaction the high intensity of Kazakhstani-Russian political contacts this year," it added.
The Kremlin press service earlier reported that Putin and Nazarbayev had held a telephone conversation. On Friday, Kazakhstan’s first president met with Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev. They exchanged views on foreign policy issues, discussing, in particular, the Syrian settlement process.
Putin and Nazarbayev met in Moscow in early September. They discussed partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan, pressing regional and global issues. The incumbent Russian president and the first president of Kazakhstan often talk over the phone as well.


tass--2020-03-07--Coronavirus cases exceed 100,000 globally - WHO

GENEVA , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
The number of novel coronavirus cases worldwide has surpassed 100,000 , World Health Organization ( WHO ) Spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic informed TASS on Saturday .
`` Globally , 101,827 confirmed cases and 3,484 deaths due to COVID-19 infection have been reported between 31 December 2020 and 07 Mar 2020 ( as of 6 AM Geneva Time ) , '' he noted .
Jasarevic stressed that `` epidemics can be reversed , but only with the highest level of political commitment . ''
`` With public health measures , countries can slow or stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
Michael Ryan , Executive Director of WHO ’ s Health Emergencies Program , earlier told reporters that the virus would continue to have the capacity to spread and was unlikely to subside in the summer .
The World Health Organization hopes this will happen , he said , adding though that `` we can not make that assumption , and there is no evidence . ''
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s Wuhan , a large trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Besides China , major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in South Korea , Iran and Italy .
More than 90 countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .

GENEVA, March 7. /TASS/. The number of novel coronavirus cases worldwide has surpassed 100,000, World Health Organization (WHO) Spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic informed TASS on Saturday.
"Globally, 101,827 confirmed cases and 3,484 deaths due to COVID-19 infection have been reported between 31 December 2020 and 07 Mar 2020 (as of 6 AM Geneva Time)," he noted.
Jasarevic stressed that "epidemics can be reversed, but only with the highest level of political commitment."
"With public health measures, countries can slow or stop transmission and save lives," he added.
Michael Ryan, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, earlier told reporters that the virus would continue to have the capacity to spread and was unlikely to subside in the summer. The World Health Organization hopes this will happen, he said, adding though that "we cannot make that assumption, and there is no evidence."
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center, in late December 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Besides China, major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in South Korea, Iran and Italy. More than 90 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.


tass--2020-03-07--Putin discusses with Nazarbayev his upcoming visit to Moscow

MOSCOW , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin , in a phone call with Kazakhstan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ discussed with him his upcoming visit to Moscow and the situation in Syria , the @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
`` A telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and first President of @ @ @ @ @ .
A number of issues related to Nursultan Nazarbayev ’ s upcoming working visit to @ @ @ @ @ Syrian crisis issue was raised as well , '' the press service said .
According @ @ @ @ @ Friday , Nazarbayev met with Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev .
@ @ @ @ @ policy issues , discussing , in particular , the Syrian settlement process .
Putin and @ @ @ @ @ early September .
They discussed partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan , pressing regional and global @ @ @ @ @ president and the first president of Kazakhstan often talk over the phone as well .

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone call with Kazakhstan’s first President Nursultan Nazarbayev, discussed with him his upcoming visit to Moscow and the situation in Syria, the Kremlin press service reported on Saturday.
"A telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev took place. A number of issues related to Nursultan Nazarbayev’s upcoming working visit to Moscow were discussed. The Syrian crisis issue was raised as well," the press service said.
According to previous reports, on Friday, Nazarbayev met with Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev. They exchanged views on foreign policy issues, discussing, in particular, the Syrian settlement process.
Putin and Nazarbayev met in Moscow in early September. They discussed partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan, pressing regional and global issues. The incumbent Russian president and the first president of Kazakhstan often talk over the phone as well.


tass--2020-03-07--Senior Iranian commander killed in Syria - agency

TEHRAN , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
A high-ranking representative of Iran ’ s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC @ @ @ @ @ Syria , Fars News Agency reported on Saturday .
It noted that the person in @ @ @ @ @ who was previously the IRGC commander in Palmyra .
No details have been provided .
@ @ @ @ @ government of President Bashar al-Assad since the beginning of the armed conflict in Syria in @ @ @ @ @ official version , Iranian forces are present in the country as military advisers only .
@ @ @ @ @ their military servicemen in Syria as `` defenders of holy shrines , '' since there @ @ @ @ @ revered by Shiites .
Most of them are located in Damascus and Aleppo .

TEHRAN, March 7. /TASS/. A high-ranking representative of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been killed in Syria, Fars News Agency reported on Saturday.
It noted that the person in question was Farhad Dabiryan, who was previously the IRGC commander in Palmyra. No details have been provided.
Iran has officially supported the government of President Bashar al-Assad since the beginning of the armed conflict in Syria in 2011. According to the official version, Iranian forces are present in the country as military advisers only. The Iranian authorities refer to their military servicemen in Syria as "defenders of holy shrines," since there are several shrines in Syria revered by Shiites. Most of them are located in Damascus and Aleppo.


tass--2020-03-07--Number of Ukrainians moving to Crimea grows by 17% over past year

SIMFEROPOL , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
Crimea received more than 7,700 immigrants from Ukraine in 2019 , a nearly 17-percent increase compared to the previous year , the Crimean Department of the Russian Federal Statistics Service informed TASS .
According to the federal service , 6,622 citizens of the neighboring country moved to the peninsula in 2018 , while in 2019 this number amounted to 7,734 .
Ukrainians account for almost 80 % of the total number of citizens of the CIS countries who moved to Crimea .
`` The number of people who arrived from the CIS countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the other hand , the number of Ukrainians who have left Crimea has dropped .
According to preliminary data , there were 4,600 of them in 2018 , while last year that number stood at 3,922 .
Speaker of Crimea ’ s State Council Vladimir Konstantinov said at a meeting with a delegation of foreign media representatives in November 2019 that Crimea had received about 170,000 people , including 50,000 Ukrainians , since its reunification with Russia .
The Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol , a city with a special status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents are ethnic Russians , refused to recognize the legitimacy of the authorities in Kiev who seized power amid riots that sparked a coup in Ukraine in February 2014 .
Crimea and Sevastopol adopted declarations of independence on March 11 , 2014 .
They held a referendum on March 16 , 2014 , in which 96.77 % of Crimeans and 95.6 % of Sevastopol voters chose to secede from Ukraine and join Russia .
The Russian president signed the reunification deals on March 18 , 2014 .
Despite the convincing results of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of Russia .

SIMFEROPOL, March 7. /TASS/. Crimea received more than 7,700 immigrants from Ukraine in 2019, a nearly 17-percent increase compared to the previous year, the Crimean Department of the Russian Federal Statistics Service informed TASS.
According to the federal service, 6,622 citizens of the neighboring country moved to the peninsula in 2018, while in 2019 this number amounted to 7,734. Ukrainians account for almost 80% of the total number of citizens of the CIS countries who moved to Crimea. "The number of people who arrived from the CIS countries stands at 9,674," it said.
On the other hand, the number of Ukrainians who have left Crimea has dropped. According to preliminary data, there were 4,600 of them in 2018, while last year that number stood at 3,922.
Speaker of Crimea’s State Council Vladimir Konstantinov said at a meeting with a delegation of foreign media representatives in November 2019 that Crimea had received about 170,000 people, including 50,000 Ukrainians, since its reunification with Russia.
The Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, a city with a special status on the Crimean Peninsula, where most residents are ethnic Russians, refused to recognize the legitimacy of the authorities in Kiev who seized power amid riots that sparked a coup in Ukraine in February 2014.
Crimea and Sevastopol adopted declarations of independence on March 11, 2014. They held a referendum on March 16, 2014, in which 96.77% of Crimeans and 95.6% of Sevastopol voters chose to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. The Russian president signed the reunification deals on March 18, 2014. Despite the convincing results of the referendum, Kiev refused to recognize Crimea as part of Russia.


tass--2020-03-07--Russian military delegation expected to visit Ankara next week - Turkish Defense Ministry

ANKARA , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said that a Russian military delegation will arrive in Ankara next week to discuss joint patrols in Syria ’ s Idlib .
`` On March 15 , we will begin joint patrols of the M4 motorway .
We started working on the principles of a safe corridor , which will be set up along the highway .
A Russian military delegation will arrive in Ankara at the beginning of next week , '' Anadolu Agency quotes him as saying .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ceasefire and a number of other steps aimed at stabilizing the situation in Syria ’ s Idlib province at the talks in Moscow held on March 5 .
The agreements reached by them stipulate that hostilities in Idlib will be terminated along the entire line of contact after the ceasefire comes into force on March 6 .
On March 15 , Russia and Turkey will begin joint patrols of the area along the M4 highway where a security corridor will be set up .
Moscow and Ankara reaffirmed their commitment to preserving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue the war on terror .

ANKARA, March 7. /TASS/. Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said that a Russian military delegation will arrive in Ankara next week to discuss joint patrols in Syria’s Idlib.
"On March 15, we will begin joint patrols of the M4 motorway. We started working on the principles of a safe corridor, which will be set up along the highway. A Russian military delegation will arrive in Ankara at the beginning of next week," Anadolu Agency quotes him as saying.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on a ceasefire and a number of other steps aimed at stabilizing the situation in Syria’s Idlib province at the talks in Moscow held on March 5. The agreements reached by them stipulate that hostilities in Idlib will be terminated along the entire line of contact after the ceasefire comes into force on March 6. On March 15, Russia and Turkey will begin joint patrols of the area along the M4 highway where a security corridor will be set up. Moscow and Ankara reaffirmed their commitment to preserving Syria’s sovereignty and agreed to continue the war on terror.


tass--2020-03-07--Turkey registers no ceasefire violations in Idlib - Defense Ministry

ANKARA , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said that Ankara had registered no ceasefire violations in Syria ’ s Idlib since it came into effect on March 6 .
`` Under the leadership or our president , an important step has been taken towards a political settlement in Idlib , '' Anadolu Agency quotes him as saying .
`` We will continue to be a deterrent force to prevent ceasefire violations .
There have been no violations since it came into effect . ''
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of other steps aimed at stabilizing the situation in Syria ’ s Idlib province at the talks in Moscow held on March 5 .
The agreements reached by them stipulate that hostilities in Idlib will be terminated along the entire line of contact after the ceasefire comes into force on March 6 .
On March 15 , Russia and Turkey will begin joint patrols of the area along the M4 highway where a security corridor will be set up .
Moscow and Ankara reaffirmed their commitment to preserving Syria ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on terror .

ANKARA, March 7. /TASS/. Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said that Ankara had registered no ceasefire violations in Syria’s Idlib since it came into effect on March 6.
"Under the leadership or our president, an important step has been taken towards a political settlement in Idlib," Anadolu Agency quotes him as saying. "We will continue to be a deterrent force to prevent ceasefire violations. There have been no violations since it came into effect."
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on a ceasefire and a number of other steps aimed at stabilizing the situation in Syria’s Idlib province at the talks in Moscow held on March 5. The agreements reached by them stipulate that hostilities in Idlib will be terminated along the entire line of contact after the ceasefire comes into force on March 6. On March 15, Russia and Turkey will begin joint patrols of the area along the M4 highway where a security corridor will be set up. Moscow and Ankara reaffirmed their commitment to preserving Syria’s sovereignty and agreed to continue the war on terror.


tass--2020-03-07--US confirms there are four Russians aboard Grand Princess cruise ship - embassy

WASHINGTON , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
The US Department of State has confirmed in response to the Russian Embassy ’ s request that there are four Russian citizens on board the Grand Princess cruise ship where 21 novel coronavirus cases had been confirmed , the embassy ’ s press service reported .
`` In response to our request , the US Department of State has officially confirmed that there are four our fellow countrymen on board the Grand Princess cruise ship ( currently quarantined off the California coast ) , '' the embassy said .
`` We have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are keeping a close eye on the situation , '' the press service said .
The embassy expressed the hope that the US would help Russian diplomats get in touch with their fellow countrymen .
US Vice President Michael Pence earlier said that twenty-one people aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship had tested positive for coronavirus .
According to the operator company , there are 3,533 people on board the ship , including 2,422 passengers and 1,111 crewmembers .
Meanwhile , US media reports said that the crew of the ship en @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ensenada ( Mexico ) had been ordered to return to the port of San Francisco ( California ) .
These instructions were given after a passenger who had been aboard the ship during a cruise to Mexico from February 11 to February 21 died of coronavirus .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center , in late December 2019 .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the new coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Besides China , major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in South Korea , Iran and Italy .
More than 80 countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
Over 3,000 people have died in China , which accounts for the majority of novel coronavirus cases , more than 55,400 patients have recovered , while the total number of infected people has exceeded 80,600 .

WASHINGTON, March 7. /TASS/. The US Department of State has confirmed in response to the Russian Embassy’s request that there are four Russian citizens on board the Grand Princess cruise ship where 21 novel coronavirus cases had been confirmed, the embassy’s press service reported.
"In response to our request, the US Department of State has officially confirmed that there are four our fellow countrymen on board the Grand Princess cruise ship (currently quarantined off the California coast)," the embassy said. "We have been in touch with representatives of competent authorities and are keeping a close eye on the situation," the press service said.
The embassy expressed the hope that the US would help Russian diplomats get in touch with their fellow countrymen.
US Vice President Michael Pence earlier said that twenty-one people aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship had tested positive for coronavirus. According to the operator company, there are 3,533 people on board the ship, including 2,422 passengers and 1,111 crewmembers.
Meanwhile, US media reports said that the crew of the ship en route from Hilo (Hawaii) to Ensenada (Mexico) had been ordered to return to the port of San Francisco (California). These instructions were given after a passenger who had been aboard the ship during a cruise to Mexico from February 11 to February 21 died of coronavirus.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center, in late December 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Besides China, major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in South Korea, Iran and Italy. More than 80 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
Over 3,000 people have died in China, which accounts for the majority of novel coronavirus cases, more than 55,400 patients have recovered, while the total number of infected people has exceeded 80,600.


tass--2020-03-07--SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft lifts off from Cape Canaveral

NEW YORK , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying cargo for the International Space Station ( @ @ @ @ @ from Cape Canaveral , Florida .
The liftoff was broadcast live by SpaceX on its @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 20th flight to the ISS as part of the NASA program of commercial @ @ @ @ @ .

NEW YORK, March 7. /TASS/. A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying cargo for the International Space Station (ISS) has blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The liftoff was broadcast live by SpaceX on its website.
This is Dragon’s 20th flight to the ISS as part of the NASA program of commercial cargo deliveries to the station.


tass--2020-03-07--Secretariat of UN convention on climate postpones Bonn events due to COVID-19 risks

UNITED NATIONS , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
The Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has made a decision to pause all events in Bonn in view of the coronavirus-related risks , the UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa said in a statement .
`` I would like to inform Parties , observer States and Observer Organizations that after careful consideration and with considerable regret , the UNFCCC Secretariat will not hold any physical meetings in Bonn and elsewhere between March 6 and the end of April .
This decision is in response to the coronavirus disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evolving situation in Germany , '' the statement runs .
This is not the first time that UN agencies opt for amending the schedule of their events due to the coronavirus risks .
At the end of February UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the UN Commission on the Status of Women , scheduled to meet in New York on March 9-20 , with a proposal for restricting the level of participation in the event to the representatives who are already in the United States .
The UN Secretary-General ’ s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UN health service department and the World Health Organization .
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease occurred in China ’ s city of Wuhan at the end of December 2019 .
The World Health Organization declared it as an epidemic with multiple foci and an international emergency .
Apart from China COVID-19 cases have been most frequent in South Korea , Iran and Italy .
All in all the disease has been identified in more than 80 countries , including Russia .
In China , where the disease is the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lethal cases as of March 6 .
More than 53,500 other patients have recovered .
A total of more than 80,500 are known to have contracted the virus so far .

UNITED NATIONS, March 7. /TASS/. The Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has made a decision to pause all events in Bonn in view of the coronavirus-related risks, the UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa said in a statement.
"I would like to inform Parties, observer States and Observer Organizations that after careful consideration and with considerable regret, the UNFCCC Secretariat will not hold any physical meetings in Bonn and elsewhere between March 6 and the end of April. This decision is in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, and the evolving situation in Germany," the statement runs.
This is not the first time that UN agencies opt for amending the schedule of their events due to the coronavirus risks. At the end of February UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the UN Commission on the Status of Women, scheduled to meet in New York on March 9-20, with a proposal for restricting the level of participation in the event to the representatives who are already in the United States. The UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric explained that the proposal followed consultations with the UN health service department and the World Health Organization.
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease occurred in China’s city of Wuhan at the end of December 2019. The World Health Organization declared it as an epidemic with multiple foci and an international emergency. Apart from China COVID-19 cases have been most frequent in South Korea, Iran and Italy. All in all the disease has been identified in more than 80 countries, including Russia.
In China, where the disease is the highest, there have been more than 3,000 lethal cases as of March 6. More than 53,500 other patients have recovered. A total of more than 80,500 are known to have contracted the virus so far.


tass--2020-03-07--Maduro says US is hatching plans for war against Venezuela

CARACAS , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
The United States is hatching a plan for war against Venezuela , Venezuela ’ s President Nicolas Maduro said at a meeting with governors and mayors in Caracas on Friday .
`` They ( the US authorities - TASS ) have decided to make a plan to bring war and terrorism to Venezuela , to destabilize it , to fill it with violence , to trigger an armed conflict and to excuse military intervention in our country , '' Maduro said at the meeting telecast on government-run TV .
Maduro said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporter in this scheme .
`` We are asking the democratic and humanitarian circles , the people of Brazil and the armed forces [ of that country ] to stop any adventures against Venezuela by [ US President ] Donald Trump-backed [ Brazilian President ] Jair Bolsonaro , '' Maduro said .
Tensions in Venezuela surged up after the opposition ’ s leader Juan Guaido , whose appointment as the speaker of parliament had been annulled by the Supreme Court , on January 23 , 2019 proclaimed himself as acting president .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state by the United States .
The Lima group of countries ( except Mexico ) , the Organization of American States and most EU countries followed suit .
Maduro slammed this as a government coup attempt and severed diplomatic relations with the US .
Russia , Belarus , Iran , China , Cuba , Nicaragua , Syria and Turkey came out in his support .

CARACAS, March 7. /TASS/. The United States is hatching a plan for war against Venezuela, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro said at a meeting with governors and mayors in Caracas on Friday.
"They (the US authorities - TASS) have decided to make a plan to bring war and terrorism to Venezuela, to destabilize it, to fill it with violence, to trigger an armed conflict and to excuse military intervention in our country," Maduro said at the meeting telecast on government-run TV.
Maduro said that the United States had chosen Brazil as its supporter in this scheme.
"We are asking the democratic and humanitarian circles, the people of Brazil and the armed forces [of that country] to stop any adventures against Venezuela by [US President] Donald Trump-backed [Brazilian President] Jair Bolsonaro," Maduro said.
Tensions in Venezuela surged up after the opposition’s leader Juan Guaido, whose appointment as the speaker of parliament had been annulled by the Supreme Court, on January 23, 2019 proclaimed himself as acting president. He was promptly recognized as acting head of state by the United States. The Lima group of countries (except Mexico), the Organization of American States and most EU countries followed suit. Maduro slammed this as a government coup attempt and severed diplomatic relations with the US. Russia, Belarus, Iran, China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Syria and Turkey came out in his support.


tass--2020-03-07--Coronavirus identified near Kourou, Arianspace personnel leave space center

MOSCOW , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
The personnel of the French company Arianespace , the operator of the Kourou space center in French Guiana , has left the facility after several cases of the new coronavirus-related disease have been identified in a community nearby , two sources in the space rocket industry have told TASS .
`` Almost all personnel of the French company Arianespace have left the Kourou Space Center after coronavirus cases have been identified among Asian tourists in a community nearby , '' one source said .
Another source confirmed this .
He told TASS that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 specialists is going to return to Russia on Monday after all procedures concerning the postponement of the Soyuz-ST rocket carrying the United Arab Emirates ’ satellite Falcon Eye 2 satellite have been completed . ''
The first source added that Arianspace officials had not met with Russian specialists to discuss the postponement of the Soyuz-ST launch , but `` merely confined themselves to a written notification the launch is to be postponed . ''
An e-mail request and TASS phone calls to an Arianspace spokesperson remained unanswered .
The company ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a comment were unavailable and the moment .
Job to be done by Russian specialists According to the second source , there were no plans to quarantine the Russian specialists upon their return home , because `` they have not contacted any local residents or tourists or any other potentially infected persons . ''
On Saturday and Sunday ( March 7-8 ) Roscosmos personnel would remove the Soyuz-ST rocket from the launch pad , bring it to the assembly hangar and take apart .
The satellite and booster will be detached from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus-related disease was registered in China ’ s city of Wuhan at the end of last December .
The World Health Organization declared it an epidemic with multiple foci and an international emergency .
Apart from China the effects of the epidemic have been felt most strongly in South Korea , Iran and Italy .
Patients diagnosed with the coronavirus have been identified in more than 80 countries , including Russia .
In China , which is the hardest-hit by the disease , the virus has killed 3,000 , while 53,500 have recovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have contracted the virus as of March 6 .
The World Health Organization says that as of March 5 the virus has infected nearly 15,000 outside China ; 267 of them died .

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. The personnel of the French company Arianespace, the operator of the Kourou space center in French Guiana, has left the facility after several cases of the new coronavirus-related disease have been identified in a community nearby, two sources in the space rocket industry have told TASS.
"Almost all personnel of the French company Arianespace have left the Kourou Space Center after coronavirus cases have been identified among Asian tourists in a community nearby," one source said.
Another source confirmed this. He told TASS that "Russia’s team of about 300 specialists is going to return to Russia on Monday after all procedures concerning the postponement of the Soyuz-ST rocket carrying the United Arab Emirates’ satellite Falcon Eye 2 satellite have been completed."
The first source added that Arianspace officials had not met with Russian specialists to discuss the postponement of the Soyuz-ST launch, but "merely confined themselves to a written notification the launch is to be postponed."
An e-mail request and TASS phone calls to an Arianspace spokesperson remained unanswered. The company’s office replied that officials empowered to make a comment were unavailable and the moment.
Job to be done by Russian specialists
According to the second source, there were no plans to quarantine the Russian specialists upon their return home, because "they have not contacted any local residents or tourists or any other potentially infected persons."
On Saturday and Sunday (March 7-8) Roscosmos personnel would remove the Soyuz-ST rocket from the launch pad, bring it to the assembly hangar and take apart. The satellite and booster will be detached from the rocket.
Coronavirus situation
The first outbreak of the coronavirus-related disease was registered in China’s city of Wuhan at the end of last December. The World Health Organization declared it an epidemic with multiple foci and an international emergency. Apart from China the effects of the epidemic have been felt most strongly in South Korea, Iran and Italy. Patients diagnosed with the coronavirus have been identified in more than 80 countries, including Russia. In China, which is the hardest-hit by the disease, the virus has killed 3,000, while 53,500 have recovered and a total of 80,500 are known to have contracted the virus as of March 6. The World Health Organization says that as of March 5 the virus has infected nearly 15,000 outside China; 267 of them died.


tass--2020-03-08--Russia’s Aeroflot cuts flights to Tehran

MOSCOW , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s largest carrier Aeroflot will reduce flights to Iran from five @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday , the airline said in a statement on Saturday .
The carrier gives @ @ @ @ @ , but on Friday it suspended some flights to Italy , South Korea and Vietnam @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Starting on March 8 , Aeroflot is reducing the number of Sheremetyevo-Tehran-Sheremetyevo [ @ @ @ @ @ to one flight a week , which will be operated on Sundays , '' the @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. Russia’s largest carrier Aeroflot will reduce flights to Iran from five to one a week starting on Sunday, the airline said in a statement on Saturday.
The carrier gives no reason for the decision, but on Friday it suspended some flights to Italy, South Korea and Vietnam citing a decrease in demand.
"Starting on March 8, Aeroflot is reducing the number of Sheremetyevo-Tehran-Sheremetyevo [airport in Moscow] flights to one flight a week, which will be operated on Sundays," the statement says.


tass--2020-03-07--Zelensky’s ultimatums likely to only alienate Donbass, says Russian MP

MOSCOW , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky ’ s statements about Kiev ’ s potential withdrawal from the Normandy Four group is theatrics , as these ultimatums just alienate the republics of Donbass , Chairman of the Russian State Duma ’ s Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky told reporters on Saturday .
`` Zelensky ’ s threats to quit the Normandy talks unless ‘ something changes in Donbass ’ are simply playing to the gallery .
To get something changed , Kiev should have long begun implementing the Minsk accords , and first and foremost , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Package of Measures , which envisages the adoption of legislation on the special status of Donbass in law , amnesty and the amendment on decentralization to the constitution , '' the lawmaker said .
According to Slutsky , `` theatrical ultimatums can simply alienate the DPR and LPR [ the People ’ s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk - TASS ] along with the new Ukrainian authorities ’ conversations about the need to revise the Minsk-2 . ''
Their endeavor `` to sever ties without admitting own inability to implement them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other party '' is a contagious disease , Slutsky said .
`` Kiev should grasp that there is no alternative to the Minsk agreements concerning the settlement in Donbass , '' he concluded .
Earlier , in an interview with the UK ’ s Guardian Zelensky announced a one-year deadline for the conflict to be solved and warned of quitting the Normandy Four talks in case no results followed over that period .
`` If it lasts longer , we need to change the format and choose another strategy , '' the Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates from the December summit .
Peace settlement of the conflict in Donbass rests on the Package of Measures , known as Minsk-2 , that was signed by the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine comprising senior representatives from Russia , Ukraine and the European security watchdog OSCE on February 12 , 2015 , after marathon 16-hour talks between the leaders of the Normandy Four nations , namely Russia , Germany , France and Ukraine .
The 13-point document envisages a ceasefire between Ukrainian government forces and people ’ s militias in the self-proclaimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of engagement .
The deal also lays out a roadmap for a lasting settlement in Ukraine , including amnesty , resumption of economic ties , local elections and a constitutional reform to give more autonomy to the war-torn eastern regions .

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s statements about Kiev’s potential withdrawal from the Normandy Four group is theatrics, as these ultimatums just alienate the republics of Donbass, Chairman of the Russian State Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky told reporters on Saturday.
"Zelensky’s threats to quit the Normandy talks unless ‘something changes in Donbass’ are simply playing to the gallery. To get something changed, Kiev should have long begun implementing the Minsk accords, and first and foremost, their political provisions stipulated in Item 11 of the Package of Measures, which envisages the adoption of legislation on the special status of Donbass in law, amnesty and the amendment on decentralization to the constitution," the lawmaker said.
According to Slutsky, "theatrical ultimatums can simply alienate the DPR and LPR [the People’s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk - TASS] along with the new Ukrainian authorities’ conversations about the need to revise the Minsk-2."
Their endeavor "to sever ties without admitting own inability to implement them and by shifting the blame on the other party" is a contagious disease, Slutsky said.
"Kiev should grasp that there is no alternative to the Minsk agreements concerning the settlement in Donbass," he concluded.
Earlier, in an interview with the UK’s Guardian Zelensky announced a one-year deadline for the conflict to be solved and warned of quitting the Normandy Four talks in case no results followed over that period. "If it lasts longer, we need to change the format and choose another strategy," the Ukrainian president warned adding that the one-year deadline dates from the December summit.
Peace settlement of the conflict in Donbass rests on the Package of Measures, known as Minsk-2, that was signed by the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine comprising senior representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the European security watchdog OSCE on February 12, 2015, after marathon 16-hour talks between the leaders of the Normandy Four nations, namely Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine. The 13-point document envisages a ceasefire between Ukrainian government forces and people’s militias in the self-proclaimed republics in Donetsk and Lugansk and subsequent withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of engagement. The deal also lays out a roadmap for a lasting settlement in Ukraine, including amnesty, resumption of economic ties, local elections and a constitutional reform to give more autonomy to the war-torn eastern regions.


tass--2020-03-07--Moscow corrects Turkish TV channel’s interpretation of Lavrov’s words about Erdogan

MOSCOW , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Foreign Ministry has corrected the Turkish-language channel Yol TV for its incorrect interpretation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ’ s words to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan , the ministry wrote on its Twitter account on Saturday .
We noticed that the Turkish media @ YolTV wrongly understood words of Russian Foreign Minister S.Lavrov .
In the video one can clearly hear that the Minister says « I love your tie » pic.twitter.com/VUsVoMwSVE The Turkish channel posted footage on a social networking site showing Lavrov and Erdogan at the March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that the Russian foreign minister allegedly said , `` I love you Tayyip . ''
`` We noticed that the Turkish media YolTV wrongly understood words of Russian Foreign Minister S.Lavrov .
In the video one can clearly hear that the Minister says ‘ I love your tie ’ , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry tweeted .
On March 5 , the Russian and Turkish Presidents , Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed a ceasefire deal at their talks in Moscow as well as other measures aimed at resolving the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. The Russian Foreign Ministry has corrected the Turkish-language channel Yol TV for its incorrect interpretation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s words to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the ministry wrote on its Twitter account on Saturday.
We noticed that the Turkish media @YolTV wrongly understood words of Russian Foreign Minister S.Lavrov. In the video one can clearly hear that the Minister says «I love your tie» pic.twitter.com/VUsVoMwSVE
The Turkish channel posted footage on a social networking site showing Lavrov and Erdogan at the March 5 talks in Moscow. The caption says that the Russian foreign minister allegedly said, "I love you Tayyip."
"We noticed that the Turkish media YolTV wrongly understood words of Russian Foreign Minister S.Lavrov. In the video one can clearly hear that the Minister says ‘I love your tie’," the Russian Foreign Ministry tweeted.
On March 5, the Russian and Turkish Presidents, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed a ceasefire deal at their talks in Moscow as well as other measures aimed at resolving the crisis in the Syrian region of Idlib.


tass--2020-03-07--Russian rail agency has no plans to suspend train services to Europe amid coronavirus

KERCH /Crimea/ , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has no plans to suspend more train services to Europe , Vladimir Chepets , head of Russia ’ s Federal Rail Transport Agency , told TASS on Saturday .
On March 5 , the train service from Moscow to France ’ s spa city of Nice , which runs through Belarus , Poland , the Czech Republic , Austria , Italy and Monaco , was suspended in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak .
`` [ The Moscow-Nice train ] was suspended because it runs through northern Italy .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else , '' he said when asked about new restrictions on rail services for Europe in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak .
In late December 2019 , a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Outside China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy and South Korea .
Overall , more than 90 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest reports , China , which handles the bulk of cases , has confirmed around 80,000 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The virus ’ death toll has reached more than 3,000 , yet more than 55,500 patients have recovered from the disease .
WHO says that new coronavirus cases outside China have passed 21,000 , and there are over 400 deaths .

KERCH /Crimea/, March 7. /TASS/. Russia has no plans to suspend more train services to Europe, Vladimir Chepets, head of Russia’s Federal Rail Transport Agency, told TASS on Saturday.
On March 5, the train service from Moscow to France’s spa city of Nice, which runs through Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy and Monaco, was suspended in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
"[The Moscow-Nice train] was suspended because it runs through northern Italy. We will not be [imposing] anything else," he said when asked about new restrictions on rail services for Europe in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million. The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Iran, Italy and South Korea. Overall, more than 90 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
According to the latest reports, China, which handles the bulk of cases, has confirmed around 80,000 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has reached more than 3,000, yet more than 55,500 patients have recovered from the disease. WHO says that new coronavirus cases outside China have passed 21,000, and there are over 400 deaths.


tass--2020-03-07--Russian woman tests positive for coronavirus after trip to Zurich

MOSCOW , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
A female resident of the Moscow Region has been preliminary tested positive for the novel coronavirus after visiting Switzerland ’ s Zurich , the Moscow regional health ministry told TASS on Saturday .
`` A female resident of the Moscow Region returned from Zurich on February 25 .
Being anxious after her journey , she sought medical help despite lack of symptoms .
She was tested for the coronavirus infection .
After some analyses , the preliminary result has been positive , '' the spokesperson said .
Her sample will be sent later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city of Novosibirsk for confirmation .
The Moscow Region ’ s health ministry and the Russian consumer safety watchdog ’ s regional branch are holding the situation under control .
`` The woman and her family have been taken to the infectious disease department of the regional hospital .
They all are placed in isolated wards .
The condition of all the patients is satisfactory and they do not show symptoms .
A full range of diagnostic and therapeutic measures has been taken .
At present , the circle of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ established .
They all will be placed in quarantine and will stay under medical observation , '' the press service said .
In late December 2019 , a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Outside China , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and South Korea .
Overall , more than 90 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest reports , China , which handles the bulk of cases , has confirmed around 80,000 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The virus ’ death toll has reached more than 3,000 , yet more than 55,500 patients have recovered from the disease .
WHO says that new coronavirus cases outside China have passed 21,000 , and there are over 400 deaths .

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. A female resident of the Moscow Region has been preliminary tested positive for the novel coronavirus after visiting Switzerland’s Zurich, the Moscow regional health ministry told TASS on Saturday.
"A female resident of the Moscow Region returned from Zurich on February 25. Being anxious after her journey, she sought medical help despite lack of symptoms. She was tested for the coronavirus infection. After some analyses, the preliminary result has been positive," the spokesperson said.
Her sample will be sent later in the day to the Vektor laboratory in the city of Novosibirsk for confirmation. The Moscow Region’s health ministry and the Russian consumer safety watchdog’s regional branch are holding the situation under control.
"The woman and her family have been taken to the infectious disease department of the regional hospital. They all are placed in isolated wards. The condition of all the patients is satisfactory and they do not show symptoms. A full range of diagnostic and therapeutic measures has been taken. At present, the circle of people they have been in contact is being established. They all will be placed in quarantine and will stay under medical observation," the press service said.
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million. The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Iran, Italy and South Korea. Overall, more than 90 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
According to the latest reports, China, which handles the bulk of cases, has confirmed around 80,000 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has reached more than 3,000, yet more than 55,500 patients have recovered from the disease. WHO says that new coronavirus cases outside China have passed 21,000, and there are over 400 deaths.


tass--2020-03-07--Putin orders to reform migration policy, institution of citizenship

MOSCOW , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a list of instructions aimed at reforming the migration requirements and the institution of citizenship in Russia based on the proposals drafted by the working group for implementation of the State Migration Policy Concept of the Russian Federation for 2019-2025 , the Kremlin said on Saturday posting the list on its website .
`` Within the framework of the working group for implementation of the State Migration Policy Concept of the Russian Federation for 2019-2025 , the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation shall organize work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the institution of citizenship of the Russian Federation on the basis of proposals drafted by the above mentioned working group ( attached ) .
The report is to be submitted by March 1 , 2021 , and once every six months thereafter , '' the document says .
Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino was appointed responsible for drafting the report .
In addition , the president ordered the government , the Interior and Foreign Ministries , the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) , and the Justice Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendments to the plan of action for 2019-2021 , aimed at implementing the State Migration Policy Concept of the Russian Federation for 2019-2025 .
The report on this issue is to be submitted by June 1 , 2020 .

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a list of instructions aimed at reforming the migration requirements and the institution of citizenship in Russia based on the proposals drafted by the working group for implementation of the State Migration Policy Concept of the Russian Federation for 2019-2025, the Kremlin said on Saturday posting the list on its website.
"Within the framework of the working group for implementation of the State Migration Policy Concept of the Russian Federation for 2019-2025, the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation shall organize work aimed at reforming the migration requirements and the institution of citizenship of the Russian Federation on the basis of proposals drafted by the above mentioned working group (attached). The report is to be submitted by March 1, 2021, and once every six months thereafter," the document says.
Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino was appointed responsible for drafting the report.
In addition, the president ordered the government, the Interior and Foreign Ministries, the Federal Security Service (FSB), and the Justice Ministry alongside the Presidential Executive Office to make amendments to the plan of action for 2019-2021, aimed at implementing the State Migration Policy Concept of the Russian Federation for 2019-2025. The report on this issue is to be submitted by June 1, 2020.


tass--2020-03-07--Four new coronavirus cases confirmed in Russia over past 24 hours

MOSCOW , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
Four new coronavirus cases have been recorded in Russia over the past 24 hours .
Three of the infected individuals are in Lipetsk and one is in St. Petersburg , all of them visited Italy recently , Russia ’ s coronavirus task force told reporters on Saturday .
`` Four new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia over the past 24 hours among citizens of the Russian Federation , three of them in Lipetsk , of these , two without marked symptoms and one in St. Petersburg .
According to an epidemiological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past two weeks , '' the task force said .
A total of 14 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia by now .
Of these , two are Chinese citizens who were earlier discharged from the hospital in Tyumen , eleven others are Russian citizens who returned from Italy .
In addition , one Italian citizen has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus .
Three Russian nationals evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan remain under medical supervision .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center , in late December 2019 .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Besides China , major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in South Korea , Iran and Italy .
More than 90 countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .

MOSCOW, March 7. /TASS/. Four new coronavirus cases have been recorded in Russia over the past 24 hours. Three of the infected individuals are in Lipetsk and one is in St. Petersburg, all of them visited Italy recently, Russia’s coronavirus task force told reporters on Saturday.
"Four new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia over the past 24 hours among citizens of the Russian Federation, three of them in Lipetsk, of these, two without marked symptoms and one in St. Petersburg. According to an epidemiological investigation, all citizens visited Italy in the past two weeks," the task force said.
A total of 14 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia by now. Of these, two are Chinese citizens who were earlier discharged from the hospital in Tyumen, eleven others are Russian citizens who returned from Italy. In addition, one Italian citizen has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. Three Russian nationals evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan remain under medical supervision.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center, in late December 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, describing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Besides China, major coronavirus outbreaks have been reported in South Korea, Iran and Italy. More than 90 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.


tass--2020-03-08--Putin states need to limit number of presidential terms for power alternation in Russia

MOSCOW , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
The limited number of presidential terms is a more preferable option for Russia to guarantee power alternation , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday .
The Russian president made this statement in an interview for the documentary project : `` After A Flight over the Abyss . ''
A fragment of the interview was shown on the Vesti Nedely ( News of the Week ) program on the Rossiya-1 TV Channel on Sunday .
`` Today we are considering amendments to the Constitution .
Very many diverse proposals are being made , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of terms , for which the president may be elected .
But still , to my mind , it is better to have a limited number of terms for electing the president to guarantee power alternation ( this is important for such a country as ours ) , '' Putin said .
There is nothing extraordinary in the unlimited number of presidential terms , Putin said .
`` In many countries , there is no limitation for the terms of electing the president .
In the West , in the [ United ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancelled quite recently from the historical perspective , '' the Russian president said .

MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. The limited number of presidential terms is a more preferable option for Russia to guarantee power alternation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday.
The Russian president made this statement in an interview for the documentary project: "After A Flight over the Abyss." A fragment of the interview was shown on the Vesti Nedely (News of the Week) program on the Rossiya-1 TV Channel on Sunday.
"Today we are considering amendments to the Constitution. Very many diverse proposals are being made, including the proposal to remove the number of terms, for which the president may be elected. But still, to my mind, it is better to have a limited number of terms for electing the president to guarantee power alternation (this is important for such a country as ours)," Putin said.
There is nothing extraordinary in the unlimited number of presidential terms, Putin stated.
"In many countries, there is no limitation for the terms of electing the president. In the West, in the [United] States, this [rule] was cancelled quite recently from the historical perspective," the Russian president noted.
Putin also said that he would never take efforts to create a state system unacceptable for Russia for the sake of retaining power.
"Today there are many rumors about creating some alternative and parallel bodies of power, for example, giving additional powers to the State Council. I consider this absolutely unacceptable," the Russian president stressed.
"I understand that, honestly speaking, I will be able to control the situation in this way to keep it stable. But it is completely harmful for the country to create a situation of dual power for the future, for a perspective. To sum it up, I will say that the conclusion is as follows: I do not want and will not take efforts for the sake of extending my powers to create such a system of state power in Russia that would be unacceptable or pernicious for it," Putin said.


tass--2020-03-08--Moscow registers warmest weather on record on March 8

MOSCOW , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
The air temperature in Moscow climbed to a record 8.5 degrees Celsius ( @ @ @ @ @ March 8 , the highest figure for more than 140 years of weather observations in @ @ @ @ @ Head of Russia ’ s Weather Forecasting Agency Roman Vilfand told TASS on Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ 1879 was registered in 2014 , equaling plus 8.3 degrees .
The warm weather today @ @ @ @ @ night , at 5-6 hours in the morning , the temperature was plus 8.5 degrees @ @ @ @ @ record for Moscow , '' Vilfand said .
`` The pleasant information is that the @ @ @ @ @ actually it won ’ t rain by the evening and the night is predicted without @ @ @ @ @ During the next five-six days , homogenous weather is forecast by its temperature in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ and moderate rains are likely , '' he said .

MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. The air temperature in Moscow climbed to a record 8.5 degrees Celsius (47.3 degrees Fahrenheit) on March 8, the highest figure for more than 140 years of weather observations in the Russian capital, Scientific Head of Russia’s Weather Forecasting Agency Roman Vilfand told TASS on Sunday.
"The maximum figure since 1879 was registered in 2014, equaling plus 8.3 degrees. The warm weather today is such that already at night, at 5-6 hours in the morning, the temperature was plus 8.5 degrees. This is a new record for Moscow," Vilfand said.
"The pleasant information is that the rain intensity is decreasing and actually it won’t rain by the evening and the night is predicted without any precipitation at all. During the next five-six days, homogenous weather is forecast by its temperature in Moscow: plus 8-10 degrees Celsius and moderate rains are likely," he said.


tass--2020-03-08--All quarantined Russians from Diamond Princess cruise ship discharged from hospital

KAZAN , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
Doctors have discharged the Russian passengers of the cruise ship Diamond Princess quarantined in Kazan in the Volga area from the hospital , Russia ’ s Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Sunday .
`` On February 23 < … > you started your work and today , on March 8 , you completed it , discharging all the patients in the satisfactory condition , without any complaints , '' Russia ’ s health minister said , addressing the staff of the republican clinical infectious disease hospital during a working visit to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discharged from the hospital are feeling well , he said .
`` We have already sent them home .
So , everything is all right . ''
On February 23 , eight Russians were delivered to Kazan from the cruise ship Diamond Princess for a two-week quarantine .
On February 26 , Head of Russia ’ s consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova told reporters that three Russians delivered to the capital of Tatarstan from the cruise ship `` were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection . ''
As media reports said , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus without any expressed symptoms .
The cruise ship Diamond Princess departed from Yokohama ( Japan ) on January 20 and returned on February 3 .
A Chinese citizen diagnosed with the novel coronavirus was among the ship ’ s passengers .
He left the cruise vessel in Hong Kong on January 25 .
From February 5 , the Japanese authorities declared a two-week quarantine aboard the cruise ship for about 3,700 passengers and crewmembers from 50 countries .
The United States , South Korea , Australia , Israel , Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationals from the cruise ship in a special procedure .

KAZAN, March 8. /TASS/. Doctors have discharged the Russian passengers of the cruise ship Diamond Princess quarantined in Kazan in the Volga area from the hospital, Russia’s Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Sunday.
"On February 23 <…> you started your work and today, on March 8, you completed it, discharging all the patients in the satisfactory condition, without any complaints," Russia’s health minister said, addressing the staff of the republican clinical infectious disease hospital during a working visit to the capital of Tatarstan.
All the patients discharged from the hospital are feeling well, he said. "We have already sent them home. So, everything is all right."
On February 23, eight Russians were delivered to Kazan from the cruise ship Diamond Princess for a two-week quarantine. On February 26, Head of Russia’s consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova told reporters that three Russians delivered to the capital of Tatarstan from the cruise ship "were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection."
As media reports said, the three Russians had a very mild form of the coronavirus without any expressed symptoms.
The cruise ship Diamond Princess departed from Yokohama (Japan) on January 20 and returned on February 3. A Chinese citizen diagnosed with the novel coronavirus was among the ship’s passengers. He left the cruise vessel in Hong Kong on January 25. From February 5, the Japanese authorities declared a two-week quarantine aboard the cruise ship for about 3,700 passengers and crewmembers from 50 countries. The United States, South Korea, Australia, Israel, Canada, Hong Kong and Russia evacuated their nationals from the cruise ship in a special procedure.


tass--2020-03-08--Russia alters schedule of diplomatic contacts over coronavirus

MOSCOW , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has altered its schedule of diplomatic contacts over the novel coronavirus spread , Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview with Rossiya-24 television channel on Sunday .
Countries are cancelling bilateral visits and changing their schedules of diplomatic contacts due to the virus spread , she noted .
`` We are now working with this map of international events , adjusting , in particular , the Russian side ’ s schedule of diplomatic contacts , '' the spokeswoman said .
The coronavirus situation has also affected the work of Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` The embassies are taking measures , carrying out work with the staff , analyzing the local side ’ s recommendations and correspondingly organizing the embassy activity , '' the diplomat pointed out .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan , an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV .
As of today , 103 countries and territories , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19 .
According to the latest reports , over 106,200 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries .
The virus ’ death toll has reached 3,600 , yet more than 60,190 patients have recovered from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus infections outside China has been registered in South Korea , Iran and Italy .

MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. Russia has altered its schedule of diplomatic contacts over the novel coronavirus spread, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an interview with Rossiya-24 television channel on Sunday.
Countries are cancelling bilateral visits and changing their schedules of diplomatic contacts due to the virus spread, she noted.
"We are now working with this map of international events, adjusting, in particular, the Russian side’s schedule of diplomatic contacts," the spokeswoman said.
The coronavirus situation has also affected the work of Russian diplomatic missions in some countries, she said.
"The embassies are taking measures, carrying out work with the staff, analyzing the local side’s recommendations and correspondingly organizing the embassy activity," the diplomat pointed out.
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan, an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million.
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV. As of today, 103 countries and territories, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19.
According to the latest reports, over 106,200 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries. The virus’ death toll has reached 3,600, yet more than 60,190 patients have recovered from the disease.
The largest number of coronavirus infections outside China has been registered in South Korea, Iran and Italy.


tass--2020-03-08--Forty-four people contract coronavirus, 1,600 recover and 27 die in China over 24 hours

TASS , March 8 .
The death toll from the novel coronavirus spread in China has reached 27 people over the past 24 hours , while 44 have contracted the disease and 1,600 recovered from it , China ’ s National Health Commission reported on Sunday .
The number of coronavirus infections has reached almost 80,700 cases since the virus outbreak in the country while 57,000 people have recovered and 3,097 have died of it , according to the Commission ’ s data .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wuhan , an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV .
As of today , 103 countries and territories , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19 .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries .
The virus ’ death toll has reached 3,600 , yet more than 60,190 patients have recovered from the disease .
The largest number of coronavirus infections outside China has been registered in South Korea , Iran and Italy .

TASS, March 8. The death toll from the novel coronavirus spread in China has reached 27 people over the past 24 hours, while 44 have contracted the disease and 1,600 recovered from it, China’s National Health Commission reported on Sunday.
The number of coronavirus infections has reached almost 80,700 cases since the virus outbreak in the country while 57,000 people have recovered and 3,097 have died of it, according to the Commission’s data.
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan, an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million.
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV. As of today, 103 countries and territories, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19.
According to the latest reports, over 106,200 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries. The virus’ death toll has reached 3,600, yet more than 60,190 patients have recovered from the disease.
The largest number of coronavirus infections outside China has been registered in South Korea, Iran and Italy.


tass--2020-03-08--Four dead, 38 people rescued from China’s collapsed coronavirus quarantine hotel

SHANGHAI , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
Rescuers recovered 38 people from the rubble of a collapsed hotel in the @ @ @ @ @ the southern province of Fujian that had been used as a coronavirus quarantine facility while @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s Emergencies Ministry reported on its website on Sunday .
The five-storey Xinjia @ @ @ @ @ .
A total of 71 people were trapped under the rubble , according to official @ @ @ @ @ work continues at the scene of the tragedy .
The rescue operation involves 170 fire-fighting @ @ @ @ @ .
Medical workers are providing necessary assistance to the injured people who include four persons @ @ @ @ @ collapsed hotel was used to quarantine people who had had close contacts with the persons @ @ @ @ @ .
There is no information on what caused the hotel ’ s collapse .
The @ @ @ @ @ hotel had been under repairs .

SHANGHAI, March 8. /TASS/. Rescuers recovered 38 people from the rubble of a collapsed hotel in the Chinese city of Quanzhou in the southern province of Fujian that had been used as a coronavirus quarantine facility while four died of injuries, China’s Emergencies Ministry reported on its website on Sunday.
The five-storey Xinjia Hotel collapsed on Saturday evening. A total of 71 people were trapped under the rubble, according to official data.
Search and rescue work continues at the scene of the tragedy. The rescue operation involves 170 fire-fighting teams and over 800 servicemen. Medical workers are providing necessary assistance to the injured people who include four persons in serious condition.
The collapsed hotel was used to quarantine people who had had close contacts with the persons infected with the novel coronavirus. There is no information on what caused the hotel’s collapse. The local media reported that the hotel had been under repairs.


tass--2020-03-08--Putin wishes women love and happiness on International Women’s Day

MOSCOW , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated women on International Women ’ s Day , wishing them love , happiness and health .
`` This holiday is always filled with joy , flowers , gifts and sincere hearty feelings .
We hurry to congratulate our mothers , wives , daughters , female friends and colleagues and tell them about our admiration and love , about respect and gratitude , about the fact that you , our dear women , are the best in the world , '' the Russian president said in a live broadcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are amazed by your ability to love selflessly , show deep compassion and take care of your relatives with joy and patience .
And it is very important that these values are passed down from generation to generation and that daughters learn from their mothers precisely this attitude to life , to the family and to their future children , '' Putin stressed .
The Russian president said he was deeply grateful to women who devoted themselves to their children .
`` This is the most responsible , uneasy , but the noblest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he emphasized .
`` I wish you happiness with all my heart .
I congratulate all women of Russia !
I wish you health , love and joy ! ''
the Russian president said in his greetings .

MOSCOW, March 8. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated women on International Women’s Day, wishing them love, happiness and health.
"This holiday is always filled with joy, flowers, gifts and sincere hearty feelings. We hurry to congratulate our mothers, wives, daughters, female friends and colleagues and tell them about our admiration and love, about respect and gratitude, about the fact that you, our dear women, are the best in the world," the Russian president said in a live broadcast of Rossiya-24 television channel.
"We are amazed by your ability to love selflessly, show deep compassion and take care of your relatives with joy and patience. And it is very important that these values are passed down from generation to generation and that daughters learn from their mothers precisely this attitude to life, to the family and to their future children," Putin stressed.
The Russian president said he was deeply grateful to women who devoted themselves to their children. "This is the most responsible, uneasy, but the noblest and the most rewarding work," he emphasized.
"I wish you happiness with all my heart. I congratulate all women of Russia! I wish you health, love and joy!" the Russian president said in his greetings.


tass--2020-03-08--South Korea reports almost 370 new coronavirus cases in the country

TASS , March 8 .
South Korea has confirmed 367 more cases of the novel coronavirus in the country bringing the total number of people infected with the virus to 7,134 , Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday .
According to the agency , `` So far , 50 people , mostly with preexisting medical conditions , have died of the respiratory disease that originated in China late last year . ''
`` Of the 367 new cases , which were detected Saturday , 294 cases came from Daegu , the country 's fourth-largest city with a population of about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometers from Seoul , '' Yonhap reported citing the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) .
On December 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan , an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV .
As of today , 103 countries and territories , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization declared the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19 .
According to the latest reports , over 106,190 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries .
The virus ’ death toll has reached 3,600 , yet more than 60,190 patients have recovered from the disease .

TASS, March 8. South Korea has confirmed 367 more cases of the novel coronavirus in the country bringing the total number of people infected with the virus to 7,134, Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday.
According to the agency, "So far, 50 people, mostly with preexisting medical conditions, have died of the respiratory disease that originated in China late last year."
"Of the 367 new cases, which were detected Saturday, 294 cases came from Daegu, the country's fourth-largest city with a population of about 2.5 million that is located some 300 kilometers from Seoul," Yonhap reported citing the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan, an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million.
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV. As of today, 103 countries and territories, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19.
According to the latest reports, over 106,190 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries. The virus’ death toll has reached 3,600, yet more than 60,190 patients have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-03-08--Washington DC mayor says 1st presumptive positive coronavirus case reported in US capital

WASHINGTON , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
The first case of the novel coronavirus was presumably registered in the capital of the United States , Washington DC , Muriel Bowser , the mayor of Washington DC , announced on her Twitter page .
`` Late this afternoon , testing at the Public Health Lab at the DC Department of Forensic Sciences yielded its first presumptive positive coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) case , '' Mayor Bowser stated .
New York Times daily reported on Friday that over 250 people on the territory of the United States have been diagnosed with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already died ( 14 in the state of Washington and 1 in the state of California ) .
Earlier this week , the US House of Representatives approved a bill on $ 8.3 billion in emergency aid to combat the novel coronavirus .
Under the legislation , over $ 3 billion will be allocated to finance the development of vaccines , diagnostic study , as well as therapeutics and other treatments .
Another $ 2.2 will be spent on measures of prevention , of which $ 950 million will be used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 , 2019 , the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan , an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million .
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV .
As of today , 103 countries and territories , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
WHO Director General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19 .
According to the latest reports , over 106,190 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries .
The virus ’ death toll has reached 3,600 , yet more than 60,190 patients have recovered from the disease .

WASHINGTON, March 8. /TASS/. The first case of the novel coronavirus was presumably registered in the capital of the United States, Washington DC, Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington DC, announced on her Twitter page.
"Late this afternoon, testing at the Public Health Lab at the DC Department of Forensic Sciences yielded its first presumptive positive coronavirus (COVID-19) case," Mayor Bowser stated.
New York Times daily reported on Friday that over 250 people on the territory of the United States have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus adding that 15 of them have already died (14 in the state of Washington and 1 in the state of California).
Earlier this week, the US House of Representatives approved a bill on $8.3 billion in emergency aid to combat the novel coronavirus. Under the legislation, over $3 billion will be allocated to finance the development of vaccines, diagnostic study, as well as therapeutics and other treatments. Another $2.2 will be spent on measures of prevention, of which $950 million will be used to support public health agencies.
On December 31, 2019, the Chinese authorities reported to the World Health Organization about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan, an economic and industrial megalopolis with a population of 11 million.
The virus was identified on January 7 as 2019-nCoV. As of today, 103 countries and territories, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on February 11 that the organization gave the novel coronavirus an official name of COVID-19.
According to the latest reports, over 106,190 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in China and other countries. The virus’ death toll has reached 3,600, yet more than 60,190 patients have recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-03-08--UK RAF fighter jets scrambled after Russian military aircraft approaches British airspace

LONDON , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
UK Royal Air Force ( RAF ) fighter jets were scrambled on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ Russian aircraft approached British airspace , the RAF press service reported .
`` RAF Quick @ @ @ @ @ Typhoon aircraft launched today from Lossiemouth and Coningsby [ air force bases ] , '' @ @ @ @ @ on the RAF official page on Twitter .
`` This was a routine response to @ @ @ @ @ space and was coordinated with several other NATO allies , '' the statement added .
@ @ @ @ @ the amount and model of the Russian aircraft at the issue , however , the @ @ @ @ @ show Russia ’ s Tu-142 anti-submarine warfare aircraft .
Sky News television channel reported that @ @ @ @ @ launched on the interception mission , adding that the Russian aircraft were later identified as @ @ @ @

LONDON, March 8. /TASS/. UK Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter jets were scrambled on Saturday on an interception mission after Russian aircraft approached British airspace, the RAF press service reported.
"RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon aircraft launched today from Lossiemouth and Coningsby [air force bases]," according to a statement posted on the RAF official page on Twitter.
"This was a routine response to Russian aircraft approaching UK air space and was coordinated with several other NATO allies," the statement added.
The statement did not specify the amount and model of the Russian aircraft at the issue, however, the pictures attached to the statement show Russia’s Tu-142 anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
Sky News television channel reported that three pairs of Typhoons were launched on the interception mission, adding that the Russian aircraft were later identified as Tupolev Tu-95 Bears.


tass--2020-03-08--First Moldovan national diagnosed with coronavirus after visiting Italy

CHISINAU , March 7 .
/TASS/ .
Moldova reported the first coronavirus case on Saturday .
The country ’ s Health , Labor and Social Protection Ministry said that a 48-year-old woman , who had flown from Italy ’ s Bologna to Chisinau , tested positive for the coronavirus .
`` The woman was immediately rushed to hospital since she suffers from diabetes , obesity and high blood pressure , so the doctors assess her condition as serious .
In hospital she had a fever , cough and pulmonary insufficiency , '' the statement said .
On Sunday , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health will he held .
Moldovan President Igor Dodon had earlier convened the Supreme Security Council over coronavirus fears .
In late December 2019 , a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million .
The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern , characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations .
Outside China , the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Korea .
Overall , more than 90 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest reports , China , which handles the bulk of cases , has confirmed around 80,000 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The virus ’ death toll has reached more than 3,000 , yet more than 55,500 patients have recovered from the disease .
WHO says that new coronavirus cases outside China have passed 21,000 , and there are over 400 deaths .

CHISINAU, March 7. /TASS/. Moldova reported the first coronavirus case on Saturday.
The country’s Health, Labor and Social Protection Ministry said that a 48-year-old woman, who had flown from Italy’s Bologna to Chisinau, tested positive for the coronavirus.
"The woman was immediately rushed to hospital since she suffers from diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure, so the doctors assess her condition as serious. In hospital she had a fever, cough and pulmonary insufficiency," the statement said.
On Sunday, an emergency session of the government commission on public health will he held. Moldovan President Igor Dodon had earlier convened the Supreme Security Council over coronavirus fears.
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million. The World Health Organization declared the new coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, characterizing it as an epidemic with multiple locations. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Iran, Italy and South Korea. Overall, more than 90 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. According to the latest reports, China, which handles the bulk of cases, has confirmed around 80,000 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has reached more than 3,000, yet more than 55,500 patients have recovered from the disease. WHO says that new coronavirus cases outside China have passed 21,000, and there are over 400 deaths.


tass--2020-03-08--Canada to allocate over $1.5 million on support of Ukrainian police - foreign ministry

OTTAWA , March 8 .
/TASS/ .
The government of Canada plans to allocate over two million Canadian dollars ( @ @ @ @ @ ) on the support of the Ukrainian police forces development , a statement from the @ @ @ @ @ the visit of Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne to Ukraine .
`` While in Ukraine , @ @ @ @ @ s continued commitment to the country ’ s ambitious reform efforts and engaging women in @ @ @ @ @ '' the statement reads .
`` The Minister also announced more than $ 2 million @ @ @ @ @ strengthen the capacity of the National Police of Ukraine in planning , implementing , monitoring @ @ @ @ @ '' according to the statement from the ministry .
In 2015 , Ottawa sent to @ @ @ @ @ policemen , whose task was to organize training courses for Ukrainian law enforcement services .
@ @ @ @ @ to allocate 8.1 million Canadian dollars ( $ 6.1 million ) on educational programs for @ @ @ @ @ with the necessary equipment .

OTTAWA, March 8. /TASS/. The government of Canada plans to allocate over two million Canadian dollars (more than $1.5 million) on the support of the Ukrainian police forces development, a statement from the Canadian Foreign Ministry said after the visit of Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne to Ukraine.
"While in Ukraine, Minister Champagne highlighted Canada’s continued commitment to the country’s ambitious reform efforts and engaging women in peace and security efforts," the statement reads.
"The Minister also announced more than $2 million over three years to help strengthen the capacity of the National Police of Ukraine in planning, implementing, monitoring and reviewing reform processes," according to the statement from the ministry.
In 2015, Ottawa sent to Ukraine a group of Canadian policemen, whose task was to organize training courses for Ukrainian law enforcement services. Canada also announced plans earlier to allocate 8.1 million Canadian dollars ($6.1 million) on educational programs for Ukrainian policemen and their provision with the necessary equipment.