tass--2020-04-29--Putin marks unprecedented situation in oil and gas market

He noted that in recent months , both Russian and global energy sectors have faced serious shocks .
`` These problems are systemic in nature and go far beyond national borders , '' Putin said , adding that the situation with coronavirus has had the most negative impact on the global economy and energy demand .
NOVO-OGAREVO , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the current issues of the global energy market are systemic in nature , but there have not been such large-scale fluctuations in the oil market as now .
His said this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
`` The global energy market is not the first to encounter sharp , dramatic fluctuations .
But , this [ as it is now ] has never occurred before , that ’ s true .
I have seen some of your public statements and agree : this has not happened before , '' Putin told the participants of the meeting , stressing that in order to smooth out these trends , joint efforts are needed , in particular as part of OPEC+ deal .
The President invited business representatives to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets and the development of the situation in the future .
Putin stressed that energy is a key sector of the Russian economy , which directly affects the development of manufacturing , transport , agriculture , cities , villages and the country as a whole .
It also largely determines Russia 's export potential and the state of public finances , he added .
According to the President , the country 's fuel and energy complex , which employs 2.5 million people , is a high-tech industry , where projects that know no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Such projects in particular include the development of new fields in Arctic shelf and in the harsh conditions of Eastern Siberia , Putin said .
`` The global energy market is not the first to encounter sharp , dramatic fluctuations .
But , this [ as it is now ] has never occurred before , that ’ s true .
I have seen some of your public statements and agree : this has not happened before , '' Putin told the participants of the meeting , stressing that in order to smooth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed , in particular as part of OPEC+ deal .
The Russian leader called for prevention of the fuel shortage and limitations of power supplies to enterprises and households in the country .
`` Fuel shortage on the domestic market , limitations of power supplies to enterprises and country ’ s settlements must be prevented under any circumstances , '' the head of state said .

He noted that in recent months, both Russian and global energy sectors have faced serious shocks. "These problems are systemic in nature and go far beyond national borders," Putin said, adding that the situation with coronavirus has had the most negative impact on the global economy and energy demand.
NOVO-OGAREVO, April 29. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the current issues of the global energy market are systemic in nature, but there have not been such large-scale fluctuations in the oil market as now. His said this at a meeting on energy sector development on Wednesday.
"The global energy market is not the first to encounter sharp, dramatic fluctuations. But, this [as it is now] has never occurred before, that’s true. I have seen some of your public statements and agree: this has not happened before," Putin told the participants of the meeting, stressing that in order to smooth out these trends, joint efforts are needed, in particular as part of OPEC+ deal.
The President invited business representatives to share their views on trends in energy markets and the development of the situation in the future.
Putin stressed that energy is a key sector of the Russian economy, which directly affects the development of manufacturing, transport, agriculture, cities, villages and the country as a whole. It also largely determines Russia's export potential and the state of public finances, he added.
According to the President, the country's fuel and energy complex, which employs 2.5 million people, is a high-tech industry, where projects that know no equals in the world are being implemented. Such projects in particular include the development of new fields in Arctic shelf and in the harsh conditions of Eastern Siberia, Putin said.
"The global energy market is not the first to encounter sharp, dramatic fluctuations. But, this [as it is now] has never occurred before, that’s true. I have seen some of your public statements and agree: this has not happened before," Putin told the participants of the meeting, stressing that in order to smooth out these trends, joint efforts are needed, in particular as part of OPEC+ deal.
The Russian leader called for prevention of the fuel shortage and limitations of power supplies to enterprises and households in the country.
"Fuel shortage on the domestic market, limitations of power supplies to enterprises and country’s settlements must be prevented under any circumstances," the head of state said.


tass--2020-04-29--London Court sets businessman Tinkov case hearing for July 13

LONDON , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
The Westminster Magistrates Court postponed hearing of the case of extradition of Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov to the United States to July 13 , the Court told TASS on Wednesday .
`` The requested person is next listed for 13.07.2020 at 10:00 am in court 3 , '' the source said .
This will be a preliminary case hearing only , the interlocutor added .
The businessman will have to stay in London all that time without the possibility of leaving the city .
`` The conditions [ for bailment — TASS ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the court ’ s spokesperson said .
`` At the moment because of COVID-19 we are not taking any extradition hearings , they will be adjourned until further dates , '' the spokesperson noted , without detailing when the case trial on the merit can take place .
`` I ca n't give any indications .
We don ’ t know , '' he added .
Tinkov will remain in London for the duration of court hearings initiated by the US Internal Revenue Service , TCS Group ( parent company of Tinkoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the London Stock Exchange on March 2 .
The businessman said earlier that an acute form of leukemia had been diagnosed in him .
TCS Group said earlier that the US Internal Revenue Service had initiated court hearings into Oleg Tinkov in London .
The case concerns resolution of potential tax issues .

LONDON, April 29. /TASS/. The Westminster Magistrates Court postponed hearing of the case of extradition of Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov to the United States to July 13, the Court told TASS on Wednesday.
"The requested person is next listed for 13.07.2020 at 10:00 am in court 3," the source said. This will be a preliminary case hearing only, the interlocutor added.
The businessman will have to stay in London all that time without the possibility of leaving the city. "The conditions [for bailment — TASS] will continue [as are]," the court’s spokesperson said.
"At the moment because of COVID-19 we are not taking any extradition hearings, they will be adjourned until further dates," the spokesperson noted, without detailing when the case trial on the merit can take place. "I can't give any indications. We don’t know," he added.
The businessman’s representative refrained from comments.
Tinkov will remain in London for the duration of court hearings initiated by the US Internal Revenue Service, TCS Group (parent company of Tinkoff Bank) said in a statement released on the London Stock Exchange on March 2.
The businessman said earlier that an acute form of leukemia had been diagnosed in him.
TCS Group said earlier that the US Internal Revenue Service had initiated court hearings into Oleg Tinkov in London. The case concerns resolution of potential tax issues.


tass--2020-04-30--Indonesia’s coronavirus infections top 10,000

SINGAPORE , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Indonesia increased by 347 in the past 24 hours , bringing the total over the symbolic 10,000 mark , spokesperson for the national health ministry Achmad Yurianto told an online press conference on Thursday .
According to him , `` the total number of cases reached 10,118 , an increase of 347 infections over the past 24 hours . ''
He also said , `` over the past 24 hours , eight patients died .
Overall , 792 fatalities from coronavirus-related causes were identified in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deaths across Southeast Asia .
Moreover , the official added that more than 1,500 patients recovered .
On March 2 , the Indonesian government reported its first coronavirus case , much later than other Southeast Asian countries .
Experts suggest that the real number of infections can be much higher than the official figures show as Indonesia continues to have one of the lowest test rates in the world , only 99 tests are conducted per one million people .
Neighboring Malaysia , for instance , performs 2,000 tests per one million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry out each 10,000 tests .
Expert assessments say that Jakarta needs to significantly ramp up testing and conduct 2.7 million tests to catch up , the country has so far only performed 72,000 tests .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 3,200,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 228,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 1,000,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

SINGAPORE, April 30. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Indonesia increased by 347 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total over the symbolic 10,000 mark, spokesperson for the national health ministry Achmad Yurianto told an online press conference on Thursday.
According to him, "the total number of cases reached 10,118, an increase of 347 infections over the past 24 hours." He also said, "over the past 24 hours, eight patients died. Overall, 792 fatalities from coronavirus-related causes were identified in the country." This is the highest number of deaths across Southeast Asia.
Moreover, the official added that more than 1,500 patients recovered.
On March 2, the Indonesian government reported its first coronavirus case, much later than other Southeast Asian countries. Experts suggest that the real number of infections can be much higher than the official figures show as Indonesia continues to have one of the lowest test rates in the world, only 99 tests are conducted per one million people. Neighboring Malaysia, for instance, performs 2,000 tests per one million people, while South Korea and Singapore carry out each 10,000 tests. Expert assessments say that Jakarta needs to significantly ramp up testing and conduct 2.7 million tests to catch up, the country has so far only performed 72,000 tests.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 3,200,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 228,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,000,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-30--WHO envoy says COVID-19 drugs tested now prove ineffective

MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The anti-coronavirus treatment currently tested has proved to be ineffective in treating patients and can help only in some cases , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic said in an interview with TASS on Thursday .
`` A group of independent scientists has virtually confirmed to the WHO that no drugs that are being tested now have yielded any serious effect on the treatment ’ s results .
But in some cases these drugs help , '' Vujnovic said .
The envoy explained that one of projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN health agency is aimed at searching for a drug that could successfully combat diseases caused by the coronavirus .
Russia could also join the program , she noted .
`` Now more than 100 countries have joined the program and Russia is joining it .
Patients above 18 will be selected to take part .
One of four protocols of drugs will be tested on them , which are currently used in the world .
There is one new experimental treatment that will be also used , '' Vujnovic said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective anti-coronavirus vaccine .
At least 70 countries have confirmed participation in it .
According to the WHO plans , the program should help reduce the time of clinical trials of the vaccine , which usually take at least several months , by five times due to the global database of research results .
Adult patients with COVID-19 in hospitals can take part in these tests .

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. The anti-coronavirus treatment currently tested has proved to be ineffective in treating patients and can help only in some cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic said in an interview with TASS on Thursday.
"A group of independent scientists has virtually confirmed to the WHO that no drugs that are being tested now have yielded any serious effect on the treatment’s results. But in some cases these drugs help," Vujnovic said.
The envoy explained that one of projects of the Solidarity program overseen by the UN health agency is aimed at searching for a drug that could successfully combat diseases caused by the coronavirus. Russia could also join the program, she noted.
"Now more than 100 countries have joined the program and Russia is joining it. Patients above 18 will be selected to take part. One of four protocols of drugs will be tested on them, which are currently used in the world. There is one new experimental treatment that will be also used," Vujnovic said.
The Solidarity program is aimed at developing an effective anti-coronavirus vaccine. At least 70 countries have confirmed participation in it. According to the WHO plans, the program should help reduce the time of clinical trials of the vaccine, which usually take at least several months, by five times due to the global database of research results. Adult patients with COVID-19 in hospitals can take part in these tests.


tass--2020-04-30--COVID-19 vaccine development may turn into an ideological race, say experts

Specialists all over the world work on almost 119 vaccine projects , out of which only nine projects from Canada , the US , China and the UK advanced to the clinical testing stage BELGRADE , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
Development of the coronavirus vaccine may turn into an ideological race between the leading world powers , says collective statement of the Belgrade Forum for the World of Equals , an organization of Serbian diplomats , politologists , military and medical officers , obtained by TASS Thursday .
`` With the few exceptions , the humanity did not show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the COVID-19 pandemic , [ the humanity ’ s ] western part — especially so , '' the statement reads .
The representatives of the organization express their concerns that a `` race to find a vaccine '' will begin soon , which may turn into an ideological war : `` That who finds the vaccine first , will have more success convincing others that his vaccine is better than [ that of ] the others . ''
According to the experts , it is possible that `` propaganda , not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance of world powers after the pandemic .
The Belgrade Forum for the World of Equals is an expert club , created in 2000 , which analyses events in Serbia , in the Balkans and in the entire world .
It is currently presided by one of its co-founders , former Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Zivadin Jovanovic .
Earlier , Serbian Minister of Labor , Employment and Social Affairs Zoran Djordjevic told TASS that Serbian authorities do not rule out a second wave of the coronavirus infection until a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case count in Serbia is 8,724 , the total fatality count is 173 .
Serbia has completely sealed off its borders , introduced a state of emergency and a curfew and cancelled the parliamentary elections .
Specialists all over the world work on almost 120 coronavirus vaccine projects .
Out of 119 projects , only nine projects from Canada , the US , China and the UK advanced to the clinical testing stage .
The Chinese specialists managed to enter the second stage of clinical testing .
In the meantime , the BRICS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine together .
In Russia , the vaccine is being developed by the Lomonosov State University , the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Siberian Division and the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology ‘ Vector , ’ that signed an agreement to join their efforts .
Last week , the World Health Organization launched a new international initiative to speed up the development of the coronavirus infection diagnosis and treatment technologies , called Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator , or ACT Accelerator .
The WHO believes that the vaccine could be developed @ @ @ @ @ @

Specialists all over the world work on almost 119 vaccine projects, out of which only nine projects from Canada, the US, China and the UK advanced to the clinical testing stage
BELGRADE, April 30. /TASS/. Developing a coronavirus vaccine may turn into an ideological race between the world’s leading powers, says a collective statement of the Belgrade Forum for the World of Equals, an organization of Serbian diplomats, political scientists, and military and medical officers, obtained by TASS Thursday. "With a few exceptions, humanity did not show any significant feats of solidarity in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, [humanity’s] western part — especially so," the statement reads.
The organization’s representatives expressed their concerns that a "race to find a vaccine" would begin soon, which may turn into an ideological war. “Those who find the vaccine first, will have more success convincing others that his vaccine is better than [that of] the others." According to the experts, it is possible that "propaganda, not the vaccine’s quality, will shape" the balance of world powers after the pandemic. The Belgrade Forum for the World of Equals is an expert club, created in 2000 that analyses events in Serbia, in the Balkans and throughout the entire world. It is currently presided over by one of its co-founders, former Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Zivadin Jovanovic. Earlier, Serbian Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Affairs Zoran Djordjevic told TASS that Serbian authorities do not rule out a second wave of the coronavirus infection until a vaccine is found. The total coronavirus case count in Serbia is 8,724, the total fatality count is 173. Serbia has completely sealed off its borders, introduced a state of emergency and a curfew, and cancelled its parliamentary elections.


tass--2020-04-30--Russian Direct Investment Fund to announce projects with foreign states to combat COVID-19

MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) together with partners from major foreign sovereign wealth funds and investment institutions plan to announce projects to combat the coronavirus disease in the near future , the Fund said in a press release following a video conference with partners on Thursday .
`` The Fund and its partners are consistently expanding their joint efforts to more quickly and efficiently find solutions to the problem .
Today , a productive exchange of information and unique experience in the fight against the virus took place , we discussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projects that will help bring victory over it closer .
We will announce them soon , '' Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev was quoted as saying .
More than 20 investors with over $ 8 trillion worth of assets under management from Brazil , China , France , India , Italy , Japan , Kuwait , Oman , Republic of Korea , Saudi Arabia , Singapore , Thailand , the UAE and the US participated in the conference .
The participants discussed investments in existing and promising technologies as well as in companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also touched on the topic of strategies and efforts undertaken at a national level , RDIF said .

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) together with partners from major foreign sovereign wealth funds and investment institutions plan to announce projects to combat the coronavirus disease in the near future, the Fund said in a press release following a video conference with partners on Thursday.
"The Fund and its partners are consistently expanding their joint efforts to more quickly and efficiently find solutions to the problem. Today, a productive exchange of information and unique experience in the fight against the virus took place, we discussed further coordination of joint actions and promising projects that will help bring victory over it closer. We will announce them soon," Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev was quoted as saying.
More than 20 investors with over $8 trillion worth of assets under management from Brazil, China, France, India, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE and the US participated in the conference.
The participants discussed investments in existing and promising technologies as well as in companies that will help defeat the virus. They also touched on the topic of strategies and efforts undertaken at a national level, RDIF said.


tass--2020-04-30--Coronavirus pandemic major challenge for psychologists, expert says

`` There is a high demand for psychologists who help dealing with the consequences of stress we face in the self-isolation conditions .
This includes problems , connected to disruption of our customary way of life ; there is certain aggression registered around the world , increase in domestic violence and a number of other issues .
This is a major challenge for psychologists .
We have found ourselves in an ongoing experiment situation , but while you usually prepare an experiment yourself , this time it was posed for us by the time itself , '' Zinchenko said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The coronavirus pandemic has become a major challenge not only for the medics , but also for psychologists in all nations of the world , says Yuri Zinchenko , president of the Russian Academy of Education and president of the Russian Psychological Society .
Press review : Will the WHO evaluate its COVID-19 blunders and China lashes out at US According to the psychologist , it was a challenge at first to set up work in current conditions , because the traditional way - face to face - is impossible in the self-isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means of communications are used to contact patients .
`` I would also like to note an unprecedented involvement and sharing of information between psychological societies and associations from different countries .
Our societies from about 40 nations stay in constant weekly , almost daily contact , '' Zinchenko said .
`` Russian Psychological Society ’ s research involve not only the European nations , but also representatives of Nepal , Indonesia .
In Spain , we cooperate with over 10 research teams . ''
According to the latest statistics , over 3,200,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 228,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 1,000,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 106,498 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 11,619 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 1,073 fatalities nationwide .

"There is a high demand for psychologists who help dealing with the consequences of stress we face in the self-isolation conditions. This includes problems, connected to disruption of our customary way of life; there is certain aggression registered around the world, increase in domestic violence and a number of other issues. This is a major challenge for psychologists. We have found ourselves in an ongoing experiment situation, but while you usually prepare an experiment yourself, this time it was posed for us by the time itself," Zinchenko said.
MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. The coronavirus pandemic has become a major challenge not only for the medics, but also for psychologists in all nations of the world, says Yuri Zinchenko, president of the Russian Academy of Education and president of the Russian Psychological Society.
Press review: Will the WHO evaluate its COVID-19 blunders and China lashes out at US
According to the psychologist, it was a challenge at first to set up work in current conditions, because the traditional way - face to face - is impossible in the self-isolation conditions. Today, all kinds of means of communications are used to contact patients.
"I would also like to note an unprecedented involvement and sharing of information between psychological societies and associations from different countries. Our societies from about 40 nations stay in constant weekly, almost daily contact," Zinchenko said. "Russian Psychological Society’s research involve not only the European nations, but also representatives of Nepal, Indonesia. In Spain, we cooperate with over 10 research teams."
According to the latest statistics, over 3,200,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 228,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,000,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 106,498 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 11,619 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 1,073 fatalities nationwide.


tass--2020-04-30--World unable to avoid second wave of COVID-19 — WHO envoy

MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
Another wave of COVID-19 is unavoidable , because a majority of the population has no immunity to it , the representative of the World Health Organization to Russia , Melita Vujnovic , told TASS in an interview .
`` This is an absolutely new virus and only a small group of the population has immunity against it .
Until the moment we have devised a set of special preventive measures and have a vaccine we will be unable to say that we can prevent a second wave , '' Vujnovic said .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the experience of the first wave to prevent a dramatic outbreak of the infection during the second one .
`` We expect that the healthcare system and the system of sanitary and epidemiological supervision will be working together to identify minor hotbeds and to track down the infected patients ’ contacts , '' Vujnovic said .
In particular , she emphasized the need for restricting contacts .
In her opinion , if this knowledge is used properly , `` the infection rate will be kept at a low level until it is clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. Another wave of COVID-19 is unavoidable, because a majority of the population has no immunity to it, the representative of the World Health Organization to Russia, Melita Vujnovic, told TASS in an interview.
"This is an absolutely new virus and only a small group of the population has immunity against it. Until the moment we have devised a set of special preventive measures and have a vaccine we will be unable to say that we can prevent a second wave," Vujnovic said.
In her opinion it is essential to use the experience of the first wave to prevent a dramatic outbreak of the infection during the second one.
"We expect that the healthcare system and the system of sanitary and epidemiological supervision will be working together to identify minor hotbeds and to track down the infected patients’ contacts," Vujnovic said.
In particular, she emphasized the need for restricting contacts. In her opinion, if this knowledge is used properly, "the infection rate will be kept at a low level until it is clear how immunity is formed."
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-04-30--Antibodies do not guarantee protection against COVID-19, says WHO envoy

MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The presence of coronavirus antibodies does not mean that a person can not @ @ @ @ @ the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic said in an @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It absolutely does not mean that , even if the virus does not @ @ @ @ @ , answering a corresponding question .
`` We do not know to what extent the @ @ @ @ @ the virus can protect us from infection in the future . ''
Vujnovic noted that @ @ @ @ @ for the outcomes of research .
`` Russia does a lot of research .
It @ @ @ @ @ about this virus to understand what is going on and how , '' she said @

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. The presence of coronavirus antibodies does not mean that a person cannot contract the disease again, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic said in an interview with TASS on Thursday.
"It absolutely does not mean that, even if the virus does not mutate," she said, answering a corresponding question. "We do not know to what extent the antibodies developed during contact with the virus can protect us from infection in the future."
Vujnovic noted that it is important to wait for the outcomes of research. "Russia does a lot of research. It is important to accumulate knowledge about this virus to understand what is going on and how," she said.


tass--2020-04-30--Kremlin: Russia took advantage of time gained to expand healthcare capacities

MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has taken advantage of the time gained in the battle against the @ @ @ @ @ national healthсare system ’ s capacities over several weeks , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said @ @ @ @ @ situation in Russia is , indeed , better than in some European countries because Russia @ @ @ @ @ time advantage of several weeks to expand the healthcare system ’ s capabilities , '' @ @ @ @ @ .
Commenting on the latest data on coronavirus cases in Russia , the Kremlin spokesman @ @ @ @ @ epidemiological situation around the world .
`` You are asking why the number of infected @ @ @ @ @ is growing due to the pandemic , due to the global pandemic , '' Peskov @ @ @ @ @ spokesman underscored , `` in order to halt this growth , for a start , @ @ @ @ @ into negative figures , the most energetic measures are being taken both in the federal @ @ @ @ @ region . ''

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. Russia has taken advantage of the time gained in the battle against the novel coronavirus, expanding the national healthсare system’s capacities over several weeks, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
"The situation in Russia is, indeed, better than in some European countries because Russia has managed to use the time advantage of several weeks to expand the healthcare system’s capabilities," the Russian presidential spokesman stressed.
Commenting on the latest data on coronavirus cases in Russia, the Kremlin spokesman explained the growth by the epidemiological situation around the world. "You are asking why the number of infected persons is growing? It is growing due to the pandemic, due to the global pandemic," Peskov said.
As the Kremlin spokesman underscored, "in order to halt this growth, for a start, and then bring this trend into negative figures, the most energetic measures are being taken both in the federal center and in each separate region."
Situation in Russia


tass--2020-04-30--Urals military salutes valiant senior: 99-year-old WWII veteran gets window side concert

YEKATERINBURG , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
Servicemen from Russia ’ s Central Military District held an online air parade and a concert under the window of 99-year-old WWII veteran Lazar Yoffe who resides in Yekaterinburg in the Urals , the military district ’ s press office reported on Thursday .
`` On a mobile screen , the frontline veteran was able to watch the parade training of an air unit of the Central Military District ’ s Su-34 advanced fighter-bombers , during which the pilots flying the aircraft in the sky congratulated the war veteran with the upcoming 75th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press office said in a statement .
Following this , members of the Central Military District ’ s song and dance ensemble performed the popular Soviet song ‘ Victory Day ’ for the war veteran , the statement says .
To wrap up the event , Deputy Chief of Staff , Communications Chief of the Central Military District Major-General Gennady Tuchin congratulated the war veteran , handing over a gift set and letters from the District ’ s servicemen under the Victory Mail project to him on behalf of the troops ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wartime ‘ triangles , ’ the servicemen of the Central Military District thanked the war veteran for his courage , valor and self-sacrifice demonstrated in combat .
Overall , he received over 30 letters written by servicemen in their garrisons in Siberia , the Urals and the Volga area , '' the press office said .
Lazar Yoffe fought within the 348th Red Banner Order of Kutuzov division set up in the Urals during the Soviet Union ’ s Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 against Nazi Germany .
He was heavily wounded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Combat Merits , '' `` For the Victory over Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War '' and `` the Order of the Great Patriotic War of the Second Degree '' medals .

YEKATERINBURG, April 30. /TASS/. Servicemen from Russia’s Central Military District held an online air parade and a concert under the window of 99-year-old WWII veteran Lazar Yoffe who resides in Yekaterinburg in the Urals, the military district’s press office reported on Thursday.
"On a mobile screen, the frontline veteran was able to watch the parade training of an air unit of the Central Military District’s Su-34 advanced fighter-bombers, during which the pilots flying the aircraft in the sky congratulated the war veteran with the upcoming 75th Victory anniversary through radio communications," the press office said in a statement.
Following this, members of the Central Military District’s song and dance ensemble performed the popular Soviet song ‘Victory Day’ for the war veteran, the statement says.
To wrap up the event, Deputy Chief of Staff, Communications Chief of the Central Military District Major-General Gennady Tuchin congratulated the war veteran, handing over a gift set and letters from the District’s servicemen under the Victory Mail project to him on behalf of the troops’ commander.
"In letters stylized as wartime ‘triangles,’ the servicemen of the Central Military District thanked the war veteran for his courage, valor and self-sacrifice demonstrated in combat. Overall, he received over 30 letters written by servicemen in their garrisons in Siberia, the Urals and the Volga area," the press office said.
Lazar Yoffe fought within the 348th Red Banner Order of Kutuzov division set up in the Urals during the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 against Nazi Germany. He was heavily wounded in battle, and awarded the "For Combat Merits," "For the Victory over Germany in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War" and "the Order of the Great Patriotic War of the Second Degree" medals.


tass--2020-04-30--Ukrainian crisis not on agenda of upcoming UN Security Council summit — Kremlin

MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The Ukrainian crisis is not on the agenda of the summit of UN @ @ @ @ @ , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday .
`` No , there are @ @ @ @ @ the Ukrainian issue has its own regulation format , '' he said in response to @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian crisis would be one of the issues discussed at the summit .
Peskov added @ @ @ @ @ of including the US in the Ukrainian regulation talks in the Normandy format .
`` @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. The Ukrainian crisis is not on the agenda of the summit of UN Security Council permanent member states, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.
"No, there are many pressing issues, and the Ukrainian issue has its own regulation format," he said in response to a question on whether the Ukrainian crisis would be one of the issues discussed at the summit.
Peskov added that there is no discussion of including the US in the Ukrainian regulation talks in the Normandy format. "This is not under discussion," he said.


tass--2020-04-30--WHO notes Russian sanitary watchdog's contribution to EAEU, CIS epidemiological safety

MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) noted the contribution of Russia ’ s Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing ( Rospotrebnadzor ) to the sanitary and epidemiological safety of the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ) and the CIS member nations amid the coronavirus epidemic , the watchdog ’ s press service announced Thursday .
`` The WHO noted Rospotrebnadzor ’ s special contribution to sanitary and epidemiological safety of the EAEU and CIS nations , which included scientific and methodological cooperation , as well as material @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus test systems .
The WHO particularly underscored its interest in cooperation with the Rospotrebnadzor in development of the COVID-19 vaccine , '' the agency said .
On April 29 , Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova discussed joint development of the WHO recommendations for gradual withdrawal of introduced restrictions , as well as joint exercises involving Rospotrebnadzor ’ s mobile laboratories , shipped to countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia , with the new WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge .
The agency also noted that no explosive growth of coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An agency specialist will take part in the WHO ’ s special mission in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan on organization of anti-epidemic measures .

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) noted the contribution of Russia’s Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) to the sanitary and epidemiological safety of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the CIS member nations amid the coronavirus epidemic, the watchdog’s press service announced Thursday.
"The WHO noted Rospotrebnadzor’s special contribution to sanitary and epidemiological safety of the EAEU and CIS nations, which included scientific and methodological cooperation, as well as material and technical cooperation, including shipment of coronavirus test systems. The WHO particularly underscored its interest in cooperation with the Rospotrebnadzor in development of the COVID-19 vaccine," the agency said.
On April 29, Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova discussed joint development of the WHO recommendations for gradual withdrawal of introduced restrictions, as well as joint exercises involving Rospotrebnadzor’s mobile laboratories, shipped to countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with the new WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge.
The agency also noted that no explosive growth of coronavirus cases had been observed on the post-Soviet territory. An agency specialist will take part in the WHO’s special mission in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan on organization of anti-epidemic measures.


tass--2020-04-30--Russia’s Defense Ministry builds six multi-purpose medical centers

`` The new buildings have been commissioned in Podolsk , Smolensk , Volgograd , Novosibirsk , Ussuriysk and Orenburg , '' the ministry said .
These centers have been equipped with X-ray units , MRI scanners , ultrasound machines , anaesthesiology and endoscopy , as well as artificial lung ventilation systems .
MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
Six multi-purpose medical centers to treat infectious diseases have been commissioned across Russia , the Defense Ministry told reporters on Thursday .
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov inspected the new center in Smolensk during his working visit to the Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry commissioned two centers in Nizhny Novgorod and Odintsovo .
They have been provided with all necessary equipment and medical personnel and are fully ready for work .
The construction works are underway at eight other sites , which involve 12,000 people .
The Defense Ministry is building medical centers upon the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Some 8.8 bln rubles ( $ 121 mln ) have been allocated to this aim .
All 16 centers will be put into operation by May 15 , Defense Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive a total of 500,000 pieces of special medical equipment .
More than 2,300 military and civilian medical personnel will be working at these 16 centers .

"The new buildings have been commissioned in Podolsk, Smolensk, Volgograd, Novosibirsk, Ussuriysk and Orenburg," the ministry said. These centers have been equipped with X-ray units, MRI scanners, ultrasound machines, anaesthesiology and endoscopy, as well as artificial lung ventilation systems.
MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. Six multi-purpose medical centers to treat infectious diseases have been commissioned across Russia, the Defense Ministry told reporters on Thursday.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov inspected the new center in Smolensk during his working visit to the Western Military District.
Earlier, the Defense Ministry commissioned two centers in Nizhny Novgorod and Odintsovo. They have been provided with all necessary equipment and medical personnel and are fully ready for work.
The construction works are underway at eight other sites, which involve 12,000 people.
The Defense Ministry is building medical centers upon the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the coronavirus pandemic. Some 8.8 bln rubles ($121 mln) have been allocated to this aim. All 16 centers will be put into operation by May 15, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said. The centers will receive a total of 500,000 pieces of special medical equipment.
More than 2,300 military and civilian medical personnel will be working at these 16 centers.


tass--2020-04-30--US involvement in Normandy Four format ‘off the table’ — Kremlin

Before holding a summit of the Normandy Quartet proper preparations must be made for the parties concerned to communicate at the highest level , the presidential spokesman told the media MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The involvement of the US in the Normandy Four format is out of discussion , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday .
`` This issue is off the table , '' he said .
Before holding a summit of the Normandy Quartet proper preparations must be made for the parties concerned to communicate at the highest level , the presidential spokesman told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has to be stated that the agreements achieved in Paris [ on settling the Ukrainian crisis ] have failed to be implemented .
For this reason joint work is still to be carried out to prepare the groundwork for communication at the highest level , '' he said .
Peskov explained that the outlook for holding the summit would be largely determined by the Normandy Quartet ’ s foreign ministers , who will hold a videoconference on April 30 to discuss progress in settling the Donbass conflict .
He called for waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also , Peskov said that cooperation at the Contact Group level and among experts was continuing .
Asked who was to blame for the non-compliance with the agreements , Peskov advised everybody to read once again the Paris agreement , which `` states everything very clearly and no interpretations or opinions are required . ''
`` For now , the trend towards non-compliance with the agreements that were first achieved in Minsk and then in Berlin and Paris remains , '' he said .
Peskov said that `` this state of affairs does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still there . ''
`` For this reason , there have been systematic attempts at resuming a dialogue by experts and at identifying the basis for further joint action and for communication at the highest level , '' Peskov said .
`` It is impossible to keep saying the same things again and again .
Some agreements must begin to be implemented at last . ''
Kiev should stop putting forward new conditions on ironing out the Ukrainian crisis , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday .
Peskov commented on Kiev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People ’ s Republics must leave eastern Ukraine ’ s soil .
He recalled that the Minsk peace deal had been initialed by these republics ’ representatives .
`` It ’ s impossible to keep introducing new conditions and voicing new positions without discussing them with the representatives of these republics , '' Peskov commented .
The Kremlin spokesman noted that Moscow was not a party to the conflict and `` Ukrainians should discuss this between themselves . ''
`` But it is difficult to make any progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representatives , '' he stated .
Peskov also recalled that the leaders of the Normandy Four group ( Russia , Ukraine , Germany and France ) had held hours-long talks in Paris and endorsed a document .
However , the Kremlin spokesman noted that unfortunately there was no major progress in terms of implementing the deal .
Peace in Ukraine depends entirely on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements , Dmitry Peskov told reporters .
`` As far as the Kremlin is concerned , the best way to establish peace in Donbass and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minsk Agreements in full , '' he pointed out .
In response to a question about differences in the interpretation of the document , Peskov emphasized that the agreements contained no ambiguous interpretations .
When asked if Ukraine was supposed `` to return to Donbass , '' the Kremlin spokesman said that the Minsk Agreements had all the answers .
`` It is a fundamental document , '' he noted .
In February 2015 , members of the Contact Group on resolving the situation in eastern Ukraine signed a Package of Measures for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved by the Normandy Quartet ( Russia , France , Germany and Ukraine ) .
The document stipulates a comprehensive ceasefire , the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of contact and a reform of the Ukrainian Constitution aimed at decentralizing the country and ensuring `` the special status of certain areas in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions . ''
The Package of Measures was enshrined in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2202 .
The agreements , initially planned to be implemented by the end of 2015 , have not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the implementation of the Package ’ s political provisions .
The last Normandy Four summit , which took place in Paris on December 9 , 2019 , involved French President Emmanuel Macron , Russian President Vladimir Putin , German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky .
The four leaders reaffirmed their commitment to securing a full-fledged ceasefire in Donbass .
They also voiced support for a plan to carry out the disengagement of forces in three more areas in Donbass , conduct an all-for-all prisoner exchange and launch the development of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accordance with the Steinmeier Formula .

Before holding a summit of the Normandy Quartet proper preparations must be made for the parties concerned to communicate at the highest level, the presidential spokesman told the media
MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. The involvement of the US in the Normandy Four format is out of discussion, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday. "This issue is off the table," he said.
Read also Kremlin says ‘homework’ for new Normandy Four meeting not done yet
Before holding a summit of the Normandy Quartet proper preparations must be made for the parties concerned to communicate at the highest level, the presidential spokesman told the media. "For the time being it has to be stated that the agreements achieved in Paris [on settling the Ukrainian crisis] have failed to be implemented. For this reason joint work is still to be carried out to prepare the groundwork for communication at the highest level," he said. Peskov explained that the outlook for holding the summit would be largely determined by the Normandy Quartet’s foreign ministers, who will hold a videoconference on April 30 to discuss progress in settling the Donbass conflict. He called for waiting for the results of that discussion. Also, Peskov said that cooperation at the Contact Group level and among experts was continuing. Asked who was to blame for the non-compliance with the agreements, Peskov advised everybody to read once again the Paris agreement, which "states everything very clearly and no interpretations or opinions are required." "For now, the trend towards non-compliance with the agreements that were first achieved in Minsk and then in Berlin and Paris remains," he said. Peskov said that "this state of affairs does not suit anyone, but regrettably it is still there." "For this reason, there have been systematic attempts at resuming a dialogue by experts and at identifying the basis for further joint action and for communication at the highest level," Peskov said. "It is impossible to keep saying the same things again and again. Some agreements must begin to be implemented at last." New conditions
Kiev should stop putting forward new conditions on ironing out the Ukrainian crisis, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. Peskov commented on Kiev’s demand that the leadership of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics must leave eastern Ukraine’s soil. He recalled that the Minsk peace deal had been initialed by these republics’ representatives. "It’s impossible to keep introducing new conditions and voicing new positions without discussing them with the representatives of these republics," Peskov commented. The Kremlin spokesman noted that Moscow was not a party to the conflict and "Ukrainians should discuss this between themselves." "But it is difficult to make any progress without discussing this with these republics’ representatives," he stated. Peskov also recalled that the leaders of the Normandy Four group (Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France) had held hours-long talks in Paris and endorsed a document. However, the Kremlin spokesman noted that unfortunately there was no major progress in terms of implementing the deal. Implementation of Minsk Accords
Read also Russia will make every effort to facilitate results at Minsk talks — envoy


tass--2020-04-30--Kremlin: Pandemic dynamics show it is early for Russians to leave homes

MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus infection dynamics show that it is not yet time for Russians to get relaxed and go out into the streets , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday .
`` While the dynamics fluctuate and while we see growth , '' the Russian presidential spokesman told journalists , commenting on the rate of growth in the number of coronavirus cases in Russia over the past 24 hours .
`` It is far from the time to calm down , get relaxed and go out into the streets , '' he stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 3,200,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 228,000 deaths have been reported .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 106,498 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 11,619 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 1,073 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. The coronavirus infection dynamics show that it is not yet time for Russians to get relaxed and go out into the streets, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
"While the dynamics fluctuate and while we see growth," the Russian presidential spokesman told journalists, commenting on the rate of growth in the number of coronavirus cases in Russia over the past 24 hours.
"It is far from the time to calm down, get relaxed and go out into the streets," he stressed.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 3,200,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 228,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,000,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 106,498 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 11,619 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 1,073 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-30--Press review: Will the WHO evaluate its COVID-19 blunders and China lashes out at US

Izvestia : WHO set to evaluate blunders in handling COVID-19 The World Health Organization is ready to be guided in its work by requests from G20 leaders to evaluate its mistakes on a global scale .
However , the WHO ’ s goal is to take care of the health of all people throughout the world regardless of their race or political views , the UN agency told Izvestia commenting on the recent demand by the US and French presidents that the organization should be reformed .
Earlier , US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would halt funding for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and concealing vital information on the outbreak in Wuhan , China .
The European External Action Service ( EEAS ) also published a report blaming Beijing , but shortly after the text was revised .
However , experts told Izvestia that the current developments won ’ t globally change economic cooperation between the EU and China , if Chinese-US ties worsened .
`` Some European countries will now join the claims against China , namely France , but the Europeans have always been more cautious in taking any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a leading researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute of the Far East .
The specialist also emphasized that each EU country has its own relations with China , but most of them receive Chinese investment and therefore Beijing has enough buttons to push to pursue its policy .
Besides , China has its own tools of how to gain Europe ’ s favor since it is a major exporter of medical supplies , which is of crucial importance right now .
Unlike the US , the Europeans have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also interested in boosting economic ties with them , since it has too many conflicts with Washington , said Vladimir Scheitser , who heads the social and political research department at the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Europe .
According to Kashin , the prospects of Europe ’ s stance amid worsening US-Chinese relations are quite clear now , given that China has been actively ramping up its `` diplomatic incursion '' into the EU .
The present accusations against China are reminiscent of the allegations that Russia meddled in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting point for the deterioration of ties , the expert noted .
China ’ s Foreign Ministry stated that the Trump administration was concealing its failures in fighting COVID-19 and sought to shift the blame on others .
This is just one episode in Beijing ’ s propaganda campaign in response to the attempts by Trump and other leaders to lay financial claims against China for the damage caused by the pandemic .
The toughest criticism came from Australia , which suggested sending inspectors to Wuhan , China , where experiments on bats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Asian and European countries won ’ t back America ’ s steps because of their reliance on China , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
Anticipating the deterioration on external fronts , the Chinese authorities turned to think tanks and scientists in their own country with a call to build the most effective strategy to respond to its main potential adversary .
Meanwhile , Beijing instructed its propaganda bodies and diplomatic missions not to leave unanswered the attacks of Western politicians and the media against China .
`` US politicians are shamelessly lying , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gen Shuang told a briefing .
`` The conflict between America and China at first led to a trade war .
Then many experts in China hoped that America was just struggling for its economic benefits and this confrontation would be eased by concessions and then China could buy years or maybe decades for its calm development .
The pandemic showed that US-Chinese contradictions were structural and could not be overcome by Beijing ’ s unilateral concessions .
So , now we see a bipolar world forming , which will be apparently created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020s , '' said Alexander Lomanov , Deputy Director of the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute of World Economy and International Relations .
According to the expert , China is unable to convince the whole world that it ’ s right .
`` The American power of persuasion towards its allies in the region - Japan , Australia , South Korea - will always surpass China ’ s power of persuasion .
But there are a large number of countries where American rhetoric does not draw sympathy .
Opposing groups will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creation of a future world : one center of future bipolarity is being formed around the US , and the other around China , '' Lomanov said .
Vedomosti : Gazprom could see major losses in export revenues Russia ’ s energy giant Gazprom predicts that the volume of pipeline gas exports will significantly decline compared with last year , Head of the Financial and Economic Department Alexander Ivannikov said , commenting on the company ’ s financial report under the 2019 International Financial Reporting Standards ( IFRS ) , Vedomosti writes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach 166.6 bln cubic meters at an average annual price of $ 133 per 1,000 cubic meters .
However , these figures could change depending on the market situation , he noted .
Last year , Gazprom supplied Europe ( Turkey included ) with 199.2 bln cubic meters of gas , with an average price of nearly $ 204 per 1,000 cubic meters .
Gazprom ’ s export revenues from these supplies totaled nearly $ 40.8 bln .
But starting from early 2020 , the company faced a whole number of problems on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the figures outlined by Ivannikov , this year Gazprom ’ s export revenues could be nearly halved to $ 22.1 bln .
This is explained by an unusually warm winter and the excessive volume of fuel reserves in Europe .
With the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and attempts to stop the spread of the virus through restrictions , gas consumption in Europe had decreased .
In addition to the excessive volume of gas in Europe ’ s underground storage facilities , this again led to falling prices on the market .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , except for public utilities .
Gazprom is not expecting a quick recovery of the market , according to Ivannikov .
By the middle of summer , the price of supplies could decrease to $ 70 per 1,000 cubic meters .
However , by the end of the year the trend could change and prices could be restored to nearly $ 130 , he noted .
The coronavirus pandemic has seriously changed the US presidential race .
Former Vice President Joe Biden secured a confident victory in the Democratic Party ’ s mail-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the endorsement of Hillary Clinton .
However , opinion polls are showing an alarming picture for Biden .
Voters doubt whether he could win the pre-election marathon and outperform Donald Trump given the present conditions , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
In early April , it seemed that the pandemic could have played into Biden ’ s hands .
Americans apparently did not like the fact that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country was growing and many of them blamed Trump .
But now people are sick and tired of the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimed at gradually lifting all restrictions and restoring the economy , is winning more support .
While Trump is appearing on screens every day and is making optimistic speeches , concerns have not been alleviated that the health of the 77-year-old Biden might hinder his election campaign .
`` The mouthpiece of the Democrats now are the leader of their faction in the Senate Chuck Schumer and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi .
Biden has retreated into the shadows .
He has disappeared from the public .
This arouses concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when there will be the election struggle and probably , a second wave of the pandemic , '' Senior Research Fellow at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute for US and Canadian Studies Vladimir Vasilyev said .
Meanwhile , the US has started lifting some coronavirus restrictions .
Eight states headed by Republican governors have not barred citizens from moving freely .
In May , at least four states ( Alaska , Georgia , Oklahoma and South Carolina ) will ease the quarantine .
According to Vasilyev , it ’ s highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trips in the regions .
`` In view of this , Biden will have to accept the challenge and also meet with voters .
And this poses some risk . ''
Russia is actively working on creating a quantum Internet .
The ITMO ( Information Technologies , Mechanics and Optics ) National Research University jointly with Russian Venture Company ( RVC ) and based on Russian Railways infrastructure will establish a platform for a quantum Internet .
Some 300 mln rubles ( $ 4 mln ) will be earmarked for this ambitious project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to transmit confidential information of different types and volume , RVC told Izvestia .
The creators of this platform expect that their first clients will be financial organizations , state corporations , production enterprises and infrastructure facilities .
Quantum cryptography will ensure the highest degree of data protection , market sources say .
`` In the future , the ITMO Leading Research Center plans a large-scale implementation of its developments in Russia and will make it a logistic and communication center between Europe and Asia and guarantee quick and safe transmission of information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' RVC ’ s Director General Alexander Povalko said .
The global quantum industry is just forming , he told the paper .
Currently , complex platform decisions have been developed only in China , and therefore the new project is unique for Russia , Povalko noted .
Over the past 10 years , the volume of data transmission has grown 50-fold and by the end of 2020 the number of devices integrated into the cyber physical system of IoT ( Internet of things ) will increase to 20 bln in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the demand in effective , quick and safe communications channels will rapidly grow .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Izvestia: WHO set to evaluate blunders in handling COVID-19 The World Health Organization is ready to be guided in its work by requests from G20 leaders to evaluate its mistakes on a global scale. However, the WHO’s goal is to take care of the health of all people throughout the world regardless of their race or political views, the UN agency told Izvestia commenting on the recent demand by the US and French presidents that the organization should be reformed. Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would halt funding for the organization, accusing it of failing to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and concealing vital information on the outbreak in Wuhan, China. The European External Action Service (EEAS) also published a report blaming Beijing, but shortly after the text was revised. However, experts told Izvestia that the current developments won’t globally change economic cooperation between the EU and China, if Chinese-US ties worsened. "Some European countries will now join the claims against China, namely France, but the Europeans have always been more cautious in taking any anti-Chinese restrictions," said Vasily Kashin, a leading researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of the Far East.
Read also US attempts to accuse WHO of inefficiency counterproductive — diplomat
The specialist also emphasized that each EU country has its own relations with China, but most of them receive Chinese investment and therefore Beijing has enough buttons to push to pursue its policy. Besides, China has its own tools of how to gain Europe’s favor since it is a major exporter of medical supplies, which is of crucial importance right now. Unlike the US, the Europeans have a milder policy on China, and Beijing is also interested in boosting economic ties with them, since it has too many conflicts with Washington, said Vladimir Scheitser, who heads the social and political research department at the Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Europe. According to Kashin, the prospects of Europe’s stance amid worsening US-Chinese relations are quite clear now, given that China has been actively ramping up its "diplomatic incursion" into the EU. The present accusations against China are reminiscent of the allegations that Russia meddled in the 2016 US election, which was the starting point for the deterioration of ties, the expert noted. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: China bashes US for spreading coronavirus fake news China’s Foreign Ministry stated that the Trump administration was concealing its failures in fighting COVID-19 and sought to shift the blame on others. This is just one episode in Beijing’s propaganda campaign in response to the attempts by Trump and other leaders to lay financial claims against China for the damage caused by the pandemic. The toughest criticism came from Australia, which suggested sending inspectors to Wuhan, China, where experiments on bats were conducted. According to experts, many Asian and European countries won’t back America’s steps because of their reliance on China, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Anticipating the deterioration on external fronts, the Chinese authorities turned to think tanks and scientists in their own country with a call to build the most effective strategy to respond to its main potential adversary. Meanwhile, Beijing instructed its propaganda bodies and diplomatic missions not to leave unanswered the attacks of Western politicians and the media against China. "US politicians are shamelessly lying," Spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Gen Shuang told a briefing.
Read also Russia upset by Western attempts to shift blame for pandemic on China — minister
"The conflict between America and China at first led to a trade war. Then many experts in China hoped that America was just struggling for its economic benefits and this confrontation would be eased by concessions and then China could buy years or maybe decades for its calm development. The pandemic showed that US-Chinese contradictions were structural and could not be overcome by Beijing’s unilateral concessions. So, now we see a bipolar world forming, which will be apparently created by the middle or the end of the 2020s," said Alexander Lomanov, Deputy Director of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of World Economy and International Relations. According to the expert, China is unable to convince the whole world that it’s right. "The American power of persuasion towards its allies in the region - Japan, Australia, South Korea - will always surpass China’s power of persuasion. But there are a large number of countries where American rhetoric does not draw sympathy. Opposing groups will be formed. We are witnessing the creation of a future world: one center of future bipolarity is being formed around the US, and the other around China," Lomanov said. Vedomosti: Gazprom could see major losses in export revenues Russia’s energy giant Gazprom predicts that the volume of pipeline gas exports will significantly decline compared with last year, Head of the Financial and Economic Department Alexander Ivannikov said, commenting on the company’s financial report under the 2019 International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Vedomosti writes. The company expects that its exports will reach 166.6 bln cubic meters at an average annual price of $133 per 1,000 cubic meters. However, these figures could change depending on the market situation, he noted. Last year, Gazprom supplied Europe (Turkey included) with 199.2 bln cubic meters of gas, with an average price of nearly $204 per 1,000 cubic meters. Gazprom’s export revenues from these supplies totaled nearly $40.8 bln. But starting from early 2020, the company faced a whole number of problems on its key export market. In accordance with the figures outlined by Ivannikov, this year Gazprom’s export revenues could be nearly halved to $22.1 bln.
This is explained by an unusually warm winter and the excessive volume of fuel reserves in Europe. With the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and attempts to stop the spread of the virus through restrictions, gas consumption in Europe had decreased. In addition to the excessive volume of gas in Europe’s underground storage facilities, this again led to falling prices on the market. Subsequently, demand declined in all sectors, except for public utilities. Gazprom is not expecting a quick recovery of the market, according to Ivannikov. By the middle of summer, the price of supplies could decrease to $70 per 1,000 cubic meters. However, by the end of the year the trend could change and prices could be restored to nearly $130, he noted. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Biden clinches Clinton’s endorsement, but loses voter confidence The coronavirus pandemic has seriously changed the US presidential race. Former Vice President Joe Biden secured a confident victory in the Democratic Party’s mail-in primaries in Ohio. Biden also won the endorsement of Hillary Clinton. However, opinion polls are showing an alarming picture for Biden. Voters doubt whether he could win the pre-election marathon and outperform Donald Trump given the present conditions, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes.
Read also Trump states very good relationship between US and Russia


tass--2020-04-30--Russia’s Red Cross to provide 31 lung ventilators to hospitals

`` With support from our partners we will soon purchase 31 lung ventilators , to be distributed among hospitals that need them the most .
This will be done in cooperation with bodies of power concerned .
In the first place , the Health Ministry , '' she said .
Perekhvatova said the RRC was keen to extend assistance in struggling the pandemic to bodies of power , health service establishments and the most vulnerable groups of the population .
This work is in progress in all of the organization ’ s regional chapters from St. Petersburg in the west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RRC official said the organization had joined the preventive campaign at the end of February-early March .
Also , she stressed that the activity of all regional offices and the head office proceeded in tight cooperation with the authorities .
On the list RRC activities Perekhvatova mentioned assistance to the most vulnerable groups of the population and migrants and awareness promotion efforts .
Also , the RRC was persuading recovered COVID-19 patients to come to blood draw stations to donate plasma .
`` This plasma , which contains antibodies to the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still undergo treatment , '' she added .
Perekhvatova said the RRC was actively getting ready for overcoming the social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` We are well aware the situation may get worse .
We take every measure to build up resources to be able to provide assistance to as many people as possible who need this assistance , '' she said .
Senior health service matters adviser for Russia , Belarus and Moldova of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies , Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide about 18 million rubles ( $ 250,000 ) to support the RRC .
`` Clearly , these resources are not enough to cope with all problems , but at least they will make life in the hardest-hit regions a little bit easier , '' he said .
Mordovin said the pandemic was far from being over and its effects were still to be gauged .
`` Many people will sustain economic losses and be harmed emotionally .
We are working on an action plan and look for resources to ease the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .

"With support from our partners we will soon purchase 31 lung ventilators, to be distributed among hospitals that need them the most. This will be done in cooperation with bodies of power concerned. In the first place, the Health Ministry," she said.
Perekhvatova said the RRC was keen to extend assistance in struggling the pandemic to bodies of power, health service establishments and the most vulnerable groups of the population. This work is in progress in all of the organization’s regional chapters from St. Petersburg in the west to Kamchatka in the east.
The RRC official said the organization had joined the preventive campaign at the end of February-early March. Also, she stressed that the activity of all regional offices and the head office proceeded in tight cooperation with the authorities.
On the list RRC activities Perekhvatova mentioned assistance to the most vulnerable groups of the population and migrants and awareness promotion efforts. Also, the RRC was persuading recovered COVID-19 patients to come to blood draw stations to donate plasma.
"This plasma, which contains antibodies to the coronavirus, is used for transfusion to patients who still undergo treatment," she added.
Perekhvatova said the RRC was actively getting ready for overcoming the social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are well aware the situation may get worse. We take every measure to build up resources to be able to provide assistance to as many people as possible who need this assistance," she said.
Support for RRC
Senior health service matters adviser for Russia, Belarus and Moldova of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Alexander Mordovin, said that the organization would provide about 18 million rubles ($250,000) to support the RRC.
"Clearly, these resources are not enough to cope with all problems, but at least they will make life in the hardest-hit regions a little bit easier," he said.
Mordovin said the pandemic was far from being over and its effects were still to be gauged.
"Many people will sustain economic losses and be harmed emotionally. We are working on an action plan and look for resources to ease the pandemic effects to the maximum extent," he added.


tass--2020-04-30--Number of coronavirus victims in Spain rises by 268

MADRID , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The lowest number of coronavirus-related deaths in the last six weeks was seen in Spain — 268 people over the past day , the Ministry of Health of Spain reported on Thursday .
At the same time , according to the report , the total number of deaths since the onset of the infection in the country reached 24,543 .
An anti-record for mortality was seen in the kingdom on April 1 when 950 patients became victims of the pandemic in 24 hours .
The number of cases detected by tests amounted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since the beginning of the pandemic , 112,050 patients have recovered , this figure increased by 3,103 in 24 hours .
The first coronavirus case in Spain was detected on January 31 , the number of the infected began to surge after the outbreak in Italy .
Since mid-March , the country has been on high alert , which allowed the authorities to restrict movement of residents throughout the country , except in cases of emergency .
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that from April 27 , the regime would be eased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that they could go out .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MADRID, April 30. /TASS/. The lowest number of coronavirus-related deaths in the last six weeks was seen in Spain — 268 people over the past day, the Ministry of Health of Spain reported on Thursday.
At the same time, according to the report, the total number of deaths since the onset of the infection in the country reached 24,543. An anti-record for mortality was seen in the kingdom on April 1 when 950 patients became victims of the pandemic in 24 hours. The number of cases detected by tests amounted to 213,435 and increased by 1,309 per day. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 112,050 patients have recovered, this figure increased by 3,103 in 24 hours.
The first coronavirus case in Spain was detected on January 31, the number of the infected began to surge after the outbreak in Italy. Since mid-March, the country has been on high alert, which allowed the authorities to restrict movement of residents throughout the country, except in cases of emergency. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that from April 27, the regime would be eased for children under the age of 12 so that they could go out.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-04-30--Coronavirus cases in Georgia reach 539

Coronavirus cases in Georgia reach 539

TBILISI , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
Twenty-two more COVID-19 cases have been identified in the South Caucasus Republic of Georgia and the total number of those infected has reached 539 , the Georgian government reported on its website focused on keeping the public updated on the coronavirus situation .
The updated data show that over 5,200 people in Georgia are under quarantine while 548 individuals are staying at inpatient clinics .
A total of 178 people have recovered from the illness and six patients have died .
Three more Georgian citizens infected with the novel coronavirus have been delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia declared a state of emergency over the pandemic from March 21 to May 21 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected worldwide and more than 228,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 1,007,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

TBILISI, April 30. /TASS/. Twenty-two more COVID-19 cases have been identified in the South Caucasus Republic of Georgia and the total number of those infected has reached 539, the Georgian government reported on its website focused on keeping the public updated on the coronavirus situation.
The updated data show that over 5,200 people in Georgia are under quarantine while 548 individuals are staying at inpatient clinics. A total of 178 people have recovered from the illness and six patients have died. Three more Georgian citizens infected with the novel coronavirus have been delivered to their home country from abroad.
Georgia declared a state of emergency over the pandemic from March 21 to May 21.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 3,200,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 228,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,007,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-30--Coronavirus case count in Bulgaria grows by 51 in past 24 hours

SOFIA , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
In the past 24 hours , coronavirus infection count in Bulgaria increased by @ @ @ @ @ tally in the country to 1,488 , 164 of them being medical personnel , head @ @ @ @ @ operational HQ Ventsislav Mutafchiyski announced Thursday .
`` There are 310 patients in hospitals , @ @ @ @ @ intensive care units .
A total of 65 people died from the coronavirus , four @ @ @ @ @ last 24 hours .
A total of 266 people have recovered , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ in Bulgaria were registered on March 8 .
Since March 13 , Bulgaria introduced a @ @ @ @ @ late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about @ @ @ @ @ unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , @ @ @ @ @ — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the @ @ @ @ @

SOFIA, April 30. /TASS/. In the past 24 hours, coronavirus infection count in Bulgaria increased by 51, bringing the total tally in the country to 1,488, 164 of them being medical personnel, head of the national coronavirus prevention operational HQ Ventsislav Mutafchiyski announced Thursday.
"There are 310 patients in hospitals, 38 of them in the intensive care units. A total of 65 people died from the coronavirus, four of them — in the last 24 hours. A total of 266 people have recovered," he said.
The first infection cases in Bulgaria were registered on March 8. Since March 13, Bulgaria introduced a state of emergency.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.


tass--2020-04-30--Norway reports 7,710 cases of COVID-19

Norway reports 7,710 cases of COVID-19

HELSINKI , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
Norway has reported 43 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , with the total tally reaching 7,710 , the Norwegian Institute of Public Health informed on Thursday .
`` In total , 7,710 people have contracted the coronavirus , '' the message informs .
Yesterday , Norway reported a total of 7,667 cases of the virus .
In the past few days , the daily increase in cases remained stable at about 100 cases a day or fewer .
The country reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have been hospitalized .
The first case of the novel coronavirus was detected in Norway in late February .
The Norwegian government has banned entry to the country for foreigners with no residence permit , introducing border control within the Schengen zone .
All kindergartens , schools and universities have been closed .
Everyone arriving in the country from foreign states must be placed on a 14-day quarantine .
Earlier , Norway stated that the epidemic is under control .
The government ruled to gradually open kindergartens and primary schools and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to universities .
Hairdressers and other facilities closed due to the epidemic can resume their work .
The ban on visiting country houses has also been lifted .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .

HELSINKI, April 30. /TASS/. Norway has reported 43 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, with the total tally reaching 7,710, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health informed on Thursday.
"In total, 7,710 people have contracted the coronavirus," the message informs. Yesterday, Norway reported a total of 7,667 cases of the virus. In the past few days, the daily increase in cases remained stable at about 100 cases a day or fewer. The country reports 207 deaths from the virus, 114 people have been hospitalized.
The first case of the novel coronavirus was detected in Norway in late February. The Norwegian government has banned entry to the country for foreigners with no residence permit, introducing border control within the Schengen zone. All kindergartens, schools and universities were closed. Everyone arriving in the country from foreign states must be placed on a 14-day quarantine.
Earlier, Norway stated that the epidemic is under control. The government ruled to gradually open kindergartens and primary schools and to allow students who are graduating this year to return to universities. Hairdressers and other facilities closed due to the epidemic can resume their work. The ban on visiting country houses has also been lifted.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.


tass--2020-04-30--Coronavirus cases in Ukraine surpass 10,000

KIEV , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The number of new coronavirus cases in Ukraine has grown by 540 over the past twenty-four hours to 10,406 , Ukraine ’ s Health Minister Maxim Stepanov told a news briefing on Thursday .
`` Over the entire period , 10,406 people have contracted the disease [ in Ukraine ] , of whom there are 717 children and also 2,063 medical workers , '' the health minister said .
As the health minister added , 261 people have died and 1,238 patients have recovered from the illness over the entire pandemic period .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests over the past twenty-four hours , the minister stressed .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 3,200,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 228,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 1,007,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

KIEV, April 30. /TASS/. The number of new coronavirus cases in Ukraine has grown by 540 over the past twenty-four hours to 10,406, Ukraine’s Health Minister Maxim Stepanov told a news briefing on Thursday.
"Over the entire period, 10,406 people have contracted the disease [in Ukraine], of whom there are 717 children and also 2,063 medical workers," the health minister said.
As the health minister added, 261 people have died and 1,238 patients have recovered from the illness over the entire pandemic period. Ukraine has conducted a record 7,315 coronavirus tests over the past twenty-four hours, the minister stressed.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 3,200,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 228,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,007,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-30--Russian Black Sea Fleet forces thwart saboteurs’ attack on hospital in Crimea drills

SEVASTOPOL , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The personnel of the Black Sea Fleet ’ s army corps repelled an @ @ @ @ @ a military hospital in Crimea during drills , the Fleet ’ s press office reported @ @ @ @ @ the drills ’ scenario , a notional enemy attempted to penetrate the territory of a @ @ @ @ @ seize it .
After receiving an alarm signal , an alert unit of the Black @ @ @ @ @ corps promptly arrived at the scene where saboteurs had been detected , '' the press @ @ @ @ @ .
The servicemen conducted reconnaissance and blocked the notional enemy ’ s subversive group before @ @ @ @ @ unit , the statement says .
`` In the course of the drills , all @ @ @ @ @ unit coped with the assigned task , employing their skills gained in the process of @ @ @ @ @ and blocking notional terrorists , '' the press office stressed .

SEVASTOPOL, April 30. /TASS/. The personnel of the Black Sea Fleet’s army corps repelled an attack by notional saboteurs on a military hospital in Crimea during drills, the Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.
"Under the drills’ scenario, a notional enemy attempted to penetrate the territory of a military hospital in order to seize it. After receiving an alarm signal, an alert unit of the Black Sea Fleet’s army corps promptly arrived at the scene where saboteurs had been detected," the press office said in a statement.
The servicemen conducted reconnaissance and blocked the notional enemy’s subversive group before the arrival of a reinforced unit, the statement says.
"In the course of the drills, all the personnel of the alert unit coped with the assigned task, employing their skills gained in the process of training for repelling an attack and blocking notional terrorists," the press office stressed.


tass--2020-04-30--Moscow Kommunarka hospital admits 70 patients, bringing total to 540

MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
Seventy more patients were admitted to Moscow ’ s Kommunarka hospital No .
40 in the past 24 hours , which is almost 50 more than one day before , hospital head Denis Protsenko said in his Facebook .
`` There are 540 patients in the hospital .
Of them , 532 or 98 % are diagnosed with pneumonia ; 337 or 62 % have confirmed COVID diagnosis ; 70 new patients were admitted in the past 24 hours , '' he wrote .
According to the chief physician , 49 patients stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are connected to ventilators .
Out of those 49 patients , 19 are aged between 41 and 60 , while other 30 are aged over 61 .
According to Svetlana Krasnova , chief physician of Moscow ’ s Infectious Diseases Hospital No .
2 , 42 new patients were admitted to her hospital , six of them with confirmed COVID diagnosis , which is almost as many as the day before .
Besides , 74 people were discharged , of whom 22 recovered from the coronavirus .
A total of 702 patients remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being in the intensive care unit ; one day ago , there were 734 patients .
Coronavirus infection is confirmed in 227 patients .

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. Seventy more patients were admitted to Moscow’s Kommunarka hospital No. 40 in the past 24 hours, which is almost 50 more than one day before, hospital head Denis Protsenko said in his Facebook.
"There are 540 patients in the hospital. Of them, 532 or 98% are diagnosed with pneumonia; 337 or 62% have confirmed COVID diagnosis; 70 new patients were admitted in the past 24 hours," he wrote.
According to the chief physician, 49 patients stay in the intensive care unit, 26 are connected to ventilators. Out of those 49 patients, 19 are aged between 41 and 60, while other 30 are aged over 61.
According to Svetlana Krasnova, chief physician of Moscow’s Infectious Diseases Hospital No. 2, 42 new patients were admitted to her hospital, six of them with confirmed COVID diagnosis, which is almost as many as the day before. Besides, 74 people were discharged, of whom 22 recovered from the coronavirus.
A total of 702 patients remain in the hospital, 21 of them being in the intensive care unit; one day ago, there were 734 patients. Coronavirus infection is confirmed in 227 patients.


tass--2020-04-30--St. Petersburg’s coronavirus cases exceed 4,000

ST. PETERSBURG , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in the Russian city of St. Petersburg @ @ @ @ @ anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Thursday .
Another 336 cases were confirmed in the city @ @ @ @ @ , according to the center .
Nationwide , St. Petersburg ranks third in terms of @ @ @ @ @ .
As many as 71 patients have been discharged from the city ’ s hospitals @ @ @ @ @ recoveries to 779 .
Twenty-nine patients have died in St. Petersburg so far .
To @ @ @ @ @ 106,498 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 11,619 patients having recovered from @ @ @ @ @ s latest data indicates 1,073 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up @ @ @ @ @ the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

ST. PETERSBURG, April 30. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in the Russian city of St. Petersburg has exceeded 4,000, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Thursday.
Another 336 cases were confirmed in the city in the past 24 hours, according to the center.
Nationwide, St. Petersburg ranks third in terms of coronavirus cases (4,062). As many as 71 patients have been discharged from the city’s hospitals, bringing the number of recoveries to 779. Twenty-nine patients have died in St. Petersburg so far.
To date, a total of 106,498 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 11,619 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 1,073 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-30--Russian envoy blasts US for claiming to be part of Iran nuclear deal

MOSCOW , April 30 .
/TASS/ .
The United States ’ attempts to present itself as part of the Iran @ @ @ @ @ , Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov wrote on Twitter .
@ @ @ @ @ present itself as ‘ JCPOA participant ’ have no future .
It is like common @ @ @ @ @ invented this idea gave bad advice to US authorities .
Cynical approaches must have their @ @ @ @ @ to compromise the national policy to the worst extent , '' the tweet reads .

MOSCOW, April 30. /TASS/. The United States’ attempts to present itself as part of the Iran nuclear deal have no future, Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov wrote on Twitter.
"The US attempts to present itself as ‘JCPOA participant’ have no future. It is like common sense mockery. Those who invented this idea gave bad advice to US authorities. Cynical approaches must have their own limits in order not to compromise the national policy to the worst extent," the tweet reads.