tass--2020-04-24--Russian Central Bank cuts key rate to 5.5% per annum

MOSCOW , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Bank of Russia reduced the key rate by 50 basis points at @ @ @ @ @ since October 2019 to 5.5 % per annum , the regulator said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
`` On 24 April 2020 , the Bank of Russia Board of Directors @ @ @ @ @ rate by 50 bp to 5.50 % per annum .
Since the March Board of @ @ @ @ @ has changed dramatically .
Significant restrictive measures have been introduced to combat the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ the world , which negatively influences economic activity , '' the statement said .
This @ @ @ @ @ influence on price dynamics from the aggregate demand perspective , which offsets the effect of @ @ @ @ @ those related to the fall in oil prices , the regulator added .

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia reduced the key rate by 50 basis points at once for the first time since October 2019 to 5.5% per annum, the regulator said in a statement following its board meeting on Friday.
"On 24 April 2020, the Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided to cut the key rate by 50 bp to 5.50% per annum. Since the March Board of Directors meeting, the situation has changed dramatically. Significant restrictive measures have been introduced to combat the coronavirus pandemic both in Russia and across the world, which negatively influences economic activity," the statement said.
This creates material and prolonged disinflationary influence on price dynamics from the aggregate demand perspective, which offsets the effect of temporary pro-inflationary factors, including those related to the fall in oil prices, the regulator added.


tass--2020-04-24--Russia’s northernmost missile unit uses Bastion coastal defense systems in Arctic drills

`` During the final check , the missile troops practiced going on alert , preparing the hardware and bringing it out of hangars , making a march and deploying Bastion launchers in a positioning area on the coast of the Barents Sea , '' the press office said in a statement .
MURMANSK , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
A missile battalion of the Northern Fleet ’ s tactical group armed with Bastion coastal defense systems and stationed on the Alexandra Land of the Franz Joseph Land archipelago in the Arctic passed a final check for the winter training period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported on Friday .
The drills were held with the help of the computer generated simulation of the tactical situation without physical launches and were primarily aimed at checking whether the Bastion combat teams were complying with the required time procedures for deploying the launchers in the Arctic under low temperatures , the Fleet ’ s press office specified .
The Bastion coastal defense missile systems armed with Oniks supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles are in service with the Northern Fleet ’ s Arctic units stationed on the Alexandra Land and Kotelny islands .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ standardized Yakhont ( Oniks ) supersonic homing anti-ship cruise missile is designated to strike various types of surface ships operating as part of amphibious assault formations , convoys , surface action and carrier strike groups , and also sole ships and radar-contrast land targets under intensive fire and electronic counter-measures .

"During the final check, the missile troops practiced going on alert, preparing the hardware and bringing it out of hangars, making a march and deploying Bastion launchers in a positioning area on the coast of the Barents Sea," the press office said in a statement.
MURMANSK, April 24. /TASS/. A missile battalion of the Northern Fleet’s tactical group armed with Bastion coastal defense systems and stationed on the Alexandra Land of the Franz Joseph Land archipelago in the Arctic passed a final check for the winter training period, the Fleet’s press office reported on Friday.
The drills were held with the help of the computer generated simulation of the tactical situation without physical launches and were primarily aimed at checking whether the Bastion combat teams were complying with the required time procedures for deploying the launchers in the Arctic under low temperatures, the Fleet’s press office specified.
The Bastion coastal defense missile systems armed with Oniks supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles are in service with the Northern Fleet’s Arctic units stationed on the Alexandra Land and Kotelny islands.
The Bastion coastal defense system with the standardized Yakhont (Oniks) supersonic homing anti-ship cruise missile is designated to strike various types of surface ships operating as part of amphibious assault formations, convoys, surface action and carrier strike groups, and also sole ships and radar-contrast land targets under intensive fire and electronic counter-measures.


tass--2020-04-24--Choice of experts for OPCW investigation team violates UN Charter — Russian envoy

VIENNA , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
The fact that most members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons ( OPCW ) Investigation and Identification Team come from NATO countries violates the United Nations Charter , Russian Permanent Envoy to the OPCW Mikhail Ulyanov wrote on Twitter .
`` We have reasons to believe that an absolute majority of members of the Investigation and Identification Team come from NATO countries , which is a violation of the UN Charter and the Chemical Weapons Convention .
If this is not true , the OPCW leadership must pronounce itself openly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet reads .
The OPCW Investigation and Identification Team released its first report on April 8 , blaming the Syrian authorities for using chemical weapons in March 2017 .
According to the report , `` on March 24 , 2017 , an Su-22 military airplane belonging to the 50th Brigade of the 22nd Air Division of the Syrian Arab Air Force , departing from Shayrat airbase , dropped an M4000 aerial bomb containing sarin in southern Ltamenah , affecting at least 16 persons . ''
Russia ’ s mission to the OPCW said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credibility .
The OPCW in 2018 decided to create an investigation team at the initiative of the United States and the United Kingdom in order to identify those responsible for the use of chemical weapons .
Russia strongly opposed the move saying that the Chemical Weapons Convention did not provide for the establishment of such a group and giving additional powers to the group would amount to encroaching on the prerogatives of the United Nations Security Council .

VIENNA, April 26. /TASS/. The fact that most members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Investigation and Identification Team come from NATO countries violates the United Nations Charter, Russian Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov wrote on Twitter.
"We have reasons to believe that an absolute majority of members of the Investigation and Identification Team come from NATO countries, which is a violation of the UN Charter and the Chemical Weapons Convention. If this is not true, the OPCW leadership must pronounce itself openly on this principled matter," the tweet reads.
The OPCW Investigation and Identification Team released its first report on April 8, blaming the Syrian authorities for using chemical weapons in March 2017. According to the report, "on March 24, 2017, an Su-22 military airplane belonging to the 50th Brigade of the 22nd Air Division of the Syrian Arab Air Force, departing from Shayrat airbase, dropped an M4000 aerial bomb containing sarin in southern Ltamenah, affecting at least 16 persons." Russia’s mission to the OPCW said that the report was flawed and lacked credibility.
The OPCW in 2018 decided to create an investigation team at the initiative of the United States and the United Kingdom in order to identify those responsible for the use of chemical weapons. Russia strongly opposed the move saying that the Chemical Weapons Convention did not provide for the establishment of such a group and giving additional powers to the group would amount to encroaching on the prerogatives of the United Nations Security Council.
Fixed Ulyanov’s position at 12:43.


tass--2020-04-24--Putin requests encouraging import substitution to support economy amid pandemic

MOSCOW , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has requested particularly focusing on encouraging import substitution in the industry when developing measures to support the economy , according to the list of instructions released on the Kremlin ’ s website on Friday .
`` The government of the Russian Federation < … > should develop plans of action on supporting the basic sectors of the Russian economy amid the deteriorating situation due to the novel coronavirus infection spread , particularly focusing on encouragement of import substitution programs in the industry , '' according to one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 15 meeting of tbe president with the cabinet .
The deadline for the instruction is April 30 .
The president also requested allocation of at least 23 bln rubles ( $ 307.8 mln ) for financial aid provided to airlines , `` including for partial recovery of expenses on leasing contracts for aviation equipment , working capital financing , payment of wages to employees , '' within the same period .
Moreover , the Russian leader requested updating the criteria of counting enterprises and organizations as systemic and revising respective lists considering @ @ @

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has requested particularly focusing on encouraging import substitution in the industry when developing measures to support the economy, according to the list of instructions released on the Kremlin’s website on Friday.
"The government of the Russian Federation <…> should develop plans of action on supporting the basic sectors of the Russian economy amid the deteriorating situation due to the novel coronavirus infection spread, particularly focusing on encouragement of import substitution programs in the industry," according to one of the instructions in the list compiled following the April 15 meeting of tbe president with the cabinet.
The deadline for the instruction is April 30.
The president also requested allocation of at least 23 bln rubles ($307.8 mln) for financial aid provided to airlines, "including for partial recovery of expenses on leasing contracts for aviation equipment, working capital financing, payment of wages to employees," within the same period.
Moreover, the Russian leader requested updating the criteria of counting enterprises and organizations as systemic and revising respective lists considering new criteria.


tass--2020-04-24--Two more Italian regions seek Russia's aid in combating COVID-19

Earlier , TASS informed that the region of Piedmont had addressed the Russian military with a request for aid MOSCOW , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
Local governments of the Italian provinces of Apulia and Friuli-Venezia Giulia have addressed Russia with the request for aid in the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic , Russian Ambassador to Italy Sergei Razov said during a video link from Rome on Friday .
`` Heads of Italian regions are addressing us with official requests to send our military officers [ to carry out disinfection — TASS ] .
Such requests came from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giulia , '' he said .
Razov stressed that Russian aid is not political .
Earlier , TASS informed that the region of Piedmont had addressed the Russian military with a request for aid .
Under the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin , on March 22-25 , the Russian Defense Ministry sent 15 military jets to Italy that transported virologists , epidemiologists and the necessary equipment to the country .
According to the ministry , the group includes specialists who directly took part in fighting outbreaks of African swine fever , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plague .
The planes also delivered mobile stations for aerosol disinfection of transport and territories and medical equipment .
Russian military experts have been stationed in the town of Bergamo ( Lombardy ) , one of the epicenters of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy with a record number of infections and deaths in the country .
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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,700,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 191,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

Earlier, TASS informed that the region of Piedmont had addressed the Russian military with a request for aid
MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. Local governments of the Italian provinces of Apulia and Friuli-Venezia Giulia have addressed Russia with the request for aid in the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic, Russian Ambassador to Italy Sergei Razov said during a video link from Rome on Friday. "Heads of Italian regions are addressing us with official requests to send our military officers [to carry out disinfection — TASS]. Such requests came from the governors of Piedmont, Apulia and Friuli-Venezia Giulia," he said. Razov stressed that Russian aid is not political.
Read also Italy’s Piedmont region asks Russia for assistance in struggle against pandemic
Earlier, TASS informed that the region of Piedmont had addressed the Russian military with a request for aid. Under the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on March 22-25, the Russian Defense Ministry sent 15 military jets to Italy that transported virologists, epidemiologists and the necessary equipment to the country. According to the ministry, the group includes specialists who directly took part in fighting outbreaks of African swine fever, as well as developing vaccines against Ebola and the plague. The planes also delivered mobile stations for aerosol disinfection of transport and territories and medical equipment.
Read also Russian envoy to Serbia slams attempts to besmirch aid to Serbia, Italy as cynical


tass--2020-04-24--Bulgaria sees sharp rise in coronavirus cases in past day

The head of the anti-coronavirus crisis center explained the negative trend by mass violations of the social distancing rules during the Easter holidays SOFIA , April 24./TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Bulgaria has risen by 90 in the past 24 hours , which is an 8.3-percent daily growth , a record one since the country reported its first patient , the head of the anti-coronavirus crisis center , Ventsislav Mutafchiyski , told a briefing on Friday .
The overall number of coronavirus cases has amounted to 1,171 , with 129 medics among them , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated in clinics , 37 of them in intensive care units .
Fifty-two people have died from coronavirus , including two fatalities over the past 24 hours .
As many as 193 people have recovered , '' he added .
`` A steep rise in the number of infected people is apparently linked to the Easter holidays , when we saw mass violations of the social distancing rules .
We have May holidays ahead , and the situation alarms us , since restrictions in Bulgaria are the most relaxed in Europe .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t play Old Harry with us , '' Mutafchiyski added .
Experts from the anti-crisis center also commented on a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases among the medical personnel , 34 in the past 24 hours , suggesting that it was due to an incorrect use of protective gear .
Bulgaria reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 .
A state of emergency was enforced on March 13 .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,700,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 191,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

The head of the anti-coronavirus crisis center explained the negative trend by mass violations of the social distancing rules during the Easter holidays
SOFIA, April 24./TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Bulgaria has risen by 90 in the past 24 hours, which is an 8.3-percent daily growth, a record one since the country reported its first patient, the head of the anti-coronavirus crisis center, Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, told a briefing on Friday. The overall number of coronavirus cases has amounted to 1,171, with 129 medics among them, he said.
Read also Czech Republic’s coronavirus cases plunge
"As many as 270 people are treated in clinics, 37 of them in intensive care units. Fifty-two people have died from coronavirus, including two fatalities over the past 24 hours. As many as 193 people have recovered," he added. "A steep rise in the number of infected people is apparently linked to the Easter holidays, when we saw mass violations of the social distancing rules. We have May holidays ahead, and the situation alarms us, since restrictions in Bulgaria are the most relaxed in Europe. I hope to God that it won’t play Old Harry with us," Mutafchiyski added.


tass--2020-04-24--Export configuration of Russia’s Bumerang combat vehicle to differ from domestic version

MOSCOW , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
The export version of combat vehicles based on Russia ’ s latest Bumerang standardized wheeled platform will differ from its configuration for the Russian Army but their design will be unchanged , CEO of the Military Industrial Company ( the vehicle ’ s developer and producer ) Alexander Krasovitsky told TASS on Friday .
`` A promotional certificate and an export configuration certificate have been formalized for combat vehicles based on the Bumerang standardized platform .
The configuration of the vehicles intended for exports differs from those that go to the Russian Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , electromagnetic shielding and protection systems against the WMD [ weapons of mass destruction ] and the means of reducing visibility on the battlefield , '' the chief executive said .
At the same time , the combat vehicles ’ design will not undergo any changes , he said .
`` No changes are stipulated in the design of the vehicle intended for exports .
In any case , we will listen to the requirements of foreign customers and outfit the platform with the equipment , which they will request , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Industrial Company told TASS in July 2019 that the latest K-16 armored personnel carrier based on the Bumerang platform would be 1.5-2 times cheaper than the models of the company ’ s closest rivals .
He named the countries of Africa , South America and Asia as the most promising markets for the combat vehicle .
The chief executive also said at the time that the licensed production of the export version of the K-16 Bumerang armored personnel carrier might be eventually organized on the territory of customer countries .

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The export version of combat vehicles based on Russia’s latest Bumerang standardized wheeled platform will differ from its configuration for the Russian Army but their design will be unchanged, CEO of the Military Industrial Company (the vehicle’s developer and producer) Alexander Krasovitsky told TASS on Friday.
"A promotional certificate and an export configuration certificate have been formalized for combat vehicles based on the Bumerang standardized platform. The configuration of the vehicles intended for exports differs from those that go to the Russian Army by communications and automated combat control systems, electromagnetic shielding and protection systems against the WMD [weapons of mass destruction] and the means of reducing visibility on the battlefield," the chief executive said.
At the same time, the combat vehicles’ design will not undergo any changes, he said. "No changes are stipulated in the design of the vehicle intended for exports. In any case, we will listen to the requirements of foreign customers and outfit the platform with the equipment, which they will request," he stressed.
The head of the Military Industrial Company told TASS in July 2019 that the latest K-16 armored personnel carrier based on the Bumerang platform would be 1.5-2 times cheaper than the models of the company’s closest rivals. He named the countries of Africa, South America and Asia as the most promising markets for the combat vehicle. The chief executive also said at the time that the licensed production of the export version of the K-16 Bumerang armored personnel carrier might be eventually organized on the territory of customer countries.


tass--2020-04-24--Russian envoy to Serbia slams attempts to besmirch aid to Serbia, Italy as cynical

The diplomat underlined that Serbia and Italy themselves welcome the Russian help with hope and gratitude BELGRADE , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
Attempts to deliberately misrepresent humanitarian campaigns of Russia in Italy and Serbia are cynical and will not be able to make their contents null and void , Russia ’ s Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said in an interview for Serbian Vecernje Novosti daily published on Friday .
When asked to comment on the fact that certain forces would like to interpret the assistance of Russian military doctors in Serbia and Italy as Moscow ’ s attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambassador replied , `` It is cynical and shameless to even review this . ''
`` I would like to remind [ you ] that as was the case with Serbia , the decision to send help to Italy was made after receiving a direct appeal of the Italian leadership , of Prime Minister [ Giuseppe ] Conte .
Russia equally responded to every single appeal [ for help ] coming from the CIS [ Commonwealth of Independent States — TASS ] , Abkhazia and South Ossetia .
All these decisions were purely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political climate .
Nevertheless , the attempts to misrepresent these humanitarian campaigns by distorting their aims will not cancel out their true meaning and will not nullify their tangible results , '' he stressed .
The diplomat underlined that Serbia and Italy welcome the Russian help with hope and gratitude .
Botsan-Kharchenko revealed that as of April 22 , Russian military specialists disinfected 88 facilities in 15 Serbian cities , as well as around 190 buildings and 51 road sections .
In addition to that , more than 500 coronavirus patients were admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand at 7,276 , the number of fatalities rose to 139 .
Serbia fully shut down its borders , imposed a state of emergency and a curfew , while inter-city bus and rail traffic was suspended .
Earlier , Serbia ’ s government asked Russia ’ s assistance in fighting against the novel coronavirus .
Belgrade sought concrete assistance under the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in emergency and humanitarian response .
Commenting on Belgrade ’ s request , Russian president ’ s press secretary Dmitry Peskov pledged that `` a request from such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Serbia will not be unanswered . ''
On April 3-4 , the Russian air force jets transferred 87 Russian military specialists to Serbia including doctors , virologists of radiation , chemical and biological forces as well as special medical equipment , PPE and 16 units of military vehicles .
The Russian medical brigades are deployed across the country .
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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 2,700,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 191,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

The diplomat underlined that Serbia and Italy themselves welcome the Russian help with hope and gratitude
BELGRADE, April 24. /TASS/. Attempts to deliberately misrepresent humanitarian campaigns of Russia in Italy and Serbia are cynical and will not be able to make their contents null and void, Russia’s Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said in an interview for Serbian Vecernje Novosti daily published on Friday.
Read also Top brass slams La Stampa’s claims about Russian mission in Italy as propaganda
When asked to comment on the fact that certain forces would like to interpret the assistance of Russian military doctors in Serbia and Italy as Moscow’s attempt to boost its geostrategic position, the ambassador replied, "It is cynical and shameless to even review this."
"I would like to remind [you] that as was the case with Serbia, the decision to send help to Italy was made after receiving a direct appeal of the Italian leadership, of Prime Minister [Giuseppe] Conte. Russia equally responded to every single appeal [for help] coming from the CIS [Commonwealth of Independent States — TASS], Abkhazia and South Ossetia. All these decisions were purely of humanitarian nature and not defined by political climate. Nevertheless, the attempts to misrepresent these humanitarian campaigns by distorting their aims will not cancel out their true meaning and will not nullify their tangible results," he stressed. The diplomat underlined that Serbia and Italy welcome the Russian help with hope and gratitude. Botsan-Kharchenko revealed that as of April 22, Russian military specialists disinfected 88 facilities in 15 Serbian cities, as well as around 190 buildings and 51 road sections. In addition to that, more than 500 coronavirus patients were admitted.


tass--2020-04-24--Press review: US, Iran move to the brink of war and will Covid-19 affect counter-sanctions

The Russian Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) has set up a working group that will come up with options for legislative amendments due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Kommersant has found out that legislators plan to discuss efforts to reduce the tax burden and analyze the application of the counter-sanctions law .
The group will present its proposals by May 15 .
`` A working group is needed to ensure the coordination of the work by specialized committees , '' Chairman of the Federation Council ’ s Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the committee , in particular , would identify the best practices of foreign experience to improve national legislation amid the pandemic .
According to Kosachev , the committee also plans to analyze the experience of applying the 2018 approved counter-sanctions law .
`` Without questioning its effectiveness , we would like to check how it works under the new circumstances from the viewpoint of the interests of Russian businesses , which are experiencing additional pressure that did not exist before , '' he added .
`` The Federation Council needs to identify problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal and regional administrative sanctions , the problems of protecting privacy against the backdrop of digital control methods , violations of labor rights and the problems related to applying anti-crisis laws , '' the paper quotes political commentator Alexander Pozhalov as saying .
Izvestia : US , Iran on the verge of a naval war Tensions between the world ’ s two long-standing geopolitical adversaries , the United States and Iran , are reaching a new level , Izvestia writes .
In a recent Twitter post , US President Donald Trump threatened `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Iranian gunboats , if they harass our ships at sea . ''
Several recent confrontations could result in the exacerbation of relations between Washington and Tehran and growing tensions in the entire Gulf region .
The reason for Trump ’ s statement could be the April 15 incident in the Persian Gulf off the Kuwaiti coast , when Iranian naval ships conducted dangerous maneuvers close to US warships .
Later on , Iran pinned the blame for the incident on the United States , arguing that American warships were hindering the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Institute of International Studies at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations ( MGIMO University ) , explained to Izvestia that Washington ’ s accusations were nothing more than an attempt to use political discourse to prevent the UN Security Council from lifting the arms embargo imposed on Iran .
`` This is the United States ’ open policy , it announced that itself .
It will do its utmost to make sure that this embargo is not lifted .
That ’ s why it will accuse Iran , even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the expert stressed .
Meanwhile , Sergei Sudakov , a member of the Academy of Military Sciences , stressed to the paper that a military standoff between the two countries was quite possible .
`` The United States can resort to a military standoff with Iran .
They [ the Americans ] realize that , given the current situation , it is unlikely that someone will support Iran , '' he said .
A confrontation with Iran could yield good dividends , and `` Trump is just testing the waters to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that , he will draw conclusions on whether or not to move on to provocations or freeze the conflict for some time , '' the expert noted .
Kommersant : American LNG becoming too expensive for Europe and Asia Consumers in Europe and Asia have begun to abandon batches of US liquefied natural gas to be delivered in June amid falling gas prices , Kommersant writes .
At the same time , domestic gas prices are on the rise due to expectations that production will decline .
This combination could lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas liquefaction facilities in the United States and limit the flow of these volumes to Europe .
However , it will be difficult for Russia ’ s energy giant Gazprom to replace them with its own gas , since there is virtually no additional demand for it .
The number of drilling rigs on gas assets has been declining since early 2019 .
During this period , the existing well stock more than halved , the paper quotes Vygon Consulting Analyst Ekaterina Kolbikova as saying .
The situation has been exacerbated by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas is decreasing as well due to the low activity of oil well drilling and diminished capital expenditures by oil companies .
According to the expert , commercial gas production accounts for a substantial proportion in the production of shale gas — about 40 % or 15 % of the total gas production in the United States .
`` Therefore , the expectation of a more substantial drop in oil production may trigger a rise in domestic gas prices in the United States , '' she stressed .
The share of American LNG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high level , that is 15 % of global trade , while in April it fell to 13 % , Kolbikova went on to say .
The operational efficiency of LNG producers in the United States will be stable as long as a high level of enterprise workload is maintained .
The expert added that she did not expect the current situation to slow down the commissioning of new liquefaction facilities in the United States , if investment decisions have been made on them .
Izvestia : COVID-19 epidemic in Russia may peak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowdown in Russia ’ s coronavirus incidences offers hope that the situation is gradually moving towards stabilization , Alexander Lukashev , Director of the Institute of Medical Parasitology , Tropical and Vector-borne Diseases at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University , told Izvestia .
`` Evidently , we are seeing a slowdown in the growth of the incidence rate , and the situation has become more controllable .
However , the growth rate remains high — over 5 % per day .
When it falls below that figure , the total number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he explained .
The virologist warned , however , that the question of whether the incidence peak has been reached depends on what is meant by that .
`` Epidemiologists estimate the peak by the growth rate and the number of new cases .
On the other hand , doctors ’ estimates are based on the total number of infected people .
For them , the hospital occupancy rate and the pressure on the healthcare system are the most important factors .
I believe the load on the healthcare system will begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Lukashev specified .
He noted that the current lockdown restrictions would not be lifted in the immediate future , adding that a ban on mass events could last for months .
In turn , Chief Physician of the Leader-Medicine medical center Yevgeny Timakov likewise stressed to Izvestia that there would be an increase in the number of coronavirus cases within the next two weeks .
`` In the event of a favorable scenario , Moscow should have no more than 100 cases per day by the end of June , and Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases per day by the end of July .
If that is the case , by the end of August new cases will be isolated occurrences , and Russia will come out of the epidemiological process , '' he pointed out .
On April 25 , 2019 , the first and so far the only meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was held in Vladivostok , Alexander Zhebin , Director of the Center for Korean Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute for Far Eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Nezavisimaya Gazeta .
Putin stressed after the meeting that the talks had been held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere .
For his part , Kim reaffirmed his determination to carry on the policy of Korean-Russian friendship and take bilateral relations to a new level .
`` Many news commentators noted that the North Korean leader travelled to Russia for the first time in more than seven years after coming to power , and after he had met with US President Donald Trump twice .
< … > The ‘ logical ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Russia ’ s allegedly ‘ marginal ’ role in resolving the Korean Peninsula ’ s nuclear issue , '' the expert stressed .
`` It seems that the West can not understand and put up with the fact that Moscow is capable of offering much more realistic approaches to resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula , '' he pointed out .
`` Judging by the practical actions of Russian diplomacy , Kim Jong-un managed to gain an understanding of his approach towards solving the denuclearization problem step by step , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessful Hanoi summit , where this North Korean line encountered the American idea of a ‘ big deal , ’ under which the DPRK must first completely disarm and only then expect that its concerns will be taken into account , such support from Moscow was essential for Pyongyang , '' the expert concluded .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Kommersant: Russia’s upper house to analyze counter-sanctions law
Read also Putin orders to mitigate socioeconomic losses from coronavirus
The Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) has set up a working group that will come up with options for legislative amendments due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kommersant has found out that legislators plan to discuss efforts to reduce the tax burden and analyze the application of the counter-sanctions law. The group will present its proposals by May 15. "A working group is needed to ensure the coordination of the work by specialized committees," Chairman of the Federation Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev confirmed to the paper. He noted that the committee, in particular, would identify the best practices of foreign experience to improve national legislation amid the pandemic. According to Kosachev, the committee also plans to analyze the experience of applying the 2018 approved counter-sanctions law. "Without questioning its effectiveness, we would like to check how it works under the new circumstances from the viewpoint of the interests of Russian businesses, which are experiencing additional pressure that did not exist before," he added. "The Federation Council needs to identify problems, such as the discrepancy between the federal and regional administrative sanctions, the problems of protecting privacy against the backdrop of digital control methods, violations of labor rights and the problems related to applying anti-crisis laws," the paper quotes political commentator Alexander Pozhalov as saying. Izvestia: US, Iran on the verge of a naval war
Tensions between the world’s two long-standing geopolitical adversaries, the United States and Iran, are reaching a new level, Izvestia writes. In a recent Twitter post, US President Donald Trump threatened "to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats, if they harass our ships at sea." Several recent confrontations could result in the exacerbation of relations between Washington and Tehran and growing tensions in the entire Gulf region. The reason for Trump’s statement could be the April 15 incident in the Persian Gulf off the Kuwaiti coast, when Iranian naval ships conducted dangerous maneuvers close to US warships. Later on, Iran pinned the blame for the incident on the United States, arguing that American warships were hindering the military exercises. Adlan Margoev, an analyst with the Institute of International Studies at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University), explained to Izvestia that Washington’s accusations were nothing more than an attempt to use political discourse to prevent the UN Security Council from lifting the arms embargo imposed on Iran. "This is the United States’ open policy, it announced that itself. It will do its utmost to make sure that this embargo is not lifted. That’s why it will accuse Iran, even if that country did not violate anything," the expert stressed. Meanwhile, Sergei Sudakov, a member of the Academy of Military Sciences, stressed to the paper that a military standoff between the two countries was quite possible. "The United States can resort to a military standoff with Iran. They [the Americans] realize that, given the current situation, it is unlikely that someone will support Iran," he said. A confrontation with Iran could yield good dividends, and "Trump is just testing the waters to see how Iranian politicians react and, based on that, he will draw conclusions on whether or not to move on to provocations or freeze the conflict for some time," the expert noted. Kommersant: American LNG becoming too expensive for Europe and Asia
Read also Question of Russian gas price in EAEU will be studied at expert level — Kremlin
Consumers in Europe and Asia have begun to abandon batches of US liquefied natural gas to be delivered in June amid falling gas prices, Kommersant writes. At the same time, domestic gas prices are on the rise due to expectations that production will decline. This combination could lead to the shutdown of a considerable part of gas liquefaction facilities in the United States and limit the flow of these volumes to Europe. However, it will be difficult for Russia’s energy giant Gazprom to replace them with its own gas, since there is virtually no additional demand for it. The number of drilling rigs on gas assets has been declining since early 2019. During this period, the existing well stock more than halved, the paper quotes Vygon Consulting Analyst Ekaterina Kolbikova as saying. The situation has been exacerbated by the fact that the production of associated petroleum gas is decreasing as well due to the low activity of oil well drilling and diminished capital expenditures by oil companies. According to the expert, commercial gas production accounts for a substantial proportion in the production of shale gas — about 40% or 15% of the total gas production in the United States. "Therefore, the expectation of a more substantial drop in oil production may trigger a rise in domestic gas prices in the United States," she stressed. The share of American LNG in the first quarter maintained a consistently high level, that is 15% of global trade, while in April it fell to 13%, Kolbikova went on to say. The operational efficiency of LNG producers in the United States will be stable as long as a high level of enterprise workload is maintained. The expert added that she did not expect the current situation to slow down the commissioning of new liquefaction facilities in the United States, if investment decisions have been made on them. Izvestia: COVID-19 epidemic in Russia may peak in May, say specialists
The recent slowdown in Russia’s coronavirus incidences offers hope that the situation is gradually moving towards stabilization, Alexander Lukashev, Director of the Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-borne Diseases at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, told Izvestia. "Evidently, we are seeing a slowdown in the growth of the incidence rate, and the situation has become more controllable. However, the growth rate remains high — over 5% per day. When it falls below that figure, the total number of patients will gradually begin to decrease," he explained. The virologist warned, however, that the question of whether the incidence peak has been reached depends on what is meant by that. "Epidemiologists estimate the peak by the growth rate and the number of new cases. On the other hand, doctors’ estimates are based on the total number of infected people. For them, the hospital occupancy rate and the pressure on the healthcare system are the most important factors. I believe the load on the healthcare system will begin to decrease after the May holidays," Lukashev specified. He noted that the current lockdown restrictions would not be lifted in the immediate future, adding that a ban on mass events could last for months. In turn, Chief Physician of the Leader-Medicine medical center Yevgeny Timakov likewise stressed to Izvestia that there would be an increase in the number of coronavirus cases within the next two weeks. "In the event of a favorable scenario, Moscow should have no more than 100 cases per day by the end of June, and Russia in general, no more than 500 cases per day by the end of July. If that is the case, by the end of August new cases will be isolated occurrences, and Russia will come out of the epidemiological process," he pointed out. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Moscow’s support remains essential for Pyongyang
Read also North Korean official invites Russian Duma speaker to visit Pyongyang next year


tass--2020-04-24--Coronavirus cases in Georgia reach 431

Coronavirus cases in Georgia reach 431

TBILISI , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
Six more COVID-19 cases have been identified in the South Caucasus Republic of Georgia and the total number of people infected with the disease has reached 431 , the Georgian government reported on its website focused on keeping the public updated on the coronavirus situation .
The updated data show that over 5,100 people in Georgia are under a quarantine while 578 individuals are staying at inpatient clinics .
A total of 114 people have recovered and five have died .
In addition to that , three Georgian citizens infected with the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country from abroad .
Georgia declared a state of emergency over the pandemic from March 21 to May 22 .
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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,700,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 191,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

TBILISI, April 24. /TASS/. Six more COVID-19 cases have been identified in the South Caucasus Republic of Georgia and the total number of people infected with the disease has reached 431, the Georgian government reported on its website focused on keeping the public updated on the coronavirus situation.
The updated data show that over 5,100 people in Georgia are under a quarantine while 578 individuals are staying at inpatient clinics. A total of 114 people have recovered and five have died. In addition to that, three 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 22.
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 2,700,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 191,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-24--More than 40% of Moscow’s health service involved in fighting COVID-19

MOSCOW , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
More than 40 % of Moscow ’ s health-service has been reconfigured to @ @ @ @ @ , Deputy Mayor for Social Development Anastasiya Rakova said on the federal Channel 1 in @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Everybody works at full capacity : the doctors , medical nurses and support @ @ @ @ @ are real heroes of this day .
More than 40 % of Moscow ’ s @ @ @ @ @ this effort .
All other doctors , too , are faced with the constant risk @ @ @ @ @ , '' Rakova said .
Moscow ’ s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Thursday said that @ @ @ @ @ workers were fighting against the coronavirus .
To date , according to the federal anti-coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ 34,000 coronavirus infection cases .
Nearly 2,500 patients have recovered .
The novel coronavirus has @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours to take the total death toll to 325 .

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. More than 40% of Moscow’s health-service has been reconfigured to fight against the coronavirus infection, Deputy Mayor for Social Development Anastasiya Rakova said on the federal Channel 1 in an interview on Friday morning.
"Everybody works at full capacity: the doctors, medical nurses and support personnel. All of them are real heroes of this day. More than 40% of Moscow’s health service is involved in this effort. All other doctors, too, are faced with the constant risk of contracting potentially infected people," Rakova said.
Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Thursday said that tens of thousands of medical workers were fighting against the coronavirus.
To date, according to the federal anti-coronavirus center Moscow has registered nearly 34,000 coronavirus infection cases. Nearly 2,500 patients have recovered. The novel coronavirus has claimed 37 lives over the past 24 hours to take the total death toll to 325.


tass--2020-04-24--Number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines exceeds 7,000

According to health officials , 15 more fatalities have been registered in the country , with the total number of deaths reaching 477 .
The number of recoveries has risen by 40 to 762 .
BANGKOK , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 211 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the Philippines over the past 24 hours .
According to the county ’ s Department of Health , the overall number of the infected has reached 7,192 .
The day before , 271 new cases were recorded .
The first coronavirus case in the Philippines was confirmed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Philippines became the first territory outside China where a coronavirus-related death had been reported .
The largest increase in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths was reported on March 31 and April 12 ( 537 and 50 respectively ) .
A state of emergency has been declared in the country for six months .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,700,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 191,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

According to health officials, 15 more fatalities have been registered in the country, with the total number of deaths reaching 477. The number of recoveries has risen by 40 to 762.
BANGKOK, April 24. /TASS/. A total of 211 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the Philippines over the past 24 hours. According to the county’s Department of Health, the overall number of the infected has reached 7,192. The day before, 271 new cases were recorded.
The first coronavirus case in the Philippines was confirmed on January 30. On February 1, the Philippines became the first territory outside China where a coronavirus-related death had been reported. The largest increase in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths was reported on March 31 and April 12 (537 and 50 respectively). A state of emergency has been declared in the country for six months.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,700,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 191,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-24--US hegemony and inaction: Expert blasts American states’ crusade to shift blame on China

`` Such actions clearly demonstrate the hegemonic nature [ of the work of several US state officials ] , since they are taking any steps that they want , '' he explained .
`` The epidemic started in Wuhan , this is an indisputable fact , but the United States and the global community had been informed on time about the extremely dangerous nature of the coronavirus .
However , at the time , US officials ignored these warnings , and now they are trying to shift blame on China . ''
BEIJING , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damages from the novel coronavirus pandemic at the expense of China points to the hegemony of the US ruling elite and the desire to shift its own responsibility on to others , Zhou Weidi , professor and vice dean of the Institute of Economics and Business Administration with the Central China Normal University ( Wuhan ) , told TASS on Friday .
The expert reiterated that on January 23 , the world was once again reminded of the severity of the virus , when due to the quick spread of COVID-19 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures , like closing off the city of Wuhan .
He noted that despite the looming epidemiological threat , the US failed to take any vigorous steps for a long time .
`` Besides , the structure of US administrative governance varies from the Chinese model .
This is why the measures taken by the officials of separate states differ from the actions of the US president , '' Zhou Weidi pointed out .
The expert stressed that the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic in the United States is occurring in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to combat the disease .
He added that the statements claiming that the coronavirus was artificially created in Wuhan labs or that `` China is developing a biological weapon '' are scientifically baseless and false .
Earlier , the ( US ) Missouri state government issued a statement alleging that the Chinese government had covered up information about the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit against the Chinese government , demanding that it compensate the economic damages caused by the pandemic .
Missouri is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , several American experts predict that this lawsuit will be overturned , since the US government grants immunity to foreign countries in civil and criminal court proceedings taking place on US soil .
Earlier , private citizens filed similar lawsuits against China with the aim of getting significant compensation payouts .

"Such actions clearly demonstrate the hegemonic nature [of the work of several US state officials], since they are taking any steps that they want," he explained. "The epidemic started in Wuhan, this is an indisputable fact, but the United States and the global community had been informed on time about the extremely dangerous nature of the coronavirus. However, at the time, US officials ignored these warnings, and now they are trying to shift blame on China."
BEIJING, April 24. /TASS/. The crusade by US state governments to pursue damages from the novel coronavirus pandemic at the expense of China points to the hegemony of the US ruling elite and the desire to shift its own responsibility on to others, Zhou Weidi, professor and vice dean of the Institute of Economics and Business Administration with the Central China Normal University (Wuhan), told TASS on Friday.
The expert reiterated that on January 23, the world was once again reminded of the severity of the virus, when due to the quick spread of COVID-19, the Chinese government was forced to introduce unprecedented measures, like closing off the city of Wuhan. He noted that despite the looming epidemiological threat, the US failed to take any vigorous steps for a long time.
"Besides, the structure of US administrative governance varies from the Chinese model. This is why the measures taken by the officials of separate states differ from the actions of the US president," Zhou Weidi pointed out. The expert stressed that the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic in the United States is occurring in the absence of unified rules and norms aimed to combat the disease.
He added that the statements claiming that the coronavirus was artificially created in Wuhan labs or that "China is developing a biological weapon" are scientifically baseless and false.
Earlier, the (US) Missouri state government issued a statement alleging that the Chinese government had covered up information about the spread of the novel coronavirus. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit against the Chinese government, demanding that it compensate the economic damages caused by the pandemic. Missouri is the first US state to sue China, however, several American experts predict that this lawsuit will be overturned, since the US government grants immunity to foreign countries in civil and criminal court proceedings taking place on US soil. Earlier, private citizens filed similar lawsuits against China with the aim of getting significant compensation payouts.


tass--2020-04-24--Czech Republic’s coronavirus cases plunge

PRAGUE , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Czech Health Ministry has reported that daily new confirmed coronavirus cases in the country decreased dramatically as Thursday ’ s figures indicated 55 new infections .
It is the lowest daily tally since March 14 .
The Health Ministry reported the first coronavirus case in the country on March 1 .
To curb the spread , the Czech Republic introduced a state of emergency on March 12 which the authorities want to extend until May 25 when the last social restrictions imposed in light of the pandemic are planned to be lifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of over 100 is supposed to stay in place as well as the mandatory request to cover mouth and nose in public transport and shops .
Meanwhile , in accordance with the statement delivered by Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtech on Thursday evening , on Friday the country lifted its nationwide lockdown that had been in effect since March 16 .
The residents are allowed to freely move around the country as well as to travel abroad with a mandatory two-week quarantine upon arrival .
The Health Ministry also insists that hygiene should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being mandatorily worn outside homes .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,700,000 people have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

PRAGUE, April 24. /TASS/. The Czech Health Ministry has reported that daily new confirmed coronavirus cases in the country decreased dramatically as Thursday’s figures indicated 55 new infections. It is the lowest daily tally since March 14.
The Health Ministry reported the first coronavirus case in the country on March 1. To curb the spread, the Czech Republic introduced a state of emergency on March 12 which the authorities want to extend until May 25 when the last social restrictions imposed in light of the pandemic are planned to be lifted. Only the ban on public gatherings of over 100 is supposed to stay in place as well as the mandatory request to cover mouth and nose in public transport and shops.
Meanwhile, in accordance with the statement delivered by Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtech on Thursday evening, on Friday the country lifted its nationwide lockdown that had been in effect since March 16. The residents are allowed to freely move around the country as well as to travel abroad with a mandatory two-week quarantine upon arrival. The Health Ministry also insists that hygiene should be strictly observed, with face masks being mandatorily worn outside homes.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,700,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 191,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-24--Singapore’s coronavirus cases top 12,000

`` Overall , 12,075 infections were recorded in the country since the pandemic broke out , '' the daily statement reads .
Singapore ranks first in Southeast Asia in coronavirus cases .
The key outbreak hotspots turned out to be dormitories where migrant workers from South Asia live .
According to the ministry , around 2.5 % of the workers were tested for the virus , while there are more than 323,000 South Asian workers in the country .
The healthcare agency also underscored that 12 people died from coronavirus-related causes in Singapore .
Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced on April 7 by four more weeks until June 1 .
The lockdown measures imply closure of all businesses and services that are not of social importance and are not essential in maintaining stable life of the country .
Schools and universities are employing distance learning .
At the same time , grocery stores and pharmacies are still open , while cafes and restaurants switched to takeaways only .
There has not been any ban placed on city travel , with public transport and taxis still working .
However , the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , only venture into shops alone and observe social distancing when in public places .
The authorities also introduced mandatory wearing of face masks outside except for children aged under two .
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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,700,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 191,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

"Overall, 12,075 infections were recorded in the country since the pandemic broke out," the daily statement reads.
Singapore ranks first in Southeast Asia in coronavirus cases. The key outbreak hotspots turned out to be dormitories where migrant workers from South Asia live. According to the ministry, around 2.5% of the workers were tested for the virus, while there are more than 323,000 South Asian workers in the country.
The healthcare agency also underscored that 12 people died from coronavirus-related causes in Singapore.
Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday extended the partial lockdown introduced on April 7 by four more weeks until June 1. The lockdown measures imply closure of all businesses and services that are not of social importance and are not essential in maintaining stable life of the country. Schools and universities are employing distance learning.
At the same time, grocery stores and pharmacies are still open, while cafes and restaurants switched to takeaways only. There has not been any ban placed on city travel, with public transport and taxis still working. However, the government strongly advised citizens to stay at home, only venture into shops alone and observe social distancing when in public places. The authorities also introduced mandatory wearing of face masks outside except for children aged under two.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,700,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 191,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-24--WHO views nine Russian COVID-19 vaccines as promising

MOSCOW , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has included nine coronavirus vaccines that are being created in Russia on a list of promising options , according to a statement from the Russian government ’ s coronavirus hotline .
`` The WHO has put nine COVID-19 vaccines that are being developed in Russia on its list of promising options .
These include six vaccines created by the Novosibirsk-based Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology… two vaccines developed by the Biocad company… and a vaccine made by the St. Petersburg Research Institute of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reads .
According to the hotline , one of Vector ’ s versions is a peptide vaccine based on a platform that was previously used for creating a vaccine against the Ebola virus .
Along with that , a subunit vaccine , a live vector vaccine based on the measles virus , a recombinant intranasal vaccine based on the influenza A virus , a vector vaccine based on the vesicular stomatitis virus and an mRNA vaccine are in the works .
Biocad has developed a live viral vector vaccine based on an attenuated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Experimental Medicine ) and a liposome encapsulated vaccine .
The St. Petersburg Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums , in turn , has come up with a vaccine based on recombinant protein and nanoparticles .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,700,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 191,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 68,622 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 5,568 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 615 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) has included nine coronavirus vaccines that are being created in Russia on a list of promising options, according to a statement from the Russian government’s coronavirus hotline.
"The WHO has put nine COVID-19 vaccines that are being developed in Russia on its list of promising options. These include six vaccines created by the Novosibirsk-based Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology… two vaccines developed by the Biocad company… and a vaccine made by the St. Petersburg Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums," the statement reads.
According to the hotline, one of Vector’s versions is a peptide vaccine based on a platform that was previously used for creating a vaccine against the Ebola virus. Along with that, a subunit vaccine, a live vector vaccine based on the measles virus, a recombinant intranasal vaccine based on the influenza A virus, a vector vaccine based on the vesicular stomatitis virus and an mRNA vaccine are in the works.
Biocad has developed a live viral vector vaccine based on an attenuated flu virus (together with the Institute of Experimental Medicine) and a liposome encapsulated vaccine. The St. Petersburg Research Institute of Vaccines and Serums, in turn, has come up with a vaccine based on recombinant protein and nanoparticles.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,700,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 191,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 750,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 68,622 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 5,568 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 615 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-24--Number of coronavirus cases in Russia rises by 5,849 over past day

MOSCOW , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has risen by 5,849 over the past 24 hours , reaching 68,622 in all regions of the county , the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Friday .
The growth rate does not exceed 10 % for the third day in a row .
Moscow to have hospital beds for 22,000 coronavirus patients by end of week '' A total of 68,622 coronavirus cases ( +9.3 % ) have been recorded in 85 regions of Russia .
Over the past 24 hours , 677 people have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of recoveries is 5,568 .
Sixty coronavirus patients have died over the past 24 hours , bringing the death toll to 615 , '' the crisis center said .
It noted that 2,697 new patients ( 46.1 % ) had no symptoms .
The number of coronavirus cases in Moscow has risen by 2,957 over the past day reaching 36,897 .
New cases have also been recorded in 81 regions , including 611 in the Moscow Region , 253 in St. Petersburg , 113 in Dagestan , 94 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A total of 677 people in 49 regions have been discharged from hospitals , including 287 in Moscow , 49 in the Moscow Region and 43 in St. Petersburg .
Thirty-seven fatalities have been recorded in Moscow , 10 in the Moscow Region , 3 in St. Petersburg and 2 in the Krasnodar Region .
Khakassia , Udmurtia , Mordovia , the Nizhny Novgorod Region , the Murmansk Region , the Volgograd Region , the Yaroslavl Region and the Ulyanovsk Region reported one death each .

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has risen by 5,849 over the past 24 hours, reaching 68,622 in all regions of the county, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Friday. The growth rate does not exceed 10% for the third day in a row.
Moscow to have hospital beds for 22,000 coronavirus patients by end of week
"A total of 68,622 coronavirus cases (+9.3%) have been recorded in 85 regions of Russia. Over the past 24 hours, 677 people have been discharged after recovering, the total number of recoveries is 5,568. Sixty coronavirus patients have died over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 615," the crisis center said. It noted that 2,697 new patients (46.1%) had no symptoms.
The number of coronavirus cases in Moscow has risen by 2,957 over the past day reaching 36,897.
New cases have also been recorded in 81 regions, including 611 in the Moscow Region, 253 in St. Petersburg, 113 in Dagestan, 94 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region and 84 in the Krasnoyarsk Region.
A total of 677 people in 49 regions have been discharged from hospitals, including 287 in Moscow, 49 in the Moscow Region and 43 in St. Petersburg.
Thirty-seven fatalities have been recorded in Moscow, 10 in the Moscow Region, 3 in St. Petersburg and 2 in the Krasnodar Region. Khakassia, Udmurtia, Mordovia, the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the Murmansk Region, the Volgograd Region, the Yaroslavl Region and the Ulyanovsk Region reported one death each.


tass--2020-04-24--Ukraine’s coronavirus cases pass 7,500

Ukraine’s coronavirus cases pass 7,500

KIEV , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Ukraine has reached 7,647 , the country @ @ @ @ @ in a statement on Friday .
Steady decline in coronavirus cases in Moscow possible in @ @ @ @ @ '' Ukraine has recorded 7,647 COVID-19 cases so far .
A total of 193 patients @ @ @ @ @ recovered .
As many as 477 new cases were identified in the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ .
The Health Ministry reported 578 new cases on Thursday , a record daily increase @ @ @ @ @ , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of @ @ @ @ @ the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the @ @ @ @ @ by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On @ @ @ @ @ the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , @ @ @ @ @ infected worldwide and more than 184,000 deaths have been reported .

KIEV, April 24. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Ukraine has reached 7,647, the country’s Health Ministry said in a statement on Friday.
Steady decline in coronavirus cases in Moscow possible in late June, expert says
"Ukraine has recorded 7,647 COVID-19 cases so far. A total of 193 patients have died and 601 have recovered. As many as 477 new cases were identified in the past 24 hours," the statement reads.
The Health Ministry reported 578 new cases on Thursday, a record daily increase.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,600,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 184,000 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-04-24--Moscow to have hospital beds for 22,000 coronavirus patients by end of week

MOSCOW , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s authorities plan to have hospital beds for 22,000 coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ week , Deputy Mayor Anastasiya Rakova told Channel One on Friday .
`` The number @ @ @ @ @ keeps growing .
Last week , around 1,300-1,400 patients were admitted to hospitals every day @ @ @ @ @ number has reached 1,900 .
It means that we need more hospital beds , we @ @ @ @ @ by the end of the week , '' she said .
To date , a @ @ @ @ @ have been confirmed in Russia , with 4,891 patients having recovered from the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ of cases ( 33,940 ) .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 555 fatalities nationwide @ @ @ @ @ government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation @

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. Moscow’s authorities plan to have hospital beds for 22,000 coronavirus patients by the end of the week, Deputy Mayor Anastasiya Rakova told Channel One on Friday.
"The number of people hospitalized with pneumonia keeps growing. Last week, around 1,300-1,400 patients were admitted to hospitals every day and now the average daily number has reached 1,900. It means that we need more hospital beds, we will have about 22,000 beds by the end of the week," she said.
To date, a total of 62,773 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 4,891 patients having recovered from the virus. Moscow accounts for the majority of cases (33,940). Russia’s latest data indicates 555 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-24--Steady decline in coronavirus cases in Moscow possible in late June, expert says

MOSCOW , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
A steady decline in the number of patients with coronavirus in Moscow can be seen in late June - early July .
The regions are two to four weeks behind the capital , pediatrician , infectious disease specialist Evgeny Timakov told TASS .
`` Now we see the outcome of the first week of self-isolation , which was introduced officially .
Then people relaxed a bit and , unfortunately , began to break the regime .
Therefore , most likely , there will be a small episode growth in coronavirus cases in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow by the end of the May holidays , I hope , will see stabilization , then within 1.5-2 weeks the number of cases should stabilize at one level .
After that we can talk about the plateau and , most likely , in late June - early July in Moscow there will be a decline in the number of cases , '' he said .
At the same time , Russia 's regions will follow the Moscow scenario , but with a 2-4 week lag , depending on the region , Timakov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
To date , a total of 62,773 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 4,891 patients having recovered from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 555 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. A steady decline in the number of patients with coronavirus in Moscow can be seen in late June - early July. The regions are two to four weeks behind the capital, pediatrician, infectious disease specialist Evgeny Timakov told TASS.
"Now we see the outcome of the first week of self-isolation, which was introduced officially. Then people relaxed a bit and, unfortunately, began to break the regime. Therefore, most likely, there will be a small episode growth in coronavirus cases in late April - during early May holidays. Moscow by the end of the May holidays, I hope, will see stabilization, then within 1.5-2 weeks the number of cases should stabilize at one level. After that we can talk about the plateau and, most likely, in late June - early July in Moscow there will be a decline in the number of cases," he said.
At the same time, Russia's regions will follow the Moscow scenario, but with a 2-4 week lag, depending on the region, Timakov noted.
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.
To date, a total of 62,773 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 4,891 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 555 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-24--Chinese authorities detect six coronavirus cases over day

BEIJING , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
The number of deaths from diseases caused by coronavirus over the past day in China has not increased , the number of coronavirus cases in hospitals increased by six , amounting to 915 people , the State Committee on Hygiene and Health of China reported on Friday .
According to the report , for the entire time the virus spread in mainland China , 93.3 % of infected recovered , including 50 in the last day .
The number of cases since December 2019 exceeded 82,800 people , the official mortality rate reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died ) .
On Thursday , for the first time since January 25 , the number of people undergoing treatment was less than 1,000 people , deaths in the country have not been observed for more than a week .
There are few local cases of infection in China - over the past day , four of them were detected .
The infected are still arriving from abroad , in the previous day - two people .
In total , 1,618 patients who came from abroad were observed in China , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Due to the difficult epidemiological situation in the world , on April 21 , the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned citizens against any overseas trips .
According to recent data , over 8,300 people who had close contact with the infected are under the supervision of physicians in China .
There are also 20 people with suspected coronavirus quarantined in the country .
According to doctors , 57 people have severe form of the disease .

BEIJING, April 24. /TASS/. The number of deaths from diseases caused by coronavirus over the past day in China has not increased, the number of coronavirus cases in hospitals increased by six, amounting to 915 people, the State Committee on Hygiene and Health of China reported on Friday.
According to the report, for the entire time the virus spread in mainland China, 93.3% of infected recovered, including 50 in the last day. The number of cases since December 2019 exceeded 82,800 people, the official mortality rate reached 5.59% (more than 4,600 people have died). On Thursday, for the first time since January 25, the number of people undergoing treatment was less than 1,000 people, deaths in the country have not been observed for more than a week.
There are few local cases of infection in China - over the past day, four of them were detected. The infected are still arriving from abroad, in the previous day - two people. In total, 1,618 patients who came from abroad were observed in China, including 849 people who have already recovered. Due to the difficult epidemiological situation in the world, on April 21, the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned citizens against any overseas trips.
According to recent data, over 8,300 people who had close contact with the infected are under the supervision of physicians in China. There are also 20 people with suspected coronavirus quarantined in the country. According to doctors, 57 people have severe form of the disease.


tass--2020-04-24--Russia confirms preparations for Normandy Four meeting - Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
Negotiations between foreign ministers of the Normandy Four countries ( Russia , Germany @ @ @ @ @ are being worked out , Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told TASS , commenting on @ @ @ @ @ of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine that contacts are planned for April 30 .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ , '' the ministry noted .
Earlier on Thursday , representative of the Ukrainian Foreign @ @ @ @ @ the Normandy Four talks were tentatively scheduled for April 30 in a video conference format @

MOSCOW, April 24. /TASS/. Negotiations between foreign ministers of the Normandy Four countries (Russia, Germany, Ukraine, France) are being worked out, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told TASS, commenting on the reports of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine that contacts are planned for April 30.
"The meeting is being worked out," the ministry noted.
Earlier on Thursday, representative of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Ekaterina Zelenko said that the Normandy Four talks were tentatively scheduled for April 30 in a video conference format.


tass--2020-04-24--Brent crude oil rise by 5% on London’s ICE

TASS , April 24 .
The price of futures contract for Brent crude oil with June delivery on London ’ @ @ @ @ @ % and reached $ 22.40 per barrel , as of 05:44 Moscow time .
By @ @ @ @ @ oil was trading at $ 22.30 per barrel ( +4.55 % ) .
The prices @ @ @ @ @ by 6.91 % and reached around $ 17.64 per barrel .

TASS, April 24. The price of futures contract for Brent crude oil with June delivery on London’s ICE rose by 5.02% and reached $22.40 per barrel, as of 05:44 Moscow time.
By 05:52 Moscow time, Brent oil was trading at $22.30 per barrel (+4.55%).
The prices of WTI oil futures grew by 6.91% and reached around $17.64 per barrel.


tass--2020-04-24--Russian animation studio wants to return rights for classic character Cheburashka

MOSCOW , April 23 .
/TASS/ .
Management of Russia ’ s oldest animation studio Soyuzmultfilm wants to return the rights to use the image of a popular cartoon character Cheburashka from Japanese company , Chairman of the studio ’ s board Yuliana Slashcheva told reporters .
Earlier a short 3D Cheburashka cartoon , the first in a planned series , was released in Japan .
According to the project ’ s website , the release is timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the first screening of the franchise in Japan .
The rights to distribute cartoons about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until 2023 .
According to Slashcheva , the rights to use the image of Cheburashka were given to the Japanese company 16 years ago by the previous management of the studio .
Now the Russian and Japanese sides have serious disagreements about the duration of the contract and its terms .
`` We consider the current version of the contract to be invalid , and we have notified the Japanese partners .
The difficulty is that the current contract is drawn up in accordance with Japanese law , and all proceedings , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan and require serious financial resources .
I I think that another option would be to bring the issue of returning the rights to Cheburashka to the state and intergovernmental level .
In any case , we intend to seriously address the issue in the near future , '' she said .
She noted that since the start of Soyuzmultfilm revival in 2017 , the studio has managed to return more than 90 % of the rights to audiovisual images and animated films of the `` golden collection '' , including Internet rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid TV channels in Russia and abroad .

MOSCOW, April 23. /TASS/. Management of Russia’s oldest animation studio Soyuzmultfilm wants to return the rights to use the image of a popular cartoon character Cheburashka from Japanese company, Chairman of the studio’s board Yuliana Slashcheva told reporters.
Earlier a short 3D Cheburashka cartoon, the first in a planned series, was released in Japan. According to the project’s website, the release is timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the first screening of the franchise in Japan. The rights to distribute cartoons about Cheburashka in Japan belong to SP International until 2023.
According to Slashcheva, the rights to use the image of Cheburashka were given to the Japanese company 16 years ago by the previous management of the studio. Now the Russian and Japanese sides have serious disagreements about the duration of the contract and its terms.
"We consider the current version of the contract to be invalid, and we have notified the Japanese partners. The difficulty is that the current contract is drawn up in accordance with Japanese law, and all proceedings, including in court, must be done in Japan and require serious financial resources. I I think that another option would be to bring the issue of returning the rights to Cheburashka to the state and intergovernmental level. In any case, we intend to seriously address the issue in the near future," she said.
She noted that since the start of Soyuzmultfilm revival in 2017, the studio has managed to return more than 90% of the rights to audiovisual images and animated films of the "golden collection", including Internet rights and the rights to display it on paid TV channels in Russia and abroad.


tass--2020-04-24--Record number of coronavirus deaths detected in Brazil over day

RIO DE JANEIRO , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
The number of deaths due to the diseases associated with coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ time exceeded 400 per day .
Previously , no more than 217 deaths per day @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s Ministry of Health .
According to statistics , the number of @ @ @ @ @ increased from 2,906 to 3,313 .
Meanwhile , 3,375 new coronavirus cases were detected , @ @ @ @ @ 49,492 people .

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 24. /TASS/. The number of deaths due to the diseases associated with coronavirus in Brazil for the first time exceeded 400 per day. Previously, no more than 217 deaths per day were detected, according to the country’s Ministry of Health.
According to statistics, the number of deaths in the country has increased from 2,906 to 3,313. Meanwhile, 3,375 new coronavirus cases were detected, bringing the total number to 49,492 people.


tass--2020-04-24--The Rolling Stones releases coronavirus-inspired song

LONDON , April 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Rolling Stones released their first single in 8 years , dedicated to the coronavirus pandemic .
The song titled ‘ Living in a Ghost Town ’ was recorded in self-isolation , the band said on their website .
According to the statement , the band recorded new music in the studio before quarantine was introduced , and ‘ Living in a Ghost Town ’ is closely intertwined with that experience .
It was recorded in Los Angeles , in London in the conditions of self-isolation .
The 4-minute song is accompanied by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cities around the world .
The last time the band released new songs in 2012 .
In 2016 , Blue & Lonesome , the first studio album in 11 years was released , but it featured entirely cover songs .
The Rolling Stones , formed 58 years ago , was the main rival of The Beatles in the 1960s , but , unlike the Liverpool Four , it did not break up and continued to release new albums .
The band is considered one of the most successful in the history of @ @ @

LONDON, April 24. /TASS/. The Rolling Stones released their first single in 8 years, dedicated to the coronavirus pandemic. The song titled ‘Living in a Ghost Town’ was recorded in self-isolation, the band said on their website.
According to the statement, the band recorded new music in the studio before quarantine was introduced, and ‘Living in a Ghost Town’ is closely intertwined with that experience. It was recorded in Los Angeles, in London in the conditions of self-isolation. The 4-minute song is accompanied by a clip shot on the deserted streets of cities around the world.
The last time the band released new songs in 2012. In 2016, Blue & Lonesome, the first studio album in 11 years was released, but it featured entirely cover songs.
The Rolling Stones, formed 58 years ago, was the main rival of The Beatles in the 1960s, but, unlike the Liverpool Four, it did not break up and continued to release new albums. The band is considered one of the most successful in the history of rock music.


tass--2020-04-23--Hainan to create artificial nests for migratory birds

HAIKOU , April 23 .
/TASS/ .
China 's Hainan is creating a network of safe artificial nests along migratory bird routes to prevent short circuits on power lines in the region , according to Xinhua .
According to the agency , the South China Electric Grid Corporation since 2017 installed at its facilities about 3,000 small stainless steel constructions resembling bird cages .
Compact nests are placed in them at the hight of a dozen meters above the ground .
“ More than 70 % of the artificial nests we created have found their owners .
This year we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the company 's representative .
He noted that all work is carried out with utmost care in order not to damage the ecological balance in the region .
Numerous migratory bird routes pass through Hainan .
The province has many tropical marshes and backwaters with mild climate — which makes the island an ideal place , especially from March to July , for the birds to begin their reproductive season .
Power lines often run in places favored by birds , among which there are many representatives of rare and exotic species @ @ @ @ @ @ @ places - on poles , close to the wires , putting their lives at risk and creating emergency situations .
The Hainan authorities are paying special attention to environmental issues .
According to official figures , in the first quarter of 2020 , air and groundwater on the island by international standards were completely clean .
For three months , the amount of clean energy in the province exceeded 1.89 billion kWh , which corresponds to 28.7 % of the supply of electricity to the region 's key facilities .

HAIKOU, April 23. /TASS/. China's Hainan is creating a network of safe artificial nests along migratory bird routes to prevent short circuits on power lines in the region, according to Xinhua.
According to the agency, the South China Electric Grid Corporation since 2017 installed at its facilities about 3,000 small stainless steel constructions resembling bird cages. Compact nests are placed in them at the hight of a dozen meters above the ground.
“More than 70% of the artificial nests we created have found their owners. This year we intend to build another 1,000,” said the company's representative. He noted that all work is carried out with utmost care in order not to damage the ecological balance in the region.
Numerous migratory bird routes pass through Hainan. The province has many tropical marshes and backwaters with mild climate — which makes the island an ideal place, especially from March to July, for the birds to begin their reproductive season. Power lines often run in places favored by birds, among which there are many representatives of rare and exotic species. They periodically make nests in unsafe places - on poles, close to the wires, putting their lives at risk and creating emergency situations.
The Hainan authorities are paying special attention to environmental issues. According to official figures, in the first quarter of 2020, air and groundwater on the island by international standards were completely clean. For three months, the amount of clean energy in the province exceeded 1.89 billion kWh, which corresponds to 28.7% of the supply of electricity to the region's key facilities.


tass--2020-04-25--Russian soldiers to receive wearable thermal imagers - developer

MOSCOW , April 25 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Armed Forced will begin receiving Sych wearable thermal imagers for engineering reconnaissance @ @ @ @ @ of Rostec ) told TASS Friday .
`` State tests of the Sych-ZIR wearable engineering @ @ @ @ @ the Ziklon Central Research Institute by the order of the Ministry of Defense , have @ @ @ @ @ the press service announced , adding that the devices will be shipped to the Armed @ @ @ @ @ Engineering reconnaissance provides information on enemy ’ s positions , fortifications and buildings , mine @ @ @ @ @ other things .
The Ziklon Central Research Institute produces a large array of surveillance systems @ @ @ @ @ produces multi-spectral multi-channel gyro-stabilized surveillance and targeting systems , including thermal imaging ones .
Such @ @ @ @ @ military drones .

MOSCOW, April 25. /TASS/. Russian Armed Forced will begin receiving Sych wearable thermal imagers for engineering reconnaissance, Roselektronika holding (part of Rostec) told TASS Friday.
"State tests of the Sych-ZIR wearable engineering reconnaissance device, created at the Ziklon Central Research Institute by the order of the Ministry of Defense, have ended successfully recently," the press service announced, adding that the devices will be shipped to the Armed Forces starting in 2021.
Engineering reconnaissance provides information on enemy’s positions, fortifications and buildings, mine barriers, terrain properties and other things.
The Ziklon Central Research Institute produces a large array of surveillance systems. The Institute develops and produces multi-spectral multi-channel gyro-stabilized surveillance and targeting systems, including thermal imaging ones. Such systems were deemed indispensable on military drones.


tass--2020-04-25--Russian national Yaroshenko denied early release from prison - lawyer

NEW YORK , April 25 .
/TASS/ .
FCI Danbury prison administration ( Connecticut , US ) notified former Russian cargo pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko that his early release plea over the coronavirus pandemic was denied , Yaroshenko ’ s lawyer Alexey Tarasov told TASS Friday .
According to the lawyer , the prison administration handed the denial , signed by the prison director , to Yaroshenko .
The pilot ’ s defense sought early released of the Russian national due to the coronavirus pandemic and the fact that he has already served over half of his term .
The plea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yaroshenko must be released due to life-threatening circumstances that emerged after the pilot was sentenced .
Tarasov said that the defense will challenge the denial in the Federal Bureau of Prisons , adding that , because the prison administration denied release to the Russian nation , `` the threat for his life only get bigger . ''
`` There is a very high risk that [ Yaroshenko ] contracted the disease .
All symptoms he displays generally correspond to the coronavirus symptoms , '' the lawyer said .
Earlier , Yaroshenko told Tarasov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus infection .
Tarasov explained that Yaroshenko ’ s cell can hold up to 100 prisoners .
The lawyer underscored that the ex-pilot was not tested for coronavirus yet .
On September 7 , 2011 , Yaroshenko was sentenced in the for 20 years in prison .
He denies his guilt , considers his arrest a provocation and his case fabricated .
The pilot was brought to the US from Liberia , where he was arrested on May 28 , 2010 .
The undercover Drug Enforcement Administration officers alleged that the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cocaine .

NEW YORK, April 25. /TASS/. FCI Danbury prison administration (Connecticut, US) notified former Russian cargo pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko that his early release plea over the coronavirus pandemic was denied, Yaroshenko’s lawyer Alexey Tarasov told TASS Friday.
According to the lawyer, the prison administration handed the denial, signed by the prison director, to Yaroshenko.
The pilot’s defense sought early released of the Russian national due to the coronavirus pandemic and the fact that he has already served over half of his term. The plea, filed early April, underscored that Yaroshenko must be released due to life-threatening circumstances that emerged after the pilot was sentenced.
Tarasov said that the defense will challenge the denial in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, adding that, because the prison administration denied release to the Russian nation, "the threat for his life only get bigger."
"There is a very high risk that [Yaroshenko] contracted the disease. All symptoms he displays generally correspond to the coronavirus symptoms," the lawyer said.
Earlier, Yaroshenko told Tarasov that one of his cellmates died from the coronavirus infection. Tarasov explained that Yaroshenko’s cell can hold up to 100 prisoners.
The lawyer underscored that the ex-pilot was not tested for coronavirus yet.
On September 7, 2011, Yaroshenko was sentenced in the for 20 years in prison. He denies his guilt, considers his arrest a provocation and his case fabricated. The pilot was brought to the US from Liberia, where he was arrested on May 28, 2010. The undercover Drug Enforcement Administration officers alleged that the Russian national intended to transport a large shipment of cocaine.