tass--2020-03-16--Putin discusses measures to combat COVID-19 with Estonian leader

MOSCOW/TALLINN , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid have discussed the measures @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) during a phone call on Monday , the Kremlin press service @ @ @ @ @ was held at the initiative of Estonia .
`` The heads of state have exchanged @ @ @ @ @ in Russia and Estonia aimed to avoid further spread of the coronavirus infection , '' @ @ @ @ @ They have discussed certain matters of cooperation in this regard . ''
For her part @ @ @ @ @ earlier commented on the phone call on Twitter on Monday .
`` And finally for @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin .
Discussed our measures to contain the spread of the virus and how @ @ @ @ @ to our respective citizens and permanent residents .
We agreed that further communication must be @ @ @ @ @ she stated .

MOSCOW/TALLINN, March 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid have discussed the measures taken to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) during a phone call on Monday, the Kremlin press service informed. The phone call was held at the initiative of Estonia.
"The heads of state have exchanged information regarding the measures taken in Russia and Estonia aimed to avoid further spread of the coronavirus infection," the message informs. "They have discussed certain matters of cooperation in this regard."
For her part, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid earlier commented on the phone call on Twitter on Monday. "And finally for today a phone call with Vladimir Putin. Discussed our measures to contain the spread of the virus and how to allow safe passage home to our respective citizens and permanent residents. We agreed that further communication must be direct and timely," she stated.


tass--2020-03-16--Voting on constitutional amendments in Russia to depend on coronavirus situation

MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
A decision on the voting on amendments to the Russian Constitution will be taken depending on the coronavirus situation , speaker of Russia ’ s Federation Council upper parliament house Valentina Matviyenko said on Monday .
`` It will be up to the president , the government and the Federal Assembly to decide on the nationwide voting , depending on the situation .
Naturally , it will be good if people are able to come to the polling stations to express their point of view .
We will keep a close eye on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian president ’ s press secretary , Dmitry Peskov said earlier that President Vladimir Putin is to sign a decree this week to establish the voting day .
According to him , there is currently only one option , April 22 .
The Russian State Duma lower parliament house on March 11 passed in the final reading the presidential bill on the constitutional amendments .
The bill was approved by the upper parliament house on the same day and later supported by legislative bodies in all Russia ’ s constituent regions .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a resolution on the results of this review and submitted it to the president .
The nationwide voting is expected to be organized on April 22 .
The day will be declared a day-off .
The document institutionalizes a number of social guarantees , expands the parliament ’ s competences , and limits the number of presidential terms to two , however exempts the incumbent president from this provision allowing him to run for another office term after the enforcement of the amendment .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported in about 160 countries and territories , including Russia , which has 93 coronavirus patients .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 160,000 , with about 6,000 deaths .
The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. A decision on the voting on amendments to the Russian Constitution will be taken depending on the coronavirus situation, speaker of Russia’s Federation Council upper parliament house Valentina Matviyenko said on Monday.
"It will be up to the president, the government and the Federal Assembly to decide on the nationwide voting, depending on the situation. Naturally, it will be good if people are able to come to the polling stations to express their point of view. We will keep a close eye on the situation," she said.
Russian president’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov said earlier that President Vladimir Putin is to sign a decree this week to establish the voting day. According to him, there is currently only one option, April 22.
The Russian State Duma lower parliament house on March 11 passed in the final reading the presidential bill on the constitutional amendments. The bill was approved by the upper parliament house on the same day and later supported by legislative bodies in all Russia’s constituent regions. On March 14, the Federation Council passed a resolution on the results of this review and submitted it to the president. The nationwide voting is expected to be organized on April 22. The day will be declared a day-off.
The document institutionalizes a number of social guarantees, expands the parliament’s competences, and limits the number of presidential terms to two, however exempts the incumbent president from this provision allowing him to run for another office term after the enforcement of the amendment.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported in about 160 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 93 coronavirus patients. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 160,000, with about 6,000 deaths. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-16--Russia’s constitutional amendments vote in line with democratic standards — court

ST. PETERSBURG , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
The public vote on Russian constitutional amendments is in line with democratic @ @ @ @ @ Court ruled on Monday after examining the bill proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin .
@ @ @ @ @ accordance with the recognized democratic standards of popular will and can not be considered in @ @ @ @ @ 2 of the Russian Constitution , along with Article 2 of the amendments bill , @ @ @ @ @ holding an all-Russian vote , '' the document informs .

ST. PETERSBURG, March 16. /TASS/. The public vote on Russian constitutional amendments is in line with democratic standards, the Russian Constitutional Court ruled on Monday after examining the bill proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"This regulation is in accordance with the recognized democratic standards of popular will and cannot be considered in violation of Articles 1 and 2 of the Russian Constitution, along with Article 2 of the amendments bill, which deals with organizing and holding an all-Russian vote," the document informs.


tass--2020-03-16--Gazprom halts Power of Siberia gas pipeline for maintenance until April 1

`` Today , at 5:00 am Moscow time , scheduled maintenance started at the Power of Siberia gas pipeline .
It is planned to complete until April 1 , '' the statement reads .
MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Power of Siberia gas pipeline that supplies gas to Russia ’ s Far East and China has been halted for scheduled maintenance until April 1 , Gazprom press service said in a statement on Monday .
`` The dates of maintenance have been agreed by Gazprom and CNPC .
The sides reached an agreement earlier on scheduled maintenance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be held twice a year , in spring and autumn , '' the company informed .
The Power of Siberia gas pipeline launched in December 2019 currently supplies natural gas from the Chayandinskoye oil and gas condensate deposit to Russian consumers in the Far East and to China .
Supplies from the Kovyktinskoye gas condensate field in the Irkutsk Region in Eastern Siberia ( the largest one in Russia ’ s east in terms of gas reserves ) via the Power of Siberia are planned to start at the end of 2022 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and China ’ s CNPC concluded in 2014 will be implemented within 30 years .
Annual deliveries are planned at 38 bln cubic meters of gas .
The contract is worth $ 400 bln .
In December 2019 , Gazprom supplied 328 mln cubic meters of gas via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline to China .

"Today, at 5:00 am Moscow time, scheduled maintenance started at the Power of Siberia gas pipeline. It is planned to complete until April 1," the statement reads.
MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. The Power of Siberia gas pipeline that supplies gas to Russia’s Far East and China has been halted for scheduled maintenance until April 1, Gazprom press service said in a statement on Monday.
"The dates of maintenance have been agreed by Gazprom and CNPC. The sides reached an agreement earlier on scheduled maintenance of equipment and the gas pipeline systems to be held twice a year, in spring and autumn," the company informed.
The Power of Siberia gas pipeline launched in December 2019 currently supplies natural gas from the Chayandinskoye oil and gas condensate deposit to Russian consumers in the Far East and to China. Supplies from the Kovyktinskoye gas condensate field in the Irkutsk Region in Eastern Siberia (the largest one in Russia’s east in terms of gas reserves) via the Power of Siberia are planned to start at the end of 2022.
Supplies under the contract between Gazprom and China’s CNPC concluded in 2014 will be implemented within 30 years. Annual deliveries are planned at 38 bln cubic meters of gas. The contract is worth $400 bln. In December 2019, Gazprom supplied 328 mln cubic meters of gas via the Power of Siberia gas pipeline to China.


tass--2020-03-16--Moscow mayor bans all public events attended by over 50 people until April 10

MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has signed a decree on Monday banning all public events in Moscow held indoors as attended by over 50 people , along with all open-air gatherings .
The document has been published on the Moscow mayor ’ s website .
`` To suspend leisure activities in Moscow , namely in the sphere of culture , physical education and sports , as well as recreational and educational activities and exhibitions held inside buildings < … > attended by over 50 people at once , '' the document informs .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban also covers public events held outside irrespective of the number of attendees .
`` The ban is temporary , it will be in place until April 10 , 2020 , '' he wrote .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On March 11 , WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) as a pandemic .
The disease has spread to about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official data , over 175,830 people have been infected with the virus globally , and over 6,700 have died .
The number of COVID-19 cases in Russia has risen from 63 to 93 in the past 24 hours .
There are 53 cases of the virus documented in Moscow .

MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has signed a decree on Monday banning all public events in Moscow held indoors as attended by over 50 people, along with all open-air gatherings. The document has been published on the Moscow mayor’s website.
"To suspend leisure activities in Moscow, namely in the sphere of culture, physical education and sports, as well as recreational and educational activities and exhibitions held inside buildings <…> attended by over 50 people at once," the document informs.
In his blog, Sobyanin added that the ban also covers public events held outside irrespective of the number of attendees. "The ban is temporary, it will be in place until April 10, 2020," he wrote.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On March 11, WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic. The disease has spread to about 160 countries and territories. According to official data, over 175,830 people have been infected with the virus globally, and over 6,700 have died. The number of COVID-19 cases in Russia has risen from 63 to 93 in the past 24 hours. There are 53 cases of the virus documented in Moscow.


tass--2020-03-16--Russia, Turkey may soon sign contract on 2nd regiment set of S-400 systems

MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Turkey may shortly sign a contract on the delivery of the second regiment set of S-400 air defense missile systems , Head of Russia ’ s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Monday .
`` I believe we will conclude the second contract in the foreseeable future .
It implies Turkish partners ’ certain participation in the production process , '' Shugayev commented .
As he specified , the talks were on an additional batch .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the technical issues have been settled and so on , '' he explained .
According to Shugayev , this will be mutually advantageous cooperation without any damage to the Russian side .
`` We observe national interests , '' he stressed .
The first regiment set of S-400 air defense missile systems is already on the territory of Turkey and specialists have been trained to operate them , Shugayev highlighted .
`` The question now is when Turkey makes a decision on placing them on combat duty .
This is their priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in September 2017 that it had signed a $ 2.5 billion deal with Turkey on the delivery of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to Ankara .
Under the contract , Ankara got a regiment set of S-400 air defense missile systems ( two battalions ) .
The deal also envisaged partial transfer of production technology to the Turkish side .
Turkey is the first NATO member state to purchase such air defense missile systems from Russia .
The deliveries of S-400 launchers to Turkey began on July 12 , 2019 .
The United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent Turkey from purchasing Russia 's S-400 missile systems .
Washington has warned on many occasions that it may impose sanctions on Turkey , if Ankara presses ahead with the S-400 deal .
On July 17 , 2019 , the press secretary of the US White House said in a written statement that Turkey ’ s decision to acquire Russian-made S-400 air defense systems rendered Ankara ’ s further participation in the US program of the fifth-generation F-35 fighter-bomber impossible .

MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Russia and Turkey may shortly sign a contract on the delivery of the second regiment set of S-400 air defense missile systems, Head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Monday.
"I believe we will conclude the second contract in the foreseeable future. It implies Turkish partners’ certain participation in the production process," Shugayev commented.
As he specified, the talks were on an additional batch. "We are at quite a serious stage and all the technical issues have been settled and so on," he explained.
According to Shugayev, this will be mutually advantageous cooperation without any damage to the Russian side. "We observe national interests," he stressed.
The first regiment set of S-400 air defense missile systems is already on the territory of Turkey and specialists have been trained to operate them, Shugayev highlighted. "The question now is when Turkey makes a decision on placing them on combat duty. This is their priority," he commented.
Russia announced in September 2017 that it had signed a $2.5 billion deal with Turkey on the delivery of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to Ankara. Under the contract, Ankara got a regiment set of S-400 air defense missile systems (two battalions). The deal also envisaged partial transfer of production technology to the Turkish side.
Turkey is the first NATO member state to purchase such air defense missile systems from Russia. The deliveries of S-400 launchers to Turkey began on July 12, 2019.
The United States and NATO have been making attempts to prevent Turkey from purchasing Russia's S-400 missile systems. Washington has warned on many occasions that it may impose sanctions on Turkey, if Ankara presses ahead with the S-400 deal. On July 17, 2019, the press secretary of the US White House said in a written statement that Turkey’s decision to acquire Russian-made S-400 air defense systems rendered Ankara’s further participation in the US program of the fifth-generation F-35 fighter-bomber impossible.
S-400 deliveries to China


tass--2020-03-16--Brent crude oil price down below $30 first time since January 2016

MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for May 2020 delivery @ @ @ @ @ London 's ICE since its previous closure to $ 29.52 per barrel on Monday for @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , according to the trading data as of 4:30 pm Moscow time .
The @ @ @ @ @ 10.2 % trading at $ 28.8 per barrel .
The ruble is weakening against the @ @ @ @ @ the oil price drop , as the dollar exchange rate gained 3.65 % to 75.25 @ @ @ @ @ exchange rate added 3.77 % to 83.78 rubles .

MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for May 2020 delivery dropped by 12.7% on London's ICE since its previous closure to $29.52 per barrel on Monday for the first time since January 2016, according to the trading data as of 4:30 pm Moscow time.
The price of WTI is down 10.2% trading at $28.8 per barrel.
The ruble is weakening against the US and European currencies following the oil price drop, as the dollar exchange rate gained 3.65% to 75.25 rubles, while the euro exchange rate added 3.77% to 83.78 rubles.


tass--2020-03-16--Russia’s top brass to unveil Buk-M3 air defense system at Victory Day parade

`` The entire family of advanced models of the Army ’ s battlefield air defense missile systems will be demonstrated at the military parade in Moscow , '' the ministry said .
MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
The latest Buk-M3 medium-range battlefield air defense system will take part in the Victory Day parade on Moscow ’ s Red Square on May 9 for the first time , the press office of Russia ’ s Defense Ministry announced on Monday .
`` Four Buk-M3 self-propelled surface-to-air missile systems and four combat vehicles of the Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile launchers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the press office reported .
Also , three combat vehicles of the Derivatsiya anti-aircraft artillery system , four launchers and two loader-launchers of the S-300V4 surface-to-air missile system will take part in the military parade for the first time .
Overall , the military parade on Moscow ’ s Red Square on May 9 to mark 75 years of the Soviet Union ’ s victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany will involve 225 weapon systems , of which 24 latest models will be demonstrated for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier .
The mechanized column will include T-90M ‘ Proryv ’ main battle tanks , Armata and Kurganets-25 infantry fighting vehicles with the new Kinzhal and Epokha combat modules , S-300V4 and S-350 anti-aircraft missile systems , a remotely-controlled mine-clearing vehicle and the family of Taifun armored vehicles .
Also , the Tosochka flamethrower system will be demonstrated during the military parade for the first time , according to the Defense Ministry .

"The entire family of advanced models of the Army’s battlefield air defense missile systems will be demonstrated at the military parade in Moscow," the ministry said.
MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. The latest Buk-M3 medium-range battlefield air defense system will take part in the Victory Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 for the first time, the press office of Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Monday.
"Four Buk-M3 self-propelled surface-to-air missile systems and four combat vehicles of the Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile launchers will roll through in the mechanized column," the press office reported.
Also, three combat vehicles of the Derivatsiya anti-aircraft artillery system, four launchers and two loader-launchers of the S-300V4 surface-to-air missile system will take part in the military parade for the first time.
Overall, the military parade on Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 to mark 75 years of the Soviet Union’s victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany will involve 225 weapon systems, of which 24 latest models will be demonstrated for the first time, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier.
The mechanized column will include T-90M ‘Proryv’ main battle tanks, Armata and Kurganets-25 infantry fighting vehicles with the new Kinzhal and Epokha combat modules, S-300V4 and S-350 anti-aircraft missile systems, a remotely-controlled mine-clearing vehicle and the family of Taifun armored vehicles.
Also, the Tosochka flamethrower system will be demonstrated during the military parade for the first time, according to the Defense Ministry.


tass--2020-03-16--Russian planes allegedly rigged with explosives land at destination airports

On Monday , anonymous messages claimed that five passenger planes — Moscow-Perm , Moscow-Ufa , Moscow-Tyumen , Novosibirsk-Moscow and Moscow-Chelyabinsk @ @ @ @ @ with explosives .
This is a record high number : last Saturday , the perpetrators @ @ @ @ @ .
MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
Several Russian planes , allegedly rigged with @ @ @ @ @ their destination airports , a source in aviation services told TASS .
No planes have @ @ @ @ @ anonymous messages , the source disclosed , adding that the first three planes already landed @ @ @ @ @ against passenger planes started coming in on March 3 .
Since then , at least @ @ @ @ @ rigged . ''
All threats have been deemed fake , as well as all threats @ @ @ @ @ numerous courts , shopping malls , airports , schools and other social objects .
A @ @ @ @ @ disclosed that anonymous perpetrators seek to extort bitcoins and threaten to continue to spam the @ @ @ @ @ threats .

On Monday, anonymous messages claimed that five passenger planes — Moscow-Perm, Moscow-Ufa, Moscow-Tyumen, Novosibirsk-Moscow and Moscow-Chelyabinsk — had allegedly been rigged with explosives. This is a record high number: last Saturday, the perpetrators "rigged" four planes.
MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Several Russian planes, allegedly rigged with explosives, have landed at their destination airports, a source in aviation services told TASS.
No planes have changed their route despite the anonymous messages, the source disclosed, adding that the first three planes already landed.
The fake bomb threats against passenger planes started coming in on March 3. Since then, at least 14 planes have been "rigged." All threats have been deemed fake, as well as all threats that emerged since November against numerous courts, shopping malls, airports, schools and other social objects.
A source in the security service disclosed that anonymous perpetrators seek to extort bitcoins and threaten to continue to spam the government agencies with fake bomb threats.


tass--2020-03-16--Army’s involvement in efforts to fight coronavirus turned out reasonable — Chinese embassy

MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
Joint efforts by the military and civilian authorities to fight the coronavirus epidemic in China ’ s Hubei province turned out quite reasonable , the Chinese embassy ’ s military attache , Major General Kui Yanwei told TASS in an interview .
Kui pointed out that creation of conditions for medical and scientific research into the virus was an important component of military-civilian cooperation .
China ’ s Air Force urgently provided medium and large military transport planes to airlift crucial supplies to Wuhan .
Also , China ’ s Air Force acted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which took special measures to lay on extra trains and increase the duration of stops , '' Kui said .
`` During the struggle against the epidemic the military and local forces cooperated closely , supported each other , exchanged information and jointly distributed the necessary medical items , '' he commented .
He said the Central Military Committee of the People ’ s Liberation Army of China created a joint prevention and control mechanism , that covered the organization of meetings and briefings and communication with the local authorities .
The Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of coronavirus have yielded the desired results , Kui Yanwei told TASS .
`` Regarding the coronavirus spread in Russia , we see that well-timed measures taken by the Russian government related to transportation , restrictions and checks on the border and quarantine have already yielded the desired results , '' the military attache commented .
The diplomat stressed that amid the coronavirus pandemic China recommends to `` timely step up security measures , cut off transmission of the disease , mobilize experts and concentrate resources . ''
`` Such measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , '' he noted .
Beijing also recommends to create the system of reporting about the epidemic , timely publish information about the infection ’ s dynamics and provide citizens with all protective medical kits — gloves , masks and protective clothes , the diplomat indicated .
In early February , the Russian government sent a delegation of experts to China , who jointly with Chinese colleagues studied response measures to the coronavirus outbreak and joined an effort to develop antiviral drugs and vaccines .
`` This was the first delegation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to receive during the critical time of fight against the epidemic , '' Kui Yanwei stated .
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease , which occurred in central China at the end of 2019 , has spread to about 160 countries and territories .
The World Health Organization on March 11 declared it as a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , more than 174,600 have contracted the virus around the world .
More than 6,680 have died .
Russia ’ s special task force has identified 93 coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardest-hit by the disease , there have been 3,200 lethal outcomes .
Nearly 67,800 patients have recovered .
A total of 80,900 cases of the disease have been registered so far .
Outside China the strongest outbreaks have occurred in Italy , Iran and South Korea .

MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Joint efforts by the military and civilian authorities to fight the coronavirus epidemic in China’s Hubei province turned out quite reasonable, the Chinese embassy’s military attache, Major General Kui Yanwei told TASS in an interview.
Kui pointed out that creation of conditions for medical and scientific research into the virus was an important component of military-civilian cooperation. China’s Air Force urgently provided medium and large military transport planes to airlift crucial supplies to Wuhan. Also, China’s Air Force acted in tight cooperation with the railways, which took special measures to lay on extra trains and increase the duration of stops," Kui said.
"During the struggle against the epidemic the military and local forces cooperated closely, supported each other, exchanged information and jointly distributed the necessary medical items," he commented.
He said the Central Military Committee of the People’s Liberation Army of China created a joint prevention and control mechanism, that covered the organization of meetings and briefings and communication with the local authorities.
The Russian government’s well-timed measures to combat the spread of coronavirus have yielded the desired results, Kui Yanwei told TASS.
"Regarding the coronavirus spread in Russia, we see that well-timed measures taken by the Russian government related to transportation, restrictions and checks on the border and quarantine have already yielded the desired results," the military attache commented.
The diplomat stressed that amid the coronavirus pandemic China recommends to "timely step up security measures, cut off transmission of the disease, mobilize experts and concentrate resources." "Such measures have proven to be very effective in China," he noted.
Beijing also recommends to create the system of reporting about the epidemic, timely publish information about the infection’s dynamics and provide citizens with all protective medical kits — gloves, masks and protective clothes, the diplomat indicated.
In early February, the Russian government sent a delegation of experts to China, who jointly with Chinese colleagues studied response measures to the coronavirus outbreak and joined an effort to develop antiviral drugs and vaccines. "This was the first delegation of foreign experts, which the Chinese government agreed to receive during the critical time of fight against the epidemic," Kui Yanwei stated.
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease, which occurred in central China at the end of 2019, has spread to about 160 countries and territories. The World Health Organization on March 11 declared it as a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, more than 174,600 have contracted the virus around the world. More than 6,680 have died. Russia’s special task force has identified 93 coronavirus cases.
In China, which is the hardest-hit by the disease, there have been 3,200 lethal outcomes. Nearly 67,800 patients have recovered. A total of 80,900 cases of the disease have been registered so far. Outside China the strongest outbreaks have occurred in Italy, Iran and South Korea.


tass--2020-03-16--Hainan residents donate about $16 mln to Red Cross amid coronavirus outbreak

HAIKOU , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Hainan residents donated about 112 mln yuan ( about $ 16 mln @ @ @ @ @ of the Red Cross , according to the Hainan Daily .
As of March 13 @ @ @ @ @ million yuan ( about $ 5.56 million ) was transferred using the platform specially created @ @ @ @ @ residents also donated basic necessities and medical supplies .
According to the newspaper , particular @ @ @ @ @ supply of protective equipment , as well as sanitizers , medical equipment , drugs and @ @ @ @ @ ambulances and various protective materials were purchased using the donated funds .
The coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ approximately 130 countries and was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization ( @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the latest data , over 160,000 people have become infected worldwide , @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the Russian authorities , 93 coronavirus cases have been registered in the @ @

HAIKOU, March 16. /TASS/. The Hainan residents donated about 112 mln yuan (about $16 mln) to the regional branch of the Red Cross, according to the Hainan Daily.
As of March 13, a total of 38.89 million yuan (about $ 5.56 million) was transferred using the platform specially created for these purposes — the residents also donated basic necessities and medical supplies.
According to the newspaper, particular attention was paid to the supply of protective equipment, as well as sanitizers, medical equipment, drugs and diagnostics. Moreover, three ambulances and various protective materials were purchased using the donated funds.
The coronavirus outbreak in Central China spread to approximately 130 countries and was recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11. According to the latest data, over 160,000 people have become infected worldwide, more than 6,000 have died. According to the Russian authorities, 93 coronavirus cases have been registered in the country.


tass--2020-03-16--Amendments bill consistent with articles 1, 2 and 9 of Russia’s Constitution — court

ST. PETERSBURG , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Constitutional Court has ruled on Monday that the constitutional amendments bill proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin is in line with Articles 1 , 2 and 9 of the Russian Constitution .
`` The manner of entry into force of Article 1 of the law of the Russian Federation on amendments to the Russian Constitution `` On improving the regulation of certain aspects of organization and functioning of public government '' is in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation , '' the document informs .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federation on amendments to the Russian Constitution `` On improving the regulation of certain aspects of organization and functioning of public government '' are in accordance with Articles 1 , 2 and 9 of the Russian Federation , '' the ruling says .
The ruling of the Russian Constitutional Court on the constitutional amendments bill proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin is final .
It will enter into force immediately , the Russian Constitutional Court informed on Monday , adding that the ruling was forwarded to Russian President Vladimir Putin immediately .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( lower house of parliament ) approved the final reading of the constitutional amendments bill proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin .
On the same day , it was endorsed by the Russian Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) and Russia ’ s regional parliaments .
On March 14 , the Russian Federation Council approved a ruling on the outcomes of the parliament ’ s analysis of the bill , sending it to the president .
The text of the bill was published on the official legal information portal .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which states that the bill does not violate the Constitution , a public vote will be held .
If over 50 % of the vote approve of the changes , the bill will enter into force .
The vote is expected to take place on April 22 , which will be declared a non-working day .
However , Putin has not yet published a presidential decree stipulating the date of the vote .
The document proposes to expand the powers of the Russian parliament and the Russian Constitutional Court , a fixed number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prevalence of the Russian Constitution over international agreements .
The document also extends the government ’ s obligations in the social sphere .
The amendments to the Constitution stipulate that the Russian head of state can only serve two terms , however , one of the amendments proposes that the current president can be re-elected if the new version of the Constitution comes into force .

ST. PETERSBURG, March 16. /TASS/. Russia’s Constitutional Court has ruled on Monday that the constitutional amendments bill proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin is in line with Articles 1, 2 and 9 of the Russian Constitution.
"The manner of entry into force of Article 1 of the law of the Russian Federation on amendments to the Russian Constitution "On improving the regulation of certain aspects of organization and functioning of public government" is in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation," the document informs.
"The provisions of the law of the Russian Federation on amendments to the Russian Constitution "On improving the regulation of certain aspects of organization and functioning of public government" are in accordance with Articles 1, 2 and 9 of the Russian Federation," the ruling says.
The ruling of the Russian Constitutional Court on the constitutional amendments bill proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin is final. It will enter into force immediately, the Russian Constitutional Court informed on Monday, adding that the ruling was forwarded to Russian President Vladimir Putin immediately.
Constitutional amendments
On March 11, the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) approved the final reading of the constitutional amendments bill proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the same day, it was endorsed by the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) and Russia’s regional parliaments. On March 14, the Russian Federation Council approved a ruling on the outcomes of the parliament’s analysis of the bill, sending it to the president.
The text of the bill was published on the official legal information portal. After the Constitutional Court’s ruling, which states that the bill does not violate the Constitution, a public vote will be held. If over 50% of the vote approve of the changes, the bill will enter into force.
The vote is expected to take place on April 22, which will be declared a non-working day. However, Putin has not yet published a presidential decree stipulating the date of the vote.
The document proposes to expand the powers of the Russian parliament and the Russian Constitutional Court, a fixed number of presidential terms, as well as the prevalence of the Russian Constitution over international agreements. The document also extends the government’s obligations in the social sphere. The amendments to the Constitution stipulate that the Russian head of state can only serve two terms, however, one of the amendments proposes that the current president can be re-elected if the new version of the Constitution comes into force.


tass--2020-03-16--Fourth bomb threat sent for plane on Monday

`` Another message has been received about a bomb on a plane en route from Novosibirsk to Sheremetyevo .
It @ @ @ @ @ and is scheduled to land at Sheremetyevo at 18:27 Moscow Time , '' the source @ @ @ @ @ , Sheremetyevo Airport received an anonymous alert on its email about `` bombs '' on @ @ @ @ @ and Moscow-Ufa .
All planes did not change their routes .
The planes bound for @ @ @ @ @ landed , while the plane en route to Tyumen is still in the air .
@ @ @ @ @ coming in since March 3 .
Unknown persons have sent bomb threats for at least @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday , all of which turned out to be false .
Earlier , a @ @ @ @ @ agencies noted that unknown persons started sending anonymous threats demanding bitcoins and threatening to continue @ @ @ @ @ courts , shops , airports and airlines .

"Another message has been received about a bomb on a plane en route from Novosibirsk to Sheremetyevo. It is not changing its route and is scheduled to land at Sheremetyevo at 18:27 Moscow Time," the source said.
Earlier on Monday, Sheremetyevo Airport received an anonymous alert on its email about "bombs" on the flights Moscow-Perm, Moscow-Tyumen and Moscow-Ufa. All planes did not change their routes. The planes bound for Ufa and Perm have safely landed, while the plane en route to Tyumen is still in the air.
Bomb threats for planes started coming in since March 3. Unknown persons have sent bomb threats for at least 14 flights, including four on Saturday, all of which turned out to be false. Earlier, a source in the law enforcement agencies noted that unknown persons started sending anonymous threats demanding bitcoins and threatening to continue bomb scare for planes, courts, shops, airports and airlines.


tass--2020-03-16--Putin, Niinisto agree to cooperate on border checkpoint operation regime

Russia monitors economic measures against coronavirus in other countries — Kremlin MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President @ @ @ @ @ fighting issues with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto , the Kremlin press service said .
@ @ @ @ @ have exchanged information on measures implemented to counteract the coronavirus infection spread , '' the @ @ @ @ @ sides have agreed that possible decisions on border checkpoints operation would be taken in close @ @ @ @ @ agencies . ''
The Finnish President ’ s administration underscored that `` the two presidents @ @ @ @ @ that coronavirus fight requires wide international cooperation . ''
`` Niinisto also underscored the importance @ @ @ @ @ the message reads .
The conversation took place on Finland 's initiative .

Russia monitors economic measures against coronavirus in other countries — Kremlin
MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed coronavirus fighting issues with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto, the Kremlin press service said.
"The heads of state have exchanged information on measures implemented to counteract the coronavirus infection spread," the message says. "The sides have agreed that possible decisions on border checkpoints operation would be taken in close cooperation between relevant services and agencies."
The Finnish President’s administration underscored that "the two presidents have expressed a shared opinion that coronavirus fight requires wide international cooperation."
"Niinisto also underscored the importance of information sharing," the message reads.
The conversation took place on Finland's initiative.


tass--2020-03-16--Russian Navy oceanographic research vessel arrives in Bellingshausen Sea

`` During the explorations in the Bellingshausen Sea , the oceanographic research vessel Admiral Vladimirsky will survey the sea areas adjacent to the coastline of Peter I Island in order to adjust sea navigation maps , '' the ministry said in a statement .
MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Navy ’ s oceanographic research vessel Admiral Vladimirsky arrived in the Bellingshausen Sea to carry out explorations as part of the 5th stage of the round-the-world expedition devoted to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctic by Russian explorers , the Defense Ministry of Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Arctic , is a documentary about Antarctic explorers of the 1970s Peter I Island is an uninhabited island located in the Bellingshausen Sea 400 km off the Antarctic coast in the Antarctic portion of the Pacific Ocean .
It was discovered on January 11 ( under the Julian calendar ) , 1821 by the Russian expedition under the command of Faddey Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev and named after Emperor Peter the Great , the founder of the Russian regular fleet .
The island is located south of 60 degrees of the southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law on the Antarctic .
The round-the-world expedition kicked off in December 2019 and will last until June .
The Russian expedition led by prominent explorers Faddey Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev discovered the Antarctic on January 28 , 1820 .
On that day , 200 years ago , the explorers approached the shores of the ice-covered continent aboard the sloops Vostok and Mirny .
After circumnavigating the Antarctic ice sheets , the expedition confirmed the existence of the sixth continent , the Antarctic .

"During the explorations in the Bellingshausen Sea, the oceanographic research vessel Admiral Vladimirsky will survey the sea areas adjacent to the coastline of Peter I Island in order to adjust sea navigation maps," the ministry said in a statement.
MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. The Russian Navy’s oceanographic research vessel Admiral Vladimirsky arrived in the Bellingshausen Sea to carry out explorations as part of the 5th stage of the round-the-world expedition devoted to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctic by Russian explorers, the Defense Ministry of Russia reported on Monday.
Film, found in Arctic, is a documentary about Antarctic explorers of the 1970s
Peter I Island is an uninhabited island located in the Bellingshausen Sea 400 km off the Antarctic coast in the Antarctic portion of the Pacific Ocean. It was discovered on January 11 (under the Julian calendar), 1821 by the Russian expedition under the command of Faddey Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev and named after Emperor Peter the Great, the founder of the Russian regular fleet.
The island is located south of 60 degrees of the southern latitude and is covered by the international law on the Antarctic.
The round-the-world expedition kicked off in December 2019 and will last until June.
The Russian expedition led by prominent explorers Faddey Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev discovered the Antarctic on January 28, 1820. On that day, 200 years ago, the explorers approached the shores of the ice-covered continent aboard the sloops Vostok and Mirny. After circumnavigating the Antarctic ice sheets, the expedition confirmed the existence of the sixth continent, the Antarctic.


tass--2020-03-16--Hague court rules it has no jurisdiction over Kiev’s claims on Crimea coastal state rights

THE HAGUE , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Permanent Court of Arbitration ( PCA ) has refused to make a ruling regarding the dispute between Russia and Ukraine concerning coastal state rights in the Black Sea , the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait , the document published by the PCA on Monday informs .
`` In its award of 21 February 2020 , the Arbitral Tribunal , unanimously < … > upholds the Russian Federation ’ s objection that the Arbitral Tribunal has no jurisdiction over Ukraine ’ s claims , to the extent that a ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ukraine ’ s claims necessarily requires it to decide , directly or implicitly , on the sovereignty of either Party over Crimea , '' the document says .
`` [ The court ] finds that the Russian Federation ’ s objection that the Arbitral Tribunal has no jurisdiction over Ukraine ’ s claims concerning activities in the Sea of Azov and in the Kerch Strait does not possess an exclusively preliminary character , and accordingly decides to reserve this matter for consideration and decision in the proceedings on the merits , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a revised version of its claims by November 20 , after which , Russia will have until August 20 , 2021 to issue a response .
Ukraine initiated legal proceedings on this matter on September 16 , 2016 .
According to Ukraine , Russia violates Ukraine ’ s sovereign rights to use maritime zones and continental shelf in the Black Sea , the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait near Crimea , including the rights to natural resources .
Kiev demands that Moscow cease violating Ukraine ’ s rights and compensate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

THE HAGUE, March 16. /TASS/. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has refused to make a ruling regarding the dispute between Russia and Ukraine concerning coastal state rights in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, the document published by the PCA on Monday informs.
"In its award of 21 February 2020, the Arbitral Tribunal, unanimously <…> upholds the Russian Federation’s objection that the Arbitral Tribunal has no jurisdiction over Ukraine’s claims, to the extent that a ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal on the merits of Ukraine’s claims necessarily requires it to decide, directly or implicitly, on the sovereignty of either Party over Crimea," the document says.
"[The court] finds that the Russian Federation’s objection that the Arbitral Tribunal has no jurisdiction over Ukraine’s claims concerning activities in the Sea of Azov and in the Kerch Strait does not possess an exclusively preliminary character, and accordingly decides to reserve this matter for consideration and decision in the proceedings on the merits," the ruling notes.
Ukraine must present a revised version of its claims by November 20, after which, Russia will have until August 20, 2021 to issue a response.
Ukraine initiated legal proceedings on this matter on September 16, 2016. According to Ukraine, Russia violates Ukraine’s sovereign rights to use maritime zones and continental shelf in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait near Crimea, including the rights to natural resources. Kiev demands that Moscow cease violating Ukraine’s rights and compensate the damages incurred. Russia rejects all claims.


tass--2020-03-16--Number of coronavirus cases in Russia up to 93

MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has increased by 30 in the past day to reach 93 , Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said on Monday .
`` As of now , as per today ’ s statistics , Russia has 93 cases , of whom four patients have recovered and are discharged .
Seventy nine patients are staying in hospitals , with 57 having a mild form of the disease , with no symptoms , '' she told a governmental coronavirus prevention coordination council meeting Monday .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are Russian nationals , two are Chinese citizens , and one is Italian .
The two Chinese , one Russian and the Italian have recovered , as have the Russian patients from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were evacuated from Japan .
Twenty of the patients were identified in Moscow and three in St. Petersburg , the coronavirus response headquarters informed .
`` Over the past 24 hours , thirty coronavirus infection cases were confirmed in Russia , including 20 in Moscow , three in St. Petersburg , one in the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one in the Kirov Region , one in the Perm Territory , and one in the Republic of Komi , '' the spokesperson stated , adding that the patients had visited coronavirus-hit countries , namely Italy , France , Spain , and Switzerland , in the past two weeks .
All the coronavirus patients are staying in isolated wards , all their contacts have been traced and placed under medical supervision .
Seven Russian coronavirus patients got infected with the coronavirus during their contacts with the other infected inside the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Out of 93 cases , 86 cases are imported and seven are contact-related ones , '' she specified .
About 15,000 people are staying under medical supervision over coronavirus infection risks after returning from other countries , Golikova reported .
`` All those who return from other countries as well as their contacts are kept under strict medical supervision .
Since the launch of this work , there have been more than 50,000 people under supervision .
As many as 35,000 of them have been cleared .
As of today , about 15,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them is sick , '' the high-ranking official stated .

MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has increased by 30 in the past day to reach 93, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said on Monday.
"As of now, as per today’s statistics, Russia has 93 cases, of whom four patients have recovered and are discharged. Seventy nine patients are staying in hospitals, with 57 having a mild form of the disease, with no symptoms," she told a governmental coronavirus prevention coordination council meeting Monday. According to the deputy PM, ninety of these patients are Russian nationals, two are Chinese citizens, and one is Italian. The two Chinese, one Russian and the Italian have recovered, as have the Russian patients from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were evacuated from Japan.
Twenty of the patients were identified in Moscow and three in St. Petersburg, the coronavirus response headquarters informed. "Over the past 24 hours, thirty coronavirus infection cases were confirmed in Russia, including 20 in Moscow, three in St. Petersburg, one in the Moscow Region, three in the Samara Region, one in the Kirov Region, one in the Perm Territory, and one in the Republic of Komi," the spokesperson stated, adding that the patients had visited coronavirus-hit countries, namely Italy, France, Spain, and Switzerland, in the past two weeks. All the coronavirus patients are staying in isolated wards, all their contacts have been traced and placed under medical supervision.
Seven Russian coronavirus patients got infected with the coronavirus during their contacts with the other infected inside the country, Deputy PM Tatiana Golikova stated. "Out of 93 cases, 86 cases are imported and seven are contact-related ones," she specified.
About 15,000 people are staying under medical supervision over coronavirus infection risks after returning from other countries, Golikova reported.
"All those who return from other countries as well as their contacts are kept under strict medical supervision. Since the launch of this work, there have been more than 50,000 people under supervision. As many as 35,000 of them have been cleared. As of today, about 15,000 are still under medical control. None of them is sick," the high-ranking official stated.


tass--2020-03-16--Armenia, Russia to impose 14-day ban on passenger air service over coronavirus

YEREVAN , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia and Armenia have agreed to ban passenger air service for two weeks in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus , the press service of the Armenian government said on Monday after a telephone conversation between the two countries ’ prime ministers , Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia and Mikhail Mishustin of Russia .
`` The sides discussed steps aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Pashinyan and Mishustin agreed to restrict passenger air service between the two countries for a period of two weeks .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure the return of the countries ’ nationals .
Cargo traffic will not be restricted , '' the press service said .
By today , Armenia has 30 confirmed coronavirus cases .
More than 300 people are under quarantine .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , which has 63 coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 160,000 , with about 6,000 deaths .
The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

YEREVAN, March 16. /TASS/. Russia and Armenia have agreed to ban passenger air service for two weeks in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, the press service of the Armenian government said on Monday after a telephone conversation between the two countries’ prime ministers, Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia and Mikhail Mishustin of Russia.
"The sides discussed steps aimed at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Pashinyan and Mishustin agreed to restrict passenger air service between the two countries for a period of two weeks. At the same time, the sides agreed to ensure the return of the countries’ nationals. Cargo traffic will not be restricted," the press service said.
By today, Armenia has 30 confirmed coronavirus cases. More than 300 people are under quarantine.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from about 130 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 63 coronavirus cases. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 160,000, with about 6,000 deaths. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-16--Russian Baltic Fleet ships wrap up deployment to North Sea

KALININGRAD , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
The corvette Stoiky and the large amphibious assault ship Korolyov from Russia ’ s Baltic Fleet accomplished their long-distance deployment assignments in the North and Baltic Seas and returned to their home base of Baltiysk , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Monday .
`` The crews of the corvette Stoiky and the large amphibious assault ship Korolyov were deployed for three weeks , covered more than 5,000 nautical miles and practiced dozens of shipborne drills and exercises , '' the press office said in a statement .
The combat teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of anti-ship missiles during drills .
Also , the crews repelled a notional enemy ’ s air attack and practiced anti-saboteur defense during the anchorage in an unsafe roadstead , the statement says .
Acting in interaction with the ships , the crew of a Ka-27 helicopter based on the corvette searched for a notional enemy ’ s submarine and held drills to rescue people at sea , according to the statement .
Marine infantry units staying aboard the ships practiced various anti-terror measures and delivered fire against naval targets , the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a report by the deployment headquarters , the ships have returned from their deployment technically fit and ready to accomplish assigned missions after replenishing supplies , '' the statement reads .

KALININGRAD, March 16. /TASS/. The corvette Stoiky and the large amphibious assault ship Korolyov from Russia’s Baltic Fleet accomplished their long-distance deployment assignments in the North and Baltic Seas and returned to their home base of Baltiysk, the Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.
"The crews of the corvette Stoiky and the large amphibious assault ship Korolyov were deployed for three weeks, covered more than 5,000 nautical miles and practiced dozens of shipborne drills and exercises," the press office said in a statement.
The combat teams of the corvette Stoiky held electronic launches of anti-ship missiles during drills. Also, the crews repelled a notional enemy’s air attack and practiced anti-saboteur defense during the anchorage in an unsafe roadstead, the statement says.
Acting in interaction with the ships, the crew of a Ka-27 helicopter based on the corvette searched for a notional enemy’s submarine and held drills to rescue people at sea, according to the statement.
Marine infantry units staying aboard the ships practiced various anti-terror measures and delivered fire against naval targets, the press office said.
"As follows from a report by the deployment headquarters, the ships have returned from their deployment technically fit and ready to accomplish assigned missions after replenishing supplies," the statement reads.


tass--2020-03-16--Belarus registers 36 coronavirus cases, health ministry says

MINSK , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
The number of patients in Belarus , who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus , has risen to 36 , the country ’ s health ministry said on Monday .
`` Thirty-six patients have been registered in Belarus who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 , '' the ministry informed .
Five students of the Belarusian State University have twice tested positive for COVID-19 without showing any symptoms of the disease .
Four other coronavirus patients had arrived from Munich , Amsterdam and Moscow .
`` All patients have been quarantined since returning from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also hospitalized , '' according to the ministry .
Three patients have been discharged while three others are preparing to leave hospitals soon .
Eight patients have mild symptoms of infection and one is in moderately severe condition with positive dynamics .
Other patients don ’ t have any symptoms of infection .
Since early February , specialists of the Republican and Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology have carried out more than 16,000 tests for COVID-19 .
Some 2,583 people remain under medical control , but none of them have any symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease caused by the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) was registered in central China in late December 2019 .
The World Health Organization recognized the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11 .
Outside China , the worst affected countries are Italy , South Korea and Iran .
Overall , more than 150 countries and territories , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
The WHO says that the novel coronavirus cases globally have exceeded 160,000 , with more than 6,000 deaths ( over 3,200 in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center , 63 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia .

MINSK, March 16. /TASS/. The number of patients in Belarus, who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, has risen to 36, the country’s health ministry said on Monday.
"Thirty-six patients have been registered in Belarus who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2," the ministry informed.
Five students of the Belarusian State University have twice tested positive for COVID-19 without showing any symptoms of the disease. Four other coronavirus patients had arrived from Munich, Amsterdam and Moscow. "All patients have been quarantined since returning from abroad. Their close contacts have been also hospitalized," according to the ministry.
Three patients have been discharged while three others are preparing to leave hospitals soon. Eight patients have mild symptoms of infection and one is in moderately severe condition with positive dynamics. Other patients don’t have any symptoms of infection.
Since early February, specialists of the Republican and Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology have carried out more than 16,000 tests for COVID-19. Some 2,583 people remain under medical control, but none of them have any symptoms of infection.
The outbreak of a disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was registered in central China in late December 2019. The World Health Organization recognized the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Italy, South Korea and Iran. Overall, more than 150 countries and territories, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. The WHO says that the novel coronavirus cases globally have exceeded 160,000, with more than 6,000 deaths (over 3,200 in China). According to the emergency operations center, 63 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia.


tass--2020-03-16--Contacts with oil producers can be promptly agreed upon — Kremlin

MOSCOW , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not planned meetings with Russian oil producers and @ @ @ @ @ such contacts can be promptly agreed upon if required , Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov @ @ @ @ @ `` Not planned so far , '' Peskov said , answering the question whether the @ @ @ @ @ meeting with chief executives of Russian energy companies .
No contacts with the king or @ @ @ @ @ Arabia are planned either , he noted .
`` No , no such plans for @ @ @ @ @ the press secretary said .
`` Contacts are currently agreed upon fairly quickly and can @ @ @ @ @ needed , '' Peskov added .

MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not planned meetings with Russian oil producers and leaders of Saudi Arabia but such contacts can be promptly agreed upon if required, Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
"Not planned so far," Peskov said, answering the question whether the Russian leader plans a new meeting with chief executives of Russian energy companies. No contacts with the king or the crown prince of Saudi Arabia are planned either, he noted.
"No, no such plans for the time being," the press secretary said. "Contacts are currently agreed upon fairly quickly and can appear in the schedule if needed," Peskov added.


tass--2020-03-17--Ten Russian lawmakers quarantined over coronavirus

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Several MPs of Russia ’ s lower house of parliament have been quarantined over the coronavirus threat , State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Tuesday .
According to the head of the State Duma ’ s committee on control and regulations , Olga Savastyanova , ten MPs have been quarantined .
The lawmakers , including from the ruling United Russia party , contacted with an MP from the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia , Sergey Katasonov , who had ignored coronavirus quarantine after returning from France .
Later , Katasonov said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Some our MPs have been quarantined due to the fault of our colleague [ Sergey Katasonov - TASS ] , who ignored the rules , '' Volodin told a plenary meeting .
In view of this , some MPs from the LDPR faction and the United Russia party , who were in direct contact with him , have been forced to self-quarantine .
The outbreak of a disease caused by the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) was registered in central China in late December 2019 .
The World Health Organization recognized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic on March 11 .
Outside China , the worst affected countries are Italy , South Korea and Iran .
Overall , more than 130 countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest data analyzed by TASS the novel coronavirus cases globally have exceeded 180,000 , with over 7,000 deaths .
According to the anti-coronavirus task force , 93 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Several MPs of Russia’s lower house of parliament have been quarantined over the coronavirus threat, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said on Tuesday.
According to the head of the State Duma’s committee on control and regulations, Olga Savastyanova, ten MPs have been quarantined.
The lawmakers, including from the ruling United Russia party, contacted with an MP from the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, Sergey Katasonov, who had ignored coronavirus quarantine after returning from France. Later, Katasonov said he had tested negative for the novel coronavirus.
"Some our MPs have been quarantined due to the fault of our colleague [Sergey Katasonov - TASS], who ignored the rules," Volodin told a plenary meeting. In view of this, some MPs from the LDPR faction and the United Russia party, who were in direct contact with him, have been forced to self-quarantine.
The outbreak of a disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was registered in central China in late December 2019. The World Health Organization recognized the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Italy, South Korea and Iran. Overall, more than 130 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. According to the latest data analyzed by TASS the novel coronavirus cases globally have exceeded 180,000, with over 7,000 deaths. According to the anti-coronavirus task force, 93 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia.


tass--2020-03-17--Putin demands to fight overpricing amid coronavirus pandemic

Number of coronavirus cases in Russia up from 59 to 63 in past day These people had visited Italy , @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded to combat the unjustified overpricing of food items in the current economic situation.
"It is very important to continue the work [of the Prosecutor’s Office] together with the Federal Antimonopoly Service to counter offenses in the field of food prices," he said at a meeting of the Board of the General Prosecutor’s Office.
Later, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin Putin advised Russians not to hoard groceries, as the situation with supplies to stores is reliable. During his visit to the coronavirus monitoring center, the president got acquainted with the system of monitoring availability of items and prices in regional stores across the country.
"Now people are buying a lot of groceries. In fact, there are no problems. We have a very stable supply situation," Mishustin said. "The main thing is that people should understand that the situation is reliable, so that they do not spend money on groceries that will have to be thrown away," the prime minister stressed.


tass--2020-03-17--Putin demands foiling any attempts to destabilize society

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that any attempts to destabilize society must be foiled .
Speaking at an extended meeting of the Russian Prosecutor General 's Office Board , the head of state raised the issue of fighting extremism and terrorism .
`` It is essential to continue to foil any actions aimed at destabilizing the situation in society , at violating traditional spiritual and moral values , provoking interethnic and interreligious discord , '' the president stated .
Putin recalled that , in 2019 , public prosecution bodies uncovered more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were made to recognize the activities of four foreign non-governmental organizations as undesirable .
In addition , courts recognized the activities of three organizations as extremist , their work was prohibited , the head of state pointed out .
The Russian leader also called for keeping a close eye on `` all aspects of anti-terrorist protection of significant facilities and crowded places . ''
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also expressed concern about the large number of unsolved crimes in the country .
`` I have to point out that the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year for the first time since 2016 , as well as the number of unsolved crimes , '' he noted .
`` That said , unfortunately , almost one in two crimes remains unsolved , '' Putin added .
According to him , that gives law enforcement officers `` a lot to think about . ''
Putin did not rule out that the use of more specific statistical methods was the `` reason '' behind the rise in unsolved crimes .
`` However , even if we take a look at statistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unsolved crimes will still remain higher than it was last year , '' the president emphasized .
Putin highlighted the need `` to thoroughly assess these issues and take specific measures to resolve them . ''

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that any attempts to destabilize society must be foiled. Speaking at an extended meeting of the Russian Prosecutor General's Office Board, the head of state raised the issue of fighting extremism and terrorism.
"It is essential to continue to foil any actions aimed at destabilizing the situation in society, at violating traditional spiritual and moral values, provoking interethnic and interreligious discord," the president stated.
Putin recalled that, in 2019, public prosecution bodies uncovered more than 213,000 offenses against the law and decisions were made to recognize the activities of four foreign non-governmental organizations as undesirable. In addition, courts recognized the activities of three organizations as extremist, their work was prohibited, the head of state pointed out.
The Russian leader also called for keeping a close eye on "all aspects of anti-terrorist protection of significant facilities and crowded places."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also expressed concern about the large number of unsolved crimes in the country.
"I have to point out that the total number of crimes committed in the country increased last year for the first time since 2016, as well as the number of unsolved crimes," he noted. "That said, unfortunately, almost one in two crimes remains unsolved," Putin added.
According to him, that gives law enforcement officers "a lot to think about." Putin did not rule out that the use of more specific statistical methods was the "reason" behind the rise in unsolved crimes. "However, even if we take a look at statistics and remove some things, the number of unsolved crimes will still remain higher than it was last year," the president emphasized.
Putin highlighted the need "to thoroughly assess these issues and take specific measures to resolve them."
Cybercrimes


tass--2020-03-17--Kremlin refutes Minsk’s criticism of border closure as unfair

He pointed out that the Russian prime minister had notified his Belarusian counterpart of the move in advance .
`` This is why - we can surely understand their emotional state - but we definitely consider such criticism to be unfair , particularly because we stand together in the fight against the coronavirus , '' Peskov added .
When asked to comment on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ’ s statement about plans to hold a telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin , Peskov said that as far as he knew , no such conversation had taken place on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information on whether a conversation will be held today , it ’ s not on the president ’ s schedule though his agenda is quite heavy today , '' the Kremlin spokesman pointed out .
He emphasized that `` the presidents of Russia and Belarus call each other often and can to it at any time . ''
On Monday , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced that the Russian-Belarusian border would be closed due to the coronavirus .
The Belarusian president , in turn , said he was surprised at the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on fire , '' Lukashenko said , adding that it was Belarus that should fear that the virus would spread to the country from Russia .
The Russian cabinet responded by pointing out that in relation to the population , the situation in Belarus was more serious than in Russia and it wouldn ’ t be right to say that the coronavirus had set the country on fire .

He pointed out that the Russian prime minister had notified his Belarusian counterpart of the move in advance. "This is why - we can surely understand their emotional state - but we definitely consider such criticism to be unfair, particularly because we stand together in the fight against the coronavirus," Peskov added.
When asked to comment on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s statement about plans to hold a telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Peskov said that as far as he knew, no such conversation had taken place on Monday. "I don’t have information on whether a conversation will be held today, it’s not on the president’s schedule though his agenda is quite heavy today," the Kremlin spokesman pointed out. He emphasized that "the presidents of Russia and Belarus call each other often and can to it at any time."
On Monday, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced that the Russian-Belarusian border would be closed due to the coronavirus. The Belarusian president, in turn, said he was surprised at the decision. "The coronavirus has set Russia on fire," Lukashenko said, adding that it was Belarus that should fear that the virus would spread to the country from Russia. The Russian cabinet responded by pointing out that in relation to the population, the situation in Belarus was more serious than in Russia and it wouldn’t be right to say that the coronavirus had set the country on fire.


tass--2020-03-17--China's Hainan launches free trade zone's official website

HAIKOU , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
China 's Hainan Province has launched the official website of the free trade zone and a free port with Chinese features .
According to a message posted on the web page , the site offers the latest news on the life of Hainan , as well as shows potential investors the benefits of the island 's free trade zone .
The site is available at www.hnftp.gov.cn and contains five key sections : News , Political Regulation and Legislature , Business Environment , Institutional Innovation , and the Captivating Hainan .
The 'News ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free trade zone and a free port 's promotion .
In the section dubbed 'Political Regulation and Legislature ' one can find standards and legal acts .
There is also a section dubbed 'One Hundred Questions and One Hundred Answers ' , where the audience can find information on the free trade zone and a free port , the national regime for foreign companies and a negative list for potential investors , as well as other free trade zone related questions The 'Business Environment ' section informs about Hainan 's key industries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the high-tech industry .
The section also includes a service window where one can get an online advice .
'Institutional Innovation ' represents Hainan 's latest achievements and innovations in boosting the island ’ s openness and promoting the construction of the free trade zone .
And finally , 'Captivating Hainan ' includes texts , photo and video materials demonstrating the tropical island 's beauty , its landscapes , ecology , unique flora and fauna , cultural attractions .
The section also contains information about hotels , tourist sights , cuisine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 2018 , President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province .
By 2050 , according to the authorities , the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy , developed tourism , top-notch scientific , technical and financial potential , and modern medicine .
The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan .
By 2025 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international center for tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels , which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .

HAIKOU, March 17. /TASS/. China's Hainan Province has launched the official website of the free trade zone and a free port with Chinese features. According to a message posted on the web page, the site offers the latest news on the life of Hainan, as well as shows potential investors the benefits of the island's free trade zone.
The site is available at www.hnftp.gov.cn and contains five key sections: News, Political Regulation and Legislature, Business Environment, Institutional Innovation, and the Captivating Hainan.
The 'News' section includes the latest information on the free trade zone and a free port's promotion. In the section dubbed 'Political Regulation and Legislature' one can find standards and legal acts. There is also a section dubbed 'One Hundred Questions and One Hundred Answers', where the audience can find information on the free trade zone and a free port, the national regime for foreign companies and a negative list for potential investors, as well as other free trade zone related questions
The 'Business Environment' section informs about Hainan's key industries, in particular, the tourism industry, and the high-tech industry. The section also includes a service window where one can get an online advice. 'Institutional Innovation' represents Hainan's latest achievements and innovations in boosting the island’s openness and promoting the construction of the free trade zone.
And finally, 'Captivating Hainan' includes texts, photo and video materials demonstrating the tropical island's beauty, its landscapes, ecology, unique flora and fauna, cultural attractions. The section also contains information about hotels, tourist sights, cuisine and shopping industry of the region.
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province. By 2050, according to the authorities, the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy, developed tourism, top-notch scientific, technical and financial potential, and modern medicine. The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-03-17--Kremlin says Russian non-system opposition marginalized, cannot unite

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Current non-system opposition leaders in Russia are quite marginalized and do not display @ @ @ @ @ Dmitry Peskov told journalists Tuesday , answering a question regarding whom of non-system opposition does @ @ @ @ @ `` It is not Kremlin ’ s task to name non-system opposition figures , we @ @ @ @ @ There are people who are non-system opposition figures , and there are people who pretend @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` We can note that all of them are quite marginalized , segmented @ @ @ @ @ ability to join efforts at the political arena , '' Peskov said .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The current non-systemic opposition leaders in Russia are quite marginalized and are not showing any capability of unifying, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists Tuesday, answering a question about whom the Kremlin considers significant politicians within the non-systemic opposition.
"It is not Kremlin’s job to name non-systemic opposition figures, we will not do that. There are people who are non-systemic opposition figures, and there are people who pretend they are," Peskov said. "We can note that all of them are quite marginalized, segmented and have not displayed an ability to pool efforts in the political arena," Peskov said.


tass--2020-03-17--Major artillery drills with 2,000 servicemen take place in Russia’s Kuban

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
More than 2,000 artillerymen from Russia ’ s Southern Military District , located @ @ @ @ @ have conducted a massive military exercise at Krasnodar Region foothills , using the recently shipped @ @ @ @ @ District press service told TASS .
`` The military crews have completed about 50 firing @ @ @ @ @ vehicles and personnel at a distance of up to 15 km .
After each salvo @ @ @ @ @ evasion maneuver , moving to a new firing location .
Howitzer and rocket artillery crews @ @ @ @ @ speed and precision of task completion , the District said .
The joint firing system @ @ @ @ @ and command and surveillance centers on artillery control .
The target coordinates were transmitted from @ @ @ @ @ the control center .
Besides the 152-mm self-propelled and towed howitzers , the exercise involved @ @ @ @ @ BM-27 Uragan multiple-launch rocket systems .
A total of 2,000 servicemen and some 300 vehicles @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. More than 2,000 artillerymen from Russia’s Southern Military District, located at the North Caucasus, have conducted a massive military exercise at Krasnodar Region foothills, using the recently shipped Msta-S self-propelled howitzers, the District press service told TASS.
"The military crews have completed about 50 firing tasks on destruction of armored vehicles and personnel at a distance of up to 15 km. After each salvo, the artillerymen conducted an evasion maneuver, moving to a new firing location. Howitzer and rocket artillery crews competed with each other on speed and precision of task completion, the District said.
The joint firing system was used for operational interaction and command and surveillance centers on artillery control. The target coordinates were transmitted from drones and reconnaissance systems to the control center.
Besides the 152-mm self-propelled and towed howitzers, the exercise involved the 120-mm Sani mortars and BM-27 Uragan multiple-launch rocket systems.
A total of 2,000 servicemen and some 300 vehicles took part in the exercise.


tass--2020-03-17--Kremlin says no plans to conduct G20 summit via conference call yet

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow has not received offers to conduct the G20 summit on coronavirus counteraction @ @ @ @ @ Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday .
`` I don ’ t know if something @ @ @ @ @ but we have not received any detailed information yet , we have only seen media @ @ @ @ @ said .

"I don’t know if something came through diplomatic channels, but we have not received any detailed information yet, we have only seen media reports," the spokesperson said.
MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Moscow has not received offers to conduct the G20 summit on coronavirus counteraction without personal presence yet, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.
Russia imposes entry ban for foreigners from March 18 to May 1 over coronavirus risks
Answering a question regarding whether such remote communication of world leaders is possible, Peskov noted that some nations have installed the so-called "communication red line" - communication line, protected from outside infiltration, which "allow for more or less secret talks."
"Of course, discussion of any kind of sensitive matters via open channels appears to be highly unlikely in modern world," the spokesman said.
Earlier, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s press service announced following the Prime Minister’s phone talk with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, that Saudi Arabia would gather an emergency G20 meeting "without personal presence" to discuss coronavirus spread.
An outbreak of the new coronavirus-related disease, which occurred in central China at the end of 2019, has spread to about 130 countries. The World Health Organization on March 11 declared it as a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, more than 170,000 have contracted the virus around the world. Almost 7,000 have died. Russia’s special task force has identified 93 coronavirus cases.


tass--2020-03-17--Kremlin: Putin not preparing any address to nation regarding Constitution vote date

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin is not preparing any address to the nation regarding @ @ @ @ @ vote on constitutional amendments , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday .
When @ @ @ @ @ can take place on April 22 could be put off , Peskov suggested `` waiting @ @ @ @ @ vote is set by the president ’ s relevant act .
He added that there @ @ @ @ @ making this act public .
On Monday , the Kremlin spokesman did not rule out @ @ @ @ @ early as this week .
The Meduza edition earlier reported that Putin was preparing an @ @ @ @ @ in which he would say that the nationwide vote on constitutional amendments would take place @ @ @ @ @ 13 , not on April 22 , as discussed earlier .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is not preparing any address to the nation regarding the date for the nationwide vote on constitutional amendments, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.
When asked whether the vote that can take place on April 22 could be put off, Peskov suggested "waiting until the date for the vote is set by the president’s relevant act. He added that there were no specific deadlines for making this act public. On Monday, the Kremlin spokesman did not rule out that this could happen as early as this week.
The Meduza edition earlier reported that Putin was preparing an address to the nation, in which he would say that the nationwide vote on constitutional amendments would take place on June 12 or September 13, not on April 22, as discussed earlier.


tass--2020-03-17--China develops 8 vaccines against COVID-19, some prove effective on animals

The specialist noted that animal testing is currently underway on transgenic mice and monkeys .
Currently , experts are studying possible side effects of the vaccines .
According to Qin Chuan , researchers are trying to single out the most effective drugs against pneumonia , also detecting the main ways of COVID-19 transmission .
`` Currently , the Academy of Medical Sciences is estimating the effectiveness of eight vaccines .
The effectiveness of some of them has been proven successfully , '' she said .
BEIJING , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
China has developed eight types of vaccines against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already proven to be effective on animals , head of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Science of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Qin Chuan informed during a briefing on Tuesday .
Director of Science and Technology at China 's Ministry of Education Lei Chaozi said during the briefing that China would soon begin clinical testing of the vaccines developed at the country ’ s leading universities .
`` The development of novel coronavirus vaccines is underway at Chinese universities .
There is hope that we will soon begin clinical testing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Neither expert has provided an estimated date of when clinical testing may begin .
On February 21 , China 's Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Xu Nanping informed that China might be able to begin clinical testing of a COVID-19 vaccine no earlier than late April .
On March 5 , head of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Science of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Qin Chuan informed that Chinese researches had begun animal testing of six types of vaccines against the novel coronavirus .
The tests are carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On March 11 , WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) as a pandemic .
The disease has spread to about 130 countries .
According to official data , over 170,000 people have been infected with the virus globally , and over 6,000 have died .
There are 93 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia .

The specialist noted that animal testing is currently underway on transgenic mice and monkeys. Currently, experts are studying possible side effects of the vaccines. According to Qin Chuan, researchers are trying to single out the most effective drugs against pneumonia, also detecting the main ways of COVID-19 transmission.
"Currently, the Academy of Medical Sciences is estimating the effectiveness of eight vaccines. The effectiveness of some of them has been proven successfully," she said.
BEIJING, March 17. /TASS/. China has developed eight types of vaccines against the novel coronavirus. Some of them have already proven to be effective on animals, head of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Science of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Qin Chuan informed during a briefing on Tuesday.
Director of Science and Technology at China's Ministry of Education Lei Chaozi said during the briefing that China would soon begin clinical testing of the vaccines developed at the country’s leading universities. "The development of novel coronavirus vaccines is underway at Chinese universities. There is hope that we will soon begin clinical testing of some of them," he noted.
Neither expert has provided an estimated date of when clinical testing may begin.
Development of the vaccine
On February 21, China's Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Xu Nanping informed that China might be able to begin clinical testing of a COVID-19 vaccine no earlier than late April.
On March 5, head of the Institute of Laboratory Animal Science of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Qin Chuan informed that Chinese researches had begun animal testing of six types of vaccines against the novel coronavirus. The tests are carried out on transgenic mice and monkeys.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On March 11, WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic. The disease has spread to about 130 countries. According to official data, over 170,000 people have been infected with the virus globally, and over 6,000 have died. There are 93 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia.


tass--2020-03-17--Russian scientists roll out super-sensitive tuberculosis express test system

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Researchers from Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics ( ITEB ) have developed a simple and economical method , which allows diagnosing tuberculosis in just 5 minutes , Ministry of Science and Higher Education said Tuesday .
`` The ITEB scientists have developed a super-sensitive express method , which allows detecting ultra-low amounts of the protein - down to 0.3 femtogram , or just several molecules in a specimen .
The test would be useful for researchers in their laboratories , as well as for medics for disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that the full research has been published in the Analytical Chemistry journal .
Currently , the most popular diagnosis method is so-called western blotting .
It allows detecting low protein concentration in complex biological samples using specific antibodies .
However , this method is slow , labor-intensive and not sensitive enough .
The ITEB scientists have developed an entirely different method , which only requires an optical microscope and a simple flow-through cell .
`` There is no need to use expensive scanners and specialized equipment .
The method is simple and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nanogram of antibodies , or 1,000 times less than traditional western blotting methods .
Besides , the entire test takes about 5 minutes , '' says Yury Shlyapnikov , ITEB nanostructures and nanotechnologies laboratory head and one of the researchers .
The scientists note that the express test could be used both in science and in practical medicine .
For example , the researchers have discovered specific biological markers in the patient 's exhaled air .
Detection of these markers could be used for remoted diagnosis of tuberculosis , the researchers say .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Researchers from Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics (ITEB) have developed a simple and economical method, which allows diagnosing tuberculosis in just 5 minutes, Ministry of Science and Higher Education said Tuesday.
"The ITEB scientists have developed a super-sensitive express method, which allows detecting ultra-low amounts of the protein - down to 0.3 femtogram, or just several molecules in a specimen. The test would be useful for researchers in their laboratories, as well as for medics for disease diagnosis," the message says, adding that the full research has been published in the Analytical Chemistry journal.
Currently, the most popular diagnosis method is so-called western blotting. It allows detecting low protein concentration in complex biological samples using specific antibodies. However, this method is slow, labor-intensive and not sensitive enough.
The ITEB scientists have developed an entirely different method, which only requires an optical microscope and a simple flow-through cell.
"There is no need to use expensive scanners and specialized equipment. The method is simple and cost-effective: one test requires only 1 nanogram of antibodies, or 1,000 times less than traditional western blotting methods. Besides, the entire test takes about 5 minutes," says Yury Shlyapnikov, ITEB nanostructures and nanotechnologies laboratory head and one of the researchers.
The scientists note that the express test could be used both in science and in practical medicine. For example, the researchers have discovered specific biological markers in the patient's exhaled air. Detection of these markers could be used for remoted diagnosis of tuberculosis, the researchers say.