tass--2020-03-24--UK premier announces three-week nationwide coronavirus quarantine

LONDON , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered to impose a three-week quarantine in the United Kingdom to contain the novel coronavirus infection in the country .
`` The time has now come for us all to do more .
From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home .
Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households , '' Johnson said in a BBC broadcast .
Starting from tonight , residents of the country will be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited purposes , '' he said .
Residents will be allowed shopping for basic necessities , as infrequently as possible ; and one form of an outdoor exercise a day .
They will be also be allowed to leave homes for `` any medical need , to provide care or to help a vulnerable person '' and for `` travelling to and from work , but only where this is absolutely necessary and can not be done from home . ''
The government ordered immediate closure of all shops selling non-essential goods .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , baptisms and other ceremonies , will be prohibited , excluding funerals .
Playgrounds , outdoor gyms and places of worship will be closed .
Parks will remain open for exercise , but gatherings will be dispersed .
Police will control the implementation of those instructions , including by imposing fines and dispersing gatherings .
In the coming days , the country will adopt a bill on fines for violators of the quarantine .
The premier said the government will consider relaxing those measures three weeks later .
As of Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel coronavirus , with 335 deaths .
According to experts , the disease is spreading faster than it did in Italy during the corresponding period .
The UK government admits that the real number of those infected could be way bigger than the number of confirmed cases .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 150 countries and territories , including Russia .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially described the situation as a pandemic .

LONDON, March 24. /TASS/. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered to impose a three-week quarantine in the United Kingdom to contain the novel coronavirus infection in the country.
"The time has now come for us all to do more. From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home. Because the critical thing we must do is stop the disease spreading between households," Johnson said in a BBC broadcast.
Starting from tonight, residents of the country will be allowed to leave their homes for only "very limited purposes," he said.
Residents will be allowed shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible; and one form of an outdoor exercise a day. They will be also be allowed to leave homes for "any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person" and for "travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home."
The government ordered immediate closure of all shops selling non-essential goods.
All social events, such as weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies, will be prohibited, excluding funerals. Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and places of worship will be closed. Parks will remain open for exercise, but gatherings will be dispersed.
Police will control the implementation of those instructions, including by imposing fines and dispersing gatherings. In the coming days, the country will adopt a bill on fines for violators of the quarantine.
All those measures are aimed at slowing down the pace of the infection and prevent the overload of the healthcare system that might lead to an increase in the morality rate.
Hard way
"And I can assure you that we will keep these restrictions under constant review. We will look again in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows we are able to," Johnson said. "But at present there are just no easy options. The way ahead is hard, and it is still true that many lives will sadly be lost."
At the same time, Johnson added that the national healthcare system will be boosted by 7,500 previously retired doctors and nurses. The country will accelerate its search for treatment and vaccines and will buy "millions of testing kits that will enable us to turn the tide on this invisible killer."
"Each and every one of us is now obliged to join together to halt the spread of this disease, to protect our NHS and to save many many thousands of lives. And I know that as they have in the past so many times, the people of this country will rise to that challenge. And we will come through it stronger than ever. We will beat the coronavirus and we will beat it together," the premier said.
Coronavirus bill
On Monday night, the House of Commons of the UK parliament unilaterally approved a bill that expands the powers of the authorities and police in dealing with the outbreak. The bill passed all stages of parliamentary consideration in just one day and is now to be approved by the House of Lords and signed by the Queen, which is practically a mere formality.
The bill vests police and immigration officers and medical workers with the right to detain people who might be infected with the novel coronavirus, to restrict their freedom and to impose fines if they refuse to pass laboratory tests for the disease.
The document also authorizes the authorities to close kindergartens, schools, officers, restaurants and shops, to prohibit and disperse mass gatherings if necessary. It also allows for tough measures to ensure that all citizens have sufficient food.
The document allows to bypass bureaucratic difficulties for people on a medical leave and for retired doctors and nurses who decided to join the national struggle against the coronavirus.
The bill also simplifies the cremation procedure.
Alarming statistics
As of Monday, the United Kingdom had 6,650 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus, with 335 deaths. According to experts, the disease is spreading faster than it did in Italy during the corresponding period.
The UK government admits that the real number of those infected could be way bigger than the number of confirmed cases.
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 more than 150 countries and territories, including Russia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-23--UN to require $2 billion for refugee aid amid pandemic, says Secretary-General

UNITED NATIONS , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The United Nations will appeal to its sponsors to allocate $ 2 billion for humanitarian response to the novel coronavirus spread , particularly for refugee aid , UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement on Monday during a video conference with journalists accredited to the organization .
Guterres appealed to the international community to support measures to provide support for refugees that `` will be included in a humanitarian appeal that we will launch on Wednesday , asking for $ 2 billion to allow us to make our humanitarian response more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the funds will primarily be needed to support refugee camps where people are most vulnerable to the pandemic .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in more than 150 countries , including Russia .
On March 11 , the WHO declared the outbreak a global pandemic .
As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected around the world and more than 15,000 have died .
Russia has identified 438 cases so far , 17 patients have recovered .
The Russian government has launched an Internet hotline to keep the country informed about the coronavirus situation .

UNITED NATIONS, March 23. /TASS/. The United Nations will appeal to its sponsors to allocate $2 billion for humanitarian response to the novel coronavirus spread, particularly for refugee aid, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement on Monday during a video conference with journalists accredited to the organization.
Guterres appealed to the international community to support measures to provide support for refugees that "will be included in a humanitarian appeal that we will launch on Wednesday, asking for $2 billion to allow us to make our humanitarian response more effective." He also added that the funds will primarily be needed to support refugee camps where people are most vulnerable to the pandemic.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in more than 150 countries, including Russia.
On March 11, the WHO declared the outbreak a global pandemic. As of now, over 330,000 people have been infected around the world and more than 15,000 have died. Russia has identified 438 cases so far, 17 patients have recovered. The Russian government has launched an Internet hotline to keep the country informed about the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-03-23--Up to two years required to beat COVID-19 in Europe, says Chinese expert

`` It would be perfectly normal if the virus comes and goes , and lasts for one or two years , '' the expert said , quoted by South China Morning Post daily .
HONG KONG , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The battle against the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) in Europe may take up to two years , head of Shanghai ’ s COVID-19 clinical expert team Zhang Wenhong said on Monday during a video conference organized by the Chinese consulate general in Dusseldorf for members of the Chinese community and students .
`` To resolve this outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures have to be extremely radical , '' he noted .
`` If only the whole world could stop moving for four weeks , the pandemic could be stopped , '' he said .
`` But I can not imagine a total global suspension ever possibly happening .
Not even in Germany or Europe . ''
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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus have also been reported in more than 150 countries and territories , among them Russia , which by now has documented 438 cases .
According to recent data , novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 330,000 , with more than 15,000 deaths .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

"It would be perfectly normal if the virus comes and goes, and lasts for one or two years," the expert said, quoted by South China Morning Post daily.
HONG KONG, March 23. /TASS/. The battle against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Europe may take up to two years, head of Shanghai’s COVID-19 clinical expert team Zhang Wenhong said on Monday during a video conference organized by the Chinese consulate general in Dusseldorf for members of the Chinese community and students.
"To resolve this outbreak in a short period of time, measures have to be extremely radical," he noted. "If only the whole world could stop moving for four weeks, the pandemic could be stopped," he said. "But I cannot imagine a total global suspension ever possibly happening. Not even in Germany or Europe."
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 more than 150 countries and territories, among them Russia, which by now has documented 438 cases. According to recent data, novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 330,000, with more than 15,000 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-23--UN working to implement call for global ceasefire

`` I am launching the global appeal now .
My special envoys will be now working with the parties to the conflict to try to make sure that this global appeal is not only listened to but leads to concrete action , leads to a pause in fighting , creating the conditions for the response to COVID-19 to be much more effective , '' he said in response to a TASS question .
UNITED NATIONS , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The United Nations is taking every step possible to implement its call for a global ceasefire amid the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement on Monday during a video conference with journalists accredited to the organization .
Guterres also urged not to forget that `` those areas that are ravaged by the conflict are areas where the capacity of response is very limited and if the fighting goes on we might have an absolutely devastating of the epidemic . ''
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
Since then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in more than 150 countries , including Russia .
On March 11 , the WHO declared the outbreak a global pandemic .
As of now , over 330,000 people have been infected around the world and more than 15,000 have died .
Russia has identified 438 cases so far , 17 patients have recovered .
The Russian government has launched an Internet hotline to keep the country informed about the coronavirus situation .

"I am launching the global appeal now. My special envoys will be now working with the parties to the conflict to try to make sure that this global appeal is not only listened to but leads to concrete action, leads to a pause in fighting, creating the conditions for the response to COVID-19 to be much more effective," he said in response to a TASS question.
UNITED NATIONS, March 23. /TASS/. The United Nations is taking every step possible to implement its call for a global ceasefire amid the coronavirus pandemic, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement on Monday during a video conference with journalists accredited to the organization.
Guterres also urged not to forget that "those areas that are ravaged by the conflict are areas where the capacity of response is very limited and if the fighting goes on we might have an absolutely devastating of the epidemic."
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in more than 150 countries, including Russia.
On March 11, the WHO declared the outbreak a global pandemic. As of now, over 330,000 people have been infected around the world and more than 15,000 have died. Russia has identified 438 cases so far, 17 patients have recovered. The Russian government has launched an Internet hotline to keep the country informed about the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-03-23--EU suspends Stability and Growth Pact

EU suspends Stability and Growth Pact

BRUSSELS , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council approved the proposal of the European Commission to suspend for the first time the Stability and Growth Pact - the baseline document of the Euro zone - for economic support measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic , the EU Council says in a statement released on Monday .
`` Ministers of Finance of the Member States of the EU agree with the assessment of the Commission , as set out in its Communication of 20 March 2020 , that the conditions for the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiscal framework - a severe economic downturn in the euro area or the Union as a whole - are fulfilled , '' the statement says .
`` The use of the clause will ensure the needed flexibility to take all necessary measures for supporting our health and civil protection systems and to protect our economies , including through further discretionary stimulus and coordinated action , designed , as appropriate , to be timely , temporary and targeted , by Member States , '' the Council said .
The Stability and Growth Pact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in EU member-states by 3 % and the state debt by 60 % of GDP .

BRUSSELS, March 23. /TASS/. The EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council approved the proposal of the European Commission to suspend for the first time the Stability and Growth Pact - the baseline document of the Euro zone - for economic support measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the EU Council says in a statement released on Monday.
"Ministers of Finance of the Member States of the EU agree with the assessment of the Commission, as set out in its Communication of 20 March 2020, that the conditions for the use of the general escape clause of the EU fiscal framework - a severe economic downturn in the euro area or the Union as a whole - are fulfilled," the statement says.
"The use of the clause will ensure the needed flexibility to take all necessary measures for supporting our health and civil protection systems and to protect our economies, including through further discretionary stimulus and coordinated action, designed, as appropriate, to be timely, temporary and targeted, by Member States," the Council said.
The Stability and Growth Pact of the EU limits the state budget deficit in EU member-states by 3% and the state debt by 60% of GDP.


tass--2020-03-23--Austria’s vice-chancellor calls for postponement of Tokyo Olympics

MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
Austria ’ s Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Culture and Sports Werner Kogler has called for a postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic , '' The closure of sports and training facilities in many ( but not all ) countries has already raised doubts about the equal opportunities for participants in the 2020 Summer Games , '' Reuters quoted him as saying on Monday .
`` I am calling for a postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games . ''
Norway ’ s and Canada ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent their athletes to Tokyo .
International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) President Thomas Bach said on Sunday the final decision on possible postponement of the Olympic Games in Tokyo due to the COVID-19 pandemic would be taken within four weeks .
The Olympic Summer Games are scheduled to be held in Tokyo from July 24 to August 9 .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 150 countries and territories , including Russia , which by now has 438 cases , with 17 patients having recovered .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 320,000 , with more than 14,000 deaths .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. Austria’s Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Culture and Sports Werner Kogler has called for a postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic,
"The closure of sports and training facilities in many (but not all) countries has already raised doubts about the equal opportunities for participants in the 2020 Summer Games," Reuters quoted him as saying on Monday."I am calling for a postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games."
Norway’s and Canada’s Olympic Committees said earlier they would not sent their athletes to Tokyo.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said on Sunday the final decision on possible postponement of the Olympic Games in Tokyo due to the COVID-19 pandemic would be taken within four weeks.
The Olympic Summer Games are scheduled to be held in Tokyo from July 24 to August 9.
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 more than 150 countries and territories, including Russia, which by now has 438 cases, with 17 patients having recovered. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 320,000, with more than 14,000 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-23--Russia’s Investigative Committee threatens $37,000 fines for spreading coronavirus fakes

The committee said , `` a probe was launched in Moscow on counts of Russia ’ s Criminal Code article 237 part 1 ( distortion of information about developments , facts , or phenomena endangering human life or health ) and article 128.1 part 4 ( defamation that a person is suffering from a disease dangerous to others ) in light of fake news spread regarding the number of people who contracted the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) in Russia to instigate panic . ''
MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Investigative Committee has announced that deliberately spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic in Russia can entail a fine of up to 3 million rubles ( $ 37,320 ) .
Article 237 part 1 stipulates that the perpetrator can be either fined up to 300,000 rubles ( $ 3,700 ) or two years of community service with possible imprisonment , while the second article increases the fine by ten times .
So , those guilty of violating article 128.1 part 4 can face the 3 million ruble ( $ 37,320 ) or their income for the past three years .
As an alternative , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be ordered .
Earlier on Monday , the Russian Interior Ministry put forward a warning that publishing fake news regarding the coronavirus can entail both administrative and criminal punishments .
`` Administrative punishment is stipulated for spreading deliberately false and socially important information in mass media outlets and on the Internet disguised as true and correct reports that endanger public order and security .
Moreover , provocations in public spaces by creators of such content ( prankers - TASS ) can contain elements of the crime outlined in the Russian Criminal Code @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which can lead to criminal punishment , '' the ministry said .
The agency urged citizens to be careful about information published on the Internet and in messengers and be guided by official sources .
At the same time , the Interior Ministry has repeatedly refuted various news about coronavirus that is regularly emerging on the Internet .
For instance , the Krasnoyarsk , Kursk and certain other regions were recently hit by the fake news that police will fine parents of children who will turn up unattended in public spaces .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false reports that traffic police had cordoned off all entrances to Lipetsk due to a two-week quarantine .
The police has twice rebutted information that Moscow was shut down for entry .
On March 20 , head of the state center for updating the public on the coronavirus situation in the country Alexei Goreslavsky announced that the center daily identifies five-six campaigns to spread false reports on the Internet about the infection , discovering up to fifty pieces of new that can be considered fakes per day .
According to him , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and most often in messenger groups .
Based on the demands of the General Prosecutor ’ s office , Russia ’ s Internet watchdog on March 20 demanded that certain mass media outlets and administration of YouTube , VK and Instagram take down the false information about the coronavirus .
On Monday , the watchdog said that all sources apart from YouTube and Instagram had complied with the demand .

The committee said, "a probe was launched in Moscow on counts of Russia’s Criminal Code article 237 part 1 (distortion of information about developments, facts, or phenomena endangering human life or health) and article 128.1 part 4 (defamation that a person is suffering from a disease dangerous to others) in light of fake news spread regarding the number of people who contracted the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Russia to instigate panic."
MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. The Russian Investigative Committee has announced that deliberately spreading fake information regarding the scale of the coronavirus pandemic in Russia can entail a fine of up to 3 million rubles ($37,320).
Article 237 part 1 stipulates that the perpetrator can be either fined up to 300,000 rubles ($3,700) or two years of community service with possible imprisonment, while the second article increases the fine by ten times. So, those guilty of violating article 128.1 part 4 can face the 3 million ruble ($37,320) or their income for the past three years. As an alternative, up to 400 hours of community service can be ordered.
Internet fakes
Earlier on Monday, the Russian Interior Ministry put forward a warning that publishing fake news regarding the coronavirus can entail both administrative and criminal punishments. "Administrative punishment is stipulated for spreading deliberately false and socially important information in mass media outlets and on the Internet disguised as true and correct reports that endanger public order and security. Moreover, provocations in public spaces by creators of such content (prankers - TASS) can contain elements of the crime outlined in the Russian Criminal Code’s article 213 (Hooliganism) which can lead to criminal punishment," the ministry said.
The agency urged citizens to be careful about information published on the Internet and in messengers and be guided by official sources.
At the same time, the Interior Ministry has repeatedly refuted various news about coronavirus that is regularly emerging on the Internet. For instance, the Krasnoyarsk, Kursk and certain other regions were recently hit by the fake news that police will fine parents of children who will turn up unattended in public spaces. The Lipetsk Region was struck by messengers publishing false reports that traffic police had cordoned off all entrances to Lipetsk due to a two-week quarantine. The police has twice rebutted information that Moscow was shut down for entry. On March 20, head of the state center for updating the public on the coronavirus situation in the country Alexei Goreslavsky announced that the center daily identifies five-six campaigns to spread false reports on the Internet about the infection, discovering up to fifty pieces of new that can be considered fakes per day. According to him, it is mostly mindless reposts in Internet communities and most often in messenger groups.
Removing false content
Based on the demands of the General Prosecutor’s office, Russia’s Internet watchdog on March 20 demanded that certain mass media outlets and administration of YouTube, VK and Instagram take down the false information about the coronavirus. On Monday, the watchdog said that all sources apart from YouTube and Instagram had complied with the demand.


tass--2020-03-23--Angela Merkel’s first COVID-19 test negative

BERLIN , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The first COVID-19 test taken by German Chancellor Angela Merkel is negative , the German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told DPA news agency on Monday .
`` The test taken today is negative , '' he said , adding that additional tests will be conducted over the next few days .
Merkel has decided to quarantine herself after it became known that her doctor , whom she visited to receive a vaccine shot against pneumococcus , had contracted the novel coronavirus earlier .
The German government instructed all citizens over the age of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is one of the common causes for ·ommunity-acquired pneumonia , in order to avoid additional risks in case of COVID-19 infection .
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 more than 150 countries and territories , among them Russia , which by now has documented 438 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 320,000 , with more than 14,000 deaths .
WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

BERLIN, March 23. /TASS/. The first COVID-19 test taken by German Chancellor Angela Merkel is negative, the German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told DPA news agency on Monday.
"The test taken today is negative," he said, adding that additional tests will be conducted over the next few days.
Merkel has decided to quarantine herself after it became known that her doctor, whom she visited to receive a vaccine shot against pneumococcus, had contracted the novel coronavirus earlier.
The German government instructed all citizens over the age of 60 to vaccinate themselves against pneumococcus, which is one of the common causes for ·ommunity-acquired pneumonia, in order to avoid additional risks in case of COVID-19 infection.
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 more than 150 countries and territories, among them Russia, which by now has documented 438 cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 320,000, with more than 14,000 deaths. WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-23--COVID-19 pandemic accelerating with over 300,000 people infected, says WHO chief

GENEVA , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) has surpassed 300,000 , the coronavirus pandemic is accelerating , World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during Monday ’ s briefing in Geneva .
`` More than 300,000 cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO , from almost every country in the world .
The pandemic is accelerating , '' he said .
`` It took 67 days from the first reported case to reach the first 100,000 cases , 11 days for the second 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 , '' the WHO chief added .
`` But we ’ re not prisoners to statistics .
We ’ re not helpless bystanders .
We can change the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic , '' he stressed .
`` To win , we need to attack the coronavirus with aggressive and targeted tactics - testing every suspected COVID-19 case , isolating and caring for every confirmed case , and tracing and quarantining every close contact , '' Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 more than 150 countries and territories , among them Russia , which by now has documented 438 cases .
WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

GENEVA, March 23. /TASS/. The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has surpassed 300,000, the coronavirus pandemic is accelerating, World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during Monday’s briefing in Geneva.
"More than 300,000 cases of COVID-19 have now been reported to WHO, from almost every country in the world. The pandemic is accelerating," he said.
"It took 67 days from the first reported case to reach the first 100,000 cases, 11 days for the second 100,000 and just 4 days for the third 100,000," the WHO chief added.
"But we’re not prisoners to statistics. We’re not helpless bystanders. We can change the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic," he stressed.
"To win, we need to attack the coronavirus with aggressive and targeted tactics - testing every suspected COVID-19 case, isolating and caring for every confirmed case, and tracing and quarantining every close contact," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added.
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 more than 150 countries and territories, among them Russia, which by now has documented 438 cases. WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-23--Russian, Italian military officials discuss joint fight against COVID-19

MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian military officials have held the first round of talks in Rome with their Italian colleagues on Russia ’ s cooperation in the fight against the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) in Italy , the Russian Defense Ministry informed on Monday .
`` On March 23 , 2020 , the first round of talks on the possibilities of involving Russian military specialists and equipment that arrived in the Italian Republic to provide aid in the fight against the novel coronavirus took place < … > in Rome , '' the Russian Defense Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Defense Ministry ’ s task force headed by deputy chief of the Radiation , Chemical , and Biological Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces Major General Sergei Kikotei .
On the outcomes of the session , the Italian military will determine the areas of the country where Russian military specialists and equipment will be deployed to .
Under the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin , the Russian Defense Ministry set up an air group consisting of nine Il-76 jets that transported virologists , epidemiologists and the necessary equipment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group includes specialists who directly took part in fighting outbreaks of African swine fever , as well as developing vaccines against Ebola and plague .
The planes also delivered mobile stations for aerosol disinfection of transport and territories and medical equipment .
Additional planes are set to arrive in the country soon .
According to the data available on March 22 , 59,318 people in Italy are reported to have contracted the coronavirus , almost 4,000 more than the day before .
Moreover , 651 people died in 24 hours , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the most deaths were announced since the epidemic that claimed 5,476 lives in Italy broke out .
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 more than 150 countries and territories , among them Russia , which by now has documented 438 cases .
The World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 320,000 , with more than 14,000 deaths .
WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. Russian military officials have held the first round of talks in Rome with their Italian colleagues on Russia’s cooperation in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Italy, the Russian Defense Ministry informed on Monday.
"On March 23, 2020, the first round of talks on the possibilities of involving Russian military specialists and equipment that arrived in the Italian Republic to provide aid in the fight against the novel coronavirus took place <…> in Rome," the Russian Defense Ministry informed.
The Russian delegation involved representatives of the Defense Ministry’s task force headed by deputy chief of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces Major General Sergei Kikotei.
On the outcomes of the session, the Italian military will determine the areas of the country where Russian military specialists and equipment will be deployed to.
Under the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian Defense Ministry set up an air group consisting of nine Il-76 jets that transported virologists, epidemiologists and the necessary equipment to Italy. According to the ministry, the group includes specialists who directly took part in fighting outbreaks of African swine fever, as well as developing vaccines against Ebola and plague. The planes also delivered mobile stations for aerosol disinfection of transport and territories and medical equipment. Additional planes are set to arrive in the country soon.
According to the data available on March 22, 59,318 people in Italy are reported to have contracted the coronavirus, almost 4,000 more than the day before. Moreover, 651 people died in 24 hours, a slight decrease in comparison to March 21 when the most deaths were announced since the epidemic that claimed 5,476 lives in Italy broke out.
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 more than 150 countries and territories, among them Russia, which by now has documented 438 cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 320,000, with more than 14,000 deaths. WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-23--False info about coronavirus in Russia not yet deleted by YouTube, Instagram

MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
US networks YouTube and Instagram have not yet deleted false information about the @ @ @ @ @ Russian mass media and social networks have done that , the press service of Russia @ @ @ @ @ said on Monday .
`` As of today , the demand of the Russian Prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ the deletion of false public information disseminated under the guise of reliable data , which @ @ @ @ @ public security , was addressed to social networks YouTube , VKontakte , Facebook and Instagram @ @ @ @ @ Ekho Moskvy and Govorit Magadan radio stations .
All resources , except YouTube and Instagram @ @ @ @ @ demand , '' the press service said .
The watchdog stressed that it was braced @ @ @ @ @ up to blocking or license revoking , for distributing false information about the coronavirus situation @ @ @ @ @ that it was monitoring all Russia ’ s mass media , social networks and video @ @ @ @ @ misinformation aiming at instigating panic among Russians .

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. US networks YouTube and Instagram have not yet deleted false information about the coronavirus situation in Russia whereas Russian mass media and social networks have done that, the press service of Russia’s mass media watchdog said on Monday.
"As of today, the demand of the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office concerning the deletion of false public information disseminated under the guise of reliable data, which can threaten public order and public security, was addressed to social networks YouTube, VKontakte, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the Ekho Moskvy and Govorit Magadan radio stations. All resources, except YouTube and Instagram, have complied with the demand," the press service said.
The watchdog stressed that it was braced to use tough measures, up to blocking or license revoking, for distributing false information about the coronavirus situation in Russia. It indicated that it was monitoring all Russia’s mass media, social networks and video host companies round-the-clock to expose misinformation aiming at instigating panic among Russians.


tass--2020-03-23--UN Secretary-General's Appeal for Global Ceasefire

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a global ceasefire .
TASS publishes the full text of the appeal .
Our world faces a common enemy : COVID-19 .
The virus does not care about nationality or ethnicity , faction or faith .
It attacks all , relentlessly .
Meanwhile , armed conflict rages on around the world .
The most vulnerable — women and children , people with disabilities , the marginalized and the displaced — pay the highest price .
They are also at the highest risk of suffering devastating losses from COVID-19 .
Let ’ s not forget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have collapsed .
Health professionals , already few in number , have often been targeted .
Refugees and others displaced by violent conflict are doubly vulnerable .
The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war .
That is why today , I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world .
It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives .
To warring parties , I say : Pull back from hostilities .
Silence the guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airstrikes .
To help create corridors for life-saving aid .
To bring hope to places among the most vulnerable to COVID-19 .
Let us take inspiration from coalitions and dialogue slowly taking shape among rival parties to enable joint approaches to COVID-19 .
But we need much more .
End the sickness of war and fight the disease that is ravaging our world .
It starts by stopping the fighting everywhere .
Now .
That is what our human family needs , now more than ever .

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a global ceasefire. TASS publishes the full text of the appeal.
Our world faces a common enemy: COVID-19. The virus does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith. It attacks all, relentlessly.
Meanwhile, armed conflict rages on around the world.
The most vulnerable — women and children, people with disabilities, the marginalized and the displaced — pay the highest price.
They are also at the highest risk of suffering devastating losses from COVID-19.
Let’s not forget that in war-ravaged countries, health systems have collapsed.
Health professionals, already few in number, have often been targeted.
Refugees and others displaced by violent conflict are doubly vulnerable.
The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war.
That is why today, I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world.
It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives.
To warring parties, I say: Pull back from hostilities.
Put aside mistrust and animosity.
Silence the guns; stop the artillery; end the airstrikes.
This is crucial.
To help create corridors for life-saving aid.
To open precious windows for diplomacy.
To bring hope to places among the most vulnerable to COVID-19.
Let us take inspiration from coalitions and dialogue slowly taking shape among rival parties to enable joint approaches to COVID-19. But we need much more.
End the sickness of war and fight the disease that is ravaging our world.
It starts by stopping the fighting everywhere. Now.
That is what our human family needs, now more than ever.


tass--2020-03-23--Russian investigators initiate proceedings against extremist group head over 2014 unrest

`` The Investigative Committee Crimea and Sevastopol division has initiated criminal proceedings against Refat Chubarov , 62 , leader of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People , accused of masterminding mass riots , accompanied by violence , '' the Committee said .
MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The investigators have initiated criminal proceedings against Refat Chubarov , leader of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People , an organization considered extremist and banned in Russia .
Chubarov is accused of orchestrating mass riots in Crimea in February 2014 , the Investigative Committee told TASS .
Plans for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provocation — diplomat According to the investigation materials , in late February 2014 , Chubarov tasked his deputy Akhtem Chiygoz with organizing mass riots near former Autonomous Republic of Crimea parliament building , and with personally leading the rioters .
On Chubarov ’ s command , the supporters of the organization tried to push away members and supporters of Russian Unity political party from the parliament building , using sticks and wooden batons .
As a result of the clash , two Crimeans died , 80 were injured , and the parliamentary meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crimean High Court sentenced Chiygoz to 8 years in prison for organization of mass riots .
A number of the Mejilis members have been sentenced for participation in mass riots as well .

"The Investigative Committee Crimea and Sevastopol division has initiated criminal proceedings against Refat Chubarov, 62, leader of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, accused of masterminding mass riots, accompanied by violence," the Committee said.
MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. The investigators have initiated criminal proceedings against Refat Chubarov, leader of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, an organization considered extremist and banned in Russia. Chubarov is accused of orchestrating mass riots in Crimea in February 2014, the Investigative Committee told TASS.
Plans for march on Crimea on May 3 are provocation — diplomat
According to the investigation materials, in late February 2014, Chubarov tasked his deputy Akhtem Chiygoz with organizing mass riots near former Autonomous Republic of Crimea parliament building, and with personally leading the rioters.
On Chubarov’s command, the supporters of the organization tried to push away members and supporters of Russian Unity political party from the parliament building, using sticks and wooden batons. As a result of the clash, two Crimeans died, 80 were injured, and the parliamentary meeting was disrupted.
In September 2017, Crimean High Court sentenced Chiygoz to 8 years in prison for organization of mass riots. A number of the Mejilis members have been sentenced for participation in mass riots as well.


tass--2020-03-23--About 1,000 Baltic Fleet motor rifle troops practice modern warfare tactics in drills

The battalion-level tactical drills `` involve about 1,000 troops and over 70 items of military and special hardware , including BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles , T-72 tanks , Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery howitzers , Tunguska anti-aircraft artillery guns , Grad multiple launch rocket systems and other weapons , '' the press office said in a statement .
KALININGRAD , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
About 1,000 motor rifle troops from the Baltic Fleet ’ s army corps are involved in tactical drills with a live-fire exercise in the Kaliningrad Region , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motor rifle troops will practice preparing and conducting an offensive and a defensive battle amid the notional enemy ’ s air and artillery strikes , the statement says .
The motorized infantry and the assigned forces will accomplish procedures within the required time limits amid the constantly changing situation to deploy units , carry out tactical , engineering and special preparations and practice operations on the terrain in conditions close to a combat environment , the press office specified .
`` At the final stage , the motor rifle troops will live-fire all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the armament of tanks and combat vehicles against the targets that simulate the notional enemy ’ s tracked and wheeled hardware and manpower , '' the statement says .

The battalion-level tactical drills "involve about 1,000 troops and over 70 items of military and special hardware, including BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, T-72 tanks, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery howitzers, Tunguska anti-aircraft artillery guns, Grad multiple launch rocket systems and other weapons," the press office said in a statement.
KALININGRAD, March 23. /TASS/. About 1,000 motor rifle troops from the Baltic Fleet’s army corps are involved in tactical drills with a live-fire exercise in the Kaliningrad Region, the Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.
During the drills, the motor rifle troops will practice preparing and conducting an offensive and a defensive battle amid the notional enemy’s air and artillery strikes, the statement says.
The motorized infantry and the assigned forces will accomplish procedures within the required time limits amid the constantly changing situation to deploy units, carry out tactical, engineering and special preparations and practice operations on the terrain in conditions close to a combat environment, the press office specified.
"At the final stage, the motor rifle troops will live-fire all types of small arms, grenade launchers, the armament of tanks and combat vehicles against the targets that simulate the notional enemy’s tracked and wheeled hardware and manpower," the statement says.


tass--2020-03-23--Coronavirus patients develop immunity to reinfection, watchdog chief reports

`` Current research indicate that yes , immunity is acquired after the coronavirus-caused disease , '' she said in an interview with the Pozner program on Russia ’ s television Channel One .
MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
Those who have recovered from the novel coronavirus infection develop immunity to it , chief of Russia ’ s consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor , Anna Popova , said on Monday .
She cited results of her agency ’ s own research demonstrating that those who recovered from the coronavirus infection develop M and G immunoglobulins in their blood that safeguard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 more than 150 countries and territories , including Russia , which by now has 438 cases , with 17 patients having recovered .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 320,000 , with more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( WHO ) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .
In order to keep the citizens updated on the coronavirus situation in Russia , the government has launched a website at http : //···············.·· .

"Current research indicate that yes, immunity is acquired after the coronavirus-caused disease," she said in an interview with the Pozner program on Russia’s television Channel One.
MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. Those who have recovered from the novel coronavirus infection develop immunity to it, chief of Russia’s consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, said on Monday.
She cited results of her agency’s own research demonstrating that those who recovered from the coronavirus infection develop M and G immunoglobulins in their blood that safeguard the organism against reinfection.
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 more than 150 countries and territories, including Russia, which by now has 438 cases, with 17 patients having recovered. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 320,000, with more than 14,000 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic. In order to keep the citizens updated on the coronavirus situation in Russia, the government has launched a website at http://···············.··.


tass--2020-03-23--Russian scientist points to genome indicating coronavirus not lab-produced illness

`` I ’ ve heard this assumption , but at the moment the genome ’ s decoding indicated that it ’ s unlikely that this is a lab virus , '' Malinnikova told a TASS press conference .
Earlier , some Russian and foreign media outlets , including the Indo-Asian News Service ( IANS ) alleged that the novel coronavirus could have been made in a laboratory .
MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
A study decoding the novel coronavirus genome showed that the deadly virus had not been created in a lab , a leading specialist in infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elena Malinnikova , said on Monday .
According to the expert , the virus had emerged earlier than December 2019 , when the outbreak of the novel coronavirus was recorded .
She explained that the disease had originated in animals and that it was very difficult for a virus to jump from animals to humans because it ’ s a rather long process .
`` This shows that it ’ s highly likely that this infection did not start circulating in the Chinese People ’ s Republic in December 2019 .
Most likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit earlier , and only in December did our Chinese colleagues report that 41 people were ill , '' the specialist said .
The disease quickly spread to other countries , and since January 13 the virus started circulating outside China .
`` Epidemiologists say that the virus had been going around China for a long time , '' she noted .
The coronavirus outbreak was recorded in central China in late December 2019 .
More than 160 countries have been hit by this infection , which was labeled as a pandemic by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the latest data , more than 320,000 people have contracted the virus and over 14,000 have died .
A total of 438 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia and 17 patients have recovered .

"I’ve heard this assumption, but at the moment the genome’s decoding indicated that it’s unlikely that this is a lab virus," Malinnikova told a TASS press conference.
Earlier, some Russian and foreign media outlets, including the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) alleged that the novel coronavirus could have been made in a laboratory.
MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. A study decoding the novel coronavirus genome showed that the deadly virus had not been created in a lab, a leading specialist in infectious diseases at the Russian Health Ministry, Elena Malinnikova, said on Monday.
According to the expert, the virus had emerged earlier than December 2019, when the outbreak of the novel coronavirus was recorded. She explained that the disease had originated in animals and that it was very difficult for a virus to jump from animals to humans because it’s a rather long process.
"This shows that it’s highly likely that this infection did not start circulating in the Chinese People’s Republic in December 2019. Most likely, this virus had emerged a little bit earlier, and only in December did our Chinese colleagues report that 41 people were ill," the specialist said.
The disease quickly spread to other countries, and since January 13 the virus started circulating outside China. "Epidemiologists say that the virus had been going around China for a long time," she noted.
The coronavirus outbreak was recorded in central China in late December 2019. More than 160 countries have been hit by this infection, which was labeled as a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. According to the latest data, more than 320,000 people have contracted the virus and over 14,000 have died. A total of 438 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia and 17 patients have recovered.


tass--2020-03-23--Russian Defence Chief holds talks with Assad in Syria on Putin’s instructions

MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has made a working trip to Syria on @ @ @ @ @ for talks with Syria ’ s President Bashar Assad , the Russian Defense Ministry said @ @ @ @ @ negotiations concerned ways of maintaining stable cessation of hostilities in the Idlib zone of de-escalation @ @ @ @ @ of Syria and different aspects of military-technical cooperation within the framework of joint struggle against @ @ @ @ @ the Defense Ministry said .
Shoigu and Assad touched upon Russia ’ s humanitarian assistance @ @ @ @ @ which is suffering from Western sanctions , and also upon Russian specialists ’ involvement in @ @ @ @ @ economy .
Russian Aerospace Force fighters Sukhoi-35S provided protection for the Russian defense minister ’ @ @ @ @ @ s airspace .
Last time Shoigu visited Damascus on March 19 , 2019 .
The @ @ @ @ @ had brought to Assad a message from Putin .
The content of the message was @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has made a working trip to Syria on instructions from President Vladimir Putin for talks with Syria’s President Bashar Assad, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.
"The negotiations concerned ways of maintaining stable cessation of hostilities in the Idlib zone of de-escalation, stabilization in other regions of Syria and different aspects of military-technical cooperation within the framework of joint struggle against international terrorist groups," the Defense Ministry said.
Shoigu and Assad touched upon Russia’s humanitarian assistance to the Syrian population, which is suffering from Western sanctions, and also upon Russian specialists’ involvement in the restoration of the Syrian economy.
Russian Aerospace Force fighters Sukhoi-35S provided protection for the Russian defense minister’s plane in Syria’s airspace.
Last time Shoigu visited Damascus on March 19, 2019. The Defense Ministry then said he had brought to Assad a message from Putin. The content of the message was not disclosed.


tass--2020-03-23--Russian Su-35S jets provide security of Minister of Defense Shoigu’s flight to Syria

MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Aerospace Forces ’ Su-35 fighters provided security of Russian Minister of Defense @ @ @ @ @ to Syria , Russian Ministry of Defense disclosed Monday .
`` The security of Minister @ @ @ @ @ s flight in Syrian airspace was provided by Russian Aerospace Forces ’ Su-35S fighters , @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. Russian Aerospace Forces’ Su-35 fighters provided security of Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu during his flight to Syria, Russian Ministry of Defense disclosed Monday.
"The security of Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu’s flight in Syrian airspace was provided by Russian Aerospace Forces’ Su-35S fighters," the Ministry said.


tass--2020-03-23--Russia to allocate $94 mln on mechanical ventilation equipment for regions

MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian government will allocate 7.5 bln rubles ( $ 94 mln ) @ @ @ @ @ Ministry from the reserve fund for the purchase of apparatuses for mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal @ @ @ @ @ Mikhail Mishustin signed the order to that effect on March 21 .
The document was @ @ @ @ @ s website on Monday .
According to the order , the government plans to purchase @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. The Russian government will allocate 7.5 bln rubles ($94 mln) to the Industry and Trade Ministry from the reserve fund for the purchase of apparatuses for mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed the order to that effect on March 21. The document was published on the Cabinet’s website on Monday.
According to the order, the government plans to purchase at least 5,700 devices.


tass--2020-03-23--Putin ready for joint work with Abkhazia’s president-elect

MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of congratulations to Aslan Bzhania @ @ @ @ @ president of Abkhazia .
`` A convincing victory in the elections held in the conditions @ @ @ @ @ freely expressed will has demonstrated the high level of respect that your compatriots have towards @ @ @ @ @ your efforts as the head of state will facilitate Abkhazia ’ s social-economic development and @ @ @ @ @ state on the international scene , '' the Kremlin press service quotes Putin as saying @ @ @ @ @ intention to cooperate with Bzhania in order to develop Russian-Abkhazian allied relations further .

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of congratulations to Aslan Bzhania, who has been elected president of Abkhazia.
"A convincing victory in the elections held in the conditions of the people’s freely expressed will has demonstrated the high level of respect that your compatriots have towards you. I expect that your efforts as the head of state will facilitate Abkhazia’s social-economic development and protect the interests of your state on the international scene," the Kremlin press service quotes Putin as saying. Putin has reaffirmed his intention to cooperate with Bzhania in order to develop Russian-Abkhazian allied relations further.


tass--2020-03-23--Uragan multiple rocket launchers wipe out enemy command posts in Urals drills

`` During the drills ’ practical phase , the teams of Uragan multiple launch rocket systems acted jointly with operators of Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles as part of the reconnaissance and fire system , which integrates the experience of present-day armed conflicts and includes reconnaissance , command and control and fire destruction capabilities , '' the press office said in a statement .
MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The teams of Uragan multiple launch rocket systems from Russia ’ s Central Military District eliminated the notional enemy ’ s dug-in command posts during drills at a training range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s press office reported on Monday .
Overall , the maneuvers involved more than 500 troops and about 100 items of military hardware , the press office added .
`` During the drills , the artillery troops delivered strikes against the enemy ’ s manpower , command posts and elements of the aerodrome infrastructure with 220mm rocket shells , after which they moved to a special re-loading area and assumed new fire positions to prevent the notional enemy ’ s retaliatory precision strike , '' the statement runs .
The operations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconnaissance and fire system made it possible to track in real time the accuracy of artillery strikes , adjust the fire and promptly exercise command and control of combat teams , the press office specified .
`` Thanks to real-time data displayed on monitors , operations within a reconnaissance and strike system allow making decisions within the shortest time possible on striking targets within the accessibility area of units and brigades , '' the press office quoted Central Military District Missile and Artillery Troops ’ Chief , Major-General Oleg Kisedobrev as saying .

"During the drills’ practical phase, the teams of Uragan multiple launch rocket systems acted jointly with operators of Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles as part of the reconnaissance and fire system, which integrates the experience of present-day armed conflicts and includes reconnaissance, command and control and fire destruction capabilities," the press office said in a statement.
MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. The teams of Uragan multiple launch rocket systems from Russia’s Central Military District eliminated the notional enemy’s dug-in command posts during drills at a training range in the Chelyabinsk Region, the District’s press office reported on Monday.
Overall, the maneuvers involved more than 500 troops and about 100 items of military hardware, the press office added.
"During the drills, the artillery troops delivered strikes against the enemy’s manpower, command posts and elements of the aerodrome infrastructure with 220mm rocket shells, after which they moved to a special re-loading area and assumed new fire positions to prevent the notional enemy’s retaliatory precision strike," the statement runs.
The operations of rocket artillery battalions as part of the reconnaissance and fire system made it possible to track in real time the accuracy of artillery strikes, adjust the fire and promptly exercise command and control of combat teams, the press office specified.
"Thanks to real-time data displayed on monitors, operations within a reconnaissance and strike system allow making decisions within the shortest time possible on striking targets within the accessibility area of units and brigades," the press office quoted Central Military District Missile and Artillery Troops’ Chief, Major-General Oleg Kisedobrev as saying.


tass--2020-03-23--Museum of Hainan to reopen on March 24

Museum of Hainan to reopen on March 24

HAIKOU , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
Hainan 's Museum will open on March 24 .
According to the administration , the decision was made amid receding coronavirus fears in the Hainan Province .
Museum staff will strictly comply with anti-epidemiological measures .
In order to see the exposition , visitors will need to present an ID , register , and also pass temperature control .
At the same time , the administration will take measures to avoid crowds .
Every day the museum will be able to receive no more than 2,000 visitors , while the number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not exceed 800 people .
In addition , the administration requested that tourist groups be notified of the visit at least one day in advance .
Hainan Provincial Museum , located in Haikou , was opened in 2008 .
The exhibition area occupies about 12,000 square meters , making it the largest museum in the region .
On March 20 , Hainan 's Tropical Wildlife Park and the Botanical Garden reopened in the province .
There are also restrictions on the number of tourists : it should not exceed 50 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Hainan is practically over : there have been no new cases in the counties and cities of the province for a month .
There is only one infected person in the region who is undergoing preventive treatment .
The province has already restored regular traffic , the work of many companies and tourist attractions .
Despite the stable epidemiological situation , the authorities maintain tough sanitary control measures : across China , the number of infected people arriving from abroad is increasing every day .
The outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 in Central China and has already spread to more than 140 countries .
The World Health Organization has recognized it as a pandemic .

HAIKOU, March 23. /TASS/. Hainan's Museum will open on March 24. According to the administration, the decision was made amid receding coronavirus fears in the Hainan Province.
Museum staff will strictly comply with anti-epidemiological measures. In order to see the exposition, visitors will need to present an ID, register, and also pass temperature control.
At the same time, the administration will take measures to avoid crowds. Every day the museum will be able to receive no more than 2,000 visitors, while the number of people visiting the exposition at a time should not exceed 800 people. In addition, the administration requested that tourist groups be notified of the visit at least one day in advance.
Hainan Provincial Museum, located in Haikou, was opened in 2008. The exhibition area occupies about 12,000 square meters, making it the largest museum in the region.
On March 20, Hainan's Tropical Wildlife Park and the Botanical Garden reopened in the province. There are also restrictions on the number of tourists: it should not exceed 50% of the maximum bandwidth.
Hainan amid novel coronavirus pandemic
The novel coronavirus outbreak on Hainan is practically over: there have been no new cases in the counties and cities of the province for a month. There is only one infected person in the region who is undergoing preventive treatment. The province has already restored regular traffic, the work of many companies and tourist attractions. Despite the stable epidemiological situation, the authorities maintain tough sanitary control measures: across China, the number of infected people arriving from abroad is increasing every day.
The outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus was first registered at the end of 2019 in Central China and has already spread to more than 140 countries. The World Health Organization has recognized it as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-23--Coronavirus fears turn life upside down throughout the world

Low noise Borei class sub remained unnoticed by US during voyage to Far East The submarine made a 42-day voyage @ @ @ @ @ the Pacific Fleet in 2015

Biden says alternative to sanctions against Russia would be Third World War
"Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," the US leader stressed
Read more


tass--2020-03-23--Locals block off US column in north Syria

TASS , March 23 .
Residents of a village located near the Syrian town of Qamishli ( north of the Al-Hasakah Province ) have come out to block further movement of a US military column , Syria ’ s SANA news agency said Monday .
According to the agency , locals did not let eleven US combat vehicles to pass by their village .
The US military were forced to turn around and head back .
On October 9 , Ankara launched a new military operation in northern Syria dubbed Peace Spring , which began with airstrikes on positions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create a buffer zone in northern Syria where Syrian refugees could return , Ankara claims .
The buffer zone will also establish a security belt for the Turkish border .
Even though US President Donald Trump announced intention to pull out American troops from the area where Turkey was conducting its military operation in late October , he then pointed out that Washington intends to keep control over oil fields in northeast Syria .
Later , Arabic and Turkish media outlets repeatedly shared reports that the US was regrouping its forces in northeast @ @

TASS, March 23. Residents of a village located near the Syrian town of Qamishli (north of the Al-Hasakah Province) have come out to block further movement of a US military column, Syria’s SANA news agency said Monday.
According to the agency, locals did not let eleven US combat vehicles to pass by their village. The US military were forced to turn around and head back.
On October 9, Ankara launched a new military operation in northern Syria dubbed Peace Spring, which began with airstrikes on positions of Kurdish units. The objective is to create a buffer zone in northern Syria where Syrian refugees could return, Ankara claims. The buffer zone will also establish a security belt for the Turkish border. Even though US President Donald Trump announced intention to pull out American troops from the area where Turkey was conducting its military operation in late October, he then pointed out that Washington intends to keep control over oil fields in northeast Syria. Later, Arabic and Turkish media outlets repeatedly shared reports that the US was regrouping its forces in northeast Syria.


tass--2020-03-23--Russia to launch mass production of COVID-19 test systems

`` The Russian Health Ministry ’ s Center for Strategic Planning and Management of Medical and Biological Health Risks will launch the serial production of test systems aimed to detect the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus of a severe acute respiratory infection ( COVID-19 ) through a polymer chain reaction `` AmpliTest SARS-CoV-2 , '' the message informs .
MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Health Ministry ’ s Center for Strategic Planning and Management of Medical and Biological Health Risks will launch mass production of a new COVID-19 test system next week , the Russian Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
Head of the center Sergei Yudin informed , quoted by the ministry ’ s press service , that the new test system will be more sensitive than the existing ones .
Russia plans to produce up to 50,000 test systems a day .
The creation of the test system began on January 31 , 2020 , on the instructions of Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko .
On March 6 , it was approved by the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare .
A pneumonia outbreak caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 more than 150 countries and territories , among them Russia , which by now has documented 438 cases .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 320,000 , with more than 14,000 deaths .
WHO has officially described the situation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @

"The Russian Health Ministry’s Center for Strategic Planning and Management of Medical and Biological Health Risks will launch the serial production of test systems aimed to detect the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus of a severe acute respiratory infection (COVID-19) through a polymer chain reaction "AmpliTest SARS-CoV-2," the message informs.
MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. The Russian Health Ministry’s Center for Strategic Planning and Management of Medical and Biological Health Risks will launch mass production of a new COVID-19 test system next week, the Russian Health Ministry’s press service informed on Monday.
Head of the center Sergei Yudin informed, quoted by the ministry’s press service, that the new test system will be more sensitive than the existing ones. Russia plans to produce up to 50,000 test systems a day.
The creation of the test system began on January 31, 2020, on the instructions of Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko. On March 6, it was approved by the Russian Federal Service for the Oversight of Consumer Protection and Welfare.
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 more than 150 countries and territories, among them Russia, which by now has documented 438 cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 320,000, with more than 14,000 deaths. WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-23--Moscow Electoral Commission approves online vote on constitutional amendments

Lifting sanctions is noteworthy , but Russia does not plan to be first to do it — Kremlin The Russian @ @ @ @ @ the decision is with the `` well-known capitals , '' adding that he is not @ @ @ @ @ being made

Lukashenko says Putin promises he would regard attack on Belarus as attack on Russia
The Belarusian leader pointed out that NATO was quickly building up forces on the border with Belarus in Poland and in the Baltic countries
Read more


tass--2020-03-23--Russian human rights commissioner asks UN to protect rights of Russian national Vinnik

MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova has addressed UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel , Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Nils Melzer with the request to protect the rights of Russian national Alexander Vinnik , accused of personal data theft and extortion .
Vinnik is currently in custody at a French prison .
According to the Russian human rights commissioner , Vinnik ’ s health has deteriorated significantly .
The Russian national is unable to communicate with his wife and children , he is not provided with newspapers and books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Dear Mr. Melzer , please consider the possibility of visiting Alexander Vinnik and addressing the French officials with the demand to remove the existing human rights violations of the Russian citizen and to provide him with the opportunity to see his wife and children , to have contacts with the outside world and to go on walks outside , '' Moskalkova wrote .
She also addressed head of the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ( PACE ) Pyotr Tolstoy , Chairman of the Russian Federation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev , and Chairman of the Russian State Duma ’ s ( lower house of parliament ) Committee for Foreign Affairs Leonid Slutsky to put the focus on human rights violations with regard to Vinnik at a parliamentary level .
Vinnik was detained while vacationing in Greece on July 25 , 2017 at the United States ’ request , where he is accused of laundering four to nine billion US dollars through a no longer existent Internet exchange of cryptocurrencies BTC-e .
The Thessaloniki court of appeals and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the United States and France .
Russia is also seeking his extradition and has a corresponding verdict of the Greek Supreme Court .
Vinnik denied Washington ’ s and Paris ’ charges and agreed to be extradited to Russia .
On December 20 , 2019 , Greek Justice Minister Konstantinos Tsiaras delivered a decision to extradite Vinnik to France , the United States and Russia .
Vinnik was extradited first to France to consider his case and pronounce the verdict .
After that , he is to be taken back to Greece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States for a similar procedure , which is to be followed by extradition to Russia .
Following this decision , Vinnik went on another hunger strike .
On January 28 , a Paris court decided to leave Vinnik under arrest .
On February 17 , a court in Paris dismissed the appeal of Vinnik ’ s defense , choosing to keep the Russian national in custody .
His mother Vera Vinnik addressed French President Emmanuel Macron with the request to ensure her son ’ s right to a fair trial .
She handed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Paris .

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova has addressed UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Nils Melzer with the request to protect the rights of Russian national Alexander Vinnik, accused of personal data theft and extortion. Vinnik is currently in custody at a French prison.
According to the Russian human rights commissioner, Vinnik’s health has deteriorated significantly. The Russian national is unable to communicate with his wife and children, he is not provided with newspapers and books and is forbidden from going on walks.
"Dear Mr. Melzer, please consider the possibility of visiting Alexander Vinnik and addressing the French officials with the demand to remove the existing human rights violations of the Russian citizen and to provide him with the opportunity to see his wife and children, to have contacts with the outside world and to go on walks outside," Moskalkova wrote.
She also addressed head of the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Pyotr Tolstoy, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Foreign Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev, and Chairman of the Russian State Duma’s (lower house of parliament) Committee for Foreign Affairs Leonid Slutsky to put the focus on human rights violations with regard to Vinnik at a parliamentary level.
Vinnik case
Vinnik was detained while vacationing in Greece on July 25, 2017 at the United States’ request, where he is accused of laundering four to nine billion US dollars through a no longer existent Internet exchange of cryptocurrencies BTC-e. The Thessaloniki court of appeals and the Greek Supreme Court ruled Vinnik be extradited to the United States and France. Russia is also seeking his extradition and has a corresponding verdict of the Greek Supreme Court. Vinnik denied Washington’s and Paris’ charges and agreed to be extradited to Russia.
On December 20, 2019, Greek Justice Minister Konstantinos Tsiaras delivered a decision to extradite Vinnik to France, the United States and Russia. Vinnik was extradited first to France to consider his case and pronounce the verdict. After that, he is to be taken back to Greece to be later extradited to the United States for a similar procedure, which is to be followed by extradition to Russia. Following this decision, Vinnik went on another hunger strike.
On January 28, a Paris court decided to leave Vinnik under arrest. On February 17, a court in Paris dismissed the appeal of Vinnik’s defense, choosing to keep the Russian national in custody. His mother Vera Vinnik addressed French President Emmanuel Macron with the request to ensure her son’s right to a fair trial. She handed over her letter to the Russian Embassy in Paris.


tass--2020-03-23--Tanks, artillery troops repel enemy attack in Urals drills

MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The motor rifle personnel of the Central Military District ’ s 2nd all-arms army thwarted a notional enemy ’ s attack with the help of tanks and artillery during drills at the Totsky training range in the Orenburg Region , the District ’ s press office reported on Monday .
`` During tactical measures , the scouts employed Orlan-10 drones to detect the armor moving towards a populated area .
The motor rifle units went on alert and performed a march to the designated area to assume defense along the route of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ switching to an offensive from the defense , the personnel of reconnaissance and armored units eliminated scattered enemy forces , using T-72B3 and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles , '' the statement says .
As the press office specified , the artillery troops provided for the motorized infantry ’ s offensive , using Msta-S self-propelled howitzers and Grad multiple launch rocket systems .
The troops delivered the fire from artillery guns at a distance of up to 20 km and from tanks at a range of 2,000 meters , according to the statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 100 items of combat hardware , the press office specified .
The Central Military District is the largest in Russia .
It is based on the territory of the Volga , Urals and Siberian integrated federal districts and 29 Russian regions .
Structurally , the Central Military District also includes some overseas facilities : the 201st military base in Tajikistan , the Kant integrated military base in Kyrgyzstan and units stationed on the territory of Kazakhstan .

MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. The motor rifle personnel of the Central Military District’s 2nd all-arms army thwarted a notional enemy’s attack with the help of tanks and artillery during drills at the Totsky training range in the Orenburg Region, the District’s press office reported on Monday.
"During tactical measures, the scouts employed Orlan-10 drones to detect the armor moving towards a populated area. The motor rifle units went on alert and performed a march to the designated area to assume defense along the route of the notional enemy’s advance. After switching to an offensive from the defense, the personnel of reconnaissance and armored units eliminated scattered enemy forces, using T-72B3 and BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles," the statement says.
As the press office specified, the artillery troops provided for the motorized infantry’s offensive, using Msta-S self-propelled howitzers and Grad multiple launch rocket systems. The troops delivered the fire from artillery guns at a distance of up to 20 km and from tanks at a range of 2,000 meters, according to the statement.
The drills involved over 600 troops and about 100 items of combat hardware, the press office specified.
The Central Military District is the largest in Russia. It is based on the territory of the Volga, Urals and Siberian integrated federal districts and 29 Russian regions. Structurally, the Central Military District also includes some overseas facilities: the 201st military base in Tajikistan, the Kant integrated military base in Kyrgyzstan and units stationed on the territory of Kazakhstan.


tass--2020-03-23--Russian explorer Konyukhov to measure ocean pollution level

Their first joint project will be the institute ’ s scientific and technical support for Konyukhov ’ s voyage across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans aboard a solar-powered catamaran .
The expedition will see the explorer measuring how polluted the oceans are .
MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian voyager and explorer Fyodor Konyukhov , his expedition headquarters and the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute of Oceanology on Monday have signed a memorandum of cooperation in Global Ocean studies and development , TASS reports .
`` I travel a lot , the ocean ’ s pollution is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the age when I ’ d like to make more scientific and technical records rather than the sports ones .
It ’ s time we worked together , '' Konyukhov said .
Fyodor Konyukhov is planning a solo crossing of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in 2021-2022 for the first time in the world history aboard NOVA , a specifically designed catamaran run completely on solar energy .
During the expedition , he will conduct ecological monitoring of the water ’ s microplastic pollution level .
The voyage is split into two stages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover the Canary Islands-Antigua route , around 3,000 nautical miles .
The second part of the journey will see him crossing the Pacific Ocean , travelling from Chile to Australia and covering 9,000 nautical miles .
Overall , the voyage is expected to take 6 months .
Fyodor Konyukhov is a Russian survivalist , voyager , aerial and marine explorer who has so far completed five solo circumnavigations .
He crossed the Atlantic Ocean 17 times and became the first Russian to complete the Explorers Grand Slam : he climbed the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the North Pole and the South Pole .
Between 1992 and 1997 , Konyukhov conquered Mount Elbrus , Mount Everest , Aconcagua , Kilimanjaro , Vinson Massif as well as Mount Kosciuszko and Denali ( also known as Mount McKinley , its former official name ) .
In 2007 , Konyukhov circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere aboard a sailing yacht dubbed the Scarlet Sails when he crossed the Atlantic , Indian and Pacific Oceans .

Their first joint project will be the institute’s scientific and technical support for Konyukhov’s voyage across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans aboard a solar-powered catamaran. The expedition will see the explorer measuring how polluted the oceans are.
MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. Russian voyager and explorer Fyodor Konyukhov, his expedition headquarters and the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oceanology on Monday have signed a memorandum of cooperation in Global Ocean studies and development, TASS reports.
"I travel a lot, the ocean’s pollution is clearly noticeable. I’m in the age when I’d like to make more scientific and technical records rather than the sports ones. It’s time we worked together," Konyukhov said.
Fyodor Konyukhov is planning a solo crossing of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in 2021-2022 for the first time in the world history aboard NOVA, a specifically designed catamaran run completely on solar energy. During the expedition, he will conduct ecological monitoring of the water’s microplastic pollution level.
The voyage is split into two stages. In February-March 2021, Konyukhov intends to cover the Canary Islands-Antigua route, around 3,000 nautical miles. The second part of the journey will see him crossing the Pacific Ocean, travelling from Chile to Australia and covering 9,000 nautical miles. Overall, the voyage is expected to take 6 months.
Fyodor Konyukhov is a Russian survivalist, voyager, aerial and marine explorer who has so far completed five solo circumnavigations. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean 17 times and became the first Russian to complete the Explorers Grand Slam: he climbed the highest mountains on all seven continents and visited the North Pole and the South Pole. Between 1992 and 1997, Konyukhov conquered Mount Elbrus, Mount Everest, Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Vinson Massif as well as Mount Kosciuszko and Denali (also known as Mount McKinley, its former official name). In 2007, Konyukhov circumnavigated the Southern Hemisphere aboard a sailing yacht dubbed the Scarlet Sails when he crossed the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.


tass--2020-03-23--Russian infectious disease expert faces criminal charges for breaking quarantine

PYATIGORSK , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal investigation into a chief freelance infectious disease expert at the Stavropol Region ’ s Healthcare Ministry for breaking partial coronavirus quarantine , the committee said in a statement on Monday .
`` The Investigative Committee ’ s First Department for the Investigation of High-Profile Cases has opened a criminal investigation under Articles 237 and 239 of the Russian Criminal Code ( concealing information about threats to the life and health of other people , and negligence ) , '' the statement reads .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Medical University ’ s Department for Infectious Diseases , who is also the regional Healthcare Ministry ’ s chief freelance infectious disease expert , traveled to Spain for vacation in early March without informing her superiors .
`` Upon return to Russia , she failed to inform them of her trip to a coronavirus-hit country and avoided the 14-day self-isolation required to prevent the infection from spreading , '' the statement adds .
The woman continued to live a normal life , delivering lectures to university students , participating in conferences and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after her return from Spain , she felt unwell and was taken to hospital , where she tested positive for the coronavirus .
`` The investigation is underway to establish the circumstances of the case and identify those who are to be held accountable , '' the Investigative Committee pointed out .

PYATIGORSK, March 23. /TASS/. Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal investigation into a chief freelance infectious disease expert at the Stavropol Region’s Healthcare Ministry for breaking partial coronavirus quarantine, the committee said in a statement on Monday.
"The Investigative Committee’s First Department for the Investigation of High-Profile Cases has opened a criminal investigation under Articles 237 and 239 of the Russian Criminal Code (concealing information about threats to the life and health of other people, and negligence)," the statement reads.
According to investigators, a professor at Stavropol State Medical University’s Department for Infectious Diseases, who is also the regional Healthcare Ministry’s chief freelance infectious disease expert, traveled to Spain for vacation in early March without informing her superiors. "Upon return to Russia, she failed to inform them of her trip to a coronavirus-hit country and avoided the 14-day self-isolation required to prevent the infection from spreading," the statement adds. The woman continued to live a normal life, delivering lectures to university students, participating in conferences and visiting various agencies. However, several days after her return from Spain, she felt unwell and was taken to hospital, where she tested positive for the coronavirus.
"The investigation is underway to establish the circumstances of the case and identify those who are to be held accountable," the Investigative Committee pointed out.


tass--2020-03-23--Iran reports 1,411 more coronavirus infections, 127 deaths

`` Over the past 24 hours , 1,411 new cases of coronavirus have been identified in the country .
The total number of infections is 23,049 , '' Iran ’ s Fars news agency quotes him as saying .
The spokesperson added that 1,812 people had died .
Earlier reports pointed to 21,638 infections and 1,685 deaths .
According to Jahanpur , 8,376 people recovered from the virus .
TEHRAN , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The number of new coronavirus cases in Iran has risen by 1,411 in the last 24 hours , an increase of 383 cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while 127 people died from the virus , spokesperson for the national health ministry Kianush Jahanpur said Monday .
In the last few weeks , the number of new coronavirus cases in Iran has stabilized at about 1,000-1,200 infections per day .
Moreover , the mortality rate also has not changed much with around 120-130 deaths daily .
The first coronavirus cases in Iran were confirmed on February 19 in Qom Province .
All schools in the country are closed until the end of March , while many countries restricted communication with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of high-ranking officials , namely , First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri , Minister of Cultural Heritage , Handicrafts , and Tourism Ali Asghar Mounesan and Minister of Industry , Mines and Business Reza Rahmani .
In addition , 23 members of the country ’ s parliament tested positive .
Two of them - Fatema Rahbar and Mohammad Ali Ramazani Dastak - have died .

"Over the past 24 hours, 1,411 new cases of coronavirus have been identified in the country. The total number of infections is 23,049," Iran’s Fars news agency quotes him as saying. The spokesperson added that 1,812 people had died. Earlier reports pointed to 21,638 infections and 1,685 deaths. According to Jahanpur, 8,376 people recovered from the virus.
TEHRAN, March 23. /TASS/. The number of new coronavirus cases in Iran has risen by 1,411 in the last 24 hours, an increase of 383 cases in comparison with Sunday’s figures, while 127 people died from the virus, spokesperson for the national health ministry Kianush Jahanpur said Monday.
In the last few weeks, the number of new coronavirus cases in Iran has stabilized at about 1,000-1,200 infections per day. Moreover, the mortality rate also has not changed much with around 120-130 deaths daily.
The first coronavirus cases in Iran were confirmed on February 19 in Qom Province. All schools in the country are closed until the end of March, while many countries restricted communication with the Islamic Republic.
Iranian coronavirus cases include a number of high-ranking officials, namely, First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Ali Asghar Mounesan and Minister of Industry, Mines and Business Reza Rahmani. In addition, 23 members of the country’s parliament tested positive. Two of them - Fatema Rahbar and Mohammad Ali Ramazani Dastak - have died.


tass--2020-03-23--Substantive hearings into Paul Whelan case might begin on March 30

`` On Monday , the court held procedural hearings , and scheduled substantive hearings to March 30 , '' Zherebenkov said , adding that the proceedings might begin on April 13 due to the coronavirus quarantine .
MOSCOW , March 23 .
/TASS/ .
The Moscow City Court plans to begin substantive hearing of the case of US Marine Paul Whelan , accused of espionage , on March 30 .
However , if coronavirus quarantine gets extended , the trial will begin on April 13 , Whelan ’ s lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov told TASS Monday .
The defense of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian citizens and several employees of foreign diplomatic missions during the upcoming trial , Whelan ’ s attorney informed TASS .
`` During the trial , the defense plans to present various witnesses to the court , including 13 Russian citizens that Whelan communicated with , as well as the employees of US , UK , and Irish diplomatic missions , '' Zherebenkov commented for TASS .
On the outcomes of the preliminary hearing held on Monday in Moscow , Whelan ’ s arrest was prolonged until September 13 .
His trial is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , it might be postponed until April 13 if the measures taken against the spread of the novel coronavirus are prolonged .
US national Paul Whelan , who also has citizenship of the UK , Canada and Ireland , was apprehended by the Federal Security Service on December 28 , 2018 on the charges of espionage and faces 10 to 20 years in prison .
Whelan denies the allegations , and his defense insists that the case has been fabricated .

"On Monday, the court held procedural hearings, and scheduled substantive hearings to March 30," Zherebenkov said, adding that the proceedings might begin on April 13 due to the coronavirus quarantine.
MOSCOW, March 23. /TASS/. The Moscow City Court plans to begin substantive hearing of the case of US Marine Paul Whelan, accused of espionage, on March 30. However, if coronavirus quarantine gets extended, the trial will begin on April 13, Whelan’s lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov told TASS Monday.
The defense of the jailed US national plans to question 13 Russian citizens and several employees of foreign diplomatic missions during the upcoming trial, Whelan’s attorney informed TASS.
"During the trial, the defense plans to present various witnesses to the court, including 13 Russian citizens that Whelan communicated with, as well as the employees of US, UK, and Irish diplomatic missions," Zherebenkov commented for TASS.
On the outcomes of the preliminary hearing held on Monday in Moscow, Whelan’s arrest was prolonged until September 13. His trial is set to begin on March 30, however, it might be postponed until April 13 if the measures taken against the spread of the novel coronavirus are prolonged.
US national Paul Whelan, who also has citizenship of the UK, Canada and Ireland, was apprehended by the Federal Security Service on December 28, 2018 on the charges of espionage and faces 10 to 20 years in prison.
Whelan denies the allegations, and his defense insists that the case has been fabricated.