tass--2020-04-29--How coronavirus taught the UN to cope with teleworking

In February , the organization was carrying on as usual with its daily life : bustling hallways , daily negotiations , heated debates in the Security Council , and diplomatic receptions .
Only hand sanitizers placed around the building perhaps reminded everyone of the spread of the epidemic .
Unlike many agencies , the UN secretariat did not introduce temperature controls for visitors at the entrance .
Meanwhile , staff were instructed to limit business trips to only those of the utmost importance .
UN , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
It is no secret that diplomats in an international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind the scenes , testing the waters over a cup of coffee or networking at a reception with a glass of champagne .
All this has been impossible at the UN headquarters for a month and a half .
Diplomats now have to hash over international problems via video calls , in addition , a lot of new questions were added to the list amid the coronavirus pandemic , like should sanctions be lifted , or how should peacekeeping missions function , or can conflicts be stopped ?
After the first case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York on March 1 , the situation at the UN began to change rapidly .
The organization had to scale back its already planned activities or to postpone them indefinitely .
For example , the review conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons , which was to become one of the top events this spring at the headquarters , was postponed .
Foreign delegations gradually ceased coming to the UN , and subsequently the building ended up becoming deserted .
Finally , on March 16 , all secretariat staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak of the epidemic , more than 280 UN employees around the world have come down with the coronavirus infection , so the flag in front of the headquarters is currently flying at half-mast .
The heroes are now those whose work is often less obvious , as in many areas of our lives .
In the UN ’ s case , these are technicians and television service specialists .
They come to work every day to make virtual communication between 193 countries possible .
Director of the Operations Support Division Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his department had increased significantly since the introduction of the quarantine measures .
`` The past six weeks have introduced substantial changes in the way the UN conducts its business and communicates , '' he explained .
`` Many staff in UNHQ now work remotely .
Regular UN business has transitioned online as the organization already had the cloud-based tools in place to facilitate . ''
According to O'Mullane , since the beginning of March , the number of participants in online meetings has soared from 636 to 21,000 .
`` It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the many larger scale Intergovernmental meetings and briefings that used to take place daily in the various conference rooms at the UNHQ .
These audio , video and broadcast technologies were designed to support participants who are physically present , '' he noted .
`` To support the new reality of everybody participating remotely , existing equipment , systems and procedures were and are being rapidly adapted to deliver .
This has been challenging and a learning experience for both the participants and the technology teams , however the meetings are taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the quality is steadily improving , '' he told TASS .
Right now , it is unusual to work at the UN , not only from a technical standpoint , but from a psychological one , too .
`` The UNHQ is quiet these days .
It 's normally such a bustling place , '' O'Mullane noted .
UN Security Council : even without kisses , the intrigue ’ s there Non-verbal communication in the famous hall with a round table has always been almost as important as the text of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , who greeted whom with a kiss at a meeting , the looks delegates gave one another — every little thing counted .
It took about two weeks for the Security Council to completely reorganize itself for teleworking .
Now , meetings are held almost daily , but , unfortunately , they lack the allure of personal presence .
The voting format was one of the difficulties the UN had to face when switching to teleworking .
Usually , permanent representatives raise their hands simultaneously , thereby making their choices obvious .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a precedent for remote voting via video calls , '' Dmitry Polyanskiy , Russia ’ s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN , said earlier in an interview with TASS .
`` We had various reasons .
This sort of procedure is not stated in the UN Charter , there are legal matters , security concerns , and the system has operational failures .
It was an inconvenient option , we tried to avoid it , and we succeeded . ''
As a result , it was decided to vote by e-mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department of the secretariat , then the voting results are announced simultaneously .
All participants now deliver their speeches in English , and only after that are the texts of the speeches translated into the official languages of the organization , which is another novelty for the Security Council .
Simultaneous translation into five languages was simply not possible to perform technically .
Apart from technical issues , the Security Council faces a much more important political task .
On March 23 , UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged all countries to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight against the pandemic .
It would seem that the Security Council should have immediately supported this position with a relevant resolution , but alas .
The draft has already been submitted to member-states for consideration twice , but so far it has not been able to pass the approval process in order to be put to a vote .
According to sources , the United States and China do not see eye to eye on the matter and , to be more precise , there is a difference in approaches , namely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has been particularly active while teleworking .
Not only does he continue to come to the office , but he also gives more frequent press conferences than usual , issues all kinds of statements , reports and calls regarding the pandemic .
`` The Secretary-General is very much focused on ensuring the work of the UN continues during the Covid-19 confinement in New York .
He , along with UN staffers , are following the recommendations of the New York authorities as it relates to the wearing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not shake hands , '' said the Spokesperson for the Secretary General Stephane Dujarric said in an interview with TASS .
`` Throughout this crisis , he remains in touch contact with his senior leadership in New York and envoys in the field , '' Dujarric assured .
`` The Secretary-General continues to chair the daily meeting of his office staff and the weekly Executive Committee with heads of departments .
When required , he briefs the Security Council and other UN legislative body .
He does all of this by video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office , '' the spokesperson added .
Dujarric also moved his daily briefings into his living room .
`` You ’ ll be surprised if I say that I ’ m looking forward to finally seeing all of you in person , although I can not say when this is going to happen exactly , '' he responded ironically to a journalist ’ s question when the headquarters will return to its regular operations .

In February, the organization was carrying on as usual with its daily life: bustling hallways, daily negotiations, heated debates in the Security Council, and diplomatic receptions. Only hand sanitizers placed around the building perhaps reminded everyone of the spread of the epidemic. Unlike many agencies, the UN secretariat did not introduce temperature controls for visitors at the entrance. Meanwhile, staff were instructed to limit business trips to only those of the utmost importance.
UN, April 29. /TASS/. It is no secret that diplomats in an international organization first of all conduct their work behind the scenes, testing the waters over a cup of coffee or networking at a reception with a glass of champagne. All this has been impossible at the UN headquarters for a month and a half. Diplomats now have to hash over international problems via video calls, in addition, a lot of new questions were added to the list amid the coronavirus pandemic, like should sanctions be lifted, or how should peacekeeping missions function, or can conflicts be stopped?
After the first case of the coronavirus infection was officially confirmed in New York on March 1, the situation at the UN began to change rapidly. The organization had to scale back its already planned activities or to postpone them indefinitely. For example, the review conference on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which was to become one of the top events this spring at the headquarters, was postponed. Foreign delegations gradually ceased coming to the UN, and subsequently the building ended up becoming deserted.
Finally, on March 16, all secretariat staff were transferred to remote work.
Since the outbreak of the epidemic, more than 280 UN employees around the world have come down with the coronavirus infection, so the flag in front of the headquarters is currently flying at half-mast.
It’s all about technology
The heroes are now those whose work is often less obvious, as in many areas of our lives. In the UN’s case, these are technicians and television service specialists. They come to work every day to make virtual communication between 193 countries possible.
Director of the Operations Support Division Anthony O'Mullane told TASS that the load on his department had increased significantly since the introduction of the quarantine measures. "The past six weeks have introduced substantial changes in the way the UN conducts its business and communicates," he explained.
"Many staff in UNHQ now work remotely. Regular UN business has transitioned online as the organization already had the cloud-based tools in place to facilitate."
According to O'Mullane, since the beginning of March, the number of participants in online meetings has soared from 636 to 21,000. "It is more complex from a technology perspective to support the many larger scale Intergovernmental meetings and briefings that used to take place daily in the various conference rooms at the UNHQ. These audio, video and broadcast technologies were designed to support participants who are physically present," he noted.
"To support the new reality of everybody participating remotely, existing equipment, systems and procedures were and are being rapidly adapted to deliver. This has been challenging and a learning experience for both the participants and the technology teams, however the meetings are taking place, the work is getting done and the quality is steadily improving," he told TASS.
Right now, it is unusual to work at the UN, not only from a technical standpoint, but from a psychological one, too. "The UNHQ is quiet these days. It's normally such a bustling place," O'Mullane noted.
UN Security Council: even without kisses, the intrigue’s there
Non-verbal communication in the famous hall with a round table has always been almost as important as the text of the speeches. Who approached whom before a vote, who greeted whom with a kiss at a meeting, the looks delegates gave one another — every little thing counted.
It took about two weeks for the Security Council to completely reorganize itself for teleworking.
Now, meetings are held almost daily, but, unfortunately, they lack the allure of personal presence.
The voting format was one of the difficulties the UN had to face when switching to teleworking. Usually, permanent representatives raise their hands simultaneously, thereby making their choices obvious. "We did not want to set a precedent for remote voting via video calls," Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, said earlier in an interview with TASS.
"We had various reasons. This sort of procedure is not stated in the UN Charter, there are legal matters, security concerns, and the system has operational failures. It was an inconvenient option, we tried to avoid it, and we succeeded."
As a result, it was decided to vote by e-mail. Letters are sent to a special department of the secretariat, then the voting results are announced simultaneously.
All participants now deliver their speeches in English, and only after that are the texts of the speeches translated into the official languages of the organization, which is another novelty for the Security Council. Simultaneous translation into five languages was simply not possible to perform technically.
Apart from technical issues, the Security Council faces a much more important political task. On March 23, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged all countries to stop hostilities in order to focus on the fight against the pandemic. It would seem that the Security Council should have immediately supported this position with a relevant resolution, but alas. The draft has already been submitted to member-states for consideration twice, but so far it has not been able to pass the approval process in order to be put to a vote. According to sources, the United States and China do not see eye to eye on the matter and, to be more precise, there is a difference in approaches, namely cooperating or playing the blame game.
Captain at the helm
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has been particularly active while teleworking. Not only does he continue to come to the office, but he also gives more frequent press conferences than usual, issues all kinds of statements, reports and calls regarding the pandemic.
"The Secretary-General is very much focused on ensuring the work of the UN continues during the Covid-19 confinement in New York. He, along with UN staffers, are following the recommendations of the New York authorities as it relates to the wearing of masks outdoors and social distancing. He does not shake hands," said the Spokesperson for the Secretary General Stephane Dujarric said in an interview with TASS.
"Throughout this crisis, he remains in touch contact with his senior leadership in New York and envoys in the field," Dujarric assured. "The Secretary-General continues to chair the daily meeting of his office staff and the weekly Executive Committee with heads of departments. When required, he briefs the Security Council and other UN legislative body. He does all of this by video conference, either from the residence or the office," the spokesperson added.
Dujarric also moved his daily briefings into his living room. "You’ll be surprised if I say that I’m looking forward to finally seeing all of you in person, although I cannot say when this is going to happen exactly," he responded ironically to a journalist’s question when the headquarters will return to its regular operations.
By Maria Khrenova


tass--2020-04-29--Haikou International Airport receives five stars in Skytrax rating

HAIKOU , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
Hainan 's Haikou Meilan International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport have received @ @ @ @ @ of Chinese airports compiled by the influential British consulting company Skytrax , according to www.hinews.cn @ @ @ @ @ International Airport and another nine air harbors in China received four stars .
The five-star @ @ @ @ @ the second terminal of Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou ( southern Guangdong ) .
When @ @ @ @ @ 2019-January 2020 ) , Skytrax evaluated 103 Chinese airports in the country 's various regions @ @ @ @ @ .
The company estimates that by 2021 , another two or three Chinese airports will @ @ @ @ @ standards necessary to get five stars in the ranking .
Sixty Chinese airports received three @ @ @ @ @ , another 31 airports were given two stars .
At the end of January 2020 @ @ @ @ @ international and regional flights carried out in 35 cities in 20 countries .
In 2019 @ @ @ @ @ routes at Meilan Airport reached 1.49 million people .

HAIKOU, April 29. /TASS/. Hainan's Haikou Meilan International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport have received five stars in the ranking of Chinese airports compiled by the influential British consulting company Skytrax, according to www.hinews.cn.
The new Beijing Daxing International Airport and another nine air harbors in China received four stars. The five-star London-based consulting company also praised the second terminal of Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou (southern Guangdong).
When compiling the rating (June 2019-January 2020), Skytrax evaluated 103 Chinese airports in the country's various regions in conformity with various parameters. The company estimates that by 2021, another two or three Chinese airports will be able to achieve the standards necessary to get five stars in the ranking. Sixty Chinese airports received three stars in the current ranking, another 31 airports were given two stars.
At the end of January 2020, Meilan Airport served 48 international and regional flights carried out in 35 cities in 20 countries. In 2019, passenger traffic along international routes at Meilan Airport reached 1.49 million people.


tass--2020-04-29--WHO’s anti-coronavirus measures were prompt and timely, says Russia’s top diplomat

MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
Anti-coronavirus measures taken by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) as an agency within the United Nations system were prompt and timely , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an exclusive interview for TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman .
`` If we look at those measures , which the UN system is now taking , then , honestly speaking , I do not see any reasons for any accusations because these efforts were quite prompt and I consider them to be timely , '' the Russian foreign minister said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One can always complain that some steps could have been taken earlier but one should not forget that organizations of the UN system `` are not something separated from its member states , '' Russia ’ s top diplomat pointed out .
`` They have been established and are governed by them and there are executive and governing bodies .
The secretariats of these organizations consist of citizens from the member states .
Moreover , the larger the country and its GDP and the bigger contributions it pays , the greater number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretariat of that organization , '' Lavrov explained .
`` This also holds true for the WHO , '' he said .
Commenting on the chronology of measures taken by the WHO since January 2020 , Lavrov noted that they fully complied with the organization ’ s charter .

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Anti-coronavirus measures taken by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an agency within the United Nations system were prompt and timely, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an exclusive interview for TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
"If we look at those measures, which the UN system is now taking, then, honestly speaking, I do not see any reasons for any accusations because these efforts were quite prompt and I consider them to be timely," the Russian foreign minister said, replying to the corresponding question.
One can always complain that some steps could have been taken earlier but one should not forget that organizations of the UN system "are not something separated from its member states," Russia’s top diplomat pointed out.
"They have been established and are governed by them and there are executive and governing bodies. The secretariats of these organizations consist of citizens from the member states. Moreover, the larger the country and its GDP and the bigger contributions it pays, the greater number of citizens of that country are in the secretariat of that organization," Lavrov explained.
"This also holds true for the WHO," he said.
Commenting on the chronology of measures taken by the WHO since January 2020, Lavrov noted that they fully complied with the organization’s charter.


tass--2020-04-29--TASS announces international photo contest devoted to victory over COVID-19 pandemic

MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian news agency TASS has announced an international contest for professional photographers and set a major cash prize for the best snapshot devoted to the victory over the coronavirus pandemic , the news agency ’ s Director-General Sergey Mikhailov said on Wednesday .
`` In the wake of the latest interview Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has granted to TASS we made a decision to announce an international photo contest for professional photographers devoted to the victory in the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic , a new horrible challenge facing the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coping with it is essential to present a common front .
The author of the best snapshot will be awarded a major cash prize .
The date , panel of judges and other details will be announced within days , '' Mikhailov said .
Earlier , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov while speaking in an exclusive interview to TASS First Deputy Director-General Mikhail Gusman suggested the agency might announce an international photo contest devoted to the struggle against the pandemic .
During the interview the world-famous photograph Banner of Victory over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was mentioned .
Asked for an opinion what a future photo symbolizing the victory over the pandemic might depict , Lavrov said it was a very good question worthy of a world contest and invited TASS to use this idea .
Lavrov added that should such a contest be declared , he would agree to join the jurors .

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. The Russian news agency TASS has announced an international contest for professional photographers and set a major cash prize for the best snapshot devoted to the victory over the coronavirus pandemic, the news agency’s Director-General Sergey Mikhailov said on Wednesday.
"In the wake of the latest interview Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has granted to TASS we made a decision to announce an international photo contest for professional photographers devoted to the victory in the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic, a new horrible challenge facing the world. Just as 75 years ago, for coping with it is essential to present a common front. The author of the best snapshot will be awarded a major cash prize. The date, panel of judges and other details will be announced within days," Mikhailov said.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov while speaking in an exclusive interview to TASS First Deputy Director-General Mikhail Gusman suggested the agency might announce an international photo contest devoted to the struggle against the pandemic.
During the interview the world-famous photograph Banner of Victory over the Reichstag, by TASS correspondent Yevgeny Khaldei, was mentioned. Asked for an opinion what a future photo symbolizing the victory over the pandemic might depict, Lavrov said it was a very good question worthy of a world contest and invited TASS to use this idea.
Lavrov added that should such a contest be declared, he would agree to join the jurors.


tass--2020-04-29--Russian embassy continues search for Russian school students remaining in USA

MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
The exact number of Russian school students remaining in the USA has not @ @ @ @ @ Russian Embassy in Washington continues the search for those children to help those who wish @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a press briefing on Wednesday .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ children remaining in the USA , '' she said .
`` We have not finished @ @ @ @ @ can not finish it until we know the exact number of school students that could @ @ @ @ @ '' the diplomat said .
She noted that all students detected by Russian diplomats had @ @ @ @ @ decided to remain in the country until their US visa expires .

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. The exact number of Russian school students remaining in the USA has not be determined, so the Russian Embassy in Washington continues the search for those children to help those who wish to return home, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a press briefing on Wednesday.
"Our embassy continues the search for children remaining in the USA," she said. "We have not finished our job, and we cannot finish it until we know the exact number of school students that could remain on US territory," the diplomat said.
She noted that all students detected by Russian diplomats had either returned home or had decided to remain in the country until their US visa expires.


tass--2020-04-29--UN, WHO, G20 launch $7.5 billion program to fight infections — top diplomat

MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
The United Nations , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and G20 have initiated a long-term program to counter the infection threat with a budget of $ 7.5 billion , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an exclusive interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman .
`` The most dangerous thing will probably be if we emerge out of this pandemic and will not have any agreement on how to act awaiting a new global threat .
Therefore , it is vital what is happening now particularly under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ G20 .
All these structures represented by their heads — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres , WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and leaders of G20 this year chaired by Saudi Arabia — put forward a call to join efforts and launch a large multilateral program , '' he noted .
`` It is dedicated , firstly , to developing an antidote to such infections and threats .
Secondly , to providing aid ( which is rather large ) to those who need it .
Thirdly , to working out organizational measures allowing to more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God forbid , something similar happens again . ''
`` Such a program has been launched .
It was supported by the EU and Saudi Arabia as the G20 chair .
It is expected to last more than one year .
The amount of $ 7.5 billion was announced .
It all should be additionally considered and studied to understand how to organize such multilateral cooperation most comfortably for each country .
We have no doubt that it is necessary , '' Lavrov pointed out .
The foreign minister emphasized that Russia calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting coronavirus .
He explained that the world is now exhibiting a trend of closing the ranks in fighting a common threat , while certain states are trying to fence off and solve their own problems .

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. The United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO) and G20 have initiated a long-term program to counter the infection threat with a budget of $7.5 billion, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an exclusive interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
"The most dangerous thing will probably be if we emerge out of this pandemic and will not have any agreement on how to act awaiting a new global threat. Therefore, it is vital what is happening now particularly under the auspices of the UN, WHO and G20. All these structures represented by their heads — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and leaders of G20 this year chaired by Saudi Arabia — put forward a call to join efforts and launch a large multilateral program," he noted. "It is dedicated, firstly, to developing an antidote to such infections and threats. Secondly, to providing aid (which is rather large) to those who need it. Thirdly, to working out organizational measures allowing to more quickly mobilize the global community if, God forbid, something similar happens again."
"Such a program has been launched. It was supported by the EU and Saudi Arabia as the G20 chair. It is expected to last more than one year. The amount of $7.5 billion was announced. It all should be additionally considered and studied to understand how to organize such multilateral cooperation most comfortably for each country. We have no doubt that it is necessary," Lavrov pointed out.
The foreign minister emphasized that Russia calls for pooling efforts and multilateral approaches in fighting coronavirus. He explained that the world is now exhibiting a trend of closing the ranks in fighting a common threat, while certain states are trying to fence off and solve their own problems.


tass--2020-04-29--Lavrov hopes to implement diplomatic plans for 2020 despite COVID-19 pandemic

MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hopes that the major share of Russian diplomatic plans for this year will be implemented despite the novel coronavirus pandemic .
The minister reminded that Russian President Vladimir Putin had instructed the government to prepare step-by-step plans on gradual lifting of restrictive measures .
`` We hope that these measures will determine the deadlines that will help us implement the main share of what we planned for this year in the area of Russian diplomacy , '' he said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift coronavirus restrictions starting May 12 , depending on the epidemiological situation .
To date , a total of 99,399 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 10,286 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 972 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 3,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 218,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 959,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hopes that the major share of Russian diplomatic plans for this year will be implemented despite the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The minister reminded that Russian President Vladimir Putin had instructed the government to prepare step-by-step plans on gradual lifting of restrictive measures. "We hope that these measures will determine the deadlines that will help us implement the main share of what we planned for this year in the area of Russian diplomacy," he said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
Russia may begin to lift coronavirus restrictions starting May 12, depending on the epidemiological situation.
To date, a total of 99,399 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 10,286 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 972 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 3,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 218,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 959,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-29--Putin discusses anti-coronavirus fight, international agenda with Security Council

`` A substantive exchange of opinions was held on the pace of the fight against the coronavirus , with the emphasis on the situation in the Russian regions where the number of infected people has been growing over the past few days , '' Peskov said .
MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s President Vladimir Putin discussed the fight against the coronavirus in Russian regions and other essential domestic and international issues , including the Libya situation , with permanent members of the country ’ s Security Council via a video conference , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected with COVID-19 may infect from 2 to 4 people , says expert The meeting also discussed the current issues of the social and economic situation in Russia , the Kremlin spokesman added .
The Russian president also touched upon the international agenda , Peskov said .
`` In the context of discussing the international agenda , the situation in the most pressing regional conflicts , in particular , in Libya , was discussed . ''
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin , Speakers of the upper and lower houses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Vyacheslav Volodin , Deputy Head of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev and Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev , Head of the Kremlin administration Anton Vaino , Foreign , Interior and Defense Ministers Sergey Lavrov , Vladimir Kolokoltsev and Sergey Shoigu , Head of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov and Chief of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin , and also Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection , Ecology and Transport Sergey Ivanov .

"A substantive exchange of opinions was held on the pace of the fight against the coronavirus, with the emphasis on the situation in the Russian regions where the number of infected people has been growing over the past few days," Peskov said.
MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin discussed the fight against the coronavirus in Russian regions and other essential domestic and international issues, including the Libya situation, with permanent members of the country’s Security Council via a video conference, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
One person infected with COVID-19 may infect from 2 to 4 people, says expert
The meeting also discussed the current issues of the social and economic situation in Russia, the Kremlin spokesman added.
The Russian president also touched upon the international agenda, Peskov said. "In the context of discussing the international agenda, the situation in the most pressing regional conflicts, in particular, in Libya, was discussed."
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Speakers of the upper and lower houses of Russia’s parliament Valentina Matviyenko and Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Head of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev and Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, Head of the Kremlin administration Anton Vaino, Foreign, Interior and Defense Ministers Sergey Lavrov, Vladimir Kolokoltsev and Sergey Shoigu, Head of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov and Chief of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin, and also Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergey Ivanov.


tass--2020-04-29--Russian foreign minister calls for maintaining multilateral UN mechanisms

`` If an organization is created on a regional or a political basis , like when Europeans and Western states create alliances outside the UN with a restricted number of participants ( only those considered democratic states by the organizers ) , trying to resolve issues of all humanity , we can not agree with that , naturally , '' Lavrov stated .
`` We are always calling for carefully maintaining the UN-centric system of world order created after the Second World War .
Mankind has not invented anything more stable or reliable so far .
The UN system is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covered by the UN and its specialized institutions , foundations and programs is unique .
It would be unforgivable , of course , to lose the wealth of multilateral mechanisms representing the interests of all UN member states , '' he stressed .
MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
Russia stands against regional or political alliances created to resolve global issues , supporting the existing multilateral mechanisms within the UN , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman .
A video conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanent members of the UN Security Council will be focused solely on the coronavirus topic , Sergey Lavrov said in the exclusive interview for TASS .
`` The date has not been set yet .
I would like to underline once again that the video conference of the five leaders will be only discussing the fight against coronavirus to elaborate and support the decisions that were made by the UN General Assembly , G20 and the World Health Organization on a consensus basis , '' Lavrov underlined .
`` We proceed from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the five leaders to deliver a joint statement which would give assessments and set tasks regarding the way we see interests of the global community in joining efforts to fight coronavirus .
The draft statement is almost finished .
We were ready to gather last week already and this week as well but certain P5 members asked for more time to determine their positions , '' the minister replied .
As for the personal meeting of the leaders of the UN Security Council ’ s five permanent member states , it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modern world , Sergey Lavrov told Mikhail Gusman during the interview .
`` For now , we keep working on the conceptual content of this summit meeting .
There is the general consent and the understanding it should be devoted to all key problems of the modern world , strategic stability and all dimensions of global security : military , political , economic and humanitarian .
The discussion will focus on all those tasks which are high on the agenda of the world community , on how the five permanent members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the responsibilities placed on them by the UN Charter , '' Lavrov said .

"If an organization is created on a regional or a political basis, like when Europeans and Western states create alliances outside the UN with a restricted number of participants (only those considered democratic states by the organizers), trying to resolve issues of all humanity, we cannot agree with that, naturally," Lavrov stated.
"We are always calling for carefully maintaining the UN-centric system of world order created after the Second World War. Mankind has not invented anything more stable or reliable so far. The UN system is uniquely legitimate. The range of issues covered by the UN and its specialized institutions, foundations and programs is unique. It would be unforgivable, of course, to lose the wealth of multilateral mechanisms representing the interests of all UN member states," he stressed.
MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Russia stands against regional or political alliances created to resolve global issues, supporting the existing multilateral mechanisms within the UN, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
A video conference that will be held by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council will be focused solely on the coronavirus topic, Sergey Lavrov said in the exclusive interview for TASS.
"The date has not been set yet. I would like to underline once again that the video conference of the five leaders will be only discussing the fight against coronavirus to elaborate and support the decisions that were made by the UN General Assembly, G20 and the World Health Organization on a consensus basis," Lavrov underlined.
"We proceed from the premise that it will be important for the five leaders to deliver a joint statement which would give assessments and set tasks regarding the way we see interests of the global community in joining efforts to fight coronavirus. The draft statement is almost finished. We were ready to gather last week already and this week as well but certain P5 members asked for more time to determine their positions," the minister replied.
As for the personal meeting of the leaders of the UN Security Council’s five permanent member states, it will be devoted to all key problems of the modern world, Sergey Lavrov told Mikhail Gusman during the interview.
"For now, we keep working on the conceptual content of this summit meeting. There is the general consent and the understanding it should be devoted to all key problems of the modern world, strategic stability and all dimensions of global security: military, political, economic and humanitarian. The discussion will focus on all those tasks which are high on the agenda of the world community, on how the five permanent members of the UN Security Council can translate into reality the responsibilities placed on them by the UN Charter," Lavrov said.


tass--2020-04-29--Russia urges US, Iran to show restraint in Persian Gulf

MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
Russia calls on the United States and Iran to act within the framework of existing international norms in the Persian Gulf and not to respond to provocations and aggressive rhetoric , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a media briefing on Wednesday .
`` We understand Tehran ’ s strong criticism of US military servicemen .
On April 15 , as noted , they conducted dangerous and provocative maneuvers off the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf .
< … > We urge [ them ] to exercise maximum restraint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provocations and aggressive rhetoric and , of course , to act strictly within the framework of relevant international norms and rules , '' she said .
Zakharova noted that Moscow viewed stability and security in the Persian Gulf as one of the key factors that affect the situation in the region .
`` Our well-known initiative on collective security in the region is in line with that logic , '' she added .
Moscow is convinced that it is essential to suspend `` illegal unilateral sanctions '' that prevent a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens , the diplomat stressed .
`` Instead of any maneuvers , it would be much more appropriate in the current situation to start creating green corridors , '' Zakharova concluded .
According to previous reports , an incident has occurred in the Persian Gulf , during which the US and Iranian warships approached each other .
The press service of the US Navy ’ s Fifth Fleet reported that the Iranian gunboats had conducted dangerous maneuvers in close proximity to the US warships in the Persian Gulf .
For his part , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the incident that the Americans ’ illegitimate presence posed a security threat in the Persian Gulf .

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Russia calls on the United States and Iran to act within the framework of existing international norms in the Persian Gulf and not to respond to provocations and aggressive rhetoric, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a media briefing on Wednesday.
"We understand Tehran’s strong criticism of US military servicemen. On April 15, as noted, they conducted dangerous and provocative maneuvers off the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf. <…> We urge [them] to exercise maximum restraint and caution, not to give in to provocations and aggressive rhetoric and, of course, to act strictly within the framework of relevant international norms and rules," she said.
Zakharova noted that Moscow viewed stability and security in the Persian Gulf as one of the key factors that affect the situation in the region. "Our well-known initiative on collective security in the region is in line with that logic," she added.
Moscow is convinced that it is essential to suspend "illegal unilateral sanctions" that prevent a number of countries from saving the lives of their citizens, the diplomat stressed. "Instead of any maneuvers, it would be much more appropriate in the current situation to start creating green corridors," Zakharova concluded.
According to previous reports, an incident has occurred in the Persian Gulf, during which the US and Iranian warships approached each other. The press service of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet reported that the Iranian gunboats had conducted dangerous maneuvers in close proximity to the US warships in the Persian Gulf. For his part, Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said commenting on the incident that the Americans’ illegitimate presence posed a security threat in the Persian Gulf.


tass--2020-04-29--Gazprom to reduce borrowings in 2020

Gazprom to reduce borrowings in 2020

MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
Gazprom has expedited implementation of cost optimization measures , including the reduction of @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Finance and Economic Department Alexander Ivannikov said on Wednesday .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ and reduction measures ; this was in the last year also .
We have to @ @ @ @ @ this is the reduction of borrowings amount ; secondly , improvement of free cash flow @ @ @ @ @ - optimization of gas purchases in Russia , '' Ivannikov said .
Gazprom is reducing @ @ @ @ @ , he added .
Gazprom at the same time is performing the budget approved in @ @ @ @ @ crisis year , the department head said .
The company will traditionally take the final @ @ @ @ @ budget revisions at the end of the first half of the year , he added @

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Gazprom has expedited implementation of cost optimization measures, including the reduction of borrowings, head of Gazprom’s Finance and Economic Department Alexander Ivannikov said on Wednesday.
"We have already informed about cost optimization and reduction measures; this was in the last year also. We have to accelerate now. Firstly, this is the reduction of borrowings amount; secondly, improvement of free cash flow management efficiency, and thirdly - optimization of gas purchases in Russia," Ivannikov said. Gazprom is reducing costs as revenues go down, he added.
Gazprom at the same time is performing the budget approved in December 2019, despite the crisis year, the department head said. The company will traditionally take the final decision on the feasibility of budget revisions at the end of the first half of the year, he added.


tass--2020-04-29--Russian barque Kruzenshtern to complete trans-Atlantic voyage prematurely in early June

The barque was taking part in the round-the-world expedition devoted to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctica by Russian explorers and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War KALININGRAD , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian barque Kruzenshtern performing a trans-Atlantic voyage as part of the round-the-world expedition of sail ships organized by Russia ’ s Federal Agency for Fishing has left Novorossiysk and set off for its home port of Kaliningrad , the expedition ’ s press center reported on Wednesday .
The barque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trans-Atlantic voyage prematurely amid the coronavirus pandemic , the press center said .
`` Considering that most of the festivities devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War [ of 1941-1945 against Nazi Germany ] have been cancelled , and also for the purposes of preserving the health of the crew and cadets , the expedition ’ s leadership has made a decision that the training barque Kruzenshtern should sail to its home port of Kaliningrad , '' the statement reads .
The barque is expected to arrive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was reported earlier that the barque was taking part in the round-the-world expedition `` Sails of the World 2020 '' devoted to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctica by Russian explorers and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union ’ s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 .
As the expedition ’ s media center reported earlier , the barque Kruzenshtern with cadets of educational institutions of Russia ’ s Federal Agency for Fishing on its board arrived at the port of Novorossiysk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the barque replenished fuel , fresh water and food supplies required for continuing the voyage , with the strictest observance of safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection on its board .
Under the schedule of its voyage , the barque was expected to complete its expedition in Kaliningrad in early September .
Since the start of the expedition , which kicked off for the Kruzenshtern from the port of Kaliningrad on December 8 , 2019 , the barque has covered over 19,000 nautical miles and visited the ports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de Janeiro , Montevideo , Ushuaia and Buenos Aires , receiving about 10,000 foreign guests on its board .
The calls at the ports of Casablanca ( Morocco ) and Haifa ( Israel ) have been cancelled over the coronavirus .
For the same reason , the barque ’ s crew and cadets have not disembarked in the Spanish Las Palmas and in Novorossiysk in Russia .
Three Russian training sail ships : the Pallada , the Kruzenshtern and the Sedov are taking part in the round-the-world voyage organized by Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embarked on its voyage on November 1 from the port of Vladivostok while the Sedov and the Kruzenshtern set their sail from Kaliningrad on December 8 .
The barque Sedov and the frigate Pallada are making their round-the-world voyages while the windjammer Kruzenshtern is performing a trans-Atlantic expedition .
As a major event of the expedition ’ s first stage , the windjammers held a 200-mile memorial sailing race on February 20-21 to honor the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the sixth continent by the first Russian Antarctic expedition led by Faddey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the data posted on the website of the Baltic Fishing Fleet State Academy , which is the operator of the sail ships Sedov and Kruzenshtern , the barque Sedov and the frigate Pallada met at the entrance to the Strait of Malacca in the Pacific last Sunday .
Both sail ships are continuing their round-the-world expedition together , sailing along the same route through Singapore to Vladivostok .
The four-mast barque Kruzenshtern was built at a German shipyard near Bremerhaven in 1926 and was given the Italian name of the Padua ( after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was listed among the world ’ s ten largest sail ships .
She was surrendered to the Soviet Union in 1946 in WWII reparations and renamed after the 19th-century Russian admiral and explorer Ivan Kruzenshtern .
The barque was re-equipped as a training vessel with a modern engine .
Over its 94-year history , the barque has made two round-the-globe voyages , as well as a trans-Atlantic expedition , and won many international sailing races .
This is the world ’ s last classical barque initially built for voyages solely under sail without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over the years of its operation , more than 17,000 cadets have undergone maritime training on its board and acquired their first maritime professional skills .

The barque was taking part in the round-the-world expedition devoted to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctica by Russian explorers and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War
Read also Pacific Fleet vessel to provide security for Russian barques in round-the-world voyage
KALININGRAD, April 29. /TASS/. The Russian barque Kruzenshtern performing a trans-Atlantic voyage as part of the round-the-world expedition of sail ships organized by Russia’s Federal Agency for Fishing has left Novorossiysk and set off for its home port of Kaliningrad, the expedition’s press center reported on Wednesday. The barque Kruzenshtern is set to wrap up its trans-Atlantic voyage prematurely amid the coronavirus pandemic, the press center said.
Read also Russian Navy oceanographic research vessel arrives in Antarctic sea for exploration
"Considering that most of the festivities devoted to the 75th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War [of 1941-1945 against Nazi Germany] have been cancelled, and also for the purposes of preserving the health of the crew and cadets, the expedition’s leadership has made a decision that the training barque Kruzenshtern should sail to its home port of Kaliningrad," the statement reads. The barque is expected to arrive in its home port in early June. It was reported earlier that the barque was taking part in the round-the-world expedition "Sails of the World 2020" devoted to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctica by Russian explorers and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. As the expedition’s media center reported earlier, the barque Kruzenshtern with cadets of educational institutions of Russia’s Federal Agency for Fishing on its board arrived at the port of Novorossiysk on April 22. During the anchorage, the barque replenished fuel, fresh water and food supplies required for continuing the voyage, with the strictest observance of safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection on its board. Under the schedule of its voyage, the barque was expected to complete its expedition in Kaliningrad in early September. Since the start of the expedition, which kicked off for the Kruzenshtern from the port of Kaliningrad on December 8, 2019, the barque has covered over 19,000 nautical miles and visited the ports of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Ushuaia and Buenos Aires, receiving about 10,000 foreign guests on its board. The calls at the ports of Casablanca (Morocco) and Haifa (Israel) have been cancelled over the coronavirus. For the same reason, the barque’s crew and cadets have not disembarked in the Spanish Las Palmas and in Novorossiysk in Russia. Round-the-world expedition and the barque Kruzenshtern
Read also Legendary barque Kruzenshtern visits Rio de Janeiro in trans-Atlantic voyage
Three Russian training sail ships: the Pallada, the Kruzenshtern and the Sedov are taking part in the round-the-world voyage organized by Russia’s Federal Agency for Fishing. The Pallada embarked on its voyage on November 1 from the port of Vladivostok while the Sedov and the Kruzenshtern set their sail from Kaliningrad on December 8.


tass--2020-04-29--Russia waits for explanation on Russian school students stranded in USA, says Lavrov

MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Foreign Ministry has demanded an explanation from its US colleagues regarding the situation with Russian school students that remain in the USA during the coronavirus pandemic , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman .
`` We are waiting for clear , detailed explanations from our US colleagues , '' the minister said .
He stressed that Russia is not satisfied with the comments of US Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan on this matter .
`` He said that there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned home , some changed their mind on leaving , some are in families , some have moved somewhere .
Such explanations are unacceptable to us , '' Lavrov stated .
Russian diplomats must get detailed information on every Russian school student remaining in the USA during the coronavirus pandemic , he added .
`` We must know where each child and school student is , with whom they are staying and why .
We also need to understand how underage persons could have boarded an international flight .
There is a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working on it together with the Russian Ministry of Enlightenment , '' Lavrov said .
He reminded that today , 19 school students had been evacuated on a flight from New York `` who arrived in the USA in some way unclear to us , through some shady programs that the Russian government knew nothing about . ''
Last week , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Russia would make its conclusions on the insufficient aid of the US government in the search of Russian school students remaining in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are distancing themselves from this issue , ignoring the requests of the Russian embassy .

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. The Russian Foreign Ministry has demanded an explanation from its US colleagues regarding the situation with Russian school students that remain in the USA during the coronavirus pandemic, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with TASS First Deputy Director General Mikhail Gusman.
"We are waiting for clear, detailed explanations from our US colleagues," the minister said.
He stressed that Russia is not satisfied with the comments of US Ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan on this matter. "He said that there is no need to worry: some have returned home, some changed their mind on leaving, some are in families, some have moved somewhere. Such explanations are unacceptable to us," Lavrov stated.
Russian diplomats must get detailed information on every Russian school student remaining in the USA during the coronavirus pandemic, he added.
"We must know where each child and school student is, with whom they are staying and why. We also need to understand how underage persons could have boarded an international flight. There is a lot of work ahead of us, we are working on it together with the Russian Ministry of Enlightenment," Lavrov said.
He reminded that today, 19 school students had been evacuated on a flight from New York "who arrived in the USA in some way unclear to us, through some shady programs that the Russian government knew nothing about."
Last week, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Russia would make its conclusions on the insufficient aid of the US government in the search of Russian school students remaining in the USA. She noted that US officials are distancing themselves from this issue, ignoring the requests of the Russian embassy.


tass--2020-04-29--Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol vessel thwarts enemy air strike in drills

SEVASTOPOL , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
The crew of the Black Sea Fleet ’ s patrol vessel Vasily Bykov repelled an attack by a notional enemy ’ s aircraft during air defense drills , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Wednesday .
`` Under the drills ’ scenario , during the anchorage at the naval station of Novorossiysk , the ship ’ s commander received information about the enemy ’ s plans to employ air attack weapons and deliver a missile strike against the naval base ’ s facilities , '' the press office said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artillery combat teams practiced the algorithm of measures to prepare for thwarting an air attack and carried out operations to search for , track and notionally destroy air targets , the statement says .
The Vasily Bykov is the Project 22160 lead ship laid down at the Zelenodolsk Shipyard in the Volga area in 2014 and made operational in the Russian Navy in 2018 after its construction was completed at the Zaliv Shipyard in Kerch .
The patrol ship was designed by the Severnoye Design Bureau ( part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered service with the Russian Black Sea Fleet in December 2018 .
Russia ’ s Black Sea Fleet currently operates two Project 22160 ships , the Vasily Bykov and the Dmitry Rogachev .
Project 22160 ships are designated to protect the state ’ s maritime economic zone .
The patrol ships are also capable of accomplishing escort and anti-piracy missions and carrying out search and rescue operations .
They are armed with a 76.2mm artillery gun , an anti-aircraft missile system and machine-guns .
They can develop a speed of 30 knots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles and their sea endurance is 60 days .

SEVASTOPOL, April 29. /TASS/. The crew of the Black Sea Fleet’s patrol vessel Vasily Bykov repelled an attack by a notional enemy’s aircraft during air defense drills, the Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.
"Under the drills’ scenario, during the anchorage at the naval station of Novorossiysk, the ship’s commander received information about the enemy’s plans to employ air attack weapons and deliver a missile strike against the naval base’s facilities," the press office said in a statement.
During the drills, the artillery combat teams practiced the algorithm of measures to prepare for thwarting an air attack and carried out operations to search for, track and notionally destroy air targets, the statement says.
The Vasily Bykov is the Project 22160 lead ship laid down at the Zelenodolsk Shipyard in the Volga area in 2014 and made operational in the Russian Navy in 2018 after its construction was completed at the Zaliv Shipyard in Kerch. The patrol ship was designed by the Severnoye Design Bureau (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation). The patrol ship Vasily Bykov entered service with the Russian Black Sea Fleet in December 2018.
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet currently operates two Project 22160 ships, the Vasily Bykov and the Dmitry Rogachev.
Project 22160 ships are designated to protect the state’s maritime economic zone. The patrol ships are also capable of accomplishing escort and anti-piracy missions and carrying out search and rescue operations. They are armed with a 76.2mm artillery gun, an anti-aircraft missile system and machine-guns. They can develop a speed of 30 knots, have an operating range of 6,000 nautical miles and their sea endurance is 60 days.


tass--2020-04-29--Lavrov, Malaysian top diplomat discuss coronavirus pandemic

MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Malaysian counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein have held @ @ @ @ @ bilateral and global issues , including the coronavirus pandemic , the Russian Foreign Ministry said @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The parties discussed a number of bilateral and global issues , including cooperation @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus infection , and cooperation within the East Asia Summit and APEC .
They reaffirmed @ @ @ @ @ in all areas , '' the statement reads .
Lavrov invited the Malaysian foreign minister @ @ @ @ @ a convenient time . ''
`` The invitation was accepted , '' the Russian Foreign @ @ @

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Malaysian counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein have held a telephone conversation to discuss bilateral and global issues, including the coronavirus pandemic, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The parties discussed a number of bilateral and global issues, including cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus infection, and cooperation within the East Asia Summit and APEC. They reaffirmed commitment to boosting bilateral relations in all areas," the statement reads.
Lavrov invited the Malaysian foreign minister to visit Russia "at a convenient time." "The invitation was accepted," the Russian Foreign Ministry added.


tass--2020-04-29--Brent futures above $23/bbl

Brent futures above $23/bbl

MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
Brent oil futures with delivery in June 2020 increased by 12.51 % to @ @ @ @ @ the London-based ICE on Wednesday .
The dollar dropped by 0.86 % against the ruble @ @ @ @ @ Moscow Exchange .
The euro declined by 0.41 % to 79.87 rubles .

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Brent oil futures with delivery in June 2020 increased by 12.51% to $23.02 a barrel on the London-based ICE on Wednesday.
WTI June futures prices skyrocketed 26.42% to $15.6 per barrel.
The dollar dropped by 0.86% against the ruble to 73.49 rubles on the Moscow Exchange. The euro declined by 0.41% to 79.87 rubles.


tass--2020-04-29--Diplomat confirms Russia’s participation in Normandy Four foreign ministers’ talks

Russia ’ s top diplomat certain Normandy Four summit pointless as yet due to Kiev ’ s stance MOSCOW , @ @ @ @ @ Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in a video conference of the Normandy @ @ @ @ @ , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a media briefing on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ ’ for new Normandy Four meeting not done yet '' On April 30 , the @ @ @ @ @ part in a video conference of the Normandy format foreign ministers .
It is planned @ @ @ @ @ the Minsk Package of Measures and the decisions of the Paris summit , which took @ @ @ @ @ '' the diplomat said .
Zakharova added that Russia ’ s top diplomat would make @ @ @ @ @ media after the video conference .

Russia’s top diplomat certain Normandy Four summit pointless as yet due to Kiev’s stance
MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in a video conference of the Normandy Four foreign ministers on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a media briefing on Wednesday.
Kremlin says ‘homework’ for new Normandy Four meeting not done yet
"On April 30, the Russian foreign minister will take part in a video conference of the Normandy format foreign ministers. It is planned to discuss the implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures and the decisions of the Paris summit, which took place in December 2019," the diplomat said.
Zakharova added that Russia’s top diplomat would make a brief statement for the media after the video conference.


tass--2020-04-29--One person infected with COVID-19 may infect from 2 to 4 people, says expert

MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
One person diagnosed with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , may infect from two to four people , head of the First Moscow State Medical University ’ s Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine Department Nikolai Briko said on Wednesday .
`` There is another important figure : the basic reproduction number and the contagiousness index .
It is reported at about 2-4 % with the coronavirus .
That is , one infected person may infect from two to four people .
Seasonal flu has the basic reproduction index of about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press conference titled `` What we do not know about COVID-19 . ''
Briko added that the novel coronavirus is not very stable in an external environment , however , it produces several times more pathogenic particles than its predecessor , coronavirus SARS-CoV .
`` The infectious period [ of the novel coronavirus ] is sometimes rather long .
We need to understand why causative agents are still emitted after recovery .
The incubation period is five-seven days on average , however , it can be longer , '' the expert added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 3,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 218,000 deaths have been reported .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 99,399 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 10,286 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 972 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. One person diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, may infect from two to four people, head of the First Moscow State Medical University’s Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine Department Nikolai Briko said on Wednesday.
"There is another important figure: the basic reproduction number and the contagiousness index. It is reported at about 2-4% with the coronavirus. That is, one infected person may infect from two to four people. Seasonal flu has the basic reproduction index of about 1.5%," he said during a press conference titled "What we do not know about COVID-19."
Briko added that the novel coronavirus is not very stable in an external environment, however, it produces several times more pathogenic particles than its predecessor, coronavirus SARS-CoV. "The infectious period [of the novel coronavirus] is sometimes rather long. We need to understand why causative agents are still emitted after recovery. The incubation period is five-seven days on average, however, it can be longer," the expert added.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 3,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 218,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 959,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 99,399 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 10,286 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 972 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-29--Finland’s coronavirus cases reach 4,906

Finland’s coronavirus cases reach 4,906

HELSINKI , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Finland has risen to 4,906 after a single day increase of 166 infections , the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare said Wednesday .
`` Finland currently registered 4,906 cases of infection , '' the statement says .
On Tuesday , 4,740 infections were reported .
The latest data points to 199 fatalities .
Finland shut down its borders between March 19 and May 13 due to the coronavirus developments .
Moreover , the authorities restricted movement between the capital region of Uusimaa and the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between March 28 and April 15 .
Schools and universities are now employing distance learning , while preschools are still open , although parents are advised to leave their children home if possible .
Moreover , gatherings of over 10 people are banned .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 3,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 218,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 959,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

HELSINKI, April 29. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Finland has risen to 4,906 after a single day increase of 166 infections, the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare said Wednesday.
"Finland currently registered 4,906 cases of infection," the statement says. On Tuesday, 4,740 infections were reported. The latest data points to 199 fatalities.
Finland shut down its borders between March 19 and May 13 due to the coronavirus developments. Moreover, the authorities restricted movement between the capital region of Uusimaa and the rest of the country to curb the spread between March 28 and April 15. Schools and universities are now employing distance learning, while preschools are still open, although parents are advised to leave their children home if possible. Moreover, gatherings of over 10 people are banned.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 3,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 218,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 959,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-29--US uses Russian children for creating support pool, says diplomat

Official programs for school exchanges with the United States were rolled back several years ago , according to Russian authorities MOSCOW , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
The United States inconspicuously went ahead with the officially aborted programs for bringing Russian children to the US for educational purposes with an eye to creating a pool of supporters in Russia , the director of the Foreign Ministry ’ s department Crisis Management Center Mikhail Petrakov said at a joint meeting of the Federation Council ’ s international affairs and defense and security committees on Wednesday .
He said the question of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unofficially taken to the United States by American partners for schooling , who have suddenly found themselves stranded amid the coronavirus pandemic , `` affects the security of Russians abroad and the sphere of bilateral relations . ''
`` As follows from messages dispatched by the Russian embassy in Washington , after the termination of the US Department of State-supervised program for school exchanges ( FLEX ) the Americans went ahead with their activities via various foundations in Russia in bypass of the official authorities to somehow make arrangements locally to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them accommodated by American families . ''
`` When the Department of State was asked this question , it was not very cooperative , '' Petrakov commented .
`` We heard various excuses like ‘ we do not know anything ' , or ‘ there are private funds involved , but in reality , everything is OK ’ .
But in reality , according to some indirect evidence , the Department of State is well aware of the situation .
I regard such exchange projects for children as an attempt by our US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they might use someday . ''
Petrakov stressed that this issue required close scrutiny by Russia .
`` These agreements were carried out somehow and children taken out of the country , '' he added .
`` Also , this is a question of guarantees [ from the American side ] , because in some cases the host families , after losing jobs and sources of income , began to literally force children to leave . ''
Future Leaders Exchange ( FLEX ) is an exchange program launched by the US Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) from the former Soviet Republics were given a chance to spend a whole year in the United States free of charge with US families and go to an American school .
The program was entirely financed by the US government , including transport , scholarship , pocket money and medical insurance .
Since the moment the program was launched more than 23,000 high school students from 12 countries , including 8,000 from Russia participated in it .
The Russian government canceled the participation of Russian school students in the program FLEX in @ @ @

Official programs for school exchanges with the United States were rolled back several years ago, according to Russian authorities
MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. The United States inconspicuously went ahead with the officially aborted programs for bringing Russian children to the US for educational purposes with an eye to creating a pool of supporters in Russia, the director of the Foreign Ministry’s department Crisis Management Center Mikhail Petrakov said at a joint meeting of the Federation Council’s international affairs and defense and security committees on Wednesday.
Read also US authorities taking effort to ensure return of Russian schoolchildren — embassy
He said the question of bringing back home tens of Russian children, unofficially taken to the United States by American partners for schooling, who have suddenly found themselves stranded amid the coronavirus pandemic, "affects the security of Russians abroad and the sphere of bilateral relations."
Read also Russia presents demarche to Washington over taking its children to US without notification
"As follows from messages dispatched by the Russian embassy in Washington, after the termination of the US Department of State-supervised program for school exchanges (FLEX) the Americans went ahead with their activities via various foundations in Russia in bypass of the official authorities to somehow make arrangements locally to bring Russian children to the US and have them accommodated by American families." "When the Department of State was asked this question, it was not very cooperative," Petrakov commented. "We heard various excuses like ‘we do not know anything', or ‘there are private funds involved, but in reality, everything is OK’. But in reality, according to some indirect evidence, the Department of State is well aware of the situation. I regard such exchange projects for children as an attempt by our US partners to create a pool of people they might use someday."
Read also US gay couple illegally adopting Russian kid reason for pullout from FLEX — official


tass--2020-04-29--Russia to cut crude production by 10% within OPEC+ in 2020

Lavrov says some P5 leaders need more time to prepare for coronavirus videoconference There is no concrete date as yet @ @ @ @ @ said

It would be US ‘golden dream’ to have nuclear weapons in Ukraine — diplomat
Maria Zakharova recalled that Italy and many other countries possess the US nuclear weapons but do not have access to them
Read more


tass--2020-04-29--Supermicro introduces systems tailored to work with software offering Red Hat

SAN JOSE , California , April 29 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Micro Computer , Inc. ( SMCI ) , a global leader in enterprise computing , storage , networking solutions and green computing technology , introduced multiple systems tailored to work with a leading open , hyperconverged software offering , Red Hat Hyperconverged Infrastructure .
Supermicro collaborated with Red Hat to develop advanced configurations based on industry-leading Supermicro servers featuring the latest technologies .
These systems , available now , give customers new options when architecting infrastructure .
Supermicro 's open HCI solution , based on Red Hat Hyperconverged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Ultra platforms that offer compelling configurations for compute , storage , and networking .
BigTwin™ , SuperServers offer four hot-pluggable systems in a 2U form factor of four dual-process server nodes with up to 24 DIMMs , and high-performance NVMe .
The BigTwin , SuperServer , leverages 12 nodes , 672 compute cores per cluster , total memory of 4,608GB , and using NVMe pushes total storage to 138TB and for density performance workload .
Ultra SuperServers have three options spanning three , six , and 12 nodes ; compute cores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and , total memory of 384GB , 1152GB , and 4608GB per cluster .
Total storage spans 72TB to 230TB per cluster dependent upon system architecture .
`` We have a long-standing relationship with Red Hat to bring technology innovations to benefit our mutual customers , '' said Raju Penumatcha , senior vice president and chief product officer , Supermicro .
`` We have further strengthened our portfolio by validating with Red Hat Hyperconverged Infrastructure for Virtualization – a powerful open-source HCI solution – delivering more value to our customers with improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while lowering TCO . ''
`` Customers need open , flexible hyperconverged solutions .
Red Hat and Supermicro are dedicated to delivering integrated open source solutions .
Together we offer flexible infrastructure solutions for organizations to more easily provision compute , storage , and networking resources with confidence , '' said Terri Hall , vice president , Global Partners & Alliances , Red Hat .
Supermicro 's HCI offerings are based on the powerful 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors , including hardware-accelerated performance options such as Intel 's Optane DC persistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for demanding workloads .
Supermicro open source HCI solution is optimized to reduce your IT footprint while providing ease of use leveraging Red Hat Ansible Automation management tools .
Red Hat Hyperconverged Infrastructure offers a single software package coupled with a simplified deployment model that helps reduce capital expenditures ( CapEx ) , and operating expenses ( OpEx ) .
Follow Supermicro on , , and to receive their latest news and announcements .
Supermicro ( Nasdaq : SMCI ) , the leading innovator in high-performance , high-efficiency server technology is a premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Data Center , Cloud Computing , Enterprise IT , Hadoop/Big Data , HPC and Embedded Systems worldwide .
Supermicro is committed to protecting the environment through its `` We Keep IT Green® '' initiative and provides customers with the most energy-efficient , environmentally-friendly solutions available on the market .
Supermicro , Building Block Solutions and We Keep IT Green are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Super Micro Computer , Inc. All other brands , names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners .

SAN JOSE, California, April 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI), a global leader in enterprise computing, storage, networking solutions and green computing technology, introduced multiple systems tailored to work with a leading open, hyperconverged software offering, Red Hat Hyperconverged Infrastructure. Supermicro collaborated with Red Hat to develop advanced configurations based on industry-leading Supermicro servers featuring the latest technologies. These systems, available now, give customers new options when architecting infrastructure.
Supermicro's open HCI solution, based on Red Hat Hyperconverged Infrastructure, includes the BigTwin, SuperServers, and Ultra platforms that offer compelling configurations for compute, storage, and networking. BigTwin™, SuperServers offer four hot-pluggable systems in a 2U form factor of four dual-process server nodes with up to 24 DIMMs, and high-performance NVMe. The BigTwin, SuperServer, leverages 12 nodes, 672 compute cores per cluster, total memory of 4,608GB, and using NVMe pushes total storage to 138TB and for density performance workload. Ultra SuperServers have three options spanning three, six, and 12 nodes; compute cores of 96, 240, and 672; and, total memory of 384GB, 1152GB, and 4608GB per cluster. Total storage spans 72TB to 230TB per cluster dependent upon system architecture.
"We have a long-standing relationship with Red Hat to bring technology innovations to benefit our mutual customers," said Raju Penumatcha, senior vice president and chief product officer, Supermicro. "We have further strengthened our portfolio by validating with Red Hat Hyperconverged Infrastructure for Virtualization – a powerful open-source HCI solution – delivering more value to our customers with improved automation of infrastructure management, higher efficiency, while lowering TCO."
"Customers need open, flexible hyperconverged solutions. Red Hat and Supermicro are dedicated to delivering integrated open source solutions. Together we offer flexible infrastructure solutions for organizations to more easily provision compute, storage, and networking resources with confidence," said Terri Hall, vice president, Global Partners & Alliances, Red Hat.
Supermicro's HCI offerings are based on the powerful 2nd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors, including hardware-accelerated performance options such as Intel's Optane DC persistent memory, and up to 25Gb networking for demanding workloads.
Supermicro open source HCI solution is optimized to reduce your IT footprint while providing ease of use leveraging Red Hat Ansible Automation management tools. Red Hat Hyperconverged Infrastructure offers a single software package coupled with a simplified deployment model that helps reduce capital expenditures (CapEx), and operating expenses (OpEx).
Visit Supermicro Red Hat hyperconverged solutions for more details.
Follow Supermicro on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook to receive their latest news and announcements.
About Super Micro Computer, Inc.
Supermicro (Nasdaq: SMCI), the leading innovator in high-performance, high-efficiency server technology is a premier provider of advanced server Building Block Solutions® for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Hadoop/Big Data, HPC and Embedded Systems worldwide. Supermicro is committed to protecting the environment through its "We Keep IT Green®" initiative and provides customers with the most energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly solutions available on the market.
Supermicro, Building Block Solutions and We Keep IT Green are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Super Micro Computer, Inc.
All other brands, names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SMCI-F
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1161440/PRBanner_Supermicro_New_HCI_Server_Portfolio.jpg
CONTACT: Greg Kaufman, Super Micro Computer, Inc., pr@supermicro.com


tass--2020-04-29--Majority of Russians ready to get vaccine against COVID-19 if it is free, poll reveals

According to the poll , women aged 25-44 are especially suspicious of getting a vaccine , with 31 % saying that they do not plan on getting one .
This tendency has been noted despite women being more scared on average of contracting the virus than men .
If a vaccine against the novel coronavirus is developed and if vaccination is free , the majority of those polled ( 63 % ) are ready to get a vaccine against the virus .
Meanwhile , 24 % of respondents said that they would not get a vaccine , while 13 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
The majority of Russian citizens are ready to get a vaccine against COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , if it is free .
Meanwhile , 25 % of Russians would not get a vaccine , a poll held by the Anti-Crisis Sociological Center informs .
Among those who do not fear contracting the virus , 26 % do not plan on getting a vaccine .
Meanwhile , 29 % of those who do not fear that their loved ones might contract the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those polled think it is not necessary to get vaccinated : 5 % of parents refuse to vaccinate their children .
About 25 % of respondents get vaccines selectively , refusing to get `` unnecessary '' or `` harmful '' ones .
`` One in four people are not ready to vaccinate themselves against the coronavirus today .
This is only partly due to those who oppose all vaccines as a matter of principle .
In a situation that concerns their life and health , people tend to be suspicious of everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not been verified , of unpredictable consequences .
It is notable that some people are convinced that the vaccine is harmful .
In this situation , the role of expert communication , professional and open dialogue with the public becomes more important , '' Maria Makusheva , head of the social design center `` Platform '' informs .
The respondents have also been asked whether they find it necessary to get tested for the virus without symptoms .
`` 16 % think that it must be done , 38 % say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is free .
39 % of those polled think that there is no need to get tested if they do not have any symptoms , '' the poll says .
According to the research , self-isolation negatively affects the physical and mental health of many of those polled .
35 % of respondents have notes some negative consequences of self-isolation .
`` However , there are some who are feeling better : they are getting more sleep , eating healthy food and doing physical exercise , '' the researchers note .
31 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained weight during self-isolation , while 9 % noted that they had lost some .
The data represents Russia ’ s online audience over 18 residing in cities with the population of over 100,000 .
The sampling size is 1,000 respondents .
The data was collected on April 24 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 3,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 218,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 959,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 99,399 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 10,286 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

According to the poll, women aged 25-44 are especially suspicious of getting a vaccine, with 31% saying that they do not plan on getting one. This tendency has been noted despite women being more scared on average of contracting the virus than men.
If a vaccine against the novel coronavirus is developed and if vaccination is free, the majority of those polled (63%) are ready to get a vaccine against the virus. Meanwhile, 24% of respondents said that they would not get a vaccine, while 13% did not provide an answer.
MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. The majority of Russian citizens are ready to get a vaccine against COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, if it is free. Meanwhile, 25% of Russians would not get a vaccine, a poll held by the Anti-Crisis Sociological Center informs.
Among those who do not fear contracting the virus, 26% do not plan on getting a vaccine. Meanwhile, 29% of those who do not fear that their loved ones might contract the virus said the same.
About 11% of those polled think it is not necessary to get vaccinated: 5% of parents refuse to vaccinate their children. About 25% of respondents get vaccines selectively, refusing to get "unnecessary" or "harmful" ones.
"One in four people are not ready to vaccinate themselves against the coronavirus today. This is only partly due to those who oppose all vaccines as a matter of principle. In a situation that concerns their life and health, people tend to be suspicious of everything new. People are afraid of what has not been verified, of unpredictable consequences. It is notable that some people are convinced that the vaccine is harmful. In this situation, the role of expert communication, professional and open dialogue with the public becomes more important," Maria Makusheva, head of the social design center "Platform" informs.
Testing with no symptoms
The respondents have also been asked whether they find it necessary to get tested for the virus without symptoms. "16% think that it must be done, 38% say that they might get tested if the test is free. 39% of those polled think that there is no need to get tested if they do not have any symptoms," the poll says.
According to the research, self-isolation negatively affects the physical and mental health of many of those polled. 35% of respondents have notes some negative consequences of self-isolation. "However, there are some who are feeling better: they are getting more sleep, eating healthy food and doing physical exercise," the researchers note. 31% of those polled said that they had gained weight during self-isolation, while 9% noted that they had lost some.
The data represents Russia’s online audience over 18 residing in cities with the population of over 100,000. The sampling size is 1,000 respondents. The data was collected on April 24.
The COVID-19 pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 3,100,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 218,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 959,700 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 99,399 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 10,286 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 972 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-29--Russia to continue searching for solutions on energy market balancing with partners

NOVO-OGARYOVO , April 29 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will continue searching for solutions on balancing the energy market together with foreign partners , President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting on energy development on Wednesday .
He stressed that `` joint efforts are required , including such as the recent OPEC+ agreement , '' to mitigate the effect of negative trends on energy markets on the state of economy .
`` We will continue establishing efficient cooperation with foreign partners in the future , reach agreements on balancing the energy market , search for solutions that will enable enterprises to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and create new jobs , '' Putin added .
The president has urged the relevant authorities to ensure long-term stability of Russia ’ s fuel and energy complex ( FEC ) throughout the entire production cycle .
`` Our key common goal is to ensure the long-term stable functioning of the whole Russian fuel and energy complex throughout the whole cycle , from production of resources to their transportation and advanced processing , including the work of small and mid-sized businesses that provide services to the sector and ensure the technological process , @ @ @ @

NOVO-OGARYOVO, April 29. /TASS/. Russia will continue searching for solutions on balancing the energy market together with foreign partners, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting on energy development on Wednesday.
He stressed that "joint efforts are required, including such as the recent OPEC+ agreement," to mitigate the effect of negative trends on energy markets on the state of economy. "We will continue establishing efficient cooperation with foreign partners in the future, reach agreements on balancing the energy market, search for solutions that will enable enterprises to implement long-term plans, invest in development and create new jobs," Putin added.
The president has urged the relevant authorities to ensure long-term stability of Russia’s fuel and energy complex (FEC) throughout the entire production cycle.
"Our key common goal is to ensure the long-term stable functioning of the whole Russian fuel and energy complex throughout the whole cycle, from production of resources to their transportation and advanced processing, including the work of small and mid-sized businesses that provide services to the sector and ensure the technological process," he said.