tass--2020-05-23--Expert rejects report on rift between Moscow and Assad as fake news

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
Any reports about disagreements between the Russian leadership and Syrian President Bashar Assad are fake news spread by radical Syrian opposition acting overseas , Senior Researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute of Oriental Studies Boris Dolgov told TASS .
`` Fake news that the Russian leadership is dissatisfied with the Syrian leadership and that there are some disagreements in the Syrian leadership is a bogus story of the Syrian opposition , namely radical opposition acting from abroad , '' Dolgov said .
According to the expert , this fake news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficulties for the Syrian leadership and sow discord between the Russian and Syrian leadership . ''
Earlier , some media reports said that Assad could be ousted in the near future and this issue was allegedly being discussed between Russia , Turkey and Iran .
Neither country has officially confirmed the report .
The expert rejected this speculation as fake news , stressing that there were no problems between the Russian and Syrian leadership .
He recalled that Russia backs Syria ’ s struggle against terror groups noting that this meets the interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to it .
`` Therefore , this fake news is not linked to the real situation .
There can be no deterioration of the situation in Syria against this background , '' he stressed .
The coronavirus pandemic is not exerting significant influence on the domestic situation in Syria since this country and the Middle East in general were less affected by this situation .
Syria has confirmed less than 60 coronavirus cases and several deaths , while the situation is under control of the country ’ s leadership , Dolgov noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the growing number of raids conducted by terrorists of the Islamic State ( terror group , outlawed in Russia ) , Dolgov stressed that the IS had been eliminated as a military and political structure and it had no more territories under control .
`` There are small units hiding in hard-to-reach areas and there are sleeper cells of the IS .
They sometimes act , and sometimes they spread fake news , in particular , in US mass media outlets , in order to justify the presence of US troops in Syria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rebirth of the IS group is absolutely ruled out , '' he said .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Any reports about disagreements between the Russian leadership and Syrian President Bashar Assad are fake news spread by radical Syrian opposition acting overseas, Senior Researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Oriental Studies Boris Dolgov told TASS.
"Fake news that the Russian leadership is dissatisfied with the Syrian leadership and that there are some disagreements in the Syrian leadership is a bogus story of the Syrian opposition, namely radical opposition acting from abroad," Dolgov said.
According to the expert, this fake news is invented in order to "create difficulties for the Syrian leadership and sow discord between the Russian and Syrian leadership."
Earlier, some media reports said that Assad could be ousted in the near future and this issue was allegedly being discussed between Russia, Turkey and Iran. Neither country has officially confirmed the report.
The expert rejected this speculation as fake news, stressing that there were no problems between the Russian and Syrian leadership. He recalled that Russia backs Syria’s struggle against terror groups noting that this meets the interests of Moscow as these groups pose a threat to it. "Therefore, this fake news is not linked to the real situation. There can be no deterioration of the situation in Syria against this background," he stressed.
The coronavirus pandemic is not exerting significant influence on the domestic situation in Syria since this country and the Middle East in general were less affected by this situation. Syria has confirmed less than 60 coronavirus cases and several deaths, while the situation is under control of the country’s leadership, Dolgov noted.
Speaking on a threat posed by the growing number of raids conducted by terrorists of the Islamic State (terror group, outlawed in Russia), Dolgov stressed that the IS had been eliminated as a military and political structure and it had no more territories under control. "There are small units hiding in hard-to-reach areas and there are sleeper cells of the IS. They sometimes act, and sometimes they spread fake news, in particular, in US mass media outlets, in order to justify the presence of US troops in Syria. But any greater influence and moreover the rebirth of the IS group is absolutely ruled out," he said.


tass--2020-05-23--Ukrainian lawmaker found dead with gunshot wound — interior ministry

KIEV , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian police are investigating the death of Ukrainian parliament member Valery Davydenko , who was found dead in his office with a gunshot wound to the head , Ukrainian Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko said on Saturday .
`` Today , people ’ s deputy Valery Davydenko was found dead in the toilet room of his own office , with a fatal gunshot wound to the head , '' he wrote on Facebook .
Police and prosecutors are looking into `` all possible versions of the tragedy , '' Gerashchenko added .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s body was discovered by a janitor .
A pistol was found next to him .
According to the website of Ukraine ’ s unicameral parliament , Verkhovna Rada , Valery Davydenko was born on March 16 , 1973 .
He was elected as a self-designated candidate from a single-seat constituency and was not affiliated with any political party .
Davydenko was a member of the Trust parliamentary group .
In the previous convocation of Ukraine ’ s parliament , Davydenko was a member of the pro-presidential Pyotr Poroshenko bloc .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he served as a deputy minister of agrarian policy and food .

KIEV, May 23. /TASS/. Ukrainian police are investigating the death of Ukrainian parliament member Valery Davydenko, who was found dead in his office with a gunshot wound to the head, Ukrainian Deputy Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko said on Saturday.
"Today, people’s deputy Valery Davydenko was found dead in the toilet room of his own office, with a fatal gunshot wound to the head," he wrote on Facebook.
Police and prosecutors are looking into "all possible versions of the tragedy," Gerashchenko added.
Earlier, Ukrainian media reported that the lawmaker’s body was discovered by a janitor. A pistol was found next to him.
According to the website of Ukraine’s unicameral parliament, Verkhovna Rada, Valery Davydenko was born on March 16, 1973. He was elected as a self-designated candidate from a single-seat constituency and was not affiliated with any political party. Davydenko was a member of the Trust parliamentary group.
In the previous convocation of Ukraine’s parliament, Davydenko was a member of the pro-presidential Pyotr Poroshenko bloc. During the presidency of Viktor Yanukovich in 2013-2014, he served as a deputy minister of agrarian policy and food.


tass--2020-05-23--Number of COVID-19 cases worldwide up by almost 110,000 in past day — WHO

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases worldwide grew by almost 110,000 in the past 24 hours , topping 5.1 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Saturday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on May 23 , as many as 5,103,006 novel coronavirus cases and 333,401 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 109,536 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,663 .
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 2,282,488 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 62,221 and the number of deaths - by 3,579 and reached 135,184 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 1,987,657 and the number of fatalities is 172,958 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 21,413 and the number of deaths - by 1,631 .
The East Mediterranean region has 402,919 cases and 10,806 fatalities as of May 23 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases grew by 13,331 and the number of deaths - by 158 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 1,547,973 ) , Russia ( 335,882 ) , Brazil ( 310,087 ) , the United Kingdom ( 254,199 ) , Spain ( 234,824 ) , Italy ( 228,658 ) , Germany ( 177,850 ) , Turkey ( 154,500 ) , France ( 141,949 ) , and Iran ( 131,652 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases worldwide grew by almost 110,000 in the past 24 hours, topping 5.1 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Saturday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on May 23, as many as 5,103,006 novel coronavirus cases and 333,401 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 109,536 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 5,663.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 2,282,488. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 62,221 and the number of deaths - by 3,579 and reached 135,184.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 1,987,657 and the number of fatalities is 172,958. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 21,413 and the number of deaths - by 1,631.
The East Mediterranean region has 402,919 cases and 10,806 fatalities as of May 23. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 13,331 and the number of deaths - by 158.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (1,547,973), Russia (335,882), Brazil (310,087), the United Kingdom (254,199), Spain (234,824), Italy (228,658), Germany (177,850), Turkey (154,500), France (141,949), and Iran (131,652).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-05-23--Putin signs law on remote online vote at federal level

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on amending Russia ’ s election @ @ @ @ @ vote at a federal level , according to a document published on the official legal @ @ @ @ @ The law introduces the definition of a remote online vote , which implies voting without @ @ @ @ @ use of a special software .
Under the law , during the elections to the @ @ @ @ @ bodies and a referendum voters and participants of a referendum should be allowed to cast @ @ @ @ @ in a remote online vote .
The new law also stipulates that the voters ’ @ @ @ @ @ a single portal of state and municipal services .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on amending Russia’s election legislation and allowing remote online vote at a federal level, according to a document published on the official legal information portal on Saturday.
The law introduces the definition of a remote online vote, which implies voting without a paper bulletin with the use of a special software. Under the law, during the elections to the state bodies, local self-governing bodies and a referendum voters and participants of a referendum should be allowed to cast their ballots by mail or in a remote online vote.
The new law also stipulates that the voters’ signatures may be collected via a single portal of state and municipal services.


tass--2020-05-23--Nearly 1,500 Russian servicemen diagnosed with coronavirus — defense ministry

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in the Russian army and military academies exceeds 2,100 , including among 1,457 servicemen , the Russian Defense Ministry said in its bulletin on Saturday .
`` As of May 23 , some 1,457 servicemen tested positive for [ the coronavirus ] in the military command , formations , divisions and units , '' the ministry said .
Among those who recovered are 1,204 servicemen , 1,542 cadets , 308 students of pre-universities , as well as 178 civilian personnel .
Most those who contracted the virus have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are in moderately grave condition .
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 5.1 mln people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 330,00 deaths have been reported .
To date , a total of 335,882 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 107,936 patients having recovered from the disease .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 3,388 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in the Russian army and military academies exceeds 2,100, including among 1,457 servicemen, the Russian Defense Ministry said in its bulletin on Saturday.
"As of May 23, some 1,457 servicemen tested positive for [the coronavirus] in the military command, formations, divisions and units," the ministry said.
Among those who recovered are 1,204 servicemen, 1,542 cadets, 308 students of pre-universities, as well as 178 civilian personnel.
Most those who contracted the virus have not shown any symptoms, while seven people are in moderately grave condition.
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 5.1 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 330,00 deaths have been reported. To date, a total of 335,882 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 107,936 patients having recovered from the disease. Russia’s latest data indicates 3,388 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-23--Coronavirus recoveries in St. Petersburg exceed 3,000

ST.PETERSBURG , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
The number of COVID-19 patients who have recovered in St. Petersburg exceeds 3,000 @ @ @ @ @ reported on Saturday .
In the past day , 265 people were discharged from hospitals @ @ @ @ @ the total recoveries count reached 3,124 .
This accounts for nearly 24 % of the @ @ @ @ @ in the city , which stands at 12,955 .
Some 363 cases were recorded in @ @ @ @ @ St. Petersburg has the highest coronavirus caseloads after Moscow and the Moscow Region .
The @ @ @ @ @ the city has hit 113 , with six dead over the past day .
The @ @ @ @ @ number of restrictions to prevent the coronavirus spread .
Elderly people were instructed to self-isolate @ @ @ @ @ visit parks .
Wearing face masks and gloves is compulsory in public places .
St. @ @ @ @ @ this week that the number of coronavirus cases in the city is not declining and @ @ @ @ @ force until May 31 .

ST.PETERSBURG, May 23. /TASS/. The number of COVID-19 patients who have recovered in St. Petersburg exceeds 3,000, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Saturday.
In the past day, 265 people were discharged from hospitals in the city, while the total recoveries count reached 3,124. This accounts for nearly 24% of the total number of COVID-19 cases in the city, which stands at 12,955. Some 363 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours.
St. Petersburg has the highest coronavirus caseloads after Moscow and the Moscow Region. The death toll from COVID-19 in the city has hit 113, with six dead over the past day.
The city authorities earlier introduced a number of restrictions to prevent the coronavirus spread. Elderly people were instructed to self-isolate and are not allowed to visit parks. Wearing face masks and gloves is compulsory in public places. St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said this week that the number of coronavirus cases in the city is not declining and all restrictions would remain in force until May 31.


tass--2020-05-23--Open Skies Treaty data sharing with US would cause problems, senior diplomat warns

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has warned of political and legal problems if allies share data obtained under the Open Skies Treaty after Washington ’ s withdrawal .
`` I don ’ t see any problems from the viewpoint of consequences for our security after the US withdrawal from this treaty , whether they will be a party to this treaty or not .
If the treaty is preserved , their allies will probably find ways to share information with the United States , and vice versa , '' Ryabkov said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Game ) on Channel One .
`` Although in our opinion , this will be extremely troublesome from the viewpoint of politics and law , '' Ryabkov said , noting that Moscow is `` thinking about this now . ''
The senior diplomat noted that the US reasons for withdrawal from the treaty are illogical , chaotic and ridiculous .
Ryabkov laughed at Washington ’ s claims that the Russia ’ s Open Skies planes were used as spotters for artillery and missile fire .
Washington also forgets that the observation flights it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
`` I want to call on our US colleagues to at first draw up a list of those sites , which were pictured by them and their allied missions of the Open Skies in Russia and present them .
Then we will see who flew over golf fields and so on and who obtained more information , '' he said , commenting on US claims that the Russian pilots had allegedly flown over Trump ’ s golf club .
On Thursday , US President Donald Trump announced Washington ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Open Skies , which allows the signatories to conduct flights over each other ’ s territory to observe military activity .
In his statement , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US decision would enter force in six months .
The US side cites alleged Russian violation of the Treaty as a pretext for its withdrawal .
Moscow denies all allegations , stating that it continues to adhere to the Treaty , and puts forth its own accusations against the US .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has warned of political and legal problems if allies share data obtained under the Open Skies Treaty after Washington’s withdrawal.
"I don’t see any problems from the viewpoint of consequences for our security after the US withdrawal from this treaty, whether they will be a party to this treaty or not. If the treaty is preserved, their allies will probably find ways to share information with the United States, and vice versa," Ryabkov said in an interview with Bolshaya Igra (Big Game) on Channel One. "Although in our opinion, this will be extremely troublesome from the viewpoint of politics and law," Ryabkov said, noting that Moscow is "thinking about this now."
The senior diplomat noted that the US reasons for withdrawal from the treaty are illogical, chaotic and ridiculous. Ryabkov laughed at Washington’s claims that the Russia’s Open Skies planes were used as spotters for artillery and missile fire.
Washington also forgets that the observation flights it conducted were not over parks and beaches, he said. "I want to call on our US colleagues to at first draw up a list of those sites, which were pictured by them and their allied missions of the Open Skies in Russia and present them. Then we will see who flew over golf fields and so on and who obtained more information," he said, commenting on US claims that the Russian pilots had allegedly flown over Trump’s golf club.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced Washington’s intention to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, which allows the signatories to conduct flights over each other’s territory to observe military activity. In his statement, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US decision would enter force in six months. The US side cites alleged Russian violation of the Treaty as a pretext for its withdrawal. Moscow denies all allegations, stating that it continues to adhere to the Treaty, and puts forth its own accusations against the US.


tass--2020-05-23--Russia warns US against deepening divisions during pandemic - senior diplomat

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is calling on US colleagues not to increase further divisions amid the coronavirus pandemic , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Bolshaya Igra ( Big Game ) program on Channel One .
`` The attempts continue to put up political , psychological and sanctions pressure on Russia .
Contrary to the needs of the moment and time , when it is necessary to unite efforts and closely cooperate , if only because without this the consequences of the pandemic would be more severe , we see an increase in further divisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in tensions , '' he said .
`` This is an alarming sign .
We are trying to explain to our US colleagues that this is not a path to follow.
`` According to the senior diplomat , the two countries have not suspended dialogue and moreover , in April and May it even intensified .
`` I believe that in some areas , including in mutual assistance in combating the pandemic through humanitarian supplies , we have reached some new frontiers , which we can only welcome , '' he stressed .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Russia is calling on US colleagues not to increase further divisions amid the coronavirus pandemic, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Bolshaya Igra (Big Game) program on Channel One.
"The attempts continue to put up political, psychological and sanctions pressure on Russia. Contrary to the needs of the moment and time, when it is necessary to unite efforts and closely cooperate, if only because without this the consequences of the pandemic would be more severe, we see an increase in further divisions, in some ways even a rise in tensions," he said. "This is an alarming sign. We are trying to explain to our US colleagues that this is not a path to follow. "
According to the senior diplomat, the two countries have not suspended dialogue and moreover, in April and May it even intensified. "I believe that in some areas, including in mutual assistance in combating the pandemic through humanitarian supplies, we have reached some new frontiers, which we can only welcome," he stressed.


tass--2020-05-23--Trump administration will let arms reduction treaty with Russia expire - senior diplomat

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump ’ s administration could allow the 2010 New START ( Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty ) with Russia to expire , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Bolshaya Igra ( Big Game ) program on Channel One on Saturday .
`` The Trump administration will allow the 2010 New START to expire , '' Ryabkov said .
The senior diplomat pointed to the role of the Republican Party .
`` The US Republican Party is spearheading the efforts on destroying the regimes and agreements in the arms control field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is trying to draw Beijing into talks on control over strategic arms .
`` The Trump administration seeks to use Russia in order to draw China into these talks , '' he noted .
The New START Treaty , which was signed by Moscow and Washington in 2010 , stipulates that seven years after it goes into effect , each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles ( ICBM ) , submarine-launched ballistic missiles ( SLBM ) and strategic bombers , as well as no more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers , and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed missile launchers .
The document is set to remain in effect until February 5 , 2021 , unless it is replaced with another agreement on nuclear arms reduction .
It can also be extended for no more than five years ( until 2026 ) with the consent of both parties .
Moscow calls on Washington not to delay solving the issue on a possible extension of the treaty , which it has described as `` a golden standard '' @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump’s administration could allow the 2010 New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) with Russia to expire, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Bolshaya Igra (Big Game) program on Channel One on Saturday.
"The Trump administration will allow the 2010 New START to expire," Ryabkov said.
The senior diplomat pointed to the role of the Republican Party. "The US Republican Party is spearheading the efforts on destroying the regimes and agreements in the arms control field."
According to Ryabkov, Washington is trying to draw Beijing into talks on control over strategic arms. "The Trump administration seeks to use Russia in order to draw China into these talks," he noted.
The New START Treaty, which was signed by Moscow and Washington in 2010, stipulates that seven years after it goes into effect, each party should have no more than a total of 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and strategic bombers, as well as no more than 1,550 warheads on deployed ICBMs, deployed SLBMs and strategic bombers, and a total of 800 deployed and non-deployed missile launchers.
The document is set to remain in effect until February 5, 2021, unless it is replaced with another agreement on nuclear arms reduction. It can also be extended for no more than five years (until 2026) with the consent of both parties.
Moscow calls on Washington not to delay solving the issue on a possible extension of the treaty, which it has described as "a golden standard" in disarmament.


tass--2020-05-23--Police detain 19 individuals during attack on Medvedchuk’s office in Kiev

KIEV , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
Ukrainian law enforcement officers held 19 individuals near the Kiev office of Viktor @ @ @ @ @ political council of the Opposition Platform — For Life party , the city police said @ @ @ @ @ attack was carried out , `` activists '' lit up flares .
Nearly 19 people @ @ @ @ @ public order , now they are at the Pechorsky police station , '' a police @ @ @ @ @ .
Police are now investigating all circumstances of the incident .
The political party said @ @ @ @ @ , who tried to prevent illegal steps of radicals .
The party said one guard @ @ @ @ @ and sent to a hospital .
On Saturday , radicals from the far-right organization National @ @ @ @ @ threw smoke barrels and firecrackers at Medvedchuk ’ s office in downtown Kiev .
They @ @ @ @ @ the building .
The party has described the radicals ’ steps as revenge and attempts @ @ @ @ @ political stance .
The radicals vowed to continue the attacks .

KIEV, May 23. /TASS/. Ukrainian law enforcement officers held 19 individuals near the Kiev office of Viktor Medvedchuk, who chairs the political council of the Opposition Platform — For Life party, the city police said on Saturday.
"An attack was carried out, "activists" lit up flares. Nearly 19 people have been detained for violating public order, now they are at the Pechorsky police station," a police spokesperson told Ukrinform news agency. Police are now investigating all circumstances of the incident.
The political party said police had apprehended 11 people, who tried to prevent illegal steps of radicals. The party said one guard at the office was injured and sent to a hospital.
On Saturday, radicals from the far-right organization National Corps lit up flares, threw smoke barrels and firecrackers at Medvedchuk’s office in downtown Kiev. They also sprayed red dye at the building. The party has described the radicals’ steps as revenge and attempts to frighten it over its political stance. The radicals vowed to continue the attacks.


tass--2020-05-23--Russia considers response to US withdrawal from Open Skies Treaty - senior diplomat

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow is considering various options of responding to Washington ’ s withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview with Bolshaya Igra ( Big Game ) program on Channel One .
`` We have delved into analyzing various options , we have a free stance , we are in no hurry , '' the senior diplomat said .
`` This is a country that disregards international law and its own commitments in various fields .
The Open Skies Treaty probably was an obstacle for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreements , which the US would like to abandon .
This is like a virus , like COVID-19 , we can not overcome it but we can survive it , '' Ryabkov said .
On Thursday , US President Donald Trump announced Washington ’ s intention to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies , which allows the signatories to conduct flights over each other ’ s territory to observe military activity .
In his statement , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US decision would enter force in six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian violation of the Treaty as a pretext for its withdrawal .
Moscow denies all allegations , stating that it continues to adhere to the Treaty , and puts forth its own accusations against the US .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Moscow is considering various options of responding to Washington’s withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said in an interview with Bolshaya Igra (Big Game) program on Channel One.
"We have delved into analyzing various options, we have a free stance, we are in no hurry," the senior diplomat said.
"This is a country that disregards international law and its own commitments in various fields. The Open Skies Treaty probably was an obstacle for the US and there will be other agreements, which the US would like to abandon. This is like a virus, like COVID-19, we cannot overcome it but we can survive it," Ryabkov said.
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced Washington’s intention to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, which allows the signatories to conduct flights over each other’s territory to observe military activity. In his statement, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US decision would enter force in six months. The US side cites alleged Russian violation of the Treaty as a pretext for its withdrawal. Moscow denies all allegations, stating that it continues to adhere to the Treaty, and puts forth its own accusations against the US.


tass--2020-05-23--Putin signs bill on remote voting experiment in Moscow in 2020-2021

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill regarding an experiment on remote online vote in elections of all levels in Moscow .
The law , published at the official legal information website Saturday , extends the experiment , initiated in September 2019 and makes it possible to vote remotely in elections of all levels that will take place in the capital in 2020 and 2021 .
To participate in the electronic vote , a voter will have to file an application .
The application filing and the remote voting will be performed via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , an option for traditional vote remains .
The law amends the definition of a remote vote as voting without a paper bulletin using the special software of the regional Moscow state services website .
Besides , the document implies creation of a district electoral commission for remote votes - a collective body tasked with organizing , implementation and calculation of results .
Filing an application for a remote vote does not prohibit a voter from taking part in the voting normally .
The remote electronic vote system was tested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hacking happened during all four elections , all hacker attacks were successfully deflected .
Over 11,000 people voted during the experiment .
On Septmber 8 , 2019 , voter turnout was 92.3 % .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill regarding an experiment on remote online vote in elections of all levels in Moscow. The law, published at the official legal information website Saturday, extends the experiment, initiated in September 2019 and makes it possible to vote remotely in elections of all levels that will take place in the capital in 2020 and 2021.
To participate in the electronic vote, a voter will have to file an application. The application filing and the remote voting will be performed via special software of the state services website. Meanwhile, an option for traditional vote remains.
The law amends the definition of a remote vote as voting without a paper bulletin using the special software of the regional Moscow state services website. Besides, the document implies creation of a district electoral commission for remote votes - a collective body tasked with organizing, implementation and calculation of results. Filing an application for a remote vote does not prohibit a voter from taking part in the voting normally.
The remote electronic vote system was tested in Moscow four times already; no successful hacking happened during all four elections, all hacker attacks were successfully deflected. Over 11,000 people voted during the experiment. On Septmber 8, 2019, voter turnout was 92.3%.


tass--2020-05-23--Moscow law enforcement apprehends Alfa-Bank hostage taker

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
Law enforcement officers have apprehended the man who captured the Alfa-Bank office in Moscow Saturday , a law enforcement source told TASS .
`` The special operations unit has just conducted an assault on the Alfa-Bank office and apprehended the perpetrator who threatened to blow up the bank .
According to the preliminary data , he had a dummy explosive device , '' the source said .
The man is in a mentally inadequate state , and will be sent for expertise , a law enforcement source told TASS .
`` Currently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mentally inadequate state and will be sent for a relevant expertise , '' the source said .
No casualties were sustained during the assault on the Moscow Alfa Bank office , where a hostage situation happened Saturday , a law enforcement source told TASS .
`` There was one hostage in the bank with the perpetrator .
Nobody got hurt .
The suspect did not resist [ during the assault ] , he stayed calm and continued livestreaming to his social media account , '' the source said .
On Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow ’ s Zemlyanoy Val Street , carrying a trademarked food delivery bag .
He claimed that the bank is rigged with explosive and took six people hostage , five of whom managed to leave the bank office on their own .
The perpetrator was apprehended in an assault .
The law enforcement officers determined that the man had no actual explosives , only a dummy in his bag .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Law enforcement officers have apprehended the man who captured the Alfa-Bank office in Moscow Saturday, a law enforcement source told TASS.
"The special operations unit has just conducted an assault on the Alfa-Bank office and apprehended the perpetrator who threatened to blow up the bank. According to the preliminary data, he had a dummy explosive device," the source said.
The man is in a mentally inadequate state, and will be sent for expertise, a law enforcement source told TASS.
"Currently, the man is apprehended, he is in mentally inadequate state and will be sent for a relevant expertise," the source said.
No casualties were sustained during the assault on the Moscow Alfa Bank office, where a hostage situation happened Saturday, a law enforcement source told TASS.
"There was one hostage in the bank with the perpetrator. Nobody got hurt. The suspect did not resist [during the assault], he stayed calm and continued livestreaming to his social media account," the source said.
On Saturday, the man stormed the bank office at Moscow’s Zemlyanoy Val Street, carrying a trademarked food delivery bag. He claimed that the bank is rigged with explosive and took six people hostage, five of whom managed to leave the bank office on their own. The perpetrator was apprehended in an assault. The law enforcement officers determined that the man had no actual explosives, only a dummy in his bag.


tass--2020-05-23--Delivery Club does not confirm participation of courier in hostage taking in Moscow

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
Delivery Club , one of the main food delivery services in Moscow , @ @ @ @ @ that would confirm participation of its courier in the Alfa-Bank hostage situation in Moscow , @ @ @ @ @ TASS .
`` Currently , we have received no requests from the law enforcement .
@ @ @ @ @ information that would confirm participation of a real courier in this incident , '' the @ @ @ @ @ a Telegram channel reported that the unidentified perpetrator who took hostages in the Alfa-Bank office @ @ @ @ @ in a Delivery Club courier uniform .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Delivery Club, one of the main food delivery services in Moscow, says it has no information that would confirm participation of its courier in the Alfa-Bank hostage situation in Moscow, the company press service told TASS.
"Currently, we have received no requests from the law enforcement. We also have no internal information that would confirm participation of a real courier in this incident," the source said.
Earlier, a Telegram channel reported that the unidentified perpetrator who took hostages in the Alfa-Bank office in Moscow, is dressed in a Delivery Club courier uniform.


tass--2020-05-23--No Alfa-Bank employees in the room with hostage taker in Moscow - bank representative

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
There are no Alfa-Bank employees inside the room with the hostage taker , @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The data is still preliminary , but we know for sure that the @ @ @ @ @ ; there is a man in the office who has barricaded the front door .
@ @ @ @ @ and , according to our colleagues , he is delusional , '' the representative said @ @ @ @ @ it is unclear whether all people managed to leave the captured room .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ the office on Saturdays amid the self-isolation , '' the representative said .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. There are no Alfa-Bank employees inside the room with the hostage taker, a bank representative told TASS.
"The data is still preliminary, but we know for sure that the employees have left the room; there is a man in the office who has barricaded the front door. His demands are unclear, and, according to our colleagues, he is delusional," the representative said.
The source disclosed that it is unclear whether all people managed to leave the captured room.
"There are exceptionally few people at the office on Saturdays amid the self-isolation," the representative said.


tass--2020-05-23--Unknown man takes hostages in Alfa-Bank office in Moscow, threatens to blow up building

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
An unknown perpetrator has captured at least five hostages at the Alfa-Bank office on Zemlyanoy Val street in Moscow and threatens to blow up the building , an emergency services source told TASS .
`` An unknown perpetrator captured five hostages at the Alfa-Bank office [ … ] and threatens to blow up the building .
There are at least five hostages in the building , '' the source said .
A Prompt Response Special Team ( SOBR ) of the Russian National Guard has been dispatched at the site of a hostage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement source told TASS .
`` The SOBR has been dispatched at the site .
The law enforcement is ready to begin negotiations .
According to the preliminary information , the perpetrator hold an unidentified package in his hands , '' the source said .
A portion of Moscow ’ s Verknyaya Syromyatnicheskaya street between Zemlyanoy Val street and the Suzdalsky avenue was closed over a hostage situation in an Alfa-Bank office , Moscow Transport Informational Center told TASS .
The man demands a large sum of money from the Bank ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services told TASS .
`` The perpetrator has got into a difficult life situation .
He demands a large sum of money from the Alfa-Bank administration .
According to the preliminary data , the man works as a courier , delivers food , '' the source said .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. An unknown perpetrator has captured at least five hostages at the Alfa-Bank office on Zemlyanoy Val street in Moscow and threatens to blow up the building, an emergency services source told TASS.
"An unknown perpetrator captured five hostages at the Alfa-Bank office […] and threatens to blow up the building. There are at least five hostages in the building," the source said.
A Prompt Response Special Team (SOBR) of the Russian National Guard has been dispatched at the site of a hostage situation in an Alfa-Bank office, a law enforcement source told TASS.
"The SOBR has been dispatched at the site. The law enforcement is ready to begin negotiations. According to the preliminary information, the perpetrator hold an unidentified package in his hands," the source said.
A portion of Moscow’s Verknyaya Syromyatnicheskaya street between Zemlyanoy Val street and the Suzdalsky avenue was closed over a hostage situation in an Alfa-Bank office, Moscow Transport Informational Center told TASS.
The man demands a large sum of money from the Bank’s administration, a source in emergency services told TASS.
"The perpetrator has got into a difficult life situation. He demands a large sum of money from the Alfa-Bank administration. According to the preliminary data, the man works as a courier, delivers food," the source said.


tass--2020-05-24--St. Petersburg reports record high number of coronavirus recoveries in past day

ST.PETERSBURG , May 24 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus recoveries in St. Petersburg has reached a quarter of @ @ @ @ @ the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday .
A total of 328 people were discharged @ @ @ @ @ , a record high number since the start of the pandemic .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ total number of recoveries from the coronavirus has reached 3,452 .
This accounts for 25 @ @ @ @ @ of those infected .
Some 13,339 people have contracted the coronavirus in the city , @ @ @ @ @ day .
Twenty patients died , bringing the total number of fatalities to 133 .
@ @ @ @ @ 38 people recovered in the Leningrad Region , while the total number of recoveries reached @ @ @ @ @ 41 % of the total number of those infected .
A total of 2,437 people @ @ @ @ @ the region , including 57 in the past day .
Since the start of the @ @ @ @ @ died .

ST.PETERSBURG, May 24. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus recoveries in St. Petersburg has reached a quarter of the total case tally, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday.
A total of 328 people were discharged from hospitals in the city, a record high number since the start of the pandemic.
According to the center, to date the total number of recoveries from the coronavirus has reached 3,452. This accounts for 25% of the total number of those infected. Some 13,339 people have contracted the coronavirus in the city, with 384 over the past day. Twenty patients died, bringing the total number of fatalities to 133.
In the past day, 38 people recovered in the Leningrad Region, while the total number of recoveries reached 1,011. This accounts for 41% of the total number of those infected. A total of 2,437 people have contracted the coronavirus in the region, including 57 in the past day. Since the start of the pandemic, eight people have died.


tass--2020-05-24--Russian-Chinese anti-coronavirus cooperation will enhance ties - Wang Yi

BEIJING , May 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian-Chinese cooperation in the anti-coronavirus fight will help create an impetus for boosting @ @ @ @ @ Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a press conference on the sidelines of the @ @ @ @ @ National People 's Congress ( NPC ) on Sunday .
`` No doubt , cooperation @ @ @ @ @ combating the virus will give a powerful impetus for enhancing bilateral cooperation between Russia and @ @ @ @ @ with Russia in order to turn the crisis into an opportunity , '' Wang Yi @ @ @ @ @ maintain stable cooperation in the field of energy and other traditional areas , develop cooperation @ @ @ @ @ for creating new drivers of reviving economy in the post-coronavirus period , '' the politician @ @

BEIJING, May 24. /TASS/. Russian-Chinese cooperation in the anti-coronavirus fight will help create an impetus for boosting bilateral ties, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a press conference on the sidelines of the 3rd session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) on Sunday.
"No doubt, cooperation between the two countries in combating the virus will give a powerful impetus for enhancing bilateral cooperation between Russia and China. China is working with Russia in order to turn the crisis into an opportunity," Wang Yi said.
"We will maintain stable cooperation in the field of energy and other traditional areas, develop cooperation in electronic commerce and biomedicine for creating new drivers of reviving economy in the post-coronavirus period," the politician said.


tass--2020-05-24--Russia’s coronavirus case tally grows 22.3% this week

MOSCOW , May 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases grew 22.3 % this week versus 34.4 % @ @ @ @ @ , according to TASS estimates based on the anti-coronavirus crisis center ’ s data .
@ @ @ @ @ 62,729 COVID-19 in the period of May 18-24 .
On May 11-17 , some 72,064 @ @ @ @ @ number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past seven days was fewer by 9,335 .
@ @ @ @ @ for the second week in a row .
The average daily growth in COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ 2.9 % over this week .
In the past seven days , another 45,926 coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ while in the previous week their number was 33,067 .
However , the weekly growth @ @ @ @ @ 68.2 % .
The death toll from the coronavirus rose by 910 or 34.6 % @ @ @ @ @ compared with the previous week , when it stood at 37.4 % .
However , @ @ @ @ @ from 0.93 % to 1.03 % .

MOSCOW, May 24. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases grew 22.3% this week versus 34.4% in the previous seven days, according to TASS estimates based on the anti-coronavirus crisis center’s data.
The crisis center reported about 62,729 COVID-19 in the period of May 18-24. On May 11-17, some 72,064 cases were registered. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past seven days was fewer by 9,335. The figure has been declining for the second week in a row.
The average daily growth in COVID-19 cases dropped from 4.3% to 2.9% over this week.
In the past seven days, another 45,926 coronavirus patients recovered in Russia, while in the previous week their number was 33,067. However, the weekly growth dropped from 96.4% to 68.2%.
The death toll from the coronavirus rose by 910 or 34.6%. The growth rate slowed compared with the previous week, when it stood at 37.4%. However, the death rate significantly rose from 0.93% to 1.03%.


tass--2020-05-24--Russia’s coronavirus recoveries surpass 113,000

MOSCOW , May 24 .
/TASS/ .
The number of recovered COVID-19 patients in Russia has reached 113,299 , with @ @ @ @ @ in the past day , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday .
Some @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow , 357 in the Moscow Region , 328 in St. Petersburg , 265 @ @ @ @ @ the Nizhny Novgorod Region .
According to the crisis center , the total death toll @ @ @ @ @ has climbed to 3,541 .
Over the past day 153 patients died versus 139 a @ @ @ @ @ of 59 people died in Moscow , 20 in St. Petersburg , 14 in Dagestan @ @ @ @ @ , Nizhny Novgorod and Tomsk Regions , four in North Ossetia , Kamchatka and Amur @ @ @ @ @ the Kaluga Region .
Two fatalities were registered in the Orlov , Smolensk , Tver @ @ @ @ @ Sverdlovsk , Novosibirsk , Omsk Regions and the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region .

MOSCOW, May 24. /TASS/. The number of recovered COVID-19 patients in Russia has reached 113,299, with 5,363 people discharged from hospital in the past day, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday.
Some 2,427 people have been discharged in Moscow, 357 in the Moscow Region, 328 in St. Petersburg, 265 in Dagestan and 141 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region.
According to the crisis center, the total death toll from the coronavirus in Russia has climbed to 3,541. Over the past day 153 patients died versus 139 a day earlier.
A total of 59 people died in Moscow, 20 in St. Petersburg, 14 in Dagestan, five in the Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and Tomsk Regions, four in North Ossetia, Kamchatka and Amur Regions, and three in the Kaluga Region. Two fatalities were registered in the Orlov, Smolensk, Tver, Astrakhan, Saratov, Sverdlovsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk Regions and the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region.


tass--2020-05-24--Russia reports 8,599 new coronavirus cases, a record low growth since May 1

MOSCOW , May 24 .
/TASS/ .
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Russia rose by 8,599 in the past day , a record low growth since May 1 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday .
A total of 344,481 COVID-19 cases have been registered in all Russian regions .
According to the crisis center , the daily growth in cases was at a record low rate of 2.6 % versus 2.9 % a day earlier .
Moscow has confirmed 2,516 new coronavirus cases , taking the total number in the capital to 163,913 .
The growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 29 .
The daily growth rate in the capital was 1.6 % versus 2 % a day earlier .
New 862 COVID-19 cases were also registered in the Moscow Region , 384 in St. Petersburg , 221 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region , 152 in the Rostov Region , 146 in the Krasnoyarsk Region , 123 in the Kaluga Region , 121 in the Samara Region , 120 in the Irkutsk Region , 113 in Dagestan , 111 in the Bryansk Region , 107 in the Yaroslavl Region and 102 in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new COVID-19 patients ( 43.9 % ) have not shown any symptoms of the disease .
Now there are 227,641 active coronavirus cases in Russia , with nearly half of them in Moscow ( 112,080 ) .

MOSCOW, May 24. /TASS/. The number of new COVID-19 cases in Russia rose by 8,599 in the past day, a record low growth since May 1, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday.
A total of 344,481 COVID-19 cases have been registered in all Russian regions. According to the crisis center, the daily growth in cases was at a record low rate of 2.6% versus 2.9% a day earlier.
Moscow has confirmed 2,516 new coronavirus cases, taking the total number in the capital to 163,913. The growth was at a record low level since April 29. The daily growth rate in the capital was 1.6% versus 2% a day earlier.
New 862 COVID-19 cases were also registered in the Moscow Region, 384 in St. Petersburg, 221 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 152 in the Rostov Region, 146 in the Krasnoyarsk Region, 123 in the Kaluga Region, 121 in the Samara Region, 120 in the Irkutsk Region, 113 in Dagestan, 111 in the Bryansk Region, 107 in the Yaroslavl Region and 102 in the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region.
Some 3,777 new COVID-19 patients (43.9%) have not shown any symptoms of the disease.
Now there are 227,641 active coronavirus cases in Russia, with nearly half of them in Moscow (112,080).


tass--2020-05-24--Putin congratulates Russia’s Muslims on Eid al-Fitr holiday

MOSCOW , May 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Muslims in Russia on Eid al-Fitr , a major religious holiday marking the end of the month of fasting Ramadan , the Kremlin press service said on Sunday .
`` Marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan , the celebration of the breaking the fast has a special spiritual meaning , the joy of gaining a new invaluable experience of moral purification and self-perfection .
Over the centuries , it has become a custom to celebrate it not only with fervent prayer , but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help and care , '' the Russian leader said in his message .
The president noted that Russia ’ s Muslims treat historic , cultural and religious traditions of their fathers and grandfathers with deep respect and teach the growing generation to observe them .
`` The Muslim community of Russia actively participates in the country ’ s life , makes an invaluable contribution to maintaining international peace and civil harmony in the society , strengthening the institution of the family and educating the youth .
And certainly , today , in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease , a responsible humanitarian and charity mission of the Muslim clergy , religious organizations and all Muslims of the country is in high demand and serves to preserve people ’ s lives and health , '' Putin stressed .

MOSCOW, May 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Muslims in Russia on Eid al-Fitr, a major religious holiday marking the end of the month of fasting Ramadan, the Kremlin press service said on Sunday.
"Marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the celebration of the breaking the fast has a special spiritual meaning, the joy of gaining a new invaluable experience of moral purification and self-perfection. Over the centuries, it has become a custom to celebrate it not only with fervent prayer, but also with paying attention to those who need help and care," the Russian leader said in his message.
The president noted that Russia’s Muslims treat historic, cultural and religious traditions of their fathers and grandfathers with deep respect and teach the growing generation to observe them.
"The Muslim community of Russia actively participates in the country’s life, makes an invaluable contribution to maintaining international peace and civil harmony in the society, strengthening the institution of the family and educating the youth. And certainly, today, in the face of the spread of a dangerous disease, a responsible humanitarian and charity mission of the Muslim clergy, religious organizations and all Muslims of the country is in high demand and serves to preserve people’s lives and health," Putin stressed.


tass--2020-05-24--Russian government allocates $1.4 bln to support 56 regions

MOSCOW , May 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian regions will be provided with 100 bln rubles ( $ 1.4 bln @ @ @ @ @ order to compensate for the declining budget revenues , according to a decree signed by @ @ @ @ @ `` The funds allocated in line with the Russian president ’ s instructions will be @ @ @ @ @ where tax and non-tax revenues as of May 1 , 2020 were lower than those @ @ @ @ @ , '' the government ’ s press service said .
The payment for each federal @ @ @ @ @ volume of priority expenses of regional budgets .
This measure will help balance consolidated budgets @ @ @ @ @ restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic .

MOSCOW, May 24. /TASS/. Russian regions will be provided with 100 bln rubles ($1.4 bln) in assistance allocated in order to compensate for the declining budget revenues, according to a decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
"The funds allocated in line with the Russian president’s instructions will be provided to 56 federal subjects where tax and non-tax revenues as of May 1, 2020 were lower than those in the previous two years," the government’s press service said.
The payment for each federal region will depend on the volume of priority expenses of regional budgets.
This measure will help balance consolidated budgets in federal subjects amid economic restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.


tass--2020-05-24--Only vaccination can protect society from coronavirus - expert

MOSCOW , May 24 .
/TASS/ .
The spread of the novel coronavirus infection will stop only when 95 % of the population are immune to it - a goal that can be achieved only through vaccination , Russian Health Ministry ’ s chief epidemiologist , Nikolai Briko , said in an interview with Parlamentskaya Gazeta published on Sunday .
`` The only way to stop an epidemic of an airborne infection is broad vaccine coverage , '' the expert said .
`` The World Health Organization sets the goal of 95 % of the population - this is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s invulnerability to an infection .
It will be contained , because it won ’ t find a favorable environment for spreading within this group of people . ''
Briko added that when 60-70 % of the population are immune to the virus , the society reaches `` the stage when , even if a pathogen becomes imported , it will be less prone to spreading and causing new cases of the disease . ''
However , it would be wrong to wait for this figure to be achieved in a natural way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many human deaths . ''
`` We need a vaccine to artificially create the required degree of immunity .
In this case , even if a pathogen is imported into a certain group of people , it won ’ t spread further , because it is contained by a powerful shield of individuals who are immune to it , '' the expert said .
Specialists all over the world , including Russia , are working to develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
According to Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova , 47 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of development in Russia , and five have already entered clinical trials .
The Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Russia ’ s sanitary watchdog , Rospotrebnadzor , expects first results of clinical trials in early July .
On May 15 , Moscow launched a large-scale free novel coronavirus immunity testing program for citizens .
Every few days , up to 70,000 people will be invited to take the test .
Earlier , Head of the Moscow Department of Healthcare Alexei Khripun said that about 50,000 Muscovites have been screened for novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them have immunoglobulin G ( IgG ) antibodies that can protect their carrier against the infection .
Director of Russia ’ s Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg said approximately 15-20 % of all residents of Moscow had probably already been exposed to the novel coronavirus pathogen .

MOSCOW, May 24. /TASS/. The spread of the novel coronavirus infection will stop only when 95% of the population are immune to it - a goal that can be achieved only through vaccination, Russian Health Ministry’s chief epidemiologist, Nikolai Briko, said in an interview with Parlamentskaya Gazeta published on Sunday.
"The only way to stop an epidemic of an airborne infection is broad vaccine coverage," the expert said. "The World Health Organization sets the goal of 95% of the population - this is the figure, which guarantees the society’s invulnerability to an infection. It will be contained, because it won’t find a favorable environment for spreading within this group of people."
Briko added that when 60-70% of the population are immune to the virus, the society reaches "the stage when, even if a pathogen becomes imported, it will be less prone to spreading and causing new cases of the disease."
However, it would be wrong to wait for this figure to be achieved in a natural way, because "this would cause too many human deaths."
"We need a vaccine to artificially create the required degree of immunity. In this case, even if a pathogen is imported into a certain group of people, it won’t spread further, because it is contained by a powerful shield of individuals who are immune to it," the expert said.
Specialists all over the world, including Russia, are working to develop a vaccine against the novel coronavirus. According to Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, 47 coronavirus vaccines are currently in various stages of development in Russia, and five have already entered clinical trials.
The Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Russia’s sanitary watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, expects first results of clinical trials in early July.
On May 15, Moscow launched a large-scale free novel coronavirus immunity testing program for citizens. Every few days, up to 70,000 people will be invited to take the test.
Earlier, Head of the Moscow Department of Healthcare Alexei Khripun said that about 50,000 Muscovites have been screened for novel coronavirus antibodies, but only 12.5% of them have immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that can protect their carrier against the infection.
Director of Russia’s Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg said approximately 15-20% of all residents of Moscow had probably already been exposed to the novel coronavirus pathogen.


tass--2020-05-24--FSB terminates case against teen, who brought bomb to agency's office and died in blast

MOSCOW , May 24 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
Investigators of the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) have terminated a criminal case against a 17-year-old boy , who brought an explosive device to the agency ’ s regional office and died when it exploded , a law enforcement source told TASS .
`` FSB investigators carried out a thorough investigation as part of the terrorism case launched against the teenager .
Investigators received results of forensic examinations , questioned witnesses and resolved to terminate the case in connection with the suspect ’ s death , for reasons other than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to a source close to the investigation , another case has been launched against a Moscow teenager accused of making an improvised explosive device in 2018 .
Among other things , case materials contain the suspect ’ s discussion of his anarchist views with the Arkhangelsk blast suspect via the VKontakte social networking site .
His case is being heard by Moscow ’ s Tushinsky Court .
An explosion rocked the Federal Security Service ’ s ( FSB ) Directorate for the Arkhangelsk Region at 08:52 Moscow time on October 31 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 17-year-old local was killed , who had brought a home-made explosive device into the building .
The teenager was identified , '' the Investigative Committee reported shortly after the incident .
A criminal case was launched on charges of terrorism and illegal possession of ammunition .

MOSCOW, May 24. /TASS/. /TASS/. Investigators of the Federal Security Service (FSB) have terminated a criminal case against a 17-year-old boy, who brought an explosive device to the agency’s regional office and died when it exploded, a law enforcement source told TASS.
"FSB investigators carried out a thorough investigation as part of the terrorism case launched against the teenager. Investigators received results of forensic examinations, questioned witnesses and resolved to terminate the case in connection with the suspect’s death, for reasons other than exoneration," the source said.
According to a source close to the investigation, another case has been launched against a Moscow teenager accused of making an improvised explosive device in 2018. Among other things, case materials contain the suspect’s discussion of his anarchist views with the Arkhangelsk blast suspect via the VKontakte social networking site. His case is being heard by Moscow’s Tushinsky Court.
An explosion rocked the Federal Security Service’s (FSB) Directorate for the Arkhangelsk Region at 08:52 Moscow time on October 31, 2018. "According to preliminary information, a 17-year-old local was killed, who had brought a home-made explosive device into the building. The teenager was identified," the Investigative Committee reported shortly after the incident.
A criminal case was launched on charges of terrorism and illegal possession of ammunition.


tass--2020-05-24--Investigation of Karachi plane crash to take 3 months — minister

ISLAMABAD , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
A special investigative commission is expected to complete its probe into the recent Airbus A320 crash in Pakistan within three months , the country ’ s Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said on Saturday .
`` I promise that the investigation will be transparent , '' the minister said .
`` The government will make its outcome available to the public . ''
`` We will try to complete all the procedures within three months , '' Sarwar Khan continued .
`` The commission has already begun its investigation , and Airbus experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join it very soon . ''
He said Pakistan ’ s Ministry of Aviation was set to look into the legitimacy and legal status of residential buildings near Karachi Airport , where the crash had taken place .
`` At approximately 1,500 acres ( about 607 hectares ) of land , owned by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority , buildings were constructed illegally , '' the minister said .
`` Those were mistakes committed by previous regimes , and we are still trying to fix them . ''
`` Tall buildings are prohibited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
`` If illegal residential buildings will be discovered near the airport , relevant measures will be taken . ''
Airbus A320 passenger plane operated by Pakistan International Airlines , en route to Karachi from Lahore , crashed near Karachi Airport on Friday .
The plane had 99 people on board , 97 of them are confirmed dead .
A bird strike is seen as the most likely cause of the tragedy .
According to the Pakistani Civil Aviation Minisry ’ s press service , the plane underwent routine maintenance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good condition .

ISLAMABAD, May 23. /TASS/. A special investigative commission is expected to complete its probe into the recent Airbus A320 crash in Pakistan within three months, the country’s Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said on Saturday.
"I promise that the investigation will be transparent," the minister said. "The government will make its outcome available to the public."
"We will try to complete all the procedures within three months," Sarwar Khan continued. "The commission has already begun its investigation, and Airbus experts from France and Germany are expected to join it very soon."
He said Pakistan’s Ministry of Aviation was set to look into the legitimacy and legal status of residential buildings near Karachi Airport, where the crash had taken place.
"At approximately 1,500 acres (about 607 hectares) of land, owned by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, buildings were constructed illegally," the minister said. "Those were mistakes committed by previous regimes, and we are still trying to fix them."
"Tall buildings are prohibited in the vicinity of airports," he added. "If illegal residential buildings will be discovered near the airport, relevant measures will be taken."
Airbus A320 passenger plane operated by Pakistan International Airlines, en route to Karachi from Lahore, crashed near Karachi Airport on Friday. The plane had 99 people on board, 97 of them are confirmed dead. A bird strike is seen as the most likely cause of the tragedy.
According to the Pakistani Civil Aviation Minisry’s press service, the plane underwent routine maintenance in March and was found to be in good condition.


tass--2020-05-24--Moscow authorities brace for second wave of coronavirus

MOSCOW , May 23 .
/TASS/ .
The large-scale herd immunity research currently under way in Moscow will help Russia @ @ @ @ @ prepare for the second wave of the novel coronavirus infection , Head of the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ told reporters .
`` This research will help medics , sanitary doctors and epidemiologists to @ @ @ @ @ of infection , '' he said .
`` The knowledge of herd immunity will help @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Earlier , Khripun said that about 50,000 Muscovites have been screened for novel @ @ @ @ @ 12.5 % of them have immunoglobulin G ( IgG ) antibodies that can protect their @ @ @ @ @ On May 15 , Moscow launched a large-scale free novel coronavirus immunity testing program for @ @ @ @ @ , up to 70,000 people will be invited to take the test .

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. The large-scale herd immunity research currently under way in Moscow will help Russia’s capital city to prepare for the second wave of the novel coronavirus infection, Head of the Moscow Department of Healthcare Alexei Khripun told reporters.
"This research will help medics, sanitary doctors and epidemiologists to prepare for the second way of infection," he said. "The knowledge of herd immunity will help in making important management decisions."
Earlier, Khripun said that about 50,000 Muscovites have been screened for novel coronavirus antibodies, but only 12.5% of them have immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that can protect their carrier against the infection.
On May 15, Moscow launched a large-scale free novel coronavirus immunity testing program for citizens. Every few days, up to 70,000 people will be invited to take the test.


tass--2020-05-24--Special Aeroflot flight takes off from US to bring Russians home

NEW YORK , May 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian citizens , who had earlier expressed their intention to return to their home country from the United States amid the novel coronavirus pandemic , departed from New York on Saturday aboard a special Aeroflot flight , JFK Airport ’ s said on its online list of departures .
The plane is expected to land at Moscow ’ s Sheremetyevo airport is 12:09 Moscow time on Sunday .
Russia ’ s US Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said the plane had 12 schoolchildren and 21 students on board .
A spokesperson for the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russians stranded in the United States amid the novel coronavirus pandemic , said on Saturday that the plane has more than 370 people on board , including 12 babies and 11-12 schoolchildren .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zakharova said last month that the ministry would draw conclusions from the US authorities ’ insufficient assistance in tracking down Russian school children .
According to her earlier statements , high school students had gone to the United States from Russia under various educational and travel programs only to find problems with getting back home amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to distance themselves from this problem and ignored messages from the Russian Embassy , Zakharova said .
Russia ’ s US Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on April 3 that over 2,000 Russians informed diplomats about their intention to return to their home country .
Subsequently , Russia ’ s flagship air carrier Aeroflot organized special flights to New York on April 7 , 14 , 28 and May 14 , and from Los Angeles on May 4 .
On March 18 , Russia shut down its borders for all foreigners to curb the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passenger air travel was fully suspended on March 27 .
In light of these developments , Russian citizens who found themselves stuck abroad and foreigners staying in Russia can return home by specially organized flights .

NEW YORK, May 24. /TASS/. Russian citizens, who had earlier expressed their intention to return to their home country from the United States amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, departed from New York on Saturday aboard a special Aeroflot flight, JFK Airport’s said on its online list of departures.
The plane is expected to land at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport is 12:09 Moscow time on Sunday.
Russia’s US Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said the plane had 12 schoolchildren and 21 students on board.
A spokesperson for the Russian Youth of America organization, which assisted Russians stranded in the United States amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, said on Saturday that the plane has more than 370 people on board, including 12 babies and 11-12 schoolchildren.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zakharova said last month that the ministry would draw conclusions from the US authorities’ insufficient assistance in tracking down Russian school children. According to her earlier statements, high school students had gone to the United States from Russia under various educational and travel programs only to find problems with getting back home amid the pandemic. US officials have preferred to distance themselves from this problem and ignored messages from the Russian Embassy, Zakharova said.
Russia’s US Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on April 3 that over 2,000 Russians informed diplomats about their intention to return to their home country. Subsequently, Russia’s flagship air carrier Aeroflot organized special flights to New York on April 7, 14, 28 and May 14, and from Los Angeles on May 4.
On March 18, Russia shut down its borders for all foreigners to curb the spread of coronavirus. Furthermore, international passenger air travel was fully suspended on March 27. In light of these developments, Russian citizens who found themselves stuck abroad and foreigners staying in Russia can return home by specially organized flights.


tass--2020-05-24--Russian embassy urges Bloomberg to apologize for disinformation about Putin’s ratings

WASHINGTON , May 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian embassy in the United States called upon the Bloomberg news agency to apologize for wrong information about Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s poll ratings .
`` There is a lasting impression that articles in Bloomberg are written to promote fake graphs and create sustainable false visual images about the ‘ negative dynamics ’ in Russia , '' the embassy said in a Facebook post .
`` This time the object of fraud was President Putin 's ‘ poll ratings.
’ '' '' With reference to the Russian Public Opinion Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is built according to which the indicators are 27 % , '' the post says .
`` The editors of Bloomberg continue to show complete disrespect for its readers .
They probably hope that their audience will not check the source and find a real level of trust 67.9 % . ''
`` We count on the integrity of the editorial board .
We urge them to show professionalism and objectivity , place real indicators of trust and apologize to their audience for another piece of misinformation , '' the embassy said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg article for using incorrect data about the number of hospital beds in the country .
According to real World Bank statistics , Russia had 8.2 hospital beds per 1,000 people in 2013 , while the figure for OECD ( Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ) countries was 3.8 .
However , the Bloomberg website said there were 3.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people in Russia and 8.2 in OECD in the reported period .
Bloomberg later edited the graphics attached to the article , but its Twitter posts featuring those charts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bloomberg edited the headline of its May 13 article , after criticism from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova .

WASHINGTON, May 24. /TASS/. The Russian embassy in the United States called upon the Bloomberg news agency to apologize for wrong information about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s poll ratings.
"There is a lasting impression that articles in Bloomberg are written to promote fake graphs and create sustainable false visual images about the ‘negative dynamics’ in Russia," the embassy said in a Facebook post. "This time the object of fraud was President Putin's ‘poll ratings.’"
"With reference to the Russian Public Opinion Research Center [wciom.com], a chart is built according to which the indicators are 27%," the post says. "The editors of Bloomberg continue to show complete disrespect for its readers. They probably hope that their audience will not check the source and find a real level of trust 67.9%."
"We count on the integrity of the editorial board. We urge them to show professionalism and objectivity, place real indicators of trust and apologize to their audience for another piece of misinformation," the embassy said.
Previous cases
On Tuesday, the embassy criticized another Bloomberg article for using incorrect data about the number of hospital beds in the country. According to real World Bank statistics, Russia had 8.2 hospital beds per 1,000 people in 2013, while the figure for OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries was 3.8. However, the Bloomberg website said there were 3.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people in Russia and 8.2 in OECD in the reported period.
Bloomberg later edited the graphics attached to the article, but its Twitter posts featuring those charts remained the same.
On May 16, Bloomberg edited the headline of its May 13 article, after criticism from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.


tass--2020-05-25--Nine people detained after shooting at parking lot in southern Moscow - source

MOSCOW , May 25 .
/TASS/ .
The police have detained nine people after shooting at a parking lot near @ @ @ @ @ south of Moscow , a source in the law enforcement agencies told TASS on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ people have been detained including the wounded person , the involvement of each of them @ @ @ @ @ '' the source added .
The shooting took place at a parking lot near the @ @ @ @ @ participants fled the scene in several cars .
At least four of the detained persons @ @ @ @ @ Russian city in the Urals .
According to the source , at least eight people @ @ @ @ @ .
They shot at each other from nonlethal pistols and , presumably , shotguns .
@ @ @ @ @ under three articles of the Russian Criminal Code - Assault to Murder , Illegal Trafficking @ @ @ @ @ One person was wounded in the shooting , Yulia Ivanova , a spokeswoman for the @ @ @ @ @ Moscow city department , told TASS earlier on Sunday .

MOSCOW, May 25. /TASS/. The police have detained nine people after shooting at a parking lot near a residential compound in the south of Moscow, a source in the law enforcement agencies told TASS on Sunday.
"Overall, nine people have been detained including the wounded person, the involvement of each of them is being looked into," the source added.
The shooting took place at a parking lot near the Yasny residential compound. The participants fled the scene in several cars.
At least four of the detained persons are from Orenburg, a Russian city in the Urals. According to the source, at least eight people were involved in the brawl. They shot at each other from nonlethal pistols and, presumably, shotguns.
A criminal case was launched under three articles of the Russian Criminal Code - Assault to Murder, Illegal Trafficking of Weapons and Hooliganism.
One person was wounded in the shooting, Yulia Ivanova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Investigative Committee’s Moscow city department, told TASS earlier on Sunday.


tass--2020-05-25--Russian nationals arrive in Moscow after exhausting repatriation trip from Fiji

MOSCOW , May 25./TASS/ .
Almost 20 Russian nationals repatriated from Fiji along a long and exhausting route via Australia and Italy , have arrived in Moscow on repatriation flight together with their fellow countrymen evacuated from Rome , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has blogged on her Facebook page .
Within two days , a group of 18 Russian nationals had been traveling to Rome with the assistance of diplomats from the Russian embassies to Australia , Qatar and Italy , where a plane with a hundred of Russian passengers was waiting for them to evacuate all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago they arrived in Moscow , '' Zakharova wrote .
She said that work to organize repatriation of Russian nationals from Fiji began in the second half of March , when a female Russian staying in Fiji `` cried for help '' in a message to the Russian Foreign Ministry .
After that , the Russian side devised a plan for repatriating people , including from Fiji , she wrote .
`` The Khanty-Mansi autonomous area was sending two planes to Southeast Asia to repatriate its residents .
Six crews were taken on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without overnight stops to two Asian countries with making an additional detour to Fiji , '' she explained .
`` However , when one of the planes had arrived in Asia and was ready to head to Fiji , the local authorities banned the flight at the last moment , citing impossibility to cancel the lockdown measures over coronavirus , '' Zakharova said .
After that , the Russian side looked into at least five schemes for their return , including via Hong Kong or waiting for a planned repatriation flight from Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each time , according to the diplomat .
As a result , only 18 Russian nationals could leave Fiji on May 22 .
In Sydney , they were joined by another six Russians who sought to return home .
From Rome , where they had arrived on board a plane serviced by Qatar Airways , 117 Russian passengers together with transit passengers from other countries flew home on board on a special flight , yet another plane repatriating Russians from European countries .
Regular flights between Russia and Italy were suspended amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy allows entry for nationals of the EU countries and countries of the Schengen zone , who will not be placed in quarantine .
According to the latest statistics , over 5.3 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 340,000 deaths have been reported .
As of Sunday , 344,481 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Russia , with 113,299 patients having recovered from the disease .

MOSCOW, May 25./TASS/. Almost 20 Russian nationals repatriated from Fiji along a long and exhausting route via Australia and Italy, have arrived in Moscow on repatriation flight together with their fellow countrymen evacuated from Rome, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has blogged on her Facebook page.
Within two days, a group of 18 Russian nationals had been traveling to Rome with the assistance of diplomats from the Russian embassies to Australia, Qatar and Italy, where a plane with a hundred of Russian passengers was waiting for them to evacuate all of them to Moscow. "Three hours ago they arrived in Moscow," Zakharova wrote.
She said that work to organize repatriation of Russian nationals from Fiji began in the second half of March, when a female Russian staying in Fiji "cried for help" in a message to the Russian Foreign Ministry. After that, the Russian side devised a plan for repatriating people, including from Fiji, she wrote.
"The Khanty-Mansi autonomous area was sending two planes to Southeast Asia to repatriate its residents. Six crews were taken on board for a ‘forced march’ without overnight stops to two Asian countries with making an additional detour to Fiji," she explained.
"However, when one of the planes had arrived in Asia and was ready to head to Fiji, the local authorities banned the flight at the last moment, citing impossibility to cancel the lockdown measures over coronavirus," Zakharova said.
After that, the Russian side looked into at least five schemes for their return, including via Hong Kong or waiting for a planned repatriation flight from Tokyo. However, some unsurmountable obstacles emerged each time, according to the diplomat.
As a result, only 18 Russian nationals could leave Fiji on May 22. In Sydney, they were joined by another six Russians who sought to return home. From Rome, where they had arrived on board a plane serviced by Qatar Airways, 117 Russian passengers together with transit passengers from other countries flew home on board on a special flight, yet another plane repatriating Russians from European countries.
Regular flights between Russia and Italy were suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic. From June 3, Italy allows entry for nationals of the EU countries and countries of the Schengen zone, who will not be placed in quarantine.
According to the latest statistics, over 5.3 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 340,000 deaths have been reported. As of Sunday, 344,481 coronavirus cases were confirmed in Russia, with 113,299 patients having recovered from the disease.


tass--2020-05-25--Madrid, Barcelona ease coronavirus lockdown, meeting friends allowed from Monday

MADRID , May 25./TASS/ .
Madrid and Barcelona continue to ease coronavirus restrictions .
Meeting friends and relatives will be allowed from Monday , while cafes and bars will reopen their outdoor areas at a next stage .
Most of the Spanish population has already been enjoying this for a week .
The Spanish authorities warned that easing the lockdown could have different paces given the situation in this or that region .
From Monday , the residents of Madrid and Barcelona will be allowed to meet friends and relatives living in the same province .
However , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than ten people .
Strolls and outdoor sports are still allowed only within the time intervals that were earlier established for different groups of people .
Besides , Spaniards are not yet allowed to leave the provinces where they live .
Bars , cafes and restaurants will open their outdoor areas for the visitors , but only half of the usual number of tables can be occupied , and they will be disinfected after each client .
Also , gyms , museums and churches will reopen partially .
Hotels will also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dining rooms and swimming pools .
Hunting and fishing will also be allowed .
Meanwhile , almost half of the population lives in the regions that will launch on Monday a third out of four stages of easing coronavirus restrictions .
At this stage , they are still not allowed to leave their provinces , but time intervals for walks and outdoor sports will be abolished .
Meeting relatives is also allowed , on condition that no more than 15 people get together .
Cafes and restaurants will be servicing clients indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like it was the case at the previous stage .
However , no more than 40 % of the tables can be occupied .
Beaches and swimming pools will reopen , as well as shopping centers , theaters , movie theaters and gyms with restrictions as to the number of visitors in the same time interval .
Weddings can be celebrated once again , given that the number of guests does not exceed 50 people if a wedding takes place indoors .
Earlier , the Spanish authorities made it compulsory for residents older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street and in the premises of common areas if it is impossible to keep the distance of two meters from each other .
Those who violate these rules face fines between 600 to 30,000 euro .
Spain reports 235,800 coronavirus cases as of now , with 28,752 fatalities .
Madrid and Catalonia are the hardest hit .
Since mid-March , a high alert mode is in place in the country , with travel inside the country restricted .
So far , this mode has been extended until June 7 .
The Cabinet of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prolong these measures .
According to local media , the Spanish government does not rule out that these measures can be abolished in certain regions earlier than in others .
On April 28 , the government presented a stage-by-stage plan for relaxing coronavirus restrictions , which is designed until at least the end of June and has four phases .
On May 23 , Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that in July Spain was expecting to see its first foreign tourists .
A ten-day national mourning for victims of COVID-19 will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 5.3 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 340,000 deaths have been @ @

MADRID, May 25./TASS/. Madrid and Barcelona continue to ease coronavirus restrictions. Meeting friends and relatives will be allowed from Monday, while cafes and bars will reopen their outdoor areas at a next stage.
Most of the Spanish population has already been enjoying this for a week. The Spanish authorities warned that easing the lockdown could have different paces given the situation in this or that region. From Monday, the residents of Madrid and Barcelona will be allowed to meet friends and relatives living in the same province. However, they are not allowed to gather in groups of more than ten people.
Strolls and outdoor sports are still allowed only within the time intervals that were earlier established for different groups of people. Besides, Spaniards are not yet allowed to leave the provinces where they live. Bars, cafes and restaurants will open their outdoor areas for the visitors, but only half of the usual number of tables can be occupied, and they will be disinfected after each client.
Also, gyms, museums and churches will reopen partially. Hotels will also be reopened, but without opening common areas, dining rooms and swimming pools. Hunting and fishing will also be allowed.
Meanwhile, almost half of the population lives in the regions that will launch on Monday a third out of four stages of easing coronavirus restrictions. At this stage, they are still not allowed to leave their provinces, but time intervals for walks and outdoor sports will be abolished. Meeting relatives is also allowed, on condition that no more than 15 people get together. Cafes and restaurants will be servicing clients indoor, not only in the open, like it was the case at the previous stage. However, no more than 40% of the tables can be occupied. Beaches and swimming pools will reopen, as well as shopping centers, theaters, movie theaters and gyms with restrictions as to the number of visitors in the same time interval. Weddings can be celebrated once again, given that the number of guests does not exceed 50 people if a wedding takes place indoors.
Earlier, the Spanish authorities made it compulsory for residents older than six to wear facemasks in the street and in the premises of common areas if it is impossible to keep the distance of two meters from each other. Those who violate these rules face fines between 600 to 30,000 euro.
Spain reports 235,800 coronavirus cases as of now, with 28,752 fatalities. Madrid and Catalonia are the hardest hit. Since mid-March, a high alert mode is in place in the country, with travel inside the country restricted. So far, this mode has been extended until June 7. The Cabinet of Ministers may once again ask the parliament to prolong these measures. According to local media, the Spanish government does not rule out that these measures can be abolished in certain regions earlier than in others.
On April 28, the government presented a stage-by-stage plan for relaxing coronavirus restrictions, which is designed until at least the end of June and has four phases. On May 23, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that in July Spain was expecting to see its first foreign tourists. A ten-day national mourning for victims of COVID-19 will be declared in the country shortly.
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 5.3 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 340,000 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-05-25--Berlin ready to receive coronavirus patients from Moscow - mayor

BERLIN , May 25 .
/TASS/ .
Berlin is ready to receive coronavirus patients from Moscow , its twin city , Berlin ’ s Mayor Michael Muller said in an interview with Der Tagesspiegel that was publiched on Sunday .
`` Along with Charite ( a Berlin-based clinic - TASS ) we made an offer to Italy [ to provide treatment to coronavirus patients ] , which was not accepted in the long run .
Instead , our university clinic received patients from France , for which President Emmanuel Macron thanked us in a written form several days ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to continue to help , if our clinics have possibilities for that .
I have sent a corresponding proposal to our partner city Moscow , '' said , adding that no response has yet followed .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 5,198,300 people have been infected worldwide and more than 334,600 deaths have been reported .

BERLIN, May 25. /TASS/. Berlin is ready to receive coronavirus patients from Moscow, its twin city, Berlin’s Mayor Michael Muller said in an interview with Der Tagesspiegel that was publiched on Sunday.
"Along with Charite (a Berlin-based clinic - TASS) we made an offer to Italy [to provide treatment to coronavirus patients], which was not accepted in the long run. Instead, our university clinic received patients from France, for which President Emmanuel Macron thanked us in a written form several days ago," he said.
"We are ready to continue to help, if our clinics have possibilities for that. I have sent a corresponding proposal to our partner city Moscow," said, adding that no response has yet followed.
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 5,198,300 people have been infected worldwide and more than 334,600 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-05-24--Number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 101,000 in past day - WHO

TASS , May 24 .
More than 101,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on May 24 , with the overall number of such cases exceeding 5.2 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on May 24 , as many as 5,204,508 novel coronavirus cases and 337,687 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 101,502 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,286 .
The WHO statistics is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 2,338,124 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 55,636 and the number of deaths - by 2,932 and reached 138,116 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 2,006,984 and the number of fatalities is 173,886 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 19,327 and the number of deaths - by 928 .
The East Mediterranean region has 415,806 cases and 10,988 fatalities as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 12,887 and the number of deaths - by 182 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 1,568,448 ) , Russia ( 344,481 ) , Brazil ( 330,890 ) , the United Kingdom ( 257,158 ) , Spain ( 235,290 ) , Italy ( 229,327 ) , Germany ( 178,281 ) , Turkey ( 155,686 ) , France ( 142,173 ) , and Iran ( 133,521 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

TASS, May 24. More than 101,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on May 24, with the overall number of such cases exceeding 5.2 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Sunday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on May 24, as many as 5,204,508 novel coronavirus cases and 337,687 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 101,502 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,286.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 2,338,124. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 55,636 and the number of deaths - by 2,932 and reached 138,116.
The number confirmed COVID-19 cases in Europe amounts to 2,006,984 and the number of fatalities is 173,886. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 19,327 and the number of deaths - by 928.
The East Mediterranean region has 415,806 cases and 10,988 fatalities as of May 24. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 12,887 and the number of deaths - by 182.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (1,568,448), Russia (344,481), Brazil (330,890), the United Kingdom (257,158), Spain (235,290), Italy (229,327), Germany (178,281), Turkey (155,686), France (142,173), and Iran (133,521).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.