tass--2020-03-17--Press review: COVID-19 crashing global economy and influencing US Democratic debate

Oil prices will keep dropping lower than $ 30 per barrel this spring but may rise to $ 40-45 in the second half of the year , said experts interviewed by Izvestia .
However , if any worst-case scenario comes true , global GDP will not exceed one percent and oil prices will remain at the $ 25-35 level .
At the same time , the US Federal Reserve ’ s move to cut interest rates to near zero makes it clear that the world is heading for a deep recession .
No one can predict at the moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil market and the coronavirus pandemic will last , as well as whether regulators will be able to keep the global financial system from slipping into a crisis , IC Freedom Finance Analyst Elena Belyayeva said .
The oil market collapse and the coronavirus pandemic will inevitably result in a wave of bankruptcies and nationalizations in many countries .
Tour operators , air carriers and hotels are facing the biggest risks , Aton Leading Strategist Alexei Kaminsky pointed out .
According to him , car manufacturers , caterers and oil and gas companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the BCS Broker sales office Vyacheslav Abramov , in turn , told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that it was hard to tell what consequences the coronavirus would have and what its impact on the global economy would be .
`` No one thought that the virus would spread so fast and the death rate would be so high in a number of countries , making governments take tough measures , including quarantines and border closures , '' the expert explained .
`` Losses can not be assessed until the pandemic is past its peak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take the world much time to plunge into a crisis and overcome it .
Even if a vaccine is created and the coronavirus pandemic ends , the global economy will not recover before the end of the year , '' AMarkets Analytics Department Chief Artem Deyev emphasized .
Moscow has given Ankara additional time to reach an agreement with the Syrian opposition and deal with terrorists who blocked the first Russian-Turkish patrol on March 15 .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ’ s government will seek to ensure security along the M4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said experts interviewed by Izvestia .
However , the terrorists situated there are unlikely to back down so easily .
Protests in areas not controlled by Damascus erupted a day before the launch of the patrol mission .
On March 14 , large groups of people blocked the M4 roadway that connects the cities of Aleppo and Latakia .
Attempts were made to present the activity as a spontaneous civilian protest against Russia ’ s policy , which involved women and children .
However , photos and videos from the site show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protesters .
Russia and Turkey held consultations and decided not to engage in a confrontation with the demonstrators .
Russia ’ s Defense Ministry agreed to give the Turks more time to resolve the situation .
`` Turkey can be expected to keep its promise , '' military expert Vladislav Shurygin said .
`` It is perfectly clear to Erdogan that the issue of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists in Idlib will have to be addressed in any case .
He will definitely prefer to deal with loyal units of the Syrian people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he explained .
Russia earlier ensured the safe movement of Turkish patrol cars through Kurdish-populated areas in Syria ’ s north .
It ’ s time for Ankara to return the favor and ensure security along the M4 highway , the expert added .
Turkey will fulfill its obligation to disarm militants in Idlib , provided that Russia abides by its own obligations , Turkish lawmaker Ozturk Yilmaz told the newspaper .
`` The launch of joint Russian-Turkish patrols along the M4 road in southern Idlib is a positive step but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for both parties to keep their word , '' he pointed out .
Russia is ready to restore cooperation with British lawmakers but it is up to London to take the next step , Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin told Izvestia .
However , in his view , parliamentary cooperation is unlikely to resume in the near future .
On March 3 , Kelin met with the United Kingdom All-Party Parliamentary Group on Russia .
The meeting ’ s participants discussed the prospects of restoring ties between the two counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meeting as constructive .
`` I got the impression that they were interested in hearing Russia ’ s point of view on pressing bilateral and global issues , '' he noted .
However , according to him , the position of most members of both houses of the British parliament hardly differs from the current Conservative government ’ s approach , which keeps political contacts suspended .
`` Our position remains unchanged , we believe that we don ’ t need to relaunch parliamentary dialogue more than the British do , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are determined to give a meaningful response to all possible initiatives aimed at its gradual restoration but we have no wish to impose ourselves on them , '' the envoy added .
`` British legislators are compelled to be guided by decisions that they made during an artificial and imaginary crisis [ following the Salisbury incident ] .
In particular , the British delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union refused to officially communicate with their Russian counterparts , '' the ambassador noted .
The mutual removal of sanctions on lawmakers could become an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Russia and the UK , the Russian envoy emphasized .
The COVID-19 pandemic has interfered in America ’ s presidential election campaign , creating unusual conditions for a debate between Democratic hopefuls Joseph Biden and Bernie Sanders and influencing its result , as none of the candidates was declared the winner , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
Both politicians made their best to show they took the epidemiological threat seriously .
There was no audience in the CNN studio , while Sanders and Biden bumped elbows instead of shaking hands and stood two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate , both Sanders and Biden repeated the ideas they had voiced before .
As for the fight against the coronavirus , both called for carrying out mass testing , increasing the number of hospital beds and providing financial assistance to those affected by the virus .
After the debate was over , CNN announced that none of the participants had been able to secure a victory .
According to commentators , both Sanders and Biden performed poorly .
Senior Research Fellow at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute for US and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the left wing of the Democratic Party had reasons to expect that its voice would be heard once the party started outlining its program and choosing its candidate for vice president .
`` At the same time , it ’ s clear that the coronavirus is having more impact on the election campaign than the personalities and views of the candidates .
If the pandemic seriously affects the economy , it will reduce [ incumbent US President Donald ] Trump ’ s chances of being re-elected .
The country ’ s current economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he loses it , the Democrats ’ odds will improve , '' the expert pointed out .
The suspension of a number of flights and the weakening ruble may lead to a crisis in the Russian aviation industry , Rossiyskaya Gazeta noted , citing experts .
On Monday , Russia imposed restrictions on flights to and from European Union countries , Switzerland and Norway .
Similar measures were taken earlier in relation to China , South Korea and Iran .
Air carriers are also suspending other international flights as countries issue entry bans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies , which include technical maintenance , fuel and pilots ’ salaries , are based on foreign currency rates .
This is why the market may face `` a perfect storm '' this year , said Senior Expert at Higher School of Economics ’ Institute for Transport and Transport Politics Fyodor Borisov .
`` It is highly likely that we will see Russian airlines go bankrupt in the third quarter of the year .
Unfortunately , there have already been precedents in Europe , '' head of AviaPort analytical department Oleg Panteleyev noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank has announced a package of measures aimed at easing regulations for banks in a bid to help air carriers and the tourism industry pull through the coronavirus pandemic with minimum losses .
It will be now easier for banks to modify the loans of transportation and tourist companies affected by the coronavirus .
However , experts are confident that once these tough times are over , the aviation industry will continue to grow , though it will take a long time for the demand to recover .
TASS is not responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Media: Coronavirus drives global economy into turbulence Oil prices will keep dropping lower than $30 per barrel this spring but may rise to $40-45 in the second half of the year, said experts interviewed by Izvestia. However, if any worst-case scenario comes true, global GDP will not exceed one percent and oil prices will remain at the $25-35 level. At the same time, the US Federal Reserve’s move to cut interest rates to near zero makes it clear that the world is heading for a deep recession. No one can predict at the moment, how long the trade war on the oil market and the coronavirus pandemic will last, as well as whether regulators will be able to keep the global financial system from slipping into a crisis, IC Freedom Finance Analyst Elena Belyayeva said.
The oil market collapse and the coronavirus pandemic will inevitably result in a wave of bankruptcies and nationalizations in many countries. Tour operators, air carriers and hotels are facing the biggest risks, Aton Leading Strategist Alexei Kaminsky pointed out. According to him, car manufacturers, caterers and oil and gas companies may also face difficulties. Director of the BCS Broker sales office Vyacheslav Abramov, in turn, told Nezavisimaya Gazeta that it was hard to tell what consequences the coronavirus would have and what its impact on the global economy would be. "No one thought that the virus would spread so fast and the death rate would be so high in a number of countries, making governments take tough measures, including quarantines and border closures," the expert explained. "Losses cannot be assessed until the pandemic is past its peak. However, it is clear that it will take the world much time to plunge into a crisis and overcome it. Even if a vaccine is created and the coronavirus pandemic ends, the global economy will not recover before the end of the year," AMarkets Analytics Department Chief Artem Deyev emphasized. Izvestia: Russia, Turkey fail to unblock key highway in Idlib Moscow has given Ankara additional time to reach an agreement with the Syrian opposition and deal with terrorists who blocked the first Russian-Turkish patrol on March 15. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government will seek to ensure security along the M4 highway in Syria’s Idlib province, said experts interviewed by Izvestia. However, the terrorists situated there are unlikely to back down so easily. Protests in areas not controlled by Damascus erupted a day before the launch of the patrol mission. On March 14, large groups of people blocked the M4 roadway that connects the cities of Aleppo and Latakia. Attempts were made to present the activity as a spontaneous civilian protest against Russia’s policy, which involved women and children. However, photos and videos from the site show quite a lot of armed men among the protesters. Russia and Turkey held consultations and decided not to engage in a confrontation with the demonstrators. Russia’s Defense Ministry agreed to give the Turks more time to resolve the situation. "Turkey can be expected to keep its promise," military expert Vladislav Shurygin said. "It is perfectly clear to Erdogan that the issue of the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists in Idlib will have to be addressed in any case. He will definitely prefer to deal with loyal units of the Syrian people’s army whom he can influence," he explained. Russia earlier ensured the safe movement of Turkish patrol cars through Kurdish-populated areas in Syria’s north. It’s time for Ankara to return the favor and ensure security along the M4 highway, the expert added. Turkey will fulfill its obligation to disarm militants in Idlib, provided that Russia abides by its own obligations, Turkish lawmaker Ozturk Yilmaz told the newspaper. "The launch of joint Russian-Turkish patrols along the M4 road in southern Idlib is a positive step but the most important thing right now is for both parties to keep their word," he pointed out. Izvestia: Moscow seeks to cooperate with British parliament Russia is ready to restore cooperation with British lawmakers but it is up to London to take the next step, Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Andrei Kelin told Izvestia. However, in his view, parliamentary cooperation is unlikely to resume in the near future. On March 3, Kelin met with the United Kingdom All-Party Parliamentary Group on Russia. The meeting’s participants discussed the prospects of restoring ties between the two counties’ lawmakers. The Russian envoy described the meeting as constructive.
Read also UK in principle supports Russia's proposal to hold summit of UNSC permanent members
"I got the impression that they were interested in hearing Russia’s point of view on pressing bilateral and global issues," he noted. However, according to him, the position of most members of both houses of the British parliament hardly differs from the current Conservative government’s approach, which keeps political contacts suspended. "Our position remains unchanged, we believe that we don’t need to relaunch parliamentary dialogue more than the British do," Kelin pointed out. "Undoubtedly, we are determined to give a meaningful response to all possible initiatives aimed at its gradual restoration but we have no wish to impose ourselves on them," the envoy added. "British legislators are compelled to be guided by decisions that they made during an artificial and imaginary crisis [following the Salisbury incident]. In particular, the British delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union refused to officially communicate with their Russian counterparts," the ambassador noted. The mutual removal of sanctions on lawmakers could become an important step towards improving the political atmosphere between Russia and the UK, the Russian envoy emphasized. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: COVID-19 wins Democratic debate The COVID-19 pandemic has interfered in America’s presidential election campaign, creating unusual conditions for a debate between Democratic hopefuls Joseph Biden and Bernie Sanders and influencing its result, as none of the candidates was declared the winner, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Both politicians made their best to show they took the epidemiological threat seriously. There was no audience in the CNN studio, while Sanders and Biden bumped elbows instead of shaking hands and stood two meters from each other.
Read also Trump declares national emergency over COVID-19
During the debate, both Sanders and Biden repeated the ideas they had voiced before. As for the fight against the coronavirus, both called for carrying out mass testing, increasing the number of hospital beds and providing financial assistance to those affected by the virus. After the debate was over, CNN announced that none of the participants had been able to secure a victory. According to commentators, both Sanders and Biden performed poorly. Senior Research Fellow at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute for US and Canadian Studies Vladimir Vasilyev pointed out that the left wing of the Democratic Party had reasons to expect that its voice would be heard once the party started outlining its program and choosing its candidate for vice president. "At the same time, it’s clear that the coronavirus is having more impact on the election campaign than the personalities and views of the candidates. If the pandemic seriously affects the economy, it will reduce [incumbent US President Donald] Trump’s chances of being re-elected. The country’s current economic growth is his electoral advantage. If he loses it, the Democrats’ odds will improve," the expert pointed out. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Air carriers caught in perfect storm The suspension of a number of flights and the weakening ruble may lead to a crisis in the Russian aviation industry, Rossiyskaya Gazeta noted, citing experts. On Monday, Russia imposed restrictions on flights to and from European Union countries, Switzerland and Norway. Similar measures were taken earlier in relation to China, South Korea and Iran. Air carriers are also suspending other international flights as countries issue entry bans.
Read also Russia partly suspends air service with EU states


tass--2020-03-17--Huami Amazfit Top-ranked of Watch Shipment in Russia, Italy, Spain, India, Indonesia

SHENZHEN , China , March 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Huami ( NYSE : HMI ) with its self-owned brand Amazfit , ranked No.1 by shipments in Spain , Indonesia and India , and No.2 in Italy , No .
3 in Russia .
IDC 's data [ 1 ] showed that in the fourth quarter of 2019 Huami shipments were top-ranked of watch market ( excluding kids ' products ) in the above markets which contributed to Huami Amazfit 's leading and fast growing wearable brand in the international market .
Striking shipments increase of Huami Amazfit were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by shipments .
In the Q4 of 2019 watch market [ 2 ] , Huami Amazfit achieved average year-on-year growth of 440.1 % [ 3 ] in the west Europe , notably 1814.4 % in Germany ( shipment rank , No .
6 ) ; 708.3 % increase in France ( shipment rank , No .
6 ) ; and 379.5 % increase in UK ( shipment rank , No .
7 ) .
In North America , Huami officially entered the US market in 2019 , and now at a No.6 marketplace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the rest of markets , 328.5 % average growth were acquired .
According to the 2019 financial report , Huami 's revenue in 2019 reached 834.9 million US dollars with 59.4 % year-on-year growth and 42.3 million shipments in total .
Mr. Wang Huang , founder , chairman and CEO of Huami , said in the earning call , `` as strategic partner , Huami and Timex have cooperated closely in product development and new technology exploration .
At present , the first product with exciting experiences R300 GPS has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the same time , the partnership with Xiaomi is continuing , and it is expected that the Mi Band 5 will be seen later this year . ''
Huami self-owned brand AMAZFIT overseas shipments has taken 51.6 % of all the Amazfit products in 70 more markets [ 4 ] .
In the Q4 of 2019 , Huami entered MediaMarkt , the EU 's biggest consumer channel .
Besides effective channel and marketing operation , the success could also be attributed to the new innovative products , in the second half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ product , Amazfit Stratos 3 , and the fashion product series , the Amazfit GTR and the Amazfit GTS .
At IFA 2019 , the high-end innovative concept product , the curved-screen Amazfit X were unveiled .
The high growth rate of shipments has proved that Huami Amazfit products were well-recognized and welcomed by users .
In January , the Huami launched at CES 2020 the six new products spanning three verticals which indicates that Huami is enhancing its category and ecosystem expand , including the at-Home Gym , Amazfit HomeStudio ; the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wireless stereo ( TWS ) fitness earphones with Clip-to-Go design , Amazfit PowerBuds ; the sleep-comfort and health monitoring Amazfit ZenBuds and the outdoor series , Amazfit T-Rex .
And all the new launched products have their names nominated as the best of CES or recommended by global top media and institutions .
Huami has a good sales record to be a popular brand worldwide .
As of August 2019 , Huami has sold out more than 100 million smart devices in more than 70 markets .
As a true active wearable industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help more people live healthier and to establish a health ecosystem , and on its way to be the most trusted partner of its users .
In addition , under the current global economic impact of the COVID-19 epidemic , the company 's management is still full of confidence in the forecast for the first quarter of 2020 : Net income is expected to be between 980 million RMB and 1.01 billion RMB , compared with the 799.6 million RMB in the first quarter of 2019 increased by approximately 22.6 % to @ @ @

SHENZHEN, China, March 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Huami (NYSE: HMI) with its self-owned brand Amazfit, ranked No.1 by shipments in Spain, Indonesia and India, and No.2 in Italy, No. 3 in Russia. IDC's data[1] showed that in the fourth quarter of 2019 Huami shipments were top-ranked of watch market (excluding kids' products) in the above markets which contributed to Huami Amazfit's leading and fast growing wearable brand in the international market. Striking shipments increase of Huami Amazfit were also recorded, making it an energetic brand by shipments.
In the Q4 of 2019 watch market[2], Huami Amazfit achieved average year-on-year growth of 440.1%[3] in the west Europe, notably 1814.4% in Germany (shipment rank, No. 6); 708.3% increase in France (shipment rank, No. 6); and 379.5% increase in UK (shipment rank, No. 7). In North America, Huami officially entered the US market in 2019, and now at a No.6 marketplace with 97.5% increase in 2019 Q4. In the rest of markets, 328.5% average growth were acquired.
According to the 2019 financial report, Huami's revenue in 2019 reached 834.9 million US dollars with 59.4% year-on-year growth and 42.3 million shipments in total. Mr. Wang Huang, founder, chairman and CEO of Huami, said in the earning call, "as strategic partner, Huami and Timex have cooperated closely in product development and new technology exploration. At present, the first product with exciting experiences R300 GPS has been launched in the North American market. At the same time, the partnership with Xiaomi is continuing, and it is expected that the Mi Band 5 will be seen later this year."
Huami self-owned brand AMAZFIT overseas shipments has taken 51.6% of all the Amazfit products in 70 more markets[4]. In the Q4 of 2019, Huami entered MediaMarkt, the EU's biggest consumer channel. Besides effective channel and marketing operation, the success could also be attributed to the new innovative products, in the second half of 2019, Huami launched its sports series product, Amazfit Stratos 3, and the fashion product series, the Amazfit GTR and the Amazfit GTS. At IFA 2019, the high-end innovative concept product, the curved-screen Amazfit X were unveiled. The high growth rate of shipments has proved that Huami Amazfit products were well-recognized and welcomed by users.
In January, the Huami launched at CES 2020 the six new products spanning three verticals which indicates that Huami is enhancing its category and ecosystem expand, including the at-Home Gym, Amazfit HomeStudio; the foldable treadmill Amazfit AirRun; the true wireless stereo (TWS) fitness earphones with Clip-to-Go design, Amazfit PowerBuds; the sleep-comfort and health monitoring Amazfit ZenBuds and the outdoor series, Amazfit T-Rex. And all the new launched products have their names nominated as the best of CES or recommended by global top media and institutions.
Huami has a good sales record to be a popular brand worldwide. As of August 2019, Huami has sold out more than 100 million smart devices in more than 70 markets. As a true active wearable industry player with good will, Huami aims to help more people live healthier and to establish a health ecosystem, and on its way to be the most trusted partner of its users.
In addition, under the current global economic impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the company's management is still full of confidence in the forecast for the first quarter of 2020: Net income is expected to be between 980 million RMB and 1.01 billion RMB, compared with the 799.6 million RMB in the first quarter of 2019 increased by approximately 22.6% to 26.3%.
For Media Inquiry
pr@huami.com
[1] According to IDC data, 2019-Q4, Watch shipments (excluding kids' products) [2] According to IDC data, 2019-Q4, Watch shipments (excluding kids' products) [3] According to IDC data, 2019-Q4, Watch shipments (excluding kids' products) and Huami Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Unaudited Financial Results [4] According to IDC data, 2019-Q4, Watch shipments (excluding kids' products) and Huami Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Unaudited Financial Results
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1134733/2019_Q4_Huami_Amazfit_Top_Rankings.jpg \CONTACT: Liu Yunya, +86-15999658480, liuyunya@huami.com


tass--2020-03-17--Russian aviation regulator warns about airline bankruptcy risks

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The situation with the closure of international flights from Russia can lead to a bankruptcy of certain air carriers , First Deputy Minister of Transport and head of the Russian aviation regulator Rosaviatsiya Alexander Neradko said on Tuesday .
`` The decline in revenues of airlines due to international routes closing with concurrent growth of costs in case of the ruble rate drop can lead to huge losses and challenges in operations of civil aviation entities .
Bankruptcy risks actually arise , in the first instance for air carriers , and for other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The air traffic between Russia and a range of countries is now limited .
Flights were restricted over the last month and a half to countries of the European Union , China , South Korea , Iran , Uzbekistan , etc.
, against the coronavirus spread .
Neradko also said that the new coronavirus infection may affect flight safety because it is not possible to use overseas training centers after shutdown of the international air service .
`` The coronavirus infection can directly affect the flight safety also in view of impossibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is necessary to prepare promptly for solution of this task ; delivery of spares will be affected as well .
The freight traffic will decline just as the passenger one , '' Neradko said .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The situation with the closure of international flights from Russia can lead to a bankruptcy of certain air carriers, First Deputy Minister of Transport and head of the Russian aviation regulator Rosaviatsiya Alexander Neradko said on Tuesday.
"The decline in revenues of airlines due to international routes closing with concurrent growth of costs in case of the ruble rate drop can lead to huge losses and challenges in operations of civil aviation entities. Bankruptcy risks actually arise, in the first instance for air carriers, and for other organizations," the official said.
The air traffic between Russia and a range of countries is now limited. Flights were restricted over the last month and a half to countries of the European Union, China, South Korea, Iran, Uzbekistan, etc., against the coronavirus spread.
Neradko also said that the new coronavirus infection may affect flight safety because it is not possible to use overseas training centers after shutdown of the international air service.
"The coronavirus infection can directly affect the flight safety also in view of impossibility of using services of overseas training centers. It is necessary to prepare promptly for solution of this task; delivery of spares will be affected as well. The freight traffic will decline just as the passenger one," Neradko said.


tass--2020-03-17--Finland-Russia passenger trains suspended over coronavirus

HELSINKI , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Passenger train services between Finland and Russia will be temporarily halted amid the coronavirus upon the two countries ’ decision on limiting travel through the border , Finnish railway operator VR said on Tuesday .
`` According to Russia ’ s decision , foreigners won ’ t be able to get there after 23:00 Finnish time on March 17 ( midnight Moscow Time on March 18 ) .
The last trains Allegro ( between Helsinki and St. Petersburg ) and Leo Tolstoy ( between Helsinki and Moscow ) will operate to bring Finnish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company said .
The Allegro trains will operate as normal until March 18 .
The last train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg will depart at 19:00 local time ( 20:00 Moscow Time ) and from St. Petersburg to Helsinki at 20:30 Moscow Time .
`` Leo Tolstoy , which runs once per day , will depart for the last time from Helsinki on March 18 at 17:44 local time ( 18:44 Moscow Time ) , '' the company noted .
Passengers will be granted full refund for train cancellations .
On Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the coronavirus .
The border will be closed until April 13 , Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced .
The number of the novel coronavirus cases in Finland has risen to 272 .
The first coronavirus case was recorded in the country in January .
The outbreak of a disease caused by the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) was registered in central China in late December 2019 .
The World Health Organization labeled the novel coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11 .
Outside China , the worst affected countries are Italy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 130 countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest data analyzed by TASS the novel coronavirus cases globally have hit nearly 180,000 , with over 7,000 deaths .
According to the anti-coronavirus task force , 93 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia .

HELSINKI, March 17. /TASS/. Passenger train services between Finland and Russia will be temporarily halted amid the coronavirus upon the two countries’ decision on limiting travel through the border, Finnish railway operator VR said on Tuesday.
"According to Russia’s decision, foreigners won’t be able to get there after 23:00 Finnish time on March 17 (midnight Moscow Time on March 18). The last trains Allegro (between Helsinki and St. Petersburg) and Leo Tolstoy (between Helsinki and Moscow) will operate to bring Finnish and Russian nationals back home," the company said.
The Allegro trains will operate as normal until March 18. The last train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg will depart at 19:00 local time (20:00 Moscow Time) and from St. Petersburg to Helsinki at 20:30 Moscow Time. "Leo Tolstoy, which runs once per day, will depart for the last time from Helsinki on March 18 at 17:44 local time (18:44 Moscow Time)," the company noted.
Passengers will be granted full refund for train cancellations.
On Monday, Finland started preparing for closing borders over the coronavirus. The border will be closed until April 13, Prime Minister Sanna Marin announced. The number of the novel coronavirus cases in Finland has risen to 272. The first coronavirus case was recorded in the country in January.
The outbreak of a disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was registered in central China in late December 2019. The World Health Organization labeled the novel coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Italy, South Korea and Iran. Overall, more than 130 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. According to the latest data analyzed by TASS the novel coronavirus cases globally have hit nearly 180,000, with over 7,000 deaths. According to the anti-coronavirus task force, 93 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia.


tass--2020-03-17--China’s Xinhua news agency says US ‘racist,’ ‘irresponsible’ — op-ed

`` With the whole international community gearing up for the joint battle against a dangerous coronavirus , the sole superpower on the planet is letting the world down , '' the agency ’ s commentary reads .
`` Ever since the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic , a cluster of U.S. politicians have kept using the global health threat as a weapon to smear and stigmatize China . ''
BEIJING , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
China ’ s Xinhua news agency accused the US Tuesday of racism and irresponsibility , and using the pandemic as a political weapon to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China .
`` They accused Beijing of covering up the outbreak , turning a blind eye to its timely sharing of information with the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and the broader international community , '' the agency says .
The US politicians , the op-ed underscores , `` went so far by employing racist language to label the pathogen behind the disease the ‘ Chinese virus ’ or ‘ Wuhan virus , ’ although its origin remains undetermined and viruses have no nationalities . ''
Such `` slanderous '' rhetoric , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despicable . ''
`` To many , it is yet another symptom of Washington 's moral decay and leadership deficit , '' the commentary added .
`` Stigmatizing China will not contribute to the global battle against the pandemic .
On the contrary , at a time when the world is in dire need of strong solidarity and mutual support , it only sows division and distrust and corrodes the very foundation for a global united front , '' it says. ''
Thus it is high time that Washington woke up both to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its soil and across the world , and to the threat of the political virus in its mind that is distorting its perception and hindering its response , and lived up to its due responsibility on the world stage , '' the Chinese agency concludes .

"With the whole international community gearing up for the joint battle against a dangerous coronavirus, the sole superpower on the planet is letting the world down," the agency’s commentary reads. "Ever since the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic, a cluster of U.S. politicians have kept using the global health threat as a weapon to smear and stigmatize China."
BEIJING, March 17. /TASS/. China’s Xinhua news agency accused the US Tuesday of racism and irresponsibility, and using the pandemic as a political weapon to smear the People’s Republic of China.
"They accused Beijing of covering up the outbreak, turning a blind eye to its timely sharing of information with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the broader international community," the agency says.
The US politicians, the op-ed underscores, "went so far by employing racist language to label the pathogen behind the disease the ‘Chinese virus’ or ‘Wuhan virus,’ although its origin remains undetermined and viruses have no nationalities."
Such "slanderous" rhetoric, Xinhua writes, "is irresponsible and despicable."
"To many, it is yet another symptom of Washington's moral decay and leadership deficit," the commentary added.
"Stigmatizing China will not contribute to the global battle against the pandemic. On the contrary, at a time when the world is in dire need of strong solidarity and mutual support, it only sows division and distrust and corrodes the very foundation for a global united front," it says.
" Thus it is high time that Washington woke up both to the threat of the coronavirus spreading on its soil and across the world, and to the threat of the political virus in its mind that is distorting its perception and hindering its response, and lived up to its due responsibility on the world stage," the Chinese agency concludes.


tass--2020-03-17--People with blood type A (II) most susceptible to coronavirus infection - research

BEIJING , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
People with blood type A ( II ) are the most susceptible to the COVID-19 coronavirus infection , while people with blood type O ( I ) are the least susceptible , says research by a group of Chinese scientists , published at medRxiv website .
The scientists have reviewed data on 2,200 patients from three Wuhan and Shenzhen hospitals , including more than 200 lethal cases .
According to the researchers , normal blood type distribution among Wuhan citizens is as follows : 34 % have blood type O ( I ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( II ) , 25 % have blood type B ( III ) and 9 % have blood type AB ( IV ) .
To get this data , the scientists have analyzed a control group of 3,700 non-infected Wuhan citizens .
At the same time , most Wuhan coronavirus patients ( 38 % ) have blood type A ( II ) , while 26,4 % have blood type B ( III ) and 25.8 % have blood type O ( I ) .
The least amount of patients ( 10 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Therefore , the share of people with blood type A ( II ) is much higher among coronavirus patients than normal , while share people with blood type O ( I ) is much smaller .

BEIJING, March 17. /TASS/. People with blood type A (II) are the most susceptible to the COVID-19 coronavirus infection, while people with blood type O (I) are the least susceptible, says research by a group of Chinese scientists, published at medRxiv website.
The scientists have reviewed data on 2,200 patients from three Wuhan and Shenzhen hospitals, including more than 200 lethal cases.
According to the researchers, normal blood type distribution among Wuhan citizens is as follows: 34% have blood type O (I), 32% have blood type A (II), 25% have blood type B (III) and 9% have blood type AB (IV). To get this data, the scientists have analyzed a control group of 3,700 non-infected Wuhan citizens.
At the same time, most Wuhan coronavirus patients (38%) have blood type A (II), while 26,4% have blood type B (III) and 25.8% have blood type O (I). The least amount of patients (10%) had blood type AB (IV).
Therefore, the share of people with blood type A (II) is much higher among coronavirus patients than normal, while share people with blood type O (I) is much smaller.


tass--2020-03-17--Losses of Russian airlines from suspension of flights may exceed $1.35 bln

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Losses of Russian airlines in the event of suspension of flights can exceed 100 bln rubles ( $ 1.35 bln ) , First Deputy Minister of Transport , Head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Alexander Neradko said on Tuesday .
`` Different numbers are given if this situation persists until the end of the year .
The numbers vary , they require verification , but over 100 bln rubles was said , '' he said , speaking about the losses of airlines .
Neradko added that Russian airlines lost 1.7 bln rubles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended flights to China in February .
`` According to the airlines , lost marginal profit from closing destinations to China amounted to about 1.7 bln rubles in February alone , '' he said .
On February 1 , air traffic between Russia and China was limited to minimize the risks of the spread of coronavirus .
Only Aeroflot and four Chinese airlines operate Sheremetyevo flights from scheduled flights .
All flights to China are served only at terminal F. Prior to this , Russian airlines operated about 150 flights to China per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 40 flights per week .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Losses of Russian airlines in the event of suspension of flights can exceed 100 bln rubles ($1.35 bln), First Deputy Minister of Transport, Head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Alexander Neradko said on Tuesday.
"Different numbers are given if this situation persists until the end of the year. The numbers vary, they require verification, but over 100 bln rubles was said," he said, speaking about the losses of airlines.
Neradko added that Russian airlines lost 1.7 bln rubles ($22.94 mln) due to suspended flights to China in February. "According to the airlines, lost marginal profit from closing destinations to China amounted to about 1.7 bln rubles in February alone," he said.
On February 1, air traffic between Russia and China was limited to minimize the risks of the spread of coronavirus. Only Aeroflot and four Chinese airlines operate Sheremetyevo flights from scheduled flights. All flights to China are served only at terminal F.
Prior to this, Russian airlines operated about 150 flights to China per week, and Chinese airlines carried out about 40 flights per week.


tass--2020-03-17--Russia holds drills at Syria’s port of Tartus

SEVASTOPOL , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has held drills on combating sabotage threats at the Syrian port of @ @ @ @ @ Fleet said in a statement on Tuesday .
According to the statement , anti-sabotage units @ @ @ @ @ exercise to practice ways to detect and detain the simulated enemy ’ s subversive group @ @ @ @ @ , the crew of a Grachonok anti-sabotage boat detected an identified speed boat , which @ @ @ @ @ and kept moving , ignoring demands to stop for inspection .
Grachonok anti-sabotage boats and @ @ @ @ @ divers were involved in an operation to detain the vessel .
According to the Black @ @ @ @ @ boat was blocked in Tartus harbor but its crew members put up resistance and were @ @ @ @ @ .
The exercise involved six Grachonok and Raptor boats and about 50 navy servicemen .

SEVASTOPOL, March 17. /TASS/. Russia has held drills on combating sabotage threats at the Syrian port of Tartus, the Black Sea Fleet said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, anti-sabotage units "carried out a planned exercise to practice ways to detect and detain the simulated enemy’s subversive group."
During the drills, the crew of a Grachonok anti-sabotage boat detected an identified speed boat, which gave no response to requests and kept moving, ignoring demands to stop for inspection.
Grachonok anti-sabotage boats and Raptor patrol boats carrying combat divers were involved in an operation to detain the vessel.
According to the Black Sea Fleet, the speed boat was blocked in Tartus harbor but its crew members put up resistance and were eliminated by an anti-sabotage unit. The exercise involved six Grachonok and Raptor boats and about 50 navy servicemen.


tass--2020-03-17--Ukraine suspends work of checkpoints on border with Crimea

KIEV , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine has suspended the work of checkpoints on the border with Crimea until @ @ @ @ @ on the number of people crossing the border , the Ukrainian Interior Ministry reported on @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The work of the checkpoints on the border with temporarily occupied territory of @ @ @ @ @ April 3 , '' the ministry said , adding that only a number of Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ cross the border .

KIEV, March 17. /TASS/. Ukraine has suspended the work of checkpoints on the border with Crimea until April 3 and imposed restrictions on the number of people crossing the border, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry reported on its Telegram channel on Tuesday.
"The work of the checkpoints on the border with temporarily occupied territory of Crimea has been suspended until April 3," the ministry said, adding that only a number of Ukrainian citizens will be allowed to cross the border.


tass--2020-03-17--Over 116,000 coronaviorus tests conducted in Russia

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
More than 116,000 novel coronavirus tests have been conducted by Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing ( Rospotrebnadzor ) , the watchdog ’ s press @ @ @ @ @ `` As of March 16 , 2020 , 116,061 laboratory studies have been carried out @ @ @ @ @ and epidemiology centers in Russia ’ s entities on the presence of the novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ arriving from countries with the unfavorable coronavirus situation , '' the press service said .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. More than 116,000 novel coronavirus tests have been conducted by Russia’s Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor), the watchdog’s press service reported on Tuesday.
"As of March 16, 2020, 116,061 laboratory studies have been carried out by Rospotrebnadzor’s hygiene and epidemiology centers in Russia’s entities on the presence of the novel coronavirus in the material from people arriving from countries with the unfavorable coronavirus situation," the press service said.


tass--2020-03-17--Five coronavirus patients recover in Russia

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus patients who recovered in Russia has risen to five , according to the Health Ministry ’ s coronavirus hotline .
`` Five people have recovered , '' the portal said .
The Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported that among those who recovered were two Chinese nationals , two Russians and one Italian .
On Monday , the reports said four patients had been discharged from hospitals .
Besides , three passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship , the site of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were taken back to Russia have recovered .
According to the anti-coronavirus task force , 93 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia .
Most patients have mild symptoms of the disease .
The consumer rights watchdog said more than 116,000 coronavirus tests have been carried out in the country .
The outbreak of a disease caused by the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) was registered in central China in late December 2019 .
The World Health Organization recognized the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11 .
Outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy , South Korea and Iran .
Overall , more than 130 countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest data analyzed by TASS the novel coronavirus cases globally have exceeded 180,000 , with over 7,000 deaths .
According to the anti-coronavirus task force , 93 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus patients who recovered in Russia has risen to five, according to the Health Ministry’s coronavirus hotline.
"Five people have recovered," the portal said. The Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported that among those who recovered were two Chinese nationals, two Russians and one Italian.
On Monday, the reports said four patients had been discharged from hospitals. Besides, three passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship, the site of a major coronavirus outbreak outside China, who were taken back to Russia have recovered.
According to the anti-coronavirus task force, 93 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia. Most patients have mild symptoms of the disease. The consumer rights watchdog said more than 116,000 coronavirus tests have been carried out in the country.
The outbreak of a disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was registered in central China in late December 2019. The World Health Organization recognized the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Italy, South Korea and Iran. Overall, more than 130 countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases. According to the latest data analyzed by TASS the novel coronavirus cases globally have exceeded 180,000, with over 7,000 deaths. According to the anti-coronavirus task force, 93 coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia.


tass--2020-03-17--Number of COVID-19 cases in Thailand rises to 177

BANGKOK , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Thai officials have documented 30 new cases of the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) in the past 24 hours , the Thai Ministry of Health informed on Tuesday .
The total amount of coronavirus cases in the country has reached 177 , with 41 people recovered and one recorded death .
According to the ministry , 11 of those infected visited a stadium where a Thai boxing match was held .
Nine people with COVID-19 returned from abroad .
Two people who came into contact with other infected persons are also among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 was documented in Thailand on January 13 , when a 74-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan was diagnozed with the virus .
On January 24 , she was discharged from the hospital after testing negative for the virus , after which she returned to China .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On March 11 , WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease has spread to about 130 countries .
According to official data , over 170,000 people have been infected with the virus globally , and over 6,000 have died .
There are 93 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia , including 53 cases in Moscow .

BANGKOK, March 17. /TASS/. Thai officials have documented 30 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past 24 hours, the Thai Ministry of Health informed on Tuesday. The total amount of coronavirus cases in the country has reached 177, with 41 people recovered and one recorded death.
According to the ministry, 11 of those infected visited a stadium where a Thai boxing match was held. Nine people with COVID-19 returned from abroad. Two people who came into contact with other infected persons are also among the newly reported cases.
The first case of COVID-19 was documented in Thailand on January 13, when a 74-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan was diagnozed with the virus. On January 24, she was discharged from the hospital after testing negative for the virus, after which she returned to China.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On March 11, WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic. The disease has spread to about 130 countries. According to official data, over 170,000 people have been infected with the virus globally, and over 6,000 have died. There are 93 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia, including 53 cases in Moscow.


tass--2020-03-17--Russian government will not cut budget spending in 2020

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Government does not plan to reduce budget expenditures this year , @ @ @ @ @ titled `` On measures to support sustainable economic development , '' posted on Tuesday on @ @ @ @ @ the regulator .
`` The government does not plan cutting budget expenses against the planned @ @ @ @ @ says .
The Ministry of Finance will also `` monitor the balance of regional budgets @ @ @ @ @ be provided to them as needed , '' the statement says .
The government and @ @ @ @ @ package of economic support measures in view of the coronavirus spread , the authorities said @ @ @ @ @ statement .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The Russian Government does not plan to reduce budget expenditures this year, as stated in the document titled "On measures to support sustainable economic development," posted on Tuesday on websites of the Cabinet and the regulator.
"The government does not plan cutting budget expenses against the planned level," the document says. The Ministry of Finance will also "monitor the balance of regional budgets and required financial aid will be provided to them as needed," the statement says.
The government and the Central Bank introduce a package of economic support measures in view of the coronavirus spread, the authorities said earlier today in a joint statement.


tass--2020-03-17--Putin emphasizes parliament serves as venue for discussions, not for fistfights

`` We need both the systemic and non-systemic opposition .
I 'm saying so not as Russia 's current president , but as an ordinary Russian citizen , '' he told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
`` However , we don ’ t need pandemonium .
Nor do we need any shows .
We need serious political activity . ''
MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia does need an opposition , but in parliament , there should be no place for `` free-for-alls and publicity stunts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The parliament `` is the right place for discussions , '' he said , thus making an allusion to a controversial remark from Boris Gryzlov ( the State Duma ’ s speaker in 2003-2011 ) .
`` It is not a place for brawls , free-for-alls , or for publicity stunts , '' Putin added .
Putin harked back to the 1990s , when `` it was a total mess , not a parliament . ''
`` Brawls were frequent and there was no chance to make a single decision .
What was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made were impossible to implement .
The economy was driven into a dead end , '' Putin said .
`` You need great upheavals , while I need a great Russia , '' he said , quoting Pyotr Stolypin , a prominent Russian statesman from the early 20th century .
`` I believe we all need a great Russia , not staged performances at different levels of political power . ''
Putin disagreed with assumptions that Russia ’ s opposition political parties were `` tame . ''
`` We have four parliamentary parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vision , '' he recalled .
As an example , he mentioned the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and its leader Gennady Zyuganov .
Also , Putin recalled that Russia had about 50 political parties in all .
`` United Russia holds the controlling stake in the State Duma .
There are other parties that quite often disagree .
There are just 4 of them in the parliament .
They disagree with the ruling party 's point of view , '' the head of state said .
Episode 15 of the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

"We need both the systemic and non-systemic opposition. I'm saying so not as Russia's current president, but as an ordinary Russian citizen," he told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin". "However, we don’t need pandemonium. Nor do we need any shows. We need serious political activity."
MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russia does need an opposition, but in parliament, there should be no place for "free-for-alls and publicity stunts," Russian President Vladimir Putin believes.
The parliament "is the right place for discussions," he said, thus making an allusion to a controversial remark from Boris Gryzlov (the State Duma’s speaker in 2003-2011). "It is not a place for brawls, free-for-alls, or for publicity stunts," Putin added.
Putin harked back to the 1990s, when "it was a total mess, not a parliament." "Brawls were frequent and there was no chance to make a single decision. What was even worse was that the decisions they made were impossible to implement. The economy was driven into a dead end," Putin said.
"You need great upheavals, while I need a great Russia," he said, quoting Pyotr Stolypin, a prominent Russian statesman from the early 20th century. "I believe we all need a great Russia, not staged performances at different levels of political power."
Russia’s opposition is not 'tame'
Putin disagreed with assumptions that Russia’s opposition political parties were "tame." "We have four parliamentary parties. Quite often they have their own vision," he recalled. As an example, he mentioned the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and its leader Gennady Zyuganov.
Also, Putin recalled that Russia had about 50 political parties in all. "United Russia holds the controlling stake in the State Duma. There are other parties that quite often disagree. There are just 4 of them in the parliament. They disagree with the ruling party's point of view," the head of state said.
Episode 15 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-17--Putin says all politicians must have equal work opportunities, even the opposition

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
All politicians holding senior posts in the civil service should be entitled to @ @ @ @ @ President Vladimir Putin said , adding that this rule certainly applied to the opposition .
@ @ @ @ @ an enemy of the state '' The state is obliged to create conditions for the @ @ @ @ @ have an opportunity to work effectively , '' Putin told TASS in an interview for @ @ @ @ @ Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
Asked about government-funded limos provided for legislators , the @ @ @ @ @ elected lawmakers used identical vehicles regardless of the party they represented .
`` They use @ @ @ @ @ them with for administering their functions .
They receive it from the state under the @ @ @ @ @ from the incumbent authorities , '' he explained .
Putin stressed that these requirements must @ @ @ @ @ the authorities liked the political activity of any lawmaker or not .
Episode 15 of @ @ @ @ @ at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. All politicians holding senior posts in the civil service should be entitled to equal work opportunities, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, adding that this rule certainly applied to the opposition.
Putin assures non-systemic opposition not an enemy of the state
"The state is obliged to create conditions for the adherents of any views to have an opportunity to work effectively," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
Asked about government-funded limos provided for legislators, the head of state said all elected lawmakers used identical vehicles regardless of the party they represented.
"They use everything that the state supplies them with for administering their functions. They receive it from the state under the existing law, and not from the incumbent authorities," he explained.
Putin stressed that these requirements must be observed regardless of whether the authorities liked the political activity of any lawmaker or not.
Episode 15 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-17--Putin assures non-systemic opposition not an enemy of the state

`` Nothing of the sort .
This has nothing to do with reality , '' Putin told TASS in an @ @ @ @ @ `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
He said he believes that politicians , @ @ @ @ @ not just criticize the authorities , but have a clear vision of how to go @ @ @ @ @ the problems the country is faced with .
`` An average person wants to see @ @ @ @ @ authorities , but hear and understand what is being proposed by those who do the @ @ @ @ @ .
`` When nothing but criticism is heard in reply , then the question arises @ @ @ @ @ for ? ''
Putin remarked that Russians were far from being naive when it came @ @ @ @ @ 's not enough to just offer to put food on their table , '' he @ @ @ @ @ political awareness of Russia 's ordinary citizens has grown over the past year . ''
@ @ @ @ @ interview is available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

"Nothing of the sort. This has nothing to do with reality," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
He said he believes that politicians, including opposition ones, should not just criticize the authorities, but have a clear vision of how to go about the business of addressing the problems the country is faced with.
"An average person wants to see not just somebody criticizing the authorities, but hear and understand what is being proposed by those who do the criticizing," he said. "When nothing but criticism is heard in reply, then the question arises: Who should you vote for?"
Putin remarked that Russians were far from being naive when it came to politics. "It's not enough to just offer to put food on their table," he pointed out. "The political awareness of Russia's ordinary citizens has grown over the past year."
Episode 15 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-17--YPO conducted a new global survey on the impact of COVID-19 on business

NEW YORK , March 17 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- YPO , the global leadership community of more than 29,000 chief executives in 130 countries , conducted an all-member survey to get a snapshot of the business impact of COVID-19 and gain insight into actions chief executives are taking as a result of this new business reality .
This new YPO Chief Executive Global Survey , conducted 10-13 March 2020 and drawing over 2,750 respondents , found that most chief executives have already experienced a negative impact of COVID-19 on at least one aspect in their businesses , and many more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the next six months before they get better .
Key additional findings include : • Business travel ( 87 % ) , new business development ( 62 % ) , and revenues ( 58 % ) are the top three areas where most chief executives say they are currently experiencing the biggest impact of COVID-19 .
• Almost all business leaders ( 82 % ) are expecting declines in revenues over the next six months , but one year from now , more than half ( 54 % ) expect no negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Ninety-five percent of leaders report taking action in response to COVID-19 .
These actions include communicating more regularly with employees ( 68 % ) , adopting new health and safety procedures ( 67 % ) , cancelling major events ( 64 % ) , and halting business travel ( 53 % ) .
• Chief executives , when asked for their open-ended advice for fellow leaders , shared this is a time to stay calm , focus on facts , continue to communicate regularly with employees and other key stakeholders , anticipate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and long term , and stabilize supply chains .
YPO Chief Executive Global Survey on the Business Impact of COVID-19 Methodology : The YPO Chief Executive Global Survey on the Business Impact of COVID-19 was conducted by YPO from 10-13 March 2020 via an online questionnaire .
A total of 2,754 YPO members responded to the survey .
The members in this sample are representative of the larger YPO population , come from 110 different countries , and range in age from 25-93 .
Roughly half of survey respondents are from the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is plus or minus 1.8 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level .
YPO is the global leadership community of more than 29,000 chief executives in 130 countries who are driven by the belief that the world needs better leaders .
Each of our members have achieved significant leadership success at a young age .
Combined , they lead businesses and organizations contributing USD 9 trillion in annual revenue .
YPO members inspire and support each other through peer learning and exceptional experiences in an inclusive community of open sharing and trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

NEW YORK, March 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- YPO, the global leadership community of more than 29,000 chief executives in 130 countries, conducted an all-member survey to get a snapshot of the business impact of COVID-19 and gain insight into actions chief executives are taking as a result of this new business reality.
This new YPO Chief Executive Global Survey, conducted 10-13 March 2020 and drawing over 2,750 respondents, found that most chief executives have already experienced a negative impact of COVID-19 on at least one aspect in their businesses, and many more chief executives anticipate things to get worse within the next six months before they get better. Key additional findings include:
Business travel (87%), new business development (62%), and revenues (58%) are the top three areas where most chief executives say they are currently experiencing the biggest impact of COVID-19.
Almost all business leaders (82%) are expecting declines in revenues over the next six months, but one year from now, more than half (54%) expect no negative impact to revenues due to COVID-19.
Ninety-five percent of leaders report taking action in response to COVID-19. These actions include communicating more regularly with employees (68%), adopting new health and safety procedures (67%), cancelling major events (64%), and halting business travel (53%).
Chief executives, when asked for their open-ended advice for fellow leaders, shared this is a time to stay calm, focus on facts, continue to communicate regularly with employees and other key stakeholders, anticipate and make plans for both the short and long term, and stabilize supply chains.
YPO Chief Executive Global Survey on the Business Impact of COVID-19 Methodology:
The YPO Chief Executive Global Survey on the Business Impact of COVID-19 was conducted by YPO from 10-13 March 2020 via an online questionnaire. A total of 2,754 YPO members responded to the survey. The members in this sample are representative of the larger YPO population, come from 110 different countries, and range in age from 25-93. Roughly half of survey respondents are from the United States. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 1.8 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.
About YPO:
YPO is the global leadership community of more than 29,000 chief executives in 130 countries who are driven by the belief that the world needs better leaders. Each of our members have achieved significant leadership success at a young age. Combined, they lead businesses and organizations contributing USD 9 trillion in annual revenue. YPO members inspire and support each other through peer learning and exceptional experiences in an inclusive community of open sharing and trust. For more information, visit ypo.org.
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1065220/YPO_Logo.jpg
CONTACT: Amy Zelvin Reid, areid@ypo.org, +1 646 678 0575; Angela Mers, amers@ypo.org, +1 415 298 8534


tass--2020-03-17--Four injured in house blast in western Russia

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Four people were injured when an explosion rocked a house in western Russia @ @ @ @ @ a source in the regional disaster response service told TASS on Tuesday .
The blast @ @ @ @ @ overnight to Tuesday .
`` All the injured were taken to a local hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ on , '' the source said .
A spokesperson for the regional hospital told TASS @ @ @ @ @ wounds , with three of them in grave condition .
A source in the regional @ @ @ @ @ occurred when the individuals attempted to make an improvised explosive device for fish hunt .
@ @ @ @ @ the emergencies services and relatives asking for help .
No fire occurred after the blast @

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Four people were injured when an explosion rocked a house in western Russia’s Smolensk region, a source in the regional disaster response service told TASS on Tuesday.
The blast in the Rakovka village occurred overnight to Tuesday. "All the injured were taken to a local hospital. One of them was operated on," the source said.
A spokesperson for the regional hospital told TASS four men had received serious wounds, with three of them in grave condition.
A source in the regional emergencies services said the explosion occurred when the individuals attempted to make an improvised explosive device for fish hunt. One of the men called the emergencies services and relatives asking for help. No fire occurred after the blast.


tass--2020-03-17--China reports 21 newly confirmed novel coronavirus cases in past day — authorities

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of newly confirmed novel coronavirus cases in China stands at 21 in the past 24 hours , in 20 of them the infection has been brought from abroad , China ’ s National Health Commission said on Tuesday .
A total of 13 people died of the infection in the reported period .
Some 930 patients recovered in the past day .
The overall number of confirmed cases in the country now stands at 80,881 , and 68,869 of them have already recovered .
A total of 3,226 people died .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from about 130 countries and territories , including Russia , which has 93 coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 170,000 , with more than 6,000 deaths .
The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The number of newly confirmed novel coronavirus cases in China stands at 21 in the past 24 hours, in 20 of them the infection has been brought from abroad, China’s National Health Commission said on Tuesday.
A total of 13 people died of the infection in the reported period. Some 930 patients recovered in the past day.
The overall number of confirmed cases in the country now stands at 80,881, and 68,869 of them have already recovered. A total of 3,226 people died.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from about 130 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 93 coronavirus cases. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 170,000, with more than 6,000 deaths. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-17--French government suspends all reforms amid coronavirus outbreak — president

PARIS , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
All reforms that are now at various stages of consideration in the French parliament will be suspended for the period of the novel coronavirus epidemic in the country , French President Emmanuel Macron said during his televised address to the nation on Monday night .
`` Right now , all efforts of the parliament and the government should be directed at the fight against the epidemic , '' he said .
`` We are fighting it day and night , and nothing must distract us .
In this respect , I resolved that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage of discussion should be suspended , beginning with the pension reform . ''
The French leader went on to say that a bill `` allowing the government to respond to this emergency '' will be put forward during a session of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday and forwarded to the parliament on Friday .
‘ I have already raised this matter in my conversation with chairs of the Senate and the National Assembly , to hold a vote on those texts as promptly as possible , '' Macron said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trade union leaders , all French citizens to join this national unity , to create a union that would allow our country to overcome the crisis , '' he said .
Meanwhile , France ’ s healthcare authority announced that the number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 6,600 , with 148 fatalities .
In the past 24 hours , 21 people died of the infection and the number of infected persons increased by 1,210 .
Macron also announced that internal travel restrictions will be introduced starting from March 17 and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .

PARIS, March 17. /TASS/. All reforms that are now at various stages of consideration in the French parliament will be suspended for the period of the novel coronavirus epidemic in the country, French President Emmanuel Macron said during his televised address to the nation on Monday night.
"Right now, all efforts of the parliament and the government should be directed at the fight against the epidemic," he said. "We are fighting it day and night, and nothing must distract us. In this respect, I resolved that all reforms that are now in the stage of discussion should be suspended, beginning with the pension reform."
The French leader went on to say that a bill "allowing the government to respond to this emergency" will be put forward during a session of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday and forwarded to the parliament on Friday.
‘I have already raised this matter in my conversation with chairs of the Senate and the National Assembly, to hold a vote on those texts as promptly as possible," Macron said.
"I call upon all political, public and trade union leaders, all French citizens to join this national unity, to create a union that would allow our country to overcome the crisis," he said.
Meanwhile, France’s healthcare authority announced that the number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases topped 6,600, with 148 fatalities. In the past 24 hours, 21 people died of the infection and the number of infected persons increased by 1,210.
Macron also announced that internal travel restrictions will be introduced starting from March 17 and will be in place for at least 15 days.


tass--2020-03-17--US court ceases litigation against Russian company Concord

WASHINGTON , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
A US District of Columbia court upheld a request from prosecutors to cease the litigation against Russian company Concord Management and Consulting , suspected of trying to interfere into the 2016 presidential election in the United States .
`` The government ’ s motion is granted , '' the court statement said , referring to charges against two companies , Concord Management and Consulting and Concord Catering , mentioned in the case jointly as the Concord Defendants .
Earlier in the day , US prosecutors have requested a judge to cease litigation against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uploaded on Monday to the court ’ s electronic database , says that `` upon careful consideration of all of the circumstances , < ... > , the government has concluded that further proceedings as to Concord , a Russian company with no presence in the United States and no exposure to meaningful punishment in the event of a conviction , promotes neither the interests of justice nor the nation ’ s security . ''
According to the document , `` the better course is to cease litigation as to the Concord Defendants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ litigation may lead to `` the risk of exposure of law enforcement ’ s tools and techniques . ''
`` The United States will continue its efforts to apprehend the individual defendants and bring them before this Court to face the pending charges , '' the document says .
The court proceedings into the Concord Management and Consulting case were scheduled to begin in April .
In mid-February 2018 , the US authorities brought charges in absentia against 13 Russian citizens and three organizations , accusing them of attempts to interfere into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
The 37-page indictment was prepared by the office of then special counsel Robert Mueller .
12 of those individuals were employees of the Internet Research Agency .
According to the indictment , the organization was involved into attempts to meddle with the US political life and elections since 2014 .
Besides , Mueller charged Russian entrepreneur Yevgeny Prigozhin with financing anti-US information campaigns allegedly conducted by the Internet Research Agency .
According to US prosecutors , the Internet Research Agency ’ s operations were financed by Prigozhin and his companies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Consulting .
The Russian government has consistently denied all accusations of trying to interfere into the US elections .

WASHINGTON, March 17. /TASS/. A US District of Columbia court upheld a request from prosecutors to cease the litigation against Russian company Concord Management and Consulting, suspected of trying to interfere into the 2016 presidential election in the United States.
"The government’s motion is granted," the court statement said, referring to charges against two companies, Concord Management and Consulting and Concord Catering, mentioned in the case jointly as the Concord Defendants.
Earlier in the day, US prosecutors have requested a judge to cease litigation against the Russian company.
The document, uploaded on Monday to the court’s electronic database, says that "upon careful consideration of all of the circumstances,<...>, the government has concluded that further proceedings as to Concord, a Russian company with no presence in the United States and no exposure to meaningful punishment in the event of a conviction, promotes neither the interests of justice nor the nation’s security."
According to the document, "the better course is to cease litigation as to the Concord Defendants."
US prosecutors believe that further litigation may lead to "the risk of exposure of law enforcement’s tools and techniques."
"The United States will continue its efforts to apprehend the individual defendants and bring them before this Court to face the pending charges," the document says.
The court proceedings into the Concord Management and Consulting case were scheduled to begin in April.
In mid-February 2018, the US authorities brought charges in absentia against 13 Russian citizens and three organizations, accusing them of attempts to interfere into the US politics and the 2016 presidential election campaign. The 37-page indictment was prepared by the office of then special counsel Robert Mueller.
12 of those individuals were employees of the Internet Research Agency. According to the indictment, the organization was involved into attempts to meddle with the US political life and elections since 2014.
Besides, Mueller charged Russian entrepreneur Yevgeny Prigozhin with financing anti-US information campaigns allegedly conducted by the Internet Research Agency. According to US prosecutors, the Internet Research Agency’s operations were financed by Prigozhin and his companies, including Concord Catering and Concord Management and Consulting.
The Russian government has consistently denied all accusations of trying to interfere into the US elections.


tass--2020-03-17--Russia’s Glonass-M satellite put into designated orbit — defense ministry

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Fregat booster has put the Glonass-M satellite into the designated @ @ @ @ @ launch , a source in the Russian Defense Ministry ’ s department of information and @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
`` The Soyuz-2.1b medium-lift launch vehicle successfully put the Glonass-M spacecraft into the @ @ @ @ @ '' the source said .
Russian space troops have already assumed control of the spacecraft @ @ @ @ @ been established with the satellite , and its systems are operating normally .
The launch @ @ @ @ @ time on Monday , from the Plesetsk space center in northwestern Russia .
The booster @ @ @ @ @ the carrier rocket ten minutes later .
It was the second Soyuz-2 launch from Plesetsk @ @ @ @ @ replaced Soyuz-U rockets , which were in operation from 1973 to 2012 .
As many @ @ @ @ @ 44 Soyuz-2 rockets have blasted off from Plesetsk .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russia’s Fregat booster has put the Glonass-M satellite into the designated orbit following Monday’s launch, a source in the Russian Defense Ministry’s department of information and mass communications told journalists on Tuesday.
"The Soyuz-2.1b medium-lift launch vehicle successfully put the Glonass-M spacecraft into the designated orbit as scheduled," the source said.
Russian space troops have already assumed control of the spacecraft. Stable telemetry communication has been established with the satellite, and its systems are operating normally.
The launch took place at 21:28 Moscow time on Monday, from the Plesetsk space center in northwestern Russia. The booster and the satellite separated from the carrier rocket ten minutes later.
It was the second Soyuz-2 launch from Plesetsk in 2020. Soyuz-2 rockets replaced Soyuz-U rockets, which were in operation from 1973 to 2012. As many as 435 Soyuz-U rockets and 44 Soyuz-2 rockets have blasted off from Plesetsk.


tass--2020-03-17--Minsk regrets Russia’s decision to close border with Belarus

MINSK , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry regrets Russia ’ s decision to close the common border amid the coronavirus pandemic and is waiting for detailed official information from Moscow , the ministry spokesman said on Monday .
`` We regret the Russian side ’ s decision to close the border with Belarus against this background , '' Andrei Glaz said in a statement .
`` We are waiting for detailed official information from the Russian side about variants and modalities of implementing the above-mentioned measure . ''
According to the statement , `` Belarusian citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly deprived of the opportunity to return to their homeland via many countries , '' and Belarusian diplomats are trying to help them .
`` Due to the current developments , we recommend Belarusian citizens to refrain from foreign trips , '' the statement says .
On Monday , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced that Russia had decided to close the border with Belarus with the aim to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said later in the day he was puzzled by Russia ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation .

MINSK, March 17. /TASS/. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry regrets Russia’s decision to close the common border amid the coronavirus pandemic and is waiting for detailed official information from Moscow, the ministry spokesman said on Monday.
"We regret the Russian side’s decision to close the border with Belarus against this background," Andrei Glaz said in a statement. "We are waiting for detailed official information from the Russian side about variants and modalities of implementing the above-mentioned measure."
According to the statement, "Belarusian citizens who are now abroad have de-facto been nearly deprived of the opportunity to return to their homeland via many countries," and Belarusian diplomats are trying to help them.
"Due to the current developments, we recommend Belarusian citizens to refrain from foreign trips," the statement says.
On Monday, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced that Russia had decided to close the border with Belarus with the aim to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said later in the day he was puzzled by Russia’s decision and planned to discuss the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone conversation.


tass--2020-03-17--US prosecutors recommend ceasing litigation against Russian company Concord

WASHINGTON , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
US prosecutors have requested a judge to cease litigation against a Russian company @ @ @ @ @ , suspected of trying to inferfere into the 2016 presidential election in the United States @ @ @ @ @ on Monday to the court ’ s electronic database , says that `` upon careful @ @ @ @ @ circumstances , < ... > , the government has concluded that further proceedings as to @ @ @ @ @ with no presence in the United States and no exposure to meaningful punishment in the @ @ @ @ @ promotes neither the interests of justice nor the nation ’ s security .
`` .

WASHINGTON, March 17. /TASS/. US prosecutors have requested a judge to cease litigation against a Russian company, Concord Management and Consulting, suspected of trying to inferfere into the 2016 presidential election in the United States.
A document, uploaded on Monday to the court’s electronic database, says that "upon careful consideration of all of the circumstances,<...>, the government has concluded that further proceedings as to Concord, a Russian company with no presence in the United States and no exposure to meaningful punishment in the event of a conviction, promotes neither the interests of justice nor the nation’s security.".


tass--2020-03-17--Almost 14,000 new coronavirus cases registered worldwide in past day

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has registered a total of 13,903 @ @ @ @ @ novel coronavirus worldwide and 862 deaths in the past 24 hours , the organization said @ @ @ @ @ its website on Monday night .
The overall number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases now @ @ @ @ @ than half of them - 86,434 - were registered outside mainland China .
The total @ @ @ @ @ 6,606 , including 3,388 deaths outside mainland China .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the @ @ @ @ @ as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large @ @ @ @ @ a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new @ @ @ @ @ from about 130 countries and territories , including Russia , which has 93 coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. The World Health Organization (WHO) has registered a total of 13,903 newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus worldwide and 862 deaths in the past 24 hours, the organization said in a report published on its website on Monday night.
The overall number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases now stands at 167,511. More than half of them - 86,434 - were registered outside mainland China.
The total number of fatalities increased to 6,606, including 3,388 deaths outside mainland China.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from about 130 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 93 coronavirus cases. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-17--Russia to postpone Cosmonautics Day celebrations until October — source

MOSCOW , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia will reschedule the annual Cosmonautics Day from April 12 - the day of the first manned flight to space - to October 4 , a source in the rocket and space industry told TASS on Tuesday .
`` Due to the current coronavirus epidemiological situation , the Cosmonautics Day celebrations , which traditionally envisage mass events and arrival of foreign guests , will be postponed from April 12 to October 4 .
In other words , this year it will coincide with the anniversary of the first satellite ’ s launch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sergei Sobyanin has signed a decree on Monday banning all public events in Moscow held inside and attended by over 50 people , along with all outside gatherings .
The ban will be in place until April 10 , 2020 .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , which has 93 coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 170,000 , with more than 6,000 deaths .
The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Russia will reschedule the annual Cosmonautics Day from April 12 - the day of the first manned flight to space - to October 4, a source in the rocket and space industry told TASS on Tuesday.
"Due to the current coronavirus epidemiological situation, the Cosmonautics Day celebrations, which traditionally envisage mass events and arrival of foreign guests, will be postponed from April 12 to October 4. In other words, this year it will coincide with the anniversary of the first satellite’s launch," the source said.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has signed a decree on Monday banning all public events in Moscow held inside and attended by over 50 people, along with all outside gatherings. The ban will be in place until April 10, 2020.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from about 130 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 93 coronavirus cases. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 170,000, with more than 6,000 deaths. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-17--Russia resumes criminal case into pilot Yaroshenko’s abduction by US, Liberia — wife

ROSTOV-ON-DON , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian investigators have resumed a criminal case into the 2010 abduction of Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko by special services of the United States and Liberia , the pilot ’ s wife , Viktoria Yaroshenko , told TASS on Tuesday .
In the spring of 2015 , the Russian Investigative Committee launched a criminal case into Yaroshenko ’ s abduction , designating as suspects 11 officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration of the US Department of Justice , four officers of the Republic of Liberia ’ s security service and unidentified individuals .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questioning was held again , '' the Russian pilot 's wife said , adding that the case had earlier been suspended .
Viktoria Yaroshenko said she had been informed that several suspects in the case are now living in France .
In that regard , Russia planned to request information about them from the French authorities and subsequently put those individuals on the international wanted list , she added .
The press service of the Rostov Region investigative department of the Russian Investigative Committee , which informed Viktoria Yaroshenko about the developments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted by TASS .
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States on September 7 , 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison .
He pled not guilty and described his arrest as a provocation and the whole case as a frame-up .
Yaroshenko was brought to the United States from Liberia , where he was arrested on May 28 , 2010 .
Agents of the US Drug Enforcement Administration allegedly exposed Yaroshenko ’ s criminal intent to transport a large batch of cocaine .
The Russian authorities and the pilot ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States for Yaroshenko ’ s handover to Russia .

ROSTOV-ON-DON, March 17. /TASS/. Russian investigators have resumed a criminal case into the 2010 abduction of Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko by special services of the United States and Liberia, the pilot’s wife, Viktoria Yaroshenko, told TASS on Tuesday.
In the spring of 2015, the Russian Investigative Committee launched a criminal case into Yaroshenko’s abduction, designating as suspects 11 officers of the Drug Enforcement Administration of the US Department of Justice, four officers of the Republic of Liberia’s security service and unidentified individuals.
"This case has been resumed. A questioning was held again," the Russian pilot's wife said, adding that the case had earlier been suspended.
Viktoria Yaroshenko said she had been informed that several suspects in the case are now living in France. In that regard, Russia planned to request information about them from the French authorities and subsequently put those individuals on the international wanted list, she added.
The press service of the Rostov Region investigative department of the Russian Investigative Committee, which informed Viktoria Yaroshenko about the developments, refused to comment on the information when contacted by TASS.
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States on September 7, 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He pled not guilty and described his arrest as a provocation and the whole case as a frame-up. Yaroshenko was brought to the United States from Liberia, where he was arrested on May 28, 2010. Agents of the US Drug Enforcement Administration allegedly exposed Yaroshenko’s criminal intent to transport a large batch of cocaine.
The Russian authorities and the pilot’s family in Rostov-on-Don have repeatedly asked the United States for Yaroshenko’s handover to Russia.


tass--2020-03-16--Hainan introduces quarantine for overseas arrivals

HAIKOU , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Hainan authorities introduced a two-week quarantine for all travelers who visited the countries seriously affected by the novel coronavirus , according to the order issued by the local authorities , www.hinews.cn reported .
According to the decree of the provincial prevention and control of the spread of the novel coronavirus HQ , those who arrived in the island province from countries with an unfavorable epidemiological situation will be quarantined in special places in the cities of Haikou , Sanya and Qionghai .
Self-isolation at home is also an option , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will be decided individually , the local authorities stressed .
For those who arrive in the province for transit to other cities and provinces of the country , except Beijing , a mandatory quarantine is not provided for two weeks .
After passing the sanitary control , passengers will be able to continue the journey to their final destination if symptoms of the disease are not detected .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from about 130 countries and territories , including Russia , which has 93 coronavirus cases .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 170,000 , with more than 6,000 deaths .
The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

HAIKOU, March 16. /TASS/. The Hainan authorities introduced a two-week quarantine for all travelers who visited the countries seriously affected by the novel coronavirus, according to the order issued by the local authorities, www.hinews.cn reported.
According to the decree of the provincial prevention and control of the spread of the novel coronavirus HQ, those who arrived in the island province from countries with an unfavorable epidemiological situation will be quarantined in special places in the cities of Haikou, Sanya and Qionghai. Self-isolation at home is also an option, however, only in special cases, each of which will be decided individually, the local authorities stressed.
For those who arrive in the province for transit to other cities and provinces of the country, except Beijing, a mandatory quarantine is not provided for two weeks. After passing the sanitary control, passengers will be able to continue the journey to their final destination if symptoms of the disease are not detected.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from about 130 countries and territories, including Russia, which has 93 coronavirus cases. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 170,000, with more than 6,000 deaths. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-16--Hainan to invest $348 mln in developing rural areas in 2020

HAIKOU , March 16 .
/TASS/ .
This year , the China Southern Power Grid ( CSG ) will invest 2.4 billion yuan ( $ 348.3 million ) in the development of energy supply in Hainan 's rural regions of Hainan , the authorities of the island province announced .
According to statement published on the official website of the Hainan administration on WeChat , the finds will help create more than 5,300 electrification facilities in rural areas .
“ This is one of the measures aimed at improving the well-being of the poor by ensuring reliable electricity supplies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company 's plans , in 2020 , 67 substations and 940 km of new power lines with a voltage of about 35 kV will be built on Hainan , as well as power lines ( up to 10 kV ) with a length of over 6,400 km and more than 1,900 transformer facilities .
“ We have to ensure the stable implementation of work in accordance with the task amid novel coronavirus outbreak , by also ensuring all necessary precautions , ” said the company 's representative .
As the provincial authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more close attention on Hainan will be given to the development of promising sources of solar energy .
In February , the Hainan authorities announced they completed their anti-poverty efforts in the province and vowed to continue working in that direction , said Meng Li , head of the regional office for poverty alleviation .
According to the official , the cities of Wuzhishan and Baisha-Li autonomous county in the central part of the island as well as Lingao county in the island 's north are no longer considered poor and economically disadvantaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more task on the Chinese 13th five-year plan ( 2016-2020 ) .

HAIKOU, March 16. /TASS/. This year, the China Southern Power Grid (CSG) will invest 2.4 billion yuan ($ 348.3 million) in the development of energy supply in Hainan's rural regions of Hainan, the authorities of the island province announced.
According to statement published on the official website of the Hainan administration on WeChat, the finds will help create more than 5,300 electrification facilities in rural areas. “This is one of the measures aimed at improving the well-being of the poor by ensuring reliable electricity supplies,” the authorities emphasized.
According to the company's plans, in 2020, 67 substations and 940 km of new power lines with a voltage of about 35 kV will be built on Hainan, as well as power lines (up to 10 kV) with a length of over 6,400 km and more than 1,900 transformer facilities.
“We have to ensure the stable implementation of work in accordance with the task amid novel coronavirus outbreak, by also ensuring all necessary precautions,” said the company's representative.
As the provincial authorities specified, in the future more and more close attention on Hainan will be given to the development of promising sources of solar energy.
In February, the Hainan authorities announced they completed their anti-poverty efforts in the province and vowed to continue working in that direction, said Meng Li, head of the regional office for poverty alleviation. According to the official, the cities of Wuzhishan and Baisha-Li autonomous county in the central part of the island as well as Lingao county in the island's north are no longer considered poor and economically disadvantaged. Thus, the region implemented one more task on the Chinese 13th five-year plan (2016-2020).


tass--2020-03-18--Two first coronavirus cases confirmed in Montenegro

BELGRADE , March 17 .
/TASS/ .
The first two coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Montenegro , which has @ @ @ @ @ European Union nation to have no coronavirus patients .
`` Two first coronavirus cases have @ @ @ @ @ These are two women , born in 1948 and 1973 , who returned from a @ @ @ @ @ in normal condition , '' Prime Minister Dusko Markovic told journalists on Tuesday .
Montenegro @ @ @ @ @ foreigners , except holders of residence permits , on March 15 .
It also suspended @ @ @ @ @ of the world .
Still earlier , the country ’ s authorities imposed a two-week @ @ @ @ @

BELGRADE, March 17. /TASS/. The first two coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Montenegro, which has until today been the only European Union nation to have no coronavirus patients.
"Two first coronavirus cases have been registered in Montenegro. These are two women, born in 1948 and 1973, who returned from a foreign country. They are in normal condition," Prime Minister Dusko Markovic told journalists on Tuesday.
Montenegro imposed an entry ban for foreigners, except holders of residence permits, on March 15. It also suspended air service with the rest of the world. Still earlier, the country’s authorities imposed a two-week ban on mass gatherings.