tass--2020-05-13--UN relies only on official coronavirus statistics from countries — spokesperson

UNITED NATIONS , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The United Nations has no authority to verify coronavirus-related data provided by national governments , Stephane Dujarric , Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General , said on Wednesday when asked by TASS to comment on the New York Times and the Financial Times allegations that Russia is underreporting the coronavirus death toll .
`` We , as the Secretariat , do not have statistics that are independent from governments , '' he said .
`` The UN system relies on government statistics .
There are some exceptions in terms of what the UN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's a peacekeeping mission and if it 's a large UN presence in which we are working closely within the health departments .
That 's not the case in Europe or not the case in Russia . ''
`` So , the only statistics that we have , as far as I 'm aware of , are those of the government , '' he stressed .
`` We have no investigative mandate .
I have no ability to judge the validity or veracity of that reporting .
What is critical and this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States is that the most uptodate and the most accurate statistics are , obviously , a critical tool in fighting the virus . ''
The London-based Financial Times newspaper wrote earlier that `` Russia ’ s national death toll from coronavirus could be 70 % higher than the government ’ s official data show . ''
World Health Organization ( WHO ) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic told the Rossiya-24 TV channel that there was no evidence proving that Russian authorities were trying to hide the actual coronavirus death toll .
In late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 4,355,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 293,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 242,271 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 48,003 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 2,212 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

UNITED NATIONS, May 13. /TASS/. The United Nations has no authority to verify coronavirus-related data provided by national governments, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said on Wednesday when asked by TASS to comment on the New York Times and the Financial Times allegations that Russia is underreporting the coronavirus death toll.
"We, as the Secretariat, do not have statistics that are independent from governments," he said. "The UN system relies on government statistics. There are some exceptions in terms of what the UN presence is in different countries, if it's a peacekeeping mission and if it's a large UN presence in which we are working closely within the health departments. That's not the case in Europe or not the case in Russia."
"So, the only statistics that we have, as far as I'm aware of, are those of the government," he stressed. "We have no investigative mandate. I have no ability to judge the validity or veracity of that reporting. What is critical and this applies to every country, all Member States is that the most uptodate and the most accurate statistics are, obviously, a critical tool in fighting the virus."
The London-based Financial Times newspaper wrote earlier that "Russia’s national death toll from coronavirus could be 70% higher than the government’s official data show." World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic told the Rossiya-24 TV channel that there was no evidence proving that Russian authorities were trying to hide the actual coronavirus death toll.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 4,355,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 293,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,610,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 242,271 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 48,003 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 2,212 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-13--Epidemic situation expected to normalize by SCO summit in July — Kremlin spokesman

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
It is expected that the epidemic situation will normalize `` to a certain degree '' by late July when it is planned to hold a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization ( SCO ) in St. Petersburg , Russian president ’ s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily posted on its website on Wednesday .
`` So far , we think it will be a face-to-face meeting [ of the SCO leaders in July ] , '' he said , adding that `` epidemic forecasts say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degree . ''
`` However , the situation make us be very flexible in taking decisions , '' he said .
`` It means that these arrangements may change . ''
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier in the day that the SCO summit in St , Petersburg would be held as scheduled , on July 22-23 .
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has eight member states , namely India , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , China , Pakistan , Russia , Tajikistan , and Uzbekistan .
Afghanistan , Belarus , Iran , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization .
Azerbaijan , Armenia , Cambodia , Nepal , Turkey , and Sri Lanka are dialogue partners .
A number of other nations have applied for participation in various SCO formats .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. It is expected that the epidemic situation will normalize "to a certain degree" by late July when it is planned to hold a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in St. Petersburg, Russian president’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily posted on its website on Wednesday.
"So far, we think it will be a face-to-face meeting [of the SCO leaders in July]," he said, adding that "epidemic forecasts say that the situation will normalize to a certain degree."
"However, the situation make us be very flexible in taking decisions," he said. "It means that these arrangements may change."
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier in the day that the SCO summit in St, Petersburg would be held as scheduled, on July 22-23.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has eight member states, namely India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia enjoy the observer status with the organization. Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey, and Sri Lanka are dialogue partners. A number of other nations have applied for participation in various SCO formats.


tass--2020-05-13--Kremlin spokesman says risk of contracting coronavirus cannot be eliminated completely

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov , who was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this week , believes that his own example clearly illustrates that it is impossible to completely eliminate all risks of contracting the disease .
`` If you ask me whether those risks can be eliminated completely , then the answer is no , from my point of view .
My example serves as a very good illustration of it , '' Peskov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily on Wednesday .
`` We will simply have to learn new rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so to speak , preventive protection : how to put on gloves , how to take them off , when this should be done , in what circumstances it is advisable to spray yourself with a disinfectant .
We will have to learn it all to minimize the risks , '' he added .
Peskov said he had remained in self-isolation and worked from home since May 1 , because one of his colleagues also tested positive for the infection .
`` The virus is indeed very dangerous and can be easily transmitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fully protect yourself from it , '' he said .
`` The only way < … > is to stay at home and avoid all contacts with the outside world . ''
He also said a broad range of measures is being taken to protect the staff while the Kremlin administration continues its work .
`` We do not hold any large meetings at the moment , we use various communication channels to contact each other .
Everyone uses personal protective equipment , and we avoid visiting each other ’ s offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Documents , both incoming and outgoing , are being decontaminated with disinfectant sprays . ''
Peksov said his deputy will be in charge while he is undergoing treatment .
`` I have a deputy , and there is also the presidential [ press service and information ] office , which continues its work , although many people are quarantined at home , '' he said , adding that epidemiological guidelines `` are being observed very carefully '' by the Kremlin staff .
`` Everything keeps functioning and we , on our part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the president ’ s work receives due coverage .
My colleagues are brilliant in doing this .
They are talented professionals , '' Peskov went on .
The Kremlin spokesman reiterated that he last contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin in person more than a month ago , adding that personal meetings are not required under present circumstances .
`` Modern technologies allow us to maintain proper information security , for example during Security Council conferences , '' he said .
`` I think that we should continue using many elements of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Peskov said that Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin , who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on April 30 , is already on the road to recovery and can continue his work .
`` We had a phone talk , we discussed it , '' Peskov said .
`` He [ Mishustin ] is fine and is already on the road to recovery .
He is already capable of continuing his work . ''
Earlier on Wednesday , Mishustin chaired a video conference on social and economic issues straight from the hospital where he @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this week, believes that his own example clearly illustrates that it is impossible to completely eliminate all risks of contracting the disease.
"If you ask me whether those risks can be eliminated completely, then the answer is no, from my point of view. My example serves as a very good illustration of it," Peskov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily on Wednesday.
"We will simply have to learn new rules of conduct, the tactics of, so to speak, preventive protection: how to put on gloves, how to take them off, when this should be done, in what circumstances it is advisable to spray yourself with a disinfectant. We will have to learn it all to minimize the risks," he added.
Peskov said he had remained in self-isolation and worked from home since May 1, because one of his colleagues also tested positive for the infection.
"The virus is indeed very dangerous and can be easily transmitted among humans. It is very difficult to fully protect yourself from it," he said. "The only way <…> is to stay at home and avoid all contacts with the outside world."
He also said a broad range of measures is being taken to protect the staff while the Kremlin administration continues its work.
"We do not hold any large meetings at the moment, we use various communication channels to contact each other. Everyone uses personal protective equipment, and we avoid visiting each other’s offices," the Kremlin spokesman continued. "Documents, both incoming and outgoing, are being decontaminated with disinfectant sprays."
Peksov said his deputy will be in charge while he is undergoing treatment.
"I have a deputy, and there is also the presidential [press service and information] office, which continues its work, although many people are quarantined at home," he said, adding that epidemiological guidelines "are being observed very carefully" by the Kremlin staff.
"Everything keeps functioning and we, on our part, will do our best to ensure that the president’s work receives due coverage. My colleagues are brilliant in doing this. They are talented professionals," Peskov went on.
The Kremlin spokesman reiterated that he last contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin in person more than a month ago, adding that personal meetings are not required under present circumstances.
"Modern technologies allow us to maintain proper information security, for example during Security Council conferences," he said. "I think that we should continue using many elements of this quick remote work in the future."
Premier’s health
Peskov said that Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on April 30, is already on the road to recovery and can continue his work.
"We had a phone talk, we discussed it," Peskov said. "He [Mishustin] is fine and is already on the road to recovery. He is already capable of continuing his work."
Earlier on Wednesday, Mishustin chaired a video conference on social and economic issues straight from the hospital where he is being treated.


tass--2020-05-13--Kremlin spokesman expects disease outbreaks to keep emerging

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
Disease outbreaks such as the current coronavirus pandemic will keep emerging , Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily .
Peskov said on May 12 that he had tested positive for the coronavirus .
When commenting on the coronavirus situation , he pointed out that everyone was waiting `` for an approved medicine and a vaccine , waiting for the epidemic curve to flatten . ''
`` However , it is clear that hotspots will continue to emerge .
We will have to live with various coronaviruses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living with them all along , but every new virus turns out to be more aggressive than the previous ones , '' he added .
The Kremlin spokesman hailed medical workers combating the coronavirus .
`` I can only admire our infectious disease experts and virologists .
They are testing a vaccine on themselves , '' he said , declining to specify medical facilities with such practices in place .
When asked if he had been prepared to get infected with the coronavirus , Peskov said : `` It is in human nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but still it seems to you that you will somehow escape this threat , and it is impossible to get rid of the feeling . ''
The presidential spokesman also said that all members of his family were tested for the virus on a regular basis .
Peskov noted that they knew a lot about the symptoms of the disease `` and even healthy persons can notice troubling symptoms in themselves if they so wish . ''
According to him , people are worrying too much because of a huge amount of information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a side-effect of information awareness .
`` .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. Disease outbreaks such as the current coronavirus pandemic will keep emerging, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the Kommersant daily.
Peskov said on May 12 that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.
When commenting on the coronavirus situation, he pointed out that everyone was waiting "for an approved medicine and a vaccine, waiting for the epidemic curve to flatten." "However, it is clear that hotspots will continue to emerge. We will have to live with various coronaviruses. In fact, we have been living with them all along, but every new virus turns out to be more aggressive than the previous ones," he added.
The Kremlin spokesman hailed medical workers combating the coronavirus. "I can only admire our infectious disease experts and virologists. They are testing a vaccine on themselves," he said, declining to specify medical facilities with such practices in place.
When asked if he had been prepared to get infected with the coronavirus, Peskov said: "It is in human nature that you realize you should be prepared but still it seems to you that you will somehow escape this threat, and it is impossible to get rid of the feeling."
The presidential spokesman also said that all members of his family were tested for the virus on a regular basis. Peskov noted that they knew a lot about the symptoms of the disease "and even healthy persons can notice troubling symptoms in themselves if they so wish."
According to him, people are worrying too much because of a huge amount of information on the virus, which is "a side-effect of information awareness.".


tass--2020-05-13--Head of Office of Kosovo and Metohija: Serbs and Albanians should decide on Kosovo fate

BELGRADE , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The settlement of the issue of Kosovo and Metohija would have been much more successful if Serbs and Albanians had been doing this without any interference from outside , Marco Djuric , head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and Deputy of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucuc in the ruling Serbian Progressive Party , said in an interview with TASS .
`` Any solution ( for Kosovo and Metohija - TASS ) , which is not long-term and sustainable would lead to a new conflict in the near or distant future .
Therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want new conflicts , a long-term and sustainable solution is the goal and has no alternative , President Vucic has long insisted that only two of our peoples can come up with the best solution for reconciliation and resolve the differences between the Serbian and Albanian peoples , and I sincerely hope that we will move towards such a solution .
I see the importance for the future progress of both Serbia and its associates in the fact that President Vucic has brought up to date the wide regional cooperation and the maxim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Either everyone will be satisfied with the decision on the Balkans , or rather , equally dissatisfied , or there will be no decision at all , '' Djuric said .
`` Opponents of resolving the issue of Kosovo and Metohija are those who want to have a zone of long-term instability and a frozen conflict in the Balkans , which can be unfrozen depending on individual geopolitical interests .
Anyone who sincerely wants stabilization and prosperity of society in the Balkans must accept the fact that deep historical and interethnic problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by atypical methods , which implies that all decisions should be on the negotiating table .
I ’ m sure that if the European forces that supported NATO ’ s aggression and the creation of a false Kosovo state in our southern autonomous region , accepted the will of the Balkan peoples and provided them [ the opportunity ] to solve problems independently , the solution would be closer than it is today .
Today , the solution is very far away , '' the politician states .
According to Djuric , Serbia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue is a wave of withdrawals of recognition of Kosovo ’ s unilaterally proclaimed independence and relevant appeals to international organizations .
`` Russia provided key support to Serbia in this matter , and our gratitude for this is immeasurable , '' the head of the office said .
Serbia ’ s autonomous province of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in February 2008 .
In 2010 , its independence was recognized by the International Court of Justice ( CIJ ) .
Kosovo claims to have been recognized by 117 countries so far , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 105 nations .
More than 60 countries , including Russia , China , India , Israel , Greece and Spain , oppose Kosovo ’ s independence .
Earlier Belgrade and Pristina discussed a compromise solution , which concerned the adjustment of borders and exchange of territories .
The US supported this ideas insisting on the final agreement , which would imply the adjustment of borders of Serbia and the unrecognized republic .
However Angela Merkel spoke against the change of borders on the Balkans , stressing that all countries of the region have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any case .

BELGRADE, May 13. /TASS/. The settlement of the issue of Kosovo and Metohija would have been much more successful if Serbs and Albanians had been doing this without any interference from outside, Marco Djuric, head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and Deputy of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucuc in the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, said in an interview with TASS.
"Any solution (for Kosovo and Metohija - TASS), which is not long-term and sustainable would lead to a new conflict in the near or distant future. Therefore, for all those who do not want new conflicts, a long-term and sustainable solution is the goal and has no alternative, President Vucic has long insisted that only two of our peoples can come up with the best solution for reconciliation and resolve the differences between the Serbian and Albanian peoples, and I sincerely hope that we will move towards such a solution. I see the importance for the future progress of both Serbia and its associates in the fact that President Vucic has brought up to date the wide regional cooperation and the maxim "Balkans to the Balkan peoples." Either everyone will be satisfied with the decision on the Balkans, or rather, equally dissatisfied, or there will be no decision at all," Djuric said.
"Opponents of resolving the issue of Kosovo and Metohija are those who want to have a zone of long-term instability and a frozen conflict in the Balkans, which can be unfrozen depending on individual geopolitical interests. Anyone who sincerely wants stabilization and prosperity of society in the Balkans must accept the fact that deep historical and interethnic problems in this region need to be solved by atypical methods, which implies that all decisions should be on the negotiating table. I’m sure that if the European forces that supported NATO’s aggression and the creation of a false Kosovo state in our southern autonomous region, accepted the will of the Balkan peoples and provided them [the opportunity] to solve problems independently, the solution would be closer than it is today. Today, the solution is very far away," the politician states.
According to Djuric, Serbia’s biggest advancements on the Kosovo issue is a wave of withdrawals of recognition of Kosovo’s unilaterally proclaimed independence and relevant appeals to international organizations. "Russia provided key support to Serbia in this matter, and our gratitude for this is immeasurable," the head of the office said.
Kosovo’s independence
Serbia’s autonomous province of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in February 2008. In 2010, its independence was recognized by the International Court of Justice (CIJ). Kosovo claims to have been recognized by 117 countries so far, while Serbia says Kosovo enjoys the support of 105 nations. More than 60 countries, including Russia, China, India, Israel, Greece and Spain, oppose Kosovo’s independence.
Earlier Belgrade and Pristina discussed a compromise solution, which concerned the adjustment of borders and exchange of territories. The US supported this ideas insisting on the final agreement, which would imply the adjustment of borders of Serbia and the unrecognized republic. However Angela Merkel spoke against the change of borders on the Balkans, stressing that all countries of the region have the prospect to enter the European community in any case.


tass--2020-05-13--Berlin consultations to give impetus to talks on Ukraine settlement, says Russian official

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
Wednesday ’ s consultations in Berlin will give an extra impetus to the talks both in the Normandy format and within the Trilateral Contact Group on settling the situation in eastern Ukraine , chief of the Russian president ’ s administration , Dmitry Kozak , said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television channel .
He said that additional consultations on ways to settle the conflict in eastern Ukraine had been held on Wednesday at the German Chancellery .
`` These consultations will give an extra impetus to spur up negotiations both in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Contact Group in Minsk .
Corresponding signals will be given , '' he said .
Dialogue in Berlin was held `` in a constructive atmosphere , '' he said .
`` Agreements were reached on further mutual steps towards peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine , on settling a lot of difficult problems that require coordination with representatives from Donbass , from Ukraine within the Normandy format , '' he added .
The Normandy Four summit in Paris in December 2019 yielded a number of decisions on settling the conflict in Donbass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ukrainian and French top diplomats noted at their videoconference on April 30 , next to nothing had been implemented .
The top diplomats called on the parties to the conflict to take more active steps and stressed the necessity to continue contacts in the Normandy format .
They admitted however that another Normandy summit could not be organized at the moment since there were no conditions for that .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. Wednesday’s consultations in Berlin will give an extra impetus to the talks both in the Normandy format and within the Trilateral Contact Group on settling the situation in eastern Ukraine, chief of the Russian president’s administration, Dmitry Kozak, said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television channel.
He said that additional consultations on ways to settle the conflict in eastern Ukraine had been held on Wednesday at the German Chancellery. "These consultations will give an extra impetus to spur up negotiations both in the Normandy format and within the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk. Corresponding signals will be given," he said.
Dialogue in Berlin was held "in a constructive atmosphere," he said. "Agreements were reached on further mutual steps towards peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, on settling a lot of difficult problems that require coordination with representatives from Donbass, from Ukraine within the Normandy format," he added.
The Normandy Four summit in Paris in December 2019 yielded a number of decisions on settling the conflict in Donbass. But as the Russia, German, Ukrainian and French top diplomats noted at their videoconference on April 30, next to nothing had been implemented. The top diplomats called on the parties to the conflict to take more active steps and stressed the necessity to continue contacts in the Normandy format. They admitted however that another Normandy summit could not be organized at the moment since there were no conditions for that.


tass--2020-05-13--Patients who have light coronavirus infection may not develop immunity, says expert

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
According to some findings only those patients who experience medium or grave forms @ @ @ @ @ immunity , but this still requires further confirmation , the Health Ministry ’ s chief @ @ @ @ @ said on Wednesday .
`` There is a certain viewpoint shared by some researchers , @ @ @ @ @ forms of the disease , or symptomless patients do not develop immunity against the novel @ @ @ @ @ only after medium and grave forms of the disease .
How true is that remains @ @ @ @ @ Briko said on the Rossiya-24 round-the-clock television news channel .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. According to some findings only those patients who experience medium or grave forms of the coronavirus infection develop immunity, but this still requires further confirmation, the Health Ministry’s chief epidemiologist, Nikolai Briko, said on Wednesday.
"There is a certain viewpoint shared by some researchers, that patients who have light forms of the disease, or symptomless patients do not develop immunity against the novel coronavirus. Long immunity emerges only after medium and grave forms of the disease. How true is that remains to be seen," Briko said on the Rossiya-24 round-the-clock television news channel.


tass--2020-05-13--Kremlin spokesman hospitalized with bilateral pneumonia

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov , who has tested positive for the coronavirus , is in the hospital with bilateral pneumonia , as he himself said in an interview with the Kommersant daily on Wednesday .
`` People can receive treatment at home if it is unilateral pneumonia , '' he said .
`` If it is bilateral pneumonia , there is no choice [ but to remain in the hospital ] . ''
Peskov added .
According to him , presidential administration employees are tested for the coronavirus almost every day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling that the situation is under control , '' Peskovnoted .
`` But unfortunately , a colleague whom I had contacted fell ill at some point and I had to self-isolate after May 1 , '' he added .
One of his own tests later turned out positive , his temperature started to rise , and his wife , Olympic Figure Skating Champion Tatyana Navka , also started to show some symptoms .
`` Once we realized that the illness was progressing with fever and body aches , we went to the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far as this disease is concerned , the main thing is not to lose the moment , '' the Kremlin spokesman emphasized , adding that `` the virus is absolutely violent . ''
`` Thank God , doctors already have some experience in combating it but nevertheless , there is a certain level of unpredictability based on everyone 's personal circumstances , '' he explained .
In some cases , `` a hormone storm begins , the immune system tries to fight the infection and starts to devour the body together with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The presidential spokesman admitted that he used to wear a badge , which , according to the manufacturer , was capable of keeping viruses away .
`` When reporters started saying that it was actually harmful , I stopped wearing it , '' he noted .
Peskov declined to discuss his treatment regimen , saying that `` doctors know what to do .
`` .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who has tested positive for the coronavirus, is in the hospital with bilateral pneumonia, as he himself said in an interview with the Kommersant daily on Wednesday.
"People can receive treatment at home if it is unilateral pneumonia," he said. "If it is bilateral pneumonia, there is no choice [but to remain in the hospital]." Peskov added.
According to him, presidential administration employees are tested for the coronavirus almost every day. "This is why I had a feeling that the situation is under control," Peskovnoted. "But unfortunately, a colleague whom I had contacted fell ill at some point and I had to self-isolate after May 1," he added. One of his own tests later turned out positive, his temperature started to rise, and his wife, Olympic Figure Skating Champion Tatyana Navka, also started to show some symptoms. "Once we realized that the illness was progressing with fever and body aches, we went to the hospital," Peskov said.
"As far as this disease is concerned, the main thing is not to lose the moment," the Kremlin spokesman emphasized, adding that "the virus is absolutely violent." "Thank God, doctors already have some experience in combating it but nevertheless, there is a certain level of unpredictability based on everyone's personal circumstances," he explained. In some cases, "a hormone storm begins, the immune system tries to fight the infection and starts to devour the body together with the virus… it can cause lung thrombosis."
The presidential spokesman admitted that he used to wear a badge, which, according to the manufacturer, was capable of keeping viruses away. "When reporters started saying that it was actually harmful, I stopped wearing it," he noted.
Peskov declined to discuss his treatment regimen, saying that "doctors know what to do.".


tass--2020-05-13--Almost 400 enterprises in Moscow have resumed operations

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
More than 370 large and mid-sized industrial enterprises have resumed operations in Moscow @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus infection spread , press service of the city ’ s crisis center @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
`` Starting May 12 , more than 370 large and mid-sized industrial enterprises @ @ @ @ @ gradually resuming production .
Enterprises in the auto manufacturing , consumer , engineering sectors have @ @ @ @ @ production of computers , electronics and other finished goods has been launched , '' Deputy @ @ @ @ @ quoted as saying .
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin ’ s decree has lifted restrictions for @ @ @ @ @ each enterprise takes a decision to resume operations independently .
All enterprises that have resumed @ @ @ @ @ observe obligatory safety measures .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. More than 370 large and mid-sized industrial enterprises have resumed operations in Moscow observing all measures on prevention of the coronavirus infection spread, press service of the city’s crisis center on economic issues reported on Wednesday.
"Starting May 12, more than 370 large and mid-sized industrial enterprises of the capital have begun gradually resuming production. Enterprises in the auto manufacturing, consumer, engineering sectors have started work in Moscow, production of computers, electronics and other finished goods has been launched," Deputy Moscow Mayor Vladimir Yefimov was quoted as saying.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s decree has lifted restrictions for industry and construction, though each enterprise takes a decision to resume operations independently. All enterprises that have resumed work, are obliged to observe obligatory safety measures.


tass--2020-05-13--Moscow: Western media spread fake news of Russia's COVID mortality to distract public

`` While they could have carefully and honestly assessed the situation and Russia ’ s experience , journalists from a number of western media outlets were capable only of making an awkward and biased attempt to divert the public ’ s attention from domestic issues to another sensational Russia-related story , '' the statement reads .
MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
Fake news stories about Russian authorities ’ attempts to underreport the number of coronavirus deaths are aimed at distracting the public from domestic issues , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday , commenting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the New York Times .
The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the two newspapers had published similar articles simultaneously and both had failed to present Russia ’ s position .
`` In view of these groundless allegations , we would like to draw the Western media ’ s attention to a statement that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Tatyana Golikova made on May 12 .
She openly rejected allegations of data manipulations , '' the statement added .
`` All the data , including that concerning the death toll , is publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis .
The April data will be released at the end of the following month ( May ) but the government already has the latest information , which says that Russia ’ s coronavirus death toll is indeed several times lower than the average global rate , '' the document added .
The ministry noted that foreign reporters had ignored `` the unprecedented work that has been done in Russia in order to maximize the healthcare system ’ s capability to respond to the coronavirus threat . ''
According to the ministry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia surpassed many other countries on all crucial indicators , including the number of medical workers , hospital beds and ventilator machines .
`` Maybe they should have listened to [ US ] National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci who recently told the Senate Committee on Health that the US COVID death toll could be higher than reported .
Not in Russia but in the US , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized .
The London-based Financial Times newspaper wrote earlier that `` Russia ’ s national death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher than the government ’ s official data show . ''
World Health Organization ( WHO ) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic , in turn , told the Rossiya-24 TV channel that there was no evidence proving that Russian authorities were trying to hide the actual coronavirus death toll .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 4,355,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 293,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 1,610,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 242,271 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 48,003 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"While they could have carefully and honestly assessed the situation and Russia’s experience, journalists from a number of western media outlets were capable only of making an awkward and biased attempt to divert the public’s attention from domestic issues to another sensational Russia-related story," the statement reads.
MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. Fake news stories about Russian authorities’ attempts to underreport the number of coronavirus deaths are aimed at distracting the public from domestic issues, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, commenting on certain articles in the Financial Times and the New York Times.
The Russian Foreign Ministry pointed out that the two newspapers had published similar articles simultaneously and both had failed to present Russia’s position. "In view of these groundless allegations, we would like to draw the Western media’s attention to a statement that Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova made on May 12. She openly rejected allegations of data manipulations," the statement added. "All the data, including that concerning the death toll, is publicly available and is updated on a regular basis. The April data will be released at the end of the following month (May) but the government already has the latest information, which says that Russia’s coronavirus death toll is indeed several times lower than the average global rate," the document added.
The ministry noted that foreign reporters had ignored "the unprecedented work that has been done in Russia in order to maximize the healthcare system’s capability to respond to the coronavirus threat."
According to the ministry, facts show that six weeks ago, Russia surpassed many other countries on all crucial indicators, including the number of medical workers, hospital beds and ventilator machines. "Maybe they should have listened to [US] National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci who recently told the Senate Committee on Health that the US COVID death toll could be higher than reported. Not in Russia but in the US," the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized.
The London-based Financial Times newspaper wrote earlier that "Russia’s national death toll from coronavirus could be 70% higher than the government’s official data show." World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Russia Melita Vujnovic, in turn, told the Rossiya-24 TV channel that there was no evidence proving that Russian authorities were trying to hide the actual coronavirus death toll.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 4,355,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 293,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,610,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 242,271 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 48,003 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 2,212 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-13--Russia’s Far East Ministry begins to develop new state Arctic program

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Ministry for Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic started developing a new state program for the socio-economic development of the Arctic , it is planned to be finished before the end of June , the ministry announced on Wednesday .
The ministry ’ s press service told TASS that the state program will be built on the basis of the Arctic development strategy until 2035 , which has already been submitted to the government .
The strategy determines the main areas and goals of the development of the region , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stages of its implementation .
The new document will include mechanisms to attract investment and create jobs in the Arctic - they are not included in the current state program .
In particular , it is planned to subsidize insurance premiums and rates on investment loans , support infrastructure investment projects , and other activities .
In addition , one of the subprograms will be devoted to the development of settlements that are needed to ensure national security and be the base for the development of mineral resource centers , implementation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now work is underway on new mechanisms for the development of the Russian Arctic zone .
The foundations of Russia ’ s state policy in the region until 2035 have already been approved , the government is considering its development strategy for the same period .
The State Duma is also considering a package of draft laws on incentives for investors planning to implement new projects in the Arctic with a number of tax and non-tax preferences .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. The Ministry for Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic started developing a new state program for the socio-economic development of the Arctic, it is planned to be finished before the end of June, the ministry announced on Wednesday.
The ministry’s press service told TASS that the state program will be built on the basis of the Arctic development strategy until 2035, which has already been submitted to the government. The strategy determines the main areas and goals of the development of the region, while the state program includes specific steps and stages of its implementation.
The new document will include mechanisms to attract investment and create jobs in the Arctic - they are not included in the current state program. In particular, it is planned to subsidize insurance premiums and rates on investment loans, support infrastructure investment projects, and other activities.
In addition, one of the subprograms will be devoted to the development of settlements that are needed to ensure national security and be the base for the development of mineral resource centers, implementation of economic or infrastructure projects in the Arctic.
Now work is underway on new mechanisms for the development of the Russian Arctic zone. The foundations of Russia’s state policy in the region until 2035 have already been approved, the government is considering its development strategy for the same period. The State Duma is also considering a package of draft laws on incentives for investors planning to implement new projects in the Arctic with a number of tax and non-tax preferences.


tass--2020-05-13--Top Russian official says agreement reached on future actions to resolve Ukrainian crisis

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Berlin consultations on resolving the conflict in Ukraine took place in a @ @ @ @ @ was reached on future actions , Deputy Chief of the Russian Presidential Office Dmitry Kozak @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Additional consultations on resolving the conflict in southeastern Ukraine took place at the @ @ @ @ @ today .
The conversation was held in a constructive and businesslike manner , an agreement @ @ @ @ @ actions to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine and accomplish many difficult @ @ @ @ @ decision on interacting with representatives of Donbass and Ukraine within the Normandy Four group , @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. The Berlin consultations on resolving the conflict in Ukraine took place in a constructive atmosphere and an agreement was reached on future actions, Deputy Chief of the Russian Presidential Office Dmitry Kozak told the Rossiya-24 TV channel.
"Additional consultations on resolving the conflict in southeastern Ukraine took place at the Federal Chancellor’s office today. The conversation was held in a constructive and businesslike manner, an agreement was reached on future mutual actions to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine and accomplish many difficult tasks, which require a decision on interacting with representatives of Donbass and Ukraine within the Normandy Four group," he said.


tass--2020-05-13--Russian Northern Fleet helicopters search for enemy submarines in Arctic drills

MURMANSK , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The crews of the Northern Fleet ’ s anti-submarine warfare helicopters searched for a notional enemy ’ s submarines in the Barents Sea and practiced flying techniques over the Kola Peninsula during drills , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Wednesday .
`` The flights involved five crews of Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopters and two crews of Ka-27M gunships that had recently entered service .
They practiced the skills of flying at various altitudes over the land and over the sea .
In the close-in maritime zone , the crews practiced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submarines with the help of onboard sonar stations , '' the Fleet ’ s press office said in a statement .
The flights were conducted in the daytime from the airfield of the Northern Fleet ’ s main naval base of Severomorsk-1 .
Overall , the helicopter pilots spent 12 hours in the air , the statement says .
The Ka-27 is a shipborne anti-submarine warfare helicopter .
It is designed to detect , track and destroy submarines moving at a depth of up to 500 meters and at speeds of up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of up to 200 km from the ship in the sea states of up to 5 points day and night in any weather conditions .
The helicopter can perform tactical missions on its own and as part of a naval group and in interaction with ships in all geographical latitudes .
The helicopter can operate both from a coastal aerodrome and from a shipboard .

MURMANSK, May 13. /TASS/. The crews of the Northern Fleet’s anti-submarine warfare helicopters searched for a notional enemy’s submarines in the Barents Sea and practiced flying techniques over the Kola Peninsula during drills, the Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.
"The flights involved five crews of Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopters and two crews of Ka-27M gunships that had recently entered service. They practiced the skills of flying at various altitudes over the land and over the sea. In the close-in maritime zone, the crews practiced searching for a hypothetical enemy’s submarines with the help of onboard sonar stations," the Fleet’s press office said in a statement.
The flights were conducted in the daytime from the airfield of the Northern Fleet’s main naval base of Severomorsk-1. Overall, the helicopter pilots spent 12 hours in the air, the statement says.
The Ka-27 is a shipborne anti-submarine warfare helicopter. It is designed to detect, track and destroy submarines moving at a depth of up to 500 meters and at speeds of up to 75 km/h in search areas at distances of up to 200 km from the ship in the sea states of up to 5 points day and night in any weather conditions.
The helicopter can perform tactical missions on its own and as part of a naval group and in interaction with ships in all geographical latitudes. The helicopter can operate both from a coastal aerodrome and from a shipboard.


tass--2020-05-13--Coronavirus infection decline to last longer than growth, says expert

`` I would like to point out that the phase of stabilization and further decline will last longer than growth .
That ’ s what the history of all epidemics shows , '' Briko said .
MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The phase of coronavirus infection stabilization and decline will last longer than growth , the chief epidemiologist of Russia ’ s Health Ministry , Nikolai Briko , said on the Rossiya-24 round-the-clock television news channel on Wednesday .
He warned against expecting prompt improvement of the situation .
`` The downtrend will be slow , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strictly observing the restrictions imposed in response to the coronavirus infection .
`` As long as there is no vaccine - an effective means to influence and control the epidemiological process - we should rely entirely on the measures that have stood the test of time , in other words , isolation and restrictions , '' he said .
`` It is to be hoped that a vaccine will be eventually created .
Then we will have a tool to control the epidemic process in our hands and will be able to lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To date , a total of 242,271 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 48,003 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 2,212 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"I would like to point out that the phase of stabilization and further decline will last longer than growth. That’s what the history of all epidemics shows," Briko said.
MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. The phase of coronavirus infection stabilization and decline will last longer than growth, the chief epidemiologist of Russia’s Health Ministry, Nikolai Briko, said on the Rossiya-24 round-the-clock television news channel on Wednesday.
He warned against expecting prompt improvement of the situation.
"The downtrend will be slow," he said.
Briko stressed the need for strictly observing the restrictions imposed in response to the coronavirus infection.
"As long as there is no vaccine - an effective means to influence and control the epidemiological process - we should rely entirely on the measures that have stood the test of time, in other words, isolation and restrictions," he said.
"It is to be hoped that a vaccine will be eventually created. Then we will have a tool to control the epidemic process in our hands and will be able to lift all restrictions," Briko concluded.
To date, a total of 242,271 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 48,003 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 2,212 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-13--Indonesia reports record number of new coronavirus cases

SINGAPORE , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Indonesia increased by record-breaking 689 in the past 24 hours , spokesperson for the national health ministry Achmad Yurianto told an online press conference on Wednesday .
According to him , the total number of cases reached 15,438 , an increase of 689 infections over the past 24 hours , the highest number of daily confirmed cases identified in a single day since the epidemic broke out .
He also said , `` over the past 24 hours , 21 patients died . ''
Overall , 1,028 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
Moreover , the official added that more than 3,000 patients recovered .
On March 2 , the Indonesian government reported its first coronavirus case , much later than other Southeast Asian countries .
Experts suggest that the real number of infections can be much higher than the official figures show as Indonesia continues to have one of the lowest test rates in the world , only 99 tests are conducted per one million people .
Neighboring Malaysia , for instance , performs 2,000 tests per one million people , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,000 tests .
Expert assessments say that Jakarta needs to significantly ramp up testing and conduct 2.7 million tests to catch up , the country has so far only performed 110,000 tests .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 4,355,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 293,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 1,610,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

SINGAPORE, May 13. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Indonesia increased by record-breaking 689 in the past 24 hours, spokesperson for the national health ministry Achmad Yurianto told an online press conference on Wednesday.
According to him, the total number of cases reached 15,438, an increase of 689 infections over the past 24 hours, the highest number of daily confirmed cases identified in a single day since the epidemic broke out. He also said, "over the past 24 hours, 21 patients died." Overall, 1,028 fatalities from coronavirus-related causes were identified in the country.
Moreover, the official added that more than 3,000 patients recovered.
On March 2, the Indonesian government reported its first coronavirus case, much later than other Southeast Asian countries. Experts suggest that the real number of infections can be much higher than the official figures show as Indonesia continues to have one of the lowest test rates in the world, only 99 tests are conducted per one million people. Neighboring Malaysia, for instance, performs 2,000 tests per one million people, while South Korea and Singapore carry out each 10,000 tests. Expert assessments say that Jakarta needs to significantly ramp up testing and conduct 2.7 million tests to catch up, the country has so far only performed 110,000 tests.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 4,355,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 293,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,610,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-05-13--Zenit FC aircraft returns to Pulkovo Airport after decompression sensor goes off

ST. PETERSBURG , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
A passenger airplane of Rossiya Airlines , flying from St. Petersburg to Ufa , landed at the airport of its departure following a reported technical malfunction , a spokesman for the airline company told TASS on Wednesday .
`` The plane has landed , '' the spokesman said .
`` All passengers will be taken to another aircraft within the next two hours and then they will be transported to the airport of their destination . ''
A source in the aviation services told TASS earlier that the aircraft , which belongs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was forced to return to Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg after its decompression sensor went off soon after the take-off .
According to earlier reports , an Airbus A319 passenger aircraft , en-route from St. Petersburg to Ufa , issued a call of distress 25 minutes after the take-off and the captain of the aircraft decided to return to the airport of departure .
The spokesman told TASS that the aircraft , which landed at Pulkovo Airport , was painted in colors of the famous Russian football club Zenit St. Petersburg , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time .
`` This aircraft services regular flights whenever it is not carrying the [ football ] team , '' he said adding that there were no club ’ s players on board the plane this time .

ST. PETERSBURG, May 13. /TASS/. A passenger airplane of Rossiya Airlines, flying from St. Petersburg to Ufa, landed at the airport of its departure following a reported technical malfunction, a spokesman for the airline company told TASS on Wednesday.
"The plane has landed," the spokesman said. "All passengers will be taken to another aircraft within the next two hours and then they will be transported to the airport of their destination."
A source in the aviation services told TASS earlier that the aircraft, which belongs to football club Zenit St. Petersburg, was forced to return to Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg after its decompression sensor went off soon after the take-off.
According to earlier reports, an Airbus A319 passenger aircraft, en-route from St. Petersburg to Ufa, issued a call of distress 25 minutes after the take-off and the captain of the aircraft decided to return to the airport of departure.
The spokesman told TASS that the aircraft, which landed at Pulkovo Airport, was painted in colors of the famous Russian football club Zenit St. Petersburg, however, it was on a regular flight this time.
"This aircraft services regular flights whenever it is not carrying the [football] team," he said adding that there were no club’s players on board the plane this time.


tass--2020-05-13--Russia completes upgrade of testing ground for advanced weaponry’s trials

`` By now , the upgrade of the testing range ’ s measuring compound has been completed to provide for the trials of advanced weapon systems , '' the ministry said in a statement .
MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Kapustin Yar testing ground in the southern Astrakhan Region has undergone upgrade for subsequent trials of advanced weapon systems , Russia ’ s Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday .
The proving ground has been outfitted with the latest measuring devices and the system of data and measuring provision for trials , which allows `` providing real-time reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the missile ’ s flight to the central command post of the Strategic Missile Force , '' the press office specified .
The proving ground ’ s measuring compound will be switched to the automatic mode of operation to minimize personnel ’ s participation , it said .
On May 13 , the Kapustin Yar will mark 74 years since it was created .
The proving ground tested the first domestic ballistic missiles and was frequently the site for the launch of space vehicles .
In 1972 , the proving ground was awarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the successful trials of first- and second-generation missile systems .
Today , the structure of the Kapustin Yar testing ground includes basic research and testing units of armament and military hardware of the Strategic Missile Force , missile troops , artillery , air defense forces , aerospace force , land troops , and also the Sary-Shagan practice range in Kazakhstan .

"By now, the upgrade of the testing range’s measuring compound has been completed to provide for the trials of advanced weapon systems," the ministry said in a statement.
MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. The Kapustin Yar testing ground in the southern Astrakhan Region has undergone upgrade for subsequent trials of advanced weapon systems, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.
The proving ground has been outfitted with the latest measuring devices and the system of data and measuring provision for trials, which allows "providing real-time reporting and reference-analytical information on pre-launch preparations and the missile’s flight to the central command post of the Strategic Missile Force," the press office specified.
The proving ground’s measuring compound will be switched to the automatic mode of operation to minimize personnel’s participation, it said.
On May 13, the Kapustin Yar will mark 74 years since it was created. The proving ground tested the first domestic ballistic missiles and was frequently the site for the launch of space vehicles. In 1972, the proving ground was awarded the Order of the Red Star for the successful trials of first- and second-generation missile systems.
Today, the structure of the Kapustin Yar testing ground includes basic research and testing units of armament and military hardware of the Strategic Missile Force, missile troops, artillery, air defense forces, aerospace force, land troops, and also the Sary-Shagan practice range in Kazakhstan.


tass--2020-05-13--Russia is in the middle of the epidemic process, says analyst

`` Given the current trend , we are approximately in the middle , '' he said .
`` It is very important that this is a protracted process .
In other words , the unprecedented measures the Russian government and the consumer rights watchdog took at the early stages postponed the beginning of the epidemic and force it to follow a smooth curve , thus easing the pressure on our health service system . ''
MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
Virologist Mikhail Shchelkanov , who is in charge of the micro-organisms ecology laboratory at the Far Eastern Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the middle of what is going to be a prolonged and continuing epidemiological process .
Shchelkanov hopes that by next summer Russia will manage to put the coronavirus infection under control .
He drew a parallel with the swine flu fever of 2009 , adding that the novel coronavirus `` might become an ordinary ARI component , incidentally , alongside the other coronaviruses that we have long lived with and that have never posed any special epidemic risks . ''
According to the latest statistics , over 4,355,000 people have been infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported .
In addition , so far , over 1,610,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 242,271 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 48,003 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 2,212 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"Given the current trend, we are approximately in the middle," he said. "It is very important that this is a protracted process. In other words, the unprecedented measures the Russian government and the consumer rights watchdog took at the early stages postponed the beginning of the epidemic and force it to follow a smooth curve, thus easing the pressure on our health service system."
MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. Virologist Mikhail Shchelkanov, who is in charge of the micro-organisms ecology laboratory at the Far Eastern Federal University, believes that Russia is apparently in the middle of what is going to be a prolonged and continuing epidemiological process.
Shchelkanov hopes that by next summer Russia will manage to put the coronavirus infection under control. He drew a parallel with the swine flu fever of 2009, adding that the novel coronavirus "might become an ordinary ARI component, incidentally, alongside the other coronaviruses that we have long lived with and that have never posed any special epidemic risks."
According to the latest statistics, over 4,355,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 293,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,610,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 242,271 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 48,003 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 2,212 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-13--Moscow authorities debunk media reports of alleged coronavirus lethality understatements

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Moscow Healthcare Department debunks media reports alleging that the authorities understate the @ @ @ @ @ Department said in a statement published on its website Wednesday .
`` In regards to @ @ @ @ @ Moscow government understates the coronavirus fatality rate , the Healthcare Department comes forth with an @ @ @ @ @ ] It should be underscored that the pathologoanatomic autopsy of patients with suspected coronavirus infection @ @ @ @ @ of cases , unlike most other nations .
Therefore , postmortem diagnoses and causes of @ @ @ @ @ exceptionally precise and data on fatalities are absolutely open , '' the statement says .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. The Moscow Healthcare Department debunks media reports alleging that the authorities understate the coronavirus fatality statistics, the Department said in a statement published on its website Wednesday.
"In regards to media reports alleging that the Moscow government understates the coronavirus fatality rate, the Healthcare Department comes forth with an official rebuttal. […] It should be underscored that the pathologoanatomic autopsy of patients with suspected coronavirus infection is performed in 100% of cases, unlike most other nations. Therefore, postmortem diagnoses and causes of death registered in Moscow are exceptionally precise and data on fatalities are absolutely open," the statement says.


tass--2020-05-13--Russia’s advanced nuclear-powered sub enters final stage of sea trials

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Project 955A ( Borei-A ) lead nuclear-powered missile-carrying strategic submarine Knyaz Vladimir has taken to the sea for final trials before it enters service with the Navy , the Northern Fleet ’ s press office reported on Wednesday .
The trials will last several days first in the surfaced and then in the submerged position , the press office specified .
A source in the domestic defense industry earlier confirmed to TASS the sub ’ s deployment to the sea .
`` On Tuesday evening , the cruiser set off for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the press office said in a statement .
`` During the trials , the quality of the removal of problems exposed earlier will be checked , after which the term for including the new vessel into the structure of the Northern Fleet ’ s submarine forces will be set , '' the press office said .
The Knyaz Vladimir is the improved Project 955A strategic missile-carrying underwater cruiser , which represents the fourth generation of nuclear-powered subs built for the Russian Navy .
It was floated out in November 2017 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Defense Ministry , the sub Knyaz Vladimir is less noisy and features improved maneuvering , depth and armament control systems .
The nuclear-powered sub Knyaz Vladimir has fully undergone state trials .
In the autumn of 2019 , it test-fired a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile .
Four more Borei-A submarines are at various stages of their construction .
Also , a contract has been signed for building two more missile-carrying underwater cruisers of this Project .
There are also plans to build two more Borei-A subs .
Project 955 and Project 955A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering ( part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation ) .
All Borei-class submarines carry 16 Bulava ballistic missiles .
They are also furnished with 533mm torpedo tubes .
Currently , three Project 955 nuclear-powered missile-carrying subs are operational in the Russian Northern and Pacific Fleets .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. The Project 955A (Borei-A) lead nuclear-powered missile-carrying strategic submarine Knyaz Vladimir has taken to the sea for final trials before it enters service with the Navy, the Northern Fleet’s press office reported on Wednesday.
The trials will last several days first in the surfaced and then in the submerged position, the press office specified.
A source in the domestic defense industry earlier confirmed to TASS the sub’s deployment to the sea. "On Tuesday evening, the cruiser set off for the White Sea from Severodvinsk for final trials," the press office said in a statement.
"During the trials, the quality of the removal of problems exposed earlier will be checked, after which the term for including the new vessel into the structure of the Northern Fleet’s submarine forces will be set," the press office said.
The Knyaz Vladimir is the improved Project 955A strategic missile-carrying underwater cruiser, which represents the fourth generation of nuclear-powered subs built for the Russian Navy. It was floated out in November 2017. According to the data of Russia’s Defense Ministry, the sub Knyaz Vladimir is less noisy and features improved maneuvering, depth and armament control systems.
The nuclear-powered sub Knyaz Vladimir has fully undergone state trials. In the autumn of 2019, it test-fired a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile.
Four more Borei-A submarines are at various stages of their construction. Also, a contract has been signed for building two more missile-carrying underwater cruisers of this Project. There are also plans to build two more Borei-A subs.
Project 955 and Project 955A submarines have been developed by the Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering (part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation). All Borei-class submarines carry 16 Bulava ballistic missiles. They are also furnished with 533mm torpedo tubes. Currently, three Project 955 nuclear-powered missile-carrying subs are operational in the Russian Northern and Pacific Fleets.


tass--2020-05-13--New aircraft leasing support program to be launched — Putin

`` [ I suggest ] launching a new support program for leasing and operation of Russian aircraft , providing government guarantees to leasing companies for 2020-2021 to this end , '' Putin said .
The head of state also proposed allocating subsidies to reduce the cost of flying hours of Russian airplanes .
`` According to estimates , such program will enable production of 59 new civil aircraft at our plants during the first two years alone , '' Putin added .
Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested shifting government procurements of aviation equipment to earlier dates at the meeting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is a universal and efficient measure used in particular to support the automotive and other industries and `` it certainly is in demand in the aviation industry , may be even more than in other branches , '' he said .
`` We have planned aviation equipment procurement within the implementation framework of national projects and state programs .
I suggest moving them , so to say , leftward in the schedule , making them in advance in order to provide our enterprises with work load right now , during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .

"[I suggest] launching a new support program for leasing and operation of Russian aircraft, providing government guarantees to leasing companies for 2020-2021 to this end," Putin said. The head of state also proposed allocating subsidies to reduce the cost of flying hours of Russian airplanes.
"According to estimates, such program will enable production of 59 new civil aircraft at our plants during the first two years alone," Putin added.
Government procurement of aviation equipment
Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested shifting government procurements of aviation equipment to earlier dates at the meeting on the aviation industry and air traffic support.
This is a universal and efficient measure used in particular to support the automotive and other industries and "it certainly is in demand in the aviation industry, may be even more than in other branches," he said.
"We have planned aviation equipment procurement within the implementation framework of national projects and state programs. I suggest moving them, so to say, leftward in the schedule, making them in advance in order to provide our enterprises with work load right now, during the challenging time for them," Putin added.


tass--2020-05-13--Cyprus-bound plane from China sets course for Moscow over Turkey’s actions

NICOSIA , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
A plane bound for Cyprus to deliver medical equipment from China has set its course for Moscow over Turkey ’ s refusal to allow it to fly through its airspace , Cyprus ’ s Minister of Transport , Communications and Works Yiannis Karousos told the Cyprus News Agency on Wednesday .
The decision to change the plane ’ s course has been made , considering that the aircraft does not have enough fuel to bypass the Turkish airspace , the minister said .
`` The pilot has changed the route and is heading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refueling , '' the minister said .
The flight has been organized with the participation of Cyprus ’ s Health Ministry and the embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in China to ensure more effective fight against the coronavirus , the minister stressed .
The plane was expected to arrive in Cyprus at 20:00 local time ( the Cyprus summer time coincides with the Moscow time ) to deliver face masks , shoe covers , disposable surgical suits and other protective clothing weighing a total of 36 tonnes .
The minister also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a diplomatic protest over Ankara ’ s actions .
A TASS source in the Russian aviation authorities noted that this was a cargo flight of Russia ’ s airline Azur Air from Tianjin to Larnaca .

NICOSIA, May 13. /TASS/. A plane bound for Cyprus to deliver medical equipment from China has set its course for Moscow over Turkey’s refusal to allow it to fly through its airspace, Cyprus’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Yiannis Karousos told the Cyprus News Agency on Wednesday.
The decision to change the plane’s course has been made, considering that the aircraft does not have enough fuel to bypass the Turkish airspace, the minister said.
"The pilot has changed the route and is heading for the Moscow airport for landing and refueling," the minister said.
The flight has been organized with the participation of Cyprus’s Health Ministry and the embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in China to ensure more effective fight against the coronavirus, the minister stressed.
The plane was expected to arrive in Cyprus at 20:00 local time (the Cyprus summer time coincides with the Moscow time) to deliver face masks, shoe covers, disposable surgical suits and other protective clothing weighing a total of 36 tonnes.
The minister also said that now the Cypriot authorities would lodge a diplomatic protest over Ankara’s actions.
A TASS source in the Russian aviation authorities noted that this was a cargo flight of Russia’s airline Azur Air from Tianjin to Larnaca.


tass--2020-05-13--Eurasian Economic Commission reports lifting of customs declaration for certain goods

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The Eurasian Economic Commission ( EEC ) announced at a meeting on Tuesday the lifting of the obligatory customs declaring procedure in trade between member states for certain groups of goods , including coal , peat , alcohols , vitamins and others , except for crude oil and petroleum products supplied from Russia to Belarus , the Commission reported on Wednesday .
‘ Green corridors ’ practice to be extended for promotion of goods to EAEU , says Putin The decision came into force on May 7 , 2020 , the EEC noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaring procedure for groups of goods , including coal , peat , alcohols , aldehydes , acids , provitamins , vitamins , hormones and others , excluding crude oil and petroleum products supplied from Russia to Belarus , '' Minister for Internal Markets , Informatization , Information and Communication Technologies Gegham Vardanyan noted .
Consultations were held at the platform of the EEC ’ s Domestic Markets Operation Department with participation of representatives of the EAEU ( Eurasian Economic Union ) member countries , according to the report .
Following those consultations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Federal Customs Service drafted a letter of guidance waiving the requirement to declare goods of Group 27 and 29 of the EAEU Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity between member states within the framework of the common market .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. The Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) announced at a meeting on Tuesday the lifting of the obligatory customs declaring procedure in trade between member states for certain groups of goods, including coal, peat, alcohols, vitamins and others, except for crude oil and petroleum products supplied from Russia to Belarus, the Commission reported on Wednesday.
‘Green corridors’ practice to be extended for promotion of goods to EAEU, says Putin
The decision came into force on May 7, 2020, the EEC noted.
"Russia lifted the obligatory customs declaring procedure for groups of goods, including coal, peat, alcohols, aldehydes, acids, provitamins, vitamins, hormones and others, excluding crude oil and petroleum products supplied from Russia to Belarus," Minister for Internal Markets, Informatization, Information and Communication Technologies Gegham Vardanyan noted.
Consultations were held at the platform of the EEC’s Domestic Markets Operation Department with participation of representatives of the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union) member countries, according to the report. Following those consultations, Russia’s Economic Development Ministry together with the Federal Customs Service drafted a letter of guidance waiving the requirement to declare goods of Group 27 and 29 of the EAEU Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity between member states within the framework of the common market.


tass--2020-05-13--Hot weather does not kill COVID-19, may facilitate its spread, scientist says

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
Summer heat does not deactivate the coronavirus living on surfaces and may even @ @ @ @ @ rate in Russia , says Albert Rizvanov , director of the Clinical Research Center for @ @ @ @ @ Kazan Federal University , who leads the research team developing the coronavirus vaccine .
`` @ @ @ @ @ indeed increase the virus ’ s survivability : the optimal temperature for the virus is @ @ @ @ @ .
When air temperature increases , the virus becomes less stable , but not by @ @ @ @ @ , the virus most often transmits via air ( talking , sneezing , coughing or @ @ @ @ @ and contact with recently contaminated surfaces .
This is too fast for the virus to @ @ @ @ @ , '' Rizvanov said .
The scientist added that when it is hot people tend @ @ @ @ @ each other more often .
`` This might become an additional risk factor , '' @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. Summer heat does not deactivate the coronavirus living on surfaces and may even contribute to the higher incidence rate in Russia, says Albert Rizvanov, director of the Clinical Research Center for Precision and Regenerative Medicine at Kazan Federal University, who leads the research team developing the coronavirus vaccine.
"Low [air] temperatures indeed increase the virus’s survivability: the optimal temperature for the virus is 4-8 degrees [Celsius]. When air temperature increases, the virus becomes less stable, but not by orders of magnitude. However, the virus most often transmits via air (talking, sneezing, coughing or just breathing), handshake and contact with recently contaminated surfaces. This is too fast for the virus to decompose even in summer temperatures," Rizvanov said.
The scientist added that when it is hot people tend to go out and contact each other more often. "This might become an additional risk factor," he concluded.


tass--2020-05-13--CTI invents thermochromic inks free of bisphenol A, F and S

COLORADO SPRINGS , Colorado , May 13 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the world 's supply chain for pharmaceutical drugs comes under increasing scrutiny for safety and quality , Chromatic Technologies Inc. ( CTI ) has introduced printable thermochromic technology that is free of Bisphenol A , F and S. The development meets the stringent regulatory standards for pharma packaging .
The spread of the coronavirus has refocused the world 's attention on proper care of the supply chain for vaccines and drugs .
Additionally , interest has surged in low-cost technology that monitors the cold chain , identifies temperature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bisphenol A ( BPA ) has been labeled `` an endocrine disruptor , '' though it is found in many plastics , the lining of food and beverage cans and carbonless paper .
Several companies have attempted to limit Bisphenol A , F and S in order to be more cautious .
CTI recognized that effort and has responded with its latest innovation now available to pharmaceutical packaging companies .
CTI 's BlindSpotz™ technology is a portfolio of patented technology that created low-cost printable sensors for drugs that detects freezing , thawing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pharmaceutical printers , as well as food and beverage printers , are requiring CTI 's innovative thermochromic inks to be free of Bisphenol A , F and S. Heretofore , printers have rejected traditional thermochromics for not meeting strict internal and external regulatory standards .
`` We undertook the challenge of reinventing thermochromic technology to meet the high standards of pharmaceutical customers , '' said Lyle Small , CTI 's chief executive officer .
`` Not only did we create CTI 's products free of BPA , F and S , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality and performance . ''
For full compliance information , visit www.ctiinks.com .
CTI is the world 's largest supplier of smart , specialty , color-changing technology that responds to temperature , light and pressure .
CTI , founded in 1993 , exports to 55 countries and is an ISO9001/2015 production facility .
CTI 's ink technology is found worldwide on many of the most recognizable brands in the consumer marketplace .
About Chromatic Technologies Inc. CTI is the world 's largest producer of thermochromic ink and manufactures other environmentally reactive technology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irreversible , reveal and glow-in-the dark .
CTI is an innovation company that supports the world 's biggest brands and package printers .
www.ctiinks.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, May 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the world's supply chain for pharmaceutical drugs comes under increasing scrutiny for safety and quality, Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI) has introduced printable thermochromic technology that is free of Bisphenol A, F and S. The development meets the stringent regulatory standards for pharma packaging.
The spread of the coronavirus has refocused the world's attention on proper care of the supply chain for vaccines and drugs. Additionally, interest has surged in low-cost technology that monitors the cold chain, identifies temperature abuse and tampering and provides authentication.
Bisphenol A (BPA) has been labeled "an endocrine disruptor," though it is found in many plastics, the lining of food and beverage cans and carbonless paper. Several companies have attempted to limit Bisphenol A, F and S in order to be more cautious. CTI recognized that effort and has responded with its latest innovation now available to pharmaceutical packaging companies.
CTI's BlindSpotz™ technology is a portfolio of patented technology that created low-cost printable sensors for drugs that detects freezing, thawing, gradual warming, tampering and authentication.
Pharmaceutical printers, as well as food and beverage printers, are requiring CTI's innovative thermochromic inks to be free of Bisphenol A, F and S. Heretofore, printers have rejected traditional thermochromics for not meeting strict internal and external regulatory standards.
"We undertook the challenge of reinventing thermochromic technology to meet the high standards of pharmaceutical customers," said Lyle Small, CTI's chief executive officer. "Not only did we create CTI's products free of BPA, F and S, but we also installed a 21-step checklist to validate quality and performance." For full compliance information, visit www.ctiinks.com.
CTI is the world's largest supplier of smart, specialty, color-changing technology that responds to temperature, light and pressure. CTI, founded in 1993, exports to 55 countries and is an ISO9001/2015 production facility. CTI's ink technology is found worldwide on many of the most recognizable brands in the consumer marketplace.
About Chromatic Technologies Inc.
CTI is the world's largest producer of thermochromic ink and manufactures other environmentally reactive technology, such as photochromic, pressure activated, irreversible, reveal and glow-in-the dark. CTI is an innovation company that supports the world's biggest brands and package printers. www.ctiinks.com
CONTACT: Don Shook, MERIT Media Relations LLC, 702-260-7600, donshook@cox.net


tass--2020-05-13--Ukraine reluctant to comply with Minsk accords, says Lugansk envoy

LUGANSK , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
Ukraine continues to shy away from the implementation of the Minsk agreements to resolve the conflict in the Donbass region , envoy of the Lugansk People ’ s Republic ( LPR ) to the political subgroup of the Contact Group for eastern Ukrainian settlement , Rodion Miroshnik said on Wednesday commenting on the subgroup ’ s meeting held on Wednesday .
`` Kiev ’ s new representative in the political working group of the Contact Group came to today 's meeting with the position that did not differ substantially from his predecessor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote on his Telegram channel .
According to Miroshnik , Kiev ’ s envoy said at the meeting that Ukraine would not comply with three of the 13 clauses of the Minsk agreements , specifically , the ones on holding elections in Donbass before transferring control over the border with Russia , enshrining the special status of Donbass in Ukraine ’ s Constitution and on the coordination of laws related to the Minsk accords passed by Ukraine ’ s Verkhovna Rada ( parliament ) with representatives of the Lugansk and Donetsk people ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the talks are effective , Kiev needs to change its stance rather than envoys , '' Miroshnik noted .
Kiev ’ s representatives can neither explain nor prove why they do not consider representatives of the Donbass republics to be full-fledged participants in the negotiations , he went on to say .
Miroshnik stressed that no effective solutions could be found without the LPR and DPR .
`` It ’ s just more convenient for Kiev when the war in Donbass can be presented as an international conflict rather than an internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he added .

LUGANSK, May 13. /TASS/. Ukraine continues to shy away from the implementation of the Minsk agreements to resolve the conflict in the Donbass region, envoy of the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) to the political subgroup of the Contact Group for eastern Ukrainian settlement, Rodion Miroshnik said on Wednesday commenting on the subgroup’s meeting held on Wednesday.
"Kiev’s new representative in the political working group of the Contact Group came to today's meeting with the position that did not differ substantially from his predecessor’s [stance]," he wrote on his Telegram channel. According to Miroshnik, Kiev’s envoy said at the meeting that Ukraine would not comply with three of the 13 clauses of the Minsk agreements, specifically, the ones on holding elections in Donbass before transferring control over the border with Russia, enshrining the special status of Donbass in Ukraine’s Constitution and on the coordination of laws related to the Minsk accords passed by Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (parliament) with representatives of the Lugansk and Donetsk people’s republics.
"To make sure that the talks are effective, Kiev needs to change its stance rather than envoys," Miroshnik noted.
Kiev’s representatives can neither explain nor prove why they do not consider representatives of the Donbass republics to be full-fledged participants in the negotiations, he went on to say. Miroshnik stressed that no effective solutions could be found without the LPR and DPR.
"It’s just more convenient for Kiev when the war in Donbass can be presented as an international conflict rather than an internal civil war, with Ukrainians killing Ukrainians," he added.


tass--2020-05-13--Number of coronavirus deaths in Spain surpasses 27,000

MADRID , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
At least 184 people died per day in Spain due to a new coronavirus , the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday .
On May 12 , 176 deaths were reported .
An anti-record was set in Spain on April 1 - when 950 patients died in a day .
The total number of deaths since the spread of infection in the country has reached 27,104 .
Over the past day , 439 new cases were detected , the total number of infected detected by tests reached 228,691 .
Meanwhile , 140,823 patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day .
The first coronavirus case in Spain was detected on January 31 , the number of infected people began to rise sharply after the outbreak in Italy .
Since mid-March , the country has been on high alert - this measure allowed the authorities to restrict movement of residents throughout the country , except in cases of emergency .
Since the severity of the pandemic is gradually declining in Spain , the government started to list restrictive measures .
Now the country ’ s citizens of all ages are allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid large crowds , authorities set time intervals for going out for a walk .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .

MADRID, May 13. /TASS/. At least 184 people died per day in Spain due to a new coronavirus, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday.
On May 12, 176 deaths were reported. An anti-record was set in Spain on April 1 - when 950 patients died in a day. The total number of deaths since the spread of infection in the country has reached 27,104.
Over the past day, 439 new cases were detected, the total number of infected detected by tests reached 228,691. Meanwhile, 140,823 patients recovered, this figure increased by 1,843 per day.
The first coronavirus case in Spain was detected on January 31, the number of infected people began to rise sharply after the outbreak in Italy. Since mid-March, the country has been on high alert - this measure allowed the authorities to restrict movement of residents throughout the country, except in cases of emergency.
Since the severity of the pandemic is gradually declining in Spain, the government started to list restrictive measures. Now the country’s citizens of all ages are allowed to walk and play sports outside. To avoid large crowds, authorities set time intervals for going out for a walk.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.


tass--2020-05-13--Government sources money to support households in challenging conditions — Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
Funds are raised to support citizens and the economy in the challenging situation @ @ @ @ @ President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday .
`` The situation is challenging for the budget @ @ @ @ @ collapse for our traditional export commodities — oil and other energy resources .
Prices fell @ @ @ @ @ , '' the head of state said .
`` We nevertheless prospect for sources to @ @ @ @ @ economy at large and individual sectors , individual companies , '' Putin said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ then we should carry all [ support measures ] through , otherwise the deliverable we @ @ @ @ @ us will not be achieved , '' the head of state noted .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, May 13. /TASS/. Funds are raised to support citizens and the economy in the challenging situation for the budget, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.
"The situation is challenging for the budget. I mean the price collapse for our traditional export commodities — oil and other energy resources. Prices fell; budget revenues declined significantly," the head of state said. "We nevertheless prospect for sources to support our citizens, the economy at large and individual sectors, individual companies," Putin said.
"If we do this, then we should carry all [support measures] through, otherwise the deliverable we expect and people expect from us will not be achieved," the head of state noted.


tass--2020-05-13--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Belarus nearing 26,000

MINSK , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Belarus has increased in the past @ @ @ @ @ 25,825 , the country ’ s health ministry said on Wednesday .
`` A total @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 , '' the ministry said , adding that 146 coronavirus-positive patients have @ @ @ @ @ had a number of chronic diseases .
As many as 7,711 patients have recovered .
@ @ @ @ @ of 296,380 tests for the coronavirus infection have been made in Belarus .
Despite WHO @ @ @ @ @ lockdown measures over the coronavirus pandemic .
The country held a large-scale Victory Day parade @ @ @ @ @ specialists anticipate the the epidemic will reach its peak in the second half of May @

MINSK, May 13. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Belarus has increased in the past day by 952 and reached 25,825, the country’s health ministry said on Wednesday.
"A total of 25,825 people have tested positive for COVID-19," the ministry said, adding that 146 coronavirus-positive patients have died in Belarus. All had a number of chronic diseases.
As many as 7,711 patients have recovered. Since February, a total of 296,380 tests for the coronavirus infection have been made in Belarus.
Despite WHO warnings, Belarus imposed no lockdown measures over the coronavirus pandemic. The country held a large-scale Victory Day parade on May 9. Belarusian specialists anticipate the the epidemic will reach its peak in the second half of May.


tass--2020-05-13--Russia poised to aid implementation of agreement between US and Taliban — top diplomat

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is ready to aid the implementation of the peace agreement between the US and the Taliban movement ( outlawed in Russia ) , Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday following the videoconference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization ( SCO ) foreign ministers .
`` We are not happy about the fact that currently , the agreements reached by the US and the Taliban are stalling .
We see the reasons why it is happening and we are ready to help them overcome those issues , '' he said .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis it is necessary that Washington return to cooperation with the region ’ s states on Afghan regulation .
Lavrov expressed hope that the SCO can make a constructive contribution to overcoming the existing standstill .
The minister informed that during today ’ s meeting , the SCO foreign ministers agreed to modernize a roadmap for further actions of the SCO-Afghanistan contact group taking into account the situation after the signing of the US-Taliban agreement .
On February 29 , the United States and the Taliban inked a peace agreement in Doha .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin on March 10 .
It stipulated that up to 5,000 Taliban supporters and up to 1,000 people held by extremists should be released as part of confidence-building measures by the beginning of intra-Afghan negotiations .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. Russia is ready to aid the implementation of the peace agreement between the US and the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday following the videoconference of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers.
"We are not happy about the fact that currently, the agreements reached by the US and the Taliban are stalling. We see the reasons why it is happening and we are ready to help them overcome those issues," he said.
According to the minister, to overcome the crisis it is necessary that Washington return to cooperation with the region’s states on Afghan regulation.
Lavrov expressed hope that the SCO can make a constructive contribution to overcoming the existing standstill. The minister informed that during today’s meeting, the SCO foreign ministers agreed to modernize a roadmap for further actions of the SCO-Afghanistan contact group taking into account the situation after the signing of the US-Taliban agreement.
On February 29, the United States and the Taliban inked a peace agreement in Doha. Under the deal, intra-Afghan consultations were to begin on March 10. It stipulated that up to 5,000 Taliban supporters and up to 1,000 people held by extremists should be released as part of confidence-building measures by the beginning of intra-Afghan negotiations.


tass--2020-05-13--US embassy employees cannot give evidence on US national Whelan’s case, says attorney

MOSCOW , May 13 .
/TASS/ .
Officers of the US embassy and other diplomatic missions can not give evidence @ @ @ @ @ citizen Paul Whelan , who is currently in custody in Russia on suspicion of espionage @ @ @ @ @ to interview them as witnesses , Whelan ’ s defense attorney Olga Karlova told TASS @ @ @ @ @ employees the defense planned to interview will not give evidence .
It is prohibited by @ @ @ @ @ she said , adding that earlier in the day Whelan ’ s defense attorney had @ @ @ @ @ `` Three witnesses did not appear .
I think it is because of the epidemic @ @ @ @ @ on the Whelan case will take place on May 18 , '' she said .

MOSCOW, May 13. /TASS/. Officers of the US embassy and other diplomatic missions cannot give evidence on the case of US citizen Paul Whelan, who is currently in custody in Russia on suspicion of espionage, although his defense planned to interview them as witnesses, Whelan’s defense attorney Olga Karlova told TASS on Wednesday.
"Embassy employees the defense planned to interview will not give evidence. It is prohibited by their diplomatic immunity," she said, adding that earlier in the day Whelan’s defense attorney had begun to present evidence. "Three witnesses did not appear. I think it is because of the epidemic situation. The next session on the Whelan case will take place on May 18," she said.