tass--2020-03-24--IS terrorist eliminated in Russia’s Ufa was prepping for attack

UFA , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
The militant who opened fire at security service officers in Russia ’ s city of Ufa , the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan , when they tried to stop his vehicle was a member of the Islamic State international terrorist organization and was plotting a terrorist attack .
He was carrying an explosive device weighing 4 kilograms , which was destroyed at the site , the regional branch of the Russian Federal Security Service ( FSB ) told reporters .
The operation took place on March 21 .
FSB officers eliminated a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened fire in response to the demand to pull over to have his vehicle checked .
Criminal proceedings were launched on counts of an attempt on lives of law enforcement agents and illegal gun possession .
There were no casualties among civilians or law enforcement officers following the gunfire .
`` The neutralized perpetrator was a member of the Islamic State international terrorist organization outlawed in Russia and was plotting a terrorist attack in Ufa , '' the statement reads .
Officers of the regional branch are probing the incident to identify persons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

UFA, March 24. /TASS/. The militant who opened fire at security service officers in Russia’s city of Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, when they tried to stop his vehicle was a member of the Islamic State international terrorist organization and was plotting a terrorist attack. He was carrying an explosive device weighing 4 kilograms, which was destroyed at the site, the regional branch of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) told reporters.
The operation took place on March 21. FSB officers eliminated a Central Asian person in Ufa after he opened fire in response to the demand to pull over to have his vehicle checked. Criminal proceedings were launched on counts of an attempt on lives of law enforcement agents and illegal gun possession. There were no casualties among civilians or law enforcement officers following the gunfire.
"The neutralized perpetrator was a member of the Islamic State international terrorist organization outlawed in Russia and was plotting a terrorist attack in Ufa," the statement reads.
Officers of the regional branch are probing the incident to identify persons that may be complicit in the crimes.


tass--2020-03-24--Instagram removes fake news about coronavirus spread in Russia

MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
Instagram has taken down posts containing false information regarding the scale of the @ @ @ @ @ complying with the official demand of the Russian Prosecutor General ’ s Office , the @ @ @ @ @ Internet watchdog ) told TASS on Tuesday .
`` Instagram complied with the demand to @ @ @ @ @ the press service stressed .
Therefore , the only platform that is still to meet @ @ @ @ @ The watchdog has yet to unveil possible measures that can be taken against the platform @

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. Instagram has taken down posts containing false information regarding the scale of the coronavirus spread in Russia, complying with the official demand of the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office, the press service for Roskomnadzor (Internet watchdog) told TASS on Tuesday.
"Instagram complied with the demand to remove outlawed content," the press service stressed.
Therefore, the only platform that is still to meet the demand is YouTube. The watchdog has yet to unveil possible measures that can be taken against the platform.


tass--2020-03-24--Russian Railways’ train to repatriate Russians and Ukrainians amid coronavirus pandemic

MOSCOW , March 24./TASS/ .
The Russian Railways has designated a Kiev-Moscow-Kiev train to repatriate Ukrainian nationals from Russia and @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic , the press service of Russia ’ s leading railway company told @ @ @ @ @ have 18 carriages ( about 800 seats ) .
It will leave Kiev on March @ @ @ @ @ on the following day , March 28 , the company said .
The train will @ @ @ @ @ March 28 to arrive in Kiev on March 29 , the company specified .
It @ @ @ @ @ route , it added .

MOSCOW, March 24./TASS/. The Russian Railways has designated a Kiev-Moscow-Kiev train to repatriate Ukrainian nationals from Russia and Russian nationals from Ukraine amid the coronavirus pandemic, the press service of Russia’s leading railway company told TASS.
The train will have 18 carriages (about 800 seats). It will leave Kiev on March 27, arriving in Moscow on the following day, March 28, the company said. The train will set off from Moscow on March 28 to arrive in Kiev on March 29, the company specified. It will make no stopovers en route, it added.


tass--2020-03-24--Peugeot, Citroen and Opel production at Kaluga-based plant to be suspended

MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Kaluga-based PSMA Rus , a joint venture of Mitsubishi Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen , will suspend production of Peugeot , Citroen and Opel cars in view of the shortage of components , Acting Governor of the Kaluga Region Vladislav Shapsha says in a Telegram channel .
`` In view of the shortage of components supplied by European automobile plants , PSMA Rus Group temporarily suspends production of cars .
PSA brand lines ( Peugeot , Citroen and Opel ) [ will put operations on hold ] — from April 1 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plant will go on a collective vacation from April 6 to 10 , '' the official wrote .
Production will be suspended from April 1 to 3 , PSA said earlier .
`` In view of worsening of the situation with COVID-19 worldwide and in Russia , closure of major European plants , suspension of component supplies worldwide , potential risks for employees and in line with coronavirus control measures recommended by the Russian government , Groupe PSA made a decision to temporarily halt production of PSA branded cars ( Peugeot , Citroen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plant in the Kaluga Region from April 1 through 3 , '' the company said .
Such measures can be reconsidered in case of necessity , the holding said .
The assembly of Mitsubishi cars on the Kaluga-based plant will continue , the acting governor added .

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. The Kaluga-based PSMA Rus, a joint venture of Mitsubishi Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen, will suspend production of Peugeot, Citroen and Opel cars in view of the shortage of components, Acting Governor of the Kaluga Region Vladislav Shapsha says in a Telegram channel.
"In view of the shortage of components supplied by European automobile plants, PSMA Rus Group temporarily suspends production of cars. PSA brand lines (Peugeot, Citroen and Opel) [will put operations on hold] — from April 1 to 5 at PSMA Rus Group; the plant will go on a collective vacation from April 6 to 10," the official wrote.
Production will be suspended from April 1 to 3, PSA said earlier. "In view of worsening of the situation with COVID-19 worldwide and in Russia, closure of major European plants, suspension of component supplies worldwide, potential risks for employees and in line with coronavirus control measures recommended by the Russian government, Groupe PSA made a decision to temporarily halt production of PSA branded cars (Peugeot, Citroen, Opel) at the PSMA Rus plant in the Kaluga Region from April 1 through 3," the company said.
Such measures can be reconsidered in case of necessity, the holding said.
The assembly of Mitsubishi cars on the Kaluga-based plant will continue, the acting governor added.


tass--2020-03-24--Moscow urges Washington to lift sanctions against Iran amid coronavirus pandemic

MOSCOW , March 24./TASS/ .
In a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif on Tuesday , Russian Foreign @ @ @ @ @ was urging Washington to lift as soon as possible its anti-human sanctions against Tehran , @ @ @ @ @ .
The top diplomat confirmed Russia ’ s bid to continue comprehensive development of trade @ @ @ @ @ well as investment projects between Moscow and Tehran , including stepping up supplies of agricultural @ @ @ @ @ amid US sanctions .
`` Lavrov emphasized that the Russian Federation urges Washington to immediately @ @ @ @ @ respective governments from efficiently fighting COVID-19 , '' the ministry said .

MOSCOW, March 24./TASS/. In a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow was urging Washington to lift as soon as possible its anti-human sanctions against Tehran, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The top diplomat confirmed Russia’s bid to continue comprehensive development of trade and economic relations, as well as investment projects between Moscow and Tehran, including stepping up supplies of agricultural products that Iran needs badly amid US sanctions.
"Lavrov emphasized that the Russian Federation urges Washington to immediately lift its inhuman sanctions preventing respective governments from efficiently fighting COVID-19," the ministry said.


tass--2020-03-24--UN chief calls on G20 nations to lift sanctions amid COVID-2019 pandemic

`` I am encouraging the waiving of sanctions imposed on countries to ensure access to food , essential health supplies , and COVID-19 medical support .
This is the time for solidarity not exclusion , '' he wrote in a letter to the G20 leaders circulated on Tuesday .
UNITED NATIONS , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the Group of Twenty nations to lift all sanctions against other countries in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic .
Lifting sanctions is noteworthy , but Russia does not plan to be first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ G-20 leaders to commit to ban tariffs , quotas or non-tariff measures , and remove restrictions on cross border trade that affect the deployment of medical equipment , medicines and other essential goods to fight the epidemic , '' the message says .
Earlier in the day , UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for easing or lifting sanctions off a number of countries hit by the novel coronavirus pandemic , including Iran , Venezuela , Cuba , Zimbabwe and North Korea .
`` Humanitarian exemptions to sanctions measures should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with prompt , flexible authorization for essential medical equipment and supplies , '' she stressed .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 190 countries , including Russia , which by now has 495 cases , with 22 patients having recovered .
According to the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the globe have neared 400,420 , with about 17,450 deaths .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

"I am encouraging the waiving of sanctions imposed on countries to ensure access to food, essential health supplies, and COVID-19 medical support. This is the time for solidarity not exclusion," he wrote in a letter to the G20 leaders circulated on Tuesday.
UNITED NATIONS, March 24. /TASS/. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the Group of Twenty nations to lift all sanctions against other countries in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Lifting sanctions is noteworthy, but Russia does not plan to be first to do it — Kremlin
"I urge G-20 leaders to commit to ban tariffs, quotas or non-tariff measures, and remove restrictions on cross border trade that affect the deployment of medical equipment, medicines and other essential goods to fight the epidemic," the message says.
Earlier in the day, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for easing or lifting sanctions off a number of countries hit by the novel coronavirus pandemic, including Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Zimbabwe and North Korea. "Humanitarian exemptions to sanctions measures should be given broad and practical effect, with prompt, flexible authorization for essential medical equipment and supplies," she stressed.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 190 countries, including Russia, which by now has 495 cases, with 22 patients having recovered. According to the latest update, the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have neared 400,420, with about 17,450 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-24--Prospective Nord Stream 2 pipe layer en route to South Africa

MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Academician Chersky pipelaying vessel , indicated as a potential ship to complete the Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction , continues heading west .
The ship departed from the port of Nakhodka in the Russian Far East and is now navigating around Africa .
The current direction is Cape Town in South Africa , according to data of the Myshiptracking web portal .
The vessel is to arrive at Cape Town on March 27 .
She has been operated by Gazprom Flot since 2016 .
In view of the US sanctions Switzerland-based Allseas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stream 2 pipeline , reported suspension of pipelay activities in late December 2019 and took its pipelaying vessels away .
The Nord Stream 2 project involves construction of two lines with a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters of gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany .
Gazprom ’ s European partners in the project are German Uniper and Wintershall , Austrian OMV , French Engie and Anglo-Dutch Shell .
The pipeline bypasses transit states — Ukraine , Belarus , Poland , and other East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Russia , Finland , Sweden , Denmark , and Germany .
The project is 93 % complete to date .

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. The Academician Chersky pipelaying vessel, indicated as a potential ship to complete the Nord Stream 2 pipeline construction, continues heading west. The ship departed from the port of Nakhodka in the Russian Far East and is now navigating around Africa. The current direction is Cape Town in South Africa, according to data of the Myshiptracking web portal.
The vessel is to arrive at Cape Town on March 27. She has been operated by Gazprom Flot since 2016.
In view of the US sanctions Switzerland-based Allseas, the pipelaying company for the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, reported suspension of pipelay activities in late December 2019 and took its pipelaying vessels away.
The Nord Stream 2 project involves construction of two lines with a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters of gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. Gazprom’s European partners in the project are German Uniper and Wintershall, Austrian OMV, French Engie and Anglo-Dutch Shell. The pipeline bypasses transit states — Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and other East European and Baltic countries — through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. The project is 93% complete to date.


tass--2020-03-24--Italian General Staff thanks Russia for its assistance in anti-coronavirus efforts

MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
Italy expresses it gratitude to Russia for its help in the current difficult @ @ @ @ @ , Chief of Staff for Joint Operations in the Italian army , said on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ in involving various forces into the anti-virus efforts .
We need help .
And we @ @ @ @ @ Armed Forces are taking an active part in these efforts .
I express gratitude to @ @ @ @ @ Italy , '' he told the Rossiya-24 television channel .

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. Italy expresses it gratitude to Russia for its help in the current difficult coronavirus situation, Luciano Portolano, Chief of Staff for Joint Operations in the Italian army, said on Tuesday.
"We are interested in involving various forces into the anti-virus efforts. We need help. And we are glad that the Russian Armed Forces are taking an active part in these efforts. I express gratitude to Russia from the people of Italy," he told the Rossiya-24 television channel.


tass--2020-03-24--Virus crisis in the West may result in anti-Russian sanctions' cancellation, says analyst

The world is in panic , he said .
`` If this panic grows further , some fundamental political upheavals may follow and new people will rise to power in some countries , '' he speculated .
`` These people may go about the business of running world politics in a different way . ''
MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
The current novel coronavirus pandemic may reconfigure the entire system of international relations , trigger the change of governments in many countries and , eventually , the cancellation of anti-Russian sanctions , the board chairman of the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told TASS in an interview .
In case of this march of events the Western countries will have to establish relations with Russia `` on fundamentally new principles . ''
`` The chances the sanction policy will change in the process of or after the coronavirus pandemic certainly do exist , '' he said .
`` These restrictive measures look somewhat archaic , whatever attitude some may take to Russia . ''
Bystritsky does not rule out that when the crisis is past its peak , Italy and Spain , now both receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question of cancelling anti-Russian sanctions .
However , no fundamental revision of the sanction policy should be expected in the near future , because `` communication has been upset among the Western countries themselves . ''
Besides , the question of sanctions is not on the current agenda at all , because both the United States and the European Union are entirely focused on the struggle against the pandemic .
`` For the time being everybody prefers to ‘ save oneself first ’ , '' Bystritsky said .
`` Cooperation is to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible to raise the issue of lifting the sanctions and of a different configuration of relations among countries . ''
Earlier , the chairman of the Federation Council ’ s international affairs committee , Konstantin Kosachyov , said that amid the coronavirus crisis and volatile exchange rates the need for cancelling all economic sanctions had taken center stage .
Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that this idea deserved attention , but making such decisions was not Moscow ’ s competence .
An outbreak of the novel coronavirus-related disease in central China late last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries .
The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , about 350,000 people have contracted the virus around the world .
The disease has claimed more than 16,000 lives .
In Russia , 495 cases of the infection have been identified so far .
Twenty two patients have been discharged from the hospital .

The world is in panic, he said. "If this panic grows further, some fundamental political upheavals may follow and new people will rise to power in some countries," he speculated. "These people may go about the business of running world politics in a different way."
MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. The current novel coronavirus pandemic may reconfigure the entire system of international relations, trigger the change of governments in many countries and, eventually, the cancellation of anti-Russian sanctions, the board chairman of the international discussion club Valdai, Andrei Bystritsky, told TASS in an interview.
In case of this march of events the Western countries will have to establish relations with Russia "on fundamentally new principles."
"The chances the sanction policy will change in the process of or after the coronavirus pandemic certainly do exist," he said. "These restrictive measures look somewhat archaic, whatever attitude some may take to Russia."
Bystritsky does not rule out that when the crisis is past its peak, Italy and Spain, now both receiving assistance from Moscow, may raise the question of cancelling anti-Russian sanctions. However, no fundamental revision of the sanction policy should be expected in the near future, because "communication has been upset among the Western countries themselves." Besides, the question of sanctions is not on the current agenda at all, because both the United States and the European Union are entirely focused on the struggle against the pandemic.
"For the time being everybody prefers to ‘save oneself first’," Bystritsky said. "Cooperation is to be resumed. Then it will be quite possible to raise the issue of lifting the sanctions and of a different configuration of relations among countries."
Earlier, the chairman of the Federation Council’s international affairs committee, Konstantin Kosachyov, said that amid the coronavirus crisis and volatile exchange rates the need for cancelling all economic sanctions had taken center stage. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that this idea deserved attention, but making such decisions was not Moscow’s competence.
An outbreak of the novel coronavirus-related disease in central China late last year has spread to more than 150 countries. The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, about 350,000 people have contracted the virus around the world. The disease has claimed more than 16,000 lives. In Russia, 495 cases of the infection have been identified so far. Twenty two patients have been discharged from the hospital.


tass--2020-03-24--Putin says Russian PM keeps him up-to-date on COVID-19 situation

NOVO-OGARYOVO , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin provides a daily report to Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) in the country .
`` The government is working on it , practically on a daily basis .
Mikhail Vladimirovich [ Mishustin ] informs me daily about it , '' Putin told a meeting with the government on the measures to combat the coronavirus .
At the beginning of the session Putin said that the epidemic `` negatively affects all world economies , all leading world economies , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian leader offered the participants of the session to discuss not only the existing measures , but also additional steps that can be appropriate in the current conditions .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported in more than 190 countries and territories , among them Russia , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to recent data , novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 385,000 , with about 16,000 deaths .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, March 24. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin provides a daily report to Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
"The government is working on it, practically on a daily basis. Mikhail Vladimirovich [Mishustin] informs me daily about it," Putin told a meeting with the government on the measures to combat the coronavirus.
At the beginning of the session Putin said that the epidemic "negatively affects all world economies, all leading world economies," which in turn concerns Russia. The Russian leader offered the participants of the session to discuss not only the existing measures, but also additional steps that can be appropriate in the current conditions.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 11 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported in more than 190 countries and territories, among them Russia, which by now has documented 495 cases. According to recent data, novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 385,000, with about 16,000 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-24--UN calls for easing of sanctions against Iran and other states affected by COVID-19

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights informed that at least 1,800 people had died from COVID-19 in Iran , including 50 medical workers GENEVA , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
Sanctions against Iran and other states suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic should be eased or suspended , UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in a statement published on Tuesday .
She mentioned Iran , Venezuela , Cuba , Zimbabwe and North Korea among the states affected by the sanctions .
`` At this crucial time , both for global public health reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives of millions of people in these countries , sectoral sanctions should be eased or suspended .
In a context of global pandemic , impeding medical efforts in one country heightens the risk for all of us , '' she stressed .
`` It is vital to avoid the collapse of any country 's medical system - given the explosive impact that will have on death , suffering and wider contagion , '' Bachelet added .
`` Humanitarian exemptions to sanctions measures should be given broad and practical effect , with prompt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies , '' the UN human rights chief stated .
In this regard , the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights informed that at least 1,800 people had died from COVID-19 in Iran , including 50 medical workers .
`` Human rights reports have repeatedly emphasized the impact of sectoral sanctions on access to essential medicines and medical equipment - including respirators and protective equipment for health-care workers , '' the office said .
A variety of sanctions may also impede medical efforts in Cuba , the Democratic People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zimbabwe , Bachelet said .
`` The majority of these states have frail or weak health systems .
Progress in upholding human rights is essential to improve those systems - but obstacles to the import of vital medical supplies , including over-compliance with sanctions by banks , will create long-lasting harm to vulnerable communities .
The populations in these countries are in no way responsible for the policies being targeted by sanctions , and to varying degrees have already been living in a precarious situation for prolonged periods , '' she stressed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemic on its own .
We need to act with solidarity , cooperation and care , '' she concluded .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported in more than 150 countries and territories , among them Russia , which by now has documented 495 cases .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the globe have exceeded 385,000 , with about 16,000 deaths .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights informed that at least 1,800 people had died from COVID-19 in Iran, including 50 medical workers
GENEVA, March 24. /TASS/. Sanctions against Iran and other states suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic should be eased or suspended, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in a statement published on Tuesday. She mentioned Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Zimbabwe and North Korea among the states affected by the sanctions.
Read also Iranian president points to decline in coronavirus deaths
"At this crucial time, both for global public health reasons, and to support the rights and lives of millions of people in these countries, sectoral sanctions should be eased or suspended. In a context of global pandemic, impeding medical efforts in one country heightens the risk for all of us," she stressed. "It is vital to avoid the collapse of any country's medical system - given the explosive impact that will have on death, suffering and wider contagion," Bachelet added. "Humanitarian exemptions to sanctions measures should be given broad and practical effect, with prompt, flexible authorization for essential medical equipment and supplies," the UN human rights chief stated. In this regard, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights informed that at least 1,800 people had died from COVID-19 in Iran, including 50 medical workers. "Human rights reports have repeatedly emphasized the impact of sectoral sanctions on access to essential medicines and medical equipment - including respirators and protective equipment for health-care workers," the office said.
Read also UN Secretary-General's Appeal for Global Ceasefire


tass--2020-03-24--Eighty five Russians are onboard cruise ship Costa Victoria hit by coronavirus

ROME , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
Eighty-five Russians are among 1,500 passengers and crew members onboard Costa Victoria cruise ship where a tourist had been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus , the ship ’ s owner , Costa Crociere told TASS .
The company vowed that all sanitary measures had been carried out , including isolating people who had contacted with the coronavirus patient .
At the moment , no other suspected coronavirus cases have been confirmed , but all passengers have been ordered not to leave their cabins .
`` A total of 85 Russians are onboard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship was scheduled to arrive in the ports of Venice or Trieste on March 28 .
However , local authorities banned entry for the ship .
Now there are plans to disembark passengers in one of the ports of Italy ’ s Tyrrhenian coast .
Some national airlines , including Russia ’ s Aeroflot , continue performing flights .
The company also noted that Costa Crociere suspended all its cruises until April 30 .
Earlier , Italy ’ s authorities introduced a 14-day quarantine for foreign passengers of another cruise ship , Costa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effort to disembark tourists in the port of Savona .
Fourteen Russians ( 13 passengers and one crew member ) were sent to Rome with the assistance of Russia ’ s consulate general in Genoa and were accommodated in a hotel during the quarantine .
The Russians have not shown any coronavirus symptoms .

ROME, March 24. /TASS/. Eighty-five Russians are among 1,500 passengers and crew members onboard Costa Victoria cruise ship where a tourist had been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, the ship’s owner, Costa Crociere told TASS.
The company vowed that all sanitary measures had been carried out, including isolating people who had contacted with the coronavirus patient. At the moment, no other suspected coronavirus cases have been confirmed, but all passengers have been ordered not to leave their cabins. "A total of 85 Russians are onboard," the company said.
The cruise ship was scheduled to arrive in the ports of Venice or Trieste on March 28. However, local authorities banned entry for the ship. Now there are plans to disembark passengers in one of the ports of Italy’s Tyrrhenian coast. Some national airlines, including Russia’s Aeroflot, continue performing flights. The company also noted that Costa Crociere suspended all its cruises until April 30.
Earlier, Italy’s authorities introduced a 14-day quarantine for foreign passengers of another cruise ship, Costa Luminosa, which has by now completed the effort to disembark tourists in the port of Savona. Fourteen Russians (13 passengers and one crew member) were sent to Rome with the assistance of Russia’s consulate general in Genoa and were accommodated in a hotel during the quarantine. The Russians have not shown any coronavirus symptoms.


tass--2020-03-24--Russian Navy frigate to track NATO ships in Black Sea

MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Black Sea Fleet ’ s Project 1135M frigate Pytlivy is tracking the NATO ships that entered the Black Sea on Monday , a military and diplomatic source told TASS on Tuesday .
Research into Russia ’ s fifth generation subs well in progress — Navy ’ s commander '' Various forces and reconnaissance means of the Black Sea Fleet are involved in tracking the NATO ships .
The guard ship Pytlivy is directly monitoring the NATO warships , '' the source said .
The guided missile frigates Virginio Fasan of the Italian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered the Black Sea on Monday .
Russia ’ s National Defense Control Center said that the Black Sea Fleet ’ s forces and capabilities were tracking the movements of the two NATO frigates .
According to the Romanian Navy ’ s website , during their stay in the Black Sea , the NATO frigates will surveil the sea , air and underwater situation and hold joint drills with regional partners .
Under the Montreux international convention , the ships of non-Black Sea states may stay in the Black Sea for no more @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. The Black Sea Fleet’s Project 1135M frigate Pytlivy is tracking the NATO ships that entered the Black Sea on Monday, a military and diplomatic source told TASS on Tuesday.
Research into Russia’s fifth generation subs well in progress — Navy’s commander
"Various forces and reconnaissance means of the Black Sea Fleet are involved in tracking the NATO ships. The guard ship Pytlivy is directly monitoring the NATO warships," the source said.
The guided missile frigates Virginio Fasan of the Italian Navy and Fredericton of the Canadian Navy entered the Black Sea on Monday. Russia’s National Defense Control Center said that the Black Sea Fleet’s forces and capabilities were tracking the movements of the two NATO frigates.
According to the Romanian Navy’s website, during their stay in the Black Sea, the NATO frigates will surveil the sea, air and underwater situation and hold joint drills with regional partners.
Under the Montreux international convention, the ships of non-Black Sea states may stay in the Black Sea for no more than 21 days.


tass--2020-03-24--Pets don’t spread coronavirus, Russian watchdog assures

`` Pets are not a factor in the transmission risk .
During the period of self-isolation , you can give them to your acquaintances to look after them , if you can ’ t take care of them , this is okay .
They won ’ t be a [ risk ] factor for transmitting the infection , '' he assured .
MOSCOW , March 24./TASS/ .
Pets don ’ t transmit the novel coronavirus , Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Vyacheslav Smolensky , told a briefing at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
Smolensky also said that the observance of the quarantine requirements is monitored round the clock , even through the use of technical equipment .
`` Going to a supermarket , or walking the dog is in violation of the self-isolation rules , that is , a breach of the quarantine mode .
We recommend that people abide by all these rules and not leave the quarantine site , '' he added .
Earlier , several authorities confirmed that the virus can not be passed from animals to humans .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract the novel coronavirus from farm livestock or pets , Germany ’ s Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Julia Klockner told a news conference in Berlin earlier in March .
Prior to that , experts from the French Agency for Food , Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety ( ANSES ) dismissed media allegations that the novel coronavirus could be passed from pets to humans .
These stories appeared after media reports that said that a dog in Hong Kong reportedly tested ‘ weak positive ’ for the virus in February after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) was registered in central China in late December 2019 .
The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic on March 11 , 2020 .
More than 150 countries have been hit by this infection .
According to the latest data , nearly 350,000 people have contracted the virus and some 16,000 have died .
At present , Russia has 495 coronavirus cases .
Twenty-two people have already recovered and were discharged from hospital .

"Pets are not a factor in the transmission risk. During the period of self-isolation, you can give them to your acquaintances to look after them, if you can’t take care of them, this is okay. They won’t be a [risk] factor for transmitting the infection," he assured.
MOSCOW, March 24./TASS/. Pets don’t transmit the novel coronavirus, Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Vyacheslav Smolensky, told a briefing at the information center for monitoring the coronavirus situation on Tuesday.
Smolensky also said that the observance of the quarantine requirements is monitored round the clock, even through the use of technical equipment. "Going to a supermarket, or walking the dog is in violation of the self-isolation rules, that is, a breach of the quarantine mode. We recommend that people abide by all these rules and not leave the quarantine site," he added.
Earlier, several authorities confirmed that the virus cannot be passed from animals to humans. There is no scientific evidence that humans can contract the novel coronavirus from farm livestock or pets, Germany’s Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Julia Klockner told a news conference in Berlin earlier in March. Prior to that, experts from the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) dismissed media allegations that the novel coronavirus could be passed from pets to humans. These stories appeared after media reports that said that a dog in Hong Kong reportedly tested ‘weak positive’ for the virus in February after its owner had got infected with COVID-19.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was registered in central China in late December 2019. The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic on March 11, 2020. More than 150 countries have been hit by this infection. According to the latest data, nearly 350,000 people have contracted the virus and some 16,000 have died.
At present, Russia has 495 coronavirus cases. Twenty-two people have already recovered and were discharged from hospital.


tass--2020-03-24--Switzerland reports over 770 new coronavirus cases

`` As many as 8,836 individuals have tested positive as of now , and 86 people have died , '' the office said .
On Monday , the country reported 8,060 coronavirus cases , and 66 fatalities .
GENEVA , March 24./TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Switzerland has risen by 776 in the past 24 hours , bringing the overall number of confirmed coronavirus cases to 8,836 , the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health reports .
Switzerland ’ s first confirmed coronavirus case was reported on February 25 .
The average age of those infected with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average age of those patients who succumbed to the novel coronavirus is 85 .
According to the Federal Office of Public Health , the predominantly Italian-speaking Switzerland ’ s Ticino on the border with Italy , is the hardest hit canton in the country with 53 fatalities and an average of 339.9 illnesses per 100,000 individuals .
Followed by Vaud with 263 cases .
Next listed among the hardest-hit were Basel-Stadt ( 240.3 ) , Geneva ( 158 ) , Graubunden ( 142.7 ) and Valais ( 128.2 ) .
Liechtenstein also reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 122.5 ) , says the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health that reports data daily from there .
On March 20 , Switzerland tightened the rules amid the spread of the disease .
People can not gather outside in groups of more than five people , local residents are advised to abide by social distancing rules , keeping a gap of two meters between each other .
This demand also refers to public places and parks , with fines being issued for those disobeying these rules .
People older than 65 and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay home .
The state of emergency remains in place at least until April 19 .
Border controls have been tightened , entry into the country has been banned for nationals of Austria , Germany , Italy , Spain and France ( with few exceptions ) .
The issuance of Schengen and Swiss visas has been suspended for three months .
Stores , markets , restaurants , bars , museums and movie theaters have been closed .
Classes were canceled at educational institutions until April 4 .
The Swiss trade unions said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May Day rallies for the protection of workers ’ rights .
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) was registered in central China in late December 2019 .
The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic on March 11 , 2020 .
More than 150 countries have been hit by this infection .
According to the latest data , nearly 350,000 people have contracted the virus and some 16,000 have died .

"As many as 8,836 individuals have tested positive as of now, and 86 people have died," the office said. On Monday, the country reported 8,060 coronavirus cases, and 66 fatalities.
GENEVA, March 24./TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Switzerland has risen by 776 in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall number of confirmed coronavirus cases to 8,836, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health reports.
Switzerland’s first confirmed coronavirus case was reported on February 25. The average age of those infected with the virus is 51, and the average age of those patients who succumbed to the novel coronavirus is 85. According to the Federal Office of Public Health, the predominantly Italian-speaking Switzerland’s Ticino on the border with Italy, is the hardest hit canton in the country with 53 fatalities and an average of 339.9 illnesses per 100,000 individuals. Followed by Vaud with 263 cases. Next listed among the hardest-hit were Basel-Stadt (240.3), Geneva (158), Graubunden (142.7) and Valais (128.2). Liechtenstein also reports a high level of infected cases (122.5), says the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health that reports data daily from there.
On March 20, Switzerland tightened the rules amid the spread of the disease. People cannot gather outside in groups of more than five people, local residents are advised to abide by social distancing rules, keeping a gap of two meters between each other. This demand also refers to public places and parks, with fines being issued for those disobeying these rules. People older than 65 and all those with fragile health are requested to stay home. The state of emergency remains in place at least until April 19.
Border controls have been tightened, entry into the country has been banned for nationals of Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain and France (with few exceptions). The issuance of Schengen and Swiss visas has been suspended for three months. Stores, markets, restaurants, bars, museums and movie theaters have been closed. Classes were canceled at educational institutions until April 4. The Swiss trade unions said on Monday that they were cancelling the traditional May Day rallies for the protection of workers’ rights.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was registered in central China in late December 2019. The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic on March 11, 2020. More than 150 countries have been hit by this infection. According to the latest data, nearly 350,000 people have contracted the virus and some 16,000 have died.


tass--2020-03-24--Putin praises Kommunarka hospital for high-quality work

MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has pointed to the well-coordinated high-quality work of the staff at the hospital in Moscow ’ s community of Kommunarka where suspected coronavirus patients are located .
According to Rossiya 24 television , the president said as much at a meeting during his visit to the hospital .
`` I watched them [ the hospital staff ] working , all of them are on duty , '' he said .
`` One can feel that people know what should be done and how .
They have everything , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Putin pointed the high quality of patient care in the hospital .
`` A completely different life begins for the people who are recovering .
All that is largely thanks to you , '' he said .
`` I know from my own experience that one has to be able to manage the work , and you have succeeded in doing so , '' he said addressing the hospital ’ s senior officials .
Earlier on Tuesday , the head of state chaired a meeting on fighting the coronavirus , after which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has pointed to the well-coordinated high-quality work of the staff at the hospital in Moscow’s community of Kommunarka where suspected coronavirus patients are located. According to Rossiya 24 television, the president said as much at a meeting during his visit to the hospital.
"I watched them [the hospital staff] working, all of them are on duty," he said. "One can feel that people know what should be done and how. They have everything, they effectively use their equipment and means."
Putin pointed the high quality of patient care in the hospital. "A completely different life begins for the people who are recovering. All that is largely thanks to you," he said. "I know from my own experience that one has to be able to manage the work, and you have succeeded in doing so," he said addressing the hospital’s senior officials.
Earlier on Tuesday, the head of state chaired a meeting on fighting the coronavirus, after which he inspected the medical center in Kommunarka.


tass--2020-03-24--Russian cutting-edge frigate to undergo next stage of state trials in Barents Sea

MURMANSK , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Project 22350 frigate Admiral Kasatonov has deployed to the Northern Fleet ’ s combat training ranges in the Barents Sea for the next stage of state trials , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` At sea , the frigate ’ s crew will practice the assignments of detecting submarines and tracking them with the help of sonar systems and anti-submarine armament , and will also accomplish various types of maneuvering and continue testing systems and mechanisms , '' the press office said in a statement .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assignments in the Barents Sea are providing support for this stage of state trials , the statement says .
The trials of the frigate Admiral Kasatonov began on November 20 in the White Sea and include several stages .
After the program of the state trials is over , the warship is set to enter service with Russia ’ s Northern Fleet , the press office specified .
Project 22350 frigates are expected to become the Russian Navy ’ s most advanced warships in their class .
These frigates displace 4,500 tonnes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are armed with Oniks and Kalibr missiles and Poliment-Redut air defense missile systems .
The Project 22350 lead frigate Admiral Gorshkov entered service with the Russian Navy in July 2018 .
The Project ’ s first serial-produced frigate Admiral Kasatonov was put afloat in 2014 and its trials are currently at their final stage .
The Project 22350 frigate Admiral Golovko was laid down on February 1 , 2012 .
Four more frigates of this Project are at various stages of their construction at the Severnaya Shipyard .

MURMANSK, March 24. /TASS/. The Project 22350 frigate Admiral Kasatonov has deployed to the Northern Fleet’s combat training ranges in the Barents Sea for the next stage of state trials, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"At sea, the frigate’s crew will practice the assignments of detecting submarines and tracking them with the help of sonar systems and anti-submarine armament, and will also accomplish various types of maneuvering and continue testing systems and mechanisms," the press office said in a statement.
The Northern Fleet submarines performing scheduled combat training assignments in the Barents Sea are providing support for this stage of state trials, the statement says.
The trials of the frigate Admiral Kasatonov began on November 20 in the White Sea and include several stages. After the program of the state trials is over, the warship is set to enter service with Russia’s Northern Fleet, the press office specified.
Project 22350 frigates are expected to become the Russian Navy’s most advanced warships in their class. These frigates displace 4,500 tonnes and can develop a speed of 29 knots. They are armed with Oniks and Kalibr missiles and Poliment-Redut air defense missile systems.
The Project 22350 lead frigate Admiral Gorshkov entered service with the Russian Navy in July 2018. The Project’s first serial-produced frigate Admiral Kasatonov was put afloat in 2014 and its trials are currently at their final stage. The Project 22350 frigate Admiral Golovko was laid down on February 1, 2012. Four more frigates of this Project are at various stages of their construction at the Severnaya Shipyard.


tass--2020-03-24--Russian Court of Appeal leaves US investor under house arrest

MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
The First Court of Appeal of the common jurisdiction recognized extension of the house arrest of Michael Calvey , the founder of the Baring Vostok private equity firm , and firm partner Philippe Delpal as lawful , a TASS correspondent reports from the courtroom .
`` The ruling of the Moscow City Court to be left without changes , '' the decision on appeal says .
The Moscow City Court extended earlier the house arrest for Calvey , Delpal and ex-Director of Vostochny Bank Alexei Kordichev until May 13 .
On February 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee launched a criminal case into the embezzlement of 2.5 bln rubles ( $ 37.5 mln ) from the Vostochny Bank on the basis of an application of Bank ’ s Board Member Sherzod Yusupov .
US citizen and founder of the Baring Vostok private equity firm Michael Calvey is the key defendant in the case .
Vagan Abgaryan , the partner at Baring Vostok , Ivan Zyuzin , the Investment Director at Baring Vostok , ex-Managing Director Alexander Tsakunov and Director of the First Collection Bureau Maxim Vladimirov are also involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been completed .
All the persons involved face charges of misuse of funds committed by a group in a particularly large amount .
According to the investigation , Calvey and his accomplices put together a scheme , whereby a 2.5 bln ruble ( $ 31.8 mln ) loan received by the First Collection Bureau from the Vostochny bank in 2015 was set off by assignment of shares .
Investigators believe that Calvey misled the Bank ’ s Board of Directors in respect of the value of the First Collection Bureau shares , estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value of 600,000 rubles ( $ 7,600 ) , which resulted in actual theft of such money .
Calvey rejected charges and says that the criminal prosecution is the unlawful attempt of Vostochny minority shareholders to settle a corporate dispute .

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. The First Court of Appeal of the common jurisdiction recognized extension of the house arrest of Michael Calvey, the founder of the Baring Vostok private equity firm, and firm partner Philippe Delpal as lawful, a TASS correspondent reports from the courtroom.
"The ruling of the Moscow City Court to be left without changes," the decision on appeal says.
The Moscow City Court extended earlier the house arrest for Calvey, Delpal and ex-Director of Vostochny Bank Alexei Kordichev until May 13.
On February 13, 2019, Russia’s Investigative Committee launched a criminal case into the embezzlement of 2.5 bln rubles ($37.5 mln) from the Vostochny Bank on the basis of an application of Bank’s Board Member Sherzod Yusupov. US citizen and founder of the Baring Vostok private equity firm Michael Calvey is the key defendant in the case. Vagan Abgaryan, the partner at Baring Vostok, Ivan Zyuzin, the Investment Director at Baring Vostok, ex-Managing Director Alexander Tsakunov and Director of the First Collection Bureau Maxim Vladimirov are also involved in the case.
The case investigation has been completed. All the persons involved face charges of misuse of funds committed by a group in a particularly large amount.
According to the investigation, Calvey and his accomplices put together a scheme, whereby a 2.5 bln ruble ($31.8 mln) loan received by the First Collection Bureau from the Vostochny bank in 2015 was set off by assignment of shares. Investigators believe that Calvey misled the Bank’s Board of Directors in respect of the value of the First Collection Bureau shares, estimated as the debt amount against the actual value of 600,000 rubles ($7,600), which resulted in actual theft of such money.
Calvey rejected charges and says that the criminal prosecution is the unlawful attempt of Vostochny minority shareholders to settle a corporate dispute.


tass--2020-03-24--Vaccine against COVID-19 may become available after pandemic is over, says analyst

MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
Scientists in several countries , including China , Russia and the United States @ @ @ @ @ research into a vaccine against the novel coronavirus , but the results of their work @ @ @ @ @ infection outbreak is over and there is no need for the vaccine any more , @ @ @ @ @ particularly dangerous infections , member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Viktor Maleyev , has @ @ @ @ @ of Russia .
National Projects , operated by TASS .
`` We may have a @ @ @ @ @ already over , '' said Maleyev , a research adviser to the Director of the @ @ @ @ @ under the consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor .
`` We may have a situation similar to @ @ @ @ @ the SARS epidemic ( sever acute respiratory syndrome in 2020 - TASS ) .
The @ @ @ @ @ turned out unnecessary , '' he said .

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. Scientists in several countries, including China, Russia and the United States, are pushing ahead with research into a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, but the results of their work may become available when the infection outbreak is over and there is no need for the vaccine any more, Russia’s expert on particularly dangerous infections, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Viktor Maleyev, has said on the portal Future of Russia. National Projects, operated by TASS.
"We may have a vaccine when the infection is already over," said Maleyev, a research adviser to the Director of the Central Research Institute for Epidemiology under the consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor. "We may have a situation similar to the one we saw during the SARS epidemic (sever acute respiratory syndrome in 2020 - TASS). The infection stopped and the vaccine turned out unnecessary," he said.


tass--2020-03-24--Putin to take part in G20 emergency summit

`` On March 26 , Russian President Putin will take part in the G20 emergency summit , which will be held in the format of a video conference and will focus on the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the global economy , '' the statement said .
MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the G20 emergency summit on the coronavirus on March 26 , the Kremlin press service said on Tuesday .
IOC postpones 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo until next year over COVID-19 threat Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia had been invited to a G20 emergency summit on the coronavirus .
The G20 leaders are expected to hold a video conference on March 26 to discuss the coronavirus pandemic .
On March 18 , the Saudi Press Agency reported that Riyadh planned to call a virtual emergency summit of the G20 group to discuss the coronavirus situation .
Saudi Arabia is presiding over the G20 this year .
The 2020 summit of the group is scheduled for November .
The G20 brings together Australia , Canada , Saudi Arabia , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Africa , Turkey , Argentina , Brazil , Spain , Mexico , France , Germany , Italy , the United Kingdom , China , Indonesia , Japan and South Korea .

"On March 26, Russian President Putin will take part in the G20 emergency summit, which will be held in the format of a video conference and will focus on the fight against the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the global economy," the statement said.
MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will take part in the G20 emergency summit on the coronavirus on March 26, the Kremlin press service said on Tuesday.
IOC postpones 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo until next year over COVID-19 threat
Earlier, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS that Russia had been invited to a G20 emergency summit on the coronavirus.
The G20 leaders are expected to hold a video conference on March 26 to discuss the coronavirus pandemic.
On March 18, the Saudi Press Agency reported that Riyadh planned to call a virtual emergency summit of the G20 group to discuss the coronavirus situation. Saudi Arabia is presiding over the G20 this year. The 2020 summit of the group is scheduled for November.
The G20 brings together Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the United States, India, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, China, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.


tass--2020-03-24--Moscow mayor calls for quarantine of people older than 65 in all Russian million cities

`` Today , we see that senior citizens constitute a high-risk group .
We have declared quarantine for such people .
They will be obliged to stay at home from Thursday , even those who continue to work , '' Sobyanin , who is first deputy chairman of the Russian government ’ s coordination council on coronavirus response , said on Tuesday at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin .
NOVO-OGARYOVO , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has suggested people older than 65 living in all Russian million cities be placed under quarantine in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think a similar measure could be recommended to the regions demonstrating high COVID dynamics , '' he said , adding that Moscow has already made a similar step .
He stressed that the quarantine system should be extended to St. Petersburg and all other cities with a population of over one million to avoid overload to hospitals .
Moscow 's mayor also called on Russian regional authorities to get prepared for a possible outbreak , `` regardless of whether they have coronavirus cases or not . ''
Meanwhile , the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion rubles ( 96.6 million US dollars ) to pay lump-sum allowances to Muscovites older than 65 who would have to stay in self-isolation over the coronavirus threat .

"Today, we see that senior citizens constitute a high-risk group. We have declared quarantine for such people. They will be obliged to stay at home from Thursday, even those who continue to work," Sobyanin, who is first deputy chairman of the Russian government’s coordination council on coronavirus response, said on Tuesday at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
NOVO-OGARYOVO, March 24. /TASS/. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has suggested people older than 65 living in all Russian million cities be placed under quarantine in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
"I think a similar measure could be recommended to the regions demonstrating high COVID dynamics," he said, adding that Moscow has already made a similar step.
He stressed that the quarantine system should be extended to St. Petersburg and all other cities with a population of over one million to avoid overload to hospitals.
Moscow's mayor also called on Russian regional authorities to get prepared for a possible outbreak, "regardless of whether they have coronavirus cases or not."
Meanwhile, the Moscow city authorities pledged they would allocate 7.6 billion rubles (96.6 million US dollars) to pay lump-sum allowances to Muscovites older than 65 who would have to stay in self-isolation over the coronavirus threat.


tass--2020-03-24--No real picture of COVID-2019 situation in Russian regions — Moscow mayor

NOVO-OGARYOVO , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
There is no real picture of the COVID-2019 situation in Russian regions , @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
`` Some regions seem not to understand [ the situation with the @ @ @ @ @ , they [ regional governors ] see just a couple of cases .
The matter @ @ @ @ @ testing is very low .
There is no real picture , '' said the Moscow @ @ @ @ @ deputy chairman of the Russian government ’ s coordinating council on coronavirus response .
He @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Far Eastern Primorsky Region .
`` Once 6,000 people arrived in the Primorsky @ @ @ @ @ abroad , it is a big problem anyway .
And this problem will surface sooner @ @ @ @ @ stressed .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, March 24. /TASS/. There is no real picture of the COVID-2019 situation in Russian regions, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Tuesday.
"Some regions seem not to understand [the situation with the coronavirus spread]. Well, they [regional governors] see just a couple of cases. The matter is that the level of testing is very low. There is no real picture," said the Moscow mayor, who is a deputy chairman of the Russian government’s coordinating council on coronavirus response.
He cited an example of Russia’s Far Eastern Primorsky Region. "Once 6,000 people arrived in the Primorsky Region after visiting infection-hit areas abroad, it is a big problem anyway. And this problem will surface sooner or later," he stressed.


tass--2020-03-24--Egypt to impose curfew over coronavirus on March 25

CAIRO , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
Egypt ’ s authorities have decided to impose a two-week curfew in the @ @ @ @ @ , and take some other preventive measures to fight the novel coronavirus , Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday at a news conference in Cairo broadcast by the Egyptian television .
`` A @ @ @ @ @ people and vehicles will be imposed in Egypt as of tomorrow , Wednesday , for @ @ @ @ @ to 6 am , '' he said , adding that all public transport would be @ @ @ @ @ Sales outlets and shops are required to close their doors from 5 pm to 6 @ @ @ @ @ Fridays and Saturdays .
The prime minister noted that all government agencies would suspend the @ @ @ @ @ population for two weeks .
An exception will be made for hospitals and medical centers @

CAIRO, March 24. /TASS/. Egypt’s authorities have decided to impose a two-week curfew in the country as of March 25, and take some other preventive measures to fight the novel coronavirus, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly told reporters on Tuesday at a news conference in Cairo broadcast by the Egyptian television.
"A ban on the movement of people and vehicles will be imposed in Egypt as of tomorrow, Wednesday, for two weeks from 7 pm to 6 am," he said, adding that all public transport would be stopped during the curfew. Sales outlets and shops are required to close their doors from 5 pm to 6 am and stop working on Fridays and Saturdays. The prime minister noted that all government agencies would suspend the provision of services to the population for two weeks. An exception will be made for hospitals and medical centers.


tass--2020-03-24--MORE Health Launches Coronavirus COVID-19 Self-Assessment

SAN MATEO , California , March 24 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 24 , 2020 , MORE Health , a Silicon Valley headquartered cross-border telemedicine company , is launching a premier , freely available self-assessment tool for COVID-19 in six languages at covid19.morehealth.com .
The MORE COVID-19 Self-Assessment was co-developed by a team of U.S. and international infectious disease experts , including Dr. Gary Schoolnik , former Chief of Infectious Diseases at Stanford Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University , and Professor Wang Yan , Deputy Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking University First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devoted to the research and treatment of infectious disease in the U.S. and around the world .
And he is currently treating COVID-19 patients in the United States .
Professor Wang Yang has specialized in the practice of clinical infectious disease for over 20 years , and she has direct experience treating patients with COVID-19 and remotely assisting medical staff in Wuhan , Hubei with severe COVID-19 infections .
The self-assessment can help guide a user to decide if they should recuperate at home or drive to a designated testing location ; it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call 911 or contact their primary care physician for help .
MORE Health 's tool can reduce anxiety and panic in the majority of people for whom testing is not needed , and can also screen people who are possibly infected in large numbers simultaneously reducing the burden on healthcare systems and helping to quickly identify high-risk patients .
To broaden access , MORE Health is making self-assessment completely free to users and hospitals around the world to help them customize their own hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system .
The website does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any personal information .
Long before the outbreak began , MORE Health was assisting Chinese physicians by allowing them to use our platform to consult with top physicians at top US hospitals .
Over time MORE Health perfected its platform through practical experience with cases and technological refinements .
MORE Health is now a leader in the field of cross-border telemedicine .
It also has strong capabilities in artificial intelligence-supported diagnosis , and it has developed artificial intelligence diagnostic programs for patients with lung cancer .
Learn more at www.morehealth.com , or contact @ @ @ @ @ @

SAN MATEO, California, March 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 24, 2020, MORE Health, a Silicon Valley headquartered cross-border telemedicine company, is launching a premier, freely available self-assessment tool for COVID-19 in six languages at covid19.morehealth.com.
The MORE COVID-19 Self-Assessment was co-developed by a team of U.S. and international infectious disease experts, including Dr. Gary Schoolnik, former Chief of Infectious Diseases at Stanford Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, and Professor Wang Yan, Deputy Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking University First Hospital. Dr. Schoolnik has long been devoted to the research and treatment of infectious disease in the U.S. and around the world. And he is currently treating COVID-19 patients in the United States. Professor Wang Yang has specialized in the practice of clinical infectious disease for over 20 years, and she has direct experience treating patients with COVID-19 and remotely assisting medical staff in Wuhan, Hubei with severe COVID-19 infections.
The self-assessment can help guide a user to decide if they should recuperate at home or drive to a designated testing location; it can help users decide if they should call 911 or contact their primary care physician for help. MORE Health's tool can reduce anxiety and panic in the majority of people for whom testing is not needed, and can also screen people who are possibly infected in large numbers simultaneously reducing the burden on healthcare systems and helping to quickly identify high-risk patients.
To broaden access, MORE Health is making self-assessment completely free to users and hospitals around the world to help them customize their own hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system. The website does not have advertisements and it does not collect any personal information.


tass--2020-03-24--Serbia blasts NATO’s 1999 aggression as crime against humanity

BELGRADE , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
NATO ’ s aggression against Serbia will remain a crime against peace and humanity , a group of Serbia ’ s non-governmental organizations of diplomats , political scientists , military officers and medics said in a statement , obtained by the TASS bureau .
`` Twenty-one years ago , NATO , without obtaining permission to intervene from the United Nations , launched armed aggression against Serbia , thus crudely violating the UN Declaration , the Helsinki Accords , a number of other international conventions and its own act on the creation of NATO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It has been and will remain a crime against peace and humanity .
The act of aggression , committed in alliance with the terrorist Kosovo Liberation Army , left an estimated 3,500-4,000 people dead and 12,500 others injured and caused tremendous economic damage .
The use of depleted uranium rounds and other prohibited weapons was a long-term hazard to the people and the environment .
NATO turned itself into an aggressive , interventionist alliance with an outspokenly expansionist policy targeting the East first and foremost . ''
The statement points out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsequent occupation of Kosovo and Metohija , illegal creation of the US military base Bondsteel , unilateral proclamation of Kosovo ’ s independence and violations of the UN Security Council ’ s Resolution 1244 were dangerous precedents and heavy blows on the European and global system of security . ''
The Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals led by the former foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia , Zivadin Jovanovic , the Club of Generals and Admirals of Serbia under General Milomir Miladinovic , and the Foundation United for Youth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Serbian authorities to demand from the NATO countries a compensation for the war damages and hurry to draw up a list of all victims of the aggression . ''
The influential Serbian organizations believe it is essential to probe into the effects of depleted uranium and to build a memorial to commemorate Serbia ’ s victims .
`` Time is ripe for the governments of NATO and EU member-states to reconsider their role in the 1999 aggression and the policy towards Serbia and the Serbian people , to present official apologies for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and resume compliance with the UN Security Council ’ s Resolution 1244 , '' the statement runs .

BELGRADE, March 24. /TASS/. NATO’s aggression against Serbia will remain a crime against peace and humanity, a group of Serbia’s non-governmental organizations of diplomats, political scientists, military officers and medics said in a statement, obtained by the TASS bureau.
"Twenty-one years ago, NATO, without obtaining permission to intervene from the United Nations, launched armed aggression against Serbia, thus crudely violating the UN Declaration, the Helsinki Accords, a number of other international conventions and its own act on the creation of NATO of 1949," the statement runs. "It has been and will remain a crime against peace and humanity. The act of aggression, committed in alliance with the terrorist Kosovo Liberation Army, left an estimated 3,500-4,000 people dead and 12,500 others injured and caused tremendous economic damage. The use of depleted uranium rounds and other prohibited weapons was a long-term hazard to the people and the environment. NATO turned itself into an aggressive, interventionist alliance with an outspokenly expansionist policy targeting the East first and foremost."
The statement points out that "the act of aggression and subsequent occupation of Kosovo and Metohija, illegal creation of the US military base Bondsteel, unilateral proclamation of Kosovo’s independence and violations of the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1244 were dangerous precedents and heavy blows on the European and global system of security."
The Belgrade Forum for a World of Equals led by the former foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Zivadin Jovanovic, the Club of Generals and Admirals of Serbia under General Milomir Miladinovic, and the Foundation United for Youth led by Professor Dr. Danica Grujicic urged the Serbian authorities to demand from the NATO countries a compensation for the war damages and hurry to draw up a list of all victims of the aggression." The influential Serbian organizations believe it is essential to probe into the effects of depleted uranium and to build a memorial to commemorate Serbia’s victims.
"Time is ripe for the governments of NATO and EU member-states to reconsider their role in the 1999 aggression and the policy towards Serbia and the Serbian people, to present official apologies for the victims and illicit elimination of Yugoslavia and resume compliance with the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1244," the statement runs.
Anniversary of bombardments


tass--2020-03-24--Black Sea Fleet repair ship to join Russian Navy’s Mediterranean taskforce

SEVASTOPOL , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
The Black Sea Fleet ’ s PM-56 floating workshop is making a transit to the Mediterranean Sea to join the Russian Navy ’ s permanent taskforce in the region , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` In compliance with the scheduled rotation of forces , the Black Sea Fleet ’ s PM-56 floating workshop is making a transit from Sevastopol to the Mediterranean Sea to accomplish missions as part of the Navy ’ s permanent taskforce in that region .
Currently , the repair vessel is passing through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dardanelles Straits , '' the press office said in a statement .
The floating workshop ’ s crew will provide maintenance for the Russian Navy ’ s ships and vessels accomplishing missions in the Mediterranean Sea .
The repair ship will replace the Baltic Fleet ’ s PM-82 same-type vessel .
The Soviet Navy ’ s 5th Mediterranean Squadron served as a prototype for the Russian Navy ’ s permanent Mediterranean taskforce operating at present .
The 5th operational Soviet Squadron dealt with the tasks of naval presence in the Mediterranean theater of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Its main rival was the US Navy ’ s 6th Fleet .
The Soviet Squadron was disbanded on December 31 , 1992 , a year after the disintegration of the Soviet Union .
In 2013 , Russia started to create a new operational Mediterranean taskforce .
Russia ’ s new permanent Squadron is dealing with planned and urgent combat missions arising in the Mediterranean theater of operations , including warding off threats to Russia ’ s national and military security .

SEVASTOPOL, March 24. /TASS/. The Black Sea Fleet’s PM-56 floating workshop is making a transit to the Mediterranean Sea to join the Russian Navy’s permanent taskforce in the region, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"In compliance with the scheduled rotation of forces, the Black Sea Fleet’s PM-56 floating workshop is making a transit from Sevastopol to the Mediterranean Sea to accomplish missions as part of the Navy’s permanent taskforce in that region. Currently, the repair vessel is passing through the Black Sea’s Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits," the press office said in a statement.
The floating workshop’s crew will provide maintenance for the Russian Navy’s ships and vessels accomplishing missions in the Mediterranean Sea. The repair ship will replace the Baltic Fleet’s PM-82 same-type vessel.
Russian Navy’s Mediterranean Squadron
The Soviet Navy’s 5th Mediterranean Squadron served as a prototype for the Russian Navy’s permanent Mediterranean taskforce operating at present. The 5th operational Soviet Squadron dealt with the tasks of naval presence in the Mediterranean theater of operations during the Cold War period. Its main rival was the US Navy’s 6th Fleet. The Soviet Squadron was disbanded on December 31, 1992, a year after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
In 2013, Russia started to create a new operational Mediterranean taskforce. Russia’s new permanent Squadron is dealing with planned and urgent combat missions arising in the Mediterranean theater of operations, including warding off threats to Russia’s national and military security.


tass--2020-03-24--Putin inspects hospital construction site near Kommunarka

MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at the construction site of a future hospital near Moscow ’ s community of Kommunarka , Russian presidential spokesman , Dmitry Peskov told the media on Wednesday .
He recalled that before that the head of state had held a conference in Novo-Ogaryovo on measures being taken against the coronavirus , involving Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova , Moscow ’ s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko .
`` The president heard their reports on the current state of affairs .
A decision was made to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction site in Kommunarka , '' Peskov said .
Earlier on Tuesday , Sobyanin told a meeting at Putin ’ s office that the builders had coped with 40 % of the work at that facility in just two weeks .
A total of 5,000 builders are employed at the construction site .
The hospital will go operational in three weeks .
On March 5 , Sobyanin signed an instruction to introduce a state of alert in the light of the spreading coronavirus infection .
An out-of-town area was selected for building a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 250 meters away from the hospital ’ s premises , which is 2.5 times farther than the sanitation rules require .

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at the construction site of a future hospital near Moscow’s community of Kommunarka, Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov told the media on Wednesday.
He recalled that before that the head of state had held a conference in Novo-Ogaryovo on measures being taken against the coronavirus, involving Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko.
"The president heard their reports on the current state of affairs. A decision was made to make a fact-finding trip to a hospital construction site in Kommunarka," Peskov said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sobyanin told a meeting at Putin’s office that the builders had coped with 40% of the work at that facility in just two weeks. A total of 5,000 builders are employed at the construction site. The hospital will go operational in three weeks.
On March 5, Sobyanin signed an instruction to introduce a state of alert in the light of the spreading coronavirus infection. An out-of-town area was selected for building a hospital. The nearest private home is 250 meters away from the hospital’s premises, which is 2.5 times farther than the sanitation rules require.


tass--2020-03-24--About 500 people in Moscow suspected of having COVID

NOVO-OGARYOVO , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
About 500 people in Moscow are suspected to be infected with the novel @ @ @ @ @ Sobyanin said on Tuesday .
`` Currently , we have about 500 people with suspected @ @ @ @ @ cases are not confirmed .
Up to 80-90 % are likely to be confirmed .
@ @ @ @ @ .
The dynamics are high .
This is a serious situation , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin .
`` Quite a lot of people are staying at home after returning @ @ @ @ @ Those who can afford it , are just staying at home , in self-isolation , @ @ @ @ @ '' he noted .
`` But there are much more of those infected .
That @ @ @ @ @ dynamics , we have begun to take other measures and expand testing , '' Sobyanin @ @

NOVO-OGARYOVO, March 24. /TASS/. About 500 people in Moscow are suspected to be infected with the novel coronavirus, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Tuesday.
"Currently, we have about 500 people with suspected coronavirus. Some of the cases are not confirmed. Up to 80-90% are likely to be confirmed. It means 400-500 more cases. The dynamics are high. This is a serious situation," he said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
"Quite a lot of people are staying at home after returning from abroad, untested. Those who can afford it, are just staying at home, in self-isolation, and feel all right," he noted.
"But there are much more of those infected. That is why, seeing this dynamics, we have begun to take other measures and expand testing," Sobyanin added.


tass--2020-03-24--Belgium reports 526 new coronavirus cases

BRUSSELS , March 24./TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Belgium has risen by 526 in the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ , the Belgian Ministry of Health reported on Tuesday .
Thirty-four people have died , @ @ @ @ @ to 122 , it said .
`` The number of infected people grew to 4,269 @ @ @ @ @ Moscow time ) with 526 new cases reported in the last 24 hours ; 34 @ @ @ @ @ a ministry spokesperson told a news conference in Brussels .
`` Overall , 1,859 people @ @ @ @ @ , including 381 patients in intensive care units , '' he said .

BRUSSELS, March 24./TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Belgium has risen by 526 in the past 24 hours, amounting to 4,269, the Belgian Ministry of Health reported on Tuesday.
Thirty-four people have died, bringing the number of fatalities to 122, it said.
"The number of infected people grew to 4,269 as of 11:00 (13:00 Moscow time) with 526 new cases reported in the last 24 hours; 34 people have died," a ministry spokesperson told a news conference in Brussels.
"Overall, 1,859 people have been hospitalized in Belgium, including 381 patients in intensive care units," he said.


tass--2020-03-24--COVID-19 crisis to linger on until year ends, says World Medical Association

BERLIN , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
The emergency situation over the novel coronavirus pandemic may go on at least until the yearend , Frank Ulrich Montgomery , Chairperson of the World Medical Association ’ s ( WMA ) Council , said on Tuesday .
`` This problem will obviously be with us until the end of the year , '' he said in an interview with DPA agency .
`` We will have to rearrange our entire social life and labor activities until a vaccine against the infection is developed , '' he said , adding that he hailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit social contacts .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 150 countries , including Russia .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .
Set up in 1947 , the World Medical Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 100 national medical associations , including Russia ’ s .
It is tasked with elaborating the ethical norms of medical activities that medical doctors are bound to in all countries .

BERLIN, March 24. /TASS/. The emergency situation over the novel coronavirus pandemic may go on at least until the yearend, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, Chairperson of the World Medical Association’s (WMA) Council, said on Tuesday.
"This problem will obviously be with us until the end of the year," he said in an interview with DPA agency.
"We will have to rearrange our entire social life and labor activities until a vaccine against the infection is developed," he said, adding that he hailed the German government’s decision to limit social contacts.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 150 countries, including Russia. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.
Set up in 1947, the World Medical Association is an international organization bringing together more than 100 national medical associations, including Russia’s. It is tasked with elaborating the ethical norms of medical activities that medical doctors are bound to in all countries.


tass--2020-03-24--All new coronavirus cases in Russia are imported, says task force

MOSCOW , March 24./TASS/ .
The new 57 coronavirus cases reported in Russia on Tuesday were imported by Russian nationals @ @ @ @ @ the disease , the coronavirus task force told journalists on Tuesday .
`` According to @ @ @ @ @ been established that these citizens visited countries with unfavorable coronavirus situation in the past two @ @ @ @ @ force reported .
All hospitalized people are in contagious isolation wards , it said .

MOSCOW, March 24./TASS/. The new 57 coronavirus cases reported in Russia on Tuesday were imported by Russian nationals returning from countries hit by the disease, the coronavirus task force told journalists on Tuesday.
"According to epidemiological research, it has been established that these citizens visited countries with unfavorable coronavirus situation in the past two weeks", the task force reported. All hospitalized people are in contagious isolation wards, it said.


tass--2020-03-24--Over 100,000 coronavirus patients recover worldwide — TASS data

MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
At least 100,000 people , who contracted the coronavirus around the world , have recovered and have been discharged from hospitals , according to TASS data based on official statements by the authorities and experts in the coronavirus-hit countries .
The majority of recovered patients are in China , where the coronavirus pandemic started and where the peak of the outbreak has passed .
Other countries registering the most cases are Iran , Italy and Spain .
In Russia , 495 cases have been confirmed and 17 people have been discharged from hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have recovered in China .
Among the countries with over 1,000 cases Japan comes in second ( 47 % ) , followed by Iran ( 36 % ) and South Korea ( 32.7 % ) .
The World Health Organization says a total of 332,931 people have contracted the coronavirus and 14,510 have died .
A WHO spokesperson warned that the virus was spreading and the death toll was on the rise .
Most new cases have been recorded in Europe and the United States ( 85 % ) .
According to TASS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities and experts in the coronavirus-hit countries , over 371,000 have been infected and 4.39 % of them or 16,303 have died .

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. At least 100,000 people, who contracted the coronavirus around the world, have recovered and have been discharged from hospitals, according to TASS data based on official statements by the authorities and experts in the coronavirus-hit countries.
The majority of recovered patients are in China, where the coronavirus pandemic started and where the peak of the outbreak has passed. Other countries registering the most cases are Iran, Italy and Spain. In Russia, 495 cases have been confirmed and 17 people have been discharged from hospitals.
Most patients or nearly 90% have recovered in China. Among the countries with over 1,000 cases Japan comes in second (47%), followed by Iran (36%) and South Korea (32.7%).
The World Health Organization says a total of 332,931 people have contracted the coronavirus and 14,510 have died. A WHO spokesperson warned that the virus was spreading and the death toll was on the rise. Most new cases have been recorded in Europe and the United States (85%).
According to TASS data based on the statements of the authorities and experts in the coronavirus-hit countries, over 371,000 have been infected and 4.39% of them or 16,303 have died.


tass--2020-03-24--German coronavirus cases pass 30,000, reports say

BERLIN , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Germany has risen to 30,174 , the @ @ @ @ @ its own analysis of data from the country ’ s regions .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ have died .
Earlier on Tuesday , Germany ’ s Robert Koch Institute said that @ @ @ @ @ stood at 27,436 .
However , the facility does not get data from the country @ @ @ @ @ , which is why there is a difference in numbers .
In late December 2019 @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in @ @ @ @ @ central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by @ @ @ @ @ reported in more than 150 countries , including Russia .

BERLIN, March 24. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Germany has risen to 30,174, the n-tv channel reported, citing its own analysis of data from the country’s regions.
According to the TV channel, 132 patients have died.
Earlier on Tuesday, Germany’s Robert Koch Institute said that the number of coronavirus cases stood at 27,436. However, the facility does not get data from the country’s regions quickly enough, which is why there is a difference in numbers.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in more than 150 countries, including Russia.


tass--2020-03-24--Over 80% of schools in Russia closed or on vacation from March 23

MOSCOW , March 24 .
/TASS/ .
More than 80 % of secondary schools in Russian have been closed for vacations in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic .
The rest continue classes , Russia ’ s ministry of education said on Tuesday .
`` According to the statistics we update daily , the overwhelming majority of schools stopped classes and began vacations as of the beginning of the week .
There are 83.5 % of such schools .
As many as 16.5 % of schools continue classes with the use of distance learning technologies ( 8.4 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % ) , '' the ministry cited its head , Sergei Kravtsov .
The minister stressed that strict sanitary norms are being observed in those schools that continue classes in a regular regime .
`` The regions strictly observe healthcare norms and the Ministry of Education keeps a close eye on that .
All corresponding instructions have been referred to territorial education management bodies , '' he added .
On March 14 , the Russian ministry of education recommended its regional structures to shift schools to distance learning amid coronavirus infection spread threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education Sergei Kravtsov announced that this year ’ s spring vacations at secondary schools in Russia would begin from March 23 to last to April 12 .
He also promised that efforts would be taken to provide possibilities for distance learning .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Russia , which by now has 438 cases , with 17 patients having recovered .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 350,000 , with about 16,000 deaths .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. More than 80% of secondary schools in Russian have been closed for vacations in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The rest continue classes, Russia’s ministry of education said on Tuesday.
"According to the statistics we update daily, the overwhelming majority of schools stopped classes and began vacations as of the beginning of the week. There are 83.5% of such schools. As many as 16.5% of schools continue classes with the use of distance learning technologies (8.4%) or in a regular format (8.1%)," the ministry cited its head, Sergei Kravtsov.
The minister stressed that strict sanitary norms are being observed in those schools that continue classes in a regular regime. "The regions strictly observe healthcare norms and the Ministry of Education keeps a close eye on that. All corresponding instructions have been referred to territorial education management bodies," he added.
On March 14, the Russian ministry of education recommended its regional structures to shift schools to distance learning amid coronavirus infection spread threats. On March 18, Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov announced that this year’s spring vacations at secondary schools in Russia would begin from March 23 to last to April 12. He also promised that efforts would be taken to provide possibilities for distance learning.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 150 countries and territories, including Russia, which by now has 438 cases, with 17 patients having recovered. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 350,000, with about 16,000 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-25--Spain records over 700 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours, says Health Ministrsy

MADRID , March 25 .
/TASS/ .
As many as 47,610 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Spain so far , the country ’ s Health Ministry said on Wednesday .
According to the ministry , 3,434 patients have died and 5,367 have recovered .
The number of cases and deaths continue to grow rapidly .
On Tuesday , the ministry said that the death rate stood at 2,696 .
The Spanish Health Ministry said earlier that the trend was expected to persist at least until the end of the week .
Spain recorded its first coronavirus case on January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to grow rapidly after an outbreak had hit Italy .
On March 14 , the Spanish Council of Ministers declared a 15-day high alert over the coronavirus spread , restricting the movement of people across the country .
The period of high alert can be extended if the move is approved by the Spanish parliament .
The lower house of parliament is expected to extend the state of high alert to April 11 on Wednesday .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city of Wuhan , central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in more than 150 countries , including Russia .
On March 11 , the WHO declared the outbreak a global pandemic .
As of now , over 410,000 people have been infected around the world and more than 18,000 have died .
Russia has identified 658 cases , 29 patients have recovered .
The Russian government has launched an Internet hotline to keep the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MADRID, March 25. /TASS/. As many as 47,610 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Spain so far, the country’s Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
According to the ministry, 3,434 patients have died and 5,367 have recovered. The number of cases and deaths continue to grow rapidly. On Tuesday, the ministry said that the death rate stood at 2,696.
The Spanish Health Ministry said earlier that the trend was expected to persist at least until the end of the week.
Spain recorded its first coronavirus case on January 31. The number of patients started to grow rapidly after an outbreak had hit Italy.
On March 14, the Spanish Council of Ministers declared a 15-day high alert over the coronavirus spread, restricting the movement of people across the country. The period of high alert can be extended if the move is approved by the Spanish parliament. The lower house of parliament is expected to extend the state of high alert to April 11 on Wednesday.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in more than 150 countries, including Russia.
On March 11, the WHO declared the outbreak a global pandemic. As of now, over 410,000 people have been infected around the world and more than 18,000 have died. Russia has identified 658 cases, 29 patients have recovered. The Russian government has launched an Internet hotline to keep the country’s people informed about the coronavirus situation.