tass--2020-04-03--Trout at 50 meters under the ground. A fish farm in the rock

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
If you travel some 70km from Murmansk towards Finland , you ’ ll see how different the nature there is with more coniferous trees ; tall pines and firs , just like in central Russia ; and magnificent snow caps on branches — what a beauty !
Here , in the forest , you can barely see a cement wall with huge gates — the Upper Tuloma Hydroelectric Power Plant .
It is absolutely unique as being located under the ground .
And this is not the only surprise .
Imagine , inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farm .
The 17 hydroelectric power plants on the Kola Peninsula make four cascades .
The plant , which we enter through the gates , was built in 1962 -1965 .
The date is carved above the gates .
Inside the rock , four turbines produce 268 megawatts .
The turbines have been in service here for 55 years , running as smoothly as a Swiss watch .
But any watch requires tuning from time to time .
The plant is now undergoing a big upgrade , after which every turbine ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overhaul actually hampered our plans of touring the place , and we headed straight for the fish plant .
The tunnel in the rock is 320 meters long .
It runs downwards , almost 100 meters deep .
The trout farm is at the depth of 50 meters .
The power plant ’ s machines are under the ground , whereas the farm is mostly under the water reservoir , which collects water from the Tuloma River and Notozero Lake .
Small water streams glide down the granite walls .
I am curious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why people agree to work under the ground , and whose idea it was to make a fish farm there .
`` This is the only plant in the Murmansk Region , producing trout farming material , small fries , and the only plant in the world , which is under the ground , '' the plant ’ s owner , Arctic Salmon company ’ s Director Sergei Prudnik tells us .
`` The power plant ’ s architects hoped salmon in the Tuloma River would use this fish corridor , they even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s no fooling the nature .
Only once salmon used the corridor in 1965 , that ’ s it , '' he said .
This fish corridor remained unchanged until 1992 , when scientists came forward with an idea of how this corridor could be used .
This is when the corridor turned into a fish plant .
Finland ’ s Atria supplied and installed the equipment , which has been up and running for 28 years now .
This is exactly the same number of years that Valentina Belyayeva has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a technology engineer , a director , and a deputy director now .
`` I graduated from the Murmansk State Technical University as a trained fish technology engineer , dreamed of going out to sea , but life took a different turn .
I have been working here for 28 years and I know everything about trout , '' she said with a smile .
The trout plant ’ s staff is only four people , including the director .
This woman is responsible for the entire production process .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Two dark rooms with shelves , which are separated from the other space by a black non-transparent curtain , a sound of rippling water , wet floor… This is where eggs are put into tanks , and in about a month they get ripe and small fries appear .
The cycle from eggs to fries takes six months .
Valentina calls this part of the plant a `` kindergarten . ''
`` It is very interesting : you put eggs , then watch how eyes inside eggs begin moving .
Look .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in others there are larvae — they are very small — about 80 milligrams .
They now are at the short stage when they may be disturbed , but there are periods , when larvae need absolute silence , darkness and , of course , certain water temperature and certain amount of oxygen . ''
Eggs need water of plus 10 degrees , fries — not more than plus 14 degrees .
They do not have to warm up the water at the plant .
Cold water from the reservoir gets mixed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideal conditions for growing fries .
`` They huddle up , clinging to each other , the process is called `` fanning '' — this is how they develop the reflex of imitation .
Good reaction from the fry !
At this age , they are bold , pushing away their relatives .
Fight for life goes on , '' the deputy director told us .
As soon as the fry gets to the tank ’ s top , it may be placed into ponds — the shop has 28 ponds , each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , the `` babies '' swim , and the trick is to feed them on time .
The process is automatic , `` smart '' equipment does the job in line with a certain algorithm .
`` Here , you can see each of the 28 ponds .
We get all the information : quantity of fish , average weight , temperature .
Just look , the water temperature is plus 11.12 degrees , the feed is 5 % .
Every day , a fry eats 874 grams of feed — almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As fries grow , they are placed into different tanks depending on sizes .
Feed is bought from Denmark .
Russia does not produce fish feed .
The plant works to orders , the demand is high , the director said .
`` This year ’ s contract is for 1.3 million small fries .
We sell them to Arkhangelsk , Karelia , and now the Murmansk Region has been buying them actively .
Businesses open new aquaculture farms , mostly not big farms .
On the Ura and Tuloma ( rivers ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right in the rivers , as trout will grow only in pure running river water . ''
Clients buy fries of 5-10 grams , then grow them and only later sell them to retailers .
The complete cycle to grow trout takes about 30 months .
You may sell fish already after 18 months , or even 12 months , when it is about 300 grams , but this fish is popular with restaurants only as 30-35cm fish looks perfect across a plate .
Health is above all The plant complies with technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test fries twice and four times a year respectively .
The director shows us a file of documents : every inspection has confirmed high quality of products .
`` I say , our fish is clean , temperature is never high , the water is of the first category , due to the < ... > purest-water reservoir , clear from any industrial waste , '' he said .
`` We use high-quality feed , a balanced complex of protein , fat , carbohydrates , minerals and vitamins . ''
Rainbow trout comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
This species could have perfectly adapted in Russian northern rivers .
However , businesses in Russia usually grow trout at farms , and into rivers they release juvenile salmon .
The plant ’ s director opens another secret to us : '' Our fish expert Valentina is not just a professional , < ... > she is a caring and uncompromising person .
She may spend nights here , like now that the plant undergoes the upgrade process .
At times , the upgrade works may require cutting off electricity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fluctuations . ''
Valentina says she has got used to staying there overnight after many years at the plant .
`` It ’ s my choice .
One turbine is stopped for the night , and this is the time , which we might miss to turn on our pumps so that water could go to the first shop .
Without warm water we may lose six months of work to grow fries . ''
Have you ever stripped fish ?
The plant ’ s second shop is equipped with eight bigger fish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pours into them right from the reservoir , without any warming .
Here , in the running water the grown-up fish live , aged between one and three years and needed to renew the spawning population .
A good grown-up trout may spawn up to 6,000 eggs at a time , which can fill up about a 500-gram jar .
`` I am the only one who strips those grown-up fishes .
We never use anesthetics !
Special solutions are available , but we do not use them either .
We did try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very painfully .
Thus , I do everything myself within two days : on the first day I strip , and on the second I may strip additionally , if that ’ s needed .
And they are all fine . ''
After spawning , fishes are week , and thus they are fed off hands , though every pond is equipped with feeders .
`` In the wild life , trout may live for 20 years , '' the deputy director said .
`` Here , they may be in the spawning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we prefer to keep them to the age of six , and every year we replace about 25-30 % , and burn the old fish .
That ’ s the rule . ''
`` The spawning pond is home to about 600 fishes , plus male fishes , plus ‘ extras ’ .
Thus , at a time there may be about 6,000 fishes . ''
Fish can tell what season it is by the water temperature .
In our bigger ponds the temperature is equal to water temperatures in a river @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer .
In warm seasons , trout is more active , it needs more feed , and in cold seasons all processes slow down .
`` In the wild , spawning is usually in April-May , eggs grow from November to January .
But here we can regulate the cycles .
If we want , we may raise the temperature to speed up the process .
And , on the other hand , we 'make ' a polar night for the fish — almost like in the nature .
Before the spawning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the males get ready much quicker . ''
I ask Valentina , how she can understand when it is time to separate them and to sort by the age .
`` It ’ s elementary , '' she says with a smile .
`` They are so different .
The girls are pretty , their noses are shorter , the bodies shimmer like a rainbow , their violet color is most bright , and girls are bigger than boys .
The males are very different .
They have big heads with heavy chins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Besides , they have a bright red strip along the body , in the spawning season it becomes crimson , and when the fish is playing , in the artificial sun you can see a shining rainbow ! ''

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. If you travel some 70km from Murmansk towards Finland, you’ll see how different the nature there is with more coniferous trees; tall pines and firs, just like in central Russia; and magnificent snow caps on branches — what a beauty! Here, in the forest, you can barely see a cement wall with huge gates — the Upper Tuloma Hydroelectric Power Plant. It is absolutely unique as being located under the ground. And this is not the only surprise. Imagine, inside the power plant there is a trout farm.
268 megawatts under the ground
The 17 hydroelectric power plants on the Kola Peninsula make four cascades. The plant, which we enter through the gates, was built in 1962 -1965. The date is carved above the gates. Inside the rock, four turbines produce 268 megawatts.
The turbines have been in service here for 55 years, running as smoothly as a Swiss watch. But any watch requires tuning from time to time. The plant is now undergoing a big upgrade, after which every turbine’s output will be 8MW more. The overhaul actually hampered our plans of touring the place, and we headed straight for the fish plant.
Amazingly interesting …
The tunnel in the rock is 320 meters long. It runs downwards, almost 100 meters deep. The trout farm is at the depth of 50 meters. The power plant’s machines are under the ground, whereas the farm is mostly under the water reservoir, which collects water from the Tuloma River and Notozero Lake.
Small water streams glide down the granite walls. I am curious to learn how the farm works, why people agree to work under the ground, and whose idea it was to make a fish farm there.
"This is the only plant in the Murmansk Region, producing trout farming material, small fries, and the only plant in the world, which is under the ground," the plant’s owner, Arctic Salmon company’s Director Sergei Prudnik tells us.
"The power plant’s architects hoped salmon in the Tuloma River would use this fish corridor, they even made an elevator here. But there’s no fooling the nature. Only once salmon used the corridor in 1965, that’s it," he said.
This fish corridor remained unchanged until 1992, when scientists came forward with an idea of how this corridor could be used. This is when the corridor turned into a fish plant.
Finland’s Atria supplied and installed the equipment, which has been up and running for 28 years now. This is exactly the same number of years that Valentina Belyayeva has been working at the plant. She used to be a technology engineer, a director, and a deputy director now.
"I graduated from the Murmansk State Technical University as a trained fish technology engineer, dreamed of going out to sea, but life took a different turn. I have been working here for 28 years and I know everything about trout," she said with a smile.
The trout plant’s staff is only four people, including the director. This woman is responsible for the entire production process. The annual output is 1.5 million small fry!
Let's start with the hatchery!
Two dark rooms with shelves, which are separated from the other space by a black non-transparent curtain, a sound of rippling water, wet floor… This is where eggs are put into tanks, and in about a month they get ripe and small fries appear. The cycle from eggs to fries takes six months. Valentina calls this part of the plant a "kindergarten."
"It is very interesting: you put eggs, then watch how eyes inside eggs begin moving. Look. Some tanks are filled with eggs, in others there are larvae — they are very small — about 80 milligrams. They now are at the short stage when they may be disturbed, but there are periods, when larvae need absolute silence, darkness and, of course, certain water temperature and certain amount of oxygen."
Eggs need water of plus 10 degrees, fries — not more than plus 14 degrees. They do not have to warm up the water at the plant. Cold water from the reservoir gets mixed with warm water from the power plant providing ideal conditions for growing fries.
"They huddle up, clinging to each other, the process is called "fanning" — this is how they develop the reflex of imitation. Good reaction from the fry! At this age, they are bold, pushing away their relatives. Fight for life goes on," the deputy director told us.
As soon as the fry gets to the tank’s top, it may be placed into ponds — the shop has 28 ponds, each of 7m3. In three or four days, the "babies" swim, and the trick is to feed them on time. The process is automatic, "smart" equipment does the job in line with a certain algorithm.
"Here, you can see each of the 28 ponds. We get all the information: quantity of fish, average weight, temperature. Just look, the water temperature is plus 11.12 degrees, the feed is 5%. Every day, a fry eats 874 grams of feed — almost a kilo," she continued.
As fries grow, they are placed into different tanks depending on sizes. Feed is bought from Denmark. Russia does not produce fish feed. The plant works to orders, the demand is high, the director said.
"This year’s contract is for 1.3 million small fries. We sell them to Arkhangelsk, Karelia, and now the Murmansk Region has been buying them actively. Businesses open new aquaculture farms, mostly not big farms. On the Ura and Tuloma (rivers) <...>, tanks are installed right in the rivers, as trout will grow only in pure running river water."
Clients buy fries of 5-10 grams, then grow them and only later sell them to retailers.
The complete cycle to grow trout takes about 30 months. You may sell fish already after 18 months, or even 12 months, when it is about 300 grams, but this fish is popular with restaurants only as 30-35cm fish looks perfect across a plate.
Health is above all
The plant complies with technology regulations, and agriculture and veterinary watchdogs test fries twice and four times a year respectively. The director shows us a file of documents: every inspection has confirmed high quality of products.
"I say, our fish is clean, temperature is never high, the water is of the first category, due to the <...> purest-water reservoir, clear from any industrial waste," he said. "We use high-quality feed, a balanced complex of protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins."
Rainbow trout comes from North America, the technology engineer says. This species could have perfectly adapted in Russian northern rivers. However, businesses in Russia usually grow trout at farms, and into rivers they release juvenile salmon. The plant’s director opens another secret to us:
"Our fish expert Valentina is not just a professional, <...> she is a caring and uncompromising person. She may spend nights here, like now that the plant undergoes the upgrade process. At times, the upgrade works may require cutting off electricity, and fries are top sensitive to temperature fluctuations."
Valentina says she has got used to staying there overnight after many years at the plant.
"It’s my choice. One turbine is stopped for the night, and this is the time, which we might miss to turn on our pumps so that water could go to the first shop. Without warm water we may lose six months of work to grow fries."
Have you ever stripped fish?
The plant’s second shop is equipped with eight bigger fish ponds. Each is 42m3 and water pours into them right from the reservoir, without any warming.
Here, in the running water the grown-up fish live, aged between one and three years and needed to renew the spawning population. A good grown-up trout may spawn up to 6,000 eggs at a time, which can fill up about a 500-gram jar.
"I am the only one who strips those grown-up fishes. We never use anesthetics! Special solutions are available, but we do not use them either. We did try once, but fish recovers from them very painfully. Thus, I do everything myself within two days: on the first day I strip, and on the second I may strip additionally, if that’s needed. And they are all fine."
After spawning, fishes are week, and thus they are fed off hands, though every pond is equipped with feeders.
"In the wild life, trout may live for 20 years," the deputy director said. "Here, they may be in the spawning pond to the age of ten, but we prefer to keep them to the age of six, and every year we replace about 25-30%, and burn the old fish. That’s the rule."
"The spawning pond is home to about 600 fishes, plus male fishes, plus ‘extras’. Thus, at a time there may be about 6,000 fishes."
Polar Night's Rainbow
Fish can tell what season it is by the water temperature. In our bigger ponds the temperature is equal to water temperatures in a river: cooler in winter and warmer in summer. In warm seasons, trout is more active, it needs more feed, and in cold seasons all processes slow down.
"In the wild, spawning is usually in April-May, eggs grow from November to January. But here we can regulate the cycles. If we want, we may raise the temperature to speed up the process. And, on the other hand, we 'make' a polar night for the fish — almost like in the nature. Before the spawning, we separate females from males, as the males get ready much quicker."
I ask Valentina, how she can understand when it is time to separate them and to sort by the age.
"It’s elementary," she says with a smile. "They are so different. The girls are pretty, their noses are shorter, the bodies shimmer like a rainbow, their violet color is most bright, and girls are bigger than boys. The males are very different. They have big heads with heavy chins, and the body color becomes darker. Besides, they have a bright red strip along the body, in the spawning season it becomes crimson, and when the fish is playing, in the artificial sun you can see a shining rainbow!"


tass--2020-04-03--Russia stays in close contact with Saudi Arabia on oil market issues, says Putin

Russia hopes for joint work with US in fight against pandemic , thanks China for its cargo The diplomat recalled @ @ @ @ @ ’ s statement regarding the importance of joint efforts to fight against the coronavirus

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


tass--2020-04-03--Italy’s coronavirus death toll surges by 766 in past day

ROME , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people in Italy who died of coronavirus and of complications @ @ @ @ @ risen by 766 , bringing the total to 14,681 , Italy ’ s Civil Protection @ @ @ @ @ According to statistics , the number of those infected with the virus amounts to 85,388 @ @ @ @ @ to Thursday , yet the number of those who recovered has increased by 1,480 , @ @ @ @ @ .
A total of 119,827 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Italy since the start @ @ @ @ @ deaths and recoveries .
On Thursday , 115,242 new cases were reported .

ROME, April 3. /TASS/. The number of people in Italy who died of coronavirus and of complications caused by the illness has risen by 766, bringing the total to 14,681, Italy’s Civil Protection Department said on Friday.
According to statistics, the number of those infected with the virus amounts to 85,388, up by 2,339 compared to Thursday, yet the number of those who recovered has increased by 1,480, bringing the total to 19,758.
A total of 119,827 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Italy since the start of the outbreak, including deaths and recoveries. On Thursday, 115,242 new cases were reported.


tass--2020-04-03--Oil price of about $42 a barrel is comfortable, Putin says

NOVO-OGAREVO , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is against too high and too low oil price and believes the @ @ @ @ @ a barrel is comfortable , President Vladimir Putin said on Friday .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ to be too high and want to avoid the situation when the prices will be @ @ @ @ @ clear why : our budget was made up on the basis of $ 42 per @ @ @ @ @ quite comfortably around this figure , '' the Russian leader said .
Russia has always @ @ @ @ @ advocating the long-term stability of the oil market and addressing positions of both producers and @ @ @ @ @ Putin added .

NOVO-OGAREVO, April 3. /TASS/. Russia is against too high and too low oil price and believes the price of about $42 a barrel is comfortable, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
"We have never endeavored for the prices to be too high and want to avoid the situation when the prices will be too low. This is clear why: our budget was made up on the basis of $42 per barrel and we feel ourselves quite comfortably around this figure," the Russian leader said.
Russia has always spoken up and will continue advocating the long-term stability of the oil market and addressing positions of both producers and consumers of energy resources, Putin added.


tass--2020-04-03--Putin discussed global energy market situation with Security Council

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed in detail coronavirus control issues and the situation @ @ @ @ @ with permanent members of the national Security Council .
One more topic of the meeting @ @ @ @ @ recent telephone conversations of the Russian leader with presidents of the United States , South @ @ @ @ @ , presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Friday .
`` A detailed discussion of @ @ @ @ @ in our country has taken place , '' Peskov said .
`` Furthermore , the @ @ @ @ @ meeting about his recent contacts with presidents of the United States , South Africa , @ @ @ @ @ the press secretary noted .
`` The state of affairs on the global energy markets @ @ @ @ @ he added .
`` The meeting attendees also exchanged opinions on certain current points of @ @ @ @ @ '' the press secretary added .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed in detail coronavirus control issues and the situation on the global energy markets with permanent members of the national Security Council. One more topic of the meeting in the videoconference format was recent telephone conversations of the Russian leader with presidents of the United States, South Africa, Serbia and Turkey, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
"A detailed discussion of the topic of coronavirus combating in our country has taken place," Peskov said. "Furthermore, the President informed participants in the meeting about his recent contacts with presidents of the United States, South Africa, Serbia and Turkey," the press secretary noted. "The state of affairs on the global energy markets was also discussed," he added.
"The meeting attendees also exchanged opinions on certain current points of the domestic socioeconomic agenda," the press secretary added.


tass--2020-04-03--EU foreign policy chief supports UN Sec-Gen’s appeal to ease sanctions amid pandemic

BRUSSELS , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
European Union Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell has supported UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who called on G20 nations to lift sanctions on other countries to help combat the coronavirus pandemic , Borrell said on Friday after the video conference with the foreign ministers of 27 EU members .
`` We have also discussed that sanctions should not impede the delivery of essential equipment and supplies necessary to fight the coronavirus , '' Borrell said .
`` We also have been working on a communication that would bring support both to the UN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human Rights to soften global sanctions for humanitarian reasons . ''
Apart from that , Borrell supported the UN Secretary-General ’ s appeal to stop fighting immediately , saying that `` in some countries which are under big trouble and heavy fighting , like Syria , Libya or Yemen , devastating effects of the coronavirus can be multiplied by two threats at the same time . ''
`` That ’ s why we fully support the UN Secretary-General ’ s efforts to coordinate a worldwide response to the pandemic .
We also support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the EU foreign policy chief stressed .
On March 24 , the UN Secretary-General urged all countries to ease the current sanctions on certain states for the sake of struggle against the pandemic and also to cease hostilities .
Later , the UN General Assembly passed an alternative , more general draft resolution containing a call for solidarity in the fight against the pandemic , which ignored the UN Secretary-General ’ s proposal for cancelling sanctions .
The Russian draft that proposed more specific measures was rejected , which would obstruct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Russia ’ s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
To date , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 53,000 deaths have been reported .
That said , over 213,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

BRUSSELS, April 3. /TASS/. European Union Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell has supported UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who called on G20 nations to lift sanctions on other countries to help combat the coronavirus pandemic, Borrell said on Friday after the video conference with the foreign ministers of 27 EU members.
"We have also discussed that sanctions should not impede the delivery of essential equipment and supplies necessary to fight the coronavirus," Borrell said. "We also have been working on a communication that would bring support both to the UN Secretary-General and the UN Special Envoy for Human Rights to soften global sanctions for humanitarian reasons."
Apart from that, Borrell supported the UN Secretary-General’s appeal to stop fighting immediately, saying that "in some countries which are under big trouble and heavy fighting, like Syria, Libya or Yemen, devastating effects of the coronavirus can be multiplied by two threats at the same time."
"That’s why we fully support the UN Secretary-General’s efforts to coordinate a worldwide response to the pandemic. We also support his appeal for an immediate global ceasefire," the EU foreign policy chief stressed.
On March 24, the UN Secretary-General urged all countries to ease the current sanctions on certain states for the sake of struggle against the pandemic and also to cease hostilities. Later, the UN General Assembly passed an alternative, more general draft resolution containing a call for solidarity in the fight against the pandemic, which ignored the UN Secretary-General’s proposal for cancelling sanctions. The Russian draft that proposed more specific measures was rejected, which would obstruct joint work against the coronavirus pandemic, as Russia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations said.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. To date, more than 1,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 53,000 deaths have been reported. That said, over 213,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-03--Russia ready to interact with US on oil market rebalancing, Putin says

NOVO-OGAREVO , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is ready to interact with the United States on the oil market @ @ @ @ @ said on Friday .
`` I would like to stress , Russia considers necessary to @ @ @ @ @ head of state said .
`` We are ready to agreements with partners within the @ @ @ @ @ - OPEC+ and are ready to interact with the United States of America on this @ @ @ @ @ .

NOVO-OGAREVO, April 3. /TASS/. Russia is ready to interact with the United States on the oil market rebalancing, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
"I would like to stress, Russia considers necessary to pool efforts," the head of state said. "We are ready to agreements with partners within the framework of the given mechanism - OPEC+ and are ready to interact with the United States of America on this issue," Putin said.


tass--2020-04-03--Kids and the polar night. Scientists analyze children’s sleeping habits in the Arctic

`` Under the indigenous peoples we understood the Pomors , Karelians and Sami , who have been living there for quite a time , for two or three generations , '' the scientist said .
`` Over this period of time , adaptation finalizes and it becomes clear whether the climate is suitable for the newcomers ’ following generations . ''
Some of the surveyed agreed , with permission from parents , to test their levels of melatonin - the sleeping hormone , and of cortisol - the stress hormone .
The children were both from families , which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 years , and from families of newcomers .
The school students filled in four questionnaires on emotional and physical conditions , workout , and eating habits , as well as on possible bad habits - alcohol and smoking .
The research began in 2018 .
Over two years , scientists surveyed a few thousand school students aged between 7 and 17 .
TASS correspondent Anastasiya Kosheleva spoke to the project ’ s leader , Sergei Kolomeichuk .
MOSCOW , April 2 .
/TASS/ .
A group of scientists from the Russian Academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published first results of the studies devoted to children ’ s sleeping habits in the North .
The indigenous peoples , scientists say , have certain genes , which help them to get adjusted easier to the changing daytime duration .
Test results have proven that cortisol levels do not depend on seasons .
However , as for melatonin - the hormone , responsible for good sleeping and immunity , for fighting tumors and inflammations - its level depends directly on daylight : on the number of `` dark '' hours a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher is the level , and vice versa , experts say .
Thus , in the North , during the season of long nights , high concentrations of melatonin remain for longer than in summer .
Here comes a conflict between biology rhythms and social schedules .
The situation , where people have to observe social schedules , conflicts with natural biology rhythms , thus developing asynchrony .
The problem is that our social schedules do not fit the rhythms .
Kids in the Arctic get up for school at seven in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autumn .
At the same time , going to bed is not always at the same time .
Besides , days are shorter there than , for example , in central Russia .
In October , the daylight is not more than six hours , and in May , when the surveyed underwent another portion of tests , the daylight was 12 hours .
Melatonin concentrations were different : children from indigenous families got adjusted much easier to shorter daytime , thus showing better behavior and academic performance .
`` The indigenous people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point to two aspects .
First of all , the traditional lifestyles .
And secondly , the genetics .
We have found differences in structures of genes , which regulate physiology processes of falling asleep and waking up - the indigenous peoples and the newcomers have different structures .
These genes are related to production of melatonin , '' the expert said .
Classes , shifted towards the afternoon in autumn and winter , could be better for students in the Arctic , as they could stay in bed later in the morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the US researchers have shown certain progress , though not big , in school performance levels .
`` Moving classes towards the afternoon during the second quarter ( in autumn ) , when days become shorter , could be a pilot project at one or two schools .
Will this bring better academic results ?
Small effect is possible ; it may be within margin error .
In the US they have tested the shift , and the progress made 5 % .
A primitive change of time can not be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the difference in adaptation , all the surveyed pointed to one common tendency - they all feel sleepy in winter , including in daytime .
Thus , the expert explained , a half-hour nap could restore energy , and it will be sufficient to live to the night .
Some children find it difficult to fall asleep in the afternoon .
This alarming sign points to possible chronicle diseases , that should be diagnosed by insomnia doctors , or , if not available , by neurologists .
The studies continue , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together recommendations on how to make sleeping healthier and how to cope with the daylight changes typical for the North .
Though the surveyed were children living in the Arctic , the recommendations would be useful also for adults living anywhere .
Authors say it would be a brochure with pictures , which will explain a dozen rules of how to sleep healthily and easily , without any medications .
During the studies , the scientists noted : the further to the north , the older the children , the more often they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third teenager in Apatity told the researchers it was not easy to go to bed earlier - on short daylight days they are advised to go to sleep 30-60 minutes earlier than usually .
Here is what the scientists recommend .
Scientists know that sports improve quality and time of sleeping .
In the Murmansk Region , 44 % of surveyed school students said they do not have any physical activity .
In Karelia , only 17 % gave this answer .
`` We have compared indigenous teenagers from 14 to 17 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murmansk Region - the areas are not far from each other , but the difference was obvious : physical activities influence positively the academic performance , '' the scientist said , stressing any physical activities should be completed at least two hours before bedtime .
Experts say it is important for people to go to bed and to wake up at about the same time even on days off or holidays to produce more melatonin .
Everyone should follow a certain chain of rituals , which would prompt to the body that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be free from cells , computers and tablets , even in the night mode .
The blue light spectrum coming from the screen affects the sleep .
In fact , any light interferes with the sleeping process , thus it is better not to turn on the light even if you need to go to the bathroom or kitchen .
`` The artificial light is very unfriendly for melatonin production , '' the scientist said .
`` It wakes up the body , when it must be sleeping . ''
Scientists say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbohydrates before going to bed , as well as to any brain-boosting beverages , like carbonated drinks , coffee , strong tea , or energy drinks .
In 2020 , the center ’ s scientists will expand the studies ’ borders , they will invite new experts .
Scientists will compare results from surveyed Arctic schools against answers given by school students in Petrazavodsk ( Karelia ) and by west Karelia ’ s indigenous kids .
Besides , the scientists will register children ’ s body temperature during the day - they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big swings are typical for teenagers .
The scientists will ask medical experts to analyze temperature results .
`` We shall attract more specialists so that results of our joint efforts could prompt how to improve the quality of life for children , '' Sergei Kolomeichuk said .

"Under the indigenous peoples we understood the Pomors, Karelians and Sami, who have been living there for quite a time, for two or three generations," the scientist said. "Over this period of time, adaptation finalizes and it becomes clear whether the climate is suitable for the newcomers’ following generations."
Some of the surveyed agreed, with permission from parents, to test their levels of melatonin - the sleeping hormone, and of cortisol - the stress hormone. The children were both from families, which had lived in the Arctic for more than 100 years, and from families of newcomers.
The school students filled in four questionnaires on emotional and physical conditions, workout, and eating habits, as well as on possible bad habits - alcohol and smoking.
The research began in 2018. Over two years, scientists surveyed a few thousand school students aged between 7 and 17. TASS correspondent Anastasiya Kosheleva spoke to the project’s leader, Sergei Kolomeichuk.
MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. A group of scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences’ center in Karelia has published first results of the studies devoted to children’s sleeping habits in the North. The indigenous peoples, scientists say, have certain genes, which help them to get adjusted easier to the changing daytime duration.
Test results have proven that cortisol levels do not depend on seasons. However, as for melatonin - the hormone, responsible for good sleeping and immunity, for fighting tumors and inflammations - its level depends directly on daylight: on the number of "dark" hours a day. The more dark hours, the higher is the level, and vice versa, experts say.
Thus, in the North, during the season of long nights, high concentrations of melatonin remain for longer than in summer. Here comes a conflict between biology rhythms and social schedules. The situation, where people have to observe social schedules, conflicts with natural biology rhythms, thus developing asynchrony.
The problem is that our social schedules do not fit the rhythms. Kids in the Arctic get up for school at seven in the morning - be that in spring or autumn. At the same time, going to bed is not always at the same time. Besides, days are shorter there than, for example, in central Russia.
In October, the daylight is not more than six hours, and in May, when the surveyed underwent another portion of tests, the daylight was 12 hours. Melatonin concentrations were different: children from indigenous families got adjusted much easier to shorter daytime, thus showing better behavior and academic performance.
"The indigenous people adapt gradually to changing daylight. We point to two aspects. First of all, the traditional lifestyles. And secondly, the genetics. We have found differences in structures of genes, which regulate physiology processes of falling asleep and waking up - the indigenous peoples and the newcomers have different structures. These genes are related to production of melatonin," the expert said.
Classes, shifted towards the afternoon in autumn and winter, could be better for students in the Arctic, as they could stay in bed later in the morning on short daylight days. Similar experiments by the US researchers have shown certain progress, though not big, in school performance levels.
"Moving classes towards the afternoon during the second quarter (in autumn), when days become shorter, could be a pilot project at one or two schools. Will this bring better academic results? Small effect is possible; it may be within margin error. In the US they have tested the shift, and the progress made 5%. A primitive change of time cannot be the only measure," he continued.
Afternoon naps are fine
Despite the difference in adaptation, all the surveyed pointed to one common tendency - they all feel sleepy in winter, including in daytime. Thus, the expert explained, a half-hour nap could restore energy, and it will be sufficient to live to the night.
Some children find it difficult to fall asleep in the afternoon. This alarming sign points to possible chronicle diseases, that should be diagnosed by insomnia doctors, or, if not available, by neurologists.
The studies continue, but already at the current stage experts put together recommendations on how to make sleeping healthier and how to cope with the daylight changes typical for the North. Though the surveyed were children living in the Arctic, the recommendations would be useful also for adults living anywhere.
Authors say it would be a brochure with pictures, which will explain a dozen rules of how to sleep healthily and easily, without any medications.
During the studies, the scientists noted: the further to the north, the older the children, the more often they complain about sleeping problems. About every third teenager in Apatity told the researchers it was not easy to go to bed earlier - on short daylight days they are advised to go to sleep 30-60 minutes earlier than usually. Here is what the scientists recommend.
Workout at least 40 minutes a day
Scientists know that sports improve quality and time of sleeping. In the Murmansk Region, 44% of surveyed school students said they do not have any physical activity. In Karelia, only 17% gave this answer.
"We have compared indigenous teenagers from 14 to 17 years of age from Karelia and from the Murmansk Region - the areas are not far from each other, but the difference was obvious: physical activities influence positively the academic performance," the scientist said, stressing any physical activities should be completed at least two hours before bedtime.
A good habit of falling asleep without gadgets
Experts say it is important for people to go to bed and to wake up at about the same time even on days off or holidays to produce more melatonin. Everyone should follow a certain chain of rituals, which would prompt to the body that the bedtime is coming.
Those rituals must be free from cells, computers and tablets, even in the night mode. The blue light spectrum coming from the screen affects the sleep. In fact, any light interferes with the sleeping process, thus it is better not to turn on the light even if you need to go to the bathroom or kitchen. "The artificial light is very unfriendly for melatonin production," the scientist said. "It wakes up the body, when it must be sleeping."
No carbohydrates before bedtime
Scientists say, people should say "no" to carbohydrates before going to bed, as well as to any brain-boosting beverages, like carbonated drinks, coffee, strong tea, or energy drinks.
Cut using LED lamps
LED lamps prevent melatonin production, thus affecting smooth falling asleep.
Broader limits
In 2020, the center’s scientists will expand the studies’ borders, they will invite new experts. Scientists will compare results from surveyed Arctic schools against answers given by school students in Petrazavodsk (Karelia) and by west Karelia’s indigenous kids.
Besides, the scientists will register children’s body temperature during the day - they will install special thermal chronographs. Usually, big swings are typical for teenagers. The scientists will ask medical experts to analyze temperature results.
"We shall attract more specialists so that results of our joint efforts could prompt how to improve the quality of life for children," Sergei Kolomeichuk said.


tass--2020-04-03--Hainan companies invest $2,39 bln in Belt and Road countries in 2019

HAIKOU , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Hainan enterprises invested $ 2,39 bln in the Belt and Road member-states in 2019 , according to www.hinews.cn .
These figures increase the previous year ones ' by 69 times .
At least 33 companies from 17 countries and regions from the Belt and Road Initiative received investments from Hainan enterprises .
According to this indicator , Hainan Province ranked eighth in China .
Capital investments in the Asian region amounted to $ 1.73 billion which makes 72.28 % of the total volume of relevant investments directed mainly to the service sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of other areas .
In 2019 , according to the local authorities , the total amount of foreign investment in the Hainan Province reached up to $ 1.5 billion ( having increased by 107.8 % ) .
In the near future , the province plans to actively draw investments in such areas as financial services , the production and rental of eco-friendly vehicles , the production of drugs and medical equipment .
All the projects are aimed at turning the Island of Hainan into a zone of advanced development in East and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province .
By 2050 , according to the authorities , the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy , developed tourism , top-notch scientific , technical and financial potential , and modern medicine .
The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan .
By 2025 , the Chinese government intends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourism and consumption '' on Hainan .
In order to do so , the `` Eastern Hawaii '' with their unique natural landscapes , thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels , which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline .
The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world .

HAIKOU, April 3. /TASS/. The Hainan enterprises invested $2,39 bln in the Belt and Road member-states in 2019, according to www.hinews.cn. These figures increase the previous year ones' by 69 times.
At least 33 companies from 17 countries and regions from the Belt and Road Initiative received investments from Hainan enterprises. According to this indicator, Hainan Province ranked eighth in China. Capital investments in the Asian region amounted to $1.73 billion which makes 72.28% of the total volume of relevant investments directed mainly to the service sector, transport, logistics and in a number of other areas.
In 2019, according to the local authorities, the total amount of foreign investment in the Hainan Province reached up to $1.5 billion (having increased by 107.8%). In the near future, the province plans to actively draw investments in such areas as financial services, the production and rental of eco-friendly vehicles, the production of drugs and medical equipment. All the projects are aimed at turning the Island of Hainan into a zone of advanced development in East and Southeast Asia.
Hainan's free trade zone
In April 2018, President Xi Jinping said that the Chinese authorities intend to actively involve Hainan in globalization and to draw foreign investors to the island province. By 2050, according to the authorities, the island should become a unique international cluster with an advanced economy, developed tourism, top-notch scientific, technical and financial potential, and modern medicine. The branches of the best universities and offices of the most powerful corporations in the world will be located on the Island of Hainan.
By 2025, the Chinese government intends to create an "international center for tourism and consumption" on Hainan. In order to do so, the "Eastern Hawaii" with their unique natural landscapes, thick rainforests and great climate will establish a developed network of hotels, which blend perfectly with white sandy beaches stretching along the coastline. The combination of an exotic subtropical nature and a modern eco-friendly infrastructure will boost tourist inflow to the island from the most distant parts of the world.


tass--2020-04-03--Around 70 countries back call for global ceasefire, says UN Secretary-General

UNITED NATIONS , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has revealed that his call for a complete ceasefire in the world to curb the coronavirus pandemic was backed by around 70 countries .
`` The call has been endorsed by an ever-growing number of Member States , some 70 so far , partners , non-state actors , civil society networks and organizations , and all UN Messengers of Peace .
As the update details , these include parties to conflict in the following countries : Cameroon , the Central African Republic , Colombia , Libya , Myanmar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sudan , Syria , Ukraine and Yemen , '' he said , underlining that there is a difference between saying something and actually implementing it , which human lives depend on .
`` In Syria , where the first COVID-related deaths have now been reported , my Special Envoy appealed for a `` complete and immediate '' nationwide ceasefire in the country to allow for an all-out effort against COVID-19 .
The Idlib ceasefire negotiated by Turkey and the Russian Federation is holding .
But it is essential that a permanent nationwide ceasefire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanitarian access to all those suffering for the last decade , '' Guterres underlined .
The Secretary-General also emphasized that many conflicts only exacerbated instead of slowing down , drawing example of Ukraine where the number of injured rose to 50 and one person died .
He also warned that in the fight against the virus the worst is yet to come .

UNITED NATIONS, April 3. /TASS/. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has revealed that his call for a complete ceasefire in the world to curb the coronavirus pandemic was backed by around 70 countries.
"The call has been endorsed by an ever-growing number of Member States, some 70 so far, partners, non-state actors, civil society networks and organizations, and all UN
Messengers of Peace. As the update details, these include parties to conflict in the following countries: Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Colombia, Libya, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen," he said, underlining that there is a difference between saying something and actually implementing it, which human lives depend on.
"In Syria, where the first COVID-related deaths have now been reported, my Special Envoy appealed for a "complete and immediate" nationwide ceasefire in the country to allow for an all-out effort against COVID-19. The Idlib ceasefire negotiated by Turkey and the Russian Federation is holding. But it is essential that a permanent nationwide ceasefire take effect to allow for expansions in humanitarian access to all those suffering for the last decade," Guterres underlined.
The Secretary-General also emphasized that many conflicts only exacerbated instead of slowing down, drawing example of Ukraine where the number of injured rose to 50 and one person died. He also warned that in the fight against the virus the worst is yet to come.


tass--2020-04-03--Wild herb beverages from Krasnoyarsk are certified by Eurasian Economic Union

KRASNOYARSK , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Beverages of wild herbs from the Siberian taiga , made in Krasnoyarsk , have been certified by the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ) , Krasnoyarsk Innovation Center ’ s head Evgeny Pashchenko told TASS on Thursday .
Local specialists offer a few recipes — each for a different season .
`` We have the document , and thus we can produce and export the beverages , '' Pashchenko said , adding that the drinks , made from taiga herbs , are rich in vitamins and boost the immunity .
One of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be presented at the annual Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum , but due to the recent pandemic the event was cancelled .
`` We shall begin export to China from the new season , '' the official informed .
`` In August-September . ''
The beverages ’ symbol will be a polar bear .
In June 2019 , the official told TASS about plans to register the Polar Bear brand in China for export products , including coniferous and cedar oils , nutritional supplements and wild plants .
If supported by the regional authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s biggest producer of healthy organic products , according to Pashchenko .

KRASNOYARSK, April 3. /TASS/. Beverages of wild herbs from the Siberian taiga, made in Krasnoyarsk, have been certified by the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Krasnoyarsk Innovation Center’s head Evgeny Pashchenko told TASS on Thursday.
Local specialists offer a few recipes — each for a different season. "We have the document, and thus we can produce and export the beverages," Pashchenko said, adding that the drinks, made from taiga herbs, are rich in vitamins and boost the immunity.
One of the beverages, an energy drink, was to be presented at the annual Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum, but due to the recent pandemic the event was cancelled.
"We shall begin export to China from the new season," the official informed. "In August-September."
The beverages’ symbol will be a polar bear. In June 2019, the official told TASS about plans to register the Polar Bear brand in China for export products, including coniferous and cedar oils, nutritional supplements and wild plants.
If supported by the regional authorities, the Krasnoyarsk Region could become Russia’s biggest producer of healthy organic products, according to Pashchenko.


tass--2020-04-03--Putin’s approval, trust ratings rise after his address to nation over COVID-19

`` On April 2 , 2020 , Vladimir Putin again addressed the people of Russia due to the situation around the coronavirus pandemic .
The president ’ s approval rating got higher on that day in contrast to last week ’ s level , amounting to 72 % .
The trust rating has also grown to 74 % , '' the publication says .
MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s trust and approval ratings have grown to 74 % to 72 % respectively following his second address to the nation in the wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as follows from opinion polls carried out by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center and posted on its site on Friday .
On March 23-29 , Putin ’ s approval rating was at 65.7 % .
Asked directly about trust towards the current head of state 71.1 % of the respondents said `` yes . ''
The survey was conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and above interviewed over the phone .
The margin of error does not exceed 1 % with a probability of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Vladimir Putin announced that the non-working period would be extended until April 30 .
However , it could be shortened once the coronavirus threat eases , the president said in his second in recent days address to the nation .
According to the president , the virus peak has not been yet passed , neither in the world nor in Russia , and the outbreak in Moscow can not be contained despite the authorities ’ efforts .
Putin branded the current developments a `` looming epidemic . ''
In late December 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
To date , more than 1,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 53,000 deaths have been reported .
That said , over 213,000 individuals have recovered from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far , a total of 4,149 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 281 patients having recovered from the virus .
The country ’ s latest data indicates 34 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"On April 2, 2020, Vladimir Putin again addressed the people of Russia due to the situation around the coronavirus pandemic. The president’s approval rating got higher on that day in contrast to last week’s level, amounting to 72%. The trust rating has also grown to 74%," the publication says.
MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trust and approval ratings have grown to 74% to 72% respectively following his second address to the nation in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, as follows from opinion polls carried out by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center and posted on its site on Friday.
On March 23-29, Putin’s approval rating was at 65.7%. Asked directly about trust towards the current head of state 71.1% of the respondents said "yes."
The survey was conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and above interviewed over the phone. The margin of error does not exceed 1% with a probability of 95%.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the non-working period would be extended until April 30. However, it could be shortened once the coronavirus threat eases, the president said in his second in recent days address to the nation. According to the president, the virus peak has not been yet passed, neither in the world nor in Russia, and the outbreak in Moscow cannot be contained despite the authorities’ efforts. Putin branded the current developments a "looming epidemic."
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. To date, more than 1,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 53,000 deaths have been reported. That said, over 213,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
So far, a total of 4,149 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 281 patients having recovered from the virus. The country’s latest data indicates 34 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-03--Four coronavirus patients in Moscow region in critical condition

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Four coronavirus patents in the Moscow region are in critical condition , Moscow @ @ @ @ @ Vorobyov said on Friday .
`` By now , we have organized about 1,400 hospital @ @ @ @ @ them are occupied and only four patients are in serious condition .
The situation is @ @ @ @ @ he said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television channel .
`` Serious measures have @ @ @ @ @ observance of the self-isolation regime , so that these beds remained empty .
I wish @ @ @ @ @ on , '' he said .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Four coronavirus patents in the Moscow region are in critical condition, Moscow region’s governor Andrei Vorobyov said on Friday.
"By now, we have organized about 1,400 hospital beds. Only 83 of them are occupied and only four patients are in serious condition. The situation is literally under control," he said in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television channel.
"Serious measures have been taken to ensure the observance of the self-isolation regime, so that these beds remained empty. I wish they were this way further on," he said.


tass--2020-04-03--Russia condemns Polish claims that it failed to organize visit to Smolensk and Katyn

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia considers comments made by Polish Chief of the Chancellery Michal Dworczyk regarding the allegedly insufficient Russian cooperation in preparation for the Polish delegation ’ s visit to Smolensk and Katyn a provocative outburst , the Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on Friday .
`` Chief of the Chancellery Michal Dworczyk ’ s argumentation that Russia allegedly ‘ did not provide a written answer to the presented logistical plans of the visit ’ sparks bewilderment .
We are baffled by the new provocative outburst of the Polish authorities , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Russian Embassy in Warsaw maintained close contact with the Polish side .
`` We have made uneasy decisions on opening Russia ’ s borders for the Polish delegation .
We have informed the Poles that we would send a high-ranking Russian delegation to Smolensk , reaffirming our commitment to bilateral contacts .
Throughout our dialogue with Poland , Warsaw has stated its satisfaction with the level of cooperation , '' the ministry commented .
`` Instead of words of thanks we have seen outrageous ingratitude , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political functionaries , who continue to capitalize on the sacrosanct issue of their fellow citizens ’ death in a crash , '' the Russian Foreign Ministry said .
`` We have derived the proper conclusions from this . ''
The Russian diplomats stated that the visit of the Polish delegation had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` We have received a note from the Polish Embassy in Moscow today , which said that the visit was canceled due to the threat caused by the coronavirus pandemic , '' the ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide the necessary support to organize the visit despite the difficult situation caused by the novel coronavirus .
Earlier , the Polish government decided to postpone the visit to Smolensk and Katyn planned for April 10 as timed to the tenth anniversary of the Polish presidential plane crash and the 80th anniversary of the tragic events in Katyn .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Russia considers comments made by Polish Chief of the Chancellery Michal Dworczyk regarding the allegedly insufficient Russian cooperation in preparation for the Polish delegation’s visit to Smolensk and Katyn a provocative outburst, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on Friday.
"Chief of the Chancellery Michal Dworczyk’s argumentation that Russia allegedly ‘did not provide a written answer to the presented logistical plans of the visit’ sparks bewilderment. We are baffled by the new provocative outburst of the Polish authorities," the ministry said.
The statement notes that the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Russian Embassy in Warsaw maintained close contact with the Polish side. "We have made uneasy decisions on opening Russia’s borders for the Polish delegation. We have informed the Poles that we would send a high-ranking Russian delegation to Smolensk, reaffirming our commitment to bilateral contacts. Throughout our dialogue with Poland, Warsaw has stated its satisfaction with the level of cooperation," the ministry commented.
"Instead of words of thanks we have seen outrageous ingratitude, which will remain on the conscience of Polish political functionaries, who continue to capitalize on the sacrosanct issue of their fellow citizens’ death in a crash," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "We have derived the proper conclusions from this."
The Russian diplomats stated that the visit of the Polish delegation had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We have received a note from the Polish Embassy in Moscow today, which said that the visit was canceled due to the threat caused by the coronavirus pandemic," the ministry informed, adding that it was ready to provide the necessary support to organize the visit despite the difficult situation caused by the novel coronavirus.
Earlier, the Polish government decided to postpone the visit to Smolensk and Katyn planned for April 10 as timed to the tenth anniversary of the Polish presidential plane crash and the 80th anniversary of the tragic events in Katyn.
The Polish presidential plane crash


tass--2020-04-03--Poland cancels visit to Russia’s Smolensk and Katyn due to COVID-19

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Polish Embassy in Moscow informed that the visit of the Polish delegation @ @ @ @ @ and Katyn had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the Russian Foreign Ministry @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
Earlier , Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he plans to visit @ @ @ @ @ the tragic events in Smolensk and Katyn .
Polish President Andrzej Duda was not going @ @ @ @ @ We have received a note from the Polish Embassy in Moscow today , which said @ @ @ @ @ due to the threat caused by the coronavirus pandemic , '' the ministry commented .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. The Polish Embassy in Moscow informed that the visit of the Polish delegation to Russia’s Smolensk and Katyn had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on Friday.
Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he plans to visit Russia on the anniversaries of the tragic events in Smolensk and Katyn. Polish President Andrzej Duda was not going with the delegation.
"We have received a note from the Polish Embassy in Moscow today, which said that the visit was canceled due to the threat caused by the coronavirus pandemic," the ministry commented.


tass--2020-04-03--One month of downtime may cost 1.5-2% of GDP for economy, says Central Bank chief

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
One month of the quarantine may cost 1.5-2 % of GDP for the @ @ @ @ @ chief Elvira Nabiullina said on Friday .
`` The experience of other countries shows that @ @ @ @ @ at the country scale may cost 1.5-2 % of annual GDP for the economy , @ @ @ @ @ depend on the length of restrictive measures , '' Nabiullina said .
Adverse effects for @ @ @ @ @ in the second quarter of this year , she added .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. One month of the quarantine may cost 1.5-2% of GDP for the domestic economy, Central Bank chief Elvira Nabiullina said on Friday.
"The experience of other countries shows that one month of the quarantine at the country scale may cost 1.5-2% of annual GDP for the economy, but the overall effect will depend on the length of restrictive measures," Nabiullina said.
Adverse effects for the Russian economy will concentrate in the second quarter of this year, she added.


tass--2020-04-03--Russia’s pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko jailed in US says he has dry cough, fever

`` Konstantin has dry cough .
Yesterday he was running a fever .
It seemed to be gone when he woke up this morning .
He avoids turning to medics , because he may be transferred to the block for the infected , '' she explained .
ROSTOV-ON-DON , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russian air pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko , who is serving a prison term in a US jail , complains about dry cough and fever , but he has refrained from turning to medics so far to avoid transfer to a block with coronavirus-infected inmates , his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that the prison block where the first coronavirus cases were diagnosed has been closed for a week .
The others were shut on March 30 .
A state of emergency was introduced in the whole prison due to coronavirus risks .
`` A state of emergency has been imposed .
The convicts are not allowed to go outdoors .
Meals are delivered to all of the prison ’ s blocks , '' she added .
According to Viktoria , several people infected with the coronavirus were transferred to an isolation ward from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Seventy percent of inmates have cough .
Coronavirus tests are made whenever somebody has a fever .
If the test is positive , the person is isolated , '' Yaroshenko said .
Earlier , Yaroshenko ’ s lawyer Alexei Tarasov told TASS he had pled with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to set the pilot free in view of the threat the novel coronavirus may pose to his health .
Yaroshenko was convicted in the US on September 7 , 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison .
He pled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a provocation and all charges against him as fake .
Yaroshenko had been brought to the United States from Liberia , where he was arrested on May 28 , 2010 .
Agents of the US Drug Enforcement Agency operating undercover ostensibly obtained evidence Yaroshenko had criminal intent to transport a large batch of cocaine .

"Konstantin has dry cough. Yesterday he was running a fever. It seemed to be gone when he woke up this morning. He avoids turning to medics, because he may be transferred to the block for the infected," she explained.
ROSTOV-ON-DON, April 3. /TASS/. Russian air pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who is serving a prison term in a US jail, complains about dry cough and fever, but he has refrained from turning to medics so far to avoid transfer to a block with coronavirus-infected inmates, his wife Viktoria told TASS on Friday.
Viktoria says that the prison block where the first coronavirus cases were diagnosed has been closed for a week. The others were shut on March 30. A state of emergency was introduced in the whole prison due to coronavirus risks.
"A state of emergency has been imposed. The convicts are not allowed to go outdoors. Meals are delivered to all of the prison’s blocks," she added.
According to Viktoria, several people infected with the coronavirus were transferred to an isolation ward from the block where her husband is kept. "Seventy percent of inmates have cough. Coronavirus tests are made whenever somebody has a fever. If the test is positive, the person is isolated," Yaroshenko said.
Earlier, Yaroshenko’s lawyer Alexei Tarasov told TASS he had pled with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to set the pilot free in view of the threat the novel coronavirus may pose to his health.
Yaroshenko was convicted in the US on September 7, 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He pled not guilty, describing his arrest as a provocation and all charges against him as fake. Yaroshenko had been brought to the United States from Liberia, where he was arrested on May 28, 2010. Agents of the US Drug Enforcement Agency operating undercover ostensibly obtained evidence Yaroshenko had criminal intent to transport a large batch of cocaine.


tass--2020-04-03--Serbian PM says Russia is example of how to behave amid epidemic

She thanked Russian specialists first in Serbian , then in Russian , saying `` All-embracing and unfailing gratitude to Russia , especially when you need it all yourself . ''
`` Having sent assistance to the United States , Russia has demonstrated how important help is in the present-day world , '' she said .
BELGRADE , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is demonstrating the whole world how to behave amid an epidemic , Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Friday welcoming Russian military doctors at the Batajnica airbase near Belgrade .
The Serbian prime minister noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country at the most difficult moment since the coronavirus epidemics outbreak .
`` This assistance has come on the most hard day of anti-coronavirus fight when we are in for the most difficult weeks of the epidemic .
At this very moment , we have eight deaths , and this is the biggest daily death toll , and the biggest number of those infected - 305 .
Your arrival means a lot .
Thank you for coming here with a team of doctors , special biological defense units , disinfecting machines , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russia ’ s Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko wished success to the Russian medics in their responsible work .
`` I am convinced that this assistance has arrived just in time and it will help reverse the situation for the better , '' he said .
Two first Russian military transport planes arrived in Serbia on Friday to help it cope with the novel coronavirus epidemic .
In all , it is planned to send eleven flights to that country .
The Russian planes are delivering military medics , virologists of radiological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special medical equipment and also protective gear and 16 items of military hardware .
Russia started to deliver aid to Serbia from April 3 on the instruction from Russian President Vladimir Putin .
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held telephone talks with President Putin on April 2 .
The Kremlin press office reported after the talks that Russia would provide humanitarian assistance to Serbia and send doctors and disinfection specialists to the Balkan country .
As of 3:00 p.m. local time ( 4:00 p.m. Moscow time ) on April 3 , the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the virus death toll climbed to 39 people .
Serbia has fully closed its borders , declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew .
The Serbian authorities have cancelled the parliamentary elections and halted the inter-urban bus and railway service .
People aged above 65 are prohibited to leave their homes .

She thanked Russian specialists first in Serbian, then in Russian, saying "All-embracing and unfailing gratitude to Russia, especially when you need it all yourself."
"Having sent assistance to the United States, Russia has demonstrated how important help is in the present-day world," she said.
BELGRADE, April 3. /TASS/. Russia is demonstrating the whole world how to behave amid an epidemic, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Friday welcoming Russian military doctors at the Batajnica airbase near Belgrade.
The Serbian prime minister noted that Russia’s assistance had reached he country at the most difficult moment since the coronavirus epidemics outbreak. "This assistance has come on the most hard day of anti-coronavirus fight when we are in for the most difficult weeks of the epidemic. At this very moment, we have eight deaths, and this is the biggest daily death toll, and the biggest number of those infected - 305. Your arrival means a lot. Thank you for coming here with a team of doctors, special biological defense units, disinfecting machines, and medical aid containers," she stressed.
Russia’s Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko wished success to the Russian medics in their responsible work. "I am convinced that this assistance has arrived just in time and it will help reverse the situation for the better," he said.
Two first Russian military transport planes arrived in Serbia on Friday to help it cope with the novel coronavirus epidemic. In all, it is planned to send eleven flights to that country. The Russian planes are delivering military medics, virologists of radiological, chemical and biological protection troops, special medical equipment and also protective gear and 16 items of military hardware.
Russia started to deliver aid to Serbia from April 3 on the instruction from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held telephone talks with President Putin on April 2. The Kremlin press office reported after the talks that Russia would provide humanitarian assistance to Serbia and send doctors and disinfection specialists to the Balkan country.
As of 3:00 p.m. local time (4:00 p.m. Moscow time) on April 3, the number of coronavirus cases in Serbia grew to 1,476 while the virus death toll climbed to 39 people.
Serbia has fully closed its borders, declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew. The Serbian authorities have cancelled the parliamentary elections and halted the inter-urban bus and railway service. People aged above 65 are prohibited to leave their homes.


tass--2020-04-03--This week in photos: Deserted Moscow, masked matrimony, and Spiderman self-isolates

The Kelpies horse sculpture in Falkirk lit up in blue as a tribute to honor the National Health System ( NHS ) and care-workers , in Falkirk , Scotland , March 30 .
According to news reports , the 30-meters high horse sculptures will be illuminated in blue for the whole period of the COVID-19 crisis © EPA-EFE/ROBERT PERRY Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia reading the Great Canon of Repentance by Saint Andrew of Crete and the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt during a morning prayer at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior , Moscow , Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view of the unusually empty embankment during evening rush hour outside the Kremlin in Moscow , Russia , April 1 .
The Russian capital has woken up to a lockdown obliging most people in the city of 13 million to stay home © AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin Law enforcement officers and employees of the Russian Emergencies Ministry holding placards urging people to stay home amid the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in the town of Minusinsk , Russia , March 30 © Russian Interior Ministry Press Service/TASS A herd of goats walking the quiet streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A group of goats have been spotted walking around the deserted streets of the seaside town during the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus © Pete Byrne/PA via AP US President Donald Trump salutes the crew of the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort at Naval Station Norfolk , in Norfolk , USA , March 28 © REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque A dog peeks out as a Taco Bell employee delivers an order to a customer at the drive-up window of the restaurant in Hollywood , USA , March 31 © Joe Raedle/Getty Images Venezuela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ambassador Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov touching their elbows while wearing masks due to COVID-19 pandemic , at Miraflores Palace in Caracas , Venezuela , March 30 © Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS Jason Baird is seen dressed as Spiderman during his daily exercise to cheer up local children , as the spread of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) continues , in Stockport , Britain , April 1 © REUTERS/Phil Noble Ukrainian lawmakers wearing face masks to protect against coronavirus attend an extraordinary parliamentary session in Kiev , Ukraine , March 30 .
Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ © AP Photo Cemetery workers in protective clothing bury a person at the Vila Formosa cemetery in Sao Paulo , Brazil , April 1 , 2020 .
Vila Formosa cemetery , the largest in Latin America , has had a 30 percent increase in the number of burials amid spread of the new coronavirus , according to the cemetery 's administration © AP Photo/Andre Penner Lions peering out of their sleeping quarters at the family-owned Billabong Zoo , which was forced to close to the public due to coronavirus , in Port Macquarie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 30 © EPA-EFE/NATHAN EDWARDS

The Kelpies horse sculpture in Falkirk lit up in blue as a tribute to honor the National Health System (NHS) and care-workers, in Falkirk, Scotland, March 30. According to news reports, the 30-meters high horse sculptures will be illuminated in blue for the whole period of the COVID-19 crisis © EPA-EFE/ROBERT PERRY
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia reading the Great Canon of Repentance by Saint Andrew of Crete and the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt during a morning prayer at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Moscow, Russia, April 1 © Gavriil Grigorov/TASS
A view of the unusually empty embankment during evening rush hour outside the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, April 1. The Russian capital has woken up to a lockdown obliging most people in the city of 13 million to stay home © AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin
Law enforcement officers and employees of the Russian Emergencies Ministry holding placards urging people to stay home amid the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in the town of Minusinsk, Russia, March 30 © Russian Interior Ministry Press Service/TASS
A herd of goats walking the quiet streets in Llandudno, Wales, March 31. A group of goats have been spotted walking around the deserted streets of the seaside town during the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus © Pete Byrne/PA via AP
US President Donald Trump salutes the crew of the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort at Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, USA, March 28 © REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
A couple attending their wedding ceremony in Hong Kong, China, March 29 © Anthony Kwan/Getty Images
A dog peeks out as a Taco Bell employee delivers an order to a customer at the drive-up window of the restaurant in Hollywood, USA, March 31 © Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and Russia’s ambassador Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov touching their elbows while wearing masks due to COVID-19 pandemic, at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, March 30 © Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS
Jason Baird is seen dressed as Spiderman during his daily exercise to cheer up local children, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Stockport, Britain, April 1 © REUTERS/Phil Noble
Ukrainian lawmakers wearing face masks to protect against coronavirus attend an extraordinary parliamentary session in Kiev, Ukraine, March 30. Ukraine has been under quarantine since March 12 © AP Photo
Cemetery workers in protective clothing bury a person at the Vila Formosa cemetery in Sao Paulo, Brazil, April 1, 2020. Vila Formosa cemetery, the largest in Latin America, has had a 30 percent increase in the number of burials amid spread of the new coronavirus, according to the cemetery's administration © AP Photo/Andre Penner


tass--2020-04-03--Serbia’s Vostok website vows to carry on publishing materials revealing NATO aggression

BELGRADE , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
The popular Serbian website Vostok.rs , whose Facebook page was recently blocked following a publication marking NATO ’ s aggression in 1999 , will not amend its editorial policy and will continue to publish relevant materials , Vostok ’ s chief editor Vanja Savicevic told TASS Friday .
`` The Vostok website continues to work as before , with the same editorial policy .
We will undoubtedly continue to publish materials about the 21st anniversary of NATO ’ s aggression against Serbia .
I would like to underscore that our website has never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scandalous texts .
All our articles and headlines correspond to the ongoing events and facts .
We have never published any fake news whatsoever and we are not going to do it in the future , '' Savicevic emphasized .
The chief editor noted that this was not the first time a website in Serbia that does not tout the West ’ s narrative has been blocked .
`` The fact is that our website was blocked after an article marking the anniversary of NATO ’ s aggression , just as [ Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In this regard , we thank the Russian Foreign Ministry and Maria Zakharova , who pointed out the issue of censorship on social media in general and of censorship against Vostok in particular , '' Savicevic noted .
`` We thank our colleagues from the TASS news agency and other media partners , as well as our readers for their support .
I would also like to thank Counter Admiral Bosko Antic , whose stories on our website have become a part of the blocked content . ''

BELGRADE, April 3. /TASS/. The popular Serbian website Vostok.rs, whose Facebook page was recently blocked following a publication marking NATO’s aggression in 1999, will not amend its editorial policy and will continue to publish relevant materials, Vostok’s chief editor Vanja Savicevic told TASS Friday.
"The Vostok website continues to work as before, with the same editorial policy. We will undoubtedly continue to publish materials about the 21st anniversary of NATO’s aggression against Serbia. I would like to underscore that our website has never engaged in clickbait, shocking headlines or scandalous texts. All our articles and headlines correspond to the ongoing events and facts. We have never published any fake news whatsoever and we are not going to do it in the future," Savicevic emphasized.
The chief editor noted that this was not the first time a website in Serbia that does not tout the West’s narrative has been blocked.
"The fact is that our website was blocked after an article marking the anniversary of NATO’s aggression, just as [Russian] Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted. In this regard, we thank the Russian Foreign Ministry and Maria Zakharova, who pointed out the issue of censorship on social media in general and of censorship against Vostok in particular," Savicevic noted. "We thank our colleagues from the TASS news agency and other media partners, as well as our readers for their support. I would also like to thank Counter Admiral Bosko Antic, whose stories on our website have become a part of the blocked content."


tass--2020-04-03--Russia develops one of world’s most powerful 9mm pistol rounds

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Central Research Institute of Precision Machine-Building ( TsNIITochMash , part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec ) has developed a 9mm round for the latest Udav pistol capable of piercing Level II bullet-proof vests at far longer distances than its rivals , the Rostec press office announced on Friday .
`` The new munition , which is also called the Udav cartridge , yields a high casualty-producing effect and is one of the world ’ s most powerful 9mm rounds , '' Rostec quoted TsNIITochMash CEO Albert Bakov as saying .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing 9mm standard pistol rounds can pierce Level II bullet-proof vests but their range of penetrating modern vests with soft armor plates is considerably less compared to Russia ’ s newly developed round .
Russian specialists have managed to improve the piercing capability through a unique design and technological solution , the press office said .
`` The know-how of our cartridge developers consists in the configuration of the bullet core with a cutting edge at its top .
Despite the skepticism during the designing , it was experimentally proved later that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect the accuracy of fire , '' the Rostec press office quoted the TsNIITochMash CEO as saying .
Rostec announced on March 26 that it had developed a new 9mm noiseless armor-piercing round .
The cartridge was developed as part of the R & D work on the new Udav pistol .
The new cartridge ’ s bullet pierces a Level II armor vest with a noiseless and flameless shot due to the bullet ’ s larger mass and a cutting-edge at the front end of its core .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. The Central Research Institute of Precision Machine-Building (TsNIITochMash, part of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) has developed a 9mm round for the latest Udav pistol capable of piercing Level II bullet-proof vests at far longer distances than its rivals, the Rostec press office announced on Friday.
"The new munition, which is also called the Udav cartridge, yields a high casualty-producing effect and is one of the world’s most powerful 9mm rounds," Rostec quoted TsNIITochMash CEO Albert Bakov as saying.
As the Rostec press office specified, some existing 9mm standard pistol rounds can pierce Level II bullet-proof vests but their range of penetrating modern vests with soft armor plates is considerably less compared to Russia’s newly developed round.
Russian specialists have managed to improve the piercing capability through a unique design and technological solution, the press office said.
"The know-how of our cartridge developers consists in the configuration of the bullet core with a cutting edge at its top. Despite the skepticism during the designing, it was experimentally proved later that this bullet core’s design does not affect the accuracy of fire," the Rostec press office quoted the TsNIITochMash CEO as saying.
Rostec announced on March 26 that it had developed a new 9mm noiseless armor-piercing round. The cartridge was developed as part of the R&D work on the new Udav pistol.
The new cartridge’s bullet pierces a Level II armor vest with a noiseless and flameless shot due to the bullet’s larger mass and a cutting-edge at the front end of its core.


tass--2020-04-03--Alrosa CEO sold company’s shares to fight coronavirus in Yakutia

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Chief Executive Officer of the Russian diamond miner Alrosa Sergei Ivanov sold a @ @ @ @ @ the company in the amount over 18.5 mln rubles ( $ 214,000 ) .
Funds @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus infection spread in Mirninsky District of Yakutia , the company said .
Ivanov @ @ @ @ @ 0.00415 % from 0.0083 % after the transaction .
`` Yesterday I sold a half @ @ @ @ @ .
All the money earned from the sale will be directed to purchase pharmaceuticals , @ @ @ @ @ for Mirninsky District of Yakutia .
I understand the time now is far from being @ @ @ @ @ but maximized promptness in procurements is important in current conditions .
It is simpler and @ @ @ @ @ in short supply using private money , '' Ivanov said , cited by Alrosa ’ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Chief Executive Officer of the Russian diamond miner Alrosa Sergei Ivanov sold a half of its stake in the company in the amount over 18.5 mln rubles ($214,000). Funds will be allocated to combat the coronavirus infection spread in Mirninsky District of Yakutia, the company said.
Ivanov’s stake dropped to 0.00415% from 0.0083% after the transaction.
"Yesterday I sold a half of my stake in Alrosa. All the money earned from the sale will be directed to purchase pharmaceuticals, appliances and personal protective equipment for Mirninsky District of Yakutia. I understand the time now is far from being the best for shares sale but maximized promptness in procurements is important in current conditions. It is simpler and faster to purchase medical means in short supply using private money," Ivanov said, cited by Alrosa’s press service.


tass--2020-04-03--Today’s Aeroflot flight from New York to Moscow cancelled

NEW YORK , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
An Aeroflot flight from New York City to Moscow scheduled for April 3 has been cancelled , the Russian consulate general in that city said on Friday .
`` According to information we have , Rosaviatsiya [ Federal Air Transport Agency — TASS ] has cancelled the Aeroflot flight from New York to Moscow scheduled for Aprl 3 , '' it wrote on its Facebook account .
`` The task now is to inform the passengers about the flight ’ s cancellation , '' the consulate ’ s spokesman , Alexei Topolsky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports , several dozens Russians have been stranded in New York after Aeroflot ’ s flights on March 30 and 31 were cancelled in view of Rosavitasiya 's quota of no more than 500 passengers a day imposed for Sheremetyevo Airport , which is now the only Moscow hub to receive flights from foreign destinations .
The Russian consulate general has provided hotel accommodation to about 50 Russian nationals waiting to be brought back to Russia .
A TASS correspondent reported earlier that the next flight from New York was scheduled for April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional flight .

NEW YORK, April 3. /TASS/. An Aeroflot flight from New York City to Moscow scheduled for April 3 has been cancelled, the Russian consulate general in that city said on Friday.
"According to information we have, Rosaviatsiya [Federal Air Transport Agency — TASS] has cancelled the Aeroflot flight from New York to Moscow scheduled for Aprl 3," it wrote on its Facebook account.
"The task now is to inform the passengers about the flight’s cancellation," the consulate’s spokesman, Alexei Topolsky, told TASS.
According to earlier reports, several dozens Russians have been stranded in New York after Aeroflot’s flights on March 30 and 31 were cancelled in view of Rosavitasiya's quota of no more than 500 passengers a day imposed for Sheremetyevo Airport, which is now the only Moscow hub to receive flights from foreign destinations.
The Russian consulate general has provided hotel accommodation to about 50 Russian nationals waiting to be brought back to Russia.
A TASS correspondent reported earlier that the next flight from New York was scheduled for April 7-8 unless Aeroflot managed to agree an additional flight.


tass--2020-04-03--Domodedovo Airport closes its international flights sector

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s Domodedovo Airport has closed its international flights sector , the @ @ @ @ @ published Friday , adding that this decision was made because air service with foreign nations @ @ @ @ @ `` Due to shutdown of air service with foreign nations , the airport closes its @ @ @ @ @ the statement reads .
The airport announced its intention to do so in mid-March .
@ @ @ @ @ regular and charter flights between Russia and other countries have been halted , except for @ @ @ @ @ nationals .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport has closed its international flights sector, the airport said in a statement published Friday, adding that this decision was made because air service with foreign nations has been shut down.
"Due to shutdown of air service with foreign nations, the airport closes its international flights gallery," the statement reads.
The airport announced its intention to do so in mid-March.
Since March 27, all regular and charter flights between Russia and other countries have been halted, except for those repatriating the stranded Russian nationals.


tass--2020-04-03--About 15% of cats in Wuhan infected with novel coronavirus, researchers say

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
Chinese vets have collected blood samples from 100 stray and house cats from Wuhan , finding that about 15 % of them have been infected with the novel coronavirus .
Their research was published on the bioRxiv website .
`` Previous studies suggested cat could be a potential susceptible animal of SARS-CoV-2 .
Here , we investigated the infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cats by detecting specific serum antibodies , '' the abstract to the research article informs .
`` A cohort of serum samples were collected from cats in Wuhan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 39 prior to the outbreak .
15 of 102 ( 14.7 % ) cat sera collected after the outbreak were positive for the receptor binding domain ( RBD ) of SARS-CoV-2 by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) , '' the researchers inform .
`` Our data demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 has infected cat population in Wuhan during the outbreak , '' the abstract concludes .
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus , which causes the COVID-19 disease , can enter the body of humans and other mammals , including monkeys , ferrets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection nearly to the same extent as humans .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
To date , more than 1,000,000 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been reported .
That said , over 213,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. /TASS/. Chinese vets have collected blood samples from 100 stray and house cats from Wuhan, finding that about 15% of them have been infected with the novel coronavirus. Their research was published on the bioRxiv website.
"Previous studies suggested cat could be a potential susceptible animal of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we investigated the infection of SARS-CoV-2 in cats by detecting specific serum antibodies," the abstract to the research article informs.
"A cohort of serum samples were collected from cats in Wuhan, including 102 sampled after COVID-19 outbreak, and 39 prior to the outbreak. 15 of 102 (14.7%) cat sera collected after the outbreak were positive for the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)," the researchers inform.
"Our data demonstrates that SARS-CoV-2 has infected cat population in Wuhan during the outbreak," the abstract concludes.
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, can enter the body of humans and other mammals, including monkeys, ferrets and cats, which are affected by the infection nearly to the same extent as humans.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. To date, more than 1,000,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 53,000 deaths have been reported. That said, over 213,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-03--145 quarantine violators penalized in Moscow

`` By April 3 , 145 offence reports were drawn up on charges of non-compliance with watchdog agency official 's @ @ @ @ @ violated the law on the restrictive measures , '' he said .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ compiled against people barred from leaving home under no circumstances — those who returned from @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus patients .
The offence is punishable by a fine of up to 4,000 @ @ @ @ @ ) .
`` We actively inform Moscow residents about the restrictive measures and we call @ @ @ @ @ , we point out that negligence to set restrictions is unacceptable .
We have conducted @ @ @ @ @ The police officers pay special attention to the seniors and groups .
We help , @ @ @ @ @ , '' Vasenin said .

"By April 3, 145 offence reports were drawn up on charges of non-compliance with watchdog agency official's lawful demands against people who violated the law on the restrictive measures," he said.
According to the spokesman, the reports were compiled against people barred from leaving home under no circumstances — those who returned from abroad or who had contacts with coronavirus patients. The offence is punishable by a fine of up to 4,000 rubles (about $50).
"We actively inform Moscow residents about the restrictive measures and we call on them to show responsibility, we point out that negligence to set restrictions is unacceptable. We have conducted more than 9,000 consultations. The police officers pay special attention to the seniors and groups. We help, we control, we explain," Vasenin said.