tass--2020-04-02--Governor of Italy’s Apulia thanks Russia for its help in combating COVID-19

`` Some actions speak louder than words .
Apulia has a special relationship with the Russian people , which we have fostered for many years .
This is why I was so touched by the message of friendship accompanying this valuable cargo , '' the governor wrote , attaching a picture of boxes marked `` from Russia with love '' in Italian , Russian and English .
ROME , April 2 .
/TASS/ .
Governor of the Italian province of Apulia Michele Emiliano has thanked Russia for its help in the fight against the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian aircrafts had delivered Russian humanitarian aid , including medical masks , to Apulia .
Russia hopes for joint work with US in fight against pandemic , thanks China for its cargo Earlier , top Italian officials thanked Russia for its aid , including Italian Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio , who personally welcomed the first Russian aircraft with humanitarian cargo , Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health Sandra Zampa , Governor of Lombardy Attilio Fontana and a number of local officials .
Italian citizens posted numerous messages of thanks on social networks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian government was able to organize an unprecedented humanitarian operation , handing over state-of-the-art equipment and sending its specialists .
We are very touched by the feeling of compassion and friendship towards Italy , '' president of the local Center for the Development of Economic Ties between Italy and Russia Rocky Malatesta told TASS .
For 10 years running , this center has been organizing a festival of Russian art in Bari as well as various cultural and economic exchanges .
An honorary Russian consulate was opened two years ago in Bari @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin , on March 22-25 , the Russian Defense Ministry sent 15 military jets to Italy that transported virologists , epidemiologists and the necessary equipment to the country .
According to the ministry , the group includes specialists who directly took part in fighting outbreaks of African swine fever , as well as developing vaccines against Ebola and the plague .
The planes also delivered mobile stations for aerosol disinfection of transport and territories and medical equipment .
Russian military experts have been stationed in the town of Bergamo ( Lombardy ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 outbreak in Italy with a record number of infections and deaths in the country .
The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in Italy has surpassed 110,000 since the start of the epidemic , with over 13,000 people dead .

"Some actions speak louder than words. Apulia has a special relationship with the Russian people, which we have fostered for many years. This is why I was so touched by the message of friendship accompanying this valuable cargo," the governor wrote, attaching a picture of boxes marked "from Russia with love" in Italian, Russian and English.
ROME, April 2. /TASS/. Governor of the Italian province of Apulia Michele Emiliano has thanked Russia for its help in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Emiliano informed on his Facebook page that Italian aircrafts had delivered Russian humanitarian aid, including medical masks, to Apulia.
Russia hopes for joint work with US in fight against pandemic, thanks China for its cargo
Earlier, top Italian officials thanked Russia for its aid, including Italian Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio, who personally welcomed the first Russian aircraft with humanitarian cargo, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health Sandra Zampa, Governor of Lombardy Attilio Fontana and a number of local officials. Italian citizens posted numerous messages of thanks on social networks.
"Just in 48 hours, the Russian government was able to organize an unprecedented humanitarian operation, handing over state-of-the-art equipment and sending its specialists. We are very touched by the feeling of compassion and friendship towards Italy," president of the local Center for the Development of Economic Ties between Italy and Russia Rocky Malatesta told TASS. For 10 years running, this center has been organizing a festival of Russian art in Bari as well as various cultural and economic exchanges. An honorary Russian consulate was opened two years ago in Bari.
Under the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on March 22-25, the Russian Defense Ministry sent 15 military jets to Italy that transported virologists, epidemiologists and the necessary equipment to the country. According to the ministry, the group includes specialists who directly took part in fighting outbreaks of African swine fever, as well as developing vaccines against Ebola and the plague. The planes also delivered mobile stations for aerosol disinfection of transport and territories and medical equipment.
Russian military experts have been stationed in the town of Bergamo (Lombardy), one of the epicenters of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy with a record number of infections and deaths in the country.
The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in Italy has surpassed 110,000 since the start of the epidemic, with over 13,000 people dead.


tass--2020-04-02--Russian Energy Ministry has reviewed stress scenario

MOSCOW , April 2 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Energy Ministry has introduced a stress scenario catering for the recent significant drop in the energy demand into the draft Energy Strategy 2035 , Minister Alexander Novak said at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday .
`` We have reviewed the stress scenario addressing the current market status and the significant demand drop for energy resources in the short run .
We consider the critical task now is to monitor the situation on a daily basis , paying attention to stability of the fuel and energy sector industries in current conditions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken into consideration potential challenges and risks seen at present when preparing the strategy , Novak said .
Key ones among them are the skyrocketing development of technologies changing the energy sector configuration and structure and mounting competition , particularly production growth of shale oil and gas and growth of liquefied natural gas production and trade .
Novak also noted toughening of non-competitive methods of economic struggle , specifically restrictive measures and sanctions and the trend to promote the ‘ green ’ agenda worldwide .
`` We are also considering the current challenging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short-term period , which influences on the oil and gas industry in the first instance now due to the significant decline of global prices in consequence of the economic activity drop worldwide , driven by applied quarantine measures against the coronavirus pandemic spread , '' Novak added .

MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. The Russian Energy Ministry has introduced a stress scenario catering for the recent significant drop in the energy demand into the draft Energy Strategy 2035, Minister Alexander Novak said at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
"We have reviewed the stress scenario addressing the current market status and the significant demand drop for energy resources in the short run. We consider the critical task now is to monitor the situation on a daily basis, paying attention to stability of the fuel and energy sector industries in current conditions," Novak said.
The Ministry has taken into consideration potential challenges and risks seen at present when preparing the strategy, Novak said. Key ones among them are the skyrocketing development of technologies changing the energy sector configuration and structure and mounting competition, particularly production growth of shale oil and gas and growth of liquefied natural gas production and trade. Novak also noted toughening of non-competitive methods of economic struggle, specifically restrictive measures and sanctions and the trend to promote the ‘green’ agenda worldwide.
"We are also considering the current challenging macroeconomic situation on global markets in the short-term period, which influences on the oil and gas industry in the first instance now due to the significant decline of global prices in consequence of the economic activity drop worldwide, driven by applied quarantine measures against the coronavirus pandemic spread," Novak added.


tass--2020-04-02--Russia urging to support other countries in countering coronavirus, says diplomat

MOSCOW , April 2 .
/TASS/ .
Russia is lending a helping hand to other states amid the coronavirus pandemic , spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday .
According to the diplomat , examples of civilized humanitarian cooperation and interaction demonstrated today in the fight against the virus are met with the desire of certain sides to `` distort true reasons behind help and use all mechanisms of propaganda and information war to either diminish the significance of this humanitarian measures or simply distort them . ''
`` Fakes and disinformation are employed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This will never succeed in undermining the importance of cooperation between countries and their mutual help , while also will not be able to do anything to stop the truly sincere and right desire of states , nations and leaders who are lending a helping hand to each other when it is needed in these difficult moments for the humanity , '' Zakharova said .
`` I think that we should follow these examples and there should be many more of them .
We should support each other in these difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late December 2019 , Chinese authorities 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 938,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 47,000 deaths have been reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have recovered from the illness across the globe .

MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. Russia is lending a helping hand to other states amid the coronavirus pandemic, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told a briefing on Thursday.
According to the diplomat, examples of civilized humanitarian cooperation and interaction demonstrated today in the fight against the virus are met with the desire of certain sides to "distort true reasons behind help and use all mechanisms of propaganda and information war to either diminish the significance of this humanitarian measures or simply distort them." "Fakes and disinformation are employed in this case," she noted.
"This will never succeed in undermining the importance of cooperation between countries and their mutual help, while also will not be able to do anything to stop the truly sincere and right desire of states, nations and leaders who are lending a helping hand to each other when it is needed in these difficult moments for the humanity," Zakharova said. "I think that we should follow these examples and there should be many more of them. We should support each other in these difficult times for the world."
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, 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 938,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 47,000 deaths have been reported. That said, over 195,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-02--Total coronavirus case count in Iran exceeds 50,000

During the past 24 hours , 124 people died from the coronavirus , while the total amount of fatalities is 3,160 , '' Jahanpur said .
`` Since yesterday , 2,875 new coronavirus cases were registered in the country .
The total amount of the infected is 50,468 people , '' he said , according to Fars news agency .
TEHRAN , April 2 .
/TASS/ .
In the past 24 hours , 2,875 coronavirus cases were registered in Iran , making the total case count exceed 50,000 , Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have recovered .
During the first two decades of March , coronavirus incidence stayed at 1,000-1,200 new cases per day .
However , on March 23 , this figure began to increase rapidly , and for five days it stayed above 3,000 cases per day .
For the last six days , it stayed between 2,800 and 3,200 new cases per day .
Due to the coronavirus spread , all Iranian schools are closed until April .
Many nations have cut transport communication with the republic .
The Iranian authorities temporarily released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the citizens .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , 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 938,000 people have been infected worldwide and over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , over 195,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

During the past 24 hours, 124 people died from the coronavirus, while the total amount of fatalities is 3,160," Jahanpur said.
"Since yesterday, 2,875 new coronavirus cases were registered in the country. The total amount of the infected is 50,468 people," he said, according to Fars news agency.
TEHRAN, April 2. /TASS/. In the past 24 hours, 2,875 coronavirus cases were registered in Iran, making the total case count exceed 50,000, Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said Thursday.
The spokesman added that 16,711 people have recovered.
During the first two decades of March, coronavirus incidence stayed at 1,000-1,200 new cases per day. However, on March 23, this figure began to increase rapidly, and for five days it stayed above 3,000 cases per day. For the last six days, it stayed between 2,800 and 3,200 new cases per day.
Due to the coronavirus spread, all Iranian schools are closed until April. Many nations have cut transport communication with the republic. The Iranian authorities temporarily released 100,000 prisoners and barred movement between cities for the citizens.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, 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 938,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 47,000 deaths have been reported. That said, over 195,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-02--Over 75% key foreign trade companies in China resume work

BEIJING , April 2 .
/TASS/ .
More than 75 % key Chinese companies working in the foreign trade sphere @ @ @ @ @ of improvement epidemic situation in the country , spokesman of the China ’ s Ministry @ @ @ @ @ at a briefing on Thursday .
`` The process of work resumption by foreign trade @ @ @ @ @ .
As of March 30 , 75.6 % key foreign trade companies of the contrary @ @ @ @ @ utilization level was over 70 % , '' the official said .

BEIJING, April 2. /TASS/. More than 75% key Chinese companies working in the foreign trade sphere resumed operations on the back of improvement epidemic situation in the country, spokesman of the China’s Ministry of Commerce Liu Changyu said at a briefing on Thursday.
"The process of work resumption by foreign trade companies demonstrates a positive trend. As of March 30, 75.6% key foreign trade companies of the contrary restarted work and their capacity utilization level was over 70%," the official said.


tass--2020-04-02--Spain’s coronavirus deaths exceed 10,000

MADRID , April 2 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Spain has reached 110,238 , the country ’ s Health Ministry said on Thursday .
According to the ministry , the death toll has risen to 10,003 , and 26,743 patients have recovered .
On Wednesday , the Health Ministry said that 9,053 had died , which means that 950 coronavirus deaths were recorded in one day .
Spain reported its first coronavirus case on January 31 .
The number of patients started to grow rapidly after an outbreak had hit Italy .
On March 14 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high alert over the coronavirus , restricting the movement of people across the country .
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected worldwide and over 47,000 deaths have been reported .
That said , over 195,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
So far , a total of 3,548 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 235 patients having recovered from the virus .
The country ’ s latest data indicates 30 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MADRID, April 2. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Spain has reached 110,238, the country’s Health Ministry said on Thursday.
According to the ministry, the death toll has risen to 10,003, and 26,743 patients have recovered.
On Wednesday, the Health Ministry said that 9,053 had died, which means that 950 coronavirus deaths were recorded in one day.
Spain reported its first coronavirus case on January 31. The number of patients started to grow rapidly after an outbreak had hit Italy. On March 14, the Spanish Council of Ministers declared a high alert over the coronavirus, restricting the movement of people across the country.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, 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 938,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 47,000 deaths have been reported. That said, over 195,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
So far, a total of 3,548 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 235 patients having recovered from the virus. The country’s latest data indicates 30 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-02--Russia’s cabinet to allocate $6.35 million to help Russians abroad

`` We will allocate 500 million rubles to help Russian citizens who are currently outside of the country , '' he said .
`` We are doing a lot of work to bring them home , many of them found themselves in a difficult situation due to coronavirus spread . ''
MOSCOW , April 2 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian government will allocate around 500 million rubles ( $ 6.35 million ) to help Russians who are currently staying overseas amid the coronavirus pandemic , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin told a cabinet meeting on Thursday .
The prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent to pay off temporary accommodation for Russians overseas because not everyone can handle such expenses right now on their own .
`` If need be , Russians will have their documents to legally stay abroad extended , '' Mishustin added .
`` I also instructed the Foreign and Transport Ministries and Rosaviatsiya ( Federal Agency for Air Transport - TASS ) to set up a clear schedule of our citizens ’ return , '' he stressed .
`` For people to know well when and which flight they will take to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , Chinese authorities 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 938,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 47,000 deaths have been reported .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the illness across the globe .
So far , a total of 3,548 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 235 patients having recovered from the virus .
The country ’ s latest data indicates 30 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

"We will allocate 500 million rubles to help Russian citizens who are currently outside of the country," he said. "We are doing a lot of work to bring them home, many of them found themselves in a difficult situation due to coronavirus spread."
MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. The Russian government will allocate around 500 million rubles ($6.35 million) to help Russians who are currently staying overseas amid the coronavirus pandemic, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin told a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
The prime minister explained that the funds will primarily be spent to pay off temporary accommodation for Russians overseas because not everyone can handle such expenses right now on their own. "If need be, Russians will have their documents to legally stay abroad extended," Mishustin added.
"I also instructed the Foreign and Transport Ministries and Rosaviatsiya (Federal Agency for Air Transport - TASS) to set up a clear schedule of our citizens’ return," he stressed. "For people to know well when and which flight they will take to come back home."
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, 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 938,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 47,000 deaths have been reported. That said, over 195,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
So far, a total of 3,548 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 235 patients having recovered from the virus. The country’s latest data indicates 30 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-02--Russia hopes for joint work with US in fight against pandemic, thanks China for its cargo

MOSCOW , April 2 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow and Washington should exert joint efforts in the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic , Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman , Maria Zakharova told TASS on Thursday .
`` We ’ ve taken note of the US Department of State ’ s statement regarding the importance of joint efforts to fight against the coronavirus .
In particular , it said that ‘ both countries have provided humanitarian assistance to each other in times of crisis in the past and will no doubt do so again in the future .
This is a time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that threatens the lives of all of us.
’ We fully share this kind of approach .
Time is ripe to present a common front , '' Zakharova said .
As for Russia ’ s recent medical supplies to the United States , the sovereign wealth fund , the Russian Direct Investment Fund ( RDIF ) , and Washington split its cost , the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman revealed to TASS .
The diplomat noted that cooperation between Moscow and Washington in preventing the spread of the coronavirus was carried out under an agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their phone conversation on March 30 .
`` Under this agreement , the medical supplies were delivered to the United States by a military-transport aircraft of the Russian Defense Ministry .
Half of the cargo ’ s cost was paid by the Russian Direct Investment Fund , and another half by the US side , '' Zakharova said , noting that RDIF played a crucial role in Russian-US business cooperation .
Now Russia has the opportunity to provide assistance in battling the common threat , Zakharova stressed .
`` In the hardest phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus epidemic , Moscow was one of the first to help its Chinese friends .
Now we are getting support from Beijing , '' the diplomat stated .
`` These days , the United States is refocusing its industry to producing the goods needed to contain the coronavirus pandemic .
We are sure that , if necessary , they will subsequently be able to provide support to Russia . ''
The Antonov An-124 aircraft with Russia ’ s medical supplies landed at New York ’ s JFK Airport on Wednesday .
The aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which are now scarce in the US , especially in New York , Russia 's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky said .
According to Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov , since the whole world is facing the pandemic , the fight against the coronavirus requires joint efforts .

MOSCOW, April 2. /TASS/. Moscow and Washington should exert joint efforts in the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova told TASS on Thursday.
"We’ve taken note of the US Department of State’s statement regarding the importance of joint efforts to fight against the coronavirus. In particular, it said that ‘both countries have provided humanitarian assistance to each other in times of crisis in the past and will no doubt do so again in the future. This is a time to work together to overcome a common enemy that threatens the lives of all of us.’ We fully share this kind of approach. Time is ripe to present a common front," Zakharova said.
As for Russia’s recent medical supplies to the United States, the sovereign wealth fund, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), and Washington split its cost, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman revealed to TASS.
The diplomat noted that cooperation between Moscow and Washington in preventing the spread of the coronavirus was carried out under an agreement hammered out by the two leaders in their phone conversation on March 30. "Under this agreement, the medical supplies were delivered to the United States by a military-transport aircraft of the Russian Defense Ministry. Half of the cargo’s cost was paid by the Russian Direct Investment Fund, and another half by the US side," Zakharova said, noting that RDIF played a crucial role in Russian-US business cooperation.
Now Russia has the opportunity to provide assistance in battling the common threat, Zakharova stressed. "In the hardest phase of China’s struggle against the coronavirus epidemic, Moscow was one of the first to help its Chinese friends. Now we are getting support from Beijing," the diplomat stated. "These days, the United States is refocusing its industry to producing the goods needed to contain the coronavirus pandemic. We are sure that, if necessary, they will subsequently be able to provide support to Russia."
The Antonov An-124 aircraft with Russia’s medical supplies landed at New York’s JFK Airport on Wednesday. The aid mostly consists of items of individual protection, which are now scarce in the US, especially in New York, Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky said. According to Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov, since the whole world is facing the pandemic, the fight against the coronavirus requires joint efforts.
China's humanitarian cargo


tass--2020-04-02--Russian Baltic Fleet ships eliminate enemy submarine in drills

KALININGRAD , April 2 .
/TASS/ .
The crews of the Project 20380 corvettes Steregushchiy and Soobrazitelny searched for , detected and eliminated a notional enemy ’ s submarine during drills , the Baltic Fleet ’ s press office reported on Thursday .
`` During the scheduled tactical drills , the crews of the corvettes Steregushchiy and Soobrazitelny accomplished a series of combat training missions at sea .
In particular , they practiced joint measures to search for , detect and eliminate a submarine , '' the press office said in a statement .
The ships ’ crews identified and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the help of sonar stations , after which the spotted submarine was notionally destroyed by torpedo weapons , the statement says .
`` In addition to anti-submarine warfare measures , the corvettes ’ crews practiced joint maneuvering , inter-operability and communications between the ships and held shipborne exercise for radiation , chemical and biological protection and ship damage control , '' the press office said .
Project 20380 ships are multi-purpose corvettes developed by the Almaz Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering ( St. Petersburg ) and designed to accomplish green-water escort and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide fire support during amphibious assault operations .
The Project 20380 corvettes carry Uran anti-ship missile systems and Redut surface-to-air missile launchers as their main armament .
They are also armed with 100mm A-190 artillery guns and 30mm AK-630 small-caliber air defense missile systems .
The corvettes can carry a Ka-27 helicopter .

KALININGRAD, April 2. /TASS/. The crews of the Project 20380 corvettes Steregushchiy and Soobrazitelny searched for, detected and eliminated a notional enemy’s submarine during drills, the Baltic Fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.
"During the scheduled tactical drills, the crews of the corvettes Steregushchiy and Soobrazitelny accomplished a series of combat training missions at sea. In particular, they practiced joint measures to search for, detect and eliminate a submarine," the press office said in a statement.
The ships’ crews identified and started to track the underwater target with the help of sonar stations, after which the spotted submarine was notionally destroyed by torpedo weapons, the statement says.
"In addition to anti-submarine warfare measures, the corvettes’ crews practiced joint maneuvering, inter-operability and communications between the ships and held shipborne exercise for radiation, chemical and biological protection and ship damage control," the press office said.
Project 20380 ships are multi-purpose corvettes developed by the Almaz Central Design Bureau of Marine Engineering (St. Petersburg) and designed to accomplish green-water escort and strike missions, patrol coastal waters and provide fire support during amphibious assault operations.
The Project 20380 corvettes carry Uran anti-ship missile systems and Redut surface-to-air missile launchers as their main armament. They are also armed with 100mm A-190 artillery guns and 30mm AK-630 small-caliber air defense missile systems. The corvettes can carry a Ka-27 helicopter.


tass--2020-04-02--Africa’s coronavirus cases pass 6,000

Africa’s coronavirus cases pass 6,000

The highest number of patients has been identified in North Africa , where 2,609 people have contracted the virus and 147 have died .
In particular , 779 cases and 52 deaths have been recorded in Egypt , 716 cases and 44 deaths in Algeria , 676 cases and 39 deaths in Morocco .
PRETORIA , April 2 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 6,235 , a total of 221 people have died and 469 have recovered , the African Union said on Thursday .
As many as 49 out of the 54 countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The Republic of South Africa accounts for the majority of cases in South Africa .
The country has so far confirmed 1,380 coronavirus cases , five patients have died .
As for West Africa , 1,190 cases and 34 deaths have been identified there , including 282 cases and 16 deaths in Burkina Faso , 195 cases and five deaths in Ghana .
East Africa has confirmed a total of 544 coronavirus cases and 11 deaths , and Central Africa has so far reported 425 coronavirus cases and 20 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 938,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 47,000 deaths have been reported .
That said , over 195,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the globe .
So far , a total of 3,548 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 235 patients having recovered from the virus .
The country ’ s latest data indicates 30 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

The highest number of patients has been identified in North Africa, where 2,609 people have contracted the virus and 147 have died. In particular, 779 cases and 52 deaths have been recorded in Egypt, 716 cases and 44 deaths in Algeria, 676 cases and 39 deaths in Morocco.
PRETORIA, April 2. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 6,235, a total of 221 people have died and 469 have recovered, the African Union said on Thursday. As many as 49 out of the 54 countries in Africa have been affected by the pandemic.
The Republic of South Africa accounts for the majority of cases in South Africa. The country has so far confirmed 1,380 coronavirus cases, five patients have died. As for West Africa, 1,190 cases and 34 deaths have been identified there, including 282 cases and 16 deaths in Burkina Faso, 195 cases and five deaths in Ghana.
East Africa has confirmed a total of 544 coronavirus cases and 11 deaths, and Central Africa has so far reported 425 coronavirus cases and 20 deaths.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, 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 938,000 people have been infected worldwide and over 47,000 deaths have been reported. That said, over 195,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
So far, a total of 3,548 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 235 patients having recovered from the virus. The country’s latest data indicates 30 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-02--Belarus plans to buy 2 mln tonnes of oil in Russia at $4/barrel in April

MINSK , April 2 .
/ TASS / .
Belarus expects to buy 2 million tonnes of oil at a @ @ @ @ @ per barrel from Russia in April , said Prime Minister of the Republic Sergei Rumas @ @ @ @ @ for the premium , I can repeat what I said two weeks ago : Russian @ @ @ @ @ a premium .
This tough and consistent stance to buy oil without a premium set @ @ @ @ @ is maintained by the government .
The result of this position is the price at @ @ @ @ @ in April : about $ 4 per barrel , '' Rumas said , quoted by @ @ @ @ @

MINSK, April 2. / TASS /. Belarus expects to buy 2 million tonnes of oil at a price of about $4 per barrel from Russia in April, said Prime Minister of the Republic Sergei Rumas on Thursday.
"As for the premium, I can repeat what I said two weeks ago: Russian oil will be delivered without a premium. This tough and consistent stance to buy oil without a premium set by the head of state is maintained by the government. The result of this position is the price at which we will buy oil in April: about $4 per barrel," Rumas said, quoted by the Belarusian website newstut.by.


tass--2020-04-03--Kremlin regrets agreements on Donbass are not implemented

`` There are certain agreements that have not been implemented , and this story is not new , one can only voice regret here , '' Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday .
`` [ The agreements have not been implemented ] despite the presence of certain circumstances , which exacerbate the situation , in the form of the general coronavirus-related crisis that affects all of us . ''
At the same time , he declined to comment on reports regarding Kiev ’ s refusal to abide by the agreement to set up the so-called Advisory Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to decide .
In this case , the interlocutors of [ deputy chief of the Russian presidential staff Dmitry ] Kozak are not some third parties but his opposite numbers from Kiev .
As for all the rest , that ’ s not for us to decide , '' Peskov said when asked whether external pressure on Kiev on the issue was possible .
On April 2 , the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Ukraine ’ s refusal to abide by the Contact Group ’ s agreements on the Advisory Council negated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlement process .
The Foreign Ministry noted that Ukraine had abandoned the agreements on Donbass on March 26 .
Members of the Contact Group on the settlement in Donbass agreed at a meeting in Minsk on March 11 to set up the so-called Advisory Council as part of the political subgroup .
Dmitry Kozak and Ukrainian Presidential Chief of Staff Andrei Yermak took part in the meeting .
The council was expected to include ten Ukrainian representatives and ten representatives from the districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions , which are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE ) , Russia , Germany and France were supposed to have one representative in the council each .
It was planned that the new dialogue platform would be created at a meeting in Minsk on March 26 , but that did not happen .

"There are certain agreements that have not been implemented, and this story is not new, one can only voice regret here," Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday. "[The agreements have not been implemented] despite the presence of certain circumstances, which exacerbate the situation, in the form of the general coronavirus-related crisis that affects all of us."
At the same time, he declined to comment on reports regarding Kiev’s refusal to abide by the agreement to set up the so-called Advisory Council. "That’s not for us to decide. In this case, the interlocutors of [deputy chief of the Russian presidential staff Dmitry] Kozak are not some third parties but his opposite numbers from Kiev. As for all the rest, that’s not for us to decide," Peskov said when asked whether external pressure on Kiev on the issue was possible.
On April 2, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Ukraine’s refusal to abide by the Contact Group’s agreements on the Advisory Council negated the emerging positive trends in the Donbass settlement process. The Foreign Ministry noted that Ukraine had abandoned the agreements on Donbass on March 26.
Members of the Contact Group on the settlement in Donbass agreed at a meeting in Minsk on March 11 to set up the so-called Advisory Council as part of the political subgroup. Dmitry Kozak and Ukrainian Presidential Chief of Staff Andrei Yermak took part in the meeting. The council was expected to include ten Ukrainian representatives and ten representatives from the districts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, which are not controlled by Kiev. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Russia, Germany and France were supposed to have one representative in the council each. It was planned that the new dialogue platform would be created at a meeting in Minsk on March 26, but that did not happen.


tass--2020-04-03--Spain documents more COVID-19 cases than Italy

Italy has documented 115,242 cases of the novel coronavirus so far .
On Friday evening , Italy will report on the updated numbers .
Currently , the spread of the virus in Italy has slowed .
The daily amount of new cases is expected to decrease .
Italian officials inform that the virus has reached its peak in the country .
The ministry added that 10,935 people have died and 30,513 have recovered .
On Thursday afternoon , the ministry reported 110,238 cases of COVID-19 and 10,003 victims of the disease .
In the past 24 hours , 932 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
MADRID , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
At least 117,710 cases of the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) have been documented in Spain since the start of the outbreak , the Spanish Health Ministry informed on Friday .
Spain has the highest death toll behind Italy .
According to recent data , it also has the highest amount of COVID-19 cases after the USA .
Spain also has the highest amount of those recovered from the disease after China .
The first case of the novel coronavirus in Spain has been documented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those infected began to grow rapidly after the outbreak in Italy was documented .
On March 14 , Spain has introduced a state of high alert in the kingdom due to the spread of the virus .
People are restricted in their movements around the country , unless it is an urgent matter .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

Italy has documented 115,242 cases of the novel coronavirus so far. On Friday evening, Italy will report on the updated numbers. Currently, the spread of the virus in Italy has slowed. The daily amount of new cases is expected to decrease. Italian officials inform that the virus has reached its peak in the country.
The ministry added that 10,935 people have died and 30,513 have recovered. On Thursday afternoon, the ministry reported 110,238 cases of COVID-19 and 10,003 victims of the disease. In the past 24 hours, 932 people have died in Spain from the virus.
MADRID, April 3. /TASS/. At least 117,710 cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been documented in Spain since the start of the outbreak, the Spanish Health Ministry informed on Friday.
Spain has the highest death toll behind Italy. According to recent data, it also has the highest amount of COVID-19 cases after the USA. Spain also has the highest amount of those recovered from the disease after China.
The first case of the novel coronavirus in Spain has been documented on January 31. The number of those infected began to grow rapidly after the outbreak in Italy was documented. On March 14, Spain has introduced a state of high alert in the kingdom due to the spread of the virus. People are restricted in their movements around the country, unless it is an urgent matter.
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--Head of Russian division of Aum Shinrikyo terror group to face court

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Mikhail Ustyantsev , head of the Russian division of the outlawed Aum Shinrikyo terror group , will face the court , says Russian Investigative Committee ’ s spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko .
`` The Main Investigative Directorate of the Committee has finished an investigation against Mikhail Ustyantsev , charged with [ creation and organization of a terror group ; propaganda , justification or support of terror activities ; and creation of a religious organization that harms people ’ s health ] .
The case with approved charges will be forwarded to the court for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the investigation , between 2010 and 2018 , Ustyantsev chaired the Russia division of the Aum Shinrikyo terror group .
He organized the spread of a religious doctrine that urged the members to bring him money , among citizens of Moscow , Saint Petersburg and Volgograd .
He then sent the money to the group leadership in Japan .
Ustyantsev was apprehended by the law enforcement officers in cooperation with the Federal Security Service ( FSB ) , as he organized a meeting of the Aum Shinrikyo adepts .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued for his accomplices .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Mikhail Ustyantsev, head of the Russian division of the outlawed Aum Shinrikyo terror group, will face the court, says Russian Investigative Committee’s spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko.
"The Main Investigative Directorate of the Committee has finished an investigation against Mikhail Ustyantsev, charged with [creation and organization of a terror group; propaganda, justification or support of terror activities; and creation of a religious organization that harms people’s health]. The case with approved charges will be forwarded to the court for reviewing in substance," Petrenko said.
According to the investigation, between 2010 and 2018, Ustyantsev chaired the Russia division of the Aum Shinrikyo terror group. He organized the spread of a religious doctrine that urged the members to bring him money, among citizens of Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Volgograd. He then sent the money to the group leadership in Japan.
Ustyantsev was apprehended by the law enforcement officers in cooperation with the Federal Security Service (FSB), as he organized a meeting of the Aum Shinrikyo adepts. He was arrested, while search warrants were issued for his accomplices.


tass--2020-04-03--OPEC will invite US oil regulator to online meeting on April 6, says source

OPEC+ talks may be held next week , source says MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
OPEC will invite @ @ @ @ @ participate in the OPEC + meeting , which will be held on April 6 via @ @ @ @ @ source involved in the arrangement of the meeting told TASS .
`` We ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ TASS ] as the main oil producer in the world , '' the source said @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner Ryan Sitton ( monitors energy-related issues ) held talks with OPEC Secretary General Mohammad @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Novak on the situation on the oil market .
Earlier , a TASS source @ @ @ @ @ new OPEC+ meeting is planned following a request from Saudi Arabia .
The Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ information , saying that the online meeting will take place on April 6 .

OPEC+ talks may be held next week, source says
MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. OPEC will invite the US oil regulator to participate in the OPEC + meeting, which will be held on April 6 via a video link-up, a source involved in the arrangement of the meeting told TASS.
"We’ll invite them [US — TASS] as the main oil producer in the world," the source said.
Earlier, Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton (monitors energy-related issues) held talks with OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak on the situation on the oil market.
Earlier, a TASS source at OPEC reported that a new OPEC+ meeting is planned following a request from Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan confirmed this information, saying that the online meeting will take place on April 6.


tass--2020-04-03--Around 850,000 people left Moscow last weekend

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Around 850,000 Muscovites left the city last weekend before the partial lockdown was imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic , Moscow ’ s road traffic agency provided the data on Friday .
Earlier , the traffic agency reported that the number of cars and pedestrians on the roads and paths of the city had dropped dramatically since the self-isolation measures came into effect on March 30 .
For instance , in the morning of April 2 , Moscow ’ s roads were 86 % freer than three weeks ago .
In comparison with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was 84 % emptier , buses and trams were 74 % more available , while taxi and carsharing services were 63 % less used .
Amid these developments , Moscow ’ s traffic lights will be adjusted to change less .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Around 850,000 Muscovites left the city last weekend before the partial lockdown was imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Moscow’s road traffic agency provided the data on Friday.
Earlier, the traffic agency reported that the number of cars and pedestrians on the roads and paths of the city had dropped dramatically since the self-isolation measures came into effect on March 30. For instance, in the morning of April 2, Moscow’s roads were 86% freer than three weeks ago. In comparison with the same period, the Moscow metro was 84% emptier, buses and trams were 74% more available, while taxi and carsharing services were 63% less used. Amid these developments, Moscow’s traffic lights will be adjusted to change less.
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--Space Research Institute to develop flight sample of lunar geological exploration probe

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Space Research Institute has held tests of @ @ @ @ @ gamma-and-neutron spectrometer for geological exploration of the Moon from the orbit and is about to @ @ @ @ @ , the chief of the institute ’ s nuclear planetology department , Igor Mitrofanov , @ @ @ @ @ We are through with the development , creation and testing of technological samples .
Now @ @ @ @ @ with the main phase — the creation of flight samples , '' Mitrofanov said .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. The Russian Academy of Sciences’ Space Research Institute has held tests of an experimental sample of a gamma-and-neutron spectrometer for geological exploration of the Moon from the orbit and is about to start creating a flight sample, the chief of the institute’s nuclear planetology department, Igor Mitrofanov, has told TASS.
"We are through with the development, creation and testing of technological samples. Now we are about to proceed with the main phase — the creation of flight samples," Mitrofanov said.


tass--2020-04-03--Putin to discuss oil market with largest Russian oil companies — Kremlin

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a videoconference with major Russian oil producers on Friday , April 3 , to discuss the situation in the oil market , Russian presidential spokesman , Dmitry Peskov told reporters .
`` He has another important event planned for the day — a meeting on the situation in the global energy markets , '' Peskov said .
`` Government leaders , presidential administration , market leaders , as well as our main oil companies — management of major oil companies will participate , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not answer a question about whether Russia would take part in the video conference of OPEC+ ministers , urging to wait for the results of Friday ’ s meeting with the president .
`` Let 's wait [ for the meeting ] , '' he told reporters .
Speaking about the reasons why Putin is going to hold a meeting on oil issues on Friday , Peskov recalled that the Russian leader had previously discussed the situation on international energy markets with international partners , including US President Donald Trump .
In addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted through the Russian Ministry of Energy .
`` You are aware of the generally unfavorable situation in the energy markets .
These are the reasons for the president to get together with heads of the relevant departments and oil companies to hash over the situation , '' Peskov commented .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a videoconference with major Russian oil producers on Friday, April 3, to discuss the situation in the oil market, Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"He has another important event planned for the day — a meeting on the situation in the global energy markets," Peskov said. "Government leaders, presidential administration, market leaders, as well as our main oil companies — management of major oil companies will participate," he added.
At the same time, Peskov did not answer a question about whether Russia would take part in the video conference of OPEC+ ministers, urging to wait for the results of Friday’s meeting with the president. "Let's wait [for the meeting]," he told reporters.
Speaking about the reasons why Putin is going to hold a meeting on oil issues on Friday, Peskov recalled that the Russian leader had previously discussed the situation on international energy markets with international partners, including US President Donald Trump. In addition, close contacts with various countries are conducted through the Russian Ministry of Energy. "You are aware of the generally unfavorable situation in the energy markets. These are the reasons for the president to get together with heads of the relevant departments and oil companies to hash over the situation," Peskov commented.
Meeting with Security Council members


tass--2020-04-03--Kremlin says non-working period in Russia to end once coronavirus threat is minimized

`` As long as the threat of the virus spread and the epidemic persists , as well as the risk of an increase in infection cases , the [ non-working ] period about which the president spoke yesterday will continue .
Once the threat is over or minimized through joint efforts , there will be no more need to extend the period , '' Peskov pointed out .
At the same time , the presidential spokesman noted that regional authorities could issue their own regulations depending on the need for restrictions .
`` It is important for the heads of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they know better what their regions need .
And they will be able to make their own decisions depending on whether stricter or softer measures are required , '' Peskov said .
Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 2 extended the coronavirus non-working period in the country until the end of the month .
He added , however , that the measures could be lifted earlier if the coronavirus situation improved .
According to Putin , the epidemic has not yet reached its peak in the world , including Russia .
So far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

"As long as the threat of the virus spread and the epidemic persists, as well as the risk of an increase in infection cases, the [non-working] period about which the president spoke yesterday will continue. Once the threat is over or minimized through joint efforts, there will be no more need to extend the period," Peskov pointed out.
At the same time, the presidential spokesman noted that regional authorities could issue their own regulations depending on the need for restrictions. "It is important for the heads of Russian regions to have extra powers because they know better what their regions need. And they will be able to make their own decisions depending on whether stricter or softer measures are required," Peskov said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 2 extended the coronavirus non-working period in the country until the end of the month. He added, however, that the measures could be lifted earlier if the coronavirus situation improved. According to Putin, the epidemic has not yet reached its peak in the world, including Russia.
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--Poland’s coronavirus cases make 3,000 in one month

WARSAW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Poland has recorded over 3,000 coronavirus cases so far , the country ’ s Health Ministry said on Friday .
According to the ministry , a total of 3,149 cases have been identified in the country , 59 have died .
Poland reported its first coronavirus case on March 4 .
More than 2,150 patients are receiving treatment in hospitals .
Around 175,000 people remain quarantined at home .
To date , over 60,000 coronavirus tests have been conducted in the country .
Poland ’ s Human Rights Ombudsman Adam Bodnar on air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state of disaster over the massive infection spread , which , according to him , would make it possible to postpone the presidential election scheduled for May 10 .
In a bid to contain the virus , Polish authorities have declared a state of epidemic , closed the country ’ s borders for foreign nationals and ordered all those entering the country to undergo a 14-day quarantine .
All educational , cultural and sports facilities have been closed , as well as restaurants , hotels , parks and shopping malls .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People are prohibited from leaving home without a good reason and must observe social distancing of two meters .

WARSAW, April 3. /TASS/. Poland has recorded over 3,000 coronavirus cases so far, the country’s Health Ministry said on Friday.
According to the ministry, a total of 3,149 cases have been identified in the country, 59 have died. Poland reported its first coronavirus case on March 4. More than 2,150 patients are receiving treatment in hospitals. Around 175,000 people remain quarantined at home. To date, over 60,000 coronavirus tests have been conducted in the country.
Poland’s Human Rights Ombudsman Adam Bodnar on air with TVN24 on Friday called for declaring a state of disaster over the massive infection spread, which, according to him, would make it possible to postpone the presidential election scheduled for May 10.
In a bid to contain the virus, Polish authorities have declared a state of epidemic, closed the country’s borders for foreign nationals and ordered all those entering the country to undergo a 14-day quarantine. All educational, cultural and sports facilities have been closed, as well as restaurants, hotels, parks and shopping malls. Only grocery stores and pharmacies remain open. People are prohibited from leaving home without a good reason and must observe social distancing of two meters.
Coronavirus pandemic


tass--2020-04-03--Russia registers new COVID-19 test system

The producer informed that the test kits meet all the requirements of the World Health Organization and the Russian Health Ministry MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has registered a new test system for detecting the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) produced by the Russian company DNA Technology , the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade reported on Friday .
`` Russian company DNA Technology producing equipment and reagent kits for polymerase chain reaction research has registered a new test system for detecting the novel coronavirus COVID-19 with support of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s website informs that the test kits meet all the requirements of the World Health Organization and the Russian Health Ministry .
Starting April 3 , 200-400 kits will be produced daily , and in the future , the company plans to make up to 1,000 kits a day .
Each kit allows to carry out 96 tests .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicates 34 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

The producer informed that the test kits meet all the requirements of the World Health Organization and the Russian Health Ministry
MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Russia has registered a new test system for detecting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) produced by the Russian company DNA Technology, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade reported on Friday. "Russian company DNA Technology producing equipment and reagent kits for polymerase chain reaction research has registered a new test system for detecting the novel coronavirus COVID-19 with support of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade," the message runs.
The company’s website informs that the test kits meet all the requirements of the World Health Organization and the Russian Health Ministry. Starting April 3, 200-400 kits will be produced daily, and in the future, the company plans to make up to 1,000 kits a day. Each kit allows to carry out 96 tests. In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
Read also Friends in times of trouble: China set to team up with Russia to defeat global pandemic


tass--2020-04-03--Africa’s coronavirus cases exceed 7,000

Africa’s coronavirus cases exceed 7,000

PRETORIA , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 7,028 , a total @ @ @ @ @ and 561 have recovered , the African Union said on Friday .
As many as @ @ @ @ @ countries in Africa have been affected by the pandemic .
The highest number of patients @ @ @ @ @ Africa , where 3,030 people have contracted the virus and 200 have died .
In @ @ @ @ @ 83 deaths have been recorded in Algeria , 779 cases and 58 deaths in Egypt @ @ @ @ @ deaths in Morocco .
The Republic of South Africa accounts for the majority of cases @ @ @ @ @ country has so far confirmed 1,462 coronavirus cases , five patients have died .
As @ @ @ @ @ 37 deaths have been identified in West Africa , including 288 cases and 16 deaths @ @ @ @ @ 204 cases and five deaths in Ghana .
East Africa has confirmed 602 coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ Central Africa has so far reported 535 coronavirus cases and 24 deaths .

PRETORIA, April 3. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Africa has reached 7,028, a total of 284 people have died and 561 have recovered, the African Union said on Friday. As many as 50 out of the 54 countries in Africa have been affected by the pandemic.
The highest number of patients has been identified in North Africa, where 3,030 people have contracted the virus and 200 have died. In particular, 847 cases and 83 deaths have been recorded in Algeria, 779 cases and 58 deaths in Egypt, 676 cases and 44 deaths in Morocco.
The Republic of South Africa accounts for the majority of cases in South Africa. The country has so far confirmed 1,462 coronavirus cases, five patients have died.
As many as 1,303 cases and 37 deaths have been identified in West Africa, including 288 cases and 16 deaths in Burkina Faso, and 204 cases and five deaths in Ghana. East Africa has confirmed 602 coronavirus cases and 13 deaths, and Central Africa has so far reported 535 coronavirus cases and 24 deaths.


tass--2020-04-03--Press review: US blames pandemic on China and coronavirus deep-sixes NATO’s plans

Izvestia : Battle against COVID-19 to save lives , but economy to suffer The coronavirus non-working holiday in Russia will be extended until April 30 , President Vladimir Putin announced in his second pandemic-related address to the nation .
Experts say that the fight against the virus may lead to a ten-percent drop in the country ’ s GDP , but the enforced vacation extension will help control the spread of COVID-19 , Izvestia writes .
`` It is hard to say at the moment if we will be able to break the chain of infections by extending the non-working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the lockdown may emerge over this time , '' said Alexander Lukashev , Director of First Moscow State Medical University ’ s Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology , Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases .
`` It won ’ t be possible to cut all contacts between people because there are businesses and organizations that can not suspend their activities , including medical facilities , '' Anna Oreshkova , an infectious disease doctor , explained .
However , in her words , these measures are necessary because the healthcare system could explode if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to analyze trends in order to figure out if the virus spread is declining , Virology Professor at Moscow State University ’ s Department of Biology Alexei Agranovsky pointed out .
According to him , conclusions and forecasts should by no means be made after only a few days of observation .
Meanwhile , the economy is estimated to lose nearly one trillion rubles ( $ 13 bln ) following the first week-off , said Pavel Sigal , First Vice President of the Opora Rossii organization .
In his view , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffer the most , which means that 50-70 % of them will have to shut down .
This will primarily concern catering and other services , along with non-food retail .
Three to four million businesses may close , leaving 8 mln-12 mln people without jobs , he added .
Russia ’ s GDP may plunge by at least ten percent in 2020 , says Igor Nikolayev , Director of the FBK Grant Thornton Strategic Analysis Institute .
According to him , in the face of great uncertainty , it is hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Beijing hid the scope of the coronavirus outbreak in China and downplayed the death toll , depriving the world of the opportunity to promptly take protective measures , an intelligence report handed to the White House says .
According to experts , recent data on the number of infections and deaths in the United States has made it clear that the coronavirus pandemic has affected the country more than China , which is making Washington step up its propaganda war , Nezavisimaya Gazeta notes .
Meanwhile , according to the Western media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid harsh rhetoric in debates with foreign opponents after China ’ s leader Xi Jinping had ordered them to show more fighting spirit .
There is a widespread perception among common people in China that America seeks to prevent their country ’ s power from growing .
So when diplomats rebuke the US over issues such as the coronavirus and the Hong Kong protests , it resonates with the Chinese .
Vladimir Batyuk , Chief Research Associate at the Russian Academy of Sciences ’ Institute for the US and Canadian Studies , believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing is directly linked to the American presidential election campaign .
`` The coronavirus has smashed it all .
Until recently , few doubted that Donald Trump would be the triumphant one .
But the epidemic has put him in a zugzwang position , where , like in the game of chess , every next move makes things worse .
If Trump continues to combat the virus , the most populous regions of the US will have to face a lockdown , which will deal a harsh blow to the economy .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incumbent president will have slim chances of being re-elected .
There is also another option .
Trump can say that the country has enough of lockdown and needs to get back to work .
He already said that on March 24 but he had to take his words back later because leaving the epidemic uncontained would have had terrible consequences and it would have also undermined his chances for re-election .
This is why an attempt to blame China or someone else looks completely understandable since it fits in with the logic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasized .
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has succeeded in adapting to the climate created by the coronavirus pandemic and continues efforts to ensure security , NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said following a videoconference of NATO foreign ministers .
Experts interviewed by Izvestia point out that the statement is nothing but an attempt to make an appearance amid the pandemic .
It ’ s not entirely correct to say that the coronavirus has not affected NATO ’ s activities .
In March , the alliance had to reconsider the agenda of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to become its biggest post-Cold-War military game in Europe .
`` NATO remains first and foremost a military and political bloc , which seeks to accomplish strategic tasks though strengthening its military presence .
The alliance ’ s expansion is part of that line , '' said Elena Ponomareva , a professor from the Department of Comparative Political Science at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations .
`` The alliance could be more active in the situation of an epidemiological disaster , but it does not have a humanitarian aspect , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues take center stage , the need arises to redistribute funds , thereby reducing defense spending , Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council ( RIAC ) Andrey Kortunov pointed out .
`` The public ’ s attention has shifted to more important security challenges .
Voters in both Europe and the US are inevitably starting to ask : why spend so much money on NATO , when there is the coronavirus threat ? ''
the expert concluded .
`` NATO officials are showing off their activities in a bid to reaffirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had established in recent years , '' Kortunov explained .
Officials in the self-proclaimed Donbass republics have published lists of prisoners they were ready to hand over to Kiev in exchange for their detainees .
The Donetsk and Lugansk People ’ s Republics ( DPR , LPR ) accuse Kiev and Ukrainian President Zelensky ’ s chief of staff Andrei Yermak , personally , of undermining the prisoner swap plans .
The publication of the prisoner lists is aimed at putting pressure on the Ukrainian authorities who have recently abandoned some provisional agreements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swaps between Kiev and Moscow , as well as between Kiev and the Donbass republics , have always been uneasy but successful as a rule .
However , neither of the parties have published prisoner lists before to shame the other side and force it to make concessions .
It ’ s unlikely that the Donbass republics decided to make such a move without consulting Russia .
Following the March 26 videoconference , Moscow made it clear that it was frustrated by changes in Kiev ’ s position on previously agreed on decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University for the Humanities ’ Department of Post-Soviet Countries Alexander Gushchin pointed out that DPR and LPR officials want to put the spotlight on the Ukrainian leadership ’ s unwillingness to take crucial steps to achieve peace in Donbass .
`` Until recently , Andrei Yermak kept saying that elections in Donbass might take place in the fall , at the same time as local Ukrainian elections , but now when plans to create an advisory council and carry out a prisoner exchange have failed , it seems not just unlikely but absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper .
`` The publication of the prisoner lists will not necessarily produce a serious backlash over the situation .
However , it is another effort [ by the Donbass republics ] to reaffirm their identity and point to Kiev ’ s weakness as Ukraine is entering another stage of its struggle for political survival , '' Gushchin emphasized .
Floral vendors have started to give away roses and tulips on Moscow ’ s streets .
Flower shops closed in accordance with the mayor ’ s decree and are unable to sell their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the trash , vendors are trying to make women happier amid the current lockdown , Rossiyskaya Gazeta reports .
The flower giveaway is an act of charity and also a move to bid farewell to small businesses that took an incredible amount of effort , time and money to build .
`` It is a common situation these days because many businesses — us included — are just giving away flowers , '' businessman Alexei Zhilokov said .
`` We are donating them to hospitals , churches and charity organizations , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s correspondent , some florists have launched delivery services and are now selling the remaining flowers at a discount of 30-50 % .
`` Once it is all over , many shops will not reopen , '' Zhilokov pointed out .
According to him , rental payments are the main problem .
Many landlords are unwilling to make concessions and want their money regardless of virus outbreaks and natural disasters .
Besides , there are loans and employee wages to pay .
Given the lockdown , businesses just can ’ t afford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Flower Growers ' Association , in turn , believes that it is high time for the government to support local producers .
`` Italian flower growers have already asked the government to offset their losses , '' the association 's head Alexei Antipov noted .
`` We would also like to ask for support , '' he added .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Izvestia: Battle against COVID-19 to save lives, but economy to suffer
Read also Putin's second address to the nation on coronavirus pandemic
The coronavirus non-working holiday in Russia will be extended until April 30, President Vladimir Putin announced in his second pandemic-related address to the nation. Experts say that the fight against the virus may lead to a ten-percent drop in the country’s GDP, but the enforced vacation extension will help control the spread of COVID-19, Izvestia writes. "It is hard to say at the moment if we will be able to break the chain of infections by extending the non-working period. Those who contracted the virus before the lockdown may emerge over this time," said Alexander Lukashev, Director of First Moscow State Medical University’s Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases. "It won’t be possible to cut all contacts between people because there are businesses and organizations that cannot suspend their activities, including medical facilities," Anna Oreshkova, an infectious disease doctor, explained. However, in her words, these measures are necessary because the healthcare system could explode if everyone fell ill simultaneously. Experts need to analyze trends in order to figure out if the virus spread is declining, Virology Professor at Moscow State University’s Department of Biology Alexei Agranovsky pointed out. According to him, conclusions and forecasts should by no means be made after only a few days of observation. Meanwhile, the economy is estimated to lose nearly one trillion rubles ($13 bln) following the first week-off, said Pavel Sigal, First Vice President of the Opora Rossii organization. In his view, it is the small and mid-sized businesses that will suffer the most, which means that 50-70% of them will have to shut down. This will primarily concern catering and other services, along with non-food retail. Three to four million businesses may close, leaving 8 mln-12 mln people without jobs, he added. Russia’s GDP may plunge by at least ten percent in 2020, says Igor Nikolayev, Director of the FBK Grant Thornton Strategic Analysis Institute. According to him, in the face of great uncertainty, it is hard to tell how the economic situation will develop. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Washington blames pandemic on Beijing
Beijing hid the scope of the coronavirus outbreak in China and downplayed the death toll, depriving the world of the opportunity to promptly take protective measures, an intelligence report handed to the White House says. According to experts, recent data on the number of infections and deaths in the United States has made it clear that the coronavirus pandemic has affected the country more than China, which is making Washington step up its propaganda war, Nezavisimaya Gazeta notes. Meanwhile, according to the Western media, Chinese diplomats are not going to avoid harsh rhetoric in debates with foreign opponents after China’s leader Xi Jinping had ordered them to show more fighting spirit. There is a widespread perception among common people in China that America seeks to prevent their country’s power from growing. So when diplomats rebuke the US over issues such as the coronavirus and the Hong Kong protests, it resonates with the Chinese. Vladimir Batyuk, Chief Research Associate at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute for the US and Canadian Studies, believes that Washington’s information blitz against Beijing is directly linked to the American presidential election campaign. "The coronavirus has smashed it all. Until recently, few doubted that Donald Trump would be the triumphant one. But the epidemic has put him in a zugzwang position, where, like in the game of chess, every next move makes things worse. If Trump continues to combat the virus, the most populous regions of the US will have to face a lockdown, which will deal a harsh blow to the economy. In the situation of an economic crisis, the incumbent president will have slim chances of being re-elected. There is also another option. Trump can say that the country has enough of lockdown and needs to get back to work. He already said that on March 24 but he had to take his words back later because leaving the epidemic uncontained would have had terrible consequences and it would have also undermined his chances for re-election. This is why an attempt to blame China or someone else looks completely understandable since it fits in with the logic of the election race, the expert emphasized. Izvestia: NATO struggles to adapt to pandemic
Read also Russia slams NATO approaches during pandemic as counter-productive to unifying agenda
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has succeeded in adapting to the climate created by the coronavirus pandemic and continues efforts to ensure security, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said following a videoconference of NATO foreign ministers. Experts interviewed by Izvestia point out that the statement is nothing but an attempt to make an appearance amid the pandemic. It’s not entirely correct to say that the coronavirus has not affected NATO’s activities. In March, the alliance had to reconsider the agenda of the Defender 2020 military exercise, which was expected to become its biggest post-Cold-War military game in Europe. "NATO remains first and foremost a military and political bloc, which seeks to accomplish strategic tasks though strengthening its military presence. The alliance’s expansion is part of that line," said Elena Ponomareva, a professor from the Department of Comparative Political Science at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. "The alliance could be more active in the situation of an epidemiological disaster, but it does not have a humanitarian aspect," she added. When global healthcare issues take center stage, the need arises to redistribute funds, thereby reducing defense spending, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) Andrey Kortunov pointed out. "The public’s attention has shifted to more important security challenges. Voters in both Europe and the US are inevitably starting to ask: why spend so much money on NATO, when there is the coronavirus threat?" the expert concluded. "NATO officials are showing off their activities in a bid to reaffirm financial and political priorities that the West had established in recent years," Kortunov explained. Kommersant: Donbass republics accuse Kiev of disrupting prisoner exchange
Read also Kiev hopes to organize another exchange of detainees with Donbass republics in March
Officials in the self-proclaimed Donbass republics have published lists of prisoners they were ready to hand over to Kiev in exchange for their detainees. The Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR, LPR) accuse Kiev and Ukrainian President Zelensky’s chief of staff Andrei Yermak, personally, of undermining the prisoner swap plans. The publication of the prisoner lists is aimed at putting pressure on the Ukrainian authorities who have recently abandoned some provisional agreements, Kommersant wrote. Talks on prisoner swaps between Kiev and Moscow, as well as between Kiev and the Donbass republics, have always been uneasy but successful as a rule. However, neither of the parties have published prisoner lists before to shame the other side and force it to make concessions. It’s unlikely that the Donbass republics decided to make such a move without consulting Russia. Following the March 26 videoconference, Moscow made it clear that it was frustrated by changes in Kiev’s position on previously agreed on decisions. Senior Researcher at the Russian State University for the Humanities’ Department of Post-Soviet Countries Alexander Gushchin pointed out that DPR and LPR officials want to put the spotlight on the Ukrainian leadership’s unwillingness to take crucial steps to achieve peace in Donbass. "Until recently, Andrei Yermak kept saying that elections in Donbass might take place in the fall, at the same time as local Ukrainian elections, but now when plans to create an advisory council and carry out a prisoner exchange have failed, it seems not just unlikely but absolutely impossible," the expert told the newspaper. "The publication of the prisoner lists will not necessarily produce a serious backlash over the situation. However, it is another effort [by the Donbass republics] to reaffirm their identity and point to Kiev’s weakness as Ukraine is entering another stage of its struggle for political survival," Gushchin emphasized. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Vendors giving away flowers on Moscow streets
Read also Russia’s government to expand support measures for business


tass--2020-04-03--Belarusian refineries enter contracts for Russian oil supplies at price of $4 per barrel

`` Yesterday , on April 2 , 2020 , Belarusian refineries began entering contracts for April oil supplies from the oil companies .
In total , according to commercial offers , the total volume of the supplies is planned at 2 million tonnes , '' Tishchenko said in a statement .
MINSK , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Belarusian oil refineries began to conclude contracts with Russian oil companies for the volume of oil supplies in April at the price of $ 4 per barrel , spokesperson for the Belarusian state oil and gas company Belneftekhim Alexander Tishchenko announced on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources were confirmed the suppliers ' prices for Urals oil for Belarus amounted to $ 4 per barrel . ''
He also noted that issues related to payment of premiums to Russian suppliers would be resolved via inter-budgetary settlements .
The press service of Belneftekhim recalled that , as Russia ’ s Finance Ministry stated earlier , `` they will be able to proceed with inter-budgetary settlements only after signing the contracts . ''
`` The parties ’ comments do not contain any contradictions either in price , or in the volume of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Russian oil companies , '' the Belneftekhim press service noted .
Earlier this year , Belarus stopped buying Russian oil and demanded that the price formula be changed .
Minsk claimed that under that formula Belarusian refineries paid a premium to Russian suppliers in addition to the price itself for the fact that they received crude duty free .
The amount of the premium was agreed individually for each company , but the maximum premium was $ 12 per tonne to export netback ( the price of oil in the Baltic ports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group was the only oil supplier that continued to supply crude to Belarusian refineries .
Belarus also continues to buy oil from traders , supplying it via the port of Klaipeda ( Lithuania ) .
Minsk also buys Azerbaijani oil through the port of Odessa ( Ukraine ) and via the Odessa-Brody pipeline .
On March 21 , the Prime Ministers of Belarus and Russia , Sergei Rumas and Mikhail Mishustin had a phone conversation discussing the resumption of oil supplies from Russia to the Belarusian refineries .
On March 24 , Rumas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil to Belarus without premiums and part of the premiums would be compensated by the Russian government via inter-budgetary settlements .
On April 2 , the Belarusian prime minister announced that the republic planned to buy 2 mln tonnes of oil in Russia at the price of $ 4 per barrel in April .

"Yesterday, on April 2, 2020, Belarusian refineries began entering contracts for April oil supplies from the oil companies. In total, according to commercial offers, the total volume of the supplies is planned at 2 million tonnes," Tishchenko said in a statement.
MINSK, April 3. /TASS/. Belarusian oil refineries began to conclude contracts with Russian oil companies for the volume of oil supplies in April at the price of $4 per barrel, spokesperson for the Belarusian state oil and gas company Belneftekhim Alexander Tishchenko announced on Friday.
"By the time the resources were confirmed the suppliers' prices for Urals oil for Belarus amounted to $4 per barrel." He also noted that issues related to payment of premiums to Russian suppliers would be resolved via inter-budgetary settlements.
The press service of Belneftekhim recalled that, as Russia’s Finance Ministry stated earlier, "they will be able to proceed with inter-budgetary settlements only after signing the contracts."
"The parties’ comments do not contain any contradictions either in price, or in the volume of deliveries, or in terms of premiums to Russian oil companies," the Belneftekhim press service noted.
Earlier this year, Belarus stopped buying Russian oil and demanded that the price formula be changed. Minsk claimed that under that formula Belarusian refineries paid a premium to Russian suppliers in addition to the price itself for the fact that they received crude duty free. The amount of the premium was agreed individually for each company, but the maximum premium was $12 per tonne to export netback (the price of oil in the Baltic ports excluding transportation costs).
The Safmar Group was the only oil supplier that continued to supply crude to Belarusian refineries. Belarus also continues to buy oil from traders, supplying it via the port of Klaipeda (Lithuania). Minsk also buys Azerbaijani oil through the port of Odessa (Ukraine) and via the Odessa-Brody pipeline.
On March 21, the Prime Ministers of Belarus and Russia, Sergei Rumas and Mikhail Mishustin had a phone conversation discussing the resumption of oil supplies from Russia to the Belarusian refineries. On March 24, Rumas said that Russian oil companies would deliver oil to Belarus without premiums and part of the premiums would be compensated by the Russian government via inter-budgetary settlements. On April 2, the Belarusian prime minister announced that the republic planned to buy 2 mln tonnes of oil in Russia at the price of $4 per barrel in April.


tass--2020-04-03--First Russian Il-76 plane with virologists departs for Serbia to help fight coronavirus

`` The plane will deliver a forward group of military medics , virologists and epidemiologists with the modern equipment for epidemiological diagnostics and disinfection measures to the Batajnica aerodrome ( 20 km northwest of Belgrade ) , '' the ministry said .
MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
The first Ilyushin Il-76 plane of Russia ’ s Aerospace Force with equipment and specialists has departed for Serbia from the Chkalovsky airfield to help the Balkan country fight the novel coronavirus , the Defense Ministry of Russia reported on Friday .
Friends in times of trouble : China set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic Russia ’ s Defense Ministry reported earlier on Friday that an air task force of Il-76 planes had been set up at the Chkalovsky aerodrome near Moscow to deliver aid to Serbia .
Overall , Russian military transport aircraft are set to make 11 flights to Serbia to deliver military medics , virologists of radiological , chemical and biological protection troops , special medical equipment and also protective gear and 16 items of military hardware .
Assistance to Serbia and other countries Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held telephone talks with Russian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
On April 1 , an Antonov An-124 heavy transport plane of Russia ’ s Aerospace Force delivered a batch of medical equipment and individual protective gear to the John F. Kennedy airport in New York from Russia .
The agreement on sending the cargo plane with medical equipment to the United States was reached during a telephone talk held between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on March 21 , Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte agreed during their telephone talk that Moscow would render Rome required assistance in the fight against the coronavirus .
From the evening of March 22 to the morning of March 25 , 15 Russian planes arrived in Italy , delivering about 100 Russian military virologists and army epidemiologists , eight teams of doctors and nurses and also equipment for diagnostics and disinfection measures .

"The plane will deliver a forward group of military medics, virologists and epidemiologists with the modern equipment for epidemiological diagnostics and disinfection measures to the Batajnica aerodrome (20 km northwest of Belgrade)," the ministry said.
MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. The first Ilyushin Il-76 plane of Russia’s Aerospace Force with equipment and specialists has departed for Serbia from the Chkalovsky airfield to help the Balkan country fight the novel coronavirus, the Defense Ministry of Russia reported on Friday.
Friends in times of trouble: China set to team up with Russia to defeat global pandemic
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported earlier on Friday that an air task force of Il-76 planes had been set up at the Chkalovsky aerodrome near Moscow to deliver aid to Serbia.
Overall, Russian military transport aircraft are set to make 11 flights to Serbia to deliver military medics, virologists of radiological, chemical and biological protection troops, special medical equipment and also protective gear and 16 items of military hardware.
Assistance to Serbia and other countries
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic held telephone talks with Russian President Vladimir 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.
On April 1, an Antonov An-124 heavy transport plane of Russia’s Aerospace Force delivered a batch of medical equipment and individual protective gear to the John F. Kennedy airport in New York from Russia. The agreement on sending the cargo plane with medical equipment to the United States was reached during a telephone talk held between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on Monday.
Earlier, on March 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte agreed during their telephone talk that Moscow would render Rome required assistance in the fight against the coronavirus.
From the evening of March 22 to the morning of March 25, 15 Russian planes arrived in Italy, delivering about 100 Russian military virologists and army epidemiologists, eight teams of doctors and nurses and also equipment for diagnostics and disinfection measures.


tass--2020-04-03--US, EU refusal to block Russia’s anti-sanctions resolution is 'coronaegoism' — lawmaker

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
The chairman of the State Duma ’ s International Affairs Committee , Leonid Slutsky , has described the United States ’ and European Union ’ s refusal to accept proposals for easing unilateral sanctions as `` political coronaegoism . ''
His comment followed the blocking of Russia ’ s draft resolution on this score at the UN General Assembly session by the United States , the European Union and also Ukraine , Georgia and Great Britain .
`` The West has ignored the UN secretary-general ’ s call for dropping sanctions for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocking Russia ’ s draft resolution of the UN General Assembly .
Political coronaegoism is the real face of the United States and the European Union .
Hegemonistic ambitions upset common efforts against the pandemic , '' Slutsky said on Twitter on Friday .
Earlier , the UN General Assembly adopted an alternative , more general draft resolution containing a call for solidarity in the struggle against the pandemic , which ignored the UN secretary-general ’ s proposal for cancelling sanctions .
The Russian draft that proposed more specific measures was rejected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ease the current sanctions against a number of states for the sake of struggle against the pandemic and also to cease hostilities .
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 .

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. The chairman of the State Duma’s International Affairs Committee, Leonid Slutsky, has described the United States’ and European Union’s refusal to accept proposals for easing unilateral sanctions as "political coronaegoism." His comment followed the blocking of Russia’s draft resolution on this score at the UN General Assembly session by the United States, the European Union and also Ukraine, Georgia and Great Britain.
"The West has ignored the UN secretary-general’s call for dropping sanctions for the sake of struggle against the COVID-19 by blocking Russia’s draft resolution of the UN General Assembly. Political coronaegoism is the real face of the United States and the European Union. Hegemonistic ambitions upset common efforts against the pandemic," Slutsky said on Twitter on Friday.
Earlier, the UN General Assembly adopted an alternative, more general draft resolution containing a call for solidarity in the struggle against the pandemic, which ignored the UN secretary-general’s proposal for cancelling sanctions. The Russian draft that proposed more specific measures was rejected.
The UN secretary-general had urged all countries to ease the current sanctions against a number of states for the sake of struggle against the pandemic and also to cease hostilities.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.


tass--2020-04-03--Russia’s shortfall in oil and gas revenues to total $726 mln in April

MOSCOW , April 3 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Finance Ministry expects the federal budget ’ s shortfall in @ @ @ @ @ to 55.8 billion rubles ( $ 726 mln ) due to oil prices .
This @ @ @ @ @ on the ministry ’ s website .
`` The volume of lost federal budget oil @ @ @ @ @ the gap between the base oil price and the actual price in April 2020 is @ @ @ @ @ billion rubles , '' the ministry said in a statement .
According to the ministry @ @ @ @ @ between the actually received oil and gas revenues and the expected volume was 22 billion @ @ @ @ @ ) .
In view of this , the Finance Ministry will allocate 77.8 bln rubles @ @ @ @ @ for the sale of foreign currency from April 7 to May 12 .
During this @ @ @ @ @ will amount to 3.5 billion rubles ( $ 45.6 mln ) , the ministry said @

MOSCOW, April 3. /TASS/. Russia’s Finance Ministry expects the federal budget’s shortfall in oil and gas will amount to 55.8 billion rubles ($726 mln) due to oil prices. This is according to a statement on the ministry’s website.
"The volume of lost federal budget oil and gas revenues caused by the gap between the base oil price and the actual price in April 2020 is expected to amount to 55.8 billion rubles," the ministry said in a statement.
According to the ministry, in March the gap between the actually received oil and gas revenues and the expected volume was 22 billion rubles ($287 mln).
In view of this, the Finance Ministry will allocate 77.8 bln rubles ($1.01 bln) for the sale of foreign currency from April 7 to May 12. During this period, daily sales volume will amount to 3.5 billion rubles ($45.6 mln), the ministry said.