tass--2020-03-20--Press review: China winning battle against coronavirus and Urals oil sinks below $19

Kommersant found out that the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry , the Delovaya Rossiya ( Business Russia ) lobby and the Opora Rossii ( Pillar of Russia ) NGO had submitted their proposals to the government , while the Agency for Strategic Initiatives is expected to send a letter outlining the potential steps to support businesses soon .
`` The situation , which is becoming increasingly tense , is forcing businesses to seek assistance , '' President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergei Katyrin told Kommersant commenting on the issue .
Meanwhile , a source in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that its Director General Svetlana Chupsheva had submitted the agency ’ s initiatives to the government at a meeting in the Kemerovo Region on March 18 .
These proposals include initiatives on state-run monopolies and their infrastructure projects , support for logistics and hotels , along with the extension of licenses and accreditations .
Syria is urging the global community to loosen up the sanctions against the country and shield it from the coronavirus epidemic , Syrian Ambassador Riad Haddad told Izvestia .
The Arab republic continues to be one of four countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case have been recorded so far .
The local healthcare system has been put on high alert , the ambassador noted .
`` The Syrian government has taken many measures aimed at preventing the spread of the epidemic in the country , and no coronavirus cases have been reported so far , '' he said .
`` It is worth noting that Syria ’ s healthcare sector is at a high level of preparedness , despite attacks by terrorists and sanctions imposed on the Syrian people .
The international community should not wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift the economic sanctions imposed on it that has impacted the level of medical services , '' the envoy added .
The ambassador also stressed that Syria would not allow Ankara to develop oil fields in the country , adding that this is the exclusive right of Syria ’ s allies .
Commenting on recent remarks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who proposed to jointly develop oil fields in Qamishli ( the territory currently controlled by Kurdish units ) , Riad Haddad emphasized that `` this wealth belongs to the Syrian people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assad has made it clear that the countries that fought against Syria will not take part in rebuilding it .
Therefore , the process of reconstruction and restoration of its economy will be limited to those countries , which stood side by side with Syria during its war against terrorism , first and foremost , the Russian Federation , '' he pointed out .
Kommersant : China winning battle against COVID-19 , offering assistance to other countries The Chinese authorities say that they have virtually overcome the coronavirus outbreak .
For the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` local infection '' cases have been reported in the country , which means that all infected people brought COVID-19 from abroad , Kommersant writes .
Meanwhile , President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin , in which the two leaders reiterated their commitment to global efforts to fight the pandemic .
Beijing also said it was willing to supply medical goods to Russia , which it urgently needs .
For his part , Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed in a recent phone call with Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beijing was ready to explore the issue of reciprocal assistance by delivering goods to Moscow as a way of saying thank you to Russia for its support .
China earlier delivered aid to Italy , Spain , Poland , the Netherlands and Iraq .
It also promised to provide assistance to Serbia .
Sergey Shulyak , a pharmaceutical market expert and Director General of DSM Group , told the paper that China is talking primarily about supplying Russia with a means of protection , which does not require lengthy registration procedures , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the first batch of medical face masks has already been dispatched to Russia .
Yemeni rebels have won another major victory .
After capturing the city of Al Hazm , they approached the country ’ s major oil and gas fields in the Marib governorate .
Some sources familiar with the situation informed Izvestia that the insurgents had won the victory because of the effective use of drones and missiles .
Their successful offensive in a hydrocarbon-rich area could determine the outcome of the entire civil war .
`` Yemen is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil producers .
However , the loss of the oil fields will complicate the position of the country ’ s government and increase the financial burden on Saudi Arabia , which has to provide financial support to the country ’ s leadership and the armed forces loyal to it , '' the paper quotes military expert Vladislav Shurygin as saying .
`` In the current global economic environment , given plummeting oil prices , the continuation of the conflict is full of economic problems for Saudi Arabia itself .
One can not rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil production , processing and transportation facilities , '' he warned .
The victories by the Houthi insurgents attest to the high level of their combat skills and regular supplies of arms to them , said Vadim Kozyulin , Professor at the Academy of Military Sciences .
`` It is a well-known fact that Houthis can strike back .
However , the fact that they can conduct high-intensity hostilities and emerge victorious is something new .
The army , which has clinched such triumphs , is seizing the initiative .
Naturally , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by winning more victories , '' the expert said .
The price of Russian Urals oil for delivery to Northwestern Europe has dropped by 22 % to $ 18.64 per barrel .
That ’ s a record low not seen since February 2002 , Vedomosti writes citing data provided by Argus Media .
Oil prices on global markets began to plunge in January 2020 because of the coronavirus outbreak , the subsequent drop in demand for raw materials and the collapse of the OPEC+ deal .
According to Argus Media , the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the backdrop of Saudi Arabia ’ s decision to reduce contract prices for April batches .
Market players do not rule out that prices will continue falling amid a reduction in oil processing .
As a rule , Urals is sold at a discount relative to Brent and will grow in proportion to it , the paper quotes Ekaterina Grushevenko , an energy expert at the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management , as saying .
Oil prices are unlikely to stay below $ 30 per barrel for a long time .
Companies will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explains Daria Kozlova of Vygon Consulting .
Oil is sold below the average cost of its production in Russia ( $ 35 per barrel ) , which will result in a reduction in capital expenditure , conservation of oil wells and the eventual decrease in oil supplies , the paper quotes Maxim Shein , chief investment strategist at BCS Broker , as saying .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews

Kommersant: Russian government to come up with steps to support economy The Russian government continues to draft a package of measures to support the economy and businesses amid the coronavirus pandemic, Kommersant writes. The Cabinet earlier announced that quarterly tax breaks for businesses and government inspections of airlines and the tourism industry would be extended to small and medium-sized businesses. In turn, business associations and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives are drafting their proposals for the government.
Kommersant found out that the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia) lobby and the Opora Rossii (Pillar of Russia) NGO had submitted their proposals to the government, while the Agency for Strategic Initiatives is expected to send a letter outlining the potential steps to support businesses soon. "The situation, which is becoming increasingly tense, is forcing businesses to seek assistance," President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergei Katyrin told Kommersant commenting on the issue. Meanwhile, a source in the Agency for Strategic Initiatives informed the paper that its Director General Svetlana Chupsheva had submitted the agency’s initiatives to the government at a meeting in the Kemerovo Region on March 18. These proposals include initiatives on state-run monopolies and their infrastructure projects, support for logistics and hotels, along with the extension of licenses and accreditations. Izvestia: Ambassador calls for easing sanctions against Syria Syria is urging the global community to loosen up the sanctions against the country and shield it from the coronavirus epidemic, Syrian Ambassador Riad Haddad told Izvestia. The Arab republic continues to be one of four countries in the Middle East where no COVID-19 case have been recorded so far. The local healthcare system has been put on high alert, the ambassador noted.
Read also Foreign companies find ways to invest in Syria despite Western sanctions — Assad
"The Syrian government has taken many measures aimed at preventing the spread of the epidemic in the country, and no coronavirus cases have been reported so far," he said. "It is worth noting that Syria’s healthcare sector is at a high level of preparedness, despite attacks by terrorists and sanctions imposed on the Syrian people. The international community should not wait until the coronavirus spreads across Syria to lift the economic sanctions imposed on it that has impacted the level of medical services," the envoy added. The ambassador also stressed that Syria would not allow Ankara to develop oil fields in the country, adding that this is the exclusive right of Syria’s allies. Commenting on recent remarks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who proposed to jointly develop oil fields in Qamishli (the territory currently controlled by Kurdish units), Riad Haddad emphasized that "this wealth belongs to the Syrian people only." "Syrian President Bashar Assad has made it clear that the countries that fought against Syria will not take part in rebuilding it. Therefore, the process of reconstruction and restoration of its economy will be limited to those countries, which stood side by side with Syria during its war against terrorism, first and foremost, the Russian Federation," he pointed out. Kommersant: China winning battle against COVID-19, offering assistance to other countries The Chinese authorities say that they have virtually overcome the coronavirus outbreak. For the first time since the epidemic began, no "local infection" cases have been reported in the country, which means that all infected people brought COVID-19 from abroad, Kommersant writes.
Read also China ready to organize emergency supplies of medicines to Russia
Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, in which the two leaders reiterated their commitment to global efforts to fight the pandemic. Beijing also said it was willing to supply medical goods to Russia, which it urgently needs. For his part, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed in a recent phone call with Russia’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov that Beijing was ready to explore the issue of reciprocal assistance by delivering goods to Moscow as a way of saying thank you to Russia for its support. China earlier delivered aid to Italy, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands and Iraq. It also promised to provide assistance to Serbia. Sergey Shulyak, a pharmaceutical market expert and Director General of DSM Group, told the paper that China is talking primarily about supplying Russia with a means of protection, which does not require lengthy registration procedures, like with medicines. According to the expert, the first batch of medical face masks has already been dispatched to Russia. Izvestia: Houthi insurgents closing in on Yemen’s fossil fuel deposits Yemeni rebels have won another major victory. After capturing the city of Al Hazm, they approached the country’s major oil and gas fields in the Marib governorate. Some sources familiar with the situation informed Izvestia that the insurgents had won the victory because of the effective use of drones and missiles. Their successful offensive in a hydrocarbon-rich area could determine the outcome of the entire civil war. "Yemen is not one of the world’s leading oil producers. However, the loss of the oil fields will complicate the position of the country’s government and increase the financial burden on Saudi Arabia, which has to provide financial support to the country’s leadership and the armed forces loyal to it," the paper quotes military expert Vladislav Shurygin as saying. "In the current global economic environment, given plummeting oil prices, the continuation of the conflict is full of economic problems for Saudi Arabia itself. One cannot rule out repeated attacks by Houthi rebels against oil production, processing and transportation facilities," he warned. The victories by the Houthi insurgents attest to the high level of their combat skills and regular supplies of arms to them, said Vadim Kozyulin, Professor at the Academy of Military Sciences. "It is a well-known fact that Houthis can strike back. However, the fact that they can conduct high-intensity hostilities and emerge victorious is something new. The army, which has clinched such triumphs, is seizing the initiative. Naturally, the rebels will want to solidify their positions by winning more victories," the expert said. Vedomosti: Urals oil price sinks below $19 The price of Russian Urals oil for delivery to Northwestern Europe has dropped by 22% to $18.64 per barrel. That’s a record low not seen since February 2002, Vedomosti writes citing data provided by Argus Media.


tass--2020-03-20--Spring draft to Russian Armed Forces will not be postponed over coronavirus

MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
The spring draft campaign to the Russian Armed Forces will not be postponed @ @ @ @ @ take place between April 1 and July 15 , as planned , Defense Minister Sergey @ @ @ @ @ We have paid special attention to the upcoming draft .
It will take place with @ @ @ @ @ law , in the planned time span , '' Shoigu said .
The coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ in late December 2019 .
On March 11 , 2020 the World Health Organization declared @ @ @ @ @ infection cases have been recorded in more than 140 countries and territories .
According to @ @ @ @ @ 230,000 people have contracted the virus and about 10,000 have died .
199 infection cases @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. The spring draft campaign to the Russian Armed Forces will not be postponed over the coronavirus and will take place between April 1 and July 15, as planned, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Friday.
"We have paid special attention to the upcoming draft. It will take place with strict compliance with the federal law, in the planned time span," Shoigu said.
The coronavirus outbreak was registered in central China in late December 2019. On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. COVID-19 infection cases have been recorded in more than 140 countries and territories. According to the latest data, over 230,000 people have contracted the virus and about 10,000 have died. 199 infection cases were registered in Russia.


tass--2020-03-20--WHO reports rapid global spread of COVID-19

GENEVA , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
As of March 19 , 209,839 people across the world have been infected with the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) and 8,778 people have died , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) informed in its daily situation report on Friday .
The organization noted the rapid spread of the disease , with the amount of people infected rising by 100,000 in the past 12 days .
`` The number of confirmed cases worldwide has exceeded 200,000 .
It took over three months to reach the first 100,000 confirmed cases , and only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the bulletin informs .
WHO reported that in the past 24 hours , the number of COVID-19 infections in the world rose by 16,556 , and the number of reported deaths rose by 828 .
The highest number of coronavirus cases has been documented in the Western Pacific Region ( 92,333 cases , 3,377 deaths ) .
There are 87,108 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the European Region and 4,084 confirmed deaths , with the daily increase of 10,221 infected persons and 591 deaths .
In late December 2019 , Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On March 11 , WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) as a pandemic .

GENEVA, March 20. /TASS/. As of March 19, 209,839 people across the world have been infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and 8,778 people have died, the World Health Organization (WHO) informed in its daily situation report on Friday. The organization noted the rapid spread of the disease, with the amount of people infected rising by 100,000 in the past 12 days.
"The number of confirmed cases worldwide has exceeded 200,000. It took over three months to reach the first 100,000 confirmed cases, and only 12 days to reach the next 100,000," the bulletin informs. WHO reported that in the past 24 hours, the number of COVID-19 infections in the world rose by 16,556, and the number of reported deaths rose by 828. The highest number of coronavirus cases has been documented in the Western Pacific Region (92,333 cases, 3,377 deaths). There are 87,108 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the European Region and 4,084 confirmed deaths, with the daily increase of 10,221 infected persons and 591 deaths.
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified WHO about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On March 11, WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-20--Russia’s FSB detects terror funding cell operational in several Russian regions

MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has detected a financing @ @ @ @ @ ( IS terrorist group , outlawed in Russia ) operating in Crimea , the Rostov @ @ @ @ @ , the FSB ’ s Center for Public Relations informed TASS .
The FSB noted @ @ @ @ @ IS financing cell had been suspended .
`` The detained persons established an international network @ @ @ @ @ money . ''
Under the guise of charity , about 2 mln roubles ( $ @ @ @ @ @ terrorist accounts .
During searches at the suspects ’ places of residence , communication and @ @ @ @ @ the unlawful activity were seized .
Investigation proceedings are ongoing , the FSB informed .

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has detected a financing cell of the Islamic State (IS terrorist group, outlawed in Russia) operating in Crimea, the Rostov Region and the Komi Republic, the FSB’s Center for Public Relations informed TASS.
The FSB noted that activity of the clandestine IS financing cell had been suspended. "The detained persons established an international network collecting, accumulating and transferring money." Under the guise of charity, about 2 mln roubles ($26,000) were transferred to terrorist accounts.
During searches at the suspects’ places of residence, communication and payment devices and documentation proving the unlawful activity were seized. Investigation proceedings are ongoing, the FSB informed.


tass--2020-03-20--Nine people recover from COVID-19 in Russia

MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people recovered from the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) in @ @ @ @ @ , Russia ’ s coronavirus hotline sponsored by the Ministry of Health informed on Friday @ @ @ @ @ recovered , '' the message informs .
This number does not include the three people @ @ @ @ @ cruise ship , where a coronavirus outbreak was documented earlier .
They were also discharged @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. The number of people recovered from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Russia has risen to nine, Russia’s coronavirus hotline sponsored by the Ministry of Health informed on Friday.
"Nine people have recovered," the message informs.
This number does not include the three people evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where a coronavirus outbreak was documented earlier. They were also discharged from hospital.


tass--2020-03-20--Black Sea Fleet’s Admiral Essen frigate conducts exercises in Mediterranean

SEVASTOPOL , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Black Sea Fleet 's frigate Admiral Essen , performing tasks in @ @ @ @ @ a number of exercises during its march , the Fleet 's press service said .
@ @ @ @ @ precision weapon first time ever '' In accordance with the training plan , the crew @ @ @ @ @ alleged enemy ’ s surface ships at sea by a solitary ship and ensuring air @ @ @ @ @ reads .
The message notes that the crew practiced actions during radar jamming and missile @ @ @ @ @ helicopter crew conducted scheduled training to practice search and tracking of a submarine .
According @ @ @ @ @ the crew continues to perform duties as part of the Navy ’ s remote division @ @ @ @ @ in the Mediterranean Sea since December 2019 .

SEVASTOPOL, March 20. /TASS/. The Russian Black Sea Fleet's frigate Admiral Essen, performing tasks in the Mediterranean Sea, conducted a number of exercises during its march, the Fleet's press service said.
Russian Giatsint-S artillery used as precision weapon first time ever
"In accordance with the training plan, the crew practiced the tactics of fighting alleged enemy’s surface ships at sea by a solitary ship and ensuring air defense," the message reads.
The message notes that the crew practiced actions during radar jamming and missile strike counteraction. The Ka-27PL helicopter crew conducted scheduled training to practice search and tracking of a submarine.
According to the press service, the crew continues to perform duties as part of the Navy’s remote division. The Admiral Essen remains in the Mediterranean Sea since December 2019.


tass--2020-03-20--Russian Giatsint-S artillery used as precision weapon first time ever

MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Crews of 2S5 Giatsint-S long-range artillery of Russia ’ s Eastern Military District have used self-propelled guns as high-precision weapon for the first time , the District 's press service announced Friday .
`` Crews of the 2S5 Giatsint-S long-range self-propelled guns of the Eastern Military Disctrict , stationed in the Amur Region , conducted test firing , using coordinates , provided by Orlan-10 UAVs .
The test firing was aimed at targets , imitating enemy command centers and other critical facilities of the alleged enemy , '' the press service said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UAVs significantly expands its [ Giatsint-S ] potential .
Now , it is possible to use powerful ordnance at remote distance with effectiveness of high-precision weapons . ''
In a matter of hours , the drone crews conducted reconnaissance and revealed top priority targets , which required high-precision aiming .
The coordinates were transmitted to the artillery crew in real time , allowing for long-range point artillery strikes .
The crews also practices salvo firing on a wide-area targets .
The military exercise takes place at Tryokhrechye proving ground , involving more @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Crews of 2S5 Giatsint-S long-range artillery of Russia’s Eastern Military District have used self-propelled guns as high-precision weapon for the first time, the District's press service announced Friday.
"Crews of the 2S5 Giatsint-S long-range self-propelled guns of the Eastern Military Disctrict, stationed in the Amur Region, conducted test firing, using coordinates, provided by Orlan-10 UAVs. The test firing was aimed at targets, imitating enemy command centers and other critical facilities of the alleged enemy," the press service said. "Joint use of the artillery and the UAVs significantly expands its [Giatsint-S] potential. Now, it is possible to use powerful ordnance at remote distance with effectiveness of high-precision weapons."
In a matter of hours, the drone crews conducted reconnaissance and revealed top priority targets, which required high-precision aiming. The coordinates were transmitted to the artillery crew in real time, allowing for long-range point artillery strikes.
The crews also practiced salvo firing on a wide-area targets.
The military exercise takes place at Tryokhrechye proving ground, involving more than 2,000 servicemen and 400 vehicles.


tass--2020-03-20--Russia’s Northern Fleet submariners to test fire Zircon hypersonic missiles

`` In the nearest future , our submarines will begin test-firing hypersonic weapons .
We have already received our orders , '' he said , speaking to Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper .
MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Submarines of Russian Navy ’ s Northern Fleet will conduct test firing of hypersonic missiles shortly , Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Alexander Moiseyev said .
On March 11 , a military-industrial complex source told TASS that the Zircon hypersonic missile is slated for test launch from the Severodvinsk nuclear submarine .
Earlier , another source disclosed plans to test-fire this missile from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be introduced into the Northern Fleet before the end of this year .
The Zircon missile has been fired for the first time from a ship in early January .
The Admiral Gorshkov frigate fired the missile from the Barents Sea at a coastal target located 500 kilometers away .
In early 2011 , then-Deputy Minister of Defense Vladimir Popovkin announced plans to create a naval complex with a hypersonic missile , named Zircon .
The missile began flight tests in 2015 , according to media reports .
In his 2019 address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the missile can reach speed of Mach 9 and can hit both naval and ground targets at a distance of more than 1,000 kilometers .
The missile is fired from a ZS-14 universal naval launch system , installed on Project 22350 frigates , project 20380 corvettes and Yasen-class submarines .

"In the nearest future, our submarines will begin test-firing hypersonic weapons. We have already received our orders," he said, speaking to Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.
MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Submarines of Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet will conduct test firing of hypersonic missiles shortly, Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Alexander Moiseyev said.
On March 11, a military-industrial complex source told TASS that the Tsirkon hypersonic missile is slated for test launch from the Severodvinsk nuclear submarine. Earlier, another source disclosed plans to test-fire this missile from the Kazan submarine, which is expected to be introduced into the Northern Fleet before the end of this year.
The Tsirkon missile has been fired for the first time from a ship in early January. The Admiral Gorshkov frigate fired the missile from the Barents Sea at a coastal target located 500 kilometers away.
The Tsirkon missile
In early 2011, then-Deputy Minister of Defense Vladimir Popovkin announced plans to create a naval complex with a hypersonic missile, named Tsirkon. The missile began flight tests in 2015, according to media reports.
In his 2019 address, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the missile can reach speed of Mach 9 and can hit both naval and ground targets at a distance of more than 1,000 kilometers.
The missile is fired from a ZS-14 universal naval launch system, installed on Project 22350 frigates, project 20380 corvettes and Yasen-class submarines.


tass--2020-03-20--Russia restricts flights to US, UAE, UK amid coronavirus pandemic

The decision affects only Aeroflot and S7 airlines .
Previously , only Aeroflot Airlines operated flights to the US ( daily flights from Moscow to New York , Los Angeles , as well as one flight a week to Washington and four to Miami ) .
Russian airlines did not fly to cities in the UK other than London .
According to the statement on the website of Aeroflot , the company will continue to operate flights to London , while its subsidiary Rossiya Airlines will have to stop flights from St. Petersburg to London .
As for the UAE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights to Dubai from Moscow , and S7 - from Novosibirsk .
MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Since March 20 , Russia has introduced restrictions on flights to the United Sates , the United Arab Emirates , and the United Kingdom amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The order was signed by the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on March 18 .
Russian airlines will only be able to fly from Sheremetyevo Terminal F to New York , Dubai , and London .
Airlines still will be able to carry out charter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia restricted entry of foreigners into the country , and virtually closed flights to Europe .
Flights to all European countries were also limited .
Planes can leave only from terminal F to the capital of a European country .
Using the same principle , Russia has limited air connection with China , Iran , South Korea , Uzbekistan , and other countries .
Aeroflot independently closes flights to some European capitals , mainly the countries where an emergency regime was introduced and entry for foreigners was closed .
So , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Budapest , Vienna , Tallinn , Warsaw , Prague .
At the same time , Aeroflot continues flights to Japan , India , and the Maldives .
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic , flights to China and South Korea were limited first , according to the decision of the operational headquarters , only Aeroflot was allowed to fly from Sheremetyevo ’ s terminal F , now any carrier can depart from Sheremetyevo , there is no official ban for such flights .
However , at the moment , only Ural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights from Sheremetyevo to Barcelona .
As a result , the passenger turnover in Sheremetyevo decreased .
The airport announced plans to close international terminals E and C from March 20 , flights will be transferred to terminals D and F .

The decision affects only Aeroflot and S7 airlines. Previously, only Aeroflot Airlines operated flights to the US (daily flights from Moscow to New York, Los Angeles, as well as one flight a week to Washington and four to Miami). Russian airlines did not fly to cities in the UK other than London. According to the statement on the website of Aeroflot, the company will continue to operate flights to London, while its subsidiary Rossiya Airlines will have to stop flights from St. Petersburg to London. As for the UAE, Aeroflot and Pobeda airline will close flights to Dubai from Moscow, and S7 - from Novosibirsk.
MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Since March 20, Russia has introduced restrictions on flights to the United Sates, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom amid the coronavirus pandemic. The order was signed by the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on March 18. Russian airlines will only be able to fly from Sheremetyevo Terminal F to New York, Dubai, and London.
Airlines still will be able to carry out charter flights to transport passengers home. Earlier, Russia restricted entry of foreigners into the country, and virtually closed flights to Europe.
Flights to all European countries were also limited. Planes can leave only from terminal F to the capital of a European country. Using the same principle, Russia has limited air connection with China, Iran, South Korea, Uzbekistan, and other countries.
Aeroflot independently closes flights to some European capitals, mainly the countries where an emergency regime was introduced and entry for foreigners was closed. So, for example, Aeroflot closed flights to Lisbon, Budapest, Vienna, Tallinn, Warsaw, Prague. At the same time, Aeroflot continues flights to Japan, India, and the Maldives.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, flights to China and South Korea were limited first, according to the decision of the operational headquarters, only Aeroflot was allowed to fly from Sheremetyevo’s terminal F, now any carrier can depart from Sheremetyevo, there is no official ban for such flights. However, at the moment, only Ural Airlines used this opportunity - they operate flights from Sheremetyevo to Barcelona.
As a result, the passenger turnover in Sheremetyevo decreased. The airport announced plans to close international terminals E and C from March 20, flights will be transferred to terminals D and F.


tass--2020-03-20--All Hainan's enterprises with foreign capital resume work

HAIKOU , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
All Hainan 's major enterprises with foreign capital in the province which had to suspend production amid coronavirus outbreak have resumed their work by middle March , according to local commercial authorities .
`` All major enterprises have returned to work , observing the necessary precautions .
Our province is actively increasing the scale of international trade and investment activities , some companies have recently been showing noticeable success , '' the agency said in a statement .
According to authoroties , there are about 60 big companies that provide more than 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region .
All of them , according to the authorities , have restored production and commercial activities to the same level .
According to statistics , the province continues to actively draw foreign investment , which in January and February increased by about 100 % year on year ( up to $ 119 million ) .
Over the past two weeks of February , as the work was resumed , the island 's foreign trade grew by almost 25 % , to 3.18 billion yuan ( $ 447.5 million at the current exchange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily , some local companies , despite the epidemic , were able to increase their supply .
For example , the Sinopek Corporation division sold 1.56 million tonnes of oil products in two months , which is by 76 % more than in January and February 2019 .
Hainan AI enterprises and fishing industry companies also significantly increased activity .
The novel coronavirus outbreak on Hainan is practically over : there have been no new cases in the counties and cities of the province for a month .
There is only one infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preventive treatment .
The province has already restored regular traffic , the work of many companies and tourist attractions .
Despite the stable epidemiological situation , the authorities maintain tough sanitary control measures : across China , the number of infected people arriving from abroad is increasing every day .
The outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus was first registered at the end of 2019 in Central China and has already spread to more than 140 countries .
The World Health Organization has recognized it as a pandemic .

HAIKOU, March 20. /TASS/. All Hainan's major enterprises with foreign capital in the province which had to suspend production amid coronavirus outbreak have resumed their work by middle March, according to local commercial authorities.
"All major enterprises have returned to work, observing the necessary precautions. Our province is actively increasing the scale of international trade and investment activities, some companies have recently been showing noticeable success," the agency said in a statement.
According to authoroties, there are about 60 big companies that provide more than 90% of Hainan's exports in the region. All of them, according to the authorities, have restored production and commercial activities to the same level.
According to statistics, the province continues to actively draw foreign investment, which in January and February increased by about 100% year on year (up to $ 119 million). Over the past two weeks of February, as the work was resumed, the island's foreign trade grew by almost 25%, to 3.18 billion yuan ($ 447.5 million at the current exchange rate).
According to the Hainan Daily, some local companies, despite the epidemic, were able to increase their supply. For example, the Sinopek Corporation division sold 1.56 million tonnes of oil products in two months, which is by 76% more than in January and February 2019. Hainan AI enterprises and fishing industry companies also significantly increased activity.
Hainan amid novel coronavirus pandemic
The novel coronavirus outbreak on Hainan is practically over: there have been no new cases in the counties and cities of the province for a month. There is only one infected person in the region who is undergoing preventive treatment. The province has already restored regular traffic, the work of many companies and tourist attractions. Despite the stable epidemiological situation, the authorities maintain tough sanitary control measures: across China, the number of infected people arriving from abroad is increasing every day.
The outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus was first registered at the end of 2019 in Central China and has already spread to more than 140 countries. The World Health Organization has recognized it as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-20--Final episodes of '20 Questions with Vladimir Putin' to be released within full version

MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
The last three episodes of the TASS project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin , '' which premiered on February 20 and has since been uploaded to TASS resources on weekdays , will be released in the full video version of the interview .
So far , 17 episodes of the interview the head of state granted to TASS journalist Andrei Vandenko have been released , with the 18th episode planned to be uploaded on Monday , March 23 .
The full-length film will incorporate both excerpts from the already aired episodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Internet users have not seen yet : Putin will share his views on freedom of speech , the role of journalists in modern society , family , and his free time .
Also , he will say a couple of words about very personal losses .
TASS chose to make these last-minute changes in light of some cardinal transformations in the current news agenda , which runs counter to the original concept of the project - an attempt to look back on the changes the nation has undergone over the past two decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The project was drawing to a close when a `` perfect storm '' hit the world , as it is now gripped by the novel coronavirus and the emerging economic realities .
The final version of the video will incorporate some footage that will take the viewer on a tour behind the scenes and give a glimpse of how the video was made , as well as offer a chance to see several clips that the editors preferred to put on the backburner .
The release of the video ’ s full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
The date will be announced shortly .
The project `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' was launched on February 20 .
It is based on an exclusive three-hour-long interview with the Russian head of state and timed for Vladimir Putin ’ s 20th anniversary at the helm of power ( for the first time Putin was elected Russia ’ s president on March 26 , 2000 ) .
The project targets Internet audiences .

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. The last three episodes of the TASS project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin," which premiered on February 20 and has since been uploaded to TASS resources on weekdays, will be released in the full video version of the interview. So far, 17 episodes of the interview the head of state granted to TASS journalist Andrei Vandenko have been released, with the 18th episode planned to be uploaded on Monday, March 23.
The full-length film will incorporate both excerpts from the already aired episodes and the Russian president’s answers Internet users have not seen yet: Putin will share his views on freedom of speech, the role of journalists in modern society, family, and his free time. Also, he will say a couple of words about very personal losses.
TASS chose to make these last-minute changes in light of some cardinal transformations in the current news agenda, which runs counter to the original concept of the project - an attempt to look back on the changes the nation has undergone over the past two decades, and not the day-to-day news flow. The project was drawing to a close when a "perfect storm" hit the world, as it is now gripped by the novel coronavirus and the emerging economic realities.
The final version of the video will incorporate some footage that will take the viewer on a tour behind the scenes and give a glimpse of how the video was made, as well as offer a chance to see several clips that the editors preferred to put on the backburner.
The release of the video’s full version is planned for the spring of 2020. The date will be announced shortly.
The project "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin" was launched on February 20. It is based on an exclusive three-hour-long interview with the Russian head of state and timed for Vladimir Putin’s 20th anniversary at the helm of power (for the first time Putin was elected Russia’s president on March 26, 2000). The project targets Internet audiences.


tass--2020-03-20--Turkey to allocate $15 bln to help citizens during spread of COVID-19

ANKARA , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Turkey plans to allocate 100 bln Turkish liras ( about $ 15.3 bln ) to help citizens during the spread of the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) , the Turkish Presidential Administration ’ s Communications Director Fahrettin Altun stated in the early hours of Friday .
`` Our government continues to take extraordinary measures to prevent the spread of the corona virus and to mitigate the economic impact of this ongoing threat .
We announced a series of measures to help stimulate our economy and to provide liquidity in the markets , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 billion TL economic package will help our economy stabilize , take care of our people , support businesses in a time of unprecedented global challenge .
We have already implemented many health safety measures to prevent the spread of this virus and we will continue to do so , '' the communications director added .
`` By acting so swiftly and decisively , our government under our President [ Recep Tayyip ] Erdogan ’ s leadership is determined to confront this challenge and ensure the well-being of our people .
We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reassess the situation and take further measures accordingly , '' the spokesman concluded .

ANKARA, March 20. /TASS/. Turkey plans to allocate 100 bln Turkish liras (about $15.3 bln) to help citizens during the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Turkish Presidential Administration’s Communications Director Fahrettin Altun stated in the early hours of Friday.
"Our government continues to take extraordinary measures to prevent the spread of the corona virus and to mitigate the economic impact of this ongoing threat. We announced a series of measures to help stimulate our economy and to provide liquidity in the markets," he wrote on Twitter.
"The 100 billion TL economic package will help our economy stabilize, take care of our people, support businesses in a time of unprecedented global challenge. We have already implemented many health safety measures to prevent the spread of this virus and we will continue to do so," the communications director added.
"By acting so swiftly and decisively, our government under our President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan’s leadership is determined to confront this challenge and ensure the well-being of our people. We will continue to work day and night, reassess the situation and take further measures accordingly," the spokesman concluded.


tass--2020-03-20--NetDragon's Edmodo Chosen as the Designated Online Learning Platform in Egypt

HONG KONG , March 20 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited ( `` NetDragon '' or `` the Company '' , Hong Kong Stock Code : 777 ) , a global leader in building internet communities , wishes to announce that in view of the disruption of education due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus , Edmodo , its global leading online education community , has been selected in an unprecedented move by the Ministry of Education in the Arab Republic of Egypt ( `` MoE '' ) to be the designated online learning platform for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , Edmodo will be rolled out to over 22+ million students and over 1+ million teachers in the country to provide distance learning support in the period of school suspension and to enhance learning thereafter .
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus , the Egyptian government has taken substantial precautionary measures to minimize the spread of the disease , including temporary closure of schools and universities , which has led to an imminent need for an effective online platform to ensure students ' learning will continue to progress during the school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MoE as the designated learning platform of Egypt , given its ability and readiness to offer a rich environment to support collaborative learning , enable teachers to communicate with students and share class materials online , and ultimately make learning accessible anywhere for students .
This rapid and large-scale deployment of Edmodo nationwide , which is set to begin immediately with this roll-out , is both an important milestone in the advancement of education technology in Egypt , as well as a result of the readiness achieved through years of investment in education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His Excellency , Dr. Tarek Shawki , Minister of Education and Technical Education , Egypt comments : `` The unprecedented times that we have found ourselves in means that all governments around the world need to find innovative solutions to ensure the continued education of all learners .
In Egypt we have been investing in our digital learning strategy for three years as part of our educational reform project .
We find ourselves well positioned to be able to support distance learning , and the rapid implementation of Edmodo as the platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and parents can collaborate and learn during this period . ''
Innovera , Middle East partner of NetDragon and long-term technology partner of the MoE , will make their company resources available to support the MoE , schools and teachers with the training and helpdesk to ensure a smooth implementation and long-term usage of Edmodo within Egyptian schools .
As part of this roll-out , Edmodo will also join hands with the innovative Egypt Knowledge Bank ( `` EKB '' ) , one of the world 's largest educational digital libraries , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contents including research journals and other exclusive educational resources for students and teachers .
The integration of Edmodo and EKB provides learners an exceptional opportunity to access high quality educational resources and collaborate with their peers online .
Dr Simon Leung , Vice Chairman of NetDragon , comments : `` It is both a privilege and an honor to support the Ministry of Education , Egypt in delivering practical and innovative solutions that will ultimately contribute to the improvement of education throughout the country , especially during these challenging times .
The deployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will create for a positive transformation in the use of innovative and effective approaches to teaching .
We intend to fully support the Ministry of Education in its bold and visionary approach to both the current situation , and the future of teaching and learning in Egypt . ''
The deployment of Edmodo in Egypt will provide a remarkable foundation to accelerate the adoption of education technology in the country in ways that have never been done before , ultimately benefiting students , teachers and educators over the long run .
With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , NetDragon continues to act swiftly and responsibly to ensure the learning of students around the world will continue in the most engaging and effective manner .
NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited ( HKSE : 0777 ) is a global leader in building internet communities with a long track record of developing and scaling multiple internet and mobile platforms that impact hundreds of millions of users .
These include China 's number one online gaming portal , 17173.com , and China 's most influential smartphone app store platform , 91 Wireless , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion in 2013 as the largest Internet M & A transaction in China .
Established in 1999 , NetDragon is one of the most reputable and well-known online game developers in China with a history of successful game titles including Eudemons Online , Heroes Evolved and Conquer Online .
In recent years , NetDragon has also started to scale its online education business on the back of management 's vision to create the largest global online learning community , and to bring the `` classroom of the future '' to every school around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ please visit www.netdragon.com .
Edmodo is a global lifelong learning platform that provides the support and tools educators need to fully engage learners .
Founded in 2008 and now with more than 100 million users across 400,000 schools worldwide sharing over 618 million resources , Edmodo is designed to protect the privacy of students and teachers by providing a secure platform to communicate and collaborate .
The company is headquartered in San Mateo , California .
Find us at Edmodo and more resources to help you get started with distance learning .

HONG KONG, March 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited ("NetDragon" or "the Company", Hong Kong Stock Code: 777), a global leader in building internet communities, wishes to announce that in view of the disruption of education due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Edmodo, its global leading online education community, has been selected in an unprecedented move by the Ministry of Education in the Arab Republic of Egypt ("MoE") to be the designated online learning platform for the K12 education system in Egypt. Starting today, Edmodo will be rolled out to over 22+ million students and over 1+ million teachers in the country to provide distance learning support in the period of school suspension and to enhance learning thereafter.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the Egyptian government has taken substantial precautionary measures to minimize the spread of the disease, including temporary closure of schools and universities, which has led to an imminent need for an effective online platform to ensure students' learning will continue to progress during the school closure. Edmodo is chosen by the MoE as the designated learning platform of Egypt, given its ability and readiness to offer a rich environment to support collaborative learning, enable teachers to communicate with students and share class materials online, and ultimately make learning accessible anywhere for students. This rapid and large-scale deployment of Edmodo nationwide, which is set to begin immediately with this roll-out, is both an important milestone in the advancement of education technology in Egypt, as well as a result of the readiness achieved through years of investment in education technology and digital content by the MoE.
His Excellency, Dr. Tarek Shawki, Minister of Education and Technical Education, Egypt comments: "The unprecedented times that we have found ourselves in means that all governments around the world need to find innovative solutions to ensure the continued education of all learners. In Egypt we have been investing in our digital learning strategy for three years as part of our educational reform project. We find ourselves well positioned to be able to support distance learning, and the rapid implementation of Edmodo as the platform, to ensure that teachers, students and parents can collaborate and learn during this period."
Innovera, Middle East partner of NetDragon and long-term technology partner of the MoE, will make their company resources available to support the MoE, schools and teachers with the training and helpdesk to ensure a smooth implementation and long-term usage of Edmodo within Egyptian schools.
As part of this roll-out, Edmodo will also join hands with the innovative Egypt Knowledge Bank ("EKB"), one of the world's largest educational digital libraries, to bring in a massive volume of interactive contents including research journals and other exclusive educational resources for students and teachers. The integration of Edmodo and EKB provides learners an exceptional opportunity to access high quality educational resources and collaborate with their peers online.
Dr Simon Leung, Vice Chairman of NetDragon, comments: "It is both a privilege and an honor to support the Ministry of Education, Egypt in delivering practical and innovative solutions that will ultimately contribute to the improvement of education throughout the country, especially during these challenging times. The deployment of Edmodo across the whole of Egypt will create for a positive transformation in the use of innovative and effective approaches to teaching. We intend to fully support the Ministry of Education in its bold and visionary approach to both the current situation, and the future of teaching and learning in Egypt."
The deployment of Edmodo in Egypt will provide a remarkable foundation to accelerate the adoption of education technology in the country in ways that have never been done before, ultimately benefiting students, teachers and educators over the long run. With the epidemic continuing to spread across the world, NetDragon continues to act swiftly and responsibly to ensure the learning of students around the world will continue in the most engaging and effective manner.
About NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited
NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE: 0777) is a global leader in building internet communities with a long track record of developing and scaling multiple internet and mobile platforms that impact hundreds of millions of users. These include China's number one online gaming portal, 17173.com, and China's most influential smartphone app store platform, 91 Wireless, which was sold to Baidu for US$1.9 billion in 2013 as the largest Internet M&A transaction in China.
Established in 1999, NetDragon is one of the most reputable and well-known online game developers in China with a history of successful game titles including Eudemons Online, Heroes Evolved and Conquer Online. In recent years, NetDragon has also started to scale its online education business on the back of management's vision to create the largest global online learning community, and to bring the "classroom of the future" to every school around the world. For more information, please visit www.netdragon.com.
About Edmodo
Edmodo is a global lifelong learning platform that provides the support and tools educators need to fully engage learners. Founded in 2008 and now with more than 100 million users across 400,000 schools worldwide sharing over 618 million resources, Edmodo is designed to protect the privacy of students and teachers by providing a secure platform to communicate and collaborate. The company is headquartered in San Mateo, California. Find us at Edmodo and more resources to help you get started with distance learning.
For investor enquiries, please contact:
NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited
Ms. Maggie Zhou
Senior Director of Investor Relations
Tel.: +852 2850 7266 / +86 591 8390 2825
Email: maggie@nd.com.cn
Website: ir.netdragon.com
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1135988/LOGO.jpg


tass--2020-03-20--Two Russians stranded onboard coronavirus-hit cruise ship in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Two Russians are onboard the Silver Shadow cruise ship , which @ @ @ @ @ ’ s port of Recife after one of its passengers was diagnosed with the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Sergey Akopov told TASS .
`` Now together with our colleagues from the United Kingdom @ @ @ @ @ evacuation of passengers and crew members of their ship , we are working on the @ @ @ @ @ with them , '' Akopov said .
According to the diplomat , the Russians are @ @ @ @ @ ship .
He praised effective cooperation with local authorities who have set up a crisis @ @ @ @ @ contact with the embassy .

RIO DE JANEIRO, March 20. /TASS/. Two Russians are onboard the Silver Shadow cruise ship, which has been quarantined in Brazil’s port of Recife after one of its passengers was diagnosed with the coronavirus, Russian Ambassador to Brazil Sergey Akopov told TASS.
"Now together with our colleagues from the United Kingdom, who are organizing the evacuation of passengers and crew members of their ship, we are working on the possibility of returning our nationals with them," Akopov said.
According to the diplomat, the Russians are the crew members of the ship. He praised effective cooperation with local authorities who have set up a crisis center, which helps maintain contact with the embassy.


tass--2020-03-20--Moscow mulls sending charter flights to evacuate Russians from Indonesia

SINGAPORE , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s embassy in Indonesia is considering sending charter flights to facilitate the evacuation of Russian nationals , the diplomatic mission told TASS on Friday .
`` The embassy has sent a note to the local Foreign Ministry requesting it to urgently extend permission to stay in the country for Russians , who have been forced to remain there due to the cancellation of most flights to Russia , '' the mission said .
`` However , Indonesian authorities have not taken this step , explaining that Indonesia has not banned exit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation with the cancellation of most flights , '' it noted .
The embassy has requested `` an urgent evacuation of Russians by sending one or two charter flights . ''
Currently , most Russians or up to 8,000 people are staying in Indonesia ’ s Bali Island .
As of now some 308 coronavirus cases have been recorded in Indonesia , with 25 deaths , what is the highest rate in Southeast Asia .
The coronavirus outbreak was registered in central China in late December 2019 .
On March 11 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
COVID-19 infection cases have been recorded in more than 140 countries .
According to the latest data , over 210,000 people have contracted the virus and about 8,500 have died .

SINGAPORE, March 20. /TASS/. Russia’s embassy in Indonesia is considering sending charter flights to facilitate the evacuation of Russian nationals, the diplomatic mission told TASS on Friday.
"The embassy has sent a note to the local Foreign Ministry requesting it to urgently extend permission to stay in the country for Russians, who have been forced to remain there due to the cancellation of most flights to Russia," the mission said.
"However, Indonesian authorities have not taken this step, explaining that Indonesia has not banned exit, paying no attention to the current situation with the cancellation of most flights," it noted.
The embassy has requested "an urgent evacuation of Russians by sending one or two charter flights."
Currently, most Russians or up to 8,000 people are staying in Indonesia’s Bali Island.
As of now some 308 coronavirus cases have been recorded in Indonesia, with 25 deaths, what is the highest rate in Southeast Asia.
The coronavirus outbreak was registered in central China in late December 2019. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. COVID-19 infection cases have been recorded in more than 140 countries. According to the latest data, over 210,000 people have contracted the virus and about 8,500 have died.


tass--2020-03-20--Moscow sends note to France over situation with Russians onboard Costa Pacifica

MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Embassy in France has sent a note to the French Foreign Ministry requesting it to iron out the situation with Russian tourists , who have been unable to leave the Costa Pacifica cruise ship anchored near Marseille , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Friday .
Some 35 Russian tourists and four Belarusian nationals are onboard the vessel .
`` Russia ’ s consulate general in Marseille and the Russian Embassy in Paris have been taking active steps over the past days to arrange their meeting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` No permission has been obtained so far .
The Russian Embassy in Paris has sent a note to the French Foreign Ministry with a request to sort out the situation . ''
The vessel left Buenos Aires on March 3 and on March 21 all tourists were scheduled to disembark in Spain ’ s Barcelona .
Later that day they were expected to take a flight to Moscow and other Russian cities .
However , the Spanish government barred cruise ships from entering the country ’ s ports amid the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Marseille .
Now the French authorities are refusing to issue permission for tourists to disembark in Marseille .
`` At the moment the ship ’ s crew has been informed about a possible new change of the route and that the passengers could disembark in Genoa ( Italy ) , '' Zakharova said , noting that this complicates their return to Russia .
`` In view of this , we express hope that the French authorities will understand the situation of tourists who are onboard the ship and will do their utmost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been onboard the ship since March 9 without any stops , '' she noted .
Earlier , the French Foreign Ministry announced that French citizens and EU nationals together with their spouses and children could enter France to return home .
However , the residents of other countries were not allowed to arrive in France for 30 days , but there is no ban on leaving the national territory .
The coronavirus outbreak was registered in central China in late December 2019 .
On March 11 , the World Health Organization declared it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been recorded in more than 140 countries .
According to the latest data , over 210,000 people have contracted the virus and about 8,500 have died .
In Russia , 199 coronavirus cases have been registered .

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Russia’s Embassy in France has sent a note to the French Foreign Ministry requesting it to iron out the situation with Russian tourists, who have been unable to leave the Costa Pacifica cruise ship anchored near Marseille, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Friday.
Some 35 Russian tourists and four Belarusian nationals are onboard the vessel. "Russia’s consulate general in Marseille and the Russian Embassy in Paris have been taking active steps over the past days to arrange their meeting in Marseille," the diplomat said. "No permission has been obtained so far. The Russian Embassy in Paris has sent a note to the French Foreign Ministry with a request to sort out the situation."
The vessel left Buenos Aires on March 3 and on March 21 all tourists were scheduled to disembark in Spain’s Barcelona. Later that day they were expected to take a flight to Moscow and other Russian cities. However, the Spanish government barred cruise ships from entering the country’s ports amid the coronavirus and the vessel changed the route, heading to Marseille. Now the French authorities are refusing to issue permission for tourists to disembark in Marseille.
"At the moment the ship’s crew has been informed about a possible new change of the route and that the passengers could disembark in Genoa (Italy)," Zakharova said, noting that this complicates their return to Russia.
"In view of this, we express hope that the French authorities will understand the situation of tourists who are onboard the ship and will do their utmost to solve the situation. People have been onboard the ship since March 9 without any stops," she noted.
Earlier, the French Foreign Ministry announced that French citizens and EU nationals together with their spouses and children could enter France to return home. However, the residents of other countries were not allowed to arrive in France for 30 days, but there is no ban on leaving the national territory.
The coronavirus outbreak was registered in central China in late December 2019. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. COVID-19 infection cases have been recorded in more than 140 countries. According to the latest data, over 210,000 people have contracted the virus and about 8,500 have died. In Russia, 199 coronavirus cases have been registered.


tass--2020-03-20--Russia starts testing vaccine against COVID-19

MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s sanitary watchdog , the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing , has launched tests of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus .
`` In Russia in order to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector of Rospotrebnadzor has swiftly developed prototypes of vaccines based on six various technological platforms , '' the watchdog said .
Experts have managed to create vaccines based on broadly used recombinant viral vectors of flu .
`` When new vaccines are developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry out in vivo tests on sensitive laboratory animals , '' Rospotrebnadzor said .
These tests are aimed at defining the most effective dose , its frequency and the methods of application .
The coronavirus outbreak was registered in central China in late December 2019 .
On March 11 , the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic .
COVID-19 infection cases have been recorded in more than 140 countries .
According to the latest data , over 210,000 people have contracted the virus and about 8,500 have died .
In Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Russia’s sanitary watchdog, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing, has launched tests of a vaccine against the novel coronavirus.
"In Russia in order to prevent and control the COVID-19 epidemic the State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector of Rospotrebnadzor has swiftly developed prototypes of vaccines based on six various technological platforms," the watchdog said.
Experts have managed to create vaccines based on broadly used recombinant viral vectors of flu.
"When new vaccines are developed in modern biology it is necessary to carry out in vivo tests on sensitive laboratory animals," Rospotrebnadzor said.
These tests are aimed at defining the most effective dose, its frequency and the methods of application.
The coronavirus outbreak was registered in central China in late December 2019. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. COVID-19 infection cases have been recorded in more than 140 countries. According to the latest data, over 210,000 people have contracted the virus and about 8,500 have died. In Russia, 199 coronavirus cases have been registered.


tass--2020-03-20--ISS orbit raised ahead of Soyuz MS-16 manned spacecraft’s docking

MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Specialists of the Mission Control Center have adjusted the orbit of the International Space Station ahead of the Soyuz MS-16 manned spacecraft ’ s docking , Roscosmos state space corporation said .
`` In accordance with the ISS flight program a scheduled adjustment of its orbit was carried out on March 19 , 2020 , '' Roscosmos said .
The engines of the Progress cargo spacecraft were switched on at 20:14 Moscow Time and worked for 534 seconds as scheduled .
As a result of the maneuver the ISS ’ s orbit was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ km .
The maneuver was conducted to create ballistic conditions for the docking of the Soyuz MS-16 manned spacecraft with three crew members onboard and the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft ’ s landing with a cosmonaut and two astronauts .
At the moment , three crew members are onboard the International Space Station - Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka , NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan .
They are scheduled to return to the Earth on April 17 onboard the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft .
On April 9 , cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Wagner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crew .
The Soyuz-2.1 a rocket with the Soyuz MS-16 manned spacecraft will be launched at 11:05 Moscow Time and the spacecraft ’ s docking with the ISS is scheduled for 17:16 Moscow Time .
Last time the ISS orbit was adjusted in January .
The maneuver was carried out in two stages to create ballistic conditions for the landing of the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft on February 6 .

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Specialists of the Mission Control Center have adjusted the orbit of the International Space Station ahead of the Soyuz MS-16 manned spacecraft’s docking, Roscosmos state space corporation said.
"In accordance with the ISS flight program a scheduled adjustment of its orbit was carried out on March 19, 2020," Roscosmos said.
The engines of the Progress cargo spacecraft were switched on at 20:14 Moscow Time and worked for 534 seconds as scheduled. As a result of the maneuver the ISS’s orbit was raised by nearly 1.1 km to 419 km.
The maneuver was conducted to create ballistic conditions for the docking of the Soyuz MS-16 manned spacecraft with three crew members onboard and the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft’s landing with a cosmonaut and two astronauts.
At the moment, three crew members are onboard the International Space Station - Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan. They are scheduled to return to the Earth on April 17 onboard the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft.
On April 9, cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Wagner and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy will join the crew. The Soyuz-2.1 a rocket with the Soyuz MS-16 manned spacecraft will be launched at 11:05 Moscow Time and the spacecraft’s docking with the ISS is scheduled for 17:16 Moscow Time.
Last time the ISS orbit was adjusted in January. The maneuver was carried out in two stages to create ballistic conditions for the landing of the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft on February 6.


tass--2020-03-20--Photo album to mark Lavrov’s 70th birthday goes on sale in Moscow

MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
An album with a collection of Sergey Lavrov ’ s photos will go on sale on Friday on occasion of the Russian foreign minister ’ s 70th birthday on March 21 .
The album titled `` Lavrov .
Emotions '' is not just official archive photos but it provides a fresh angle on events of global politics through the prism of emotions of a person , who has been Russia ’ s top diplomat over the past 16 years .
This is a story about Lavrov , his work , important people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photos were made by veteran photographer Eduard Pesov , who worked for TASS and the Russian Foreign Ministry .
The album includes more than 100 photos from the archive of the Foreign Ministry , TASS and also a number of other domestic and foreign media outlets .
The album features pictures from the foreign minister ’ s meetings with his colleagues and significant events in the history of bilateral relations .
On one of these photos Lavrov and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton press the famous red reset button , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counterpart John Kerry discuss something on a bench in a park , not in a formal atmosphere in front of cameras .
Another photo devoted to Russian-US dialogue is Lavrov ’ s handshake with US President Donald Trump .
Some photos show what relations the countries had in different period : warm and hearty pictures with colleagues from China and India , Syria and ASEAN countries and a cheerful reception in Latin American countries - Cuba and Suriname , and on the contrary , reserved photo shoots from a trilateral meeting with German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devoted to Lavrov ’ s activity as Russia ’ s permanent representative to the United Nations ( 1994-2004 ) and recent years when he visited New York to take part in the UN events .
Some photos showed Lavrov delivering statements from the tribune , and others pictured him reading the speech before his address .
The album has photos with Lavrov when he is smoking , which are especially popular among Russians despite the country ’ s anti-tobacco fight .
However , there are much more pictures devoted to his healthy lifestyle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football match , fishing and enjoying beautiful nature .
Some 2,000 copies of the photo album will be released by the Boslen publishing house with the assistance of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations ( MGIMO ) Alumni Association .

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. An album with a collection of Sergey Lavrov’s photos will go on sale on Friday on occasion of the Russian foreign minister’s 70th birthday on March 21.
The album titled "Lavrov. Emotions" is not just official archive photos but it provides a fresh angle on events of global politics through the prism of emotions of a person, who has been Russia’s top diplomat over the past 16 years. This is a story about Lavrov, his work, important people and things that make him smile.
The photos were made by veteran photographer Eduard Pesov, who worked for TASS and the Russian Foreign Ministry. The album includes more than 100 photos from the archive of the Foreign Ministry, TASS and also a number of other domestic and foreign media outlets.
The album features pictures from the foreign minister’s meetings with his colleagues and significant events in the history of bilateral relations. On one of these photos Lavrov and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton press the famous red reset button, and on the other the minister and his counterpart John Kerry discuss something on a bench in a park, not in a formal atmosphere in front of cameras. Another photo devoted to Russian-US dialogue is Lavrov’s handshake with US President Donald Trump.
Some photos show what relations the countries had in different period: warm and hearty pictures with colleagues from China and India, Syria and ASEAN countries and a cheerful reception in Latin American countries - Cuba and Suriname, and on the contrary, reserved photo shoots from a trilateral meeting with German and Polish counterparts.
Other photos are devoted to Lavrov’s activity as Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations (1994-2004) and recent years when he visited New York to take part in the UN events. Some photos showed Lavrov delivering statements from the tribune, and others pictured him reading the speech before his address.
The album has photos with Lavrov when he is smoking, which are especially popular among Russians despite the country’s anti-tobacco fight. However, there are much more pictures devoted to his healthy lifestyle: a canoe slalom competition, a football match, fishing and enjoying beautiful nature.
Some 2,000 copies of the photo album will be released by the Boslen publishing house with the assistance of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) Alumni Association.


tass--2020-03-20--Pobeda airline evacuates over 380 Russian tourists from Montenegro

BELGRADE , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Two aircraft of Russia ’ s low-cost airline Pobeda brought 383 Russian citizens back home from Montenegro on Thursday , a spokesman for Russia ’ s Embassy in the European country Kirill Kirzha told TASS .
`` Just now the second Pobeda airline ’ s plane took off from Podgorica for Moscow .
A total of 383 people traveled to Russia by two flights of the airline .
Earlier an S7 flight evacuated 176 people , '' the diplomat said .
`` We thank Montenegro ’ s authorities , the Ministry of Transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is underway as normal , we are swiftly solving problems in cooperation with Montenegro ’ s authorities and its operators .
We hope that in the future the entire process of evacuating Russian citizens who are willing to come back home will take place as scheduled , '' the diplomat noted .
Nearly 1,800 Russian tourists were stranded in Montenegro after the country ’ s authorities introduced measures to suspend flights amid the coronavirus spread .
Earlier , Russian diplomats obtained Montenegro ’ s agreement to organize the return of fellow countrymen by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s flagship airline Aeroflot and its subsidiary Pobeda Airlines announced that they were unable to return their passengers to Russia over the lack of permission by Montenegro ’ s leadership .
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Montenegro had given its permission for Russian aircraft to evacuate Russian citizens on condition that they return Montenegro ’ s nationals back home from Russia .
The diplomat stressed that Montenegro had shifted its responsibility for Montenegro ’ s citizens on Russia .
The number of coronavirus cases in Montenegro has risen from two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Currently , over 3,500 people are under medical supervision in the country .

BELGRADE, March 20. /TASS/. Two aircraft of Russia’s low-cost airline Pobeda brought 383 Russian citizens back home from Montenegro on Thursday, a spokesman for Russia’s Embassy in the European country Kirill Kirzha told TASS.
"Just now the second Pobeda airline’s plane took off from Podgorica for Moscow. A total of 383 people traveled to Russia by two flights of the airline. Earlier an S7 flight evacuated 176 people," the diplomat said.
"We thank Montenegro’s authorities, the Ministry of Transport and Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, everything is underway as normal, we are swiftly solving problems in cooperation with Montenegro’s authorities and its operators. We hope that in the future the entire process of evacuating Russian citizens who are willing to come back home will take place as scheduled," the diplomat noted.
Nearly 1,800 Russian tourists were stranded in Montenegro after the country’s authorities introduced measures to suspend flights amid the coronavirus spread. Earlier, Russian diplomats obtained Montenegro’s agreement to organize the return of fellow countrymen by Russian airlines.
On Tuesday, Russia’s flagship airline Aeroflot and its subsidiary Pobeda Airlines announced that they were unable to return their passengers to Russia over the lack of permission by Montenegro’s leadership. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Montenegro had given its permission for Russian aircraft to evacuate Russian citizens on condition that they return Montenegro’s nationals back home from Russia. The diplomat stressed that Montenegro had shifted its responsibility for Montenegro’s citizens on Russia.
The number of coronavirus cases in Montenegro has risen from two to ten over the past day. Currently, over 3,500 people are under medical supervision in the country.


tass--2020-03-21--Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov turns 70

His achievements , hard work and clout on the global political arena are well-known .
The minister has repeatedly revealed @ @ @ @ @ : becoming a successful diplomat is impossible without constant readiness to learn and devotion to @ @ @ @ @ homeland .
A photo book headlined ‘ Lavrov .
Emotions ’ was published recently , @ @ @ @ @ at the minister ’ s career , intertwined with key international events of the 21st @ @ @ @ @ some personal moments .
TASS joins congratulations coming from Russia and all over the world @ @ @ @ @ , strength and more good news .

MOSCOW, March 21. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov turns 70 on Saturday.
His achievements, hard work and clout on the global political arena are well-known. The minister has repeatedly revealed his secret to young diplomats: becoming a successful diplomat is impossible without constant readiness to learn and devotion to one’s profession and homeland.
A photo book headlined ‘Lavrov. Emotions’ was published recently, offering a glance not only at the minister’s career, intertwined with key international events of the 21st century, but also at some personal moments.
TASS joins congratulations coming from Russia and all over the world and wishes the minister health, strength and more good news.


tass--2020-03-21--Rosneft CEO urges not to ‘dramatize’ coronavirus problem for oil market

MOSCOW , March 21 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus pandemic had a serious impact on the oil market , but positive news from China demonstrate that this problem should not be exaggerated , Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said on Friday .
`` In my opinion , coronavirus is indeed a serious problem , which should be taken into account while balancing the market .
But , on the other hand , there is no need to dramatize the situation .
As we can see now , China has almost coped with the epidemic .
The recovery [ of patients ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have very positive dynamics , that is why it seems that a certain remedy against the coronavirus has been found , which is isolation . ''
According to HIS Markit , global oil demand in March and April may decline by ten million barrels per day as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak .
The disease that originated in China and spread rapidly all over the world caused a sharp fall in commercial air transport .
Besides , transport services and traffic worldwide were also affected by quarantine measures in a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sechin , oil prices are expected to get adjusted within six months and may be back to $ 60 per barrel by the yearend .
`` The market will get corrected and I think quite rapidly .
In a span of six months , we will see the changes in a more stable , right direction .
By the end of the year , I believe , the price may be back to 60 US dollars in case shale oil is out of the market , '' he said .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not dramatic but `` brings no joy '' either .
`` I wouldn ’ t call the current prices a stress scenario .
Naturally , such a slump like today ’ s brings no joy but it gives no feeling of drama either , '' he said .
The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for May 2020 delivery dropped by 5.34 % on London 's ICE as of 21:29 Moscow time on Friday , to $ 26.94 per barrel .
The price of futures contracts of WTI crude oil was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23.14 per barrel .
`` It is already being reported that extraction assets are being withdrawn from shale production .
The decline of prices to the current level makes it impossible to attract financing , although incumbent US financial authorities actively support their companies .
Regardless of investments that are being suggested , the current level of prices will make it impossible to efficiently produce shale oil , '' he said .
The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for May 2020 delivery dropped by 5.34 % on London 's ICE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the trading data as of 9:29 pm Moscow time .
Futures contracts of WTI crude oil traded at $ 23.14 per barrel , down 10.7 % .
Fatih Birol , head of the International Energy Agency ( IEA ) , said in early March that shale oil production in the United States may plunge if oil prices decline to $ 25 per barrel .
The resource base of Russian oil major Rosneft is sufficient for maintaining current production levels for 22 years without making additional investments into oil and gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters .
`` Our operational losses will allow us to work in this regime for quite a while .
Our resource base enables us to extract oil for 22 years without reducing the output even if no additional investments are made into geological prospecting , '' he said .
`` That is why we feel fairly confident and are convinced that we should follow the market framework and work on the market to demonstrate our efficiency , '' Sechin continued .
The Rosneft CEO went on to say that the company ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 3.1 per barrel .
`` Our operational expenditures are generally low , at $ 3.1 per barrel .
We have the entire set of mechanisms to bring about our plans , '' he added .
On February 11 , Sechin said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Rosneft had maintained its production level flat in annual terms in 2019 and produced 285.5 mln tonnes of hydrocarbons .
Sechin also told reporters that it was vital to preserve the company ’ s share on the oil market and retain its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserve the market share .
A price can be adjusted , but if you leave your customers you will never have a chance to return there , '' he said .
In his opinion , the United States managed to significantly increase its market share in the years of the OPEC+ agreement on oil production cuts .
`` Look at what happened during the three years of our participation in the OPEC+ agreement .
US oil production was blooming , and they came to the fore of global oil production , '' Sechin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was building new export pipelines and sea terminals , while its oil and gas companies attempted to gain a foothold on the European market .
`` Deliveries to India grew tenfold , to Europe - sixfold .
Do we need to preserve our share of the market or not ?
I think we do , '' the Rosneft CEO said .
The role of the OPEC+ agreement , under which oil exporting countries reduced their oil production , has lost its importance for the market due to numerous factors including US sanctions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sechin said .
`` I think that in general , the OPEC+ deal has already lost the importance we had once attached to it .
Other factors are now in place , political and sanction-related ones , including the factor of coronavirus , the condition of the consumer market , of economic stagnation , '' he said during a Rossiya-24 TV channel broadcast .

MOSCOW, March 21. /TASS/. The coronavirus pandemic had a serious impact on the oil market, but positive news from China demonstrate that this problem should not be exaggerated, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said on Friday.
"In my opinion, coronavirus is indeed a serious problem, which should be taken into account while balancing the market. But, on the other hand, there is no need to dramatize the situation. As we can see now, China has almost coped with the epidemic. The recovery [of patients] and the decline in newly detected cases have very positive dynamics, that is why it seems that a certain remedy against the coronavirus has been found, which is isolation."
According to HIS Markit, global oil demand in March and April may decline by ten million barrels per day as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak. The disease that originated in China and spread rapidly all over the world caused a sharp fall in commercial air transport. Besides, transport services and traffic worldwide were also affected by quarantine measures in a number of states, including Russia.
According to Sechin, oil prices are expected to get adjusted within six months and may be back to $60 per barrel by the yearend.
"The market will get corrected and I think quite rapidly. In a span of six months, we will see the changes in a more stable, right direction. By the end of the year, I believe, the price may be back to 60 US dollars in case shale oil is out of the market," he said.
He said that the current oil prices crash is not dramatic but "brings no joy" either.
"I wouldn’t call the current prices a stress scenario. Naturally, such a slump like today’s brings no joy but it gives no feeling of drama either," he said.
The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for May 2020 delivery dropped by 5.34% on London's ICE as of 21:29 Moscow time on Friday, to $26.94 per barrel. The price of futures contracts of WTI crude oil was down by 10.7%, to $23.14 per barrel.
Shale oil projects
The current oil prices make shale oil extraction projects inefficient, Sechin said.
"It is already being reported that extraction assets are being withdrawn from shale production. The decline of prices to the current level makes it impossible to attract financing, although incumbent US financial authorities actively support their companies. Regardless of investments that are being suggested, the current level of prices will make it impossible to efficiently produce shale oil," he said.
The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for May 2020 delivery dropped by 5.34% on London's ICE on Friday to $26.94 per barrel, according to the trading data as of 9:29 pm Moscow time. Futures contracts of WTI crude oil traded at $23.14 per barrel, down 10.7%.
Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said in early March that shale oil production in the United States may plunge if oil prices decline to $25 per barrel.
Resource base
The resource base of Russian oil major Rosneft is sufficient for maintaining current production levels for 22 years without making additional investments into oil and gas prospecting, company CEO Igor Sechin told reporters.
"Our operational losses will allow us to work in this regime for quite a while. Our resource base enables us to extract oil for 22 years without reducing the output even if no additional investments are made into geological prospecting," he said.
"That is why we feel fairly confident and are convinced that we should follow the market framework and work on the market to demonstrate our efficiency," Sechin continued.
The Rosneft CEO went on to say that the company’s oil production costs were low, at $3.1 per barrel.
"Our operational expenditures are generally low, at $3.1 per barrel. We have the entire set of mechanisms to bring about our plans," he added.
On February 11, Sechin said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Rosneft had maintained its production level flat in annual terms in 2019 and produced 285.5 mln tonnes of hydrocarbons.
Oil market share
Sechin also told reporters that it was vital to preserve the company’s share on the oil market and retain its customers.
"It is important to preserve the market share. A price can be adjusted, but if you leave your customers you will never have a chance to return there," he said.
In his opinion, the United States managed to significantly increase its market share in the years of the OPEC+ agreement on oil production cuts.
"Look at what happened during the three years of our participation in the OPEC+ agreement. US oil production was blooming, and they came to the fore of global oil production," Sechin said, adding that the United States was building new export pipelines and sea terminals, while its oil and gas companies attempted to gain a foothold on the European market.
"Deliveries to India grew tenfold, to Europe - sixfold. Do we need to preserve our share of the market or not? I think we do," the Rosneft CEO said.
OPEC+ deal
The role of the OPEC+ agreement, under which oil exporting countries reduced their oil production, has lost its importance for the market due to numerous factors including US sanctions and the novel coronavirus, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said.
"I think that in general, the OPEC+ deal has already lost the importance we had once attached to it. Other factors are now in place, political and sanction-related ones, including the factor of coronavirus, the condition of the consumer market, of economic stagnation," he said during a Rossiya-24 TV channel broadcast.


tass--2020-03-21--Russian nationals to be evacuated from Moldova on March 21 — President Dodon

CHISINAU , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Evacuation of Russian nationals who can not leave Moldova after the closure of borders in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic will begin on March 21 , Moldova ’ s President Igor Dodon said on Friday .
`` Tomorrow , two plane are expected to arrive from Russia , which wants to evacuate its citizens , '' he said in an interview with the NTV-Moldova television channel .
He asked the Russian government to airlift Moldovan nationals to Chisinau by these planes .
`` Several hundreds of Moldovan nationals want to return home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian embassy ’ s consular department Vitaly Bogdanov told TASS earlier that more than 300 Russians had got stuck in Moldova .
Moldova imposed a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak on Tuesday .
It will stay in force until May 15 .
The country has closed its borders .
Educational establishments and shops have also been closed , but for food stores and pharmacies , people are asked to stay at home .
As of today , 66 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moldova .
The authorities are getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of those infected exceeding 1,500 .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 140 countries and territories , including Russia , which by now has 253 cases .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 240,000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .
In order to keep the citizens updated on the coronavirus situation in Russia , the government has launched a website at http : //···············.·· .

CHISINAU, March 20. /TASS/. Evacuation of Russian nationals who cannot leave Moldova after the closure of borders in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic will begin on March 21, Moldova’s President Igor Dodon said on Friday.
"Tomorrow, two plane are expected to arrive from Russia, which wants to evacuate its citizens," he said in an interview with the NTV-Moldova television channel.
He asked the Russian government to airlift Moldovan nationals to Chisinau by these planes. "Several hundreds of Moldovan nationals want to return home," he noted.
Head of the Russian embassy’s consular department Vitaly Bogdanov told TASS earlier that more than 300 Russians had got stuck in Moldova.
Moldova imposed a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak on Tuesday. It will stay in force until May 15. The country has closed its borders. Educational establishments and shops have also been closed, but for food stores and pharmacies, people are asked to stay at home.
As of today, 66 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moldova. The authorities are getting prepared to the worst scenario with the number of those infected exceeding 1,500.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 140 countries and territories, including Russia, which by now has 253 cases. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 240,000, with more than 10,000 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic. In order to keep the citizens updated on the coronavirus situation in Russia, the government has launched a website at http://···············.··.


tass--2020-03-21--Brent crude oil price down by over 5% to below $27 per barrel

MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for May 2020 delivery @ @ @ @ @ London 's ICE on Friday to $ 26.94 per barrel , according to the trading @ @ @ @ @ Moscow time .
The price of futures contracts of WTI crude oil is down by @ @ @ @ @ per barrel .
Crude prices nosedived after Russia and Saudi Arabia failed to agree an @ @ @ @ @ after March 2020 when the current agreements expire .
Moreover , the former allies intend @ @ @ @ @ April , which market observers have already dubbed a price war .

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. The price of futures contracts of Brent crude oil for May 2020 delivery dropped by 5.34% on London's ICE on Friday to $26.94 per barrel, according to the trading data as of 9:29 pm Moscow time.
The price of futures contracts of WTI crude oil is down by 10.7% at $23.14 per barrel.
Crude prices nosedived after Russia and Saudi Arabia failed to agree an extension of crude production cuts after March 2020 when the current agreements expire. Moreover, the former allies intend to substantially boost production in April, which market observers have already dubbed a price war.


tass--2020-03-21--Only 11 patients contracted coronavirus inside Russia — chief sanitary doctor

MOSCOW , March 20 .
/TASS/ .
Only 11 coronavirus patients in Russia contracted the infection inside the country , the rest are imported cases , Russian chief sanitary doctor and head of the consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova said on Friday .
`` Ninety percent of the infections cases confirmed in Russia were brought from abroad .
Only 11 people contracted the infection inside Russia and each of them had very close contacts with the one who had brought the virus from abroad , '' she said in an interview with the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 140 countries and territories , including Russia , which by now has 253 cases .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 240,000 , with more than 10,000 deaths .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has officially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a pandemic .
In order to keep the citizens updated on the coronavirus situation in Russia , the government has launched a website at http : //···············.·· .

MOSCOW, March 20. /TASS/. Only 11 coronavirus patients in Russia contracted the infection inside the country, the rest are imported cases, Russian chief sanitary doctor and head of the consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova said on Friday.
"Ninety percent of the infections cases confirmed in Russia were brought from abroad. Only 11 people contracted the infection inside Russia and each of them had very close contacts with the one who had brought the virus from abroad," she said in an interview with the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station.
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Cases of the new coronavirus have also been reported from more than 140 countries and territories, including Russia, which by now has 253 cases. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases across the globe have exceeded 240,000, with more than 10,000 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic. In order to keep the citizens updated on the coronavirus situation in Russia, the government has launched a website at http://···············.··.