tass--2020-04-19--Russia buys protective gear from China in large amounts

MOSCOW , April 19 .
/TASS/ .
/TASS/ .
Some of foreign countries have stopped supplies of protective gear and medical equipment to combat the coronavirus infection and it would be very difficult to meet the domestic demand without supplies from China , Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said on Sunday .
`` Countries must always cooperate with each other .
China is now helping us .
We are buying [ protective gear ] from it in large amounts .
If we did not have such a possibility , I would be frank , it would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ react to growing demand from the healthcare system , '' he said in an interview with the Deistvuyushchiye Litsa ( Political Actors ) with Nailya Asker-zade program on the Rossiya-1 television channel .
According to the minister , many countries , including Russia , have banned exports of individual protective gear and medical equipment amid the coronavirus pandemic .
`` They have stopped exports to us .
We too have restricted , or to be more previse , banned exports of individual protective gear and medical equipment needed to combat the coronavirus infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with understanding , '' Manturov noted .
`` We will not export from other countries because they have banned them .
They are in the same situation as we are in because not a single country across the globe was ready for this challenge , even our Chinese friends when they faced this problem , '' he added .
However , in his words , Russia continues to receive foreign-made components for artificial lung ventilation equipment which is being manufactured in Yekaterinburg .
Russia has already received 300,000 individual protective gear from China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late April .
`` We have signed [ a contract ] with our Chinese friends and more than 300,000 individual protective gear have already been shipped .
About 1.6 more will arrive by the end of the month , '' he said in an interview with the Deistvuyushchiye Litsa ( Political Actors ) with Nailya Asker-zade program on the Rossiya-1 television channel .
According to the minister , production of such gear has been organized in Russia and it is planned to put out 25,000 such outfits a day by the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his words , has referred a pilot reusable protective gear to a Russian sanitary watchdog ’ s laboratory for certification .

MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/. /TASS/. Some of foreign countries have stopped supplies of protective gear and medical equipment to combat the coronavirus infection and it would be very difficult to meet the domestic demand without supplies from China, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said on Sunday.
"Countries must always cooperate with each other. China is now helping us. We are buying [protective gear] from it in large amounts. If we did not have such a possibility, I would be frank, it would have been very difficult for us to swiftly react to growing demand from the healthcare system," he said in an interview with the Deistvuyushchiye Litsa (Political Actors) with Nailya Asker-zade program on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
According to the minister, many countries, including Russia, have banned exports of individual protective gear and medical equipment amid the coronavirus pandemic. "They have stopped exports to us. We too have restricted, or to be more previse, banned exports of individual protective gear and medical equipment needed to combat the coronavirus infection. Naturally, we take this situation with understanding," Manturov noted.
"We will not export from other countries because they have banned them. They are in the same situation as we are in because not a single country across the globe was ready for this challenge, even our Chinese friends when they faced this problem," he added.
However, in his words, Russia continues to receive foreign-made components for artificial lung ventilation equipment which is being manufactured in Yekaterinburg.
Russia has already received 300,000 individual protective gear from China and will receive 1.6 million more by late April.
"We have signed [a contract] with our Chinese friends and more than 300,000 individual protective gear have already been shipped. About 1.6 more will arrive by the end of the month," he said in an interview with the Deistvuyushchiye Litsa (Political Actors) with Nailya Asker-zade program on the Rossiya-1 television channel.
According to the minister, production of such gear has been organized in Russia and it is planned to put out 25,000 such outfits a day by the end of the month.
The ministry, in his words, has referred a pilot reusable protective gear to a Russian sanitary watchdog’s laboratory for certification.


tass--2020-04-19--Kremlin says Putin made difficult decision to put off Victory Day parade

MOSCOW , April 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a difficult decision on delaying the Victory Day @ @ @ @ @ Peskov said in an interview with `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' program .
@ @ @ @ @ probably hard for the president to make such a decision but < ... > the @ @ @ @ @ priority for him , '' Peskov said .
According to Peskov , May 9 is @ @ @ @ @ .
The Kremlin spokesman expressed confidence that `` everyone will still celebrate '' the 75th @ @ @ @ @ Great Patriotic War .
On Thursday , Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that both the @ @ @ @ @ Immortal Regiment ’ s march would not be held on May 9 , but would @ @ @ @ @ as soon as the coronavirus threat subsides .

MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin made a difficult decision on delaying the Victory Day parade, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program.
"Certainly, it was probably hard for the president to make such a decision but <...> the health of people is a priority for him," Peskov said.
According to Peskov, May 9 is a holy day for Putin. The Kremlin spokesman expressed confidence that "everyone will still celebrate" the 75th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that both the Victory Day parade and the Immortal Regiment’s march would not be held on May 9, but would take place later this year as soon as the coronavirus threat subsides.


tass--2020-04-19--Kremlin notes growing role of international interaction in battling coronavirus

MOSCOW , April 19 .
/TASS/ .
The role of international interaction in combating the novel coronavirus and the demand in this cooperation is growing , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' program on Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` Here it ’ s impossible to distance from each other .
On the contrary , the importance and demand in communication is only growing , '' Peskov said .
`` Our countries cooperate .
And the heads of state have contacts .
And they provide mutual assistance and exchange information , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,200,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 150,000 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 42,853 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 3,291 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 361 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/. The role of international interaction in combating the novel coronavirus and the demand in this cooperation is growing, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"Here it’s impossible to distance from each other. On the contrary, the importance and demand in communication is only growing," Peskov said.
"Our countries cooperate. And the heads of state have contacts. And they provide mutual assistance and exchange information," the Kremlin spokesman noted.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,200,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 150,000 deaths have been reported.
To date, a total of 42,853 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 3,291 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 361 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-19--Kremlin expects new decisions on anti-coronavirus measures next week

MOSCOW , April 19 .
/TASS/ .
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov expects that next week the country ’ s leadership will take new decisions on further measures on combating the coronavirus spread in the country .
`` Probably , during the week some decisions should be made on further measures , '' Peskov said in an interview with `` Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' program .
Russia will have to introduce `` a very complicated combination , '' Peskov said .
`` While the health of citizens is a priority , there is also the need to prevent economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dire crisis due to the circumstances , which all of us have faced . ''
Meanwhile , the Kremlin spokesman expects that the first signs that the novel coronavirus will stop increasing in Russia could be seen next week .
`` This week has shown that the number of cases has been rising every day .
This indicates that we have not yet hit a plateau .
So , let ’ s wait until next week , '' Peskov said .
`` We introduced quarantine three weeks ago , and next week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first signs of reaching a plateau , '' he noted .
To date , a total of 42,853 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 3,291 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 361 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov expects that next week the country’s leadership will take new decisions on further measures on combating the coronavirus spread in the country.
"Probably, during the week some decisions should be made on further measures," Peskov said in an interview with "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program.
Russia will have to introduce "a very complicated combination," Peskov said. "While the health of citizens is a priority, there is also the need to prevent economy from suffocating as it finds itself in a dire crisis due to the circumstances, which all of us have faced."
Meanwhile, the Kremlin spokesman expects that the first signs that the novel coronavirus will stop increasing in Russia could be seen next week. "This week has shown that the number of cases has been rising every day. This indicates that we have not yet hit a plateau. So, let’s wait until next week," Peskov said. "We introduced quarantine three weeks ago, and next week there is hope that we will see the first signs of reaching a plateau," he noted.
To date, a total of 42,853 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 3,291 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 361 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-19--Russia’s sovereign wealth fund will total nearly $95 bln by late 2020

MOSCOW , April 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s National Wealth Fund will amount to nearly 7 trillion rubles @ @ @ @ @ by the end of 2020 with all planned spending and these reserves will be enough @ @ @ @ @ oil prices , Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Sunday .
`` Given all expenses @ @ @ @ @ the end of the year we expect some 7 trillion rubles in the National Wealth @ @ @ @ @ at the oil prices today , this resource will be enough for us until 2024 @ @ @ @ @ Moscow .
Kremlin .
Putin '' program .

MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/. Russia’s National Wealth Fund will amount to nearly 7 trillion rubles ($94.6 bln) by the end of 2020 with all planned spending and these reserves will be enough until 2024 under the current oil prices, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Sunday.
"Given all expenses of this year, by the end of the year we expect some 7 trillion rubles in the National Wealth Fund. If we look at the oil prices today, this resource will be enough for us until 2024," Siluanov told "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program.


tass--2020-04-20--Average age of COVID patients in Russia stands at 47.9 for women and 44.7 for men

Putin says coronavirus epidemic keeps spreading , but Russia managed to contain it MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
The average age of coronavirus-positive patients in Russia is 47.9 for women and 44.7 for men , Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said at a meeting on the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday .
`` As of today , the average age of the infection carriers is 47.9 for women and 44.7 for men , '' she said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin .
Proportion of children in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age account for 7.6 % of Russia 's coronavirus cases , while people aged over 65 account for 15.5 % , Tatiana Golikova informed .
`` I would like to draw attention to the fact that , while the proportion of children under 18 years of age is 7.6 % , and this corresponds to the general trend in the world , the proportion of sick citizens [ aged ] 65+ is 15.5 % .
This is lower than in other countries , '' she stated .
To date , a total of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , with 3,446 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 405 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

Putin says coronavirus epidemic keeps spreading, but Russia managed to contain it
MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. The average age of coronavirus-positive patients in Russia is 47.9 for women and 44.7 for men, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said at a meeting on the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.
"As of today, the average age of the infection carriers is 47.9 for women and 44.7 for men," she said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
Proportion of children in overall statistics
Children under 18 years of age account for 7.6% of Russia's coronavirus cases, while people aged over 65 account for 15.5%, Tatiana Golikova informed.
"I would like to draw attention to the fact that, while the proportion of children under 18 years of age is 7.6%, and this corresponds to the general trend in the world, the proportion of sick citizens [aged] 65+ is 15.5%. This is lower than in other countries," she stated.
To date, a total of 47,121 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 3,446 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 405 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-20--Number of severe coronavirus patients in Moscow stabilized

Putin says coronavirus epidemic keeps spreading , but Russia managed to contain it MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
@ @ @ @ @ coronavirus patients in Moscow has stabilized at 1,000 to 1,300 people in 24 hours , @ @ @ @ @ , adding that this happened largely due to early diagnostics .
`` Thanks to early @ @ @ @ @ number of seriously ill patients diminishes gradually .
[ … ] Over the last 10 @ @ @ @ @ increase ] in the seriously ill has stabilized at 1,000 to 1,300 per day .
@ @ @ @ @ , '' Sobyanin said .

Putin says coronavirus epidemic keeps spreading, but Russia managed to contain it
MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. The number of seriously ill coronavirus patients in Moscow has stabilized at 1,000 to 1,300 people in 24 hours, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said at a government meeting on the epidemic situation in Russia, adding that this happened largely due to early diagnostics.
"Thanks to early diagnosis and treatment, our number of seriously ill patients diminishes gradually. […] Over the last 10 days, the [daily increase] in the seriously ill has stabilized at 1,000 to 1,300 per day. There is no explosive growth," Sobyanin said.
The mayor added that this allows the entire city medicine to work calmly and on normal schedule, especially the hospitals. Over the past week, Moscow has developed a clear system of work with the coronavirus patients, which, according to the mayor, includes timely diagnosis, isolation of risk groups and hospital and outpatient treatment.
"A clear system of handling COVID patients has been formed in the past two weeks. It includes quick and timely diagnosis, isolation of risk groups and hospital and outpatient treatment, which work together as a single mechanism or a system," he stated.
Early disease detection makes it possible to swiftly isolate the risk group, he elaborated, adding that it slows down the infection spread rates. Apart from that, thanks to early diagnosis, patients begin to receive either hospital or outpatient treatment quicker. These measures, in his words, help to reduce the number of those potentially exposed to infection and of those in serious condition.
" <...> Currently we have a rather big safety margin in the medical system for the upcoming two weeks," the mayor said.
Improved quality of tests


tass--2020-04-20--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Palestine up to 329

MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Palestine has increased to 329 , @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
According to the agency , as many as 69 patients have recovered from @ @ @ @ @ 11 in the Gaza Strip .
Three patients have died .
In late December 2019 @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in @ @ @ @ @ in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 @ @ @ @ @ declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,414,000 @ @ @ @ @ and more than 165,000 deaths have been reported .

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Palestine has increased to 329, WAFA news agency reported on Monday.
According to the agency, as many as 69 patients have recovered from the coronavirus infection, including 11 in the Gaza Strip. Three patients have died.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,414,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 165,000 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-04-20--Putin says coronavirus epidemic keeps spreading, but Russia managed to contain it

NOVO-OGARYOVO , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus epidemic continues to spread , but Russia ’ s preventive measures have contained it , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday .
`` The situation is still challenging , and unfortunately , the epidemic spread continues and the number of citizens , who contract the coronavirus , is on the rise , '' Putin told a meeting to discuss the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia .
The Russian leader noted that the growth was seen `` not only in Moscow , which was the first to face this threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Due to preventive measures we still managed to slow down and contain this process , but unfortunately the infection , even its single cases , has been registered in all 85 regions . ''
Putin stressed that the scenario of the coronavirus spread had been predicted and Russia had prepared for it .
The peak is still ahead The peak of the coronavirus spread in Russia is still ahead but it is necessary to smooth over the growth of new cases , Putin said .
`` The peak of the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressed , referring to expert opinions .
However , `` it is necessary to do everything to smooth over this peak and cut the time of getting past the so-called plateau when the largest number of new infections is registered , '' the Russian president said .
As the Russian leader stressed , `` work in all the directions is currently underway . ''
`` Also , an additional stock of specialized medical beds will be made available in all the regions by the end of this and at the beginning of next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian president stressed that `` in such preparations , all possible scenarios are being taken into account . ''
The Russian president asked the experts taking part in the meeting about how they assessed the current situation , the dynamics of the epidemic ’ s spread in Russia and about their forecast for the next three , seven , ten days and for a month , including the number of severe cases requiring urgent hospitalizations .
He also asked the experts about the sufficiency of reserve hospital beds , medicines , lung ventilators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being created .
`` For medical workers , and literally each of them is now indispensable , enhanced reliable protection from the infection must be ensured , '' the Russian president said .
He asked the experts about how to ensure such protection .
Putin has asked for experts ’ advice concerning extra anti-coronavirus measures .
He stressed however that efforts must be taken to minimize the pandemic ’ s impacts on people ’ s jobs and incomes .
`` Thanks to the non-working weeks , quarantine restrictions , self-isolations requirements and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managed to win some time , '' he said .
`` We have managed to slow down the epidemic ’ s spread and adjust our healthcare system . ''

NOVO-OGARYOVO, April 20. /TASS/. The coronavirus epidemic continues to spread, but Russia’s preventive measures have contained it, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
"The situation is still challenging, and unfortunately, the epidemic spread continues and the number of citizens, who contract the coronavirus, is on the rise," Putin told a meeting to discuss the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia.
The Russian leader noted that the growth was seen "not only in Moscow, which was the first to face this threat, but also in other regions." "Due to preventive measures we still managed to slow down and contain this process, but unfortunately the infection, even its single cases, has been registered in all 85 regions."
Putin stressed that the scenario of the coronavirus spread had been predicted and Russia had prepared for it.
The peak is still ahead
The peak of the coronavirus spread in Russia is still ahead but it is necessary to smooth over the growth of new cases, Putin said.
"The peak of the disease spread is still ahead," Putin stressed, referring to expert opinions.
However, "it is necessary to do everything to smooth over this peak and cut the time of getting past the so-called plateau when the largest number of new infections is registered," the Russian president said.
As the Russian leader stressed, "work in all the directions is currently underway." "Also, an additional stock of specialized medical beds will be made available in all the regions by the end of this and at the beginning of next week," Putin specified.
The Russian president stressed that "in such preparations, all possible scenarios are being taken into account."
The Russian president asked the experts taking part in the meeting about how they assessed the current situation, the dynamics of the epidemic’s spread in Russia and about their forecast for the next three, seven, ten days and for a month, including the number of severe cases requiring urgent hospitalizations.
He also asked the experts about the sufficiency of reserve hospital beds, medicines, lung ventilators and individual protection kits that were already being created.
"For medical workers, and literally each of them is now indispensable, enhanced reliable protection from the infection must be ensured," the Russian president said.
He asked the experts about how to ensure such protection.
Extra anti-coronavirus measures
Putin has asked for experts’ advice concerning extra anti-coronavirus measures. He stressed however that efforts must be taken to minimize the pandemic’s impacts on people’s jobs and incomes.
"Thanks to the non-working weeks, quarantine restrictions, self-isolations requirements and other measures that were taken, we have managed to win some time," he said. "We have managed to slow down the epidemic’s spread and adjust our healthcare system."


tass--2020-04-20--Russian embassy in Estonia bashes Ukrainian diplomats for anti-Russian rhetoric

`` Against the backdrop of calls for pooling efforts in the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic , at a time when there have been ever more examples of absolutely crucial mutual assistance being provided — precisely what Russia did by sending its specialists at the request of the Italian government to the coronavirus-stricken Bergamo province — there have emerged hackneyed allegations that the Kremlin is harboring malicious schemes of upsetting democracy in Europe , '' the Russian embassy said .
`` The Ukrainian embassy in Tallinn is among such notorious prophets .
It even recalled the legend about the Trojan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to urge careless and lightminded Estonians to be vigilant in the face of an ostensible Russian threat . ''
The Russian diplomats said the motives behind their Ukrainian counterparts ’ allegations were easy to explain .
`` To write or say something about successes in their own country is a rather daunting , if not a hopeless task , '' the embassy ’ s statement runs .
`` It is enough to take a look at the comments and rather pessimistic forecasts of authoritative international organizations .
It is pretty clear even without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is falling apart and the people ’ s living standards are dwindling .
Only the sale of one ’ s own land is presented as one of the few means of salvation .
Next , come what may .
In a situation like this the Ukrainian propagandists find it quite handy to use the habitual tactic — to make vocal claims about Moscow ’ s intrigues as the root cause of all ills . ''
The Russian embassy advised the Ukrainian diplomats to turn an attentive ear to the `` words of thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Rome and ordinary Italians '' and to address the people of Estonia not in English , but in Russian , spoken by about 70 % of the country ’ s population .
The Ukrainian embassy in Estonia last week tweeted several posts in English claiming that Russian assistance to Italy was an attempt to destabilize the European Union and NATO .

"Against the backdrop of calls for pooling efforts in the struggle against the coronavirus pandemic, at a time when there have been ever more examples of absolutely crucial mutual assistance being provided — precisely what Russia did by sending its specialists at the request of the Italian government to the coronavirus-stricken Bergamo province — there have emerged hackneyed allegations that the Kremlin is harboring malicious schemes of upsetting democracy in Europe," the Russian embassy said. "The Ukrainian embassy in Tallinn is among such notorious prophets. It even recalled the legend about the Trojan horse. Apparently, its aim was to urge careless and lightminded Estonians to be vigilant in the face of an ostensible Russian threat."
The Russian diplomats said the motives behind their Ukrainian counterparts’ allegations were easy to explain.
"To write or say something about successes in their own country is a rather daunting, if not a hopeless task," the embassy’s statement runs. "It is enough to take a look at the comments and rather pessimistic forecasts of authoritative international organizations. It is pretty clear even without that that the country’s economy is falling apart and the people’s living standards are dwindling. Only the sale of one’s own land is presented as one of the few means of salvation. Next, come what may. In a situation like this the Ukrainian propagandists find it quite handy to use the habitual tactic — to make vocal claims about Moscow’s intrigues as the root cause of all ills."
The Russian embassy advised the Ukrainian diplomats to turn an attentive ear to the "words of thanks to the Russian rescuers by the government in Rome and ordinary Italians" and to address the people of Estonia not in English, but in Russian, spoken by about 70% of the country’s population.
The Ukrainian embassy in Estonia last week tweeted several posts in English claiming that Russian assistance to Italy was an attempt to destabilize the European Union and NATO.


tass--2020-04-20--Nearly 40,000 cases of COVID-19 documented in Belgium

In the past 24 hours , 168 patients have died , which is the lowest figure in the past few weeks .
The total number of coronavirus-related deaths has reached 5,828 .
In the past few days , the daily increase in COVID-19 cases in Belgium oscillates between 1,000 and 2,000 .
Up to 400 people a day die from the disease .
There is no clear tendency regarding the increase or decrease in new cases and deaths so far .
BRUSSELS , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours , reaching 39,983 , the Belgian Health Ministry informed on Monday .
Belgium has introduced a nationwide quarantine since March 14 .
It has been prolonged repeatedly .
Currently , it is set to be in place until May 3 .
All educational , cultural and public facilities in the country have been closed .
All schools and universities have switched to distant learning .
All private enterprises are recommended to organize the work of their employees from home .
Belgium has closed its borders , banning all trips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been recommended to go out only within their district .
Social distancing is obligatory in supermarkets and public transport .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statistics , over 2,414,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 165,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 629,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

In the past 24 hours, 168 patients have died, which is the lowest figure in the past few weeks. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths has reached 5,828. In the past few days, the daily increase in COVID-19 cases in Belgium oscillates between 1,000 and 2,000. Up to 400 people a day die from the disease. There is no clear tendency regarding the increase or decrease in new cases and deaths so far.
BRUSSELS, April 20. /TASS/. The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Belgium has risen by 1,478 in the past 24 hours, reaching 39,983, the Belgian Health Ministry informed on Monday.
Belgium has introduced a nationwide quarantine since March 14. It has been prolonged repeatedly. Currently, it is set to be in place until May 3. All educational, cultural and public facilities in the country have been closed. All schools and universities have switched to distant learning. All private enterprises are recommended to organize the work of their employees from home.
Belgium has closed its borders, banning all trips within the country. Citizens have also been recommended to go out only within their district. Social distancing is obligatory in supermarkets and public transport.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,414,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 165,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 629,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-20--Number of coronavirus cases in Finland up to 3,868

HELSINKI , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Finland has increased by 85 over the past day and reached 3,868 , Finland ’ s National Institute for Health and Welfare said on Monday .
According to the institute ’ s statistics , ninety four coronavirus-positive patients have died .
Finland has closed its border in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic for a period from March 19 to May 13 .
Travels between the capital city and the rest of the country have been banned until April 15 .
Schools and universities have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still open .
However parents are strongly advised to keep their children at home .
People are also banned to gather in groups of more than ten .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,414,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 165,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 629,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

HELSINKI, April 20. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Finland has increased by 85 over the past day and reached 3,868, Finland’s National Institute for Health and Welfare said on Monday.
According to the institute’s statistics, ninety four coronavirus-positive patients have died.
Finland has closed its border in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic for a period from March 19 to May 13. Travel between the capital city and the rest of the country has been banned until April 15. Schools and universities have been switched to distance learning, although kindergartens are still open. However parents are strongly advised to keep their children at home. People are also banned to gather in groups of more than ten.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,414,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 165,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 629,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-20--About 60 recovered COVID patients in Moscow donate their blood plasma to treat others

MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
Nearly 60 Moscow residents who recovered from the coronavirus infection have donated their @ @ @ @ @ , Moscow ’ s deputy mayor , Anastasia Rakova , said on Monday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ Clinical Committee , a new method of combating the coronavirus infection is now being used @ @ @ @ @ those who have recovered from the disease to donate their blood plasma for those patients @ @ @ @ @ hospitals .
As many as 60 people have already agreed following our request for help @ @ @ @ @ adding that such a treatment is currently offered to patients at the Sklifosovsky Research Institute @ @ @ @ @ hospital No .
52 .
According to doctors , the blood of those who recover @ @ @ @ @ antibodies to this disease and can be used to treat other patients .
A blood @ @ @ @ @ person aged from 18 to 55 with no chronic diseases who has recovered from the @ @ @ @ @ person must also be HIV-and hepatitis-negative .

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. Nearly 60 Moscow residents who recovered from the coronavirus infection have donated their blood to treat COVID-19 patients, Moscow’s deputy mayor, Anastasia Rakova, said on Monday.
"At the initiative of the Clinical Committee, a new method of combating the coronavirus infection is now being used in Moscow. We asked those who have recovered from the disease to donate their blood plasma for those patients who are being treated at hospitals. As many as 60 people have already agreed following our request for help," she said, adding that such a treatment is currently offered to patients at the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine and city hospital No. 52.
According to doctors, the blood of those who recover from the coronavirus infection develops antibodies to this disease and can be used to treat other patients.
A blood plasma donor must be a person aged from 18 to 55 with no chronic diseases who has recovered from the coronavirus infection. Such a person must also be HIV-and hepatitis-negative.


tass--2020-04-20--One of four spot fires near Chernobyl is localized

`` Air reconnaissance of the fire-prone areas was carried out in the morning .
In the Chernobyl area one of the four problem spots has been eliminated , '' Avakov tweeted .
KIEV , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
One of the four spots of smoldering wood has been localized in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant , but the situation remains fire-risky as the weather forecast for the Kiev and its environs looks alarming , Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Monday .
He recalled that a fire-risky situation remained in the neighboring Zhitomir Region , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot fires had been eliminated .
Avakov warned that the weather was likely to get worse later in the day .
`` The wind forecast for today is not very good — up to 20 meters per second .
It ’ s going to be a strong wind , '' he said , adding that both ground forces and reconnaissance aircraft kept the situation under control .
Earlier on Monday the State Service for Emergencies said efforts were continuing to eliminate smoldering tree stumps , fallen trees and one peat fire inside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of firebreaks has been increased to 405 kilometers from 320 kilometers since Sunday .
Troops have been employed to do the job .
More than 1,000 people and 292 vehicles , including three helicopters are involved in the firefighting effort .
On Sunday , rescue aircraft carried out 93 waterdrops over the exclusion zone .
The fire inside the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant broke out on April 4 .
It destroyed 12 villages , whose residents had been evacuated after the 1986 disaster , and a large forest area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 15 open fire had been eliminated , but strong wind caused several problem spots the next day .

"Air reconnaissance of the fire-prone areas was carried out in the morning. In the Chernobyl area one of the four problem spots has been eliminated," Avakov tweeted.
KIEV, April 20. /TASS/. One of the four spots of smoldering wood has been localized in the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, but the situation remains fire-risky as the weather forecast for the Kiev and its environs looks alarming, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Monday.
He recalled that a fire-risky situation remained in the neighboring Zhitomir Region, but added that two of the four spot fires had been eliminated.
Avakov warned that the weather was likely to get worse later in the day.
"The wind forecast for today is not very good — up to 20 meters per second. It’s going to be a strong wind," he said, adding that both ground forces and reconnaissance aircraft kept the situation under control.
Earlier on Monday the State Service for Emergencies said efforts were continuing to eliminate smoldering tree stumps, fallen trees and one peat fire inside the Chernobyl exclusion zone. The total length of firebreaks has been increased to 405 kilometers from 320 kilometers since Sunday. Troops have been employed to do the job. More than 1,000 people and 292 vehicles, including three helicopters are involved in the firefighting effort. On Sunday, rescue aircraft carried out 93 waterdrops over the exclusion zone.
The fire inside the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant broke out on April 4. It destroyed 12 villages, whose residents had been evacuated after the 1986 disaster, and a large forest area. The emergencies service said that by April 15 open fire had been eliminated, but strong wind caused several problem spots the next day.


tass--2020-04-20--S-350 anti-aircraft missile system to boost Russia’s defense from cruise missiles fourfold

MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
The arrival of the latest S-350 anti-aircraft missile systems for Russia ’ s Aerospace Force and its Navy will boost the efficiency of the country ’ s defense against cruise missiles fourfold , according to the article posted on the website of the Defense Ministry ’ s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper on Monday .
`` Under the state armament program , the delivery of S-350 systems is planned shortly to military units of the Aerospace Force and the Navy , which will help raise the efficiency of repelling an enemy ’ s massive cruise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital defense facilities fourfold , '' the article says .
The Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer , which has developed the S-350 air defense system , reported in December 2019 that it had delivered the system ’ s first set to the troops .
In early 2020 , this system arrived for the anti-aircraft missile troops ’ training center of the Aerospace Defense Military Academy named after Soviet Marshal Zhukov where work is underway to prepare training aids and train military specialists .
The S-350 ‘ Vityaz ’ surface-to-air missile system has been developed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense and is capable of striking targets within a maximum radius of 60 km and at a maximum altitude of 30 km .
The S-350 is designated to fight both aerodynamic and ballistic targets .
An S-350 launcher carries 12 surface-to-air missiles .

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. The arrival of the latest S-350 anti-aircraft missile systems for Russia’s Aerospace Force and its Navy will boost the efficiency of the country’s defense against cruise missiles fourfold, according to the article posted on the website of the Defense Ministry’s Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper on Monday.
"Under the state armament program, the delivery of S-350 systems is planned shortly to military units of the Aerospace Force and the Navy, which will help raise the efficiency of repelling an enemy’s massive cruise missile attacks against the country’s vital defense facilities fourfold," the article says.
The Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer, which has developed the S-350 air defense system, reported in December 2019 that it had delivered the system’s first set to the troops. In early 2020, this system arrived for the anti-aircraft missile troops’ training center of the Aerospace Defense Military Academy named after Soviet Marshal Zhukov where work is underway to prepare training aids and train military specialists.
The S-350 ‘Vityaz’ surface-to-air missile system has been developed by the Almaz-Antey defense manufacturer for battlefield air defense and is capable of striking targets within a maximum radius of 60 km and at a maximum altitude of 30 km. The S-350 is designated to fight both aerodynamic and ballistic targets. An S-350 launcher carries 12 surface-to-air missiles.


tass--2020-04-20--How coronavirus, social-distancing impacted Orthodox Easter services

Average age of COVID patients in Russia stands at 47.9 for women and 44.7 for men To date , a @ @ @ @ @ have been confirmed in Russia , with 3,446 patients having recovered from the virus

Lukashenko says Putin promises he would regard attack on Belarus as attack on Russia
The Belarusian leader pointed out that NATO was quickly building up forces on the border with Belarus in Poland and in the Baltic countries
Read more


tass--2020-04-20--Agency for Strategic Initiatives suggests crisis fund be set up for those out of work

MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Agency for Strategic Initiatives ( ASI ) suggests that a crisis fund be established for payment of unemployment benefits to those who have lost jobs in Russia due to the coronavirus pandemic , according to the letter to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin by Svetlana Chupsheva , Director General of the Agency .
The letter 's copy is obtained by TASS .
`` It is necessary to set standards ensuring that the unemployment benefit is in line with the regional subsistence rate , as well as co-financing of respective expenditures from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beneficiary regions ) , '' the letter said .
`` It is possible to set up a crisis fund for those out of work , '' according to the letter .
The Agency considers it possible to use two sources to finance such a fund — from the pension fund ’ s reserve and from the amount of support allocated from regional budgets .
Another proposal is `` to provide provisional jobs in state and municipal organizations to employees of enterprises that have suspended operations temporarily , as well as to those out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on restoration of the labor market should rely on economic projections in the sectors that ensured employment growth at the previous stage ( retail , cafes , beauty shops , entertainment sector , etc. )
.
Those are the sectors that have found themselves under the highest pressure now .
The current situation has sharply reduced business optimism , which means that private funds will be invested in the mentioned sectors very slowly .
Budget organizations remain the only protected market segment , '' the author of the letter emphasized .
Moreover , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost their jobs should be allowed to carry out public contracts in such sectors as construction , logistics , as well as provide social services to population .

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. Russia’s Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) suggests that a crisis fund be established for payment of unemployment benefits to those who have lost jobs in Russia due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the letter to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin by Svetlana Chupsheva, Director General of the Agency. The letter's copy is obtained by TASS.
"It is necessary to set standards ensuring that the unemployment benefit is in line with the regional subsistence rate, as well as co-financing of respective expenditures from regional budgets (and federal subsidies to beneficiary regions)," the letter said. "It is possible to set up a crisis fund for those out of work," according to the letter.
The Agency considers it possible to use two sources to finance such a fund — from the pension fund’s reserve and from the amount of support allocated from regional budgets.
Another proposal is "to provide provisional jobs in state and municipal organizations to employees of enterprises that have suspended operations temporarily, as well as to those out of work."
"The efforts on restoration of the labor market should rely on economic projections in the sectors that ensured employment growth at the previous stage (retail, cafes, beauty shops, entertainment sector, etc.). Those are the sectors that have found themselves under the highest pressure now. The current situation has sharply reduced business optimism, which means that private funds will be invested in the mentioned sectors very slowly. Budget organizations remain the only protected market segment," the author of the letter emphasized.
Moreover, it is suggested that citizens that have lost their jobs should be allowed to carry out public contracts in such sectors as construction, logistics, as well as provide social services to population.


tass--2020-04-20--Russian fighter jet scrambled to intercept US spy plane over Syria coast

MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
A Russian fighter jet was scrambled from the Hmeymim air base in Syria to shadow a US reconnaissance plane flying over the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea towards Russia ’ s military facilities , the Defense Ministry of Russia reported on Monday .
`` On April 19 , the Russian equipment controlling the airspace over the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea detected an air target performing a flight towards Russia ’ s military facilities in the Syrian Arab Republic .
A fighter jet from the air defense alert quick reaction force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to identify the target , '' the ministry said in a statement .
The plane belonged to the US Navy .
The Russian fighter shadowed the US spy plane , the ministry said .
After the US plane changed its course , the Russian fighter returned to its air base , the ministry added .
`` The aircraft of Russia ’ s Aerospace Force performed and perform all flights in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace over neutral waters , '' the statement says .
The press office of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement claiming that a Russian Su-35 fighter conducted an unsafe intercept of a US P-8A Poseidon aircraft over the Mediterranean on Sunday .
As the US Sixth Fleet stated , the Poseidon aircraft was intercepted by the Russian Su-35 fighter twice .
The first intercept `` was deemed safe and professional , '' the statement said .
The second intercept by the Russian fighter was determined as `` unsafe and unprofessional '' as the Su-35 was conducting a high-speed maneuver and approached the US spy plane within a distance of about 25 feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US Sixth Fleet claimed .
The Pentagon already reported on April 15 that a Russian Su-35 plane had intercepted a US P-8A Poseidon plane over the Mediterranean .
On that occasion , the US Navy also called this intercept `` unsafe . ''

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. A Russian fighter jet was scrambled from the Hmeymim air base in Syria to shadow a US reconnaissance plane flying over the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea towards Russia’s military facilities, the Defense Ministry of Russia reported on Monday.
"On April 19, the Russian equipment controlling the airspace over the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea detected an air target performing a flight towards Russia’s military facilities in the Syrian Arab Republic. A fighter jet from the air defense alert quick reaction force of the Hmeymim air base was scrambled to identify the target," the ministry said in a statement.
The plane belonged to the US Navy. The Russian fighter shadowed the US spy plane, the ministry said.
After the US plane changed its course, the Russian fighter returned to its air base, the ministry added.
"The aircraft of Russia’s Aerospace Force performed and perform all flights in strict compliance with the international rules of using the airspace over neutral waters," the statement says.
US Navy’s statement
The press office of the US Sixth Fleet earlier issued a statement claiming that a Russian Su-35 fighter conducted an unsafe intercept of a US P-8A Poseidon aircraft over the Mediterranean on Sunday. As the US Sixth Fleet stated, the Poseidon aircraft was intercepted by the Russian Su-35 fighter twice.
The first intercept "was deemed safe and professional," the statement said.
The second intercept by the Russian fighter was determined as "unsafe and unprofessional" as the Su-35 was conducting a high-speed maneuver and approached the US spy plane within a distance of about 25 feet (less than 8 meters), the US Sixth Fleet claimed.
The Pentagon already reported on April 15 that a Russian Su-35 plane had intercepted a US P-8A Poseidon plane over the Mediterranean. On that occasion, the US Navy also called this intercept "unsafe."


tass--2020-04-20--Press review: US wants China to pay for COVID-19 and top banker sees ‘rebound’ after virus

Russia ’ s budget deficit in 2020 may reach around 5.6 trillion rubles ( $ 75.6 bln ) instead of the previously planned surplus of 900 bln ( $ 12.15 bln ) .
A source told Izvestia that the gap can be adjusted in the near future , when it becomes clear how much money will go into the state coffers from the sale of Sberbank in 2020 .
A senior federal official confirmed that the Ministry of Finance was targeting the oil price at $ 20 per barrel in its calculations .
According to the newspaper , the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020-2022 were officially introduced had been in February .
According to Izvestia , in the spring , the Ministry of Finance planned to draw up a new version of the financial plan , however , amendments to the document were postponed indefinitely .
Moreover , the newspaper reported that estimates for intra-departmental use had already been made .
According to a source close to the government , a `` working version '' of the federal budget has been developed , based on which the estimated price of Urals oil for 2020 will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February this figure was planned at $ 57.7 .
The source said that the forecasted level of revenues to the federal treasury is 15.2 trillion rubles ( $ 205.22 bln ) , but this figure has not yet taken into account revenues from the purchase of Sberbank from the Bank of Russia .
At the same time , treasury expenditures will increase by more than 1 trillion rubles ( $ 13 bln ) compared with the official plan of up to 20.8 trillion rubles ( $ 280 bln ) .
The newspaper reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget deficit from several sources : 2 trillion rubles ( $ 27 bln ) from the National Wealth Fund , more than 1 trillion rubles ( $ 13 bln ) from additional sources , and the rest will be borrowed from the market .
At the same time , the newspaper source did not specify exactly what amount is planned to be borrowed .
Another Izvestia source , a senior federal official , partially confirmed the information , admitting that the Ministry of Finance is actually targeting the price of selling Urals oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time , the source called the general figures for revenue , expenses , deficit , sources of financing and GDP close to the main scenarios .
In addition , the source noted that the government seeks to minimize risks and has relatively conservative assumptions , thus they have no plans to increase forecasts for oil prices after the conclusion of the OPEC+ deal .
The Ministry of Finance told Izvestia that `` the forecasts of the country 's socio-economic development , including oil prices , are being developed by the Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ministry has not yet submitted an updated macroforecast . ''
The Ministry of Economic Development did not answer the newspaper ’ s questions , and the government press service recommended contacting the Ministry of Finance .
US-Chinese economic and technological ties could break down amid Washington ’ s threats to present China with a bill for the coronavirus pandemic , Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote .
Surveys of US companies show a new trend to shift production from China to other countries due to the threat of `` the separation of economies '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these prospects , the Chinese economy will grow this year , while the US economy is likely to decline by almost 5 % , the newspaper wrote .
The weakening of ties between the US and Chinese economies has become a more realistic prospect due to disruptions in supply chains and further complicated relations between the two countries , according to a survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China and the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai .
According to the study , today , only 44 % of 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the two largest economies is impossible , whereas in October last year 66 % of those surveyed stated that it was impossible .
Meanwhile , 16 % of companies declared their intention to partially or fully transfer production outside China .
In the current turbulent situation , the deterioration of US-China relations will complicate the global economic situation , which will be felt by all markets , experts interviewed by Nezavisimaya Gazeta believe .
`` In this case , a further drop in demand for energy and commodities is possible .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factor in a very difficult economic situation , '' Head of the KRK Group ’ s office Nikita Ryabinin said .
`` The gap in production chains between the US and China , and between other countries will mean a deeper economic downturn worldwide and a slower recovery than previously predicted .
A deeper global recession will hit the Russian economy , as our country is closely integrated into the global economic processes , '' senior analyst at BCS Premier Sergey Suverov added .
`` The Western world is a design bureau , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can change the factory , but a factory without engineering brains will not be able to work and develop , '' Head of Alpari analytical center Alexander Razuvaev told the newspaper .
In his opinion , it is not worth expecting to see the previous level of cooperation between Beijing and Washington .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : Afghanistan taken aback by sharp criticism from Russian diplomacy The Afghan leadership is surprised by criticism coming from the Russian Foreign Ministry , sources in Kabul told Nezavisimaya Gazeta .
Earlier , Maria Zakharova , the Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Afghan authorities of delaying the exchange of prisoners with members of the Taliban ( banned in the Russian Federation ) , which is one of the conditions for implementing the recent deal concluded in Qatar between the US and the militants .
At the same time , Moscow blames Washington for this situation .
`` Such statements clearly will not improve Russian-Afghan relations , '' the source in Afghanistan told the newspaper commenting on Zakharova ’ s statements .
According to the source , Kabul was surprised by the tone of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Foreign Ministry .
During her regular briefing on April 17 , Zakharova noted that the US continued efforts to prevent the Qatari deal from breaking down , the next stage of which is the start of direct negotiations between the conflicting parties — Kabul and the Taliban .
However , this goal is hardly possible without solving the crisis of power in Kabul , which arose as a result of the failure of last year ’ s presidential election , she added .
The statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiatives regarding Afghanistan have lost their relevance , Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote , adding that this happened after the United States had monopolized the Afghan reconciliation .
Director of the Center for Contemporary Afghan Studies Omar Nessar told the newspaper that Russian-Afghan relations remain a problem .
`` The political crisis that arose in Kabul after the elections did not remove the tensions between the two countries that had appeared after 2014 , '' the expert said .
`` Obviously , Moscow expected certain steps from the United States to form an inclusive government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrey Kostin , who heads VTB , a top Russian bank , expects a quick `` rebound '' in the Russian economy after the coronavirus pandemic , he said in an interview with RBC .
Meanwhile , Russia ’ s banking sector may lose about 2.5 trillion rubles ( $ 33.53 bln ) due to the crisis .
As for the dynamics in the market , the VTB chief explained that at the moment , `` investors are driven by emotions , not calculations . ''
`` I hope we can avoid any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is the Great Depression , but there is an IMF estimate — the global drop in production will be about 6 % .
The forecast for Russia is -5.5 % .
This is a serious challenge .
The IMF plans that in 2021 , growth rates in developed countries , and in Russia , will be higher on average than in previous years , so I expect a fairly quick ‘ rebound ’ .
But only if the predictions that the virus will be fought for two years do not come true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation can change for the worse , '' Kostin noted .
Meanwhile , according to the CEO , Russia ’ s banking sector may lose about 2.5 trillion rubles ( $ 33.53 bln ) because of the crisis .
However , he hopes for a favorable outcome and the ability to cope with the current situation .
`` This will depend on how quickly manufacturing recovers , including the sectors that are under noticeable pressure , '' Kostin added .
He said that he did not consider the banking crisis in Russia inevitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not be solved at the expense of credit organizations .
In the first non-working week in Russia due to the spread of coronavirus ( from March 30 to April 5 ) , smartphone sales in Russia plummeted by about 50 % compared with January , February , and the first days of March , Vedomosti wrote citing materials from the GfK market research company .
According to Anna Shebek , an expert on the telecommunication products market at GfK , comparing year-to-year sales both in monetary and in real terms , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attributes the drop to the closure of most electronics stores .
An employee from one of the major retail chains agrees with GfK ’ s estimates .
In the first two weeks of April , smartphone sales in Russia fell by about 40 % in physical terms , due to the quarantine and other restrictions imposed over the coronavirus pandemic , an employee of another retailer told the newspaper .
This plunge was preceded by a rise in sales in mid-March , compared with the beginning of the year , they increased by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The peak occurred on March 9-15 and coincided with a drop in oil prices and the plunge in the ruble exchange rate .
Compared to the same period last year , sales in March increased by 13 % in real terms and by 17 % in monetary terms , Shebek said .
After a very good first quarter , when both expensive smartphones and laptops showed a sharp increase in sales , now the demand for them has fallen sharply due to the closure of offline stores and the lower incomes of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burmistrov told Vedomosti .
He hopes that a recovery will begin in the third quarter .
However , in general , the annual decrease will amount to 25-40 % .
It depends on when the restrictions will be lifted from the retail sector , the expert believes .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Izvestia: Russian budget deficit in 2020 may reach $75 bln
Read also Government acquires Sberbank shares from Central Bank for $29 bln
Russia’s budget deficit in 2020 may reach around 5.6 trillion rubles ($75.6 bln) instead of the previously planned surplus of 900 bln ($12.15 bln). A source told Izvestia that the gap can be adjusted in the near future, when it becomes clear how much money will go into the state coffers from the sale of Sberbank in 2020. A senior federal official confirmed that the Ministry of Finance was targeting the oil price at $20 per barrel in its calculations. According to the newspaper, the last time changes to the federal budget for 2020-2022 were officially introduced had been in February. According to Izvestia, in the spring, the Ministry of Finance planned to draw up a new version of the financial plan, however, amendments to the document were postponed indefinitely. Moreover, the newspaper reported that estimates for intra-departmental use had already been made. According to a source close to the government, a "working version" of the federal budget has been developed, based on which the estimated price of Urals oil for 2020 will be $20 per barrel, yet in February this figure was planned at $57.7. The source said that the forecasted level of revenues to the federal treasury is 15.2 trillion rubles ($205.22 bln), but this figure has not yet taken into account revenues from the purchase of Sberbank from the Bank of Russia. At the same time, treasury expenditures will increase by more than 1 trillion rubles ($13 bln) compared with the official plan of up to 20.8 trillion rubles ($280 bln). The newspaper reported that it is planned to finance the budget deficit from several sources: 2 trillion rubles ($27 bln) from the National Wealth Fund, more than 1 trillion rubles ($13 bln) from additional sources, and the rest will be borrowed from the market. At the same time, the newspaper source did not specify exactly what amount is planned to be borrowed. Another Izvestia source, a senior federal official, partially confirmed the information, admitting that the Ministry of Finance is actually targeting the price of selling Urals oil at $20 per barrel. At the same time, the source called the general figures for revenue, expenses, deficit, sources of financing and GDP close to the main scenarios. In addition, the source noted that the government seeks to minimize risks and has relatively conservative assumptions, thus they have no plans to increase forecasts for oil prices after the conclusion of the OPEC+ deal. The Ministry of Finance told Izvestia that "the forecasts of the country's socio-economic development, including oil prices, are being developed by the Ministry of Economic Development", and "the ministry has not yet submitted an updated macroforecast." The Ministry of Economic Development did not answer the newspaper’s questions, and the government press service recommended contacting the Ministry of Finance. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Pandemic threatens China-US economic ties, world economy US-Chinese economic and technological ties could break down amid Washington’s threats to present China with a bill for the coronavirus pandemic, Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote. Surveys of US companies show a new trend to shift production from China to other countries due to the threat of "the separation of economies" and the breakdown of economic chains. Despite these prospects, the Chinese economy will grow this year, while the US economy is likely to decline by almost 5%, the newspaper wrote.
The weakening of ties between the US and Chinese economies has become a more realistic prospect due to disruptions in supply chains and further complicated relations between the two countries, according to a survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China and the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. According to the study, today, only 44% of 25 large US companies say that a separation of the two largest economies is impossible, whereas in October last year 66% of those surveyed stated that it was impossible. Meanwhile, 16% of companies declared their intention to partially or fully transfer production outside China. In the current turbulent situation, the deterioration of US-China relations will complicate the global economic situation, which will be felt by all markets, experts interviewed by Nezavisimaya Gazeta believe. "In this case, a further drop in demand for energy and commodities is possible. For Russia, this means an additional negative factor in a very difficult economic situation," Head of the KRK Group’s office Nikita Ryabinin said. "The gap in production chains between the US and China, and between other countries will mean a deeper economic downturn worldwide and a slower recovery than previously predicted. A deeper global recession will hit the Russian economy, as our country is closely integrated into the global economic processes," senior analyst at BCS Premier Sergey Suverov added. "The Western world is a design bureau, and China is its factory. You can change the factory, but a factory without engineering brains will not be able to work and develop," Head of Alpari analytical center Alexander Razuvaev told the newspaper. In his opinion, it is not worth expecting to see the previous level of cooperation between Beijing and Washington. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Afghanistan taken aback by sharp criticism from Russian diplomacy
Read also Afghan authorities postpone naming of national negotiating team to talks with Taliban
The Afghan leadership is surprised by criticism coming from the Russian Foreign Ministry, sources in Kabul told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. Earlier, Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry‘s spokeswoman, accused the Afghan authorities of delaying the exchange of prisoners with members of the Taliban (banned in the Russian Federation), which is one of the conditions for implementing the recent deal concluded in Qatar between the US and the militants. At the same time, Moscow blames Washington for this situation. "Such statements clearly will not improve Russian-Afghan relations," the source in Afghanistan told the newspaper commenting on Zakharova’s statements. According to the source, Kabul was surprised by the tone of the statement by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry. During her regular briefing on April 17, Zakharova noted that the US continued efforts to prevent the Qatari deal from breaking down, the next stage of which is the start of direct negotiations between the conflicting parties — Kabul and the Taliban. However, this goal is hardly possible without solving the crisis of power in Kabul, which arose as a result of the failure of last year’s presidential election, she added. The statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry can be explained by the dissatisfaction that Russian diplomatic initiatives regarding Afghanistan have lost their relevance, Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote, adding that this happened after the United States had monopolized the Afghan reconciliation. Director of the Center for Contemporary Afghan Studies Omar Nessar told the newspaper that Russian-Afghan relations remain a problem. "The political crisis that arose in Kabul after the elections did not remove the tensions between the two countries that had appeared after 2014," the expert said. "Obviously, Moscow expected certain steps from the United States to form an inclusive government in Kabul," he added. RBC: VTB CEO expects Russian economy to ‘rebound’ quickly after coronavirus
Andrey Kostin, who heads VTB, a top Russian bank, expects a quick "rebound" in the Russian economy after the coronavirus pandemic, he said in an interview with RBC. Meanwhile, Russia’s banking sector may lose about 2.5 trillion rubles ($33.53 bln) due to the crisis. As for the dynamics in the market, the VTB chief explained that at the moment, "investors are driven by emotions, not calculations." "I hope we can avoid any worst-case scenarios. People began saying that this is the Great Depression, but there is an IMF estimate — the global drop in production will be about 6%. The forecast for Russia is -5.5%. This is a serious challenge. The IMF plans that in 2021, growth rates in developed countries, and in Russia, will be higher on average than in previous years, so I expect a fairly quick ‘rebound’. But only if the predictions that the virus will be fought for two years do not come true. Then, of course, the situation can change for the worse," Kostin noted. Meanwhile, according to the CEO, Russia’s banking sector may lose about 2.5 trillion rubles ($33.53 bln) because of the crisis. However, he hopes for a favorable outcome and the ability to cope with the current situation. "This will depend on how quickly manufacturing recovers, including the sectors that are under noticeable pressure," Kostin added. He said that he did not consider the banking crisis in Russia inevitable, and that problems of other industries should not be solved at the expense of credit organizations. Vedomosti: Smartphone sales in Russia collapse due to COVID-19 pandemic
Read also COVID-19 patients tracking smartphone app enters testing in Moscow


tass--2020-04-20--Putin to chair meeting on epidemiological situation in Russia

MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin will on Monday familiarize himself with expert forecasts on @ @ @ @ @ and discuss the effectiveness of steps that have been taken and preventive measures , Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The president is due to chair a fairly big videoconference meeting on the @ @ @ @ @ Russia , '' Peskov said .
He noted that leading experts would take part in @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin spokesman , the participants in the meeting will try `` to understand how @ @ @ @ @ fight the infection are , get forecasts on how the situation will unfold , talk @ @ @ @ @ of treating the novel coronavirus infection are and [ discuss ] preventive measures . ''

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will on Monday familiarize himself with expert forecasts on the coronavirus situation in Russia and discuss the effectiveness of steps that have been taken and preventive measures, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"The president is due to chair a fairly big videoconference meeting on the sanitary and epidemiological situation in Russia," Peskov said. He noted that leading experts would take part in the meeting.
According to the Kremlin spokesman, the participants in the meeting will try "to understand how effective the measures taken to fight the infection are, get forecasts on how the situation will unfold, talk about how effective the methods of treating the novel coronavirus infection are and [discuss] preventive measures."


tass--2020-04-20--Norway’s coronavirus case count climbs to 7,113

On Sunday , 7,068 cases were reported .
Recently , the daily increase was stable and stayed at around 100 cases , making Monday numbers the lowest in the past 7 days .
HELSINKI , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
Coronavirus case count in Norway increased by 45 in the past 24 hours , bringing the total case count to 7,113 , Norwegian Institute of Public Health reported Monday .
A total of 165 patients have died , while 153 remain in Norwegian hospitals .
The first coronavirus case in Norway was registered in late February .
Due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to foreigners without residence permit , and introduced border control at the Schengen Area borders .
All kindergartens , schools and universities are closed .
Every person coming to Norway from abroad is put in a two-week quarantine .
Earlier , the government claimed that it had managed to take the pandemic under control .
In accordance with the governmental decree , kindergartens , primary schools , beauty salons and other organizations will begin to reopen during April .
College students that are about to finish their education will be allowed to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

On Sunday, 7,068 cases were reported. Recently, the daily increase was stable and stayed at around 100 cases, making Monday numbers the lowest in the past 7 days.
HELSINKI, April 20. /TASS/. Coronavirus case count in Norway increased by 45 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total case count to 7,113, Norwegian Institute of Public Health reported Monday.
A total of 165 patients have died, while 153 remain in Norwegian hospitals.
The first coronavirus case in Norway was registered in late February. Due to the pandemic, the Norwegian government barred entry to foreigners without residence permit, and introduced border control at the Schengen Area borders. All kindergartens, schools and universities are closed. Every person coming to Norway from abroad is put in a two-week quarantine.
Earlier, the government claimed that it had managed to take the pandemic under control. In accordance with the governmental decree, kindergartens, primary schools, beauty salons and other organizations will begin to reopen during April. College students that are about to finish their education will be allowed to return to universities.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-04-20--Number of COVID-19 patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina reaches 1,286

It noted that 49 people had died since the beginning of the epidemic and a total of 347 patients have recovered .
No new cases have been reported over the past 24 hours , the ministry said .
BELGRADE , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people in Bosnia and Herzegovina infected with the novel coronavirus has reached 1,286 , the country ’ s Ministry of Health reported on Monday .
Over the past days , the deadly virus has been actively spreading in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina ( part of Bosnia and Herzegovina ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of emergency on its soil over the coronavirus outbreak .
Similar measures were taken in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina , where the authorities have declared a state of emergency .
The leadership of Republika Srpska earlier requested Russia ’ s assistance in the fight against the pandemic .
On April 9 , Russian aircraft delivered medical equipment , ventilators , medicines , Russian military doctors and disinfection specialists , as well as five units of military and special equipment , to Banja Luka .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,414,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 165,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 629,000 individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globe .

It noted that 49 people had died since the beginning of the epidemic and a total of 347 patients have recovered. No new cases have been reported over the past 24 hours, the ministry said.
BELGRADE, April 20. /TASS/. The number of people in Bosnia and Herzegovina infected with the novel coronavirus has reached 1,286, the country’s Ministry of Health reported on Monday.
Over the past days, the deadly virus has been actively spreading in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (part of Bosnia and Herzegovina). Earlier, Republika Srpska declared a state of emergency on its soil over the coronavirus outbreak. Similar measures were taken in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the authorities have declared a state of emergency.
The leadership of Republika Srpska earlier requested Russia’s assistance in the fight against the pandemic. On April 9, Russian aircraft delivered medical equipment, ventilators, medicines, Russian military doctors and disinfection specialists, as well as five units of military and special equipment, to Banja Luka.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,414,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 165,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 629,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-20--27 new coronavirus cases registered in Thailand in past 24 hours

BANGKOK , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
Thailand authorities registered 27 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours .
@ @ @ @ @ of Health , the total case count now stands at 2,792 .
No fatalities were @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours , and 71 people were released from hospitals .
Since the @ @ @ @ @ the country , 47 people died and 1,999 recovered in Thailand .
Currently , 746 @ @ @ @ @ .
The first coronavirus case in Thailand was registered on January 13 .
The daily @ @ @ @ @ with 188 new cases .
A curfew between 22:00 and 04:00 is in effect since @ @ @ @ @ face up to two years in prison or a $ 1,200 fine .
In late @ @ @ @ @ notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , in central China .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared @ @ @ @ @ .

BANGKOK, April 20. /TASS/. Thailand authorities registered 27 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours. According to the Thai Ministry of Health, the total case count now stands at 2,792.
No fatalities were registered in the kingdom in the past 24 hours, and 71 people were released from hospitals. Since the beginning of the pandemic in the country, 47 people died and 1,999 recovered in Thailand. Currently, 746 people remain in Thai hospitals.
The first coronavirus case in Thailand was registered on January 13. The daily incidence peaked on March 22 with 188 new cases.
A curfew between 22:00 and 04:00 is in effect since April 3. Violators may face up to two years in prison or a $1,200 fine.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-04-20--Ukraine reports 261 new coronavirus cases over past day

Ukraine ’ s Health Ministry has reported that an upsurge in coronavirus cases may occur 5-10 days after the Orthodox Easter celebration on April 19 KIEV , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Ukraine has grown by 261 over the past twenty-four hours to 5,710 , the Ukrainian Health Ministry reported on its Telegram channel on Monday .
`` According to the data of the Public Health Center , 5,710 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases were registered in Ukraine as of 09:00 on April 20 , '' the statement says .
A total of 151 patients have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness to date , the ministry specified .
The intensity of the incidence of the disease has been declining in Ukraine for the third consecutive day .
The number of coronavirus cases on April 17 hit a maximum number of over 500 , whereas a day later it amounted to 444 while on April 19 new infections grew only by 343 .
However , Ukrainian Health Minister Maxim Stepanov said at a news briefing on Monday that the decline in the number of new coronavirus cases in the daily statistics might be attributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to provide new COVID-19 data .
`` Over the past twenty-four hours , seven regions have not provided any information on the testing of people for the coronavirus , '' the health minister said , adding that he had given instructions to deal with this situation .
According to the data of the Health Ministry , the largest number of coronavirus-infected people has been identified in the Chernovtsy Region ( 906 ) , followed by Kiev ( 850 ) and the Ivano-Frankovsk Region ( 512 ) .
The number of coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the health minister said , Ukraine has conducted 1,988 coronavirus tests over the past twenty-four hours .
The coronavirus infection has been identified among 372 children in Ukraine .
Medical workers account for almost a fifth of infected people in the country ( 1,074 ) .
According to the data of the Ukrainian Army ’ s Medical Force Command , 35 coronavirus cases were registered among servicemen as of Monday , including six over the past twenty-four hours , while two persons died and two others recovered from the illness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Foreign Ministry , seven Ukrainian citizens have died of this disease abroad while over a hundred are undergoing medical treatment in various countries of the world .
Ukraine ’ s Health Ministry has reported that an upsurge in coronavirus cases may occur 5-10 days after the Orthodox Easter celebration on April 19 .
`` On the fifth-tenth day after such an amassment of people at certain churches , we may expect a growth in disease cases .
This has happened and is happening after Palm Sunday .
To our great regret , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week as well , '' Deputy Health Minister Irina Mikichak said , TSN reported .
Ukraine registered the first coronavirus case on March 3 in the Chernovtsy Region .
The Ukrainian authorities have imposed a quarantine and declared a state of emergency , which will last at least until April 24 .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,414,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 165,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 629,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

Ukraine’s Health Ministry has reported that an upsurge in coronavirus cases may occur 5-10 days after the Orthodox Easter celebration on April 19
KIEV, April 20. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Ukraine has grown by 261 over the past twenty-four hours to 5,710, the Ukrainian Health Ministry reported on its Telegram channel on Monday. "According to the data of the Public Health Center, 5,710 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases were registered in Ukraine as of 09:00 on April 20," the statement says. A total of 151 patients have died and 359 have recovered from the illness to date, the ministry specified.
Read also Over 330 medical workers in Ukraine have coronavirus — ministry
The intensity of the incidence of the disease has been declining in Ukraine for the third consecutive day. The number of coronavirus cases on April 17 hit a maximum number of over 500, whereas a day later it amounted to 444 while on April 19 new infections grew only by 343. However, Ukrainian Health Minister Maxim Stepanov said at a news briefing on Monday that the decline in the number of new coronavirus cases in the daily statistics might be attributed to the fact that some regions had failed to provide new COVID-19 data. "Over the past twenty-four hours, seven regions have not provided any information on the testing of people for the coronavirus," the health minister said, adding that he had given instructions to deal with this situation. According to the data of the Health Ministry, the largest number of coronavirus-infected people has been identified in the Chernovtsy Region (906), followed by Kiev (850) and the Ivano-Frankovsk Region (512). The number of coronavirus cases in other Ukrainian regions is considerably less. As the health minister said, Ukraine has conducted 1,988 coronavirus tests over the past twenty-four hours. The coronavirus infection has been identified among 372 children in Ukraine. Medical workers account for almost a fifth of infected people in the country (1,074). According to the data of the Ukrainian Army’s Medical Force Command, 35 coronavirus cases were registered among servicemen as of Monday, including six over the past twenty-four hours, while two persons died and two others recovered from the illness. According to the data of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, seven Ukrainian citizens have died of this disease abroad while over a hundred are undergoing medical treatment in various countries of the world.
Read also Returning Ukrainian tourists protest against quarantine in poorly equipped hotel


tass--2020-04-20--Another 200 coronavirus cases confirmed in the Philippines

BANGKOK , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
Another 200 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the Philippines .
According to the country ’ s Department of Health , the total number of people who have contracted the virus has reached 6,459 .
The day before , 172 new cases were registered .
According to health officials , another 19 fatalities have been registered in the country , with the total number of deaths reaching 428 .
The number of recoveries has risen by 41 to reach 613 .
The first coronavirus case in the Philippines was confirmed on January 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became the first territory outside China where a coronavirus death had been reported .
The largest increase in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths was seen on March 31 and April 12 ( 537 and 50 respectively ) .
A state of emergency has been declared in the country for six months .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

BANGKOK, April 20. /TASS/. Another 200 coronavirus cases have been recorded in the Philippines. According to the country’s Department of Health, the total number of people who have contracted the virus has reached 6,459. The day before, 172 new cases were registered.
According to health officials, another 19 fatalities have been registered in the country, with the total number of deaths reaching 428. The number of recoveries has risen by 41 to reach 613.
The first coronavirus case in the Philippines was confirmed on January 30. On February 1, the Philippines became the first territory outside China where a coronavirus death had been reported. The largest increase in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths was seen on March 31 and April 12 (537 and 50 respectively). A state of emergency has been declared in the country for six months.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus — named COVID-19 by the WHO — have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-04-20--Price of WTI oil falls by over 20% to the lowest level since 1999

MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
The price of WTI oil on the ICE exchange in London fell by @ @ @ @ @ breaking the mark of $ 15 per barrel and reaching the lowest level for the @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
At 10:20 Moscow time , the price of futures contract for WTI crude @ @ @ @ @ the ICE exchange in London fell by 21.8 % to $ 15 per barrel .
@ @ @ @ @ this grade of oil fell by more than 23 % — below the mark of @ @ @ @ @ analysts , the fall in price of WTI crude oil is associated with the continued @ @ @ @ @ demand due to the spread of coronavirus infection in the world .
In particular , @ @ @ @ @ growing in the oil storage in Oklahoma , which is the base for the delivery @ @ @ @ @ crude oil .
The volume of oil located in floating storage facilities in tankers is @ @ @ @ @ 160 mln barrels .

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. The price of WTI oil on the ICE exchange in London fell by more than 20%, breaking the mark of $15 per barrel and reaching the lowest level for the first time since 1999 on Monday.
At 10:20 Moscow time, the price of futures contract for WTI crude oil with May delivery on the ICE exchange in London fell by 21.8% to $15 per barrel. Earlier, the price of this grade of oil fell by more than 23% — below the mark of $15.
According to analysts, the fall in price of WTI crude oil is associated with the continued accumulation of oil amid falling demand due to the spread of coronavirus infection in the world. In particular, stocks of raw materials are growing in the oil storage in Oklahoma, which is the base for the delivery of futures contracts for WTI crude oil.
The volume of oil located in floating storage facilities in tankers is currently estimated at a record 160 mln barrels.


tass--2020-04-20--Coronavirus case count in Latin America exceeds 100,000

MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
The novel coronavirus infection case count in Latin American nations has reached 100,900 @ @ @ @ @ , Caracas-based Telesur TV channel reported Monday , citing Latin American ministries of health .
@ @ @ @ @ and fatalities — 38,654 and 2,462 , correspondingly — were registered in Brazil .
Peru @ @ @ @ @ fatalities , Chile reports 10,088 and 133 , correspondingly .
Mexico , Latin America ’ @ @ @ @ @ reports over 8,000 cases and 686 fatalities .
Ecuador also reports a high number of @ @ @ @ @ and a total of 9,468 cases .
Over 2,3 million people have contracted the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ some 160,000 people died .

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. The novel coronavirus infection case count in Latin American nations has reached 100,900, while 4,900 people died, Caracas-based Telesur TV channel reported Monday, citing Latin American ministries of health.
The highest number of cases and fatalities — 38,654 and 2,462, correspondingly — were registered in Brazil. Peru reports 15,628 cases and 400 fatalities, Chile reports 10,088 and 133, correspondingly.
Mexico, Latin America’s second largest nation, reports over 8,000 cases and 686 fatalities. Ecuador also reports a high number of fatalities (474), and a total of 9,468 cases.
Over 2,3 million people have contracted the coronavirus since the outbreak, while some 160,000 people died.


tass--2020-04-20--Central Bank sells 14.8 bln rubles worth of foreign exchange to curb market volatility

MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
The Bank of Russia sold 14.8 bln rubles ( $ 198.7 mln ) @ @ @ @ @ the domestic market with settlements on April 17 as part of preventive efforts curbing volatility @ @ @ @ @ .
The amount of foreign exchange sold with settlements on April 16 totaled 13 bln @ @ @ @ @ ) .
The Central Bank started preemptive sale of foreign currency on the domestic market @ @ @ @ @ the fiscal rule mechanism on March 10 in a move to make the actions of @ @ @ @ @ reduce volatility on the financial markets amid major changes on the global oil market .
@ @ @ @ @ sold on the domestic market has already reached 324.9 bln rubles ( $ 4.3 bln @ @ @ @ @ be conducted before the start of regular sales of foreign exchange using the funds of @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia sold 14.8 bln rubles ($198.7 mln) worth of foreign exchange on the domestic market with settlements on April 17 as part of preventive efforts curbing volatility, the regulator reported Monday.
The amount of foreign exchange sold with settlements on April 16 totaled 13 bln rubles ($175.53 mln).
The Central Bank started preemptive sale of foreign currency on the domestic market as part of implementation of the fiscal rule mechanism on March 10 in a move to make the actions of monetary authorities more predictable and reduce volatility on the financial markets amid major changes on the global oil market. The total amount of forex sold on the domestic market has already reached 324.9 bln rubles ($4.3 bln).
The transactions will be conducted before the start of regular sales of foreign exchange using the funds of the National Wealth Fund.


tass--2020-04-20--Russian specialists develop robotic disinfector amid coronavirus pandemic

`` An innovative alternative to the classical process of disinfecting premises has appeared .
It allows carrying out this work in the autonomous mote or remotely by an operator , ensuring the complete safety of the life and the health of the personnel involved and considerably simplifying the process of the sanitary treatment , '' the company said .
MOSCOW , April 20 .
/TASS/ .
Russian specialists have developed a robotic modification intended to disinfect premises in the autonomous mode .
This robotic machine is highly important amid the coronavirus pandemic , NTI Autonet told TASS on Monday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Junior family of robots from Aurora Robotics .
The vehicle can be mounted on the tracked or wheeled chassis and has a lifting capacity of 50 kg , which makes it possible to install a special spray device and reservoirs for the disinfection liquid .
The upgraded Junior can operate for about two hours on a single charge .
`` The developers have invested about 10 million rubles [ $ 135,000 ] in the Junior .
We believe that this solution is promising and requires the market ’ s special attention , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortly join the Autodata.Rus Group and will be transmitting information on the movements of all its robotized systems .

"An innovative alternative to the classical process of disinfecting premises has appeared. It allows carrying out this work in the autonomous mote or remotely by an operator, ensuring the complete safety of the life and the health of the personnel involved and considerably simplifying the process of the sanitary treatment," the company said.
MOSCOW, April 20. /TASS/. Russian specialists have developed a robotic modification intended to disinfect premises in the autonomous mode. This robotic machine is highly important amid the coronavirus pandemic, NTI Autonet told TASS on Monday.
The new vehicle is an upgrade of the Junior family of robots from Aurora Robotics. The vehicle can be mounted on the tracked or wheeled chassis and has a lifting capacity of 50 kg, which makes it possible to install a special spray device and reservoirs for the disinfection liquid. The upgraded Junior can operate for about two hours on a single charge.
"The developers have invested about 10 million rubles [$135,000] in the Junior. We believe that this solution is promising and requires the market’s special attention," Autonet said.
Aurora Robotics will shortly join the Autodata.Rus Group and will be transmitting information on the movements of all its robotized systems.