tass--2020-03-12--Press review: Russia buckles up for bumpy economy and coronavirus to slow global growth

Russia ’ s Central Bank and government have sufficient tools and resources to maintain stability amid macroeconomic uncertainty , Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a recent meeting with investors .
He stressed that the authorities were determined to create favorable conditions , which would ensure the safety of investments and minimize the risks .
The spread of the novel coronavirus dealt a major blow to the world economy .
According to UN forecasts , global losses caused by the COVID-19 outbreak could amount to $ 2 trillion this year .
Amid the ongoing epidemiological crisis , Vienna hosted an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participants failed to agree on the terms of the deal to cut production , which will cease to be valid on April 1 .
That has had an adverse effect on international currency markets , sparking a rise in the dollar and euro exchange rates .
`` Russia is a country whose economy continues to be largely dependent on energy resources .
These are both oil and natural gas .
Although the demand for gas has dropped due to warm winters , it is still fairly high .
That is why the Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms of Western companies involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2 , '' Azhdar Kurtov , an expert at the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies ( RISS ) , told Izvestia .
The latest statistics indicates that the coronavirus situation in China is stabilizing , he went on to say .
`` That means that China ’ s industry , which stopped during the quarantine period , will resume work soon .
The demand for energy products , including oil , will grow , and that will result in an increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expert explained .
Washington views Moscow ’ s withdrawal from the OPEC+ deal as an assault on America ’ s shale industry , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
According to some US analysts , the collapse of the deal is not only part of a fight for the market share but also Moscow ’ s revenge against Washington for its anti-Russian sanctions , including those related to the Russian energy sector .
Some news commentators do not rule out that a drop in fuel prices would boost US President Donald Trump in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fall in oil prices increases his chances of being re-elected , '' the paper quotes Sergei Suverov , a senior analyst at BCS Premier , as saying .
The United States is a unique player in the global oil market to a certain extent .
Until recently , Washington was a major net oil importer , but now the situation has changed due to an increase in production and exports .
Exports and imports of crude oil are currently almost balanced .
That means that the US economy in general will react @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says Alpari Senior Research Analyst Vadim Iosub .
`` Of course , lower prices will be a blow for hard-to-recover oil producers .
On the other hand , it will be a boon to oil consumers , '' he added .
The latter factor can play into Trump ’ s hands .
The US economy has already sustained losses because of falling oil prices , recalls Head of AMarkets Analytical Department Artem Deev .
`` On March 9 , the shares of leading oil producers in the United States plummeted .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry are growing during the election campaign and this can not be a positive factor for the incumbent president ’ s administration , '' he said Stock markets will have to brace for `` Black Thursday , '' while global economic growth could slow to roughly 1 % due to the global coronavirus pandemic declared by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , experts interviewed by Izvestia said .
Epidemiologists suggest that the spread of the virus will continue at least until this coming summer .
`` The grounds for declaring a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China contracted the virus , that would be considered a regional case , '' explained Pavel Volchkov , who heads the Genome Engineering Laboratory at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology .
One of the standards for declaring a pandemic is the absence of a vaccine against the disease , so it could be in effect until such a vaccine is developed .
For example , the atypical pneumonia pandemic lasted seven months , Galina Kozhevnikova , Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the People ’ s Friendship University , stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions have been put in place right from the start , that is why we have isolated [ coronavirus ] cases unlike other countries , '' she noted .
According to Alexander Lukashev , director of the Institute of Medical Parasitology , Tropical and Vector-borne Diseases at Sechenov University , the WHO put off the decision to declare the coronavirus a pandemic for a long time .
`` It was clear as early as February 25 that a pandemic was inevitable .
That was evidenced by the degree of the virus ’ spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the lack of measures to prevent the epidemic , which some countries , for example , Italy , began to take only two days ago , '' he stressed .
The announcement of the pandemic is capable of slowing the growth of global economy to a level close to 1 % , says BCS Premier 's Anton Pokatovich .
Amid the COVID-19 crisis , Russia ’ s GDP can grow 1.5-1.7 % instead of the expected 2 % , warns Alexander Shirov , deputy director of the Institute for Economic Forecasting at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s former President Nursultan Nazarbayev has paid a visit to Moscow , which seemed rather spontaneous , Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes .
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev earlier travelled to Nur-Sultan to discuss constitutional reform in Russia and the political processes in Kazakhstan with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev .
The very next day , Nazarbayev had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and `` discussed a schedule of personal meetings '' with him .
It 's probably that the former Kazakh president needed to have a face-to-face meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a political time machine for Russia .
There was every reason to believe that the techniques and political strategies on Constitutional reform and on the creation of the leader ’ s institution would be borrowed and implemented in Russia , '' Yuri Solozobov , Director of International Projects at Russia ’ s National Strategy Institute , told the paper .
Nazarbayev clinched a landslide victory in Kazakhstan ’ s 1999 presidential election .
Later on , in accordance with the 2007 amendments , an exception was made for Nazarbayev , allowing him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times as president and make a substantial contribution to the country ’ s development .
`` Most importantly , constitutional reform was discussed in Kazakhstan in 2017 .
It was presumed that this experience would be used in Russia and that restrictions on presidential terms for Vladimir Putin as a person who made a special contribution to the country ’ s development would be lifted , '' the expert said .
Vedomosti : Gazprom ’ s export revenues down by more than 40 % in January Russian energy giant Gazprom experienced a 41.1-percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to the first month of last year , slightly exceeding $ 3 bln , Vedomosti writes citing data provided by the Federal Customs Service .
Russia ’ s budget has likewise taken a hit .
Gazprom pays an export duty on gas in the amount of 30 % of the cost .
It turns out that in January 2019 , the company paid $ 1.5 bln , whereas in January 2020 , it handed in $ 900 mln .
If export prices have been falling since January , duties will fall alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Economic Expert Group as saying .
If gas exports drop , in addition to gas prices , losses to the government coffers will be even bigger .
That ’ s very important for the budget , especially now since a deficit is setting in , and any loss will exacerbate it , she noted .
In February , export supplies fell even further , according to Sergey Kapitonov , an analyst at the Skolkovo School of Management .
`` When Gazprom entered the export supercycle — more than 190 bln cubic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies in January and February amounted to 33-35 bln cubic meters .
The current decline in export volumes is about 20-25 % , '' he explained .
Gazprom is unlikely to set any export records this year , the expert went on to say .
`` However , there are positive factors too .
Low prices will accelerate gas consumption in Europe , if the region does not plunge into hibernation because of the coronavirus , '' he contended .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Izvestia: Russian economy fastens seat belt to ride out economic turbulence
Read also Foreigners cancel tours to Russia worth nearly $7 mln amid coronavirus fears
Russia’s Central Bank and government have sufficient tools and resources to maintain stability amid macroeconomic uncertainty, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a recent meeting with investors. He stressed that the authorities were determined to create favorable conditions, which would ensure the safety of investments and minimize the risks. The spread of the novel coronavirus dealt a major blow to the world economy. According to UN forecasts, global losses caused by the COVID-19 outbreak could amount to $2 trillion this year. Amid the ongoing epidemiological crisis, Vienna hosted an OPEC meeting on March 6. The participants failed to agree on the terms of the deal to cut production, which will cease to be valid on April 1. That has had an adverse effect on international currency markets, sparking a rise in the dollar and euro exchange rates. "Russia is a country whose economy continues to be largely dependent on energy resources. These are both oil and natural gas. Although the demand for gas has dropped due to warm winters, it is still fairly high. That is why the Americans are making every effort to twist the arms of Western companies involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2," Azhdar Kurtov, an expert at the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS), told Izvestia. The latest statistics indicates that the coronavirus situation in China is stabilizing, he went on to say. "That means that China’s industry, which stopped during the quarantine period, will resume work soon. The demand for energy products, including oil, will grow, and that will result in an increase in the price of that product," the expert explained. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Falling oil prices raise Trump’s chances of being re-elected Washington views Moscow’s withdrawal from the OPEC+ deal as an assault on America’s shale industry, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. According to some US analysts, the collapse of the deal is not only part of a fight for the market share but also Moscow’s revenge against Washington for its anti-Russian sanctions, including those related to the Russian energy sector.
Some news commentators do not rule out that a drop in fuel prices would boost US President Donald Trump in the run-up to the presidential election. "The fall in oil prices increases his chances of being re-elected," the paper quotes Sergei Suverov, a senior analyst at BCS Premier, as saying. The United States is a unique player in the global oil market to a certain extent. Until recently, Washington was a major net oil importer, but now the situation has changed due to an increase in production and exports. Exports and imports of crude oil are currently almost balanced. That means that the US economy in general will react neutrally to any changes in oil prices, says Alpari Senior Research Analyst Vadim Iosub. "Of course, lower prices will be a blow for hard-to-recover oil producers. On the other hand, it will be a boon to oil consumers," he added. The latter factor can play into Trump’s hands. The US economy has already sustained losses because of falling oil prices, recalls Head of AMarkets Analytical Department Artem Deev. "On March 9, the shares of leading oil producers in the United States plummeted. The fact is that threats to the shale industry are growing during the election campaign and this cannot be a positive factor for the incumbent president’s administration," he said Izvestia: Coronavirus pandemic brings global crisis nearer
Read also WHO chief officially characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic
Stock markets will have to brace for "Black Thursday," while global economic growth could slow to roughly 1% due to the global coronavirus pandemic declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), experts interviewed by Izvestia said. Epidemiologists suggest that the spread of the virus will continue at least until this coming summer. "The grounds for declaring a pandemic is globality. If everyone in China contracted the virus, that would be considered a regional case," explained Pavel Volchkov, who heads the Genome Engineering Laboratory at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. One of the standards for declaring a pandemic is the absence of a vaccine against the disease, so it could be in effect until such a vaccine is developed. For example, the atypical pneumonia pandemic lasted seven months, Galina Kozhevnikova, Head of the Infectious Diseases Department at the People’s Friendship University, stressed. "In Russia, very tough restrictions have been put in place right from the start, that is why we have isolated [coronavirus] cases unlike other countries," she noted. According to Alexander Lukashev, director of the Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-borne Diseases at Sechenov University, the WHO put off the decision to declare the coronavirus a pandemic for a long time. "It was clear as early as February 25 that a pandemic was inevitable. That was evidenced by the degree of the virus’ spread, the growing number of confirmed cases, the lack of measures to prevent the epidemic, which some countries, for example, Italy, began to take only two days ago," he stressed. The announcement of the pandemic is capable of slowing the growth of global economy to a level close to 1%, says BCS Premier's Anton Pokatovich. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, Russia’s GDP can grow 1.5-1.7% instead of the expected 2%, warns Alexander Shirov, deputy director of the Institute for Economic Forecasting at the Russian Academy of Sciences. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Nazarbayev shares political longevity experience with Putin
Read also Putin discusses with Nazarbayev his upcoming visit to Moscow
Kazakhstan’s former President Nursultan Nazarbayev has paid a visit to Moscow, which seemed rather spontaneous, Nezavisimaya Gazeta writes. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev earlier travelled to Nur-Sultan to discuss constitutional reform in Russia and the political processes in Kazakhstan with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The very next day, Nazarbayev had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and "discussed a schedule of personal meetings" with him. It's probably that the former Kazakh president needed to have a face-to-face meeting with the Russian leader. "Kazakhstan is a political time machine for Russia. There was every reason to believe that the techniques and political strategies on Constitutional reform and on the creation of the leader’s institution would be borrowed and implemented in Russia," Yuri Solozobov, Director of International Projects at Russia’s National Strategy Institute, told the paper. Nazarbayev clinched a landslide victory in Kazakhstan’s 1999 presidential election. Later on, in accordance with the 2007 amendments, an exception was made for Nazarbayev, allowing him to be elected an unlimited number of times as president and make a substantial contribution to the country’s development. "Most importantly, constitutional reform was discussed in Kazakhstan in 2017. It was presumed that this experience would be used in Russia and that restrictions on presidential terms for Vladimir Putin as a person who made a special contribution to the country’s development would be lifted," the expert said. Vedomosti: Gazprom’s export revenues down by more than 40% in January
Read also Gazprom holding remote talks on new gas routes with China due to coronavirus


tass--2020-03-12--Kremlin: Putin did not say anything about his participation in 2024 election yet

The spokesman recalled the head of state ’ s words that there is a lot of time until 2024 and that hard work lies ahead MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin did not mention any decision on running for president in 2024 , much work is yet to be done until then , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday .
`` I urge you to recollect President Putin ’ s speech in the State Duma the day before yesterday [ March 10 — TASS ] , in which he made no mention of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said when asked whether the incumbent president will run for president during the next election , if the relevant amendment enters into force .
Peskov recalled the head of state ’ s words that there is a lot of time left until 2024 and that hard work lies ahead .
He stressed that Putin was at the initial stage of his presidential term .
`` As for 2024 , ending his speech [ in the State Duma ] , Putin said , `` We shall see when 2024 comes , '' the Kremlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on `` resetting to zero '' the number of presidential terms , Peskov noted that this amendment could in no way affect the attitude towards Putin ’ s performance over the past 20 years .
`` This is a long and very important period in the development of our country , which is directly tied to Vladimir Putin , '' he noted .
When asked whether the expectations of those who will come to vote for the constitutional amendments will be met , Peskov stressed , `` People will vote for the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everyone will make one ’ s own decision , and this package will come into force only after people vote for it , and President Putin pointed to that on numerous occasions , '' he concluded .
On March 11 , the Russian Federation Council ( upper house of parliament ) voted to approve the law on the amendments to Russia ’ s Constitution .
A total of 160 senators voted in favor of the bill , while one voted against it , and another three abstained .
The bill sets a limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incumbent head of state will have the opportunity to run for president once the amendments come into force .
The bill expands the authority of Russia ’ s parliament and Constitutional Court , bars officials from holding foreign passports and residence permits and ensures the supremacy of the Constitution within Russia ’ s legal system .
The final decision on the amendments ’ entry into force will be made by Russians during the nationwide public vote scheduled for April 22 .
They should be supported by more than one half of citizens taking @ @ @ @ @

The spokesman recalled the head of state’s words that there is a lot of time until 2024 and that hard work lies ahead
Read also Lower house approves amendment lifting restrictions on number of presidential terms
MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not mention any decision on running for president in 2024, much work is yet to be done until then, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday. "I urge you to recollect President Putin’s speech in the State Duma the day before yesterday [March 10 — TASS], in which he made no mention of any decision regarding 2024," he said when asked whether the incumbent president will run for president during the next election, if the relevant amendment enters into force. Peskov recalled the head of state’s words that there is a lot of time left until 2024 and that hard work lies ahead. He stressed that Putin was at the initial stage of his presidential term. "As for 2024, ending his speech [in the State Duma], Putin said, "We shall see when 2024 comes," the Kremlin spokesman added.
Read also Putin says zeroing out previous office terms possible if approved by Constitutional Court
Referring to the amendment on "resetting to zero" the number of presidential terms, Peskov noted that this amendment could in no way affect the attitude towards Putin’s performance over the past 20 years. "This is a long and very important period in the development of our country, which is directly tied to Vladimir Putin," he noted. When asked whether the expectations of those who will come to vote for the constitutional amendments will be met, Peskov stressed, "People will vote for the whole package [of the amendments]. Everyone will make one’s own decision, and this package will come into force only after people vote for it, and President Putin pointed to that on numerous occasions," he concluded. Constitutional amendments
Read also Kremlin: Constitutional amendments submitted by Putin passed legal expert study


tass--2020-03-12--PACE may cancel spring session due to coronavirus outbreak

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe ( PACE ) may cancel @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak , Chairman of the Russian State Duma ( the lower house of @ @ @ @ @ Leonid Slutsky wrote on Telegram on Thursday .
`` The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council @ @ @ @ @ spring session scheduled to be held in Strasbourg on April 20-24 .
No formal decision @ @ @ @ @ a warning of a possible cancellation has been published , '' he pointed out .
@ @ @ @ @ already called off a visit to Russia by rapporteurs from a monitoring commission , which @ @ @ @ @ in late March .
The senior Russian lawmaker noted that if the April session was @ @ @ @ @ would be a logical step following the World Health Organization ’ s move to declare @ @ @ @ @ also given the need to take precautionary measures to prevent the virus from spreading further @ @

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) may cancel its spring session due to the coronavirus outbreak, Chairman of the Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky wrote on Telegram on Thursday.
"The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe may cancel its spring session scheduled to be held in Strasbourg on April 20-24. No formal decision has been made yet but a warning of a possible cancellation has been published," he pointed out.
Slutsky added that PACE had already called off a visit to Russia by rapporteurs from a monitoring commission, which was expected to take place in late March.
The senior Russian lawmaker noted that if the April session was eventually canceled, "it would be a logical step following the World Health Organization’s move to declare a global pandemic, and also given the need to take precautionary measures to prevent the virus from spreading further."
Coronavirus outbreak


tass--2020-03-12--Euro surpasses 84 rubles on Moscow Exchange first time since February 2016

US asks Turkey to guarantee S-400 systems will not come into operation — Erdogan The deployment of the S-400 anti-aircraft @ @ @ @ @ April , Turkey 's president recalled

Biden says alternative to sanctions against Russia would be Third World War
"Russia will pay a serious price for this short term and long term, particularly long term," the US leader stressed
Read more


tass--2020-03-12--FSB seizes largest weapons arsenal from underground arms makers

`` The FSB acting jointly with the Interior Ministry of Russia foiled the criminal activity of residents of Moscow , the Moscow , Tyumen and Chelyabinsk Regions complicit in the illegal trade in firearms , including weapons upgraded from civil to combat guns , '' the press office said .
MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has seized the largest weapons arsenal from a group of underground arms makers that included residents of Moscow and three Russian regions , the FSB ’ s press office told TASS on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Russian transport in 2019 During the searches at the places of the illegal arms makers ’ residence and work , the FSB and the Interior Ministry seized 236 domestic and foreign models of firearms , including four Degtyaryov machine-guns , 25 assault rifles ( AKS-74U , AK-12 , AK-103 , AK-105 , M-49 , MP-44 , AR-15 ) , 22 submachine-guns ( PPSh , PPS , Kedr , Thompson , MP-38 , Lewis , Sterling , Uzi , Nitro , Beretta MAB-38 ) , 19 rifles and carbines ( Mosin , SVT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson M1941 , Lefaucheux ) , 165 pistols and revolvers ( PMM , PM , TT , PSM , APS , Margolin , Korovin , Mauser C96 , Colt , Astra , Luger , Walther , SIG Sauer , Suomi , CZ '' , Beretta , Stalker , Glock , Smith & Wesson , Nagant ) .
Also , the FSB and the Interior Ministry seized an improvised firing device , 6 grenades ( F-1 , RGD-5 ) , over 8 kg of TNT and gunpowder , 11 detonators of various modifications , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two silencers , over 100 basic parts of firearms and equipment for making ammunition , the FSB ’ s press office said .
`` The activity of two underground arms upgrading workshops outfitted with special equipment has been foiled , '' the FSB noted .
The measures to uncover and shut down the illegal activity related to the manufacture and sale of arms continue , the FSB said .

"The FSB acting jointly with the Interior Ministry of Russia foiled the criminal activity of residents of Moscow, the Moscow, Tyumen and Chelyabinsk Regions complicit in the illegal trade in firearms, including weapons upgraded from civil to combat guns," the press office said.
MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has seized the largest weapons arsenal from a group of underground arms makers that included residents of Moscow and three Russian regions, the FSB’s press office told TASS on Thursday.
More than 2.5 tonnes of drugs seized in Russian transport in 2019
During the searches at the places of the illegal arms makers’ residence and work, the FSB and the Interior Ministry seized 236 domestic and foreign models of firearms, including four Degtyaryov machine-guns, 25 assault rifles (AKS-74U, AK-12, AK-103, AK-105, M-49, MP-44, AR-15), 22 submachine-guns (PPSh, PPS, Kedr, Thompson, MP-38, Lewis, Sterling, Uzi, Nitro, Beretta MAB-38), 19 rifles and carbines (Mosin, SVT, Saiga, Mauser, Winchester, Johnson M1941, Lefaucheux), 165 pistols and revolvers (PMM, PM, TT, PSM, APS, Margolin, Korovin, Mauser C96, Colt, Astra, Luger, Walther, SIG Sauer, Suomi, CZ", Beretta, Stalker, Glock, Smith&Wesson, Nagant).
Also, the FSB and the Interior Ministry seized an improvised firing device, 6 grenades (F-1, RGD-5), over 8 kg of TNT and gunpowder, 11 detonators of various modifications, about 1,500 rounds of various caliber, two silencers, over 100 basic parts of firearms and equipment for making ammunition, the FSB’s press office said.
"The activity of two underground arms upgrading workshops outfitted with special equipment has been foiled," the FSB noted.
The measures to uncover and shut down the illegal activity related to the manufacture and sale of arms continue, the FSB said.


tass--2020-03-12--Syrian military discover terrorist prison and court in Aleppo province

According to the locals , the militants would punish even the smallest infringement : curfew violation , failure to pay debt , a woman appearing without headscarf in public and more AL QASIMIYAH /Syria/ , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
The Syrian military have discovered a prison and a court , where terrorists sentenced locals to death for even the smallest of infringements in the town of Al Qasimiyah in Aleppo province .
The prison was located in a former ice cream factory .
`` This was their prison .
There are several cells — both big and small .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a total of 500 people , '' a Syrian serviceman named Hadjar told Russian journalists .
The place is littered with prisoners ’ belongings and jumpsuits of those sentenced to public executions .
`` Here are sewage pits , [ the terrorists ] dumped those whom they considered particularly dangerous or guilty there , '' the serviceman said .
According to the locals , the militants would punish even the smallest infringement : curfew violation , failure to pay debt , a woman appearing without headscarf in public and even for expression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so-called sharia morality police watched over this .
`` I ’ ve been imprisoned for six months , '' serviceman Ahmad Mugairi , apprehended by the militants over charges of collaboration with the Syrian army , told journalists .
Mugairi managed to escape and joined the government forces .
`` What Army could I have collaborated with , if there were only militants around for 10 years at that point ?
See all these papers — these are records of people , most of whom bore no guilt , the militants just disliked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the prison housed the so-called sharia court .
The militants fled , leaving its entire archive behind .
According to the Syrian military , the militants ruled as they saw fit .
According to the locals , the bandits often apprehended people for ransom , the fines were charged in US dollars .
The `` court '' documents have stamps of all kinds of militant groups , including the former Nusra Front .
`` The militants arrested civilians , usually innocent ones , and sent them to kangaroo courts .
They said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Islam , but this had nothing to do with true belief .
We have examined the documents and we see horrible things : People were sentenced to death for insignificant things .
Militants rooted out the undesirables this way .
It was revenge , settling old scores .
The militants pretended they had built a state , but in fact , there was no legitimate state here , just a bunch of bandits who seized power , '' self-defense unit fighter Faisal Abuzar told journalists .
The Syrian military say the abandoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing people as well as to investigate crimes and identify the militants .

According to the locals, the militants would punish even the smallest infringement: curfew violation, failure to pay debt, a woman appearing without headscarf in public and more
AL QASIMIYAH /Syria/, March 12. /TASS/. The Syrian military have discovered a prison and a court, where terrorists sentenced locals to death for even the smallest of infringements in the town of Al Qasimiyah in Aleppo province. The prison was located in a former ice cream factory. "This was their prison. There are several cells — both big and small. Even women and children were imprisoned here, a total of 500 people," a Syrian serviceman named Hadjar told Russian journalists.
Read also Syrian government troops take control of 28 settlements west and north of Aleppo - agency
The place is littered with prisoners’ belongings and jumpsuits of those sentenced to public executions. "Here are sewage pits, [the terrorists] dumped those whom they considered particularly dangerous or guilty there," the serviceman said. According to the locals, the militants would punish even the smallest infringement: curfew violation, failure to pay debt, a woman appearing without headscarf in public and even for expression of disrespect to the terrorists. The so-called sharia morality police watched over this. "I’ve been imprisoned for six months," serviceman Ahmad Mugairi, apprehended by the militants over charges of collaboration with the Syrian army, told journalists. Mugairi managed to escape and joined the government forces. "What Army could I have collaborated with, if there were only militants around for 10 years at that point? See all these papers — these are records of people, most of whom bore no guilt, the militants just disliked them." Bandit court
Read also Syrian troops regain full control over Aleppo-Damascus highway


tass--2020-03-12--Threat of coronavirus spread in Russia minimized, says PM

`` We are introducing prophylactic measures to prevent the coronavirus , this is our main motive .
So despite the difficult situation outside of Russia , the threat of the infection spreading in our country has been minimized , '' the Russian PM said during a government session .
Mishustin noted that it is necessary to take into account the current risks and the threat of the coronavirus infection when planning the budget for 2021 .
He reminded that Russia had become one of the first states to close the borders with China due to the virus .
Russia also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus on its territory .
The prime minister stressed that all measures taken by the Russian government are justified , reminding that on March 11 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) as a pandemic .
`` We have decided to temporarily restrict flights to Italy , Germany , France and Spain starting March 13 .
Flights that will allow Russian citizens to return to Russia will continue , '' Mishustin said , adding that Russian government officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most urgent ones , recommending all government workers to avoid leaving Russia if possible .
The number of public events organized in Russia will be reduced to a minimum .
`` The most important thing for us is to protect our people , so this is why I am asking all Russian citizens to be understanding of the preventive measures approved at the federal , regional and local levels , namely in Moscow , '' Mishustin said .
`` I am calling on everyone to take care of their health and the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the elderly , as they are the most vulnerable to this dangerous disease . ''
In late December 2019 , Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , central China .
On March 11 , WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) as a pandemic .
The disease has spread to over 100 countries .
According to WHO , over 118,000 people have been infected with the virus globally , and 4,300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 outside of China have been detected in South Korea , Iran and Italy .
There have been 28 cases of the virus documented in Russia .

"We are introducing prophylactic measures to prevent the coronavirus, this is our main motive. So despite the difficult situation outside of Russia, the threat of the infection spreading in our country has been minimized," the Russian PM said during a government session.
Mishustin noted that it is necessary to take into account the current risks and the threat of the coronavirus infection when planning the budget for 2021. He reminded that Russia had become one of the first states to close the borders with China due to the virus. Russia also established a task force to avoid mass spread of the virus on its territory. The prime minister stressed that all measures taken by the Russian government are justified, reminding that on March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic.
"We have decided to temporarily restrict flights to Italy, Germany, France and Spain starting March 13. Flights that will allow Russian citizens to return to Russia will continue," Mishustin said, adding that Russian government officials must cancel all foreign trips except the most urgent ones, recommending all government workers to avoid leaving Russia if possible. The number of public events organized in Russia will be reduced to a minimum.
"The most important thing for us is to protect our people, so this is why I am asking all Russian citizens to be understanding of the preventive measures approved at the federal, regional and local levels, namely in Moscow," Mishustin said. "I am calling on everyone to take care of their health and the health of those close to them, especially the elderly, as they are the most vulnerable to this dangerous disease."
In late December 2019, Chinese authorities notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about an outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, central China. On March 11, WHO officially characterized the situation with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic. The disease has spread to over 100 countries. According to WHO, over 118,000 people have been infected with the virus globally, and 4,300 have died. The largest outbreaks of COVID-19 outside of China have been detected in South Korea, Iran and Italy. There have been 28 cases of the virus documented in Russia.


tass--2020-03-12--Russia did not initiate OPEC+ deal exit — PM

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russia proposed to extend the OPEC+ agreement for a year , it was other countries that initiated leaving the deal , Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said opening a government meeting .
`` We did not initiate the withdrawal from the agreement [ OPEC+ deal ] .
On the contrary , we proposed to extend the agreement on the existing terms , at least until the end of the second quarter or for a year , so as not to complicate the situation that has developed with the spread of coronavirus , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` in the same boat '' as far as the oil prices situation is concerned , although they had a different level of preparedness for market instability , said Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Thursday , when commenting on reports of a price war allegedly being waged against Russia in this market .
`` I want to recall that Riyadh itself has denied reports that there is any kind of price war , especially against Russia , '' he commented .
`` Reducing the price of oil and oil products is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same boat in this situation , '' Peskov said .
`` It ’ s another matter that all countries were more or less prepared for such a drop in prices . ''
At the talks on March 6 , the OPEC+ ministers were unable to agree on further parameters of the deal to reduce oil production .
Starting from April , all production restrictions will be lifted .
Russia has sufficient reserves for the long term , despite low oil prices , the prime minister indicated .
`` We have been living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several years now , so we have a large margin of safety : the Bank of Russia 's gold and currency assets exceeded $ 570 billion , the volume of liquid assets of the National Wealth Fund is estimated at more than 10 trillion rubles , and even at steadily low oil prices this will be enough for many years to compensate for the budget losses of these funds , '' Mishustin stressed .
Russia is working on additional import substitution measures in industries and agriculture , the prime minister said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deepen import substitution in industries and agriculture , expanding opportunities for the export of non-oil and gas high-tech products , '' he stated .
The prime minister noted that low oil prices and volatility of currencies create not only risks for the economy , but also new opportunities associated with import substitution programs .
He stressed that the implementation of such programs has already brought results .

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Russia proposed to extend the OPEC+ agreement for a year, it was other countries that initiated leaving the deal, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said opening a government meeting.
"We did not initiate the withdrawal from the agreement [OPEC+ deal]. On the contrary, we proposed to extend the agreement on the existing terms, at least until the end of the second quarter or for a year, so as not to complicate the situation that has developed with the spread of coronavirus," Mishustin stated.
OPEC + countries are "in the same boat" as far as the oil prices situation is concerned, although they had a different level of preparedness for market instability, said Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Thursday, when commenting on reports of a price war allegedly being waged against Russia in this market.
"I want to recall that Riyadh itself has denied reports that there is any kind of price war, especially against Russia," he commented. "Reducing the price of oil and oil products is a general trend, we are all in the same boat in this situation," Peskov said. "It’s another matter that all countries were more or less prepared for such a drop in prices."
At the talks on March 6, the OPEC+ ministers were unable to agree on further parameters of the deal to reduce oil production. Starting from April, all production restrictions will be lifted.
Domestic reserves
Russia has sufficient reserves for the long term, despite low oil prices, the prime minister indicated.
"We have been living in conditions of rather low inflation for several years now, so we have a large margin of safety: the Bank of Russia's gold and currency assets exceeded $570 billion, the volume of liquid assets of the National Wealth Fund is estimated at more than 10 trillion rubles, and even at steadily low oil prices this will be enough for many years to compensate for the budget losses of these funds," Mishustin stressed.
Import substitution
Russia is working on additional import substitution measures in industries and agriculture, the prime minister said.
"Now we are working on additional measures to deepen import substitution in industries and agriculture, expanding opportunities for the export of non-oil and gas high-tech products," he stated.
The prime minister noted that low oil prices and volatility of currencies create not only risks for the economy, but also new opportunities associated with import substitution programs.
He stressed that the implementation of such programs has already brought results.


tass--2020-03-12--Kremlin has not yet cancelled invitations to Victory Day parade

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow continues preparations for the arrival of foreign guests to attend the Victory Day parade on May 9 .
However , it will take into account the coronavirus situation , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday .
`` At the moment , we have no decisions or recommendations from the emergency response center or other competent authorities regarding any restrictions in terms of holding major events domestically and abroad , '' he said when asked whether there were plans to change the format of the Victory Day parade .
Peskov noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been invited '' to attend the parade `` and have confirmed their participation . ''
`` There is no talk about cancelling or limiting this format , preparations continue for the arrival of delegations and resolving all logistics issues as well as military servicemen ’ s training for the parade , '' he stressed .
When asked how Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin ’ s decision to impose a ban on mass events in the Russian capital involving more than 5,000 people could affect the Victory Day parade , the Kremlin spokesman noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` We can not say anything for sure so far , because the mayor ’ s decision is limited in time ( effective until April 10 - TASS ) .
Whether or not it will be extended , we can not say now , '' he said .
`` At the moment , there is no decision [ on changing the format of the Victory Day parade ] , there are no grounds for raising the issue either .
However , the situation has to be monitored carefully , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added .

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Moscow continues preparations for the arrival of foreign guests to attend the Victory Day parade on May 9. However, it will take into account the coronavirus situation, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.
"At the moment, we have no decisions or recommendations from the emergency response center or other competent authorities regarding any restrictions in terms of holding major events domestically and abroad," he said when asked whether there were plans to change the format of the Victory Day parade.
Peskov noted that "a large number of guests have been invited" to attend the parade "and have confirmed their participation." "There is no talk about cancelling or limiting this format, preparations continue for the arrival of delegations and resolving all logistics issues as well as military servicemen’s training for the parade," he stressed.
When asked how Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s decision to impose a ban on mass events in the Russian capital involving more than 5,000 people could affect the Victory Day parade, the Kremlin spokesman noted that the parade "is held outdoors." "We cannot say anything for sure so far, because the mayor’s decision is limited in time (effective until April 10 - TASS). Whether or not it will be extended, we cannot say now," he said.
"At the moment, there is no decision [on changing the format of the Victory Day parade], there are no grounds for raising the issue either. However, the situation has to be monitored carefully, and that’s what we are doing," he added.


tass--2020-03-12--Turkish defense minister announces consensus with Russia on Idlib

`` Talks with a Russian military delegation continue .
A consensus has largely been reached , '' he said , @ @ @ @ @ news agency .
ANKARA , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russian and Turkish experts involved @ @ @ @ @ largely reached a consensus on the Idlib issue , Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said @ @ @ @ @ 10 , Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey would patrol areas north of @ @ @ @ @ and Russia would carry out patrol missions south of it .
Presidents Vladimir Putin of @ @ @ @ @ of Turkey agreed at their Moscow talks on March 5 that a ceasefire would be @ @ @ @ @ number of other measures would be taken to improve the situation in the Syrian province @ @ @ @ @ and Turkish troops will launch joint patrols along the M4 highway , where a security @ @ @ @ @ Besides , Moscow and Ankara reaffirmed their commitment to preserving Syria ’ s sovereignty and @ @ @ @ @ fight against terrorism .

"Talks with a Russian military delegation continue. A consensus has largely been reached," he said, as cited by the Anadolu news agency.
ANKARA, March 12. /TASS/. Russian and Turkish experts involved in talks in Ankara have largely reached a consensus on the Idlib issue, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday.
On March 10, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey would patrol areas north of Syria’s M4 highway and Russia would carry out patrol missions south of it.
Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey agreed at their Moscow talks on March 5 that a ceasefire would be declared in Idlib and a number of other measures would be taken to improve the situation in the Syrian province. In addition, Russian and Turkish troops will launch joint patrols along the M4 highway, where a security corridor will be created. Besides, Moscow and Ankara reaffirmed their commitment to preserving Syria’s sovereignty and agreed to continue a determined fight against terrorism.


tass--2020-03-12--Putin says that in Soviet days he got short-changed, but never made a fuss

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that in Soviet times he was occasionally cheated by vendors , but always chose not to make a scene .
`` Well , of course , '' he said in reply to a question while being interviewed for the TASS project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
He added , though , that he preferred `` not to lock horns '' , so the swindlers usually got away with it .
`` You know , there was not much you could do during Soviet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and just lived with it… First of all , it 's not like I got cheated every day , but if I happened to notice it , there never was anything too serious .
I preferred not to lock horns .
Making a scene is not a good idea , just is n't worth it , '' he said .
Asked if he tended to look at retail venders as potential cheaters , Putin said that such an attitude was part of the people ’ s mentality .
`` I am part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , honestly speaking , we all think so , '' he explained with a smile .
Episode 12 of the video interview is available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that in Soviet times he was occasionally cheated by vendors, but always chose not to make a scene.
"Well, of course," he said in reply to a question while being interviewed for the TASS project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin". He added, though, that he preferred "not to lock horns", so the swindlers usually got away with it.
"You know, there was not much you could do during Soviet times. You got swindled, cheated and just lived with it… First of all, it's not like I got cheated every day, but if I happened to notice it, there never was anything too serious. I preferred not to lock horns. Making a scene is not a good idea, just isn't worth it," he said.
Asked if he tended to look at retail venders as potential cheaters, Putin said that such an attitude was part of the people’s mentality.
"I am part of the same people, you know. So, honestly speaking, we all think so," he explained with a smile.
Episode 12 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-12--Small business in Russia made long stride from kiosks to high-tech — Putin

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
The structure of the small business sector in Russia is changing gradually and becoming ever more high-tech-oriented , Russian President Vladimir Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
He stressed that in the 2000s nearly all of Russia ’ s small businesses were in retail trade , while in many other countries with advanced free market economies these ventures play a major role in the manufacturing sector .
Putin said the Russian authorities were capitalizing on this foreign experience to virtually `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , those co-owned by the state , to conclude contracts with small enterprises , and this mechanism was already in motion , with `` trillions [ of rubles ] at stake . ''
`` The structure of small businesses has begun to change .
Small businesses exist not only in retail trade - some kiosks or pavilions , it ’ s not only about buying low and selling high .
Now there are research businesses ventures , too .
And small businesses in manufacturing .
High-tech small businesses , '' he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the export of Russian goods and services was growing .
`` This is what makes me think we are moving in the right direction in principle , although progress is still , unfortunately , too slow , '' Putin concluded .
The share of small and medium businesses in Russia ’ s GDP stands at about 22-23 % , while procurement from such companies in 2019 stands at 3.7 trillion rubles against 1.5 trillion rubles in 2016 .
The National Project for supporting small and medium businesses and individual businesses is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies in Russia ’ s GDP to 32.5 % , while the total workforce employed in this sector will reach 25 million .
Episode 12 of the video interview is available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. The structure of the small business sector in Russia is changing gradually and becoming ever more high-tech-oriented, Russian President Vladimir Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
He stressed that in the 2000s nearly all of Russia’s small businesses were in retail trade, while in many other countries with advanced free market economies these ventures play a major role in the manufacturing sector. Putin said the Russian authorities were capitalizing on this foreign experience to virtually "force" large companies, in particular, those co-owned by the state, to conclude contracts with small enterprises, and this mechanism was already in motion, with "trillions [of rubles] at stake."
"The structure of small businesses has begun to change. Small businesses exist not only in retail trade - some kiosks or pavilions, it’s not only about buying low and selling high. Now there are research businesses ventures, too. And small businesses in manufacturing. High-tech small businesses," he said, adding that such enterprises were rather effective and the export of Russian goods and services was growing.
"This is what makes me think we are moving in the right direction in principle, although progress is still, unfortunately, too slow," Putin concluded.
The share of small and medium businesses in Russia’s GDP stands at about 22-23%, while procurement from such companies in 2019 stands at 3.7 trillion rubles against 1.5 trillion rubles in 2016. The National Project for supporting small and medium businesses and individual businesses is expected to build up the share of such companies in Russia’s GDP to 32.5%, while the total workforce employed in this sector will reach 25 million.
Episode 12 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-12--‘Regulatory guillotine’ is necessary, but haste is risky — Putin

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
The reform of control and regulatory activities , dubbed as the regulatory guillotine , is necessary , but should be used with caution , Russian President Vladimir Putin believes .
`` Hitting the target is what it ’ s all about , '' Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
The president cited potential mistakes in the control of public catering , which could bring about a situation where `` hospitals would be working round the clock to accommodate patients with food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach with utmost caution such lines of business as the manufacturing of and trade in medicines and also fire safety matters .
`` Cancelling everything at once is very dangerous .
But leaving everything unchanged is no longer possible , either .
That is why , during this year the government has been and will continue working hard on this issue , '' he said .
The reform of supervisory and regulatory activities envisages cancellation starting from 2021 of all regulatory business requirements that have not been revised and brought up to date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business people would be obliged to meet would be included in a special public register and scrutinized for relevance at least once in five years .
Also , the reform will terminate all legal acts and resolutions adopted in the first years of Soviet government that have survived to this day .
Episode 12 of the video interview is available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. The reform of control and regulatory activities, dubbed as the regulatory guillotine, is necessary, but should be used with caution, Russian President Vladimir Putin believes.
"Hitting the target is what it’s all about," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin". The president cited potential mistakes in the control of public catering, which could bring about a situation where "hospitals would be working round the clock to accommodate patients with food poisonings." Putin said one should approach with utmost caution such lines of business as the manufacturing of and trade in medicines and also fire safety matters.
"Cancelling everything at once is very dangerous. But leaving everything unchanged is no longer possible, either. That is why, during this year the government has been and will continue working hard on this issue," he said.
The reform of supervisory and regulatory activities envisages cancellation starting from 2021 of all regulatory business requirements that have not been revised and brought up to date by that moment. All standards that business people would be obliged to meet would be included in a special public register and scrutinized for relevance at least once in five years. Also, the reform will terminate all legal acts and resolutions adopted in the first years of Soviet government that have survived to this day.
Episode 12 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-12--Russia should rely on supremacy of its law in investigating Calvey case

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
In investigating the criminal case of businessman Michael Calvey , Russia should rely on the supremacy of its legislation , while the degree of the defendant ’ s guilt will be determined in a court of law , Russian President Vladimir Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
He stressed that the investigative authorities concerned were probing into Calvey ’ s case .
`` We need to proceed from our country ’ s legislation and the supremacy of Russian law , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments , or discussing the question if Calvey was guilty or not .
`` I can not say if he is guilty or not until there is a well-founded [ court decision ] , '' Putin explained .
Russia ’ s Investigative Committee launched criminal proceedings against Michael Calvey over defrauding the bank Vostochny of 2.5 billion rubles on February 13 , 2019 following a complained filed by a member of the bank ’ s board of directors Sherzod Yusupov .
According to the investigation , he and his accomplices put together a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , under their control , waived its right to a 59.9 % stake in a Luxembourg-based company called the International Financial Technology Group to the Vostochny bank in order to pay it back for a 2.5 bln-ruble debt .
However , law enforcement agencies say the stake was actually worth 600,000 rubles ( $ 9,100 ) .
The defense called the evaluation of shares in question , saying there was no conclusion by financial experts .
Calvey pleads not guilty .
He argues that the criminal prosecution is an unlawful attempt by Vostochny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporate dispute .

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. In investigating the criminal case of businessman Michael Calvey, Russia should rely on the supremacy of its legislation, while the degree of the defendant’s guilt will be determined in a court of law, Russian President Vladimir Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
He stressed that the investigative authorities concerned were probing into Calvey’s case. "We need to proceed from our country’s legislation and the supremacy of Russian law," Putin said.
He avoided making any comments, or discussing the question if Calvey was guilty or not. "I cannot say if he is guilty or not until there is a well-founded [court decision]," Putin explained.
Calvey affair
Russia’s Investigative Committee launched criminal proceedings against Michael Calvey over defrauding the bank Vostochny of 2.5 billion rubles on February 13, 2019 following a complained filed by a member of the bank’s board of directors Sherzod Yusupov.
According to the investigation, he and his accomplices put together a scheme, where the First Collection Bureau, under their control, waived its right to a 59.9% stake in a Luxembourg-based company called the International Financial Technology Group to the Vostochny bank in order to pay it back for a 2.5 bln-ruble debt. However, law enforcement agencies say the stake was actually worth 600,000 rubles ($9,100). The defense called the evaluation of shares in question, saying there was no conclusion by financial experts. Calvey pleads not guilty. He argues that the criminal prosecution is an unlawful attempt by Vostochny’s minority shareholders to resolve a corporate dispute.


tass--2020-03-12--Putin says outflow of capital from Russia is insignificant

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the outflow of capital from the country is insignificant and the authorities have been doing a good job to improve the investment climate .
Speaking in an interview for the TASS project `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' the head of state said that `` not very much money has flowed out of the country , if we bear in mind how much money has flowed into the country . ''
`` The outflow of capital does exist , it is quite evident , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Generally speaking , it is a natural process - capital inflow and outflow , '' he remarked .
`` The more stable the rules of the game are , the more reliable the protection of investment and property we provide - the more confident investors will feel .
The government is obliged to create conditions for investment - this is definitely true .
Better conditions must be created for controlling inflation , '' he stated .
Putin emphasized the authorities ’ measures to better the conditions for doing business .
As an example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the World Bank Group ’ s ranking Doing Business-2020 , where Russia was up to 28th place recently from the second hundred where it had been just several years ago .
In his opinion `` this indicates that the government has been doubling down on its efforts , which are yielding positive results . ''
He stressed that the volume of investment was growing .
`` In dollar terms , our investment in the beginning of the 2000s totaled around one billion dollars .
Then there were tens of billions .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion . ''
According to the Bank of Russia , the export of capital from Russia ’ s private sector in 2019 was down by 57.6 % to $ 26.7 billion .
In 2018 , the parameter stood at $ 63 billion .
Episode 12 of the video interview is available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that the outflow of capital from the country is insignificant and the authorities have been doing a good job to improve the investment climate.
Speaking in an interview for the TASS project "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin" the head of state said that "not very much money has flowed out of the country, if we bear in mind how much money has flowed into the country."
"The outflow of capital does exist, it is quite evident, but the picture varies from year to year. Generally speaking, it is a natural process - capital inflow and outflow," he remarked.
"The more stable the rules of the game are, the more reliable the protection of investment and property we provide - the more confident investors will feel. The government is obliged to create conditions for investment - this is definitely true. Better conditions must be created for controlling inflation," he stated.
Authorities’ measures bear fruit
Putin emphasized the authorities’ measures to better the conditions for doing business. As an example, he mentioned Russia’s place in the World Bank Group’s ranking Doing Business-2020, where Russia was up to 28th place recently from the second hundred where it had been just several years ago.
"It’s a big improvement, it’s huge," Putin said.
In his opinion "this indicates that the government has been doubling down on its efforts, which are yielding positive results."
He stressed that the volume of investment was growing. "In dollar terms, our investment in the beginning of the 2000s totaled around one billion dollars. Then there were tens of billions. Now direct investment is more than $540 billion."
According to the Bank of Russia, the export of capital from Russia’s private sector in 2019 was down by 57.6% to $26.7 billion. In 2018, the parameter stood at $63 billion.
Episode 12 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-12--Putin calls Khodorkovsky a fraudster, whose entourage was involved in killings

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
The former head of the oil company Yukos , Mikhail Khodorkovsky , was a fraudster whose entourage was involved in contract killings , Russian President Vladimir Putin has said .
`` Khodorkovsky is a fraudster .
His people were involved not just in fraudulent transactions , but in murders , '' Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled `` 20 Questions with Vladimir Putin '' .
He stressed that Khodorkovsky ’ s personal involvement in contract killings had not been proven , but at the same time voiced doubts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing people at their own initiative . ''
`` Do you think that staffers of the corporate security service were killing people at their own initiative , of their own volition ?
I do not think so .
It just does not work that way .
However , if it ’ s not proven , then it ’ s not proven .
But his other illegal activities were proven , hence his prison sentence , '' Putin said .
In May 2005 , a district court in Moscow sentenced Khodorkovsky and businessman Platon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud and tax evasion .
The Moscow City Court later reduced the sentence to eight years .
In another case , a district court in Moscow found both guilty of embezzlement and money laundering and sentenced them to 14 years each .
The Moscow City Court ’ s presidium later reduced the sentence to 11 years .
In December 2013 , Khodorkovsky was pardoned by the president and released from the penitentiary on December 20 , 2013 .
In January 2014 , Russia ’ s Supreme Court reduced Lebedev ’ s penalty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a term he had already served by then , so his release followed shortly .
In 2015 , Russia put Khodorkovsky on the international wanted list on the suspicion of complicity in the killing of Nefteyugansk Mayor Vladimir Petukhov and an attempt on the life of businessman Yevgeny Rybin .
The investigators linked Petukhov ’ s killing with his demand Yukos should pay concealed taxes and duties .
The assassination attempt on Rybin ’ s life followed , according to the investigators , the lawsuits he filed against Yukos demanding compensation for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unlawful activities .
Leonid Nevzlin ( a former co-owner of Yukos ) , Alexei Pichugin ( former chief of the Yukos security service ) and others were convicted of these crimes earlier .
Episode 12 of the video interview is available at https : //putin.tass.ru/en .

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. The former head of the oil company Yukos, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, was a fraudster whose entourage was involved in contract killings, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.
"Khodorkovsky is a fraudster. His people were involved not just in fraudulent transactions, but in murders," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin".
He stressed that Khodorkovsky’s personal involvement in contract killings had not been proven, but at the same time voiced doubts that the Yukos security service staffers were "killing people at their own initiative."
"Do you think that staffers of the corporate security service were killing people at their own initiative, of their own volition? I do not think so. It just does not work that way. However, if it’s not proven, then it’s not proven. But his other illegal activities were proven, hence his prison sentence," Putin said.
Khodorkovsky’s criminal cases
In May 2005, a district court in Moscow sentenced Khodorkovsky and businessman Platon Lebedev to nine years in jail for fraud and tax evasion. The Moscow City Court later reduced the sentence to eight years. In another case, a district court in Moscow found both guilty of embezzlement and money laundering and sentenced them to 14 years each. The Moscow City Court’s presidium later reduced the sentence to 11 years.
In December 2013, Khodorkovsky was pardoned by the president and released from the penitentiary on December 20, 2013. In January 2014, Russia’s Supreme Court reduced Lebedev’s penalty to 10.5 years, in fact, to a term he had already served by then, so his release followed shortly.
In 2015, Russia put Khodorkovsky on the international wanted list on the suspicion of complicity in the killing of Nefteyugansk Mayor Vladimir Petukhov and an attempt on the life of businessman Yevgeny Rybin. The investigators linked Petukhov’s killing with his demand Yukos should pay concealed taxes and duties. The assassination attempt on Rybin’s life followed, according to the investigators, the lawsuits he filed against Yukos demanding compensation for the damage caused by the oil company’s unlawful activities. Leonid Nevzlin (a former co-owner of Yukos), Alexei Pichugin (former chief of the Yukos security service) and others were convicted of these crimes earlier.
Episode 12 of the video interview is available at https://putin.tass.ru/en.


tass--2020-03-12--Coronavirus lethality rate among patients aged 70+ reaches 17%, expert says

Coronavirus has been detected in 107 countries , the expert said , explaining that the disease is highly contagious .
`` That ’ s why it ’ s impossible to create any illusion or a shield to prevent the spread of this infection . ''
`` Lethality [ from the novel coronavirus globally ] is 3.9 % , but these are general figures .
In fact , there is a category 70+ where lethality is some 17 % .
Children almost don ’ t catch the new coronavirus infection , '' Gorelov told a meeting of the State Duma ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 12 .
/TASS/ .
Patients older than 70 years of age account for the highest number of deaths from the novel coronavirus , with the lethality rate estimated at 17 % , Deputy Director of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology , Alexander Gorelov , said .
Up to 70 % of the population may contract coronavirus , says Merkel Russia has carried out unprecedented sanitary and quarantine events to prevent the novel coronavirus based on a principle `` detect , isolate and treat , '' the expert noted .
`` Regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we have achieved certain success . ''
Amid the coronavirus fears , Russia ’ s authorities have introduced a range of measures , including banning flights to some countries where the outbreaks of this disease were reported , and ordering self-isolation for citizens returning from these states .
Moscow ’ s authorities have temporarily banned mass events in the capital and opened a special medical facility for hosting suspected coronavirus patients .
In late December 2019 , a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million .
The World Health Organization recognized the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11 .
Outside China , the worst affected countries are Italy , South Korea and Iran .
Overall , more than 100 other countries , including Russia , have reported confirmed coronavirus cases .
According to the latest reports , China , which handles the bulk of cases , has confirmed around 80,700 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yet more than 62,700 patients have recovered from the disease .
The WHO says that the novel coronavirus cases globally have exceeded 118,000 , with over 4,290 deaths .

Coronavirus has been detected in 107 countries, the expert said, explaining that the disease is highly contagious. "That’s why it’s impossible to create any illusion or a shield to prevent the spread of this infection."
"Lethality [from the novel coronavirus globally] is 3.9%, but these are general figures. In fact, there is a category 70+ where lethality is some 17%. Children almost don’t catch the new coronavirus infection," Gorelov told a meeting of the State Duma’s health protection committee.
MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Patients older than 70 years of age account for the highest number of deaths from the novel coronavirus, with the lethality rate estimated at 17%, Deputy Director of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Alexander Gorelov, said.
Up to 70% of the population may contract coronavirus, says Merkel
Russia has carried out unprecedented sanitary and quarantine events to prevent the novel coronavirus based on a principle "detect, isolate and treat," the expert noted. "Regarding all three parameters, I can say that we have achieved certain success."
Amid the coronavirus fears, Russia’s authorities have introduced a range of measures, including banning flights to some countries where the outbreaks of this disease were reported, and ordering self-isolation for citizens returning from these states. Moscow’s authorities have temporarily banned mass events in the capital and opened a special medical facility for hosting suspected coronavirus patients.
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million. The World Health Organization recognized the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11.
Outside China, the worst affected countries are Italy, South Korea and Iran. Overall, more than 100 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
According to the latest reports, China, which handles the bulk of cases, has confirmed around 80,700 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has reached 3,169, yet more than 62,700 patients have recovered from the disease. The WHO says that the novel coronavirus cases globally have exceeded 118,000, with over 4,290 deaths.


tass--2020-03-12--Russia-Saudi dispute will trigger tactical price war on oil market, expert warns

WASHINGTON , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
The current standoff between Russia and Saudi Arabia over oil production volume is likely to spark a tactical price war on the global oil market , Ian Bremmer , president and founder of Eurasia Group , the world 's leading political risk research and consulting firm , told TASS .
`` Most likely outcome is a limited and tactical price war that lasts several weeks or months , until prices are low enough to change fundamental views in Moscow and Riyadh back to some form of compromise on resumed OPEC+ production restraint , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Bremmer , an agreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia is possible .
`` The price war will be painful with no guarantee of either side winning a long battle .
Combination of resilient non-OPEC supply and the prospect of a massive , continuing stock build will challenge the price war strategy , creating incentives for Saudi Arabia and Russia to resume OPEC+ cuts . ''
In comment on the US government ’ s possible action , the expert noted that Washington was considering financial support for US shale producers but production would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The decline will be slow leading to lower prices as global inventories fill up , putting more pressure on Saudi Arabia and Russia , '' the analyst warned .
The coronavirus spread , particularly its economic impact , is a major complicating factor that could turn the expected tactical price war into a strategic one , he stressed .
`` Currently the Saudis believe they can manage markets , but should coronavirus effects continue deep into 2020 then Riyadh could recalibrate . ''
At the talks on March 6 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of the deal to reduce oil production .
OPEC proposed to further reduce production by 1.5 million barrels per day until the end of this year , but Russia rejected this plan .
From April , all production restrictions will be lifted .
Russia and Saudi Arabia have already announced plans to increase oil production .

WASHINGTON, March 12. /TASS/. The current standoff between Russia and Saudi Arabia over oil production volume is likely to spark a tactical price war on the global oil market, Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia Group, the world's leading political risk research and consulting firm, told TASS.
"Most likely outcome is a limited and tactical price war that lasts several weeks or months, until prices are low enough to change fundamental views in Moscow and Riyadh back to some form of compromise on resumed OPEC+ production restraint," the reputable expert said.
According to Bremmer, an agreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia is possible. "The price war will be painful with no guarantee of either side winning a long battle. Combination of resilient non-OPEC supply and the prospect of a massive, continuing stock build will challenge the price war strategy, creating incentives for Saudi Arabia and Russia to resume OPEC+ cuts."
In comment on the US government’s possible action, the expert noted that Washington was considering financial support for US shale producers but production would likely slow gradually over the medium term. "The decline will be slow leading to lower prices as global inventories fill up, putting more pressure on Saudi Arabia and Russia," the analyst warned.
The coronavirus spread, particularly its economic impact, is a major complicating factor that could turn the expected tactical price war into a strategic one, he stressed. "Currently the Saudis believe they can manage markets, but should coronavirus effects continue deep into 2020 then Riyadh could recalibrate."
At the talks on March 6, the OPEC+ ministers failed to agree on further terms of the deal to reduce oil production. OPEC proposed to further reduce production by 1.5 million barrels per day until the end of this year, but Russia rejected this plan. From April, all production restrictions will be lifted.
Russia and Saudi Arabia have already announced plans to increase oil production.


tass--2020-03-12--Trump announces 30-day travel ban on Europeans over coronavirus

WASHINGTON , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump has announced a 30-day ban on foreigners coming to the United States from European countries starting Friday amid the spread of the novel coronavirus .
`` To keep new cases from entering our shores , we will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days .
The new rules will go into effect Friday at midnight , '' Trump said in his address to the nation .
These restrictions won ’ t apply to the UK , he noted .
The US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monitoring the situation in China and South Korea , '' and that `` a possible early opening '' could happen if the situation improved .
According to Trump , `` the European Union failed to take the same precautions and restrict travel from China and other hot spots . ''
`` As a result , a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travelers from Europe , '' he stressed .
The number of the novel coronavirus cases in the US has reached 1,162 , with 37 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

WASHINGTON, March 12. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump has announced a 30-day ban on foreigners coming to the United States from European countries starting Friday amid the spread of the novel coronavirus.
"To keep new cases from entering our shores, we will be suspending all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days. The new rules will go into effect Friday at midnight," Trump said in his address to the nation. These restrictions won’t apply to the UK, he noted.
The US leader said that the administration was "monitoring the situation in China and South Korea," and that "a possible early opening" could happen if the situation improved.
According to Trump, "the European Union failed to take the same precautions and restrict travel from China and other hot spots." "As a result, a large number of new clusters in the United States were seeded by travelers from Europe," he stressed.
The number of the novel coronavirus cases in the US has reached 1,162, with 37 deaths, according to CNN, which cited the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


tass--2020-03-12--Russia hands over to Iran 500 test systems for detecting novel coronavirus

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has sent 800 test systems for detecting the novel coronavirus to the @ @ @ @ @ Union , Iran , North Korea , Mongolia and the Commonwealth of Independent States , @ @ @ @ @ on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said on Thursday .
`` Test systems developed @ @ @ @ @ over to the member-states of the EAEU , Azerbaijan , Uzbekistan , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan @ @ @ @ @ and Iran .
A total of 800 test systems for laboratory screening of the novel @ @ @ @ @ , which will enable specialists to carry out 80,000 tests , '' according to the @ @ @ @ @ systems for 50,000 tests have been given to Iran free of charge .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ had supplied domestic test systems for detecting the novel coronavirus to ten countries .
These @ @ @ @ @ the Novosibirsk-based Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology .
They helped confirm coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Russia has sent 800 test systems for detecting the novel coronavirus to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, Iran, North Korea, Mongolia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing said on Thursday.
"Test systems developed by Rospotrebnadzor have been handed over to the member-states of the EAEU, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, North Korea and Iran. A total of 800 test systems for laboratory screening of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 have been sent, which will enable specialists to carry out 80,000 tests," according to the statement.
Some 500 test systems for 50,000 tests have been given to Iran free of charge.
Earlier, the watchdog reported that Russia had supplied domestic test systems for detecting the novel coronavirus to ten countries. These systems have been developed by the Novosibirsk-based Vector State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology. They helped confirm coronavirus cases in Armenia and Belarus.


tass--2020-03-12--Russian legislator says it’s wrong to compare amendment on presidential terms with 1998

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
An amendment allowing the incumbent president to run in the next election is in line with Russia ’ s Constitution and it ’ s wrong to compare the current situation with 1998 , Head of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrei Klishas told TASS .
Earlier , lawmaker of the United Russia party Valentina Tereshkova , known as the first woman in space , proposed an amendment to reset Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s presidential term count to zero in order to let him run in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a discussion in the Internet that in 1998 the Constitutional Court ruled that even the adoption of a new Constitution does not zero presidential term clocks , thus banning former president Boris Yeltsin to run for the third term .
`` The bill on the amendment to the Russian Constitution introduces special rules allowing the incumbent Russian president to run in the next presidential election .
The revision of the 1993 Constitution , which was considered by the Constitutional Court in 1998 , did not imply these special rules .
Therefore , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another interpretation of Part 3 of Article 81 of the Russian Constitution .
Therefore , any comparison here is incorrect , '' Klishas said .
`` There are no grounds to consider that the provision enabling the incumbent head of state to take part in the next Russian presidential election runs counter to Chapters 1 and 2 of the Russian Constitution , '' he noted .
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday it was possible to amend the Constitution to enable him to run for another presidential term .
However , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be assessed by the Constitutional Court .
He also spoke against scrapping term limits .

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. An amendment allowing the incumbent president to run in the next election is in line with Russia’s Constitution and it’s wrong to compare the current situation with 1998, Head of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrei Klishas told TASS.
Earlier, lawmaker of the United Russia party Valentina Tereshkova, known as the first woman in space, proposed an amendment to reset Russian President Vladimir Putin’s presidential term count to zero in order to let him run in the 2024 presidential election. This led to a discussion in the Internet that in 1998 the Constitutional Court ruled that even the adoption of a new Constitution does not zero presidential term clocks, thus banning former president Boris Yeltsin to run for the third term.
"The bill on the amendment to the Russian Constitution introduces special rules allowing the incumbent Russian president to run in the next presidential election. The revision of the 1993 Constitution, which was considered by the Constitutional Court in 1998, did not imply these special rules. Therefore, the Constitutional Court had no legal grounds for another interpretation of Part 3 of Article 81 of the Russian Constitution. Therefore, any comparison here is incorrect," Klishas said.
"There are no grounds to consider that the provision enabling the incumbent head of state to take part in the next Russian presidential election runs counter to Chapters 1 and 2 of the Russian Constitution," he noted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday it was possible to amend the Constitution to enable him to run for another presidential term. However, in his words, such an amendment was to be assessed by the Constitutional Court. He also spoke against scrapping term limits.


tass--2020-03-12--Foreigners cancel tours to Russia worth nearly $7 mln amid coronavirus fears

MOSCOW , March 12 .
/TASS/ .
Foreign tour operators and tourists have canceled nearly all trips to Russia from March to May amid the novel coronavirus threat , with the losses estimated at 500 million rubles ( $ 6.8 mln ) , the Association of Tour Operators of Russia ( ATOR ) has reported .
`` According to ATOR ’ s analytical service , the total value of cancelled applications for the period from March to May 2020 now is at least 500 mln rubles , '' the statement said .
Some 15,000 foreign tourists have canceled trips to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Most cancellations account for the Asian market .
Besides groups from China and South Korea , there have been cancellations from Vietnam , Indonesia and Japan .
Traditionally , these tourists start tourist season earlier than the tourist flow from other countries .
The Middle East is ranked second and then comes Europe , '' the ATOR said .
Amid the coronavirus fears , Russia ’ s authorities have introduced a range of measures , including banning flights to some countries where the outbreaks of this disease were reported , and ordering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Moscow ’ s authorities have temporarily banned mass events in the capital and opened a special medical facility for hosting suspected coronavirus patients .
In late December 2019 , a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus ( previously known as 2019-nCoV ) was reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million .
Outside China , the worst affected countries are Italy , South Korea and Iran .
Overall , more than 100 other countries , including Russia , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest reports , China , which handles the bulk of cases , has confirmed around 80,700 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus .
The virus ’ death toll has reached more than 3,100 , yet more than 61,400 patients have recovered from the disease .
The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases outside China have exceeded 110,000 , with over 4,000 deaths .
The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic .

MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Foreign tour operators and tourists have canceled nearly all trips to Russia from March to May amid the novel coronavirus threat, with the losses estimated at 500 million rubles ($6.8 mln), the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) has reported.
"According to ATOR’s analytical service, the total value of cancelled applications for the period from March to May 2020 now is at least 500 mln rubles," the statement said.
Some 15,000 foreign tourists have canceled trips to Russia and sales have nearly stopped. "Most cancellations account for the Asian market. Besides groups from China and South Korea, there have been cancellations from Vietnam, Indonesia and Japan. Traditionally, these tourists start tourist season earlier than the tourist flow from other countries. The Middle East is ranked second and then comes Europe," the ATOR said.
Amid the coronavirus fears, Russia’s authorities have introduced a range of measures, including banning flights to some countries where the outbreaks of this disease were reported, and ordering self-isolation for citizens returning from these states. Moscow’s authorities have temporarily banned mass events in the capital and opened a special medical facility for hosting suspected coronavirus patients.
In late December 2019, a pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, an economic and industrial megacity with a population of 12 million. Outside China, the worst affected countries are Italy, South Korea and Iran. Overall, more than 100 other countries, including Russia, have reported confirmed coronavirus cases.
According to the latest reports, China, which handles the bulk of cases, has confirmed around 80,700 cases of patients infected with the novel coronavirus. The virus’ death toll has reached more than 3,100, yet more than 61,400 patients have recovered from the disease. The World Health Organization says that the novel coronavirus cases outside China have exceeded 110,000, with over 4,000 deaths. The WHO has officially described the situation with the novel coronavirus as a pandemic.


tass--2020-03-13--Russia’s measures can compensate for negative economic processes — Kremlin

MOSCOW , March 13 .
/TASS/ .
Measures taken in advance will allow Russia to partially compensate for the negative @ @ @ @ @ , Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday .
`` The situation with coronavirus has @ @ @ @ @ accelerated the processes , aggravated them .
Thanks to the measures taken in advance , @ @ @ @ @ the negative effect of this global situation , '' he said .

MOSCOW, March 13. /TASS/. Measures taken in advance will allow Russia to partially compensate for the negative processes in the global economy, Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
"The situation with coronavirus has become a definite trigger and accelerated the processes, aggravated them. Thanks to the measures taken in advance, Russia is able to dampen the negative effect of this global situation," he said.


tass--2020-03-13--Putin strongly opposes attempts to build personality cult around him — spokesman

Number of coronavirus cases in Russia up to 20 in 24 hours , says emergency response center Over the past @ @ @ @ @ three cases of Russian citizens infected

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--2020-03-13--London signals interest in holding UNSC P5 summit, Kremlin says

MOSCOW , March 13 .
/TASS/ .
London has been showing interest in holding a meeting of five permanent UN Security Council member states ( Russia , France , China , the US and the UK ) , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday .
`` Yes , certain signals are coming that the United Kingdom will also be interested in holding this meeting , '' Peskov said , answering a question whether London had officially responded to the proposal .
Earlier , a British government spokesperson told TASS that the UK in principle supported Russian President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of permanent members of the UN Security Council in 2020 and was in contact with the Russian government on this issue .
The UN Security Council Five meeting will very likely take place , and it is too early to talk about whether the coronavirus spread will affect these plans , Dmitry Peskov stated .
`` Everyone says that the Anniversary UN General Assembly meeting would become the best venue for the meeting of the Five .
It will be September , and there is a lot of time ; it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the coronavirus would affect [ the meeting ] .
Currently , we consider perspectives of such a meeting — which all of us , all humanity , needs so much — to be very positive and very likely , '' Peskov said .
Speaking at the World Holocaust Forum on January 23 , Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested calling a meeting of the five permanent UN Security Council member states ( Russia , the UK , China , the US and France ) , in 2020 .
The initiative was supported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Friday , Peskov disclosed that London also shows interest in the meeting .

MOSCOW, March 13. /TASS/. London has been showing interest in holding a meeting of five permanent UN Security Council member states (Russia, France, China, the US and the UK), Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.
"Yes, certain signals are coming that the United Kingdom will also be interested in holding this meeting," Peskov said, answering a question whether London had officially responded to the proposal.
Earlier, a British government spokesperson told TASS that the UK in principle supported Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to hold a summit of permanent members of the UN Security Council in 2020 and was in contact with the Russian government on this issue.
The UN Security Council Five meeting will very likely take place, and it is too early to talk about whether the coronavirus spread will affect these plans, Dmitry Peskov stated.
"Everyone says that the Anniversary UN General Assembly meeting would become the best venue for the meeting of the Five. It will be September, and there is a lot of time; it’s too early to speak about how and if the coronavirus would affect [the meeting]. Currently, we consider perspectives of such a meeting — which all of us, all humanity, needs so much — to be very positive and very likely," Peskov said.
Speaking at the World Holocaust Forum on January 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested calling a meeting of the five permanent UN Security Council member states (Russia, the UK, China, the US and France), in 2020. The initiative was supported by China, France and the UN authorities. On Friday, Peskov disclosed that London also shows interest in the meeting.


tass--2020-03-13--US-jailed Russian pilot’s condition improves, his wife says

On February 27 , Yaroshenko complained to the staff of the Russian diplomatic mission in the US that one of his legs had gone numb , assuming that he might have suffered a mild stroke .
The doctors at the prison had ignored his complaints but upon the diplomats ’ demands they started providing him with assistance .
ROSTOV-ON-DON , March 13 .
/TASS/ .
Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko , who is serving a 20-year sentence in the United States on drug smuggling charges , is recovering after complaining about a leg problem , his wife Viktoria Yaroshenko told TASS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leg < ... > is healing .
He has asked our diplomats not to visit him .
He finds it hard to move .
The doctors continue monitoring him and said he would recover within a year , '' the pilot ’ s wife said .
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States on September 7 , 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison .
He pled not guilty and described his arrest as a provocation and the whole case as a frame-up .
Yaroshenko was brought to the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 28 , 2010 .
Agents of the US Drug Enforcement Administration allegedly exposed Yaroshenko ’ s criminal intent to transport a large batch of cocaine .
The Russian authorities and the pilot ’ s family in Rostov-on-Don have repeatedly asked the United States for Yaroshenko ’ s handover to Russia .

On February 27, Yaroshenko complained to the staff of the Russian diplomatic mission in the US that one of his legs had gone numb, assuming that he might have suffered a mild stroke. The doctors at the prison had ignored his complaints but upon the diplomats’ demands they started providing him with assistance.
ROSTOV-ON-DON, March 13. /TASS/. Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who is serving a 20-year sentence in the United States on drug smuggling charges, is recovering after complaining about a leg problem, his wife Viktoria Yaroshenko told TASS on Friday.
"Kostya’s leg <...> is healing. He has asked our diplomats not to visit him. He finds it hard to move. The doctors continue monitoring him and said he would recover within a year," the pilot’s wife said.
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States on September 7, 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He pled not guilty and described his arrest as a provocation and the whole case as a frame-up. Yaroshenko was brought to the United States from Liberia, where he was arrested on May 28, 2010. Agents of the US Drug Enforcement Administration allegedly exposed Yaroshenko’s criminal intent to transport a large batch of cocaine.
The Russian authorities and the pilot’s family in Rostov-on-Don have repeatedly asked the United States for Yaroshenko’s handover to Russia.