tass--2020-05-11--Russian citizens need direct assistance - Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , May 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin called for direct assistance to Russian citizens affected by restrictive measures amid the fight against coronavirus .
`` Now that we are just starting to lift restrictions , when people and businesses have accumulated a lot of problems , additional actions are needed , direct assistance to citizens , '' he said on Monday .
Putin noted that a long and complex process of lifting restrictions is ahead .
According to him , lifting restrictive measures amid the coronavirus pandemic can not be instantaneous , it should be carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He noted that the measures taken earlier allow to move on to the next stage of the fight against the pandemic - to `` begin a phased exit from restriction regime . ''
`` This period has a fundamental peculiarity - first of all , such exit can not be simultaneous , it is necessary to do it carefully , step by step , '' Putin said .
According to him , lifting or softening the restrictions `` must take place under strict observance of all conditions and sanitary requirements that guarantee safety @ @ @ @ @

NOVO-OGARYOVO, May 11. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin called for direct assistance to Russian citizens affected by restrictive measures amid the fight against coronavirus.
"Now that we are just starting to lift restrictions, when people and businesses have accumulated a lot of problems, additional actions are needed, direct assistance to citizens," he said on Monday.
Putin noted that a long and complex process of lifting restrictions is ahead. According to him, lifting restrictive measures amid the coronavirus pandemic cannot be instantaneous, it should be carried out carefully, step by step.
He noted that the measures taken earlier allow to move on to the next stage of the fight against the pandemic - to "begin a phased exit from restriction regime." "This period has a fundamental peculiarity - first of all, such exit cannot be simultaneous, it is necessary to do it carefully, step by step," Putin said.
According to him, lifting or softening the restrictions "must take place under strict observance of all conditions and sanitary requirements that guarantee safety of people.".


tass--2020-05-11--Russia’s governors will decide to lift or maintain coronavirus restrictions - Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , May 11 .
/TASS/ .
Heads of Russian regions will decide on lifting , maintaining or even tightening @ @ @ @ @ situation with coronavirus , Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday .
He noted that @ @ @ @ @ of the country is different and that is why earlier the Russian subjects were given @ @ @ @ @ flexible decisions comparable with the risk level . ''
`` Today ’ s decree confirms @ @ @ @ @ president said .
`` That is , heads of regions , based on an analysis @ @ @ @ @ opinions of chief sanitary doctors , will make decisions on the nature of restrictive measures @ @ @ @ @ what sequence they can be gradually softened or maintained , and if the situation requires @ @ @ @ @ '' the president said .
In general , as Putin said , like before , @ @ @ @ @ , continuous cycle organizations , medical facilities and pharmacies , financial institutions , enterprises selling @ @ @ @ @ continue to work in Russia after May 12 .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, May 11. /TASS/. Heads of Russian regions will decide on lifting, maintaining or even tightening restrictive measures due to the situation with coronavirus, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday.
He noted that the situation in various regions of the country is different and that is why earlier the Russian subjects were given the opportunity to "make flexible decisions comparable with the risk level." "Today’s decree confirms these powers," the president said.
"That is, heads of regions, based on an analysis of the situation, on opinions of chief sanitary doctors, will make decisions on the nature of restrictive measures, on how, in what sequence they can be gradually softened or maintained, and if the situation requires it, maybe tightened," the president said.
In general, as Putin said, like before, all state and municipal authorities, continuous cycle organizations, medical facilities and pharmacies, financial institutions, enterprises selling food and essential goods will continue to work in Russia after May 12.


tass--2020-05-11--Putin calls measures to support Russians unprecedented

NOVO-OGARYOVO , May 11 .
/TASS / .
Resources allocated by the state to support people and businesses have already exceeded the amount of assistance provided in previous crises , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday .
`` The measures that I have now presented to support citizens , social sphere as a whole , and the economy are absolutely unprecedented , ambitious .
I think that in recent history , the state has never allocated such resources to support our people and individual sectors of the economy .
Even in difficult 2008-2009 , during the years of global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` These decisions … are recognized not only expedient , but also ready to be implemented .
This means that they must be implemented .
I ask you to take this in the most serious way , '' Putin said .
According to him , only in this case it will be possible to say that the set goals will be achieved , economic and social life will return to normal , and conditions will be created to support the economy and help people .
`` I ask you to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, May 11. /TASS /. Resources allocated by the state to support people and businesses have already exceeded the amount of assistance provided in previous crises, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
"The measures that I have now presented to support citizens, social sphere as a whole, and the economy are absolutely unprecedented, ambitious. I think that in recent history, the state has never allocated such resources to support our people and individual sectors of the economy. Even in difficult 2008-2009, during the years of global financial and economic crises," he said.
"These decisions … are recognized not only expedient, but also ready to be implemented. This means that they must be implemented. I ask you to take this in the most serious way," Putin said.
According to him, only in this case it will be possible to say that the set goals will be achieved, economic and social life will return to normal, and conditions will be created to support the economy and help people. "I ask you to take this very seriously," Putin said.


tass--2020-05-11--Putin urges Russians to step up personal coronavirus prevention

NOVO-OGARYOVO , May 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Russians to step up personal coronavirus prevention measures @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Dear friends , be extremely careful , please keep and even strengthen your @ @ @ @ @ prevent infection , '' he said .
Putin said he hopes that people would be @ @ @ @ @ this area .
`` I ’ m sure you know the situation in your region @ @ @ @ @ such decisions [ on maintaining restrictions ] , '' he said .
The president noted @ @ @ @ @ wherever possible , `` provide people with the opportunity not only to leave their homes @ @ @ @ @ their children , or engage in individual sports . ''
According to Putin , however @ @ @ @ @ in such a way as to minimize the threat of the spread of the virus @

NOVO-OGARYOVO, May 11. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin asked Russians to step up personal coronavirus prevention measures, he said on Monday.
"Dear friends, be extremely careful, please keep and even strengthen your attention on personal measures to prevent infection," he said.
Putin said he hopes that people would be understanding towards measures taken in this area. "I’m sure you know the situation in your region well and you will understand such decisions [on maintaining restrictions]," he said.
The president noted that the governors should, wherever possible, "provide people with the opportunity not only to leave their homes, go for walks with their children, or engage in individual sports." According to Putin, however, this must be done in such a way as to minimize the threat of the spread of the virus.


tass--2020-05-11--Russia’s anti-coronavirus measures saved thousands of lives - Putin

NOVO-OGARYOVO , May 11 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s measures to combat coronavirus have allowed to save thousands of @ @ @ @ @ Putin told a meeting to discuss the situation with the coronavirus spread .
`` Thanks @ @ @ @ @ earlier many thousands of lives have been saved and certainly , doctors and nurses had @ @ @ @ @ '' Putin said .
All Russians are grateful to doctors for their self-sacrificing work , @ @ @ @ @ authorities and heads of oversight agencies to help provide doctors with everything they need as @ @ @ @ @ work .
Putin noted that `` doctors now know much more about the disease than @ @ @ @ @ epidemic , and they have both their own experience and the practice of foreign colleagues @ @ @ @ @ treatment methods using effective drugs , '' the production of which has been stepped up @ @ @ @ @ him , international experience has shown that the unpreparedness and overload of healthcare systems were @ @ @ @ @ mortality rate .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, May 11. /TASS/. Russia’s measures to combat coronavirus have allowed to save thousands of lives, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a meeting to discuss the situation with the coronavirus spread.
"Thanks to the measures carried out earlier many thousands of lives have been saved and certainly, doctors and nurses had a decisive role here," Putin said.
All Russians are grateful to doctors for their self-sacrificing work, he stressed, ordering the authorities and heads of oversight agencies to help provide doctors with everything they need as well as to facilitate their work.
Putin noted that "doctors now know much more about the disease than at the beginning of the epidemic, and they have both their own experience and the practice of foreign colleagues, they have developed new treatment methods using effective drugs," the production of which has been stepped up in Russia. According to him, international experience has shown that the unpreparedness and overload of healthcare systems were the main causes of high mortality rate.


tass--2020-05-11--Putin: non-working days in Russia will end May on 12, mass events won't resume yet

NOVO-OGARYOVO , May 11 .
/TASS/ .
Non-working days in Russia will end on May 12 , but it will take significant time to end restrictions in the regions , Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday .
`` Starting from tomorrow , on May 12 , a single period of non-working days for the entire country and all economic sectors will end , '' Putin said , noting that the fight against the pandemic would continue and any backsliding should be thwarted .
It will take certain time to end the restrictions and this process won ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also stressed that starting from May 12 at all stages until the epidemic is fully stopped all general sanitary requirements as well as additional preventive measures in the regions should remain in place .
The ban on holding mass events in Russia due to the coronavirus pandemic will continue .
`` Of course , across the country , any mass events are out of the question , '' Putin said .
Putin emphasized that everyone needs to strictly observe sanitary rules - this applies to the work of enterprises , shops , transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The increased safety regime should be maintained for people over 65 , as well as for those who suffer from chronic diseases , '' the president added .
Lifting restrictive measures amid the coronavirus pandemic can not be instantaneous , it should be carried out carefully , step by step , the Russian President announced .
He noted that the measures taken earlier allow to move on to the next stage of the fight against the pandemic - to `` begin a phased exit from restriction regime . ''
`` This period has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such exit can not be simultaneous , it is necessary to do it carefully , step by step , '' Putin said .
According to him , lifting or softening the restrictions `` must take place under strict observance of all conditions and sanitary requirements that guarantee safety of people. ''
.
Russia ’ s measures to combat coronavirus have allowed to save thousands of lives , Putin said .
`` Thanks to the measures carried out earlier many thousands of lives have been saved and certainly , doctors and nurses had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

NOVO-OGARYOVO, May 11. /TASS/. Non-working days in Russia will end on May 12, but it will take significant time to end restrictions in the regions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
"Starting from tomorrow, on May 12, a single period of non-working days for the entire country and all economic sectors will end," Putin said, noting that the fight against the pandemic would continue and any backsliding should be thwarted.
It will take certain time to end the restrictions and this process won’t be quick, Putin said. The president also stressed that starting from May 12 at all stages until the epidemic is fully stopped all general sanitary requirements as well as additional preventive measures in the regions should remain in place.
The ban on holding mass events in Russia due to the coronavirus pandemic will continue.
"Of course, across the country, any mass events are out of the question," Putin said.
Putin emphasized that everyone needs to strictly observe sanitary rules - this applies to the work of enterprises, shops, transport, and the service sector. "The increased safety regime should be maintained for people over 65, as well as for those who suffer from chronic diseases," the president added.
Lifting restrictive measures amid the coronavirus pandemic cannot be instantaneous, it should be carried out carefully, step by step, the Russian President announced.
He noted that the measures taken earlier allow to move on to the next stage of the fight against the pandemic - to "begin a phased exit from restriction regime." "This period has a fundamental peculiarity - first of all, such exit cannot be simultaneous, it is necessary to do it carefully, step by step," Putin said.
According to him, lifting or softening the restrictions "must take place under strict observance of all conditions and sanitary requirements that guarantee safety of people.".
Russia’s measures to combat coronavirus have allowed to save thousands of lives, Putin said. "Thanks to the measures carried out earlier many thousands of lives have been saved and certainly, doctors and nurses had a decisive role here," he said.


tass--2020-05-11--Whipping up tensions between Russia and Czech Republic harms dialogue - official

MOSCOW , May 11 .
/TASS/ .
Whipping up tensions in the Czech Republic without any reason does not promote a constructive dialogue in Russian-Czech relations , Head of Russia ’ s Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States , Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation Eleonora Mitrofanova told TASS .
The Prague-based Respekt weekly newsmagazine reported earlier citing sources in the Czech special services that in early April a Russian national holding a diplomatic passport had allegedly arrived in Prague carrying ricin , a highly potent toxin .
The man allegedly headed to the Russian embassy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians .
`` This situation is the continuation of hostile actions in addition to the dismantling by the Czech municipal authorities of the monument to Marshal of the Soviet Union Ivan Konev , '' Mitrofanova said .
`` We regret to see additional escalation in bilateral Russian-Czech relations . ''
According to the official , the Czech authorities have slapped unfounded accusations against a staff member of the Russian federal agency in Prague .
`` This is certainly pure provocation .
There are forces seeking to boost this negative reaction , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Czech Republic is a young man , who speaks the Czech language , who treats this country well and loves it .
I believe that this is an unfounded and groundless provocation by the Czech authorities , which is part and parcel of actions they have been taking recently . ''
Tensions between the two countries escalated following the demolition of a monument dedicated to WWII Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev in Prague .
The monument was removed on April 3 following a decision by the authorities of the district Prague-6 .
The municipal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Museum of the 20th Century that the Prague Mayor ’ s Office plans to establish .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that Moscow was waiting for the Czech authorities to respond to Russia ’ s proposal to discuss the violation of the 1993 friendship treaty .

MOSCOW, May 11. /TASS/. Whipping up tensions in the Czech Republic without any reason does not promote a constructive dialogue in Russian-Czech relations, Head of Russia’s Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation Eleonora Mitrofanova told TASS.
The Prague-based Respekt weekly newsmagazine reported earlier citing sources in the Czech special services that in early April a Russian national holding a diplomatic passport had allegedly arrived in Prague carrying ricin, a highly potent toxin. The man allegedly headed to the Russian embassy and the poison could be aimed for municipal politicians.
"This situation is the continuation of hostile actions in addition to the dismantling by the Czech municipal authorities of the monument to Marshal of the Soviet Union Ivan Konev," Mitrofanova said. "We regret to see additional escalation in bilateral Russian-Czech relations."
According to the official, the Czech authorities have slapped unfounded accusations against a staff member of the Russian federal agency in Prague. "This is certainly pure provocation. There are forces seeking to boost this negative reaction," she noted. "Our representative in the Czech Republic is a young man, who speaks the Czech language, who treats this country well and loves it. I believe that this is an unfounded and groundless provocation by the Czech authorities, which is part and parcel of actions they have been taking recently."
Tensions between the two countries escalated following the demolition of a monument dedicated to WWII Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev in Prague. The monument was removed on April 3 following a decision by the authorities of the district Prague-6. The municipal authorities intend to hand it over to the Museum of the 20th Century that the Prague Mayor’s Office plans to establish. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that Moscow was waiting for the Czech authorities to respond to Russia’s proposal to discuss the violation of the 1993 friendship treaty.


tass--2020-05-12--Toyota fully resumes car production at plant in St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russian plant of Toyota carmaker in St. Petersburg , has resumed full @ @ @ @ @ 12 , a spokesperson with the company told TASS .
On March 30 , the @ @ @ @ @ the conveyor in line with the decree of President Vladimir Putin on non-working days in @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The company ’ s spare parts warehouses in the Moscow region and Novosibirsk @ @ @ @ @ According to the spokesperson , Toyota fully complied with all the necessary sanitary and epidemiological @ @ @ @ @ Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare .
Toyota Motor Plant @ @ @ @ @ in 2007 .
Currently , the company produces Toyota Camry sedan and Toyota RAV4 crossover @ @ @ @ @ November 2011 , the plant has been operating in two shifts .
The production capacity @ @ @ @ @ cars per year .
The plant supplies cars to the Russian market , as well @ @ @ @ @ of Kazakhstan and Belarus .

ST. PETERSBURG, May 12. /TASS/. Russian plant of Toyota carmaker in St. Petersburg, has resumed full operation on Tuesday, May 12, a spokesperson with the company told TASS.
On March 30, the plant suspended the work of the conveyor in line with the decree of President Vladimir Putin on non-working days in Russia due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The company’s spare parts warehouses in the Moscow region and Novosibirsk also reopened on Tuesday.
According to the spokesperson, Toyota fully complied with all the necessary sanitary and epidemiological requirements and recommendations of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare.
Toyota Motor Plant in St. Petersburg was launched in 2007. Currently, the company produces Toyota Camry sedan and Toyota RAV4 crossover at this site. Since November 2011, the plant has been operating in two shifts. The production capacity of the plant is 100,000 cars per year. The plant supplies cars to the Russian market, as well as exports to the markets of Kazakhstan and Belarus.


tass--2020-05-12--Rosneft starts exploration drilling at Vostok Oil project

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
Rosneft has initiated drilling of exploration wells in the Vostok Oil project in @ @ @ @ @ Officer of the Russian oil major Igor Sechin said at the meeting with President Vladimir @ @ @ @ @ promising greenfield projects , which will also give new volumes to the market after its @ @ @ @ @ , is the Vostok Oil project , where we have started exploration drilling , '' @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Rosneft has initiated drilling of exploration wells as part of the Vostok Oil project in Arctic Russia, Chief Executive Officer of the Russian oil major Igor Sechin said at the meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
"One of promising greenfield projects, which will also give new volumes to the market after its stabilization, as we expect, is the Vostok Oil project, where we have started exploration drilling," Sechin said.
According to Rosneft, the expected economic effect is the tenfold return from each invested ruble. Implementation of the project will also provide a 2% increase of GDP annually.
Fifteen field camps, three airfields and two marine terminals will be created within the project framework. The project may involve about 100,000 jobs.
Cooperation on the project
Vostok Oil, Inter RAO and Taimyrneftegaz signed an agreement stipulating construction of gas-fired power plants and power grid assets for power supply to a group of oil and gas fields of the Vostok Oil project, Inter RAO and Rosneft said in a joint statement.
"Inter RAO will organize development of power supply diagrams for the Vostok Oil project, engineering, equipment procurement and energy infrastructure construction within the agreement framework," the statement reads.
According to preliminary data, the generating company plans to build several power plants with the total capacity of about 2.5 GW and the grid infrastructure in Taimyr, a spokesman of Inter RAO told reporters. Plants will work in the isolated mode. The amount and the plan to finance construction and the subsequent ownership format of assets will be determined after completion of work on the Vostok Oil power supply project.
As part of the cooperation, Inter RAO plans to install domestic generating turbines at power plants. Installation of turbines produced by the Russian Gas Turbines, Inter RAO's joint venture with General Electric (GE), is one of options but other options are also considered, a spokesperson for the generating company told reporters.
"The task is to predominantly use Russian equipment when building power plants. Russian Gas Turbines is one of options. Other options are also being considered," the spokesperson said.
Inter RAO and General Electric own the Russian Gas Turbines joint venture on a parity basis. The joint venture announced the desire to work on the increase of gas turbines production localization within the framework of the special investment contract, the Russian Ministry of Energy said at the turn of the last year. The company is considering an option of entering into the special investment contract, the top management of Inter RAO indicated last November.


tass--2020-05-12--COVID-19 responsible for more deaths in Spain than any other disease, says paper

It noted that based on the data for 2014-2018 , an average of 416,000 people died in the country per year , including more than 22,000 patients whose death was caused by malignant bronchial and lung tumors .
An average of 18,500 people in Spain lost their lives due to cardiac failure in 12 months , while 17,500 people passed away from dementia and 15,200 died due to heart attacks .
Meanwhile , coronavirus has claimed 26,744 lives in the country over the past few months .
MADRID , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus death toll in Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year caused by any other disease , the ABC daily newspaper reported on Tuesday .
Spain is one of the hit hardest countries by the COVID-19 pandemic , with more than 227,000 cases confirmed since the beginning of the outbreak .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 4,269,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 287,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 1,534,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

It noted that based on the data for 2014-2018, an average of 416,000 people died in the country per year, including more than 22,000 patients whose death was caused by malignant bronchial and lung tumors. An average of 18,500 people in Spain lost their lives due to cardiac failure in 12 months, while 17,500 people passed away from dementia and 15,200 died due to heart attacks. Meanwhile, coronavirus has claimed 26,744 lives in the country over the past few months.
MADRID, May 12. /TASS/. The coronavirus death toll in Spain has exceeded the number of deaths per year caused by any other disease, the ABC daily newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Spain is one of the hit hardest countries by the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 227,000 cases confirmed since the beginning of the outbreak.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 4,269,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 287,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,534,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-05-12--Putin discusses measures to preserve Rosneft optimal investment volume with company CEO

NOVO-OGARYOVO , May 12 .
/ TASS / .
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed state support measures to maintain the @ @ @ @ @ with the head of Rosneft , Igor Sechin on Tuesday .
President Putin noted that @ @ @ @ @ Rosneft this year by 200 bln rubles , or over $ 2 bln ( from @ @ @ @ @ over $ 12 bln a year earlier to 750 billion rubles , or over $ @ @ @ @ @ a lot . ''
`` It is very important for us to keep the entire @ @ @ @ @ subcontractors , because your orders provide work for a large number of industrial enterprises .
@ @ @ @ @ to support and keep your investment at the optimal volume ? ''
the president asked @ @

NOVO-OGARYOVO, May 12. / TASS /. Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed state support measures to maintain the optimal investment volume of Rosneft with the head of Rosneft, Igor Sechin on Tuesday.
President Putin noted that reducing the investment program of Rosneft this year by 200 bln rubles, or over $2 bln (from 950 billion rubles, or over $12 bln a year earlier to 750 billion rubles, or over $10 bln) "is a lot." "It is very important for us to keep the entire chain of your contractors and subcontractors, because your orders provide work for a large number of industrial enterprises. What state measures are needed to support and keep your investment at the optimal volume?" the president asked Sechin.
The president also suggested discussing the topic of tariffs for transport monopolies, taking into account current prices in the oil market. Sechin asked President Putin to consider the possibility of deferral of tax payments in the field of geological exploration. According to him, this would help the company "in the future to be better braced to overcome the crisis."


tass--2020-05-12--Rosneft to slash investment program to about $10.2 bln in 2020, says CEO

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
Rosneft plans to slash its investment program this year by 21 % or by 200 bln rubles ( $ 2.7 bln ) to about 750 bln rubles ( $ 10.2 bln ) , Chief Executive Officer of the Russian oil major Igor Sechin said at the meeting with President Vladimir Putin .
`` The investment program was about 950 bln rubles ( $ 13 bln ) last year… Considering , so to say , the dramatic condition of the global oil market at large and in view of decisions taken to reduce production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a portion of capital expenditures .
We will endeavor to keep our investment program at the level of about 750 bln [ rubles ] ( $ 10.2 bln ) , '' Sechin said .
In his conversation with the president , Rosneft 's head voiced a request to take into account the drop in raw material prices in oil transportation tariffs , since pumping costs reach 32 % of the cost of oil .
`` We are not asking for any special benefits , but adjusting in connection with the price drop would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
Currently , 32 % of the cost of oil are transportation charges , '' the Rosneft CEO stated .
`` If in 2008 , let ’ s say , the cost of oil in rubles was about 1,100 rubles ( $ 15 ) , today 's 1,200 rubles ( $ 16 ) is comparable to that .
Before though the pumping tariff was 822 rubles ( $ 11 ) per tonne , which today exceeds 2,000-2100 rubles ( $ 28.7 ) , '' he complained .

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Rosneft plans to slash its investment program this year by 21% or by 200 bln rubles ($2.7 bln) to about 750 bln rubles ($10.2 bln), Chief Executive Officer of the Russian oil major Igor Sechin said at the meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
"The investment program was about 950 bln rubles ($13 bln) last year… Considering, so to say, the dramatic condition of the global oil market at large and in view of decisions taken to reduce production, we will certainly have to optimize a portion of capital expenditures. We will endeavor to keep our investment program at the level of about 750 bln [rubles] ($10.2 bln)," Sechin said.
Reduction of the investment program is related to declining oil production and the measure is needed to maintain financial and economic stability of the company, Sechin noted. "We will have to make such optimization decisions in order to preserve the company's financial and economic stability," the top manager said, adding that Rosneft would endeavor to maintain investment dynamics.
Oil transportation tariffs
In his conversation with the president, Rosneft's head voiced a request to take into account the drop in raw material prices in oil transportation tariffs, since pumping costs reach 32% of the cost of oil.
"We are not asking for any special benefits, but adjusting in connection with the price drop would, of course, be significant for us. Currently, 32% of the cost of oil are transportation charges," the Rosneft CEO stated.
"If in 2008, let’s say, the cost of oil in rubles was about 1,100 rubles ($15), today's 1,200 rubles ($16) is comparable to that. Before though the pumping tariff was 822 rubles ($11) per tonne, which today exceeds 2,000-2100 rubles ($28.7)," he complained.
The Russian oil pipeline operator Transneft supports pipeline transport of crude oil and petroleum products. The Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia sets tariffs for the monopoly’s services. Oil transport tariffs were earlier increased by 3.42% for 2020.


tass--2020-05-12--Russia’s FSB thwarts terrorist attack in Tver region

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s Federal Security Service ( FSB ) has thwarted a terrorist @ @ @ @ @ , the FSB press service said in a statement .
Three militants plotting terrorist attack @ @ @ @ @ city of Yekaterinburg According to the FSB , `` a Russian citizen born in 2001 @ @ @ @ @ set state agencies ’ buildings on fire and carry out armed attacks on law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ has been detained in the town of Kimry .
A rubber-bullet pistol converted into a @ @ @ @ @ , three homemade petrol bombs , cold weapons and communication means were seized from the @ @ @ @ @ that police had also seized `` diaries with information on his criminal plot . ''
@ @ @ @ @ launched under Articles 30.1 and 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ( preparations for a @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has thwarted a terrorist attack in the Tver region, the FSB press service said in a statement.
Three militants plotting terrorist attack killed in Russia's Urals city of Yekaterinburg
According to the FSB, "a Russian citizen born in 2001, involved in plotting to set state agencies’ buildings on fire and carry out armed attacks on law enforcement officers and public officials" has been detained in the town of Kimry.
A rubber-bullet pistol converted into a combat one, improvised ammunition, three homemade petrol bombs, cold weapons and communication means were seized from the man.
The FSB added that police had also seized "diaries with information on his criminal plot."
A criminal investigation has been launched under Articles 30.1 and 205.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (preparations for a terrorist attack).


tass--2020-05-12--Roscosmos says Mars most preferable planet for future colonization

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s State Space Corporation Roscosmos believes that Mars is the most preferable planet in the solar system for future colonization , Roscosmos Executive Director for Long-Term Programs and Science Alexander Bloshenko told TASS on Tuesday .
`` The studies of the Sun show that it is getting hotter while the temperature on Venus and Mars is growing slowly and this is one of the reasons why Mars looks , perhaps , most preferable today from the prospect of terraforming [ the creation of Earth-like conditions on the planet ] and colonization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the issue of the survival of humankind and all the life on Earth in a super-long-term perspective , he stressed .
However , human beings most likely not with the current genotypes will be able to become Mars colonizers arriving from Earth in the distant future , he pointed out .
Roscosmos is carrying out systemic work for preparing missions to the Moon and Mars , he said .
Along with Mars , Venus looks similar to Earth , Bloshenko said .
However , the environment on Venus is far from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
In particular , the average temperature of its surface equals about plus 470 degrees Celsius ( compared to -63 degrees on Mars ) while its atmospheric pressure exceeds that on Earth by 90 times , he pointed out .
`` The conditions potentially ‘ attractive ’ for colonization are present on Venus only at an altitude of 50 - 65 km : here the planet ’ s atmosphere most of all resembles that on Earth by its temperature , pressure and gas structure , '' he said .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumably had the dense atmosphere and a large amount of water , i.e .
the environment that resembles Earth ’ s conditions today .
However , over the period of several hundred million years , this environment was lost , Bloshenko said .
All the studies conducted on Mars and Venus into the presence of the signs of life have not yielded any positive results so far , he added .
`` Possibly , the next stage of the ExoMars joint Russian-European mission whose launch is scheduled for 2022 will shed light on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Mars a rover equipped with a drilling device that is capable of getting in the Martian subsurface layer , and also a miniature laboratory to look for signs of life , '' the Roscosmos official said .

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Russia’s State Space Corporation Roscosmos believes that Mars is the most preferable planet in the solar system for future colonization, Roscosmos Executive Director for Long-Term Programs and Science Alexander Bloshenko told TASS on Tuesday.
"The studies of the Sun show that it is getting hotter while the temperature on Venus and Mars is growing slowly and this is one of the reasons why Mars looks, perhaps, most preferable today from the prospect of terraforming [the creation of Earth-like conditions on the planet] and colonization," Bloshenko said.
Space colonization is the issue of the survival of humankind and all the life on Earth in a super-long-term perspective, he stressed.
However, human beings most likely not with the current genotypes will be able to become Mars colonizers arriving from Earth in the distant future, he pointed out.
Roscosmos is carrying out systemic work for preparing missions to the Moon and Mars, he said.
Along with Mars, Venus looks similar to Earth, Bloshenko said.
However, the environment on Venus is far from being favorable from the viewpoint of humans, he said. In particular, the average temperature of its surface equals about plus 470 degrees Celsius (compared to -63 degrees on Mars) while its atmospheric pressure exceeds that on Earth by 90 times, he pointed out.
"The conditions potentially ‘attractive’ for colonization are present on Venus only at an altitude of 50 - 65 km: here the planet’s atmosphere most of all resembles that on Earth by its temperature, pressure and gas structure," he said.
Life on Mars
At the early stages of its history, Mars presumably had the dense atmosphere and a large amount of water, i.e. the environment that resembles Earth’s conditions today. However, over the period of several hundred million years, this environment was lost, Bloshenko said.
All the studies conducted on Mars and Venus into the presence of the signs of life have not yielded any positive results so far, he added.
"Possibly, the next stage of the ExoMars joint Russian-European mission whose launch is scheduled for 2022 will shed light on this issue. The program envisages landing on Mars a rover equipped with a drilling device that is capable of getting in the Martian subsurface layer, and also a miniature laboratory to look for signs of life," the Roscosmos official said.


tass--2020-05-12--Paris court rejects appeal on Russian national Vinnik’s release from custody

PARIS , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
A Paris court has rejected the appeal on Russian national Alexander Vinnik 's release from custody for the duration of court proceedings on Tuesday , French lawyer Arianne Zimra informed TASS .
`` Today , we have been informed that the court rejected our appeal on Vinnik ’ s release from custody for the duration of court proceedings , '' she said .
Vinnik ’ s defense in their appeal cited as one of the arguments the spread of the novel coronavirus , which puts their defendant ’ s health at risk .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacationing in Greece on July 25 , 2017 at the United States ’ request , where he is accused of laundering four to nine billion US dollars through a no longer existent Internet exchange of cryptocurrencies BTC-e .
The Thessaloniki Court of Appeals and the Greek Supreme Court ruled Vinnik be extradited to France and then to the United States .
Russia is also seeking his extradition and has a corresponding verdict of the Greek Supreme Court .
Vinnik denied Washington ’ s and Paris ’ charges and agreed to be extradited to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in France , awaiting extradition to the USA .
On January 28 , a Paris court decided to leave Vinnik under arrest .
On February 17 , a court in Paris dismissed the appeal of Vinnik ’ s defense , choosing to keep the Russian national in custody .
His mother Vera Vinnik addressed French President Emmanuel Macron with the request to ensure her son ’ s right to a fair trial .
She handed over her letter to the Russian Embassy in Paris .

PARIS, May 12. /TASS/. A Paris court has rejected the appeal on Russian national Alexander Vinnik's release from custody for the duration of court proceedings on Tuesday, French lawyer Arianne Zimra informed TASS.
"Today, we have been informed that the court rejected our appeal on Vinnik’s release from custody for the duration of court proceedings," she said.
Vinnik’s defense in their appeal cited as one of the arguments the spread of the novel coronavirus, which puts their defendant’s health at risk.
Russian national Alexander Vinnik was detained while vacationing in Greece on July 25, 2017 at the United States’ request, where he is accused of laundering four to nine billion US dollars through a no longer existent Internet exchange of cryptocurrencies BTC-e. The Thessaloniki Court of Appeals and the Greek Supreme Court ruled Vinnik be extradited to France and then to the United States. Russia is also seeking his extradition and has a corresponding verdict of the Greek Supreme Court. Vinnik denied Washington’s and Paris’ charges and agreed to be extradited to Russia. He is currently in custody in France, awaiting extradition to the USA.
On January 28, a Paris court decided to leave Vinnik under arrest. On February 17, a court in Paris dismissed the appeal of Vinnik’s defense, choosing to keep the Russian national in custody. His mother Vera Vinnik addressed French President Emmanuel Macron with the request to ensure her son’s right to a fair trial. She handed over her letter to the Russian Embassy in Paris.


tass--2020-05-12--Five journalists die in Russia after contracting coronavirus

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
Five journalists have died in Russia from coronavirus-related causes , while around 200 @ @ @ @ @ after contracting the virus , head of the Russian Union of Journalists Vladimir Solovyov said @ @ @ @ @ all in a very difficult situation .
Journalists even more so because they are on @ @ @ @ @ virus just like doctors .
Unfortunately , there are losses already — reports were revealed @ @ @ @ @ have five [ journalists who died ] and 200 infected , '' Solovyov noted .
@ @ @ @ @ , over 4,269,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 287,000 deaths have been @ @ @ @ @ so far , over 1,534,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
@ @ @ @ @ of 232,243 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 43,512 patients having recovered @ @ @ @ @ ’ s latest data indicates 2,116 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set @ @ @ @ @ keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Five journalists have died in Russia from coronavirus-related causes, while around 200 media professionals have fallen ill after contracting the virus, head of the Russian Union of Journalists Vladimir Solovyov said Tuesday.
"We are all in a very difficult situation. Journalists even more so because they are on the frontlines of fighting the virus just like doctors. Unfortunately, there are losses already — reports were revealed recently <…> we have five [journalists who died] and 200 infected," Solovyov noted.
According to the latest statistics, over 4,269,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 287,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,534,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 232,243 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 43,512 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 2,116 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-12--Press review: Putin’s pandemic economic rescue package and China’s possible dollar dump

Vedomosti : Russia ’ s third anti-crisis package to cost over $ 10 bln The new measures to support the population and business amid the pandemic , announced by President Vladimir Putin on May 11 , will cost the state about 800 bln rubles ( $ 10.87 bln ) , two federal officials told Vedomosti .
Among the most expensive measures are going to be the tax write-offs and new salary loans .
Taxes of small and medium-sized businesses , individual entrepreneurs from affected sectors and socially oriented non-governmental organizations will be completely written off ( except the VAT ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second quarter .
The cost of the program to write off loans will exceed 300 bln rubles ( $ 4.07 bln ) , two officials told the newspaper .
Individual entrepreneurs and self-employed citizens will receive additional support .
For the former , unemployment benefits will be increased , becoming the same as for other people who have lost their jobs — 12,130 rubles ( $ 164.87 ) .
Self-employed individuals will be given what ’ s called a `` tax capital '' to pay taxes in 2020 .
This measure will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 203.81 mln ) , a source told Vedomosti .
Families with children will also receive new help .
For non-working parents , the minimum childcare allowance will be doubled to 6,751 rubles ( $ 91.75 ) .
Also , from June 1 , the state will begin to dole out 10,000 rubles ( $ 135.92 ) for each child aged 3-15 years .
All families will be able to obtain these benefits , according to Putin .
Based on Rosstat ’ s data , the cost of this measure will exceed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
According to an official , a new program to support the economy could add up to 1.5 % to the GDP .
The budget has the money for this anti-crisis package .
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov noted that proceeds from the acquisition of Sberbank from the Bank of Russia would be used to finance the support of the economy to the tune of 1.07 trillion rubles ( $ 14.54 bln ) this year .
Putin also instructed the government to draw up a national plan for the long-term development of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and incomes .
The emphasis will be on systemic measures , including those related to the business climate , a federal official told Vedomosti .
The appointment of Mikhail Saakashvili as head of the executive committee of Ukraine ’ s National Reform Council will spark a crisis in relations between Kiev and Tbilisi and will negatively affect Russian-Ukrainian dialogue , former Chairman of the Georgian parliament , and leader of the opposition party `` Democratic Movement - United Georgia '' Nino Burjanadze said in an interview with Izvestia .
In her opinion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predecessor Pyotr Poroshenko , will regret his decision to give the former Georgian leader this position .
`` Saakashvili ’ s appointment will not bring anything good to Russian-Ukrainian relations .
After all , his main trump card is an anti-Russian card .
And , of course , he will use his position in Ukraine to gain extra points in the eyes of the West , criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia , '' she predicted .
According to Burjanadze , `` One way or another , what happened in Ukraine with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which we consider as a strategic partner , does not respect the government of Georgia at all , and does not respect the interests of our state .
A criminal case has been officially filed against Saakashvili , and the Georgian justice system is looking for him .
And when a strategic partner appoints him to a high position , this means that Ukraine does not care about the decision of the Georgian government or justice . ''
Speaking about Russian-Georgian relations , the politician noted that the resumption of air connection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , guests from Russia are always welcome .
Despite the complicated relations between our states , the political anti-Russian sentiment did not morph into Russophobia .
And this is very important .
Among people , at the interpersonal level , there is no such sentiment , '' she told Izvestia .
Uzbekistan has become an observer in the Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ) .
On May 11 , the Senate of the Oliy Majlis ( the upper house of Uzbekistan ’ s parliament ) by a majority vote approved the cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ association , Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote .
Participating in the union might allow Uzbekistan to expand its export markets , foster ties , develop inter-regional cooperation and create favorable conditions for external labor migration .
First Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategic and Interregional Studies Akramjon Nematov told the newspaper that the results of the vote in the lower and upper houses of the Oliy Majlis showed a completely new parliament on the country ’ s political scene .
The decision was made not by a simple approval , as it was before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide discussion .
`` Our country is conducting large-scale economic reforms that require attracting investment , technology and know-how , we are looking for new promising markets .
In this regard , Uzbekistan is increasingly integrating into the international economic space , pursuing an open and pragmatic foreign policy .
The chosen course dictates the need to build up effective interaction with international and regional associations , including the EAEU .
This is due , on the one hand , to the fact that our strategic partners and allies , such as Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this association , and , on the other hand , that an opportunity has opened up to boost the competitiveness of our products in the wider economic realm , '' the expert told Nezavisimaya Gazeta .
In recent years , Uzbekistan has been expanding bilateral cooperation with EAEU countries .
For example , in 2016-2019 , Uzbekistan ’ s total commodity turnover with them grew by 60 % to $ 10 bln .
Today , the Central Asian country ’ s share of foreign trade with the EAEU has hit 30 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75 % .
Nezavisimaya Gazeta : China might dump US debt securities , likely triggering dollar collapse China may reduce investment in US public debt in the coming months .
This could be the way Beijing responds to surging trade tensions and a war of words between the two largest economies over the origin the coronavirus outbreak , Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote .
If China immediately puts $ 1 trillion on the market , which is stored in US government bonds , this could trigger the collapse of the dollar and financial markets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warn .
The likelihood of China ditching US debt can not be ruled out , according to experts interviewed by the newspaper .
`` There is no real problem in the fact that China could reduce purchases of US government debt .
No one in the world is now confident in the future , and the fact that Beijing was reviewing the structure of its investments seems reasonable and logical .
It needs the money itself , '' said Anna Bodrova , a senior analyst at Alpari Analytical Center .
A massive sell-off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the Chinese currency comes under excessive pressure and the authorities have to use all measures to protect it , Anton Pokatovich , chief analyst at BCS Premier , believes .
`` A large outflow of capital from Chinese assets can lead to this state of affairs , for example , if the United States embarks on a new round of increasing trade duties and imposing tough sanctions on China , '' he pointed out .
At the same time , selling US debt can also lead to significant capital outflows from risky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted .
`` In addition , if such a sale begins , then US securities will begin to lose value , '' Pokatovich forecasted .
Director of BCS Broker sales office Vyacheslav Abramov noted that this sell-off could cause unpleasant effects on financial markets , and collapse the US dollar .
`` But it is not beneficial for anyone , especially in the era of trade wars .
If national currencies rise against the dollar , this will greatly affect the export revenues of all countries .
Russia included , which is strongly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other minerals , which will lead to an even greater drop in revenue amid low oil prices and a budget deficit , '' Abramov said .
Vedomosti : Half of restaurants in Russia may not survive lockdown On May 12 , Russia is set to embark on a phased exit from its quarantine , Russian President Vladimir Putin announced earlier .
The food service industry , one of the sectors that suffered the most from the lockdown , will be the last to get back to work , Vedomosti wrote .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing , there will be three stages of exiting the quarantine .
The food service industry will work only in the third .
In Moscow , the lockdown is still in effect until May 31 .
By mid-summer , about 40-50 % of all catering establishments may not open because they have not received adequate assistance from the state , President of the Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers Igor Bukharov told Vedomosti .
Many people will emerge from the quarantine being afraid of getting infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or three months , Executive Director of Restcon Andrey Petrakov added .
At present , 77 % of food service companies are not operating , 23 % continue to exist in delivery mode , more than 50 % of staff have been reduced , he noted .
Recommendations on the phased opening of establishments will bury the business completely , Bukharov fears .
Restaurants in the mid-price segment suffered the most , Petrakov noted .
Most of their customers were those people who were now left without work and savings .
Some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cook at home , he said .
Gourmet cuisine is not oriented for delivery , in fact , restaurateurs themselves said that a month ago .
They did not close , but decided to adapt to the situation — their consumers even during the crisis did not change their habits , Petrakov explains .
Only fast food has good chances to survive .
The enterprises focused on delivery , Petrakov stated .
Fast food accounts for about 45-50 % of the total delivery , according to an employee of one of the delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small , but people order often , Petrakov said .
McDonald ’ s , Burger King , and KFC have closed all establishments in shopping centers and are actively working on delivery and takeout .
According to a McDonald ’ s spokesperson , approximately 70 % of establishments are open for takeout orders , Burger King has 60 % .
Since the start of the self-isolation regime , McDonald ’ s delivery growth has already reached 300 % , the representative added .
Burger King has the same increase in orders , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the average check in recent weeks having grown by 20 % .
TASS is not responsible for the material quoted in these press reviews .

Vedomosti: Russia’s third anti-crisis package to cost over $10 bln
The new measures to support the population and business amid the pandemic, announced by President Vladimir Putin on May 11, will cost the state about 800 bln rubles ($10.87 bln), two federal officials told Vedomosti. Among the most expensive measures are going to be the tax write-offs and new salary loans. Taxes of small and medium-sized businesses, individual entrepreneurs from affected sectors and socially oriented non-governmental organizations will be completely written off (except the VAT), as well as insurance payments for the second quarter. The cost of the program to write off loans will exceed 300 bln rubles ($4.07 bln), two officials told the newspaper. Individual entrepreneurs and self-employed citizens will receive additional support. For the former, unemployment benefits will be increased, becoming the same as for other people who have lost their jobs — 12,130 rubles ($164.87). Self-employed individuals will be given what’s called a "tax capital" to pay taxes in 2020. This measure will cost the budget about 15 bln rubles ($203.81 mln), a source told Vedomosti. Families with children will also receive new help. For non-working parents, the minimum childcare allowance will be doubled to 6,751 rubles ($91.75). Also, from June 1, the state will begin to dole out 10,000 rubles ($135.92) for each child aged 3-15 years. All families will be able to obtain these benefits, according to Putin. Based on Rosstat’s data, the cost of this measure will exceed 200 bln rubles ($2.72 bln). According to an official, a new program to support the economy could add up to 1.5% to the GDP. The budget has the money for this anti-crisis package. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov noted that proceeds from the acquisition of Sberbank from the Bank of Russia would be used to finance the support of the economy to the tune of 1.07 trillion rubles ($14.54 bln) this year. Putin also instructed the government to draw up a national plan for the long-term development of the economy, and the restoration of employment and incomes. The emphasis will be on systemic measures, including those related to the business climate, a federal official told Vedomosti. Izvestia: Georgian politician blasts Saakashvili’s re-entry into Ukrainian politics
Read also Russian diplomat slams EC grants to support Georgia’s civic society as helping blather
The appointment of Mikhail Saakashvili as head of the executive committee of Ukraine’s National Reform Council will spark a crisis in relations between Kiev and Tbilisi and will negatively affect Russian-Ukrainian dialogue, former Chairman of the Georgian parliament, and leader of the opposition party "Democratic Movement - United Georgia" Nino Burjanadze said in an interview with Izvestia. In her opinion, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, like his predecessor Pyotr Poroshenko, will regret his decision to give the former Georgian leader this position. "Saakashvili’s appointment will not bring anything good to Russian-Ukrainian relations. After all, his main trump card is an anti-Russian card. And, of course, he will use his position in Ukraine to gain extra points in the eyes of the West, criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia," she predicted. According to Burjanadze, "One way or another, what happened in Ukraine with Saakashvili says a lot. The country, which we consider as a strategic partner, does not respect the government of Georgia at all, and does not respect the interests of our state. A criminal case has been officially filed against Saakashvili, and the Georgian justice system is looking for him. And when a strategic partner appoints him to a high position, this means that Ukraine does not care about the decision of the Georgian government or justice." Speaking about Russian-Georgian relations, the politician noted that the resumption of air connection would be gladly received. "Believe me, guests from Russia are always welcome. Despite the complicated relations between our states, the political anti-Russian sentiment did not morph into Russophobia. And this is very important. Among people, at the interpersonal level, there is no such sentiment," she told Izvestia. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Uzbekistan chooses EAEU integration
Uzbekistan has become an observer in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). On May 11, the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (the upper house of Uzbekistan’s parliament) by a majority vote approved the cooperation of his country with the regional integration association, Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote. Participating in the union might allow Uzbekistan to expand its export markets, foster ties, develop inter-regional cooperation and create favorable conditions for external labor migration. First Deputy Director of the Institute of Strategic and Interregional Studies Akramjon Nematov told the newspaper that the results of the vote in the lower and upper houses of the Oliy Majlis showed a completely new parliament on the country’s political scene. The decision was made not by a simple approval, as it was before, but by the result of a nationwide discussion. "Our country is conducting large-scale economic reforms that require attracting investment, technology and know-how, we are looking for new promising markets. In this regard, Uzbekistan is increasingly integrating into the international economic space, pursuing an open and pragmatic foreign policy. The chosen course dictates the need to build up effective interaction with international and regional associations, including the EAEU. This is due, on the one hand, to the fact that our strategic partners and allies, such as Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, participate in this association, and, on the other hand, that an opportunity has opened up to boost the competitiveness of our products in the wider economic realm," the expert told Nezavisimaya Gazeta. In recent years, Uzbekistan has been expanding bilateral cooperation with EAEU countries. For example, in 2016-2019, Uzbekistan’s total commodity turnover with them grew by 60% to $10 bln. Today, the Central Asian country’s share of foreign trade with the EAEU has hit 30%, and the volume of agricultural exports exceeds 75%. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: China might dump US debt securities, likely triggering dollar collapse
China may reduce investment in US public debt in the coming months. This could be the way Beijing responds to surging trade tensions and a war of words between the two largest economies over the origin the coronavirus outbreak, Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote. If China immediately puts $1 trillion on the market, which is stored in US government bonds, this could trigger the collapse of the dollar and financial markets, which could also harm China, experts warn. The likelihood of China ditching US debt cannot be ruled out, according to experts interviewed by the newspaper. "There is no real problem in the fact that China could reduce purchases of US government debt. No one in the world is now confident in the future, and the fact that Beijing was reviewing the structure of its investments seems reasonable and logical. It needs the money itself," said Anna Bodrova, a senior analyst at Alpari Analytical Center. A massive sell-off of US debt by China could happen if the Chinese currency comes under excessive pressure and the authorities have to use all measures to protect it, Anton Pokatovich, chief analyst at BCS Premier, believes. "A large outflow of capital from Chinese assets can lead to this state of affairs, for example, if the United States embarks on a new round of increasing trade duties and imposing tough sanctions on China," he pointed out. At the same time, selling US debt can also lead to significant capital outflows from risky assets, including Chinese ones, experts noted. "In addition, if such a sale begins, then US securities will begin to lose value," Pokatovich forecasted. Director of BCS Broker sales office Vyacheslav Abramov noted that this sell-off could cause unpleasant effects on financial markets, and collapse the US dollar. "But it is not beneficial for anyone, especially in the era of trade wars. If national currencies rise against the dollar, this will greatly affect the export revenues of all countries. Russia included, which is strongly tied to exports of oil, gas and other minerals, which will lead to an even greater drop in revenue amid low oil prices and a budget deficit," Abramov said. Vedomosti: Half of restaurants in Russia may not survive lockdown
Read also Putin orders to consider support for online food delivery services


tass--2020-05-12--Kaluga-based car plant PSMA Rus to resume work after pandemic-related suspension on May 13

TAMBOV , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
The Kaluga-based PSMA Rus ( a joint venture of Mitsubishi Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen ) car plant will resume operations on Wednesday , May 13 , after an almost 1.5-month suspension , spokesperson of the enterprise Irina Berezina told TASS on Tuesday .
Earlier reports said that the plant halted cars assembly starting April 1 due to the lack of components supplied from abroad over the coronavirus pandemic , whereas starting March 30 production was suspended due to President Vladimir Putin ’ s decree on days off .
`` Tomorrow [ on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working , currently preparations are underway for the launch , '' she said , adding that there would be one working shift at the facility , whereas later that pattern would be adjusted .
A joint venture of PSA Group ( 70 % ) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation ( 30 % ) , PSMA Rus is a car production plant in Russia ’ s Kaluga Region .
Currently the plant produces Peugeot 408 , Citroen C4 Sedan , Opel Zafira , Mitsubishi Outlander , Mitsubishi Pajero Sport , as well as commercial vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minibuses Citroen SpaceTourer and Peugeot Traveller .
Production capacities of the enterprise ( two assembly lines ) allow making up to 125,000 cars per year .

TAMBOV, May 12. /TASS/. The Kaluga-based PSMA Rus (a joint venture of Mitsubishi Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroen) car plant will resume operations on Wednesday, May 13, after an almost 1.5-month suspension, spokesperson of the enterprise Irina Berezina told TASS on Tuesday.
Earlier reports said that the plant halted cars assembly starting April 1 due to the lack of components supplied from abroad over the coronavirus pandemic, whereas starting March 30 production was suspended due to President Vladimir Putin’s decree on days off.
"Tomorrow [on May 13] the enterprise will start working, currently preparations are underway for the launch," she said, adding that there would be one working shift at the facility, whereas later that pattern would be adjusted.
A joint venture of PSA Group (70%) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (30%), PSMA Rus is a car production plant in Russia’s Kaluga Region. Currently the plant produces Peugeot 408, Citroen C4 Sedan, Opel Zafira, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, as well as commercial vehicles Peugeot Expert and Citroen Jumpy and passenger minibuses Citroen SpaceTourer and Peugeot Traveller. Production capacities of the enterprise (two assembly lines) allow making up to 125,000 cars per year.


tass--2020-05-12--Death toll in fire at Moscow suburban hospice rises to 11 — source

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
Two people injured in the fire at a private hospice in Krasnogorsk ( @ @ @ @ @ in hospital , the city ’ s press service informed TASS .
The death toll @ @ @ @ @ to 11 .
Fire at hospice near Moscow caused by faulty wiring , investigators say @ @ @ @ @ toll from the tragedy that took place an a private living facility on the Tenistaya @ @ @ @ @ 11 .
Two people have died in hospital , '' the source informed .
The @ @ @ @ @ residents of the hospice remain in intensive care units , one is artificially ventilated .
@ @ @ @ @ a private hospice in Krasnogorsk in the early hours of May 11 .
Nine people @ @ @ @ @ , and 8 are currently hospitalized .
In total , 29 people aged 66 to @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
The fire took place in a sauna on the second floor .
The @ @ @ @ @ electrical wiring .

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Two people injured in the fire at a private hospice in Krasnogorsk (Moscow Region) have died in hospital, the city’s press service informed TASS. The death toll from the fire has risen to 11.
Fire at hospice near Moscow caused by faulty wiring, investigators say
"Tonight, the death toll from the tragedy that took place an a private living facility on the Tenistaya Street in Krasnogorsk has reached 11. Two people have died in hospital," the source informed.
The press service noted that three residents of the hospice remain in intensive care units, one is artificially ventilated.
A fire was reported at a private hospice in Krasnogorsk in the early hours of May 11. Nine people have died on the scene, and 8 are currently hospitalized.
In total, 29 people aged 66 to 99 were residing at the hospital. The fire took place in a sauna on the second floor. The fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring.


tass--2020-05-12--Coronavirus spread coefficient in Moscow lower than 1 for two days running

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus spread coefficient in Moscow has gone down by 0.03 in the past 24 hours , reaching 0.94 , which is the lowest recorded figure since the start of the pandemic , the data from the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center released on Tuesday suggests .
This figure has stood at an average of 1.04 nationwide for the past three days .
The coefficient value remains below one in Dagestan ( 0.82 compared to 0.7 the day before ) and the Murmansk Region ( 0.3 compared to 0.25 the day before ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus at 1.3 , St. Petersburg has reported a 1.2 coefficient , and the Nizhny Novgorod Region has reported a 1.16 indicator .
The spread coefficient is calculated using the formula provided by the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being in its recommendations for regions on easing lockdown measures imposed due to the coronavirus spread .
It should not exceed 1 for shifting to the first phase of easing restrictions in a Russian region .
The coefficient shows how many people on average get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their isolation , the watchdog explained .
Moscow has documented 5,392 cases of COVID-19 , a disease caused by the novel coronavirus , in the past 24 hours , with the total number of cases documented in the Russian capital hitting 121,301 , the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters earlier on Tuesday .
The daily increase in new cases in Moscow has reached 4.7 % compared to 5.6 % a day earlier .

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. The coronavirus spread coefficient in Moscow has gone down by 0.03 in the past 24 hours, reaching 0.94, which is the lowest recorded figure since the start of the pandemic, the data from the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center released on Tuesday suggests.
This figure has stood at an average of 1.04 nationwide for the past three days.
The coefficient value remains below one in Dagestan (0.82 compared to 0.7 the day before) and the Murmansk Region (0.3 compared to 0.25 the day before). The Moscow Region has documented the spread of the virus at 1.3, St. Petersburg has reported a 1.2 coefficient, and the Nizhny Novgorod Region has reported a 1.16 indicator.
The spread coefficient is calculated using the formula provided by the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being in its recommendations for regions on easing lockdown measures imposed due to the coronavirus spread. It should not exceed 1 for shifting to the first phase of easing restrictions in a Russian region. The coefficient shows how many people on average get the coronavirus infection from one infected person prior to their isolation, the watchdog explained.
Moscow has documented 5,392 cases of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours, with the total number of cases documented in the Russian capital hitting 121,301, the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center informed reporters earlier on Tuesday. The daily increase in new cases in Moscow has reached 4.7% compared to 5.6% a day earlier.


tass--2020-05-12--St. Petersburg reports over 8,000 cases of COVID-19

ST. PETERSBURG , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
The total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in St. @ @ @ @ @ with 339 cases reported in the past 24 hours , the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center @ @ @ @ @ to the recent data , as of May 12 , a total of 8,050 individuals @ @ @ @ @ St. Petersburg .
A day earlier , 7,711 cases were recorded .
Besides , 103 @ @ @ @ @ Petersburg in the past 24 hours , with the total number of recoveries reaching 1,784 @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , 58 people died in St. Petersburg , with two fatalities in the @ @ @ @ @ May 12 , St. Petersburg residents must wear masks and protective gloves in public places @ @ @ @ @ regime has been introduced for residents over 65 .
Museums , theaters , exhibitions , @ @ @ @ @ , swimming pools , gyms and other leisure facilities have been closed , along with @ @ @ @

ST. PETERSBURG, May 12. /TASS/. The total number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in St. Petersburg has surpassed 8,000, with 339 cases reported in the past 24 hours, the Russian anti-coronavirus crisis center informed on Tuesday.
According to the recent data, as of May 12, a total of 8,050 individuals have contracted the disease in St. Petersburg. A day earlier, 7,711 cases were recorded. Besides, 103 people have recovered in St. Petersburg in the past 24 hours, with the total number of recoveries reaching 1,784. Since the onset of the pandemic, 58 people died in St. Petersburg, with two fatalities in the past 24 hours.
Starting May 12, St. Petersburg residents must wear masks and protective gloves in public places and transport. A self-isolation regime has been introduced for residents over 65. Museums, theaters, exhibitions, cinemas, zoos, restaurants, swimming pools, gyms and other leisure facilities have been closed, along with parks and playgrounds.


tass--2020-05-12--Russian Black Sea Fleet warship repels enemy air attack in Mediterranean drills

SEVASTOPOL , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
The crew of the Black Sea Fleet ’ s small missile ship Orekhovo-Zuyevo held air defense drills in the Mediterranean , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Tuesday .
`` Under the drills ’ scenario , the ship ’ s air defense teams spotted a group of a notional enemy ’ s aircraft flying towards the Orekhovo-Zuyevo .
The air defense teams of the small missile ship practiced the algorithm of measures to repel the hypothetical enemy ’ s air attack weapons , '' the press office said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the warship ’ s combat information center detected and identified simulated targets while the air defense teams destroyed them by electronic launches , the statement says .
The Black Sea Fleet ’ s missile corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo has been performing assigned missions within the Russian Navy ’ s permanent Mediterranean taskforce since April this year .
The Orekhovo-Zuyevo is the seventh Project 21631 ‘ Buyan-M ’ small missile ship .
Project 21631 Buyan-M-class small missile ships feature increased water displacement and are equipped with the latest Kalibr-NK standardized precision missile system designated to @ @ @ @ @ @

SEVASTOPOL, May 12. /TASS/. The crew of the Black Sea Fleet’s small missile ship Orekhovo-Zuyevo held air defense drills in the Mediterranean, the Fleet’s press office reported on Tuesday.
"Under the drills’ scenario, the ship’s air defense teams spotted a group of a notional enemy’s aircraft flying towards the Orekhovo-Zuyevo. The air defense teams of the small missile ship practiced the algorithm of measures to repel the hypothetical enemy’s air attack weapons," the press office said in a statement.
During the drills, the team of the warship’s combat information center detected and identified simulated targets while the air defense teams destroyed them by electronic launches, the statement says.
The Black Sea Fleet’s missile corvette Orekhovo-Zuyevo has been performing assigned missions within the Russian Navy’s permanent Mediterranean taskforce since April this year.
The Orekhovo-Zuyevo is the seventh Project 21631 ‘Buyan-M’ small missile ship. Project 21631 Buyan-M-class small missile ships feature increased water displacement and are equipped with the latest Kalibr-NK standardized precision missile system designated to strike naval and coastal targets.
Russian Navy’s Mediterranean Squadron


tass--2020-05-12--Humans need principally new engines for fast-speed space flights — Roscosmos

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
Engines based on new physical principles will be required for humans ’ fast-speed @ @ @ @ @ Roscosmos Executive Director for Long-Term Programs and Science Alexander Bloshenko told TASS on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ does not allow Earthlings to make interstellar journeys : the maximum speeds available to humans @ @ @ @ @ a percent of the speed of light , he said .
`` The issue of @ @ @ @ @ movement in outer space can be resolved through the development of engines based on new @ @ @ @ @ Roscosmos official said .
It is quite probable that the issue of interstellar movements will @ @ @ @ @ lifetime , '' he added .
Today all the attempts to develop engines based on @ @ @ @ @ , for example , the EmDrive , which is much talked about , have not @ @ @ @ @ beyond the experimental error , he said .

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Engines based on new physical principles will be required for humans’ fast-speed movements in outer space, Roscosmos Executive Director for Long-Term Programs and Science Alexander Bloshenko told TASS on Tuesday.
The current technology level definitely does not allow Earthlings to make interstellar journeys: the maximum speeds available to humans today make a thousandth of a percent of the speed of light, he said.
"The issue of radically increasing the speed of movement in outer space can be resolved through the development of engines based on new physical principles," the Roscosmos official said.
It is quite probable that the issue of interstellar movements will be resolved "during our lifetime," he added.
Today all the attempts to develop engines based on new physical principles, including, for example, the EmDrive, which is much talked about, have not yielded the results that go beyond the experimental error, he said.


tass--2020-05-12--Russia’s coronavirus cases rise by 10,899 in 24 hours

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has risen by 10,899 over the past 24 hours reaching 232,243 in all regions of the country .
A total of 43,512 patients have recovered , 2,116 people have died , the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Tuesday .
According to its data , the daily growth rate was 4.9 % compared to 5.6 % the day before .
It noted that 4,704 new patients ( 43.1 % ) had no symptoms .
Another 5,392 cases have been recorded in Moscow , bringing the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 121,301 .
The daily increase in the number of infections in Moscow was 4.7 % compared to 5.6 % the day before .
New coronavirus cases have been confirmed in another 82 regions , including 1,063 in the Moscow Region , 354 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region , 399 in St. Petersburg , 227 in the Krasnoyarsk Region , 211 in the Sverdlovsk Region , 116 in Dagestan and 99 in the Krasnodar Region .
A total of 3,711 people have been discharged from hospitals in 75 regions of Russia , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow Region , 180 in Tatarstan , 103 in St. Petersburg , 99 in the Sverdlovsk Region and 90 in the Krasnoyarsk Region .
Over the past 24 hours , 107 people have died , including 55 in Moscow , 10 in the Moscow Region , seven in the Bryansk Region and three in Dagestan .
The Belgorod , Ryazan , Smolensk , Tula and Rostov regions , St. Petersburg , North Ossetia , the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region and the Primorye Region reported two fatalities each .
The Ivanovo , Oryol , Astrakhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions , Kabardino-Balkaria , Chechnya , Bashkortostan , Mari El , Tatarstan , the Stavoropol , Perm and Trans-Baikal regions confirmed one fatality each .

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has risen by 10,899 over the past 24 hours reaching 232,243 in all regions of the country. A total of 43,512 patients have recovered, 2,116 people have died, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Tuesday.
According to its data, the daily growth rate was 4.9% compared to 5.6% the day before. It noted that 4,704 new patients (43.1%) had no symptoms.
Another 5,392 cases have been recorded in Moscow, bringing the total number of infected people in the Russian capital to 121,301. The daily increase in the number of infections in Moscow was 4.7% compared to 5.6% the day before.
New coronavirus cases have been confirmed in another 82 regions, including 1,063 in the Moscow Region, 354 in the Nizhny Novgorod Region, 399 in St. Petersburg, 227 in the Krasnoyarsk Region, 211 in the Sverdlovsk Region, 116 in Dagestan and 99 in the Krasnodar Region.
A total of 3,711 people have been discharged from hospitals in 75 regions of Russia, including 1,820 in Moscow, 193 in the Moscow Region, 180 in Tatarstan, 103 in St. Petersburg, 99 in the Sverdlovsk Region and 90 in the Krasnoyarsk Region.
Over the past 24 hours, 107 people have died, including 55 in Moscow, 10 in the Moscow Region, seven in the Bryansk Region and three in Dagestan. The Belgorod, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tula and Rostov regions, St. Petersburg, North Ossetia, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region and the Primorye Region reported two fatalities each. The Ivanovo, Oryol, Astrakhan, Nizhny Novgorod, Tyumen and Novosibirsk regions, Kabardino-Balkaria, Chechnya, Bashkortostan, Mari El, Tatarstan, the Stavoropol, Perm and Trans-Baikal regions confirmed one fatality each.


tass--2020-05-12--German regulator to decide by May 24 if Nord Stream 2 should comply with EU Gas Directive

BERLIN , May 12 .
/ TASS / .
The German Federal Grid Agency will make a decision this month on whether the rules of the updated EU Gas Directive apply to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline , the representative of the agency told TASS on Tuesday .
According to her , the decision will be made at the latest by May 24 , 2020 .
In mid-January , the Federal Network Agency of Germany accepted applications from Nord Stream AG and Nord Stream 2 AG to remove the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines from the updated EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the regulator is going to refuse to withdraw Nord Stream 2 from the new rules .
The Handelsblat newspaper reported that the regulator was going to refuse to withdraw Nord Stream 2 from the new rules .
The agency gave the parties time to send a response stating their position before May 8 .
`` This deadline has passed , and the agency will now make a quick decision , '' the press service said .
No details were given there .
`` We do not comment on current processes , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Federal Government of Germany made the statement that it continues to have a positive attitude towards the Nord Stream 2 project , expects its completion and will continue to provide political support to the companies participating in it .
According to the statement , the German government still positively evaluates the Nord Stream 2 project .
From its point of view , it is primarily a commercial project .
The government is currently not aware of how the project will be implemented technically , but it assumes that Nord Stream 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to provide political support to the companies participating in the project , the statement said .
Germany ’ s authorities do not believe that slowing down the construction of the pipeline threatens Germany ’ s energy security .
Berlin stated once again that they fundamentally reject US extraterritorial sanctions against Nord Stream 2 , but they do not intend to bill Washington for slowing down the project .
To remove the gas pipeline from the scope of the updated EU Gas Directive , the project must be completed by May 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the concept of `` completion of the project '' should be considered broader than in terms of construction and technical processes .
According to the company , one should take into account the fact that , by the time the new rules came into force , billions of investments had already been made , taking into account the previous legal situation .
The German agency rejected this argument .
It is based on a `` building-technical understanding '' of the term `` completion of the project . ''
Nord Stream 2 includes two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters of gas per year , which is laid from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany .
Gazprom ’ s European partners in the project are German Uniper and Wintershall , Austrian OMV , French Engie , and Anglo-Dutch Shell .
The pipeline under construction bypasses transit countries - Ukraine , Belarus , Poland , and other East European and Baltic countries - through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Russia , Finland , Sweden , Denmark , and Germany .

BERLIN, May 12. / TASS /. The German Federal Grid Agency will make a decision this month on whether the rules of the updated EU Gas Directive apply to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, the representative of the agency told TASS on Tuesday.
According to her, the decision will be made at the latest by May 24, 2020.
In mid-January, the Federal Network Agency of Germany accepted applications from Nord Stream AG and Nord Stream 2 AG to remove the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines from the updated EU Gas Directive. The Handelsblat newspaper informed that the regulator is going to refuse to withdraw Nord Stream 2 from the new rules.
The Handelsblat newspaper reported that the regulator was going to refuse to withdraw Nord Stream 2 from the new rules. The agency gave the parties time to send a response stating their position before May 8. "This deadline has passed, and the agency will now make a quick decision," the press service said. No details were given there. "We do not comment on current processes," the agency said.
Earlier this month, the Federal Government of Germany made the statement that it continues to have a positive attitude towards the Nord Stream 2 project, expects its completion and will continue to provide political support to the companies participating in it. According to the statement, the German government still positively evaluates the Nord Stream 2 project. From its point of view, it is primarily a commercial project. The government is currently not aware of how the project will be implemented technically, but it assumes that Nord Stream 2 will be completed. The government will continue to provide political support to the companies participating in the project, the statement said. Germany’s authorities do not believe that slowing down the construction of the pipeline threatens Germany’s energy security. Berlin stated once again that they fundamentally reject US extraterritorial sanctions against Nord Stream 2, but they do not intend to bill Washington for slowing down the project.
About the updated directive
To remove the gas pipeline from the scope of the updated EU Gas Directive, the project must be completed by May 2019. Nord Stream 2 AG pointed out that the concept of "completion of the project" should be considered broader than in terms of construction and technical processes. According to the company, one should take into account the fact that, by the time the new rules came into force, billions of investments had already been made, taking into account the previous legal situation. The German agency rejected this argument. It is based on a "building-technical understanding" of the term "completion of the project."
Nord Stream 2 includes two lines of a gas pipeline with a total capacity of 55 bln cubic meters of gas per year, which is laid from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. Gazprom’s European partners in the project are German Uniper and Wintershall, Austrian OMV, French Engie, and Anglo-Dutch Shell. The pipeline under construction bypasses transit countries - Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and other East European and Baltic countries - through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.


tass--2020-05-12--Russia moves up to second place in COVID-19 cases

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has surpassed Spain and currently ranks second in the world in the number of officially confirmed coronavirus cases , according to TASS data based on statements made by these countries ’ authorities .
According to the latest information provided by the anti-coronavirus crisis center , the number of infected people in Russia has reached 232,243 , while the number of infections in Spain is 227,436 .
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has risen by 10,899 over the past 24 hours .
A total of 43,512 patients have recovered , 2,116 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center reported on Tuesday .
According to its data , the daily growth rate was 4.9 % compared to 5.6 % the day before .
It noted that 4,704 new patients ( 43.1 % ) had no symptoms .
At the same time , Spain ’ s official statistics has included only the results of PCR tests since the end of April , although prior to that it also took into account the results of coronavirus antibody tests .
Because of that , the official number of infected people has dropped .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported , on April 26 - only 207,600 .
On Sunday , Russia ranked fifth in the number of infected people , but the next day it overtook the UK and Italy , moving up in the COVID-19 cases ranking .
The incidence rate in Russia per 100,000 residents is much lower than in Spain - about 158 cases compared to almost 487 .
In the UK , this figure is about 337 , in Italy - slightly less than 364 .

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Russia has surpassed Spain and currently ranks second in the world in the number of officially confirmed coronavirus cases, according to TASS data based on statements made by these countries’ authorities.
According to the latest information provided by the anti-coronavirus crisis center, the number of infected people in Russia has reached 232,243, while the number of infections in Spain is 227,436.
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has risen by 10,899 over the past 24 hours. A total of 43,512 patients have recovered, 2,116 people have died, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Tuesday.
According to its data, the daily growth rate was 4.9% compared to 5.6% the day before. It noted that 4,704 new patients (43.1%) had no symptoms.
At the same time, Spain’s official statistics has included only the results of PCR tests since the end of April, although prior to that it also took into account the results of coronavirus antibody tests. Because of that, the official number of infected people has dropped. While on April 25, 223,700 cases were reported, on April 26 - only 207,600.
On Sunday, Russia ranked fifth in the number of infected people, but the next day it overtook the UK and Italy, moving up in the COVID-19 cases ranking.
The incidence rate in Russia per 100,000 residents is much lower than in Spain - about 158 cases compared to almost 487. In the UK, this figure is about 337, in Italy - slightly less than 364.


tass--2020-05-12--Over 1,800 people recover from COVID-19 in Moscow in past 24 hours

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
Over 1,800 people have recovered from COVID-19 , a disease caused by the @ @ @ @ @ past 24 hours in Moscow , with the total hitting 19,642 , Moscow Deputy Mayor @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In the past 24 hours , 1,820 more people have recovered after receiving @ @ @ @ @ the number of people who have recovered from the infection has reached 19,642 , '' @ @ @ @ @ mayor added that doctors prescribed treatment depending on symptoms and the results of molecular genetic @ @ @ @ @ , additional tests are conducted to confirm recoveries .
Patients who need to remain under @ @ @ @ @ recommendations before leaving the hospital .
As of May 11 , Moscow has documented 115,909 @ @ @ @ @ .

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Over 1,800 people have recovered from COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the past 24 hours in Moscow, with the total hitting 19,642, Moscow Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova informed on Tuesday.
"In the past 24 hours, 1,820 more people have recovered after receiving treatment. In total, the number of people who have recovered from the infection has reached 19,642," Rakova said.
The deputy mayor added that doctors prescribed treatment depending on symptoms and the results of molecular genetic testing. According to Rakova, additional tests are conducted to confirm recoveries. Patients who need to remain under medical observation receive the necessary recommendations before leaving the hospital.
As of May 11, Moscow has documented 115,909 cases of the novel coronavirus.


tass--2020-05-12--Fire at St. Petersburg hospital for COVID-19 patients extinguished —  source

MOSCOW , May 12 .
/TASS/ .
Firefighters have extinguished the fire in an intensive care unit at the St. @ @ @ @ @ , which killed five people , a source in the emergency services informed TASS on @ @ @ @ @ now , the fire has been fully eliminated , '' the source informed .
A @ @ @ @ @ intensive care unit of the St. George Hospital in St. Petersburg earlier on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ reached 10 square meters .
Five patients put on artificial ventilation machines were killed .
@ @ @ @ @ caused due to one of the ventilation machines short circuiting , a source in the @ @ @ @ @ .
Criminal proceedings have been launched on charges of manslaughter .
150 people have been @ @ @ @ @ , a fire was reported at a Moscow hospital after an artificial ventilation machine short @ @ @ @ @ was killed in the fire , while 295 people were evacuated .

MOSCOW, May 12. /TASS/. Firefighters have extinguished the fire in an intensive care unit at the St. George Hospital in St. Petersburg, which killed five people, a source in the emergency services informed TASS on Tuesday.
"As of now, the fire has been fully eliminated," the source informed.
A fire took place in an intensive care unit of the St. George Hospital in St. Petersburg earlier on Tuesday. The area of the fire reached 10 square meters. Five patients put on artificial ventilation machines were killed. The fire may have been caused due to one of the ventilation machines short circuiting, a source in the emergency services told TASS earlier. Criminal proceedings have been launched on charges of manslaughter. 150 people have been evacuated.
On May 9, a fire was reported at a Moscow hospital after an artificial ventilation machine short circuited. An elderly woman was killed in the fire, while 295 people were evacuated.