tass--2020-05-16--WHO head urges to ensure equal access to coronavirus vaccines

GENEVA , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
The world will be able to defeat the novel coronavirus only on the condition of equal access to vaccines and medicines , WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters , calling upon the international community to cooperate in solving this task .
`` Now is the moment where leaders must come together to develop a new global access policy and an operational tool , which will turn the many good intentions expressed in recent weeks into reality , '' he said .
The official also supported the initiative of presidents of Costa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting up `` a health technology repository for vaccines , medicines , diagnostics and any other tool that may work against COVID-19 . ''
According to the WHO chief , `` traditional market models will not deliver at the scale needed to cover the entire globe . ''
`` Solidarity within and between countries and the private sector is essential if we are to overcome these difficult times , '' he added .
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the WHO agreed to the proposal of forming the health technology repository and within the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform for open , collaborative sharing of knowledge , data and intellectual property on existing and new health tools to combat COVID-19 . ''
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the latest statistics , over 4,543,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 303,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 1,712,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 262,843 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 58,226 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 2,418 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation @

GENEVA, May 16. /TASS/. The world will be able to defeat the novel coronavirus only on the condition of equal access to vaccines and medicines, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters, calling upon the international community to cooperate in solving this task.
"Now is the moment where leaders must come together to develop a new global access policy and an operational tool, which will turn the many good intentions expressed in recent weeks into reality," he said.
The official also supported the initiative of presidents of Costa Rica and Chile, who earlier suggested setting up "a health technology repository for vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and any other tool that may work against COVID-19."
According to the WHO chief, "traditional market models will not deliver at the scale needed to cover the entire globe."
"Solidarity within and between countries and the private sector is essential if we are to overcome these difficult times," he added.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the WHO agreed to the proposal of forming the health technology repository and within the next few days it will "launch a platform for open, collaborative sharing of knowledge, data and intellectual property on existing and new health tools to combat COVID-19."
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 4,543,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 303,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 1,712,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 262,843 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 58,226 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 2,418 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-17--WHO reports increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases of over 89,000 in 24 hours

GENEVA , May 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases globally increased by 89,269 over the past 24 hours to more than 4.43 mln , while the death toll rose by 5,037 people to over 302,000 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) reported on Saturday .
As of May 16 , there have been 4,434,653 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , including 302,169 deaths , reported to WHO .
The biggest number of cases was registered in North and South Americas - 1,909,483 , up by 45,015 in the past 24 hours , while the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Europe , there were 1,848,445 confirmed cases , with the death toll reaching 164,723 ( up by 22,150 and 1,446 in one day , respectively ) .
Eastern Mediterranean came third in terms of the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 - 323,055 , up by 10,319 in 24 hours .
The United States had the largest number of registered coronavirus cases as a country - 1,382,362 people , followed by the Russian Federation ( 272,043 ) , the UK ( 236,715 ) , Spain ( 230,183 ) , Italy ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Germany ( 173,772 ) , Turkey ( 146,457 ) , France ( 139,646 ) , and Iran ( 118,392 ) .
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak that occurred in late 2019 in Central China has spread to most countries across the globe and has been recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization .

GENEVA, May 17. /TASS/. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases globally increased by 89,269 over the past 24 hours to more than 4.43 mln, while the death toll rose by 5,037 people to over 302,000, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Saturday.
As of May 16, there have been 4,434,653 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 302,169 deaths, reported to WHO.
The biggest number of cases was registered in North and South Americas - 1,909,483, up by 45,015 in the past 24 hours, while the number of fatalities rose by 3,123 to 115,057. In Europe, there were 1,848,445 confirmed cases, with the death toll reaching 164,723 (up by 22,150 and 1,446 in one day, respectively). Eastern Mediterranean came third in terms of the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 - 323,055, up by 10,319 in 24 hours.
The United States had the largest number of registered coronavirus cases as a country - 1,382,362 people, followed by the Russian Federation (272,043), the UK (236,715), Spain (230,183), Italy (223,885), Brazil (202,918), Germany (173,772), Turkey (146,457), France (139,646), and Iran (118,392).
The COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak that occurred in late 2019 in Central China has spread to most countries across the globe and has been recognized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.


tass--2020-05-17--Vietnam to offer medical products including masks as aid to Russia, says embassy

MOSCOW , May 17 .
/TASS/ .
Vietnam plans to continue providing aid to Russia in tackling the coronavirus infection spread by supplying medical masks , a source in the embassy of the republic told TASS on Saturday .
`` Due to the complicated situation with the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia , Vietnamese departments , agencies and organizations plan to continue supplies of medical products to the Russian people , '' the source said .
The country has already carried out several such deliveries for free , he noted , adding that over 5 tonnes of medical products , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Russian side .
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 .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 4.4 mln people have been infected worldwide and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To date , a total of 272,043 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 63,166 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 2,537 fatalities nationwide .

MOSCOW, May 17. /TASS/. Vietnam plans to continue providing aid to Russia in tackling the coronavirus infection spread by supplying medical masks, a source in the embassy of the republic told TASS on Saturday.
"Due to the complicated situation with the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, Vietnamese departments, agencies and organizations plan to continue supplies of medical products to the Russian people," the source said.
The country has already carried out several such deliveries for free, he noted, adding that over 5 tonnes of medical products, including 370,000 medical masks, have been supplied to the Russian side.
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. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 4.4 mln people have been infected worldwide and more than 300,000 deaths have been reported. To date, a total of 272,043 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 63,166 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 2,537 fatalities nationwide.


tass--2020-05-17--Eurovision Song Contest 2021 will be held in Rotterdam, say organizers

MOSCOW , May 17 .
/TASS/ .
The European Broadcasting Union ( EBU ) has confirmed that Eurovision Song Contest 2021 will be held in Rotterdam ( the Netherlands ) .
The host city for the 65th contest was announced on Saturday , on the night the Grand Final of Eurovision 2020 was supposed to be held , during the 'Europe Shine a Light ' show .
`` And even if it ’ s hard we find new ways to tell our story to open up , to show respect , to love .
Together we will get there one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it happen , we will open up , '' broadcasters showed a video with a logo ‘ Eurovision Song Contest Rotterdam 2021 ’ .
The contest will be held at the Ahoy Arena , according to the information on its website .
More details , including dates for the event , will be released later .
To date , 18 of 41 artists planned for 2020 have confirmed that they will represent their country again in 2021. Who will represent Russia in Rotterdam next spring is still unknown .
Eurovision 2020 was planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ahoy Arena , the Netherlands , on May 12 to 16 under a slogan ‘ Open Up ’ .
Little Big band was nominated to represent Russia with a song called Uno .
On March 18 , the EBU decided to cancel the contest this year due to the coronavirus pandemic .

MOSCOW, May 17. /TASS/. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed that Eurovision Song Contest 2021 will be held in Rotterdam (the Netherlands). The host city for the 65th contest was announced on Saturday, on the night the Grand Final of Eurovision 2020 was supposed to be held, during the 'Europe Shine a Light' show.
"And even if it’s hard we find new ways to tell our story to open up, to show respect, to love. Together we will get there one way or another. We will make it happen, we will open up," broadcasters showed a video with a logo ‘Eurovision Song Contest Rotterdam 2021’.
The contest will be held at the Ahoy Arena, according to the information on its website. More details, including dates for the event, will be released later.
To date, 18 of 41 artists planned for 2020 have confirmed that they will represent their country again in 2021. Who will represent Russia in Rotterdam next spring is still unknown.
Eurovision 2020 was planned to be held in Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena, the Netherlands, on May 12 to 16 under a slogan ‘Open Up’. Little Big band was nominated to represent Russia with a song called Uno. On March 18, the EBU decided to cancel the contest this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.


tass--2020-05-16--Moon exploration projects could help Russia-US cooperation - Roscosmos

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
Joint participation in projects related to exploration of the Moon could be a serious factor for expanding cooperation between Russia and the United States , Deputy Director General for International Cooperation at Roscosmos Sergey Saveliev said on Saturday .
`` Ambitious projects related to exploration of the Moon could become a serious factor in cooperation of the two countries in difficult times , '' Saveliev said , according to Roscosmos statement .
Acting Associate Administrator for NASA 's Office of International and Interagency Relations Michael Gold said earlier that media reports that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia into its draft agreement on Moon exploration were incorrect .
`` I think it ’ s unfortunate that there were a lot of media leaks that did not properly describe what the Artemis Accords were , so I ’ m not surprised for some of those reactions .
Frankly , if I was in their place , I might have reacted similarly , given the information that was presented , '' he said , when asked to comment on a Reuters report that the United States was preparing an international agreement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also gave a positive answer to a TASS question on whether the United States viewed Russia as its partner in Moon exploration and whether Moscow could count on signing an agreement with Washington within the framework of Artemis Accords if it wants so .
In his words , Russia ’ s participation in the Gateway project to create a lunar orbiter jointly with the US can become a first step in signing a Moscow-Washington agreement within the framework of the Artemis Accords .
The Lunar Gateway , previously known as Deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed by the US , is supposed to become a transit point for human missions to Moon and far space .
Earlier , the United States invited its international partners in the International Space Station ( ISS ) project , including Russia , to participate .
Among other things , NASA has sent a memorandum to Russia ’ s space corporation Roscosmos , which specifies details of the project and lists cooperation opportunities under this program .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. Joint participation in projects related to exploration of the Moon could be a serious factor for expanding cooperation between Russia and the United States, Deputy Director General for International Cooperation at Roscosmos Sergey Saveliev said on Saturday.
"Ambitious projects related to exploration of the Moon could become a serious factor in cooperation of the two countries in difficult times," Saveliev said, according to Roscosmos statement.
Acting Associate Administrator for NASA's Office of International and Interagency Relations Michael Gold said earlier that media reports that the United States was not willing to include Russia into its draft agreement on Moon exploration were incorrect.
"I think it’s unfortunate that there were a lot of media leaks that did not properly describe what the Artemis Accords were, so I’m not surprised for some of those reactions. Frankly, if I was in their place, I might have reacted similarly, given the information that was presented," he said, when asked to comment on a Reuters report that the United States was preparing an international agreement on moon mining without Russia’s participation.
He also gave a positive answer to a TASS question on whether the United States viewed Russia as its partner in Moon exploration and whether Moscow could count on signing an agreement with Washington within the framework of Artemis Accords if it wants so.
In his words, Russia’s participation in the Gateway project to create a lunar orbiter jointly with the US can become a first step in signing a Moscow-Washington agreement within the framework of the Artemis Accords.
Gateway Project
The Lunar Gateway, previously known as Deep Space Gateway and Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, proposed by the US, is supposed to become a transit point for human missions to Moon and far space. Earlier, the United States invited its international partners in the International Space Station (ISS) project, including Russia, to participate.
Among other things, NASA has sent a memorandum to Russia’s space corporation Roscosmos, which specifies details of the project and lists cooperation opportunities under this program.


tass--2020-05-16--Coronavirus deaths in Moscow rise by 71

Coronavirus deaths in Moscow rise by 71

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus deaths in Moscow increased by 71 patients over the @ @ @ @ @ for the control and monitoring of the situation with coronavirus reported on Saturday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ , who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for coronavirus , '' the headquarters @ @ @ @ @ 1,503 people with confirmed coronavirus died in the Russian capital .
In late December 2019 @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in @ @ @ @ @ in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus deaths in Moscow increased by 71 patients over the day, the operational headquarters for the control and monitoring of the situation with coronavirus reported on Saturday.
"71 patients died in Moscow, who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for coronavirus," the headquarters said.
A total of 1,503 people with confirmed coronavirus died in the Russian capital.
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. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-05-16--Subsidies to airports of $136.13 mln may be agreed before end of May - Transport Ministry

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
The draft decree of the Russian government on providing airports with over 10 bln rubles ( $ 136.13 mln ) in subsidies can be approved by the end of May , Minister of Transport Yevgeny Dietrich told reporters on Saturday .
`` The draft government decree , which we already wrote on this subject after May 7 , according to my information , went for approval by the departments .
And I expect that we will can approve it before the end of May , '' he said .
The Ministry of Transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed support for Russian airports for 10.1 bln rubles ( $ 137.49 mln ) for the period until July .
After July , airlines and airports may need another 30 bln rubles ( $ 408.39 mln ) .
Earlier , the the Russian government allocated 23.4 bln rubles ( $ 318.5 mln ) to the Federal Air Transport Agency from the reserve fund for subsidies to Russian airlines affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
According to the minister , the first payments of subsidies to Russian airlines affected by the coronavirus pandemic are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. The draft decree of the Russian government on providing airports with over 10 bln rubles ($136.13 mln) in subsidies can be approved by the end of May, Minister of Transport Yevgeny Dietrich told reporters on Saturday.
"The draft government decree, which we already wrote on this subject after May 7, according to my information, went for approval by the departments. And I expect that we will can approve it before the end of May," he said.
The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance previously tentatively agreed support for Russian airports for 10.1 bln rubles ($137.49 mln) for the period until July. After July, airlines and airports may need another 30 bln rubles ($408.39 mln).
Earlier, the the Russian government allocated 23.4 bln rubles ($318.5 mln) to the Federal Air Transport Agency from the reserve fund for subsidies to Russian airlines affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the minister, the first payments of subsidies to Russian airlines affected by the coronavirus pandemic are scheduled to begin before the end of May.


tass--2020-05-16--Air transportation to fall to 60 mln passengers in 2020 - Transport Minister

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
Air transportation in Russia can decline by at least half to 60 mln @ @ @ @ @ optimistic scenario , according to which flight will begin restoration in July , the Minister @ @ @ @ @ reporters on Saturday .
The basic forecast implies the restoration of flights in the fall @ @ @ @ @ figure will be only about 30 mln passengers .
Last year , Russian airlines transported @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The forecast , which we call basic , is U-shaped .
That is @ @ @ @ @ some time and if we start intensive flights not in July but in the fall @ @ @ @ @ transport a quarter of the volume of passenger traffic that we had last year , @ @ @ @ @ the industry only by September next year , '' the minister added .
Earlier on @ @ @ @ @ that he hoped for resumption of international flights in July this year , domestic transport @ @ @ @ @ in mid-June .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. Air transportation in Russia can decline by at least half to 60 mln passengers in 2020 in an optimistic scenario, according to which flight will begin restoration in July, the Minister of Transport Yevgeny Dietrich told reporters on Saturday.
The basic forecast implies the restoration of flights in the fall, then in 2020 the figure will be only about 30 mln passengers. Last year, Russian airlines transported a record 128.1 mln passengers.
"The forecast, which we call basic, is U-shaped. That is, we will wait for some time and if we start intensive flights not in July but in the fall, then we will potentially transport a quarter of the volume of passenger traffic that we had last year, and we will finally restore the industry only by September next year," the minister added.
Earlier on Saturday, the minister announced that he hoped for resumption of international flights in July this year, domestic transport could begin a gradual recovery in mid-June.


tass--2020-05-16--Russia’s Transport Ministry hopes to resume international air service in July

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Ministry of Transport hopes for resumption of international air service in July this year , domestic transportation can begin gradual recovery in mid-June , Minister of Transport Yevgeny Dietrich told reporters on Saturday .
`` It is very important for us to understand that the countries where our people could fly are safe .
You know that many European countries are slowly opening their own borders , their own flights .
We will look and focus on the current situation .
Of course , recommendations of our doctors and specialists regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be key for us , and we hope that such decisions [ to resume flights ] may take place in July , but first of all they will depend on the situation in the countries where we take our passengers , '' he said .
He added that the decisions of the operational headquarters and the government will also be a necessary condition for resuming international flights .
At the same time , according to him , domestic air transportation can begin to recover in June .
`` Domestic transportation , which I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting from the second half of June , will provide us with a base [ for safe travel ] , '' the minister said .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. The Russian Ministry of Transport hopes for resumption of international air service in July this year, domestic transportation can begin gradual recovery in mid-June, Minister of Transport Yevgeny Dietrich told reporters on Saturday.
"It is very important for us to understand that the countries where our people could fly are safe. You know that many European countries are slowly opening their own borders, their own flights. We will look and focus on the current situation. Of course, recommendations of our doctors and specialists regarding the possible safe opening of flights will be key for us, and we hope that such decisions [to resume flights] may take place in July, but first of all they will depend on the situation in the countries where we take our passengers," he said.
He added that the decisions of the operational headquarters and the government will also be a necessary condition for resuming international flights.
At the same time, according to him, domestic air transportation can begin to recover in June. "Domestic transportation, which I hope will begin to be intensively restored starting from the second half of June, will provide us with a base [for safe travel]," the minister said.


tass--2020-05-16--Russia’s modern weapons developed thanks to fundamental science - Putin

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
If it were not for well-developed fundamental science in Russia , there would @ @ @ @ @ weapons , Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with Russian Journalist Pavel Zarubin @ @ @ @ @ , a fragment of which was published on Instagram .
`` We would never have @ @ @ @ @ weapons that no country in the world yet has - how could we have done @ @ @ @ @ fundamental science , scientific schools , engineering personnel ?
That would be absolutely impossible , @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. If it were not for well-developed fundamental science in Russia, there would be no modern types of weapons, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with Russian Journalist Pavel Zarubin for Moscow. Kremlin program, a fragment of which was published on Instagram.
"We would never have modern, high-tech types of weapons that no country in the world yet has - how could we have done this if there were no fundamental science, scientific schools, engineering personnel? That would be absolutely impossible," Putin said.


tass--2020-05-16--First subsidies to Russian airlines planned before end of May - Transport Minister

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
The first payments of subsidies to Russian airlines affected by the coronavirus pandemic are scheduled to begin before the end of May .
The total volume of subsidies will amount to 23.4 bln rubles ( $ 318.5 mln ) , of which Aeroflot may claim 7.9 bln rubles ( $ 107.54 mln ) , Russian Transport Minister Yevgeny Dietrich told reporters .
`` Companies are now actively seeking this support , I think that we will try to start issuing the first tranches by the end of May , '' Dietrich said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ group ] may receive 7.9 bln rubles , '' he added .
The Ministry of Transport is working to bring compensation to airlines `` as soon as possible '' , Dietrich noted .
According to the ministry , Aeroflot ’ s application has been reviewed and is missing several documents and signatures , which will be fixed .
Applications on Friday were also filed by Ural Airlines , S7 , Smartavia and Azur Air .
Earlier , the the Russian government allocated 23.4 bln rubles ( $ 318.5 mln ) to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund for subsidies to Russian airlines affected by the coronavirus pandemic .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. The first payments of subsidies to Russian airlines affected by the coronavirus pandemic are scheduled to begin before the end of May. The total volume of subsidies will amount to 23.4 bln rubles ($318.5 mln), of which Aeroflot may claim 7.9 bln rubles ($107.54 mln), Russian Transport Minister Yevgeny Dietrich told reporters.
"Companies are now actively seeking this support, I think that we will try to start issuing the first tranches by the end of May," Dietrich said. "Preliminary estimations showed us that Aeroflot [group] may receive 7.9 bln rubles," he added. The Ministry of Transport is working to bring compensation to airlines "as soon as possible", Dietrich noted.
According to the ministry, Aeroflot’s application has been reviewed and is missing several documents and signatures, which will be fixed. Applications on Friday were also filed by Ural Airlines, S7, Smartavia and Azur Air.
Earlier, the the Russian government allocated 23.4 bln rubles ($318.5 mln) to the Federal Air Transport Agency from the reserve fund for subsidies to Russian airlines affected by the coronavirus pandemic.


tass--2020-05-16--Railway passenger transportation may recover in fall - Transport Ministry

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
Passenger transportation in rail transport is possible this fall - provided that the second wave of the pandemic does not come to Russia , Russia ’ s Deputy Minister of Transport Vladimir Tokarev told reporters on Saturday .
`` Now the decline in suburban area reaches - 71 % , long-distance - 74 % year-on-year .
The question is how we will lift quarantine , how fast it will be and whether there will be a second or third wave of the pandemic .
It is impossible to predict , but recovery will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we lift it as planned , there will be no [ second ] wave , and then passenger transportation will be restored by the fall , '' he said .
Passenger traffic on all types of transport in Russia in April fell by 70-95 % , Minister of Transport Yevgeny Dietrich said earlier at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of transport in the country .
Russian Railways ’ passenger traffic in April 2020 decreased by almost 70 % compared to April last year to 30.3 mln people .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. Passenger transportation in rail transport is possible this fall - provided that the second wave of the pandemic does not come to Russia, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Transport Vladimir Tokarev told reporters on Saturday.
"Now the decline in suburban area reaches - 71%, long-distance - 74% year-on-year. The question is how we will lift quarantine, how fast it will be and whether there will be a second or third wave of the pandemic. It is impossible to predict, but recovery will take some time. I think if we lift it as planned, there will be no [second] wave, and then passenger transportation will be restored by the fall," he said.
Passenger traffic on all types of transport in Russia in April fell by 70-95%, Minister of Transport Yevgeny Dietrich said earlier at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of transport in the country.
Russian Railways’ passenger traffic in April 2020 decreased by almost 70% compared to April last year to 30.3 mln people.


tass--2020-05-16--Russia might register coronavirus vaccine by end of summer - expert

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
The coronavirus vaccine might be registered in Russia in August , Director of the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gunzburg said in an interview with Rossiya 1 channel .
`` I believe by the end of the summer [ a vaccine will be registered ] .
I would say so .
In August , I hope that everything will go as planned and there will be no surprises , '' he said .
Now the development of the vaccine is at the stage of preclinical trials , they might last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toxicity , reactogenicity , and other criteria are determined , based on which it will be possible to begin testing the vaccine in humans .
The vaccine , according to Gunzburg , will be administered in the right shoulder , but all Russians will not be able to receive it at the same time .
`` The Ministry of Health is thinking about how to do this , what capacities can be used to maximize production of vaccines , '' he added .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. The coronavirus vaccine might be registered in Russia in August, Director of the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gunzburg said in an interview with Rossiya 1 channel.
"I believe by the end of the summer [a vaccine will be registered]. I would say so. In August, I hope that everything will go as planned and there will be no surprises," he said.
Now the development of the vaccine is at the stage of preclinical trials, they might last another month. At this stage, toxicity, reactogenicity, and other criteria are determined, based on which it will be possible to begin testing the vaccine in humans.
The vaccine, according to Gunzburg, will be administered in the right shoulder, but all Russians will not be able to receive it at the same time. "The Ministry of Health is thinking about how to do this, what capacities can be used to maximize production of vaccines," he added.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-05-16--Third group of Russian military specialists returns from Serbia

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
The third Il-76 aircraft carrying Russian military specialists who helped fight the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ near Moscow , the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday .
The plane arrived at @ @ @ @ @ Region .
According to the Defense Ministry , `` mandatory sanitary and epidemiological measures are @ @ @ @ @ reports said that over 40 military servicemen and four units of equipment would be transported @ @ @ @ @ Serbia earlier requested Russia ’ s assistance in the fight against the epidemic .
On @ @ @ @ @ Aerospace Forces ’ planes transported to Serbia Russian military medics , including virologists , radiation @ @ @ @ @ specialists , special medical equipment , protection gear and sixteen military vehicles .
The Russian @ @ @ @ @ capital and a number of other regions .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. The third Il-76 aircraft carrying Russian military specialists who helped fight the coronavirus outbreak in Serbia has landed near Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.
The plane arrived at Chkalovsky Airfield in the Moscow Region. According to the Defense Ministry, "mandatory sanitary and epidemiological measures are being taken."
Earlier reports said that over 40 military servicemen and four units of equipment would be transported to Russia from Serbia.
Serbia earlier requested Russia’s assistance in the fight against the epidemic. On April 3-4, the Russian Aerospace Forces’ planes transported to Serbia Russian military medics, including virologists, radiation, chemical and biological protection specialists, special medical equipment, protection gear and sixteen military vehicles. The Russian specialists provided assistance in the capital and a number of other regions.


tass--2020-05-16--Too early to talk about easing lockdown restrictions in Moscow - official

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
It will be possible to talk about easing lockdown restrictions in Moscow in the middle of next week , Head of Moscow ’ s Department of Trade and Services Alexei Nemeryuk told the Ekho Moskvy ( Echo of Moscow ) radio station .
`` We discuss that with the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing ( Rospotrebnadzor ) .
They have some plans , of course , but still , it is probably premature to talk about easing restrictions until [ May ] 21-22 , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incidence of the disease was a signal to ease restrictions , the official noted that this is a `` good trend , '' but it too early to draw any conclusions .
`` We need to wait for two weeks after the May holidays and look at this dynamics and after that probably make some decisions .
It is for this reason that the lockdown period in Moscow was extended until May 31 , '' he said .
Moscow went on lockdown on March 29 in order to prevent the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s authorities launched digital permits for traveling on any types of transport .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. It will be possible to talk about easing lockdown restrictions in Moscow in the middle of next week, Head of Moscow’s Department of Trade and Services Alexei Nemeryuk told the Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow) radio station.
"We discuss that with the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor). They have some plans, of course, but still, it is probably premature to talk about easing restrictions until [May] 21-22," he said.
When asked whether a decrease in the incidence of the disease was a signal to ease restrictions, the official noted that this is a "good trend," but it too early to draw any conclusions. "We need to wait for two weeks after the May holidays and look at this dynamics and after that probably make some decisions. It is for this reason that the lockdown period in Moscow was extended until May 31," he said.
Moscow went on lockdown on March 29 in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. On April 15, the city’s authorities launched digital permits for traveling on any types of transport.


tass--2020-05-16--Over 800 COVID-19 patients treated in Moscow’s Filatov Hospital

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
A total of 1,330 people are undergoing treatment in Moscow ’ s Filatov City Clinical Hospital No.15 , 826 of them have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus , the hospital ’ s Chief Physician Valery Vechorko wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday .
`` As of May 16 , 1,330 patients are receiving treatment [ in the hospital ] .
Of these , 1,270 have been diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia , presumably of viral etiology , and 826 people with confirmed coronavirus , '' he noted .
According to Vechorko , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit , 52 people have been connected to ventilators .
A total of 180 people have been discharged over the past 24 hours , 153 patients have been admitted to the hospital .
Meanwhile , Svetlana Krasnova , Chief Physician of Moscow ’ s Infectious Diseases Hospital No.2 , wrote on Facebook that 556 patients were receiving treatment there , including 215 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 .
A total of 100 people have been discharged from the hospital over the past day , including 35 coronavirus patients .
`` As of May 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital in Kommunarka .
A total of 48 patients are in the intensive care unit , 19 of them have been hooked up to ventilators , '' the hospital ’ s Chief Physician Denis Protsenko wrote on his Facebook page .
He added that 264 people had been diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and 116 with COVID-19 .
Thirty-one patients have been admitted to the hospital over the past day .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. A total of 1,330 people are undergoing treatment in Moscow’s Filatov City Clinical Hospital No.15, 826 of them have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, the hospital’s Chief Physician Valery Vechorko wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday.
"As of May 16, 1,330 patients are receiving treatment [in the hospital]. Of these, 1,270 have been diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia, presumably of viral etiology, and 826 people with confirmed coronavirus," he noted.
According to Vechorko, 152 patients are in the intensive care unit, 52 people have been connected to ventilators. A total of 180 people have been discharged over the past 24 hours, 153 patients have been admitted to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Svetlana Krasnova, Chief Physician of Moscow’s Infectious Diseases Hospital No.2, wrote on Facebook that 556 patients were receiving treatment there, including 215 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. A total of 100 people have been discharged from the hospital over the past day, including 35 coronavirus patients.
"As of May 16, 271 patients are being treated at the hospital in Kommunarka. A total of 48 patients are in the intensive care unit, 19 of them have been hooked up to ventilators," the hospital’s Chief Physician Denis Protsenko wrote on his Facebook page. He added that 264 people had been diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and 116 with COVID-19. Thirty-one patients have been admitted to the hospital over the past day.


tass--2020-05-16--Russia reports lowest number of new COVID-19 cases since May 1

MOSCOW , May 16 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s coronavirus cases have risen by 9,200 over the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ lowest number since May 1 .
A total of 272,043 cases have been confirmed in @ @ @ @ @ crisis center told reporters on Saturday .
On May 1 , the crisis center said @ @ @ @ @ been recorded .
According to Saturday ’ s data , the daily growth rate has @ @ @ @ @ 3.5 % , which is the lowest number since the beginning of the outbreak .

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS/. Russia’s coronavirus cases have risen by 9,200 over the past 24 hours, which is the lowest number since May 1. A total of 272,043 cases have been confirmed in the country, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Saturday.
On May 1, the crisis center said that 9,623 new cases had been recorded.
According to Saturday’s data, the daily growth rate has decreased from 4.2% to 3.5%, which is the lowest number since the beginning of the outbreak.


tass--2020-05-17--Over 67,000 coronavirus patients recover in Russia

MOSCOW , May 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of COVID-19 patients who recovered in Russia has risen to 67,373 @ @ @ @ @ discharged from hospitals over the past day , the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on @ @ @ @ @ estimates , the number of recoveries has grown by 6.7 % .
On Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ , with 4,940 patients discharged from medical facilities .
Over the past 24 hours , @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow , 545 in the Murmansk Region , 364 in the Moscow Region , @ @ @ @ @ in the Krasnodar Region .
The death toll has climbed to 2,631 .
Some 94 @ @ @ @ @ day , while the corresponding figure a day earlier was 119 .
Some 71 fatalities @ @ @ @ @ , six in the Moscow Region , five in St. Petersburg , three in the @ @ @ @ @ Dagestan .
One death has been registered in the Lipetsk , Nizhny Novgorod , Penza @ @ @ @ @ Krasnodar and Transbaikal Regions , and the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region .

MOSCOW, May 17. /TASS/. The number of COVID-19 patients who recovered in Russia has risen to 67,373, with another 4,207 people discharged from hospitals over the past day, the anti-coronavirus crisis center told reporters on Sunday.
According to TASS estimates, the number of recoveries has grown by 6.7%. On Saturday, the growth reached 8.5%, with 4,940 patients discharged from medical facilities.
Over the past 24 hours, 1,458 people have been discharged in Moscow, 545 in the Murmansk Region, 364 in the Moscow Region, 135 in Dagestan and 122 in the Krasnodar Region.
The death toll has climbed to 2,631. Some 94 people died over the past day, while the corresponding figure a day earlier was 119.
Some 71 fatalities have been confirmed in Moscow, six in the Moscow Region, five in St. Petersburg, three in the Rostov Region and two in Dagestan. One death has been registered in the Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Penza and Saratov Regions, the Krasnodar and Transbaikal Regions, and the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region.


tass--2020-05-17--Russia reports less than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases for second day in a row

MOSCOW , May 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of COVID-19 cases in Russia has risen by 9,709 over the past day , and this is the second day in a row when the growth in cases is less than 10,000 since May 1 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday .
The total number of coronavirus cases in all Russian regions now stands at 281,752 , the center reported .
The daily growth is 3.6 % against 3.5 % a day earlier .
The number of COVID-19 cases in Moscow has climbed by 3,855 to 142,824 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % a day earlier , according to TASS estimates .
On Saturday , the crisis center reported 3,505 cases and this was the first time since early May when the number of new cases was less than 4,000 and was the lowest since April 30 .
The Moscow Region has confirmed 907 new coronavirus cases , St. Petersburg - 451 , the Nizhny Novgorod Region - 281 , the Sverdlovsk Region - 160 , the Saratov Region - 121 , the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region - 118 , the Rostov Region - 115 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ulyanovsk Region - 101 .
Some 4,116 new COVID-19 patients ( 42.4 % ) confirmed over the past day have not shown any symptoms .
The number of coronavirus cases has exceeded 1,000 in 51 Russian regions .
According to the crisis center , over the past day the number of COVID-19 cases in the Perm Region has risen by 51 to 1,024 , in the Astrakhan Region by 45 to 1,029 and in the Kirov Region by 34 to 1,001 .

MOSCOW, May 17. /TASS/. The number of COVID-19 cases in Russia has risen by 9,709 over the past day, and this is the second day in a row when the growth in cases is less than 10,000 since May 1, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday.
The total number of coronavirus cases in all Russian regions now stands at 281,752, the center reported. The daily growth is 3.6% against 3.5% a day earlier.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Moscow has climbed by 3,855 to 142,824. The daily growth reached 2.8% against 2.6% a day earlier, according to TASS estimates. On Saturday, the crisis center reported 3,505 cases and this was the first time since early May when the number of new cases was less than 4,000 and was the lowest since April 30.
The Moscow Region has confirmed 907 new coronavirus cases, St. Petersburg - 451, the Nizhny Novgorod Region - 281, the Sverdlovsk Region - 160, the Saratov Region - 121, the Khanty Mansi Autonomous Region - 118, the Rostov Region - 115, the Krasnoyarsk Region - 114 and the Ulyanovsk Region - 101.
Some 4,116 new COVID-19 patients (42.4%) confirmed over the past day have not shown any symptoms.
The number of coronavirus cases has exceeded 1,000 in 51 Russian regions.
According to the crisis center, over the past day the number of COVID-19 cases in the Perm Region has risen by 51 to 1,024, in the Astrakhan Region by 45 to 1,029 and in the Kirov Region by 34 to 1,001.


tass--2020-05-17--Over 27,000 COVID-19 patients recover in Moscow

MOSCOW , May 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of patients with COVID-19 who have recovered in Moscow over the @ @ @ @ @ 1,458 and has exceeded 27,000 , Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasiya Rakova said on Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ in Moscow has been constantly growing .
Over the past day , another 1,458 people @ @ @ @ @ .
The total number of people who have been cured of the infection has risen @ @ @ @ @ said .
As of May 16 , some 138,969 coronavirus cases were registered in Moscow @

MOSCOW, May 17. /TASS/. The number of patients with COVID-19 who have recovered in Moscow over the past day has risen by 1,458 and has exceeded 27,000, Deputy Moscow Mayor Anastasiya Rakova said on Sunday.
"The number of recoveries in Moscow has been constantly growing. Over the past day, another 1,458 people have recovered after undergoing treatment. The total number of people who have been cured of the infection has risen to 27,490," Rakova said.
As of May 16, some 138,969 coronavirus cases were registered in Moscow.


tass--2020-05-17--Moscow Region gears up to partially lift COVID-19 restrictions by Monday

MOSCOW , May 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Moscow Region will comply with three criteria necessary for partially launching economic sectors by Monday , Governor of the Moscow Region Andrey Vorobyov told a program Nedelya v Gorode ( Week in the City ) on Rossiya-1 TV channel .
`` There are three criteria enabling us to launch economy , certain economic sectors - the rate of [ infection ] spread should be less than 1 % .
Second , this should be sufficient level of tests , and everything is good here .
There should be 50 % spare beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it ’ s highly likely that we will conform to all these three criteria by Monday , '' Vorobyov said .
According to the governor , regional authorities are not allowed to open all enterprises at once and at first , industrial and processing plants and construction companies will resume work .
Earlier , the press service of the governor and the regional government said since May 18 more than 2,000 industrial enterprises and over 600 construction sites were ready to resume work , which employ some 240,000 personnel .
The companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow Region introduced a state of high alert on March 13 , banning all mass events amid the coronavirus spread .
Since March 29 , the authorities have imposed a lockdown in the region .
On April 15 , a system of digital passes on transport was launched in the Moscow Region .
As of May 16 , the number of people with COVID-19 reached 26,462 .

MOSCOW, May 17. /TASS/. The Moscow Region will comply with three criteria necessary for partially launching economic sectors by Monday, Governor of the Moscow Region Andrey Vorobyov told a program Nedelya v Gorode (Week in the City) on Rossiya-1 TV channel.
"There are three criteria enabling us to launch economy, certain economic sectors - the rate of [infection] spread should be less than 1%. Second, this should be sufficient level of tests, and everything is good here. There should be 50% spare beds and we prepare beds every day, so it’s highly likely that we will conform to all these three criteria by Monday," Vorobyov said.
According to the governor, regional authorities are not allowed to open all enterprises at once and at first, industrial and processing plants and construction companies will resume work.
Earlier, the press service of the governor and the regional government said since May 18 more than 2,000 industrial enterprises and over 600 construction sites were ready to resume work, which employ some 240,000 personnel. The companies must comply with sanitary requirements.
The Moscow Region introduced a state of high alert on March 13, banning all mass events amid the coronavirus spread. Since March 29, the authorities have imposed a lockdown in the region. On April 15, a system of digital passes on transport was launched in the Moscow Region. As of May 16, the number of people with COVID-19 reached 26,462.


tass--2020-05-17--Alisher Usmanov gains one notch to number seven in Britain’s top ten super-rich

LONDON , May 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s businessman Alisher Usmanov has gained one notch to take the seventh spot in Britain ’ s Rich List 2020 top ten rating released by the Sunday Times newspaper on Saturday .
The wealth of the head of the USM holding ( parent structure of Metalloinvest , Megafon , Mail.ru Group ) is estimated at 11.68 bln pounds ( $ 14.14 bln at the current exchange rate ) , an increase of 341 mln pounds ( $ 412 mln ) compared with the 2019 rating .
Earlier Usmanov took the eighth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fortune worth 11.339 bln pounds in 2019 and 10.556 bln pounds in 2018 .
This year the businessman has become the only Russian representative among the Britain ’ s ten richest billionaires .
Last year in top ten super-rich were also Roman Abramovich who was the ninth in the list , and the founder of Alfa Group Mikhail Fridman who took the tenth spot .
In this year ’ s rating , Fridman holding a fortune worth 10.23 bln pounds ( $ 12.4 bln ) comes in 11th , while Abramovich with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) worth of fortune has slipped to the 12th spot .
James Dyson , head of a household appliances manufacturer , tops this year ’ s Rich List with a fortune worth 16.2 bln pounds ( $ 19.6 bln ) .
His fortune gained 3.6 bln pounds ( $ 4.4 bln ) in one year despite the closure due to unprofitability of a 500 mln pounds ( $ 605 mln ) project on electric cars production .
The second line of the rating is shared by Indian entrepreneurs Sri and Gopi Hinduja and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fortune worth 16 bln pounds ( $ 19.37 bln ) each .
Hinduja are involved in real estate deals , banking and restaurant business , and commodities trade .
The fortune of businessmen who topped last year ’ s Sunday Times rating , dropped by 6 bln pounds ( $ 7.3 bln ) in one year .
The Reuben brothers focus on real estate deals , private investment and participation in venture capital .
They lost 2.7 bln pounds ( $ 3.2 bln ) in a year .
More than half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth 6 bln pounds , with the combined wealth of the 1,000 wealthiest individuals and families plunging for the first time since 2009 , in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic-related financial crisis , according to the publication .

LONDON, May 17. /TASS/. Russia’s businessman Alisher Usmanov has gained one notch to take the seventh spot in Britain’s Rich List 2020 top ten rating released by the Sunday Times newspaper on Saturday.
The wealth of the head of the USM holding (parent structure of Metalloinvest, Megafon, Mail.ru Group) is estimated at 11.68 bln pounds ($14.14 bln at the current exchange rate), an increase of 341 mln pounds ($412 mln) compared with the 2019 rating. Earlier Usmanov took the eighth spot of the rating twice - with the fortune worth 11.339 bln pounds in 2019 and 10.556 bln pounds in 2018.
This year the businessman has become the only Russian representative among the Britain’s ten richest billionaires. Last year in top ten super-rich were also Roman Abramovich who was the ninth in the list, and the founder of Alfa Group Mikhail Fridman who took the tenth spot. In this year’s rating, Fridman holding a fortune worth 10.23 bln pounds ($12.4 bln) comes in 11th, while Abramovich with 10.16 bln pounds ($12.3 bln) worth of fortune has slipped to the 12th spot.
James Dyson, head of a household appliances manufacturer, tops this year’s Rich List with a fortune worth 16.2 bln pounds ($19.6 bln). His fortune gained 3.6 bln pounds ($4.4 bln) in one year despite the closure due to unprofitability of a 500 mln pounds ($605 mln) project on electric cars production.
The second line of the rating is shared by Indian entrepreneurs Sri and Gopi Hinduja and businessmen David and Simon Reuben holding a fortune worth 16 bln pounds ($19.37 bln) each. Hinduja are involved in real estate deals, banking and restaurant business, and commodities trade. The fortune of businessmen who topped last year’s Sunday Times rating, dropped by 6 bln pounds ($7.3 bln) in one year. The Reuben brothers focus on real estate deals, private investment and participation in venture capital. They lost 2.7 bln pounds ($3.2 bln) in a year.
More than half of the country’s billionaires are nursing losses worth 6 bln pounds, with the combined wealth of the 1,000 wealthiest individuals and families plunging for the first time since 2009, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic-related financial crisis, according to the publication.


tass--2020-05-19--Russia’s unemployment to continue rising in May, June - minister

MOSCOW , May 19 .
/TASS/ .
The number of officially registered unemployed Russians has currently reached 1.6 million , while this number is expected to keep growing in May and June .
Forecasts predict up to the 2.5 million unemployment level in the country , while the total number of people who lost their jobs can reach 5.3 million in accordance with the International Labor Organization ( ILO ) guidelines , Russian Minister of Labor and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov said .
`` The number of registered unemployed people reached 1.6 million .
Indeed , we reviewed various situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data we see today , the number of unemployed will continue rising in May and June , '' he noted .
According to him , the labor market is going through some tough but not catastrophic times .
`` For now , we are reaching the following scenario : 5.2-5.3 million unemployed [ is forecast ] by the ILO methodology and 2.5 million registered unemployed , '' the minister added .
Earlier , Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova reported that the number of unemployed in the country almost doubled ( from 725,800 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since March 1 , 2020 1,654,000 Russians sought assistance in government agencies looking for jobs or applying for unemployment benefits .

MOSCOW, May 19. /TASS/. The number of officially registered unemployed Russians has currently reached 1.6 million, while this number is expected to keep growing in May and June. Forecasts predict up to the 2.5 million unemployment level in the country, while the total number of people who lost their jobs can reach 5.3 million in accordance with the International Labor Organization (ILO) guidelines, Russian Minister of Labor and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov said.
"The number of registered unemployed people reached 1.6 million. Indeed, we reviewed various situation in various scenarios. Considering the forecast data we see today, the number of unemployed will continue rising in May and June," he noted.
According to him, the labor market is going through some tough but not catastrophic times. "For now, we are reaching the following scenario: 5.2-5.3 million unemployed [is forecast] by the ILO methodology and 2.5 million registered unemployed," the minister added.
Earlier, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova reported that the number of unemployed in the country almost doubled (from 725,800 people). According to her, since March 1, 2020 1,654,000 Russians sought assistance in government agencies looking for jobs or applying for unemployment benefits.


tass--2020-05-19--Russia’s import of gasoline from Belarus skyrocketing in April - Argus

MOSCOW , May 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia imported 40,100 tonnes of gasoline by rail from Belarus , which is @ @ @ @ @ the last year on the whole , Argus agency reports .
Russia imported just 200 @ @ @ @ @ Belarus in 2019 .
The main reason of such dramatic growth is the low price @ @ @ @ @ gasoline , which was at least 500 rubles ( $ 6.87 ) per tonne lower @ @ @ @ @ whose offer has declined significantly on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange , Argus reports @ @ @ @ @ retail site chains started forming inventories of cheap Belarusian fuel in such environment , expecting @ @ @ @ @ and fuel price growth on the wholesale market after softening of quarantine measures , '' @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. Russia imported 40,100 tonnes of gasoline by rail from Belarus, which is 200 times more than over the last year on the whole, Argus agency reports.
Russia imported just 200 tonnes of motor gasoline from Belarus in 2019.
The main reason of such dramatic growth is the low price of wholesale lots of Belarusian gasoline, which was at least 500 rubles ($6.87) per tonne lower than the domestic fuel, whose offer has declined significantly on the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange, Argus reports.
"Owners of some retail site chains started forming inventories of cheap Belarusian fuel in such environment, expecting further rise in gasoline demand and fuel price growth on the wholesale market after softening of quarantine measures," Argus noted.


tass--2020-05-19--Bank of Russia expects further growth of annual inflation

MOSCOW , May 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Bank of Russia expects further growth of annual inflation that amounted to @ @ @ @ @ the price hike acceleration is temporary , the regulator said on Monday .
`` Annual @ @ @ @ @ April 2020 , up 0.6 percentage point above March .
Acceleration of the current price @ @ @ @ @ and is associated with the higher demand for foods and essential goods in lockdown conditions @ @ @ @ @ with the ruble weakening occurred in the first quarter .
Growth of annual inflation is @ @ @ @ @ particularly because low values of spring - fall 2019 will not be included into calculations @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Considering the monetary policy pursued , annual inflation will be 3.8-4.8 % @ @ @ @ @ will be close to 4 % later on , '' the Bank of Russia noted @

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. The Bank of Russia expects further growth of annual inflation that amounted to 3.1% in April but the price hike acceleration is temporary, the regulator said on Monday.
"Annual inflation was 3.1% in April 2020, up 0.6 percentage point above March. Acceleration of the current price increase is temporary by nature and is associated with the higher demand for foods and essential goods in lockdown conditions introduced in Russian regions and with the ruble weakening occurred in the first quarter. Growth of annual inflation is possible further on, in particularly because low values of spring - fall 2019 will not be included into calculations," the Central Bank said.
"Considering the monetary policy pursued, annual inflation will be 3.8-4.8% as of 2020 year-end and will be close to 4% later on," the Bank of Russia noted.


tass--2020-05-19--Russia calls on Council of Europe not to ignore attempts at glorifying Nazism

MOSCOW , May 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Council of Europe should not ignore attempts at glorification of Nazism and desecration of monuments to Soviet soldiers who died liberating Europe from Nazism , the Russian foreign ministry said on Monday in a commentary on the beginning of Greece ’ s presidency in the Council of Europe ’ s Committee of Ministers .
`` We continue to insist that it is inadmissible to turn a blind eye on such disgraceful for contemporary Europe phenomena as non-citizenship , mass national and language discrimination , '' the ministry said .
`` We hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desecrating monuments to the liberators , and , generally , at revising the results of World War II will not be ignored by Strasbourg and Athens in the year of the 75th anniversary of Victory over Nazism .
Let us not forget that the building of the Council of Europe rests on this foundation . ''
The ministry also drew attention to the fact that the year of Greece ’ s presidency marks the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights and stressed that Russia will continue to act as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` which has become one of the pillar of European architecture built on the basis of international law rather than on the notorious rule-based order . ''
Russian diplomats recalled that the central topic of this presidency will be protection of people ’ s lives and public health during the pandemic and voiced support to the Greek colleagues ’ plans to use the Council of Europe ’ s potential to resolve these tasks .
The Russian foreign ministry called for consolidation of the experience of various countries in combating the disease and elaborating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It is secret to no one that Strasbourg has often focused on narrow problems topical only for small groups of population .
The pandemic ’ s tragic lessons make us reconsider many things , shift the focus onto essential needs of most of the Europeans , first of all , their social and economic rights , '' the ministry noted .
`` The Council of Europe has the European Social Charter and the European Social Cohesion Platform .
But in the policy of reducing the organization ’ s social dimension has come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This policy has proved to be a mistake and we have repeatedly warned about that .
Now it is time to make up for what has been lost .
`` .

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. The Council of Europe should not ignore attempts at glorification of Nazism and desecration of monuments to Soviet soldiers who died liberating Europe from Nazism, the Russian foreign ministry said on Monday in a commentary on the beginning of Greece’s presidency in the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.
"We continue to insist that it is inadmissible to turn a blind eye on such disgraceful for contemporary Europe phenomena as non-citizenship, mass national and language discrimination," the ministry said. "We hope that attempts at glorifying Nazi collaborators and desecrating monuments to the liberators, and, generally, at revising the results of World War II will not be ignored by Strasbourg and Athens in the year of the 75th anniversary of Victory over Nazism. Let us not forget that the building of the Council of Europe rests on this foundation."
The ministry also drew attention to the fact that the year of Greece’s presidency marks the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights and stressed that Russia will continue to act as a guarantor of the implementation of the convention "which has become one of the pillar of European architecture built on the basis of international law rather than on the notorious rule-based order."
Russian diplomats recalled that the central topic of this presidency will be protection of people’s lives and public health during the pandemic and voiced support to the Greek colleagues’ plans to use the Council of Europe’s potential to resolve these tasks. The Russian foreign ministry called for consolidation of the experience of various countries in combating the disease and elaborating a constructive agenda in this sphere.
"It is secret to no one that Strasbourg has often focused on narrow problems topical only for small groups of population. The pandemic’s tragic lessons make us reconsider many things, shift the focus onto essential needs of most of the Europeans, first of all, their social and economic rights," the ministry noted. "The Council of Europe has the European Social Charter and the European Social Cohesion Platform. But in the policy of reducing the organization’s social dimension has come to the fore in the recent years. This policy has proved to be a mistake and we have repeatedly warned about that. Now it is time to make up for what has been lost.".


tass--2020-05-19--UFC Champ Nurmagomedov says his father has been diagnosed with COVID19

MOSCOW , May 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russia ’ s UFC Reigning Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has confirmed that his @ @ @ @ @ Nurmagomedov , has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection .
Abdulmanal Nurmagomedov is undergoing @ @ @ @ @ Moscow .
Medics say he is in serious condition .
He was taken to hospital @ @ @ @ @ a stroke and spent a week on life support .
A source close to the @ @ @ @ @ the day that the man had been connected to a lung ventilator .
`` My @ @ @ @ @ in critical condition , '' Khabib said on his Instagram account .
`` He has @ @ @ @ @ backdrop of this virus because he had a surgery a year ago .
He has @ @ @ @ @ So , he is in very serious condition .
`` .

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. Russia’s UFC Reigning Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has confirmed that his father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Moscow. Medics say he is in serious condition. He was taken to hospital with pneumonia but later had a stroke and spent a week on life support. A source close to the situation told TASS earlier in the day that the man had been connected to a lung ventilator.
"My father is in hospital, in critical condition," Khabib said on his Instagram account. "He has developed heart problems on the backdrop of this virus because he had a surgery a year ago. He has been operated again now. So, he is in very serious condition.".


tass--2020-05-19--Moscow reports 71 new coronavirus deaths - crisis center

MOSCOW , May 19 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow has identified 71 more deaths caused by coronavirus in the past day @ @ @ @ @ said Tuesday .
`` In Moscow , 71 more patients died with confirmed pneumonia who @ @ @ @ @ '' the center noted .
Overall , 1,651 people died in Moscow from coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ : if you feel any flu-like symptoms , stay home and do not self-treat .
@ @ @ @ @ and health as well as lives and health of those around you , '' the @ @ @

MOSCOW, May 19. /TASS/. Moscow has identified 71 more deaths caused by coronavirus in the past day, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said Tuesday.
"In Moscow, 71 more patients died with confirmed pneumonia who tested positive for coronavirus," the center noted.
Overall, 1,651 people died in Moscow from coronavirus.
"The crisis center reiterates: if you feel any flu-like symptoms, stay home and do not self-treat. Do not risk your lives and health as well as lives and health of those around you," the center concluded.


tass--2020-05-19--US to donate 200 ventilators to Russia - administration

WASHINGTON , May 18 .
/TASS/ .
The United States will supply 200 ventilators to Russia , a high-ranking representative for the US administration told TASS on Monday .
`` In response to [ Russian ] President [ Vladimir ] Putin ’ s request for assistance , [ US ] President [ Donald ] Trump offered to donate and deliver 200 ventilators to the Russian people , '' he stressed .
`` This delivery represents the rapid fulfillment of that offer . ''
`` The COVID-19 outbreak is worsening in Russia , which has the second-highest number of cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Europe , '' the representative added .
According to him , the ventilators are donated voluntarily .
The administration representative noted that the US `` is the largest contributor to global public health and has committed over 15,000 ventilators to more than 50 countries '' and `` is providing critical medical supplies and ventilators to people in need around the world . ''
The representative did not confirm the report provided by Voice of America , saying that the US will deliver the ventilators aboard military transport this week .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California will be ready for shipment already on Wednesday .
The remaining 150 machines will be ready for delivery on May 26 .
According to Voice of America , the US is covering all costs totaling $ 4.7 million of manufacturing and delivery .
At the same time , it is particularly stressed that the shipment is not exercised as cooperation between the national defense agencies banned under the current US defense budget .
On Sunday , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters at the White House that US authorities were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
He revealed that certain coronavirus test equipment and ventilators were already `` on its way . ''
Earlier , Trump told journalists that ventilators would be sent to Russia if need be .
According to the US leader , he made the suggestion during a phone call with Putin .
In April , Russia sent a shipment of medical equipment to the US to help to tackle the coronavirus spread .
Trump then lauded the gesture .
Meanwhile , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also stressed that Moscow would avail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply ventilators if they are needed .

WASHINGTON, May 18. /TASS/. The United States will supply 200 ventilators to Russia, a high-ranking representative for the US administration told TASS on Monday.
"In response to [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin’s request for assistance, [US] President [Donald] Trump offered to donate and deliver 200 ventilators to the Russian people," he stressed. "This delivery represents the rapid fulfillment of that offer."
"The COVID-19 outbreak is worsening in Russia, which has the second-highest number of cases in the world and the highest number of cases in Europe," the representative added. According to him, the ventilators are donated voluntarily. The administration representative noted that the US "is the largest contributor to global public health and has committed over 15,000 ventilators to more than 50 countries" and "is providing critical medical supplies and ventilators to people in need around the world."
The representative did not confirm the report provided by Voice of America, saying that the US will deliver the ventilators aboard military transport this week. For instance, first 50 ventilators manufactured in California will be ready for shipment already on Wednesday. The remaining 150 machines will be ready for delivery on May 26. According to Voice of America, the US is covering all costs totaling $4.7 million of manufacturing and delivery. At the same time, it is particularly stressed that the shipment is not exercised as cooperation between the national defense agencies banned under the current US defense budget.
On Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters at the White House that US authorities were glad to help out Russia in countering the coronavirus pandemic. He revealed that certain coronavirus test equipment and ventilators were already "on its way." Earlier, Trump told journalists that ventilators would be sent to Russia if need be. According to the US leader, he made the suggestion during a phone call with Putin.
In April, Russia sent a shipment of medical equipment to the US to help to tackle the coronavirus spread. Trump then lauded the gesture. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also stressed that Moscow would avail itself of Washington’s proposal to supply ventilators if they are needed.


tass--2020-05-19--WHO: number of COVID-2019 cases across globe up by over 93,000 in past day

GENEVA , May 18 .
/TASS/ .
More than 93,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on May 18 , with the overall number of such cases nearing 4.62 million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said in its daily bulletin on Monday .
As of 11:00 Moscow time on May 18 , as many as 4,618,821 novel coronavirus cases and 311,847 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe .
The number of confirmed cases grew by 93,324 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,452 .
The WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the countries .
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 2,017,811 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 50,879 and the number of deaths - by 2,810 and reached 121,609 .
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 1,890,467 and the number of fatalities is 167,173 .
In the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 19,922 and the number of deaths - by 1,222 .
The East Mediterranean region has 338,560 cases and 9,979 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours , the number of cases grew by 11,992 and the number of deaths - by 138 .
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States ( 1,432,265 ) , Russia ( 290,678 ) , the United Kingdom ( 243,699 ) , Brazil ( 233,142 ) , Spain ( 231,350 ) , Italy ( 225,435 ) , Germany ( 174,697 ) , Turkey ( 149,435 ) , France ( 140,036 ) , and Iran ( 120,198 ) .
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in China ’ s city of Wuhan , a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million , in late December 2019 .
Since then , cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world .
On March 11 , 2020 , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

GENEVA, May 18. /TASS/. More than 93,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were registered worldwide on May 18, with the overall number of such cases nearing 4.62 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its daily bulletin on Monday.
As of 11:00 Moscow time on May 18, as many as 4,618,821 novel coronavirus cases and 311,847 coronavirus-associated deaths were registered across the globe. The number of confirmed cases grew by 93,324 in the past 24 hours and the number of fatalities increased by 4,452.
The WHO statistics is based on officially confirmed data from the countries.
South and North America accounts for the majority of confirmed coronavirus cases - 2,017,811. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 50,879 and the number of deaths - by 2,810 and reached 121,609.
The number confirmed COVID-2019 cases in Europe amounts to 1,890,467 and the number of fatalities is 167,173. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 19,922 and the number of deaths - by 1,222.
The East Mediterranean region has 338,560 cases and 9,979 fatalities as of May 18. In the past 24 hours, the number of cases grew by 11,992 and the number of deaths - by 138.
The biggest number of coronavirus cases was reported from the United States (1,432,265), Russia (290,678), the United Kingdom (243,699), Brazil (233,142), Spain (231,350), Italy (225,435), Germany (174,697), Turkey (149,435), France (140,036), and Iran (120,198).
A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (previously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population of 12 million, in late December 2019. Since then, cases of the new coronavirus have been reported from nearly all parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-05-18--Russia, Pakistan, Iran, China envoys urge early launch of intra-Afghan negotiations

MOSCOW , May 18./TASS/ .
Special envoys on Afghanistan from Russia , Pakistan , Iran and China have urged all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan , including the Taliban movement ( outlawed in Russia ) , to pave the way for the negotiations , according to the joint statement circulated by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday .
The envoys `` welcome the Agreement between two main political leaders [ Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah ] and hope that this important event will expedite start of Intra-Afghan negotiations , '' the statement runs .
With this in view , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups and parties , including Taliban to act upon the opportunities preparing the situation to launch the Intra-Afghan negotiations as soon as possible , '' the statement reads .
Russia , Iran , China and Pakistan draw attention to the developments in connection with the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and `` call on foreign troops withdrawal in an orderly and responsible way so that the situation in Afghanistan will experience a steady transition . ''
They support the release of prisoners and detainees held by all parties to the conflict in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 ) of the UN Security Council will be complied with .
The special representatives `` support the initiative of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for universal ceasefire and call for a simultaneous declaration of a comprehensive ceasefire throughout Afghanistan as agreed among parties to the conflict , '' the statement adds .
The envoys urge the Afghan parties to take resolute action against Al-Qaeda , Islamic State ( both outlawed in Russia ) and other international terrorist organizations operating against regional states , as well as to take measures against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drug trafficking .
Russian , Iranian , Chinese and Pakistan ’ s special representatives on Afghanistan reiterated their support to Kabul in combating the novel coronavirus infection .
`` The Special Representatives on Afghanistan Affairs of the four sides reaffirm their support to Afghanistan to overcome the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic , welcome the international community to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan , '' the document says .
The envoys `` agree to maintain the contact on the Afghanistan issue , and work together to advance the Afghan peace reconciliation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Taking part in the consultations were Russian Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov , China ’ s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Liu Jian , Pakistan ’ s Deputy Foreign Minister Safdar Hayat , as well as Iran ’ s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Mohammad Taherianfard .

MOSCOW, May 18./TASS/. Special envoys on Afghanistan from Russia, Pakistan, Iran and China have urged all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan, including the Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia), to pave the way for the negotiations, according to the joint statement circulated by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday.
The envoys "welcome the Agreement between two main political leaders [Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah] and hope that this important event will expedite start of Intra-Afghan negotiations," the statement runs. With this in view, they "call on all Afghan ethnic groups and parties, including Taliban to act upon the opportunities preparing the situation to launch the Intra-Afghan negotiations as soon as possible," the statement reads.
Russia, Iran, China and Pakistan draw attention to the developments in connection with the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and "call on foreign troops withdrawal in an orderly and responsible way so that the situation in Afghanistan will experience a steady transition."
They support the release of prisoners and detainees held by all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan and hope that Resolution 2513(2020) of the UN Security Council will be complied with.
The special representatives "support the initiative of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for universal ceasefire and call for a simultaneous declaration of a comprehensive ceasefire throughout Afghanistan as agreed among parties to the conflict," the statement adds.
The envoys urge the Afghan parties to take resolute action against Al-Qaeda, Islamic State (both outlawed in Russia) and other international terrorist organizations operating against regional states, as well as to take measures against the production of drugs in the country and drug trafficking.
Russian, Iranian, Chinese and Pakistan’s special representatives on Afghanistan reiterated their support to Kabul in combating the novel coronavirus infection. "The Special Representatives on Afghanistan Affairs of the four sides reaffirm their support to Afghanistan to overcome the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, welcome the international community to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan," the document says.
The envoys "agree to maintain the contact on the Afghanistan issue, and work together to advance the Afghan peace reconciliation and reconstruction process," the statement stressed.
Taking part in the consultations were Russian Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Liu Jian, Pakistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Safdar Hayat, as well as Iran’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Mohammad Taherianfard.
Settlement in Afghanistan


tass--2020-05-18--Syria’s Constitutional Committee to meet after air service bans are lifted — UN envoy

UNITED NATIONS , May 18 .
/TASS/ .
Syria ’ s Constitutional Committee will be able to meet only after bans on air services are lifted , United Nations Secretary General ’ s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said on Monday at a UN Security Council videoconference .
`` We know that the crisis in Syria will not be resolved by a new constitution alone , '' he said .
`` But if the Constitutional Committee could work seriously , it could build trust , make an important contribution to a political settlement , and be a door-opener .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third session of the Small Body of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva as soon as global travel conditions allow .
We do not know when that will be .
But let me stress , as both co-chairs have affirmed to me , the importance of a substantive third session on the agreed agenda and the equal importance of there being no preconditions to moving on to other items of the constitution in subsequent sessions , consistent with the mandate and Terms of Reference and Core Rules of Procedure , '' he stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nations Kelly Craft accused the Syrian government of being unprepared for an online meeting of the committee .
By now , the Syrian Constitutional Committee has had two sessions , with the latest one being held in Geneva on November 25-29 , 2019 .
The government and opposition delegations however failed to agree the agenda and the meeting was not held .

UNITED NATIONS, May 18. /TASS/. Syria’s Constitutional Committee will be able to meet only after bans on air services are lifted, United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said on Monday at a UN Security Council videoconference.
"We know that the crisis in Syria will not be resolved by a new constitution alone," he said. "But if the Constitutional Committee could work seriously, it could build trust, make an important contribution to a political settlement, and be a door-opener."
"I am ready to convene a third session of the Small Body of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva as soon as global travel conditions allow. We do not know when that will be. But let me stress, as both co-chairs have affirmed to me, the importance of a substantive third session on the agreed agenda and the equal importance of there being no preconditions to moving on to other items of the constitution in subsequent sessions, consistent with the mandate and Terms of Reference and Core Rules of Procedure," he stressed.
US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Kelly Craft accused the Syrian government of being unprepared for an online meeting of the committee.
By now, the Syrian Constitutional Committee has had two sessions, with the latest one being held in Geneva on November 25-29, 2019. The government and opposition delegations however failed to agree the agenda and the meeting was not held.


tass--2020-05-18--UFC Champ Nurmagomedov’s father connected to lung ventilator

MOSCOW , May 18 .
/TASS/ .
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov , the father and coach of Russia ’ s UFC Reigning @ @ @ @ @ has been connected to a lung ventilator , a source close to the situation told @ @ @ @ @ Nurmagomedov is undergoing treatment at a Moscow hospital .
Medics say he is in serious @ @ @ @ @ to hospital with pneumonia but later had a stroke and spent a week on life @ @ @ @ @ been connected to a lung ventilator .
Relatives are not allowed to see him , @ @ @ @ @ The latter did not confirm however that Nurmagomedov Sr. has the coronavirus infection .

MOSCOW, May 18. /TASS/. Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father and coach of Russia’s UFC Reigning Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, has been connected to a lung ventilator, a source close to the situation told TASS on Monday.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is undergoing treatment at a Moscow hospital. Medics say he is in serious condition. He was taken to hospital with pneumonia but later had a stroke and spent a week on life support.
"He has been connected to a lung ventilator. Relatives are not allowed to see him," the source said. The latter did not confirm however that Nurmagomedov Sr. has the coronavirus infection.


tass--2020-05-18--Russia to begin clinical trials of anti-coronavirus vaccine in one month

`` Russia manufactures more than 20 testing systems .
It is developing full-cycle medicines , which are ready for clinical use .
Serious work is being done to develop vaccines for preventive immunization against the disease .
It is planned to begin their clinical trials in a month , '' the ministry ’ s press service quoted Murashko as saying at the 73rd session of the World Health Assembly .
The minister also said that Russia is conducting more than 150,000 tests for the novel coronavirus infection a day .
More than 1.4 million specialists have been re-trained to treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds have been provided .
`` The package of measures that are being implemented in Russia have made it possible to avoid an exponential spread of the coronavirus infection in the country .
These measures have helped to achieve one of lowest mortality rates , '' he said .
`` Russia stands for enhancing the World Health Organization ’ s ( WHO ) role as the leader of international cooperation in the public health sphere .
We stress its important role in coordinating multilateral anti-COVID efforts .
In order to help the WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources and supported its initiatives and projects .
Russian experts took part in WHO ’ s country missions on combating the coronavirus outbreak , '' Murashko said .
`` In conclusion , I would like to stress that we can stop the infection only through joint efforts . ''
To date , a total of 290,678 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 70,209 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 2,722 fatalities nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus situation .

"Russia manufactures more than 20 testing systems. It is developing full-cycle medicines, which are ready for clinical use. Serious work is being done to develop vaccines for preventive immunization against the disease. It is planned to begin their clinical trials in a month," the ministry’s press service quoted Murashko as saying at the 73rd session of the World Health Assembly.
The minister also said that Russia is conducting more than 150,000 tests for the novel coronavirus infection a day. More than 1.4 million specialists have been re-trained to treat COVID patients and more than 130,000 extra beds have been provided. "The package of measures that are being implemented in Russia have made it possible to avoid an exponential spread of the coronavirus infection in the country. These measures have helped to achieve one of lowest mortality rates," he said.
"Russia stands for enhancing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) role as the leader of international cooperation in the public health sphere. We stress its important role in coordinating multilateral anti-COVID efforts. In order to help the WHO, we have allocated financial and methodological resources and supported its initiatives and projects. Russian experts took part in WHO’s country missions on combating the coronavirus outbreak," Murashko said. "In conclusion, I would like to stress that we can stop the infection only through joint efforts."
To date, a total of 290,678 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 70,209 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 2,722 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-05-18--UN does not rule out that militants from Syria may be sent to fight in Libya

UNITED NATIONS , May 18 .
/TASS/ .
Militants from Syria are sent to Libya to fight on both sides of the conflict in that country , United Nations Secretary General ’ s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said at an online UN Security Council meeting on Monday .
Russia does not approve Haftar ’ s statement on transfer of power in Libya to LNA — Lavrov Currently , Libya has two supreme executive authorities , namely the internationally-recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj , and the interim government of Abdullah al-Thani , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with the elected parliament , which is supported by the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar .
`` Let us also remember that Syria ’ s instability reverberates elsewhere too — including as far as Libya , given reports of fighters being recruited in Syria in large numbers and sent to fight on both sides of that conflict , '' he said .
Accusations of Russia ’ s alleged crimes in Syria are part of media war , says UN envoy The conflicting parties have been fighting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a year after Haftar launched an offensive in early April 2019 to liberate the city , as he put it .
The UN secretary general ’ s special envoy has called on Russia and the United States to continue dialogue on Syria .
`` I want to stress that renewed and meaningful international cooperation , building trust and confidence between international stakeholders and with Syrians , including through reciprocal measures , is essential and could unlock progress , '' Pedersen stated .
`` I believe that Russian-American dialogue has a key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage them to pursue it , '' he said , adding that the Astana format ( Russia , Iran and Turkey ) and the so-called Small Group on Syria ( the United Kingdom , Germany , Egypt , Jordan , Saudi Arabia , the United States and France ) should ultimately pool their efforts under the United Nations auspices .

UNITED NATIONS, May 18. /TASS/. Militants from Syria are sent to Libya to fight on both sides of the conflict in that country, United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said at an online UN Security Council meeting on Monday.
Russia does not approve Haftar’s statement on transfer of power in Libya to LNA — Lavrov
Currently, Libya has two supreme executive authorities, namely the internationally-recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the interim government of Abdullah al-Thani, seated in the east of the country, along with the elected parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
"Let us also remember that Syria’s instability reverberates elsewhere too — including as far as Libya, given reports of fighters being recruited in Syria in large numbers and sent to fight on both sides of that conflict," he said.
Accusations of Russia’s alleged crimes in Syria are part of media war, says UN envoy
The conflicting parties have been fighting to gain control of the capital city for more than a year after Haftar launched an offensive in early April 2019 to liberate the city, as he put it.
Russia-US dialogue on Syria
The UN secretary general’s special envoy has called on Russia and the United States to continue dialogue on Syria.
"I want to stress that renewed and meaningful international cooperation, building trust and confidence between international stakeholders and with Syrians, including through reciprocal measures, is essential and could unlock progress," Pedersen stated.
"I believe that Russian-American dialogue has a key role to play here, and I encourage them to pursue it," he said, adding that the Astana format (Russia, Iran and Turkey) and the so-called Small Group on Syria (the United Kingdom, Germany, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United States and France) should ultimately pool their efforts under the United Nations auspices.


tass--2020-05-18--Seegene exports 10 million Corona Tests to Brazil

SEOUL , Korea , May 18 , 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Seegene Inc. ( 096530.KQ ) , a leading developer of multiplex PCR technologies headquartered in South Korea , announced that it will export 10 million tests of its COVID-19 testing kits to Pan American Health Organization ( PAHO ) / World Health Organization ( WHO ) through Brazilian subsidiary , Seegene do Brasil Diagnosticos Ltda .
Seegene has supplied 5 million tests of Allplex™ 2019-nCOV assay to Brazil and will supply remaining tests in the following weeks .
Also , Seegene will discuss a further increase of up to 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company said , `` This unprecedentedly large export volume emphasizes an explosive increase in demand for Seegene 's COVID-19 product worldwide and demonstrates that our high volume testing system is gaining world recognition . ''
Seegene 's Allplex™ 2019-nCOV Assay is eyeing a good response from the market as the capability of the assay that identifies 3 different target genes ( E gene , RdRP gene and N gene ) in a single-tube enables accurate and efficient diagnosis , and Seegene 's automated system is extremely useful during the coronavirus pandemic where large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already exported 20 million tests of the COVID-19 assays to over 60 countries and is ramping up the production rapidly to meet an increased demand across the globe .
The export volume to the Brazilian market is expected to rise as Seegene is negotiating supply agreement with the state government and private laboratories in Brazil .
In addition , the company is planning with PAHO for further contracts with other countries in Latin America .
As Seegene 's assay is already well-recognized in major European countries such as France , Germany , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution for COVID-19 diagnosis surely secures a bridgehead for expanding the market presence to Latin America .
This contract indeed marks a significant beginning for Seegene to further occupy the molecular diagnostics market in all of the countries in Latin America .
Seegene ( KQ : 096530 ) is a global pioneer in symptom-based in vitro molecular diagnostics focusing on advancing science to develop multiplex molecular technologies and to manufacture multiplex in vitro diagnostic devices and reagents .
Seegene 's core enabling power is the passion for wide spreading of multiplex molecular diagnostics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health of people .
Using its innovative proprietary technologies , Seegene has been making considerable contributions to giving the most economic and clinic-friendly molecular diagnostic solutions for infectious diseases , genetics , pharmacogenetics , and oncology .
For more information , please visit www.seegene.com .

SEOUL, Korea, May 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Seegene Inc. (096530.KQ), a leading developer of multiplex PCR technologies headquartered in South Korea, announced that it will export 10 million tests of its COVID-19 testing kits to Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) / World Health Organization (WHO) through Brazilian subsidiary, Seegene do Brasil Diagnosticos Ltda.
Seegene has supplied 5 million tests of Allplex™ 2019-nCOV assay to Brazil and will supply remaining tests in the following weeks. Also, Seegene will discuss a further increase of up to 100% of the testing volume.
The company said, "This unprecedentedly large export volume emphasizes an explosive increase in demand for Seegene's COVID-19 product worldwide and demonstrates that our high volume testing system is gaining world recognition."
Seegene's Allplex™ 2019-nCOV Assay is eyeing a good response from the market as the capability of the assay that identifies 3 different target genes (E gene, RdRP gene and N gene) in a single-tube enables accurate and efficient diagnosis, and Seegene's automated system is extremely useful during the coronavirus pandemic where large volume of tests are required.
Seegene has already exported 20 million tests of the COVID-19 assays to over 60 countries and is ramping up the production rapidly to meet an increased demand across the globe.
The export volume to the Brazilian market is expected to rise as Seegene is negotiating supply agreement with the state government and private laboratories in Brazil. In addition, the company is planning with PAHO for further contracts with other countries in Latin America.
As Seegene's assay is already well-recognized in major European countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain, the company's solution for COVID-19 diagnosis surely secures a bridgehead for expanding the market presence to Latin America. This contract indeed marks a significant beginning for Seegene to further occupy the molecular diagnostics market in all of the countries in Latin America.
About Seegene
Seegene (KQ : 096530) is a global pioneer in symptom-based in vitro molecular diagnostics focusing on advancing science to develop multiplex molecular technologies and to manufacture multiplex in vitro diagnostic devices and reagents. Seegene's core enabling power is the passion for wide spreading of multiplex molecular diagnostics to improve the quality of life and health of people. Using its innovative proprietary technologies, Seegene has been making considerable contributions to giving the most economic and clinic-friendly molecular diagnostic solutions for infectious diseases, genetics, pharmacogenetics, and oncology. For more information, please visit www.seegene.com.
Joon Kim
kjh8363@seegene.com
Jisoo Lee
jislee@seegene.com
CONTACT: +82-2-2240-4025