Europe

MOSCOW, April 16. /TASS/: The Russian Army has received the first 2S7M ‘Malka’ 203mm self-propelled artillery gun, the press office of the state hi-tech corporation Rostec reported on Thursday.

"Uraltransmash (part of Uralvagonzavod Group within the state hi-tech corporation Rostec) has delivered the first 2S7M ‘Malka’ upgraded self-propelled artillery gun to the Defense Ministry of Russia. The upgraded weapon has received new running gear and electronics, which have significantly enhanced its performance characteristics," the press office said in a statement.

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/: The Ulyanovsk-based Aviastar-SP aircraft enterprise (part of the transport aviation division within the United Aircraft Corporation) has completed the heavy upgrade of another Il-76MD-90A military transport plane and delivered it for trials, the enterprise’s press office reported on Wednesday.

MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/: The situation with the novel coronavirus spread in Russia is under full control and all levels of authorities are carrying out a concerted effort, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his televised address to Orthodox Christians on occasion of Easter.

"All levels of authorities are working rhythmically, in an organized way and responsibly. The situation is under full control," Putin emphasized.

MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/: The number of coronavirus cases in Russia grew by 6,060 over the past day, reaching 42,853 in all regions, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Sunday.

A total of 3,291 people have recovered and 361 patients have died.

ROME, Apr 19 (NNN-XINHUA) – A further 482 people died of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours in Italy, raising the country’s death toll to 23,227.

The total number of confirmed cases — combining active infections, fatalities and recoveries — rose to 175,925, an increase of 3,491 against Friday, according to fresh figures from Italy’s Civil Protection Department.

Also, there were 2,200 additional recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the total recoveries to 44,927, since the pandemic first broke out in the northern Lombardy region on Feb 21.

BRUSSELS, Apr 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The COVID-19 pandemic continued to hit Europe, as more deaths were registered on Saturday in the continent, especially in those worst-affected countries.

Spain became the second European country to have over 20,000 deaths after Italy, while fatalities in France and Britain passed 19,000 and 15,000, respectively.

Across Europe, over 1.08 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and some 97,200 deaths have been reported so far, according to the latest data from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

LONDON, Apr 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Another 888 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have died in hospitals in Britain as of Friday afternoon, bringing the total number of virus-related deaths to 15,464, the Department of Health and Social Care said Saturday.

As of Saturday morning, 114,217 people have tested positive for the virus, marking a daily increase of 5,526, said the department.

The figures were announced amid growing concerns over a serious shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline medical staff in hospitals.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has appointed the former Goldman Sachs investment banker who led the country’s 2012 Olympic planning to organise the domestic manufacture of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers treating coronavirus patients.

The government has faced severe criticism from doctors and health workers over shortages of equipment, including masks, visors and gowns, and the suggestion that some items might have to be re-used if supplies run out.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europe will need at least another 500 billion euros from European Union institutions to finance its economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic, on top of the agreed half-a-trillion package, the head of the euro zone bailout fund said.

In an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera paper, published on Sunday, European Stability Mechanism Managing Director Klaus Regling said the easiest way to organize such funds would be via the European Commission and the EU budget.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s government is not thinking about easing yet the lockdown enacted almost four weeks ago to help control the coronavirus outbreak, a senior minister said on Sunday.

“The facts and the advice are clear at the moment that we should not be thinking of lifting of these restrictions yet,” Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told Sky News.