As US Shale Oil Plunges, Trump Admin Takes Aim at Venezuela
Whitney Webb | mintpressnews.com | 2020-04-17
WASHINGTON DC ( The Last American Vagabond)
EU lockdown exits will need more open borders, jobs chief says
rt.com | 2020-04-17
European Union countries will need to ease border restrictions to let in cross-border and seasonal workers as they gradually pull out of lockdowns and relaunch their economies, the bloc's commissioner for jobs said on Friday. | The EU Commission issued guidelines to the 27 member states in March, urging them to let critical frontier workers, such as in the health or food sectors, cross borders. Some 1.5 million people live in one EU country and work in another. The situation improved after many countries' initial reflex to close frontiers but problems remained, Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmi…
rt.com/newsline/486126-eu-exits-open-borders/
UK could have the highest death rate in Europe because government was 'too slow', doctor warns
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-04-17
Britain will face "further waves" of coronavirus and will probably have the highest death rate in Europe because the government was "too slow" to act, a leading physician has warned.Professor Anthony Costello, of University College London's Institute for Global Health, told a committee of MPs that the "harsh reality" is that "we were too slow with a number of things"."If we're going to suppress the chain of transmission of this virus in the next stage we all hope that the national lockdown and social distancing will bring about a large suppression of the epidemic so far
India and the Coronavirus
Conn Hallinan | counterpunch.org | 2020-04-17
While the corona virus has focused much of the world on Europe and the United States, India promises to be the greatest victim of the disease. But other than a slick public relations campaign, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done little to confront the crisis. Indeed, a number of policy moves by…
counterpunch.org/2020/04/17/india-and-the-coronavirus/
Major automakers to jump start European production from next week
rt.com | 2020-04-17
After a month-long shutdown due to Covid-19, major car manufacturers will gradually reopen plants in Europe. The outbreak has been a huge blow for the auto industry, sending it into the worst tailspin since the financial crisis. | Germany's Volkswagen (VW) which employs about 490,000 people in Europe (the majority of its global workforce of around 670,000) said that production of its passenger car brands will resume at plants in Zwickau, Germany and Bratislava, Slovakia starting the week of April 20. Other plants in Germany, Portugal, Spain, Russia and the United States will restart production the following we…
rt.com/business/486105-toyota-volkswagen-reopening-european-plants/
Austria to let museums, some cultural spaces reopen from mid-May
rt.com | 2020-04-17
Austrian museums and some other cultural spaces will be allowed to reopen from mid-May as part of the step-by-step loosening of its coronavirus lockdown, Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler said on Friday. A specific date has not yet been set, Kogler told reporters, adding that large events involving many people close together, such as festivals, would remain banned until August 31. | On Tuesday, the Alpine republic started loosening its lockdown, letting DIY stores, garden centers and smaller shops reopen. Larger shops and hairdressers are due to follow from May 1. | The country will be on the lookout for any accel…
rt.com/newsline/486111-austria-museums-cultural-open/
Putin & Macron discuss minimizing negative economic consequences of pandemic in telephone conversation
rt.com | 2020-04-17
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron have discussed by telephone measures aimed at minimizing the negative socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, the Kremlin's press service said on Friday. | During the conversation, which was initiated by the French side, the two leaders spoke about measures which are being taken in Russia and France. Macron thanked Putin for "helping France with the return of French citizens to their homeland and ensuring conditions for shipments of medical supplies and equipment through Russia to France," the press service said. | Int…
rt.com/newsline/486135-putin-macron-discuss-economic/
Almost HALF of French Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier group tested positive for Covid-19
rt.com | 2020-04-17
Some 1,081 servicemen of the 2,300-strong Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier group have tested positive for Covid-19, the French defense minister said. France's only carrier was forced to return to port after the outbreak. | The Charles de Gaulle coronavirus tally surged by over 300 confirmed cases on Friday when the country's military revealed new official figures. | Speaking to the country's National Assembly via video link, Defense Minister Florence Parly said that 2,010 tests had been carried out within the carrier group and 1,081 sailors tested positive. Some 545 of them have shown symptoms and 24 remain…
rt.com/news/486132-half-charles-de-gaulle-covid-19/
Sadiq Khan's call for compulsory face masks on London transport provokes both fury and praise
rt.com | 2020-04-17
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has urged the UK government to make wearing face masks on public transport in the capital compulsory during the Covid-19 crisis, putting him at odds with UK health advisers and dividing public opinion. | During an interview with Sky News on Friday, the mayor of London claimed that "the evidence around the world is that this [face masks] is effective." He referenced countries such as the USA, Canada, Germany and South Korea, all of whom are currently advising their citizens to wear face masks during the coronavirus pandemic. | What I'm lobbying for is for when it comes to those circumsta…
rt.com/uk/486102-khan-london-face-masks/
German health minister says coronavirus outbreak is now 'manageable again'
rt.com | 2020-04-17
The coronavirus outbreak in Germany has become manageable again, Health Minister Jens Spahn said on Friday. The number of patients who have made a recovery has been higher than the number of new infections every day this week, the minister noted. | "The outbreak has
Talks underway to return stranded Iranians from Italy: FM spox
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-17
TEHRAN, Apr. 17 (MNA)
Russia stresses formation of anti-sanctions campaign
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-17
TEHRAN, Apr. 17 (MNA)
'There were polar bears on the street': Did former England captain John Terry's DAUGHTER scupper 2018 move to Spartak Moscow?
rt.com | 2020-04-17
John Terry rejected a move to Spartak Moscow at the last minute after his daughter voiced her fears that polar bears roamed the streets and the Chelsea legend would "never return", Italian agent Marco Trabucchi has revealed. | Terry had completed a medical with Spartak in Rome at the start of the 2018/19 season before a family summit made the free agent decide that a switch to Russia was "not the right move". | He had been expected to sign a lucrative two-year contract to join his first club outside of the UK at the age of 37, but later issued a public apology to Spartak chairman Leonid Fedun in an about-turn…
rt.com/sport/486119-john-terry-daughter-retirement/
Oil market will not start to see recovery before June despite historic production cuts
rt.com | 2020-04-17
Major oil-producing nations struck a historic deal this month aimed at curbing global output in a bid to stabilize the market. RT spoke to experts to find out whether the deal could really solve the falling demand. | The agreement reached by members of OPEC+ and their allies, including Russia and Mexico, represents a drop in production of 9.7 million barrels per day in May and June
WATCH smoke from Chernobyl & dust turning Kiev sky gray
rt.com | 2020-04-17
Apocalyptic-looking scenes were aplenty on Friday in the Ukrainian capital, when smoke from wildfires and dust borne by strong winds briefly lent Kiev the label of the world's most polluted city. | Kiev's skies remained grey in the morning, and residents had to shut their windows to keep out the nauseous stench of burning, according to complaints on social media platforms. | Air pollution spiked in the city starting late Thursday. Some of it came in the form of dust carried by heavy winds. Ukraine had an unusually dry winter and spring, which led to the large amount of dust, local weather officials explained.
rt.com/news/486112-kiev-air-pollution-spikes/
Arab League warns of virus risk in Syria refugee camps
yenisafak.com | 2020-04-16
The Arab League warned Wednesday that a humanitarian disaster could occur if the coronavirus pandemic spreads in refugee camps in Syria.A statement by the bloc's 22 Arab nations came after a meeting between its Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit and UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen.They discussed the dangerous consequences of the spread of the virus among refugees and asylum seekers, and the importance of an Idlib cease-fire agreement, inked March 5 between Turkey and Russia, to prevent the military escalation in the region.The statement said many of those who live in camps do so in poor health condition…
yenisafak.com/en/world/arab-league-warns-of-virus-risk-in-syria-refugee-camps-3517103
What about Beslan? Russian Human Rights Council fears change in WWII end date may overshadow anniversary of massacre
rt.com | 2020-04-16
Most of the world recognizes September 2, 1945 as the day World War II concluded. Following Victory Day in Europe that May, the conflict continued in Asia for four more months, until Japan formally surrendered. | In Russia, a plan to move the date has upset some activists. On Tuesday, the national parliament (State Duma) passed a law changing the final day of the Second World War to September 3. However, this coincides with another devastating tragedy – the Beslan School Massacre. | According to Chairman of the State Duma's Defense Committee Vladimir Shamanov, moving the date matches the reality in the Soviet…
rt.com/russia/486012-wwii-end-date-change/
German court rules blanket ban on demonstrations 'UNCONSTITUTIONAL' as Merkel plans easing of Covid-19 restrictions
rt.com | 2020-04-16
Covid-19 health concerns are not grounds for a general ban on public demonstrations, a German court has ruled, after activists took a case arguing that Berlin's current restrictions on public gatherings are unconstitutional. | If they adhere to social distancing rules, Germans should have the right to hold political protests, the Constitutional Court said in the Thursday ruling. | Activists in Giessen, a town in the federal state of Hesse, had planned a protest march to denounce new rules that ban gatherings of more than two people in public, arguing that they were in breach of the country's constitution and c…
rt.com/news/486048-germany-court-ban-unconstitutional/
Azerbaijani leader thanks Turkey for show of solidarity
yenisafak.com | 2020-04-16
A top Azerbaijani leader on Wednesday praised Turkey over a recent mutual display of solidarity against coronavirus."I express my deep gratitude to fraternal Turkey. Our countries always stand by each other, on both joyful and difficult days," First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva said on Instagram.She added: "This is our unity, our strength. I wish our peoples the best of health, and our countries peace and prosperity. May Almighty God bless our world!"Over the last week, Turkey and Azerbaijan lit up iconic buildings in Ankara and Baku, their respective capitals, with both countries' flags, honoring their cooper…
yenisafak.com/en/news/azerbaijani-leader-thanks-turkey-for-show-of-solidarity-3517106
UN sends humanitarian aid to Idlib, Syria
yenisafak.com | 2020-04-16
The United Nations on Thursday sent 63 truckloads of humanitarian aid to Idlib, the northwestern Syrian province where millions remain in desperate need of assistance.The aid trucks entered Syria through the Cilvegozu border in Turkey's southern Hatay province, which borders Idlib.The supplies will be distributed to people in Idlib city and nearby rural areas.Syria has been ravaged by a civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protesters.Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million remain displaced, according to UN estimates.Idlib falls within a d…
yenisafak.com/en/news/un-sends-humanitarian-aid-to-idlib-syria-3517102
The Russia-Saudi Oil-Price War Is a Fraud and a Farce
Mike Whitney | globalresearch.ca | 2020-04-16
The Russia-Saudi oil-price war is a fabrication concocted by the media. There's not a word of truth to any of it. Yes, there was a dust up at an OPEC meeting in early March that led to production increases and …
globalresearch.ca/russia-saudi-oil-price-war-fraud-farce/5709856
Video: Syria and Iraq Launch Operations Against ISIS in Border Area
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2020-04-16
Members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkistan Islamic Party have four times shelled positions of the Syrian Army in the provinces of Lattakia and Hama over the past 24 hours, the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria reported. At the …
globalresearch.ca/video-syria-iraq-launch-operations-against-isis-border-area/5709787
"World War C" Presents a Host of Challenges for Central Asia
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2020-04-16
Central Asia is at risk of collapse if the socio-economic consequences of World War C aren't addressed after much-needed remittance flows from Russia were abruptly cut off as a result of that country's emergency quarantine measures, which in turn could …
globalresearch.ca/world-war-c-presents-challenges-central-asia/5709810
Coronavirus Pandemic Has Shown that Mediterranean Europe Does Not Need THE EU
Paul Antonopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2020-04-16
Germany's long history of wanting to rule the entirety of Europe extends back to both World Wars in the 20th Century, and perhaps even earlier. The German political structures believed that through war and conquest it could dominate the continent …
globalresearch.ca/coronavirus-pandemic-shown-mediterranean-europe-does-not-need-eu/5709824
The Russians Get Blamed Again, but Who Is Really Subverting American Democracy?
Philip Giraldi | globalresearch.ca | 2020-04-16
It is perhaps inevitable that a major health panic like the coronavirus will have political ramifications based on whether those most affected by the illness will perceive that the government performed well or poorly in the crisis. The government for …
globalresearch.ca/russians-get-blamed-again-who-really-subverting-american-democracy/5709858
Positive signs in Europe over coronavirus 'tempered by UK', WHO says
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-04-16
The UK is among a handful of countries singled out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for having "tempered" the "positive signs" that Europe is passing the peak of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.Dr Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said that while there have been "optimistic signs" in countries worst affected by coronavirus, others, such as the UK, demonstrated "sustained or increased levels of incidents". | Latest figures from the Department of Health said a total of 12,868 patients died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on 14 April
Star proves Einstein's theory as it orbits supermassive black hole in stunning 'SPIROGRAPH' pattern (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-04-16
Observations of the star S2, which orbits a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, show that not only does it prove predictions made by Einstein's theory of general relativity, it does so in spectacular fashion. | Using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT), astronomers have been tracking S2's orbit around the black hole Sagittarius A* since the 1990s. After poring over the data from the observations, the researchers have now concluded that S2's orbit isn't a fixed-in-position ellipse but instead shifts position like a spirograph drawing, as illustrated in this incredi…
rt.com/news/485972-star-orbits-black-hole-pattern/
France summons Chinese ambassador after embassy criticizes "herd immunity" policy
wsws.org | 2020-04-16
Paris called in Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye on Monday to criticize his embassy's statements that European countries abandoned "their citizens to face the viral onslaught."
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/04/16/pari-a16.html
Technocrats and Authoritarianism
Thomas S. Harrington | counterpunch.org | 2020-04-16
It is important in these days of constant calls to heed the advice of "experts" on the spread of the Coronavirus to recall the intimate historical links between the concept of technocracy and the practice of authoritarianism. As soon as the ideal of a truly representative democracy moved to the center of European and American…
counterpunch.org/2020/04/16/technocrats-and-authoritarianism/
Containment 2.0: Austria to test ALL patients & staff of nursing homes in new strategy to prevent 'second wave' of Covid-19
rt.com | 2020-04-16
The Austrian government has eased its quarantine regime amid a continuous drop in new coronavirus cases. It has also developed a 'containment' strategy to prevent another outbreak, with a particular focus on the elderly in care. | The "central focus" of Vienna's new strategy will be on the "highest risk group," Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said at a press conference, as he unveiled the plans to test all residents and employees of retirement homes across the country. | Thus far, Austria had only tested people with symptoms, especially if they had been to a known hotspot or were in close contact with an infe…
rt.com/news/486040-austria-containment-covid-19-test/
The Third Red Scare: Neoliberal's Effective Framing of 21st Century Populist and Progressive Movements
Nolan Higdon, Mickey Huff and Emil Marmol | counterpunch.org | 2020-04-16
"[He provided] Russians with Austrian military secrets. He also doctored or destroyed the intelligence reports which his own agents were sending in from Russia with the result that the Austrians, at the outbreak of the war, were completely misinformed as to Russia's mobilization intentions." U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy (R-WI) spoke these words in the 1950s…
counterpunch.org/2020/04/16/the-third-red-scare-neoliberals-effective-framing-of-21st-century-populist-and-progressive-movements/
The Third Red Scare: Neoliberal's Effective Framing of 21st Century Populist and Progressive Movement
Nolan Higdon, Mickey Huff and Emil Marmol | counterpunch.org | 2020-04-16
"[He provided] Russians with Austrian military secrets. He also doctored or destroyed the intelligence reports which his own agents were sending in from Russia with the result that the Austrians, at the outbreak of the war, were completely misinformed as to Russia's mobilization intentions." U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy (R-WI) spoke these words in the 1950s…
counterpunch.org/2020/04/16/the-third-red-scare-neoliberals-effective-framing-of-21st-century-populist-and-progressive-movement/
Danish study reveals that coronavirus may be almost 20 TIMES less deadly than WHO predicted
rt.com | 2020-04-16
Research on a group of blood donors in Denmark points to its Covid-19 mortality rate being well below one percent of the number of people infected with the disease, according to a team at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. | Tests were carried out on 1,487 samples from Danish blood donors at the hospital showed a mortality rate of just 0.16 percent. | That puts the Danish scientists' estimates up to 20 times lower than those of the World Health Organization, which is putting deaths at anywhere between one percent and three percent of the number who contract Covid-19. | The study also suggested that far more Dan…
rt.com/news/486017-denmark-covid19-mortality-study/
'Recipe for DISASTER': Public health expert warns of potential catastrophe if Tour de France is held as planned in August
rt.com | 2020-04-16
Devi Sridhar, a health expert currently guiding Scotland's response to the COVID-19 outbreak, says that officials have 'no choice' but to cancel the Tour de France given the significant risk to public health it represents. | The annual race was pushed back to August from its usual start date in June after French president Emmanuel Macron banned all large public gatherings in the country until at least July 11. | But Sridhar says that the logistics of the large-scale race would further the spread of coronavirus throughout France, potentially leading to further lockdown measures being announced by the end of sum…
rt.com/sport/486032-tour-de-france-recipe-disaster-health-expert/
'I wasn't elected for that!' French mayor forced to run NAKED from his house after attack by angry local during lockdown
rt.com | 2020-04-16
A French mayor fled for his life during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown after a disgruntled citizen forced him to strip naked at gunpoint in his own home. | The bizarre confrontation started as a seemingly ordinary meeting between Pascal Houbron, the 53-year-old mayor of the town of Bihorel in France's northern Normandy region, and one of the local residents on Tuesday morning. | The official was conducting work meetings at home because the town hall is closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. | During the meeting, the attacker pulled out a firearm
France launches probe into Covid-19 outbreak on its only aircraft carrier as 20 sailors remain in hospital, 1 in intensive care
rt.com | 2020-04-16
The French military has opened an investigation into a Covid-19 outbreak on board its sole aircraft carrier, 'Charles de Gaulle,' as 20 of its 668 infected crewmembers remain in hospital. | "As of today, the majority of sailors don't show signs of concern. Twenty sailors have been hospitalized, and one of them is in an intensive care unit," French Navy spokesperson Eric Lavault told reporters on Thursday. | The Defense Ministry has launched an investigation to determine how the disease spread onto the nation's sole aircraft carrier. | Overall, 668 of the ship's crew of 1,767 have tested positive for Covid-19.
rt.com/news/485968-france-aircraft-carrier-investigation/
Putin postpones Victory Day Parade as coronavirus concerns rule out celebrations on 75th anniversary of Nazi defeat
rt.com | 2020-04-16
Holding planned commemorations of the 75th anniversary of Soviet Russia's World War Two victory over Nazi Germany, across the country, would be too risky with Covid-19 spreading nationwide, President Vladimir Putin has said. | As a result, he has postponed the events until after the current coronavirus crisis has eased. The celebrations on May 9 were expected to be a major date in Russia, with military parades and other public gatherings planned throughout the country, and world leaders set to descend on Moscow. | However, proceeding under the cloud of coronavirus would be too great a risk to public health, Pu…
rt.com/russia/486009-russia-postpones-victory-day-parade/
'Flawless work': Italian doctors thank Russian colleagues for help in tackling Covid-19 epidemic
rt.com | 2020-04-16
Doctors working in Bergamo, one of the epicenters of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, have thanked Russian specialists for their help in treating some of the most difficult cases. | The work of the Russian medical staff has been "extremely effective," said Oliviero Valoti, chief medical officer at one of the hospitals in the northern Italian city. Valoti added that he and his colleagues had to entrust some patients in "quite grave condition" to the Russian physicians, who have done their job "flawlessly." | Moscow sent 15 transport planes with 100 military virologists and epidemiologists to Italy in late Mar…
rt.com/news/486069-italian-doctors-thank-russian-medics/
Visà£o Factual Epidemiológica: Portugal é um dos países mais perigosos do mundo na Covid-19
Mondialisation | globalresearch.ca | 2020-04-16
Os portugueses està£o entre os povos mais afetados e em maior risco do mundo em casos confirmados de infectados de Covid-19 e mortes no mundo pelo SARS-Cov-2, considerando o tamanho da populaàßà£o. | Sou cientista fármaco-epidemiologista formado em Harvard e a …
globalresearch.ca/visao-factual-epidemiologica-portugal-e-um-dos-paises-mais-perigosos-do-mundo-na-covid-19/5709888
29-year-old man among 14 new victims of Covid-19 in Moscow
rt.com | 2020-04-16
Fourteen more people diagnosed with the novel coronavirus have died in the Russian capital over the last 24 hours, the Covid-19 crisis center has confirmed, adding that the deceased were aged between 29 and 88. | The youngest victims, aged 29 and 39 respectively, were diagnosed with hemorrhagic pneumonia. Five other patients suffered from diabetes. | The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia has topped 27,900. The disease has also claimed 232 lives nationwide. More than 2,300 patients have recovered.
rt.com/newsline/486067-fourteen-people-die-coronavirus-moscow/
Russia's Covid-19 case tally rises by 3,448, up to 27,938 in 84 regions
rt.com | 2020-04-16
Some 3,448 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Russia over the past day, taking the total tally up to 27,938 across 84 regions, the crisis center said on Thursday. | A total of 2,304 people have recovered from the coronavirus and the death toll over the entire period in Russia has hit 232, TASS reported. | Russia has registered "a rise in infections to 27,938 cases," or 14.1 percent in 84 regions, the country's anti-coronavirus center said. | "Over the past day, 318 people have been discharged after recovering and to date this number has reached 2,304. Some 34 coronavirus patients have died over th…
rt.com/newsline/485969-russia-tally-cases-confirmed/
Covid-19 quarantine could cost Russia $242 BILLION as oil price fall starts to hit budget income
rt.com | 2020-04-16
There are storms, and there are 'perfect storms.' Just days after negotiations between Russia, the US and Saudi Arabia led to a deal on crude output, there are clear signs of more turbulent seas ahead. | Read more | | Economic guru Kudrin warns Russia's unemployment could TREBLE, as Kremlin labels talk of return to 1990s chaos 'hysterical' | According to Russian economists, the financial damage caused by measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic could amount to 17.9 trillion rubles ($242 billion). Meanwhile, 15.5 million people may find thems…
rt.com/russia/486041-covid-19-quarantine-russia-cost/
Terrifying crash landing & evacuation shown in dramatic video as Russian probe finds pilot error in 2019 Moscow Superjet tragedy
rt.com | 2020-04-16
Russia's Investigative Committee has concluded its inquiry into the fatal crash of a Superjet-100 passenger aircraft at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport. It also published a new video of the incident, which it blamed on pilot error. | Denis Evdokimov, the captain of the Russian-built Sukhoi Superjet-100, will face charges of improper handling of an aircraft over the incident that took place on May 5, 2019 and claimed 41 lives. The aircraft was forced to return to its point of departure because of malfunctions in the communications system and autopilot. As it hit the runway, the plane suddenly bounced and burst in…
rt.com/russia/485938-moscow-superjet-crash-pilot-error/
Ukraine to Build Military Base in the Sea of Azov
Lucas Leiroz de Almeida | globalresearch.ca | 2020-04-16
Ukraine recently announced that it will start building a military base in the Sea of ‚Äã‚ÄãAzov, just 67 km away from the Russian coast. The news was confirmed on the last visit of Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski to Berdiansk, where …
globalresearch.ca/ukraine-build-military-base-sea-azov/5709821
Some oil producing nations agree to cut production 10%
Eds. | mronline.org | 2020-04-16
Oil-producing nations led by Russia, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia reached an unprecedented agreement on Sunday to cut oil production by 9.7 million barrels per day, or nearly 10 percent of what is currently produced, as The New York Times reported.
mronline.org/2020/04/16/some-oil-producing-nations-agree-to-cut-production-10/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=some-oil-producing-nations-agree-to-cut-production-10
Syrian militants 'trained at US base for sabotage & terrorism' try to surrender & get ambushed by OTHER US-backed extremists
rt.com | 2020-04-16
A US-backed militant group has intercepted a convoy of 'defectors' seeking to lay down their arms and surrender to Damascus. The survivors told the Syrian Army that American instructors trained them for sabotage and terrorism. | After giving themselves up to the Syrian Army, the 27 militants said they had been trained and provided with weapons at an American facility, Rear Admiral Oleg Zhuravlev, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Center for Syrian Reconciliation, said at a briefing on Wednesday. | American instructors trained them to carry out sabotage at oil and transport infrastructure, as well as f…
rt.com/news/485943-syrian-militants-surrender-damascus/
Iran sends plane to Russia to return stranded students
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-16
TEHRAN, Apr. 16 (MNA)
'We acted in the same way': Moscow says will accept US offer to ship ventilators to Russia if needed
rt.com | 2020-04-16
The offer to send ventilators to Russia made by US President Donald Trump is a 'show of a responsible approach' to fighting Covid-19, a senior Russian diplomat said. The suggestion caused a meltdown among Trump critics. | "We take this confirmation that the American side may provide us such assistance, should we need it," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said of Trump's offer to send ventilators. | He added the offer showed "a responsible approach in our common fight with the pandemic" and that Russia had "acted in the same way" when it sent aid to the US last month. | Offering help was a natural thing t…
rt.com/russia/486011-russia-greatful-us-ventilators/
Swiss govt to start easing coronavirus restrictions from April 27
rt.com | 2020-04-16
Switzerland will start, from April 27, a gradual relaxation of restrictions introduced to tackle the spread of the new coronavirus, the government said on Thursday. Doctors, hairdressers, massage and cosmetics parlors will be the first businesses to be allowed reopen. This will be followed by primary schools, stores and markets from May 11. | In a third stage, the government will reopen secondary schools, vocational schools and universities from June 8. It also foresees allowing the relaxation of an existing ban on meetings of more than five people. "The transition from one stage to the next will take place wh…
rt.com/newsline/486038-switzerland-start-easing-restrictions/
Iran, Turkey discuss ties, coronavirus in Tehran
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-16
TEHRAN, Apr. 16 (MNA) —- Iranian Parliament Speaker's Special Aide for International Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran Derya àñrs on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations.
en.mehrnews.com/news/157668/Iran-Turkey-discuss-ties-coronavirus-in-Tehran