2020-05-12: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media! (Copy the text of the postee below, then paste it on social media and the story images will also appear.)

A 21st century lynching: Justice for Ahmaud Arbery!
Dianne Mathiowetz | workers.org | 2020-05-13
May 11– In the early afternoon of Feb. 23, shots rang out on the tree-lined streets of Satilla Shores, a predominantly white neighborhood bordering the port city of Brunswick on Georgia's Atlantic coast, some 40 miles north of Jacksonville, Fla. Afterward, a 25-year-old Black man, Ahmaud Arbery, lay dead on . . . | Continue reading A 21st century lynching: Justice for Ahmaud Arbery! at Workers.org
workers.org/2020/05/48575/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-21st-century-lynching-justice-for-ahmaud-arbery

The US military is hell-bent on trying to overpower China
Vijay Prashad | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-05-12
On April 1, Admiral Philip Davidson–the head of the US Indo-Pacific Command–told the US Congress that he would like $20 billion to create a robust military cordon that runs from California to Japan and down the Pacific Rim of Asia. His proposal–titled "Regain the Advantage"–pointed to the "renewed threat we face from Great Power Competition. … Without a valid and convincing conventional deterrent, China and Russia will be emboldened to take ac…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/05/12/the-us-military-is-hell-bent-on-trying-to-overpower-china/

Germany Wants to Replace Poland's "Patriotic Government" with "Europhile Puppets"?
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2020-05-12
The former Polish Minister of Defense accused Germany of conspiring with a few other foreign actors to replace the patriotic Polish government with Europhile puppets, arguing that the country's latest political controversy over the date of its presidential elections is …
globalresearch.ca/germany-wants-replace-patriotic-polish-government-europhile-puppets/5712637

Hondurans Stranded in Spain Ask to Return to Their Country
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-12
At least 235 Honduran citizens with few economic resources are trapped in Spain and living in a very critical situation. | RELATED: | Honduras: Quarantine and Curfew Extended Until May 3rd | "Most came to work in Spain but lost their jobs because their immigration status was irregular," Honduran Pablo Jose Perez said on behalf of the group. | …
telesurenglish.net/news/Hondurans-Stranded-in-Spain-Ask-to-Return-to-Their-Country-20200512-0001.html

'Europe needs a break': EU may open borders closed by Covid-19 lockdowns for tourism as industry faces 'grave danger'
rt.com | 2020-05-12
The European Union is considering opening borders for tourists as part of a plan to roll back coronavirus-related lockdown measures. But leisure travel will be allowed only between states with similar Covid-19 situations. | On Wednesday, the EU is expected to present a three-phase plan

2nd virus wave in Denmark is 'unlikely' says expert, as govt plans increased testing
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Denmark is "very unlikely" to be hit by a second wave of coronavirus, the country's chief epidemiologist said on Tuesday. Kare Molbak made the statement after the government laid out plans for increased testing and a contact tracing system. | The Nordic country, which has suffered 533 coronavirus-related deaths, was the first in Europe to relax its coronavirus lockdown almost a month ago. The infection rate and the number of deaths have continued to drop. Denmark began the second phase of relaxing its lockdown this week, which will include reopening restaurants and shopping malls. | "No country has seen an act…
rt.com/newsline/488426-denmark-wave-unlikely-testing/

Envoy urges EU for 'practical support' to JCPOA, multilateralism
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-05-12
TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA)

New study says herd immunity is a myth and countries relying on it, including Sweden, chose the wrong strategy
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Herd immunity may be an unrealistic tactic for dealing with Covid-19, new research has warned, calling into question the strategy of several countries

While coronavirus spreads, lockdowns lifted across Europe
wsws.org | 2020-05-12
The mass return to work underway across Europe is in line with the criminal policy being pursued by the Trump administration in the United States.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/05/12/euro-m12.html

EU supports Orbán's dictatorial measures in Hungary
wsws.org | 2020-05-12
Although similar to Hitler's "Enabling Act," which consolidated the Nazi dictatorship in Germany in 1933, Orbán's Emergency Law enjoys the support of the European Union.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/05/12/orba-m12.html

'Current health crisis revealed ideological bankruptcy of our leaders': Marine Le Pen slams govt as France eases quarantine
rt.com | 2020-05-12
The head of the French right-wing opposition party National Rally, Marine Le Pen, has blasted the government for its "series of failures" as it began to relax the Covid-19 quarantine restrictions. | "This health crisis has revealed the ideological bankruptcy with which our leaders have been leading our country: the bankruptcy of the profit logic in public policy, the bankruptcy of ultra-liberalism, Europeanism, and globalism," Le Pen told RFI radio. | We've seen an uninterrupted series of inconsistencies and failures since the start of the crisis, and this is still the case with transport management! But that…
rt.com/news/488437-france-le-pen-criticism/

EU must take decisive action to maintain JCPOA balance: envoy
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-05-12
TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA)

'I feel terrible': Bill Gates says he warned Trump of pandemic threat in 2016, regrets not doing more
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Microsoft founder and multi-billionaire Bill Gates said he tried to warn President-elect Donald Trump of the dangers of a major viral outbreak soon after the 2016 race, but feels guilty for not being more vocal. | "I chose, when I met with people all the way up to the top, in Europe, in the US, around the world, to talk about this pandemic risk," he told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Monday, explaining that he even made the case to the US president during a December 2016 meeting at Trump Tower. | I feel terrible. The whole point of talking about it was that we could take action and minim…
rt.com/usa/488409-bill-gates-trump-pandemic-warning/

Turkey says 5 states forming 'alliance of evil' as they denounce Ankara's policies in E. Mediterranean, Libya
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Turkey accused Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, France and the United Arab Emirates of seeking to form an "alliance of evil" on Tuesday, after they issued a joint declaration denouncing Ankara's policies in the eastern Mediterranean and Libya. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said the five countries were pursuing "regional chaos and instability." | The foreign ministers of the five countries held a teleconference on Monday to discuss the situation in the eastern Mediterranean

Estonian MPs pass 'Huawei law' for telecom security reviews
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Estonia's parliament approved on Tuesday a new Electronics Communications Act to ensure security reviews for telecom gear needed in the development of future networks. The act, dubbed by lawmakers the 'Huawei law' in reference to the Chinese telecommunications company, leaves detailed implementation to the government and includes intelligence services among the reviewing authorities. | EU and NATO member Estonia shares the US government's security worries over new 5G networks, Reuters said. Washington has accused Huawei of spying on the West, allegations it denies. | The act did not mention any companies by na…
rt.com/newsline/488444-estonia-huawei-law-security/

'You Got to Move' Brings Resistance Back to the Spotlight
Frances Madeson | progressive.org | 2020-05-12
New short films extracted from the 1985 original offer organizers and teachers tools for political education.
progressive.org/dispatches/you-got-to-move-resistance-spotlight-madeson-200512/

'It couldn't have happened,' says head of Chinese lab accused by US of leaking Covid-19
rt.com | 2020-05-12
A Chinese virologist in charge of the lab pinpointed by US officials as the likely source of the Covid-19 pandemic says he is certain no virus could have escaped from his facility. | "Our lab not only has a high level of biosafety infrastructure, we also have established a set of rigorous biosecurity protocols to ensure the lab operates safely and efficiently," Yuan Zhiming the head of the National Biosafety Laboratory (NBL), told a Chinese newspaper. | The NBL operates several laboratories including the so-called 'Wuhan P4 Lab', which was completed in 2015 in cooperation with France and is the only publicly k…
rt.com/news/488424-wuhan-lab-leak-impossible/

France's Earlier Detection of COVID-19 Raises Questions on Global Origin
Andrey Areshev | strategic-culture.org | 2020-05-12
The emergence of Covid-19 was first reported by the authorities in China on December 31, as acknowledged by the World Health Organization. But that emergence does not necessarily mean the pandemic originated in China. | By January 30, 2020, a WHO situation report cited nearly 8,000 cases of the respiratory disease globally in 18 different countries. The vast majority of the infections at that stage were in China. It has since exploded to four million cases in virtually all 194 nations with the United States hostin…
strategic-culture.org/news/2020/05/12/frances-earlier-detection-covid-19-raises-questions-global-origin/

Antifascists demand that May 8 become a holiday in Germany
John Spohr | indybay.org | 2020-05-12
The real goal is a nationwide public holiday anyway, as demanded in the petition. The Berlin Senate could also lobby for such a gesture, that May 8 is considered the day of liberation from National Socialism.
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/05/08/18832925.php

Rising number of COVID-19 deaths in Germany's retirement and care homes
wsws.org | 2020-05-12
As the German government is effectively ending its coronavirus lockdown, reports about people dying of COVID-19 in retirement and care homes are increasing.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/05/12/germ-m12.html

Test or 2-week quarantine: Iceland plans to ease restrictions on international visitors' arrivals
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Iceland expects to start easing restrictions for visitors arriving from overseas no later than June 15, the government said on Tuesday. | Under a plan still being developed by the authorities, travelers would be given a choice between a test for Covid-19 upon arrival in Iceland or a two-week quarantine, Reuters reported. | "Iceland's strategy of large-scale testing, tracing and isolating have proven effective so far," Tourism Minister Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir said in a statement. | Iceland has reported three new Covid-19 infections in May.
rt.com/newsline/488456-iceland-ease-visitors-arrivals/

How the four UK nations and Ireland are approaching lockdown
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2020-05-12
Despite the UK government's preference for a "four nations approach" towards softening the lockdown, clear differences have emerged between the countries. | The devolved governments in the north of Ireland, Scotland and Wales have diverged from England, notably in keeping the "stay at home" slogan after prime minister Boris Johnson unveiled his new "stay alert" message on Sunday. | Here is a look at how the four UK nations

Norway dipping into its massive piggy bank to battle Covid-19 crisis
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Norway is set to withdraw $41 billion from its sovereign wealth fund to cushion the blow to the economy from the coronavirus crisis that has resulted in falling oil prices and the highest unemployment in the country in 75 years. | Known officially as the Government Pension Fund, it is the world's biggest wealth fund, worth over $1 trillion. The government announced on Tuesday that it will have to sharply increase spending from the fund, to avoid "sharper downturn and to help healthy companies through the crisis." | According to the Finance Ministry's mid-year fiscal review, the revised budget calls for the use…
rt.com/business/488429-norway-wealth-fund-cash-withdrawal/

Spring cleaning takes on a new importance during COVID-19 pandemic
newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org | 2020-05-12
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released reopening guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools and homes. Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert, suggests taking a practical approach to spring cleaning. If no one in your household has been infected, he says standard spring cleaning practices …
newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/spring-cleaning-takes-on-a-new-importance-during-covid-19-pandemic/

Iranian futsal winger Tayyebi on Benfica's radar
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-05-12
TEHRAN, May 13 (MNA)

Russia becomes world's second hardest-hit country with 230,000+ confirmed Covid-19 cases, surpassing Spain & UK
rt.com | 2020-05-12
With 10,899 more coronavirus infections reported across the country on Tuesday morning, Russia now trails only the United States in terms of people known to have contracted Covid-19. | Nationwide, 232,243 confirmed cases have been discovered since the start of the outbreak, national disease response officials said. This figure is higher than those recorded by Spanish (227,436), British (224,332) and Italian (219,814) authorities. | However, it's worth noting that Russia has over twice the population of those countries and has carried out far more tests. | At the same time, Russia has had considerably fewer dea…
rt.com/russia/488419-russia-second-world-cases-coronavirus/

The 'See-No-Evil' Phase of Russiagate
Andrey Areshev | strategic-culture.org | 2020-05-12
The media spinfest following the collapse of this conspiracy theory suggests our troubled republic simply cannot accept its errors, leaving us unable to learn from them. | Patrick LAWRENCE | The long, destructive conspiracy theory known as Russiagate, the mother of them all, at last evaporates into thin air. No shred of it remains as of back-to-back disclosures over the past couple of weeks. Where does this leave us? What is to come of this momentous turn of events? | Among those not inclined toward hysteria or copious quaffs of Democratic Party Kool–Aid, it has long been a question how those who concocted…
strategic-culture.org/news/2020/05/12/the-see-no-evil-phase-of-russiagate/

Covid-19: Russia Is Second Most Affected Country in the World
telesurenglish.net | 2020-05-12
The COVID-19 pandemic recorded more than 10,000 cases in Russia in the last 24 hours, for a total of 232,000 people who tested positive for the illness, making Russia the second most affected country in the world in terms of the number of infections. | RELATED: | Russia: Putin Calls for Unity in Tribute to WWII Heroes | The number of infections in Russia is only exceeded by the United States, according to the Johns Hopkins University balance sheet, updated on Tuesday. | "In the last…
telesurenglish.net/news/covid19-russia-is-second-most-affected-country-in-the-world–20200512-0003.html

Six big lies you have been told about 'Russiagate'
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Russian 'meddling' in the 2016 US presidential election has become an article of faith, not just among Democrats but many Republicans as well, thanks to the endless repetition of vague talking points, none of which hold water. | It all began with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) claiming in June 2016 that Russia hacked their computers, after documents were published revealing the party's rigging of the primaries. This was followed by Hillary Clinton accusing her rival for the presidency Donald Trump that he…
rt.com/usa/488488-biggest-lies-of-russiagate/

NATO Chief Urges Berlin to 'Protect Peace and Freedom' by Stationing US Nukes
sputniknews.com | 2020-05-12
The appeal comes as leaders from the SPD, Germany's second-largest party and member of Chancellor Merkel's governing coalition, demand the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from the country's airbases.
sputniknews.com/military/202005121079280137-nato-chief-urges-berlin-to-protect-peace-and-freedom-by-stationing-us-nukes/

Arms embargo on Iran to expire on Oct.: Ulyanov
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-05-12
TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA)

Obama's halo is slipping, and that's a good thing
Peter Bolton | thecanary.co | 2020-05-12
One of the major chapters in the so-called 'Russiagate' saga recently came to an end, sparking the beginning of what has become known by some as 'Obamagate'. US president Donald Trump has been reacting in his usual manner. But on this occasion, as with many others, Bar…
thecanary.co/us/us-analysis/2020/05/12/obamas-halo-is-slipping-and-thats-a-good-thing/

Fire erupts at Saint Petersburg Covid-19 hospital after ventilator malfunctions, 5 dead
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Five patients have perished in a major fire at a Saint Petersburg hospital on Tuesday morning with 150 people evacuated to safety. The facility has been designated to treat patients with coronavirus. | Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at the Saint George Hospital in Russia's second city at around 6: 30am local time. Plumes of smokes were observed coming from the building's sixth floor. | Officials told local media that there were five fatalities. Citing sources, local reporters said the victims were receiving artificial lung ventilation. | The institution was repurposed to care for coronavirus su…
rt.com/russia/488411-st-petersburg-coronavirus-hospital-fire/

Russian court keeps historian of Stalinist massacres jailed amid COVID-19 outbreak
wsws.org | 2020-05-12
The vendetta against Dmitriev is part of the campaign by Russia's state and ruling oligarchy to suppress all efforts to uncover the truth about the crimes of Stalinism.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/05/12/russ-m12.html

Serbian housing rights collective organizes relief work for COVID-19
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2020-05-12
Serbian housing rights collective Zdru≈æena Akcija Krov nad Glavom (Joint Action Roof Over Your Head) has initiated a relief campaign for the distribution of food and other essentials to people in distress…
peoplesdispatch.org/2020/05/12/serbian-housing-rights-collective-organizes-relief-work-for-covid-19/

Serbian president calls for expanding economic relations with Iran
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-05-12
TEHRAN, May 12 (MNA)

Oil is back in demand as drivers return to the roads
rt.com | 2020-05-12
Oil demand is on the rise as countries across the globe begin easing lockdown restrictions and commuters head back to work. | From China and Spain to the United States, people are gradually returning to driving their cars as countries and US states re-open for business. People feel safer commuting in their own vehicles than they do using public transportation as social distancing is still on their minds despite the re-opening of economies.The uptick in commuter driving and expectations of increased road trips at the expense of flying for vacations this summer is set to support a gradual recovery of oil demand…
rt.com/business/488448-oil-demand-drivers-roads/

Spanish govt orders 2-week quarantine for incoming travelers on May 15-24
rt.com | 2020-05-12
The government in Madrid has ordered a two-week quarantine for all travelers coming into Spain from May 15 in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. | Incoming travelers will have to remain indoors and will only be allowed to go outside for grocery shopping, health center visits and in "situations of need," according to an official order published on Tuesday. | The quarantine has been enforced for all travelers entering the country between May 15 and at least May 24, when the state of emergency is due to end. | The quarantine order can be extended jointly with possible state of emergency extensions…
rt.com/newsline/488421-spain-quarantine-incoming-travelers/

Tax-havened companies bailed out while poverty doubles amidst pandemic
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-05-12
Economy Astrid PaulssonIssue 1265 Sweden COVID-19 extreme poverty tax havensMay 12, 2020In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the world is…
greenleft.org.au/content/tax-havened-companies-bailed-out-while-poverty-doubles-amidst-pandemic

France launches probe into sex assault claim against 94yo ex-President d'Estaing
rt.com | 2020-05-12
An investigation has been launched into former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing after a German journalist accused the ex-leader

Back to Normal? Scenes of Daily Life in Europe as Countries Start Lifting Coronavirus Restrictions
sputniknews.com | 2020-05-12
We all have been missing many things during the quarantines that have been imposed in our countries as part of measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic. Undoubtedly, walking in parks and meeting up with friends in cafes and pubs are what many people are most eager to do now that restrictions are partially lifted.
sputniknews.com/photo/202005121079279291-EuropeansEmbraceFreedomAmidLiftingofCoronavirusRestrictions/

Germany's BNA to Make Final Decisions on Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Before 24 May – Sources
sputniknews.com | 2020-05-12
BERLIN (Sputnik) – The German Federal Network Agency (BNA) intends to make a final decision before 24 May regarding the request of Nord Stream 2 AG, the operator of the Nord Stream 2, on whether to absolve the pipeline from the EU Gas Directive, BNA representative Fiete Wulff has said.
sputniknews.com/europe/202005121079280569-germanys-bna-to-make-final-decisions-on-nord-stream-2-pipeline-before-24-may—sources/

Russia to Consider Caracas' Request for Help in Probe of Invasion If Asked – Lavrov
sputniknews.com | 2020-05-12
MOSCOW(Sputnik) – Russia will consider Venezuela's request for help in investigation of a naval incursion if it receives such request, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday .
sputniknews.com/world/202005121079281335-russia-to-consider-caracas-request-for-help-in-probe-of-invasion-if-asked—lavrov/

Ex-Russian Public Health Chief Slams Reports on Russia's Low COVID-19 Death Toll as Hype
sputniknews.com | 2020-05-12
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Allegations that the death toll from the coronavirus in Russia may be significantly lower than official statistics are motivated by malevolence and unprofessional hype, former Russian Chief Sanitary Doctor Gennadii Onish–Åhenko, who is now a lawmaker of parliament's lower house, said on Tuesday.
sputniknews.com/russia/202005121079280882-ex-russian-public-health-chief-slams-reports-on-russias-low-covid-19-death-toll-as-hype/

Russian Federal Security Service Detains Man Planning to Set Gov't Buildings on Fire in Tver Region
sputniknews.com | 2020-05-12
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on Tuesday announced the prevention of a terrorist attack in the city of Kimry, in Tver Region.
sputniknews.com/russia/202005121079280180-russian-federal-security-service-detains-man-planning-to-set-govt-buildings-on-fire-in-tver-region/

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov Hospitalised with COVID-19
sputniknews.com | 2020-05-12
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has confirmed that he has contracted the coronavirus. He has become the latest top Russian figure to come down with COVID-19. Last week, Russia's Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova tested positive for the virus, but said she was manifesting mild symptoms.
sputniknews.com/russia/202005121079281083-kremlin-spokesperson-dmitry-peskov-hospitalised-with-covid-19/

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Holds Press Conference After CIS Foreign Ministers' Meeting – Video
sputniknews.com | 2020-05-12
The regular meeting of foreign ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) took place on Tuesday via teleconference amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
sputniknews.com/world/202005121079278083-russian-foreign-minister-lavrov-holds-press-conference-after-cis-foreign-ministers-meeting—video/

EU signs contract with Philips on ventilators
yenisafak.com | 2020-05-12
Dutch electronics giant Philips signed a contract with the European Commission to supply medical ventilators to EU hospitals, the company and EU officials said, in a deal that comes as most EU countries reached the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak.Other companies have signed similar contracts with the European Union as part of a joint procurement scheme the Commission launched in March on behalf of 25 EU states.But no ventilator has yet been delivered under the scheme.Last week, Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides told EU governments at a video conference that a new contract had been signed with Philips "which has…
yenisafak.com/en/world/eu-signs-contract-with-philips-on-ventilators-3519287

COVID-19: Turkey confirms death of 507 expats
yenisafak.com | 2020-05-12
Turkey's foreign minister on Tuesday said that 507 Turkish citizens living abroad died due to the novel coronavirus.Bodies of over 400 Turkish expats were already brought to Turkey, Mevlàºt àáavu≈üoƒülu said during an interview with the local broadcaster Akit TV.Turkey currently has 139,771 confirmed cases, and the death toll stands at 3,841.After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 187 countries and regions. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit regions.The pandemic has killed over 286,600 worldwide, with total infections more than 4.19 mil…
yenisafak.com/en/news/covid-19-turkey-confirms-death-of-507-expats-3519291

Belgian air carrier to cut jobs, fleet
yenisafak.com | 2020-05-12
Brussels Airlines will reduce its staff, fleet and destinations due to the negative impact of novel coronavirus pandemic, the Belgian carrier announced on Tuesday.According to the restructuring plan, 1,000 employees will be dismissed, which amounts to 25% of its total staff.They will also reduce their fleet by 30% or 16 aircraft, leaving only 38 carriers with the airline.The cuts in staff and planes will also lead to a reduction in the number of destinations the company flies to, leaving only 56 instead of the previous 78.Twenty of the canceled destinations were short-distance European towns.The company claims to…
yenisafak.com/en/world/belgian-air-carrier-to-cut-jobs-fleet-3519289