(2020-04-12). Angelika Timanina: Russian synchronized swimming icon talks Olympic surfing dreams & naked photoshoot offers (PHOTOS). rt.com 
Russian synchronized swimming legend Angelika Timanina has discussed life in her new sport of surfing, saying she still harbors dreams of Olympic success while also opening up on her social media popularity. | Timanina, 30, was one of Russia's golden girls in the pool as she captained the team to Olympic glory at the London 2012 Games in a career which also saw her amass an incredible 11 world titles. | She eventually left the sport in 2016 after battling injury and what she says were personality clashes within the Russian team, but has since found a new passion — and another chance of Olympic glory –…
(2020-04-12). Italy records LOWEST Covid-19 daily death toll in THREE WEEKS. rt.com 
Promising signs that Italy has overcome the worst of its coronavirus outbreak continued on Sunday as the Mediterranean country recorded its lowest Covid-19 death toll since March 19. | Deaths from the disease rose by 431 on Sunday, down from 619 the day before. The number of fresh confirmed cases also slowed significantly to 4,092, from 4,694 on Saturday. | Though the outbreak has slowed significantly, Italy remains one of the countries worst affected by the virus. The Civil Protection Agency said that the confirmed fatality count now stands at 19,899, the second highest in the world after the United States.
(2020-04-12). Turkey's Erdogan rejects interior minister's resignation after last-minute curfew announcement triggers chaos. rt.com 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected resignation of his interior minister after the latter took responsibility for mass panic that saw thousands swarming shops across Turkey ahead of a 48-hour curfew. | "The minister submitted his resignation to the President and the President has informed him that he did not approve that request.The interior minister's resignation has not been accepted. He shall continue to perform his duties," the Turkish President's office said in a statement late Sunday – two days after an eleventh-hour decision by interior minister Suleyman Soylu to impose a 2-day curfew ca…
(2020-04-12). US reports over 1,900 Covid-19 deaths in single day after setting global record for most fatalities. rt.com 
The US, which is now leading the world in the number of coronavirus deaths, has added another 1,920 to its grim count in the last 24 hours, Johns Hopkins University reports. | Earlier on Saturday, the US replaced Italy at the top of the coronavirus death toll chart, surpassing 20,000. | Saturday's nationwide death toll is slightly lower than the one reported the day before. On Friday, the US became the first country in the world to report over 2,000 fatalities in a single day as the virus claimed 2,108 lives across the nation. | As the number of deaths due to the outbreak in the US keeps skyrocketing, it is wi…
(2020-04-12). Europe's coronavirus death toll passes 75,000 milestone — AFP tally. rt.com 
The number of fatalities due to Covid-19 in Europe rose above 75,000 on Sunday, according to a tally carried out by the AFP news agency. It is currently the continent worst hit by the pandemic. | More than 80 percent of the deaths have occurred in just four countries — Italy, Spain, France and the UK — according to statistics compiled from official sources. | The number of people infected with the virus is still climbing towards the one million mark, with the number of confirmed cases now standing at 909,673. | Italy remains Europe's most affected country, with 19,468 deaths, followed by Spain with 1…
(2020-04-12). 'Go back to your corona-ridden country': German officials apologize after French people insulted & spat on in border town. rt.com 
The coronavirus pandemic has become a tough test of the EU's unity, and a small German border town is actively failing it. Officials have sounded the alarm over a spike in aggression from the locals towards visitors from France. | The people of Gersheim have been living side by side with the French for over two decades, crossing the symbolic border between the two European Union member-states without even noticing it. | But in mid-March this border became real, as Germany shut itself off from its neighbors in an attempt to stem the spread of Covid-19. The only exceptions made were for goods deliveries, and for…
(2020-04-12). New OPEC+ video conference to be held this Sunday, April 12 — reports. rt.com 
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied oil exporters led by Russia are reportedly set to hold an urgent meeting on Sunday to clinch a last-minute agreement to save the oil market from further tumbling. | The virtual meeting is scheduled for 4pm GMT, the Azerbaijan Energy Ministry confirmed to Russian media. The same time frame was reported earlier by Bloomberg. | The participants are meant to finalize their talks that have been ongoing since Thursday, when the oil alliance came up with a plan to cut global oil production by 10 million barrels per day to ramp up crude prices. However,…
(2020-04-12). Roscosmos vs Musk: Russian Space Agency chief & SpaceX CEO cross virtual swords on Twitter. rt.com 
A Twitter duel broke out between the head of the Roscosmos agency and the SpaceX CEO, who said Russia won't be successful unless it catches up with multiple-use rocket technology — prompting a sharp rebuke. | Aspiring Mars explorer and SpaceX founder Elon Musk fired the first shots in the online war of words after Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin announced that his agency will charge 30 percent less for space launches "to increase our share on the international markets." | He then mentioned SpaceX, saying that the measure comes in retaliation for tactics used "by American companies funded from the US [gover…
(2020-04-12). Russia records over 2,000 new Covid-19 cases in a SINGLE day. rt.com 
Since Saturday, 2,186 more people have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing Russia's total coronavirus tally to 15,770, according to the government's emergency team in charge of containing the growing epidemic. | The new figure drastically ups the curve, as only 1,667 new cases were recorded across the country the day before. | The bulk of the newly infected — 1,306 and 278 respectively — are in Moscow and the surrounding region, where the authorities have recently introduced electronic permits to control people's mobility amid the quarantine. St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, has repor…
(2020-04-12). Russia records over 2,000 new Covid-19 cases in a SINGLE day, a NEW daily high. rt.com Since Saturday, 2,186 more people in Russia have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the nationwide total to 15,770, according to the emergency team in charge of managing the country's response to the deadly infection. | The fresh figure drastically ups the curve, as only 1,667 new cases were recorded across the country the day before. | The bulk of the newly infected — 1,306 and 278 respectively — are in Moscow and its surrounding region, where authorities have recently introduced electronic permits to control people's mobility amid the quarantine. St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city,…
(2020-04-12). 'Great day for all' — Trump hails OPEC production cuts, thanks Putin and Saudi king. rt.com 
President Donald Trump has congratulated his Russian and Saudi counterparts on signing a deal to cut global oil output, saying the move will save "hundreds of thousands of energy jobs in the United States." | Cheering on the "big oil deal" signed on Sunday, Trump sent his thanks and congratulations to "President Putin of Russia and King Salman of Saudi Arabia. I just spoke to them from the Oval Office. Great deal for all!" | The big Oil Deal with OPEC Plus is done. This will save hundreds of thousands of energy jobs in the United States. I would like to thank and congratulate President Putin of Russia and Kin…
(2020-04-12). In Prague, a Disgraceful Act: They Desecrated and Removed the Statue of Marshal Konev! dissidentvoice.org Soon there might be silence. The liberation of Prague, as well as the liberation of Auschwitz and/or Warsaw by the Red Army, will be forgotten. At least in Europe, even in Eastern Europe, where it took place. This is where it is all leading to. Perhaps, one day, East European governments will issue new orders …
(2020-04-12). VIDEO: People flood stores after curfew announcement in Turkey. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 12 (MNA) — Turkey announced a sudden two-day curfew from Saturday night in 31 provinces. Shortly after the announcement, people were seen queuing in front of supermarkets to buy their required supplies.
(2020-04-12). New crisis — Europe running desperately low on drugs needed to treat COVID-19 patients. truepublica.org.uk Is this a warning of yet another crisis heading Britain's way in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic? Hospitals across Europe are very quickly running out of the drugs needed to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients stating that supplies are threatened within a week. The news emerged after the European Commission warned in a letter …
(2020-04-12). Envoy voices sympathy with France over coronavirus victims. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 12 (MNA) — Iran's Ambassador to Paris, Bahram Ghasemi expressed condolences to France over victims of coronavirus epidemic in the country.
(2020-04-12). Hamideh Abbasali to return to Iran after undergoing surgery in Germany. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 12 (MNA) — The captain of Iranian women's Kumite karate team, Hamideh Abbasali, is scheduled to return to Iran after a month-long stay in Germany for treating his injury.
(2020-04-12). 'Don't Touch Anything' goes to Vienna Intl. Filmfest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 12 (MNA) — Iranian short film 'Don't Touch Anything', directed by Arghavan Heidar Eslam, will be screened at 17th edition of the Vienna International Short Film Festival in Austria.
(2020-04-12). OPEC+ Approve Biggest Ever Oil Cut Amid Coronavirus Pandemic. telesurenglish.net The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Russia and other oil-producing nations agreed Sunday to cut output by a record amount, representing around 10 percent of global supply, to support oil prices amid the coronavirus pandemic. | RELATED: | Two OPEC+ sources told Reuters the deal had been sealed in a video conference on Sunday, and the agreement was confirmed in a statement from Kazakhstan's e…
(2020-04-12). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: COVID-19 update. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org On today's Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, shares the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Poland discusses antibody testing, immunity, and how the scientific and research communities are collaborating to fight this disease. Click the player below: Mayo Clinic Q&A is available …
(2020-04-12). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: CDC recommends wearing cloth masks in public. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that Americans wear wearing cloth masks in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. The CDC considers cloth masks an additional, voluntary public health measure. On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, a …
(2020-04-12). Spring rainfall in Tabriz. en.mehrnews.com TABRIZ, Apr. 12 (MNA) — Spring rainfall hit various districts in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan province, bestowing a fresh look to the city.
(2020-04-12). 'Corona Presidency': COVID-19 Pandemic to Steer Germany's EU Council Leadership This Year. sputniknews.com With more than 2,500 coronavirus-related deaths and 117,600 cases reported, Germany has had a relatively low death rate from the pandemic, largely thanks to its rapid testing programme, which features one of the highest per capita rates in the world.
(2020-04-12). Pope Celebrates Easter Sunday Mass Without Public Amid Coronavirus Pandemic – Video. sputniknews.com The coronavirus pandemic that has already left over 1.6 million people infected and led to more than 100,000 deaths, has reshaped the way people are handling normally-scheduled mass public events.
(2020-04-12). Spain's Coronavirus Death Toll Rises to 16,972 – Health Ministry. sputniknews.com According to the World Health Organisation, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases globally has exceeded 1.6 million, with more than 99,000 deaths.
(2020-04-12). Russian 'Striptease' Skater Sets Instagram on Fire With Nude Quarantine Reading. sputniknews.com With self-isolation measures introduced around Russia amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, 2015 World Champion Figure Skater Elizaveta Tuktamysheva has decided to entertain herself with some occasional reading, which apparently does not require any sports uniform or clothes at all.
(2020-04-12). 'It's Going to be the Toughest Decision': Trump on Reopening the Virus-Hit Economy. sputniknews.com The Russia investigation and the impeachment trial may have been problematic for Trump, but the pandemic marked the first non-political — and arguably the most real — crisis of his presidency. There is now a fine line between public and economic health, and Trump is facing a difficult choice of when to cross it.
(2020-04-12). 'Vodka Kills Everything': Former CSKA Moscow Player on Russians' Response to Coronavirus. sputniknews.com Sales of alcoholic beverages have grown across the world, including Russia, since people started self-isolating to wait out the pandemic. Several Russian regions have either restricted or banned the sale of alcoholic drinks outright to prevent a spike in alcohol-related violence, although full bans have been overturned within a few days.
(2020-04-12). S-500 is 'Anti-Space Weapon' That Will Fundamentally Transform Russia's Air Defences — Fmr Commander. sputniknews.com Last month, a subsidiary of S-500 maker Almaz-Antey confirmed that multiple components of the next generation air defence system had been developed and tested, with the completed complex to start testing with the military later this year.
(2020-04-12). President Erdogan wishes happy Easter to all Christians. yenisafak.com Turkey's president on Sunday released a message marking the Christian religious holiday of Easter.Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his best wishes to "all Christian citizens and the Christian community on the occasion of Easter.""This culture of coexistence in the Anatolian soil will cement peace and brotherhood today, as it was in the past, and will carry us to the bright future," he said.The coexistence of different sects and religions in the area for hundreds of years is an example for the world, the president added.He thanked Christian citizens for supporting Turkey's National Solidarity Campaign against the cor…
(2020-04-12). Turkey to send medical aid to Palestine. yenisafak.com Turkey will send medical aid to Israel and Palestine to help them battle coronavirus, the country's presidential spokesman said on Sunday."There was a demand for medical aid from Israel, and it will be completed within days. We will simultaneously send medical supplies to Palestine," Ibrahim Kalin told CNN Turk.Kalin said Armenia's medicine demand was also approved by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and it was currently in process by the Health Ministry.Ankara is helping multiple states to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. So far it has sent aid to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo…
(2020-04-12). Turkey sends second Covid-19 aid shipment to UK. yenisafak.com A second shipment of medical supplies was dispatched to the United Kingdom on Sunday to be used in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic in accordance with orders given by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a statement by the Ministry of National Defense.Turkey had sent N95 masks and protective suits on Friday accompanied with a message to residents in the U.K: "After hopelessness, there is much hope and after darkness, there is the much brighter sun. Rumi."Turkey also sent medical aid to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo on Wednesday, as well as to Ita…
(2020-04-12). Turkey to penalize violators of coronavirus curfew. yenisafak.com In a statement, the ministry said a total of 18,770 people had so far violated the restrictions, and were subject to "administrative and procedural penalties." The specifics of the penalties were not mentioned.The weekend curfew, effective from Friday at midnight for 48 hours in 31 provinces, however, is being largely followed. Turkey has a population of 82 million.Besides, the government has restricted the movement of those under age 20, and above 65. While schools, malls, cafes and restaurants remain closed, almost all gatherings, including congregational prayers, have been suspended. | It confirmed 95 more fat…
(2020-04-12). Banish 'self-centredness', pope tells the world as it faces coronavirus. yenisafak.com Pope Francis called on Sunday for global solidarity in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout, urging the relaxation of international sanctions, debt relief for poor nations and ceasefires in all conflicts.He also warned the European Union that it risked collapse if it did not agree on how to help the region recover.The pope's Easter "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) message, delivered from an empty St. Peter's Basilica instead of to the usual crowd of tens of thousands in the square outside, was by far his most pressing and political since his election in 2013.Saying the message of t…
(2020-04-12). Dutch coronavirus infections top 25,000, deaths rise to 2,737 deaths. yenisafak.com The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands has topped 25,000, health authorities said on Sunday, with the number of deaths rising by 94 to 2,737.The Netherlands' National Institute for Health (RIVM) reported 1,188 new infections over the past 24 hours, taking the total to 25,587.The rate of increase in infections and deaths has slowed for several days helped by social distancing measures.
(2020-04-12). Spain sees 619 more virus deaths as some plan return to work. yenisafak.com With 619 more deaths reported on Sunday, Spain's official coronavirus death toll reached 16,972, the Health Ministry announced.Sunday's death toll is significantly higher than the 510 additional deaths reported on Saturday, but down from a peak of 950 more than a week ago.Around 5,000 more people were also diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, bringing the total to 166,019. Of those confirmed cases, 62,391 people have recovered.While the rate of contagion has dropped significantly, Spain's health professionals are still at a high risk of contracting the virus. As of Saturday, nearly…
(2020-04-12). China's Suifenhe city, bordering Russia, strengthens controls to prevent imported cases. yenisafak.com China's northeastern city of Suifenhe, on the country's border with Russia, said on Sunday it's strengthening border controls as part of measures to prevent imported cases.The city will also step up controls on traffic and enforce strict quarantine measures, city authorities said in a statement.The city has banned all types of gatherings and drawn up a list of businesses that must be suspended from operations.
(2020-04-12). WATCH Ukrainian firefighters battle massive flames near disused Chernobyl nuclear plant. rt.com 
Hundreds of personnel, supported by multiple fire engines and special aircraft, were filmed fighting a forest fire that broke out in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, reportedly stirring up radiation levels in the abandoned area. | Already on nationwide lockdown because of Covid-19 outbreak, Ukraine is dealing with wildfires that have engulfed the so-called alienation zone set up after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. The fires have easily consumed the grass, bushes and forest trees that had dried out following a warm end to winter. | A Ruptly video, made public on Sunday, shows a fire engine making its way through a…
(2020-04-11). Unprecedented: US becomes 1st country to report 2,000+ Covid-19 deaths in SINGLE DAY, breaking global record. rt.com 
The US has counted more than 2,000 Covid-19 fatalities in the space of 24 hours, smashing all previous daily death tolls worldwide as the US outbreak shows little sign of abating, according to Johns Hopkins University. | On Friday, 2,108 new deaths were reported in the US, data gathered by Johns Hopkins shows, putting the US' total at over 18,600, just shy of Italy's death toll, the overall leader in fatalities globally. | After Thursday's casualty count saw a brief drop-off, deaths again surged on Friday, the country's deadliest day yet. | Though US President Donald Trump has stated that the US' epidemic is n…
(2020-04-11). Grim record: US overtakes Italy in Covid-19 death toll as fatalities go past 20,000. rt.com 
The US has become the country with most coronavirus fatalities in the world after the death toll exceeded 20,280 people and surpassed Italy's numbers, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. | Italy, which remained atop the grim rankings for weeks, has so far registered 19,468 deaths, with third-placed Spain reporting 16,480 people killed by the virus. | The US has taken the lead after recording around 2,000 lethal cases from Covid-19 on each of the last four days – eventually crossing the single-day milestone on Friday. | The Big Apple has remained the nation's hardest-hit city, with death toll ther…
(2020-04-11). First group of volunteers assembled as Russia prepares for human testing of Covid-19 vaccine. rt.com 
The initial human volunteers have been selected to test a Russian vaccine against the deadly new coronavirus in trials set to begin in late June. The project's chief developer is leading by example by taking his place among them. | Work on the biological preparation began in February at the Vector Institute, Russia's leading virology and biotechnology research center. It's based in Novosibirsk, the largest city in Siberia. Earlier in April, researchers announced that the vaccine had successfully passed trials on mice and ferrets, with preparations for human testing in full swing. | The first stage will see 60…
(2020-04-11). Ambulances create traffic jams outside Moscow hospitals as Covid-19 patients keep coming (VIDEO). rt.com 
While heavy traffic is no longer an issue on Moscow's roads due to the coronavirus lockdown, the city's emergency medical response teams have encountered another unexpected problem — long lines of ambulances outside hospitals. | A massive queue of the vehicles was filmed outside the War Veterans Hospital in the north of the capital on Friday. The footage provided by RT's Ruptly video agency showed vans emblazoned with red crosses occupying not only the approach road to the hospital — recently repurposed to treat Covid-19 patients — but also most of the neighboring street. | It wasn't an isol…
(2020-04-11). Japanese PM imposes coronavirus state of emergency. wsws.org While the number of cases in Japan is low compared to the US and Europe, poor levels of testing are masking the real extent of the virus.
(2020-04-11). European governments plot return to work in midst of pandemic. wsws.org As plans were being hatched over how to impose a return to work, over 4,000 new pandemic deaths were reported in Europe on Friday, bringing the total for the continent to over 70,000.
(2020-04-11). Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain: "Imperialism is the real virus that kills the people" fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement by the Political Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Peoples of Spain (Partido Comunista de los Pueblos de España). | While Europe is being declared to be in a pre-state of emergency due to the expansion of COVID 19, the troops of the imperialist invader are moving freely throughout the partner countries of the criminal NATO coalition. For them there are no restrictions or quarantines | In yet another of its arrogant imperialist displays, NATO is violating the sovereignty of the peoples and imposing its inherent criminal…
(2020-04-11). German hospitals become COVID-19 hotspots for health care workers. wsws.org According to the Robert Koch Institute, more than 2,300 doctors and nurses have been infected with coronavirus in Germany.
(2020-04-10). Covid19 Death Figures "A Substantial Over-Estimate" globalresearch.ca A few weeks ago we reported that, according to the Italian Institute of Health (ISS), only 12% of Italy's reported Covid19 deaths Given that …
(2020-04-10). Cuban Medical Science in the Service of Humanity. counterpunch.org By 21 March, Cuba had sent healthcare professionals to 37 countries to collaborate in combating the pandemic. Italy received 53 Cuban medics who had previously worked in West Africa during the deadly Ebola outbreak of 2014. Cuba also stepped into the breach in mid-March when a cruise ship with over 600 mostly British passengers and
(2020-04-10). Interview with Italian communists on COVID-19 impact and the working class. fightbacknews.org Fight Back! interviews Guido Salza, the head of the International Relations Department of the Italian communist organization Fronte Popolare. | Fight Back!: How are the working people of Italy being impacted by the pandemic? | Guido Salza: A clear picture of the dynamics of the infection are not yet apparent. However, it is likely that the working class is paying the highest price. Similar to what happened in China, COVID has spread very fast in the most industrial areas of our country. The more concentrated the production and population are (as it is in Lombardia, Piemonte, Veneto and Emilia Romagna), the more t…
(2020-04-10). Last Chance to Save the Euro? counterpunch.org After a faulty start to the coronavirus pandemic, the European Union members appear to be getting their act together, as they all appear to have abandoned ruinous slash-and-burn austerity policies (including budget cuts to health care, education and other social services) in order to cope with the onset of a global depression. At least that's
(2020-04-10). Cuban Development of Biomedical High Technology. counterpunch.org As the United States and the nations of Europe experience the sad tragedy of an uncontrolled pandemic, they for the most part have not noticed the well-organized and coherent plan of the Cuban government against Covid-19, being carried out with the determined and patriotic support of the people; nor the availability of a Cuban created
