(2020-04-13). Greece 'to guard border' as it voices concern over asylum-seekers 'gathering on Turkey coast'. rt.com 
Officials in Greece expressed concern on Monday that migrants and refugees are gathering on Turkey's coast with plans to cross the Aegean Sea to Greek islands, despite movement restrictions in both countries to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. | Daily clashes between border police and asylum-seekers broke out at the land border between Turkey and Greece in March, after Ankara said it would no longer stop people from trying to enter Europe. | Authorities "have seen signs of activity" on the shores of Turkey, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas stated. "We will… continue to do whatever it takes to…
(2020-04-13). 'We weren't prepared': Macron extends France's lockdown till May 11. rt.com 
France will remain locked down until at least May 11, PM Emmanuel Macron has revealed, calling on citizens to continue to respect the rules his government has imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus. | Macron announced the lockdown extension during a public address on Monday as the growth of the epidemic in France was appearing to plateau, with 574 new deaths declared in the preceding 24 hours. | Also on rt.com | | Admitting t…
(2020-04-13). Huawei urges UK to stick with 5G collaboration as Chinese firm becomes target of Covid-19 conspiracies. rt.com 
Huawei has argued that ending its role in 5G development in Britain would be a disservice to the country, as a Tory-backed review of the deal — as well as coronavirus-fueled panic — challenges the business relationship. | In a letter making the case for the Chinese tech giant, Huawei's UK chief Victor Zhang noted that home data use has increased by 50 percent since the Covid-19 pandemic reached Europe — a surge that has put "significant pressure" on existing telecommunication systems. | He argued that development of the high-speed network would greatly benefit a rural community "stuck in a dig…
(2020-04-13). As restrictions spread across Europe, 69% of Muscovites willing to sacrifice rights to defeat coronavirus — poll. rt.com 
One of the ironies of the Covid-19 crisis in Russia has been the sight of liberal opposition groups urging the Kremlin to do more to restrict people's movement at the expense of civil liberties. In Moscow, people seem to agree. | Already, people's movement has been drastically restricted in the capital. All non-essential business and activity has been suspended, and hefty fines can be issued for breaking self-quarantine rules. | A survey suggests that most people in the capital are entirely on board with the new restrictions. According to research group Romir, more than two-thirds of Moscow residents (69 perce…
(2020-04-13). German politicians debate easing restrictions as new infections drop. rt.com 
Senior politicians in Germany have begun debating a potential easing of restrictions imposed over the coronavirus epidemic. Their meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel is scheduled for Wednesday. | Merkel and the premiers of Germany's 16 states expect to get recommendations from the German National Academy of Sciences on Monday. The chancellor has said the advice will weigh heavily in considerations for a possible loosening in movement and social distancing rules in place since around mid-March. | The discussion takes place as the number of new infections and deaths declines in Germany, which has weathered the…
(2020-04-13). Italy's daily Covid-19 cases decline, deaths rise by 566 to 20,465. rt.com 
Deaths from the coronavirus epidemic in Italy rose by 566 on Monday, up from 431 the day before, the Civil Protection Agency said. The number of new cases dropped to 3,153 from 4,092 the previous day — the lowest since April 7. | The total death toll since the outbreak came to light on February 21 rose to 20,465, the agency said, the second highest in the world after that of the United States. | The number of confirmed cases climbed to 159,516, the third highest global tally behind those of the US and Spain. | There were 3,260 people in intensive care on Monday compared to 3,343 on Sunday — a 10th co…
(2020-04-13). Spain lifts lockdown for non-essential workers amid harsh debate & fears of new wave of Covid-19 cases. rt.com 
Staff in food distribution, communications, sanitation and other non-essential sectors are now allowed to go to work in Spain, despite the country's status as the world's second-largest Covid-19 hotspot with over 17,000 deaths. | These workers will be able to return to work this Monday following a 14-day self-isolation regime that saw all industries — except for healthcare and food — shut down across all of Spain, local media
(2020-04-13). Economic guru Kudrin warns Russia's unemployment could TREBLE, as Kremlin labels talk of return to 1990s chaos 'hysterical'. rt.com 
Perhaps nobody in Russia is more responsible for the country's fiscal stability than Alexei Kudrin. | As Finance Minister, he paid off most of the national debt and built financial stabilization funds that have twice helped avoid financial ruin. | While Russia is better prepared for the inevitable Covid-19-driven economic recession than most of its G20 peers, Kudrin still believes the level of unemployment in Russia could treble before the end of the year, reaching eight million. While far from the 20 percent JP Morgan predicts for the United States, an 11 percent rate would put considerable pressure on the Ru…
(2020-04-13). 'Game-changing machine': Russian military get first batch of modernized T-90M tanks (VIDEO). rt.com 
With better protected turret, more powerful engine and a sighting system that guarantees high precision in nighttime, the modernized T-90M tank has now made it into the Russian army. | The first batch of the new war machines, called 'Proryv' (breakthrough) has been delivered to the elite Taman Armored Division near Moscow. | The arrival to their place of basing has been filmed by the Defense Ministry's Zvezda channel and featured the sad trend of the current time, as servicemen were seen wearing protective masks over the raging and deadly Covid-19 pandemic. | "Those are game changing machines," Sergey Kisel…
(2020-04-13). Russian unemployment may more than TRIPLE due to business shutdown amid coronavirus quarantine. rt.com 
The economic crisis triggered by Covid-19 can leave up to 8 million Russians out of work and the situation in the labor market may not improve till the end of the year, the head of Russia's Accounts Chamber has warned. | "According to forecasts, during this crisis the number of unemployed people in Russia will rise from 2.5 million to 8 million for some time," Alexei Kudrin, who used serve as Russia's Minister of Finance, told RBC business outlet on Monday. He added that the jobless rate can drop only when the economy rebounds with the rise in demand and consumption and businesses coming back to normal. | Also…
(2020-04-13). Lavrov & Zarif discuss coronavirus fight, lifting sanctions involving medicines. rt.com 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed in a phone call on Monday coordinated action to fight the novel coronavirus and the necessity of lifting sanctions that involve supplying medicines. | They "paid specific attention to the task of multilateral coordinated efforts in battling the coronavirus infection, including a waiver of unlawful individual sanctions and other restrictions linked to the supplies of medicines and essentials," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. | The diplomats also exchanged opinions on the situation in Afghanistan, given the role…
(2020-04-13). More than 100 people evacuated from apartment block in Moscow as it is ravaged by blaze (VIDEO). rt.com 
Dozens of people have been evacuated from a multi-story building in Moscow in the middle of the night after a flat on its upper floor caught fire, prompting fears that the blaze could spread to the rest of the apartment block.
(2020-04-13). 'Use your own fortune': Church of Sweden grilled after seeking coronavirus aid packages for migrants. rt.com 
Senior religious leaders in Sweden have urged the government to provide relief for asylum seekers, sparking anger from native Swedes who claim the calls for Christian charity don't seem to extend to the country's own citizens. | As the Covid-19 pandemic sends shockwaves through the global economy, the Swedish government should extend special support for the homeless, asylum seekers, temporary labor migrants and those awaiting deportation, the Christian Council of Sweden argued in an open letter. The group includes Antje Jackelen, Archbishop of the Church of Sweden, as well as the leaders of several other Chris…
(2020-04-13). Indonesia will rapidly expand coronavirus testing, president says after criticism. rt.com 
President Joko Widodo said Indonesia will be able to conduct more than 10,000 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests a day for the new coronavirus. The president rejected criticism that he favored economic considerations over public health. | Widodo told foreign media on Monday that Indonesia had sourced new PCR kits from Switzerland and its extra testing capability would be on stream by next week, with plans to expand testing to 78 labs. The world's fourth most populous nation has one of the lowest testing rates for the coronavirus, drawing criticism from the World Health Organization and public health experts…
(2020-04-13). Ukraine Eyes America for Gas but Still Relies on Russia. globalresearch.ca Despite strong attempts by Ukraine not to buy Russian pipeline gas, they will not be able to receive U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) for at least another five years according to Polish experts from the
(2020-04-13). European Union to spend half a trillion euros on imperialist interests in coronavirus bailout. wsws.org After two days of bitter disputes, the EU finance ministers agreed on a coronavirus bailout worth €500 billion.
(2020-04-13). Fired researcher Mauro Ferrari denounces EU inaction on COVID-19. wsws.org Distinguished scientist Mauro Ferrari was forced to resign as European Research Council president after calling for a coordinated struggle against the pandemic.
(2020-04-13). COVID-19 deaths surpass 76,000 in Europe as Spanish government sends millions back to work. wsws.org More than 30 National Health Service workers are reported to have died as the UK's death toll rises above 10,000.
(2020-04-13). Cuba is Willing to Send More Medical Brigades to the World. telesurenglish.net Cuba is in condition to send more medical brigades to countries that need support to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cuban government said | RELATED: | "We defend solidarity, even in times of pandemic," Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said on Sunday on the social network Twitter. | According to Rodriguez, new Cuban medical brigade from the Henry Reeve International Contingent left for Italy, in Europe, this…
(2020-04-13). 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 …
(2020-04-13). 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 …
(2020-04-13). 'US medical terrorism hampering global efforts to curb COVID-19'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 13 (MNA) — Iran's Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali said the United States policies are hampering the world countries' efforts to overcome the new coronavirus crisis.
(2020-04-13). Tehran, Moscow confer on regional issues, coronavirus pandemic. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 13 (MNA) — In a telephone conversation on Monday evening, Iranian and Russian foreign ministers discussed several issues including regional affairs and Covid-19 pandemic.
(2020-04-13). Erdogan rejects Turkish Interior Minister's resignation. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 13 (MNA) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has refused Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu's resignation that was handed after criticism regarding the abrupt announcement of two-day curfew which led to panic-buying and chaos in Turkey.
(2020-04-13). Montenegro offers sympathy with Iran over coronavirus victims. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 13 (MNA) — In a message to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, President of Montenegro Milo Dukanovic conveyed condolences with the nation and the government of Iran over death of thousands of Iranians in coronavirus pandemic.
(2020-04-13). Greece Ready to Protect Border if Turkey Lets Migrants With COVID-19 Reach Islands. sputniknews.com ATHENS (Sputnik) – Athens is ready to protect its sovereignty and borders if Turkey decides to send migrants infected with the virus to Greece's islands, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Monday.
(2020-04-13). Belgium Reports Spike in Coronavirus-Related Fatalities, Death Toll Rises to 3,903. sputniknews.com BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Belgium jumped by 303 in the past 24 hours, taking the death toll to 3,903, the public health agency said Monday.
(2020-04-13). Russian President Vladimir Putin Takes Part in Meeting on COVID-19 Situation – Video. sputniknews.com On Sunday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is missing direct communication with people amid the lockdown regime and the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2020-04-13). Putin Says Russia Has So Far Managed to Handle Coronavirus Proactively. sputniknews.com Around 18,000 COVID-19 cases have been registered in Russia so far with only 148 fatalities – one of the lowest coronavirus mortality rates in the world.
(2020-04-13). Raging Chernobyl Wildfires Raise Risks of New Radiation Contamination. sputniknews.com Once severely traumatised Chernobyl in Ukraine's Kiev Region is now struggling to battle another disaster – forest fires that have been devouring vast parts of its Exclusion Zone for the past week.
(2020-04-13). UK has conducted 18,000 coronavirus tests in 24 hours: PM's spokesman. yenisafak.com A total of 18,000 tests for coronavirus were conducted in the United Kingdom in 24 hours and the country was making good progress towards its target of 100,000 daily tests, a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday.The spokesman said the 18,000 figure applied to the 24 hours up to 0800 GMT on Sunday and excluded Northern Ireland."New capacity is coming on stream all of the time and I think we are making good progress," the spokesman said.The government has come under increasing pressure over a low level of testing for the novel coronavirus compared with certain countries, especially Germany.
(2020-04-13). Cybersecurity firm: Online crime rises amid quarantine. yenisafak.com Russia-based cybersecurity company Kaspersky on Monday warned that phishing incidents had proliferated worldwide with websites imitating online shopping and streaming platforms as many go into quarantine amid the novel coronavirus pandemic."Comparing the numbers for Q1 2019 and the same period this year, the share of users attacked by fake e-shops doubled, growing from 9 to 18%, of users, while the figure for streaming services tripled up to 4%," the company said in a statement.Online streaming and e-markets are becoming increasingly popular as many people stay home to help stem the spread of the virus
(2020-04-13). Russia, Iran discuss anti-virus cooperation. yenisafak.com Russian and Iranian foreign ministers discussed cooperation in combatting the coronavirus pandemic in a phone talk on Monday, according to an official statement.Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif stressed that the restrictions on the delivery of drugs and essential goods were unacceptable, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its official website."The ministers paid special attention to the tasks of multilateral coordination in the fight against coronavirus infection, including the rejection of illegal unilateral sanctions and other restrictions on the supply o…
(2020-04-13). Belgium reports 942 fresh COVID-19 cases. yenisafak.com Belgium has reported 942 fresh infections over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of coronavirus or COVID-19 cases to 30,589 since the pandemic outbreak, the health authorities announced on Monday. | According to the latest health data published by the Brussels-based Federal Public Service of Health, 310 new patients have been admitted to hospitals. Another 239 cases have been discharged after they reported recovery. | At the moment, 5,393 COVID-19 patients are being treated in hospitals in the country. Also, 303 people have died over the past few days, raising the death toll to 3,903. As many as 53% of…
(2020-04-13). Netherlands: Virus cases top 26,500, deaths over 2,800. yenisafak.com A total of 964 new cases were confirmed in the country, raising the tally to 26,551, according to the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment.Currently, 8,729 patients are under treatment at hospitals, with 147 more admissions reported on Monday.The COVID-19 death toll moved up to 2,823 after 86 more patients lost their lives.The institute, however, clarified that "not all of the hospital admissions or deaths occurred within the last 24 hours.""Since not all COVID-19 patients are tested, the actual numbers in the Netherlands are higher than the numbers stated here," it said.More than 1.86 million…
(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). '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). 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). Turkey's Erdogan rejects interior minister's resignation after last-minute curfew announcement triggers chaos. rt.com 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected the 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 on Sunday — two days after an eleventh-hour decision by Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu to impose a t…
(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). 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). 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). Rouhani Announces Iran's $1.6-billion Legal Victory Over US in Frozen Assets Case. iranian.com While the Iranian president said that Tehran has managed to secure the assets "from the Americans' grasp", the Luxembourg Court of Cassation is apparently yet to make its ruling public. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has declared that Tehran has managed to prevail over the United States in a legal dispute involving a sizeable amount of …
(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). 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). 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…
(2020-04-10). Memoir: A Liberation Theology Stations of the Cross in Northeast Brazil. counterpunch.org Padre Andreas, a Jesuit priest from Spain, came on a radical mission to the impoverished hillside shantytown of Alto do Cruzeiro in the municipio of Timbauba, a sugarcane market town in Pernambuco Brazil. At the time, 1989, I was living on "the Alto" (the hill) with the rural workers, sugarcane cutters, and fishermen and women
(2020-04-10). Medical aid cargo from Bulgaria arrives in Iran. iranian.com Head of Bazargan Customs Administration Sadegh Namdar announced on Friday that Bulgari's eight-ton consignment including anti-coronavirus medical requirements arrived in Iran through Sari Su trans-boundary market at Iran-Turkey joint Bazargan border. Namdar explained that this is the second cargo which arrives in Iran through Sari Su trans-boundary market, after conducting the required coordination between Iranian and Turkish customs officials. …
(2020-04-09). US boasts of intercepting 2 Russian military planes on routine training flight far off Alaska. rt.com 
The US Air Force has reported intercepting two Russian scout planes that entered its "defense identification zone" off Alaska. Moscow says it was a training flight and the planes came nowhere near US airspace. | US F-22 Raptor fighters, supported by an aerial refueling KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft and an early warning E-3 AWACS plane, were mustered to intercept Russian military aircraft over the Bering Sea on April 8, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported in a series of tweets on Thursday. | The intercept happened north of the Aleutian Islands, which stretch from the coast of Alaska far…
(2020-04-09). Headlines for April 9, 2020. democracynow.org Coronavirus Pandemic Could Push 600 Million More People into Poverty, New York Reports Record 779 Coronavirus Deaths in Just 24 Hours, General Motors to Deliver 30,000 Ventilators, with Most Arriving Long After Projected COVID-19 Peak, Kansas to Allow Crowded Church Services as L.A. Expands Order on Face Coverings, California Fast-Food Workers Strike, Demanding Hazard Pay and Protections Against COVID-19, Trump Touts Unproven Treatments of Hydroxychloroquine and Zinc for COVID-19, World Health Organization Head: "Please Don't Politicize This Virus", Researchers Find Coronavirus Arrived in New York from Europe in…