(2020-04-18). This Easter is different: WATCH Holy Fire descend in Jerusalem amid coronavirus lockdown. rt.com 
As Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter this weekend, the descent of the Holy Fire — a crucial part of the rituals — occurred in Jerusalem without the usual crowds of pilgrims. | The ceremony in Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre was performed by a handful of Orthodox clerics wearing face masks. The descent of the Holy Fire is a miracle believed by Orthodox Christians to occur every year on Great Saturday. The fire is then taken to Greece, Russia, and other countries where the church has a large presence. | The usual large, iconic crowds of the faithful — both local Christians and pil…
(2020-04-18). Russia sought China's APPROVAL for missile test, US diplomat claims. His proof? They didn't come to his Twitter to deny it. rt.com 
Ignoring one's tweet can apparently not only spell the end to a teenage romance, but it can also be proof for high-profile geopolitical assertions. That is, at least, according to a high-ranking US diplomat. | The recent secretive test of a Russian — presumably — anti-ballistic missile weapon has seemingly caused quite a stir in the US. Apart from prompting the Pentagon to play some solid 'Russians are coming' tunes straight from the 1950s, it caused Robert Wood, the US Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament (CD), to hit a new high — or rather, low — in producing baseless allegations a…
(2020-04-18). Watch Dagestan-born IMMAF superstar Muhammad Mokaev's epic trilogy with Reo Yamaguchi in LIVE IMMAF watch party (VIDEO). rt.com 
Recap three epic fights featuring one of the biggest stars of amateur MMA, Dagestan-born Muhammad Mokaev, in a live IMMAF live watch party at 8am ET / 2pm CET, and you can watch it right here on RT Sport. | Nineteen-year-old Mokaev was born in Buynaksk, Dagestan but moved to Manchester, England with his family as a 12-year-old. | The Russian-English star is riding an unbeaten 23-fight win streak and is considered to be one of the hottest young prospects in the sport. | Mokaev hasn't yet turned professional, but there are sure to be a host of potential suitors for his signature, with the Bellator ONE Championsh…
(2020-04-18). RECAP: Watch Dagestan-born IMMAF superstar Muhammad Mokaev's epic trilogy with Reo Yamaguchi (VIDEO). rt.com Recap three epic fights featuring one of the biggest stars of amateur MMA, Dagestan-born Muhammad Mokaev, as he took on Japanese rival Reo Yamaguchi in IMMAF competition. | Nineteen-year-old Mokaev was born in Buynaksk, Dagestan but moved to Manchester, England with his family as a 12-year-old. | The Russian-English star is riding an unbeaten 23-fight win streak and is considered to be one of the hottest young prospects in the sport. | Mokaev hasn't yet turned professional, but there are sure to be a host of potential suitors for his signature, with the Bellator ONE Championship, Cage Warriors and BRAVE CF all…
(2020-04-18). Bathtub ballet: Synchronized swimmer Svetlana Romashina shows off her skills in the bath during COVID-19 lockdown (VIDEO). rt.com 
The world of sport may be at a standstill, but Russian synchronized swimmer Svetland Romashina was able to show off her elite-level skills in a somewhat smaller pool than usual as she strutted her stuff in the bath. | The graceful starlet of the swimming pool hopped into her bathtub to perform a miniature version of the routine. | Also on rt.com | | The five-time Olympic champion has also earned 21 gold m…
(2020-04-18). Control goes automatic: Manned checking of digital passes in Moscow to be replaced by electronic systems. rt.com 
Moscow's roll-out of digital passes to limit non-essential travel had a rocky start this week. Now the city has announced the checks will remain in place, but in automatic form. | This week the Russian capital introduced 'digital passes' to reduce travel in the city and thus slow the spread of Covid-19. Non-essential workers were limited to two trips a week, and everyone taking a ride had to apply for a pass — a string of numbers and letters — beforehand. | But enforcement of the new measures didn't get off to a smooth start. Long queues of commuters formed at the entrances of Moscow Metro, the city'
(2020-04-18). Russia could suspend grain exports next month if export quota is reached. rt.com 
Russian grain exports may reach the limits introduced by the government much ahead of schedule, bringing the shipments to a temporary halt till the end of June, the country's agriculture ministry has said. | "The quota was introduced for the period from April 1 to June 30, 2020. After it is depleted, the supplies outside the Eurasian Economic Union will be stopped for this period," Deputy Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut said on Friday. | Given the current pace, exports will be suspended in mid-May, the official said. As of Saturday, less than 4.2 million tons of grain remained available from the 7-million-ton…
(2020-04-18). 4,785 new Covid-19 cases registered across Russia, Moscow remains top hotspot. rt.com 
In the past 24 hours, 4,785 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Russia, the nation's disease response team reported on Saturday. The increase in newly-recorded cases is higher than that of the previous day — 4,070. | Overall, there are 36,793 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, with more than 20,750 reported in Moscow and more than 3,950 in the area surrounding the capital. | Officials said that 40 more patients have died, raising the nationwide death toll from Covid-19 to 313. | Since Wednesday, residents have required digital passes to travel by public and private transportation thro…
(2020-04-18). Worker resistance grows internationally as governments push premature return to work. wsws.org The reckless drive by the Trump administration and governments in Europe to resume production despite health warnings will produce a social explosion.
(2020-04-18). Armenian PM thanks Iran for continuation of trade during pandemic. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan expressed his appreciation to some of the neighboring countries, including Iran, for continuing trade and fulfilling the country's needs during the pandemic.
(2020-04-18). Iran opposes any violent action on Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: envoy. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — Iran's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Javad Jahangirzadeh said that Iran condemns any move that would undermine the negotiation process on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
(2020-04-18). 142 Iranian students, citizens return to home from Azerbaijan amid pandemic. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — A number of 142 Iranian students and nationals residing in the Republic of Azerbaijan comeback home on Sat. amid the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.
(2020-04-18). German automakers, unions and government collaborate to restart production. wsws.org Germany's automakers and the IG Metall trade union are demanding that production be restarted.
(2020-04-18). Big business representatives defend hospital closures in Germany. wsws.org Economist Boris Augurzky claims that there are too many hospitals, and has called for the crisis to be used to further reduce the number of facilities.
(2020-04-18). Iran, Turkey interior ministers discuss coronavirus pandemic. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — Iran's Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli and his Turkish counterpart, Suleyman Soylu in a phone talk on Saturday discussed a host of issues of mutual interest, including their country's fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
(2020-04-18). Putin orders daily coronavirus projections as Russia's tally nears 37,000. yenisafak.com Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the government to provide daily forecasts of the spread of the novel coronavirus as Russia recorded almost 5,000 new cases in a single day.Coronavirus infections in Russia began rising sharply in April after reporting far fewer infections than many western European countries in the outbreak's early stages.On Saturday, Russia's official tally of coronavirus cases was 36,793, a record overnight rise of 4,785, and death toll rose by 40 to 313.The government must "provide a short-term prognosis of the number of citizens who may contract the new infectious disease (COVID-19)" a…
(2020-04-18). COVID-19: Over 1,000 new cases, 290 deaths in Belgium. yenisafak.com More than 1,000 new coronavirus cases were reported in Belgium over the past 24 hours, health authorities said on Saturday.The total number of cases has risen to 37,183 after 1,045 more people tested positive for COVID-19, according to the latest data from the Federal Public Service of Health.Currently, 5,069 patients are in hospital — 1,119 of them in intensive care — while recoveries are up to 8,348 as 387 people were discharged over the past 24 hours.The country's death toll rose to 5,453 with 290 fatalities reported since Friday.Earlier this week, Belgium's government extended lockdown measures, w…
(2020-04-18). Over 400 virus patients at fair hall hospital in Serbia. yenisafak.com Over 400 COVID-19 patients are being treated at a makeshift hospital established at the Belgrade Fair in Serbia's capital, an official said on Saturday."We have 419 patients, the youngest aged three and the oldest being 67 years old. They are in stable condition," said Veljko Milic, the coordinator of the hospital.He said there are three to four doctors and six to eight nurses on each shift."We receive and discharge people on a regular basis. 210 patients have been discharged so far and several dozen more people will be sent home today too," said Milic.As of Saturday, Serbia has 5,690 COVID-19 cases, with 110 dea…
(2020-04-18). Spain's coronavirus deaths surpass 20,000 but daily increase slows. yenisafak.com Spain's death toll from coronavirus rose by 565 on Saturday, down from a rise of 585 on Friday, the Health Ministry said, bringing the total to 20,043 deaths in one of the world's hardest hit countries.The number of overall coronavirus cases rose to 191,726 on Saturday from 188,068 on Friday, it added.
(2020-04-18). COVID-19 more difficult for heart patients. yenisafak.com The coronavirus is more difficult for heart patients than others, a cardiologist told Anadolu Agency at the end of Heart Week in Turkey.Bilal Boztosun, who heads the cardiology department at Medipol Mega University Hospital in Istanbul, said it is difficult for a lot of patients but for those who have heart conditions and diagnosed with COVID-19 it becomes more challenging."Especially if you are above 70 years old if you have other chronic disease beside cardiovascular disease, such as kidney or lung disease, cardiac insufficiency, valvular heart disease, and if you had by-pass surgery in last three months, you a…
(2020-04-18). Victory Day Celebrations in Moscow on 9 May 1945. sputniknews.com The German Instrument of Surrender, the legal document which ended World War II in Europe, was signed in Berlin late in the evening on 8 May 1945 by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht and the Soviet Red Army in the presence of French and US representatives.
(2020-04-18). Europe's COVID-19 Death Toll Possibly Much Higher than Official Tally – Reports. sputniknews.com Earlier reports suggested thousands of people have died in care homes across Britain, France, Italy and Spain – Europe's worst hit countries – with critics pointing to the number of deaths outside hospitals that are not included in official tallies.
(2020-04-18). 34 US-Backed Militants Surrender, Hand Weapons to Syrian Army — Reports. sputniknews.com Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry's Center for Syrian Reconciliation confirmed that over two dozen militants trained at a US military base in Syria had surrendered to the Syrian Army after breaking out of the US-controlled At-Tanf area and engaging in a shootout with other militia members.
(2020-04-18). High-octane STREET CHASE in St. Petersburg ends with drunk driver's overturned car HANGING over river (VIDEO). rt.com 
If God watches over drunks and fools, as they say, this man is a living testament. After failing to shake the police in a car chase, he found his car flipping through the air — and balancing on the edge of a river.
(2020-04-17). With some prisoners released, Atlanta activists protest to 'Free Them All!'. workers.org 
Georgia activist groups Women on the Rise and Southerners on New Ground (SONG) hosted a car caravan protest outside the Fulton County Jail on April 7, calling on District Attorney Paul Howard to release all incarcerated people in the jail because of the risk posed by COVID-19. An April 7 . . . |
(2020-04-17). Russia -China Relations: "Exchange of Criticisms" Regarding COVID-19 Crisis. globalresearch.ca The recent so-called "exchange of criticisms" between Russia and China over their respective border policies in response to World War C is more of a rare wrinkle in their relations caused by media reports than a growing rift that could …
(2020-04-17). As US Shale Oil Plunges, Trump Admin Takes Aim at Venezuela. mintpressnews.com WASHINGTON DC ( Despite the president's rosy tone, most analysts have called the agreement — which presumably will freeze the Saudi-Russian oil price war that broke out…
(2020-04-17). UK could have the highest death rate in Europe because government was 'too slow', doctor warns. thecanary.co 
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 — but we're going to face further wave…
(2020-04-17). Global coronavirus death toll hits 150,000 — Johns Hopkins tally. rt.com 
The global death toll of the coronavirus pandemic has surpassed 150,000 people as the virus rages on through the US and Europe. More than 2.2 million total cases have been confirmed. | Some 150,948 people have died with the coronavirus as of Friday, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University, which also reported 2,214,861 confirmed cases of the virus worldwide. The US remains the hardest-hit country, followed by Italy and Spain. | The epidemic has claimed 34,575 lives in the US as of Friday, and 22,745 people have died with the virus in Italy, while Spain has seen 19,613 deaths. France, the UK, an…
(2020-04-17). Women's sports a likely coronavirus casualty. peoplesworld.org 
(AP)—Linked to the rising call for gender equity worldwide, women's sports were enjoying unprecedented attention and support before the coronavirus pandemic. The World Cup in France put a spotlight on women's soccer, culminating with the United States lifting the trophy to chants of "Equal Pay!" — a nod to the team's gender discrimination lawsuit against …
(2020-04-17). Cold War talk: Pentagon says Moscow tested 'anti-satellite' weaponry & accuses it of hypocrisy… while having same toys for years. rt.com 
Russia has tested an "anti-satellite" weapon — at least Pentagon said so, branding Moscow's calls against militarization of space "hypocritical." The US itself has had such weaponry for years already, however. | News of the Russian test of a missile, allegedly capable of destroying satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), was broken by the chief of US Space Command General John Raymond. | The test is yet "another example that the threats to US and allied space systems are real, serious, and growing," the Space Force chief of operations said. | What is it that Russia tested?: | The test itself remains…
(2020-04-17). Too Little Too Late for EU to Offer Apologies to Italy for Lack of Coronavirus Support. globalresearch.ca Italy has been affected by the coronavirus more than any other European country, with over 168,000 confirmed cases and 22,000 deaths. Europe is mobilizing to help Italy but this has not always been the case, and rather was a reaction …
(2020-04-17). India and the Coronavirus. counterpunch.org 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
(2020-04-17). Surrendered US-backed Rebels Admit to Receiving Training to Destroy Syrian Oil Sites. globalresearch.ca The head of the Russian Reconciliation Center affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense, Oleg Goralev, announced on Wednesday that the 27 militants who surrendered to the Syrian authorities, reported that they had received training by the American military …
(2020-04-17). Book Review: Lenin's What is to be Done? fightbacknews.org Why a review a book that the Russian revolutionary V.I. Lenin began in 1901 and finished in 1902? The short answer is the book is just that good and it has endured the test of time, and that 150th anniversary of Lenin's birth is a good occasion for it. | A more complete answer is as follows — we are in a period where monopoly capitalism has shown itself to be a failed system. Not only has it failed to deal with the challenges of a pandemic, capitalism is a people-destroying economic system that is making the pandemic worse. Add on the facts that we are in the onset of a large-scale economic crisis and milli…
(2020-04-17). Consumer spending in Spain has halved during coronavirus lockdown says analysis. imperial.ac.uk Economic activity in Spain has fallen in the first three months of 2020 compared to the same period last year, says a new analysis.
(2020-04-16). Positive signs in Europe over coronavirus 'tempered by UK', WHO says. thecanary.co 
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 — an increase of…
(2020-04-16). 'Mao-style social controls' or benign citizen 'armies'? NYT flip-flops on Covid-19 contact tracers — because now it's not China. rt.com 
The same citizen virus-tracing corps the New York Times decried in China as Maoism incarnate is being tried in Massachusetts and San Francisco, and the outlet has decided that what's bad for Beijing is good for democracies. | Massachusetts and San Francisco — as well as the Republic of Ireland — are deputizing citizens to track down contacts of people infected with coronavirus, the Times
(2020-04-16). Some oil producing nations agree to cut production 10%. mronline.org 
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.
(2020-04-16). COVID-19 storm strengthens across Europe, controlling transmission everywhere, essential: Tedros. news.un.org The storm clouds of COVID-19 still hang heavily over Europe, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) expert said on Thursday, with reported cases in the last 10 days alone, doubling to nearly 1 million. The continent now accounts for 10 per cent of the global total.
(2020-04-16). What is Socialist Psychology: Child Development, History Shaping, Therapy and Revolutionary Situations: Part II. dissidentvoice.org 
Orientation In Part I of this article I discussed how when Vygotsky's work was exported to the United States it was narrowly defined as encompassing his work in child-development and cooperative learning. His interest in art history, European history and his commitment to Marxian political economy is barely mentioned. Secondly, I contrasted the differences between …
(2020-04-15). Relaxing lockdowns without boosting care could lead to new COVID spike: WHO. news.un.org As some European countries begin to relax lockdown measures following weeks of confinement introduced to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a potential "second wave" of COVID-19 infections.
(2020-04-15). First Person: The power of art in a time of coronavirus crisis. news.un.org In Italy, impromptu concerts, performed from apartment balconies, have become one of the features of life under lockdown. On UNESCO World Art Day, which falls on April 15, a professional violinist told UN News how he is using his talent to help others through the crisis.
(2020-04-14). "Terrified to Go to Work": Hundreds of Workers in Meat & Poultry Plants Test Positive for COVID-19. democracynow.org 
We look at the spike in coronavirus infections at meatpacking plants. In just one case, Smithfield Foods shut down a plant responsible for 5% of U.S. pork production after more than 350 workers at the facility tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, deaths of slaughterhouse workers have been reported in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Colorado. Many meat processing facilities employ large numbers of immigrants, including undocumented workers. We speak with Wenonah Hauter, executive director and founder of Food & Water Watch, and with Magaly Licolli, executive director of Venceremos, an advocacy group for poultry plant…
(2020-04-14). The Prevailing Pandemic of Influenza. jamanetwork.com During the past two weeks, August 28 to September 11, there has begun a severe and rapidly spreading epidemic of influenza in the First Naval District. More than 2,000 cases have been reported in these two weeks, and there are indications of a rapid spread of the infection. This is undoubtedly the same disease which, first heard of in Spain last spring, and hence called Spanish influenza, has in recent months spread over nearly all of Europe, including Germany, Italy, France, England and Ireland, attacking from 30 to 40 per cent. of the people. The outstanding feature of this epidemic is its high degree of commun…
(2020-04-14). Skin Cancer Detection Apps Unreliable. jamanetwork.com Smartphone apps that use artificial intelligence to assess skin cancer risk based on images of suspicious moles aren't ready for prime time, a recent systematic review in the BMJ suggests. The 9 studies included in the review "showed variable and unreliable test accuracy" for 6 such apps, 2 of which are approved by European regulators as medical devices.
(2020-04-10). Reverse Shock Doctrine? Spain Moves Towards Permanent Basic Income. therealnews.com 
Even the business community has signaled support for the proposal as Spain's economy craters during the coronavirus pandemic.
(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…
(2020-04-08). European Left Slams EU Support for Trump's Venezuela 'Transition' Plan. venezuelanalysis.com The European Union took "positive note" of Washington's initiative.
(2020-04-03). International JUULs: E-Cigarette Giant Courts Foreign Governments. projectcensored.org Since coming under major scrutiny for many marketing scandals, leading e-cigarette company JUUL has begun looking to enter new markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Asia….