(2020-04-27). A Small-Town Pharmacy in Europe's Westernmost Country Confronts Covid-19. counterpunch.org 
Portugal, a country roughly equivalent in size to Pennsylvania with a population of 10,276,617, registered its first coronavirus case on March 2. The country imposed a state of emergency on March 2. By April 23, 785 people died and 21,982 have been infected with the virus.
(2020-04-27). Video: The Criminal Indictments against Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning. globalresearch.ca Last year we met in Florence on the 7th of April, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the founding of NATO. The theme of our conference last year was NATO EXIT. | On April 25, 2020, Commemorating the Liberation of Italy. …
(2020-04-27). Giulietto Chiesa (1940-2020): An Intellectual of Action. globalresearch.ca It is with great sorrow that we learned yesterday, April 26th, that Giulietto Chiesa has passed away. One of the most remarkable European intellectuals — activists of our times, deeply enshrined in the "Leninist" tradition of action before …
(2020-04-27). Headlines for April 27, 2020. democracynow.org Global Coronavirus Deaths Top 207,000 as Hard-Hit European Nations Start Relaxing Lockdowns, States Prepare to Reopen Economies as Cases Continue to Mount, Doctors See Rise in Strokes Caused by Coronavirus; CDC Expands List of Possible Symptoms, Oakland Police Tackle and Detain Unhoused Outreach Workers, Poison Control Center Calls Spike After President Trump Suggests Injections of Disinfectant, WHO Warns Against Issuing "Immunity Passports", Activists Hold "Cancel the Rent" Protests Around the Country, Coronavirus Outbreak Reported at Tyson Foods Meat Processing Plant, "Larry King Live" Tape from 1993 Supports T…
(2020-04-27). Local-Level Fossil Fuel Fights Face Violent Retaliation From Industry. truthout.org Fighting fossil fuel companies can be dangerous business. The people of County Mayo, Ireland, found that out when they rose up against Shell Oil in the early 2000s. The uprising lasted 15 years. Protesters were beaten and jailed. But they delayed the refinery's opening by 10 years, cost Shell billions of dollars and caused the company a public relations nightmare, as a new book by Fred Wilcox,
(2020-04-27). World should have 'listened carefully' to WHO coronavirus advice back in January, says director-general. rt.com 
Countries that ignored the WHO's advice at the end of January have been less successful in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, its director warned, as both the organization and world leaders face criticism for mishandling the crisis. | "On January 30 we declared the highest level of global emergency on Covid-19 […] During that time, as you may remember, there were only 82 cases outside China. No cases in Latin America or Africa, only 10 cases in Europe. No cases in the rest of the world. So the world should have listened to the WHO then carefully," World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghe…
(2020-04-27). Volkswagen resumes production at Europe's largest car factory after Covid-19 shutdown. rt.com 
The world's largest carmaker, Volkswagen, resumed work on Monday at its biggest factory in Wolfsburg, Germany, amid eased coronavirus lockdown rules. VW says it wants to give workers time to adapt to new hygiene measures. | After a month-long shutdown, around 8,000 workers in Wolfsburg started building cars again on Monday. The factory is planning to build 1,400 cars this week, and 6,000 vehicles during the first two weeks after reopening. | Production capacity at the plant will be at around 10 to 15 percent to begin with, said Andreas Tostmann, VW brand's board member responsible for production. It will reach…
(2020-04-27). Covid-19 mortality in French intensive care units THREE to FOUR TIMES HIGHER than official figures — report. rt.com 
The number of people dying of the novel coronavirus in French intensive care units could be between three and four times higher than the figure provided by the French government, Le Monde newspaper reports, citing a new study. | Between 30 and 40 percent of all Covid-19 patients, who are transferred to intensive care units and are put on ventilators in France, are dying, a new study by the European Research Network on Artificial Ventilation (REVA) suggests. This figure is several times higher than the data revealed by Jerome Salomon, the director general for health, a high-ranking official within the French in…
(2020-04-27). 'WHO sounded alarm early on, world should have listened carefully'. rt.com 
The head of the World Health Organization warned on Monday that the new coronavirus crisis was far from over and said that he was "deeply concerned" about the impact of the disruption of normal health services. | "The pandemic is far from over," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, adding that the body was concerned about increasing trends in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and some Asian countries. "We have a long road ahead of us and a lot of work to do." He added that shortages of vaccines against other diseases were being reported in 21 countries as a result of border restrictions li…
(2020-04-27). 'Where's the truth, who to believe?': Russian curler Sidorova ponders 'unanswered' coronavirus questions. rt.com 
Russian Olympic curler Anna Sidorova has urged people to listen to the coronavirus experts while pondering a series of "unanswered questions" about the pandemic. | Sidorva, who skippered her country at the Sochi 2014 Games and who has a host of World and European Championship medals to her name, took to Instagram to ask the big questions that appear to be bothering her as the world grapples with Covid-19. | "Where is the truth? Who to believe?!" Sidorova began the message, which was accompanied by a picture of herself gazing thoughtfully out of the window as a bath robe slips from her shoulder. | "On TV th…
(2020-04-27). 'Possible terrorism': Car RAMS French motorcycle police, seriously injuring two officers. rt.com 
Two police officers in a Paris suburb have been seriously injured after they were rammed by a car, apparently on purpose. The driver has been arrested and authorities are investigating the possibility it was a terrorist attack. | A BMW drove into two mounted officers and proceeded to crush one of their vehicles against another police car in Colombes, just northwest of Paris, on Monday afternoon. | Photos of the scene quickly surfaced on social media. | Deux motards de la
(2020-04-27). French MPs from ruling party say their govt withdrew vote on 'StopCovid' tracing app. rt.com 
Lawmakers from France's ruling party accused their own government on Monday of withdrawing a vote on a planned coronavirus tracing app, saying they had been robbed of a chance to raise privacy concerns. Last week, the government bowed to pressure and promised a vote on the 'StopCovid' smartphone software. It is designed to warn users if they come into contact with infected people. | Over the weekend, PM Edouard Philippe wrote to the lower house speaker that he wanted to broaden the debate scheduled for April 28-29 to cover the government's entire strategy on ending coronavirus lockdowns. | A government source…
(2020-04-27). What pandemic? German minister blasted for wearing NO MASK to receive Covid-19 supplies AND flouting social distancing rules. rt.com 
Germany's defense minister seems to have missed the memo on 'social distancing' and compulsory mask-wearing, showing up to receive a shipment of pandemic supplies wearing nothing on her face but a smile, prompting ridicule online. | Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer appeared at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Monday, flanked by aides and army personnel (in surprisingly close proximity) and surrounded by a huddle of tightly-packed reporters — almost as if there was no global pandemic to be worried about. | AKK (as she is known in Germany) was there to greet the Bundeswehr-chartered Antonov An-225 cargo plane as it touc…
(2020-04-27). Cuba's Covid-19 Medical Brigades Are Not Medical Diplomacy: They Are International Solidarity At Its Finest. dissidentvoice.org 
Cuban Medical Brigade going to Italy (Photo credit: Ismael Francisco Gonzalez) Today the latest medical brigade from Cuba's Henry Reeves contingent arrived in South Africa to join the front lines with those saving lives in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. After a 14 day quarantine the 216 member group, made up of family physicians, …
(2020-04-27). Do Russian grain export limits threaten global food security? The answer is no. rt.com 
With the coronavirus crisis already triggering concerns over food security, some saw the depletion of Russian export quotas for grain as a new and alarming signal. | What happened? | Earlier this month, the Russian government approved seven-million-ton caps on exports of certain crops. The restrictions, intended to secure the domestic food market, apply to such essential crops as wheat and maslin, rye, barley and corn. | The new quotas are effective from April 1 to June 30, and members of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union are excluded from the restrictions. These allowances have been used up rapidly and w…
(2020-04-27). Russia OVERTAKES China in number of coronavirus cases. rt.com 
Almost three months after the first confirmed cases of coronavirus in Russia, the number of infections in the world's largest country has overtaken China, the first nation to report an outbreak of Covid-19. | Official Russian numbers on Monday morning confirmed 6,198 brand new cases of Covid-19, bringing the country's overall total to 87,147. | The number has now surpassed China's official figures which are reported to be 82,830.As Russia's daily new infections continue to be in the several thousands, China's latest government figures state that the country saw just three new cases in the past day. | However,…
(2020-04-27). 'Another hoax': Kremlin dismisses reports of poisoning plot against Czech officials who tore down Konev monument. rt.com 
The Czech media has crafted a spy thriller, based on unnamed sources, that Russians were planning to poison officials behind the removal of a monument to Marshal Ivan Konev who freed Prague from the Nazis. Moscow says it's a hoax. | The Citing anonymous sources, the newspaper claimed that three weeks ago, a diplomat from…
(2020-04-27). Do Russian grain export limits threaten global food security? rt.com With the coronavirus crisis already triggering concerns over food security, some saw the depletion of Russian export quotas for grain as a new and alarming signal. | What happened? | Earlier this month, the Russian government approved seven-million-ton caps on exports of certain crops. The restrictions, intended to secure the domestic food market, apply to such essential crops as wheat and maslin, rye, barley and corn. | The new quotas are effective from April 1 to June 30, and members of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union are excluded from the restrictions. These allowances have been used up rapidly and w…
(2020-04-27). WATCH: Tallest volcano in Eurasia ERUPTS in Russia's Far East, spewing ash 7,000m into the skies. rt.com 
The eruption of the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano in Russia's Kamchatka has created spectacular scenes, producing rivers of lava and massive smoke clouds — but scientists worry that the resulting ash cloud could disrupt air traffic. | The latest activity within the steep symmetrical cone of the volcano — the highest in Eurasia — blew ash some 7,000 meters into the air on Monday, the Emergencies Ministry said. | Klyuchevskaya Sopka, at 4,649 meters in height, was effectively inactive for three years before it started spewing lava again last October — and the smoldering eruption has continu…
(2020-04-27). 2019 Russian 'Woman of the Year' LEFT DESERTED by fans & sponsors after justifying domestic violence. rt.com 
As awareness of the devastating impact of domestic violence is ever-growing amid the Covid-19 lockdown, it's pretty much common knowledge that victim-blaming is bad form. In Russia, it appears one celebrity didn't get the memo. | Ukrainian-born and Russia-based singer and television presenter Regina Todorenko has come under attack after suggesting women should think about why their actions induced domestic violence. Todorenko, who was once a host of the incredibly popular travel show 'Oryol i Reshka', said women who complain that their husbands beat them must be "psychologically ill." | "Come on! Do you have a…
(2020-04-27). 'Counterproductive & unfair': Russian FM defends WHO after US attacked organization, stopped financing. rt.com 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has defended the World Health Organization (WHO) against allegations that it is to blame for how the novel coronavirus pandemic unfolded. | Lavrov, during an online conference with students, called the attempts to place blame on the WHO "counterproductive and unfair," adding that he believes that the organization acted "professionally" at all stages of the crisis. | Hailing the efforts of international organizations, including the UN, Lavrov cautioned governments against using moments of deep crisis such as this pandemic to further their own interests. The Russian FM sugg…
(2020-04-27). COVID-19, We Are Now Living the "Lock Step Scenario" globalresearch.ca The 25th of April is an important date in Italy's history. It commemorates the 75th anniversary of Liberation, which is also the Anniversary of the Resistance. | On April 25, 2020, Commemorating the Liberation of Italy. We express our solidarity with …
(2020-04-27). Danse Macabre' and a Fear of the Abyss: We All Fall Down. thealtworld.com It is the children's nursery rhyme, Ring-a-Ring-a Roses, that originated during plague years, that ends with "we all fall down." | In the European imagination, the harbingers of contagion (whether plague or cholera), were conjured as shadowy, cloaked, and hooded forms, presenting a vaguely human silhouette, yet within the stygian recess of their black hood, no face was discernible — only a long, grey, birds' beak jutting out. These 'doctors of the plague' inspired the shivers. Cities were portrayed deserted, immobilised by an extensive, lofty, sinister power. Behind those walls, people were dying. Silence.
(2020-04-27). EU steps up push for return to work amid COVID-19 pandemic. wsws.org The decision to lift confinement measures in the middle of a pandemic—23,680 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed yesterday across Europe—is politically criminal.
(2020-04-27). 'Natural' for US to oppose stronger Iran: Judiciary Chief. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 27 (MNA) — Iran's Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi noted that it is 'natural' for US and European countries to level accusations against Iran.
(2020-04-27). Romanian harvest worker in Germany dies of COVID-19. wsws.org The death of the 57-year-old Nicolae Bahan has cast a grim light on the terrible conditions confronting harvest workers coming from Eastern Europe to toil in Germany ' s fields.
(2020-04-27). Syrians Remember the Armenian Genocide as Turkey Threatens Again. globalresearch.ca April 24, 2020, marks the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which was the first genocide of the 20th century. The starting date is held to be April 24, 1915, in a premeditated and systematic campaign to exterminate …
(2020-04-27). Covid-19, Georgia and a State of Fear. counterpunch.org When we think of "human sacrifice", perhaps the ancient civilizations of the Mayas and Aztecs come to mind, and maybe to a lesser extent the Incas. The ancient Mayas practiced human sacrifice as part of their internecine warfare between city-state kingdoms whereby captive Mayan kings and nobility were sacrificed to Mayan gods and as a
(2020-04-27). Germany: Daimler and VW boost production and demand billions in taxpayers' money. wsws.org Although around 2,500 people in Germany are being infected with the coronavirus every day, Daimler and Volkswagen both restarted car production this week.
(2020-04-27). Fans spot curious 'Russian' detail as Liverpool star Van Dijk pays tribute to healthcare workers with superheroes image. rt.com 
Eagle-eyed social media users have spotted a curious Russian detail in an image shared by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk to honor frontline healthcare workers in the fight against the coronavirus. | Dutch defensive colossus Van Dijk shared the image with his 1.7 million Twitter followers, which features a row of superhero characters such as the Hulk, Superman and Spiderman, lining a hospital corridor and bowing as three masked healthcare workers pass. | pic.twitter.com/bhXyVESTQ5— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) (2020-04-27). Greece: COVID-19 pandemic a further risk to refugee child education. news.un.org UN agencies in Greece have expressed concern at the effect that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the education of refugee children in the country, as a charity partner warns that funding for educational programmes is on the verge of running out.
(2020-04-27). Have Nepal's People Managed a Healthy Breakthrough in the Covid-19 Crisis? counterpunch.org "We're all going to die!" This feeble appeal came in a Facebook phonecall with B. Thapa from his village in the Nepal's eastern hills. Our conversation was in early March when news headlines from Italy and the U.S. began to alarm Nepalis. With no information about the spread of the disease in his country, this
(2020-04-27). Why are more men dying from COVID-19 than women? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Men appear to be hit harder by COVID-19 than women. Early data from China and the World Health Organization (WHO) show that more men than women are dying from COVID-19. Other countries like Spain and Italy also are seeing higher death rates among men. But why might that be? Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic …
(2020-04-27). Netherlands' criminal herd-immunity policy puts hospitals on brink of collapse. wsws.org The Dutch government's "intelligent lockdown" strategy adopted since March 16 places capitalist profits above workers' lives, risking countless thousands of deaths.
(2020-04-27). FM Zarif congratulates 'Dutch National Day'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 27 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in a message to Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok, felicitated the National Day of the Netherlands and wished evermore success and prosperity for the Dutch government and people.
(2020-04-27). Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: COVID-19 news briefing with Dr. Greg Poland. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org On the Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, Dr. Gregory Poland, an infectious diseases expert and head of Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group, covers the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Poland discusses current outbreak numbers, why there may be a second wave of infections, and research on a vaccine. Click the player below: Mayo Clinic Q&A is …
(2020-04-27). COVID-19: Mayo Clinic expert on what it's going to take to reopen the US. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Widespread stay-at-home efforts have forced many businesses to close during the COVID-19 pandemic. As talk of reopening the economy ramps up across the U.S., Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic COVID-19 expert, answers questions about what it's going to take to get to that point. Watch: Dr. Gregory Poland answers questions on reopening after COVID-19 …
(2020-04-27). Why a Mayo Clinic expert has grave concerns about second wave of COVID-19. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org As states look toward beginning to reopen their economies, health experts are warning of a possible second wave of COVID-19 that could emerge later this year and make for an even more dire health crisis. Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic COVID-19 expert, offers his insight on the effect of a potential second wave of …
(2020-04-27). Top Turkish, Italian diplomats discuss coronavirus. yenisafak.com Turkish foreign minister and his Italian counterpart on Monday discussed measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, according to diplomatic sources.In a phone call, Mevlut Cavusoglu and Luigi Di Maio also exchanged views on regional developments.A total of 26,644 people died of COVID-19 in Italy, the worst-hit country in Europe. Over 197,600 Italians have been infected by the virus, while almost 65,000 have recovered.The coronavirus death toll in Turkey reached 2,805 and cases surged to 110,130. A total of 29,140 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.After originating in China last Decem…
(2020-04-27). $100M from World Bank to bolster Turkey's virus fight. yenisafak.com The World Bank has approved a $100 million loan to Turkey to support its efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic."The project is part of the World Bank's $14 billion global Fast Track Facility," said a bank statement last Friday.The project, implemented by Turkey's Health Ministry, is meant to support government efforts to curb the virus' spread and strengthen the overall health system to detect and treat cases.It aims to strengthen testing and surveillance systems and the procurement of front-line equipment to address urgent needs for medical equipment and supplies."The funding will strengthen Turkey's capacit…
(2020-04-27). Turkey: 72-hour rule to ease safe trade amid virus. yenisafak.com Under a new measure to allow for safe trade with Turkey amid the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign truck drivers who comply with stringent health rules will be able to deliver their cargo and exit the country within 72 hours without being subject to a 14-day quarantine."The 72-hour rule will apply to foreign drivers found not to have any symptoms during health checks at the borders," Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said in a statement Monday outlining the new measure.Turkish drivers with no symptoms who follow strict safety rules will also be allowed to exit the country again without being subject to a 14-day quarantine, e…
(2020-04-27). Turkey sends food aid to Uganda amid coronavirus. yenisafak.com Turkey's state-run aid agency on Monday sent food aid to Uganda to help the East African country amid the coronavirus pandemic.The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) sent 1,000 food packages, including flour, beans and sugar, to Uganda, whose economy has been hard hit by the outbreak, according to a statement by TIKA.Turkey's Ambassador to Uganda Fikret Kerem Alp and TIKA's Uganda Coordinator Yahya Acun delivered the aid to Mary Karooro Okurut, the minister in charge of general duties, to distribute them to needy people.Okurut thanked Turkey for the relief on behalf of her country.After originatin…
(2020-04-27). Michael Gove Takes Questions From Brexit Committee Over State of Talks on Withdrawal Deal – Video. sputniknews.com Last week, the EU's lead negotiator Michel Barnier confirmed that London had refused to prolong the transitional period for the withdrawal, adding that the goals of the second round of talks were only partially met.
(2020-04-27). US Reportedly Slams Turkey's Plans for Natural Resource Exploration Off Cyprus' Coast. sputniknews.com US Ambassador to Cyprus Judith Garber insisted that the development of natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean "should promote cooperation" and help foster energy security and economic prosperity in the region.
(2020-04-27). New Nightingale Hospital on Bristol Campus to be Officially Opened in Virtual Ceremony. sputniknews.com Since the announcement in March, the United Kingdom has mobilised the resource of its National Health Service to construct a series of temporary medical centers that serve to take coronavirus patients as the pandemic spreads throughout the UK.
(2020-04-27). Switzerland projects Iran's flag on Matterhorn Mountain as message of hope. iranian.com Switzerland projected the Iranian flag on Matterhorn Mountain to convey the message of hope to Iranians amid coronavirus pandemic. "Last night, on the most iconic mountain in #Switzerland, the Matterhorn, the Iranian flag was projected to send a send a message of hope, strength and perseverance to the Iranian people in the midst of COVID-19 …
(2020-04-26). US Will Allow West Bank Annexation in 2 Months: Netanyahu. telesurenglish.net Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced his confidence Sunday that the United States would give him the approval within two months to go ahead with the annexation of parts of the illegally occupied West Bank. | RELATED: | "A couple of months from now I am confident that that pledge will be honored," Netanyahu told the European Commission for Israel, describing that the U.S. peace proposal announced by President Do…
(2020-04-26). Referee: Maradona could have been SENT OFF for SWEARING while the anthems were being sung before the 1990 World Cup final (VIDEO). rt.com 
The referee who took charge of the 1990 World Cup final between West Germany and Argentina said he could have sent off Argentinian legend Diego Maradona before a ball had even been kicked in the Italia '90 finale. | Edgardo Codesal, who bossed Argentina's loss to West Germany, has revealed that he is still targeted with vile abuse and was accused by Maradona of being bribed by FIFA, calling the icon "one of the worst people I have ever met." | Maradona was booked by Codesal two minutes after the official awarded West Germany their 85th-minute penalty in Rome, providing the only goal of the game as Argentina's…
(2020-04-26). 'The hardest working president in history': Trump goes on Twitter rant against 'fake media' with Nobel Prizes for Russia stories. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump blasted the media over reports about his laid-back work schedule, and suggested taking Nobel Prizes away from journalists who pushed Russia collusion stories, mistaking the award for the Pulitzer. | "The people that know me and know the history of our Country say that I am the hardest working President in history," Trump wrote on Sunday afternoon, kicking off a firestorm of anti-media tweets. | The people that know me and know the history of our Country say that I am the hardest working President in history. I don't know about that, but I am a hard worker and have probably gotten more…
(2020-04-26). Ukraine busts 'human trafficking ring' that sold BABIES to Chinese 'single men of certain orientation'. rt.com 
Ukrainian police have raided a private reproductive clinic that has been allegedly "selling babies" to China. While the suspects are accused of "human trafficking," surrogate motherhood is a legal gray area in Ukraine. | The scandalous case was brought to light by the country's interior ministry late on Saturday. The police broke up a "human-trafficking" ring that was centered at a private reproductive clinic in Kiev. | Further details on the case were