(2020-04-28). The Corporate Food System is Making the Coronavirus Crisis Worse. counterpunch.org 
The global food system has been very much front and center in the COVID-19 story. Everyone, of course, is aware that hunger is closely tracking the virus as its wreaks havoc in both the global North and global South. Indeed, one can say that, unlike in East Asia, Europe, and the U.S., in South Asia,
(2020-04-28). World economy faces a $5 trillion hit, like losing UK AND France. truepublica.org.uk The coronavirus pandemic is set to rob the global economy of more than $5 trillion of growth over the next two years, greater than the annual output of Japan or both the UK and France combined That's the warning from Wall Street banks as the world plunges into its deepest peacetime recession since the 1930s, …
(2020-04-28). Spain's Podemos party acquiesces to legal persecution of its member Isabel Serra. wsws.org Serra was sentenced to a draconian 18 months in prison and a €2000 fine for attending a protest against the eviction of a disabled person in a working class area of Madrid.
(2020-04-28). The U.S. Wants to "Purchase" Greenland from Denmark. globalresearch.ca The US' plan to leverage economic aid to Greenland for strategic ends is exactly the same thing that it accuses China of doing in Africa, suggesting that its infowar against Beijing's Belt & Road Initiative is driven more by jealousy …
(2020-04-28). A cautious reopening, but gatherings still off the cards: How Europe is lifting its lockdown. rt.com 
Across Europe, leaders have made tentative steps toward easing their countries' coronavirus lockdowns. However, a return to total normality has been all but written off for the year. | The Austrian government announced on Tuesday that the spread of the coronavirus has slowed to a point where restrictions can now be lifted. Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said that Austrians may freely leave their homes from May 1, with public gatherings to follow in the near future. Though social distancing rules will still apply, businesses like hairdressers will reopen, followed two weeks later by cafes and restaurants, and…
(2020-04-28). New Zealand eases lockdown as coronavirus tamed in Australasia. thecanary.co 
New Zealand has eased a strict lockdown amid hopeful signs coronavirus (Covid-19) has been all but vanquished in Australasia for the moment.But elsewhere, Brazil is emerging as a potential new hotspot for infections, and fresh doubts have been raised over whether Japan would be able to host the already postponed Olympic Games next year.Europe and some US states are also continuing to gradually ease limits on movement and commerce as they try to restart their economies.But in a reminder of the virus's increasing toll, president Donald Trump said the numbers of deaths could reach 70,000 in the US, after putting the…
(2020-04-28). Ukraine denies Armenian genocide, refers instead to 'tragic events of April'. rt.com 
Deputy foreign minister of Ukraine Vasyl Bodnar has urged government agencies to refrain from using the term 'genocide' when referring to the murder of Armenians a century ago, as it would go against Kiev's political interests. | An estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1922. Bodnar outlined the reasons for refusing to recognise the events as genocide in a letter to government officials, which was subsequently leaked to Facebook by a member of the Verkovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament. | According to Bodnar, these events do not fit the UN definition of genocide, whic…
(2020-04-28). No need to extend Covid-19 home quarantine: Austria to let people out from May 1 and allow gatherings soon. rt.com 
Austrians will soon be able to walk with no restrictions and gather in groups of 10, as coronavirus measures will be gradually lifted starting next month. | The easing of the self-isolation measures was announced by Health Minister Rudolf Anschober, who said that the spread of the novel coronavirus remains quite slow and the forecast for the upcoming month looks "very good." He also said that the nation has coped with the epidemic "very well," all thanks to the population, which "made it possible." | The minister then said that going out will be permitted again starting from May 1, although a "minimal distance…
(2020-04-28). Driver who rammed police motorcyclists in Paris pledged allegiance to ISIS, prosecutor says. rt.com 
A letter pledging allegiance to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) was discovered in the car of the man who rammed his vehicle into two police motorcyclists in the suburbs of Paris on Monday, seriously injuring both officers. | The note was discovered along with a knife, France's anti-terrorism prosecutor (PNAT) said in a statement. Due to the finding, an investigation of "attempted murder of government officials in connection with the membership of a terrorist organization" has been launched, the office added. | In the letter, the driver pledged allegiance to IS and promised to sacrifice his life for the goal…
(2020-04-28). 'We must learn to live with Covid-19': French PM says lockdown easing over risk of economic collapse, '2nd wave' still possible. rt.com 
France's Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has announced that the country will begin to ease its lockdown on May 11, adding that the country has never before faced such a situation — even in wartime. | Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Philippe said people will need to be cautious as the strict national lockdown ends to avoid setting off a second wave of infections which he said would "strike a weakened hospital fabric" and impose a "re-confinement" that would ruin progress made during the initial restriction period. | He said the country cannot be locked down for "too long" and that France had never expe…
(2020-04-28). WATCH: Raging inferno CONSUMES warehouse in Bremen, Germany, sending vast plumes of black smoke skyward. rt.com 
A ferocious inferno has ripped through a timber warehouse in the German port city of Bremen, forcing police to cordon the area off as firefighters battle the blaze. | Police report the warehouse in Louis-Krages-Strasse caught fire late Tuesday morning, with flames rising up to 15 meters (50ft) above the scorched structure, while the thick plumes of smoke extend upward some 200 meters (656ft) or more into the sky, causing ash to rain down across the city. | Eyewitness video from the scene shows the sheer ferocity and intensity of the blaze as it consumes the vast quantities of timber contained inside the wareho…
(2020-04-28). Italy's Covid-19 daily death toll JUMPS as number of cases passes 200,000 milestone. rt.com 
Italy suffered a jump in Covid-19 fatalities on Tuesday as the illness claimed 382 more lives. It comes as the total number of people infected since the outbreak began in the Mediterranean country topped the 200,000 mark. | Tuesday's total was an increase of 49 on Monday's figure and represented the highest number of deaths from the disease in four days. The number of new confirmed cases also increased on Tuesday, and the tally of 2,091 was enough to push Italy past the 200,000 milestone. | The coronavirus has wreaked havoc in Italy since it first emerged there on February 21. With 27,359 fatalities the countr…
(2020-04-28). Portugal to lift state of emergency from May 3, reopening of economy will be 'slow process'. rt.com 
Portugal's lockdown will be lifted from May 3 but the reopening of the economy will be a slow and gradual process, the country's president said on Tuesday. | "What matters in this new phase is that the Portuguese know that containment remains important so we must take small steps and constantly evaluate [the situation]," President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa told a news conference. He announced that Sunday will mark the end of a state of emergency first imposed last month, Reuters reported. | Most non-essential services were shut on March 18 to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
(2020-04-28). Arctic test drive: Russia's DRIVERLESS KAMAZ TRUCKS brave frosty terrain in epic VIDEO. rt.com 
Known for their robust designs, KAMAZ trucks took on many roles, from competing in the Dakar Rally to carrying troops and supplies. This time, they were put to the ultimate test in the far north, with no one in the driver's seat.
(2020-04-28). Putin prolongs nationwide paid leave and partial lockdown until May 11 as daily Covid-19 infections surge. rt.com 
Russians will have to self-isolate until May 11, President Vladimir Putin has said, as the country braces itself for the peak of the Covid-19 epidemic, which has infected over 95,000 people nationwide. | The move, which Putin announced during a closely watched address, comes as the previous April 30 deadline was set to expire. That date was set on April 2, and involved a combination of partial lockdowns and paid holidays for all Russians working in non-essential roles. | The gradual removal of the coronavirus lockdown measures will begin from May 12, Putin said, giving the government a week to come up with rec…
(2020-04-28). Russia in contact with Libya parties, says political means needed to resolve conflict. rt.com 
Moscow has reiterated that it is only possible to resolve the Libyan issue through political and diplomatic means, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. | Russia "firmly believes that the only way to resolve the situation in Libya is through progress on the political and diplomatic track, as well as through political and diplomatic communication between the parties," the Kremlin spokesman said. Russia continues to maintain contact with all parties in Libya, Peskov noted. | Libyan National Army Commander Khalifa Haftar said on Monday that his forces had "a popular mandate" to rule the co…
(2020-04-28). Man vs machine: Russian scientists develop AI that can assess and train human cognitive abilities through simulated combat. rt.com 
Russian researchers have created a computer game which can assess a human player's decision-making speed and their powers of prediction, using trials by combat against an AI-powered opponent. | The team at the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (MSUPE) sought to measure the human players' numeracy skills, logical ability, reaction times and predictive intuition while making decisions under rapidly changing conditions. | The humans were confronted by multiple active AI-powered opponents governed by a complex mathematical algorithm. Their task was simple: eliminate all AI opponents on the limite…
(2020-04-28). Serbia cautiously eases lockdown, plans to restart public transport. rt.com 
Serbia will resume bus and rail services and allow commercial flights as part of its cautious easing of the nationwide lockdown as the rate of coronavirus infections slows, health authorities said on Tuesday. | Passenger air transport, suspended in March when Serbia introduced a state of emergency and closed its borders, will be possible from May 18, epidemiologist Branislav Tiodorovic told reporters. Commuter transport in major cities, including the capital Belgrade, will be restored in the first half of May, along with rail and bus services. Shopping malls, cafes and restaurants will also reopen on the condi…
(2020-04-28). Turkey sends medical supplies, protective equipment to US. rt.com 
A military plane from Turkey carrying medical supplies and protective equipment headed for the United States on Tuesday to deliver aid to its NATO ally battling the coronavirus outbreak. | The US, which has the highest death toll and reported cases in the global pandemic, welcomed the "generous donation" of 500,000 surgical masks, 4,000 overalls, as well as disinfectant, goggles and face shields, Reuters said. | "As this delivery indicates, the US-Turkey relationship is strong and one of our most important alliances," US Ambassador to Turkey David Satterfield said. | Ankara has already sent medical shipments t…
(2020-04-28). Under Europe's Strictest Lockdown, the World Is Only As Big as Our Windows. thenation.com Under Europe's Strictest Lockdown, the World Is Only As Big as Our Windows…
(2020-04-28). IranAir to launch special flights from Tbilisi, Milan to Tehran amid pandemic. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Iran's National Flag Carrier, Iran Air, announced on Tue. that it will launch special two flights from Italy's Milan to Tehran tomorrow on Apr. 29 and May 2 for returning Iranians stranded in this European country to homeland amid the coronavirus pandemic.
(2020-04-28). COVID-19 and the Rise of the Police State. globalresearch.ca In December 1917, Europe was immersed in the First World War—one of the most vicious, insane wars the world had ever witnessed. After learning about the high casualty toll and the horrific nature of trench warfare, which included the use …
(2020-04-28). Under Europe's Strictest Lockdown, the World Is As Narrow as a Window. thenation.com Under Europe's Strictest Lockdown, the World Is As Narrow as a Window…
(2020-04-28). Europe must take serious stances against US anti-human actions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Europe must adopt serious stance against US anti-human moves.
(2020-04-28). Germany: IG Metall and works council force Volkswagen workers back despite coronavirus danger. wsws.org Production is starting up again at Volkswagen ' s main plant, the largest car factory in Europe with 63,000 employees , as the company plays roulette with the health and lives of its workforce.
(2020-04-28). Iran, Armenia emphasize transferring experiences in fight against COVID-19. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stressed the need for contributing and transferring experiences of the two countries in battling the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
(2020-04-28). Power transmission project between Iran, Armenia underway despite Covid-19 outbreak. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Armenia's Ambassador to Iran Artashes Toumanian said on Tuesday that the two countries' joint electricity transmission project is underway despite the coronavirus pandemic.
(2020-04-28). France: Unions Call for May 1st Demonstration. telesurenglish.net French Union organizations convoked members to celebrate Workers Day, despite the current COVID-19 pandemic. The groups stated they would demonstrate through social media to comply with COVID-19 preventive measures. | RELATED: | The General Confederation of Labour (CGT), the United Federation of Trade Unions (FSU), the Union Syndicale Solidaires (USS), the National Union of Students of France (UNEF), the Union Nationa…
(2020-04-28). Covid-19 Is the Perfect Catalyst for Trump's War Against China. globalresearch.ca The phrase 'Yellow Peril' — pertaining to the alleged threat of the Far East — was coined by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany in the 1880s after he had a dream featuring a Buddha riding a dragon threatening to invade …
(2020-04-28). Growing resistance in Germany to the opening up of schools. wsws.org "From the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, I have only seen economic interests at work," said one high school student.
(2020-04-28). 9/11 Truth and Giulietto Chiesa, 1940-2020. His Legacy Will Live. globalresearch.ca The 9/11 Consensus Panel mourns the loss of the great Italian journalist, Giulietto Chiesa, whose life was devoted to upholding the foundations of democracy, not just in his native Italy, but in Russia and worldwide. | The Consensus Panel was …
(2020-04-28). 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 …
(2020-04-28). 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 …
(2020-04-28). 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 …
(2020-04-28). Lavrov, Zarif dismiss US new plot for JCPOA as 'unfeasible'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov discussed the latest plot devised by Washington to put more pressure on Iran.
(2020-04-28). New Anti-China Propaganda Uses Russiagate Playbook. globalresearch.ca A rabid anti-China propaganda campaign has spread through the media since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The hysteria seems to be just as contagious as the virus, as Americans are bombarded with anti-China stories from the pages of The …
(2020-04-28). BRICS Bank to Allocate $15 Billion to Economic Recovery. telesurenglish.net Russia's RELATED: | "We have decided to create a special credit instrument to finance economic recovery projects in the countries. It is expected t…
(2020-04-28). US' new allegations against Iran pessimistic: Ulyanov. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Mikhail Ulyanov called the US allegations of nuclear commitment and Washington's plans to reinstate UN sanctions against Iran pessimistic.
(2020-04-28). Putin Extends National Paid Leave to May 11. telesurenglish.net Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday extended the national paid leave introduced to contain the spread of COVID-19 to May 11. | RELATED: | "We are now facing a new, perhaps the most intense stage in the fight against the epidemic. The risks of getting infected have reached a climax. The threat, the mortal danger of the virus persists, and this can affect everyone," Putin said in a televised address to the nat…
(2020-04-28). 'The Old Man and the Singer' to go on screen at Visions du Réel Filmfest. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 28 (MNA) — Iranian documentary, 'The Old Man and the Singer' by Amir Osanlou took part at the Visions du Réel Film Festival in Switzerland.
(2020-04-28). Covid-19: Oxford University Vaccine Proves Effective in Monkeys. telesurenglish.net The Jenner Institute at Oxford University in the United Kingdom successfully tested a vaccine against COVID-19 in Rhesus macaques, scientists revealed on Monday. | RELATED: | The results of the research will be released next week, a month after testing the drug on six Rhesus macaques. | The vaccine was given to the six monkeys at the U.S. National Institutes of Health's Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Montana. | The…
(2020-04-28). Global tally of coronavirus recoveries surpasses 900,000. yenisafak.com The global coronavirus recoveries exceeded the 900,000 mark on Tuesday, according to a running tally by the US-based Johns Hopkins University.The university's data showed a total of 902,129 people won their battle against the pandemic. The number of cases reached 3,057,957 while 211,894 deaths recorded.Spain has the highest number of recoveries with nearly 124,000, followed by Germany with 114,500 and the US 111,583.However, the US continues to be the worst-hit country, with the highest numbers of infections and deaths
(2020-04-28). German labs boost coronavirus test capacity to 700,000 per week. yenisafak.com German labs have increased their weekly coronavirus testing capacity to about 700,000, up from 640,000 a week earlier, a trade group said on Tuesday, after the country's main public health institution called for wider testing.The association of accredited laboratories in Germany, ALM, said in a statement on Tuesday that a total of about 292,000 tests were carried out in Germany last week, up from about 268,000 in the previous week, citing a survey of 116 German labs.Germany's Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases on Friday widened its recommendation for who should be tested for the virus to include…
(2020-04-28). Russia disapproves of Haftar's power grab in Libya: Lavrov. yenisafak.com "I would not talk here about any leverage that Russia has," Lavrov said. "We have contact with all the actors in the Libyan conflict, without exception."The Kremlin earlier on Tuesday said Russia remained committed to seeking a resolution to the conflict through politics and diplomacy.
(2020-04-28). Turkey concerned about latest developments in Yemen. yenisafak.com Turkey on Tuesday voiced concern about latest developments in Yemen where country's United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) declared self-governance."In this time of coronavirus pandemic, the need to deal with the extremely grave humanitarian crisis in the country is more pressing than ever," the Foreign Ministry statement said.The ministry said it expects all parties to make efforts in a "unified and cooperative manner" in order to relieve the suffering of the Yemeni people, to avoid acts that would further deepen the humanitarian and political crisis and disrupt Yemen's political unity a…
(2020-04-28). Turkey's coronavirus fight lauded by US expert. yenisafak.com An immunologist at a US lab praised Turkey's response to the novel coronavirus pandemic due to its "very good" health system and "timely" measures."Turkey's biggest advantage is that the healthcare system is really good," said Dr. Derya Unutmaz of the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, Connecticut. "If one of my family members or people close to me got infected, I'd tell them to seek treatment in Turkey instead of coming to America," he told Anadolu Agency.Unutmaz said Turkey implemented precautions "on time at the very beginning," adding that failure to take these measures could have resulted…
(2020-04-28). Turkey postpones farmers' loans for 6 months amid virus. yenisafak.com Turkey provided interest-free six-month postponement for farmers' loans amid the coronavirus pandemic, the treasury and finance minister announced on Tuesday."Thus, we offer our farmers the opportunity to postpone approximately 6 billion Turkish liras ($858.1 million) debt," Berat Albayrak said on Twitter.He said for the past 18 years, the government has always stood by farmers, and mobilized its possibilities. Today, the government backs farmers again against the COVID-19's effects, he added.The country also supports several sectors and citizens with salary payments, tax postponement or discounts and loans with…
(2020-04-28). Germany's Economic Output Down 16%, GDP Due to Fall 6.6% in 2020 Due to COVID-19 – Study. sputniknews.com BERLIN (Sputnik) – German economic output has plunged by 16 percent due to the coronavirus-induced shuttering of businesses across the country, a study by German economic institute Ifo said on Tuesday.
(2020-04-28). Lavrov: EU Hasn't Provided a Single Fact About Russia's Alleged Disinformation on Coronavirus. sputniknews.com Last month, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that claims that Russia had been feeding disinformation campaign on the coronavirus pandemic are unfounded.
(2020-04-28). Russian Scientists Create Computer Simulator Capable of Assessing Cognitive Abilities. sputniknews.com Scientists at the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (MSUPE) have created a unique computer game that can evaluate the player's decision-making speed as well as their ability to predict situation. According to the researchers, the development will also serve as a specialised simulator of these skills.