Daily Archives: March 21, 2020

2020-03-21: News Headlines

RT (2020-03-21). Russian economy can survive for a long time with oil at $20 per barrel. rt.com Despite efforts by Russia to gradually cut its reliance on oil, a lengthy energy market turmoil could be challenging for the country's economy and could even result in a major economic crisis. | Oil has continued its dramatic fall this week, dropping to more than an 18-year low on Wednesday amid global recession worries and low demand. Both US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and international benchmark Brent slightly rebounded on Thursday, trading at $22.55 and $27.65 respectively. | The key issue now is not how low can crude prices plunge, but for how long this situation persists, Aleksandr Bakhtin, investment…

RT (2020-03-21). Russia delivers over 100,000 Covid-19 test kits to 13 states, including Iran, North Korea. rt.com The testing tools for coronavirus were delivered to 13 countries, including Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states Iran and North Korea, Russia's public health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said on Saturday. | The equipment manufactured in Russia can conduct over 100,000 tests for Covid-19, and has already been used to track down the first cases of the disease in Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Moscow is due to ship the equipment to Serbia, as well as to Egypt and Venezuela. | Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said earlier this week that Russia has no shortage of testing kits. A government…

Caitlin A. Johnstone (2020-03-21). Liberal NPCs hate Russia, Conservative NPCs hate China. mronline.org The frenzied, shrieking hysteria I'm witnessing right now among Trump's base regarding China looks and moves in the exact same way the mental zombification of Russia hysteria looked and moved when it began tearing through rank-and-file Democrats in late 2016 and early 2017. The seething, screaming vitriol I get from the MAGA crowd on social […] |

RT (2020-03-21). Twice-daily health checks and no spectators allowed: World Chess Candidates grabs online audience as sports hit by coronavirus. rt.com With stringent coronavirus tests before and after each game, the World Chess Candidates has become an unlikely sensation as action-starved sports fans go online to watch the battle of minds in the Russian city of Ekaterinburg. | Eight potential challengers are duking it out for the right to challenge the world champion, Magnus Carlsen, and for a €500,000 (US$538,000) prize fund — but the start of the three-week contest has been overshadowed by fears of Covid-19, with two competitors from China facing 14-day quarantine periods before the event began, and at least one player dropping out in protest ove…

Raza Naeem (2020-03-21). Talking Lenin with Tariq Ali — I. mronline.org Raza Naeem sat down with one of the most influential leftists of our world today to discuss politics, history and his 2017 book |

sputniknews (2020-03-21). Coronavirus Fallout in Russia: Which Industries Will Benefit in Quarantine Era? sputniknews.com On 11 March, the World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, urging all countries to activate and scale up emergency response mechanisms.

sputniknews (2020-03-21). 'Outstanding Diplomat and Mr No': Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Turns 70. sputniknews.com Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is one of the longest-serving Russian cabinet members and has been steering the country's diplomacy at the helm of the Foreign Ministry since 2004, turns 70 on 21 March.

sputniknews (2020-03-21). Giant Cloud of Smoke Rises Over Moscow Region Due to Fire at Aluminium Plant – Photo, Video. sputniknews.com According to emergency services, the incident occurred at an industrial building belonging to an aluminium plant in the city of Dmitrov. At the moment, the conflagration is considered to be very hazardous, as it has spread to 80 percent of the building.

sputniknews (2020-03-21). Moscow Calls on Washington to Lift Sanctions Against Iran Amid COVID-19 Pandemic. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Moscow calls on the United States to abandon its unilateral sanctions against Iran amid the coronavirus pandemic, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Saturday.

sputniknews (2020-03-21). Russia Registers 4 Ceasefire Violations in Syria Over Past 24 Hours — Defen—Åe Ministry. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian side of the Russian-Turkish commission monitoring the implementation of the Syrian truce has recorded four ceasefire violations in Syria over the past 24 hours, while the Turkish side has recorded no truce breaches, the Russian Defence Ministry said in its daily bulletin on Saturday.

sputniknews (2020-03-21). Moscow Blasts US Statements About Russia's Alleged 'Energy Weapons' as Insinuation. sputniknews.com The US recently reiterated its criticism of Russia's sale of energy resources, calling its actions "malign" amid the ongoing dive in oil prices caused by the collapse of the OPEC+ deal.

sputniknews (2020-03-21). Best Hits: Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's Greatest Achievements and Public Gaffes as He Turns 70. sputniknews.com Russia's top diplomat has earned the respect of his colleagues both at home and abroad for his professionalism and the love of the public – mostly due unexpected gaffes rarely heard from people in his profession.

yenisafak (2020-03-21). Russia's top carmaker Avtovaz reports first coronavirus cases. yenisafak.com Russia's largest carmaker Avtovaz reported the first two cases of the coronavirus among its workers, it said on Saturday.Russia, which has so far reported 253 cases of the virus and one death, has introduced a raft of economic and social measures to limit its spread.Avtovaz's factory, which employs around 35,000 workers in Russia's Volga city of Togliatti, does not plan to stop production, the representative, who asked not to be named, said. There have been coronavirus cases confirmed at Togliatti before Avtovaz."The situation is under control," he added. "Everything is working, is on schedule."Moscow has suspend…

yenisafak (2020-03-21). Cooperation with OPEC 'meaningless': Rosneft CEO. yenisafak.com Cooperation between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and some non-OPEC oil producing countries has become meaningless, according to the head of Russian energy giant Rosneft.Due to both U.S. sanctions and COVID-19, the OPEC agreement means little, Igor Sechin told Russia 24 TV late Friday."Cooperation between OPEC and some non-OPEC crude oil producer countries has now lost meaning. The reasons for the state of the political and consumer market are now more meaningful," Sechin said.Sechin, one of the figures behind Russia's decision to withdraw from OPEC, said Russia has to maintain its…

RT (2020-03-20). Senator Burr enabled Russiagaters for years; now they're accusing him of insider trading & coronavirus lies. rt.com Richard Burr, chair of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, has been accused of deceiving the public about the coronavirus outbreak and seeking to profit from it by dumping stocks that are crashing due to the pandemic. | Burr (R-North Carolina) found himself under attack from two directions on Thursday. Early in the day, National Public Radio ran a story based on "secret recordings" from a speech he gave in North Carolina in late February, when he gave oddly specific warnings about Covid-19 to an elite group of donors, while keeping the rest of the American public in the dark. | SCOOP: Secret recording obtain…

Gareth Porter (2020-03-20). The New York Times' Insidious Ongoing Disinformation Campaign on Russia and Elections. globalresearch.ca For the past three years the new narrative of Russian interference in U.S. elections has bound corporate news media more tightly than ever to the interests of the national security state. And no outlet has pushed that narrative more aggressively …

Lucas Leiroz de Almeida (2020-03-20). The Baltic States Align Themselves with US-NATO against Russia ? globalresearch.ca In 2017, RAND Corporation published in its associated media Small Wars Journal an

Jason Ditz (2020-02-20). Turkey Kills Over 50 Syrian Troops, Russian Warplanes Intervene to Halt Offensive. theantimedia.com Russia called the situation a "worst case scenario."

Jason Ditz (2020-02-17). DOJ Investigating Former CIA Director's Role in Russiagate. theantimedia.com The Justice Department is investigating the role of John Brennan in the assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.

Strategic Culture (2020-02-08). US Deploys 'Mini-Nukes' in Deplorable Threat to World Peace. theantimedia.com These so-called "mini-nukes" represent—despite the diminutive-sounding name—an increased risk of nuclear war.

Tyler Durden (2020-02-08). Iraq and Russia Prepare to Boost Military Ties as US Threatens Sanctions. theantimedia.com Iraq and Russia are preparing for deepening military coordination.

Middle East Eye (2020-02-07). Russia Says Israel Used Civilian Plane as Human Shield During Syria Strikes. theantimedia.com Russia accused Israel of "making a total mockery of the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians."

Jon Rainwater (2019-11-07). Take Action — Some actual, SANE legislation. peaceaction.org Trump has plans to spend nearly $2 TRILLION over the next 30 years on unneeded and unnecessary nuclear weapons and delivery systems. This makes no sense. This is insane. That's nearly $100 million wasted every day for thirty years on weapons we are supposed to be getting rid of. To put that amount in perspective, …

2020-03-21: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

Twice-daily health checks and no spectators allowed: World Chess Candidates grabs online audience as sports hit by coronavirus
rt.com | 2020-03-21
With stringent coronavirus tests before and after each game, the World Chess Candidates has become an unlikely sensation as action-starved sports fans go online to watch the battle of minds in the Russian city of Ekaterinburg. | Eight potential challengers are duking it out for the right to challenge the world champion, Magnus Carlsen, and for a €500,000 (US$538,000) prize fund

Russian economy can survive for a long time with oil at $20 per barrel
rt.com | 2020-03-21
Despite efforts by Russia to gradually cut its reliance on oil, a lengthy energy market turmoil could be challenging for the country's economy and could even result in a major economic crisis. | Oil has continued its dramatic fall this week, dropping to more than an 18-year low on Wednesday amid global recession worries and low demand. Both US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and international benchmark Brent slightly rebounded on Thursday, trading at $22.55 and $27.65 respectively. | The key issue now is not how low can crude prices plunge, but for how long this situation persists, Aleksandr Bakhtin, investment…
rt.com/business/483500-russia-economic-crisis-oil/

Liberal NPCs hate Russia, Conservative NPCs hate China
Caitlin A. Johnstone | mronline.org | 2020-03-21
The frenzied, shrieking hysteria I'm witnessing right now among Trump's base regarding China looks and moves in the exact same way the mental zombification of Russia hysteria looked and moved when it began tearing through rank-and-file Democrats in late 2016 and early 2017. The seething, screaming vitriol I get from the MAGA crowd on social […] | Source…
mronline.org/2020/03/21/liberal-npcs-hate-russia-conservative-npcs-hate-china/

Russia delivers over 100,000 Covid-19 test kits to 13 states, including Iran, North Korea
rt.com | 2020-03-21
The testing tools for coronavirus were delivered to 13 countries, including Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states Iran and North Korea, Russia's public health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said on Saturday. | The equipment manufactured in Russia can conduct over 100,000 tests for Covid-19, and has already been used to track down the first cases of the disease in Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Moscow is due to ship the equipment to Serbia, as well as to Egypt and Venezuela. | Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said earlier this week that Russia has no shortage of testing kits. A government…
rt.com/russia/483701-russia-ships-coronavirus-testing/

Best Hits: Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's Greatest Achievements and Public Gaffes as He Turns 70
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-21
Russia's top diplomat has earned the respect of his colleagues both at home and abroad for his professionalism and the love of the public – mostly due unexpected gaffes rarely heard from people in his profession.
sputniknews.com/russia/202003211078055197-best-hits-russian-foreign-minister-lavrovs-greatest-achievements-and-public-gaffes-as-he-turns-70/

Moscow Calls on Washington to Lift Sanctions Against Iran Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-21
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Moscow calls on the United States to abandon its unilateral sanctions against Iran amid the coronavirus pandemic, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Saturday.
sputniknews.com/world/202003211078656955-moscow-calls-on-washington-to-lift-sanctions-against-iran-amid-covid-19-pandemic/

'Outstanding Diplomat and Mr No': Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Turns 70
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-21
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is one of the longest-serving Russian cabinet members and has been steering the country's diplomacy at the helm of the Foreign Ministry since 2004, turns 70 on 21 March.
sputniknews.com/photo/202003211078655791-russian-foreign-minister-sergei-lavrov-turns-70/

Moscow Blasts US Statements About Russia's Alleged 'Energy Weapons' as Insinuation
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-21
The US recently reiterated its criticism of Russia's sale of energy resources, calling its actions "malign" amid the ongoing dive in oil prices caused by the collapse of the OPEC+ deal.
sputniknews.com/world/202003211078656020-moscow-blasts-us-statements-about-russias-alleged-energy-weapons-as-insinuation/

Giant Cloud of Smoke Rises Over Moscow Region Due to Fire at Aluminium Plant – Photo, Video
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-21
According to emergency services, the incident occurred at an industrial building belonging to an aluminium plant in the city of Dmitrov. At the moment, the conflagration is considered to be very hazardous, as it has spread to 80 percent of the building.
sputniknews.com/russia/202003211078653538-fire-in-moscow-region-devastates-industrial-building-engulfing-48000-square-metres/

Coronavirus Fallout in Russia: Which Industries Will Benefit in Quarantine Era?
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-21
On 11 March, the World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, urging all countries to activate and scale up emergency response mechanisms.
sputniknews.com/russia/202003211078656205-coronavirus-fallout-in-russia-which-industries-will-benefit-in-quarantine-era/

Russia's top carmaker Avtovaz reports first coronavirus cases
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-21
Russia's largest carmaker Avtovaz reported the first two cases of the coronavirus among its workers, it said on Saturday.Russia, which has so far reported 253 cases of the virus and one death, has introduced a raft of economic and social measures to limit its spread.Avtovaz's factory, which employs around 35,000 workers in Russia's Volga city of Togliatti, does not plan to stop production, the representative, who asked not to be named, said. There have been coronavirus cases confirmed at Togliatti before Avtovaz."The situation is under control," he added. "Everything is working, is on schedule."Moscow has suspend…
yenisafak.com/en/world/russias-top-carmaker-avtovaz-reports-first-coronavirus-cases-3514585

Cooperation with OPEC 'meaningless': Rosneft CEO
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-21
Cooperation between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and some non-OPEC oil producing countries has become meaningless, according to the head of Russian energy giant Rosneft.Due to both U.S. sanctions and COVID-19, the OPEC agreement means little, Igor Sechin told Russia 24 TV late Friday."Cooperation between OPEC and some non-OPEC crude oil producer countries has now lost meaning. The reasons for the state of the political and consumer market are now more meaningful," Sechin said.Sechin, one of the figures behind Russia's decision to withdraw from OPEC, said Russia has to maintain its…
yenisafak.com/en/economy/cooperation-with-opec-meaningless-rosneft-ceo-3514583

The New York Times' Insidious Ongoing Disinformation Campaign on Russia and Elections
Gareth Porter | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-20
For the past three years the new narrative of Russian interference in U.S. elections has bound corporate news media more tightly than ever to the interests of the national security state. And no outlet has pushed that narrative more aggressively …
globalresearch.ca/new-york-times-ongoing-disinformation-campaign-russia-elections/5706855

The Baltic States Align Themselves with US-NATO against Russia ?
Lucas Leiroz de Almeida | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-20
In 2017, RAND Corporation published in its associated media Small Wars Journal an article by the researchers Marta Kepe and Jan Osburg, outlining a strategic defense plan for the Baltic countries in the event of a Russian invasion. The authors …
globalresearch.ca/baltic-countries-interested-increase-role-international-scene/5706882

Senator Burr enabled Russiagaters for years; now they're accusing him of insider trading & coronavirus lies
rt.com | 2020-03-20
Richard Burr, chair of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, has been accused of deceiving the public about the coronavirus outbreak and seeking to profit from it by dumping stocks that are crashing due to the pandemic. | Burr (R-North Carolina) found himself under attack from two directions on Thursday. Early in the day, National Public Radio ran a story based on "secret recordings" from a speech he gave in North Carolina in late February, when he gave oddly specific warnings about Covid-19 to an elite group of donors, while keeping the rest of the American public in the dark. | SCOOP: Secret recording obtain…
rt.com/usa/483567-burr-insider-trading-coronavirus/

The Baltic States Align Themselves with US-NATO against Russia ?
Lucas Leiroz de Almeida | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-20
In 2017, RAND Corporation published in its associated media Small Wars Journal an article by the researchers Marta Kepe and Jan Osburg, outlining a strategic defense plan for the Baltic countries in the event of a Russian invasion. The authors …
globalresearch.ca/baltic-countries-interested-increase-role-international-scene/5706882

Turkey Kills Over 50 Syrian Troops, Russian Warplanes Intervene to Halt Offensive
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2020-02-20
Russia called the situation a "worst case scenario."

Turkey Kills Over 50 Syrian Troops, Russian Warplanes Intervene to Halt Offensive

Turkey Kills Over 50 Syrian Troops, Russian Warplanes Intervene to Halt Offensive
Jason Ditz | theantimedia.com | 2020-02-20
Russia called the situation a "worst case scenario."

Turkey Kills Over 50 Syrian Troops, Russian Warplanes Intervene to Halt Offensive