Daily Archives: March 31, 2020

2020-03-31: News Headlines

RT (2020-03-31). Oil recovers from decades' lows as Russia & US agree energy talks. rt.com The price of crude rebounded on Tuesday from an 18-year low after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump have agreed talks to stabilize energy markets. | International benchmark Brent rose 1.5 percent to $23.15 per barrel, as of 08: 06 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was up six percent at $21.19 a barrel. Both Brent and the WTI closed the previous session at their lowest levels since 2002. | According to the Kremlin, Trump and Putin agreed during a phone call on Monday to have their top energy officials discuss stabilizing oil markets. | "Oil prices are clawing back from a ne…

RT (2020-03-31). Covid-19 deaths in Russia almost DOUBLE in single day: Parliament clears path for state of emergency. rt.com The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia rose by 500 on Tuesday — a new daily record for the world's largest country. Authorities also reported eight new deaths, bringing the overall total to 17. | The latest figures mean Russia has now recorded 2,337 known Covid-19 infections, with 121 patients recovered. While cases are beginning to multiply, the country still remains an outlier in European terms. Other large states, such as Italy and Spain, have been hit much harder by the outbreak, with even the likes of Ireland, Luxembourg and Norway, with comparatively tiny populations, more badly affect…

RT (2020-03-31). Coronacrazy? Quarantined rapper cheers as his German shepherd GNAWS on retriever in sickening livestream (VIDEO). rt.com A popular Russian rapper with a long record of controversy has added apparent animal abuse to his list of sins. He livestreamed his dog attacking someone else's pet, cheering it on and asking viewers if they wanted more action. | Animal rights activists in Russia are after the blood of Aleksey Dolmatov, better known by his stage name Guf. The 40-year-old is a veteran award-winning performer, but lately it's his erratic behavior rather than his music that has been making headlines. | On Monday, Guf seemingly hit a new low as he was walking his German shepherd named Gucci near his country house. In a livestream…

RT (2020-03-31). Russian Covid-19 aid plane to US: Putin asked Trump if he needed help & he accepted, Kremlin spokesman says. rt.com A cargo plane loaded with medical supplies and protection equipment may depart for the US by the end of Tuesday, the Kremlin said, after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. | The issue of protective gear was raised during the Monday phone talks, with Putin asking if the US needed help and Trump accepting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday. | Moscow suggested the aid in anticipation that the US will be able to return the favor if necessary, once its manufacturers of medical and protective equipment catch up with demand, Peskov said. | The…

RT (2020-03-31). Lower house of Russian Parliament approves fines, jail terms for quarantine offenders. rt.com Russian lawmakers in the State Duma on Tuesday approved legislation backing jail terms of up to seven years and fines of up to two million rubles ($25,500) for anyone flouting quarantine rules if their doing so led to people dying. | The lower house of the parliament also passed a bill in the first reading vesting the government with additional powers because of the coronavirus pandemic. | The legislation must be backed by the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin before entering into force. | The official tally in Russia rose to 2,337 coronavirus ca…

RT (2020-03-31). Russian dog owners offer pets for rent as excuse to walk outside despite Covid-19 'stay home' order. rt.com The quarantine in Russia leaves people with few legit excuses to go out. Some dog owners are willing to rent their pets to restless clients, so that they could take a walk not be stopped by the police. | People in many parts of Russia, including the capital, are supposed to stay home to curb the spread of Covid-19. A handful of exceptions is made, including for dog owners who need to walk their pets, but even those are expected to keep the walks short and not stray further than 100 meters from their home. | The loophole creates an obvious temporary business opportunity. Want to have a pretext to be outside and…

RT (2020-03-31). Head of Russian coronavirus hospital visited by Putin tests positive for Covid-19. rt.com Denis Protsenko, head doctor at a hospital treating coronavirus patients in Moscow has tested positive for Covid-19. President Vladimir Putin visited the clinic earlier this month. | Protsenko "Dear friends, I'm really touched by your concerns. Yes, I've tested positive for the CoV, but I feel quite well. I've self-isolated at my office where I have everything n…

RT (2020-03-31). 'Happily surprised'? Trump says Russia sent US 'very, very large' aid package to combat Covid-19. rt.com US President Donald Trump has praised Moscow for sending a 'very large planeload of things' to help fight the spread of the coronavirus and treat sickened patients, noting that China and other nations had also chipped in. | UPDATE: "We've had great relationships with a lot of countries," the president told reporters at his daily Covid-19 briefing on Monday, adding: "China sent us some stuff, which was terr…

RT (2020-03-31). How disinformation really works: Activists linked to pro-NATO think tank smear Russian Covid-19 aid to Italy. rt.com With over 11,000 deaths and more than 100,000 cases of Covid-19, Italy is currently a country which feels under siege. But this is no impediment to the think tank racket twisting an offer of support for its propaganda purposes. | Here's what happened. The weekend before last, Vladimir Putin called Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. During the conversation, Conte asked for help, in fighting coronavirus, according to the Kremlin readout which hasn't been contradicted by Italian officials. | Let's be clear from the outset, there was undoubtably a strong PR, as well as practical, element to Russia's assistance…

RT (2020-03-31). Russia sets up new oil company to potentially take over operations in Venezuela. rt.com A company specializing in the production and transportation of oil and gas has been set up in Russia, according to the state registry data. The new firm could take over projects in Venezuela after Rosneft sold its assets there. | Roszarubezhneft, which is owned by the Federal Agency for Government Property Management, will have an authorized capital of 322.7 billion rubles (over $4 billion). | The company was registered in Moscow on March 28, after Russia's oil major Rosneft announced the sale of its assets in Venezuela. On Saturday, Rosneft signed an agreement with the newly established government-run company…

RT (2020-03-31). France, Germany & Britain send medical goods to Iran, test new trade mechanism. rt.com Germany, France and Britain have exported medical goods to Iran in the first transaction conducted under a new trade mechanism, Instex, Berlin said on Tuesday. The mechanism was set up to facilitate trade in humanitarian goods and food after the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. | The German Foreign Ministry said the medical goods were now in Iran, adding that the trade mechanism and Tehran would now work on more transactions and on enhancing the system. | The three European states said earlier this month they had offered a $5.5 million package to Iran to help fight coronavirus there and are also sendi…

Ben Norton (2020-03-31). Southcom boosts US military presence in Latin America, citing China, Russia 'threats'. thegrayzone.com Southern Command is ramping up the US military presence in Latin America to counter China, Russia, and Venezuela, after signing…

Dave Lindorff (2020-03-31). We've Met the Enemy and It's a Tiny Virus. counterpunch.org Over the course of just a couple of days last week, the backbone of the US Navy's Pacific fleet has just been shut down for the next month. The enemy that managed to cause this sudden surprise unilateral disarmament of the mighty US Navy's Pacific Fleet was not Russian or Chinese cyber hackers or a

Patrick Cockburn (2020-03-31). Trump's Chernobyl Moment: the US May Lose Its Status as World Superpower and Not Recover. counterpunch.org The US may be reaching its "Chernobyl moment" as it fails to lead in combating the coronavirus epidemic. As with the nuclear accident in the Soviet Union in 1986, a cataclysm is exposing systemic failings that have already weakened US hegemony in the world. Whatever the outcome of the pandemic, nobody is today looking to

WSWS (2020-03-31). IYSSE (Australia) online lecture tonight 7pm on the contemporary significance of the Russian Revolution. wsws.org WSWS writer Nick Beams will explain the necessity to turn to the socialist and internationalist perspective of the Russian Revolution, amid the crisis of world capitalism triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

sputniknews (2020-03-31). Head of Russia's Coronavirus Hospital Who Met With Putin Tests Positive for COVID-19. sputniknews.com The Russian capital, as well as the Moscow Region, previously introduced severe quarantine measures in order to curb the pandemic. President Vladimir Putin also urged people to stay at home, ordering a week with paid leave from 28 March to 5 April.

sputniknews (2020-03-31). What's in a Number? How Russia's Fighter Su-57 Got Its Name. sputniknews.com The fighter jet is a single-seat twin engine aircraft that has superb manoeuvrability, supersonic fighting capabilities, as well as an advanced radar and electronics. Reports say that China, Turkey, and India are interested in purchasing the jet, which reportedly costs $50 million.

sputniknews (2020-03-31). Russian Upper House OKs Bill on Up to 5 Years of Imprisonment for COVID-19 Disinformation. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian upper house, the Federation Council, approved on Tuesday a bill that makes the dissemination of fake information about the coronavirus a crime punishable with up to five years of imprisonment.

sputniknews (2020-03-31). Kremlin Slams Talk of Russian Health Care System Failing in Situation With Coronavirus. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday called the rumors of the Russian health care system unpreparedness for the coronavirus "empty talk."

sputniknews (2020-03-31). Su-57 Chief Engineer Explains Why Russian Jet is Superior to US F-22 and F-35 Fighters. sputniknews.com The F-35 jet has received hundreds of requests from buyers around the world, but the aircraft, which has been in development for decades, still reportedly faces a number of technical issues.

sputniknews (2020-03-31). North Macedonia's Admission to NATO Will Not Assist Fight Against New Threats – Moscow. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – North Macedonia's admission to NATO will neither strengthen the regional security nor assist the fight against new threats, including the coronavirus, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

sputniknews (2020-03-31). Stop Coronavirus: Russian Researchers Roll Out Reusable Face Masks. sputniknews.com The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has led to skyrocketing sales of face masks worldwide even though their effectiveness to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is rather limited.

sputniknews (2020-03-31). Trump, Erdogan Stress Need for Ceasefire in Syria, Libya During COVID-19 Pandemic – White House. sputniknews.com In January, an international conference on Libya took place in the German capital, counting Russia, the United States, the European Union, Turkey, and Egypt among its participants. The sides agreed to a ceasefire and for third parties not to be involved in the conflict.

yenisafak (2020-03-31). Russian doctor who met Putin last week diagnosed with coronavirus. yenisafak.com A doctor who gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a tour of Moscow's main coronavirus hospital last week said on Tuesday he had himself been diagnosed with the virus.Putin visited the Kommunarka hospital last Tuesday where he chatted to the doctor, Denis Protsenko. Neither man was wearing protective equipment during their conversation, TV footage from the visit showed.Protsenko, writing on Facebook said: "Yes, I have tested positive for coronavirus, but I feel pretty good. I've isolated myself in my office. I think the immunity I've developed this month is doing its job."The Kremlin said that Putin was being reg…

RT (2020-03-30). St. Petersburg adopts strict measures to fight Covid-19: Russia's second city goes into partial lockdown. rt.com Following Moscow's lead, authorities in Russia's cultural capital Saint Petersburg have imposed strict limits on movement, preventing most residents from leaving their homes except in emergencies or to do essential shopping. | Governor Aleksandr Beglov rolled out the measures on Monday evening, the day after Moscow introduced a similar regime, as Russian efforts to stymie the spread of Covid-19 intensify. The Baltic Sea city is one of Europe's largest, with a population of 5.4 million. The surrounding Leningrad Region, home to another 1.9 million people, has also put general travel restrictions in place. | Als…

RT (2020-03-30). Majority of new Covid-19 patients in Moscow are between 18 and 40 — disease response team. rt.com There were 212 new Covid-19 cases in Moscow over the past 24 hours, with 102 patients between the ages of 18 and 40, the city's disease response team said Monday. | Out of the newly recorded 212 cases in the Russian capital, 102 patients are between 18 and 40, and 58 are between 40 and 65. The health officials added that 17 patients are children. | The new cases include 43 people who recently returned from Europe. Moscow officials have earlier reported that a sizable portion of the confirmed Covid-19 patients were young people, with many of them undergoing artificial lung ventilation. | Also on rt.com | | <...

RT (2020-03-30). Mandatory self-isolation: With Moscow in partial lockdown, Russian PM urges rest of country to follow suit. rt.com As Covid-19 spreads, enforcing a nationwide shutdown across the world's largest country isn't easily done, in practical terms. With this in mind, it seems the Russian government has reached for the carrot rather than the stick. | After all, there's a considerable difference between enforcing rules in Moscow's tightly packed metropolitan area (population over 20 million) and attempting the same trick in the wilderness of Chukotka, separated by the Bering Straits from Alaska. Also, the fact that the capital has recorded about two-thirds of the known 1,836 Russian infections has helped to concentrate minds. | Thu…

Alan Macleod (2020-03-30). Biden's Foreign Policy Team Hints at War with China, Conflict with Russia. mintpressnews.com An analysis by the Brookings Institute based on interviews with Biden's foreign policy teams hints at a foreign policy that closely mirrors that of the Pentagon under President Trump.

Alan Macleod (2020-03-30). Biden's Foreign Policy Teams Hints at War with China, Conflict with Russia. mintpressnews.com An analysis by the Brookings Institute based on interviews with Biden's foreign policy teams hints at a foreign policy that closely mirrors that of the Pentagon under President Trump.

Sophie Pinkham (2020-03-30). The Strange and Often Egalitarian History of Russian Cryogenics. thenation.com The Strange and Often Egalitarian History of Russian Cryogenics…

Steven Sahiounie (2020-03-30). US Accused of Using Food Aid to Smuggle Weapons to Militants in Syria's Rukban Refugee Camp. mintpressnews.com UN aid trucks, according to Russian military sources, are being used to deliver not only food and supplies to the suffering civilians but also arms and ammunition to Maghawir Al-Thawra.

Sophie Pinkham (2020-03-30). The Strange and Often Radical Pursuit of Immortality in Russia. thenation.com The Strange and Often Radical Pursuit of Immortality in Russia…

sputniknews (2020-03-30). Moscow Mayor Agreed Upon Anti-Coronavirus Measures With President – Kremlin. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin agreed upon the anti-coronavirus measures in the capital with President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

sputniknews (2020-03-30). Stay Home, Pet Your Cat! Cute Feline Participants of 'Kitties Against Coronavirus' Online Conference. sputniknews.com The hosts of the conference, organised by the newspaper AiF, included prominent Russian animal tamers, vets, and even the Hermitage museum's resident oracle cat Achilles, known for predicting the outcome of sporting competitions.

sputniknews (2020-03-30). COVID-19 Pushes China to Improve Health Care as Part of Economic Development – Ambassador. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The COVID-19 outbreak has created an opportunity for China to improve its health care system, especially with regard to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui believes.

yenisafak (2020-03-30). COVID-19 infects more people in Russia, cases at 1,836. yenisafak.com The number of people diagnosed with the new coronavirus in Russia surged to 1,836 with 302 new cases, the authorities said on Monday.The deadly infection claimed a life in the Pskov region, rising the total fatalities to nine acros the country, the emergency team said in a statement.The cases have been reported across 71 regions nationwide, it noted.Since the outbreak of the virus in the country, 66 people have recovered from the disease, the team added.Several regions, including the capital Moscow, were put on lockdown on March 30. People are only allowed to leave their homes for buying groceries, medicines, wal…

M. K. Bhadrakumar (2020-03-30). Origins of COVID-19: Russia quizzes US on coronavirus' parentage. iranian.com All through the recent weeks since US President Donald Trump coined the epithet "China virus" to rename Coronavirus, Moscow kept a deafening silence. Finally, on Sunday, March 29, Moscow broke that silence. That the first Russian statement came at the level of the Russian foreign ministry makes this particularly significant. In an exclusive remark, a …

RT (2020-03-29). Not an old person's virus: Russia warns teens & adults they TOO may need ventilators if ill with Covid-19, citing patient data. rt.com Moscow authorities have sounded the alarm over the ratio of serious Covid-19 cases among younger people, having found that 40 percent of the patients undergoing artificial lung ventilation are under the age of 40. | At least 1,014 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the Russian capital as of Sunday, and only 15 percent of those are over 65, the authorities said. | Over 33 percent of those infected with the novel coronavirus fell between the ages of 18 and 34, while 46 percent were between 35 and 64, the official data said. | But what's worse, the serious cases requiring artificial lung ventilation unit…

RT (2020-03-29). 'You should NOT leave your home': Moscow mayor issues strict Covid-19 pandemic order, stopping short of complete lockdown. rt.com Moscow, where the number of coronavirus cases now exceeds 1,000, has introduced a tough self-isolation regime. From Monday, residents of the Russian capital will be only allowed to leave their homes in cases of absolute necessity. | Under the new rules, Muscovites can go outside if they need urgent medical help or to purchase food or medicine, for which they must use their nearest stores. They may also throw out trash and pet owners will be permitted to walk animals, inside a radius of 100 metres from their buildings. | The decree, issued by Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, applies to all age groups. People can continue…

The Lancet (2020-03-28). [Editorial] Learning the lessons of Chernobyl: time is running out. thelancet.com Unit number 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded on April 26, 1986, causing radiation injuries to hundreds of people within a couple of weeks. High levels of radiation affected clean-up workers (liquidators) involved in the emergency response, more than 500‚Äà000 liquidators involved in later decontamination and containment, and the general population in the surrounding Soviet states. 116‚Äà000 people were evacuated, 220‚Äà000 were permanently relocated, and a 30 km exclusion zone still exists around the plant.

Fight Back (2020-03-28). The U.S. should be working with China to end the Pandemic, Not provoking a new cold war. fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the statement from the MN Anti-War Committee. | The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest global crisis since World War 2. Millions may die in the coming weeks as the coronavirus spreads exponentially on every continent, irrespective of national borders. Hospital systems will be overwhelmed, supply chains will be stretched, shortages will be widespread, and impacts will be universal. Humanity will be united like never before, in struggle against an unprecedented public health threat. | Unfortunately, the Trump administration seems hellbent on using this crisis to furth…

teleSUR (2020-03-28). Russia Calls to Lift 'Genocidal' Sanctions Against Venezuela. telesurenglish.net Russia's Foreing Minister Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Friday reiterated her country's call to lift the illegal economic sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuela, which they consider as a "genocide tool" in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. | RELATED: | "We will not tire of repeating our call to immediately cancel arbitrary unilateral sanctions that at the current juncture of the epidemic become almost a weapo…

Steven Sahiounie (2020-03-27). Coronavirus: After the EU Failed to Deliver, Italy Looks to Russia for Help. mintpressnews.com The current global political scene is changing rapidly as a result of the coronavirus. New super-powers are emerging and former power-houses are weakening in the face of the crisis.

Pat Buchanan (2020-03-27). Foreign Policy: Can This Pandemic Usher In A New Era? iranian.com To fight the coronavirus at home, France is removing all military forces from Iraq. When NATO scaled back its war games in Europe because of the pandemic, Russia reciprocated. Moscow announced it would cancel its war games along NATO's border. Nations seem to be recognizing and responding to the grim new geostrategic reality of March …

Ajit Singh (2020-03-26). 'Forced labor' stories on China brought to you by US gov, NATO, arms industry to drive Cold War PR blitz. thegrayzone.com A new wave of media reports on Chinese forced labor relies almost entirely on a series of dubious studies by…

Darius Shahtahmasebi (2020-03-26). Has Saudi Arabia Shot Itself in the Foot With Its Oil Price War? mintpressnews.com The impact of coronavirus has destroyed the demand for oil and neither Saudi Arabia, Russia or the United States will escape the resulting price war unscathed.

Evgenia Ostroumova, Joachim Schàºz, Ausrele Kesminiene (2020-03-18). [Correspondence] Future of Chernobyl research: the urgency for consolidated action. thelancet.com The Chernobyl nuclear disaster on April 26, 1986, continues to create fears and myths about its health consequences, as shown by the large response to a top-rated HBO miniseries devoted to the tragic event. Risk assessments range from recognising an increase in thyroid cancer incidence in exposed children and adolescents (becoming one of the single most established long-term health effects of the Chernobyl disaster on the general population), to claims of hundreds of thousands of deaths due to the accident.

2020-03-31: Social Media Postees

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

Southcom boosts US military presence in Latin America, citing China, Russia 'threats'
Ben Norton | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-31
Southern Command is ramping up the US military presence in Latin America to counter China, Russia, and Venezuela, after signing…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/30/southcom-latin-america-china-russia-threats-brazil/

How disinformation really works: Activists linked to pro-NATO think tank smear Russian Covid-19 aid to Italy
rt.com | 2020-03-31
With over 11,000 deaths and more than 100,000 cases of Covid-19, Italy is currently a country which feels under siege. But this is no impediment to the think tank racket twisting an offer of support for its propaganda purposes. | Here's what happened. The weekend before last, Vladimir Putin called Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. During the conversation, Conte asked for help, in fighting coronavirus, according to the Kremlin readout which hasn't been contradicted by Italian officials. | Let's be clear from the outset, there was undoubtably a strong PR, as well as practical, element to Russia's assistance…
rt.com/news/484593-disinformation-russian-aid-italy-covid/

Coronacrazy? Quarantined rapper cheers as his German shepherd GNAWS on retriever in sickening livestream (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-03-31
A popular Russian rapper with a long record of controversy has added apparent animal abuse to his list of sins. He livestreamed his dog attacking someone else's pet, cheering it on and asking viewers if they wanted more action. | Animal rights activists in Russia are after the blood of Aleksey Dolmatov, better known by his stage name Guf. The 40-year-old is a veteran award-winning performer, but lately it's his erratic behavior rather than his music that has been making headlines. | On Monday, Guf seemingly hit a new low as he was walking his German shepherd named Gucci near his country house. In a livestream…
rt.com/russia/484592-russian-rapper-animal-cruelty/

Trump's Chernobyl Moment: the US May Lose Its Status as World Superpower and Not Recover
Patrick Cockburn | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-31
The US may be reaching its "Chernobyl moment" as it fails to lead in combating the coronavirus epidemic. As with the nuclear accident in the Soviet Union in 1986, a cataclysm is exposing systemic failings that have already weakened US hegemony in the world. Whatever the outcome of the pandemic, nobody is today looking to…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/31/trumps-chernobyl-moment-the-us-may-lose-its-status-as-world-superpower-and-not-recover/

We've Met the Enemy and It's a Tiny Virus
Dave Lindorff | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-31
Over the course of just a couple of days last week, the backbone of the US Navy's Pacific fleet has just been shut down for the next month. The enemy that managed to cause this sudden surprise unilateral disarmament of the mighty US Navy's Pacific Fleet was not Russian or Chinese cyber hackers or a…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/31/weve-met-the-enemy-and-its-a-tiny-virus/

IYSSE (Australia) online lecture tonight 7pm on the contemporary significance of the Russian Revolution
wsws.org | 2020-03-31
WSWS writer Nick Beams will explain the necessity to turn to the socialist and internationalist perspective of the Russian Revolution, amid the crisis of world capitalism triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/31/iyss-m31.html

France, Germany & Britain send medical goods to Iran, test new trade mechanism
rt.com | 2020-03-31
Germany, France and Britain have exported medical goods to Iran in the first transaction conducted under a new trade mechanism, Instex, Berlin said on Tuesday. The mechanism was set up to facilitate trade in humanitarian goods and food after the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. | The German Foreign Ministry said the medical goods were now in Iran, adding that the trade mechanism and Tehran would now work on more transactions and on enhancing the system. | The three European states said earlier this month they had offered a $5.5 million package to Iran to help fight coronavirus there and are also sendi…
rt.com/newsline/484557-france-germany-iran-goods/

Russian Covid-19 aid plane to US: Putin asked Trump if he needed help & he accepted, Kremlin spokesman says
rt.com | 2020-03-31
A cargo plane loaded with medical supplies and protection equipment may depart for the US by the end of Tuesday, the Kremlin said, after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. | The issue of protective gear was raised during the Monday phone talks, with Putin asking if the US needed help and Trump accepting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday. | Moscow suggested the aid in anticipation that the US will be able to return the favor if necessary, once its manufacturers of medical and protective equipment catch up with demand, Peskov said. | The…
rt.com/news/484623-russia-coronavirus-aid-us/

Lower house of Russian Parliament approves fines, jail terms for quarantine offenders
rt.com | 2020-03-31
Russian lawmakers in the State Duma on Tuesday approved legislation backing jail terms of up to seven years and fines of up to two million rubles ($25,500) for anyone flouting quarantine rules if their doing so led to people dying. | The lower house of the parliament also passed a bill in the first reading vesting the government with additional powers because of the coronavirus pandemic. | The legislation must be backed by the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin before entering into force. | The official tally in Russia rose to 2,337 coronavirus ca…
rt.com/newsline/484567-russian-parliament-fines-quarantine/

'Happily surprised'? Trump says Russia sent US 'very, very large' aid package to combat Covid-19
rt.com | 2020-03-31
US President Donald Trump has praised Moscow for sending a 'very large planeload of things' to help fight the spread of the coronavirus and treat sickened patients, noting that China and other nations had also chipped in. | UPDATE: Russian Covid-19 aid plane to US: Putin asked Trump if he needed help & he accepted, Kremlin spokesman says | "We've had great relationships with a lot of countries," the president told reporters at his daily Covid-19 briefing on Monday, adding: "China sent us some stuff, which was terr…
rt.com/usa/484536-trump-russia-aid-coronavirus/

Head of Russian coronavirus hospital visited by Putin tests positive for Covid-19
rt.com | 2020-03-31
Denis Protsenko, head doctor at a hospital treating coronavirus patients in Moscow has tested positive for Covid-19. President Vladimir Putin visited the clinic earlier this month. | Protsenko confirmed on Facebook that he has tested positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating in his office. Despite the diagnosis, he is set to continue his work as the head of the hospital. | "Dear friends, I'm really touched by your concerns. Yes, I've tested positive for the CoV, but I feel quite well. I've self-isolated at my office where I have everything n…
rt.com/russia/484583-russias-head-of-coronavirus-hospital/

Oil recovers from decades' lows as Russia & US agree energy talks
rt.com | 2020-03-31
The price of crude rebounded on Tuesday from an 18-year low after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump have agreed talks to stabilize energy markets. | International benchmark Brent rose 1.5 percent to $23.15 per barrel, as of 08: 06 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was up six percent at $21.19 a barrel. Both Brent and the WTI closed the previous session at their lowest levels since 2002. | According to the Kremlin, Trump and Putin agreed during a phone call on Monday to have their top energy officials discuss stabilizing oil markets. | "Oil prices are clawing back from a ne…
rt.com/business/484547-oil-rebound-russia-us-talks/

Covid-19 deaths in Russia almost DOUBLE in single day: Parliament clears path for state of emergency
rt.com | 2020-03-31
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia rose by 500 on Tuesday

Russian dog owners offer pets for rent as excuse to walk outside despite Covid-19 'stay home' order
rt.com | 2020-03-31
The quarantine in Russia leaves people with few legit excuses to go out. Some dog owners are willing to rent their pets to restless clients, so that they could take a walk not be stopped by the police. | People in many parts of Russia, including the capital, are supposed to stay home to curb the spread of Covid-19. A handful of exceptions is made, including for dog owners who need to walk their pets, but even those are expected to keep the walks short and not stray further than 100 meters from their home. | The loophole creates an obvious temporary business opportunity. Want to have a pretext to be outside and…
rt.com/russia/484551-rent-dog-russia-coronavirus/

Russia sets up new oil company to potentially take over operations in Venezuela
rt.com | 2020-03-31
A company specializing in the production and transportation of oil and gas has been set up in Russia, according to the state registry data. The new firm could take over projects in Venezuela after Rosneft sold its assets there. | Roszarubezhneft, which is owned by the Federal Agency for Government Property Management, will have an authorized capital of 322.7 billion rubles (over $4 billion). | The company was registered in Moscow on March 28, after Russia's oil major Rosneft announced the sale of its assets in Venezuela. On Saturday, Rosneft signed an agreement with the newly established government-run company…
rt.com/business/484546-russia-new-oil-company-venezuela/

'Happily surprised'? Trump says Russia sent US 'very, very large' aid package to combat Covid-19
rt.com | 2020-03-31
US President Donald Trump has praised Moscow for sending a 'very large planeload of things' to help fight the spread of the coronavirus and treat sickened patients, noting that China and other nations had also chipped in. | "We've had great relationships with a lot of countries," the president told reporters at his daily Covid-19 briefing on Monday, adding: "China sent us some stuff, which was terrific. Russia sent us a very, very large planeload of things, medical equipment, which was very nice." | Other countries sent us things that I was very surprised at, very happily surprised. | Trump did not specify wha…
rt.com/usa/484536-trump-russia-aid-coronavirus/

Russian doctor who met Putin last week diagnosed with coronavirus
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-31
A doctor who gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a tour of Moscow's main coronavirus hospital last week said on Tuesday he had himself been diagnosed with the virus.Putin visited the Kommunarka hospital last Tuesday where he chatted to the doctor, Denis Protsenko. Neither man was wearing protective equipment during their conversation, TV footage from the visit showed.Protsenko, writing on Facebook said: "Yes, I have tested positive for coronavirus, but I feel pretty good. I've isolated myself in my office. I think the immunity I've developed this month is doing its job."The Kremlin said that Putin was being reg…
yenisafak.com/en/world/russian-doctor-who-met-putin-last-week-diagnosed-with-coronavirus-3515568

Head of Russia's Coronavirus Hospital Who Met With Putin Tests Positive for COVID-19
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-31
The Russian capital, as well as the Moscow Region, previously introduced severe quarantine measures in order to curb the pandemic. President Vladimir Putin also urged people to stay at home, ordering a week with paid leave from 28 March to 5 April.
sputniknews.com/russia/202003311078776886-head-of-moscow-hospital-for-coronavirus-infected-diagnosed-with-covid-19/

Su-57 Chief Engineer Explains Why Russian Jet is Superior to US F-22 and F-35 Fighters
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-31
The F-35 jet has received hundreds of requests from buyers around the world, but the aircraft, which has been in development for decades, still reportedly faces a number of technical issues.
sputniknews.com/military/202003311078777083-su-57-chief-engineer-explains-why-russian-jet-is-superior-to-us-f-22-and-f-35-fighters/

What's in a Number? How Russia's Fighter Su-57 Got Its Name
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-31
The fighter jet is a single-seat twin engine aircraft that has superb manoeuvrability, supersonic fighting capabilities, as well as an advanced radar and electronics. Reports say that China, Turkey, and India are interested in purchasing the jet, which reportedly costs $50 million.
sputniknews.com/russia/202003311078774964-whats-in-a-number-how-russias-fighter-su-57-got-its-name/

Kremlin Slams Talk of Russian Health Care System Failing in Situation With Coronavirus
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-31
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday called the rumors of the Russian health care system unpreparedness for the coronavirus "empty talk."
sputniknews.com/world/202003311078777335-kremlin-slams-talk-of-russian-health-care-system-failing-in-situation-with-coronavirus/

Russian Upper House OKs Bill on Up to 5 Years of Imprisonment for COVID-19 Disinformation
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-31
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian upper house, the Federation Council, approved on Tuesday a bill that makes the dissemination of fake information about the coronavirus a crime punishable with up to five years of imprisonment.
sputniknews.com/russia/202003311078777647-russian-upper-house-oks-bill-on-imprisonment-for-covid-19-disinformation/

Trump, Erdogan Stress Need for Ceasefire in Syria, Libya During COVID-19 Pandemic – White House
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-31
In January, an international conference on Libya took place in the German capital, counting Russia, the United States, the European Union, Turkey, and Egypt among its participants. The sides agreed to a ceasefire and for third parties not to be involved in the conflict.
sputniknews.com/world/202003311078778123-trump-erdogan-stress-need-for-ceasefire-in-syria-libya/

North Macedonia's Admission to NATO Will Not Assist Fight Against New Threats – Moscow
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-31
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – North Macedonia's admission to NATO will neither strengthen the regional security nor assist the fight against new threats, including the coronavirus, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.
sputniknews.com/world/202003311078777460-north-macedonias-admission-to-nato-will-not-assist-fight-against-new-threats/

Stop Coronavirus: Russian Researchers Roll Out Reusable Face Masks
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-31
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has led to skyrocketing sales of face masks worldwide even though their effectiveness to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is rather limited.
sputniknews.com/russia/202003311078776953-stop-coronavirus-russian-researchers-roll-out-reusable-face-masks/

Biden's Foreign Policy Team Hints at War with China, Conflict with Russia
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-30
An analysis by the Brookings Institute based on interviews with Biden's foreign policy teams hints at a foreign policy that closely mirrors that of the Pentagon under President Trump.
mintpressnews.com/joe-biden-foreign-policy-war-china-conflict-russia/266202/

Biden's Foreign Policy Teams Hints at War with China, Conflict with Russia
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-30
An analysis by the Brookings Institute based on interviews with Biden's foreign policy teams hints at a foreign policy that closely mirrors that of the Pentagon under President Trump.
mintpressnews.com/joe-biden-foreign-policy-war-china-conflict-russia/266202/

The Strange and Often Radical Pursuit of Immortality in Russia
Sophie Pinkham | thenation.com | 2020-03-30
The Strange and Often Radical Pursuit of Immortality in Russia…
thenation.com/article/culture/anya-bernstein-future-immortality-russia-cryogenics-review/

St. Petersburg adopts strict measures to fight Covid-19: Russia's second city goes into partial lockdown
rt.com | 2020-03-30
Following Moscow's lead, authorities in Russia's cultural capital Saint Petersburg have imposed strict limits on movement, preventing most residents from leaving their homes except in emergencies or to do essential shopping. | Governor Aleksandr Beglov rolled out the measures on Monday evening, the day after Moscow introduced a similar regime, as Russian efforts to stymie the spread of Covid-19 intensify. The Baltic Sea city is one of Europe's largest, with a population of 5.4 million. The surrounding Leningrad Region, home to another 1.9 million people, has also put general travel restrictions in place. | Als…
rt.com/russia/484520-saint-petersburg-self-isolation-coronavirus/

The Strange and Often Egalitarian History of Russian Cryogenics
Sophie Pinkham | thenation.com | 2020-03-30
The Strange and Often Egalitarian History of Russian Cryogenics…
thenation.com/article/culture/anya-bernstein-future-immortality-russia-cryogenics-review/

US Accused of Using Food Aid to Smuggle Weapons to Militants in Syria's Rukban Refugee Camp
Steven Sahiounie | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-30
UN aid trucks, according to Russian military sources, are being used to deliver not only food and supplies to the suffering civilians but also arms and ammunition to Maghawir Al-Thawra.
mintpressnews.com/smuggling-weapons-maghawir-al-thawra-syria-rukban/266211/

Mandatory self-isolation: With Moscow in partial lockdown, Russian PM urges rest of country to follow suit
rt.com | 2020-03-30
As Covid-19 spreads, enforcing a nationwide shutdown across the world's largest country isn't easily done, in practical terms. With this in mind, it seems the Russian government has reached for the carrot rather than the stick. | After all, there's a considerable difference between enforcing rules in Moscow's tightly packed metropolitan area (population over 20 million) and attempting the same trick in the wilderness of Chukotka, separated by the Bering Straits from Alaska. Also, the fact that the capital has recorded about two-thirds of the known 1,836 Russian infections has helped to concentrate minds. | Thu…
rt.com/russia/484484-self-isolation-russian-regions/

COVID-19 infects more people in Russia, cases at 1,836
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-30
The number of people diagnosed with the new coronavirus in Russia surged to 1,836 with 302 new cases, the authorities said on Monday.The deadly infection claimed a life in the Pskov region, rising the total fatalities to nine acros the country, the emergency team said in a statement.The cases have been reported across 71 regions nationwide, it noted.Since the outbreak of the virus in the country, 66 people have recovered from the disease, the team added.Several regions, including the capital Moscow, were put on lockdown on March 30. People are only allowed to leave their homes for buying groceries, medicines, wal…
yenisafak.com/en/world/covid-19-infects-more-people-in-russia-cases-at-1836-3515423

Moscow Mayor Agreed Upon Anti-Coronavirus Measures With President – Kremlin
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-30
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin agreed upon the anti-coronavirus measures in the capital with President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.
sputniknews.com/russia/202003301078760702-moscow-mayor-agreed-upon-anti-coronavirus-measures-with-president—kremlin/

Stay Home, Pet Your Cat! Cute Feline Participants of 'Kitties Against Coronavirus' Online Conference
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-30
The hosts of the conference, organised by the newspaper AiF, included prominent Russian animal tamers, vets, and even the Hermitage museum's resident oracle cat Achilles, known for predicting the outcome of sporting competitions.
sputniknews.com/photo/202003301078758512-stay-home-pet-your-cat-cute-feline-participants-of-kitties-against-coronavirus-online-conference/

COVID-19 Pushes China to Improve Health Care as Part of Economic Development – Ambassador
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-30
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The COVID-19 outbreak has created an opportunity for China to improve its health care system, especially with regard to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui believes.
sputniknews.com/analysis/202003301078761481-covid-19-pushes-china-to-improve-health-care-as-part-of-economic-development—ambassador/

Origins of COVID-19: Russia quizzes US on coronavirus' parentage
M. K. Bhadrakumar | iranian.com | 2020-03-30
All through the recent weeks since US President Donald Trump coined the epithet "China virus" to rename Coronavirus, Moscow kept a deafening silence. Finally, on Sunday, March 29, Moscow broke that silence. That the first Russian statement came at the level of the Russian foreign ministry makes this particularly significant. In an exclusive remark, a …
iranian.com/2020/03/29/origins-of-covid-19-russia-quizzes-us-on-coronavirus-parentage/

'You should NOT leave your home': Moscow mayor issues strict Covid-19 pandemic order, stopping short of complete lockdown
rt.com | 2020-03-29
Moscow, where the number of coronavirus cases now exceeds 1,000, has introduced a tough self-isolation regime. From Monday, residents of the Russian capital will be only allowed to leave their homes in cases of absolute necessity. | Under the new rules, Muscovites can go outside if they need urgent medical help or to purchase food or medicine, for which they must use their nearest stores. They may also throw out trash and pet owners will be permitted to walk animals, inside a radius of 100 metres from their buildings. | The decree, issued by Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, applies to all age groups. People can continue…
rt.com/russia/484431-moscow-mayor-coronavirus-restrictions-homes/

Evo Morales Expresses Solidarity With Venezuela Amid US Attacks
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-29
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales said that with the most recent attack by the United States government against Venezuela, Washington intends to distract public opinion about the collapse of the country's health services in the face of Covid-19. | RELATED: | Russia Calls to Lift 'Genocidal' Sanctions Against Venezuela | "The US is in a humanitarian crisis. The health services of its main cities are beginning to collapse," stressed the leader of the Movement to Socialism (MAS) o…
telesurenglish.net/news/Evo-Morales-Expresses-Solidarity-With-Venezuela-Amid-US-Attacks-20200329-0004.html

Not an old person's virus: Russia warns teens & adults they TOO may need ventilators if ill with Covid-19, citing patient data
rt.com | 2020-03-29
Moscow authorities have sounded the alarm over the ratio of serious Covid-19 cases among younger people, having found that 40 percent of the patients undergoing artificial lung ventilation are under the age of 40. | At least 1,014 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the Russian capital as of Sunday, and only 15 percent of those are over 65, the authorities said. | Over 33 percent of those infected with the novel coronavirus fell between the ages of 18 and 34, while 46 percent were between 35 and 64, the official data said. | But what's worse, the serious cases requiring artificial lung ventilation unit…
rt.com/russia/484428-moscow-coronavirus-younger-patients/

[Editorial] Learning the lessons of Chernobyl: time is running out
The Lancet | thelancet.com | 2020-03-28
Unit number 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded on April 26, 1986, causing radiation injuries to hundreds of people within a couple of weeks. High levels of radiation affected clean-up workers (liquidators) involved in the emergency response, more than 500‚Äà000 liquidators involved in later decontamination and containment, and the general population in the surrounding Soviet states. 116‚Äà000 people were evacuated, 220‚Äà000 were permanently relocated, and a 30 km exclusion zone still exists around the plant.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30687-5/fulltext?rss=yes

The U.S. should be working with China to end the Pandemic, Not provoking a new cold war
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-03-28
Fight Back News Service is circulating the statement from the MN Anti-War Committee. | The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest global crisis since World War 2. Millions may die in the coming weeks as the coronavirus spreads exponentially on every continent, irrespective of national borders. Hospital systems will be overwhelmed, supply chains will be stretched, shortages will be widespread, and impacts will be universal. Humanity will be united like never before, in struggle against an unprecedented public health threat. | Unfortunately, the Trump administration seems hellbent on using this crisis to furth…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/3/28/us-should-be-working-china-end-pandemic-not-provoking-new-cold-war

Russia Calls to Lift 'Genocidal' Sanctions Against Venezuela
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-28
Russia's Foreing Minister Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Friday reiterated her country's call to lift the illegal economic sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuela, which they consider as a "genocide tool" in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. | RELATED: | Putin Urges G20 to Lift Sanctions on Goods Due to COVID-19 | "We will not tire of repeating our call to immediately cancel arbitrary unilateral sanctions that at the current juncture of the epidemic become almost a weapo…
telesurenglish.net/news/Russia-Calls-to-Lift-Genocidal-Sanctions-Against-Venezuela-20200328-0001.html

Coronavirus: After the EU Failed to Deliver, Italy Looks to Russia for Help
Steven Sahiounie | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-27
The current global political scene is changing rapidly as a result of the coronavirus. New super-powers are emerging and former power-houses are weakening in the face of the crisis.
mintpressnews.com/coronavirus-after-eu-failed-italy-looks-russia-for-aid/266126/

Foreign Policy: Can This Pandemic Usher In A New Era?
Pat Buchanan | iranian.com | 2020-03-27
To fight the coronavirus at home, France is removing all military forces from Iraq. When NATO scaled back its war games in Europe because of the pandemic, Russia reciprocated. Moscow announced it would cancel its war games along NATO's border. Nations seem to be recognizing and responding to the grim new geostrategic reality of March …
iranian.com/2020/03/27/foreign-policy-can-this-pandemic-usher-in-a-new-era/

'Forced labor' stories on China brought to you by US gov, NATO, arms industry to drive Cold War PR blitz
Ajit Singh | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-26
A new wave of media reports on Chinese forced labor relies almost entirely on a series of dubious studies by…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/26/forced-labor-china-us-nato-arms-industry-cold-war/

'Forced labor' stories on China brought to you by US gov, NATO, arms industry to drive Cold War PR blitz
Ajit Singh | thegrayzone.com | 2020-03-26
A new wave of media reports on Chinese forced labor relies almost entirely on a series of dubious studies by…
thegrayzone.com/2020/03/26/forced-labor-china-us-nato-arms-industry-cold-war/

Has Saudi Arabia Shot Itself in the Foot With Its Oil Price War?
Darius Shahtahmasebi | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-26
The impact of coronavirus has destroyed the demand for oil and neither Saudi Arabia, Russia or the United States will escape the resulting price war unscathed.
mintpressnews.com/saudi-arabia-shot-foot-oil-price-war-coronavirus/266079/

[Correspondence] Future of Chernobyl research: the urgency for consolidated action
Evgenia Ostroumova, Joachim Schàºz, Ausrele Kesminiene | thelancet.com | 2020-03-18
The Chernobyl nuclear disaster on April 26, 1986, continues to create fears and myths about its health consequences, as shown by the large response to a top-rated HBO miniseries devoted to the tragic event. Risk assessments range from recognising an increase in thyroid cancer incidence in exposed children and adolescents (becoming one of the single most established long-term health effects of the Chernobyl disaster on the general population), to claims of hundreds of thousands of deaths due to the accident.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30675-9/fulltext?rss=yes