Daily Archives: April 12, 2020

2020-04-12: News Headlines

RT (2020-04-12). Russia records over 2,000 new Covid-19 cases in a SINGLE day. rt.com Since Saturday, 2,186 more people have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing Russia's total coronavirus tally to 15,770, according to the government's emergency team in charge of containing the growing epidemic. | The new figure drastically ups the curve, as only 1,667 new cases were recorded across the country the day before. | The bulk of the newly infected — 1,306 and 278 respectively — are in Moscow and the surrounding region, where the authorities have recently introduced electronic permits to control people's mobility amid the quarantine. St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, has repor…

en.mehrnews (2020-04-12). Bushehr nuclear power plant to halt activity as of today. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 12 (MNA) — According to an official with the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Bushehr nuclear power plant will temporarily stop its output based on annual plans for changing fuels, doing inspections, and performing periodical repairs.

sputniknews (2020-04-12). 'It's Going to be the Toughest Decision': Trump on Reopening the Virus-Hit Economy. sputniknews.com The Russia investigation and the impeachment trial may have been problematic for Trump, but the pandemic marked the first non-political — and arguably the most real — crisis of his presidency. There is now a fine line between public and economic health, and Trump is facing a difficult choice of when to cross it.

sputniknews (2020-04-12). Russian 'Striptease' Skater Sets Instagram on Fire With Nude Quarantine Reading. sputniknews.com With self-isolation measures introduced around Russia amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, 2015 World Champion Figure Skater Elizaveta Tuktamysheva has decided to entertain herself with some occasional reading, which apparently does not require any sports uniform or clothes at all.

sputniknews (2020-04-12). 'Vodka Kills Everything': Former CSKA Moscow Player on Russians' Response to Coronavirus. sputniknews.com Sales of alcoholic beverages have grown across the world, including Russia, since people started self-isolating to wait out the pandemic. Several Russian regions have either restricted or banned the sale of alcoholic drinks outright to prevent a spike in alcohol-related violence, although full bans have been overturned within a few days.

sputniknews (2020-04-12). S-500 is 'Anti-Space Weapon' That Will Fundamentally Transform Russia's Air Defences — Fmr Commander. sputniknews.com Last month, a subsidiary of S-500 maker Almaz-Antey confirmed that multiple components of the next generation air defence system had been developed and tested, with the completed complex to start testing with the military later this year.

yenisafak (2020-04-12). China's Suifenhe city, bordering Russia, strengthens controls to prevent imported cases. yenisafak.com China's northeastern city of Suifenhe, on the country's border with Russia, said on Sunday it's strengthening border controls as part of measures to prevent imported cases.The city will also step up controls on traffic and enforce strict quarantine measures, city authorities said in a statement.The city has banned all types of gatherings and drawn up a list of businesses that must be suspended from operations.

RT (2020-04-11). First group of volunteers assembled as Russia prepares for human testing of Covid-19 vaccine. rt.com The initial human volunteers have been selected to test a Russian vaccine against the deadly new coronavirus in trials set to begin in late June. The project's chief developer is leading by example by taking his place among them. | Work on the biological preparation began in February at the Vector Institute, Russia's leading virology and biotechnology research center. It's based in Novosibirsk, the largest city in Siberia. Earlier in April, researchers announced that the vaccine had successfully passed trials on mice and ferrets, with preparations for human testing in full swing. | The first stage will see 60…

RT (2020-04-11). Ambulances create traffic jams outside Moscow hospitals as Covid-19 patients keep coming (VIDEO). rt.com While heavy traffic is no longer an issue on Moscow's roads due to the coronavirus lockdown, the city's emergency medical response teams have encountered another unexpected problem — long lines of ambulances outside hospitals. | A massive queue of the vehicles was filmed outside the War Veterans Hospital in the north of the capital on Friday. The footage provided by RT's Ruptly video agency showed vans emblazoned with red crosses occupying not only the approach road to the hospital — recently repurposed to treat Covid-19 patients — but also most of the neighboring street. | It wasn't an isol…

Harvey Wasserman (2020-04-10). Terrified Atomic Workers Warn That the COVID-19 Pandemic May Threaten Nuclear Reactor Disaster. commondreams.org The Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant is seen in the early morning hours March 28, 2011 in Middletown, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Jeff Fusco/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/three_mile_island_-_gettyimages-110954022_0.jpg

RT (2020-04-09). US boasts of intercepting 2 Russian military planes on routine training flight far off Alaska. rt.com The US Air Force has reported intercepting two Russian scout planes that entered its "defense identification zone" off Alaska. Moscow says it was a training flight and the planes came nowhere near US airspace. | US F-22 Raptor fighters, supported by an aerial refueling KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft and an early warning E-3 AWACS plane, were mustered to intercept Russian military aircraft over the Bering Sea on April 8, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported in a series of tweets on Thursday. | The intercept happened north of the Aleutian Islands, which stretch from the coast of Alaska far…

RT (2020-04-09). 'We have too many ships at sea': Pentagon says more Theodore Roosevelt-level coronavirus outbreaks are possible. rt.com New large-scale coronavirus outbreaks within the US military are certainly possible given the amount of assets it has deployed worldwide, the Pentagon has said, adding it was getting ready to operate in the "Covid environment." | "I think it is not a good idea to think that the [Theodore Roosevelt outbreak] is a one of a kind issue," Air Force General John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a press briefing on Thursday. | We have too many ships at sea, we have too many deployed capabilities. There's 5,000 sailors on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. To think it will never happen a…

Stephen F. Cohen (2020-04-09). How the Coronavirus Is Testing Putin's Leadership—and the System He Created. thenation.com How the Coronavirus Is Testing Putin's Leadership—and the System He Created…

Tasnim News (2020-04-09). Iran to Unveil 122 Nuclear Achievements. iranian.com The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) was going to mark the National Nuclear Technology Day on Wednesday by unveiling 122 new achievements of the country's nuclear scientists, but decided to postpone the ceremony due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, a spokesman said. Speaking to IRINN on Wednesday, AEOI spokesperson Behrouz Kamalvandi said President …

imperial.ac.uk (2020-04-08). New COVID-19 project will use the power of smartphones to search for treatments. imperial.ac.uk Imperial researchers will look for potential new treatments for COVID-19 using the computing power of people's smartphones.

Tasnim News (2020-04-08). Iran Welcomes Putin's Idea for Green Corridor in Coronavirus Fight. iranian.com Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to create a green corridor for the global battle with the coronavirus pandemic. "In order to contain the situation of coronavirus, different countries have closed their geographical borders, but opened them to provide assistance," Zarif said in a tweet on Wednesday, …

Sarah L Dalglish (2020-03-26). [Correspondence] COVID-19 gives the lie to global health expertise. thelancet.com As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak began spreading in Europe and the USA, a chart started circulating online showing ratings from the 2019 Global Health Security Index, an assessment of 195 countries' capacity to face infectious disease outbreaks, compiled by the US-based Nuclear Threat Initiative and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health's Center for Health Security. The USA was ranked first, and the UK second; South Korea was ranked ninth, and China 51st; most African countries were at the bottom of the ranking.

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, …

2020-04-12: Social Media Postees

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(Copy the text of the postee below, then paste it on social media
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Russia records over 2,000 new Covid-19 cases in a SINGLE day
rt.com | 2020-04-12
Since Saturday, 2,186 more people have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing Russia's total coronavirus tally to 15,770, according to the government's emergency team in charge of containing the growing epidemic. | The new figure drastically ups the curve, as only 1,667 new cases were recorded across the country the day before. | The bulk of the newly infected

Bushehr nuclear power plant to halt activity as of today
en.mehrnews.com | 2020-04-12
TEHRAN, Apr. 12 (MNA)

China's Suifenhe city, bordering Russia, strengthens controls to prevent imported cases
yenisafak.com | 2020-04-12
China's northeastern city of Suifenhe, on the country's border with Russia, said on Sunday it's strengthening border controls as part of measures to prevent imported cases.The city will also step up controls on traffic and enforce strict quarantine measures, city authorities said in a statement.The city has banned all types of gatherings and drawn up a list of businesses that must be suspended from operations.
yenisafak.com/en/world/chinas-suifenhe-city-bordering-russia-strengthens-controls-to-prevent-imported-cases-3516699

Russian 'Striptease' Skater Sets Instagram on Fire With Nude Quarantine Reading
sputniknews.com | 2020-04-12
With self-isolation measures introduced around Russia amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, 2015 World Champion Figure Skater Elizaveta Tuktamysheva has decided to entertain herself with some occasional reading, which apparently does not require any sports uniform or clothes at all.
sputniknews.com/viral/202004121078927377-russian-striptease-skater-sets-instagram-on-fire-with-nude-quarantine-reading/

'It's Going to be the Toughest Decision': Trump on Reopening the Virus-Hit Economy
sputniknews.com | 2020-04-12
The Russia investigation and the impeachment trial may have been problematic for Trump, but the pandemic marked the first non-political

'Vodka Kills Everything': Former CSKA Moscow Player on Russians' Response to Coronavirus
sputniknews.com | 2020-04-12
Sales of alcoholic beverages have grown across the world, including Russia, since people started self-isolating to wait out the pandemic. Several Russian regions have either restricted or banned the sale of alcoholic drinks outright to prevent a spike in alcohol-related violence, although full bans have been overturned within a few days.
sputniknews.com/russia/202004121078927760-vodka-kills-everything-former-cska-moscow-player-on-russians-response-to-coronavirus/

Ambulances create traffic jams outside Moscow hospitals as Covid-19 patients keep coming (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-04-11
While heavy traffic is no longer an issue on Moscow's roads due to the coronavirus lockdown, the city's emergency medical response teams have encountered another unexpected problem

First group of volunteers assembled as Russia prepares for human testing of Covid-19 vaccine
rt.com | 2020-04-11
The initial human volunteers have been selected to test a Russian vaccine against the deadly new coronavirus in trials set to begin in late June. The project's chief developer is leading by example by taking his place among them. | Work on the biological preparation began in February at the Vector Institute, Russia's leading virology and biotechnology research center. It's based in Novosibirsk, the largest city in Siberia. Earlier in April, researchers announced that the vaccine had successfully passed trials on mice and ferrets, with preparations for human testing in full swing. | The first stage will see 60…
rt.com/russia/485578-russia-coronavirus-vaccine-human-testing/

Terrified Atomic Workers Warn That the COVID-19 Pandemic May Threaten Nuclear Reactor Disaster
Harvey Wasserman | commondreams.org | 2020-04-10
The Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant is seen in the early morning hours March 28, 2011 in Middletown, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Jeff Fusco/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/three_mile_island_-_gettyimages-110954022_0.jpg
commondreams.org/views/2020/04/10/terrified-atomic-workers-warn-covid-19-pandemic-may-threaten-nuclear-reactor?cd-origin=rss

How the Coronavirus Is Testing Putin's Leadership–and the System He Created
Stephen F. Cohen | thenation.com | 2020-04-09
How the Coronavirus Is Testing Putin's Leadership–and the System He Created…
thenation.com/article/world/coronavirus-russia-putin/

US boasts of intercepting 2 Russian military planes on routine training flight far off Alaska
rt.com | 2020-04-09
The US Air Force has reported intercepting two Russian scout planes that entered its "defense identification zone" off Alaska. Moscow says it was a training flight and the planes came nowhere near US airspace. | US F-22 Raptor fighters, supported by an aerial refueling KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft and an early warning E-3 AWACS plane, were mustered to intercept Russian military aircraft over the Bering Sea on April 8, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported in a series of tweets on Thursday. | The intercept happened north of the Aleutian Islands, which stretch from the coast of Alaska far…
rt.com/usa/485433-us-intercept-russian-military-planes/

'We have too many ships at sea': Pentagon says more Theodore Roosevelt-level coronavirus outbreaks are possible
rt.com | 2020-04-09
New large-scale coronavirus outbreaks within the US military are certainly possible given the amount of assets it has deployed worldwide, the Pentagon has said, adding it was getting ready to operate in the "Covid environment." | "I think it is not a good idea to think that the [Theodore Roosevelt outbreak] is a one of a kind issue," Air Force General John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a press briefing on Thursday. | We have too many ships at sea, we have too many deployed capabilities. There's 5,000 sailors on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. To think it will never happen a…
rt.com/usa/485411-pentagon-more-coronavirus-outbreaks/

Iran to Unveil 122 Nuclear Achievements
Tasnim News | iranian.com | 2020-04-09
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) was going to mark the National Nuclear Technology Day on Wednesday by unveiling 122 new achievements of the country's nuclear scientists, but decided to postpone the ceremony due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, a spokesman said. Speaking to IRINN on Wednesday, AEOI spokesperson Behrouz Kamalvandi said President …
iranian.com/2020/04/09/iran-to-unveil-122-nuclear-achievements/

New COVID-19 project will use the power of smartphones to search for treatments
imperial.ac.uk | 2020-04-08
Imperial researchers will look for potential new treatments for COVID-19 using the computing power of people's smartphones.
imperial.ac.uk/news/196733/new-covid-19-project-will-power-smartphones

Iran Welcomes Putin's Idea for Green Corridor in Coronavirus Fight
Tasnim News | iranian.com | 2020-04-08
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif welcomed a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to create a green corridor for the global battle with the coronavirus pandemic. "In order to contain the situation of coronavirus, different countries have closed their geographical borders, but opened them to provide assistance," Zarif said in a tweet on Wednesday, …
iranian.com/2020/04/08/iran-welcomes-putins-idea-for-green-corridor-in-coronavirus-fight/

[Correspondence] COVID-19 gives the lie to global health expertise
Sarah L Dalglish | thelancet.com | 2020-03-26
As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak began spreading in Europe and the USA, a chart started circulating online showing ratings from the 2019 Global Health Security Index, an assessment of 195 countries' capacity to face infectious disease outbreaks, compiled by the US-based Nuclear Threat Initiative and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health's Center for Health Security. The USA was ranked first, and the UK second; South Korea was ranked ninth, and China 51st; most African countries were at the bottom of the ranking.
thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30739-X/fulltext?rss=yes