(2020-04-13). At least 6 dead after TORNADOES wreak havoc across southern US states, levelling homes & taking down power lines (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Several people died after powerful tornadoes swept through parts of the American South, damaging homes, knocking down power lines and clogging roads with uprooted trees. Louisiana and Mississippi have been hit the hardest. | At least six people were killed after tornadoes coupled with severe rainstorms battered Mississippi, with one fatality confirmed in Walthall County, two in Lawrence County and three in Jefferson Davis County as of Sunday evening. | pic.twitter.com/KaedWPL76M— James Pugh (@jpughinreallife)
(2020-04-12). 'It's a sombre day': UK Covid-19 death toll hits 10,000 milestone as 737 new fatalities recorded. rt.com 
The official death toll from Covid-19 in the UK passed the 10,000 mark on Sunday as health officials announced 737 new fatalities from the disease. Health Minister Matt Hancock said it marks a "sombre day" for Britain. | The UK's number of officially confirmed coronavirus deaths climbed to 10,612 after the fresh statistics were announced. | It comes after the UK's total number of deaths rose by 917 on Saturday and 980 on Friday. Unlike other countries, the UK only includes those who have died in hospitals in its fatality count. While Sunday's increase was smaller than the two preceding days, previous weekends…
(2020-04-12). Europe's coronavirus death toll passes 75,000 milestone — AFP tally. rt.com 
The number of fatalities due to Covid-19 in Europe rose above 75,000 on Sunday, according to a tally carried out by the AFP news agency. It is currently the continent worst hit by the pandemic. | More than 80 percent of the deaths have occurred in just four countries — Italy, Spain, France and the UK — according to statistics compiled from official sources. | The number of people infected with the virus is still climbing towards the one million mark, with the number of confirmed cases now standing at 909,673. | Italy remains Europe's most affected country, with 19,468 deaths, followed by Spain with 1…
(2020-04-12). UK pledges £200 million to WHO and charities in aftermath of Trump's threat to freeze US financial support for watchdog. rt.com 
In a move that Washington may interpret as a snub by one of its closest allies, the UK has gotten its checkbook out for the World Health Organisation, just days after Donald Trump threatened to cut the watchdog's funding. | The UK announced on Sunday that it is pledging £200 million ($248 million) to the WHO and various charities in a bid to stop a second wave of Covid-19 hitting Britain. | "Coronavirus does not respect country borders, so our ability to protect the British public will only be effective if we strengthen the healthcare systems of vulnerable developing countries too," International Develop…
(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…
(2020-04-12). 'We must look out for ourselves': NFL veteran Malcolm Jenkins sparks race debate with coronavirus message. rt.com 
NFL veteran Malcolm Jenkins has set off a race debate after calling on African Americans to "look out for ourselves" during the Covid-19 pandemic and claiming that the community has "never been prioritized" by the government. | The New Orleans Saints safety issued the message in a video posted to Twitter on Saturday, firstly thanking the nation's doctors, nurses and first responders before directly addressing black Americans. | "We must survive. This pandemic is real, and the damage that is left in wake of the coronavirus is realized mostly in our communities," said Jenkins, 32, who is dressed in a 'Dear Black…
(2020-04-12). US reports over 1,900 Covid-19 deaths in single day after setting global record for most fatalities. rt.com 
The US, which is now leading the world in the number of coronavirus deaths, has added another 1,920 to its grim count in the last 24 hours, Johns Hopkins University reports. | Earlier on Saturday, the US replaced Italy at the top of the coronavirus death toll chart, surpassing 20,000. | Saturday's nationwide death toll is slightly lower than the one reported the day before. On Friday, the US became the first country in the world to report over 2,000 fatalities in a single day as the virus claimed 2,108 lives across the nation. | As the number of deaths due to the outbreak in the US keeps skyrocketing, it is wi…
(2020-04-12). Doctors TAKEN HOSTAGE in Kashmir after attempt to screen man for Covid-19 goes awry. rt.com 
Three Indian police were injured after they were sent to rescue a group of doctors in Kashmir who were taken hostage by a villager's family protesting against his being tested for coronavirus. | Instead of saving patients, doctors in Budgam district in the India-administered part of disputed Kashmir faced unexpected resistance from the family of a villager to be tested for coronavirus. | The incident began as the doctors arrived in the village of Sheikhpora on Saturday and approached the house where the person suspected of having coronavirus lived to make inquires. | However, they were treated to a rather less…
(2020-04-12). Prioritizing financial success will not make you happy during Covid-19 lockdown — new study. rt.com 
While many people still measure success in terms of money, a new study says that fixating on finances over family and friends can be devastating in times of crisis such as the coronavirus pandemic. | It's an understatement to say that, in addition to being lonely and frightened, people these days are angry. The Covid-19 outbreak has hit people hard financially and shed light on income inequality, especially in the US. We sit in tiny apartments and watch celebrities singing John Lennon songs and trying to convince us that "we're all in it together," while basking in the warmth of their wall-mounted electric fir…
(2020-04-12). UK PM Boris Johnson discharged from hospital after Covid-19 treatment. rt.com 
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has left the hospital where he spent several days with a severe case of coronavirus. He will continue his treatment, Downing street said. | "On the advice of his medical team, the PM will not be immediately returning to work. He wishes to thank everybody at St Thomas' for the brilliant care he has received," the statement said. | The prime minister later issued a video address, saying the disease put his life in jeopardy as "it could have gone either way" in the hospital, but the medical staff did great work. | It is hard to find the words to express my debt to the NHS for…
(2020-04-12). China doing its part in trade deal with US despite coronavirus crisis. rt.com 
Although Covid-19 may have put once-flaring tensions over trade between Washington and Beijing on the back burner, the steps they had managed to agree upon are still being implemented, according to Chinese ambassador to the US. | As part of the first phase of the trade deal, China is still purchasing US agricultural goods and continuing to remove restrictions on foreign companies entering its financial market, Ambassador Cui Tiankai said, as cited by state-linked outlet Global Times. | "As far as I know, even for the last few weeks, when we are faced with this very serious, critical (coronavirus) situation, pe…
(2020-04-12). Beijing doing its part in trade deal with US despite coronavirus crisis — Chinese ambassador. rt.com Although Covid-19 may have put once-flaring tensions over trade between Washington and Beijing on the back burner, the steps they had managed to agree upon are still being implemented, according to Chinese ambassador to the US. | As part of the first phase of the trade deal, China is still purchasing US agricultural goods and continuing to remove restrictions on foreign companies entering its financial market, Ambassador Cui Tiankai said, as cited by state-linked outlet Global Times. | "As far as I know, even for the last few weeks, when we are faced with this very serious, critical (coronavirus) situation, pe…
(2020-04-12). 'Go back to your corona-ridden country': German officials apologize after French people insulted & spat on in border town. rt.com 
The coronavirus pandemic has become a tough test of the EU's unity, and a small German border town is actively failing it. Officials have sounded the alarm over a spike in aggression from the locals towards visitors from France. | The people of Gersheim have been living side by side with the French for over two decades, crossing the symbolic border between the two European Union member-states without even noticing it. | But in mid-March this border became real, as Germany shut itself off from its neighbors in an attempt to stem the spread of Covid-19. The only exceptions made were for goods deliveries, and for…
(2020-04-12). NHS hospitals try treating Covid-19 with Hydroxychloroquine, anti-malaria drug hotly debated following Trump support. rt.com 
Coronavirus patients at two UK hospitals are reportedly now receiving hydroxychloroquine treatment. The drug, touted by US President Donald Trump as a "game changer," quickly came under scrutiny from his political opponents. | According to a
(2020-04-12). Indian cop gets hand CHOPPED OFF amid scuffle with blade-wielding men defying Covid-19 lockdown. rt.com 
The coronavirus lockdown in the state of Punjab turned violent, with a team of police officers attacked and heavily injured by armed locals who defied the cops' request to show their curfew passes. | The clash broke out at a vegetable market in Patiala, a city in eastern Punjab, after a group of Nihangs — people from a Sikh order — armed with traditional weapons tried to enter the premises but were stopped at the entrance by local staff who asked to see their curfew passes. The altercation drew the attention of police officers standing nearby, but their intervention went profoundly awry. | The men pu…
(2020-04-12). Italy records LOWEST Covid-19 daily death toll in THREE WEEKS. rt.com 
Promising signs that Italy has overcome the worst of its coronavirus outbreak continued on Sunday as the Mediterranean country recorded its lowest Covid-19 death toll since March 19. | Deaths from the disease rose by 431 on Sunday, down from 619 the day before. The number of fresh confirmed cases also slowed significantly to 4,092, from 4,694 on Saturday. | Though the outbreak has slowed significantly, Italy remains one of the countries worst affected by the virus. The Civil Protection Agency said that the confirmed fatality count now stands at 19,899, the second highest in the world after the United States.
(2020-04-12). Russia records over 2,000 new Covid-19 cases in a SINGLE day, a NEW daily high. rt.com Since Saturday, 2,186 more people in Russia have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the nationwide total to 15,770, according to the emergency team in charge of managing the country's response to the deadly infection. | The fresh 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 its surrounding region, where authorities have recently introduced electronic permits to control people's mobility amid the quarantine. St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city,…
(2020-04-12). Covid-19 is a sign of our fate if we do not take radical action: Interview of Michael D. Yates. mronline.org 
In the backdrop of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, Michael D. Yates, decades-long union activist, director of Monthly Review Press and former Associate Editor of Monthly Review magazine, discusses condition of the working people and steps required. The interview of Professor Michael Yates, whose academic fields include labor economics and the relationship between capital and labor.
(2020-04-12). Assange's mother fact-checks media, as story of her son's previously hidden family published. rt.com 
Julian Assange's mother has gone on the offensive against slanted reporting after her son's legal adviser revealed that she had two children with the WikiLeaks co-founder. | Stella Morris, a South African-born lawyer who helped Assange work on a legal bid to end extradition threats against him, revealed that the journalist fathered two sons with her during his years of political asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. | In a video statement, Morris said she was coming forward because their lives were "on the brink" and she feared Assange could die in prison as he awaits a ruling over his extradition to the…
(2020-04-12). Israel's Gantz won't be given extension if he fails to form new government by April 13. rt.com 
Blue and White leader Benny Gantz says he is trying to reach a deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after President Reuven Rivlin's office announced that the deadline to form a new government will not be extended past April 13. | Gantz said that he was still in talks with Likud and the two sides were trying to agree upon a coalition. However, the presidential statement released earlier today warned that the two sides would not be given more time if they failed to reach a deal by midnight tomorrow, local media reports. | Instead, "the task of forming the government will return to the Knesset and…
(2020-04-12). Turkey's Erdogan rejects interior minister's resignation after last-minute curfew announcement triggers chaos. rt.com 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected resignation of his interior minister after the latter took responsibility for mass panic that saw thousands swarming shops across Turkey ahead of a 48-hour curfew. | "The minister submitted his resignation to the President and the President has informed him that he did not approve that request.The interior minister's resignation has not been accepted. He shall continue to perform his duties," the Turkish President's office said in a statement late Sunday – two days after an eleventh-hour decision by interior minister Suleyman Soylu to impose a 2-day curfew ca…
(2020-04-12). 'That's not how friends treat friends': US senators accuse Saudi Arabia of waging war on US oil. rt.com 
As the OPEC+ deal is pending, US senators from oil states held phone talks with Saudi officials to ensure that Riyadh finally puts an end to the problem "it helped to create" — the 'oil price war' that tanked the market.
(2020-04-12). Roscosmos vs Musk: Russian Space Agency chief & SpaceX CEO cross virtual swords on Twitter. rt.com 
A Twitter duel broke out between the head of the Roscosmos agency and the SpaceX CEO, who said Russia won't be successful unless it catches up with multiple-use rocket technology — prompting a sharp rebuke. | Aspiring Mars explorer and SpaceX founder Elon Musk fired the first shots in the online war of words after Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin announced that his agency will charge 30 percent less for space launches "to increase our share on the international markets." | He then mentioned SpaceX, saying that the measure comes in retaliation for tactics used "by American companies funded from the US [gover…
(2020-04-12). OPEC+ strikes last-minute deal to cut almost 10 mn barrels a day of oil production. rt.com 
After four days of marathon talks, major global oil producers have finally inked an agreement to slash oil output by 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd), in a bid to boost the energy market amid the coronavirus pandemic. | The members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil-producing states outside of the cartel, known as OPEC+, reached the deal to cut their output for May and June, Kuwait's Oil Minister Khaled Al-Fadhel announced on Twitter. | ÿ®ŸÅÿ∂ŸÑ ŸÖŸÜ ÿߟџџá ÿ&…
(2020-04-12). Belgian mayor denounces violence & vows investigation after death of lockdown-flouting teen sparks riots. rt.com 
The mayor of a Brussels neighborhood has called for calm and promised a full probe after a teen died while fleeing police enforcing the city's coronavirus lockdown. The accident sparked riots leading to dozens of arrests. | Anderlecht, a neighborhood of Brussels, descended into chaos on Saturday following the death of a 19-year-old. The teen, who was riding a scooter, reportedly collided with a police van on Friday while trying to evade officers patrolling the streets for potential violators of the Belgian capital's coronavirus lockdown. | Youths angry at the authorities used rocks to break police station wind…
(2020-04-12). Taliban to release 20 Afghan government prisoners amid fragile peace process. rt.com 
The Taliban will hand over 20 prisoners as part of the reconciliation process with Kabul, a spokesman for the militant group announced on Sunday. | "Today, 20 prisoners of the Kabul administration will be released by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and handed over to ICRC in Kandahar," the spokesman, Suhail Shaheen, said in a The decision comes just days after the Taliban recalled its negotiators from Afghanistan, after accusing Kabul of intentionally delaying a prison exchange. The Afghan governme…
(2020-04-12). New OPEC+ video conference to be held this Sunday, April 12 — reports. rt.com 
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied oil exporters led by Russia are reportedly set to hold an urgent meeting on Sunday to clinch a last-minute agreement to save the oil market from further tumbling. | The virtual meeting is scheduled for 4pm GMT, the Azerbaijan Energy Ministry confirmed to Russian media. The same time frame was reported earlier by Bloomberg. | The participants are meant to finalize their talks that have been ongoing since Thursday, when the oil alliance came up with a plan to cut global oil production by 10 million barrels per day to ramp up crude prices. However,…
(2020-04-12). 'Great day for all' — Trump hails OPEC production cuts, thanks Putin and Saudi king. rt.com 
President Donald Trump has congratulated his Russian and Saudi counterparts on signing a deal to cut global oil output, saying the move will save "hundreds of thousands of energy jobs in the United States." | Cheering on the "big oil deal" signed on Sunday, Trump sent his thanks and congratulations to "President Putin of Russia and King Salman of Saudi Arabia. I just spoke to them from the Oval Office. Great deal for all!" | The big Oil Deal with OPEC Plus is done. This will save hundreds of thousands of energy jobs in the United States. I would like to thank and congratulate President Putin of Russia and Kin…
(2020-04-12). Angelika Timanina: Russian synchronized swimming icon talks Olympic surfing dreams & naked photoshoot offers (PHOTOS). rt.com 
Russian synchronized swimming legend Angelika Timanina has discussed life in her new sport of surfing, saying she still harbors dreams of Olympic success while also opening up on her social media popularity. | Timanina, 30, was one of Russia's golden girls in the pool as she captained the team to Olympic glory at the London 2012 Games in a career which also saw her amass an incredible 11 world titles. | She eventually left the sport in 2016 after battling injury and what she says were personality clashes within the Russian team, but has since found a new passion — and another chance of Olympic glory –…
(2020-04-12). They murdered him, and gave us Obama & Biden. mronline.org 
Tupac Shakur passionately explains his views on generosity and responsibility, traits he feels some people with extreme wealth like Donald Trump lack, in this MTV News clip from 1992.
(2020-04-12). Julian Assange: One Year in Belmarsh. globalresearch.ca It should not be a matter of distinction, but Julian Assange is a figure who is becoming the apotheosis of political imprisonment. This seems laughable to those convinced he is an agent without scruple, a compromiser of the Fourth Estate, …
(2020-04-12). Bernie's Decision: Retreat Should Not Be Confused with Surrender. indybay.org Class war continues without a letup…
(2020-04-12). 'Any adventurism against Iran to be detrimental for regional peace'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 12 (MNA) — The Deputy Chairman of Pakistan's Senate Saleem Mandviwalla stressed the role of international community for lifting US sanctions against Iran and warned that any adventurism against Iran would be detrimental for the regional peace and stability.
(2020-04-12). The Future Belongs to the Movement Sparked by Bernie Sandersmiles k. zcomm.org We are in a state of crisis. The vehicle for our movement has been derailed. Mourning is understandable. But continuing the fight is the only way forward…
(2020-04-12). Venezuela Announces 6-month Rent Suspension, Guarantees Workers' Wages, Bans Lay-offs. globalresearch.ca The Venezuelan government announced a series of measures on Sunday in attempts to protect the population from the economic effects of the coronavirus crisis. | Speaking on a live televised address, President Nicolás Maduro instructed that all commercial and residential rent, …
(2020-04-12). Cuba — The Endless Cruelty of US Sanctions — The US Intercepts Chinese Medical Supplies to Cuba. globalresearch.ca Background | Cuba complained recently that a shipment of test kits, masks and respirators, donated by the Chinese Alibaba group, didn't arrive because the American company tasked with transportation feared breaching U-S sanction rules. Washington imposed an embargo on Cuba in …
(2020-04-12). COVID-19: Capitalist Crisis & Socialist Solutions. indybay.org Online Forum: Join via internet or phone. | Register here: | zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYof-mhqjwsjeCVfc5xIsy7Yuf-wngN4g…
(2020-04-12). The Week We Should Not Forget for Our Own Sake. zcomm.org Corporate control left us totally unprepared and defenseless against pandemics that our public health officials, scientists, and yours truly warned about for years…
(2020-04-12). In Prague, a Disgraceful Act: They Desecrated and Removed the Statue of Marshal Konev! dissidentvoice.org Soon there might be silence. The liberation of Prague, as well as the liberation of Auschwitz and/or Warsaw by the Red Army, will be forgotten. At least in Europe, even in Eastern Europe, where it took place. This is where it is all leading to. Perhaps, one day, East European governments will issue new orders …
(2020-04-12). Post-Republic "Weimar America", Here We Come! Virus Hysteria Adds $10 Trillion to the National Debt. globalresearch.ca There's no doubt that the Coronavirus is a serious infection that can lead to severe illness or death. There's also no doubt that 'virus hysteria' has been used for other purposes. Wall Street, for example, has used virus-panic to advance …
(2020-04-12). Freedom from Fear: John Pilger Discusses Coronavirus Propaganda, Imperialism, and Human Rights. globalresearch.ca John Pilger is a world-renowned journalist and filmmaker. The author of several books and maker of over 60 documentaries (the latest being The Coming War on China and The Dirty War on the NHS), Pilger has won dozens of prestigious …
(2020-04-12). Midstate Correctional where Ramsey Orta is incarcerated has been exposed to Covid-19. indybay.org We have just learned that a staff member at Midstate Correctional Facility has tested positive for Covid-19 which means there are likely more cases that have either not been reported, or realized!
(2020-04-12). How does COVID-19 affect the heart? newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org The effects of COVID-19 on the lungs are well-known. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, more information is becoming available about the role the virus, called SARS-CoV-2, has on the heart. "Individuals with known cardiovascular disease are at an increased risk of more severe complications from respiratory viral illnesses, including the flu and COVID-19," says Dr. …
(2020-04-12). New crisis — Europe running desperately low on drugs needed to treat COVID-19 patients. truepublica.org.uk Is this a warning of yet another crisis heading Britain's way in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic? Hospitals across Europe are very quickly running out of the drugs needed to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients stating that supplies are threatened within a week. The news emerged after the European Commission warned in a letter …
(2020-04-12). Oakland Black Housing Union Organizes Mobile March to Demand Housing for Homeless. indybay.org Oakland Black Housing Union mobilized a caravan of 100 cars for a mobile march demanding housing for unsheltered individuals during the COVID-19 emergency. The action also highlighted the disproportionate amount of COVID-19 cases in Black communities.
(2020-04-12). Brazilian Death Toll from Coronavirus Surpasses 1,100. telesurenglish.net The Brazilian Ministry of Health said Saturday that the country registered 68 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 1,124. | RELATED: | Brazil has the highest number of deaths and cases in Latin America, with a mortality rate of 5.4 percent, according to the ministry. | In the last few hours, 1,089 new cases have been registered, bring the count to 20,727. | The infections are concentrated…
(2020-04-12). Science Saturday: The importance of antibody testing in addressing COVID-19. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org If there's one thing the world has learned so far in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's the important role of testing for the disease. The ability to know who has the virus and who doesn't provides critical information for people and entire regions. Early testing involved collecting cells from the back of the …
(2020-04-12). Front Line Advocates Speak Out About Homelessness Crisis and COVID-19 in Oakland. indybay.org On April 9, homeless advocates held an online Town Hall to speak out about the crisis faced by Oakland's curbside communities during the coronavirus pandemic. Over 100 people watched and/or participated. Questions from the media were taken at the end of main panel discussion.
(2020-04-12). Oakland has the most COVID-19 cases in Alameda County. indybay.org Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic…
(2020-04-12). COVID-19 expert answers questions about the do's and don'ts of social distancing. newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org Countries, states and cities are encouraging people to stay home and practice social distancing by implementing various restrictions to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Some areas have implemented certain restrictions, such as stay-at-home orders. The rules vary in different areas, which is why Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, an infectious diseases expert, says it's important that …