(2020-04-18). US right-wing protesters, supported by Trump, organize against stay-at-home orders. peoplesdispatch.org Different States in the United States are faced with threats of armed resistance from right-wing and conservative groups who are opposing measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. So far, Michigan and a few others States have had or are set to have thousands of protesters defying stay-at-home orders passed by their respective governments. Unsurprisingly, president Donald Trump has come out in support of such dangerous acts. | On April 17, president Donald Trump tweeted in support of these right-wing protests in the States which are led by Democratic governors. The tweets include content like "LIBERATE MICHIGAN",…
(2020-04-18). Trump tweets support for far-right protests against social distancing orders. wsws.org Having announced his plan for the state-by-state reopening of the economy, Trump is seeking to mobilize his far-right base to press for a rapid lifting of barriers to corporate profit-making.
(2020-04-18). Trump Calls on his Mussolini-Style Black Shirts to Attack. zcomm.org Trump's tweets on Friday, "Liberate Michigan," and "Liberate Minnesota," and "Liberate Virginia" were clearly intended to incite his armed, conspiracy-minded, militant followers on the far right…
(2020-04-18). 'She would have been the best player': Vanessa Bryant praises basketball bosses as daughter who died with Kobe is honored in draft. rt.com 
Vanessa Bryant has spoken of her pride that her daughter, who died with Kobe in a helicopter crash in January, will become the youngest ever pick when the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft honors her next week. | NBA legend Bryant had applied to trademark rising star Gianna's nickname, "Mambacita," just a month before they died alongside two of Gianna's teammates, their parents and the pilot on their way from their home to his basketball academy on January 27. | Known as Gigi, Gianna was the frequent focus of her mother's social media posts, allowing fans to follow her triumphs at youth tour…
(2020-04-18). 'Journos like everyone else': CNN's Brian Stelter goes on Twitter Covid-19 breakdown. rt.com 
CNN host Brian Stelter claimed through Twitter that he "hit a wall," "crawled in bed" and "cried for our pre-pandemic lives," but many aren't buying into the Covid-19 breakdown. | "Disturbed by the [government's] shortcomings" and "dismayed by political rhetoric that bears no resemblance to reality," Stelter says it was all too much to bear for him on Friday night. | The journo cried "tears that have been waiting a month to come out" over worries about "friends who are losing jobs; kids who are missing school; and senior citizens who are living in fear." | The 'Reliable Sources' host said on Saturday he was mo…
(2020-04-18). Let them eat cake? Boris Johnson's office shamed for advising people to bake at home amid flour shortages. rt.com 
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office has been blasted online after it recommended indulging in some home baking, as many complained that they can't buy flour due to shortages. | On Saturday, the PM's office official Twitter account sent out a cheerful tweet, advising everyone to entertain themselves during quarantine by "trying some home baking." | Keep the family entertained this weekend by trying some home baking.
(2020-04-18). Russia sought China's APPROVAL for missile test, US diplomat claims. His proof? They didn't come to his Twitter to deny it. rt.com 
Ignoring one's tweet can apparently not only spell the end to a teenage romance, but it can also be proof for high-profile geopolitical assertions. That is, at least, according to a high-ranking US diplomat. | The recent secretive test of a Russian — presumably — anti-ballistic missile weapon has seemingly caused quite a stir in the US. Apart from prompting the Pentagon to play some solid 'Russians are coming' tunes straight from the 1950s, it caused Robert Wood, the US Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament (CD), to hit a new high — or rather, low — in producing baseless allegations a…
(2020-04-18). Trump slams 'rude & nasty' Dems admitting Covid-19 cooperation bad between parties. rt.com 
Donald Trump slammed Democrats for a "rude and nasty" phone call with the vice president over the Covid-19 pandemic, and theorized nothing will satisfy them as they try to "fool" America in November's election. | "No matter what you do for the Do Nothing Democrats, no matter how GREAT a job you are doing, they will only respond to their Fake partners in the Lamestream Media in the negative, even in a time of crisis," Trump tweeted on Saturday. | He added that his working relationship with Democrats during the Covid-19 pandemic has been "even worse" than before and revealed senators held a "rude and nasty" conf…
(2020-04-18). VIDEO captures nine-year-old Indonesian boy dangling from power cable 15 meters high. rt.com 
A shocking viral video of a frightened young Indonesian boy hanging onto a power cable while suspended 15 meters in the air has been confirmed as real by local authorities, who are now telling the whole story. | The boy, named Nadin, was playing with his friends around extra high voltage (EHV) cables on Thursday afternoon in the Curug district of Tangerang, Banten. He did not realize they were in the process of being installed, the emergency and logistics head at the Tangerang Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) told local media. When he grabbed onto one of the cables while it was still hanging "low," it was rai…
(2020-04-18). Police launch investigation into officer over threat to fabricate offence. thecanary.co Lancashire Police have launched an investigation into an officer caught on camera threatening to fabricate an offence against a young man. | The police force has also apologised for the unnamed officer's "completely unacceptable" language and behaviour, as shown in a video widely shared online. | But as the Network for Police Monitoring pointed out on Twitter this type of policing is nothing new: | 'Who are they going to believe?' Don't assume this attitude is an exception. Based on our work over the last decade, we can assure you, it's commonplace […
(2020-04-18). Iran to produce antiviral drug "Remdesivir" to treat COVID-19 disease: researchers. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Apr. 18 (MNA) — A knowledge-based company in Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran is trying to produce an antiviral drug named "Remdesivir" which is effective in treatment of COVID-19 disease.
(2020-04-18). One heartbreaking tweet from a nurse exposes the horrendous reality for NHS workers. thecanary.co 
Despite many broken promises, NHS workers still do not have the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to work safely. Instead of the right equipment, the answer appears to be to As The Canary
(2020-04-17). NHS staff make plea for PPE in video projected onto Palace of Westminster. thecanary.co NHS staff have made a plea to the Government for more personal protective equipment (PPE) in a video projected onto the Palace of Westminster. | The projection, organised by The protest video sees NHS staff members read an impassioned letter to the Government, asking for PPE to "save the lives of those that we clap for every single Thursday". | Led By Donkeys posted a video to Twitter of the protest that took place on Thursday evening, writing: "A m…
(2020-04-17). US to Provide $5 Million in Aid to Palestine. imemc.org United States of America reportedly announced it would grant Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza a sum of five million US Dollars, or 3.6 million New Israeli Shekels (NIS) to help deal with the Covid-19 paramedic. In a tweet he posted on Thursday, the US Ambassador to Israel, David …
(2020-04-17). Emergency services hold minute's silence for pregnant nurse who died of Covid-19. thecanary.co 
Dozens of emergency service workers rallied round to pay tribute to Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, a pregnant nurse who died of Covid-19.On its Twitter account, the fire service posted a video of its deputy chief fire officer Andrew Hopkinson giving a speech to commemorate Agyapong who worked at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital for five years. | She died on Sunday and her baby daughter was delivered successfully by Caesarean section.Hopkinson told well wishers: "We are taking the opportunity to remember and appreciate a wonderful young woman and nurse who's made a huge contribution to this NHS trust and to th…
(2020-04-17). BJP Capitalizes on Coronavirus Fears to Take India's Fascist Creep to the Next Level. mintpressnews.com Last week, 22-year-old Dilshad "Mehboob" Ali was dragged into a field on the outskirts of Delhi and beaten with sticks and shoes by an enraged crowd demanding to be told, "who else is behind this conspiracy?" His attackers believed he was part of a "corona Jihad: " an evil plot by India's Muslim minority to spread the disease and kill as many Hindus as possible. Ali was dragged to a temple and told to convert to Hinduism before they would allow him to go to the hospital. Images of the incident went viral, illustrative of a nationwide assault on the country's nearly 200 million Muslims. | Ali is part of the Tabligh…
(2020-04-17). Everyone needs to hear the words of an 'underfunded' intensive care nurse about the 'apocalyptic situation'. thecanary.co An intensive care nurse has recorded a spoken word poem warning of an "apocalyptic situation" for "underfunded, under-prepared and under-protected" NHS staff. | Tori Wills, a sister at Southampton General Hospital's intensive care unit, posted the video on Facebook "out of frustration" at people not obeying lockdown rules. | Willis told PA: "I wrote the poem out of general frustration at the public still flouting the rules, when my colleagues are putting their lives at risk and working in extremely harsh environments. | I have never shared any of my spoken word, But today, the sun is out, there are still families…
(2020-04-17). Bolsonaro sacks Health Minister amid the pandemic. peoplesdispatch.org Brazilian Health Minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, was fired by president Jair Bolsonaro this Thursday (16th) afternoon. The removal was confirmed by the Mandetta himself, via his official Twitter account and later a press briefing. | The now former Minister praised his team at the Health Ministry and didn't go into details about the firing, nor did he comment on his disagreements with the president that led to it. | "I leave this office knowing I have left the best team behind. Work for the next Minister as you have worked with me, don't hold back", stated Mandetta. | Before leaving, the physician reinforced his…
(2020-04-17). Which Bailed Out Industries Have a Shortcut to Biden World? cepr.net For the reality-based, Trump's indifference to the tragedy that COVID-19 is spreading across the country might be maddening but not surprising. Trump downplaying the severity of the crisis, tweeting nonsense, and pushing for a $500 billion corporate bailout are entirely on brand. This is to be expected of an administration full of former lobbyists and industry executives. But special interests are coming for Democrats, …
(2020-04-17). Trump Tells States to "LIBERATE!" Contradicting Own Administration's Guidance. truthout.org A day after President Donald Trump unveiled On Friday, Trump sent a triad of tweets in which he called for voters to "liberate" themselves. | "LIBERA…
(2020-04-17). Canceling Student Loan Debt Isn't Just the Right Thing to Do—It Makes Economic Sense. commondreams.org Even before the coronavirus crisis upended our economy and sent millions all at once into unemployment, student loan debt threatened the economic security of every borrower.(Photo: YouTube/screenshot) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/studentdebt.jpg …
(2020-04-17). Antiviral Remdesivir Might Quickly Cure COVID-19 Symptoms. telesurenglish.net The science-specialized web portal STAT Thursday reported that the antiviral Remdesivir could cure the COVID-19 symptoms in less than a week. | RELATED: | The drug was developed by the U.S. biotechnology company Gilead Sciences to fight Ebola, although it was not effective in that disease. | While the results are still preliminary, patients treated with this drug showed a rapid improvement in fever and respiratory sympt…
(2020-04-17). How discovering the structure of SARS-CoV-2 makes antiviral drug design possible. peoplesdispatch.org Structures play an important role in molecular biology. The functioning of key proteins (enzymes) depends on structures. In turn, proteins are made from various amino acids and the amino acids in a particular protein are directed by a particular gene. Proteins, in their matured and functional forms, take their particular 3D structures. A deviation in the structure of a protein can lead to many pathogenic conditions, known as proteopathy. | If the structure is of pivotal importance as far as the functionality of a protein is concerned, then, inversely, the distortion of the structure of a key protein that is essen…
(2020-04-16). 'Lock your doors': Manhunt underway in Wisconsin for two violent escaped inmates who fled MAX-SECURITY prison. rt.com 
A major manhunt is underway in Portage, Wisconsin after two inmates — each convicted of violent felonies — escaped from the maximum-security Columbia Correctional Institution. Nearby residents have been urged to lock their doors. | Portage Police Department has warned the public to stay alert following a jailbreak by convicts James Newman, 37, and Thomas Deering, 46, on Thursday morning. It's not clear exactly how the pair made their escape. | www.facebook.com/PortagePD/posts/4021919677848630 | With the majority of the American population already on lockdown due to Covid-19, police are reit…
(2020-04-16). 'How do you still exist?' Musk unloads on CNN after claims his ventilators were never delivered to California hospitals. rt.com 
The continued existence of CNN is surprising, Elon Musk tweeted, after the network said the 1,000 ventilators that the Tesla CEO had promised to California never made it to hospitals. Musk posted evidence to the contrary. | The tech entrepreneur was praised by California Governor Gavin Newsom after Musk pledged in March to deliver life-saving medical equipment to help the state deal with its Covid-19 epidemic. The promised 1,000 ventilators, however, never made it to the hospitals, CNN reported on Thursday, citing the governor's office. | "The Administration is communicating every day with hospitals across the…
(2020-04-16). Hate Groups and Racist Pundits Spew COVID-19 Misinformation on Social Media Despite Companies' Pledges to Combat It. splcenter.org Hate groups and racist pundits have pushed misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic on mainstream social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube throughout the crisis, despite companies pledging to fight fake news about the virus.
(2020-04-16). Zarif lauds China COVID19 aid to Iran. iranian.com Iranian Foreign Minister in a message on Thursday thanked China for providing medical aid to Iran in time of coronavirus outbreak and slammed US sanctions that hindered Iran's fight against pandemic. "I am very happy to talk to my old friend, Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister again," Zarif said in a Twitter …
(2020-04-15). What's the Matter With Science? dissidentvoice.org 
Science for the People at 2017's March for Science. John Vandermeer/Science for the People Ann Arbor | What's the matter with science? By that, do I mean, why don't we turn away from corrupt politics and religion and follow the way of science? Or do I mean, why have we allowed science to so corrupt our politics and our culture? I mean, of course, both. | We don't need an uneducated jackass telling people how to control a viral pandemic because he's a president. At the same time, w…
(2020-04-15). Elizabeth Warren officially endorses Democrat Joe Biden for 2020 election. rt.com 
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has joined former President Barack Obama and fellow ex-candidate Bernie Sanders in throwing her support behind Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for the 2020 election. | "In this moment of crisis, it's more important than ever that the next president restores Americans' faith in good, effective government," Warren tweeted on Wednesday morning in her endorsement of Biden. | The senator also tweeted out a video of her talking up Biden's commitment to "public service" and "empathy," admitting she does not agree with the former vice president "100 percent of…
(2020-04-15). International Twitter/Media Storm & Phone Zap for Mumia! fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service urges all our readers to support this event | Mumia Abu-Jamal—father, husband and grandfather—is an internationally renowned US political prisoner, widely honored for his piercing indictments of the racial inequities and brutal imperialist powers of the US. Abu-Jamal was originally targeted for surveillance and "neutralization" when he was a 15 year-old spokesman for the Black Panther Party in Philadelphia, by the FBI. | By the age of 26, Mumia Abu-Jamal was an award-winning radio journalist with a wide following, known as the "voice of the voiceless" and outspoken in his defen…
(2020-04-15). Antiviral reducing influenza spread in ferrets could help control flu outbreaks. imperial.ac.uk A new antiviral treatment has been found to reduce the risk of ferrets with influenza spreading the virus to healthy animals.
(2020-04-14). Preemptive Therapy vs Antiviral Prophylaxis and CMV in Seronegative Liver Transplant Recipients With Seropositive Donors. jamanetwork.com This randomized trial compares preemptive therapy vs antiviral prophylaxis with valganciclovir in cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seronegative liver transplant recipients with seropositive donors for the prevention of CMV disease.
(2020-04-14). Preventing Cytomegalovirus Infection After Liver Transplant: An Evolving Approach. jamanetwork.com Despite recent advances in the management of patients following liver transplant, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality among this population. Clinicians and transplant centers have adopted varying approaches to managing CMV-seronegative liver transplant recipients with CMV-seropositive donors, a recipient group that is at highest risk for developing CMV-associated complications. Antiviral prophylaxis is typically initiated soon after transplant for a period of several months. Although the most widely used strategy, prophylaxis is limited by the incidence of delaye…
(2020-04-14). A New Vaccine for Chikungunya Virus. jamanetwork.com Arboviruses (arthropod-borne) are a group of viruses that encompass hundreds of members and span multiple viral families making it one of the most genetically diverse, widespread, and dangerous groups of viruses on earth. Arboviruses are transmitted to humans by a variety of geographically widespread arthropod vectors (most commonly, mosquitoes and ticks) so that these viruses can change location with human hosts or arthropod vectors, with potential for rapid spread wherever these vectors are present. Past outbreaks of West Nile virus and recent outbreaks of eastern equine encephalitis virus, Zika virus, and chik…
(2020-04-14). Syria coronavirus threat sparks broad UN containment effort. news.un.org The United Nations and its partners are doing their utmost to support a comprehensive, multi-pronged effort to stem the impact of COVID-19 in Syria, where the viral disease has claimed the lives of two people, sickened 23 others and presented epic challenges for ensuring the smooth delivery of life-saving assistance.
(2020-04-09). I'm Queer and I've Been in Solitary. Ellen Isn't Experiencing What I Did. aclu.org On Monday, I ended a 12-hour day returning emails to incarcerated queer folks, providing direct aid for housing to folks living with HIV & AIDS who have been incarcerated and challenging the state of Nebraska to provide humane conditions for incarcerated individuals and decided to mindlessly scroll on Twitter. , , I found the quote from the show Ellen DeGeneres filmed from her multimillion-dollar, multi-room mansion: "One thing that I've learned from being in quarantine is that people — this is like being in jail, is what it is," she said. "It's mostly because I've be…
(2020-04-07). Facebook's Strategy for Taking Down Hate Groups is Spotty and Ineffective. splcenter.org Facebook continues to provide a safe haven for hate groups and extremists despite the company's attempts to "stop the most egregious and dangerous groups from using its tools." Hatewatch staff previously reported several extremist groups and pages currently active on the platform directly to Facebook in 2018.