April 21, 2020 – Page 2 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Latest blunder sees IOC forced into embarrassing climbdown after claiming Japan agreed to bear extra Olympics costs

Posted on April 21, 2020April 21, 2020By Editor

The International Olympic Committee has retracted its claims that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had agreed to absorb some of the additional costs associated with rescheduling the Olympic Games … Read More >Latest blunder sees IOC forced into embarrassing climbdown after claiming Japan agreed to bear extra Olympics costs

EU

Boy infected with Covid-19 ‘didn’t spread’ it to any of his 172 contacts, raising questions about child transmission – study

Posted on April 21, 2020By Editor

A French schoolboy who contracted Covid-19 on a skiing holiday in February didn’t infect anyone else he came into contact with despite showing symptoms, a new study reports. It sheds new light on children as virus ‘vectors.’ … Read More >Boy infected with Covid-19 ‘didn’t spread’ it to any of his 172 contacts, raising questions about child transmission – study

World

Another ‘worst deal ever’? US withdrawal from crucial Open Skies treaty is done deal, Russian FM believes

Posted on April 21, 2020April 21, 2020By Editor

Moscow thinks Washington is on the brink of pulling out from a crucial arms-control treaty it once helped develop. Reports about the move have circulated for weeks, with top US lawmakers warning of its dire ramifications. … Read More >Another ‘worst deal ever’? US withdrawal from crucial Open Skies treaty is done deal, Russian FM believes

Health

Covid-19 mutations underestimated, Chinese scientists warn, as DEADLIEST strains grip Europe and US

Posted on April 21, 2020April 21, 2020By Editor

Chinese scientists have found that Europe and America’s East Coast have been infected by some of the most aggressive Covid-19 strains, as they discovered dozens of virus mutations. These destroy a host’s cells faster than others. … Read More >Covid-19 mutations underestimated, Chinese scientists warn, as DEADLIEST strains grip Europe and US

World

‘Not possible to determine’ exact origins of Covid-19, but available evidence points to animal source – WHO

Posted on April 21, 2020April 21, 2020By Editor

While the origin of the coronavirus has yet to be confirmed, early findings suggest it originated in animals, a top World Health Organization (WHO) official said shortly after the US president fueled the ‘Wuhan lab’ theory. … Read More >‘Not possible to determine’ exact origins of Covid-19, but available evidence points to animal source – WHO

Syrian air defenses respond to missile attack over Palmyra – SANA

Posted on April 21, 2020April 21, 2020By Editor

Syrian air defense were activated late on Monday to engage ‘hostile targets’ above Palmyra and Homs, the local media reported, calling the incident an act of ‘Israeli aggression.’ … Read More >Syrian air defenses respond to missile attack over Palmyra – SANA

No confirmation needed? CNN fans rumors about Kim Jong-un’s alleged health issues, reports he’s in ‘grave danger’ after ‘surgery’

Posted on April 21, 2020April 21, 2020By Editor

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is extremely unwell after undergoing surgery, CNN reported, citing a nameless US government source. Rumors of Kim’s alleged health scare have been dismissed by both Seoul and Beijing, however. … Read More >No confirmation needed? CNN fans rumors about Kim Jong-un’s alleged health issues, reports he’s in ‘grave danger’ after ‘surgery’

Russia

US/UK media promotes evergreen Russian boozing stereotypes, but latest data shows alcohol sales down during Covid-19 pandemic

Posted on April 21, 2020April 21, 2020By Editor

Western media is a funny beast. While demanding balanced and sensible coverage of their own state’s internal affairs, stories about Russia seem to be treated as the follies of bonkers, backward people in a far-flung freakshow. … Read More >US/UK media promotes evergreen Russian boozing stereotypes, but latest data shows alcohol sales down during Covid-19 pandemic

Shows

Protesting against #Covid19 lockdowns & police repression during the crisis

Posted on April 21, 2020April 21, 2020By Editor

Protests have broken out in some cities as residents grow weary of stay-at-home orders. Covid-19 is ripping through US prisons. Activist and writer Netfa Freeman joins us to discuss the police and military repression happening alongside the pandemic. … Read More >Protesting against #Covid19 lockdowns & police repression during the crisis