April 2020 – Page 48 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

OPCW points finger at Syrian government for 2017 chemical attacks amid whistleblowers scandal

Posted on April 9, 2020April 9, 2020By Editor

The OPCW has issued its first report explicitly blaming Syria’s government for chemical attacks on civilians, pointing to three incidents in 2017 and saying there’re “reasonable grounds” to believe the air force was responsible. … Read More >OPCW points finger at Syrian government for 2017 chemical attacks amid whistleblowers scandal

USA

Pompeo says ‘no sanctions’ prevent Covid-19 aid to Iran, as US blocks $5bn IMF loan & ignores calls to lift penalties

Posted on April 9, 2020April 9, 2020By Editor

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said a raft of US sanctions do not stop humanitarian aid from reaching Tehran, even as the UN and rights groups say the penalties are crippling Iran’s healthcare system. … Read More >Pompeo says ‘no sanctions’ prevent Covid-19 aid to Iran, as US blocks $5bn IMF loan & ignores calls to lift penalties

EU

Cheesus crisis! ‘Cry of alarm’ as Covid-19 bites French cheese industry after coming for iconic wines

Posted on April 9, 2020April 9, 2020By Editor

Two of France’s favorite pastimes — eating cheese and drinking wine — are under threat as the Covid-19 pandemic forced the closure of restaurants, markets and pubs. Producers fear France’s key industries might not survive. … Read More >Cheesus crisis! ‘Cry of alarm’ as Covid-19 bites French cheese industry after coming for iconic wines

EU

EU ‘to take common approach’ on Covid-19 tracking apps as projects in Germany and France face privacy concerns, legal challenges

Posted on April 9, 2020April 9, 2020By Editor

The EU is reportedly prepared to adopt a common strategy for Covid-19 tracking apps amid calls to create a pan-European software model. Such projects have been met with privacy concerns and legal hurdles in Germany and France. … Read More >EU ‘to take common approach’ on Covid-19 tracking apps as projects in Germany and France face privacy concerns, legal challenges

Wuhan couples BOMBARD marriage application app as coronavirus lockdown is lifted

Posted on April 9, 2020April 9, 2020By Editor

One might think a pandemic-induced lockdown would push most couples to breaking point, but recently-liberated lovers in Wuhan are bucking the trend, almost crashing the Chinese app used for online marriage applications. … Read More >Wuhan couples BOMBARD marriage application app as coronavirus lockdown is lifted

World

Daleks, drones, and high-tech cops: Robots come out on top amid coronavirus pandemic

Posted on April 9, 2020By Editor

As coronavirus lockdowns keep people indoors and physically distant from one another, robots are picking up the slack, doing the jobs humans can’t or won’t do — and keeping their erstwhile masters in line. … Read More >Daleks, drones, and high-tech cops: Robots come out on top amid coronavirus pandemic

UK

‘Virtual march’ to mark Assange’s year in UK custody amid widespread Covid-19 lockdowns

Posted on April 9, 2020April 9, 2020By Editor

A worldwide march in support of Julian Assange will be held online due to the coronavirus pandemic. Apart from disrupting support efforts, the dreaded virus is also threatening the jailed WikiLeaks co-founder personally. … Read More >‘Virtual march’ to mark Assange’s year in UK custody amid widespread Covid-19 lockdowns

USA

‘Do not politicize this virus unless you want more BODY BAGS,’ WHO chief responds to Trump

Posted on April 9, 2020April 9, 2020By Editor

The WHO head Tedros Ghebreyesus has responded to US President Donald Trump’s threat to defund the UN health body with a harsh rebuke. Not focusing on the criticism of the body’s Covid-19 response, he instead promised more deaths. … Read More >‘Do not politicize this virus unless you want more BODY BAGS,’ WHO chief responds to Trump

USA

US Covid-19 cases now account for almost ONE THIRD of global total

Posted on April 9, 2020April 9, 2020By Editor

The US now has almost a third of all Covid-19 patients in the world, as the AFP tally states that the global rating tops 1.5 million, while Johns Hopkins University reports 1,485,981 cases. … Read More >US Covid-19 cases now account for almost ONE THIRD of global total

EU

Head of EU’s top science body quits after Covid-19 response plans get bogged down by Brussels bureaucracy

Posted on April 9, 2020April 9, 2020By Editor

The head of EU’s main science organization has resigned just months after taking the job. He said both the body and EU leadership failed to adopt a robust science-based approach to the Covid-19 outbreak when one was badly needed. … Read More >Head of EU’s top science body quits after Covid-19 response plans get bogged down by Brussels bureaucracy