Russia Admits Higher COVID-19 Deathtoll Amid Journalist Detentions
Russian authorities claim more people have died of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 than they previously disclosed.
Putin
Chechen Leader Hospitalized With COVID-19
There was mounting uncertainty Saturday over the health of Chechen autocratic leader Ramzan Kadyrov after conflicting reports over whether he suffers from the coronavirus disease COVID-19.
Russia Mourns Coronavirus Patients Killed In Fire
Russia is mourning the death of at least five coronavirus patients who died early Tuesday when a fire broke out in a hospital in St. Petersburg. The tragedy in Russia’s second-largest city, followed two other deadly blazes at care facilities in Russia as it struggles to contain the coronavirus pandemic. These incidents overshadowed plans by Russian President Vladimir Putin to re-open the economy after an extended lockdown.
Coronavirus Overshadows Europe’s 75th Anniversary of War Liberation
Leaders of Europe attended subdued ceremonies over the weekend to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe while facing a perceived new war against an invisible enemy, the coronavirus.
Putin-Trump call focuses on coronavirus, arms control, oil
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed progress in combating the coronavirus pandemic along with arms control issues and oil prices in a phone call Thursday, the White House and the Kremlin said.
Russia, Pakistan Report Coronavirus Spike As Lockdown Protests Grow
Pakistan and Russia have reported their most significant one-day rise in new coronavirus infections. Their announcement Saturday came after some other countries and U.S. states where case numbers are stabilizing allowed businesses and public activities to reopen.
Saudi Arabia and Russia reach deal to end oil price war after pressure from Trump
Saudi Arabia and Russia ended their price war and are poised to deliver the oil production cut President Trump has been demanding in order to raise historically low prices that have damaged the U.S. shale industry.
Countries Fight Over Medical Supplies Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
As countries struggle to contain the new coronavirus outbreak, a global fight has emerged over dwindling medical supplies. The tensions even led to growing competition for medical goods between the United States and its traditional European allies. Take Germany. The local government in the German state and capital, Berlin, claims that 200,000 U.S.-made protective masks bound for Germany never arrived. Authorities say the shipment was ‘confiscated’ in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dutch Daily: ‘World Searching For Leader Amid Coronacrisis’
With roughly half the world in lockdown and many politicians weak or ill, the largest Dutch daily concludes in a headline: “World searching for LEADER.” De Telegraaf (The Telegraph) also expresses that “Nobody takes the lead in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.” Its commentator, Frank van Vliet, complained: “While the world is on fire, international politicians are running in one direction to put out their fire. No leader has taken the lead, and solidarity is lacking. They did not read author Alexander Dumas’ Three Musketeers because “one for all and all for one” has been replaced by “own people first.”
G20 leaders pledge $5tn in ‘united’ response to coronavirus crisis
G20 nations pledged a ‘united front’ Thursday in the fight against coronavirus, saying they were injecting $5 trillion into the global economy to counter the pandemic amid forecasts of a deep recession.
‘Under control’: Putin seeks referendum vote despite coronavirus outbreak
Even the new coronavirus can’t stop President Vladimir Putin when his power is on the line. As rumors abound that Russia’s capital is about to be locked down to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19, Mr. Putin said this week that an April 22 nationwide vote on constitutional amendments that could keep him in power until 2036 will proceed as planned.
Russia’s Constitutional Court Approves Amendments Allowing Putin To Rule Until 2036
Russia’s Constitutional Court has approved constitutional amendments that could enable President Vladimir Putin to stay in power for another 16 years.
Putin Formally Signs Off on Constitutional Changes That Allow Him to Extend Power
Vladimir Putin has formally signed off on constitutional amendments that would allow the Russian leader to run again for president in 2024, the Interfax news agency reported on March 14.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Lab Tap into Supercomputing to Help Combat Coronavirus
As researchers race to identify and unleash new scientific breakthroughs to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, the Energy Department’s Summit supercomputer is playing a role in the fight.
Russian parliament paves way for Putin to remain in power until 2036
Russian President Vladimir Putin could stay leader of Russia for many years to come.
Putin and His Allies Endorse Scheme to Bypass Term Limits and Keep Him in Power
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday backed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow him to seek re-election after his current term ends in 2024, ending uncertainty about his future.
Russia, Turkey Pull Back From the Brink in Syria With Ceasefire Deal
Russia and Turkey have agreed to a new ceasefire in northwestern Syria, the site in recent weeks of numerous clashes between Turkish and Russian-backed Assad regime forces.
Russia: Putin seeks constitutional ban on gay marriage
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday submitted a proposal to establish a ban on same-sex marriage in the country’s constitution.
Thousands in Moscow protest constitutional changes seen as Putin power grab
Thousands of protesters marched through Moscow on Saturday against the Russian government’s proposed constitutional changes that are widely seen as an attempt by President Vladimir Putin to maintain his power beyond the end of his term in 2024.
Putin, Erdogan agree to improve coordination of actions in Syria: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan agreed to take immediate measures to improve coordination of their countries’ actions in Syria, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.