Australian MPs call for Assange’s release from UK prison
MPs who are part of a pro-Assange parliamentary group have called for his release from the Belmarsh prison in the UK over concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19 in prisons
Students’ Struggle Front in Greece demands direct rent allowance for students
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak in Greece, the Students Struggle Front (MAS) has asked the government to provide a direct housing allowance of 800 euros (USD 868.63) to all student families who pay rent for the months of March and April
Unions demand enhanced safety measures for transport workers in London
Trade unions including Unite the Union, National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), among others, have raised concerns about the rising number of deaths of transport workers due to COVID-19. 14 transport workers have died in London alone as of April 8
Health workers across Greece mark Day of Panhellenic Action for Health
Health workers under the banner of the Federation of Greek Hospital Doctors’ Associations (OENGE) demanded state support, including adequate funds, staff and resources, for the fight against COVID-19 in the country
Mandatory online classes not accessible for millions in Italy: Communist Youth
The Italian government has issued a school decree calling for mandatory online classes for students during the national lockdown due to COVID-19 emergency
Lithuanian socialist leader Algirdas Palecki released from jail, to serve house arrest
Socialist leader Algirdas Paleckis has been incarcerated since October 2018 for allegedly “intending to kidnap prosecutors” and being a Russian spy. Critics believe that the former diplomat has been targeted by the right-wing Lithuanian government for his socialist ideology
Polish government’s decision to hold presidential polls draws severe criticism
The Polish government led by the Law and Justice Party has decided to hold the presidential elections on May 10 despite close to 4,000 COVID-19 infections being recorded in the country. The opposition has demanded it be postponed
Progressive forces in Luxembourg demand pro-worker policies to fight COVID-19
The Communist Party of Luxembourg has called for a moratorium on repayment of loans during the crisis period and the freezing of the housing rents by law
One year after launch, EU countries and Iran close first deal under INSTEX payment mechanism
The deal was for the supply of medical equipment to Iran. INSTEX was devised in 2018 by Germany, France and the UK as a special purpose vehicle to bypass the unilateral sanctions imposed by the US
COVID-19 forces US foreign policy on backfoot
Newsclick’s Prabir Purkayastha looks at US-China and US-Russia relations during the pandemic and falling oil prices
Cuban doctors invited to join fight against COVID-19 in Caribbean islands
Cuban doctors will aid the fight against COVID-19 in the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, and Guiana, which are administered by France
Under garb of fighting COVID-19, Orban takes absolute control in Hungary
The law passed by the Hungarian parliament on March 30 gives extraordinary powers to the government led by Viktor Orban to rule by decree without the mandate of the parliament. Orban has a notorious track record of abuse of power and authoritarianism
- Australian MPs call for Assange’s release from UK prison
- Two-week ceasefire in Yemen takes effect
- Students’ Struggle Front in Greece demands direct rent allowance for students
- UN, WHO call for unity in the face of COVID-19
- Bernie Sanders suspends presidential campaign, but “struggle for justice continues”
