Companies building a multi-billion dollar bridge to link the Russian mainland with annexed Crimea, a project close to the heart President Vladimir Putin, were targeted by the United States in an updated sanctions blacklist on Thursday. Source Reuters
An NHS worker who organised a protest over the government’s 1 per cent pay offer in Manchester city centre has been fined £10,000. Karen Reissmann, a mental health worker and Unison rep, was among those who turned up for the demonstration in St Peter’s Square at midday on Sunday. All attendees were wearing masks and cones were marked out on the floor to help maintain social distancing. Source Manchester Evening News
Scientists claimed the WHO mission was unable to act free of ‘political influence’, ahead of the publication of a final report this month. More than two dozen scientists have called for a new investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, amid concerns it was “all but impossible” for a World Health Organization-led team to operate free of political influence. Source Telegraph
Last week 745,000 people filed for first time unemployment benefits according to the Department of Labor. The high numbers reflect the severe effects the pandemic had on the economy and job market. With the recent data, roughly 80.4 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits since the start of the covid outbreak last March. Source Forbes