Meeting at the Elbe
President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump issued a rare joint statement commemorating the 75th anniversary of the meeting of Soviet and American forces during World War II.
Putin and Trump said the meeting at the Elbe river in Germany on April 25, 1945, a milestone that foreshadowed the defeat of the Nazis, exemplified how their countries can “build trust and cooperate.”
Export ban
Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, is suspending grain exports, including wheat, rye, barley and corn until July 1, the Agriculture Ministry said Sunday.
In early April, the government introduced export quotas for certain grains until the end of June but these were "fully exhausted" by Sunday, the ministry said in a statement.
MIA
At least 874 Russian troops tested positive for Covid-19 between March and April 26, 19 of whom are in critical or serious condition, the Defense Ministry said.
More than 1,200 cadets, instructors and civilians within the Russian Armed Forces have been infected, the ministry said in a statement.
Hidden figures
As many as one in 10 residents of Moscow and the Moscow region — with a combined population of 20 million — may have been infected with Covid-19, Reuters cited a government project as saying.
Out of 1,000 people who sought tests for the presence of antibodies in people with no flu-like symptoms, 9-10% had coronavirus antibodies. Moscow and the Moscow region are two of Russia’s hardest-hit areas with 51,550 officially reported cases, suggesting a 0.2% rate of infection.
Nagging advice
The Russian Orthodox Church urged women to avoid reprimanding their husbands during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown measures to avoid falling victim to domestic violence.
Bishop Panteleimon, the head of the church’s department for charity, later explained that “it’s equally important for husbands to stop admonishing their wives.”
Includes reporting from AFP.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.