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First group of volunteers assembled as Russia prepares for human testing of Covid-19 vaccine The initial human volunteers have been selected to test a Russian vaccine against the deadly new coronavirus in trials set to begin in late June. The project's chief developer is leading by example by taking his place among them. Work on the biological preparation began in February at the Vector Institute, Russia’s leading virology and biotechnology research center. It's based in Novosibirsk, the largest city in Siberia. Earlier in April, researchers announced that the vaccine had successfully passed trials on mice and ferrets, with preparations for human testing in full swing.    The first stage will see 60 people participating, Rinat Maksyutov, Vector Instit...

Mike Tyson reveals who would win fight between him and Muhammad Ali They are two undisputed heavyweight greats but Mike Tyson has revealed who he believes would win a fight between prime versions of himself and Muhammad Ali. Tyson and Ali recently came face-to-face in virtual form as they met in the final of the eWorld Boxing Super Series, which was held to provide fight fans with some much needed action as events around the world remain suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Ali vs Tyson? All this and more as virtual gaming takes over after global sporting calendar grinds to a halt  On that occasion it was 'Iron Mike' who prevailed on the scorecards, although Tyson believes that if he had met Ali in the ring in real life, the outcome would have bee...

Grim record: US overtakes Italy in Covid-19 death toll as fatalities go past 20,000 The US has become the country with most coronavirus fatalities in the world after the death toll exceeded 20,280 people and surpassed Italy's numbers, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. Italy, which remained atop the grim rankings for weeks, has so far registered 19,468 deaths, with third-placed Spain reporting 16,480 people killed by the virus. The US has taken the lead after recording around 2,000 lethal cases from Covid-19 on each of the last four days - eventually crossing the single-day milestone on Friday. The Big Apple has remained the nation's hardest-hit city, with death toll there reaching 8,627. Also on rt.com ...

Magnitude 5.3 earthquake strikes California close to Nevada border A 5.3 magnitude earthquake has struck near Yosemite National Park, along the California-Nevada border. Occurring at a depth of six miles (10km), the quake hit shortly after 7:30am on Saturday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported. Its epicenter was around 90 miles (144km) southeast of Lake Tahoe, just north of the sprawling Yosemite National Park.  Also on rt.com The Big One: Fear of catastrophic quake grows in California as dormant fault line moves for 1st time in 500yrs Yosemite draws upwards of four million visitors per year, but is currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The region had been hit by a number of quakes i...

China sends virologists & aid to Russia ahead of its Covid-19 peak  Just out of its own fight against the coronavirus, China has sent several tons of medical supplies as well as a team of virologists and doctors that will share their firsthand experience with their Russian colleagues.  Invited by the city authorities of Moscow, the Chinese medical team boarded their flight on Saturday, Russia’s consulate in Harbin, China said. The task force is comprised of “renowned Chinese virologists and doctors who have huge clinical experience and practical knowledge,” the consulate stated. © Russian Consulate in Harbin ...

What will happen to India’s economy if coronavirus lockdown isn’t lifted until May? With India set to extend the lockdown that was due to end next week in an effort to prevent the further spread of Covid-19, global consulting firm McKinsey & Co has warned that the measures could come at a great cost. In its recent report, the consultancy considered three possible scenarios for the country’s economy, depending on how long the restrictions stay in place. The decision to prolong the lockdown, announced on Saturday, renders the prediction with the mildest impact (10 percent contraction in the first quarter) impossible, as it was predicated on the measures being lifted on Tuesday. Also on rt.com Nationwide lockdown c...

Real opposition? Labour’s Starmer stands up for NHS workers… but gets slammed for being late & doing it on Twitter Labour leader Keir Starmer has been accused of political theatrics after firing off an angry tweet about the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis. Some have asked – maybe he should do something about it then? The internet fracas began after Health Secretary Matt Hancock stressed that UK healthcare workers fighting Covid-19 should use face masks and other medical garments “in line with the guidelines: no more and no less.” He insisted that there was enough personal protection equipment (PPE) for medical personnel – but only if the equipment is worn in adherence with current protocols. Labour’s newly-appointed leader took off...

The tooth is out there: Former foe Marcos Maidana shows off trophy tooth he claims came from fight with Floyd Mayweather (PHOTO) Hard-hitting former title holder Marcos Maidana has brandished a gold-mounted tooth he purportedly punched out of Floyd Mayweather's mouth during a fight in 2014 in which he was accused of biting the undefeated champion's fingers. Maidana’s scrap with Mayweather in September 2014, when the Argentine threatened to end the American’s long winning run before losing by unanimous decision, provoked controversy in the aftermath as the champion accused the challenger of biting his hand and dismissed whispers that he had lost a tooth during the fight. Now the colorful Maidana, who is plotting a return to the ring after six years out...