NAVALNY CAMP CALLS FOR NATIONWIDE PROTESTS ON APRIL 21

The team of jailed Russian dissident Alexei Navalny has called for fresh protests next week, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported.

According to the announcement, published on Sunday, people are to gather on Wednesday evening in various Russian cities. "There are circumstances under which you have to act quickly, otherwise there will be irreparable damage," the call for protest read.

Navalny's health has reportedly deteriorated, with doctors warning of the risk of heart failure. He has been on a hunger strike for the last two weeks, in order to protest against the lack of medical attention. His doctor has demanded to see him but has not been let to him.

Around 457,000 people have already signed up for the protest on Navalny's website. Originally, Navalny's team said it would wait until 500,000 people signed up to protest, but due to the developments the date has now been set, the organizers said. Russian President Vladimir Putin is also to give a speech to the nation on Wednesday.

WEEKLY FEATURE : TRUEMONEY PHILIPPINES BUCKS THE COVID-19 CHALLENGE