(2020-03-24). EU left Italy 'practically alone' to fight coronavirus, so Rome looked for help elsewhere, incl Russia — ex-FM Frattini to RT. rt.com 
The EU's initial response to the massive outbreak of coronavirus in Italy was largely "inadequate," and a lack of European solidarity opened the doors for Russia and China, former Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told RT. | The new epicenter of the dreaded pandemic, Italy, has been struggling to stop the spread of Covid-19 for weeks now. The disease has already killed more than six thousand people in the country, with over 60 thousand people infected. | EU tried to pin the blame on Italy: | The EU clearly underestimated the virus, blaming the outbreak in Italy on its national healthcare system…
(2020-03-24). The Not-So-Shocking Report on Israeli Weapons Exports. dissidentvoice.org 
The Middle East region, battered by wars and adjoining humanitarian crises that have left millions of people stateless, hungry and diseased, is in urgent need for peace, security and reconstruction. Thanks to the US, Russian, French, Israeli and other weapons manufacturers, however, it is now the dumping ground for military hardware, an ominous sign for …
(2020-03-24). Coughing but winning: Russia's 'unwell' Nepo destroys Chinese rivals & surges into World Chess Candidates lead. rt.com 
Ian Nepomniachtchi has beaten two Chinese rivals to forge ahead at the World Chess Candidates in Ekaterinburg, despite suffering from a persistent cough. The event may be called off if the Russian tests positive for Covid-19. | The 29-year-old Nepomniachtchi (known as 'Nepo' by fans) played his moves in double-quick time to beat China's Ding Liren in dramatic fashion in round 6 of the Candidates Tournament, opening up a full 1-point lead at 4.5/6 over his nearest rival, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France. If Nepo can retain his lead and win the event, he will challenge Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen for…
(2020-03-24). 'Why did we vote?' French election officials sick a week after controversial ballot held amid Covid-19. rt.com 
Holding a nationwide election during an epidemic may not seem like the wisest move, but France went along with it. Fast forward a week, and some people who made the voting possible report they have contracted the coronavirus. | The first round of municipal elections in France took place on March 15, even as the government was shutting down non-essential public venues and calling on people to stay at home — unless, of course, they had to cast their votes. The second round was supposed to happen a week later but was postponed until late June, rendering the practical value of the initial vote questionable at…
(2020-03-24). France to close open-air markets, crack down on JOGGING to stop coronavirus spread. rt.com 
France is set to tighten its coronavirus lockdown rules, closing open-air markets and limiting outdoor workouts, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said. Stricter rules come as the nation's Covid-19 death toll continues to mount. | Speaking to TF1 TV on Monday, Philippe announced he was about to sign a new decree, imposing stricter lockdown in the country. The restrictions, he noted, might be in force for "several more weeks." | A lot of citizens want normalcy to return, but it's not happening soon | The new measures, expected to take effect on Tuesday, include closure of the majority of open-air markets acro…
(2020-03-24). Scale of current economic downturn unprecedented since 1929 Great Depression, French economy minister says. rt.com 
France is facing an economic crisis that can only be compared to the Great Depression of 1929, the minister of the economy and finance, Bruno Le Maire, warned as he laid out government plans to mitigate the damage. | The French government will not "allow the flagships of our industry… to go up in smoke just because there is an economic crisis of a magnitude unprecedented since the 1929 Great Depression in the West," Bruno Le Maire said in an interview with France Info on Tuesday. | The minister was discussing ways French businesses can be assisted to traverse the economic slowdown aggravated by the Covid-19…
(2020-03-24). Albert Uderzo, legendary artist behind 'Asterix and Obelix' comics, dies aged 92. rt.com 
The co-creator of 'The Adventures of Asterix' comic book series, Albert Uderzo, has died aged 92 at his home, his family announced. He passed away from a heart attack in his sleep, after several weeks of weakness. | The death was not related to the coronavirus epidemic currently ravaging France, Uderzo's son-in-law told AFP. | Asterix is an iconic French comic book series focused on the ancient Gauls standing up to the war machine of the Roman Empire — with a bit of magic and a lot of humor and creativity thrown in. The first strip was published in 1959, created by Uderzo in collaboration with fellow writ…
(2020-03-24). Global markets rebound from historic collapse amid hopes of stimulus measures. rt.com 
Stock markets in Europe opened higher on Tuesday, following the Asian markets' positive reaction to the US Federal Reserve's pledges to run an open-ended asset purchase program amid the global coronavirus outbreak. | Britain's FTSE 100 index surged almost four percent at the start of trading in London. Germany's DAX is up almost six percent, while France's CAC gained almost five percent. | The pan-European Stoxx 600 jumped 4.4 percent in early trade, with basic resources growing 6.5 percent as all sectors entered positive territory. | Markets in Asia-Pacific also jumped earlier in the day in reaction to the Fe…
(2020-03-24). Covid-19 cases in Germany surge by 4,700+ in one day, with 28 new deaths. rt.com 
A total of 4,764 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded across Germany, with 28 deaths, the federal Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which releases daily monitoring of the disease, announced on Tuesday. | Overall, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus grew from 22,672 to 27,436 within one day, RKI reported. There have been 28 new deaths, bringing the nation's death toll to 114. | Germany has a relatively low death rate from Covid-19 compared to other nations, but remains among the hardest-hit countries in terms of people infected. | Several German states, including Bavaria and Saxony, introduced quarantine mea…
(2020-03-24). Beijing to quarantine & test ALL foreign arrivals for Covid-19 as outbreaks accelerate outside China. rt.com 
China's capital city has stepped up measures to detect and contain those carrying the coronavirus, isolating all travelers arriving from other countries and testing them for the lethal pathogen, the state-run Beijing Daily newspaper reported on Tuesday. | Starting on March 25, Beijing health authorities will require anyone traveling to the capital from overseas to enter centralized quarantine and undergo an RNA test for the virus, part of enhanced containment measures adopted as Covid-19 hotspots flare up across Europe, the Americas and elsewhere in Asia. | Those who arrived in China over the past 14 days will…
(2020-03-24). New Zealand government warns tens of thousands could die, imposes lockdown. wsws.org Medical professionals have warned that the country is unprepared for a significant outbreak of coronavirus and New Zealand "will look like Italy or the US" without extreme measures.
(2020-03-24). Italy's Misleading Figures on the C-Virus. indybay.org In addition to false positives from the C-virus testing kits, we have these figures from Italy's Italian Institute of Health (ISS):…
(2020-03-24). US soon to pass Italy and China in coronavirus cases. wsws.org The total number infected in the United States is approaching 50,000, with nearly 600 dead.
(2020-03-24). Modolva, COVID-19 & Lessons With Former Federal OSHA Investigator Darrell Whitman. indybay.org Former Federal OSHA WPP investigator and lawyer who is now in Moldova reports on how this poor Eastern European country is grappling with the coronavirus unlike the panic in the US.
(2020-03-24). Germany: Appalling lack of protective equipment in COVID-19 outbreak. wsws.org It is still virtually impossible to be tested for the life-threatening virus and there is a lack of protective marks and other urgently needed equipment for health care workers.
(2020-03-24). Europe's coronavirus death toll passes 10,000. wsws.org The coronavirus crisis has exposed how Europe's health and social care services face collapse after decades of being underfunded, privatised and de-staffed.
(2020-03-24). Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' message to warehouse workers: Keep working despite coronavirus threat. wsws.org After strikes by US and European Amazon workers over the danger to their health, the company's billionaire CEO feigned concern while insisting that workers keep pumping out profits.
(2020-03-24). UN dispatches humanitarian aid to Syria. yenisafak.com The UN dispatched 106 truckloads of humanitarian aid Tuesday to the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib.Trucks passed through the Cilvegozu border gate in Hatay province, Turkey, and aid will be distributed to residents in urban areas Idlib, as well as the surrounding countryside which have been subjected to years of devastating attacks by the Bashar al-Assad regime and allies, triggering a wave of 1 million refugees.The war in Syria started in early 2011 when the regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests. ,Hundreds of thousands of people have since been killed and more than 10 million others displaced, acc…
(2020-03-24). NATO's Kosovo operation marks 21 years. yenisafak.com Over 20 years ago, NATO launched an air campaign against the former Yugoslavia to end the oppression and massacre against the civilians in Kosovo.NATO's Operation Allied Force on March 24, 1999, opened a new chapter in the history of this small Balkan nation, forcing the Serbian military out of Kosovo and allowing the stationing of international mediators in the country.The operation was a turning point for Kosovo's people as it paved the way for the safe return of all refugees and displaced persons.On September 23, 1998, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1199, calling for a cease-fire amid increasing te…
(2020-03-24). German shipment of 6 million masks lost in Kenya. yenisafak.com Nearly six million medical masks recently purchased by Germany have disappeared at an airport in Kenya, Der Spiegel a weekly German news magazine reported on its website on Tuesday. | German Defense Ministry has confirmed that authorities have begun an investigation into the incident, but did not provide any further details., | Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition government had recently ordered nearly ‚Ǩ241 million ($262 million) worth of medical masks, other protective equipment, and material to cope up with a potential shortage amid the coronavirus outbreak. | Due to arrive in the country on…
(2020-03-24). FinMin says many virus-hit firms, sectors can delay taxes in Turkey. yenisafak.com Turkey on Tuesday announced a host of sectors and classes eligible for deferred tax payments in light of the coronavirus outbreak.A total of 1.9 million taxpayers will benefit from these deferments, Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak said on Twitter.Eligible professionals include the self-employed, farmers, tailors, grocers, lawyers, financial advisers, architects, engineers, doctors, and dentists.Sectors that can delay their tax payments include retail and shopping centers, the iron, steel and metal industry, the automotive sector, logistics and transportation, textiles, entertainment, mining, construc…
(2020-03-24). COVID-19 accelerating rapidly, Europe, US main drivers. yenisafak.com COVID-19 is accelerating rapidly globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday, with Europe and the United States the main drivers of 85% of the cases in the past 24 hours."The outbreak is accelerating very rapidly, and the case number we have received overnight will put that up considerably," WHO spokeswoman Dr. Margaret Harris said at a briefing held online by the UN in Geneva. | The Johns Hopkins University of Medicine put the number of cases worldwide at nearly 384,000, with around 17,000 confirmed deaths.Harris said: "Sadly, the number of deaths will increase considerably."So, 85% of cases rep…
(2020-03-24). Russian Military Experts Arriving in Italy for Assisting Coronavirus Fight to Work in Bergamo – MoD. sputniknews.com Earlier, Russian military aircraft arrived in Italy with specialists and equipment for disinfection to help fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
(2020-03-24). Russian President Putin Puts on Hazmat Suit During Visit to Hospital for COVID-19 Patients – Video. sputniknews.com Russia has registered 495 cases of the new coronavirus infection, including 57 new cases in 14 regions over the past 24 hours.
(2020-03-24). Russian Federal Agency to Provide Online Support to Russian Teachers Globally. sputniknews.com On 24 March, an online conference on the digital transformation of education will be held on the platform Mobile School for teachers at Russian schools abroad, according to the press centre of the Russian Digital Cooperation project.
(2020-03-24). Stricter Measures Taken in London to Stop Spread of COVID-19 – Video. sputniknews.com Live from Picadilly Circus in London following UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing a ban on gatherings of more than two in an effort to battle the spreading coronavirus.
(2020-03-24). 'We need joint action, not fake news': Moscow slams HRW chief for touting story on Russia's rich grabbing life-saving ventilators. rt.com 
Russia's top diplomat in the US has demanded the Human Rights Watch chief stops spreading misinformation about Russia's readiness to fight Covid-19, after he touted an article claiming it's letting the wealthy buy up ventilators. | www.facebook.com/RusEmbUSA/posts/1265573460319708?__tn__=K-R | Anatoly Antonov, Russia's envoy in Washington, has penned a scathing rebuke to the group's executive director, Kenneth Roth, who tweeted that the Kremlin was "doing nothing to stop wealthy Russians from buying up ventilators," all that while "leaving ordinary Russians with a likely shortage of this life-saving eq…
(2020-03-24). UK, Europe & IMF Ramp Up Pressure For Trump To Ease Sanctions On Virus-Ravaged Iran. iranian.com Reports and in some cases video began emerging last week of mass shipments of humanitarian supplies being halted and grounded by skittish EU countries worried about violating US-led sanctions on Iran. This as Iranian leaders have lashed out at Washington for ensuring a worsening coronavirus death toll through its "inhuman" sanctions. But the White House has also …
(2020-03-23). Images of Cuban Doctors Helping Italy Go Viral, Burst Media Narrative. mintpressnews.com 
Videos of Cuban doctors volunteering to travel halfway across the world to put themselves in mortal danger for the good of people they have never met stirred the heartstrings of even the most cynical observer.
(2020-03-23). Cuban doctors travel to Italy to help fight Covid-19. mronline.org 
This is the sixth Cuban team to join the fight against the pandemic in the world and the first to travel to Europe, reported Cuban Television.
(2020-03-23). Amid coronavirus pandemic, Bolsonaro's Brazil begs for Cuban doctors — after expelling them. peoplesworld.org 
The coronavirus pandemic has overwhelmed the health infrastructure of countries around the world. Desperate to contain the deadly virus, hard-hit countries, including even rich European nations like Italy and Britain, have reached out for expert medical help from Cuba, China, and Venezuela. Even Brazil, currently under the control of a far-right administration that has joined …
(2020-03-23). Coronavirus: Latest updates from across the world. thecanary.co 
Covid-19 has infected hundreds of thousands of people across the globe.Here are the latest updates: — IRANIran has reported another 127 coronavirus-related deaths, bringing its toll to 1,812 amid 23,049 confirmed cases.Iran is battling the worst outbreak in the Middle East, and has faced criticism for not imposing stricter quarantine measures early on. It is also suffering under severe American sanctions imposed after President Donald Trump withdrew the US from Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.(PA Graphics)— SWITZERLANDThe World Health Organisation (WHO) said criminals are increasingly posing…
(2020-03-23). UN expert raises alarm over migrant, asylum seeker 'pushbacks' at Turkey-Greece border. news.un.org Greece must take immediate action to end the violence against migrants and asylum seekers at the border between Turkey and Greece, an independent UN human rights expert said on Monday, expressing alarm at reports of violence at the hands of some Greek security officers and unidentified armed men.
(2020-03-23). Headlines for March 23, 2020. democracynow.org Global COVID-19 Death Toll Passes 15,000 as Italy Drafts Military to Enforce Lockdown, Angela Merkel to Self-Quarantine After Her Doctor Tests Positive for COVID-19, First COVID-19 Cases Reported in Occupied Gaza, War-Stricken Syria and Afghanistan | , Coronavirus Cases Mount Across Africa, Two Nigerians Overdose Self-Medicating with Chloroquine After Trump Praised Anti-Malaria Drug as Possible COVID-19 Treatment, Coronavirus Leads to Lockdowns, Travel Bans in Latin America, as a Colombian Prison Riot Turns Deadly | , Fate of Tokyo Olympics Still Unknown as Canada, Australia Refuse to Send Athletes | , India Lock…
(2020-03-23). COVID-19: What Will Change When It Is All Over. Britain is Going the Same Way as Italy. globalresearch.ca What will change in our lives after Covid? It's a big question. One answer is — a lot. Another is — whatever happens, it won't be the same again. Both are true. Another truth is that the government have now …
(2020-03-23). A US McDonald's manager explains why sick pay should be a legal minimum, in a heartfelt personal account. thecanary.co McDonald's in Ireland and the UK is
(2020-03-23). EU Supports Iran, Venezuela Bids for IMF COVID-19 Funds. telesurenglish.net Foreign Ministers of the European Union (EU) supported Monday Iran and Venezuela's requests for financial aid to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to fight the coronavirus pandemic. | RELATED: | "We are going to support this request because these countries are in a very difficult situation mainly due to the U.S. sanctions that prevent them from having income by selling their oil," EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell said at a vi…
(2020-03-22). Italy's Death Toll Surges to 4,825 From Coronavirus Outbreak. telesurenglish.net Italy reported 6,557 new cases of coronavirus on Saturday, raising the total to 53,578 since the pandemic first broke out in its north on Feb. 21, according to the latest data provided by the Civil Protection Department managing the COVID-19 emergency. | RELATED: | Further 793 people died of coronavirus in Italy in the past 24 hours, taking the country's death toll to 4,825. The number of active coronavirus infections…
(2020-03-22). Cuba Comes to Italy's Aid by Sending Team of Doctors and Nurses. telesurenglish.net The island-nation of Cuba has dispatched a team of doctors and nurses to help Italy combat the coronavirus outbreak that killed over 4,000 people inside the country in the last month. | RELATED: | Cuba announced on Sunday that the team of doctors and nurses to Italy after the worst-affected region, Lombardy, asked the island-nation for immediate assistance in helping them fight the coronavirus. | The Caribbean i…
(2020-03-21). Liberal NPCs hate Russia, Conservative NPCs hate China. mronline.org 
The frenzied, shrieking hysteria I'm witnessing right now among Trump's base regarding China looks and moves in the exact same way the mental zombification of Russia hysteria looked and moved when it began tearing through rank-and-file Democrats in late 2016 and early 2017. The seething, screaming vitriol I get from the MAGA crowd on social …
(2020-03-21). [Editorial] COVID-19: protecting health-care workers. thelancet.com Worldwide, as millions of people stay at home to minimise transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, health-care workers prepare to do the exact opposite. They will go to clinics and hospitals, putting themselves at high risk from COVID-2019. Figures from China's National Health Commission show that more than 3300 health-care workers have been infected as of early March and, according to local media, by the end of February at least 22 had died. In Italy, 20% of responding health-care workers were infected, and some have died.
(2020-03-20). Doctor: As Coronavirus Cases Spike Worldwide, We Need Global Cooperation to Halt Spread. democracynow.org 
As the worldwide death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has topped 10,000, with over 250,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, we speak with Stanford University's global health expert Dr. Michele Barry, an infectious disease doctor. Italy has surpassed China in coronavirus deaths, and cases are rising in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, as the governor of California has ordered all 40 million residents to shelter in place.
(2020-03-20). Headlines for March 20, 2020. democracynow.org Worldwide COVID-19 Death Toll Tops 10,000 as Italian Nurses "Stop Counting the Dead", Refugee Groups Warn of COVID-19 "Carnage" in Camps Housing Millions, Coronavirus Multiplies Across Australia, Latin America, Africa and Middle East, California Gov. Gavin Newsom Issues Statewide "Stay at Home" Order for 40 Million, New York Mayor Calls on Trump to Mobilize Military to Aid Overwhelmed Hospitals, Georgia State Legislators Urged to Self-Quarantine; Spring Break Revelers Party On in Florida, Demands Grow to Empty ICE Jails as NJ Detention Center Worker Tests Positive, Trump Blasts "Corrupt" Media at Rambling Coronav…
(2020-03-20). What We Must Learn from Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. dissidentvoice.org One of the major concerns about COVID-19 in northern Italy after concern for the physically infirm and elderly is the impact treating patients will have on the healthcare system. The healthcare system in many northern Italian regions is already at a breaking point as within the first twenty days of the outbreak over 10,000 infections …
(2020-03-19). Headlines for March 19, 2020. democracynow.org Italy Records Record 475 Coronavirus Deaths as Infections Continue Climbing, British PM Boris Johnson Closes Schools After Reversing Lax Virus Containment Plan, Millions of Brazilians Protest from Windows and Balconies Demanding President's Ouster, World Health Organization Warns Critical Lack of Testing Is Costing Lives, Egypt Arrests Protesters Calling for Release of Prisoners at Risk of COVID-19, Yemen, Already Wracked by U.S.-Supported, Saudi-Led War, Braces for Coronavirus, Trump Admin Tightens Sanctions That Have Devastated Iran's Public Health System, Trump Signs Coronavirus Relief Bill Providing Paid Leav…
(2020-03-19). Death at the Border: Syrian Refugees Should Not Be Used as Political Pawns. mintpressnews.com Turkey's use of Syrian refugees as political pawns was one of the most tragic, heart-rendering episodes of the Syrian war and subsequent refugee crisis saga.
(2020-03-19). China, France send anti-Coronavirus aid to Iran. iranian.com Beijing Municipality sent 30 tons of medical and healthcare items to Iran in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The donation has been sent to the capital city of Tehran by 11 trucks. Thanking China for the measure, Tehran Mayor Pirouz Hanachi called for mutual cooperation in various areas. France sends medical aid …
(2020-03-18). [Research Paper] A phase 1b randomized study of the safety and immunological responses to vaccination with H4:IC31, H56:IC31, and BCG revaccination in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-uninfected adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa. thelancet.com BCG revaccination administered as a single dose ID and both H4: IC31 and H56: IC31 administered as 2 doses IM had acceptable safety profiles in healthy, QFT-negative, previously BCG-vaccinated adolescents. Characterization of the assays and the immunogenicity of these vaccines may help to identify valuable markers of protection for upcoming immune correlates analyses of C-040-404 and future TB vaccine efficacy trials.
(2020-03-18). Coronavirus: Italy faces unprecedented emergency. greenleft.org.au 
(2020-03-17). Italy and UK rely on help from Cuba, China, Venezuela to fight coronavirus — as US steps up brutal sanctions. thegrayzone.com Italy requested doctors from China, Cuba, and Venezuela to contain the coronavirus, while Cuba rescued a ship of British citizens….