(2020-03-28). [Editorial] COVID-19: learning from experience. thelancet.com Over the past 2 weeks, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has marched relentlessly westward. On March 13, WHO said that Europe was now the centre of the pandemic. A few days later, deaths in Italy surpassed those in China. Iran and Spain had also reported over 1000 deaths as of March 23, and many other European countries and the USA reported increasing numbers of cases, heralding an imminent wave of fatalities. Following the sweep of COVID-19 is a series of dramatic containment measures that reflect the scale of the threat posed by the pandemic.
(2020-03-28). [Perspectives] The suffragette surgeons of Endell Street. thelancet.com When war swept through Europe in August, 1914, more than 1000 medical men were mobilised with the British Army to France and several hundred more male doctors signed up to support the Allied war effort. Dozens of British women doctors volunteered their services too. On Aug 14, 1914, just 10 days after Britain declared war on Germany, the UK's Association of Registered Medical Women compiled a list of more than 60 members who declared themselves "willing to serve". Yet their help was bluntly declined.
(2020-03-28). [Correspondence] COVID-19 cacophony: is there any orchestra conductor? thelancet.com The first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is currently invading the world, and several countries are now struggling to fight it or trying to delay its start to help smooth its peak size for the purpose of lowering morbidity and mortality, and thereby reduce the overall tension on their health-care system. China's first major outbreaks of COVID-19 happened in January, 2020. Then South Korea, Iran, and Italy entered into this Ravel's Bolero-like epidemic in late February and early March, 2020, and many other countries are preparing to play the same rhythmic pattern in the coming days and weeks.
(2020-03-27). Turkey evacuates hundreds of migrants from Greek border amid virus pandemic. rt.com 
Ankara has sent some 6,000 migrants waiting at the Turkish-Greek border to cross into the European Union to cities inside the country, Reuters reported on Friday, citing the Interior Ministry. The move was part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. | Migrants waiting at the border crossing in Edirne province were transported in buses to state guest houses where they would be quarantined, Anadolu news agency reported. They would be moved to other regions in Turkey at the end of the quarantine, it added. | Thousands of migrants had massed at a border crossing with European Union-member Greece after T…
(2020-03-27). European stocks sink as spread of coronavirus explodes across continent. rt.com 
European markets opened significantly lower on Friday, ignoring all the stimulus pledges by governments this week, as the deadly Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread. Europe now accounts for more than half of global infections. | Britain's FTSE 100 is plummeting more than three percent during early trading in London. Stock markets in Germany and France are down over two percent. | The market fall comes as EU leaders fail to come to an agreement over the economic response to the coronavirus pandemic. During a video conference summit on Thursday, the leaders of the 27-member bloc argued over how to pull their e…
(2020-03-27). Europe coronavirus cases dramatically SURGE as worldwide death toll surpasses 25,000. rt.com 
The worldwide death toll from Covid-19 has surpassed 25,000 and researchers have detected a huge spike in Europe with Spain, Germany and the UK reporting thousands of fresh cases. | The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center noted that the grim milestone had been reached on Friday. Professor Steve Hanke from the university said that Europe has seen a "massive surge" in cases over a 16 hour period with Spain recording over 6,000 fresh diagnoses, Germany racking up over 5,400 and the UK seeing nearly 3,000 new cases. |
(2020-03-27). Cat contracts coronavirus FROM sick owner in new case of human-to-animal transition. rt.com 
As scientists around the world battle for a cure or vaccine to Covid-19, a new case of human-to-animal transmission has arisen in Belgium, where health experts say a cat contracted the disease from its coronavirus-stricken owner. | Just one week after the pet owner in Liege, Belgium was diagnosed with Covid-19, their cat also started showing symptoms of the disease, including respiratory problems and diarrhea. | As panic over the outbreak keeps gaining ground, spokesman for Belgium's coronavirus crisis center, Emmanuel Andre, tried to reassure the public that the infected animal was an "isolated case." | "Ther…
(2020-03-27). Orban imposes 2-week lockdown, expects coronavirus peak in Hungary by July. rt.com 
Hungary is imposing a two-week lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. It is expected to peak in the country in June or July, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday. | Citizens will be allowed to go to work, shop and take limited exercise outside during the lockdown, which starts on Saturday. However, they should keep distance from each other, Orban said on public radio. Restrictions would be enforced by police, he added. | Hungary has recorded around 300 coronavirus cases and 10 deaths, Reuters reported. Orban has said the actual number of cases is probably much higher. "Restrictions put…
(2020-03-27). Poll: Russians split down the middle on presidential terms reset as Putin's approval rating falls. rt.com 
Following a few months of political shocks in Russia, voters have become used to surprises. But opinion seems to be divided on whether restarting the clock on time spent in the Kremlin is worth supporting, says a new survey. | Pollsters at the Levada Center report that 48 percent of their respondents support the nullification of terms, and 47 percent are against, with 5 percent undecided. | Levada also revealed that Putin's approval rating is on the decline: It stood at 69 percent in February but decreased to 63 percent in March. | Named for its founder, the late Yuri Levada, the polling company is regarded by…
(2020-03-27). Russia records third coronavirus patient death as number infected surpasses 1,000. rt.com 
Another person diagnosed with Covid-19 has died in Moscow, bringing the overall death toll in Russia to three people. 196 new cases were announced on Friday, which means the nationwide number of infected now stands at 1,036. | The latest victim was a 70-year-old woman with a number of underlying conditions. She had suffered from diabetes for 20 years and also had terminal renal failure and other diseases. | The two other Russian deaths, announced on Wednesday, also involved elderly patients, aged 88 and 73 respectively. Last week, a 79-year-old woman was initially thought to have succumbed to coronavirus, but…
(2020-03-27). Surveying the virus battlefield: Russian military medics inspect Covid-19 health facilities in Bergamo, Italy (VIDEO). rt.com 
Russian military medics carried out reconnaissance at health facilities in Bergamo, where the elderly are being treated for the coronavirus, before engaging in the fight against the disease on Italian soil. | The Russian experts, sporting full protective gear, inspected four hospitals with their Italian colleagues on Friday. They examined the layout of the buildings and talked to staff to come up with a list of urgent measures needed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and establish the scope of disinfection activities. | The Russian contingent of around 100 servicemen and 22 Kamaz trucks arrived in Italy on…
(2020-03-27). Coronavirus creeps closer to Putin as Kremlin staffer diagnosed with Covid-19. rt.com 
With news of Boris Johnson's coronavirus infection and Justin Trudeau's self isolation, it's clear that jobs which involve lots of meetings and shaking hands aren't the safest occupations at present. | Now, in Russia, fears are growing that the disease might have already infiltrated President Putin's closest circle. The anxiety has been fueled by confirmation on Friday that at least one employee of the presidential administration has contracted Covid-19. | Putin's spokesman told reporters he was aware of the situation. However, Dmitry Peskov said the individual concerned did not have direct contact with Putin.
(2020-03-27). Sinking global economy & cheap crude take big bite out of Russia's forex reserves. rt.com 
Russian gold and foreign currency holdings have shed almost $30 billion or more than five percent in one week in the biggest drop since the global financial crisis amid the coronavirus pandemic and crashing oil prices. | According to the latest data released by the country's central bank, the reserves stood at $551.2 billion as of March 20, down from $581 billion a week earlier. The regulator explained the decline with negative revaluation. | The nation's forex holdings faced almost a similar drop in October 2008, when the reserves shrank by $30.6 billion to $487 billion. Another steep decline occurred in the…
(2020-03-27). Britain, EU negotiators to hold first joint committee talks on Monday. rt.com 
British and EU negotiators will hold the first meeting of a joint committee as planned on Monday, a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. The statement came after trade talks were put on hold because of the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported. | The spokesman said the meeting would be co-chaired by senior British Minister Michael Gove and European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic and would take place remotely rather than in person due to the coronavirus. Video conference and conference calls are among the options being considered. | The joint committee will oversee the implementation, app…
(2020-03-27). How austerity and anti-immigrant politics left Italy exposed to viral blitzkrieg. peoplesworld.org 
As the viral blitzkrieg rolls across one European border after another, it seems to have a particular enmity for Italy. The country's death toll has far surpassed China's, and scenes from its hospitals look like something out of Dante's imagination. Why? Italy has the fourth-largest economy in the European Union, and in terms of health …
(2020-03-27). Corona culture: Europe and the new normal. peoplesworld.org 
PARIS—After its outbreak in China, Europe had been called the new epicenter of the disease, and particularly Western Europe, where the responses have varied from the new Socialist-Podemos coalition in Spain nationalizing the country's industry to a total quarantine in France by the neoliberal Macron, criticized for being three weeks too late. Some predict that …
(2020-03-27). France trying to repatriate 30,000 of its nationals — FM. rt.com 
France is still trying to repatriate 30,000 of its citizens from overseas due to the coronavirus, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Friday. Over the last week, France has brought home around 100,000 people, the minister told Europe 1 radio. | Malaysia and France have organized chartered flights to fly out hundreds of their citizens stranded in Cambodia after the Southeast Asian nation sealed its borders and cancelled flights, Reuters reported. | A special charter flight departed on Thursday with 413 French people on board. Another 100 French nationals will be leaving Cambodia on Saturday and many mor…
(2020-03-27). France's coronavirus death toll nears 2,000 as 300 more die in Covid-19 pandemic. rt.com 
The death toll from the Covid-19 outbreak has reached 1,996 in France after the country's health authorities confirmed that 299 more people have died there in a 24-hour period. | Announcing the latest fatalities on Friday evening, France's director-general of health also said that there have been a total of 32,964 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the state, up from 29,155 a day prior. | Earlier Friday, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe warned of "very difficult" days ahead as the country sees a rise in cases, and said the government would extend a raft of nationwide restrictions aimed at curbing the s…
(2020-03-27). Spain's Covid-19 death toll SPIKES again as 769 die in new single day record. rt.com 
Spain's health ministry has announced that it has suffered another record breaking day for Covid-19 deaths as 769 people fell victim to the disease in one day. | Health officials revealed on Friday morning that the number of fatalities jumped to 4,858, while the number of confirmed infections in the country has risen from 56,188 to 64,059. | The rate of infection has seemingly slowed, however, with the 7,871 jump in new cases making a 14 percent increase on the previous day. That compares favorably to the 18 percent increase announced on Thursday and Wednesday's 20 percent surge. | Worryingly, however, the mor…
(2020-03-27). 'This is low, even for you': Hillary Clinton uses record coronavirus deaths to bash Trump, gets virtual punches herself. rt.com 
As the US recorded more cases of Covid-19 than any other country in the world, Hillary Clinton used the opportunity to crack jokes about President Trump. The failed presidential candidate was savaged online for her insensitivity. | As of Friday, the United States has recorded more than 94,000 cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus, passing out China and Italy. More than 1,400 Americans have died, hospitals are approaching capacity, and a record 3.3 million workers have filed for unemployment. | As the US passed this grim milestone, former secretary of state and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton took the o…
(2020-03-27). Italy yet to reach coronavirus contagion peak, national health chief warns, as 712 die in one day. rt.com 
Italy has yet to see the worst of the coronavirus pandemic spreading through the country, a senior health official has warned, a day after more than 700 people died in a single 24-hour period. | "We haven't reached the peak and we haven't passed it," the head of the Superior Health Institute, Silvio Brusaferro, told a press conference on Friday. He noted, however, that there were "signs of a slowdown" in the number of infections, suggesting that the health crisis could turn a corner soon. | Figures released on Thursday showed 712 new Covid-19 deaths, bringing the nationwide total to 8,215. | Brusaferro said th…
(2020-03-27). Number of US Covid-19 cases smashes past 90,000. rt.com 
The number of people infected with the coronavirus in the United States has surged to nearly 93,000, as the country reclaims its position of having the most cases of Covid-19 in the world. | The The increase saw it overtake Italy, which briefly had the most confirmed cases of any country in the world when its official count of infections reached 86,498 on Friday. | Fri…
(2020-03-27). Why is the U.S. so Exceptionally Vulnerable to Covid-19? dissidentvoice.org 
The United States has become the new center of the global coronavirus pandemic, with over 86,000 cases, more than China or Italy. More than a thousand Americans have already died, but this is surely only the very beginning of this deadly collision between the U.S.'s uniquely inadequate public healthcare system and a real pandemic. On …
(2020-03-27). Italy's WORST day: Coronavirus death rate highest since start of outbreak with 900+ fatalities. rt.com 
Italy has experienced its worst day yet in the country's devastating coronavirus epidemic, with 919 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours — the highest single-day total since the pandemic began. | The highest-ever single-day spike in fatalities brought Italy's death toll to 9,134, a number that has long since surpassed the outbreak's original epicenter in China. Italy had 86,498 confirmed cases as of Friday, also exceeding China's numbers as Beijing has seen new infections all but flatline. | While single-day deaths in the country had been on the decline for several days, Friday's numbers show Italy is no…
(2020-03-27). The Italian war-like measures to fight coronavirus spreading: Re-open closed hospitals now. thelancet.com As recently highlighted by The Lancet, the Covid-19 outbreak started in Northern Italy has shocked Europe, while it has been questioned if China benefits from an authoritarian advantage in disease response [1,2]. In Italy, after the shutdown of the educational system (schools and Universities will remain closed at least for one month) and the collapse of the touristic sector (90% of travels and reservations cancelled), the Government officially locked down residents of all the region of Milan (Lombardia) and other 11 provinces.
(2020-03-27). Headlines for March 27, 2020. democracynow.org U.S. Leads World in Reported COVID-19 Cases as Hospitalizations Surge, Trump Doubts New York City's Need for 30,000 Life-Saving Ventilators, Politico: President Trump Failed to Follow Pandemic Playbook, Squandering Precious Time, Detroit and Chicago Join New Orleans as U.S. Coronavirus Hot Spots, House to Vote on Record-Shattering $2.2 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Package, Three Unaccompanied Migrant Children Test Positive for COVID-19, Jailed Asylum Seekers Stage Hunger Strike, Demanding Release During Pandemic, Activists Demand Release of Aging Prisoners as Coronavirus Spreads, Hospitals in Spain and Italy on th…
(2020-03-27). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org Amazon workers in France, metalworkers in Italy, postal workers in Britain and doctors in Zimbabwe are among those taking job action to protest lack of adequate safety measures in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2020-03-27). Russia Is Responding Better Than Everyone Else to World War C. globalresearch.ca The largest country in the world is faring surprisingly well when it comes to surviving World War C, which is greatly attributable to Russia's proactive measures in taking COVID-19 as serious as possible, including through border closures and the forthcoming …
(2020-03-27). Montenegro Being Accelerated to the European Union in a Face-saving Regime. globalresearch.ca Italians furious at the lack of help and solidarity from the European Union began removing flags of the Union throughout the country and replaced them with Chinese and Russian ones. As this is happening in a long-time member of the …
(2020-03-27). Corona in Germany: Hording and Authoritarianism. counterpunch.org By 26 March 2020, what the world calls "Coronavirus" and the USA calls "Covid-19" had affected 197 countries and territories with almost 20,000 deaths globally. While 20,000 looks like rather an insignificant number given the 7.8 billion people on planet earth, a highly reputable source — worldometer — noted on that day the ranking of
(2020-03-27). Russia-gate: the Dead But Undead. counterpunch.org Attention all Russia-gaters! Under the cover of pandemic, the US finally dropped charges against those dastardly Russian meme-bombers! Just in case you think this is yet another conspiracy led by Trump's Department of Justice to hide something, the case against the troll farm fell apart 2 years ago when Mueller was still in charge. It's
(2020-03-27). Coronavirus: After the EU Failed to Deliver, Italy Looks to Russia for Help. mintpressnews.com The current global political scene is changing rapidly as a result of the coronavirus. New super-powers are emerging and former power-houses are weakening in the face of the crisis.
(2020-03-27). COVID-19: Health or Wealth? counterpunch.org Can the pandemic be separated from the economy? As the pandemic continues in Europe and the United States but seems to be subsiding in Asia, more and more questions are being raised about how to relaunch the economy. The importance of public health is being opposed to opening for business. The battle in the U.S.
(2020-03-27). Europe's COVID-19 death toll reaches over 16,000. wsws.org Years of slashing health and social care budgets, together with government inaction, have taken a grim toll, with health workers forced to make decisions as to who lives and dies.
(2020-03-27). Coronavirus and the Collapse of Our Imaginations. counterpunch.org Right now, millions of people throughout North America and Europe are living through an unprecedented situation and making unprecedented demands. Formerly meek white-collar workers content to schlep to and from the office every day are demanding the right to telecommute. Blue-collar workers told they are essential are demanding raises- here in Washington, our grocery workers
(2020-03-27). Why France Is Hiding a Cheap and Tested Virus Cure. globalresearch.ca What's going on in the fifth largest economy in the world arguably points to a major collusion scandal in which the French government is helping Big Pharma to profit from the expansion of Covid-19. Informed French citizens are absolutely furious …
(2020-03-27). Total coronavirus cases in United States surge past Italy, China. wsws.org The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the US has risen tenfold in a week, to 85,594.
(2020-03-27). Covid-19: Lithuania on the Brink of a Catastrophe. globalresearch.ca COVID-19 expands in Lithuania. Having registered its first official case in February, the country currently has almost 300 infected people and four confirmed deaths. Taking into account that the official numbers tend to differ from the real ones due to …
(2020-03-27). World War II Not Over 'Until I Sent That Message' – US Veteran. sputniknews.com WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – World War II was technically still going on until US radio operator Gregory Melikian sent a coded message to the world that Germany surrendered to the allies.
(2020-03-27). Lukashenko Plans to Come to Moscow for WWII Victory Anniversary Celebrations. sputniknews.com MINSK (Sputnik) – Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced on Friday his intention to come to Moscow for the parade celebrating the 75th anniversary of victory in World War II.
(2020-03-27). Belgium Confirms Case of COVID-19 Transmission From Human to Cat — National Centre. sputniknews.com BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – Laboratory staff in Belgium have confirmed a case of COVID-19 transmission from human to animal, after a man who contracted the disease also infected his pet cat, a representative of the country's coronavirus reference laboratory confirmed on Friday.
(2020-03-27). World Ocean Council Expresses Interest in Cooperating With Russian Companies in Arctic. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik), Andrei Savenkov – The World Ocean Council (WOC), a global business association promoting corporate ocean responsibility, in an interview with Sputnik voiced interest in developing collaboration with Russian businesses in the Arctic amid increasing exploration and production of hydrocarbons there.
(2020-03-27). Russian Space Agency Says Will Change 2020 Launch Schedule Due to COVID-19 Outbreak. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian Space Agency Roscosmos will adapt its planned launch schedule for this coming year in light of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic that has caused the suspension of satellite production in Europe, the agency's press service said on Friday.
(2020-03-27). One Coronavirus Case Confirmed in Vladimir Putin's Administration. sputniknews.com There have been three coronavirus-related deaths in Russia as of Friday, with the total number of cases suprassing 1,000. Most cases have been registered in the capital, Moscow.
(2020-03-27). Du Hast…COVID-19: Rammstein Singer Till Lindemann Tests Positive for Coronavirus – Reports. sputniknews.com With the spread of the coronavirus, more and more well-known people are falling victim to the virus; earlier in the day, it was reported that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had tested positive for COVID-19.
(2020-03-27). Boozy Sex Orgy Busted in Madrid for Violating Coronavirus Lockdown. sputniknews.com With more than 4,000 coronavirus-related deaths, Spain is Europe's worst-hit country after Italy. The country has been under a near-total lockdown for about two weeks now as the government is grappling with a growing number of infections.
(2020-03-27). Saudi Oil Industry at Risk as American, European Refiners Refusing Riyadh's Crude — Reports. sputniknews.com Oil prices collapsed to their lowest levels in decades in March amid coronavirus concerns and OPEC+'s failure to reach a deal on production cuts, which prompted Riyadh and its allies to open the taps.
(2020-03-27). Indian Banking Regulator's Emergency Rate Cut a 'Bazooka' Moment in Fighting Covid-19 – Analysts. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): Central banks across the globe have triggered emergency measures to support the economy and industry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic: efforts have been taken either in the form of reduction in benchmark rates, which has been done by the US Federal Reserve, or a stimulus as is the case with the European Central Bank.
(2020-03-27). Friday Muslim prayers led on TV due to virus in Turkey. yenisafak.com With all-important Friday congregational prayers banned in mosques over coronavirus fears, Turkey's top religious authority today led the faithful via television screens.Ali Erbas, head of the Religious Affairs Directorate, delivered a sermon on television to help stem the virus' spread.Just like last week, Friday congregational prayers are prohibited nationwide, with the exception of Bestepe Mosque in the capital Ankara, said the directorate in a statement.On Monday, the directorate announced that congregational prayers had been suspended as a public safety measure during the pandemic.Turkey has confirmed a tota…
(2020-03-27). Turkey launches website to share live COVID-19 updates. yenisafak.com The Turkish Presidency launched a website on Friday to announce the latest updates and data worldwide about the coronavirus pandemic.The website, established by the Digital Transformation Office affiliated to the Presidency provides data about the cases, death tolls, and recoveries per country infected with the virus by clicking on the country featured on the world map.The website