(2020-03-28). First train with medical supplies for Europe leaves Wuhan as China eases Covid-19 lockdown. rt.com 
Beijing has resumed its railway freight service between Wuhan and Europe by delivering medical aid to Germany as authorities work to lift strict quarantine measures after the number of new cases Covid-19 dropped. | A train loaded with medical supplies and construction materials has left a station in Wuhan, the capital city of China's central Hubei Province, and is set to arrive in the city of Duisburg in Germany in two weeks, Chinese outlet the Global Times reported on Saturday. The delivery will be the first China-EU cargo freight operation from Wuhan since the city was placed under strict quarantine in Janua…
(2020-03-28). Worldwide number of Covid-19 cases exceeds 600,000 — Johns Hopkins University. rt.com 
The number of coronavirus cases around the world has reached 601,478, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University, which also puts the global death toll at close to 28,000. | Cases in the United States have skyrocketed in recent days, as the country's 105,000 infections now make it the new epicenter of the pandemic. Although originating in Wuhan, Hubei province, China has managed to halt the spread of the disease, with no new locally transmitted infections recorded on Friday. | The number of cases in Italy, the hardest-hit country in Europe, recently surpassed those in China. | Also on rt.com…
(2020-03-28). WATCH Russian biodefense troops disinfect nursing home in coronavirus-hit Italy. rt.com 
Experts from Moscow's biodefense unit have been deployed at the epicenter of the deadly Covid-19 outbreak in Italy, tasked with disinfecting a nursing home where patients died amid the coronavirus pandemic. | A Russian military biological and chemical protection team was dispatched to the Martino Zanchi nursing home in the city of Bergamo in Italy's northern Lombardy region on Friday. | Going from room to room, anti-epidemic specialists in hazmat suits and respirators sprayed disinfectant on all furniture, including beds and mattresses. They also thoroughly disinfected floors, walls and ceilings because traces…
(2020-03-28). Russian military support 'much needed' in Italy's 'critical' battle against Covid-19 — Lombardy VP. rt.com 
Russian help is "very much needed" in Italy's ongoing battle against the Covid-19 virus, the VP of the Lombardy region Fabrizio Sala has said, as the country recorded its worst yet single-day spike in fatalities. | Sala said on Friday that the presence of Russia's military in Italy proves that the pandemic has become "a problem for the whole world" and that its scale indicates that countries "need to combine our efforts" and work "side-by-side" to beat it, according to a statement released by Russia's Defense Ministry. | A contingent of 100 Russian military personnel arrived in Italy at the weekend after Rome…
(2020-03-28). 'We have many friends in the world': Italian FM says no ulterior motive to Russian Covid-19 aid, calls it 'act of solidarity'. rt.com 
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio brushed aside suggestions that aid from Moscow to combat the coronavirus pandemic came with hidden intentions, stating his country had nothing to fear from Russian assistance. | In an
(2020-03-28). Spain suffers another record day for Covid-19 deaths as 832 perish. rt.com 
Spain has recorded another record breaking day for Covid-19 deaths as 832 people died from the disease in 24 hours and the number of cases surged by over 8,000. | Spanish health officials announced on Saturday morning that 5,690 people have now died from the coronavirus in the Mediterranean country and a total of 72,248 people have contracted the illness. | The figure represents an increase of 8,189 confirmed cases on Friday's total. | While the shocking statistics are a further reminder of the threat the virus poses they offer evidence that the rate of infection has slowed in Spain. | The jump in cases is a 1…
(2020-03-28). Covid-19 cases in Germany surge 6,294 in one day as death toll hits 325. rt.com 
The number of coronavirus cases in Germany has surged by 6,294 in one day to nearly 50,000, while the death toll jumped by 72 to 325. | The Robert Koch Institute announced a fresh round of alarming statistics on Saturday morning, showing that a total of 48,582 people in Germany are confirmed carriers of the virus. | The federal agency, which is responsible for disease control and prevention in Germany, said that 325 people have died after testing positive for the illness. The figure represents an increase of 72 from Friday's tally and it is based on data collected up until midnight on Friday. | The spike in ca…
(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). [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). [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.
(2020-03-28). Coronavirus in Europe: Overworked hospitals become death traps. wsws.org The criminal inactivity of European governments has led to a murderous and vicious circle of overwork, infection and work absences in hospitals throughout the continent.
(2020-03-28). Nearly 19,000 pandemic deaths in Europe as savaged health care systems are overwhelmed. wsws.org The COVID-19 pandemic is preying on Europe's 500 million-plus population whose health care services have been decimated by years of government austerity and private sector looting.
(2020-03-28). European Union summit on coronavirus ends in acrimony. wsws.org The 27 European Union heads of government met via video conference on Thursday evening to discuss the coronavirus crisis.
(2020-03-28). Albany, Georgia walloped by coronavirus outbreak as governor refuses to implement state-wide stay at home order. wsws.org As of Friday the Albany area ranked second only to the New York City metro region, the epicenter of the outbreak in the US, in the number of infections per capita.
(2020-03-28). Do or Die: There's Only One Way for the EU to Avoid Breakup Amid COVID-19 Recession. sputniknews.com Twelve years after the 2008 global economic crisis the future of the European bloc is in question again as the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed deep internal divisions at a time when a common solution is needed, economic observers say, predicting the potential demise of the EU.
(2020-03-28). Russian Federal Biomedical Agency Presents Drug to Treat COVID-19. sputniknews.com Earlier in the day, Russia's operational headquarters for preventing the spread of COVID-19 reported that the number of patients infected with the coronavirus in Russia has increased by 228 people over the past 24 hours, and that one more person has died.
(2020-03-28). Spread of COVID-19 in Russia to Decline in May – WHO Representative on Health Ministry's Assessment. sputniknews.com Earlier this week, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) representative in Russia, Melita Vujnovic, said that there was no need for a hard quarantine in Russia, adding that Moscow was "one step ahead" in its fight against COVID-19.
(2020-03-28). Russia Registers 228 Coronavirus Cases Over Past 24 Hours – Operational Headquarters. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The number of patients infected with COVID-19 in Russia has increased by 228 people over the past 24 hours, the country's operational headquarters for preventing the spread of coronavirus said in a statement on Saturday.
(2020-03-28). Istanbul Nearly Deserted Amid COVID-19 Pandemic – Video. sputniknews.com Turkey is suspending air travel with other countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on 27 March.
(2020-03-28). Turkish Cyprus reports first COVID-19 death. yenisafak.com The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) confirmed on Saturday the first death in the country due to the novel coronavirus.A 67-year-old German male patient succumbed to the virus in Lefkosa, the Health Ministry said in a statement.The patient suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension.On March 10, the first coronavirus case in the TRNC was diagnosed in a German female tourist.As of March 23, the partial curfew in the TRNC entered into force. There is a total of 61 cases in the country.After first appearing in Wuhan, China in December, the virus, officially known as COVID-19, has s…
(2020-03-28). Saudi Arabian Airlines to start UK repatriation flights. yenisafak.com Saudi Arabian Airlines has agreed to operate exceptional commercial flights to allow British nationals and their families to return to the United Kingdom, according to a British embassy message sent by e-mail late on Friday.The airline will operate flights in the week starting March 29 from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to London's Heathrow Airport and additional flights if required, it said.
(2020-03-28). Spain's coronavirus death toll rises by 832 overnight to 5,690. yenisafak.com Spain's coronavirus death toll rose by 832 cases overnight to 5,690, the health ministry said on Saturday, marking a new high in the daily rise in fatalities.The total number of those infected rose to 72,248 from 64,059 on Friday.
(2020-03-28). Azerbaijan tightens measures against COVID-19. yenisafak.com As the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Azerbaijan has been increasing, the country decided to take more strict measures to stem the spread of COVID-19.The total number of confirmed cases in the country has reached 165. The death toll stands at three while 15 people have recovered from COVID-19 so far, according to the latest data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.As part of its measures to curb the spread of the virus, Baku shut its southern border with Iran
(2020-03-28). COVID-19: Russia confirms 228 new cases, 1 more death. yenisafak.com Russia announced on Saturday 228 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country's total to 1,264 with an additional death.According to official figures, Moscow continues to be the epicenter of the epidemic in the country with half of the new cases.COVID-19 is now officially present in 62 of 86 Russian regions, with 49 people having recovered so far, the statement said."A total of 1,264 cases of coronavirus infection have been registered in 62 regions of the Russian Federation to date. Over the past day, four people were discharged for recovery. Forty nine people were discharged during the entire period," it said.To…
(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). 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). '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). 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). 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). Peacekeeping radio stations provide COVID-19 information to vulnerable communities in conflict-affected countries. news.un.org UN Peacekeeping radio stations have in recent decades helped build support for peace process in a dozen countries around the world including Cambodia, Croatia, Namibia and Timor-Leste.
(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). 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). 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). 'For common benefit of all,' Ireland nationalizes hospitals for duration of coronavirus crisis, sparking demand for US to follow suit. nationofchange.org "How wonderful is this. A beautiful silver lining."
(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). 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). Foreign Policy: Can This Pandemic Usher In A New Era? iranian.com To fight the coronavirus at home, France is removing all military forces from Iraq. When NATO scaled back its war games in Europe because of the pandemic, Russia reciprocated. Moscow announced it would cancel its war games along NATO's border. Nations seem to be recognizing and responding to the grim new geostrategic reality of March …
(2020-03-27). Brexit trade talks to continue despite Europe-wide coronavirus lockdown. thecanary.co Post-Brexit negotiations on a trade deal with the European Union will continue next week despite the UK and much of the continent being on a coronavirus-enforced lockdown. | Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove will co-chair the talks via video conference in a bid to push forward on securing an agreement with Brussels. | Downing Street has continued to insist that the government will not request to put back the December deadline for a deal to be reached. | The Prime Minister's official spokesman, when asked about a possible extension to the transition period, told reporters on 27 March: "In terms of the timetable…
(2020-03-26). 'Models don't match reality': White House coronavirus chief rejects doomsday predictions as US tops Covid-19 case count. rt.com 
Even as the US overtook China in the official number of Covid-19 cases, the top physician leading the White House effort urged Americans not to panic, as models predicting the death of millions keep being proven wrong everywhere. | "The predictions of the models don't match the reality on the ground in neither China, South Korea nor Italy," Dr. Deborah Birx told reporters on Thursday. She noted that the alarmist statistics about the spread of the virus said Italy would reach 400,000 deaths by now, but the actual death toll was nowhere near that. | Italy, which has been the hardest-hit in terms of deaths from C…
(2020-03-26). "In a Week We Will Be Italy": NYC ER Doctor Says the U.S. Pandemic Will Only Get Worse. democracynow.org 
As New York hospitals see a surge in coronavirus cases, medical workers report growing shortages of protective gear, and a nurse who tested positive after treating patients with the highly contagious disease has died. "It's pretty dire inside New York City hospitals right now," says New York City emergency room doctor Craig Spencer. "We have a growing number of patients coming in every day with coronavirus. We have people young and old, with complications, without complications, who get put on mechanical ventilators, who get put on life support to help their breathing, who have cardiac arrest. It's a daily realit…
(2020-03-26). US overtakes China as country with highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases — Johns Hopkins University. rt.com 
The US has topped the list of nations with the most coronavirus cases, as the number of those infected within the country crept past 85,000 cases, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. | The grim milestone was achieved on Thursday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, which puts the US at 85,840 cases of the virus, surpassing Italy at 80,589 and China at 81,782. | With 150 new fatalities reported so far on Thursday alone, Covid-19 has killed a total of 1,177 Americans to date. Thursday also saw cases worldwide soar beyond half a million, with more than 525,000 infections re…
(2020-03-26). Headlines for March 26, 2020. democracynow.org Senate Approves Historic $2.2 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Package, Republican Sen. John Thune Misses Vote on Coronavirus Bailout Due to Illness, New York City Hospitals Set Up Makeshift Morgues as COVID-19 Deaths Multiply, U.S. Coronavirus Deaths Top 1,000 as Louisiana Cases Soar, Pittsburgh Sanitation Workers Hold Wildcat Strike, Demanding Safety Gear, COVID-19 Claims Playwright Terrence McNally, Chef Floyd Cardoz and Fashionista Jenny Polanco, World Health Organization Urges Dramatic Action as Global Coronavirus Cases Near 500,000, Italy's COVID-19 Infection Rate Slows as Spain's Death Toll Surpasses China's, I…
(2020-03-26). "In a Week We Will Be Italy," Says New York ER Doctor About COVID-19 in the US. truthout.org As New York hospitals see a surge in coronavirus cases, medical workers report growing shortages of protective gear, and a nurse who tested positive after treating patients with the highly contagious disease has died. "It's pretty dire inside New York City hospitals right now," says New York City emergency room doctor Craig Spencer. "We have a growing number of patients coming in every day with coronavirus. We have people young and old, with complications, without complications, who get put on…
(2020-03-26). Covid-19 Pandemic: Spain Calls for a G20 Coordinated Action. telesurenglish.net At the G20 virtual summit on Thursday, RELATED: | Specifically, he asked that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spearhead a global initiative to assess the damage caused by this cr…
(2020-03-26). Has Saudi Arabia Shot Itself in the Foot With Its Oil Price War? mintpressnews.com The impact of coronavirus has destroyed the demand for oil and neither Saudi Arabia, Russia or the United States will escape the resulting price war unscathed.
(2020-03-26). Iraq: France withdraws forces in anti-ISIS coalition. iranian.com France has withdrawn its troops from Iraq, deployed as part of a U.S.-led coalition against the Daesh/ISIS terror group, according to local Iraqi media. The French forces' departure came after agreements with Baghdad, Iraq's official news agency INA quoted Abdel-Karim Khalaf, a spokesman for Iraq's caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, as saying. Khalaf did not …
(2020-03-26). Top CDC Official: Staggering Spike in New York 'Just a Preview' of What's Coming Elsewhere. commondreams.org "I think what we're seeing in New York City and New York state right now is a real warning to other areas about what may happen or what may already be starting to happen." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/italy_coronavirus_0.jpg …
(2020-03-25). Pompeo's focus on blaming China for coronavirus derails joint G-7 statement. rt.com 
G-7 leaders reportedly balked at US insistence that Covid-19 be called the 'Wuhan virus' and blaming China for a "disinformation campaign" about it, letting the group's conference call end without a joint statement. | Following the hours-long teleconference with the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK — since the physical meeting of the group has been canceled due to the pandemic — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured reporters that everyone was on board with his view of things. | "Every one of the nations that were at that meeting this morning was deeply aware of the di…