(2020-03-29). Covid-19 spread enters 'new stage' as number of cases exceeds 1,000 in Moscow, mayor says. rt.com 
The coronavirus outbreak has entered a "new stage" in Moscow, with the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases climbing past 1,000, the city's mayor has stated. | "The situation with the spread of the coronavirus has entered a new stage. More than 1,000 cases of have been recorded in Moscow already. No one is safe [from getting infected]," mayor Sergey Sobyanin wrote on his blog on Sunday. | A week-long holiday was set across Russia starting on Saturday in a bid to stifle the spread of Covid-19. Sobyanin reiterated the government's call on everyone to stay home if possible and keep social distancing. | "Please, sta…
(2020-03-29). Coronavirus emergency plan could cut Russia's economic growth. rt.com 
Paid holidays announced by the Russian government to prevent the spread of Covid-19 will come at the expense of economic growth, but support for struggling businesses may offset the negative effects, analysts believe. | On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation to roll out emergency policies aimed at battling the deadly virus and its impact on the economy. According to the plan, most Russians will get a week of paid leave, except those working in the medical, pharmaceutical, and banking sectors, as well as in government bodies, essential stores, and transportation. | "The ballpark fig…
(2020-03-29). Germany's health system could buckle if faced with crisis seen in Italy, public health chief warns. rt.com 
Germany's health infrastructure would not be able to cope with the huge influx of Covid-19 patients currently seen in Italy, the head of Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has said. | Lothar Wieler, who heads the institute responsible for disease control n Germany, told local media that the country would not have the necessary equipment if the number of hospitalizations spiked. | "We cannot rule out that we will have more patients than ventilators in this country… Of course, we must expect that the capacities will not be sufficient," Wieler warned. | The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rose to 52,5…
(2020-03-29). Germany registers fewer than 4,000 new Covid-19 cases in apparent fall from previous days. rt.com 
The number of coronavirus cases in Germany has grown by 3,965 in the past 24 hours, marking a noted decrease in the number of new detected infections in the country. | Figures released by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Sunday showed that the number of confirmed cases in Germany has risen to 52,547, up from 48,582 the previous day. The Institute also reported 64 new deaths, bringing nationwide fatalities to 389. | The data suggests that the rate of new infections may be slowing. On Saturday the country registered 6,294 cases. | Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday urged Germans to continue to cooperate with…
(2020-03-29). 'Big mistake': Italy blasts European Commission chief, says Europe needs 'great Marshall Plan' to battle pandemic crisis. rt.com 
Italy's economy minister has clashed with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen after she said that the EU is not planning to issue 'corona bonds' to help countries decimated by Covid-19. | "The commission president's words were a mistake and I regret that she made them," Italian Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri told reporters at a news conference on Saturday, stressing that Europe needs "a great Marshall Plan" to keep its economy afloat. | The historic Marshall Plan was a massive US-led economic aid package to rebuild Western Europe after the devastation of WWII. Italy proposed that Brussels issue…
(2020-03-29). Spain endures another record day for Covid-19 deaths but rate of new infections drops significantly. rt.com 
Spain recorded another record day of fatalities from Covid-19 on Sunday as 838 people died. However, the rate of new cases dropped significantly amid signs that measures introduced to combat the virus are having an effect. | Spanish health officials announced on Sunday morning that 6,528 people have now died from the coronavirus in the Mediterranean country and a total of 78,797 people have contracted the illness. | The figure represents an increase of 6,549 confirmed cases on Saturday's total, a jump of 9 percent. This compares favorably to 12.7 percent on Saturday, 14 percent on Friday, Thursday's 18 percent…
(2020-03-29). Russia reports more COVID cases, deaths. yenisafak.com Russian authorities reported Sunday 270 new coronavirus cases with 1,534 patients under treatment in total.Fifteen people were successfully treated, 4 died over the last 24 hours, the authorities said in a statement."To date, 1,534 cases have been registered in the Russian Federation. Over the last 24 hours, 15 people were discharged [after] recovery. For the entire period, 64 people were discharged. Four fatal cases were recorded during the day. The total number of fatalities for the entire period in Russia is eight," it said.In a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Russia has banned the entry of foreign…
(2020-03-29). Turkish FM urges expats to 'stay at home'. yenisafak.com Turkey's foreign minister urged Turkish expats on Sunday to stay at home to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus."Pay attention to the warnings of our embassies, consulate generals and officials in your countries," Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Twitter sharing a video, including the messages of Turkish representatives abroad."The virus could not be spread to others as the patients stay at home," Turkey's Ambassador to the U.K. Umit Yalcin said in the video.Turkey's Ambassador to the U.S. Serdar Kilic, the country's Brussels Ambassador Hasan Ulusoy and several consul generals warned people to stay safe in their hom…
(2020-03-29). Neutralized terrorist in Turkey tests COVID-19 positive. yenisafak.com One of three PKK terrorists neutralized by security forces in southeastern Turkey tested positive for the novel coronavirus, local authorities said Sunday.A family was quarantined after being found to have been in contact with the terrorist, who was tested for the virus prior to their identification.The virus is thought to have spread among within the terror group via its members coming from Iran.Local officials in Bitlis said in a statement that the operation also uncovered weapons and ammunition used by the terror group, including bombs and hand grenades.In a statement, the governor's office said: "The legal pr…
(2020-03-29). Coronavirus death toll rises to 432 in Germany. yenisafak.com Germany registered 73 new coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 432, according to local health authorities.The Berlin-based website Coronavirus-Monitor, which compiles up-to-date numbers from local health authorities, reported 5,201 new cases on Sunday, bringing the total infections to 56,572.More than 9,200 patients infected with the virus have so far recovered.Germany is the third-worst-affected country by the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, but its death toll has so far remained lower than the two hardest-hit countries, Italy and Spain.‚Ä®‚Ä®Chancellor Angel…
(2020-03-29). Portuguese superstar Ronaldo urges people to 'stay home, save lives'. yenisafak.com "Feeling very thankful to have my mum home from hospital and recovering. Look after your families and loved ones. #stayhomesavelives," Ronaldo said on Sunday on Instagram as the Juventus forward shared a family photo.Following Juventus' 2-0 league win against Inter Milan on March 8, Ronaldo travelled to Portugal's Madeira island to see his mother as Maria Dolores Aveiro suffered from a stroke.Ronaldo did not return to Italy due to the coronavirus outbreak.On Saturday, Italy reported 889 new deaths from coronavirus, bringing the total number of victims to 10,023, the highest in the world.The number of confirmed ca…
(2020-03-29). Italy: 101-year-old influenza survivor beats COVID-19. yenisafak.com A 101-year-old Italian man who survived the Spanish flu pandemic in the 1910s has successfully recovered from the deadly coronavirus.The man, identified only as Mr. P, was born in the town of Rimini on the northwestern coast of the Adriatic Sea in 1919, growing up between the two world wars.Last week, Mr. P went to a hospital in Rimini after testing positive for COVID-19.It was not the first time that Mr. P encountered a pandemic. He is a survivor of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic which claimed the lives of 600,000 Italians.According to Gloria Lisi, the Vice Mayor of Rimini, medical staff at the hospital were hope…
(2020-03-29). Spanish princess dies due to novel coronavirus. yenisafak.com Spanish Princess Maria Teresa de Borbon-Parma, 86, died in Paris on Thursday after contracting the novel coronavirus, her brother announced on Sunday.A member of the Carlist branch of the Bourbon dynasty, she became the first royal to fall victim to the pandemic that has gripped Europe for weeks.Earlier this week, the 71-year-old Prince Charles tested positive for the coronavirus in the U.K.Spain's royal family has also been tested, but all their results came back negative.Known as the Red Princess for her relatively leftist views, Borbon-Parma worked as a Sociology professor at Sorbonne University in Paris and r…
(2020-03-29). Number of Coronavirus Cases in Netherlands Rises by 1,104 to 10,866, 132 New Deaths. sputniknews.com The Dutch authorities introduced social distancing measures, school closures, and a ban on public gatherings in mid-March.
(2020-03-29). Putin Orders Measures to Support Small, Medium Enterprises Amid COVID-19 Pandemic by Monday. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday instructed the government to take a set of urgent measures to support small and medium enterprises in Russia amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as follows from documents published on the Kremlin website.
(2020-03-29). Russian Government Forms 20-Member Presidium Headed By Prime Minister Mishustin. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian cabinet announced on Sunday that it created the government's Presidium that comprises 20 members and is headed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
(2020-03-29). Russia and US Suspend New START Treaty Inspections Until May Due to Coronavirus – Reports. sputniknews.com The situation in the United States remains tense as the country now has the highest number of people diagnosed with the coronavirus — over 123,000 infected of the world's 672,000, while Russia has reported at least 1,534 COVID-19 cases.
(2020-03-29). Coronavirus Has 'Paralyzed' British Economy Amid Major Post-Brexit Concerns, Economists Say. sputniknews.com The need to rescue British businesses hit hard by the anti-coronavirus quarantines and other measures come at a time when London is struggling to work out news rules of the game with the European Union and the rest of the world after Brexit.
(2020-03-29). Ex-French Minister Patrick Devedjian Dies of COVID-19 in Paris Aged 75 – Authorities. sputniknews.com PARIS (Sputnik) – French politician and former minister Patrick Devedjian has died in Paris at the age of 75 of complications from the coronavirus disease, the local authorities said in a statement on Sunday.
(2020-03-28). Global Covid-19 death toll exceeds 30,000, with two-thirds in Europe — AFP. rt.com 
The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than 30,000 lives around the globe, according to calculations by AFP news agency. Some 20,000 of the victims were in Europe where Italy and Spain remain the hardest-hit countries. | Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, which also keeps track of the Covid-19 death toll, has also updated its count to just over 30,000 deaths. | In AFP's home country, France, the authorities said that 319 people succumbed to the disease on Saturday, with the overall number of deaths reaching 2,314.
(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.
(2020-03-28). [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). Russia Calls to Lift 'Genocidal' Sanctions Against Venezuela. telesurenglish.net Russia's Foreing Minister Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Friday reiterated her country's call to lift the illegal economic sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuela, which they consider as a "genocide tool" in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. | RELATED: | "We will not tire of repeating our call to immediately cancel arbitrary unilateral sanctions that at the current juncture of the epidemic become almost a weapo…
(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). Using CPAPs in Place of Ventilators Could Spread the Coronavirus. truthout.org The limited supply of ventilators is one of the chief concerns facing hospitals as they prepare for more COVID-19 cases. In Italy, where hospitals have been overwhelmed with patients in respiratory failure, doctors have had to make difficult life-or-death decisions about who gets a ventilator and who does not. | In the U.S., emergency plans developed by states for a shortage of ventilators include using positive airway pressure machines — like those used to treat sleep apnea — to help hospita…
(2020-03-28). Europe Exceeds 20,000 Deaths by COVID-19. telesurenglish.net The accelerating death toll from the COVID-19 epidemic sweeping the globe increased to more than 20,000 in Europe Saturday, with Italy and Spain the most affected, reporting more than 800 dead in a single day. | RELATED: | The worst-hit country, Italy, announced 889 new COVID-19 deaths on Saturday, pushing it past the 10,000 mark, and Spain added 832, as well as Madrid officials, said the epidemic seemed to be ne…
(2020-03-28). COVID-19: Fears of Domestic Violence Rise as Millions Confined. telesurenglish.net With families across Europe confined to their homes to curb the spread of COVID-19, fears are rising of a surge in domestic violence, professionals on the matter warn. | RELATED: | From Berlin to Paris, Madrid, Rome, and Bratislava, associations that help victims of domestic violence have sounded the alarm after Europe overtook China to become the epicenter of the new pandemic. | The stress caused by social isolation is exacerba…
(2020-03-28). Pandemic death toll in Europe rises to 19,000 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). 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.
(2020-03-27). 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). 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). '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). 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). 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: 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). 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). 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). 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…
(2020-03-27). 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 …
(2020-03-26). "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). '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). 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…