(2020-03-12). 'Ability to help may reach limit': Italian doctor says medics 'exhausted' helping isolated patients amid coronavirus pandemic. rt.com 
If the number of the infected keeps rising, patients with better chances of survival will have to be prioritized, an ER doctor at the epicenter of the Italian outbreak told RT's Ruptly video agency. | In the city of Piacenza, in the heart of northern Italy's coronavirus outbreak, overworked medical personnel are reaching their breaking point — and there seems to be no sign that the epidemic is letting up. With a population of just over 100,000, the city was placed on lockdown on Sunday, after suffering 50 deaths and more than 630 coronavirus diagnoses. | Visibly tired and with bags under his eyes, Davide…
(2020-03-12). Italy's "Darkest Hour": Life Grinds to a Halt Amid COVID-19 Lockdown, as Death Toll Spikes. democracynow.org 
We get an update from Italy, where 60 million people are under an unprecedented nationwide lockdown and the death toll has increased to at least 827, rising by 31% in just 24 hours. Authorities ordered all shops closed except food markets and pharmacies. Italy's economy has all but ground to a halt, with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte describing the outbreak as the country's "darkest hour." Italian journalist Antonella Serrecchia joins us from Milan, where she is a reporter for the online magazine The Vision.
(2020-03-12). Global markets crash as US bans European flights over CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. rt.com 
Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on the world's financial markets after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a pandemic, and the US banned all European flights. | European stocks opened sharply lower on Thursday with the London FTSE down over five percent. Jet engine maker Rolls-Royce led the losses, as the company's shares were down 13 percent, and airline stocks were also hit hard. | German shares were also down, with the DAX dropping five percent to hit its lowest level since 2016. Meanwhile, the French CAC 40 lost over seven percent. Stocks in Italy, the worst-affected country by coronavirus…
(2020-03-12). Italians won't eat 'smooth' pasta. Westerners won't eat Chinese food. Coronavirus panic spreads to culinary preferences. rt.com 
With global panic buying in full swing, Italians have set up a fanpage to defend the one item still not flying off shelves: 'Smooth' pasta. Meanwhile, panicked Westerners are snubbing Chinese food — but pizza is still on the menu. | Desperate times call for desperate measures, but in Italy the coronavirus pandemic has seemingly not been enough to force people to eat 'penne lisce' — a smooth variety of pasta without ridges which does not hold onto the sauce as well. | Photos quickly appeared on social media showing empty shelves — except for stacked boxes of the much-hated penne lisce. Even th…
(2020-03-12). Italy to close terminal of Rome's main airport, Fiumicino, as well as ENTIRE Ciampino air hub hosting low-costers. rt.com 
Rome's Ciampino airport, which hosts popular budget airlines, is set to close, as well as the main terminal in the city's central airport, Italian authorities have announced. The move comes as coronavirus devastates air traffic. | Ciampino, known for hosting discount airlines such as Ryanair, will close its doors on March 14. A terminal at Fiumicino airport will also stop operations started from March 17. | The decision comes as Italy has closed schools and businesses in hopes of containing the spread of coronavirus. However, it appears the move was also motivated by financial realities: a wave of flight cance…
(2020-03-12). Czech govt shuts borders to travelers from Germany & Austria. rt.com 
The Czech Republic will close its borders to travelers coming from Germany and Austria to contain the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Thursday. | The country will ban the entry of foreigners coming from other affected nations. | Citizens will also be barred from traveling to those areas. Among other measures, the government has banned public events attended by more than 30 people, and has closed places such as sport centers and spas. | Restaurants must close by 8pm, Reuters reported, citing the announced measures.
(2020-03-12). 'Tsunami has arrived': Coronavirus likened to natural disaster and even METEORITE HIT in Spain. rt.com 
Spanish hotels are battling to survive, with occupancy rates falling drastically and having received "no new bookings" due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a top official at Spain's hotels federation. | CEHAT Secretary General Ramon Estalella told Reuters on Thursday that the impact of coronavirus on his industry was so bad that the crisis had reached existential levels for Spanish hotels and tourist accommodation. | A tsunami has arrived. A meteorite has fallen on us and we have to see how we survive. | Estalella called on the Spanish government to take bold measures to avoid highly damaging bankruptcie…
(2020-03-12). Trump suspends ALL travel from Europe for 30 days starting Friday as he addresses nation on coronavirus. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has announced that all travel from Europe to the United States will be temporarily halted for a period of 30 days, in the most significant measure yet taken to stem the spread of the lethal coronavirus. | In an address to the nation on Wednesday night, the president said the 30-day travel ban will take effect on Friday at midnight, noting that the United Kingdom would be exempt from the new restrictions. | "After consulting with our top government health professionals, I have decided to take several strong but necessary actions to protect the health and wellbeing of all Americans," Tr…
(2020-03-12). Brussels 'assessing' US restrictions on travel from Europe — official. rt.com 
The European Union says it will assess President Donald Trump's decision to restrict travel from Europe to the United States amid deep concern over the move's economic impact. | "We will assess the situation today. Economic disruption must be avoided," European Council President Charles Michel, who chairs summits of EU presidents and prime ministers, tweeted on Thursday. | Michel stressed that "Europe is taking all necessary measures to contain the spread" of coronavirus. | Trump said all European travel would be cut off. However, Homeland Security officials later clarified that the new restrictions apply only…
(2020-03-12). Saudi Arabia halts all travel, grounds flights to EU & other virus-stricken countries — state media. rt.com 
Saudi Arabia has suspended all travel for residents and grounded flights to a number of coronavirus hotspots across Europe and Asia, Saudi state media reported on Thursday. | One the kingdom's most significant steps yet to stem the lethal outbreak, the move will cut off travel to the whole of the European Union, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Sudan and South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti, Somalia and the Philippines, according to an Interior Ministry source cited by the Saudi Press Agency. | All passenger traffic through border crossings with Jordan was also halted, with the exception of…
(2020-03-12). Dow Sinks 8% as Sell-Off Slamming Global Markets Deepens. truthdig.com 
NEW YORK — The sell-off bludgeoning financial markets around the world got even worse Thursday as the economic pain caused by the coronavirus became more painfully clear. Worries are rising that the White House and other authorities around the world can't or won't help the weakening economy soon. | After the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed in a bear market for the first time in more than a decade, President Donald Trump said late Wednesday he would restrict travel to Europe in hopes of containing the virus. It's the latest hit for an airline industry already battered by frightened travelers cancelling p…
(2020-03-12). Trump says trade will 'in no way' be affected by Europe travel ban in apparent about-face after markets crash. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump said that trade in "no way" will be impacted by the 30-day Europe travel ban, despite saying less than an hour earlier the restrictive measures would apply to a "tremendous amount of trade and cargo." | Trump has baffled traders and ordinary netizens after he took to Twitter in the wake of his national address earlier on Wednesday to assure the public that his order to suspend all travel from Europe pertains only to the movement of people, but not goods. | Hoping to get the payroll tax cut approved by both Republicans and Democrats, and please remember, very important for all countrie…
(2020-03-12). European Union disapproves of 'unilateral US travel ban' — statement. rt.com 
The EU said on Thursday it disapproved of the US decision to impose a travel ban on European countries, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Charles Michel said. | "The EU disapproves of the fact that the US decision to improve a travel ban was taken unilaterally and without consultation," the statement said, adding that the EU is taking "strong" measures to limit the spread of the virus, Reuters reports. | The statement follows US President Donald Trump's announcement to impose a 30-day ban on travel from mainland Europe, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
(2020-03-12). Trump Calls COVID-19 "Foreign Virus" as Lack of Universal Healthcare Makes the Pandemic Worse. democracynow.org 
After downplaying the threat of coronavirus for days, President Donald Trump addressed the nation Wednesday from the Oval Office, calling COVID-19 a "foreign virus" and announcing an unprecedented travel ban from most of Europe to the U.S. He also said he will expand sick leave. This comes as Senate Republicans blocked paid sick leave legislation. Robert Pollin, distinguished university professor of economics and co-director of the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, says the lack of universal healthcare in the U.S. is exacerbating the coronavirus crisis due to "the ab…
(2020-03-12). UEFA set to suspend Champions League and Europa League amid coronavirus pandemic — reports. rt.com 
The current Champions League and Europa League campaigns are set to be suspended amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic, according to reports emerging from Spanish media. | Marca has reported that UEFA will take the measure to suspend all European tournament fixtures in efforts to protect the health of players, staff and fans alike, after the coronavirus outbreak has played havoc with the 2020 sporting calendar. | UEFA has yet to formalize the move but is expected to do so after a teleconference with various bodies next week. | JUST IN: UEFA set to suspend the Champions League and Europa League— The Spe…
(2020-03-12). Turkish FM hits back at Greek counterpart as Ankara & Athens clash over Erdogan's 'Nazi' comments. rt.com 
Turkey's foreign minister has doubled down on Ankara's claim that Greece is using Nazi-like tactics against migrants, tweeting a widely-cited NY Times article at his Greek counterpart. Athens insists the article is untrue. | Mevlut Cavusoglu appeared to be unmoved by Athens' condemnation of remarks made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who compared Greece's treatment of migrants to atrocities carried out by Nazi Germany. | The senior Turkish diplomat tweeted at Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in which he included a New York Times article alleging that Greece abuses migrants. "Have you seen this?
(2020-03-12). Turkey, Russia 'largely reach' consensus on Syria's Idlib — Ankara. rt.com 
Turkish and Russian experts engaged in talks in Ankara have largely reached a consensus on the Idlib issue, Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday. | "Talks with a Russian military delegation continue. A consensus has largely been reached," Anadolu news agency quoted him as saying. | On March 10, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey would patrol areas north of Syria's M4 highway and Russia would carry out patrol missions south of it, TASS reported. | Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed at talks in Moscow on March 5 that a ceasefire would be declared i…
(2020-03-12). 'A Jackie Chan challenge': Emmanuel Adebayor red-carded for brutal kung-fu kick to opponent's head (VIDEO). rt.com 
Veteran striker Emmanuel Adebayor has never been a stranger to controversy throughout his rollercoaster career – and he's at it again. | From banging in spectacular goals for Arsenal, completing a bitter transfer to Manchester City, a topsy-turvy spell at Real Madrid, refusals to play, public family disputes and everything else – he's never been dull. | And after seemingly fading away following a couple of years in Turkey, he's now back in the spotlight with his new team in Paraguay, Club Olimpia. | The Togolese star has only been there since February and South American fans were probably wondering why the big…
(2020-03-12). Russia-Saudi revenge against shale oil threatens to crush entire US financial system, Professor Wolff tells Boom Bust. rt.com 
Global stock markets hit bear territory this week, with oil prices experiencing their biggest plunge since the 1991 Gulf War. | Boom Bust is joined by Professor Richard Wolff of the Economic Update to discuss the ongoing oil crisis. He explains that the US, which wanted "energy independence," decided 10-20 years ago to go into the fracking business simply because it was profitable. | "Fracking is very expensive… but everything was premised on the notion that the price of oil would stay very high," Wolff says. "The Saudis and the Russians were hurt by the emergence of the American fracking industry; they've h…
(2020-03-12). Religious procession in Russia against Coronavirus is CANCELED due to Coronavirus. rt.com 
In times of great worry, many people turn to God. But some faithful who'd been hoping for divine intervention to sort out the Covid-19 crisis might be out of luck. | In Lipetsk, about 400km from Moscow, a religious procession to ward off Covid-19 was canceled for the exact reason it was planned — because of the virus. Christian devotees from the city were disappointed to discover that their planned ceremony was dropped due to Lipetsk's strict quarantine regime. On March 11, rules were introduced to combat the spread of coronavirus. Like in some other Russian cities, such as Moscow, mass gatherings of over…
(2020-03-12). Good news: Russia develops 15-minute Covid-19 test, Bad news: won't be available until fall. rt.com 
Rapid control of coronavirus depends on discovering a cheap and practical testing method, and Russian scientists may have found a solution; an especially useful tool, when efforts are focused on detection, delay, and containment. | While the medical community continues its work on a Covid-19 vaccine, researchers have developed a way to trace the infection that can provide an express result in just 15 minutes. What's more, the device could be available to the public as early as autumn, according to news agency TASS. | The new test uses an isothermal polymerase chain reaction and needs a smear from the nose or t…
(2020-03-12). Anti-Vaxxing hysteria comes to Russia — WHOOPING COUGH rates up 40%. rt.com 
You may have thought anti-vax panic was mainly an American thing, but there are growing signs that rejecting science has now gone worldwide — and Russia is not immune. | In 2019, the number of whooping cough cases in the world's largest country increased by almost 40% — with the majority being in Moscow. The chief epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health, Nikolai Briko, believes one of the main reasons is the refusal of parents to vaccinate their children. | "When analyzing the statistics, it was found that, in the first year of life, less than 50% of children were vaccinated on time between 2014 a…
(2020-03-12). Soft as women's skin: Russian furniture maker grilled for comparing its leather with different human races. rt.com 
"Are they using human skin for their sofas?" online commentators wondered after seeing an ad, in which models of different races were compared to various colors of leather upholstery. | The bizarre collage was posted by Home Collection furniture maker on its Russian VKontakte social network page in January, but only made headlines this week after being discovered by one of the popular Telegram channels. | It featured a group portrait of six models of different skin color paired with samples of leather hide coverings, used by the company for its sofas and armchairs. | Such a questionable creative solution was b…
(2020-03-12). Greece: Covid-19 Case in Lesbos Spreads Fear Among Migrants. telesurenglish.net Greece's health authorities reported a first Covid-19 case on the Lesbos island where thousands of refugees are overcrowded in unsanitary conditions. | RELATED: | The infected patient is a 40-year-old woman who had recently traveled to Israel and Egypt as a member of a pilgrimage group to the Holy Land. | Over the last week, more than 1,700 new ‚Äã‚Äã‚Äã‚Ä…
(2020-03-12). Nurses protest weakening of coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance by CDC. indybay.org The impeached President Donald J. Trump just held a national press conference and declared that he is suspending all travel from Europe to the United States starting tomorrow for the next 30 days, but the restrictions will not apply to the United Kingdom for some reason. The Trump administration sees the coronavirus as a PR disaster for his administration, instead of a health crisis and has been trying to downplay the seriousness of the spreading pandemic. The impeached President Trump has also just falsely claimed that the US is better prepared to fight against the coronavirus than any other nation on the planet…
(2020-03-12). Video: Great Idlib "Rebranding" and Al Qaeda "Turkish Victories" over Russian Air Defense. globalresearch.ca Terrorist groups operating in Idlib are preparing for a new rebranding under Turkish patronage. According to Syrian sources, Hayat Tarir al-Sham (formerly the official Syrian branch of al-Qaeda), the Turkistan Islamic Party (an al-Qaeda-linked group), the National Front for Liberation …
(2020-03-12). Headlines for March 12, 2020. democracynow.org World Health Organization Declares Coronavirus Pandemic, Top Italian Health Official Among 827 Coronavirus Dead as Italy Faces "Darkest Hour", Iran Condemns U.S. Sanctions as "Medical Terrorism" as Coronavirus Death Toll Hits 429, President Trump Announces Europe Travel Ban in Error-Laden Oval Office Speech, U.S. Labs Face Shortage of Supplies Needed to Test for Coronavirus, Sen. Lamar Alexander Blocks Quick Passage of Paid Sick Leave Bill, School Closures from Coronavirus Affecting Over 1 Million K-12 Students Nationwide, Bernie Sanders Promises to Question Biden Over Progressive Policies at Next Debate, Joe Bid…
(2020-03-12). The Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic: The Real Danger is "Agenda ID2020" globalresearch.ca WHO has most likely received orders from "above", from those people who also manage Trump and the "leaders" (sic) of the EU, European Union. The final decision to go ahead NOW with COVID-19 pandemic, was taken in January 2020 at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos – behind very much closed doors.
(2020-03-12). Italy's coronavirus epidemic surges as mass layoffs announced. wsws.org Not a single European Union country has responded to Italy's appeal for desperately-needed emergency medical supplies.
(2020-03-12). The Final Chapter Has Still Not Been Written: Remembering The 2004 Coup in Haiti. counterpunch.org On February 29, 2004, the democratically elected government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti was overthrown by a violent coup. This was the second U.S.-sponsored coup against a popularly elected Aristide government, the first one taking place in 1991 after he had served only eight months in office. Orchestrated by the United States, France and
(2020-03-12). Call to cancel dirty coal plant projects worldwide as clean renewables 'out-compete' on cost. thecanary.co Coal power developers risk wasting hundreds of billions of pounds as new renewables are now cheaper than new coal plants around the world, a report warns. | In all major markets from the US to Europe, China, India and Australia, it already costs less to generate power from installing new wind or solar farms than new coal plants, the latest study from think tank Carbon Tracker found. | And it could be cheaper to generate electricity by building new renewable facilities than to run existing coal-fired power stations in all markets by 2030, the researchers predict. | Already, four fifths (82%) of the UK's remaining…
(2020-03-12). Ecuador: EU, UN Launch Anti-Gender Violence Initiative. telesurenglish.net The European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) launched on Tuesday in Quito, Ecuador, their RELATED: | During the launch ceremony, held two days after the worldwide observation of International Women's Day, the EU and UN unveiled their ac…
(2020-03-12). Trump Calls COVID-19 "Foreign Virus" as US Fails to Curtail Its Spread. truthout.org After downplaying the threat of coronavirus for days, President Donald Trump addressed the nation Wednesday from the Oval Office, calling COVID-19 a "foreign virus" and announcing an unprecedented travel ban from most of Europe to the U.S. He also said he will expand sick leave. This comes as Senate Republicans blocked paid sick leave legislation. Robert Pollin, distinguished university professor of economics and co-director of the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts…
(2020-03-12). On coronavirus, Merkel tells Europe: "Drop dead" wsws.org Merkel stated that a central priority of her government is to ensure the health care system does not become "overloaded" by the task of caring for coronavirus patients.
(2020-03-12). Turkey, Russia Reach Consensus on Syria's Idlib. telesurenglish.net Turkish and Russian military delegations who have been discussing the ceasefire in Idlib since Tuesday have reached an agreement "to a large extent," Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Thursday. | RELATED: | "The attacks have halted, and the ceasefire continues at the moment. We are carefully and sensitively following the field," Akar said during a visit to Turkey's defense company ASELSAN. | There is no change…
(2020-03-12). Turkey's Failed Gamble in Syria. counterpunch.org Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's latest gamble in Syria's civil war appears to have come up snake eyes. Instead of halting the Damascus government's siege of the last rebel held province, Idlib, Turkey has backed off, and Ankara's Syrian adventure is fueling growing domestic resistance to the powerful autocrat.
(2020-03-12). Biden and His Supporters: "Shape Without Form, Shade Without Color" counterpunch.org Who needs Russian interference in the American Presidential race when the Clintons, Obama, MSNBC, CNN, the NYT, The Atlantic and their numerous henchmen/women are covertly and overtly interfering in the Democrat's Presidential election? For well over a year now the Democrat leadership (those corrupt and bought dealing/wheeling political bosses and their corporate masters and sweethearts)
(2020-03-12). As oil prices plunge and coronavirus spreads, Russian oligarchy seeks to keep Putin in power indefinitely. wsws.org The Russian ruling class is trying to prepare for massive social and political unrest.
(2020-03-12). Italian Streets Go Empty as Authorities Tighten Lockdown Due to Coronavirus Outbreak – Video. sputniknews.com Italy is currently facing the worst COVID-19 outbreak in Europe, with over 12,000 confirmed cases of the disease. Of those, 827 people have died and 1,045 have recovered.
(2020-03-12). Rome Closes Passenger Terminals of Ciampino, Fiumicino Airports From 14 and 17 March. sputniknews.com GENOA (Sputnik) – A passenger terminal of Ciampino Airport and Terminal 1 of Fiumicino Airport in Rome will be temporarily closed starting 14 March and 17 March respectively because of the coronavirus emergency, Airports of Rome said in a statement on Thursday.
(2020-03-12). Syria's Envoy to Russia Says Erdogan Using Refugee Crisis as Leverage Against European States. sputniknews.com Previously, Ankara stopped preventing Middle Eastern refugees from trying to breach through its borders with neighbouring European states, specifically Greece, thus violating an agreement that Turkey signed with the EU back in 2016.
(2020-03-12). Putin's Participation in 2024 Depends on Various Factors – Kremlin. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin's participation in the 2024 election will depend on a number of factors, including the situation in the world economy, the consequences of coronavirus and conflicts, Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
(2020-03-12). World Athletics Fines Russian Athletics Federation $10 Million Over Doping Scandal. sputniknews.com …
(2020-03-12). Russian Ruble Weakens to 4-Year Low, Trading at Over 75 Per US Dollar. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian ruble weakens against US dollar and euro on Thursday, slipping to a four-year low of more than 75 per US dollar amid weak oil prices, according to the Moscow Exchange data.
(2020-03-12). OPEC+ Deal Breakdown Not at Russia's Initiative, Moscow Offered Extension – Prime Minister. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The demise of the OPEC+ agreement did not take place at Russia's initiative, indeed Russia offered to extend the oil cut deal beyond its March 31 deadline, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Thursday.
(2020-03-12). Russia Hands to Iran Coronavirus Diagnostic Systems Designed for 50,000 Tests — Watchdog. iranian.com Iran has received from Russia coronavirus diagnostic systems designed for 50,000 tests, Russian consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said. "Due to the deteriorating epidemiological situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran because of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, Rospotrebnadzor provided free of charge test systems for laboratory diagnosis of the new coronavirus infection in …
(2020-03-12). Turkey 'neutralizes' 8 YPG/PKK terrorists in N. Syria. yenisafak.com The Turkish army "neutralized" 8 YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syrian territories, the National Defense Ministry said on Thursday."Our heroic commandos neutralized 8 PKK/YPG terrorists, who were found plotting attacks on our troops in the Operation Peace Spring area," the ministry said on Twitter.Turkish authorities generally use the word "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful anti-terrorist operations across its border into northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable peaceful settle…
(2020-03-12). Death toll from coronavirus climbs to 429 in Iran. yenisafak.com The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Iran rose to 429, the state TV reported on Thursday.Authorities said 75 people died in the last 24 hours, while 1,075 new cases were revealed, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 10,075, Iran's state TV quoted Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour as saying.A total of 3,276 people have been discharged from hospitals after recovering from the virus, the official added.Turkey, which has just a single confirmed case of coronavirus, closed its land borders and suspended air travel to Iran last month.Besides China, Italy, and South Korea, Iran is among…
(2020-03-12). Coronavirus claims first victim in Austria. yenisafak.com Coronavirus has claimed its first victim in Austria, a 69-year-old patient who died in the capital Vienna, health authorities announced Thursday. | According to Vienna's Medical Emergency Department, the patient had underlying health problems and contracted the virus during a visit to Italy last month. | The patient died early on Thursday at Kaiser Franz Josef Hospital. | The number of cases in the country is at 302, and four people have made recoveries. | The worldwide death toll from the virus is over 4,600, with more than 124,500 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which on Wedne…
(2020-03-12). French state says ready to help Air France weather coronavirus storm. yenisafak.com PARIS, March 12 (Reuters) – The French state is ready to help Air France weather the coronavirus storm as it and other airlines counted the mounting costs of the coronavirus outbreak, France's finance minister said on Thursday.Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said he regretted U.S. President Trump's travel ban for Europeans, adding it had come without any consultation.Le Maire said he had spoken with Air France-KLM group chief executive Ben Smith and that the government "had all the means necessary at our disposal" to help. He gave no further details.Shares in Air France-KLM fell sharply on Thursday morning to tra…