(2020-03-16). Macron condemns 'unilateral' border control measures, discusses issue with Merkel — Elysee. rt.com 
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday condemned unilateral border control measures taken by some EU countries in a bid to control the coronavirus outbreak. The statement from the Elysee Palace came following a phone briefing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU officials. | However, the Elysee warned that measures at the EU's external borders could be announced "in the coming hours," Reuters said. | The discussion between Macron and Merkel came after Germany decided to temporarily introduce border controls on the borders with Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, and Denmark starting Monday in…
(2020-03-16). Germany introduces border checks with 5 countries over coronavirus, still keeps broad-scale exemptions. rt.com 
The spread of the deadly coronavirus epidemic has forced Germany to introduce travel restrictions and enhance control over people's movements. But economic concerns are still high for Berlin. | On Monday morning, Germany imposed checks and suspended visa-free travel on its land borders with five nations: France, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark and Luxembourg. Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have not been affected by the new restrictions so far. | From now on, foreigners crossing the border from any of the five nations in question must have "a valid reason to travel" or they will be denied…
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus just got real in Moscow: outdoor events banned, schools closed, indoor crowds restricted. rt.com 
After videos went viral at the weekend showing Russian soccer fans chanting about the coronavirus in packed stadiums, some expressed concern that the country was in denial over Covid-19. If so, that ended on Monday. | In Moscow, all outdoor events have been banned and schools will be closed. Meanwhile, indoor gatherings will be restricted to a maximum of 50 people. The orders were published on the website of the capital's mayor Sergey Sobyanin and came only a few hours after a spokesman said the Kremlin "saw no need" to introduce a state of emergency. | Under the measures, schools will be shut from March 21, w…
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus situation in France 'extremely worrying' & getting worse rapidly, top health official warns. rt.com 
French people should not underestimate the threat of the coronavirus since the situation in the country is already dire and likely to get worse fast, a senior health official has warned, adding that people need to stay home. | There are almost 5,500 confirmed coronavirus cases in France, with over 400 people in serious condition. The situation with the epidemic is "extremely worrying" with the epidemic moving very fast, senior health official Jerome Salomon said. | "The number of cases doubles every three days. I would like our fellow citizens to realize that there are hundreds of people who are sick, in inten…
(2020-03-16). European Space Agency's Kourou spaceport SUSPENDS launches over coronavirus pandemic. rt.com 
The French space agency operating the ESA spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, has decided to suspend all launches, citing health concerns over the "rapid spread" of the deadly coronavirus epidemic. | France is currently struggling to stem the spread of the deadly disease officially known as Covid-19, which has already infected almost 4,500 nationwide. Its national space agency (CNES) has now joined the effort, by announcing it would "reorganize" the work of its four centers — including the Kourou spaceport located in the remote overseas territory of French Guiana. | COVID-19. Le CNES réorganise ses activi…
(2020-03-16). Global stock markets plunge despite drastic action by governments as coronavirus paralyses economies. rt.com 
World equities continued to fall on Monday, even as the US Federal Reserve slashes rates to zero and launches a massive quantitative easing program to try to offset the coronavirus impact on the global economy. | European stocks opened sharply lower on Monday, reacting to the shutdown taking place on the continent as efforts continue to contain the outbreak. Spain has imposed a 15-day nationwide lockdown, banning its 46 million citizens from all non-essential movement. France and Germany have strengthened their borders in order to contain the spread of the virus. | London's FTSE 100 index opened Monday's tradi…
(2020-03-16). Reluctant to close its borders despite pandemic, Germany to crack down on 'non-essential' travel. rt.com 
Facing the alarming spread of the coronavirus, Berlin has decided to tighten border controls, limiting "non-essential" travel with neighboring countries. Germany saw a spike in Covid-19 cases, which jumped by 1,000 in one day. | The move was announced by Interior Minister Horst Seehofer late Sunday. Germany will re-introduce checks on the borders with Austria, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Denmark starting Monday morning. | "The spread of the coronavirus is progressing quickly and aggressively… one of the most important measures will be to cut off the chain of infection," Seehofer stated. | Also on rt…
(2020-03-16). German federal & state govts agree to shutter most shops, clubs, churches. rt.com 
Federal and state governments in Germany agreed sweeping rules shutting everything from non-essential shops to bars, clubs, theatres, brothels, museums and churches, Reuters reports. The measures are being taken in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the federal government said. | A statement published on Monday said that grocery shops, markets, banks, pharmacies and delivery services would remain open. Restaurants and other eating establishments would generally be allowed to open between 6am and 6pm. | Shops that remained open would have to implement heightened hygiene measures and monitor their entr…
(2020-03-16). Germany's Bavaria declares state of emergency, announces €10mn fund to reduce coronavirus impact. rt.com 
The premier of Germany's southern state of Bavaria declared a state of emergency on Monday, Reuters reported, as the number of new coronavirus cases continues to rise. | Markus Soeder also announced a fund worth up to €10 billion ($11.21 billion) to help the region withstand the coronavirus outbreak. | "The situation is very serious and changing daily, unfortunately not for the better," the Bavarian leader said. He added that the regional government could buy stakes in struggling companies to prevent insolvencies. | Bavaria announced on March 13 that it was closing all schools, kindergartens and nurseries…
(2020-03-16). European solidarity doesn't exist, only China can help us: Serbia goes full emergency over coronavirus. rt.com 
Caught off guard by the EU's ban on medical exports, Serbia found help in China as it struggled to prepare for the Covid-19 outbreak, the Serbian president said, adding that it has become clear that European solidarity is a myth. | Serbia is the latest country to impose severe restrictions on travel and public gatherings in response to the global epidemic. As President Aleksandar Vucic declared a national emergency on Sunday, he had some scalding remarks for the EU. | The crisis has proven that European solidarity, only exists "on paper," Vucic said, citing the ban on the export of medical equipment and suppli…
(2020-03-16). 'Taken Down' and the underbelly of the Irish economic miracle. peoplesworld.org 
First it was called the Celtic Tiger and then the Celtic Phoenix. The rise of Ireland to a European economic powerhouse was fueled initially by a housing boom which then crashed in the wake of the bursting of the U.S. housing bubble. The Phoenix then rose from the ashes fueled this time by foreign direct …
(2020-03-16). Ryanair to ground majority of its European fleet over next 10 days, complete cuts 'can't be ruled out'. rt.com 
Budget airline Ryanair has announced that it will ground the majority of its fleet of over 450 Boeing 737-800 aircraft over the next 10 days in response to the coronavirus crisis, adding that a total suspension might take effect. | The company said that government restrictions and flight bans across Europe had a significant and negative impact on its ability to operate. As a result, the airline has reduced working hours and payments, slashed discretionary spending and frozen recruitment. | Wherever flight restrictions are not in place, the airline said that social distancing protocols may be implemented on fli…
(2020-03-16). Greece to quarantine all arrivals from abroad. rt.com 
The Greek government announced on Monday it will shut all shops apart from supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, petrol stations and food delivery services, in a bid to fight the coronavirus. The closure of retail stores will begin from Wednesday. | Greece had already cancelled mass gatherings and closed bars, restaurants, playgrounds and gyms. So far the country has reported 331 confirmed cases of infections and four fatalities, Reuters reported. | Authorities will also put anyone arriving from abroad into quarantine for two weeks, the statement said. The 14-day quarantine will apply to anyone entering the country…
(2020-03-16). Spain & Portugal increase border controls to slow coronavirus spread. rt.com 
Portugal is suspending rail and air traffic to and from Spain for a month, while Madrid is denying entry to everyone bar residents and a few others on land borders, in a bid to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus cardio: Watch as a Spanish fitness instructor holds rooftop keep-fit session for isolated residents in Seville (VIDEO). rt.com 
Residents at a Spanish apartment complex joined together from the safety of their own rooms as they took part in a mass fitness session conducted by an instructor on their roof. | With large parts of Spain currently on lockdown due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many citizens are currently isolating themselves in their hopes to help reduce the spread of the highly-contagious disease. | Local fitness group Sano Sevilla Los Bermejale decided that they wanted to help give those housebound residents the chance to get up and get moving, as an instructor appeared on the roof of their central concourse building…
(2020-03-16). Hungary to shut borders to international passengers, close cultural & sports events, PM Orban says. rt.com 
Hungary will close its borders for international passengers, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told parliament on Monday. The country will also close cultural and sports events and establishments and limit the opening hours of restaurants. | All shops will be shut except food stores, pharmacies and drug stores, he said, asking those over 70 to stay at home and all events to be canceled except for family gatherings. Restaurants must close at 3pm. | The country will need monetary and fiscal tools to tackle the expected grave economic impact from the spread of the coronavirus, Orban said. He added that many jobs would…
(2020-03-16). Constitutional Court approves amendments resetting presidential terms limits, poll says majority would vote for Putin in 2024. rt.com 
Just a week ago, the general consensus among Russian political experts was that Vladimir Putin would likely leave the Kremlin in four years. But a week is a long time in politics, as the old cliche goes. | Following last Tuesday's dramatic parliamentary intervention by Valentina Tereshkova, quite a lot has rapidly changed. The MP, previously better known as the first woman in space, proposed "that after the updated Constitution comes into force, the current president, like any other citizen, has the right to be elected to…
(2020-03-16). 'I'll get better, I have enough toilet paper': Russian kite surfing champion laughs off contracting coronavirus. rt.com Russian kite surfing champion Peter Tyushkevich laughed off his coronavirus diagnosis, saying he has enough toilet paper to recover from the dangerous infection. | The 2009 world champion revealed he is infected by the contagious virus which has swept across the world. | "I have contracted coronavirus. Now, I'm in the infectious diseases hospital, please meet one of those Ru…
(2020-03-16). Russia to launch $4 BILLION anti-crisis fund to stabilize economy. rt.com 
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced on Monday the establishment of a 300-billion-ruble anti-crisis fund in order to support the country's economic sectors and citizens amid the global coronavirus pandemic. | "We have developed a number of priority measures, and I think it is necessary to take a number of actions today to prevent the negative impact of coronavirus on the country's economy and people's lives," said Mishustin, who has headed the government's Coordinating Council to combat the spread of Covid-19. | The prime minister said that the government will soon launch a single hotline and an…
(2020-03-16). Rammstein's Till Lindemann turns bubble boy with giant 'coronavirus protective gear' at Moscow gig. rt.com 
You have to be quite cheeky to gather thousands of people together amid coronavirus fears. But Till Lindemann apparently had an ace up his sleeve — a giant iridescent bubble to protect him during his Moscow concert. | The Rammstein star is currently on tour in Russia, together with Swedish multi-instrumentalist Peter Tagtgren. On Sunday the two performed at the VTB Arena in Moscow and had an unusual prop — a giant plastic bubble to take | In actu…
(2020-03-16). Patient ESCAPES from Moscow coronavirus hospital, chief doctor slams 'ignorant behavior'. rt.com 
It appears some Russians really don't like the idea of being quarantined over Covid-19. After a well-publicized hospital breakout in Saint Petersburg last month, a Moscow patient decided to play copycat. | Apparently unconcerned about infecting others around the capital, a woman suspected of having coronavirus escaped from a medical facility, according to Denis Protsenko, the head physician at Moscow's Kommunarka Hospital. | "I have to deal with the ignorant behavior of hospitalized patients who do not understand the situation and the danger of spreading Covid-19 in the city," he said. "I ask my colleagues to…
(2020-03-16). America Attacks the World, The World Levitates Towards Russia, China. globalresearch.ca Frankly and in summary: recently The United States of America has crossed several lines, committing atrocities, in many parts of the world. In the past, no country could get away with this; such situations would inevitably lead to war. | Presently, …
(2020-03-16). What Role Did Sexism Play in Warren's Failed Presidential Bid? commondreams.org Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Former Vice President Joe Biden, and Sen. Bernie Sanders participate in the fifth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by MSNBC and The Washington Post at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia on November 20, 2019. (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/democratic_party_2020_sanders_warren_1.jpg …
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus: Africans Accuse Europeans of 'Coronising' the Continent. globalresearch.ca The large number of Europeans being diagnosed with coronavirus in Africa has sparked debate and ridicule, with one Senegalese newspaper questioning whether France was out to "coronise" its former colony after two French nationals received a positive diagnosis. | With around …
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus could lead to collapse of German healthcare system as early as May. wsws.org The number of people infected in Germany has tripled since Wednesday.
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus outbreak: The German government was warned of the dangers of a looming pandemic and did nothing. wsws.org A risk analysis by the Robert Koch Institute eight years ago had already warned that inadequacies in Germany's health system could mean death for millions when confronted with a novel virus.
(2020-03-16). China Sends Medical Experts to Support Italy and Spain's Fight Against Coronavirus. globalresearch.ca China has sent a team of medical experts and aid to support Italy and Spain in their fight against coronavirus after Rome blasted the European Union for ignoring its pleas for help. | A charter flight with a nine-member Chinese medical-aid …
(2020-03-16). US to Practice Invasion of Europe. globalresearch.ca Defender Europe 20, NATO's biggest wargames for over 25 years, is getting under way this month. 20,000 US troops are participating in the US's largest deployment to Europe in over quarter of a century. With 18 states involved totaling 37,000 …
(2020-03-16). Trump administration official admits coronavirus could kill millions in US. wsws.org The World Health Organization has declared Europe the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, as more people have died outside China than within it.
(2020-03-16). Coronavirus spreads to Turkey, risking a rapid outbreak. wsws.org On Sunday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Turkey rose from six to 18, while at least 3,000 people are reportedly under quarantine.
(2020-03-16). Egypt Coordinating Support for Syrian Kurds to Fight Turkey. globalresearch.ca Since the US pulled its support from the Kurdish SDF in Syria, there hasn't been much talk of them getting foreign aid, while Turkish forces continue to square up against them in the Syrian northeast. | Reports now are that Egypt …
(2020-03-16). Kazakhs told to work remotely where possible due to coronavirus. yenisafak.com Kazakhstan instructed local companies on Monday to allow their employees to work remotely where possible due to the coronavirus outbreak."Today all companies, state-owned and private, that can switch to remote work must do so," Labour and Social Protection Minister Birzhan Nurymbetov told a briefing.
(2020-03-16). Trump sought to buy German firm for coronavirus vaccine. yenisafak.com German politicians slammed U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday for trying to buy a German pharmaceutical company which has been working on a possible vaccine for coronavirus."Germany is not for sale," Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said on Twitter, and added that the government was in contact with the Tuebingen-based company CureVac on this offer.The weekly Welt am Sonntag reported earlier that Trump offered $1 billion to CureVac but demanded that the company should develop the coronavirus vaccine "only for the United States".Foreign Minister Heiko Maas sharply criticized the U.S. president for trying to get "
(2020-03-16). British soldier hospitalised in Poland with coronavirus. yenisafak.com A British soldier infected with coronavirus is in hospital in Ostroda, northern Poland, Polish state-run news agency PA…
(2020-03-16). Four asylum seekers apply to EU court for justice. yenisafak.com Four asylum seekers who were injured by Greek security forces along the Turkey-Greece border, applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), according to a health official on Monday.The asylum seekers applied to the ECHR through their lawyers, Ali Cengiz Kalkan, the provincial health director of northwestern Edirne province told Anadolu Agency.Kalkan added that other 25 asylum seekers who were also subject to the Greek violence are preparing to apply to the international court.Asylum seekers have been waiting on the Greek border for the last 18 days to cross through Edirne to reach Europe. Greek security f…
(2020-03-16). African countries step up measures over coronavirus. yenisafak.com The new coronavirus known as COVID-19 has so far spread to 26 African countries, and many suspended flights to China, Europe, the U.S. and South Korea as part of measures to fight the virus.As the number of coronavirus cases rose in African countries, Kenya, Djibouti, Ghana, South Africa, Gabon, Senegal, Ethiopia and Mauritania have restricted travel to countries where the virus has spread and also suspended schools.The novel coronavirus was first seen in the North African countries in the continent and spread fast to other regions, mostly via infected passengers coming from Europe.The number of confirmed coronav…
(2020-03-16). Sports events around the world hit by coronavirus pandemic. yenisafak.com Major sports events around the world that have been hit by the coronavirus outbreak:
(2020-03-16). Picturesque Croatian Town Selling Real Estate for Just 15 Cents US in Bid to Attract Residents. sputniknews.com The tiny community, believed to have been founded as early as the 12th century, lies just 2 km west of the Hungarian border, and was ruled by the Kingdom of Hungary until the early part of the 20th century.
(2020-03-16). France Slaps Record €1.1 Billion Fine on Apple For Anti-Competitive Practices. sputniknews.com France's competition authority has ruled that the tech giant abused its economic dominance over independent retailers in France and that its actions barred them from competing on price.
(2020-03-16). Fourteen People Face Trial Over November 2015 Attacks in France – Prosecutor's Department. sputniknews.com In November 2015, a series of coordinated attacks took place in Paris and in the suburb of Saint-Denis, claiming the lives of 130 people, 90 of them at the Bataclan theatre.
(2020-03-16). Source Reveals Why NATO Warships in Black Sea Can't Collect Intelligence Against Russian Fleet. sputniknews.com The US and its Western European allies regularly send warships to the Black Sea, with other NATO countries bordering the body of water including Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey maintaining a sizable permanent presence in the region.
(2020-03-16). Microsoft Teams Down as Many Europeans Work Remotely Amid Coronavirus Pandemic – Reports. sputniknews.com This is the second time the service faces a major outage this year. Last month, it went down after Microsoft had failed to renew its key SSL security certificate.
(2020-03-16). Moscow Presents Report on 96 Living Veterans of Latvian SS Legion. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A report with names of 96 veterans of the Latvian Legion — part of the Nazi SS organization — who live in the United States, Canada and other countries was presented on Monday at a round table at the Rossiya Segodnya news agency.
(2020-03-16). Iranian Hails New UK Stance on Arrested Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe & Repayment Of Debt. iranian.com Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who possesses both British and Iranian passports, has been under arrest in Iran since April 2016 over allegations that she plotted against the government, claims that she has consistently denied. She was sentenced to five years in an Iranian jail. The Iranian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hamid Baeidinejad, welcomed a new approach …
(2020-03-16). 'A Kind of Triumph of Spirit': Locked Down Italians Singing From Balconies Inspire Hope Across World. commondreams.org "This is why so many people through many centuries fall in love with Italy." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/italy.singing.jpg …
(2020-03-16). Norway University Calls On Students to Return Home From Countries With 'Poorly Developed Health Systems'—Such as the US. commondreams.org "Norway is correct… the U.S. is a poorly developed country." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-1208902464_1.jpg …
(2020-03-15). After bloody day, Coronavirus meltdown continues. Big danger: Italian and Eurobanks are set to blow. mronline.org 
There are so many wheels coming off that analysts and the business press is on coronavirus crisis overload. And unlike 2008, the Fed can't save anyone from the Grim Reaper. |
(2020-03-15). Long lines beset US airports with passengers reportedly waiting up to 10 HOURS to get through due to Covid-19 screening (PHOTOS). rt.com 
Thousands have lined up in long queues to get their bags and pass customs at airports across the US, with photos of the crowds going viral. The chaos has been blamed on enhanced coronavirus checks under the European travel ban. | Also on rt.com | | O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois, one of world's busiest airports by passenger traffic, has been overwhelmed with a sea of people, with photos and videos by stranded travelers showing long lines leading up to the baggage line and cu…
(2020-03-15). Covid-19 air travel cull: Nordic flag carrier SAS to 'temporarily' lay off 90% of employees as it halts traffic. rt.com 
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has decided to halt "most of" its flights, stating that the demand for air travel has effectively fallen to zero. The move comes along with "temporary work reductions," affecting some 10,000 employees. | "As an effect of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and the measures that authorities have taken, the demand for international air travel is essentially non-existent," the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden said in a statement Sunday. | Starting on Monday, SAS will "halt most of its traffic" and resume its operations only when "conditions to conduct commercial aviation" ar…
(2020-03-15). West Attacks the World: The World Levitates towards Russia and China. dissidentvoice.org Frankly and in summary: recently The United States of America has crossed several lines, committing atrocities, in many parts of the world. In the past, no country could get away with this; such situations would inevitably lead to war. Presently, war is "avoided" only because the world is too frightened of Washington and its mafia-style …