(2020-03-19). 'Infinitely frightening': Juventus ace Rugani's girlfriend reveals pregnancy after couple infected with coronavirus. rt.com 
Juventus defender Daniele Rugani's girlfriend Michela Persico has revealed fears over her pregnancy after the couple were both infected with Covid-19. | Persico announced she is four months pregnant and expressed hope that the dangerous infection wouldn't affect their unborn baby. | Italy international Rugani was the first Serie A player to test positive for the coronavirus, pl…
(2020-03-19). Hungary to deploy military task forces to 140 state companies during pandemic. rt.com 
Hungary will deploy military personnel to monitor the operations of 140 state companies providing critical services during the coronavirus pandemic, Defense Minister Tibor Benko has said. | The newly created task forces, consisting of several soldiers, police officers, and disaster unit workers, will provide regular briefings on the companies to the Defense Ministry, Benko told public television late on Wednesday. | PM Viktor Orban's government declared a state of national crisis last week due to the spread of the virus. According to official figures, 73 people have contracted the coronavirus in Hungary. One p…
(2020-03-19). Coronavirus isn't stopping trade between Russia & China. rt.com 
While the coronavirus pandemic is wreaking havoc on global trade, cargo volume between Russia and its biggest trading partner, China, is growing, according to the Russian consul general in Harbin, Vladimir Oschepkov. | "According to our estimates, the volume of cargo transportation between our countries is gradually increasing," the diplomat told RIA Novosti. | More than 300 trucks and up to 35 trains cross the border in both directions every day. Russian carriers mainly transport wood, soy, coal, ore, and fertilizers, which are in demand in China due to the beginning of seasonal field work. | Also on rt.com…
(2020-03-19). First coronavirus patient dies in Russia: Elderly woman with underlying medical conditions. rt.com 
A 79-year-old woman, with numerous underlying health conditions, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 has died in an infectious disease hospital in Moscow, the agency for monitoring the situation with the disease reports. | The cause of death was pneumonia against the background of other very severe health problems, including type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, and arteriosclerosis among other things. | According to Moscow daily Moskovsky Komsomolets her name was Valentina Zubareva, a professor who lectured at the Gubkin Oil and Gas University in the Russian capital. She was still delive…
(2020-03-19). Trump says oil price war 'devastating' for Russia — but it's Saudis & US shale that stand to suffer most. rt.com 
Plummeting oil prices have sparked another round of predictions about the economic collapse of Russia — this time from US President Donald Trump, who sounded a lot like his predecessor Barack Obama on the subject. | The price of crude oil has crashed to $20 this week, due to a one-two punch of Saudi Arabia flooding the market with record output and a sharp drop in global demand owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Asked about it during a press conference about the pandemic on Thursday, Trump described the price war as "very bad" for Saudi Arabia and "devastating" to Russia, but helpful in a way to American…
(2020-03-19). Russian woman to FACE COURT for allegedly spreading coronavirus FAKE NEWS. rt.com 
With most of Europe and Asia presently under some form of emergency measures to fight the spread of Covid-19, now is probably not the best time to scare people even more. | A woman in Russia's Far East is set to appear before a court on charges of spreading false information about coronavirus in her remote region. The Amur Oblast where she resides has yet to report a case of the disease, despite bordering China, the original epicenter. | Also on rt.com | | On the o…
(2020-03-19). Praying to prevent coronavirus! Moscow monastery introduces nightly processions to fight Covid-19. rt.com 
While ordinary folk have been told to wash their hands, self-isolate, and keep social distance to fight infection, members of a Moscow religious order have opted for their own solution — nightly processions on the streets. | As first reported by news service Interfax, monks from Moscow's Vysoko-Petrovsky Monastery have opted to circle their abode to battle coronavirus. The first procession, which occurred yesterday after the evening service, will become a nightly ritual, presumably until the virus is defeated. The abbot of the monastery, Hegumen Peter Eremeev, explained the logic on his Instagram page.
(2020-03-19). 108 new deaths in France, as coronavirus lockdown tightens. rt.com 
French authorities reported 108 new deaths from the Covid-19 coronavirus, a 41 percent increase that brings the total dead in France to 372. The spike in fatalities comes as France enters a third day of total lockdown, with only essential movement permitted. | In addition to the swift rise in deaths, reported cases of the deadly virus hit 10,995 on Thursday, up from 9,134 the day before. More than 1,000 of these patients require life support. | Though France has not yet seen the number of cases that have cropped up in Italy, Spain or Germany, authorities there imposed a mandatory 15-day quarantine on Tuesday.
(2020-03-19). French govt ready to extend lockdown if necessary, interior minister says. rt.com 
France's 15-day lockdown ordered by President Emmanuel Macron to curb the coronavirus epidemic could be extended if necessary, according to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. | "The 15-day period may be extended. If necessary, the government will re-conduct it," Castaner told Europe 1 radio station on Thursday. | Since Wednesday morning, the police deployed to enforce the lockdown have carried out 70,000 controls and handed out 4,095 tickets to those flouting the lockdown, Reuters quoted Castaner as saying. | The minister said earlier that 100,000 police would be deployed to enforce the lockdown, and check…
(2020-03-19). Amazon squeezing workers amid Covid-19 crisis is 'unacceptable' — French finance minister. rt.com 
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Amazon's refusal to pay wages of staff who walk out over coronavirus fears is "unacceptable" as the country is considering nationalization of bigger companies at risk. | "These pressures are unacceptable, we'll let Amazon know," Le Maire said after several hundred workers protested the company's policy on Wednesday. The e-commerce giant refused to pay workers who walked out or stayed at home in self-isolation over coronavirus fears. | www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=282184766102941&set=pcb.282185442769540&type=3&theater | Le Maire said Thursday that he would…
(2020-03-19). Stay near home & no cycling: France tightens Covid-19 lockdown restrictions to 'max 2km from home'. rt.com 
France has dramatically tightened restrictions on movement amid its coronavirus lockdown, warning citizens that they should limit their travel to within one kilometer of their homes — and a maximum of two kilometers. | The country went into a 15-day lockdown over the Covid-19 outbreak at noon on Tuesday, and a list of acceptable reasons for travel was published by the government. Those reasons include shopping for basic necessities, seeking medical treatment, helping a neighbor or relative, and walking the dog. Getting exercise was also seen as a legitimate reason — provided that it was done alone.
(2020-03-19). Italy's coronavirus toll OVERTAKES China, total cases in Europe pass 100,000. rt.com 
Health officials in Italy have confirmed a further 427 deaths from Covid-19, pushing the country's overall death toll to 3,405. The figure overtakes the number of total deaths in China from the outbreak. | According to a tally compiled by the AFP, the overall number of cases across Europe has now risen over 100,000. | The latest deaths in Italy are a slight decrease on the previous 24-hour period, in which a record 475 people died in one day from the rapidly-spreading virus. | The outbreak was first recorded in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019, and has since spread around the world at an alarming rate, i…
(2020-03-19). Convoy of Italian army trucks haul away corpses as local crematorium flooded with coronavirus dead (VIDEO). rt.com 
The Italian military has been called in to help transport dead bodies as the northern city of Bergamo reels from the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. The city's crematorium is reportedly now working around-the-clock. | The head of Lega Nord, Matteo Salvini, posted a photograph on Twitter showing a seemingly endless line of army trucks moving their way through the Italian town, located in the Lombardy region. | L'Esercito porta le bare fuori da Bergamo, per la cremazione fuori dalla Lombardia, una terra messa a prova durissima, che lotta senza tregua contro il male. | àà un'immagine straziante, che colpisce…
(2020-03-19). Worldwide coronavirus deaths surpass 9,000 — AFP. rt.com 
The global death toll from Covid-19 has reached at least 9,000, according to an AFP tally. The benchmark comes a day after fatalities in Europe surpassed those in Asia. | Multiple sources have estimated that the number of worldwide infections reached around 220,000 by Thursday. | China, the reported epicenter of the outbreak, reported no new local infections for the first time since the pandemic began more than two months ago. The hopeful news contrasts sharply with the growing health crisis in Europe. Italy, the hardest-hit nation outside China, reported a record 475 deaths yesterday from the illness. | As Ch…
(2020-03-19). Italy to extend nationwide lockdown amid biggest 1-day spike in coronavirus deaths. rt.com 
Italy will prolong non-essential travel and business restrictions across the country, as the European nation suffered its largest single-day surge in coronavirus deaths since the start of the outbreak. | Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said Thursday that the lockdown, which began on March 9, would be extended into April. The extreme measures were initially set to end on April 3. | Conte told Italian paper Il Corrier della Sera that while he couldn't say when the measures would be lifted, it was only "obvious" that they would continue into the foreseeable future. | "The measures we have taken — whether that…
(2020-03-19). Gone-zalo! Juventus star Gonzalo Higuain 'breaks Italian quarantine' to return home to Argentina. rt.com Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain has reportedly escaped Italy's nationwide lockdown to return to his homeland Argentina to visit his seriously ill mother. | The player managed to break the quarantine, obligatory for the entire Juventus squad after two teammates tested positive for coronavirus. | All the players and staff members have been ordered to stay i…
(2020-03-19). European stocks mostly down despite promise of huge stimulus by central bank. rt.com 
Markets in Europe opened higher on Thursday, but have since retreated. This is despite the ‚Ǩ750 billion ($821 billion) bond-buying program by the European Central Bank to help the region's economy through the Covid-19 crisis. | Stock markets in London and Frankfurt opened over one percent higher, before retreating into negative territory. French stocks were up over three percent in early trade, before giving up most of the gains. | On Wednesday, the regulator announced the new 'Pandemic Emergency Purchase Program' which will use the funds to purchase securities in order to help support the E…
(2020-03-19). Chill, Netflix to cut European traffic after EU said it overloads internet during Covid-19 quarantine. rt.com 
Movie and TV streaming service Netflix says it will cut its bit rates across Europe by a quarter to ease the internet burden as coronavirus quarantines have forced millions of people to stay home all day. | Many more people than usual are now working from home, thanks to virus-limiting restrictions and lockdowns, while the mass closure of schools and colleges also means more pressure on internet providers from younger service users. | Netflix's move comes after the EU's Internal Markets Commissioner Thierry Breton urged the service to help address the additional strain on internet services. | "To secure Intern…
(2020-03-19). NATO 'scales down' exercises, drawdown of US-led force in Afghanistan continues. rt.com 
NATO is scaling down military exercises in Europe to curb the spread of the coronavirus, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said. However, alliance missions are continuing, including the drawdown of the US-led force in Afghanistan following a peace agreement last month, he added. | "Some of our exercises have been modified or cancelled… but our forces remain ready," Stoltenberg told a video news conference on Thursday. | The US Army has already announced a halt to movement of military personnel from the US to Europe and said it plans to scale down its Defender Europe 20 exercises, billed as NATO's b…
(2020-03-19). US stocks in for another wild ride on Wall Street as coronavirus rages on. rt.com 
US markets are swinging wildly on Thursday after plunging 30 percent from their peak. The failure by Western countries to contain the Covid-19 outbreak is bringing global business to a halt and causing panic among investors. | The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened down over three percent before recovering earlier losses. The S&P 500 is also in positive territory after losing three percent at the start of trading. The Nasdaq Composite tech index started one and a half percent lower, but is now up. | Despite opening higher earlier in the day, markets in Europe are also slipping. The British FTSE and German DAX…
(2020-03-19). Headlines for March 19, 2020. democracynow.org Italy Records Record 475 Coronavirus Deaths as Infections Continue Climbing, British PM Boris Johnson Closes Schools After Reversing Lax Virus Containment Plan, Millions of Brazilians Protest from Windows and Balconies Demanding President's Ouster, World Health Organization Warns Critical Lack of Testing Is Costing Lives, Egypt Arrests Protesters Calling for Release of Prisoners at Risk of COVID-19, Yemen, Already Wracked by U.S.-Supported, Saudi-Led War, Braces for Coronavirus, Trump Admin Tightens Sanctions That Have Devastated Iran's Public Health System, Trump Signs Coronavirus Relief Bill Providing Paid Leav…
(2020-03-19). Death at the Border: Syrian Refugees Should Not Be Used as Political Pawns. mintpressnews.com Turkey's use of Syrian refugees as political pawns was one of the most tragic, heart-rendering episodes of the Syrian war and subsequent refugee crisis saga.
(2020-03-19). Hungarian government uses coronavirus epidemic to promote racism. wsws.org As throughout Europe, the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in Hungary.
(2020-03-19). The DNC Declaration of Dependence: Death, Shackles, and Misery. counterpunch.org We are in trouble in this year of 2020, when global warming is causing ethnic strife and the break-up of states into warring chiefdoms; when there is an intensified nuclear arms race between the United States, China, and Russia; and when India, Pakistan, and North Korea may now also be stockpiling nukes. The expert on
(2020-03-19). We're Struggling With the Coronavirus in Spain—but We're Vastly More Prepared Than the US. thenation.com We're Struggling With the Coronavirus in Spain—but We're Vastly More Prepared Than the US…
(2020-03-19). Ecuador: Guayaquil Prevents Plane From Landing Due to COVID-19. telesurenglish.net Guayaquil authorities blocked the airstrip of the airport in this Ecuadorian city on Wednesday to prevent the arrival of a plane from Spain on the suspicion that it was carrying passengers infected with COVID-19. | RELATED: | The Airbus of Iberia, which had departed from Madrid with 11 passengers, intended to land on the runway of the José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil; however, it was preve…
(2020-03-19). In Spain, There Is Solidarity Amid the Solitude of Lockdown. thenation.com In Spain, There Is Solidarity Amid the Solitude of Lockdown…
(2020-03-19). Australian doctors condemn government response to COVID-19 "disaster" wsws.org Letters, signed by thousands of doctors, warn that a catastrophe "worse" than Italy's can only be averted by a lockdown and the urgent pouring of resources into hospitals.
(2020-03-19). Ukrainian government uses coronavirus crisis to pass IMF-backed reforms. wsws.org Ukraine's ruling class is exploiting the devastating pandemic to escalate its attacks on the working class.
(2020-03-19). Russian Scientists Sequence Coronavirus Genome. sputniknews.com Scientists in countries around the world have rushed to learn everything they can about COVID-19 in recent months in a bid to create an effective vaccine.
(2020-03-19). Putin on Coronavirus Situation: We Have to Be Ready for Any Turn of Events. sputniknews.com MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that it was important to be ready for any turn of events amid the global coronavirus outbreak.
(2020-03-19). EU's Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier Tests Positive for Coronavirus. sputniknews.com This comes amid the continuing Covid-19 outbreak in Europe, with Italy, France and Spain being the worst-affected countries in the region.
(2020-03-19). Bergamo Hospital Begs for Help Amid Coronavirus Pandemic in Italy – Video. sputniknews.com Italy has become the worst-hit nation in Europe with the fastest spreading number of cases in the world, despite having gone into complete lockdown earlier this month.
(2020-03-19). Turkey 'neutralizes' 3 YPG/PKK terrorists in N. Syria. yenisafak.com The Turkish army "neutralized" three YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria, the National Defense Ministry said on Thursday."Our heroic commandos neutralized three YPG/PKK terrorists attempting to infiltrate into the area of the [Operation] Peace Spring region," the ministry said on Twitter.The ministry further affirmed its determination to "continue operations to sustain the peace and security in the region."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 operations across its b…
(2020-03-19). Turkish banking sector continues to back businesses. yenisafak.com The Turkish Banking Association (TBB) on Thursday announced a set of recommendations for lenders to revive business activity amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.Pointing to Turkey's economic recovery in the third quarter of last year, the association said in a statement that the negative impact of the virus on economic and social ties would likely curb the rally.The association aims to support the measures taken to limit the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus and contribute a much as possible to maintaining healthy growth."We recommend to our banks that they support their customers who need additional cre…
(2020-03-19). Spain's coronavirus death toll climbs by over 200 overnight. yenisafak.com Spain's health ministry said on Thursday the death toll from the coronavirus epidemic soared by 209 to 767 fatalities from the previous day as the total number of coronavirus cases climbed by a quarter to 17,147 on Thursday.On Wednesday, there were 13,716 cases in Spain.
(2020-03-19). Over 84,000 patients recover from coronavirus worldwide. yenisafak.com More than 84,000 people have recovered from the novel coronavirus globally, officially known as COVID-19, according to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.The total number of recovered patients 70,425 in mainland China, while the highest number of recovered people is in China's Hubei province with 57,678 people, the epicenter of the infection which came to limelight in last December.Outside of China, the total number of recovered people is 5,389 in Iran, 4,025 in Italy, 1,504 in South Korea, 1,081 in Spain, 144 in Japan, 114 in Singapore, 106 in the U.S, 105 in Germany, 95 in H…
(2020-03-19). Death toll from coronavirus climbs to 1,284 in Iran. yenisafak.com The death toll in Iran from the coronavirus outbreak has risen to 1,284, local media reported on Thursday.Authorities said 149 people died over the last 24 hours, while 1,046 new cases have emerged, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 18,407, Iran's state TV quoted Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour as saying.A total of 5,979 people have been discharged from hospitals after recovering from the virus, Jahanpour added.The first case of coronavirus in the country was confirmed in Qom province on Feb. 19.Besides China, Italy and South Korea, Iran is among the worst-affected countries since the s…
(2020-03-19). Algeria confirms 8th death from coronavirus. yenisafak.com The death toll in Algeria from the coronavirus reached eight, the country's Health Ministry announced on Thursday.In a statement, the ministry also confirmed 10 new cases of the virus, bringing the total number to 82.The ministry said that 32 of the cases have recovered so far.Since first being detected in Wuhan, China in December, the novel coronavirus has claimed 8,946 lives globally, mostly in China, according to global data maintained by Johns Hopkins University.At least 219,427 cases of the virus have been confirmed in at least 159 countries and territories, with Europe being the new epicenter of the pandemi…
(2020-03-19). China, France send anti-Coronavirus aid to Iran. iranian.com Beijing Municipality sent 30 tons of medical and healthcare items to Iran in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The donation has been sent to the capital city of Tehran by 11 trucks. Thanking China for the measure, Tehran Mayor Pirouz Hanachi called for mutual cooperation in various areas. France sends medical aid …
(2020-03-18). Death at the Greek Border. dissidentvoice.org 
In a surprising move, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, announced on February 29 that he will be re-opening his country's border to Europe, thus allowing tens of thousands of mostly Syrian refugees into Greece and other European countries. Expectedly, over 100,000 people rushed to the Ipsala border point in the Edirne province separating Turkey from …
(2020-03-18). Escapism or China-bashing? US now left without harsh coronavirus options, but with broken healthcare & federal disarray. rt.com 
Washington's attempts to tackle Covid-19 appear to be bleak — underestimation of the threat and China-bashing make harsh measures unlikely, as state authorities do what they can to battle the virus, RT has been told. | As of Wednesday, the US has a total of 6,496 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 112 deaths. While the numbers drag behind the worst-affected nations, such as Iran or Italy, the dynamics of the spread appears to be quite alarming — the state of New York alone reported 432 new cases in a single day. | As the disease spreads, the states are rushing to crack down on social contact, or…
(2020-03-18). Wuhan resident: China "nationalized" coronavirus crisis; the West isn't doing enough. peoplesworld.org 
For the second day in a row, there was only one new coronavirus case confirmed in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the original epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, across North America and Europe, the number of cases continues to climb—as do anxiety levels around the effectiveness of government responses. China is beginning to emerge …
(2020-03-18). Washington Attempts to Intimidate Indonesia Not to Buy Russian Weapons. globalresearch.ca Correspondents from Bloomberg reported that under pressure from Washington, Indonesia will likely refuse to buy Russian and Chinese weapons. A U.S. State Department spokesman informed Bloomberg that the United States had asked all its allies and partners to abandon new …
(2020-03-18). Indian Court Rules in Favor of Women Navy Officers. telesurenglish.net India's top court ruled on Tuesday that women officers in the navy be given permanent commissions and allowed to sail on its warships, dismissing the government's contention that men are more suited for such duties. | RELATED: | The court rejected the government's argument that sea sailing duties could not be given to women officers because the Indian Navy operates on vessels of Russian origin that don't have toilet facilities for women.
(2020-03-18). Spain Takes Sweeping Measures as COVID-19 Escalates. telesurenglish.net Spain's center-left government took an unprecedented measure when it announced Monday that private hospitals and health care providers would be temporarily nationalized in a bid to combat the rapid spread of the coronavirus. | RELATED: | As the COVID-19 disease continues to grip the country making it the fourth most affected worldwide with 14,769 confirmed cases as of Wednesday and 638 deaths, Prim…
(2020-03-18). COV-19 Crisis, Lockdown in America: "Where You Stop Is Where You Stay" — Domestic Travel Restrictions Are Being "Considered" globalresearch.ca Is the United States on the verge of a complete and total "lockdown" like we have already seen in China, Italy and elsewhere? As you will see below, the Trump administration has repeatedly brought up the possibility of "domestic travel …
(2020-03-18). Covid-19 Updates: First Positives in El Salvador and Nicaragua. telesurenglish.net Update 10: 00 PM: | El Salvador records first case of COVID-19, a person who traveled to Italy: The President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, confirmed this Wednesday the first case of coronavirus in a person who traveled to Italy. | "We did two tests of suspicious cases, one of them came out negative and the other came out positive, that is, officially we already have a COVID-19 case in El Salvador," said the Salvadoran president on a national network. | First positive case of Covid-19 in Nicaragua, a person arriving from Panama: The Nicaraguan government confirmed this Wednesday its first case of COVID-19 in a…
(2020-03-18). UN agriculture agency staff continue to strive for a better world amid Italy COVID-19 lockdown. news.un.org Italy has been hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak, with nearly 28,000 confirmed cases of the disease and 2,503 deaths, according to latest statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO). While a national quarantine has the country in lockdown, it has not halted the work of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), based in the capital, Rome.
(2020-03-18). Going into lockdown, Europe overtakes China as coronavirus epicenter. wsws.org Europe is set to soon have more coronavirus cases than China and already has seen more deaths: 3,401 people have died in Europe, and 3,226 have died in China.