2020-03-19: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

NATO 'scales down' exercises, drawdown of US-led force in Afghanistan continues
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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…
rt.com/newsline/483507-nato-exercises-afghanistan-drawdown/

Death at the Border: Syrian Refugees Should Not Be Used as Political Pawns
Ramzy Baroud | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-19
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.
mintpressnews.com/death-at-the-border-syrian-refugees-should-not-be-used-as-political-pawns/265872/

Death at the Border: Syrian Refugees Should Not Be Used as Political Pawns
Ramzy Baroud | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-19
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.
mintpressnews.com/death-at-the-border-syrian-refugees-should-not-be-used-as-political-pawns/265872/

We're Struggling With the Coronavirus in Spain–but We're Vastly More Prepared Than the US
Ben Ehrenreich | thenation.com | 2020-03-19
We're Struggling With the Coronavirus in Spain–but We're Vastly More Prepared Than the US…
thenation.com/article/society/coronavirus-spain-us/

Ecuador: Guayaquil Prevents Plane From Landing Due to COVID-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-19
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: | Covid-19 Updates: First Positives in El Salvador and Nicaragua | 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…
telesurenglish.net/news/ecuador-guayaquil-prevent-plane-from-landing-due-to-covid19-20200319-0001.html

108 new deaths in France, as coronavirus lockdown tightens
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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.
rt.com/newsline/483547-france-coronavirus-deaths-rise/

In Spain, There Is Solidarity Amid the Solitude of Lockdown
Ben Ehrenreich | thenation.com | 2020-03-19
In Spain, There Is Solidarity Amid the Solitude of Lockdown…
thenation.com/article/society/coronavirus-spain-us/

Stay near home & no cycling: France tightens Covid-19 lockdown restrictions to 'max 2km from home'
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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

French govt ready to extend lockdown if necessary, interior minister says
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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…
rt.com/newsline/483475-france-government-extend-lockdown/

Praying to prevent coronavirus! Moscow monastery introduces nightly processions to fight Covid-19
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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

The DNC Declaration of Dependence: Death, Shackles, and Misery
Joseph Essertier | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-19
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…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/19/the-dnc-declaration-of-dependence-death-shackles-and-misery/

Russian woman to FACE COURT for allegedly spreading coronavirus FAKE NEWS
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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 | | 'Shoot us! Kill us!': Delhi airport chaos VIDEO is fake news say authorities | On the o…
rt.com/russia/483499-russian-woman-coronavirus-fake-news/

First coronavirus patient dies in Russia: Elderly woman with underlying medical conditions
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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…
rt.com/russia/483478-russia-first-coronavirus-death/

Coronavirus isn't stopping trade between Russia & China
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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…
rt.com/business/483468-china-russia-trade-coronavirus/

Hungarian government uses coronavirus epidemic to promote racism
wsws.org | 2020-03-19
As throughout Europe, the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in Hungary.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/19/hung-m19.html

Hungarian government uses coronavirus epidemic to promote racism
wsws.org | 2020-03-19
As throughout Europe, the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in Hungary.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/19/hung-m19.html

Hungary to deploy military task forces to 140 state companies during pandemic
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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…
rt.com/newsline/483483-hungary-military-state-companies/

Ukrainian government uses coronavirus crisis to pass IMF-backed reforms
wsws.org | 2020-03-19
Ukraine's ruling class is exploiting the devastating pandemic to escalate its attacks on the working class.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/19/ukra-m19.html

Australian doctors condemn government response to COVID-19 "disaster"
wsws.org | 2020-03-19
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.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/19/doct-m19.html

Italy to extend nationwide lockdown amid biggest 1-day spike in coronavirus deaths
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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

Convoy of Italian army trucks haul away corpses as local crematorium flooded with coronavirus dead (VIDEO)
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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…
rt.com/news/483477-bergamo-italy-army-trucks-coronavirus/

Italy's coronavirus toll OVERTAKES China, total cases in Europe pass 100,000
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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…
rt.com/news/483536-italy-death-toll-surpasses-china/

European stocks mostly down despite promise of huge stimulus by central bank
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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…
rt.com/business/483470-european-stocks-follow-global-collapse/

US stocks in for another wild ride on Wall Street as coronavirus rages on
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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…
rt.com/business/483504-wall-street-taking-another-beating/

Chill, Netflix to cut European traffic after EU said it overloads internet during Covid-19 quarantine
rt.com | 2020-03-19
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…
rt.com/news/483544-netflix-europe-coronavirus-internet-streaming/

Turkey 'neutralizes' 3 YPG/PKK terrorists in N. Syria
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-19
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…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-neutralizes-3-ypg-pkk-terrorists-in-n-syria-3514382

Spain's coronavirus death toll climbs by over 200 overnight
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-19
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.
yenisafak.com/en/world/spains-coronavirus-death-toll-climbs-by-over-200-overnight-3514391

Over 84,000 patients recover from coronavirus worldwide
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-19
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…
yenisafak.com/en/news/over-84000-patients-recover-from-coronavirus-worldwide-3514393

Turkish banking sector continues to back businesses
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-19
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…
yenisafak.com/en/news/turkish-banking-sector-continues-to-back-businesses-3514394

Death toll from coronavirus climbs to 1,284 in Iran
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-19
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…
yenisafak.com/en/world/death-toll-from-coronavirus-climbs-to-1284-in-iran-3514387

Algeria confirms 8th death from coronavirus
yenisafak.com | 2020-03-19
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…
yenisafak.com/en/world/algeria-confirms-8th-death-from-coronavirus-3514386

EU's Chief Brexit Negotiator Michel Barnier Tests Positive for Coronavirus
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-19
This comes amid the continuing Covid-19 outbreak in Europe, with Italy, France and Spain being the worst-affected countries in the region.
sputniknews.com/europe/202003191078623318-eus-chief-brexit-negotiator-michel-barnier-tests-positive-for-coronavirus/

Putin on Coronavirus Situation: We Have to Be Ready for Any Turn of Events
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-19
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.
sputniknews.com/russia/202003191078622941-putin-on-coronavirus-situation-we-have-to-be-ready-for-any-turn-of-events/

Russian Scientists Sequence Coronavirus Genome
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-19
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.
sputniknews.com/russia/202003191078623394-russian-scientists-make-coronavirus-whole-genome-sequencing/

Bergamo Hospital Begs for Help Amid Coronavirus Pandemic in Italy – Video
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-19
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.
sputniknews.com/europe/202003191078623409-bergamo-hospital-begs-for-help-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-in-italy—video/

Italians 3D print ventilator parts to help battle COVID-19
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-03-19
Healthcare Kerry Smith Issue 1257 Italy COVID-19 pandemicMarch 19, 2020Two Italian volunteers used a 3D printer to manufacture a desperately-needed ventilator component for patients stricken by the COVID-19 virus…
greenleft.org.au/content/italians-3d-print-ventilator-parts-help-battle-covid-19

China, France send anti-Coronavirus aid to Iran
IRNA | iranian.com | 2020-03-19
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 …
iranian.com/2020/03/19/china-france-send-anti-coronavirus-aid-to-iran/

Death at the Greek Border
Ramzy Baroud | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-03-18
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 …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/03/death-at-the-greek-border/

Washington Attempts to Intimidate Indonesia Not to Buy Russian Weapons
Paul Antonopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-18
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 …
globalresearch.ca/washington-attempts-intimidate-indonesia-not-buy-russian-weapons/5706682

Spain Takes Sweeping Measures as COVID-19 Escalates
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-18
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: | US Should Lift Economic Sanctions to Avoid More Deaths From Pandemic | 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…
telesurenglish.net/news/Spain-Takes-Sweeping-Measures-as-COVID-19-Escalates-20200318-0027.html

Indian Court Rules in Favor of Women Navy Officers
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-18
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: | One Woman Reports a Rape Every 15 Minutes in India | 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.
telesurenglish.net/news/Indian-Court-Rules-in-Favor-of-Women-Navy-Officers-20200318-0025.html

To Defeat Coronavirus, Media Need to Look at Real-World Examples, Not Play 'Simulitis'
Jim Naureckas | fair.org | 2020-03-18
Every news outlet ought to have a chart like this one, from the Financial Times, featured prominently on their home page–because there is no more important question in the coronavirus crisis right now than how to get off the path led by Italy and onto the track of countries like Singapore. This Financial Times chart ( 3/16/20) indicates where countries are headed if they continue on their present pandemic path. | As the Financial Times notes, most Wes…
fair.org/home/to-defeat-coronavirus-media-need-to-look-at-real-world-examples-not-play-simulitis/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=to-defeat-coronavirus-media-need-to-look-at-real-world-examples-not-play-simulitis

Escapism or China-bashing? US now left without harsh coronavirus options, but with broken healthcare & federal disarray
rt.com | 2020-03-18
Washington's attempts to tackle Covid-19 appear to be bleak

Escapism or China-bashing? US now left without harsh coronavirus options, but with broken healthcare & federal disarray
rt.com | 2020-03-18
Washington's attempts to tackle Covid-19 appear to be bleak

Covid-19 Updates: First Positives in El Salvador and Nicaragua
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-18
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…
telesurenglish.net/news/Covid-19-Updates-First-Positives-in-El-Salvador-and-Nicaragua-20200318-0014.html

UN agriculture agency staff continue to strive for a better world amid Italy COVID-19 lockdown
news.un.org | 2020-03-18
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.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/03/1059642

Going into lockdown, Europe overtakes China as coronavirus epicenter
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
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.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/euro-m18.html

Wuhan resident: China "nationalized" coronavirus crisis; the West isn't doing enough
C.J. Atkins | peoplesworld.org | 2020-03-18
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 …
peoplesworld.org/article/wuhan-resident-china-nationalized-coronavirus-crisis-the-west-isnt-doing-enough/

Going into lockdown, Europe overtakes China as coronavirus epicenter
wsws.org | 2020-03-18
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.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/18/euro-m18.html

Coronavirus: Italy faces unprecedented emergency
Susan Price | greenleft.org.au | 2020-03-18
Europe Healthcare Daniele FulviIssue 1257 Italy COVID-19 AbruzzoMarch 18, 2020A spectre is haunting Europe. Not the spectre of communism, but of the…
greenleft.org.au/content/coronavirus-italy-faces-unprecedented-emergency

Last Process: 50 Postees: 2020-03-20 02:32 GMT (22:32 EST)

2020-03-18: News Headlines

RT (2020-03-18). Russian senator calls for ALL unilateral SANCTIONS to be lifted to prevent coronavirus causing global economic crisis. rt.com The spread of Covid-19 may send the global economy into a lengthy recession, but lifting sanctions that aren't backed by the United Nations may help avoid a total catastrophe. That's according to a senior Russian senator. | The drop in energy demand, unstable currency exchange rates, and the threat to people's safety have put humanity at risk of a major economic crisis which "won't spare anybody," Konstantin Kosachev, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Russian Senate, warned. | Developing vaccines and working towards new agreements on oil prices are good measures to deal with the difficult situa…

RT (2020-03-18). 'You see a lot of suffering, but can do very little': Italian nurse bursts into tears describing coronavirus struggle to RT. rt.com The battle against the coronavirus is tough on medical staffs, not only physically but emotionally as well, as they witness so much suffering, an Italian nurse told RT's Ruptly video agency. | The number of those infected keeps rising, which only increases pressure on the health workers, Francesca Rovati of Guglielmo Da Saliceto Hospital in Piacenza, the city at the heart of Italy's Covid-19 outbreak, said. | Rovati said she almost went deaf from the sound made by the oxygen cylinders for patients suffering from respiratory failure due to the disease. And there's not enough of this equipment for everybody who…

RT (2020-03-18). Political leaders 'underestimated' virus threat, European Commission chief admits. rt.com Political leaders "underestimated" the magnitude of the danger posed by the coronavirus, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said. Her statement came as the EU shut its borders. | "I think that all of us who are not experts initially underestimated the coronavirus," she told Germany's Bild newspaper in an interview published Wednesday. "But now it is clear that this is a virus that will keep us busy for a long time yet." Von der Leyen added that "measures that seemed drastic two or three weeks ago, need to be taken now." | The commission chief, however, rejected the language of Fren…

RT (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…

RT (2020-03-18). Stock markets continue freefall into abyss despite governments' massive rescue plans. rt.com Asia-Pacific markets finished significantly lower on Wednesday again, shrugging off the stimulus pledges by world leaders. Investors fear the measures may still not be enough to protect economies though the crisis. | Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed down over four percent while China's Shanghai Composite was off almost two percent. Japan's Nikkei 225 was trading 1.68 percent lower. | Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was the worst performer in the region, dropping by almost seven percent. South Korea's Kospi ended the day down 4.9 percent. | European stock markets have also felt the jitters, with the Stoxx 600 index f…

RT (2020-03-18). Recession is here! World economy facing great uncertainty ahead, S&P says. rt.com The novel coronavirus has severely disrupted global economic activity and the damage is about to get worse in the United States and Europe, according to international credit-rating agency S&P. | "The initial data from China suggests that its economy was hit far harder than projected, though a tentative stabilization has begun," S&P Global chief economist Paul Gruenwald said. | "Europe and the United States are following a similar path, as increasing restrictions on person-to-person contacts presage a demand collapse that will take activity sharply lower in the second quarter before a recovery begins later in t…

Paul Antonopoulos (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 …

WSWS (2020-03-18). Curveball—Germany's role in the Iraq war—and the horrors of the concentration camp in Persian Lessons. wsws.org Johannes Naber's film is a political satire rooted firmly in evidence researched by the director and his team. Vadim Perelman's work follows a man who has to invent an entire language to survive.

María Carrión (2020-03-18). Spain Locks Down & Nationalizes Private Healthcare. zcomm.org Europe is the epicenter of coronavirus, and Spain now has the second most cases in Europe, with more than 2,000 new cases in 24 hours and the number of deaths doubled…

Michael Snyder (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 …

WSWS (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.

yenisafak (2020-03-18). EU sees rise in annual inflation rate in February. yenisafak.com Consumer prices in the EU increased 1.6% year-on-year in February, the bloc's statistic office announced Wednesday. Eurostat said the 27-member bloc's annual inflation rate last month was down from 1.7% in January.February figure remained constant compared to the same month of last year.In February, annual inflation fell in twenty-one member states, remained stable in one, and rose in five, compared to the previous month."The lowest annual rates were registered in Italy (0.2%), Greece (0.4%) and Portugal (0.5%)," Eurostat said.Hungary (4.4%), Poland (4.1%) and Czechia (3.7%) posted the highest inflation rates dur…

yenisafak (2020-03-18). Turkey deals heavy blow to YPG/PKK during winter. yenisafak.com Turkish security forces "neutralized" a total of 191 YPG/PKK terrorists both in Turkey and abroad during the winter season, according to data compiled by Anadolu Agency.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.The counter-terrorism operations were jointly carried out by the country's National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Turkish Armed Forces, gendarmerie and police forces in eastern and southeastern Turkey and abroad, targeting YPG/PKK terrorists.From Dec.1 to Feb. 29, a total of 16 security…

yenisafak (2020-03-18). Putin is being protected from coronavirus around the clock, says Kremlin. yenisafak.com Russian President Vladimir Putin is being protected from coronavirus around the clock, the Kremlin said on Wednesday, saying all Kremlin staff involved in his events schedule were undergoing mandatory testing for the virus.Russia has recorded 147 cases of coronavirus so far and the authorities have temporarily barred foreigners from entering the country in an effort to prevent it spreading further."Everything needed to protect the president from viruses and other illnesses is being done around the clock," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters."The president's work schedule is public and the best proof of…

yenisafak (2020-03-18). Germany warned of 10M COVID-19 cases in 3 months. yenisafak.com Nearly 10 million people in Germany could become infected with coronavirus within the next three months, if strict measures to stem its spread are not implemented, the country's disease control agency warned on Wednesday.Speaking at a news conference in the capital Berlin, Lothar Wieler , head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said the government's recent measures to limit social contact in public places, closure of all non-essential shops, bars and sport venues was extremely important to stem the spread of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19."If we don't succeed in effectively limiting social contact in the com…

yenisafak (2020-03-18). Spain: Death toll nears 600, cases continue to surge. yenisafak.com The country reported over 100 deaths and 2,500 new confirmed cases in one day, while other 774 are in intensive care units (ICUs)."At the moment, there are some ICUs that are overwhelmed, but most in the country are still functioning normally," said Fernando Simon, head of Spain's emergency services.Since last Sunday, the country has only been testing either those with acute respiratory infection who need to be hospitalized or essential workers, meaning the recently confirmed cases are serious. Simon said the country hopes to increase testing in the coming days.Spain is the fourth-worst affected country in the wo…

yenisafak (2020-03-18). Coronavirus cases in South Africa jump to 116. yenisafak.com The total number of coronavirus cases in South Africa has increased to 116, the country's Health Ministry said on Wednesday.In a statement, the Health Ministry said there was an increase of 31 new cases of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours.The majority of new cases are found in Gauteng province, which comprises the cities of Johannesburg the economic hub and Pretoria the capital, the statement said.Most cases of the COVID-19 have been brought into the country by people returning from trips overseas, especially from Europe.Meanwhile, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said over 100 South Africans recently repatriat…

yenisafak (2020-03-18). EU drugs agency says no evidence ibuprofen worsens COVID-19. yenisafak.com The European Union's healthcare regulator on Wednesday said there currently is no evidence which links anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen with the worsening of COVID-19.The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said

yenisafak (2020-03-18). Belgium shuts down public life over coronavirus. yenisafak.com Belgium imposed lockdown on public life from Wednesday noon local time (1100GMT) over the new coronavirus outbreak.The recently formed emergency government led by Sophie Wilmes decided late Tuesday evening to impose drastic measures to stem the further spread of the coronavirus known as COVID-19.People are only allowed to leave their homes for buying food and medicine, visiting a doctor, helping someone in need or going to work if home office is not an option for them.All non-essential shops need to be closed, while supermarkets are obliged to limit the number of customers according to the size of the facility. C…

sputniknews (2020-03-18). WTI Oil Price Drops Below $25 Per Barrel For First Time Since November 2002. sputniknews.com Oil futures began their plunge last week after OPEC+ failed to agree on the extent of proposed production cuts amid global concerns over the new coronavirus. The dispute prompted Saudi Arabia to declare a price war, with the kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Russia moving to increase oil output by several million barrels per day.

sputniknews (2020-03-18). Moscow Slams 'Unfounded' Claims That Russia is Feeding Disinformation Campaign on Coronavirus. sputniknews.com The West's Russophobic obsession should have abated amid the coronavirus pandemic but baseless accusations continue, Russia's presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

sputniknews (2020-03-18). Russian Ruble Trades Above 79 Per US Dollar Again Amid Lower Oil Prices. sputniknews.com The ruble has been weakening in recent days due to lower oil prices.

sputniknews (2020-03-18). No Vote on Russian Constitutional Amendments Will Be Held If COVID-19 Situation Worsens – Official. sputniknews.com Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially signed a law on introducing amendments to the Russian Constitution that now has to receive the support of more than half of those who participate in the all-Russian public vote slated for 22 April.

sputniknews (2020-03-18). UK PM Boris Johnson Answers MPs Questions Amid Coronavirus Pandemic – Video. sputniknews.com Earlier this week, the UK government unveiled a package of measures to aid the economy amid the coronavirus spread, including £330 billion for companies to access loans, support for airlines, a business rates holiday, and help for small firms without insurance.

sputniknews (2020-03-18). Berlin's Deserted Kurfàºrstendamm Avenue Amid Coronavirus Shutdown – Video. sputniknews.com European Union leaders earlier agreed to shut down the bloc's external borders for 30 days, a move that caused transportation chaos and threatened the bloc's economies, though the authorities say the measure is needed to slow the coronavirus pandemic.

Susan Price (2020-03-18). Coronavirus: Italy faces unprecedented emergency. greenleft.org.au

RT (2020-03-17). DOJ drops charges against 'Russian trolls' after they dared demand evidence in US court. rt.com The US is dropping the much-hyped indictment for 'election meddling' against a company supposedly behind the so-called Russian troll farm, closing the opening chapter of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russiagate investigation. | Further pursuing the case against Concord Management & Consulting LLC "promotes neither the interests of justice nor the nation's security," the Department of Justice wrote to the federal judge overseeing the case on Monday in a

The Canary (2020-03-17). Older people enjoy dedicated shopping sessions at supermarkets. thecanary.co Older people have enjoyed dedicated shopping sessions at some supermarkets.Pensioners were able to shop at Iceland and Lidl stores before general admittance to the public.The moves come amid reports of panic buying leaving shelves empty of essentials such as toilet rolls amid concern over the impact of Covid-19.Older shoppers enter the branch of Iceland in the Kennedy Centre, Belfast, for an early dedicated shopping session (Liam McBurney/PA)At the Kennedy Centre in west Belfast, the local Iceland store opened its doors only for older people at 8am.Kennedy Centre manager John Jones said it had been a chink of lig…

The Canary (2020-03-17). Concerns over supply shortage of protective gear for frontline health workers. thecanary.co There are "critical" shortages of laboratory equipment, medical devices and protective equipment in some countries, European health leaders have said.The European branch of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it was aware of some shortages and was also monitoring the potential risk of a disruption to medicine supplies.It comes after officials in Britain faced renewed calls to keep frontline staff healthy and ensure they have enough protective equipment to continue caring for patients. | "Health facilities have to have the necessary equipment to care for those seriously affected and to protect health workers…

Ben Norton (2020-03-17). Italy and UK rely on help from Cuba, China, Venezuela to fight coronavirus — as US steps up brutal sanctions. thegrayzone.com Italy requested doctors from China, Cuba, and Venezuela to contain the coronavirus, while Cuba rescued a ship of British citizens….

Prof Michel Chossudovsky (2020-03-17). Quarantine the US Military Machine? globalresearch.ca It happened almost on the same day. Italy's lockdown. People confined to their homes across the European Union. Influx of 30,000 US troops in preparation of the "Defend Europe 2020" war games against Russia in the largest display of military …

South Front (2020-03-17). Video: New Syrian Army Offensive in Idlib Becoming Inevitable as Militants Sabotage Joint Turkish-Russian Patrols. globalresearch.ca On March 15, Russian and Turkish forces conducted a first joint patrol in Greater Idlib in the framework of the new de-escalation agreement reached in Moscow. The planned route of the patrol goes along the M4 highway, where a buffer …

Tracy Keeling (2020-03-17). The UK and Spain make coronavirus plans to use private healthcare, with one glaring difference. thecanary.co Both the UK and Spain have made plans to use private healthcare facilities to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic. But there's a glaring difference between the policies. One that speaks volumes about the Conservative government. | Public good vs private profit: | The Spanish government

Staff (2020-03-17). With US Hospitals Unprepared for COVID-19, European Students Urged Home. truthout.org The biggest college in Norway urged students to return from countries with "poorly developed" health systems — such as the United States! — as experts warned that the American hospital system would be overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. | Norway's University of Science and Technology issued an alert to students studying abroad urging them to "return home." | "This applies especially if you are staying in a country with poorly developed health services. This also applies for countries…

fernando_santamaria (2020-03-17). Coronavirus as a catalyst for change. zcomm.org In Spain the situation generated by the Coronavirus is disturbing. The government, backed by the Constitution, has declared a "state of alarm": bars and restaurants have closed, you can only go out for working, getting food or meds at the pharmacy, or walking your dog, and always alone. Police cars patrol the streets to ensure

telecompaper (2020-03-17). The Stop5GL Foundation Takes Netherlands Government to Court over 5G Rollout, Citing Health Concerns. globalresearch.ca The Stop5GNL Foundation has filed a suit summary proceedings against the Dutch government, to stop it from rolling out 5G. The foundation believes the deployment is unlawful because it does not protect citizens against the consequences of radiation exposure from …

teleSUR (2020-03-17). Africa Braces for Coronavirus as Epidemic Worsens Everywhere. telesurenglish.net Countries in Africa are making every effort possible to avoid a possible spread of the novel coronavirus on the continent as the pandemic is currently ravaging the whole world with particularly violent outbreaks in China and Europe, Reuters reported Tuesday | RELATED: | After a passenger arriving Saturday from Brussels, Belgium, at Cameroon's Yaounde Nsimalen airport, was found with temperature, health officials said he was hurried…

news.un (2020-03-17). Coronavirus update: humanitarian work must continue, 'no exceptions' for bold action in Europe, ensure sufficient medicine stocks. news.un.org UN humanitarian agency issues reminded that millions need humanitarian aid, WHO Europe want countries to take "bold steps" to stop coronavirus, and a UN-backed narcotics body calls for sufficient stocks of medicine to be maintained.

news.un (2020-03-17). New report from UN Economic Commission for Europe measures progress on global goals. news.un.org As all eyes, hearts and minds focus on the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) garnered attention on Tuesday when a new UN report revealed that only ten countries in the European region have levels of air pollution below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit.

teleSUR (2020-03-17). Africans Accuse Europeans of Bringing in Coronavirus. telesurenglish.net Africa has so far reported relatively few coronavirus cases compared to the other continents, but governments have come under growing pressure to shut down airports and place travel bans to stop Europeans from coming in and possibly bringing the virus, Middle East Eye reported. | RELATED: | At the start of the month, after two French nationals had tested positive for the new coronavirus in Senegal, Senegalese new…

Brian Gray (2020-03-17). "Defender-Europe 20" War Games, COVID-19 and NATO's Disjointed Flight Forward. Computer Simulations of Nuclear War. globalresearch.ca Presently NATO is in the initial stages of military operations called Defender-Europe 20. The 40,000 soldier strong war game exercise includes roughly 20,000 American troops and accompanying weaponry. This witnesses the largest deployment of US personnel in Europe since 1983 …

Staff (2020-03-17). Spain Locks Down & Nationalizes Private Healthcare as Coronavirus Deaths Double & Cases Skyrocket. democracynow.org Europe is the epicenter of coronavirus, and Spain now has the second most cases in Europe, with more than 2,000 new cases in 24 hours and the number of deaths doubled. We'll go to Madrid for an update, where more than half of the country's cases have been reported. This comes as the Spanish government announced it is nationalizing hospitals and private healthcare companies to better manage the pandemic. We are joined by María Carrión, a freelance journalist and former Democracy Now! producer who is also executive director of FiSahara and co-founder of Nomads HRC, which focus on human rights in Western Sahara.

Staff (2020-03-17). Spain Nationalizes Health Care as Its Coronavirus Cases Double. truthout.org Europe is the epicenter of coronavirus, and Spain now has the second most cases in Europe, with more than 2,000 new cases in 24 hours and the number of deaths doubled. We'll go to Madrid for an update, where more than half of the country's cases have been reported. This comes as the Spanish government announced it is nationalizing hospitals and private healthcare companies to better manage the pandemic. We are joined by María Carrión, a freelance journalist and former Democracy Now! producer who is also execu…

Press TV (2020-03-17). Iran calls on Europe to defy US sanctions amid COVID-19 outbreak. iranian.com Iran's foreign minister has called on London and the European Union to defy Washington's anti-Iran sanctions amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. In a Monday phone conversation with his British counterpart Dominic Raab, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denounced the US' illegal and unilateral sanctions against Iran as an obstacle to the battle …

teleSUR (2020-03-16). Chile's Communist Mayor to Import Cuban Meds to Fight COVID-19. telesurenglish.net Chile's Daniel Jadue, Mayor of Recoleta – a borough in Santiago – announced Monday that through the People's Pharmacies initiative they will begin importing Cuban medicine in order to help patients infected with the novel coronavirus. | RELATED: | "We started import procedures for Interferon 2b, a Cuban medicine used successfully in China and Spain. This will be for high-risk infected people," the Mayor from Communist Party s…

teleSUR (2020-03-16). Isolation, Bans on Travels, Border Closures as COVID-19 Spreads. telesurenglish.net The World Health Organization (WHO) urged countries to test all suspected cases and described the coronavirus pandemic as a "defining global health crisis of our time." | The United States (U.S.) and European countries closed schools, bars, restaurants and all but essential services, in an effort to halt the spread of the virus. | States in Latin America and across the world are limiting travels and closing borders to curb the movement of people. | More cases are now being reported outside China, where the COVID-19 first emerged in December than inside. | Globally, More than 182,400 people worldwide have been…

Sputnik News (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 …

Fight Back (2020-03-15). Lights out as capitalist economies grind towards halt. fightbacknews.org San José, CA – From the corporate magic of Disneyland in California to the bright lights of Broadway in New York City, to the famous tourist sites of Paris, France and Rome, Italy, lights are literally going out as more and more businesses shut down, as of today, March 15. Meanwhile, in socialist China, where the COVID-19 pandemic initially hit first and hardest, the economy is starting to recover as enterprises start to reopen and more and more people go back to work. One is struck by the irony of Apple, one of the capitalist world's most valuable corporations, shutting all of its retail stores around the world…

Staff (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.

Staff (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…

Last Process: 50 Citations: 2020-03-18 14:26 GMT (10:26 EST)