(2020-02-29). Media Stoop to 'Russian Assistance' to Explain Sanders' Rise. fair.org 
For over three years, Russia has been an issue of great concern, if not panic, in our media. Back in 2018, FAIR (
(2020-02-29). Secretive military base outside Paris hit by coronavirus, French defense minister confirms. rt.com 
Several people stationed at the 110 Creil air base outside Paris have fallen ill with coronavirus, the French military confirmed, with the base effectively being placed on lockdown. So far, 57 cases have been detected in France. | Defense Minister Florence Parly
(2020-02-29). 'We've seen no evidence': Social networks blow up 'US officials' claim of 'Russian coronavirus disinformation campaign'. rt.com 
Social media titans Twitter and Facebook have poured cold water on the State Department's latest conspiracy theory, insisting they'd seen no sign "Russian operatives" were spreading falsehoods about COVID-19 on their platforms. | Weighing in after a number of senior State Department officials "In general, our investigation hasn't substantiated th…
(2020-02-29). U.S., Taliban Set to Sign Afghanistan Peace Deal. truthdig.com 
The pact sets the stage for U.S. troop withdrawal more than 18 years after George W. Bush ordered bombing in response to the 9/11 attacks.
(2020-02-28). Carolina and Super Tuesday on My Mind. counterpunch.org 
The fifth of a periodic series on the early primaries and caucuses, this was written before the vote in South Carolina. The other pieces can be found here. Wanting to get the lowdown on the primaries, I reached out to an insider, who sent back this reply: I don't know why you call it "a
(2020-02-28). After Bloomberg, climate was public enemy no. 2 at Nevada Democratic debate. peoplesworld.org 
If you're reading this, congratulations! You've made it to the ninth — yes, the NINTH — Democratic primary debate. With each new debate, a shrinking cohort of presidential contenders has had the opportunity to make their climate pitch before millions of Americans, moderators' questions permitting. The candidates have grown increasingly adept at weaving issues like rising …
(2020-02-28). Will it be a Sanders bandwagon rolling into Super Tuesday? peoplesworld.org 
…
(2020-02-28). 'Aggressive designs': Pakistan blasts India's $3bn arms deal with Washington for 'destabilizing already volatile region'. rt.com 
Islamabad has voiced concern over a recent multi-billion dollar weapons deal signed between Washington and New Delhi, insisting its nuclear-armed rival is upsetting stability in southern Asia. | On the heels of the $3 billion exchange inked last week — which will see India purchase 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from US arms giant Lockheed Martin — Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said the move was alarming and revealed New Delhi's hostile intent toward Islamabad. | "Pakistan has concerns regarding defence deals with India, particularly the sale of sophisticated weapon systems to…
(2020-02-28). Mike Bloomberg's Ties to Sackler Family Exposed. truthdig.com 
A new report finds that when the billionaire family behind the opioid crisis needed PR help, it turned to New York City's former mayor.
(2020-02-28). Immunity for Killings by Immigration Police. counterpunch.org 
The American immigration police state continues to grow more tyrannical with each passing day. The latest example involves the U.S. Supreme Court, which has just issued a ruling in a case that effectively gives the Border Patrol a license to kill Mexican citizens. And guess which two magic words the Court used to justify its
(2020-02-28). The Space Force Becomes a Weapons System, Arms Companies Profit. counterpunch.org 
As the world gets used to what the US military calls "Full Spectrum Dominance," the complex uplinks/downlinks, spurious RADAR returns, cyber glitches, and misinterpretations of big data bring the world closer to its ends, especially as US systems—including possibly nuclear—are orbited or put into the loop of the new Space Force. But the news isn't
(2020-02-28). The So-Called Party of the People: From Nevada to South Carolina. counterpunch.org 
My thesis on the Democratic Party's corporate-imperialist establishment had been consistent for years: it would rather lose to the right-wing party, even to an increasingly apocalyptic and fascistic right, than to the progressive, moderately social-democratic and environmentalist left wing of its own party. That was the basic story of 2016 — a tragedy the bourgeois
(2020-02-28). If Bernie Sanders Is Unelectable, Then What The Hell Are The Rest Of You? counterpunch.org 
The New York Times complained in a recent column that Bernie Sanders has not expanded the democratic party in the primaries so far. Apparently the paper wanted him to reach more voters, likely only of the Republican variety. They blasted him as a hypocrite. The press is increasingly hysterical and ridiculous. Ever since the Sanders
(2020-02-28). Forever-Chemicals Tap Water. counterpunch.org 
Throughout the history of Western Civilization there are times, but only on rare occasions, when people en masse feel compelled to run into the streets, similar to the storming of the Bastille 1789, screaming at the top of their lungs: "Stop the Madness!" Now is one of those times, as only recently Feb 2020 the
(2020-02-28). Analysis of the 2019 Bolivia Election: No Evidence of Irregular Trends or Fraud. counterpunch.org 
Disclosure: In December 2019, the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) contracted with the authors to see if the numerical and statistical results of CEPR's November 2019 study could be independently verified. Any analysis and interpretation of findings in this report express the sole views of the authors, researchers at MIT Election Data and
(2020-02-28). Bloomberg: What Is He Good For? counterpunch.org 
After winning big in Nevada and withstanding the efforts of Democratic "moderates" to throw him off track at last Tuesday's South Carolina "debate," Bernie Sanders is now enjoying what George H.W. Bush called "the big Mo." He has the wind at his back. Those moderates — Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and, worst of all, Joe
(2020-02-28). Israel at the Cusp of a Bleak Era. counterpunch.org 
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, must be channeling the spirit of Houdini as he continues to plot his escape from one of the most convoluted political dilemmas in Israel's history. It is no secret that Netanyahu's political behavior is almost entirely shaped by his desire to survive in office for as long as possible in
(2020-02-28). Article 5 or 'Oh my gosh'? What will US do after Turkish troops die in Syrian strike. rt.com 
Turkey has reached out to NATO and the US following the deaths of its troops in Syria's Idlib province, fueling speculation that it might invoke Article 5 and get the alliance involved in a shooting war with Damascus — and Russia.
(2020-02-28). Iran ready to help reduce tensions in Idlib — Foreign Ministry. rt.com 
Tehran reacted on Friday to the escalation of conflict in northwestern Syria, saying it is ready to take every measure to help reduce tensions. "We are carefully monitoring the field developments and regional outcomes of the developments in Idlib, and we will continue our efforts to end the current tensions," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Friday. | The statement stressed the need for the sides to properly manage the situation so as to ease the tensions over the Syrian province as soon as possible. | Tehran said it was also working to convene Russia-Turkey-Iran summit in light of the tensions in Idlib. I…
(2020-02-28). WATCH asylum-seekers march towards Europe after Turkey declares it will no longer hold them back. rt.com 
Turkey has announced it will no longer hold back people who wish to go to Europe and seek asylum there amid an escalation in Syria. Some have been quick to rush towards coasts and borders before Ankara changes its mind. | Would-be irregular immigrants have started trickling closer to Europe after top Turkish officials said Ankara would deliver on its threat and open the floodgates of migrants on Europe. The hopefuls are gathering in the Edirne province, which borders Greece and Bulgaria, as well as on Turkey's Aegean coast close to the Greek island of Lesbos, AFP reported. | Anadolu Agency posted drone foot…
(2020-02-28). Russian missile frigates passing through Turkish straits amid Idlib escalation. rt.com 
A pair of advanced Russian missiles frigates is passing through the Turkey-controlled straits while en-route to the Mediterranean. It comes as dilomatic tensions between Moscow and Ankara over Syria's Idlib are not letting down. | The 'Admiral Grigorovich' and its sister ship 'Admiral Makarov' are among the more modern assets of the Russian Navy, capable of firing the advanced Kalibr-NK cruise missiles. Part of the Russian Black Sea fleet, they are currently moving to join Russia's naval forces in the Mediterranean as part of a scheduled rotation. | "The third frigate of the class, the 'Admiral Essen' has been…
(2020-02-28). 'Stakes higher' in Idlib but NATO 'won't run to Erdogan's aid' despite efforts to have allies intervene in Syria. rt.com 
NATO will not offer anything more than words of support to its member Turkey despite Ankara's efforts to rally its allies after Turkish soldiers came under fire from the Syrian Army in the Idlib 'de-escalation' zone, RT was told. | NATO's collective defense pledge is "not applicable in the case of Turkey because we have an armed conflict on Syrian soil," Sergey Balmasov, an expert with the Russian International Affairs Council and the Moscow-based Institute for the Near East, told RT. Ankara requested an urgent NATO meeting on Friday, shortly after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike by the Russian…
(2020-02-28). NATO offers Turkey condolences & solidarity, but no additional military aid amid Idlib crisis. rt.com 
On a request from Ankara, NATO members held consultations on the situation in Idlib, Syria, where 33 Turkish soldiers have been killed. But the alliance failed to pledge additional military aid to its member. | The Allies offered "their deepest condolences" to Turkey and expressed solidarity, but stopped short from taking any more practical measures after the Friday emergency meeting. Other members of the bloc are already supporting Turkey, "including by augmenting its air defenses, which helps Turkey against the threat of missile attacks from Syria" and conducting patrols of AWACS air reconnaissance planes, S…
(2020-02-28). Catastrophic Humanitarian Crisis in Idlib as Syrian Troops Advance & Children Freeze to Death. democracynow.org 
In Syria, 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike by Russia-backed Syrian forces in rebel-held Idlib in a major escalation on Thursday. Turkey has vowed to respond in kind, as U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres calls for an immediate ceasefire, saying "the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour." Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly spoke by phone on Friday to discuss the crisis, as NATO urged rapid deescalation. The all-out offensive by the Syrian government is the single largest displacement in a nine-year war that has forced 13 million t…
(2020-02-28). Turkey hopes opening frontier for migrants won't hurt ties with West — official. rt.com 
Ankara does not believe its decision to allow some of the millions of migrants it hosts to cross into Europe will have an impact on its ties with the West, Turkey's communications director said on Friday. | In response to the escalating conflict and the killing of 33 of its troops on Thursday in Syria's Idlib region, Ankara threw open its western land and sea borders to outgoing migrants. | Fahrettin Altun said that migrants were now Europe's and the world's problem too, Reuters reported. | The official also told reporters that Ankara had "no choice" but to ease border controls after not receiving enough suppo…
(2020-02-28). 'No longer in position to hold them': Turkey says it can't contain Europe-bound Syrian refugees amid Idlib flare-up. rt.com Turkey is no longer able to contain millions of displaced Syrians and has reached "full capacity," Ankara's ruling AK party said in a fresh threat to open the floodgates into Europe as tensions over Idlib reach boiling point. | With Ankara vowing to go "all in" to halt a Syrian Army offensive to retake Idlib province from rebel militias, AKP spokesman Omer Celik suggested Turkey would soon allow hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees to pour into Europe, a threat repeatedly made by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the past. | "Turkey can not bear the pressure of the new refugees, we now say that Turkey is a…
(2020-02-28). Turkey & Syria on brink of WAR in Idlib: How did it come to this? rt.com 
Alarming developments in Syria's Idlib saw dozens of Turkish soldiers killed in a Syrian airstrike and Ankara responding with own fire and fury. But anyone following the conflict would know the escalation didn't start overnight. | The Idlib governorate, located in the northwestern part of Syria on the border with Turkey, is the last major stronghold of armed groups that have been fighting to topple the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad for the past several years. The region was spared a Syrian Army offensive in 2018 on a request from Turkey, which said it didn't want to face a new influx of refugees…
(2020-02-28). Syrian Refugees Rush Greece Border as Russia and Turkey Tangle. truthdig.com 
REYHANLI, Turkey — The presidents of Turkey and Russia spoke by phone Friday to try to defuse tensions that rose significantly in Syria after 33 Turkish troops were killed in a Syrian government airstrike, and a new wave of refugees and migrants headed for the Greek border by land and sea after Turkey said it would no longer hold them back. | The attack Thursday marked the deadliest day for the Turkish military since Ankara first entered the Syrian conflict in 2016 and also was the most serious escalation between Turkish and Russian-backed Syrian forces, raising the prospect of an all-out war with millions…
(2020-02-28). Idlib attack that killed Turkish soldiers was 'also against NATO', consultations to start tomorrow — Erdogan's party spokesman. rt.com 
The spokesman for Turkey's ruling AK party has labelled the Syrian airstrike that allegedly claimed the lives of dozens of Turkish soldiers in rebel-held Idlib an attack on NATO, calling for the US-led alliance to intervene. | "We call on NATO to [start] consultations. This is not [an attack] on Turkey only, it is an attack on the international community. A common reaction is needed. The attack was also against NATO," AKP spokesman Omer Celik told Turkish media on Thursday. | At least 33 Turkish soldiers are said to have been killed in Idlib, the last militant stronghold in Syria, in an airstrike Ankara blamed…
(2020-02-28). Greece tightens sea, land borders after Ankara's response to strike in Syria's Idlib. rt.com 
Athens has tightened sea and land borders with Turkey after developments overnight in the Syrian region of Idlib, Reuters reported on Friday, citing government sources. A senior Turkish official said his country would no longer stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe, as Ankara responded on Friday to the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers in a reported airstrike by Syrian government forces in Idlib. | The Greek sources said Athens was also in contact with the European Union and NATO on the matter. Greece was the main gateway for hundreds of thousands of refugees streaming out of Turkey in a mass exodus in 2015 a…
(2020-02-28). Big war in Idlib will have grim consequences for everyone, including Turkey — Russian senator. rt.com 
Turkey should take into account that it will suffer too if it starts a large-scale operation in Syria's Idlib, a Russian senator has warned. If Ankara hopes to get NATO backing for it, it will be disappointed, he added. | The already volatile situation in northwestern Syrian region significantly escalated after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed there by a Syrian airstrike on Thursday. Ankara called an emergency NATO meeting in response, and threatened to launch a large-scale military operation to force Syrian government forces out of the province. | Hopefully, the tension would be defused because a big war in th…
(2020-02-28). 'We fought Russia 16 times and will fight it again,' warns Erdogan's adviser amid Idlib escalation. rt.com 
A member of an expert body advising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hinted that Ankara is prepared to go to war with Russia after tensions over Syria's Idlib province escalated over the past 24 hours. | Mesut Hakki Casin, who is a member of Turkey's Security and Foreign Policy Board advising Erdogan, made his comments shortly after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike by Russian-backed Syrian government forces in Idlib province. | We have fought Russia 16 times in the past, and we will fight it again. | The official pointed to Russia's sizeable Muslim population and claimed that the country "
(2020-02-28). One more Turkish soldier killed in Idlib shelling, Turkish forces 'retaliate' — Ankara. rt.com 
Shelling by Syrian government forces has killed one Turkish soldier and injured two more in Syria's Idlib province, the Defense Ministry in Ankara said. Turkey is retaliating, as two countries remain on the brink of open war. | The newest casualties come less than a day after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in what has been reported as either an air strike or an artillery bombardment, also in Idlib. Turkey has sent thousands of troops and armor into the province, which is the last remaining stronghold of militants — some of them affiliated with Al-Qaeda — that once sought to overthrow the government…
(2020-02-28). Turkish VP says Damascus to pay 'heavy price' for 'treacherous' attack after at least 33 Turkish troops killed in Idlib airstrike. rt.com 
Turkey's vice president has vowed revenge on Syrian forces after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike in the rebel-held Idlib province. Ankara previously said it had launched air and artillery strikes in retaliation. | Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay unleashed a scathing verbal attack on Syrian President Bashar Assad and the forces loyal to Damascus shortly after a 6-hour marathon emergency security meeting chaired by Recep Tayyip Erdogan concluded in Ankara in the early hours of Friday. | Oktay minced no words, referring to the Syrian leader as "the head of a terror state" who "would go down in h…
(2020-02-28). 'Not noble to cheer human suffering': Tehran shreds US offer of 'help' with coronavirus as Pompeo vows to 'sustain' sanctions. rt.com 
Washington's offer to assist Tehran with its COVID-19 outbreak is pure hypocrisy, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said, condemning the top US diplomat after he promised to keep up crippling sanctions on Iran while vowing to send aid. | While US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told lawmakers on Friday that the administration had extended an offer to help Tehran beat back the lethal virus, he couldn't help but take jabs at "the regime," insisting Washington would "sustain [its] pressure" through a devastating sanctions campaign — at one point going as far as to say that Iranians were "thankful" to suffer under…
(2020-02-28). Trump announces US-Taliban peace deal, 'path forward to end war' in Afghanistan. rt.com 
President Donald Trump says the US is about to sign agreements with the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan that could provide a way for withdrawal of troops from that country after almost 20 years of war. | Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is headed to Qatar, where he will witness the signing of an agreement with the Taliban in Doha, while Defense Secretary Mark Esper will "issue a joint declaration" with the government in Kabul, Trump announced on Friday. | If the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan live up to these commitments, we will have a powerful path forward to end the war in Afghanistan and…
(2020-02-28). US sees 'significant reduction' in Afghan violence, prepares to sign historic deal with Taliban. rt.com 
The US has seen a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan during the past six days, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday. The statement comes the day before Washington hopes to sign an American troops withdrawal deal with the Taliban. | "We have seen just these last six days a significant reduction in violence in Afghanistan," Pompeo told lawmakers in Washington. | "We are watching closely to see if the Islamic Republic of Iran begins to take even more active measures… that undermine our efforts at peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan," he said. | Pompeo's remark suggested that if the dr…
(2020-02-28). Syria has every right to fight terrorists in Idlib and Russia can't interfere — Moscow. rt.com 
Damascus has the right to fight back when attacked by terrorists and Moscow is in no position to stop Syrians from doing what the UN Security Council endorsed, Russia's foreign minister has said after the latest Idlib flare-up. | Ankara lost 33 soldiers in the northwestern Syrian province after they were targeted by a Syrian airstrike. Commenting on the tragedy on Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the deaths were undoubtedly a tragedy, for which Moscow expresses its condolences. However, Ankara shares part of the blame for what happened, both because it failed to notify Russia about the locat…
(2020-02-28). 'Hunters' review: Amazon's violent anti-Nazi drama has potential but needs sharper direction. peoplesworld.org 
"Only the dead know the end of war." — Hunters Approximately six million Jewish people, along with millions of others, perished in the World War II (WWII) genocide that we would later come to know as the Holocaust. They were targeted for racial, political, and ideological reasons by Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party regime. …
(2020-02-28). Tourist on board coronavirus cruise ship 'Diamond Princess' becomes 1st British death from outbreak. rt.com 
A British man who was on board the quarantined cruise ship 'Diamond Princess' has died in Japan. It's the first British death from the illness which is still spreading across the globe. | Five other passengers from the vessel have already died from the novel coronavirus, which can cause severe respiratory problems, but this was the first death of a foreigner who was on board the cruise ship. | The ship was quarantined with everyone on board by Japanese health authorities earlier this month when a passenger tested positive for the illness. Over 700 other passengers have since been confirmed to have the coronavi…
(2020-02-28). Virus Outbreak Has Earmarks of a Global Economic Crisis. truthdig.com 
The list of countries touched by the illness climbs to nearly 60 as more than 83,000 people worldwide fall ill. Over 2,800 have died so far.
(2020-02-28). Experts: Government, business must step up fight against corona virus. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON—Presenting solid facts and contradicting GOP President Donald Trump's rosy assurances, federal health officials are warning the country to take precautions against the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. — and a warning signal went up just after Trump's press conference this week on the looming medical emergency. Meanwhile, two experts on infectious diseases …
(2020-02-28). Doctors Without Borders: Cheap Coronavirus Diagnostic Kits Needed in War-Torn Areas & Refugee Camps. democracynow.org 
Across the U.S., officials report a severe shortage of test kits for coronavirus. New York officials say they're preparing their own kits, after kits distributed by the Centers for Disease Control failed validation tests. Meanwhile, new cases of coronavirus continue to spring up worldwide, with Nigeria reporting its first case and one of Iran's vice presidents testing positive. We discuss how MSF USA, or Doctors Without Borders USA, is responding to coronavirus, with the organization's executive director, Avril BenoàÆt.
(2020-02-28). US military bases in South Korea placed on lockdown to stop novel coronavirus spread. rt.com 
The restrictions were paced on the largest US military base abroad after an American soldier tested positive for coronavirus raging in South Korea, which became the second-hardest hit by the outbreak after mainland China. | The new disease control measures were implemented after the risk level was raised to "high," United States Forces Korea (USFK) said on Thursday. | According to the Financial Times, all garrisons were placed under lockdown, including Camp Humphreys located 70km (43,5 miles) from South Korea's capital Seoul, which is the largest US base on foreign soil. Civilian employees and "non-essential"
(2020-02-28). Congressman threatens Don Jr. with 'serious altercation' over claim Dems 'HOPE' people get coronavirus & die so as to derail Trump. rt.com 
Democratic Rep. John Garamendi had some harsh words for Donald Trump Jr. after the president's son said Dems "seemingly hope" the coronavirus comes to the US and "kills millions." | The coronavirus is not only a pandemic, it's also now a political tool for Republicans and Democrats to lob across the aisle at each other. | California Congressman Garamendi perhaps went further than any politician has so far when he spoke about the disease and the political response to it in the US while appearing on MSNBC on Friday. Garamendi was particularly upset with Donald Trump Jr. over an earlier statement the president's…
(2020-02-28). Trump touts biodefense strategy but slashes funding to detect and combat outbreaks like coronavirus. mronline.org 
t the end of January, at a time when the coronavirus outbreak that began in China was dominating international headlines, The White House announced it was forming a new task force to address the growing crisis, one headed by the secretary of health and human services, Alex Azar. |
(2020-02-28). US stocks continue downward spiral as coronavirus fears shock markets in WORST WEEK since 2008 meltdown. rt.com 
All three major US stock market indices continued their free-fall amid growing panic over the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, each seeing their worst week since the global financial crisis in 2008. | The Dow Jones Industrial average dropped more than 350 points after trading closed on Friday, falling by over 1.3 percent and capping off a week of dramatic decline which saw it plummet more than 3,500 points. | Meanwhile, the S&P 500 shed nearly 25 points, adding to a precipitous drop of some 300 points throughout the week for a loss of 11.5 percent. While the Nasdaq ended Friday up by less than a point, the index…
(2020-02-28). World economy heading for a slowdown 'without question,' professor tells Boom Bust. rt.com 
Fears of the rapid spread of the coronavirus have panicked investors, sending world markets into a tailspin. | RT's Boom Bust talks to the Dean of Miami University Business School, John Quelch, about what this could mean for the global economy. | "Until about a week ago we were talking about a supply-side problem," he says, pointing out that the shutdown of factories in China was essentially disrupting supply chains worldwide. | "Now we are talking about a demand-side problem that is beyond China spilling over to the rest of the world." | Demand-side problems mean consumer fear and lack of consumer confiden…
(2020-02-28). Russia on red alert: almost SURROUNDED by Coronavirus cases – braces for epidemic. rt.com 
As the world's biggest country, bordering 16 states, Russia is something of a sitting duck for COVID-19. With eight of those now reporting infections, its reappearance inside Russian borders is perhaps only a matter of time. | Already, two Chinese citizens were diagnosed with the new coronavirus in Siberia's Tyumen and Transbaikalia but they recovered and have been discharged. There has so far been no recorded infection of a Russian national on home soil. | As of Friday, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Lithuania and Norway all have live cases. Other neighboring countries, such as Ukraine…
(2020-02-28). Iran coronavirus death toll rises to 34 as number of infected hits 388 — Health Ministry. rt.com 
Some 34 people have died so far in Iran due to coronavirus infections, a Health Ministry spokesman said on Friday. The total number of people diagnosed with the disease is 388, he said in an announcement broadcast by state TV. | The death toll in Iran is by far the highest number outside China. The total number of infected people on Thursday stood at 245, including several senior officials. | The outbreak prompted authorities to call off Friday prayers in the capitals of 23 of Iran's 31 provinces, including Tehran and the Shiite Muslim holy cities of Qom and Mashhad as well as some other infected areas, Reuter…