(2020-03-31). How disinformation really works: Activists linked to pro-NATO think tank smear Russian Covid-19 aid to Italy. rt.com 
With over 11,000 deaths and more than 100,000 cases of Covid-19, Italy is currently a country which feels under siege. But this is no impediment to the think tank racket twisting an offer of support for its propaganda purposes. | Here's what happened. The weekend before last, Vladimir Putin called Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. During the conversation, Conte asked for help, in fighting coronavirus, according to the Kremlin readout which hasn't been contradicted by Italian officials. | Let's be clear from the outset, there was undoubtably a strong PR, as well as practical, element to Russia's assistance…
(2020-03-31). Head of Russian coronavirus hospital visited by Putin tests positive for Covid-19. rt.com 
Denis Protsenko, head doctor at a hospital treating coronavirus patients in Moscow has tested positive for Covid-19. President Vladimir Putin visited the clinic earlier this month. | Protsenko "Dear friends, I'm really touched by your concerns. Yes, I've tested positive for the CoV, but I feel quite well. I've self-isolated at my office where I have everything n…
(2020-03-31). Russian dog owners offer pets for rent as excuse to walk outside despite Covid-19 'stay home' order. rt.com 
The quarantine in Russia leaves people with few legit excuses to go out. Some dog owners are willing to rent their pets to restless clients, so that they could take a walk not be stopped by the police. | People in many parts of Russia, including the capital, are supposed to stay home to curb the spread of Covid-19. A handful of exceptions is made, including for dog owners who need to walk their pets, but even those are expected to keep the walks short and not stray further than 100 meters from their home. | The loophole creates an obvious temporary business opportunity. Want to have a pretext to be outside and…
(2020-03-31). 'Happily surprised'? Trump says Russia sent US 'very, very large' aid package to combat Covid-19. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has praised Moscow for sending a 'very large planeload of things' to help fight the spread of the coronavirus and treat sickened patients, noting that China and other nations had also chipped in. | UPDATE: "We've had great relationships with a lot of countries," the president told reporters at his daily Covid-19 briefing on Monday, adding: "China sent us some stuff, which was terr…
(2020-03-31). Russia sets up new oil company to potentially take over operations in Venezuela. rt.com 
A company specializing in the production and transportation of oil and gas has been set up in Russia, according to the state registry data. The new firm could take over projects in Venezuela after Rosneft sold its assets there. | Roszarubezhneft, which is owned by the Federal Agency for Government Property Management, will have an authorized capital of 322.7 billion rubles (over $4 billion). | The company was registered in Moscow on March 28, after Russia's oil major Rosneft announced the sale of its assets in Venezuela. On Saturday, Rosneft signed an agreement with the newly established government-run company…
(2020-03-31). Lower house of Russian Parliament approves fines, jail terms for quarantine offenders. rt.com 
Russian lawmakers in the State Duma on Tuesday approved legislation backing jail terms of up to seven years and fines of up to two million rubles ($25,500) for anyone flouting quarantine rules if their doing so led to people dying. | The lower house of the parliament also passed a bill in the first reading vesting the government with additional powers because of the coronavirus pandemic. | The legislation must be backed by the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin before entering into force. | The official tally in Russia rose to 2,337 coronavirus ca…
(2020-03-31). Russian Covid-19 aid plane to US: Putin asked Trump if he needed help & he accepted, Kremlin spokesman says. rt.com 
A cargo plane loaded with medical supplies and protection equipment may depart for the US by the end of Tuesday, the Kremlin said, after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. | The issue of protective gear was raised during the Monday phone talks, with Putin asking if the US needed help and Trump accepting, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday. | Moscow suggested the aid in anticipation that the US will be able to return the favor if necessary, once its manufacturers of medical and protective equipment catch up with demand, Peskov said. | The…
(2020-03-31). Covid-19 deaths in Russia almost DOUBLE in single day: Parliament clears path for state of emergency. rt.com 
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia rose by 500 on Tuesday — a new daily record for the world's largest country. Authorities also reported eight new deaths, bringing the overall total to 17. | The latest figures mean Russia has now recorded 2,337 known Covid-19 infections, with 121 patients recovered. While cases are beginning to multiply, the country still remains an outlier in European terms. Other large states, such as Italy and Spain, have been hit much harder by the outbreak, with even the likes of Ireland, Luxembourg and Norway, with comparatively tiny populations, more badly affect…
(2020-03-31). Oil recovers from decades' lows as Russia & US agree energy talks. rt.com 
The price of crude rebounded on Tuesday from an 18-year low after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump have agreed talks to stabilize energy markets. | International benchmark Brent rose 1.5 percent to $23.15 per barrel, as of 08: 06 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was up six percent at $21.19 a barrel. Both Brent and the WTI closed the previous session at their lowest levels since 2002. | According to the Kremlin, Trump and Putin agreed during a phone call on Monday to have their top energy officials discuss stabilizing oil markets. | "Oil prices are clawing back from a ne…
(2020-03-31). Coronacrazy? Quarantined rapper cheers as his German shepherd GNAWS on retriever in sickening livestream (VIDEO). rt.com 
A popular Russian rapper with a long record of controversy has added apparent animal abuse to his list of sins. He livestreamed his dog attacking someone else's pet, cheering it on and asking viewers if they wanted more action. | Animal rights activists in Russia are after the blood of Aleksey Dolmatov, better known by his stage name Guf. The 40-year-old is a veteran award-winning performer, but lately it's his erratic behavior rather than his music that has been making headlines. | On Monday, Guf seemingly hit a new low as he was walking his German shepherd named Gucci near his country house. In a livestream…
(2020-03-31). Thousands of S. Korean workers go on unpaid leave as Seoul, Washington fail to agree on military costs. rt.com 
Seoul on Tuesday criticized the US military's decision to place thousands of South Korean workers on unpaid leave this week, after the two allies failed to sign a new cost-sharing agreement. Washington and Seoul are embroiled in a dispute dating back almost two years, over how much each should pay to support the roughly 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea. | With no new pact months after the last agreement expired at the end of 2019, about half of the nearly 9,000 South Koreans employed by the US military command will be placed on unpaid leave starting on Wednesday, Reuters said. US officials have said t…
(2020-03-31). Attempted coup & assassinations: Venezuelan prosecutors subpoena Guaido as 'among main perpetrators' in US-backed regime-change op. rt.com 
Venezuela's prosecutors have summoned Juan Guaido over his role in the "attempted coup d'etat," as well as in alleged assassination attempts. Guaido is the main figure in US-backed efforts to oust President Nicolas Maduro. | The move was The move comes after a cache of weaponry, said to be smuggled into Venezuela, was seized in neighboring Co…
(2020-03-31). Coup plan B! US tells Guaido he may renounce his Venezuela 'presidency' claim — but they'll still support him. rt.com 
The US State Department magnanimously agreed that opposition politician Juan Guaido may not actually be president of Venezuela, but insisted he still has to be part of a transition government if Caracas wants sanctions relief. | Secretary of State Mike Pompeo put forth a "democratic transition framework" on Tuesday, under which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would set up a power-sharing interim government with Guaido, that would arrange for elections in six months to a year. | According to Pompeo, the proposal "protects the interests and equities of all Venezuelan people who desperately seek a resolution…
(2020-03-31). Trump's narcoterrorism indictment of Maduro already backfires. mronline.org 
Among those indicted by the U.S. was Cliver Alcalá, a retired general who is considered the military leader of the pro-Juan Guaidó forces. Soon, Alcalá posted videos that threaten to cause further splits in the opposition and could result in the arrest of Guaidó.
(2020-03-31). Iran-Turkey gas pipeline stops functioning after 'terrorist' attack — gas company official (VIDEO). rt.com 
A senior official with Iran's state gas company has alleged that terrorists were behind an explosion and massive fire on the pipeline transporting natural gas from the Islamic Republic to Turkey. | "This morning, terrorists attacked a natural gas pipeline inside Turkey near Iran's Bazargan border with Turkey," National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) Dispatching Director Mehdi Jamshidi Dana said on Tuesday, as cited by Reuters. | The official told IRNA that fighters from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a guerilla group active in eastern Turkey, have attacked the pipeline in the past. NIGC spokesperson Mohammad…
(2020-03-31). World reaches another grim Covid-19 milestone as global cases surpass 800,000. rt.com 
The number of cases of coronavirus infection around the world surpassed 800,000 confirmed cases on Tuesday, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. | At the time of writing the total number of coronavirus cases worldwide stood at 800,049 resulting in some 38,714 deaths. | Of this grim tally, the US accounts for 164,000 cases followed by Italy with 101,739 and Spain with 87,956, marking the three largest and most severe outbreaks within the wider, global pandemic. | Authorities the world over are preaching continued caution, as WHO experts in Asia warn that the pandemic in Asia is "far from…
(2020-03-31). Trump, Erdogan speak by phone, 'stress need' for ceasefires in Syria & Libya. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan underlined on Tuesday the need for ceasefires in Syria and Libya during the coronavirus pandemic, the White House said. The two spoke by phone on efforts to "defeat the virus and bolster the global economy," according to its statement. | They "agreed it is more important now than ever for countries in conflict, particularly Syria and Libya, to adhere to ceasefires and work toward resolution," it said. | Syria's government has so far reported only a handful of Covid-19 cases. Health experts warn that the country, torn apart by years of c…
(2020-03-31). Indonesia declares emergency, will suspend all foreign arrivals. rt.com 
Indonesia confirmed 114 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,528, a Health Ministry official said. Another 14 people had died, taking the toll to 136, according to Achmad Yurianto. | Indonesian President Joko Widodo declared a national public health emergency over the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, and announced measures to help people with lower incomes. The measures included expanding social welfare, food assistance and giving electricity tariff discounts and waivers. | Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Indonesia's government has decided to ban all arrivals and transits by forei…
(2020-03-31). March busiest month on record for supermarkets as worried shoppers stock up. thecanary.co 
March was the busiest month on record for supermarkets across Britain as shoppers rushed to stock up on vital supplies to see them through the coronavirus pandemic.Grocery sales rose by a staggering 20.6% in the last four weeks, and 7.6% in the last 12, according to new data from Kantar, beating even Christmas shopping.Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: "Retailers and their staff have been on the front line as households prepare for an extended stay at home, with grocery sales amounting to £10.8 billion during the past four weeks alone — that's even higher than levels…
(2020-03-31). Nicaragua and the COVID-19 pandemic. mronline.org 
While each country's experience facing the COVID-19 pandemic is different, some common fundamental factors can make the difference between widespread catastrophe and relative stability. Nicaragua has so far been among the most successful countries in Latin America in protecting its population from the virus while also maintaining normal economic life. As of March 28th, Nicaragua …
(2020-03-31). Calif. governor bans evictions during pandemic; housing advocates say that's not enough. peoplesworld.org 
OAKLAND, Calif.—As California counties and cities moved to protect tenants and homeowners against losing their homes because of COVID-19's impact on their finances, Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 27 announced an executive order barring landlords throughout the state from evicting tenants who can document the pandemic's financial consequences. Newsom's order extends through May 31. It …
(2020-03-31). Evidence mounts that Trump is squashing federal response to coronavirus. peoplesworld.org 
The figures as of this morning are horrific. More than 173,000 Americans are infected—well over twice the number infected in China, which has four times as many people as the United States. More than 3,400 are dead—also more than in China, where the pandemic started. The nation's top health officials say that if everything goes …
(2020-03-31). Already Faced with Famine and War, Yemenis Fear Saudi Arabia is Weaponizing COVID-19. mintpressnews.com 
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Saudi Arabia has engaged in a number of questionable practices that have Yemenis fearing the Kingdom may be intentionally trying to spread the virus.
(2020-03-31). Global Covid-19 death toll hits 40,000 as countries continue to struggle with outbreak. rt.com 
The latest coronavirus figures compiled separately by the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center and the AFP news agency each show that the global death toll from Covid-19 has reached 40,000. | An increasing death toll across both Western Europe and in the US was a major contributor to the somber milestone. | Earlier on Tuesday, Spanish authorities confirmed a jump of 849 in Covid-19 deaths — the largest number of fatalities the country has recorded in a 24-hour period since the pandemic began. | Meanwhile, authorities in Germany said the country now has at least 67,051 confirmed cases and a cumulative…
(2020-03-31). COVID-19 be damned, Belarusian Premier Soccer League plays on. peoplesworld.org 
Crisis is such a curious and complex system. This is something we can all agree on. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to much fear and uncertainty regarding what the near future will look like; it has also magnified and brought forward the best and worst in people. On the front lines we see nurses, doctors, grocery …
(2020-03-31). COVID-19 proves workers, not bosses, are essential. mronline.org 
The Marxist argument that it's the labour of workers, and not the supposed intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit of bosses, that keeps society running, has long been ridiculed by defenders of capitalism. In the conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the truth of Marx's claim has been brought into sharp relief.
(2020-03-31). US nears China's virus death toll as New York calls for help. thecanary.co 
The mounting death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in the United States had it poised to overtake China's total of 3,300 deaths.Hard-hit Italy and Spain have already overtaken China and now account for more than half of the nearly 38,000 Covid-19 deaths worldwide, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.But the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Tuesday that while attention has shifted to epicentres in Western Europe and North America, the coronavirus pandemic was far from over in Asia."This is going to be a long-term battle and we cannot let down our guard," said Dr Takeshi Kasai, the WHO re…
(2020-03-31). Workers strike over safety failures; progressives hatch plans for next stimulus. peoplesworld.org 
WASHINGTON—From Sara Nelson to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, from the Economic Policy Institute to the Congressional Progressive Caucus, progressive leaders and groups are hatching ambitious plans for measures they insist should be in the government's next economic stimulus bill to deal with the coronavirus pandemic's impact. And this time, they declare they won't accept a business-heavy measure …
(2020-03-31). Cat-astrophe in the making? ANOTHER feline tests positive for coronavirus, this time in Hong Kong. rt.com 
A pet cat has tested positive for the dreaded Covid-19 coronavirus in Hong Kong, after apparently contracting the disease from its owner. Last week, another feline turned out to have the virus in Belgium. | The Hong Kong cat patient was sent to a special animal quarantine facility on Monday, after its owner, a 25-year-old woman, was confirmed to have contracted the disease. Samples collected from the feline's oral, nasal and rectal cavities tested positive for the virus, but it did not show any symptoms. | "The cat has not shown any signs of disease," a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation…
(2020-03-31). Right-Wing Media Joined Trump in Enabling Health Disaster. fair.org 
"If Hitler succeeds in pointing the way of peace and order and an ethical development which has been destroyed throughout the world by war, he will have accomplished a measure of good not only for his own people but for all humanity."—William Randolph Hearst (New York Times, The downplaying of the coronavirus by the right-wing press in the United States was preceded decades ago by the media owned by William Randolph Hearst enabling a different sort of toxicity by promoting a positive image of Nazism in the US.
(2020-03-31). Covid-19: When will we get out of lockdown? thecanary.co 
Experts disagree on how long it could take to lift the UK's restrictions on daily life fully, but most are hoping some will ease over the summer.Are we in for the long haul?It seems so, yes. England's deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries has suggested normal life will not resume for at least six months.Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia (UEA), says it is plausible that if lots of people have had the virus already, restrictions could ease in June.However, he says that is a big if and nobody can really predict the end of the epidemic. | Stay at home and save lives.▪&#…
(2020-03-31). Unfair lender tactics putting firms off emergency loans, MPs warn. thecanary.co 
Small firms are being put off taking out government-backed emergency coronavirus loans due to unfair tactics being used by some lenders, the chair of the Business Select Committee has warned.Rachel Reeves has written to the chancellor on behalf of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee outlining concerns over the way lenders are "interpreting" the emergency loan scheme.In the letter to Rishi Sunak, she said there were worries that some lenders were choosing to push their own financial products before the emergency loans, while others are seeking to apply high interest rates once the interest rate-…
(2020-03-31). One little autistic boy's coronavirus story should help us all. thecanary.co 
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(2020-03-31). Spain's Covid-19 death toll rises by a RECORD 849 overnight, as known cases reach almost 95,000. rt.com 
The number of Covid-19 cases in Spain has risen from 85,195 on Monday to 94,417 by Tuesday morning, while its death toll rose by 849 to 8,189, according to the latest figures from the Spanish Health Ministry. | The increase in the death toll was the highest one-day total in the country since the outbreak began. However, despite this, it still marked a slightly lower increase in percentage terms than on previous days. | Spain's emergency health chief Fernando Simon tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday night and he was replaced by his deputy chief, Maria Jose Sierra, who confirmed that at least 12,298 healt…
(2020-03-31). Do they really want to kill us? peoplesworld.org 
The American response to COVID-19 has taken a myriad of daily twists and turns. Last week, the buzz was all about getting us out of our sheltering in place and back to work. By Easter (April 12), the president expressed hopefully, we'd see the churches packed with people! My thought at the time was, migod, …
(2020-03-31). Dutch Navy submarine aborts North Sea training mission due to Covid-19 outbreak on board. rt.com 
A Dutch combat submarine was forced to cut its voyage short and quickly return home after several of its crew members tested positive for the Covid-19 disease. | The mission was aborted after 15 sailors on board the Walrus-class submarine HNLMS 'Dolfijn' showed flu-like symptoms. Eight of them later tested positive for Covid-19, the Dutch Defense Ministry said. | The outbreak was discovered when the submarine was on a training mission in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland. The disease forced the vessel to cut its trip short and return to the Den Helder naval base two weeks earlier than planned. All of its…
(2020-03-31). France, Germany & Britain send medical goods to Iran, test new trade mechanism. rt.com 
Germany, France and Britain have exported medical goods to Iran in the first transaction conducted under a new trade mechanism, Instex, Berlin said on Tuesday. The mechanism was set up to facilitate trade in humanitarian goods and food after the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. | The German Foreign Ministry said the medical goods were now in Iran, adding that the trade mechanism and Tehran would now work on more transactions and on enhancing the system. | The three European states said earlier this month they had offered a $5.5 million package to Iran to help fight coronavirus there and are also sendi…
(2020-03-31). 750,000 coronavirus volunteers shows country uniting 'as one'. thecanary.co 
One of the 750,000 volunteers who signed up to help the NHS through the coronavirus crisis said he hopes to bring fun and happiness to those who need it most.Self-confessed chatterbox Alex O'Reilly, originally from Tamworth, said people want to stand up to the virus and come together "as one" as the country answered the biggest call-out for volunteers in England since the Second World War.Recruitment of the "volunteer army" has been paused after the appeal attracted three times the initial target, and a spokesperson for the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) said it is hoped it will be up and running properly by mid-w…
(2020-03-31). British Airways suspends all flights from London's second largest airport Gatwick. rt.com 
Under mounting pressure due to the coronavirus crisis, British Airways says it has been forced to temporarily suspend flights from the UK's second largest airport Gatwick amid an ongoing battle for survival. | That's after airlines have been forced to mothball their fleets due to a drop in passenger demand and border restrictions. | "Due to the considerable restrictions and challenging market environment, like many other airlines, we will temporarily suspend our flying schedule at Gatwick," the airline said in a statement. | On Monday, airline EasyJet grounded all of its 330 planes, without specifying a date o…
(2020-03-31). Give us a password clue, Boris! PM Johnson LEAKS cabinet Zoom meeting's private ID as he tweets screenshot. rt.com 
Self-isolating British PM Boris Johnson has been left red-faced after making his UK cabinet Zoom meeting ID public on social media, prompting some to cheekily suggest they'll join in next time if they can guess the password. | Johnson tweeted a screenshot of his Zoom meeting on Tuesday afternoon, in which ministers and key officials all appeared on a single screen via the video conferencing app to discuss the coronavirus crisis. | However, eagle-eyed observers, like Virgin Media News' Richard Chambers, noticed that Johnson had been somewhat slack in maintaining tight security protocols by failing to hide the p…
(2020-03-31). Could oil really fall to $0? rt.com 
The outlook for US shale continues to darken with WTI testing sub-$20 territory. The supply glut could grow worse as the contraction in demand continues to deepen. | On Sunday, President Trump extended the social distancing guidelines through the end of April, retreating from his plan to "open up" the economy by Easter. And before the ink was even dry on the $2 trillion stimulus, Congress has already started preparing the fourth emergency coronavirus legislation. As of now, 193 million people in the US and a staggering 2.3 billion people worldwide are living under some sort of lockdown order, according to Raym…
(2020-03-31). New York coronavirus death toll surpasses 1,500 as nearly HALF tests processed in last 24h come back positive. rt.com 
New York has 75,795 confirmed cases of coronavirus, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday, revealing that, of the 18,000 tests processed in the previous 24 hours, 9,000 came back positive. Some 1,550 people have died with the virus since the epidemic began, a single-day increase of 332. New York City has been hit particularly hard – 5,686 of the new cases are located within its five boroughs. | Some 10,929 people diagnosed with the virus are currently hospitalized in the state. Cuomo, who previously warned of the possibility of running out of ventilators, said he has ordered 17,000 of the machines from Ch…
(2020-03-31). Chris Cuomo of CNN tests positive for coronavirus after scolding people who don't self-isolate. rt.com 
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo is self-quarantining after testing positive for coronavirus, his brother New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has confirmed, proving that even spreading hysterical fear of the virus is no protection from it. | The journalist revealed he had tested positive in a statement posted to Twitter on Tuesday, and his older brother confirmed the diagnosis during his morning coronavirus press conference in Albany,
(2020-03-31). Neoliberalism is terminally ill—There can be no more 'business as usual'. peoplesworld.org 
In terms of health, the coronavirus is undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges in recent history. But it may also turn our economic system upside-down completely. It is already clear that in future we will look back on 2020 as a turning point, the beginning of a new era. COVID-19 is an unusually aggressive virus, …
(2020-03-31). New York launches investigation after Amazon fires worker who led walkout. peoplesworld.org 
NEW YORK—Amazon's arbitrary firing of Christian Smalls, the worker who led a walkout from the monster retail distributor's Staten Island, N.Y., warehouse over the coronavirus threat to himself and his colleagues, has drawn both union flak and a potential investigation by state Attorney General Letitia James. Smalls raised concerns about exposure of himself and his …
(2020-03-31). Values and virus: European Commission tells EU states emergency coronavirus laws 'cannot flout democracy'. rt.com 
The European Union's executive warned member states on Tuesday that emergency measures adopted to fight the coronavirus crisis cannot undercut democracy. | "It is of utmost importance that emergency measures are not at the expense of our fundamental principles and values," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. "Democracy cannot work without free and independent media." | Any emergency measures "must be limited to what is necessary and strictly proportionate," she said, adding that "they must not last indefinitely." | Governments must make sure that such measures are subject to…
(2020-03-31). Dr. Abdul El-Sayed: Communities Enduring Racism & Poverty Will Suffer Most Due to COVID-19. democracynow.org 
As the number of coronavirus deaths in the United States tops 3,100, states are demanding ventilators and medical supplies. Michigan is a growing hot spot and struggling to prepare for a surge in cases, but President Trump has repeatedly attacked Michigan's governor, calling her "that woman." We speak with the former director of the Detroit Health Department, Abdul El-Sayed. He's a physician and epidemiologist, and his new book is just out today, "Healing Politics: A Doctor's Journey into the Heart of Our Political Epidemic." His recent piece for The Guardian is headlined "Coronavirus is exploiting an underlying…
(2020-03-31). UK mood shifts after first week of lockdown as Brits blast 'overzealous' police. rt.com 
After clamoring for stricter measures, some in the UK have started complaining about a "police state." Transport minister Grant Shapps admitted some officers had been "heavy-handed" but insisted most have been doing a "good job. | The mood of most Britons seems to be shifting, just one week after Boris Johnson announced a coronavirus lockdown. | Following a raft of calls for more draconian measures, and criticism of the government for not imposing stricter controls, the country now appears tobe concerned about a loss of civil liberties and about the hugely-damaging economic fallout. | Police have widely been s…
(2020-03-31). 12yo girl dies of Covid-19 in Belgium, as country counts 700+ victims. rt.com 
A 12-year-old girl has died of the coronavirus in Belgium, becoming the youngest person to succumb to the disease in the country, authorities have announced. The epidemic death toll has surpassed 700 in Belgium. | Losing the child to the disease is "an emotionally difficult moment" not only for the family, but also for medics and researchers," Belgian crisis-center coronavirus spokesman Emmanuel Andre said on Tuesday as he announced the death. | "We are thinking of her family and friends. It is an event that is very rare, but one which upsets us greatly," he added as cited by AP. | Belgium has identified 12,70…
(2020-03-31). Amazon-owned grocery chain workers stage 'sickout' for better safety & benefits as retail giants hit by sweeping strikes. rt.com 
Whole Foods employees have called in sick from work en masse to demand better pay, benefits and a safer working environment amid the coronavirus outbreak. They join the Amazon and Instacart workers already on strike. | Whole Worker, a group representing employees of the Amazon-owned Whole Foods grocery chain, called for a mass "sick-out" on Tuesday
