(2020-03-24). US shows 'very large acceleration' in Covid-19 cases, has potential to become new epicenter of pandemic — WHO. rt.com 
The amount of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the US is growing so rapidly that the country has a potential to become the new epicenter of the pandemic, a spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO) has said on Tuesday. | WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris was asked whether the US could become the new epicenter of the global coronavirus pandemic. "We are now seeing a very large acceleration in cases in the US So it does have that potential," she replied. | More than 33,400 people have tested positive for Covid-19 across the US and 400 have died as a result of the virus, the nation's Centers for Disease Cont…
(2020-03-24). EU left Italy 'practically alone' to fight coronavirus, so Rome looked for help elsewhere, incl Russia — ex-FM Frattini to RT. rt.com 
The EU's initial response to the massive outbreak of coronavirus in Italy was largely "inadequate," and a lack of European solidarity opened the doors for Russia and China, former Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told RT. | The new epicenter of the dreaded pandemic, Italy, has been struggling to stop the spread of Covid-19 for weeks now. The disease has already killed more than six thousand people in the country, with over 60 thousand people infected. | EU tried to pin the blame on Italy: | The EU clearly underestimated the virus, blaming the outbreak in Italy on its national healthcare system…
(2020-03-24). 'It is not a matter of weeks, but days': IOC approaching decision on Tokyo 2020 Olympics amid coronavirus pandemic. rt.com 
The key powerbrokers involved in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are set for key discussions as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) pushes for a definitive decision on the future of the summer Games amid the coronavirus crisis. | According to news agency Reuters Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and IOC President Thomas Bach will hold a conference call on Tuesday to discuss a firm plan for the Games, which are scheduled to take place from July 24. | But the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic has led to growing opposition to the IOC and Tokyo 2020 organizers' insistence that the Games can go ahead as…
(2020-03-24). Olympic torch will not be held by runners in Japan, flame will be carried in lantern. rt.com 
Breaking with decades of tradition, authorities in Japan revealed on Monday that the Olympic torch will not be carried by relay runners, but in a lantern with a more conservative display case. | The unveiling will take place at an event on Thursday in Japan's Fukushima prefecture, a government official is reported as saying. | Authorities in Fukushima have opted to forego the usual ceremony — complete with a torch, torchbearers and the general public — in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic which has swept across the world and thrown the games into uncertainty. | The Olympic flame arrived in Ja…
(2020-03-24). Scale of current economic downturn unprecedented since 1929 Great Depression, French economy minister says. rt.com 
France is facing an economic crisis that can only be compared to the Great Depression of 1929, the minister of the economy and finance, Bruno Le Maire, warned as he laid out government plans to mitigate the damage. | The French government will not "allow the flagships of our industry… to go up in smoke just because there is an economic crisis of a magnitude unprecedented since the 1929 Great Depression in the West," Bruno Le Maire said in an interview with France Info on Tuesday. | The minister was discussing ways French businesses can be assisted to traverse the economic slowdown aggravated by the Covid-19…
(2020-03-24). Albert Uderzo, legendary artist behind 'Asterix and Obelix' comics, dies aged 92. rt.com 
The co-creator of 'The Adventures of Asterix' comic book series, Albert Uderzo, has died aged 92 at his home, his family announced. He passed away from a heart attack in his sleep, after several weeks of weakness. | The death was not related to the coronavirus epidemic currently ravaging France, Uderzo's son-in-law told AFP. | Asterix is an iconic French comic book series focused on the ancient Gauls standing up to the war machine of the Roman Empire — with a bit of magic and a lot of humor and creativity thrown in. The first strip was published in 1959, created by Uderzo in collaboration with fellow writ…
(2020-03-24). The Not-So-Shocking Report on Israeli Weapons Exports. dissidentvoice.org 
The Middle East region, battered by wars and adjoining humanitarian crises that have left millions of people stateless, hungry and diseased, is in urgent need for peace, security and reconstruction. Thanks to the US, Russian, French, Israeli and other weapons manufacturers, however, it is now the dumping ground for military hardware, an ominous sign for …
(2020-03-24). 'Why did we vote?' French election officials sick a week after controversial ballot held amid Covid-19. rt.com 
Holding a nationwide election during an epidemic may not seem like the wisest move, but France went along with it. Fast forward a week, and some people who made the voting possible report they have contracted the coronavirus. | The first round of municipal elections in France took place on March 15, even as the government was shutting down non-essential public venues and calling on people to stay at home — unless, of course, they had to cast their votes. The second round was supposed to happen a week later but was postponed until late June, rendering the practical value of the initial vote questionable at…
(2020-03-24). Trains and buses disinfected in Wuhan & checkpoints removed as city prepares to end lockdown (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Disinfection teams have been deployed to transport hubs in the Chinese city of Wuhan — the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak — as it now prepares for normal life to resume, with the strict lockdown due to end in early April.
(2020-03-24). Beijing to quarantine & test ALL foreign arrivals for Covid-19 as outbreaks accelerate outside China. rt.com 
China's capital city has stepped up measures to detect and contain those carrying the coronavirus, isolating all travelers arriving from other countries and testing them for the lethal pathogen, the state-run Beijing Daily newspaper reported on Tuesday. | Starting on March 25, Beijing health authorities will require anyone traveling to the capital from overseas to enter centralized quarantine and undergo an RNA test for the virus, part of enhanced containment measures adopted as Covid-19 hotspots flare up across Europe, the Americas and elsewhere in Asia. | Those who arrived in China over the past 14 days will…
(2020-03-24). Coughing but winning: Russia's 'unwell' Nepo destroys Chinese rivals & surges into World Chess Candidates lead. rt.com 
Ian Nepomniachtchi has beaten two Chinese rivals to forge ahead at the World Chess Candidates in Ekaterinburg, despite suffering from a persistent cough. The event may be called off if the Russian tests positive for Covid-19. | The 29-year-old Nepomniachtchi (known as 'Nepo' by fans) played his moves in double-quick time to beat China's Ding Liren in dramatic fashion in round 6 of the Candidates Tournament, opening up a full 1-point lead at 4.5/6 over his nearest rival, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France. If Nepo can retain his lead and win the event, he will challenge Norwegian world champion Magnus Carlsen for…
(2020-03-24). China's first locked-down province of Hubei, where coronavirus originated, to reopen on March 25. rt.com 
Beijing is lifting travel restrictions on Hubei Province on Wednesday, as China's fight against Covid-19 is yielding positive results. Even constraints on the city of Wuhan, where the virus first emerged, will be lifted in April. | Residents will once again be allowed to travel in and out of the country's central Hubei Province starting from March 25, the regional health commission announced on Tuesday. Travel bans in the region's capital, Wuhan, where the coronavirus outbreak started, will be lifted on April 8. | Wuhan was the first city in China to be quarantined, and along with several of Hubei's other majo…
(2020-03-24). France to close open-air markets, crack down on JOGGING to stop coronavirus spread. rt.com 
France is set to tighten its coronavirus lockdown rules, closing open-air markets and limiting outdoor workouts, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe has said. Stricter rules come as the nation's Covid-19 death toll continues to mount. | Speaking to TF1 TV on Monday, Philippe announced he was about to sign a new decree, imposing stricter lockdown in the country. The restrictions, he noted, might be in force for "several more weeks." | A lot of citizens want normalcy to return, but it's not happening soon | The new measures, expected to take effect on Tuesday, include closure of the majority of open-air markets acro…
(2020-03-24). Covid-19 cases in Germany surge by 4,700+ in one day, with 28 new deaths. rt.com 
A total of 4,764 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded across Germany, with 28 deaths, the federal Robert Koch Institute (RKI), which releases daily monitoring of the disease, announced on Tuesday. | Overall, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus grew from 22,672 to 27,436 within one day, RKI reported. There have been 28 new deaths, bringing the nation's death toll to 114. | Germany has a relatively low death rate from Covid-19 compared to other nations, but remains among the hardest-hit countries in terms of people infected. | Several German states, including Bavaria and Saxony, introduced quarantine mea…
(2020-03-24). Devil in the details: Media jumps to blame Trump for death of man who self-medicated with FISH TANK CLEANER containing chloroquine. rt.com 
An Arizona man has died after consuming a substance used to clean aquariums — but is also found in a drug the US president said could treat Covid-19 — prompting the US media to hop aboard the Trump blame train, details be damned.
(2020-03-24). President Rouhani says about half of Iran's state workers are staying home. rt.com 
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday about half of all government employees were staying at home as part of measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak. | Another measure to contain the outbreak, the temporary release of prisoners, will be extended until the end of the current Iranian month of Farvardin, about April 18, he said, according to state TV. | Iran is one of the hardest hit countries outside China. The country's death toll from the coronavirus outbreak increased by 122 in the past 24 hours to 1,934, Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said on Tuesday. | The total number of people…
(2020-03-24). Egypt imposes nighttime curfew, partially closes shops to fight coronavirus spread. rt.com 
The Egyptian government has imposed a two-week long curfew and is shutting down shops and restaurants to curb the spread of the coronavirus epidemic in the country. | The curfew will be in force between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. starting Wednesday and apply to all citizens and transport, Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly announced in a televised address. Violators would be subjected to fines and prison terms. | Businesses will have to stay shut between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. on all days except Fridays and Saturdays, when they will not be allowed to open at all. | Cafes and restaurants will be allowed to deliver foo…
(2020-03-24). Calls for clarity on how tougher rules on movement will be policed. thecanary.co 
A "huge amount of clarification" is needed on tougher rules to restrict people's movements during the coronavirus crisis, a former police chief has said.Prime minister Boris Johnson said the lockdown will be enforced by police, threatening those who flouted the rules with fines.Officers will have powers to disperse gatherings after a ban on meetings of more than two people apart from those who live together was announced.But questions remain as to how officers will monitor whether people are breaking the rules, what action will then be taken, and how much the fines will be.Peter Fahy, former chief constable of Gr…
(2020-03-24). Global markets rebound from historic collapse amid hopes of stimulus measures. rt.com 
Stock markets in Europe opened higher on Tuesday, following the Asian markets' positive reaction to the US Federal Reserve's pledges to run an open-ended asset purchase program amid the global coronavirus outbreak. | Britain's FTSE 100 index surged almost four percent at the start of trading in London. Germany's DAX is up almost six percent, while France's CAC gained almost five percent. | The pan-European Stoxx 600 jumped 4.4 percent in early trade, with basic resources growing 6.5 percent as all sectors entered positive territory. | Markets in Asia-Pacific also jumped earlier in the day in reaction to the Fe…
(2020-03-24). Suicides from depression will be 'FAR GREATER' than coronavirus deaths unless America reopens for business 'soon' — Trump. rt.com 
Social distancing rules may be relaxed sometime 'soon' to prevent "tremendous death" from economic and social depression that could end up worse than the coronavirus itself, President Donald Trump said. | "People get tremendous anxiety and depression and you have suicide over things like this, when you have a terrible economy, you have death," Trump said Monday at the White House daily press briefing, adding it would "definitely be in far greater numbers than we're talking about with regard to the virus." | President Trump on economy: "We can't turn that off and think it's going to be wonderful. There'll be t…
(2020-03-24). Don't just blame coronavirus for current global economic crisis — Steen Jakobsen. rt.com 
This is the single greatest financial crisis of our time, chief economist and the CIO of Saxo Bank Steen Jakobsen told RT. It is worse than 2008 and perhaps the biggest crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s, he added.
(2020-03-24). Jewish Activists Demand Governor Newsom Release Detainees In Light of Covid-19 Outbreak. indybay.org In a March 21 press release, Never Again Action Bay Area calls on Governor Newsom to take immediate steps to release migrants from unsanitary, overcrowded "death camp" detention centers…
(2020-03-24). Julian Assange to apply for bail amid coronavirus dangers in British prisons. wsws.org A press release issued by WikiLeaks stated that Assange's lawyers "will argue that he is vulnerable to the COVID-19 outbreak in the prison where he is on remand."
(2020-03-24). After the Lockdown: A Global Coronavirus Vaccination Program… globalresearch.ca The tendency is towards a Worldwide lockdown spearheaded by fear and media disinformation. Currently, hundreds of millions of people Worldwide are under lockdown. | What is the next step in the evolution of the COV-19 Crisis? | A coronavirus vaccine program was …
(2020-03-24). Power in a Time of Coronavirus. indybay.org Fighting against intentional neglect and greedy stupidity…
(2020-03-24). OAS head Luis Almagro's new term promises more corruption, cronyism and coup-plotting. thegrayzone.com The shocking story of the most incompetent, unethical and imperial-minded Secretary General in the history of the Organization of American…
(2020-03-24). Social movements in times of pandemic: another world is needed. zcomm.org Faced with the glaring need for radical and complex transformation, social movements in times of crisis act differently from protests…
(2020-03-24). California Nurses Association protest in Oakland against lack of protective gear. indybay.org Last Friday, I watched around 4 first responders from a fire truck in Oakland respond to the needs of someone that was hauled off to the hospital. I was shocked that the first responders were not wearing any protective gear or N95 respirators. Barely three days later, nurses from the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United held a protest Monday evening March 23, in front of Kaiser Permanente in Oakland. They protested against the lack of protective gear and weakening of standards by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) needed to protect them from getting sick during the coronavirus COVID-19 pand…
(2020-03-24). Under pressure from online protests over coronavirus concerns, GameStop shutters California stores. wsws.org The half-measure concessions, which went into effect Sunday, also included keeping stores in the rest of the United States operating with "delivery-to-door" service.
(2020-03-24). Austerity Has Weakened Our Ability to Fight the COVID-19 Pandemic. counterpunch.org "I have delivered food parcels to four families this morning," says Paula Spencer, who runs the community centre in Thanington, a deprived district on the outskirts of Canterbury. Two of the families had called for help because they had symptoms of the coronavirus, and two simply needed food to eat. There are no signs of
(2020-03-24). An Emergency Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic. zcomm.org We must begin thinking on a scale comparable to the threat, and make sure that we are protecting working people, low-income people, and the most vulnerable communities, not just giant corporations and Wall Street…
(2020-03-24). Sanctions: Unilateral Coercive Measures for Regime Change in Venezuela. counterpunch.org In discussing the issue of "sanctions" there are two main points that need to be made. One is the use of the correct terminology when referring to the government actions that the US, Canada and the EU take in order to achieve regime change. The second is of course the impact that those actions have.
(2020-03-24). Trump, putting Profit Motive and Reelection over Public Health. zcomm.org How Trump is Undermining Coronavirus Social Distancing Strategy…
(2020-03-24). Trump and the Virus: It's All About the Base. counterpunch.org In confronting the coronavirus pandemic, it is striking that President Trump, who normally likes to be seen as The Man in Charge, driving events, has instead dragged his feet when pressed to take decisive, radical measures that most experts argue are necessary to avert the most catastrophic infection and death rates. For months he downplayed
(2020-03-24). Legality of shelter-in-place orders is questionable. indybay.org Coronavirus pandemic fears result in California Lock-down!
(2020-03-24). Exploiting Coronavirus pandemic, Canada's Trudeau closes border to asylum seekers. wsws.org Just days after reiterating that barring "irregular entrants" from seeking asylum would violate Canadian and international law, the Trudeau Liberal government has done just that.
(2020-03-24). Trump continues to spend billions on border wall construction amid coronavirus pandemic. wsws.org Rather than marshal all available resources to fight the pandemic, huge sums of money are being directed to construct of 150 miles of border wall in Arizona, New Mexico and California.
(2020-03-24). Twenty-three die in Colombia prison revolt over coronavirus conditions. wsws.org Amid fears of the rapidly spreading pandemic, prison riots erupted across Colombia and were brutally suppressed by prison guards.
(2020-03-24). Beware Wall Street During a Pandemic. counterpunch.org We have entered uncertain times. The novel coronavirus has upended life around the globe, and none of us knows exactly how long the outbreak or its ramifications will last. But daily reminders of how much we can't control shouldn't stop us from seizing upon those things we can. We may not know if the United
(2020-03-24). The quiet before the surge: US physicians speak on the COVID-19 pandemic. wsws.org The WSWS spoke to three physicians as the coronavirus pandemic continues to escalate in the United States.
(2020-03-24). EPA Proposes to Restrict Applied Public Health Scientific Research in Midst of Coronavirus Pandemic. globalresearch.ca The Environmental Protection Agency
(2020-03-24). How a Police State Will Deal With the COVID-19 Pandemic. counterpunch.org "Fear is a primitive impulse, brainless as hunger, and because the aim of horror fiction is the production of the deepest kinds of fears, the genre tends to reinforce some remarkably uncivilized ideas about self-protection. In the current crop of zombie stories, the prevailing value for the beleaguered survivors is a sort of siege mentality,
(2020-03-24). The Pandemic Surveillance State. counterpunch.org In anticipation of…
(2020-03-24). Real Estate Interests Seek Limits on Proposed Eviction Moratorium in Santa Cruz. indybay.org Santa Cruz Together is calling for a 90-day "repayment period" to be written into the proposed emergency eviction moratorium ordinance on the agenda of tomorrow's Santa Cruz City Council meeting. The ordinance seeks to, "protect the health, safety, and welfare of the larger community by preventing residential or commercial evictions for non-payment of rent as a result of economic losses related to the coronavirus pandemic to avoid further homelessness and loss of jobs and employment opportunities within the community," according to the meeting's agenda packet. Santa Cruz Together fought rent control and other ren…
(2020-03-24). Legalization for All Statement: Covid19 and DACA. fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Legalization for All Network. | The Legalization for All (L4A) Network is a coalition of various individuals and organizations from around the U.S. who fight to win legalization for all undocumented and Temporary-status peoples in the U.S. The need for full equality has never been clearer than in the face of a global pandemic, like Covid-19. Trump and the ruling-class have nothing stopping them from making changes that could devastate the undocumented, as the majority of people are preoccupied with the very real danger of Coronavirus. | Putti…
(2020-03-24). UK: NHS frontline staff and patients at risk through government negligence over pandemic. wsws.org NHS doctors and nurses have been battling against the government's refusal to provide testing and adequate Personal Protective Equipment.
(2020-03-24). Business as Usual: Coronavirus, Iran and US Sanctions. dissidentvoice.org Never discount the importance of venality in international relations. While pandemics should provide the glue for a unified front in response — we keep being told of fighting this horrendous "invisible enemy" — it's business as usual in other respects. The United States, with a disparate, confused medical system that risks being overwhelmed, remains committed …
(2020-03-24). Jubilee USA Urges Immediate IMF Covid-19 Action. indybay.org Religious Development Group Proposes Solutions for Pandemic Economic Impacts…
(2020-03-24). Florida residents on COVID-19 pandemic: "There is no way we can go longer than a month at this rate." wsws.org Workers and students spoke with the WSWS about lack of supplies, limited testing, and growing concerns over the economic, social, and health impact on their families and friends.
(2020-03-24). US officials use economic fallout from pandemic to slash school funding. wsws.org Even as school districts deliver free meals to millions of low-income students, state governments have already begun slashing school spending and reneging on promised pay raises to teachers.