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2020-03-19: Social Media Postees

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

Nirbhaya gang rape convicts executed at Delhi prison, bringing shocking 7+ year case to a close after countless delays
rt.com | 2020-03-20
The four men convicted for the grisly 2012 gang rape and murder of a young student in India have been executed by hanging, finally bringing the seven-year 'Nirbhaya' case to an end after a lengthy ordeal of appeals and delays. | The assailants were hanged at New Delhi's Tihar Jail 5: 30am local time Friday, following a marathon legal proceeding the night prior which saw last-ditch attempts to appeal their sentence shot down. | "Now I will get peace," Asha Devi, the mother of the victim,

Two LA Lakers players test positive for Covid-19, will self-quarantine
rt.com | 2020-03-20
Two athletes for the Los Angeles Lakers have contracted the coronavirus, the team said in a statement. Both remain without symptoms, but have been placed into isolation after the positive diagnosis. | "We learned today that two Lakers players have tested positive," the Lakers said in a statement on Thursday evening, adding that "All players and members of the Lakers staff are being asked to continue to observe self-quarantine and shelter at home guidelines." | The team did not name either afflicted player. | t.co/RmqjnRzGLk– Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers)

Trump's Deportation Machine Is Still Churning Despite Coronavirus Outbreak
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-03-19
This story has been updated. | Federal deportation proceedings for incarcerated migrants and immigration defendants continue nationwide despite pleas from defense attorneys, human rights groups and some judges who fear that in-person court hearings and conditions of confinement inside immigration jails could facilitate the rapid spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. | The Trump administration's decision to continue pursuing deportation orders and immigration charges against jailed immi…
truthout.org/articles/trumps-deportation-machine-is-still-churning-despite-coronavirus-outbreak/

Santa Rita Jail Solidarity During the Coronavirus Pandemic
IWOC Oakland | indybay.org | 2020-03-19
As businesses, schools, and institutions close to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, many people are wondering how to support people in jails, prisons, and immigration detention centers.
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/03/19/18831666.php

Vague emergency legislation gives UK police & 'public health officers' powers to DETAIN suspected Covid-19 sufferers
rt.com | 2020-03-19
The British government is giving police, public health and immigration officers authority to detain those suspected of having coronavirus under a new emergency bill, but it's not clear exactly how the new powers will be exercised. | The proposed powers were outlined in a 329-page emergency bill on Thursday and come as the UK implements more draconian measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. | In explanatory notes provided with the bill, the government says "public health officers, constables and…
rt.com/uk/483533-covid19-emergency-uk-police-detain/

AOC calls for universal basic income and 'Medicare for all'
Eliza Relman | zcomm.org | 2020-03-19
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other progressive lawmakers are calling for a significantly more robust federal-government response to the coronavirus than has so far been proposed by both Democrats and Republicans…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/aoc-calls-for-universal-basic-income-and-medicare-for-all/

Doctors condemn Australian government's refusal to defend Julian Assange
wsws.org | 2020-03-19
Doctors4Assange has restated its demand that the Australian government immediately fulfil its obligations to Assange, under conditions in which his life is imperilled by the coronavirus pandemic.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/19/assa-m19.html

COVID-19 Coronavirus: The Crisis
Prof Michel Chossudovsky | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-19
Michel Chossudovsky discusses his new series of research articles on the "pandemic" including, " COVID-19 Coronavirus "Fake" Pandemic: Timeline and Analysis" and " Coronavirus COVID-19: "Made in China" or "Made in America"?, among others. A blockbuster show! | ***…
globalresearch.ca/covid-19-coronavirus-crisis/5706741

What the Coronavirus Emergency Has to Do with Biden vs. Sanders
Norman Solomon | indybay.org | 2020-03-19
Tepid adjustments vs. truly transformational agendas…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/03/19/18831664.php

IMF Refuses Aid to Venezuela in the Midst of the Coronavirus Crisis
Vijay Prashad, Paola Estrada, Ana Maldonado, and Zoe PC | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-19
On March 16, 2020, the chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva wrote a blog post on the Fund's website; it represents the kind of generosity necessary in the midst of a global pandemic. "The IMF stands ready to mobilize its $1 trillion lending capacity to help our membership," she wrote. Countries with…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/19/imf-refuses-aid-to-venezuela-in-the-midst-of-the-coronavirus-crisis/

IMF Refuses Aid to Venezuela in the Midst of the Coronavirus Crisis
Vijay Prashad | zcomm.org | 2020-03-19
The IMF denial of the $5 billion request from Venezuela follows Pence's sentiment. It is a violation of the spirit of international cooperation that is at the heart of the UN Charter…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/imf-refuses-aid-to-venezuela-in-the-midst-of-the-coronavirus-crisis/

Israel's Supreme Court hears challenge to coronavirus cellphone monitoring
rt.com | 2020-03-19
Civil liberties activists asked Israel's Supreme Court on Thursday to suspend cellphone monitoring put in place under emergency regulations to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Surveillance began this week after the government approved special orders that circumvented customary parliamentary oversight and enabled the Shin Bet counter-terrorism agency to tap into cellular location data, Reuters reported. | The Association of Civil Rights in Israel, Adalah – The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights – and the Joint List of Arab parties petitioned the court to freeze the monitoring. "The government canno…
rt.com/newsline/483516-israel-supreme-cyber-monitoring/

California Anti-Immigrant Activist Robin Hvidston Seeking State Assembly Seat
Hatewatch Staff | splcenter.org | 2020-03-19
Robin Hvidston, a longtime anti-immigrant activist, is running as a Republican for a California Assembly seat in District 41.
splcenter.org/hatewatch/2020/03/19/california-anti-immigrant-activist-robin-hvidston-seeking-state-assembly-seat

"Coronavirus Capitalism": Naomi Klein's Case for Transformative Change Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-03-19
Author, activist and journalist Naomi Klein says the coronavirus crisis, like earlier ones, could be a catalyst to shower aid on the wealthiest interests in society, including those most responsible for our current vulnerabilities, while offering next to nothing to most workers and small businesses. In 2007, Klein wrote "The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism." Now she argues President Trump's plan is a pandemic shock doctrine. In a new video for The Intercept, where she is a senior correspondent, Klein argues it's vital for people to fight for the kind of transformative change that can not only curb…
www.democracynow.org/2020/3/19/naomi_klein_coronavirus_capitalism

Naomi Klein Makes the Case for Transformative Change Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Staff | truthout.org | 2020-03-19
Author, activist and journalist Naomi Klein says the coronavirus crisis, like earlier ones, could be a catalyst to shower aid on the wealthiest interests in society, including those most responsible for our current vulnerabilities, while offering next to nothing to most workers and small businesses. In 2007, Klein wrote The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. Now she argues President Trump's plan is a pandemic shock doctrine. In a new video for The Intercept, where she is a senior…
truthout.org/video/naomi-klein-makes-the-case-for-transformative-change-amid-coronavirus-pandemic/

Kabul orders Afghan forces to switch to 'active defense' as Taliban attacks continue
rt.com | 2020-03-19
The government in Kabul said on Thursday it has ordered Afghanistan's forces to switch to an "active defense posture" as the Taliban continued to attack even after the militants signed a deal with the US. "The Taliban continued high level of violence despite the peace agreement," acting Defense Minister Asadullah Kalid said in a video statement. | "An active defense posture will reduce the restrictions on Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and it will allow them to carry out operations against the Taliban plotting attacks against ANDSF," he said. Afghan government forces had previously been able to fi…
rt.com/newsline/483530-afghan-active-defense-taliban/

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/

Brazil: Sao Paulo Police Capture Nearly Half of Escaped Inmates
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-19
Brazilian Police captured more than 500 of the 1400 inmates who escaped from Sao Paulo's penitentiary institutions. | RELATED: | Protests Against the "Bolsonaro Virus" Spread in Brazil | The massive escape occurred on March 16 in three prisons located in Managua, Mirandopolis, and Taubate. The inmates started fires, riots, and took guards as hostages after authorities announced several departures and visiting restrictions as a measure to prevent Covid-19 spreading in Brazilian territo…
telesurenglish.net/news/brazil-sao-paulo-police-capture-nearly-half-of-escaped-inmates-20200319-0011.html

Protests Against the "Bolsonaro Virus" Spread in Brazil
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-19
For the second day in a row, ultra-right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro was the subject of protests in several Brazilian cities, local media reported Wednesday. | RELATED: | Brazil Demands Bolsonaro's Removal With a Wave of Protests | The protests began in the country on Tuesday, after residents of some communities in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, from windows and balconies, shouted and pot-banging for Bolsonaro's resignation. | After the call went viral on Twitter, the protests rea…
telesurenglish.net/news/protests-against-the-bolsonaro-virus-spreads-in-brazil-20200319-0005.html

Covid-19 Updates: First Death in Peru, First NFL Case + More
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-19
Update 5: 30 AM: | More than 200 Argentines and Chileans trapped in Colombia by the coronavirus: Argentine and Chilean travelers are protesting at the El Dorado airport this Thursday in Bogotá (Colombia). More than 200 foreigners, between Argentines and Chileans, denounced this Thursday at Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport that they have been trapped for several days in the Colombian capital because their flights have been canceled due to the crisis by COVID-19. | Peru reports the first death in the country from the coronavirus: A 78-year-old man, who suffered from hypertension, became the first person t…
telesurenglish.net/news/Covid-19-Updates-First-Death-in-Peru-First-NFL-Case–More-20200319-0002.html

Top 10 Reasons the U.S. Government Is Blowing This
David Swanson | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-19
10. Recognizing that a problem that has grown severe in other countries could grow severe in the United States would require thinking of the United States as existing in the same world, susceptible to the same forces, as everyone else. A willingness to recognize that would have led to earlier action and wiser action more…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/19/top-10-reasons-the-u-s-government-is-blowing-this/

Top 10 Reasons the U.S. Government Is Blowing This
David Swanson | zcomm.org | 2020-03-19
The United States has been suffering under a prolonged and severe shortage of democracy, self-governance, civic engagement, and activism…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/top-10-reasons-the-u-s-government-is-blowing-this/

Tulsi Gabbard suspends presidential campaign, endorses Biden
rt.com | 2020-03-19
Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has suspended her presidential campaign and endorsed Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden, citing the establishment favorite's primary victories and the coronavirus as her reasons. | Gabbard made the surprise announcement on Thursday in a video posted to her Twitter account, explaining she was dropping out to focus on dealing with the coronavirus epidemic in Hawaii and potentially serving in her National Guard capacity should she be called to action. | The endorsement of Biden came as a particular surprise, given Gabbard's opposition to "regime change wars," a central plank of he…
rt.com/usa/483521-tulsi-gabbard-ends-campaign-biden/

What about ending endless wars? Tulsi Gabbard drops out of presidential race and backs …Biden
rt.com | 2020-03-19
Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has suspended her presidential campaign and endorsed Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden, citing the establishment favorite's primary victories and the coronavirus as her reasons. | Gabbard made the surprise announcement on Thursday in a video posted to her Twitter account, explaining she was dropping out to focus on dealing with the coronavirus epidemic in Hawaii and potentially serving in her National Guard capacity should she be called to action. | The endorsement of Biden came as a particular surprise, given Gabbard's opposition to "regime change wars," a central plank of he…
rt.com/usa/483521-tulsi-gabbard-ends-campaign-biden/

Tulsi Gabbard Suspends Presidential Campaign, Endorses Biden
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-19
U.S. House of Representatives member Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) announced on Thursday that she will be suspending her presidential campaign, citing the recent result at the Democratic Primary as one of the main reason. | RELATED: | Biden's Biggest Problem: Reaching Out to Sanders' Support Base | In a video message released this morning, Gabbard, a congresswoman and National Guard member, said she was suspendi…
telesurenglish.net/news/Tulsi-Gabbard-Suspends-Presidential-Campaign-Endorses-Biden-20200319-0010.html

IMF denies loan to Venezuela as it braces for COVID-19
wsws.org | 2020-03-19
The loan request is only the latest appeal by the Maduro government for foreign finance and signal to world finance capital that it will defend profit interests.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/19/vene-m19.html

Cargo Arrives in Venezuela With Medical Aid From China
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-19
A special medicine and medical supplies shipment arrived in Venezuela from China on Thursday, March 19th, as the Asian nation continues to provide assistance to the Bolivarian Republic. . | RELATED: | Twitter Restricts Profiles of Venezuelan Officials | Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela, announced that the cargo arrived and assured it would allow thousands to be tested for possible Covid-19 cases and diagnose the positive ones. | The mandatary explained that so f…
telesurenglish.net/news/cargo-arrives-in-venezuela-with-medical-aid-from-china-20200319-0014.html

Flake News, Bics, PINOcchios, and the War on Bernie Sanders
John G. Russell | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-19
Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

How corporate money gave Biden an unfair advantage over Sanders from day one
Peter Bolton | thecanary.co | 2020-03-19
Former vice president Joe Biden just won another three contests in the Democratic primary race. It now looks all but certain that he will win the nomination to face Donald Trump in the presidential election this coming November. But we shouldn't take this as granting legitimacy to his stale neoliberal platform. Because an investigation into his campaign shows that he had an unfair advantage over his main rival Bernie Sanders all along. | More victories for Biden followin…
thecanary.co/us/us-analysis/2020/03/19/how-corporate-money-gave-biden-an-unfair-advantage-over-sanders-from-day-one/

'America's two-party oligarchy can't relate to those in need': Lee Camp says US coronavirus failure goes beyond just Trump
rt.com | 2020-03-19
As the US teeters on the edge of abyss amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the crisis has revealed systemic flaws brought by years of two-party plutocracy that go beyond a single president, says Lee Camp, host of RT's Redacted Tonight. | While President Donald Trump bears a good portion of the blame for the sluggish US response to Covid-19, he is only one piece of a larger puzzle. America's structural defects long predate Trump's time in office, the comedian argued. | "The fact that so many millions of Americans don't have paid sick leave, or hardly make minimum wage and therefore can't afford an emergency

Joseph Stiglitz: Trump's "Trickle-Down" Economic Plans Are Not Enough to Meet Coronavirus Challenge
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-03-19
The coronavirus relief package signed by President Trump Wednesday provides unemployment benefits and free coronavirus testing to millions of Americans suddenly out of a job, but guarantees paid sick leave to less than 20% of American workers. Earlier this month, Trump signed into law an $8 billion coronavirus response package and has laid out the first details of a third, $1 trillion economic package and invoked the Korean War-era Defense Production Act to allow the government to direct industrial production. For more on those bailouts and who benefits, we speak with Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize-winning economis…
www.democracynow.org/2020/3/19/us_economy_coronavirus_stimulus_joseph_stiglitz

Trump Continues Calling the Coronavirus "Chinese" Despite Reports of Anti-Asian Hate Crimes
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-03-19
"I would like to begin by announcing some important developments in our war against the Chinese virus. I will be invoking the Defense Production Act just in case we need it." That was the opening line of President Trump's news conference Wednesday afternoon. Later in the news conference, Trump was questioned by ABC News reporter Cecilia Vega on continuously referring to the coronavirus as the "Chinese virus." A member of the administration also reportedly referred to the coronavirus as the "kung-flu." Meanwhile, racist incidents and threats of hate crimes against Asian Americans have emerged across the United Sta…
www.democracynow.org/2020/3/19/trump_anti_chinese_racism_coronavirus_covid19

Video: US Forces Withdraw from Key Base Near Syrian Border. More Rocket Attacks on US Targets in Iraq
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-19
Late on March 17, at least three rockets struck the area near the US embassy in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone. This was the fourth such attack in the span of a week. A day earlier, a pair of rockets struck …
globalresearch.ca/video-us-forces-withdraw-base-near-syrian-border-more-rocket-attacks-us-targets-iraq/5706747

Video: Aleppo Man Imprisoned and Tortured by West's "Rebels" in Terrorist-Occupied Hospital Complex
Eva Bartlett | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-19
Long, productive, rewarding, and also sad, day in Aleppo. The sad–tragic–part was meeting a man, Abdel Aziz, who was held in the terrorists' underground prison in the Eye/Children's Hospital complex, occupied by terrorist factions until liberation of eastern Aleppo areas …
globalresearch.ca/video-aleppo-man-imprisoned-tortured-west-rebels-terrorist-occupied-hospital-complex/5706743

Socialist countries response to pandemic shows stark contrast to capitalism
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-03-19
Minneapolis, MN – As the number of confirmed cases of the viral illness COVID-19 approaches 200,000 worldwide, we can already see how differently issues of public health and human needs are treated in socialist countries vs. capitalist countries. | COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan, a major city in the People's Republic of China. Local officials took three to four weeks to recognize its significance. Once the threat was clear, the whole of the country and vast resources were mobilized. Everything was shut down to stop the virus in its tracks. People were quarantined at home as new hospitals were constructed, s…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/3/18/socialist-countries-response-pandemic-shows-stark-contrast-capitalism

Reject capitalist xenophobia! For international socialist solidarity in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic!
wsws.org | 2020-03-19
Seeking to draw attention from their own disastrous response to the pandemic, governments are attempting to direct the population's fears into xenophobia and national hatreds.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/19/pers-m19.html

Trump's Budget Proposal Reveals His Values
Lawrence Wittner | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-19
It is often said that government budgets are "an expression of values." Those values are clear in the Trump administration's $4.8 trillion budget proposal for 2021, unveiled early this February. The budget calls for deep cuts in major U.S. government programs, especially those protecting public health. The Department of Health and Human Services would be…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/19/trumps-budget-proposal-reveals-his-values/

'Zionist' Biden in His Own Words: 'My Name is Joe Biden, and Everybody Knows I Love Israel'
Ramzy Baroud | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-19
"I am a Zionist. You don't have to be a Jew to be a Zionist," current Democratic Presidential candidate, Joe Biden, said in April 2007, soon before he was chosen to be Barack Obama's running mate in the 2008 elections. Biden is, of course, correct, because Zionism is a political movement that is rooted in…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/19/zionist-biden-in-his-own-words-my-name-is-joe-biden-and-everybody-knows-i-love-israel/

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/

The Coronavirus: Crown Jewel of the New World Order or Crippling Blow to Globalization?
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-19
There's no doubt that the coronavirus has completely changed life as everyone knows it, but many people are divided over whether this outbreak has become the crown jewel celebrating the commencement of the "New World Order" (NWO) or the long-awaited …
globalresearch.ca/coronavirus-new-world-order-blow-globalization/5706729

Rio's Favelas Seen as Potential Coronavirus Breeding Grounds
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-19
"How am I going to isolate a family member who gets the illness if four of us share the same room in my house?" Maria, a resident of a Brazilian metropolis' jam-packed Tavares Bastos favela, asks rhetorically about the potential spread thereof the novel coronavirus. | RELATED: | Brazil: Massive Prisoner Escape Increases Risk of COVID-19 | The inhabitants of Rio's densely populated favelas (shantytowns), where four or five people share small individual residences on average, have…
telesurenglish.net/news/Rios-Favelas-Seen-as-Potential-Coronavirus-Breeding-Grounds-20200318-0029.html

"Maximum-pressure March": US hybrid war on Venezuela heats up
Leonardo Flores | counterpunch.org | 2020-03-19
The first quarter of 2020 has seen the Trump administration escalate its rhetoric against Venezuela. At the State of the Union, President Trump promised to "smash" and destroy the Venezuelan government. This was followed by a renewed threat of a naval blockade on the country, which is an act of war under U.S. and international…
counterpunch.org/2020/03/19/maximum-pressure-march-us-hybrid-war-on-venezuela-heats-up/

Colombia: Senators Ask Duque for More Decision to Halt Covid-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-19
More than 60 Colombian lawmakers and senators Thursday asked President Ivan Duque to take more forceful measures in the face of the health emergency caused by the Covid-19. | RELATED: | Colombian and Venezuelan Ombudsmen Unite Against COVID-19 | They argued that while reconnecting water to thousands of homes is fine, Colombians need four things that the government is not doing. | Mandatory isolation is the most effective measure. However, for people to stay at home, the government mu…
telesurenglish.net/news/Colombia-Senators-Ask-Duque-for-More-Decision-to-Halt-Covid-19-20200319-0008.html

'Inhumane & reckless': Twitter silences Venezuela's anti-coronavirus chief as IMF denies emergency loan
rt.com | 2020-03-19
Amid crushing US sanctions and IMF rejection already making Venezuela's struggle with Covid-19 difficult, Twitter now seems to have hobbled the country's vice-president and head of coronavirus response, Delcy Rodriguez. | Both the personal and the official Twitter account belonging to Rodriguez were "temporarily restricted" on Thursday over "unusual activity," with old tweets still visible to those who choose to view them, but no new tweets available after Wednesday. | Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza called it an "i…
rt.com/news/483563-twitter-venezuela-coronavirus-sanctions/

Last Process: 50 Postees: 2020-03-20 01:32 GMT (21:32 EST)

2020-03-18: News Headlines

Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers (2020-03-18). We're In A Recession, And It's Likely To Get Worse. dissidentvoice.org The coronavirus epidemic is creating an ongoing teachable moment that could be used to transform the US economy. COVID-19 and the oil war are triggers leading to a recession that has its roots in record corporate and personal debt, longterm low wages and an artificially-inflated stockmarket. The shortcomings of US economic policy, the healthcare system, and …

Kathy Kelly (2020-03-18). Stop Tightening the Thumb Screws: A Humanitarian Message. dissidentvoice.org Protester's sign decries sanctions, "a silent war" (Photo Credit: Campaign for Peace and Democracy, 2013) U.S. sanctions against Iran, cruelly strengthened in March of 2018, continue a collective punishment of extremely vulnerable people. Presently, the U.S. "maximum pressure" policy severely undermines Iranian efforts to cope with the ravages of COVID-19, causing hardship and tragedy while …

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). Rouhani vows Iran will take further action to avenge US assassination of Soleimani. rt.com Iran's armed forces have valiantly defended their country against the United States, which has not yet been fully held accountable for its killing of General Qassem Soleimani, President Hassan Rouhani has said. | In a televised speech, Rouhani praised his country's military for having "stood firm" against the US, state media reported. He said that notable advances have been made in Iran's air defense capabilities, and that the Islamic Republic now boasts a strong military deterrence. | The Iranian leader also pledged to take further faction to avenge the US assassination of Soleimani, who was killed by a targe…

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). 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). 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). 'Unbelievable how rapidly this crisis is growing': New York City mulls 'shelter in place' as US coronavirus death toll tops 100. rt.com Covid-19 has infected more than 900 people in New York City, killing 10 in one of the country's largest coronavirus hotspots, while city officials consider a 'shelter in place' order, and as fatalities in the US reach 108. | "The number's gone up literally over a hundred cases in the course of the day. We're at 923 cases at this hour tonight, 10 people who have passed away," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on MSNBC Tuesday evening, referring to the city alone. | It's unbelievable how rapidly this crisis is growing right now. | Asked about the possibility for an emergency 'shelter in place' order for th…

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…

The Canary (2020-03-18). Newborn baby tests positive for coronavirus in Norfolk. thecanary.co Another newborn baby has tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK.Health officials at the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, said a baby is among three new cases identified.All patients are now being treated in isolation, the trust said on Wednesday.(PA Graphics)A hospital spokesperson said: "An extensive 'contact tracing' exercise is now under way by Public Health England to trace anyone who might have had close (face-to-face) contact."Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and what to do if they become unwell in the 14 days after they had contact with the confirmed case."Tha…

RT (2020-03-18). Some US embassies suspend routine visa services over coronavirus — statement. rt.com A number of US embassies around the world will suspend routine visa services due to coronavirus precautions, the US Embassy in South Korea said on Wednesday. The suspension will affect both immigrant and non-immigrant visa services at embassies in countries with a US State Department travel advisory level of 2, 3, or 4, the statement said. | As of Wednesday that includes around 100 countries for which warnings have been issued, according to the US State Department website. In South Korea, which has seen the largest number of infections in Asia outside of China, embassy appointments will be cancelled from Thurs…

RT (2020-03-18). US military 'did not give it to ANYBODY', coronavirus came from CHINA: Trump gets involved in bioweapon conspiracy spat. rt.com US President Donald Trump is refusing to stop using the name 'Chinese virus', despite or perhaps in spite of protests from Beijing and some US media outlets claiming that doing so is inappropriate or even racist. | Asked about his use of the term during a White House press conference on Tuesday, the US president said he will continue calling Covid-19 a "Chinese virus" because it came from China, and he did not appreciate attempts by Beijing to argue otherwise. | "China was putting out information, which was false, that our military gave this to them. That was false," Trump said. "And rather than having an argu…

RT (2020-03-18). We're saved! Marvel baffles fans as it unveils 'Snowflake' & 'Safespace'… non-binary bully-fighting superheroes. rt.com With coronavirus panic sparking worldwide toilet paper shortages, Marvel has rolled out new superheroes to restore faith in humanity: 'Snowflake' and 'Safespace'. Not really the heroes we need, but probably the ones we deserve. | Known for iconic characters such as Spider Man, the Hulk, and Captain America, Marvel has apparently decided that comic book fans need new, "post-ironic" (their words, not ours) heroes. The entertainment company unveiled in a new trailer that their 'New Warriors' line-up includes psychic twins named Snowflake and Safespace. | Snowflake is obviously non-binary and "goes by they/them,"

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). How about help PEOPLE first? Boeing shredded for seeking 'tens of billions' in ANOTHER bailout amid coronavirus pandemic. rt.com As the Covid-19 pandemic cripples airlines worldwide, Boeing is seeking billions in government handouts to weather the storm, but netizens insisted it would only reward years of mismanagement and fatally defective aircraft. | Despite spending the last seven years shoveling tens of billions into a share repurchase initiative to beef up its stock price — driven in part by a

RT (2020-03-18). Tyson Fury shuns coronavirus warnings to head down pub for St. Patrick's Day pint. rt.com World heavyweight champion Tyson Fury was not about to let coronavirus warnings KO his St. Patrick's Day celebrations, defying government advice and heading down his local pub for a pint of Guinness. | British PM Boris Johnson declared at the start of the week that the population That meant eerily empty streets and deserted pubs in many places in the UK…

RT (2020-03-18). Biden crushes Sanders in Florida & Illinois, projected to win Arizona, as Covid-19 keeps Americans distracted. rt.com Joe Biden handily defeated Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in Florida's primary vote, walking away with at least 130 delegates and a supermajority in the popular vote. He will likely take Illinois as well, based on projections. | With nearly 100 percent of the results reported in Florida on Tuesday night, Biden's smash victory left him with twice as many delegates as the socialist stalwart, and more than 61 percent of the popular vote, further cementing his front-runner status. | In Illinois, with most of the votes tallied, Biden took a strong lead over Sanders, scoring 93 delegates to the senator's 46, along w…

RT (2020-03-18). Beijing was within its rights to bar US reporters from Hong Kong — spokesman. rt.com China defended its decision on Wednesday to expel American journalists from three US newspapers and bar them even from working in Hong Kong. Beijing says the measure falls within the central government's purview over diplomatic affairs, Reuters reports. | Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang, speaking at a press briefing, declined to say how many journalists would be affected by the measure. | Beijing earlier said it is withdrawing the press credentials of US correspondents with the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post whose credentials expire by the end of 2020, and that t…

Bill Hackwell (2020-03-18). Cuba and the Concept of Community of Nations. dissidentvoice.org Cuban Medical Brigade (Photo by Bill Hackwell) Some years ago I was talking to a Cuban doctor about what a remarkable achievement it was that Cuba was able to eliminate Malaria in 1973. He took the discussion in stride and said that it didn't mean much until we eradicate Malaria in the entire world. Today …

Lynda Carson (2020-03-18). California senior citizens are on lock-down due to coronavirus. indybay.org One can only wonder how long it will be before California becomes like the film called Wild In The Streets, where everyone 30 and older were locked up in prison camps, or like the film called Logan's Run, where people 30 and older are hunted down and executed to make room for younger people!

Vijay Prashad (2020-03-18). Sanctions against Iran and Venezuela during a pandemic are cruel. zcomm.org Source: Independent Media Institute Swiftly moves the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), dashing across continents, skipping over oceans, terrifying populations in every country. The numbers of those infected rises, as do the numbers of those who have died. Hands are being washed, tests are being done, social distancing has become a new phrase. It is unclear how

Vijay Prashad — Paolo Estrada (2020-03-18). Why Sanctions During a Pandemic are Cruel. counterpunch.org Swiftly moves the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), dashing across continents, skipping over oceans, terrifying populations in every country. The numbers of those infected rises, as do the numbers of those who have died. Hands are being washed, tests are being done, and social distance has become a new phrase. It is unclear how devastating this pandemic will be.

WSWS (2020-03-18). Canada: Coronavirus threatens to ravage Toronto's swelling homeless population. wsws.org Activists have warned that shelters and encampments, which provide inadequate makeshift housing for over 9,000 people in Toronto, will act like a "petri dish" for the spread of the coronavirus.

Dr. Binoy Kampmark (2020-03-18). The Taliban Scores a Coup. globalresearch.ca It threatened to disappear under the viral haze of COVID-19, but February 29 saw representatives from the US and Taliban, loftily acknowledged as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, sign the "Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan". After two decades of …

Victor Wallis (2020-03-18). The Socialist Specter in Present-Day US Politics. counterpunch.org The US political scene is haunted by talk of socialism. The basis for this has been developing now for some years, especially since the financial meltdown of 2008, which many came to see as decisive proof that a capitalist economy does not serve the majority.

WSWS (2020-03-18). Biden sweeps three primaries amid coronavirus crisis. wsws.org The former vice president extended his lead over Bernie Sanders to more than 300 delegates, while voter turnout plunged.

Stephen Lendman (2020-03-18). When Available, COVID-19 Vaccines May be Hazardous to Human Health. globalresearch.ca In cahoots with government, Big Pharma is more concerned about profits than human health. | Drug companies see a potential bonanza by developing and marketing a COVID-19 vaccine once testing is completed — likely to be available later this year. | What …

Lee Price (2020-03-18). The Supreme Court is Set to Strike a Major Blow Against Social and Environmental Protections. counterpunch.org In recent years, the Supreme Court has issued ruling after ruling awarding more power to large corporations. Most notably, the 2010 Citizens United ruling opened the floodgates to an unprecedented deluge of corporate cash in our elections. Now, however, the court's right-wing majority appears prepared to offer an even bigger boon: A virtual blanket ban

Kathy Kelly (2020-03-18). Stop Tightening the Screws: a Humanitarian Message on Sanctions. counterpunch.org U.S. sanctions against Iran, cruelly strengthened in March of 2018, continue a collective punishment of extremely vulnerable people. Presently, the U.S. "maximum pressure" policy severely undermines Iranian efforts to cope with the ravages of COVID-19, causing hardship and tragedy while contributing to the global spread of the pandemic. On March 12, 2020, Iran's Foreign Minister

Kathy Kelly (2020-03-18). Stop Tightening the Thumb Screws, A Humanitarian Message. zcomm.org U.S. sanctions against Iran, cruelly strengthened in March of 2018, continue a collective punishment of extremely vulnerable people…

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 …

Mark Weisbrot (2020-03-18). Biden's Health Care Plan Abandons Older Americans. counterpunch.org Joe Biden has surged since the South Carolina primary, and the received wisdom is that this was mainly because of the perception by his voters that he was the most electable candidate against President Donald Trump. But there are some potential pitfalls that have not yet surfaced, and some of them concern voters who are

Laura Carlsen (2020-03-18). How the OAS Revived the Cold War in the Americas. zcomm.org An in-depth analysis of the actions of the Organization of American States reveals a disturbing political bias, a willingness to manipulate events and data for political purposes, and a pattern of double standards under the leadership of Secretary General Luis Almagro…

teleSUR (2020-03-18). Iran Temporarily Frees 85,000 Inmates As Pandemic Worsens. telesurenglish.net Iran has temporarily freed about 85,000 people from jail in response to the coronavirus epidemic, a judiciary spokesman said Tuesday. | RELATED: | "So far, some 85,000 prisoners have been released … Also in the prisons we have taken precautionary measures to confront the outbreak," judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said. | Asked whether prisoners over so-called "political reasons" were among those free…

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.

Lucas Leiroz de Almeida (2020-03-18). Beijing Believes COVID-19 Is a Biological Weapon. globalresearch.ca From conspiracy theory to geopolitical realism, the possibility to treat COVID-19 as a biological weapon has been finally accepted in the public sphere. The recent statement by the Chinese spokesman Zhao Lijian, formally accusing the US of bringing coronavirus …

Pepe Escobar (2020-03-18). China Locked in Hybrid War with US. globalresearch.ca Among the myriad, earth-shattering geopolitical effects of coronavirus, one is already graphically evident. China has re-positioned itself. For the first time since the start of Deng Xiaoping's reforms in 1978, Beijing openly regards the US as a threat, as stated …

Ryan O'Rourke (2020-03-18). Over 450 US Planes Carrying Weapons Landed in Shannon Airport in 2019. globalresearch.ca Over 450 planes carrying weapons on board landed in Shannon Airport last year. | The Government approved 454 applications for "the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft" in Shannon Airport in 2019. | The practice has continued into 2020, with …

Shane Quinn (2020-03-18). China Smothers Coronavirus as West Continues Hyperbole for Big Pharma Gain. globalresearch.ca There are firm indications that China has won its battle in suppressing the coronavirus, with daily cases in the country reduced to low double digit numbers. On 8 March 2020, a mere 40 new reports of coronavirus were recorded in …

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 …

Philip A Farruggio (2020-03-18). Money for Something. Keep the Predatory Wall Street Firms Afloat. globalresearch.ca Isn't it funny how whenever Uncle Empire needs to find some of that green to solve a problem THEY deem vital, they find it. | When they DON'T deem it necessary they don't! | Go back 12 years or so when the …

Sharon Lerner (2020-03-18). 2.2 Million People in the U.S. Could Die If Coronavirus Goes Unchecked. zcomm.org The earlier viral outbreak known as SARS showed that patients living in areas with moderate air pollution were 84 percent more likely to die from that virus than patients in regions with low pollution, according to a 2003 study.

Lynda Carson (2020-03-18). Utility cutoff's restricted for PG&E, AT&T, Comcast, San Jose Water Company, & others. indybay.org This means that if people get behind on their utility bills or water bills because of a lack of income due to the disastrous financial effects of the coronavirus in their communities, that utility cutoff's are restricted for such companies as PG&E, AT&T, Comcast, Metro PCS, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, San Jose Water Company, and other companies!

WSWS (2020-03-18). US service industry workers face unemployment as businesses close due to coronavirus. wsws.org Millions of predominantly low-wage workers across the US find themselves suddenly without a source of income and must figure out how to survive without any emergency savings.

WSWS (2020-03-18). Mounting anger as workers demand protection from unsafe conditions. wsws.org There is growing outrage among workers in the United States and internationally over the fact that they continue to be kept on the job in nonessential industries and workplaces amidst the spreading coronavirus pandemic.

Jack Rasmus (2020-03-18). An Economic Recovery Program—Theirs vs. Mine. zcomm.org The Coronavirus has been wrecking the US and global economies. While focus has been on addressing the biological devastation wrought by the virus, the economic devastation keeps growing. Failure to properly address the deepening economic impact of the coronavirus has been no less shocking to date than the obvious failure of politicians and policymakers to

The Village Oakland (2020-03-18). Curbside Communities Need Our Support During the Coronavirus Crisis. indybay.org Most unhoused folks don't have the privledge of washing hands all day long or self-quarantining.

Lynda Carson (2020-03-18). Oakland to become dumping ground for coronavirus infected trash from Grand Princess ship. indybay.org Statement of Rob Bonta: "I am very sensitive to the perception that the Grand Princess being docked and disembarked at the Port of Oakland- instead of in San Francisco – is wrong and unjust. Frankly, that was my first reaction. It is absolutely appropriate to view this through the historical context and lens of environmental racism and injustice in Oakland, specifically in West Oakland, including exposure to toxics, dirty air, and lead." Assemblymember Rob Bonta may want to rethink his above statement, now that the powers to be have double-crossed the people of Oakland and are dumping the toxic coronavirus infect…

Leon Kunstenaar (2020-03-18). San Fancisco's Downtown Emptied by Pandemic. indybay.org On a regular workday, San Francisco's Embarcadero, financial district, and Chinatown were almost deserted as the coronavirus attacks the US.

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.

Last Process: 50 Citations: 2020-03-18 13:29 GMT (09:29 EST)

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