2020-03-20: News Headlines

RT (2020-03-20). Erdogan orders all events in Turkey postponed until end-April. rt.com Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a decree on Friday postponing all events related to science, culture and the arts, as the country seeks to contain a surge in coronavirus cases. | Turkey's Covid-19 death toll has reached four, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Thursday. The number of confirmed cases in the country has surged since the first case was announced last week, reaching 359 on Thursday. The cases have roughly doubled every day since Sunday, Reuters reports. | Erdogan's decree, published in the Official Gazette on Friday, said all meetings and activities, indoors or outdoors, related…

RT (2020-03-20). –°hina reports record number of imported Covid-19 cases from US & Europe as global death toll exceeds 10,000. rt.com China may have managed to contain the coronavirus at home, but it's not over the hump yet. There's danger of a return of the deadly disease as the number of infected travelers entering the country reaches record levels. | The Chinese authorities have done huge work since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in Wuhan in late December. The blow was hard as 3,248 have died and 80,967 were infected, but for the last two days there was not a single domestically transmitted coronavirus case in the country. | But as the situation improved, many Chinese expatriates, including students, rushed back home to escape the corona…

RT (2020-03-20). Russia testing MULTIPLE prototype Covid-19 vaccines. rt.com Russia's research center of virology and biotechnology, known as the Vector Institute, is testing multiple different vaccine prototypes against Covid-19 in a race to find a cure for the virus behind a global pandemic. | This week, it "began immunogenicity studies in sensitive laboratory animals… of all developed vaccine prototypes," The composition, dose, route of administration of the future vaccine will be determi…

RT (2020-03-20). FBI arrests Pakistani doctor trying to JOIN ISIS & carry out 'lone wolf' attacks in US. rt.com A Pakistani doctor and former employee at a prestigious US medical research center was arrested on terrorism charges after telling FBI informants he sought to join Islamic State, hoping to launch attacks on their behalf. | The 28-year-old doctor, Muhammad Masood, was Masood — who formerly worked as a research coord…

Prof Michel Chossudovsky (2020-03-20). Spinning Fear and Panic Across America. Analysis of COVID-19 Data. globalresearch.ca The US media is relentlessly spinning fear, panic and despair, with the endorsement of "authoritative" American scientists. "The new coronavirus could kill millions across the United States", according to Dr. Kathleen Neuzil a specialist in vaccines at the University of …

The Canary (2020-03-20). GCSE and A-level grades to be awarded based on teacher assessments. thecanary.co GCSE and A-level students will be given grades based on teacher assessments, after exams were cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic. | The government said it is aiming for the calculated grades — which will also take into account their previous achievements — to be awarded to pupils in England by the end of July. | Making the announcement on Friday, education secretary Gavin Williamson said these are "extraordinary times" and that exam boards would be working closely with teachers to implement the new approach. | Students will also have the option to sit an exam early in the next academic year [mdas…

Elijah J. Magnier (2020-03-20). Iraqi Politics in a Storm, Heading Towards Instability and Chaos. globalresearch.ca Following Iraqi president Barham Saleh's nomination of Adnan al-Zarfi (Zurufi or Zurfi) as the new Prime Minister, Iraq has entered a critical stage. The Shia block is divided. The 30 days given to al-Zarfi to nominate his cabinet will lead …

Joe Penney (2020-03-20). As the US Blames China for the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Rest of the World Asks China for Help. globalresearch.ca As the number of coronavirus infections spirals out of control, the U.S. and countries around the world have reported major shortages of ventilators, respirators, test kits, surgical masks, and other essential health equipment for dealing with the pandemic. On Wednesday, …

Zero Hedge (2020-03-20). 15 Among Brazilian Delegation that Met with Trump Now Have Coronavirus. globalresearch.ca It's been eleven days since the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his delegation met with Trump and many White House staffers at Mar-a-Lago on March 7. First it was Nestor Forster, Brazil's Chargé d'Affaires in Washington, and Nelsinho Trad, …

The Week (2020-03-20). Here Is What Legendary Journalist John Pilger Said About Coronavirus Outbreak. globalresearch.ca Over the course of nearly three-and-a-half months, the novel coronavirus outbreak has infected over 127,000 and left over 4,700 dead. While this has sparked global panic and a WHO-declaration of a pandemic, then death toll is still a far cry …

William J Murray (2020-03-20). The Coronavirus, Fear, and Elitist Driven Market Insanity. globalresearch.ca Fear is contagious: Fear is more contagious than any virus could ever be, and the media has really fed the fear factor when it comes to the coronavirus. | I am by no means playing down the deadly Covid-19 coronavirus. It …

Dr. Ejaz Akram (2020-03-20). Pakistan's Position on the US-Afghanistan Settlement: Impact on China's Belt and Road. globalresearch.ca Zhao Lijian, the spokesman of the ministry of foreign affairs in China quite knowledgeably alleged that the US was behind the spread of Corona virus through its military personnel in Wuhan during Wuhan military games late last autumn, 2019. …

Larry Romanoff (2020-03-20). COVID-1: Toda a verdade tem três etapas. globalresearch.ca A primeira, é ignorada. | A segunda, é amplamente ridicularizada. | A terceira, é aceite como evidente por si mesma. | Com o COVID-19, entramos agora na etapa 2. Inicialmente, a comunicaàßà£o mediática ignorou as alegaàßàµes e as análises de que o vírus …

Xinhua (2020-03-20). China's Wuhan Marks No New Coronavirus Case, Success of Strict Measures. globalresearch.ca No new infections of the novel coronavirus were reported on Wednesday in Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic, marking a notable first in the city's months-long battle with the deadly virus and sending a message of hope to the world …

Kit Knightly (2020-03-20). Italy's Institute of Health (ISS) Report: 99% of Deaths Attributed to Covid-19 Deaths Had "Pre-existing Serious Illness" globalresearch.ca Anything up to 99.2% of all of Italy's recent Covid19-associated deaths could have been caused by pre-existing chronic conditions, according to a report released by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian Institute of Health, ISS) | The report was translated and …

Nina DeMeo (2020-03-20). Why Is the U.S. Bombing Iraq During a Pandemic? globalresearch.ca Even as coronavirus spreads rapidly across the globe, causing a health crisis of historic proportions, the U.S. military is engaging in new military attacks in the Middle East. The U.S. must cease all military interventions and redirect its military budget …

Gareth Porter (2020-03-20). The New York Times' Insidious Ongoing Disinformation Campaign on Russia and Elections. globalresearch.ca For the past three years the new narrative of Russian interference in U.S. elections has bound corporate news media more tightly than ever to the interests of the national security state. And no outlet has pushed that narrative more aggressively …

Stephen Lendman (2020-03-20). Global Depression Arrives, Only Its Depth and Duration Unknown. globalresearch.ca What's ongoing worldwide suggests that a redefinition of global depression is in order. | According to classical economics, it's a protracted economic downturn that lasts several years or longer, domestic or global GDP declining at least 10%. | While ongoing, consumer sentiment …

Rick Sterling (2020-03-20). Chinese Swimmer Sun Yang Is a Victim of Confusion and Bias. globalresearch.ca Sun Yang is an Olympic Gold medalist and world record holding swimmer. He was recently

Jewish Voice for Peace (2020-03-20). COVID-19 Will Devastate Gaza Unless the Blockade Is Lifted Now. globalresearch.ca It's difficult enough to be in the U.S. during the COVID-19 outbreak. And when I think about the conditions in Gaza, I'm absolutely terrified for the Palestinians trapped there. | As of today, Israeli officials have only allowed 200 testing kits …

Philip Giraldi (2020-03-20). A Tale of Two Foreign Policies: The Train-Wreck Abroad Is Bipartisan. globalresearch.ca Now that the Democratic Party has apparently succeeded in getting rid of the only two voices among its presidential candidates that actually deviated from the establishment consensus, it appears that Joe Biden will be running against Donald Trump in November. …

Alessandro Delfanti (2020-03-20). Workers and the Virus: Radical Lessons from Italy in the Age of COVID-19. globalresearch.ca In the face of the mounting

Johanna Ross (2020-03-20). Scotland Announces School Closures Due to Covid-19. globalresearch.ca And so we have it. The much-awaited announcement regarding school closures in Scotland has taken place, and once again Nicola Sturgeon has beaten her Westminster counterpart by addressing the nation in relation to Covid-19. Schools are to be shut from …

Paul Antonopoulos (2020-03-20). Australia Willing to be the U.S. Policeman in the Pacific. globalresearch.ca The U.S. is ramping up pressure on Australia to support hostilities against China in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Last week in Sydney, the U.S. Ambassador to Australia, Arthur Culvahouse, said that "We'll be pushing Australia to expand …

Stephen Lendman (2020-03-20). Biden v. Trump in November, Tulsi and Bernie Drop Out… globalresearch.ca Tulsi and Bernie dropped out. | On March 19, she made it official, shaming herself and disappointing supporters by endorsing Biden. See below. | *** | So will Sanders officially in the coming days (dropping out and endorsing Biden). | He likely privately informed …

F. William Engdahl (2020-03-20). Coronavirus, Vaccines and the Gates Foundation. globalresearch.ca Arguably, no one has been more active in promoting and funding research on vaccines aimed at dealing with coronavirus than Bill Gates and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. From sponsoring a simulation of a coronavirus global pandemic, just weeks …

Mike Whitney (2020-03-20). The Fed Reopens Its Landfill for Distressed Assets. globalresearch.ca The Fed is reopening its most controversial and despised crisis-era bailout facility, the Primary Dealer Credit Facility. The Wall Street Journal describes the PDCF as "an overnight loan facility for primary dealers (that) provides round-the-clock backup source of funding to …

Lucas Leiroz de Almeida (2020-03-20). The Baltic States Align Themselves with US-NATO against Russia ? globalresearch.ca In 2017, RAND Corporation published in its associated media Small Wars Journal an

Stephen Lendman (2020-03-20). Sanders Capitulates to Biden. globalresearch.ca Sanders capitulated before the race began. He's yet to formally announce what's coming, a repeat of 2016. | It's just a matter of days or weeks before he officially concedes, ends his campaign, and endorses dirty business as usual advocate Biden …

Middle East Eye (2020-03-20). Israeli MP Presents Bills to Annex Jordan Valley, Impose Death Penalty on Palestinians. globalresearch.ca A right-wing Israeli parliamentarian submitted two bills to the Knesset on Wednesday seeking to permanently annex the Jordan Valley, the northern Dead Sea and the Hebron desert in the occupied West Bank to Israel, as well as impose the death …

Edward Curtin (2020-03-20). The Coronavirus Is Not "The Plague": It Is the U.S. globalresearch.ca "Two categories of propaganda must be distinguished. The first strives to create a permanent disposition in its objects and constantly needs to be reinforced. Its goal is to make the masses 'available,' by working spells upon them and exercising a …

Stephen Lendman (2020-03-20). US Economic Relief Measure Enacted, Much More Needed. globalresearch.ca Temporary, longer-term, or permanent closure of business enterprises and mass cancellations of public events in cities and towns across the US is unprecedented — with little guidance on how long things may last. | "As of Wednesday morning, only a few …

Stephen Lendman (2020-03-20). China Retaliates Against Hostile Trump Regime Actions. globalresearch.ca Last month, the Trump regime designated five state-run Chinese media in the US as "foreign missions (sic)." | The hostile action requires them to register their locations, properties and staff, including US citizens if among them. | Affected media include Xinhua, China …

Nino Pagliccia (2020-03-20). Sanctions: Unilateral Coercive Measures for Regime Change in Venezuela. globalresearch.ca 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 …

Kathy Kelly (2020-03-20). Stop Tightening the Thumb Screws against Iran. A Humanitarian Message. globalresearch.ca 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 …

Eoin Higgins (2020-03-20). Washington Post Photographer Spots Crossed-Out 'Coronavirus' in Favor of 'Chinese Virus' in Trump Notes. globalresearch.ca President Donald Trump's use of the racist term "Chinese virus" when describing the global coronavirus outbreak is apparently counter to how his aides are presenting information to him to read to the public according to a photo taken Thursday by …

Andrew Korybko (2020-03-20). Iran's IMF Request Shows Just How Desperate Tehran has Become. globalresearch.ca The combination of crippling American sanctions, the compliance with the aforesaid by the US' "comprehensive global strategic partner" India (formerly one of Tehran's top energy partners) out of fear of so-called "secondary sanctions", the uncontrollable outbreak of COVID-19 in the …

South Front (2020-03-20). Video: ISIS Threat Revives in Eastern Syria. Idlib Militants Kill Each Other Over Security Zone Deal Contradictions. globalresearch.ca ISIS cells are once again active in eastern Syria. Late on March 17, the Syrian Army and the National Defense Forces repelled an ISIS attack in the area between the town of al-Sukhna and the T3 station. The attack involved …

sputniknews (2020-03-20). Land Regained: Researchers Stumble Upon Lost Stretch of Continent in Canada's Arctic. sputniknews.com A long missing remnant of the North Atlantic Craton has been discovered during a diamond mission, as rocks carrying the precious natural stone were scrupulously sifted through by the geologists.

sputniknews (2020-03-20). Say Cheese! New Telescope Could Help Capture 'Photon Ring' of First Pictured Black Hole. sputniknews.com Black holes are extremely hard to see due to their extreme gravity that even light cannot escape. However, in April 2019 scientists managed to capture the first image of a supermassive black hole located in the M87 galaxy using the Event Horizon Telescope. Now researchers are hunting for more…

sputniknews (2020-03-20). Going in for the Kill: Gamers Rave Over Doom Eternal Release, Celebrate Return of Legendary FPS Hero. sputniknews.com The long-awaited sequel to Bethesda Softworks and Id Software's 2016 Doom reboot was released on Friday, with fans of the iconic Doom Slayer returning to the battlefield – this time on Terra Firma – after a demonic invasion wipes out most of the planet's population.

yenisafak (2020-03-20). UK's Oxford University developing coronavirus vaccine. yenisafak.com Researchers at Oxford University are developing a coronavirus vaccine, aiming to have it ready by the end of the year, with a safety trial on humans as early as next month, according to British daily The Guardian.The university's team is led by Dr. Sarah Gilbert, who leads the Jenner Institute's influenza vaccine and emerging pathogens program. The vaccine will be known as ChAdOx1.Oxford's vaccine will start animal trials next week. For human trials, the university will recruit people of all ages, but will focus on older people who are most vulnerable to the coronavirus and less responsive to vaccines due to thei…

Global Research News (2020-03-20). Selected Articles: Coronavirus Pandemic and Vaccines. globalresearch.ca Lying is a money making activity and lies are commodities. There is a profitable global market for media and public figures committed to spreading disinformation. | Needless to say, "Telling the Truth", on the other hand, Is Not a Money-Making Proposition. …

Fred_F (2020-03-20). Climate crisis demands revolution in firefighting. greenleft.org.au

The Canary (2020-03-19). Gavin Williamson promises more guidance on school closures and exams. thecanary.co The education secretary has moved to quell concerns over how school closures will affect students and parents.Gavin Williamson said the government will issue guidance on 20 March on how pupils unable to sit their GCSEs and A-levels because of the school closures will be awarded their grades.A list of the key workers whose children can still go to school will also be released later, he said.On 18 March, prime minister Boris Johnson announced school closures across the UK but promised the children of NHS and police workers and supermarket delivery drivers would still be able to attend, as would vulnerable children.

Eds. (2020-03-19). Crop-protecting insects could be turned into bioweapons, critics warn. mronline.org It sounds like science fiction: A research program funded by the U.S. government plans to create virus-carrying insects that, released in vast numbers, could help crops fight threats such as pests, drought, or pollution. |

Charles Pierce (2020-03-19). Proposals for the 2020 US Elections. dissidentvoice.org The broad left has been uniting behind the Democratic Party for the past four decades without having achieved much real progress for its base constituencies. In fact, there has been considerable regress: increased inequality of wealth and income, diminished collective bargaining, increased homeless numbers, rising student debt burdens, reduced abortion access, increasingly unaffordable costs of …

Prof Michel Chossudovsky (2020-03-19). COVID-19 Coronavirus: The Crisis. globalresearch.ca Michel Chossudovsky discusses his new series of research articles on the "pandemic" including, " ***…

Derrick Z. Jackson (2020-03-19). Coronavirus Pandemic: Science Sidelined in Trump Rose Garden Fiasco: "Double Collapse of Human and Economic Health, Shutdown of Normal Life" globalresearch.ca Having paved over the science on pandemics, the Trump administration puts up parking lots. Literally. | It wasn't enough that President Trump's Rose Garden declaration of a national coronavirus emergency on Friday disintegrated into a self-congratulatory monologue. It wasn't enough that …

John Stanton (2020-03-19). US National Security Strategy Is Meant to Protect Wall Street, Congress, the White House, and the Pentagon. globalresearch.ca "Our fundamental responsibility is to protect the American people, the homeland, and the American way of life." National Security Strategy of the United States, 2017 (President Donald Trump) | "The United States government has no greater responsibility than …