(2020-03-21). Coronavirus death toll in Italy's Lombardy surpasses 3,000 as 546 more perish. rt.com 
The death toll from the Covid-19 illness in the worst hit Italian region of Lombardy has surpassed 3,000, as the latest statistics show that 546 more people have fallen victim to the virus. | The region in northern Italy has been ravaged by the disease, with more people dying in that area than any country in the world except China. Officials announced on Saturday that a total of 3,095 people have now died from the illness. | The shocking figures come hot on the heels of Italy announcing that it had recorded its worst day for Covid-19 deaths, when 627 people died across the country between Thursday and Friday.
(2020-03-21). China's Yutu-2 rover sets off for UNEXPLORED areas as Chang'e 4 mission reawakens on far side of Moon. rt.com 
Far, far away from coronavirus worries, China's Yutu-2 lunar rover and Chang'e-4 spacecraft have whirred back to life on the far side of the Moon, with the intrepid rover boldly setting off for unexplored areas. | After powering down while the Moon was hidden from the Sun, the mission has now earnestly started its 16th lunar day of work on Earth's natural satellite. | The lander, rover and their science payloads are all in good operating condition, despite having by now endured the harsh conditions on the lunar surface for over a year. | | Yutu-2 on the surface of the far side of the moon. © Xinhua/ Glo…
(2020-03-21). Fighting COVID-19 in Cuba, China and the United States. mronline.org 
The pandemic has effectively provided a laboratory-like demonstration that people do better when states can plan ahead, apply national resources unequivocally to the public good, put science in the service of the people, and practice international solidarity. These are characteristics of socialist societies. |
(2020-03-21). An interview with an Australian school teacher fearing coronavirus exposure. wsws.org The teacher's situation underscores the urgency of the Committee for Public Education's demand for the immediate closure of schools and for teachers to form Action Committees.
(2020-03-21). COVID-USA: Targeting Italy and South Korea. globalresearch.ca A high-level Italian virologist, Giuseppe Remuzzi, has published papers in the Lancet and other articles in which he states facts not hitherto known. (1) |
The doctor stated that Italian physicians now recall having seen: | "a very strange and very severe …
(2020-03-21). [Comment] Ethical implications of poor comparative effectiveness evidence: obligations in industry-research partnerships. thelancet.com Which treatment is best for me? This question is at the centre of the clinical consultation. And yet, too often, the question is not answerable with available evidence on drugs and devices. The two Lancet Series papers on comparative effectiveness1,2 document the shortcomings of the process for regulatory approval in incentivising the generation of comparative effectiveness evidence that is useful for patients, clinicians, and the health-care system. The paucity of meaningful comparative data on drugs and devices before and after market entry compromises clinical decision making.
(2020-03-21). [Comment] UN General Assembly tuberculosis targets: are we on track? thelancet.com The 2018 UN General Assembly (UNGA) Political Declaration on Tuberculosis was a turning point in global efforts to end the tuberculosis epidemic.1,2 Ambitious targets were set for scale-up and roll-out of diagnostic, treatment, and prevention services, political commitments, principles of equity and human rights, and financing, implementation, and research. Targets included diagnosing and treating an additional 40 million people with tuberculosis by 2022 and generating US$13 billion per year for tuberculosis care and prevention and $2 billion per year for research and development.
(2020-03-21). [Perspectives] Sean Wasserman: rising star in TB-HIV research and medicine. thelancet.com A year spent working in a township hospital outside Cape Town, South Africa, was a defining career moment for Sean Wasserman, winner of the 2019 Stephen Lawn TB-HIV Research Leadership Prize, which is supported by The Union. "I remember seeing the devastation caused by untreated HIV and common opportunistic infections including TB and meningitis, and was inspired by the high quality of medicine practised by my consultants in this challenging environment. I knew from that point on that I wanted to make a contribution in the emerging field of infectious diseases medicine in South Africa", he says.
(2020-03-21). Ten Questions for the U.S.: Where did the Novel Coronavirus Come From? globalresearch.ca by Wang Fuhua | . | CGTN Editor's note: The article is an edited version of an article which was first published on a WeChat official account named Gong Yi Kan Shi Jie. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily …
(2020-03-21). China Approves Human Trials of Covid-19 Vaccine. telesurenglish.net China's Defense Minister announced that Chinese scientists developed a Covid-19 vaccine that has already been tested on a group of infected monkeys, which responded effectively and were immune. | RELATED: | "The quality of the vaccine will be controlled during the production process. We are ready to start formal clinical trials at any time," Chen Wei, a Military Academy of Medical Sciences researcher, who is recognized worldwide for her st…
(2020-03-21). Google Rolls Out Coronavirus Pandemic-Related Website. sputniknews.com As governments and scientific establishments are trying to find relief with regard to the current coronavirus pandemic, it has been reported that researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the US are using the world's most powerful supercomputer, the IBM-built Summit, to find potential compounds that could be used to fight the virus.
(2020-03-21). Actual Number of COVID-19 Patients Much Higher in India, Medical Research Chief Claims. sputniknews.com New Delhi (Sputnik): Amid the exponentially growing number of coronavirus cases across the world, India has reported a very low number. So far, the Health Ministry has confirmed that 271 people have tested positive for the virus, which is considered miniscule given the raging pandemic in other countries.
(2020-03-21). Joshua's Altar? 'Anomaly' From Moses' Times Corroborates Biblical Rite Story, Series Claims. sputniknews.com Although the iconic site – Mount Ebal in the immediate vicinity of the city of Nablus in the West Bank – was closely researched over 35 years ago, it took time and effort to come to terms with late Professor Adam Zertal's discovery that the place was very likely cultic, and in line with millennia-old sacrificial customs.
(2020-03-21). Scientists Unravel Mystery Behind Billions of Tons of Ice on Hellishly Hot Mercury. sputniknews.com Like the Moon, some parts of Mercury are covered with craters where temperatures reach cold extremes. But the Earth's satellite has tiny amounts of ice, whereas on Mercury there is plenty of it. This mystery has made scientists wonder whether Mercury has received water in a way that couldn't work on the Moon. But if so — how?
(2020-03-21). Huawei Tests Its Own 'AppSearch' to Help Users Avoid Turning to Google Play Store — Report. sputniknews.com Earlier this year, Huawei confirmed that its latest Mate 30 Pro smartphone will come without Google Media Services (GMS), including Google Play Store, as its GMS license was dropped following the US Department of Commerce's decision in 2019 to blacklist the Chinese tech giant.
(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…
(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 …
(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…
(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 …
(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
(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 …
(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 …
(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 …
(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 …
(2020-03-20). EPA Proposes Broad Science Restrictions in Midst of Coronavirus Pandemic. commondreams.org What EPA is saying here is that it wants political control over what research is used in any of the agency's work. Don't let them get away with this without a fight. (Photo: EPA) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(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 …
(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 …
(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, …
(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, …
(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. …
(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 …
(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 …
(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 …
(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 …
(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 …
(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 …
(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. …
(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 …
(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
(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 …
(2020-03-20). Climate crisis demands revolution in firefighting. greenleft.org.au 
(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. …
(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.
(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 …
(2020-03-19). Cuban drug could save thousands of lives in COVID-19 pandemic. greenleft.org.au 
(2020-03-18). Facing Mass Layoffs, Restaurant Workers Living "Tip to Mouth" Demand Living Wage & Paid Sick Leave. democracynow.org 
Mass shutdowns and layoffs due to the spread of COVID-19 are affecting millions of restaurant workers across the U.S., with bars and restaurants closing for the foreseeable future. Servers, bartenders, kitchen staff and more have been left in the lurch, many without paid sick leave, paid time off or benefits. One study estimated 4 million restaurant workers in the U.S. are at risk of losing their jobs in a matter of weeks. For more on the impacts on service workers, we speak with Saru Jayaraman, the co-founder of the Food Labor Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley, and president of One Fair W…
(2020-03-18). Headlines for March 18, 2020. democracynow.org Global COVID-19 Cases Top 200,000 Worldwide with Over 8,000 Dead, Researchers: Left Unchecked, Coronavirus Could Kill 2.2 Million in U.S. , New Yorkers Prepare to Shelter in Place as Hospitals Face Severe Shortages, Coronavirus Fears Grow for Prisoners and Migrants in ICE Jails, Trump Admin Pushes Economic Stimulus Package Worth Over $1 Trillion, WHO Considers Airborne Precautions for Medical Workers After Coronavirus Found in Aerosols, Rewriting History, Trump Says "I've Always Known" About Pandemic, Internet Providers Drop Data Caps as Calls for Net Neutrality Grow, Biden Wins 3 States as Coronavirus Fears Caus…
(2020-03-18). [Research Paper] A phase 1b randomized study of the safety and immunological responses to vaccination with H4:IC31, H56:IC31, and BCG revaccination in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-uninfected adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa. thelancet.com BCG revaccination administered as a single dose ID and both H4: IC31 and H56: IC31 administered as 2 doses IM had acceptable safety profiles in healthy, QFT-negative, previously BCG-vaccinated adolescents. Characterization of the assays and the immunogenicity of these vaccines may help to identify valuable markers of protection for upcoming immune correlates analyses of C-040-404 and future TB vaccine efficacy trials.
(2020-03-18). UN agriculture agency staff continue to strive for a better world amid Italy COVID-19 lockdown. news.un.org Italy has been hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak, with nearly 28,000 confirmed cases of the disease and 2,503 deaths, according to latest statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO). While a national quarantine has the country in lockdown, it has not halted the work of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), based in the capital, Rome.
(2020-03-18). A Lesson Coronavirus is About to Teach the World. dissidentvoice.org 
If a disease can teach wisdom beyond our understanding of how precarious and precious life is, the coronavirus has offered two lessons. The first is that in a globalised world our lives are so intertwined that the idea of viewing ourselves as islands — whether as individuals, communities, nations, or a uniquely privileged species — …