(2020-03-17). Ohio governor vows to delay primary vote over coronavirus emergency despite judge's ruling. rt.com 
Dueling press reports and statements have created major confusion over the upcoming primary vote in Ohio — where the governor promised to delay the vote over fears of Covid-19, while a judge struck down the request. | @DrAmyActon will order the polls closed as a health emergency. While the polls will be closed tomorrow, Secretary of State @FrankLaRose will seek a remedy through the courts to extend voting options so that every voter who wants to vote will be granted that opportunity.— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine)
(2020-03-17). Not so scary! Russian model says if Covid-19 wipes out half of humanity, the planet will benefit. rt.com 
A well-known Russian celebrity and glamour model has caused a stir online after suggesting that the death of a massive chunk of humanity would be no big deal, and that it would be good for the Earth as a whole. | Victoria Bonya, a former participant on the massively popular reality television show 'Dom-2', recorded the controversial statement on Instagram, and the clip was shared widely on Russian social media. | In her video, Bonya said that coronavirus is actually needed by the Earth and will be a positive thing for the planet. "Because [humanity] simply devoured the planet, we destroyed the planet. And, to…
(2020-03-17). Cuba's Contribution to Combatting COVID-19. counterpunch.org 
COVID-19 surged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December 2019 and by January 2020 it had hit Hubei province like a tidal wave, swirling over China and rippling out overseas. The Chinese state rolled into action to combat the spread and care for those infected. Among the 30 medicines the Chinese National Health Commission selected to fight the virus was a Cuban anti-viral drug Interferon Alpha 2b. This drug has been produced in China since 2003, by the enterprise ChangHeber, a Cuban-Chinese joint venture.
(2020-03-17). Former banker who crashed Northern Rock slammed as hypocrite for 'ironic' suggestion that China pay 'reparations' for Covid-19. rt.com 
A suggestion that China should pay "reparations" for the Covid-19 crisis made by a British former banker responsible a major financial collapse in the UK agitated people who accused him of a "staggering" lack of self-awareness. | Matt Ridley, who was chairman of the collapsed Northern Rock bank between 2004 and 2007, tweeted on Monday that he was "not a fan of reparations for the sins of past generations." Nonetheless, he proposed that there might be "a case for demanding some sort of reparations from the Chinese government" due to the "terrible human suffering" the pandemic will inevitably cause. | Needless t…
(2020-03-17). 'Shocking and callous': Tory MP rejects concerns over coronavirus low sick pay claims, tells constituent to 'get a life'. rt.com 
A Conservative MP has felt the fury of Britons scared about the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the poor, after telling one of her constituents concerned about low sick pay to "get a life." | While the coronavirus outbreak is causing heightened tensions amongst citizens around the globe, lawmakers in various countries are attempting to allay fears with a series of measures to tackle the spread of the deadly disease. | However, it would appear Pauline Latham — the Tory MP for Mid Bedfordshire — didn't get the memo. She was tweeted by an alleged constituent, who asked whether statutory sick pay of &…
(2020-03-17). The Taliban Scores a Coup. dissidentvoice.org 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 conflict, the agreement sets in motion the process that should see American troops leave Afghanistan …
(2020-03-17). 'One Guy Who's Happy as Larry': Users Think Prince Andrew 'Delighted' by US Travel Ban Over COVID-19. sputniknews.com Amidst the worldwide pandemonium sparked by the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, social media users have been seeking an outlet for their concerns as they revel in dark humour.
(2020-03-17). Pandemic Stalks But Congress Still Fails to Pass Emergency Legislation. sputniknews.com On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Dr. Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious disease physician and vice chair of an Infectious Disease Society of America committee, and Dr. Jason Kindrachuk, an assistant professor of viral pathogenesis and Canada Research Chair in molecular pathogenesis of emerging viruses.
(2020-03-17). Imperialism Fans the Flames of Coronavirus Spread. sputniknews.com As "enemy" country rally to treat Covid-19 US falters; Bernie doesn't show up in latest debate; Gantz set to form unity government in Israel; Cuba contributions to anti-viral medicine…
(2020-03-17). VIDEO — E adesso in Europa arriva l'esercito americano. globalresearch.ca Abbiamo bisogno del tuo aiuto: se ti piace Byoblu, aiutaci ad arrivare 20 mila abbonati al canale Youtube. Sono solo tre caffè al mese, dai un'occhiata:
(2020-03-17). The rise of AI-Capitalism: An interview with Nick Dyer-Witheford. mronline.org 
The political answer is not acceleration but refusal. And this is indeed what is has begun to manifest, in a variety of social rebellions. This includes the strikes of gig economy labor, the protests of Silicon Valley tech workers, anti-surveillance movements, urban protests against the smart city, defections from social media sites, algorithmic-bias busting, and […] |
(2020-03-16). Thousands of volunteers join effort to help vulnerable people during UK coronavirus crisis. thecanary.co 
Thousands of Britons have joined local Facebook groups offering food and support for elderly and vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak.The groups, named Covid-19 Mutual Aid, have been set up in most London boroughs, cities including Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham, as well as smaller towns throughout the UK.Some groups have received several thousand members in recent days as more and more people self-isolate to prevent the spread of the virus.In one group, users shared a printable postcard which could be dropped in to neighbours' letterboxes, with offers to pick up shopping, post mail or even jus…
(2020-03-16). Getting Viral: Why COVID-19 is Such a Threat to the 60+ Plus Population and Why the Response May Make It Worse. counterpunch.org 
After looking at the demographics, virology, public health dimensions, and earlier parallels (e.g., the 1918 flu epidemic), it seems to me that this whole episode with COVID-19 is being handled incorrectly. This is partly due to Donald Trump's self-serving blunders, but not entirely.
(2020-03-16). US Health and Human Services faces cyber attack during coronavirus response — reports. rt.com 
The US Health and Human Services Department's computer system was reportedly hacked on Sunday night, with the National Security Council needing to step in and warn that news of a mass quarantine was fake news. | Three people "familiar with the matter" briefed Bloomberg on the hack and said the breach was meant to slow the department's system down in the middle of the coronavirus response. Though no major damage was done, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump have been informed of the attack, which is said to have included several incidents. The National Security Council tweeted in response…
(2020-03-16). How Cuba is Leading the World in the Fight Against Coronavirus. mintpressnews.com 
As Cuba sends doctors around the world to help fight coronavirus, a Cuban antiviral drug, Interferon Alpha 2b, is helping countries like China stem the tide of the outbreak.
(2020-03-15). Trump 'strongly considering' Michael Flynn pardon, points at FBI 'conveniently losing' his records. rt.com 
President Donald Trump said on Twitter that he is "strongly considering" pardoning former adviser Michael Flynn after the FBI and Justice Department "destroyed" his life, seemingly confirming the long-standing rumors. | The Mueller investigation may be in the past for many, but Trump put the two-plus year probe back into the spotlight on Sunday by directly answering reports he would pardon Flynn, one of a handful of advisers to face criminal charges from Robert Mueller. | After saying the FBI and Justice Department were "destroying" the lives of Flynn and his "wonderful" family, the president claimed the depar…
(2020-03-15). 'Just take it easy, just relax': Trump warns against HOARDING over coronavirus as VIDEOS of shoppers cleaning out stores go viral. rt.com 
The White House has warned citizens against hoarding daily supplies in the wake of videos showing people fighting for products like toilet paper and hand sanitizer and panic-buying daily essentials until shelves are empty. | President Donald Trump on Sunday spoke with "more than two dozen" grocery store and supply chain executives and thanked them for their work as people flock to stores to stockpile on supplies over fears surrounding the spread of coronavirus. | Delivering his daily update on the coronavirus situation, Trump suggested Americans "just take it easy, just relax," adding that the empty shelves al…
(2020-03-15). Long lines beset US airports with passengers reportedly waiting up to 10 HOURS to get through due to Covid-19 screening (PHOTOS). rt.com 
Thousands have lined up in long queues to get their bags and pass customs at airports across the US, with photos of the crowds going viral. The chaos has been blamed on enhanced coronavirus checks under the European travel ban. | Also on rt.com | | O'Hare Airport in Chicago, Illinois, one of world's busiest airports by passenger traffic, has been overwhelmed with a sea of people, with photos and videos by stranded travelers showing long lines leading up to the baggage line and cu…
(2020-03-13). 'No tests': AP reporter trying to get Covid-19 test sent from pillar to post by health authorities, told to 'stay home' on Twitter. rt.com 
AP reporter Steve Peoples had no luck trying to get tested for the Covid-19 virus after he presented to a primary care center and was subsequently bounced around to various other health facilities with no tests available anywhere. | Peoples tweeted on Friday that he had been experiencing "mild symptoms" — a headache, mild fever and cough — but that when he arrived at his primary care center in north Jersey, they told him to go to the emergency room instead. | I'm presenting mild symptoms (headache, mild fever, mild cough) and want to get tested in north Jersey. Primary care tells me to go to ER. ER…
(2020-03-13). That's how you spread panic! Ohio official backtracks on claim 100k people in state ALREADY carry coronavirus. rt.com 
Dr Amy Acton's shocking claim that 100,000 Ohioans are already carrying the Covid-19 coronavirus was just "guesstimating," she said a day later, noting that the actual number of confirmed cases stood at just 13. | At least one percent of the population carries the virus, Acton had said at a press conference on Thursday. "We have 11.7 million people. So the math is over 100,000. So that just gives you a sense of how this virus spreads and is spreading quickly." Her comment quickly went viral, so to speak. | By Friday, however, she was walking that back, saying that she was only "guesstimating" the numbers. The…
(2020-03-13). Peak 'Florida Man'? Ex-Tallahassee mayor denies using crystal meth after he was found in hotel room with overdosed male escort. rt.com 
Florida Democrat Andrew Gillum is taking a break from public life after police walked in on what has been described as a crystal meth-fueled orgy – but which he insists was just a wedding celebration where he drank too much. | Gillum was "unable to communicate with officers due to his inebriated state" when police chanced upon him in a hotel room at Miami's South Beach Mondrian on Thursday night, responding to another man's "possible drug overdose," revealed the police report, leaked via Twitter on Friday. | The police were concerned enough to request a second "welfare check" on Gillum, while they took his str…
(2020-03-06). Oil firm dumps plans to drill the Bight, but fight not over. greenleft.org.au 
(2020-02-21). In the Midst of Infighting, Anti-LGBTQ Church Network's Website and Social Media Disappear. splcenter.org The New Independent Fundamental Baptist network, most prominently associated with anti-LGBTQ pastor Steven Anderson, appears to be in turmoil as infighting again erupts, this time between Anderson and fellow pastors in the network.