southfront--2020-03-24--A Closer Look At Russia’s Mobile Biological Laboratory, Deployed To Italy

On March 23rd and 24th , Russia sent 14 IL-76 military transport planes to Italy , with medical experts , virologists and equipment to aid in the fight against COVID-19 .
The personnel , and equipment , sent to Italy are part of the Nuclear , Biological and Chemical Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces .
They are special forces designed to conduct the most complex set of measures aimed at reducing the loss of associations and formations of the Ground Forces and ensuring their combat tasks assigned during operations in conditions of radioactive , chemical and biological contamination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survivability and protection against high-precision and other weapons .
The basis of these Troops is realized by multifunctional separate brigades , having in their composition subunits capable to perform all activities , their tasks include : • identification and assessment of radiological , chemical and biological environment , scales and effects of damages of objects hazardous radiatively , chemically and biologically ; • protection of formations and units against the nuclear effects of mass destruction weapons and radiological , chemical and biological contamination ; • reducing the visibility of troops and facilities ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using flame-incendiary means .
The videos of the loading and unloading of the IL-76 provide a glimpse into what exactly was being sent to Italy .
The above photograph shows the Supotnitskiy M.V .
Multifunctional Mobile Module Complex for Analysis of Pathogenic Biological Materials ( Agents ) .
It is a multifunctional mobile module complex for analysis of pathogenic biological materials ( agents ) ( MKA PBA ) and for the support of the decisions of the operational groups of the Ministry of Defense of Russia in case of biological emergencies .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal target program “ The National System of Chemical and Biological Security of the Russian Federation ( 2009-2013 ) ” .
The developer is OAO “ NPO “ Transkom » ( PJSC « Research and Production Association “ Transkom ” ) together with the federal state budgetary establishment “ 48 Central Scientific Research Institute ” of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation .
The complex provides life support of the crew during 14 days and nights of autonomous work .
The equipment of the complex allows to reveal and identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : plague , anthrax , glanders , melioidosis , cholera , typhoid , brucellosis , legionellosis , tularemia , orthopoxvirus diseases , Q fever , rabies , Rift Valley fever , Venezuelan equine encephalitis , Marburg fever , Ebola fever , Lassa fever , Machupo fever , West Niles fever , epidemic nephritis , Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever , Dengue haemorrhagic fever , yellow fever , Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis .
In case of the absence of any stationary operational bases , MKA PBA can provide the fulfilling sanitary-epidemiological requirements SP 1.3.3118-13 “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( hazard ) ” .
The complex can reveal pathogenic biological agents in no less than 20 samples simultaneously with probability 0,95 .
The duration of the preliminary analysis and the evaluation of biological environment in the emergency zone is no less than 15 minutes .
The alleged service life of the complex is 12 years .
The complex consists of four components ( as can be seen on the photographs ) and provides for the identification , identification and genetic typing of pathogens of especially dangerous and dangerous infectious diseases .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose is carrying out sample preparation , preliminary express analysis of biological samples and samples from environmental objects , analysis of pathogenic biological agents of pathogenicity groups I-II by ELISA , sample enrichment and safe storage of sample samples in accordance with the requirements of the sanitary rules .
Depending on the task , the MIFA module can perform its functions both as part of the MKA PBA complex and autonomously without loss of effectiveness .
The MIFA module is mounted in a KK6.2 container body on the KamAZ-6350 chassis .
Structurally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • cargo compartment , which houses the means of power supply , ventilation , air conditioning and heating ; • A “ clean ” compartment for receiving samples , recording and transferring them to a conditionally “ infectious ” compartment through a transfer gateway for research .
In the “ clean ” compartment there is equipment for controlling and monitoring the operation of power supply , ventilation , and heating systems ; • sanitary inspection room , consisting of a compartment for removing ( storing ) everyday ( working ) clothes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dressing in disposable clothes ; • conditionally “ infectious ” compartment with two workstations for research .
It is possible to operate the MIFA module both with an installation on the ground and from the carrier platform .
The interior of the MIFA module is the following : Its purpose is carrying out sample preparation , preliminary express analysis of biological samples and samples from environmental objects , analysis of BPA I-II pathogenicity groups by PCR in accordance with the requirements of the sanitary rules .
Depending on the task , the module @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the MKA PBA complex and autonomously without loss of effectiveness .
The module is mounted in a container body KK6.2 on the KamAZ-6350 chassis .
Structurally , the module consists of four compartments : • The cargo compartment , which houses the means of power supply , ventilation , air conditioning and heating ; • a “ clean ” compartment for receiving the samples , their registration and transfer to the conditionally “ infectious ” compartment through the transfer gateway for research .
In the “ clean ” compartment there is equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power supply , ventilation , and heating systems ; • sanitary inspection room , consisting of a compartment for removing ( storing ) everyday ( working ) clothes , a shower cabin and a compartment for dressing in disposable clothes ; • conditionally “ infectious ” compartment with two workstations for research .
It can also be operated with an installation on the ground , and also from the carrier platform .
The PCR interior is the following : Its purpose is organization of networks of automatic telephone communication , data transmission , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deployment of the complex .
carrying out preliminary forecasting and assessment of the biological situation in the emergency area .
collection , synthesis , analysis of information on the biological situation and its transfer to the operational group of the Ministry of Defense of Russia , the command ( senior staff ) of the headquarters of the emergency response .
Depending on the task , it can operate as part of the MKA PBA complex , or autonomously .
The MOI module can also be used as a mobile control center for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Armed Forces for the Defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation during the liquidation of biological emergencies .
The MOI interior is the following : Its purpose is ensuring the collection and transmission of information about the biological situation .
Biological reconnaissance .
Selection of biological samples from aerosol and environmental objects .
Express analysis of the samples taken by detection methods , ELISA , PCR ( electrophoresis ) and PCR-RV .
Transportation of selected samples to MIFA and PGM modules for their in-depth analysis .
It can also operate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MKA PBA complex .
• The technological compartment , which houses communications , electricity , ventilation , air conditioning and heating ; • The working compartment , where the equipment for sampling is located , tests for the express detection of the type of pathogen in the native sample by the immunochemical method and PCR , PCR-RV analysis methods , a set of sample analysis tools , a thermocontainer , personal protective equipment , a medical kit , a medical computer , type “ Notebook ” , technical means of disinfecting , transportable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radio station is located in the driver ’ s cab to provide communication during movement .
The MBR interior ( and not only ) can be see below : It is a Soviet-era MiG-15 fighter jet engine powered special vehicle .
TMS-65U is a special disinfection truck with a jet engine mounted in the back , which the Russian military uses to clean vehicles coated in chemical agents or create massive smokescreens to hide friendly movements on the battlefield .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • More Details On Russian COVID-19 Response Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • 14th Russian IL-76 Arrived In Italy , After Situation Was Evaluated As Severe

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On March 23rd and 24th, Russia sent 14 IL-76 military transport planes to Italy, with medical experts, virologists and equipment to aid in the fight against COVID-19.
The personnel, and equipment, sent to Italy are part of the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces. They are special forces designed to conduct the most complex set of measures aimed at reducing the loss of associations and formations of the Ground Forces and ensuring their combat tasks assigned during operations in conditions of radioactive, chemical and biological contamination, as well as at enhancing their survivability and protection against high-precision and other weapons.
The basis of these Troops is realized by multifunctional separate brigades, having in their composition subunits capable to perform all activities, their tasks include:
identification and assessment of radiological, chemical and biological environment, scales and effects of damages of objects hazardous radiatively, chemically and biologically;
protection of formations and units against the nuclear effects of mass destruction weapons and radiological, chemical and biological contamination;
reducing the visibility of troops and facilities;
disaster (damage) recovery in objects hazardous radiatively, chemically and biologically;
causing loss to the enemy by using flame-incendiary means.
The videos of the loading and unloading of the IL-76 provide a glimpse into what exactly was being sent to Italy.
The above photograph shows the Supotnitskiy M.V. Multifunctional Mobile Module Complex for Analysis of Pathogenic Biological Materials (Agents).
It is a multifunctional mobile module complex for analysis of pathogenic biological materials (agents) (MKA PBA) and for the support of the decisions of the operational groups of the Ministry of Defense of Russia in case of biological emergencies.
It has been elaborated within the framework of the federal target program “The National System of Chemical and Biological Security of the Russian Federation (2009-2013)”.
The developer is OAO “NPO “Transkom» (PJSC «Research and Production Association “Transkom”) together with the federal state budgetary establishment “48 Central Scientific Research Institute” of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation.
The complex provides life support of the crew during 14 days and nights of autonomous work. The equipment of the complex allows to reveal and identify up to 25 agents of infectious diseases: plague, anthrax, glanders, melioidosis, cholera, typhoid, brucellosis, legionellosis, tularemia, orthopoxvirus diseases, Q fever, rabies, Rift Valley fever, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Marburg fever, Ebola fever, Lassa fever, Machupo fever, West Niles fever, epidemic nephritis, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Dengue haemorrhagic fever, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis.
In case of the absence of any stationary operational bases, MKA PBA can provide the fulfilling sanitary-epidemiological requirements SP 1.3.3118-13 “Security work with microorganisms I-II pathogenicity groups (hazard)”.
The complex can reveal pathogenic biological agents in no less than 20 samples simultaneously with probability 0,95. The duration of the preliminary analysis and the evaluation of biological environment in the emergency zone is no less than 15 minutes. The alleged service life of the complex is 12 years.
The complex consists of four components (as can be seen on the photographs) and provides for the identification, identification and genetic typing of pathogens of especially dangerous and dangerous infectious diseases.
The four components are as follows:
MIFA enzyme immunoassay module
Its purpose is carrying out sample preparation, preliminary express analysis of biological samples and samples from environmental objects, analysis of pathogenic biological agents of pathogenicity groups I-II by ELISA, sample enrichment and safe storage of sample samples in accordance with the requirements of the sanitary rules.
Depending on the task, the MIFA module can perform its functions both as part of the MKA PBA complex and autonomously without loss of effectiveness.
The MIFA module is mounted in a KK6.2 container body on the KamAZ-6350 chassis.
Structurally, the MIFA module consists of four compartments:
cargo compartment, which houses the means of power supply, ventilation, air conditioning and heating; A “clean” compartment for receiving samples, recording and transferring them to a conditionally “infectious” compartment through a transfer gateway for research. In the “clean” compartment there is equipment for controlling and monitoring the operation of power supply, ventilation, and heating systems; sanitary inspection room, consisting of a compartment for removing (storing) everyday (working) clothes, a shower cabin and a compartment for dressing in disposable clothes; conditionally “infectious” compartment with two workstations for research.
It is possible to operate the MIFA module both with an installation on the ground and from the carrier platform.
The interior of the MIFA module is the following:
PCR analysis and genotyping module
Its purpose is carrying out sample preparation, preliminary express analysis of biological samples and samples from environmental objects, analysis of BPA I-II pathogenicity groups by PCR in accordance with the requirements of the sanitary rules.
Depending on the task, the module can perform its functions both as part of the MKA PBA complex and autonomously without loss of effectiveness.
The module is mounted in a container body KK6.2 on the KamAZ-6350 chassis.
Structurally, the module consists of four compartments:
The cargo compartment, which houses the means of power supply, ventilation, air conditioning and heating; a “clean” compartment for receiving the samples, their registration and transfer to the conditionally “infectious” compartment through the transfer gateway for research. In the “clean” compartment there is equipment for controlling and monitoring the operation of power supply, ventilation, and heating systems; sanitary inspection room, consisting of a compartment for removing (storing) everyday (working) clothes, a shower cabin and a compartment for dressing in disposable clothes; conditionally “infectious” compartment with two workstations for research.
It can also be operated with an installation on the ground, and also from the carrier platform.
The PCR interior is the following:
MOI information processing module
Its purpose is organization of networks of automatic telephone communication, data transmission, radio and satellite communications in the place of deployment of the complex. carrying out preliminary forecasting and assessment of the biological situation in the emergency area. collection, synthesis, analysis of information on the biological situation and its transfer to the operational group of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, the command (senior staff) of the headquarters of the emergency response.
Depending on the task, it can operate as part of the MKA PBA complex, or autonomously.
The MOI module can also be used as a mobile control center for the chief of the army of the Russian Armed Forces for the Defense of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation during the liquidation of biological emergencies.
The MOI interior is the following:
MBR Biological intelligence vehicle
Its purpose is ensuring the collection and transmission of information about the biological situation. Biological reconnaissance. Selection of biological samples from aerosol and environmental objects. Express analysis of the samples taken by detection methods, ELISA, PCR (electrophoresis) and PCR-RV. Transportation of selected samples to MIFA and PGM modules for their in-depth analysis.
It can also operate autonomously, without being part of the MKA PBA complex.
The MBR vehicle consists of:
The technological compartment, which houses communications, electricity, ventilation, air conditioning and heating; The working compartment, where the equipment for sampling is located, tests for the express detection of the type of pathogen in the native sample by the immunochemical method and PCR, PCR-RV analysis methods, a set of sample analysis tools, a thermocontainer, personal protective equipment, a medical kit, a medical computer, type “ Notebook ”, technical means of disinfecting, transportable stock of disinfectants.
A mobile VHF radio station is located in the driver’s cab to provide communication during movement.
The MBR interior (and not only) can be see below:
Separately, videos show another vehicle – the TMS-65U.
It is a Soviet-era MiG-15 fighter jet engine powered special vehicle. TMS-65U is a special disinfection truck with a jet engine mounted in the back, which the Russian military uses to clean vehicles coated in chemical agents or create massive smokescreens to hide friendly movements on the battlefield.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-03-24--14th Russian IL-76 Arrived In Italy, After Situation Was Evaluated As Severe

In the early hours of March 24th , the fourteenth Russian IL-76 military transport plane arrived in Italy to provide assistance in connection with the dire consequences of the spread of coronavirus , the Russian Defense Ministry said .
According to a statement by the chief of the Nuclear , Biological and Chemical Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces Major General Igor Kirilov : “ If we take the numbers , we sent one laboratory out of 15 laboratories existing in the Nuclear , Biological and Chemical Protection Troops .
Twenty machines for special processing out of 2065 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military personnel of the Nuclear , Biological and Chemical Protection Troops , ” stated Kirillov .
“ Therefore , this will not affect the combat readiness and the ability of troops to carry out tasks ” This is information as of the morning of March 23rd , hours after the first deployment took place .
In total , 9 IL-76 had landed when the Major General made the statement .
It would appear that the Russian experts deemed the situation severe and requested more backup .
In total , estimations of the capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of approximately 500 Russian military doctors , virologists and so on were sent , alongside likely upwards of 50 pieces of various equipment .
Naturally , MSM immediately claimed that the aid provided by Russia is just an attempt to get into Italy ’ s favor and to exploit the EU ’ s current weakness .
“ In a world where egotism is a knee-jerk reaction to Covid-19 , those who practise solidarity can earn a reputation , ” said Dmitri Trenin , head of the Carnegie Moscow Center .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid and specialists to Italy , Africa and elsewhere .
Now Russia is following in its footsteps.
” “ In the fight against coronavirus , international interaction is very important , ” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on March 23rd .
“ No country can actually defeat such a pandemic and deal with it alone .
.
.
we are all in the same boat , and everyone must answer this challenge together.
” Peskov also said that the Russian aid to Italy could benefit both countries .
“ I think that one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going there in such numbers is that they are probably four weeks behind Italy , so what they will do is not just help [ the Italians ] but also learn how the situation is on the spot .
So it helps both sides , ” he said .
The Kremlim spokesperson also said that it was “ absurd ” to suggest that the Italian shipment , which officials have said is purely humanitarian and designed as a one-off measure , had been offered in exchange for Rome ’ s support for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which were imposed after the invasion and annexation of Crimea .
Meanwhile , on March 23rd and 22nd , Italy reported a lower number of detected cases and deaths , compared to the report on March 21st , which saw a spike of above 700 deaths .
Currently , Italy sits at 63,927 total cases , 50,418 active ones .
The number of recovered sits at 7,432 and the fatalities sit at 6,077 .
Italy regarded the Russian deployment positively , with Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio being present to welcome the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Italy had requested military aid in the fight against coronavirus to US Defense Secretary Mark Esper .
Aside from a few solidarity tweets , the US has rather hoarded laboratory test kits in Italy .
The news had caused a sensation in recent days : half a million swabs were bought from a manufacturing company in the North and loaded onto a large military plane which then left from Aviano .
And Ambassador Lewis Eisenberg had thanked the company from Brescia with an official note , ensuring that it continued “ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet the requests in Italy and abroad ” .
But something does appear to be happening .
In Aviano American soldiers received a small field hospital on March 22nd : a 10-seater mobile stabilization unit , transferred to Italy from the gigantic US base located in Ramstein , Germany .
But it appears to be too little , too late , as Washington , once again , appears to be proving that all its allies are expendable when it comes to protecting its own interest .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Viral Agent Defense Experts And Medical Equipment To Fight COVID-19 To Italy • In Videos : Russian COVID-19 Response Team Delivers Aid At Italian Air Base Near Rome

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In the early hours of March 24th, the fourteenth Russian IL-76 military transport plane arrived in Italy to provide assistance in connection with the dire consequences of the spread of coronavirus, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
“The next, the fourteenth in a row, IL-76 military transport aircraft of the Russian Air Force with a group of Russian military specialists and equipment for diagnosing and carrying out disinfection measures landed at the airfield of the Italian air force Pratica di Mare (30 kilometers southwest of the city Rome),” the Defense Ministry said.
According to a statement by the chief of the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces Major General Igor Kirilov:
“If we take the numbers, we sent one laboratory out of 15 laboratories existing in the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops. Twenty machines for special processing out of 2065 and 66 people out of about 20 thousand military personnel of the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops,” stated Kirillov. “Therefore, this will not affect the combat readiness and the ability of troops to carry out tasks”
This is information as of the morning of March 23rd, hours after the first deployment took place. In total, 9 IL-76 had landed when the Major General made the statement.
It would appear that the Russian experts deemed the situation severe and requested more backup.
In total, estimations of the capacity of flights and based on footage, a total of approximately 500 Russian military doctors, virologists and so on were sent, alongside likely upwards of 50 pieces of various equipment.
Naturally, MSM immediately claimed that the aid provided by Russia is just an attempt to get into Italy’s favor and to exploit the EU’s current weakness.
“In a world where egotism is a knee-jerk reaction to Covid-19, those who practise solidarity can earn a reputation,” said Dmitri Trenin, head of the Carnegie Moscow Center. “China understood it first, by sending aid and specialists to Italy, Africa and elsewhere. Now Russia is following in its footsteps.” “In the fight against coronavirus, international interaction is very important,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on March 23rd. “No country can actually defeat such a pandemic and deal with it alone . . . we are all in the same boat, and everyone must answer this challenge together.”
Peskov also said that the Russian aid to Italy could benefit both countries.
“I think that one of the reasons that the Russians are going there in such numbers is that they are probably four weeks behind Italy, so what they will do is not just help [the Italians] but also learn how the situation is on the spot. So it helps both sides,” he said.
The Kremlim spokesperson also said that it was “absurd” to suggest that the Italian shipment, which officials have said is purely humanitarian and designed as a one-off measure, had been offered in exchange for Rome’s support for the future lifting of EU sanctions against Moscow, which were imposed after the invasion and annexation of Crimea.
“No, it’s absolutely not connected . . . there can be no question of any conditions or calculations, or hopes,” Peskov said. “Italy really needs more help on a larger scale, and what the Russian Federation is doing is assisting where it is feasible.”
Meanwhile, on March 23rd and 22nd, Italy reported a lower number of detected cases and deaths, compared to the report on March 21st, which saw a spike of above 700 deaths.
Currently, Italy sits at 63,927 total cases, 50,418 active ones. The number of recovered sits at 7,432 and the fatalities sit at 6,077.
Italy regarded the Russian deployment positively, with Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio being present to welcome the aid.
Meanwhile, Italian media reported that Italy had requested military aid in the fight against coronavirus to US Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
Aside from a few solidarity tweets, the US has rather hoarded laboratory test kits in Italy. The news had caused a sensation in recent days: half a million swabs were bought from a manufacturing company in the North and loaded onto a large military plane which then left from Aviano.
And Ambassador Lewis Eisenberg had thanked the company from Brescia with an official note, ensuring that it continued “to produce swabs for tests in sufficient quantities to meet the requests in Italy and abroad”.
But something does appear to be happening. In Aviano American soldiers received a small field hospital on March 22nd: a 10-seater mobile stabilization unit, transferred to Italy from the gigantic US base located in Ramstein, Germany.
“We are in close contact with our Italian friends, with the State Department and with the European Command of the United States,” announced General Jeff Harrigian.
But it appears to be too little, too late, as Washington, once again, appears to be proving that all its allies are expendable when it comes to protecting its own interest.
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southfront--2020-03-24--Map Update: Military Situation In Yemen After Recent Setbacks Of Saudi-led Coalition

Click to see the full-size image This map provides a general look at the situation in Yemen after the recent @ @ @ @ @ in the provinces of al-Jawf and Marib .
MORE ON THE TOPIC :

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This map provides a general look at the situation in Yemen after the recent setbacks of the Saudi-led coalition in the provinces of al-Jawf and Marib.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
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southfront--2020-03-24--“Biggest Lockdown In World History” – India Paralyzed As COVID-19 Crisis Unfolds

Indian stocks crashed on Monday , suffering their worst single-day loss on record , as domestic and foreign investors were absolutely terrified that a nationwide lockdown triggered by a COVID-19 outbreak could crash the economy .
The NIFTY 50 is the flagship index on the National Stock Exchange of India , plummeted 12.98 % to a near four-year low of 7,610.25 on Monday .
The Indian rupee hit a record low of over 76 against the dollar and puts pressure on the Narendra Modi government and the Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) to ramp up emergency response efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Modi ’ s “ Make-in-India ” program , an attempt to revive the economy and diversify its manufacturing sector away from automobiles to bolster its aerospace and defense sectors , has miserably failed .
The economy has come to a screeching halt as residents in 75 districts across the country , including in major cities , such as the capital New Delhi , Mumbai , and Bangalore have been forced into mandatory quarantine by the government until March 31 .
India is the second-largest country in the world , and has reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The lack of test kits has made it virtually impossible for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to detect community spreading of the virus .
As test kits come online , India could be staring at a pandemic .
Actions by the government already suggest the virus crisis is getting worse .
In the last day , India launched the world ’ s most extensive social distancing lockdown of 1.3 billion people to flatten the pandemic curve to slow down the infection rate .
Flight bans and the cancellation of all passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit the spread .
The country ’ s hospital system is poorly equipped and doesn ’ t have enough hospital beds and ICU-level treatments to handle a massive influx of virus patients .
Foreign investors aren ’ t sticking around to see if the virus crisis will abate in the near term – they ’ re currently dumping Indian assets at an unprecedented pace .
Oxford Economics estimates India ’ s January-April growth forecast to be around 3 % , a level not seen since the global financial crisis .
Bloomberg Economics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend at least 1 % of GDP , or about $ 30 billion , to respond to the virus outbreak .
India ’ s manufacturing hubs have ground to a halt as companies have been forced to shutter operations for virus containment purposes .
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. , Tata Motors Ltd. , Toyota Kirloskar Motor , Hero MotoCorp.
, Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc. , Mahindra Group , TVS Motor Co. , Kia Motors Corp. , Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd. , and Yamaha Motor India are some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations .
The government ’ s principal economic adviser Sanjeev Sanyal warned that “ waves of default ” of corporate debt could be imminent .
There ’ s a record 5.9 trillion rupees of corporate debt maturing this year .
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said last week that the government would announce a relief package for companies in the near term .
The RBI is expected to slash interest rates and inject 1 trillion rupees into the economy on April 3 .
We noted back in December that India ’ s economy was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” which was a month before the world figured out about a virus outbreak in Wuhan , China .
It was only earlier this month that India organized a rescue plan for the nation ’ s fourth-largest private bank as a long-running crisis among shadow lenders threatened to spill over into the banking system .
With a nationwide lockdown underway , India ’ s economy could be on the brink of a significant downturn that would be absolutely devastating for the Modi government .

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Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
Indian stocks crashed on Monday, suffering their worst single-day loss on record, as domestic and foreign investors were absolutely terrified that a nationwide lockdown triggered by a COVID-19 outbreak could crash the economy.
The NIFTY 50 is the flagship index on the National Stock Exchange of India, plummeted 12.98% to a near four-year low of 7,610.25 on Monday.
The Indian rupee hit a record low of over 76 against the dollar and puts pressure on the Narendra Modi government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to ramp up emergency response efforts to protect a crashing currency and economy.
Modi’s “Make-in-India” program, an attempt to revive the economy and diversify its manufacturing sector away from automobiles to bolster its aerospace and defense sectors, has miserably failed.
The economy has come to a screeching halt as residents in 75 districts across the country, including in major cities, such as the capital New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore have been forced into mandatory quarantine by the government until March 31.
India is the second-largest country in the world, and has reported only 467 cases and ten deaths.
The lack of test kits has made it virtually impossible for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to detect community spreading of the virus. As test kits come online, India could be staring at a pandemic.
Actions by the government already suggest the virus crisis is getting worse. In the last day, India launched the world’s most extensive social distancing lockdown of 1.3 billion people to flatten the pandemic curve to slow down the infection rate.
Nearly a billion Indians stayed indoors on Sunday. India's 14-hour #coronavirus lockdown — in pictures https://t.co/j6MuwLiw3i pic.twitter.com/q2xVzvP5wH — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 22, 2020
Flight bans and the cancellation of all passenger trains in the country is another attempt to limit the spread. The country’s hospital system is poorly equipped and doesn’t have enough hospital beds and ICU-level treatments to handle a massive influx of virus patients.
“This is the biggest lockdown in world history,” said Raghu Raman, a former soldier with the Indian Army and founder of the National Intelligence Grid, an umbrella database aimed at countering terrorism. “This strategic pause gives decision-makers more time to arrest the exponential spread of the virus and evaluate tradeoffs.”
Foreign investors aren’t sticking around to see if the virus crisis will abate in the near term – they’re currently dumping Indian assets at an unprecedented pace.
Oxford Economics estimates India’s January-April growth forecast to be around 3%, a level not seen since the global financial crisis.
Bloomberg Economics says that the Indian government needs to spend at least 1% of GDP, or about $30 billion, to respond to the virus outbreak.
India’s manufacturing hubs have ground to a halt as companies have been forced to shutter operations for virus containment purposes. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., Tata Motors Ltd., Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Hero MotoCorp., Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc., Mahindra Group, TVS Motor Co., Kia Motors Corp., Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd., and Yamaha Motor India are some of the large multinationals that have recently suspended operations.
The government’s principal economic adviser Sanjeev Sanyal warned that “waves of default” of corporate debt could be imminent. There’s a record 5.9 trillion rupees of corporate debt maturing this year.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said last week that the government would announce a relief package for companies in the near term. The RBI is expected to slash interest rates and inject 1 trillion rupees into the economy on April 3.
We noted back in December that India’s economy was “in a very deep crisis,” which was a month before the world figured out about a virus outbreak in Wuhan, China.
It was only earlier this month that India organized a rescue plan for the nation’s fourth-largest private bank as a long-running crisis among shadow lenders threatened to spill over into the banking system.
With a nationwide lockdown underway, India’s economy could be on the brink of a significant downturn that would be absolutely devastating for the Modi government.
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southfront--2020-03-24--In Photos: Idlib Radicals Continue Blocking M4 Highway To Prevent Creation Of Security Zone

Home Syria Turkish military prepares for Syrian Army offensive by building multiple posts near… SyriaTurkey Turkish military prepares for Syrian Army offensive by building multiple posts near Jisr Al-Shughour By News Desk – 2020-03-23 BEIRUT , LEBANON ( 8:30 P.M. ) – The Turkish military is not taking any chances with this upcoming Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) offensive in northwestern Syria , as they were reported to have setup several posts near a strategic city in the Idlib Governorate .
According to opposition reports , the Turkish military built at least three posts near the strategic city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anticipate the Syrian Arab Army ’ s upcoming offensive will target this part of the Idlib Governorate and M-4 Highway ( Aleppo-Latakia Highway ) .
Furthermore , the Turkish military has reportedly deployed their short-range air defense systems to the Idlib Governorate , despite the fact there is an ongoing ceasefire among the warring parties .
The Syrian Arab Army has also been ignoring the ongoing ceasefire by sending several convoys of reinforcements to the Idlib Governorate ; specifically , the Jabal Al-Zawiya front .
The Jabal Al-Zawiya front is expected to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Army ’ s next major push towards Jisr Al-Shughour , which is one of the most important cities located along the M-4 Highway .

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On March 23, Russian and Turkish forces conducted a second limited joint patrol along the M4 highway covering a small chunk of the area in west of Syria’s Saraqib town. Supporters of Idlib terrorist groups continue blocking the highway just west of the partrol zone. MORE HERE
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southfront--2020-03-24--COVID-19 Outbreak: Emerging Threat

COVID-19 Outbreak: Emerging Threat

The world is uniting to contain the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) outbreak , with Russia , China and Cuba deploying specialists to the Italian hotspot , there is a group of people that intentionally fuels the crisis .
This tendency is especially apparent in post-Soviet states , like Ukraine , Russia and Belarus .
The so-called ‘ pro-Western ’ part of the population of these countries have been started becoming a real threat to them .
For example , over the past weeks , Russia has been targeted by a number of waves of fake news campaigns regarding the situatino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security ( access to food , water and social services ) in the country .
The main narratives was that the government was hiding the truth about the rammatic death toll ( debunked even by the WHO ) and the lack of food in big cities .
Here you can see how photos and videos of empty stores were being made .
A person was taking food products from the shelf and making a photo of an empty shelf .
After this , he returns food products to it .
Additionally , Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-Western ’ Russian citizens returning from foreign countries ( especially Europe , which is the center of the COVID-19 outbreak ) to ignore quarantine measures needed to prevent the spread of the virus .
They intenrionally ignore the needed quarantine period ( 14 days ) and do not report about light COVID-19 symptoms .
A similar behavior is observed among Ukrainian citizens returned from Europe ( most of them worked there – legally or even illegally ) .
In videos appearing online , they directly state that they do not care about other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced security measures .
The situation in Belarus is not much better with multiple pro-Western radicals promoting an idea that the COVID-19 outbreak is positive news because it would allow to get rid of older people that have ‘ positive views ’ towards the USSR and Russia .
The hardcore pro-Western and anti-government views , and the apparent hate towards their fellow citizens ( that do not seek to migrate to the West or do not have ‘ right views ’ ) turn thse persons a real threat to the societies to which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • Russia Sends 13th Il-76 Transport AIrcraft With Viral Agent Defense Experts And Medical Equipment To Fight COVID-19 To Italy • More Details On Russian COVID-19 Response Group In Italy ( Photos , Videos ) • Russia Sends COVID-19 Response Group To Rescue Italy As Chaos Spreads Across Europe

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The world is uniting to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, with Russia, China and Cuba deploying specialists to the Italian hotspot, there is a group of people that intentionally fuels the crisis. This tendency is especially apparent in post-Soviet states, like Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.
The so-called ‘pro-Western’ part of the population of these countries have been started becoming a real threat to them. For example, over the past weeks, Russia has been targeted by a number of waves of fake news campaigns regarding the situatino with the COVID-19 outbreak and the social security (access to food, water and social services) in the country.
The main narratives was that the government was hiding the truth about the rammatic death toll (debunked even by the WHO) and the lack of food in big cities. Here you can see how photos and videos of empty stores were being made. A person was taking food products from the shelf and making a photo of an empty shelf. After this, he returns food products to it.
Additionally, Russian sources report about mass attempts of ‘pro-Western’ Russian citizens returning from foreign countries (especially Europe, which is the center of the COVID-19 outbreak) to ignore quarantine measures needed to prevent the spread of the virus. They intenrionally ignore the needed quarantine period (14 days) and do not report about light COVID-19 symptoms.
A similar behavior is observed among Ukrainian citizens returned from Europe (most of them worked there – legally or even illegally). In videos appearing online, they directly state that they do not care about other Ukrainians and will not comple with the introduced security measures.
The situation in Belarus is not much better with multiple pro-Western radicals promoting an idea that the COVID-19 outbreak is positive news because it would allow to get rid of older people that have ‘positive views’ towards the USSR and Russia.
The hardcore pro-Western and anti-government views, and the apparent hate towards their fellow citizens (that do not seek to migrate to the West or do not have ‘right views’) turn thse persons a real threat to the societies to which they return.
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southfront--2020-03-24--Combat Footage: Houthis Hunt And Capture Saudi-backed Fighters In Yemeni Desert

I was really surprised to see them film those airstrikes from so close .
They must have known the Saudi @ @ @ @ @ of the captured equipment , so they got a camera ready .
Didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ the strike land so close ( the first one ) , very battle-hardened fighters .

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A closer look at one of the recent operations of the Houthis against Saudi-led forces in the provinces of al-Jawf and Marib.
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southfront--2020-03-24--SDF Releases Tens Of ISIS Members In Eastern Syria. Turkey, Russia Struggle With Idlib De-Escalation

On March 23 , Russian and Turkish forces carried out a second limited joint patrol in southern Idlib .
The patrol involved six armoured vehicles and took place along a short chunk of the M4 highway west of the government-controlled town of Saraqib .
This part of the highway remains the only safe place within the entire security zone , which was set to be established in the framework of the Russian-Turkish de-escalation agreement .
After the March 23 patrol , the Turkish side got additional time to neutralize terrorists and radicals entrenched in the agreed to buffer zone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided Ankara with such an opportunity .
However , Ankara seems to be taking very little or no efforts to do so .
Over the past days , the Turkish Army established observation points near Khattab and Msheirfeh and made a formal attempt to de-block the highway removing earthen mounds made by terrorists .
Despite these heroic efforts of the Turkish military , the M4 remains in the hands of al-Qaeda-linked groups and the security zone there exists only on paper .
Such a situation on the ground is slowly but inevitably leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region .
Humanitarian conditions are deteriorating in the Rukban refugee camp within the US-controlled zone of al-Tanf .
According to media reports , people in the camp have to pay money for tents and the bare necessities , and are forcefully recruited into the ranks of US-backed militant groups .
Additionally , militants sabotage the evacuation of refugees from the camp .
A series of IED attacks rocked the town of Tabqah , controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) , on March 21 .
IED explosions targeted positions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Andalusia pool and the Maysalun roundabout .
6 SDF members were reportedly killed .
Pro-opposition sources immediately blamed ‘ Assad agents ’ for the attack .
Kurdish sources blame ISIS and Turkey .
On March 22 , the SDF released 80 ISIS members that had been captured during the combat operations along the eastern bank of the Euphrates .
All the released individuals are reportedly Syrian citizens , from the governorates of Raqqa , al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor .
During the last few years , the SDF has released hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this for money or upon request from influential figures , like tribal leaders , businessmen and local commanders .
This SDF behavior likely contributed to the reemergence of ISIS cells in eastern Syria .
Last week , ISIS announced that its fighters had assassinated 40 people in the province of Deir Ezzor during the last 3 months alone .

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On March 23, Russian and Turkish forces carried out a second limited joint patrol in southern Idlib. The patrol involved six armoured vehicles and took place along a short chunk of the M4 highway west of the government-controlled town of Saraqib. This part of the highway remains the only safe place within the entire security zone, which was set to be established in the framework of the Russian-Turkish de-escalation agreement.
After the March 23 patrol, the Turkish side got additional time to neutralize terrorists and radicals entrenched in the agreed to buffer zone. This was the second time when Moscow provided Ankara with such an opportunity. However, Ankara seems to be taking very little or no efforts to do so.
Over the past days, the Turkish Army established observation points near Khattab and Msheirfeh and made a formal attempt to de-block the highway removing earthen mounds made by terrorists. Despite these heroic efforts of the Turkish military, the M4 remains in the hands of al-Qaeda-linked groups and the security zone there exists only on paper. Such a situation on the ground is slowly but inevitably leading to the resumption of hostilities in the region.
Humanitarian conditions are deteriorating in the Rukban refugee camp within the US-controlled zone of al-Tanf. According to media reports, people in the camp have to pay money for tents and the bare necessities, and are forcefully recruited into the ranks of US-backed militant groups. Additionally, militants sabotage the evacuation of refugees from the camp.
A series of IED attacks rocked the town of Tabqah, controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), on March 21. IED explosions targeted positions, vehicles and personnel of the SDF next to the Andalusia pool and the Maysalun roundabout. 6 SDF members were reportedly killed. Pro-opposition sources immediately blamed ‘Assad agents’ for the attack. Kurdish sources blame ISIS and Turkey.
On March 22, the SDF released 80 ISIS members that had been captured during the combat operations along the eastern bank of the Euphrates. All the released individuals are reportedly Syrian citizens, from the governorates of Raqqa, al-Hasakah and Deir Ezzor. During the last few years, the SDF has released hundreds of ex-ISIS fighters.
The group often does this for money or upon request from influential figures, like tribal leaders, businessmen and local commanders. This SDF behavior likely contributed to the reemergence of ISIS cells in eastern Syria. Last week, ISIS announced that its fighters had assassinated 40 people in the province of Deir Ezzor during the last 3 months alone.
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southfront--2020-03-24--In Video: TOS-1 Thermobaric Launchers Pound Targets During Live-Fire Drills In Russia

Of course they do- Hollywood !
You see , in Hollywood , super heroes can do the work of a @ @ @ @ @ martial arts- even females can do this .
They can really kick ass .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @

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Units of the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces have carried out live-fire drills involving their TOS-1 multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon systems. The drills took place in the region of Volgograd.
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southfront--2020-03-24--Philip Giraldi: “Punishing America’s Enemies”

Written by Philip M. Giraldi ; Originally appeared at The Unz Review Much remains to be learned about the coronavirus , though it is quite possible that it will not be possible to determine how it developed if the various governments that might be involved prove to be uncooperative .
The Chinese carefully controlled the information on the virus in its early stages , though they eventually adopted a complete lockdown to prevent its spread that seems to have been successful and might serve as a model for other nations to follow if they can overcome concerns about threats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much power in the hands of corrupt and ignorant government officials .
Over two weeks ago , I suggested that the current form of corona might have possibly escaped from someone ’ s lab where a weaponized virus was being developed , most likely in China itself , though nations like the United States and Israel which are believed to have significant capabilities in biowarfare as well as a geopolitical motive to unleash the disease on certain countries should not be excluded .
I still believe that assessment should be considered as viable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus is now fully in play .
China is now claiming that U.S. soldiers involved in the World Military Games held in Wuhan back in October might have deliberately planted the virus , while President Donald Trump and other Republicans in the U.S. are calling the disease the Wuhan or China virus , implying willful or careless behavior by the Chinese and a clear effort to demonize the Beijing government by exploiting the appearance of the virus as a wedge issue .
And one might take note of the fact that the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , countries that are on Washington ’ s enemy list , which generates additional conspiracy theories .
Donald Trump is not exactly a person overflowing with compassion .
When corona virus began to emerge in the U.S. he called it a “ hoax ” and urged everyone to keep going to work even if ill , precisely the opposite of what was being recommended by most responsible medical authorities .
He is now planning to throw $ 1200 dollars at each American resident whether they need it or not to undo the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as $ 500 billion of money that the United States does not have and which it will have to either print or borrow .
The money should be going to those who are now unemployed as a result of the virus , a point that surprisingly enough is being made by several Republican Senators .
Hundreds of billions more will go to the usual “ victims , ” banks and large corporations that will use the cash to pay off long terms loans and also to buyback their own stock and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investors .
That is precisely what happened in 2008 , with little to show for the average American .
One of the most truly despicable aspects of the coronavirus is how it is being exploited by Washington to punish countries like Iran and Venezuela , currently the enemy-designates of the inside the Beltway crowd .
It would be possible to describe the Trump Administration policy towards both nations as sadistic apart from the fact that the behavior of the president and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo might actually shock the Marquis de Sade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 billion International Monetary Fund loan to combat the virus based on the seemingly irrelevant and politically motivated argument that it is not clear who represents the legitimate government in the country , whether it is Nicola Maduro , the president , or Juan Guaido , the aspirant to the position of head of state being promoted by Washington .
The White House has also declared a “ maximum pressure March ” directed against the Venezuelan economy , with the health care sector particularly targeted .
So , Venezuelans will die and Maduro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making the position of the Trump Administration demanding regime change both toxic and pointless .
Iran is also seeking a $ 5 billion IMF emergency loan to cope with the crisis , a request that will almost certainly also be torpedoed by the Trump Administration .
Last Thursday Pompeo doubled down on Iran , initiating new sanctions based on the evidence-free allegation that Tehran is behind the recent attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq .
He also confirmed that , as part of the “ maximum pressure ” policy , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying “ Our sanctions will deprive the regime of critical income from its petrochemical industry and further Iran ’ s economic and diplomatic isolation .
The United States will continue to fully enforce our sanctions.
” The fact that the Iraqi government and parliament have asked the Americans to close their bases in the country while the U.S. is highly unpopular due to its killing of Iraqi militiamen and soldiers seems to have escaped Pompeo as possible causes of the series of missile strikes .
Pompeo also seems oblivious to the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas where the bases are located and have proven quite capable of firing missiles from improvised pick-up truck launchers .
Last week Iran confirmed that it had experienced 988 deaths from the coronavirus and the infected number in the tens of thousands , but many believe that testing has been inadequate and the government may be understating the number of cases for political reasons .
Pompeo has repeatedly insisted that Iran will be allowed to buy necessary medicines from abroad , but the U.S-imposed currency exchange restrictions on the activity of the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s remaining commercial banks means that there is no mechanism to pay for the drugs and medical supplies so the country is combating the epidemic without many badly needed pharmaceuticals .
Even some congressmen have noticed that there is something fundamentally evil about the U.S. policy .
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to Pompeo and Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin that included “ I am concerned about the vulnerability of the Iranian people to the coronavirus and the potential for Iran ’ s coronavirus cases to worsen the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including regional allies , and to the rest of the world .
Therefore , I seek an assurance that every reasonable effort is being made by the United States to ensure the availability of medicine and other non-sanctionable humanitarian items to the Iranian people to help prevent the further spread of the coronavirus.
” Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted “ Iran is facing a catastrophic toll from the coronavirus pandemic .
U.S. sanctions should not be contributing to this humanitarian disaster .
As a caring nation , we must lift any sanctions hurting Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including financial sanctions.
” Iran ’ s government is admittedly unpopular due to the mishandling of the shoot-down of the Ukrainian airliner and the inability to cope with a deepening economic crisis caused largely by the U.S. imposed sanctions .
Given the current signs of weakness and instability in Tehran , there was recently a meeting in the White House discussing whether the U.S. should take the opportunity to attack Iran .
It was , fortunately , rejected by a narrow margin when the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the usual Iranophobes in Washington at the Israeli-linked Foundation for the Defense of Democracies ( FDD ) have seen an opportunity to tighten the screws a bit more and hopefully bring down the Iranian leadership through economic warfare .
Their support for increasing sanctions on Iran is a policy designed to inflict the maximum pain on the Iranian people so they will rise up seeking to destroy their government .
If that were to occur it would mean a civil war , but the folks at FDD would be hard pressed to even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ironically , if the United States were to make a serious effort to actually help the Iranian people by suspending sanctions and helping to expedite medical assistance it might actually produce a genuine thaw in a relationship that has been unnecessarily locked into 1979 and the embassy hostage crisis .
Waging war on innocent people should not in any event be what the United States of America is all about .
A shift in policies that actually demonstrates that Washington might be interested in saving lives rather than destroying them would be welcomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by many Americans .
Philip M. Giraldi , Ph.D. , is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest , a 501 ( c ) 3 tax deductible educational foundation ( Federal ID Number # 52-1739023 ) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East .
Website is councilforthenationalinterest.org , address is P.O .
Box 2157 , Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is inform @ cnionline.org .

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Written by Philip M. Giraldi; Originally appeared at The Unz Review
Much remains to be learned about the coronavirus, though it is quite possible that it will not be possible to determine how it developed if the various governments that might be involved prove to be uncooperative. The Chinese carefully controlled the information on the virus in its early stages, though they eventually adopted a complete lockdown to prevent its spread that seems to have been successful and might serve as a model for other nations to follow if they can overcome concerns about threats to civil liberties that evolve from placing too much power in the hands of corrupt and ignorant government officials.
Over two weeks ago, I suggested that the current form of corona might have possibly escaped from someone’s lab where a weaponized virus was being developed, most likely in China itself, though nations like the United States and Israel which are believed to have significant capabilities in biowarfare as well as a geopolitical motive to unleash the disease on certain countries should not be excluded. I still believe that assessment should be considered as viable particularly as the politicization process involving the virus is now fully in play.
China is now claiming that U.S. soldiers involved in the World Military Games held in Wuhan back in October might have deliberately planted the virus, while President Donald Trump and other Republicans in the U.S. are calling the disease the Wuhan or China virus, implying willful or careless behavior by the Chinese and a clear effort to demonize the Beijing government by exploiting the appearance of the virus as a wedge issue. And one might take note of the fact that the virus has particularly hit both China and Iran, countries that are on Washington’s enemy list, which generates additional conspiracy theories.
Donald Trump is not exactly a person overflowing with compassion. When corona virus began to emerge in the U.S. he called it a “hoax” and urged everyone to keep going to work even if ill, precisely the opposite of what was being recommended by most responsible medical authorities. He is now planning to throw $1200 dollars at each American resident whether they need it or not to undo the political damage, a proposal that will cost as much as $500 billion of money that the United States does not have and which it will have to either print or borrow. The money should be going to those who are now unemployed as a result of the virus, a point that surprisingly enough is being made by several Republican Senators.
Hundreds of billions more will go to the usual “victims,” banks and large corporations that will use the cash to pay off long terms loans and also to buyback their own stock and raise the value of their shares for investors. That is precisely what happened in 2008, with little to show for the average American.
One of the most truly despicable aspects of the coronavirus is how it is being exploited by Washington to punish countries like Iran and Venezuela, currently the enemy-designates of the inside the Beltway crowd. It would be possible to describe the Trump Administration policy towards both nations as sadistic apart from the fact that the behavior of the president and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo might actually shock the Marquis de Sade.
Venezuela has been denied a $5 billion International Monetary Fund loan to combat the virus based on the seemingly irrelevant and politically motivated argument that it is not clear who represents the legitimate government in the country, whether it is Nicola Maduro, the president, or Juan Guaido, the aspirant to the position of head of state being promoted by Washington. The White House has also declared a “maximum pressure March” directed against the Venezuelan economy, with the health care sector particularly targeted. So, Venezuelans will die and Maduro will undoubtedly continue to run the government, making the position of the Trump Administration demanding regime change both toxic and pointless.
Iran is also seeking a $5 billion IMF emergency loan to cope with the crisis, a request that will almost certainly also be torpedoed by the Trump Administration. Last Thursday Pompeo doubled down on Iran, initiating new sanctions based on the evidence-free allegation that Tehran is behind the recent attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq. He also confirmed that, as part of the “maximum pressure” policy, all existing sanctions will remain in place, saying “Our sanctions will deprive the regime of critical income from its petrochemical industry and further Iran’s economic and diplomatic isolation. The United States will continue to fully enforce our sanctions.”
The fact that the Iraqi government and parliament have asked the Americans to close their bases in the country while the U.S. is highly unpopular due to its killing of Iraqi militiamen and soldiers seems to have escaped Pompeo as possible causes of the series of missile strikes. Pompeo also seems oblivious to the fact that remnants of ISIS are active in the areas where the bases are located and have proven quite capable of firing missiles from improvised pick-up truck launchers.
Last week Iran confirmed that it had experienced 988 deaths from the coronavirus and the infected number in the tens of thousands, but many believe that testing has been inadequate and the government may be understating the number of cases for political reasons. Pompeo has repeatedly insisted that Iran will be allowed to buy necessary medicines from abroad, but the U.S-imposed currency exchange restrictions on the activity of the national bank as well as of the country’s remaining commercial banks means that there is no mechanism to pay for the drugs and medical supplies so the country is combating the epidemic without many badly needed pharmaceuticals.
Even some congressmen have noticed that there is something fundamentally evil about the U.S. policy. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to Pompeo and Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin that included “I am concerned about the vulnerability of the Iranian people to the coronavirus and the potential for Iran’s coronavirus cases to worsen the spread of the disease to neighboring countries, including regional allies, and to the rest of the world. Therefore, I seek an assurance that every reasonable effort is being made by the United States to ensure the availability of medicine and other non-sanctionable humanitarian items to the Iranian people to help prevent the further spread of the coronavirus.”
Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted “Iran is facing a catastrophic toll from the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. sanctions should not be contributing to this humanitarian disaster. As a caring nation, we must lift any sanctions hurting Iran’s ability to address this crisis, including financial sanctions.”
Iran’s government is admittedly unpopular due to the mishandling of the shoot-down of the Ukrainian airliner and the inability to cope with a deepening economic crisis caused largely by the U.S. imposed sanctions. Given the current signs of weakness and instability in Tehran, there was recently a meeting in the White House discussing whether the U.S. should take the opportunity to attack Iran. It was, fortunately, rejected by a narrow margin when the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff strongly opposed the proposal.
Meanwhile the usual Iranophobes in Washington at the Israeli-linked Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) have seen an opportunity to tighten the screws a bit more and hopefully bring down the Iranian leadership through economic warfare. Their support for increasing sanctions on Iran is a policy designed to inflict the maximum pain on the Iranian people so they will rise up seeking to destroy their government. If that were to occur it would mean a civil war, but the folks at FDD would be hard pressed to even acknowledge the blood on their hands.
Ironically, if the United States were to make a serious effort to actually help the Iranian people by suspending sanctions and helping to expedite medical assistance it might actually produce a genuine thaw in a relationship that has been unnecessarily locked into 1979 and the embassy hostage crisis. Waging war on innocent people should not in any event be what the United States of America is all about. A shift in policies that actually demonstrates that Washington might be interested in saving lives rather than destroying them would be welcomed by most of the world and also by many Americans.
Philip M. Giraldi, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest, a 501(c)3 tax deductible educational foundation (Federal ID Number #52-1739023) that seeks a more interests-based U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Website is councilforthenationalinterest.org, address is P.O. Box 2157, Purcellville VA 20134 and its email is inform@cnionline.org.
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southfront--2020-03-24--Turkish Forces In Southern Idlib Became Target Of Second IED Attack

ofcourse he knew…….same with the Coronavirus…….THEY ALL KNOW from where it came..which lab…which Nation……..THEY ALL KNOW…….we 99 % are just the sheep.. as far as Zionist pig Putin is concearned…..his Actions in the last 5 years said it all… .
it started with the UNSC ( united nations security council ) votes on LIBYA Putin voted YES to the NATO bombarment of Gaddafi Forces.Period.and the fucking EXCUSE of “ bad judgment ” …….u cant be serious ?
?
?
?
?
?
Putin voted YES for a ARMS EMBARGO against the HOUHTIS , while at the same time SELLING the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAE the aggresor states that have invaded and occupied against all UN chaters a neiboring Nation and has even embarked a total blockade on the Nation and it´s People which again is against ALL UN charters and RUSSIA of all nations should know the utter Evil consequences ( LENINGRAD ) ….so each year fucking Putin REMEMBERS the Evil Blockade of Evil nazi Germany on Leningrad while TURNING a BLING EYE on jemen.ps .
his Zionist masters are doing the same with GAZA .
against your all 99 % here moronic believe that RUSSIA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth .
HEZBOLLAH and IRANIAN SHIITE Forces were the turn tables in this war .
and if you would use your BRAIN while lokking and comparing the syria map from 2015 to 2020…………95 % of territory that Syria recaptured was DESERT territory from ISIS….a 100 % Terrorist Fighting force that cant veen remotely be compared to a REGULAR ARMY .
ALl cities from Aleppo , Douma etc.. were besieged adn surrouned..and each time puitn made the EVACUATION Agreements with the worst headchoppers…evacuating to IDLIB.I wrote About this ridiculousness years ago..and that later on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces will haev to fight the same bitches that they had surrounded years ago.In that regard….WHY DONT YOU LOOK AT SOUTHFRONT ARTICLES from 13 December 2016 to december 31 2016…….About the evacuation Agreement between Putin and the head choopers ( signed by erdogan for them ) ….and how HEZBOLLAH and SHIITE iranian Forces went BESERK when they heard About this treachery…HEZBOLLAH and allied fighters torched sevral buses and fired at them and stormed other buses which were full of HTS fighters .
After the quick SAA advances the sudden halt was at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came Putin again with the FIRST Agreement between Turkey and Russia .
AFRIN INVASION and OCCUPATION by TURKEY followed by the agrrement between Turkey and Russia on idlib followed by the Agreement between Turkey and Russia for North east syria INVASION and OCCUPATION of North East Syria by Turkey IDLIB WAS and IS PUTINS BABY .
ps .
Maybe you´ll understand when puttin it all into context in a PHRASE !
!
!
Only a madman who has lost all his senses or a treacherous Zionist PIG could have the IDEA and come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and occupation of syrian land could BENEFIT the legitimate Government of Assad .

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UPDATE: The Russian Defense Ministry commented on the incident saying that 2 Turkish soldiers were injured and 2 vehicles were damaged.
***
On March 24, a Turkish military column became a target of an IED attack in southern Idlib. The incident reportedly took place in the village of Sefoen near the area of Jabal al-Zawiya. Pro-militant sources claim that a Turkish soldier was wounded and a military vehicle was damaged in the attack.
#BREAKING
A landmine explodes during the passage of a Turkish military convoy in the town of #Sefohen in Jabal Al-Zawiya south of #Idlib, as a result a Turkish soldier was wounded and a military vehicle was wounded. — IDLIB POST (@IdlibEn) March 24, 2020
The March 24 incident was the second IED attack on Turkish forces in Greater Idlib within the past 7 days. On March 19, 2 Turkish soldiers were killed and several others were injured, when an IED exploded near the Turkish military column near the village of Muhamabal in eastern Idlib.
Both attacks were likely carried out by radical miltiant groups that were upset by the Turkish decision to sign the deal on the creation of a security zone along the M4 highway with Russia. Therefore, militant groups, which have received support from Turkey, are now becoming a threat to Turkish forces.
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southfront--2020-03-24--In Video: Putin Visits Hospital Treating COVID-19 Patients In Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a hospital in Kommunarka in the Moscow region , where patients are being treated for @ @ @ @ @ The president was filmed donning a yellow hazmat suit and a respirator .
After this @ @ @ @ @ patients of the hospital Russia has registered 495 cases of the new coronavirus infection , @ @ @ @ @ 14 regions over the past 24 hours .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Quarantine @ @ @ @ @ March 25 , As Infection In U.S. Gains Momentum

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Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a hospital in Kommunarka in the Moscow region, where patients are being treated for coronavirus (COVID-19). The president was filmed donning a yellow hazmat suit and a respirator. After this he paied a visit to patients of the hospital
Russia has registered 495 cases of the new coronavirus infection, including 57 new cases in 14 regions over the past 24 hours.
Путин в Коммунарке: Костюм и респиратор для президента pic.twitter.com/QkrBA3UYwp — Дмитрий Смирнов (@dimsmirnov175) March 24, 2020
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southfront--2020-03-24--Russian COVID-19 Response Team Will Work In Italy’s Bergamo – MoD

COVID-19 : Targeting Italy and South Korea ?
“ The Chain of Transmission of Infection ” By Larry Romanoff Global Research , March 21 , 2020 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 pneumonia , particularly in old people in December and even November [ 2019 ] .
This suggests that the virus was circulating , at least in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this outbreak occurring in China.
“ ( 2 ) .
Chinese medical authorities have determined the same underlying phenomenon , that the virus had been circulating among the population for perhaps two months before it finally broke out into the open .
.
Further , according to the Italian National Health Service ( ISS ) : .
“ It is not possible to reconstruct , for all patients , the chain of transmission of infection .
Most cases reported in Italy report an epidemiological link with other cases diagnosed in Lombardy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most affected by the epidemic.
” [ translation from Italian ] ( 3 ) .
The above statement is of crucial importance since it supports in itself the assertion of several simultaneous infection clusters and several ‘ patients zero ’ .
There are cases in Lombardy that could not be placed in an infection chain , and this must also be true for other areas .
( see below ) Given that the virus broke out separately in disparate regions of Italy , we can expect the identification of independent infectious clusters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean Italy was hit by at least several individual ‘ seedings ’ of the virus .
.
China ’ s outbreak of consequence was primarily in the city of Wuhan but with multiple sources in the city and multiple patients zero , with a minor outbreak in Guangdong that was easily contained .
China had multiple clusters in Wuhan .
There was no single source , and no patient zero has been identified which is similar to those of Italy .
.
The mystery of Italy ’ s “ Patient No .
4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections from China ?
Yes , and no .
.
Before February 20 , 2020 , there were only three cases of coronavirus infection in Italy , two tourists from Wuhan , China , confirmed on January 30th , and an Italian man who returned to Rome from Wuhan on February 6th .
These were clearly imported cases with Italy experiencing no new infections during the next two weeks .
Then suddenly there appeared new infections that were unrelated to China .
On February 19 , the Lombardy Health Region issued a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the new coronavirus , becoming the fourth confirmed case in Italy .
The man had never traveled to China and had no contact with the confirmed Chinese patients .
Immediately after this patient was diagnosed , Italy experienced a major outbreak .
In one day , the number of confirmed cases increased to 20 and , after little more than three weeks , Italy had 17,660 confirmed cases .
The Italians were not idle in searching for their patient zero .
They renamed the “ patient 4 ” “ Italian No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how he became infected .
The search was apparently fruitless , the article stating that “ America ’ s pandemic of the century has become the subject of suspicion by Italians “ .
( 4 ) The mystery of South Korea ’ s “ Patient No .
31 ” South Korea ’ s experience was eerily similar to that of Italy , and also to that of China .
The country had experienced 30 imported cases which began on January 20 , I believe all of which were traceable to contact with Hubei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered a “ Patient No .
31 ” , a 61 year-old South Korean woman diagnosed with the new coronavirus on February 18 .
This ‘ local ’ patient had no ties to China , had had no contact with any Chinese , and no contact whatever with any of the infected South Koreans .
Her infection was a South Korean source .
More than Just a Virus Just as with Italy , the outbreak in South Korea exploded rapidly after the discovery of Patient 31 .
By the next day , February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for comparison ) , there were 58 confirmed cases in South Korea , reaching 1,000 in less than a week .
After little more than three weeks , South Korea had 8,086 confirmed cases .
It would now seem likely ( yet to corroborated ) that South Korea and Italy could have been ‘ seeded ’ at approximately the same time .
Like the Italians , South Korea performed a massive hunt for the source of the infection of their “ Korean No .
1 ” , combing the country for evidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases in South Korea were mainly concentrated in two separate clusters in Daegu and Gyeongsang North Road , most of which – but not all – could be related to “ Patient 31 ” .
As with Italy , multiple clusters and multiple simultaneous infections spreading like wildfire – and without the assistance of a seafood market selling bats and pangolins .
For both Italy and South Korea , I could also add that there is no supposed “ bio-weapons lab ” anywhere within reach ( as was claimed for China ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accurate .
There are indeed bio-weapons labs easily within reach of the stricken areas in both Italy and South Korea – but they belong to the US Military .
Korea is particularly notable in this regard because it was proven likely that MERS resulted from a leak at the American military base at Osan .
The official Western narrative for the MERS outbreak in South Korea was that a Korean businessman became infected in the Middle East then returned to his home in Gyeonggi Province and spread the infection .
But there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that claim , and to my best knowledge it was never verified by the South Korean Government .
Pertinent to this story is that according to the Korean Yonhap News Service , at the onset of the outbreak about 100 South Korean military personnel were suddenly quarantined at the USAF Osan Air Base .
The Osan base is home to the JUPITR ATD military biological program that is closely related to the lab at Fort Detrick , MD , both being US military bio-weapons research labs .
.
There is also a ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby , which is ( or at least was ) managed by US military biological weapons personnel .
At the time , and given the quarantine mentioned above , the event sequence accepted as most likely was that of a leak from a JUPITR biowarfare project .
( 5 ) ( 6 ) .
The Korean path is similar with that of Italy .
If we look at a map of the virus-stricken areas of Italy , there is a US military base within almost a stone ’ s throw of all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a case of circumstance arousing suspicion , and by no means constitutes proof of anything at all .
However , there is a major point here which can not be overlooked , namely the fact of simultaneous eruptions of a new virus in three different countries , and in all three cases no clear epidemiology , and an inability to identify either the original source or a patient zero Multiple experts on biological weapons are in unanimous agreement that eruptions in a human population of a new and unusual pathogen in multiple locations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source and cases with no proven links , is virtually prima facie evidence of a pathogen deliberately released , since natural outbreaks can almost always be resolved to one location and one patient zero .
The possibility of a deliberate leak is as strong in Italy and South Korea as in China , all three nations apparently sharing the same suspicions .

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Russian mobile medical teans and viral agent defense experts who have arrived in Italy for assisting the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be working in the city of Bergamo, Lombardy region, the Russian Defence Ministry said on March 24.
“It has been determined, following consultations, that Russian military experts, who have experience in fighting epidemics … across the whole world, will start fulfilling tasks in the Italian city of Bergamo,” the defense ministry’s statement reads.
The Russian COVID-19 response team is now preparing for a 600-kilometer long road. It is coordinating documents and preparing vehicles and equipment for relocation. The Russian military noted that it had delivered mobile disinfection units and mobile laboratories for diagnosing infectious diseases.
Russia started deploying specialists and equipment in the framework of its effort to assist Italy on March 22. Since then, 14 IL-76 with specialists and euqipment have been sent to the country.
Italy is currently the main hotspot of the COVID-19 crisis in Europe. The situation is also very complicated in Spain.
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southfront--2020-03-24--Russian Military Deploys In Italy | COVID-19

The work that US diplomats perform at the Lugar Center has nothing to do with diplomacy and does not fall @ @ @ @ @ Diplomatic Relations .
Joshua Bast , for instance , is an entomologist and researches insects @ @ @ @ @ released by the US Embassy to promote the peaceful purposes of the otherwise military program @ @ @ @ @ .
Why does an entomologist work for the US Army and why is he accorded @ @ @ @ @ is a type of biological warfare that uses insects to transmit diseases .
Georgia borders @ @ @ @ @ – Russia .
Moscow has repeatedly voiced its concerns about the potential development of biological @ @ @ @ @ , including the spread of diseases through insects .
Such fears are not groundless , @ @ @ @ @ for a Toxic Mosquito Aerial release system , granted by The United States Patent and @ @ @ @ @ The invention includes a drone which can release infected mosquitoes .
https : //patents.google.com/patent/US8967029

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Since March 22, the Russian Defense Ministry has sent over a dozen of IL-76 military transport aircraft with a large number of medical and disinfection equipment, as well as at least 8 mobile medical teams and at least 100 viral agent defense experts to Italy. The Russian COVID-19 response team is tasked to assist Italy in its war on the COVID-19 outbreak and contain the developing crisis.
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southfront--2020-03-24--4 NATO soldiers in Afghanistan test positive for coronavirus, 38 more isolated with ‘flu-like sympto

4 NATO soldiers in Afghanistan test positive for coronavirus, 38 more isolated with ‘flu-like symptoms’

Information about the four infected servicemen will be withheld “ pending release from the appropriate national authorities , ” the @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan said on Tuesday .
Around 1,500 soldiers and civilians have been quarantined by the @ @ @ @ @ them have either recently arrived in Afghanistan , or returned from leave .
Of the @ @ @ @ @ isolated after displaying “ flu-like symptoms , ” which are frequent among Covid-19 patients .
@ @ @ @ @ military sites in South Korea were placed on lockdown after an employee at one of @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 .

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RT reports (source):
Four newly arrived NATO servicemen have tested positive for Covid-19 in Afghanistan, while dozens more have been quarantined with symptoms similar to those of the coronavirus, the US-led mission said.
Information about the four infected servicemen will be withheld “pending release from the appropriate national authorities,” the NATO Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan said on Tuesday.
Around 1,500 soldiers and civilians have been quarantined by the mission as a “preventive measure.” Most of them have either recently arrived in Afghanistan, or returned from leave. Of the quarantined servicemen, 38 were isolated after displaying “flu-like symptoms,” which are frequent among Covid-19 patients.
Last month, all US military sites in South Korea were placed on lockdown after an employee at one of the bases tested positive for Covid-19.
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southfront--2020-03-24--Olympic Games Postponed For First Time Ever, Due To COVID-19 Scare

On March 24th , Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe proposed a one-year postponement of the Tokyo Olympics , following talks with IOC president , Thomas Bach .
Thus , the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will take place in 2021 .
Abe said they had established that cancelling the Games was out of the question , and that Bach had agreed “ 100 % ” that a postponement was the most appropriate response to the global disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
On the previous day , Abe said that postponement was unavoidable if the 2020 Games couldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak .
Until just a few days ago the IOC , along with the Tokyo organising committee and the Japanese government , had insisted there were no plans to delay the Olympics given they were not due to open for another four months .
The decision was sealed when both Canada and Australia announced that they would not send their athletes to Japan if the games took place .
“ I know this is heartbreaking for so many people , athletes , coaches , staff and fans but this was absolutely the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead , ” the Canadian prime minister , Justin Trudeau , said .
“ Our most important conclusion from this broad athlete response is that even if the current significant health concerns could be alleviated by late summer , the enormous disruptions to the training environment , doping controls and qualification process can ’ t be overcome in a satisfactory manner , ” the US Olympic and Paralympic committee said in a statement .
Lawrence Waterman , who headed Health and Safety for the 2012 Olympics in London , urged the IOC to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their 124-year modern history .
The reasoning was that they couldn ’ t be held safely .
“ These Games need to be postponed , and the sooner the IOC and the Japanese government face up to this the better .
It ’ s simply not safe to put the games on during a global pandemic , ” Waterman said in a statement .
“ People ’ s safety and health should come before the costs of delaying contracts .
The London Games were the first in history to be completed without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standard on health and safety at the Olympics.
” The opposition to July summer Olympic Games grew when the national Olympic committees of Brazil , Germany , and Norway all issued statements calling for the Games to be postponed .
At the same time , UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump both issued statements confirming they were closely monitoring the situation in Tokyo .
The postponement is very costly for the host country , which has spent more than $ 12 billion on the event , while huge sums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcasters .
Goldman Sachs estimated this month that Japan would lose $ 4.5 billion in inbound and domestic consumption in 2020 if the Olympics did not take place as planned .
The hysteria surrounding COVID-19 , mostly propagated by the media , is so all-encompassing that even the Olympics were postponed .
No event has been postponed in the past .
Since the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896 , only three have been abandoned .
On each of those occasions it was due to war .
• In the run-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German Empire beat bids from Alexandria , Amsterdam , Brussels , Budapest and Cleveland to host the Games and in 1913 constructed a new “ Deutsches Stadion ” that could officially seat 30,000 people .
The Berlin Games were canceled due to the outbreak of World War I in July 1914 .
Organizers initially thought that the war would be “ over by Christmas ” but an armistice was not reached until November 1918 .
• Tokyo and Sapporo , Japan had been originally set to host the 1940 Olympic Games , summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid in 1936 — making them the first non-Western cities selected to host .
After the war began between Japan and China in July 1937 , the Japanese government decided to forfeit their right to host the Games , claiming that the war required “ the spiritual and material mobilization of Japan.
” New hosts were picked : Helsinki , Finland , for the summer Games and the German town of was chosen Garmisch-Partenkirchen for winter .
In September 1939 , Nazi Germany invaded Poland , World War II began and they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1944 games were supposed to take place in London in the summer , and Cortina d ’ Ampezzo , Italy in the winter .
They were cancelled because of World War II continuing .
Therefore , the COVID-19 outbreak spreading across Europe is being threaten like a world war .
While theoretically this approach could be seen as reasonable , there are indications that some forces are just exploiting the crisis for their own intersts .
Western states seized an opportunity to explain the erupted global economic crisis with COVID-19-related issues .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no opportunities for a further growth .
So , it started declining .
Global elites are now trying to use the COVID-19 outbreak to shape the global scene and global economy like it already happened during the First and Second World Wars .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Quarantine Over Hubei To Be Lifted March 25 , As Infection In U.S. Gains Momentum • COVID-19 : TOP-10 Most Affected Countries As Of March 24 Morning ( Infographics )

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On March 24th, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe proposed a one-year postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, following talks with IOC president, Thomas Bach.
Thus, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will take place in 2021.
Abe said they had established that cancelling the Games was out of the question, and that Bach had agreed “100%” that a postponement was the most appropriate response to the global disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We agreed that a postponement would be the best way to ensure that the athletes are in peak condition when they compete and to guarantee the safety of the spectators,” Abe told reporters, following the conversation.
On the previous day, Abe said that postponement was unavoidable if the 2020 Games couldn’t be held in a complete manner amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Until just a few days ago the IOC, along with the Tokyo organising committee and the Japanese government, had insisted there were no plans to delay the Olympics given they were not due to open for another four months.
The decision was sealed when both Canada and Australia announced that they would not send their athletes to Japan if the games took place.
“I know this is heartbreaking for so many people, athletes, coaches, staff and fans but this was absolutely the right call and everyone should follow their lead,” the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said. “Our most important conclusion from this broad athlete response is that even if the current significant health concerns could be alleviated by late summer, the enormous disruptions to the training environment, doping controls and qualification process can’t be overcome in a satisfactory manner,” the US Olympic and Paralympic committee said in a statement.
Lawrence Waterman, who headed Health and Safety for the 2012 Olympics in London, urged the IOC to postpone the Games for the first time in their 124-year modern history. The reasoning was that they couldn’t be held safely.
“These Games need to be postponed, and the sooner the IOC and the Japanese government face up to this the better. It’s simply not safe to put the games on during a global pandemic,” Waterman said in a statement. “People’s safety and health should come before the costs of delaying contracts. The London Games were the first in history to be completed without a single fatality, we set the standard on health and safety at the Olympics.”
The opposition to July summer Olympic Games grew when the national Olympic committees of Brazil, Germany, and Norway all issued statements calling for the Games to be postponed.
At the same time, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump both issued statements confirming they were closely monitoring the situation in Tokyo.
The postponement is very costly for the host country, which has spent more than $12 billion on the event, while huge sums are also at stake for sponsors and broadcasters.
Goldman Sachs estimated this month that Japan would lose $4.5 billion in inbound and domestic consumption in 2020 if the Olympics did not take place as planned.
The hysteria surrounding COVID-19, mostly propagated by the media, is so all-encompassing that even the Olympics were postponed. No event has been postponed in the past.
Since the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896, only three have been abandoned. On each of those occasions it was due to war.
In the run-up to the 1916 Summer Olympics, the German Empire beat bids from Alexandria, Amsterdam, Brussels, Budapest and Cleveland to host the Games and in 1913 constructed a new “Deutsches Stadion” that could officially seat 30,000 people. The Berlin Games were canceled due to the outbreak of World War I in July 1914. Organizers initially thought that the war would be “over by Christmas” but an armistice was not reached until November 1918. Tokyo and Sapporo, Japan had been originally set to host the 1940 Olympic Games, summer and winter respectively, after winning the bid in 1936 — making them the first non-Western cities selected to host. After the war began between Japan and China in July 1937, the Japanese government decided to forfeit their right to host the Games, claiming that the war required “the spiritual and material mobilization of Japan.” New hosts were picked: Helsinki, Finland, for the summer Games and the German town of was chosen Garmisch-Partenkirchen for winter. In September 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, World War II began and they were cancelled in their entirety. The 1944 games were supposed to take place in London in the summer, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy in the winter. They were cancelled because of World War II continuing.
Therefore, the COVID-19 outbreak spreading across Europe is being threaten like a world war. While theoretically this approach could be seen as reasonable, there are indications that some forces are just exploiting the crisis for their own intersts. Western states seized an opportunity to explain the erupted global economic crisis with COVID-19-related issues. In fact, the global economic just has no opportunities for a further growth. So, it started declining. Global elites are now trying to use the COVID-19 outbreak to shape the global scene and global economy like it already happened during the First and Second World Wars.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
Support SouthFront