Video: Iranian-backed Forces in Iraq Raise Stakes. Rocket Attack Kills Several US Coalition Troops in Iraq
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-16
A volley of rockets struck the Camp Taji military base in Iraq on the evening of March 11, killing three US-led coalition service members, two of them Americans and one British, and injuring 12 others. The targeted military base is …
globalresearch.ca/video-iranian-backed-forces-raise-stakes-rocket-attack-kills-several-us-coalition-troops-iraq/5706238

The Bush Administration's Secret Biowarfare Agenda
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-16
First published in July 2008 | When it comes to observing US and international laws, treaties and norms, the Bush administration is a serial offender. Since 2001, it's: |

Sanctions cripple Iran's coronavirus response; country pleads for U.S. to lift them
Steve Sweeney | peoplesworld.org | 2020-03-16
Iran's ability to fight the coronavirus is being "severely hampered" by crippling U.S. sanctions, according to the government there. President Hassan Rouhani pleaded with world leaders to press President Donald Trump to lift trade restrictions to save lives. Rouhani said he had written letters in desperation asking the international community not to comply with the …
peoplesworld.org/article/sanctions-cripple-irans-coronavirus-response-country-pleads-for-u-s-to-lift-them/

Senior Iranian Cleric Reported Dead After Coronavirus Infection
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-16
Ayatollah Seyed Hashem Bathaee, a member of the Iranian Assembly of Experts, died on Monday after contracting the novel coronavirus, Tasnim news agency reported. | RELATED: | Iran's Coronavirus Death Toll Rises to 194 Amid New Cases | The cleric, 78, died at a hospital in central Qom city where the first cases of novel coronavirus in Iran were detected on Feb. 19. | At least 25 Iranian officials have so far been infected with the virus. | The Assembly of Experts is a high-ranking leg…
telesurenglish.net/news/Senior-Iranian-Cleric-Reported-Dead-After-Coronavirus-Infection-20200316-0004.html

Venezuela Initiates Social Quarantine to Contain COVID-19
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-16
A social quarantine began in Venezuela on Monday in seven states to contain the spread of the new coronavirus in the country, Bolivarian Republic's authorities said. | RELATED: | BioCubaFarma Guarantees Production of Drugs for COVID-19 | "From 5 a.m. local time, school and work activities were suspended in the states of La Guaira, Miranda, Cojedes, Zulia, Apure, and Táchira, as well as in the Capital District, where Caracas is located," Vice President Delcy Rodríguez reported. | Foo…
telesurenglish.net/news/venezuela-initiates-social-quarantine-to-contain-covid-19-20200316-0001.html

Senior Iranian Cleric Reported Dead After Coronavirus Infection
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-16
Ayatollah Seyed Hashem Bathaee, a member of the Iranian Assembly of Experts, died on Monday after contracting the novel coronavirus, Tasnim news agency reported. | RELATED: | Iran's Coronavirus Death Toll Rises to 194 Amid New Cases | The cleric, 78, died at a hospital in central Qom city where the first cases of novel coronavirus in Iran were detected on Feb. 19. | At least 25 Iranian officials have so far been infected with the virus. | The Assembly of Experts is a high-ranking leg…
telesurenglish.net/news/Senior-Iranian-Cleric-Reported-Dead-After-Coronavirus-Infection-20200316-0004.html

Bolsonaro sees no legal room to close Brazil borders due to coronavirus
rt.com | 2020-03-16
Brazil lacks the legislation that would let its government close the borders as some neighboring countries are doing, President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday. Bolsonaro, who came under fire for cheering demonstrations on Sunday by his supporters, told Radio Bandeirantes that the outbreak was being exaggerated in Brazil. | He warned that the response by some governors was affecting the economy and said he would discuss measures with Economy Minister Paulo Guedes to help businesses, including struggling airlines. | Brazilian House Speaker Rodrigo Maia said on Monday that lawmakers will seek to reach a consensus…
rt.com/newsline/483247-bolsonaro-legal-brazil-borders/

Citizen Gorbachev Speaks
Mikhail S. Gorbachev | thenation.com | 2020-03-16
Citizen Gorbachev Speaks…
thenation.com/article/world/mikhail-gorbachev-coronavirus-nuclear/

China Wants Iran Sanctions Lifted to Avoid Damage to 'Economy and People's Lives' Amid Pandemic
sputniknews.com | 2020-03-16
BEIJING (Sputnik) – Beijing calls for lifting Iran sanctions as the Islamic republic fiercely struggles to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
sputniknews.com/world/202003161078579076-china-wants-iran-sanctions-lifted-to-avoid-damage-to-economy-and-peoples-lives-amid-pandemic/

Iranian Hails New UK Stance on Arrested Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe & Repayment Of Debt
Sputnik News | iranian.com | 2020-03-16
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who possesses both British and Iranian passports, has been under arrest in Iran since April 2016 over allegations that she plotted against the government, claims that she has consistently denied. She was sentenced to five years in an Iranian jail. The Iranian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hamid Baeidinejad, welcomed a new approach …
iranian.com/2020/03/16/iranian-hails-new-uk-stance-on-arrested-nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-repayment-of-debt/

China Calls US Sanctions against Iran 'Immoral' amid Virus Epidemic
Tasnim News | iranian.com | 2020-03-16
China on Monday called on the US to remove its sanctions against Iran, saying that the embargoes will hamper the country's response to the coronavirus outbreak. The unilateral US sanctions will further hamper Iran's efforts in combating the virus while it's already struggling to cope with the crisis, Geng Shuang, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry …
iranian.com/2020/03/16/china-calls-us-sanctions-against-iran-immoral-amid-virus-epidemic/

Iran may impose partial lockdown to contain coronavirus and will provide cash handouts, loans
Press TV | iranian.com | 2020-03-15
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has given his initial approval for imposing a partial lockdown on areas in nearly a dozen provinces in the country to help curb a coronavirus outbreak that has affected thousands of people. Rouhani described as "good" a proposal by Health Minister Saeed Namaki to implement a "movement control scheme" in 11 …
iranian.com/2020/03/14/iran-may-impose-partial-lockdown-to-contain-coronavirus-and-will-provide-cash-handouts-loans/

Qatar flight carrying medical aid arrives in Iran
IRNA | iranian.com | 2020-03-14
A Qatari airplane carrying government medical and health aid from Doha has arrived in Tehran. Iran Air will also provide its third flight to Qatar on Friday to bring home Iranian passengers stranded in Qatar due to coronavirus fears. In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Iran Air flights to Qatar were suspended. Due to …
iranian.com/2020/03/13/qatar-flight-carrying-medical-aid-arrives-in-iran/

Coronavirus death toll reaches 611 in Iran
IRNA | iranian.com | 2020-03-14
The head of the Public Relations and Information Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education said on Saturday that 12,729 people have so far been infected with the deadly coronavirus in Iran, 611 of whom have died while 4,339 have recovered. Kianoush Jahanpour said that 1,365 other people have been diagnosed with coronavirus …
iranian.com/2020/03/14/coronavirus-death-toll-reaches-611-in-iran/

Latest U.S. Military Strikes Are as Reckless as they are Cruel
Lilly Dragnev | peaceaction.org | 2020-03-13
Washington, D.C.

Amid the Worse Public Crisis in Decades, Trump Admin Finds the Time and Money to Bomb Iraq
Alan Macleod | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-13
While the government has found plenty of money to carry out wars around the globe (the Trump administration increased the military budget to $934 billion), when it comes to policies protecting public health, money is always apparently lacking.
mintpressnews.com/amid-coronavirus-crisis-trump-admin-busy-bombing-iraq-iran/265704/

Pentagon hands out contracts for PORTABLE nuclear reactors… yet another gold vein for cash-savvy military?
rt.com | 2020-03-13
There's no shortage of hefty defense deals awarded by the US Department of Defense, but the $40 million contract for micro-reactors definitely stands out, as it hides safety risks and raises doubts over its economic efficiency. | The nuclear device that the DoD strategists want must have the capability to be safely and rapidly transported by road, rail, sea or air (sic!) as well as swiftly set up and shut down. The project split between three c…
rt.com/news/482942-us-military-nuclear-microreactor/

Pentagon hands out contracts for PORTABLE nuclear reactors… yet another gold vein for cash-savvy military?
rt.com | 2020-03-13
There's no shortage of hefty defense deals awarded by the US Department of Defense, but the $40 million contract for micro-reactors definitely stands out, as it hides safety risks and raises doubts over its economic efficiency. | The nuclear device that the DoD strategists want must have the capability to be safely and rapidly transported by road, rail, sea or air (sic!) as well as swiftly set up and shut down. The project split between three c…
rt.com/news/482942-us-military-nuclear-microreactor/

To Help Stem Coronavirus, Lift Sanctions on Iran
Medea Benjamin | iranian.com | 2020-03-13
Among those in Iran who have been unable to get critical medications have been patients with leukemia, epidermolysis bullosa, epilepsy, and chronic eye injuries from exposure to chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq war. Now coronavirus is added to that list. The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is far from the first proof of how intertwined we are …
iranian.com/2020/03/13/to-help-stem-coronavirus-lift-sanctions-on-iran/

US Moves Patriot Missiles To Iraq. Outraged Baghdad Warns of "Consequences" After Airstrikes
Zero Hedge | iranian.com | 2020-03-13
With coronavirus pandemic dominating the world's attention, it's easy to forget that the US is essentially in a state of war with Iran, just Thursday night conducting a major aerial bombing campaign against multiple Iran-backed militia targets across southern Iraq. In response to prior rocket attacks on Camp Taji which killed two Americans on Wednesday the Pentagon …
iranian.com/2020/03/13/us-moves-patriot-missiles-to-iraq-outraged-baghdad-says-consequences-coming-after-airstrikes/

Iran appreciates Japan's $23.5 million medical aid
IRNA | iranian.com | 2020-03-13
The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tokyo appreciated Japan's move to donate $ 23.5 million of medical aid to Iran to combat the spread of coronavirus in the country. The all-out fight against the COVID-19 virus requires global solidarity, the Iranian embassy in Tokyo said in a twitte message on Friday, stressing the …
iranian.com/2020/03/13/iran-appreciates-japans-23-5-million-medical-aid/

Zarif calls for removal of all U.S. sanctions in fight against COVID-19
Tehran Times | iranian.com | 2020-03-13
Iranian FM Zarif, sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urging the need to lift all U.S. sanctions on Iran, which are impeding the country's combat against coronavirus. Zarif in this letter, copies of which were sent to the heads of international organizations and FMs of all states, touched upon the need for the removal of all …
iranian.com/2020/03/12/zarif-calls-for-removal-of-all-u-s-anti-iranian-sanctions-in-fight-against-covid-19/

To Help Stem Spread of Coronavirus, Trump Must Lift Sanctions on Iran
Ariel Gold | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-13
US Sanctions, according to Human Rights Watch, have not only been devastating to Iranian civilians, but they have also crippled the country's ability to effectively deal with the coronavirus.
mintpressnews.com/stem-spread-coronavirus-trump-lift-sanctions-iran/265677/

Russia cannot do without Turkey's cooperation in Syria
M. K. Bhadrakumar | iranian.com | 2020-03-12
The former Soviet Union was a satiated world power. It didn't have to prove anything. The Great Patriotic War (1941-45) spoke for itself. Thus, triumphalism was never a diplomatic tool in the Soviet inventory. The removal of the US nuclear missiles from Turkey in the downstream of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis was not even …
iranian.com/2020/03/12/russia-cannot-do-without-turkeys-cooperation-in-syria/

2 Americans and 1 Brit killed when 15 Katyusha rockets landed at Taji Base in Iraq
The Iranian | iranian.com | 2020-03-12
15 rockets have hit a base near Baghdad that houses US personnel, the Iraqi army has reported. The Katyusha rockets struck al-Taji, located 27km north of Baghdad, on Wednesday, the Iraqi army reported. The base houses American forces in addition to Iraqi soldiers. According to Jennifer Griffin, National Security Correspondent for FOX News: "2 Americans …
iranian.com/2020/03/11/2-americans-and-1-brit-killed-when-15-katyusha-rockets-landed-at-taji-base-in-iraq/

Iran Applies for $5 Billion Loan from IMF to Battle Coronavirus
Tasnim News | iranian.com | 2020-03-12
The Governor of the Central Bank of Iran said he has asked the International Monetary Fund for a $5 billion loan that would help the country deal with the outbreak of COVID-19, saying the IMF's response will be a litmus test for claims about relief aid for containing the disease. In a post on his …
iranian.com/2020/03/12/iran-applies-for-5-billion-loan-from-imf-to-battle-coronavirus/

Congress Sends Bipartisan Bill to Trump Rebuking Iran War
Paul Kawika Martin | peaceaction.org | 2020-03-11
Washington, D.C.

Ten rockets hit Iraq base housing US troops
RT | iranian.com | 2020-03-11
Ten rockets have hit a base near Baghdad that houses US personnel, the Iraqi army has reported. It's not yet clear whether the attack on al-Taji base resulted in any casualties. The Katyusha rockets struck al-Taji, located 27km north of Baghdad, on Wednesday, the Iraqi army reported. The base houses American forces in addition to …
iranian.com/2020/03/11/ten-rockets-hit-iraq-base-housing-us-troops/

Prisons Worldwide Face Coronavirus Crisis: Overcrowding, Lack of Sanitation & Labor at Slave Wages
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-03-10
As Italy went on lockdown, nearly 30 prisons across the country broke into riots Sunday and Monday after visitation rights were suspended in response to the outbreak. In a prison in southern Italy, a riot left at least six incarcerated people dead and caused 50 people to escape. Prisoners have reportedly lit fires, charged guards and even escaped at multiple facilities. This comes as the United Nations confirmed that coronavirus had reached Iran's prisons, as the number of cases there continues to soar. Iran has temporarily freed some 70,000 prisoners in response to the coronavirus. And concerns are growing about…
www.democracynow.org/2020/3/10/coronavirus_in_prisons_jails

Why nuclear power must remain outlawed in Australia
pip.hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2020-03-10
Environment Jim GreenIssue 1257 Australia nuclear power uranium miningMarch 10, 2020Nuclear power is prohibited in Australia under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC…
greenleft.org.au/content/why-nuclear-power-must-remain-outlawed-australia