Coronavirus shock
The total number of those infected by coronavirus world-wide rose to over 194,651, with 7,882 dead and 81,102 still recovering.
Coronavirus has been detected in almost all European countries: nine EU states have fully sealed their borders to non-nationals ahead of the pandemic.
According to fresh information, the European Union will close its external borders for 30 days.
Movement of people within the 27 member states of the European Union will still be allowed with certain restrictions. Switzerland has announced the introduction of an emergency regime in the country.
The number of people infected with coronavirus in the United States now exceeds 5,000.
Researchers in the US have begun clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine (the first injection was given to a volunteer in Seattle); and Canada. Meanwhile, governments around the world are closing their borders to foreigners.
Outside of China, Italy has been hit hardest by the outbreak. The number of deaths from coronavirus there is increasing, with more than 2,000 people having died already.
Many political and economic forums and summits have been cancelled.
The European Football Championship has been postponed to 2021, the World Figure Skating Championship and other sporting events and matches have also been cancelled.
As we wrote earlier on UWI, there are serious reasons to believe that the US might have been involved in the genesis and spread of the virus.
New evidence suggests coronavirus may have originated in the US
Meanwhile, some are saying that global liberalism and the concept of “open society” have come under severe strain as a result of the virus.
Oil collapse
At the end of last week, the price of Brent oil continued to fall. For the first time since February 12, 2016 it fell below 31 dollars per barrel. According to fresh information, it might continue and fall below $29 per barrel.
Oil traders are afraid that the measures taken around the world will not prevent the world economy from recession due to the coronavirus.
OPEC+ countries could not agree on an extension of the deal to reduce oil production on March 6. Together with the news about the coronavirus’ spread, this provoked a collapse at the oil market and a drop in the ruble exchange rate.
Patrolling in Idlib
On 15 March, the Russian military police went out with Turkey to conduct joint patrols on the M4 highway in Idlib, according to the agreement between Putin and Erdogan reached in Moscow on 5 March.
Release of Manning
WikiLeaks informant Chelsea Manning was released from custody this week. The court decided that her testimony was no longer needed, as the jury in the Julian Assange case had completed its work.
Manning had been in custody since May of last year for refusing to testify in the WikiLeaks case. She explained that she was unable to give information for ethical reasons.