In Europe, Italy has been the worst affected due to the coronavirus outbreak. The country has reported 1,016 deaths with at least 15,113 affected due to the virus.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Total infected toll leaps to 15,113 in Italy

India has announced multiple visa restrictions and updated its travel advisory for Indian citizens. The idea is to ensure that COVID-19 carriers do not enter the country. In this segment, know India's travel restrictions for Indian Nationals

Know India's travel restrictions for Indian Nationals | Coronavirus Outbreak

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stepped up the response to the coronavirus outbreak on March 12, moving to the so called "delay phase" which includes the option of more stringent measures designed to slow down the spread of the virus.

UK PM Boris Johnson steps up response to coronavirus outbreak

Taiwan, only 81 miles from China and its nearly 24 million inhabitants faced a serious threat as COVID-19, the novel Coronavirus, broke out in Wuhan, China late last year. See how it gets able to tackle COVID-19!

Taiwan sets example for others in tackling COVID-19! | WION Exclusive

In a move that can see the revival of SAARC grouping, Indian PM Narendra Modi has called for a joint SAARC strategy to fight coronavirus outbreak.

In a tweet, he said, "I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus"

He suggested, the SAARC countries, "could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus. 
 
We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy. 
 
Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1238371182094639104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Adding,"Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet."

Will Pakistani PM Imran Khan join PM Modi and other SAARC leaders for video conference? If he does then it will be the big takeaway from the conference.&nbsp;

Yesterday at Pakistani weekly presser by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, spokesperson on response to a WION question said, "On Coronavirus, as I said before that the Government of Pakistan is monitoring the situation very closely and will take measures required for the citizens within Pakistan and any assistance we can provide to our neighbouring countries.”

Sources in Islamabad have said the suggestion by Indian PM has been noted "positively" &amp; will be discussed at Pakistan's National Security Council.

Bhutan Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering responded to PM Modi's tweet and said "This is what we call leadership. As members of this region, we must come together in such times. Smaller economies are hit harder, so we must coordinate. With your leadership, I have no doubt we will see the immediate and impactful outcome. Looking forward to the video conference."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is what we call leadership. As members of this region, we must come together in such times. Smaller economies are hit harder, so we must coordinate. With your leadership, I have no doubt we will see immediate and impactful outcome. Looking forward to the video conference. <a href="https://t.co/2RnokAJQOs">https://t.co/2RnokAJQOs</a>
— PM Bhutan (@PMBhutan) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMBhutan/status/1238395565571883009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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SAARC has been lying defunct since 2016 after the Uri attack. The 19th SAARC summit was to happen in Islamabad in 2016 but was boycotted by India along with — Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan after the terror attack by Pakistan based terror groups in India killed 19 Indian soldiers.

In a move that can see the revival of SAARC grouping, Indian PM Narendra Modi has called for a joint SAARC strategy to fight coronavirus outbreak. In a tweet, he said, "I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus" He suggested, the SAARC countries, "could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy.

In a move that can see the revival of SAARC grouping, Indian PM Narendra Modi has called for a joint SAARC strategy to fight coronavirus outbreak. In a tweet, he said, "I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus" He suggested, the SAARC countries, "could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy." I would like to propose that the leadership of SAARC nations chalk out a strong strategy to fight Coronavirus. We could discuss, via video conferencing, ways to keep our citizens healthy. Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2020 × Adding,"Together, we can set an example to the world, and contribute to a healthier planet." Will Pakistani PM Imran Khan join PM Modi and other SAARC leaders for video conference? If he does then it will be the big takeaway from the conference. Yesterday at Pakistani weekly presser by the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, spokesperson on response to a WION question said, "On Coronavirus, as I said before that the Government of Pakistan is monitoring the situation very closely and will take measures required for the citizens within Pakistan and any assistance we can provide to our neighbouring countries.” Sources in Islamabad have said the suggestion by Indian PM has been noted "positively" & will be discussed at Pakistan's National Security Council. Bhutan Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering responded to PM Modi's tweet and said "This is what we call leadership. As members of this region, we must come together in such times. Smaller economies are hit harder, so we must coordinate. With your leadership, I have no doubt we will see the immediate and impactful outcome. Looking forward to the video conference." This is what we call leadership. As members of this region, we must come together in such times. Smaller economies are hit harder, so we must coordinate. With your leadership, I have no doubt we will see immediate and impactful outcome. Looking forward to the video conference. https://t.co/2RnokAJQOs — PM Bhutan (@PMBhutan) March 13, 2020 × SAARC has been lying defunct since 2016 after the Uri attack. The 19th SAARC summit was to happen in Islamabad in 2016 but was boycotted by India along with — Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan after the terror attack by Pakistan based terror groups in India killed 19 Indian soldiers.

Coronavirus crisis: PM Modi suggests joint SAARC strategy; proposes video conference

When the world was blissfully unaware of this creeping pandemic, when the WHO was dragging its feet on declaring the seriousness of the situation, WION brought to you a series of reports on how the Chinese state is complicit in this outbreak.

Beijing tried to underplay the crisis. It mishandled the situation. The outbreak was first ignored by local officials and whistleblowers in China were muzzled.

And the top leadership in China escaped scrutiny when the crisis peaked. The coronavirus has crossed borders and spread around the world. However, it's important to keep the spotlight on China.

Beijing is doing what it does best - hiding the facts, twisting the narrative, whitewashing the problems and evading scrutiny. &nbsp;

What is the biggest headline coming out of China? - &nbsp;It is defeating the virus. 11 temporary hospitals have been shut because they're not needed anymore. This is the narrative China is pushing. It has deployed diplomats to take on critics. 
 
WATCH: Wuhan Coronavirus - should China pay for its negligence?&nbsp;

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This is what the Chinese ambassador to South Africa said earlier this month, "Although the epidemic first broke out in China, it did not necessarily mean that the virus originated from China, let alone made in China. "

Meanwhile, it's a fact that coronavirus is made in China pandemic. The first cases emerged way back in December. The government not only ignored the spread, it punished the doctors who raised concerns.

Within weeks, the virus spread through Wuhan and then all-over China. People were dragged from their homes to hospitals - doctors ran out of supplies. 60 per cent of China's medical workers weren't even graduates.

Cases were hidden, China slammed countries that issued travel advisories. And soon enough, the virus travelled all over the world.&nbsp;Today, more than one lakh 27 thousand cases have been reported.

According to one estimate, this outbreak could cost the world economy 2.7 trillion dollars. Another estimate claims a three trillion dollar loss.

But why must the world pay for China's negligence? Why shouldn't China foot the bill? Why should China be allowed to hold the world hostage? &nbsp;

If there's one take away for the world from this crisis, it is this - create viable alternatives to China. Help emerging economies to step in and fill the gap, switch suppliers.

If leading companies can ditch their Chinese contracts, Beijing will be forced to concede that it put the global economy at risk by ignoring a health crisis. The loss in business and trade deals will be the ultimate reparation to seek from China. &nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world) &nbsp;

When the world was blissfully unaware of this creeping pandemic, when the WHO was dragging its feet on declaring the seriousness of the situation, WION brought to you a series of reports on how the Chinese state is complicit in this outbreak.

When the world was blissfully unaware of this creeping pandemic, when the WHO was dragging its feet on declaring the seriousness of the situation, WION brought to you a series of reports on how the Chinese state is complicit in this outbreak. Beijing tried to underplay the crisis. It mishandled the situation. The outbreak was first ignored by local officials and whistleblowers in China were muzzled. And the top leadership in China escaped scrutiny when the crisis peaked. The coronavirus has crossed borders and spread around the world. However, it's important to keep the spotlight on China. Beijing is doing what it does best - hiding the facts, twisting the narrative, whitewashing the problems and evading scrutiny. What is the biggest headline coming out of China? - It is defeating the virus. 11 temporary hospitals have been shut because they're not needed anymore. This is the narrative China is pushing. It has deployed diplomats to take on critics. WATCH: Wuhan Coronavirus - should China pay for its negligence? × This is what the Chinese ambassador to South Africa said earlier this month, "Although the epidemic first broke out in China, it did not necessarily mean that the virus originated from China, let alone made in China. " Meanwhile, it's a fact that coronavirus is made in China pandemic. The first cases emerged way back in December. The government not only ignored the spread, it punished the doctors who raised concerns. Within weeks, the virus spread through Wuhan and then all-over China. People were dragged from their homes to hospitals - doctors ran out of supplies. 60 per cent of China's medical workers weren't even graduates. Cases were hidden, China slammed countries that issued travel advisories. And soon enough, the virus travelled all over the world. Today, more than one lakh 27 thousand cases have been reported. According to one estimate, this outbreak could cost the world economy 2.7 trillion dollars. Another estimate claims a three trillion dollar loss. But why must the world pay for China's negligence? Why shouldn't China foot the bill? Why should China be allowed to hold the world hostage? If there's one take away for the world from this crisis, it is this - create viable alternatives to China. Help emerging economies to step in and fill the gap, switch suppliers. If leading companies can ditch their Chinese contracts, Beijing will be forced to concede that it put the global economy at risk by ignoring a health crisis. The loss in business and trade deals will be the ultimate reparation to seek from China. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: Should China be made to pay for the coronavirus?

From the markets to the aviation and the hospitality sector - the Wuhan coronavirus could lead to losses worth trillions of dollars. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more.

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: Global economy takes a hit

India has suspended most visas issued to foreign nationals. What does this move mean for travellers, tourists, the diaspora and Indian citizens?

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: India quarantines itself

The Wuhan coronavirus has now reached more than 100 countries. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay brings you a wrap of the top 10 developments today.

Gravitas: Wuhan Coronavirus: The top 10 developments on Thursday

As coronavirus fear grips the entire world more and more people are struggling to devise strategies to contain the virus.

WION Dispatch: Coronavirus fear grips the world

In this video, Elizabeth Schneider describes her experience of contracting and recovering from the coronavirus. She believes the disease at a house party in Seattle.

Video: American woman recovers from coronavirus | Covid-19 survivor

European Union leaders slammed the United States for imposing a unilateral travel ban for people coming from Europe for 30 days. EU presidents Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel in a written statement said that coronavirus is not limited to any continent and "requires cooperation rather than unilateral action".

Fineprint: Spain's equality minister tests positive for coronavirus

India is dealing with a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. The Indian health ministry on Thursday (March 12) urged people not to panic amid the rising coronavirus cases in the country as it confirmed 1,500 people placed under observation for coming in contact with 74 positive cases.

India: 74 people infected with coronavirus | Coronavirus Pandemic

The Indian Foreign Ministry briefed media over coronavirus pandemic. The Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, 'fighting coronavirus is a collective effort.'

Indian Foreign Ministry briefs media over coronavirus pandemic

India now has 60 confirmed cases of the Wuhan Coronavirus. In Italy, more than 10,000 people are infected. This report brings you the latest updates on the Wuhan virus outbreak.

Gravitas: 60 confirmed patients in India, Wuhan Coronavirus

India is dealing with increasing numbers of coronavirus cases across the nation. There are now 62 confirmed Covid-19 cases in India. In the latest update, 112 Indians have evacuated from Wuhan and have completed 14 days of isolation at the Indo-Tibetian border. Watch report:

WION Dispatch: Covid-19 cases in India | India restricts international travel | Coronavirus

India is focusing on efforts to bring back its nationals from Iran and Italy, the worst affected by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus after China, Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar said describing the situation in both countries as “extreme". Watch report:

WION Dispatch: Jaishankar on India's Covid-19 response, 6000 Indians still in Iran

Italy has recorded its deadliest day of the Coronavirus outbreak with 168 deaths overnight. This is the biggest single-day jump in the death toll making it the worst-hit country after China. Watch report:

Coronavirus: Whole of Italy under lockdown, 631 fatalities, 10,000 infected

Health minister and Conservative MP Nadine Dorries has been diagnosed with coronavirus, raising pressure to tighten access to parliament as authorities ramp up preparations in anticipation of “many thousands” of cases at the epidemic’s peak. Watch report:

UK Health Minister Nadine Dorries diagnosed with Coronavirus

Italy has locked down much of the country's north over the Coronavirus outbreak. South Korea has introduced a new policy for purchasing masks. This report tells you how different countries are fighting the Wuhan virus.

Gravitas: The Global Battle against Wuhan Coronavirus

As the coronavirus spreads, so does its likely political fallout. For authoritarians and autocrats, the fallout is likely to be a mixed bag.

Some will benefit from invasive tracing and monitoring of those affected by the virus that is likely to boost the evolution towards a Big Brother and surveillance state as well as nationalist economic policies propagated by populists and nationalists like US President Donald J Trump.

Others are seeing perceived government failures to confront the virus effectively early on further undermine public trust and fuel demands for greater transparency, accountability and freedom of expression.

For religious ultra-conservatives, including Salafi minorities in non-Muslim nations who are in the firing line because of their refusal to adapt to Western habits like men shaking hands with women, the virus is likely to reap benefits.

The question is whether the threat of endemics and pandemics that are egalitarian in the extreme and recognise no physical or social borders will prompt the international community to take note of the risk of breakdowns in already weak public health systems in conflict situations such as Syria, Yemen and Libya.

The risks are magnified by the deliberate targetting of hospitals and other medical facilities and the mass dislocation of millions who are forced into bare-knuckle, unhygienic refugee camps with hardly any services and rampant malnutrition.

Protesters in countries like Iraq and Thailand, demanding an overhaul of the political system, and Hong Kong where reform is the driver, have dashed government hopes that fear of contagion would take the wind out of the demonstrators’ sails.

Protesters in Iraq, that has so far reported 40 cases and three deaths, refused to abandon mass public gatherings, calling instead for the virus to take its toll on the country’s leadership.

"Listen to us Corona, come and visit the thieves who stole our wealth, come and take revenge from who stole our dreams, we only loved our homeland, but they killed us,” protesters chanted.

“The government uses coronavirus as an excuse to end the protests. They tried everything — snipers, live bullets, tear gas, abduction and so on and on — but they failed. They are now finding another way to stop us, but they will fail again,” said Yasamin Mustafa, a teenage protester from Basra, referring to government warnings about the virus.

Similarly, students in Thailand have ignored calls by military-backed Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha for an end to protests because of the virus risk. The students are demanding Prayuth’s resignation and political reforms after the Constitutional Court disbanded Future Forward, a popular pro-democracy party.

In Hong Kong, with Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s approval rating sinking to a record low of just 9.1 per cent after her government faced criticism over its handling of the virus, protests have moved from the street to online public gatherings in support of long-standing demands for reform.

At the same time, Lam’s backers in Beijing are confronting demands for greater freedom of speech at a moment that the government of President Xi Jinping has imposed absolute media conformity.

Xi Jinping’s critics insist that greater transparency and freedom could have prevented the virus from turning China into the world’s most affected country with yet to be fully appreciated severe economic consequences.

Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg’s former China bureau chief Dexter Roberts warned that the long-term fallout of the virus could be fundamental with hundreds of millions of domestic migrant workers “still facing unprecedented virus-related disruptions in their lives and work” as incomes have dried up, aggravated by enforced quarantines and “a skewed health care system (that) relegates (them) to understaffed and underfunded clinics.”

The government, like in the wake of the SARS crisis in 2003, will likely benefit in the short-term from middle- and upper-class support for increased political and social controls enabled by its rollout of a 21st-century Orwellian surveillance state, Roberts argued.

“The coronavirus may eventually fade as a threat, but it has exposed the deep inequities that divide Chinese into two classes. That split remains the biggest obstacle to China’s development” with the disadvantaged migrant workers posing “the biggest threat to its economic and political future,” Roberts said.

The virus crisis certainly was not the last nail in the Iranian government’s coffin, but it has significantly widened an already yawning gap in public trust ripped open by widespread corruption, repressive policies, lack of transparency and the government’s handling of the downing in January of a Ukrainian airliner.

"The relationship between the government and the public is severely damaged. The government is suffering a massive loss of confidence. And this shows in critical situations like now. Due to this distrust, society ignores information given out by the government. In recent weeks, the government has too often had to correct its own statements." &nbsp;said sociologist Saeed Paivandi.

Paivandi was referring to faltering efforts by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the government to persuade Iranians to observe disruptive health precautions at a time that the country is struggling to cope with the devastating economic impact of harsh US sanctions that have complicated its access to medical products.

Initial government failure to confront the crisis head-on by, for example, quarantining the holy city of Qom, the Iranian hub of the virus, coupled with the sanctions that have turned Iran into a source of the virus elsewhere in the Middle East and beyond, threatens to put the Islamic republic in the same risk category as Syria, Yemen and Libya.

The virus crisis is also grist for nationalists’ mills, prompting Trump to pressure US pharmaceutical companies that have moved overseas to shift their operations back to the United States.

“The coronavirus shows the importance of bringing manufacturing back to America so that we are producing, at home, the medicines and equipment and everything else that we need to protect the public’s health,” Trump said.

If Trump sees a silver lining in the virus crisis, so do religious ultra-conservatives and critics of European measures to impose Western behaviour on segments of Muslim minority communities.

With governments advising against customary physical greetings such as handshakes, kissing and hugs, ultra-conservatives like Salafis who refuse to shake a women’s hand argue privately that their attitude is going mainstream at a time that their practices are under fire in Europe.

Dutch parliamentarians last month took Salafis to task for their refusal, arguing in a parliamentary inquiry into “unwanted influencing by unfree countries” that shaking a woman’s hand was part of Dutch culture and refusal to do so impeded integration.

The Coronavirus has, at least for now, undermined that argument.

Danish authorities have suspended citizenship naturalisation ceremonies that require a handshake as part of the process in line with legislation adopted in 2018 to force the hand of ultra-conservatives that refuse to shake hands with the opposite sex.

Critics of the law said the suspension highlighted the absurdity of forcing people to have physical contact. “It’s absurd. The path to Danish citizenship should be about inclusion, not exclusion,” said Peder Hvelplund, a green lawmaker. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

As the coronavirus spreads, so does its likely political fallout. For authoritarians and autocrats, the fallout is likely to be a mixed bag. Some will benefit from invasive tracing and monitoring of those affected by the virus that is likely to boost the evolution towards a Big Brother and surveillance state as well as nationalist economic policies propagated by populists and nationalists like US President Donald J Trump.

As the coronavirus spreads, so does its likely political fallout. For authoritarians and autocrats, the fallout is likely to be a mixed bag. Some will benefit from invasive tracing and monitoring of those affected by the virus that is likely to boost the evolution towards a Big Brother and surveillance state as well as nationalist economic policies propagated by populists and nationalists like US President Donald J Trump. Others are seeing perceived government failures to confront the virus effectively early on further undermine public trust and fuel demands for greater transparency, accountability and freedom of expression. For religious ultra-conservatives, including Salafi minorities in non-Muslim nations who are in the firing line because of their refusal to adapt to Western habits like men shaking hands with women, the virus is likely to reap benefits. The question is whether the threat of endemics and pandemics that are egalitarian in the extreme and recognise no physical or social borders will prompt the international community to take note of the risk of breakdowns in already weak public health systems in conflict situations such as Syria, Yemen and Libya. The risks are magnified by the deliberate targetting of hospitals and other medical facilities and the mass dislocation of millions who are forced into bare-knuckle, unhygienic refugee camps with hardly any services and rampant malnutrition. Protesters in countries like Iraq and Thailand, demanding an overhaul of the political system, and Hong Kong where reform is the driver, have dashed government hopes that fear of contagion would take the wind out of the demonstrators’ sails. Protesters in Iraq, that has so far reported 40 cases and three deaths, refused to abandon mass public gatherings, calling instead for the virus to take its toll on the country’s leadership. "Listen to us Corona, come and visit the thieves who stole our wealth, come and take revenge from who stole our dreams, we only loved our homeland, but they killed us,” protesters chanted. “The government uses coronavirus as an excuse to end the protests. They tried everything — snipers, live bullets, tear gas, abduction and so on and on — but they failed. They are now finding another way to stop us, but they will fail again,” said Yasamin Mustafa, a teenage protester from Basra, referring to government warnings about the virus. Similarly, students in Thailand have ignored calls by military-backed Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha for an end to protests because of the virus risk. The students are demanding Prayuth’s resignation and political reforms after the Constitutional Court disbanded Future Forward, a popular pro-democracy party. In Hong Kong, with Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s approval rating sinking to a record low of just 9.1 per cent after her government faced criticism over its handling of the virus, protests have moved from the street to online public gatherings in support of long-standing demands for reform. At the same time, Lam’s backers in Beijing are confronting demands for greater freedom of speech at a moment that the government of President Xi Jinping has imposed absolute media conformity. Xi Jinping’s critics insist that greater transparency and freedom could have prevented the virus from turning China into the world’s most affected country with yet to be fully appreciated severe economic consequences. Writing in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg’s former China bureau chief Dexter Roberts warned that the long-term fallout of the virus could be fundamental with hundreds of millions of domestic migrant workers “still facing unprecedented virus-related disruptions in their lives and work” as incomes have dried up, aggravated by enforced quarantines and “a skewed health care system (that) relegates (them) to understaffed and underfunded clinics.” The government, like in the wake of the SARS crisis in 2003, will likely benefit in the short-term from middle- and upper-class support for increased political and social controls enabled by its rollout of a 21st-century Orwellian surveillance state, Roberts argued. “The coronavirus may eventually fade as a threat, but it has exposed the deep inequities that divide Chinese into two classes. That split remains the biggest obstacle to China’s development” with the disadvantaged migrant workers posing “the biggest threat to its economic and political future,” Roberts said. The virus crisis certainly was not the last nail in the Iranian government’s coffin, but it has significantly widened an already yawning gap in public trust ripped open by widespread corruption, repressive policies, lack of transparency and the government’s handling of the downing in January of a Ukrainian airliner. "The relationship between the government and the public is severely damaged. The government is suffering a massive loss of confidence. And this shows in critical situations like now. Due to this distrust, society ignores information given out by the government. In recent weeks, the government has too often had to correct its own statements." said sociologist Saeed Paivandi. Paivandi was referring to faltering efforts by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the government to persuade Iranians to observe disruptive health precautions at a time that the country is struggling to cope with the devastating economic impact of harsh US sanctions that have complicated its access to medical products. Initial government failure to confront the crisis head-on by, for example, quarantining the holy city of Qom, the Iranian hub of the virus, coupled with the sanctions that have turned Iran into a source of the virus elsewhere in the Middle East and beyond, threatens to put the Islamic republic in the same risk category as Syria, Yemen and Libya. The virus crisis is also grist for nationalists’ mills, prompting Trump to pressure US pharmaceutical companies that have moved overseas to shift their operations back to the United States. “The coronavirus shows the importance of bringing manufacturing back to America so that we are producing, at home, the medicines and equipment and everything else that we need to protect the public’s health,” Trump said. If Trump sees a silver lining in the virus crisis, so do religious ultra-conservatives and critics of European measures to impose Western behaviour on segments of Muslim minority communities. With governments advising against customary physical greetings such as handshakes, kissing and hugs, ultra-conservatives like Salafis who refuse to shake a women’s hand argue privately that their attitude is going mainstream at a time that their practices are under fire in Europe. Dutch parliamentarians last month took Salafis to task for their refusal, arguing in a parliamentary inquiry into “unwanted influencing by unfree countries” that shaking a woman’s hand was part of Dutch culture and refusal to do so impeded integration. The Coronavirus has, at least for now, undermined that argument. Danish authorities have suspended citizenship naturalisation ceremonies that require a handshake as part of the process in line with legislation adopted in 2018 to force the hand of ultra-conservatives that refuse to shake hands with the opposite sex. Critics of the law said the suspension highlighted the absurdity of forcing people to have physical contact. “It’s absurd. The path to Danish citizenship should be about inclusion, not exclusion,” said Peder Hvelplund, a green lawmaker. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The long-term political fallout of Coronavirus

Three more people have tested positive for coronavirus in India, taking the total number of cases to 34, the government said on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting with officials to discuss the outbreak.

Coronavirus: Three more test positive in India; Patients have travel history to Iran & Oman

The Italian government intends to quarantine the entire Lombardy region around Milan as well as areas around and including Venice and the northern cities of Parma and Rimini

Italy locks down much of country's northern province

Search and rescue efforts continued on Sunday after a quarantine hotel for COVID-19 patients collapsed in southeastern China on Saturday, trapping about 70 people.

At least 10 People killed , several trapped after temporary hospital collapses in China

Italy's co-ruling Democratic Party (PD) leader Nicola Zingaretti said on Saturday that he had tested positive for Coronavirus, the first case of a senior Italian politician contracting the virus.

Nicola Zingaretti, Italian democratic party's leader, tests positive for Coronavirus

The death toll from the new coronavirus in Iran has risen to 145 after the daily increase in fatalities there since the outbreak began.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Deaths of Coronavirus reaches 145 in Iran

So far, India has 34 confirmed cases of coronavirus as 3 more people test positive on Saturday.

3 more test positive of Coronavirus, 2 people in Ladakh & 1 in Tamil Nadu | Coronavirus Outbreak

Financial markets and economic forecasts are warning of rising risks to the American and global economies, which were improving before novel coronaviruses spread from China around the world.

IMF cuts global growth forecast, Economic carnage of Coronavirus | Coronavirus Outbreak

World Tourism Organization stated the number of international tourist arrivals is expected to drop sharply this year, reversing a previous forecast for a substantial increase.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Global tourism industry worst effected

U.S. stocks fell on Friday as fears of economic damage from the spread of the coronavirus intensified, though Wall Street's major indexes ended well above their session lows.

Wall street ends wild street with cuts, significant declines on Wall street | Coronavirus Outbreak

Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, China reports 28 fatalities & 33 new cases overnight, focus shifts away from Hubei.

China: 28 fatalities & 33 new cases overnight, focus shifts away from Hubei | Coronavirus Outbreak

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