“Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry allegedly informed Iran that Israel had carried out at least 200 covert strikes against Iranian targets, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif revealed in a leaked recording obtained by the New York Times.”

This blog's author has done very nice modeling of COVID-19 on a Country basis. We have known and read David Merkel for more than 20-years. He is a statistician and has been an actuary and a bond trader and manager of bond departments for insurance companies. His analysis is very similar to what your state health department uses and what the CDC uses to model epidemic progression in a population. Highly recommended reading.

As we reported last night, Tuesday marked a major shift in the coronavirus outbreak: For the first time, more deaths were reported outside China than inside. And already on Wednesday, we've seen some unfortunate firsts: Iraq reported its first death after the virus leaked across the border from Iran.

The EU's decision not to close borders and impose travel restrictions has come back to bite it: Just a few minutes ago, the European Union confirmed the first case of the virus at EU offices in Brussels. It appears to be tied to the European Defense Agency.

"If there's one thing we've learned since the coronavirus outbreak went global in January, it's that a lot can change in 24 hours. Seemingly overnight, the viral hysteria has apparently arrived in the US, alongside the news of the first virus-related death in Washington State.

Hoarding has already begun. President Trump has issued "do not travel" warnings affecting 'hot zones' in Italy and South Korea. In Italy, the Level 4 State Department advisory affects the hardest-hit provinces of Lombardy and Veneto, where 'community transmission' has already been confirmed.

In South Korea, it affects the city of Daegu. In Europe, France and Switzerland have banned large gatherings over 5,000, and canceled all sporting events. Games, events, and conferences across the world have been canceled as airlines continue to cut back on routes, with the focus turning to Italy and South Korea."

"The news helped rattle investor confidence, sending futures into the red as US stocks looked set to open in the red on Wednesday, building on four days of losses.

The virus has now spread to every continent except for Antarctica. Brazil's Health Ministry said a man has tested positive for the coronavirus in an initial test. If it's confirmed in a second test, it will be the first case in South America."

Update (0650ET): It's not even 7 am in the US, and it looks like a new outbreak is beginning in Central Europe.

Local news agencies report that Croatia has confirmed its first case, while the Austrian Province of Tyrol has confirmed two cases.

In South Korea, meanwhile, officials have just confirmed the 11th coronavirus-linked death, a Mongolian man in his mid-30s who had a preexisting liver condition.

"Another video of the moment UIA Flight 752 was blown out of the sky by Iranian missiles has emerged, according to the NYT, which verified the footage before reporting on it.

For the first time, the world can clearly see two missiles - fired from an Iranian military base 8 miles from the plane - strike the plane less than 30 seconds apart."