Wednesday newspaper round-up: Amazon, Google, Braemar

Amazon is struggling to prevent profiteering as “bad actors” attempt to cash in on coronavirus fears by raising prices of masks and sanitisers by as much as 2,000%. The US company said it had removed “tens of thousands” of listings but analysts have likened the situation to a game of whack-a-mole with products reappearing soon after deletion.- Guardian

An unfamiliar hush has fallen across Google’s European headquarters in Dublin on as thousands of employees follow an injunction to work from home - a precaution against coronavirus that is being replicated across the world. The glass complex remained largely empty on Tuesday and was expected to be again on Wednesday after the company ordered most of its 8,000 staff to stay away from Grand Canal Dock, also known as Silicon Docks, in Ireland’s capital. – Guardian

Industry leaders have demanded a sweeping overhaul of business rates in this month's Budget, saying the regime is deeply flawed and punishes firms that are already struggling. Nine business groups have demanded reform in a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak as they seek to ease the £31bn burden imposed by the tax. – Telegraph

The fallout from the global coronavirus outbreak is likely to trigger more mergers and takeovers in the airline industry, the boss of one of the world’s largest carriers has said. Ben Smith, 48, chief executive of Air France-KLM, said yesterday that the drop in bookings caused by the outbreak would intensify pressure on airlines to curb capacity and consolidate. – The Times

A leading shipping broker has warned that its earnings will take a hit as coronavirus dents global trade. Braemar Shipping Services said that the prolonged disruption triggered by the outbreak, which has shut down factories across China and strained production lines across the world, was likely to knock its sales. – The Times