Political News
Democrats and White House working on fourth economic relief package
Democrats in Congress and the White House were readying another economic relief package aimed at helping state governments, mortgage markets and the country's travel industry.
Airlines could burn through $61bn in Q2 - IATA
The airline industry faces a second quarter loss of $39bn if severe coronavirus travel restrictions last for three months, the industry body said on Tuesday.
Goldman slashes 1H US GDP forecast due to rapid pace of firings
Fiscal and monetary policy in the States have been eased "dramatically further" but the rapid pace at which companies are shedding workers means the US economy will take a bigger than expected hit from the Covid-19 pandemic, Goldman Sachs said.
Report unveils massive Coca-Cola, Nestle, Unilever and Pepsi plastic pollution footprint
Drink giants Coca-Cola, Nestle, Unilever and Pepsi are responsible for over half a million tons of plastic pollution in six developing countries each year, new reports show.
North Korea threatens to cut off nuclear talks after Pompeo's comments
North Korea threatened to suspend nuclear talks with America, describing recent remarks from US secretary of state Mike Pompeo’s on the negotiations as “ludicrous”.
Italy experiences sharp drop in daily rate of new infections
The number of new Covid-19 infections and of fatalities continued to fall back at the start of the week.
Trump extends US social distancing measures until 30 April
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would extend social distancing measures until 30 April in an effort to limit death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Government asks house buyers to pause transactions
Officials in Westminster have put the brakes on the UK’s housing market, in a bid to slow the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus.
UK's Johnson, Hancock test positive for Covid-19;
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock have both tested positive for the coronavirus.
Chinese industrial profits see biggest drop since 2010 in January/February
Industrial company profits in China plummeted at their quickest pace since 2010 as the coronavirus pandemic forced authorities into a country-wide lockdown at one point.
Covid-19: UK self-employed to receive 80% of salary
Self-employed workers hit by the coronavirus crisis will receive a government grant worth 80% of earnings under a new scheme unveiled on Thursday, but would have to wait until June to get the cash, Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday.
UK banks warned against profiteering during Covid-19 crisis
UK banks were formally warned not to take advantage of the coronavirus crisis as they were accused in parliament of profiteering.
Wetherspoon refuses to pay suppliers until lockdown ends
JD Wetherspoon has told its suppliers it will not pay them until pubs reopen after the coronavirus lockdown, according to an email seen by sustainability website Footprint.
UK govt accused of 'negligence' for allowing building sites to open
Unions accused the government of negligence for allowing building sites to remain open during the lockdown and called for the coronavirus wage bailout to be extended to self-employed construction workers.
Italian coronavirus pandemic might peak this week, WHO says
The Covid-19 pandemic in Italy may hit its peak as soon as during the present week, the world's health watchdog said.
EU calls for dedicated crisis management centre - reports
The European Union is expected to endorse establishing a dedicated crisis management centre in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was reported on Wednesday.
London Mayor Khan says PM overruled him on building site ban
London Mayor Sadiq Khan clashed with Prime Minister Boris Johnson over allowing construction work to continue in the capital as builders crammed onto rush hour tube trains during the coronavirus lockdown.
G7 pledges action to protect global economy during pandemic
The G7 has pledged to do “whatever is necessary” to help support the global economy, which has been sent reeling by the coronavirus pandemic.
Pressure mounts on Sunak to help self-employed with wage bailout
The British government was considering ways to extend its business bailout to include statutory self-employment pay, as pressure mounted to protect the five million workers currently excluded from the package.
Sharp bounce on Wall Street amid signs Senate near agreement on stimulus
Top Senate leaders appeared to be getting closer to a deal on a spending package to see the US economy through the coronavirus pandemic, although it remained to be seen if Democracts in the lower house of Congress could be brought onside.