13/05/20 COVID-19 Global News Update

A raft of tax hikes, public sector pay freezes and an end to the triple lock on pensions could be deployed to mitigate the damages to the nation’s economy caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus, it has been reported. The Treasury has deployed unprecedented financial instruments to keep the nation going ...

Scientists warn easing lockdown too quickly could push Covid-19 death toll to 73,000 UK economy shrinks by 2% as Covid-19 slump begins – business live Millions with health conditions at risk ‘if forced back to work’ How Covid-19 lockdown rules differ across UK Coronavirus global updates – live See all ...

LONDON (Reuters) - Investments banks cut jobs at the fastest pace in six years during a first quarter in 2020 even though the coronavirus pandemic triggered a surge in volatility and boosted revenues to a five-year high, data published on Wednesday by research firm Coalition showed. While investment banks have ...

The decision to publish a plan for easing Northern Ireland's lockdown without a timetable is a mistake, some business groups have said. A five-stage blueprint was published on Tuesday, but steps can only progress when key health criteria is met. Governments in the Republic of Ireland and England have already ...

Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this Wednesday morning. We'll have another update for you at 18:00 BST. 1. A few freedoms Lockdown measures are being eased slightly across England after more than seven weeks. People can spend more time outside, meet a friend ...

Millions of self-employed people whose business has been affected by coronavirus can apply for grants from the government from Wednesday. The Self Employed Income Support Scheme is designed to match the support being given to furloughed employees. The grants will be calculated as 80% of average monthly profit over a ...

Twitter has told staff that they can work from home "forever" if they wish as the company looks towards the future after the coronavirus pandemic. The decision came as the social media giant said its work-from-home measures during the lockdown had been a success. But it also said it would ...

A fund for artists and performers financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic has had to close temporarily due to a high level of demand. The £500,000 Artists Emergency Fund was opened by the Arts Council and Department for Communities on 27 April. It provides grants of up to £5,000 for ...

The British independent festival sector is at risk of collapsing, with many cancelled events falling through the cracks of government support measures for businesses suffering as a result of the coronavirus crisis. The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), which represents 65 festivals in the UK, including Gloucestershire’s 2000trees, London’s Meltdown ...

Lockdown rules are now different in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. But where does that leave those who live on a border, or live in one country and work in another? In England's northernmost town, Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, some residents told us they felt torn. Boris Johnson encouraged people ...

Sylvia Vanatta says people should wait until the end of lockdown before making a "life-changing" decision to buy a puppy Puppies bought during lockdown could be abandoned once restrictions are eased, rescue workers fear. Internet searches for "buy a puppy" increased by 120% during the first month of coronavirus restrictions, ...

Bodies responsible for maintaining key open spaces in London published an open letter on Wednesday, warning rules must be followed if parks are to stay open. From Wednesday lockdown rules will start being eased. The government has previously said green spaces should close "only as an absolute last resort". From ...

TOKYO (Reuters) - Electricity prices in Japan are hitting the lowest price possible, effectively zero, with increasing regularity as the coronavirus pandemic slows industrial activity, while renewable energy supplies such as solar increase as summer approaches. Day-ahead prices on the Japan Electric Power Exchange (JEPX) touched a low of 0.01 ...

Crew members from the coronavirus-hit cruise ship Greg Mortimer have been allowed to disembark in Uruguay, after almost two months at sea. Of the more than 60 crew members, 36 tested positive for the virus. The ship's passengers had already disembarked last month and flown home. Meanwhile, two crew members ...

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand on Wednesday reported no new coronavirus cases for the first time since March 9. Thailand has a total of 3,017 cases and 56 deaths since the outbreak escalated in January. The Thai government continues to urge the public to wear masks, practice good hygiene and maintain ...

(Reuters) - U.S. businesses and households are going to need more fiscal support to get through what will likely be a longer period of recovery from the coronavirus shutdown than initially expected, Federal Reserve policymakers said on Tuesday. Unemployment will get worse around the country and the economic recovery will ...