European Union to suspend bloc’s budget rules in order to fight coronavirus March 21, 2020 The European Union has formalised an agreement reached by the bloc’s finance ministers earlier this month to suspend EU budget rules. The legislation placed limits on government borrowing but its suspension will now give countries a free hand in fighting the coronavirus. The European Commission proposed late on Friday to activate the “general escape clause” [...]
‘You are not invincible’: WHO chief sends stern coronavirus warning to young people March 21, 2020 The World Health Organisation director-general has warned young people they are “not invincible” to the threat posed by coronavirus. In a stern warning, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that Covid-19 could still hospitalise or kill young people, despite older and more vulnerable people being most affected. Speaking at an online news conference from WHO headquarters [...]
Doom Eternal review: Ultra, ultra violence has never been so much fun March 20, 2020 A 2014 study by scientists at Stetson University in Florida suggested that, rather than act as a predictor of violence in real life, violent video games may actually have the opposite effect, making people less likely to carry out acts of aggression. If that’s the case then the law won’t ever have to worry about [...]
Government’s coronavirus business interruption loan scheme ‘not fit for purpose’, says consultancy March 20, 2020 The government’s coronavirus business interruption loan scheme “is not fit for purpose”, according to international consultancy and economic analysis firm Fideres. The London-based company, which specialises in competition economics, says the government’s strategy fails to meet three basic criteria. Fideres argues that the loan scheme is not simple, fast or fair. The consultancy says it [...]
Coronavirus: Spain death toll surpasses 1,000 as Germany threatens curfews March 20, 2020 The death toll in Spain due to coronavirus has surpassed 1,000 as it climbed by 235 today. There are now 19,980 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, while Germany has threatened to impose strict curfews. More than a third of the cases in Spain are in the capital of Madrid. Army specialists were sent [...]
Norwegian Air offered 3bn krone rescue package from officials March 19, 2020 Norway’s government has ridden to the rescue of beleaguered Norwegian Air with the offer of a credit guarantee of 3bn krone. Shares in the low-cost carrier soared on the news, jumping 18 per cent over the course of the day. City A.M understands that the 3bn package is part of a 6bn krone package Norwegian [...]
Coronavirus: PM urges Brits to be ‘reasonable’ and responsible as he says ‘tide will turn’ in 12 weeks March 19, 2020 Brits have been urged to be reasonable and responsible as the government continues to grapple with the coronavirus outbreak as it begins to peak. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he believed covid-19 could be under control by the summer – but only if people follow the social distancing measures already set out. If not, he [...]
Sadiq Khan: More Crossrail delays from coronavirus are ‘inevitable’ March 19, 2020 Sadiq Khan has said it is “inevitable” that the coronavirus outbreak will further delay the opening of Crossrail. Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild ordered all non-essential work on the new railway line to stop this week, with some employees told to work from home. The central part of the £18.25bn train line was expected to [...]
Police on standby to help supermarkets in London lockdown March 19, 2020 Police could be called in to support UK supermarkets to deter aggressive behaviour in the event of a London lockdown as part of measures to delay the spread of coronavirus. Politicians and supermarkets have both urged the public to stop panic buying. However, demand for groceries has continued to spike. Shelves have been stripped and [...]