US coronavirus: Trump aims for business as usual by Easter March 24, 2020 President Donald Trump said he wants to reopen the US within less than a month, despite the coronavirus pandemic that is spreading across the country. Millions of Americans are currently under state orders to stay at home, however Trump has indicated that he wants to get the economy up and running again as soon as [...]
Coronavirus: Global airlines body says disease will cost industry $252bn March 24, 2020 Industry body the International Air Transport Association has more than doubled its previous estimates of the revenue damage that the coronavirus epidemic will do to the world’s airlines, now setting the figure at $252bn (£214bn). Due to the stringent travel bans and border closures that have been implemented around the world as the result of [...]
Coronavirus: US could become epicentre and India announces lockdown March 24, 2020 The US could become the world epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said today as India announced a nationwide lockdown. A WHO spokesperson said there had been a “very large acceleration” in coronavirus infections in the US which had the potential of becoming the new epicentre. Over the past 24 hours, [...]
UK government’s £330bn coronavirus package could be targeted by criminals March 24, 2020 The UK government’s £330bn emergency coronavirus aid package risks being targeted by organised crime, said a white collar crime lawyer. Risks will centre around false applications for small business grants of up to £25,000 each – and boiler room fraud operations could see money evaporate as organised crime gangs game the system, the lawyer said. [...]
UK radio stations get coronavirus boost as housebound Brits tune in March 24, 2020 UK radio stations have reported a surge in listening numbers in recent weeks as housebound Brits turn to the airwaves during the coronavirus crisis. Media group Global, which owns stations such as Heart, Capital and LBC, said digital radio reach was up 15 per cent between 9 and 17 March, while listening hours rose nine [...]
Hancock calls for 250,000 coronavirus volunteers as government readies London mega hospital March 24, 2020 The government has called for 250,000 healthy people to become volunteers, as part of efforts to support vulnerable people during the coronavirus outbreak. At the same time, health secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed the opening of a temporary new mega-hospital at London’s Excel centre. Leading the daily press conference from Downing Street, Hancock said the [...]
Coronavirus: Government goes to war with City Hall over London Tube restrictions March 24, 2020 The government and City Hall are at war over Transport for London’s decision to restrict the Tube’s services, which has forced remaining commuters to cram into available carriages. Last week, TfL shut 40 stations and reduced the usual weekday service with some lines only running a train every 10 minutes. The Waterloo & City shuttle [...]
Lloyds suspends 780 planned job cuts amid coronavirus uncertainty March 24, 2020 Banking giant Lloyds is suspending 780 job cuts across its branches amid surging demand for loans and uncertainty over how many of its staff may need to self-isolate. The cuts were originally announced in February as part of a cost-cutting drive by Lloyds, which is working to shrink its branch network in response to declining [...]
Coronavirus: Tory mayoral hopeful Shaun Bailey calls for more Tube services March 24, 2020 Conservative mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has urged Sadiq Khan to increase Tube capacity to alleviate rush hour overcrowding. Pictures and videos of overcrowding on Tube carriages flooded social media for the second day in a row this morning, despite the government’s new draconian restrictions. Khan and train drivers’ union Aslef have both been quick to [...]
Coronavirus: Government will not provide industry-wide airline rescue package March 24, 2020 The government will not provide a single support package for the UK’s airlines and airports, but will instead provide aid on a case-by-case basis. The decision is an apparent u-turn on the government’s original plan. Last week chancellor Rishi Sunak said he would be discussing a potential package for “specifically airlines and airports”. Instead, Sunak [...]
