- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 15:43:42 GMT
Apple moves developers conference to entirely online
Apple Inc shifted its annual conference for developers in California scheduled for June to online-only format, in its efforts to reduce the risks caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 14:56:07 GMT
Santander takes controlling stake in fintech Mercury TFS
Spain's Banco Santander is taking a 50.1% majority stake in the local fintech firm Mercury TFS in a deal valued at $33.54M, gaining access to Mercury TFS's software that will enable Santander's customers to manage the trade finance activity via mobile phone or online.
- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 13:44:35 GMT
Major US internet firms to extend service for next 60 days
The major US internet providers, such as Comcast Corp, Verizon Communications and AT&T, agreed not to halt their service for users for the following 60 days in case subscribers are unable to make payments of their bills amid disruptions triggered by the coronavirus.
- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 12:31:51 GMT
American Airlines to cut international flights by 75%
American Airlines is planning to trim its international flights by 75% through May 6, grounding nearly all of its widebody fleet, due to the worldwide collapse in demand for travels that was hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 12:20:09 GMT
Apple, other US retailers shut stores to fight virus
Apple Inc and several others US retailers announced they are shutting down all their stores, excluding those located in Greater China, for the following two weeks seeking to minimise the coronavirus transmission risks.
- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 11:18:56 GMT
Austria restricts movements
The Austrian government starting from Sunday imposed major restrictions on public life and movement within the country to limit the spread of coronavirus.
- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 10:22:40 GMT
France holds local elections
Thousands of French voters went to polling stations on Sunday to vote in local elections despite the severe situation in the country with coronavirus.
- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 09:26:16 GMT
Saudi Aramco to lower capital spending
Saudi Aramco stated on Sunday that it would decrease capital spending this year amid the outbreak of coronavirus.
- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 07:55:04 GMT
Swiss banks consider $21B business loan program
Switzerland's main lenders were considering a 20B Swiss franc loan program to support small businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, Handelszeitung reported.
- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 07:01:33 GMT
India increases taxes on mobile phones
The Indian Goods and Services Tax Council raised the tax over mobile phones and parts in a move, which could lead to price increases.
- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 06:41:19 GMT
Saudi, UAE CB roll out $40B stimulus for virus-hit countries
The Central Banks of Saudi Arabia and the UAE announced their stimulus plans totalling $40B to ease the impact of the outbreak of coronavirus in their respective countries.
- Sun, 15 Mar 2020 04:33:31 GMT
Israel to shut hotels, restaurants, malls
Israel is expected to temporary shut hotels, malls and restaurants starting on Sunday, using anti-terrorism tracking technology to lower the risk of coronavirus spread.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 22:32:44 GMT
Apple to close stores worldwide
Apple announced that it is set to close all retail store locations, except stores in Greater China, for the following two weeks to diminish the risk of coronavirus spread.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 20:43:36 GMT
France to close public places
The Prime Minister of France Edouard Philippe stated on Saturday that starting from next day the majority of shops, restaurants and other public places will be shut down to limit the spread of coronavirus.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 20:34:06 GMT
Norway to shut down ports and airports
The Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg stated on Saturday that the government has decided to temporary close the country's airports and ports.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 18:38:09 GMT
China postal industry contracts
China's postal industry contracted 6.5% to $18.4B in the first two months of the current year, a statement published by the State Post Bureau shows.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 17:01:25 GMT
Bank of Canada cuts key rate
The Bank of Canada cut its key rate to 0.75% from 1.25% to help the Canadian economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic and decline in oil prices.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 16:00:12 GMT
Botswana inflation stable
The inflation rate in Botswana remained unchanged at 2.2% in February from January, a statement published by the Statistics Botswana shows.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 15:06:50 GMT
Germany pledges unlimited support to companies
The German government pledged to provide unlimited support to businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak through the state development bank KfW.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 14:02:46 GMT
China gold production and consumption decline
China produced 500.4T of gold in 2019, a 2.6% decline from 2018, and consumption fell 12.9% to 1,003T, data published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology show.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 13:00:13 GMT
Volkswagen vehicle sales decline
The Volkswagen Group sold 546,300 vehicles in February, a decline of almost 25% from the same period the previous year, a statement from the German car producer shows.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 12:18:56 GMT
AfDB, Tanzania sign $495M loan agreements to finance infrastructure projects
The African Development Bank and Tanzania signed loan agreements worth $495.59M to finance several infrastructure projects, including the construction of Msalato international airport in the capital Dodoma.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 11:34:46 GMT
Inditex to close stores in Spain amid virus
According to the Europa Press, Inditex has decided to temporarily shut down all Zara stores in Spain amid the coronavirus outbreak.
- Sat, 14 Mar 2020 10:34:12 GMT
Japan refuses to announce emergency
The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated on Saturday that situation in the country with coronavirus is not severe enough to declare the state of emergency.