Muslims in Indonesia divided over Friday prayers amid coronavirus fears
While many Muslims in Indonesia’s capital accepted advice to avoid religious gatherings and prayed at home on Friday elsewhere in the world’s most populous Muslim country, people ignored the risk of coronavirus and crowded into their mosques.
Finnish health boss questions WHO coronavirus testing advice
Finland’s national health authority questioned on Friday the World Health Organization’s call on countries to test as many patients as possible for coronavirus, after the country ran out of testing capacity this week.
Crowds form at Olympic torch event in Japan despite coronavirus caution
An Olympic torch event in Japan drew hundreds of spectators on the day of the flame’s arrival on Friday, creating the type of packed gathering the government and Tokyo 2020 organisers have warned against to prevent coronavirus from spreading further.
German restaurant chain Vapiano opens insolvency proceedings
German restaurant chain Vapiano SE on Friday said it had opened insolvency proceedings and would apply for government assistance programs to avoid bankruptcy, blaming the corona crisis for a further drop in sales.
Oil gains as governments pile on the economic stimulus
Oil prices rose on Friday as the world’s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy to stop a coronavirus-driven recession and U.S. President Donald Trump hinted he may intervene in the price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.
U.S. power industry may ask key employees to live at work if coronavirus worsens
The U.S. electric industry may ask essential staff to live on site at power plants and control centers to keep operations running if the coronavirus outbreak worsens, and has been stockpiling beds, blankets, and food for them, according to industry tra…
Global oil, gas producers cut spending after crude price crash
Oil and gas companies are cutting spending plans in response to the new coronavirus and a push by Saudi Arabia and Russia to ramp up output.
Frontier Airlines private equity owner sees good buys in industry turmoil
Airlines hit hard by the travel restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic may soon present buying opportunities for investors, the co-founder of the buyout firm that owns budget carrier Frontier Airlines said in an interview.
Futures buoyed by stimulus hopes
U.S. stock index futures firmed 4% on Friday, at the end of another torrid week for financial markets that have been battered by growing evidence of the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic.
British Airways pilots face pay cut and unpaid leave
British Airways pilots will have to take two weeks of unpaid leave in both April and May as well as a deduction from basic pay over three months, it said in a letter to pilots on Friday.
