Australia to subsidise wages of 6 million after coronavirus package approved
Australia’s conservative government will subsidise the wages of 6 million people for at least the next six months after lawmakers approved the country’s largest financial stimulus package to cushion the economic blow from the coronavirus pandemic.
Germany agrees to take in 50 young migrants from Greek islands
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet agreed on Wednesday to accept 50 migrant children and youths from overcrowded camps on Greek islands.
Putin proposes additional coronavirus relief measures
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday proposed additional measures to support businesses and workers during the coronavirus crisis and said that Russia could not simply shut its economy down due to potentially destructive consequences.
Two weeks in, Britain’s COVID-19 lockdown having an effect, study shows
Data gathered from 2 million people in Britain using a new COVID-19 symptom tracker app suggests lockdown measures are slowing the spread of the disease, researchers said on Wednesday.
Thailand extends foreigners’ visas to prevent queues and curb coronavirus
Thailand approved a plan on Wednesday to allow all foreigners who entered legally to receive automatic visa extensions, to prevent long queues at immigration centres and stem the spread of the coronavirus, a senior immigration official told Reuters.
WHO rejects ‘China-centric’ charge after Trump criticism
World Health Organization officials on Wednesday denied that the body was “China-centric” and said that the acute phase of a pandemic was not the time to cut funding, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he may put contributions on hold.
Roadbridge in north Italy collapses, two suffer minor injuries
A bridge on a normally busy provincial road in northern Italy collapsed on Wednesday but with virtually no traffic during the coronavirus lockdown, only two truck drivers suffered minor injuries, the fire brigade said.
Germany’s short-time work fix offers Europe a crisis model
A tried-and-tested German model of sending workers home in exchange for job guarantees during downturns could help the European Union limit the damage from the coronavirus pandemic.
Netherlands blocking decision on ESM is incomprehensible: French presidency
The blocking of a decision on the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) by the Netherlands at a Eurogroup meeting is incomprehensible, a French presidency official said on Wednesday.
Pan-Pan! Facebook plea gets Sri Lankan chef off Italy-bound cruise
A Sri Lankan chef stuck aboard a cruise ship headed to Europe managed to get ashore in Colombo this week after issuing a social media plea for help from his government.
