Keeping costs down and lights on in Peterborough amid the COVID-19 pandemic

If you’re hoping Peterborough Utilities Group will chop its electricity rates to make things a little more affordable for those in isolation or social distancing due to coronavirus, the short answer is: maybe.

Peterborough Utilities has no control over electricity rates, explains David Whitehouse, vice-president of customer and corporate services for the utility commission.

Egypt registers 46 new coronavirus cases and one new death – health ministry

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt on Thursday registered 46 new coronavirus cases, the health ministry said in a statement, bringing the total up to 256.

The ministry said that there was one new fatality, bringing the total number of deaths to 7.

Brazil central bank says $60 bln FX swap line with Fed has no policy conditionality

BRASILIA, March 19 (Reuters) – Brazil’s central bank said on Thursday that the $60 billion foreign exchange swap line facility provided by the U.S. Federal Reserve does not imply any economic policy conditionality.

In a statement, Brazil’s central bank said the facility will be used to increase the provision of dollar liquidity where necessary, and tackle the high degree of market volatility recently resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. (Reporting by Jamie McGeever Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

Coronavirus: Getting the message across – whatever it takes

A big global health pandemic needs big decisions from political leaders. This week Adam Boulton and guests discuss the government’s approach to the coronavirus crisis.

American Airlines to cut 75 percent of international flights

American Airlines plans to cut 75 percent of its international flights through May 6 and ground nearly all its widebody fleet.

The move comes as carriers across the globe are feeling the pain as travel demand withers because of the coronavirus outbreak and the companies respond by scrapping flights and ditching financial forecasts.

Shares of American Airlines were trading down nearly 12 percent Thursday afternoon, at $10.31.

B.C.’s top doctor hints at changes to public transit to promote social distancing

B.C.s’ top doctor has hinted at possible changes to public transit in the province due to the novel coronavirus.

Dr. Bonnie Henry is calling on TransLink and other transit agencies to impose regulations to limit the amount of people on buses and SkyTrain.

Senate Republicans to introduce new coronavirus bill Thursday

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to introduce a massive new coronavirus stimulus bill on Thursday, but a vote on passage still appears to be days away, a senior Republican lawmaker said.

“We’ll have a bill ready. Senator McConnell will introduce it today. I hope we can work with our Democratic counterparts over the next couple of days to come to a conclusion and pass it,” Republican Senator Lamar Alexander told reporters.

Coronavirus: Trudeau may tap Armed Forces, industry to produce additional medical supplies

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada may seek assistance from the private sector and the military to obtain medical equipment amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

He was asked Thursday about whether Canada will follow suit with the U.S. and Italy and use Canada’s Defence Production Act to summon the Canadian Armed Forces to produce additional supplies.

Brazil unveils $2 bln package for 11 million low-earning workers hit by coronavirus

BRASILIA, March 19 (Reuters) – Brazil’s government on Thursday unveiled a 10 billion reais ($2 billion) aid package for some 11 million low-wage workers whose income and working hours will be reduced by the coronavirus outbreak.

The cash will come from a workers support fund, the Economy Ministry said, adding the government also aims to cover the first 15 days of wages for any employee with coronavirus who is sent home. (Reporting by Marcela Ayres Writing by Jamie McGeever Editing by Chris Reese)

SoftBank seeks $10 billion for Vision Fund in coronavirus fight

SoftBank Group is looking to raise an additional $10 billion to help its first Vision Fund support portfolio companies hit by the coronavirus pandemic, Bloomberg reported here on Thursday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

The Japanese technology conglomerate has reached out to outside investors for $5 billion in funds, which will be matched by another $5 billion injection by the SoftBank, the report said.

SoftBank did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Shares of SoftBank were down more than 17 percent in mid-afternoon trading.

Can the UK beat COVID-19 in 12 weeks?

On this edition of the Sky News Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan, we discuss a coronavirus treatment trial, possible antibody testing being looked at by the government, emergency laws aimed at slowing the spread of the virus, and another Bank of England interest rate cut.

We’re joined by Sky’s Laura Bundock and Spiked magazine’s Brendan O’Neill – plus academic Dr Joanna Williams and lawyer Farhana Yamin debate arguments around full-scale lockdowns.

Airbnb fields investor interest for stake sale -sources

March 19 (Reuters) – Airbnb Inc has received inquiries from potential investors who want to acquire a stake in the U.S. home rental company in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The discussions with venture capital investors and sovereign wealth funds are at a very early stage and may not result in a transaction, the sources said, requesting anonymity as the matter is private.

Airbnb did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The talks were first reported earlier by CNBC. (Reporting by Joshua Franklin in New York and Anirban Sen in Bangalore Editing by Chris Reese)