Lebanon signs request for IMF assistance

It is one of the main parts of a sweeping economic plan the government says will help save Lebanon from bankruptcy, but that was not enough to satisfy angry protesters.

Lebanon has officially signed a request for assistance from the International Monetary Fund to help fix the country’s crippling financial problems.

It is one of the main parts of a sweeping economic plan the government says will help save Lebanon from bankruptcy.

But as Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports from Beirut, that was not enough to satisfy angry protesters.

Coronavirus: Will Boris Johnson regret backing Dominic Cummings?

On this edition of the Sky News Daily podcast our deputy political editor Sam Coates examines the fallout to the Dominic Cummings row.

Just how important is the PM’s top adviser? Has the public lost trust and confidence in the government? And what difference will the row make to future compliance of the coronavirus lockdown rules?

Discussing this issue, we’re joined by Salma Shah, former Tory adviser to ex-home secretary Sajid Javid, and Francis Elliott, political editor at The Times.

Lufthansa secures $14 billion German state rescue deal

FRANKFURT (AFP) – Berlin and coronavirus-stricken airline giant Lufthansa agreed Monday (May 25) on a €9 billion (S$14 billion) rescue package subject to approval by shareholders and competition authorities, the company and Germany’s economy ministry said.

“Before the coronavirus pandemic, the company was operatively healthy and profitable and had good prospects for the future,” the economy ministry said in a statement announcing the mixture of state investments and loans, while Lufthansa said the state would withdraw as a shareholder by the end of 2023.

UK zoos' futures threatened by COVID-19 lockdown

Government is working on a fund to support its 141 zoos and aquariums which have suffered a financial setback, but some say it will not be enough to cover their losses.

While many businesses have had to shut down, zoos have had to keep some staff to take care of the animals. And with no income from visitors, this case hit them hard.

The government of the United Kingdom is working on a fund to support its 141 zoos and aquariums which have suffered a financial setback as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.

But as Al Jazeera’s Charlie Angela reports, some say it will not be enough to cover their losses.

Woman’s clothes ignite at backyard bonfire in Fergus, Ont.

Wellington County OPP say a woman had to be airlifted to a hospital on Saturday night after her clothes went up in flames during a backyard bonfire in Fergus, Ont.

Emergency crews were called to a home at around 7:30 p.m. for reports of an injured woman.

COVID-19 lockdown worsens migrants' suffering in Libya

For migrants who have left African countries for Libya, life was already a struggle before the coronavirus pandemic, and now lockdown measures are leaving many without work.

For migrants who have left African countries for Libya, life was already a struggle before the coronavirus pandemic.

Now, lockdown measures are leaving many without work.

Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed reports from Tripoli.

CANADA STOCKS-TSX opens higher on hopes of economic recovery

May 25 (Reuters) – Canada’s main stock index rose in early trade on Monday as investors looked to an eventual economic recovery from the coronavirus with more countries scaling back lockdown measures.

* At 9:30 a.m. ET (13:30 GMT), the Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite index was up 104.63 points, or 0.7%, at 15,018.27. (Reporting by Ambar Warrick in Bengaluru; Editing by Tom Brown)

New Orleans sees groups uniting to help keep spirits up

New Orleans has been one of the hot spots of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, with more than 6,000 infections.

New Orleans has been one of the hot spots of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, with more than 6,000 infections.

But, while front-line healthcare workers are overwhelmed and business is suffering, the community has banded together to keep the city’s spirit alive.

Al Jazeera’s Heidi Zhou-Castro has more.

Food workers fear risk of infection

Outbreak of COVID-19 has forced countries around the world to reassess what it means to be an essential worker.

The outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has forced countries around the world to reassess what it means to be an essential worker.

Drivers who are delivering food are one group at a higher risk of being exposed to the virus.

Al Jazeera’s Jessica Washington reports from Jakarta.

Italians concerned over COVID-19 economic impact

Government is easing what has been Europe’s longest lockdown on Monday, but there are concerns the road to recovery may be much harder.

The Italian prime minister has apologised for the economic hardships endured by his people during the coronavirus pandemic.

The government is easing what has been Europe’s longest lockdown on Monday.

Italy has had the second-highest number of deaths worldwide.

But there are concerns the road to recovery may be much longer and harder.

Al Jazeera’s Priyanka Gupta explains.

Tesla To Raise Self-Driving Option Price By $1,000

Tesla will increase the price of the full self-driving option on its electric vehicles worldwide by $1,000 starting July 1, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk tweeted on Monday. At the moment, the feature reportedly costs $7,000.

The full self-driving option price will continue to rise as the software gets closer to full self-driving capability with regulatory approval, Musk added in a subsequent tweet.

Musk also tweeted that, at that point, “the value of FSD is probably somewhere in excess of $100,000.”

Despite its name, the full self-driving’ feature doesn’t currently support actual self-driving. Instead, the feature works with Tesla’s Autopilot suite to provide enhanced driver assistance, including automatic lane changes, parallel as well as perpendicular parking assist.