Olympic Games postponed for first time ever

Japanese prime minister asked for Tokyo Olympic Games to be put off, saying when world’s biggest sporting event takes place, it will be proof of victory over the coronavirus.

The world’s biggest sporting event has been postponed – for up to a year.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asked for the Tokyo Olympic Games to be put off – saying, when it happens, it will be proof of victory over the coronavirus.

Al Jazeera’s Alexi O’Brien reports.

Trump says decision on opening U.S. economy will be based on facts, data

WASHINGTON, March 24 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said on Tuesday his administration’s decision to loosen restrictions related to the coronavirus and re-open the U.S. economy would be based on facts and data but said the goal remained to do so by the Easter holiday in April.

Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said that for the most part he did not expect to have to use the Defense Production Act but would do so as needed.

New home sales sank 4.4 percent in February, forecast bleaker

Sales of new US single-family homes fell in February after surging in the prior month, and could decline further because of the coronavirus pandemic, which is boosting unemployment and severely disrupting economic activity.

The Commerce Department said on Tuesday new home sales dropped 4.4 percent, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 765,000 units, in February.

January’s sales pace was revised sharply higher to 800,000 units from the previously reported 764,000 units.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast new home sales, which account for more than 10 percent of housing market sales, to decline 2 percent, to a pace of 750,000 units in February.

Winnipeg photographer offers self-isolation sessions from front yard

People across Manitoba are practicing social distancing and self-isolation to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Winnipeg photographer Alicia Thwaites has launched a personal project to capture it, one photo at a time.

“Art always unites people. It’s something that everyone can relate to and this was a unique way to capture these kinds of unprecedented times that everyone is going through right now,” she said.

NYSE short interest up 8.1% in mid-March

NEW YORK, March 24 (Reuters) – Short interest on the New York Stock Exchange rose 8.1% in mid-March, the exchange said on Tuesday.

As of March 13, short interest had risen to about 17.885 billion shares, compared with 16.546 billion shares as of Feb. 28.

Investors who sell securities ‘short’ borrow shares and then sell them, expecting the stock to fall so they can buy the shares back at the lower price, return them to the lender and pocket the difference. (Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Saudi king to chair G20 leaders call on coronavirus on Thursday: statement

RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s King Salman will chair an extraordinary virtual meeting of the leaders from the Group of 20 major economies on March 26 to advance a global coordinated response to the coronavirus outbreak, a statement said on Wednesday.

The kingdom, which holds the G20 presidency this year, called last week for the leaders to speak by video-conference amid criticism that the group has been slow to respond to the global crisis.

Modi puts all of India under lockdown for 21 days to fight coronavirus

MUMBAI (Reuters) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday the government would impose a nationwide lockdown from midnight for 21 days to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

“There will be a total ban on venturing out of your homes,” Modi said in a televised address.

India has so far reported 482 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and nine deaths.

Walmart Looking To Hire More People

Retail giant Walmart (WMT) has announced plans to hire 150,000 employees to fill roles across its supply chain, including in distribution and fulfillment centers.

The retailer would be hiring 150,000 associates, and these include full-time, part-time and temporary positions in distribution centers and fulfillment centers.

“Our supply chain associates have been so vital to Walmart’s ability to serve customers and communities during this time, and I am so proud of every one of them,” said Greg Smith, Walmart’s head of supply chain. “We’re growing, expanding and looking for more people who want to make a difference providing for customers.”

A person can apply online, get hired and begin working in a fulfillment center or distribution center in as little as 24 hours.

There is a temporary $2/hour pay increase for all hourly associates working in Walmart’s e-commerce fulfillment centers, from now through Memorial Day. The business is also offering a $250 referral bonus to fulfilment center associates who refer a new hire. The newly hired associate also receives a $250 referral bonus.

Trump’s Priorities Inspire New Hashtag: #NotDying4WallStreet

President Donald Trump seems convinced that reducing coronavirus restrictions will keep the economy afloat.

However, many Americans have a message for the White House: They’re not willing to risk death just so corporate America can reap huge profits.

The president suggested on Tuesday that he is hoping the country will be reopened by Easter, despite concerns from medical professionals that doing so will hasten the spread of COVID-19 and overwhelm the nation’s hospitals, potentially leading to millions of preventable deaths.

Although some Republican leaders have suggested that older Americans might be willing to take a chance against the coronavirus in order to save the economy, many Twitter users are skeptical about doing something that seems designed to mainly help the president’s bottom line.

Consequently, #notdying4wallstreet became a trending hashtag as Twitter users made clear that they weren’t willing to, in the words of another trending hashtag, #dieforthedow.

Some of the angrier tweets included…