Tokyo Olympics chief attended meeting with official who now has coronavirus
By Ritu, Capital Sands Tokyo 2020 Olympics chief Yoshiro Mori attended a meeting on March 10 that included the deputy head of the Japanese Olympic Committee who tested positive for the new coronavirus this week, officials said. Mori, who is 82 and has lung cancer, has not been tested because he has no symptoms of […]
Australia declares emergency, warns coronavirus crisis could last six months
By Ritu, Capital Sands Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday declared a “human biosecurity emergency” and said the country’s citizens should abandon all overseas travel because of the coronavirus epidemic that he warned could last at least six months. The formal declaration gives the government the power to close off cities or regions, impose […]
Pakistan postpones T20 league after player shows coronavirus symptoms
By Ritu, Capital Sands The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been postponed with immediate effect after an overseas player showed symptoms of coronavirus, the country’s cricket board said on Tuesday. The postponement was announced hours before the semi-final matches were due to start in Lahore. “This decision was taken after a player, who had left […]
European shares slump to 2012 lows
By Ritu, Capital Sands European shares tumbled more than 8% on Monday as the coronavirus pandemic raged through much of Europe, with dramatic monetary easing by global central banks failing to reassure investors about its growing economic damage. The pan-European STOXX 600 fell 8.2% to its lowest since November 2012, with bourses in France and […]
Oil rises over 3% but set for biggest weekly thumping since 2008
By Ritu, Capital Sands Oil prices were set for their worst weekly drubbing since the 2008 financial crisis, despite rising over 3% on Friday, as investors fretted over evaporating demand from the coronavirus pandemic and a production ramp-up by top producers. Brent crude was up $1.12, or 3.4%, at $34.33 a barrel by 0728 GMT […]
Argentina needs ‘substantial’ relief in $70 billion debt talks
By Ritu, Capital Sands Argentina will need “substantial relief” as it restructures nearly $70 billion in debt with international bondholders, the country’s economy minister Martin Guzman told , signaling a tough tonic ahead for the country’s creditors. In his first interview with international media since taking up his role in December, the 37-year-old U.S. trained […]
OPEC looks to cut production as virus outbreak hits demand
By Ritu, Capital Sands The oil-producing countries of the OPEC cartel are considering slashing output to contain a plunge in prices that has been worsened by concerns about the virus outbreak’s disruption to the world economy. Oil ministers from the group’s 14 countries were gathering in Vienna on March 5 as energy producers were taking a […]
Indonesia fears panic buying after first coronavirus cases
By Ritu, Capital Sands Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged residents on Thursday to avoid panic buying of food and medical supplies, a day after the world’s fourth most populous country confirmed its first coronavirus cases. The president also said he had ordered police to crack down on people hoarding face masks to sell at a […]
Talking about life after the divorce: EU and Britain set for new talks
By Ritu, Capital Sands Britain and the European Union kick off talks on Monday on how their relationship will shape up after Brexit, with half a trillion euros worth of annual trade and close security ties at stake in what are bound to be tense talks. Both sides say they want to reach a deal […]
Police arrest over 500 for Delhi sectarian violence
By Ritu, Capital Sands Police have arrested 514 people for deadly Hindu-Muslim violence that broke out in the capital, the government said, as it faced mounting international criticism for failing to protect minority Muslims. Police said the toll from days of blood-letting stood at 35, but local media, citing unnamed sources, said it was likely […]