Month: March 2020
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 24, 2020
Italy sees second successive drop in coronavirus deaths
News Business Article
ROME: Italy on Monday (Mar 23) reported a second successive drop in daily deaths and infections from a coronavirus that has nevertheless claimed more than 6,000 lives in a month. The Mediterranean country has now seen its daily fatalities come down from a world record 793 on Saturday to 651 on Sunday and 601 on Monday.
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 24, 2020
Greece calls for health volunteers to combat coronavirus
News Business Article
ATHENS: Greece on Monday (Mar 23) put out a call for health volunteers to help combat the spread of the coronavirus as the health minister said hundreds of additional medical staff had been deployed. “The volunteer programme is addressed to whoever can offer services, such as doctors, medical staff, psychologists, medical students and retired health
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 24, 2020
Olympic postponement inevitable, says IOC official Pound
News Business Article
LOS ANGELES: Senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official Dick Pound said on Monday (Mar 23) a postponement of this year’s Tokyo Olympics is now inevitable as the world reels from the coronavirus pandemic. The IOC said on Sunday the body would wait four more weeks before announcing its decision on the fate of the Jul 24-Aug 9
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 24, 2020
Italian police recycle oxygen canisters from coronavirus victims
News Business Article
BERGAMO: Police in the Italian city of Bergamo have brought much-needed help to people suffering from the coronavirus by redistributing oxygen cylinders used by people who did not survive the virus. Bergamo, in the northern Lombardy region, is now Italy’s worst-affected province, with over 6,000 infections. With hospitals overflowing, many sufferers are kept at home, but
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 24, 2020
New York begs for federal help over COVID-19
News Business Article
WASHINGTON: New York Mayor Bill de Blasio pleaded for help from the federal government and from private citizens to fight the coronavirus outbreak as the US Federal Reserve launched an extraordinary array of initiatives to mitigate the pandemic’s economic impact. He sounded the alarm as US Senate Democrats and Republicans tried to hammer out an economic relief
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Malaysia reports 212 new COVID-19 cases in biggest daily jump, death toll spikes to 14
News Business Article
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia on Monday (Mar 23) reported 212 new coronavirus cases, bringing the national total to 1,518. The death toll has also increased to 14. Advertisement Advertisement Of the new cases, 123 are from the cluster linked to a tabligh (religious) gathering at the Sri Petaling Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, said the Malaysian health
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Merkel’s initial coronavirus test came back negative: Spokesman
News Business Article
BERLIN: Angela Merkel’s initial test for COVID-19 came back negative, a government spokesman said on Monday (Mar 23), adding that the German chancellor would undergo further tests. She will continue to undergo further tests over the next few days, her spokesman said earlier on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement READ: Germany unleashes biggest post-war aid package against virus READ: Merkel calls coronavirus
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Austria mobilises military reserves to fight coronavirus
News Business Article
VIENNA: Austria is mobilising its military reservists for the first time since World War Two, asking them to fight the coronavirus outbreak by helping with food supplies, medical support and police operations, the defence minister said. Austria, unlike Germany or France, still has compulsory military service. Men must serve six months in the army or
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Singapore contributes S$500,000 to support WHO efforts against COVID-19
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Singapore will contribute S$500,000 to the World Health Organization (WHO) in support of its efforts to limit transmission of the coronavirus. In response to appeals by the United Nations and WHO, the Singapore Government will be making the contribution to WHO’s Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) for COVID-19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Singaporeans supportive of Budget 2020 measures, many call for greater support for middle-income families: Poll
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: The majority of Singaporeans supported the measures announced in Budget 2020, though many called for “greater support for middle-income families”, according to findings released by the Government’s feedback unit on Monday (Mar 23). Respondents to the survey felt that middle-income earners should be “entitled to more benefits and greater financial support”, said REACH. This is because they are often
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
DPM Heng Swee Keat to deliver ministerial statement on additional COVID-19 support measures
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat will deliver a ministerial statement on Thursday (Mar 26) regarding the Government’s additional support measures for workers, businesses and households in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministerial statement will be delivered on Thursday afternoon in Parliament, said the Ministry of Finance. Advertisement Advertisement The
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
COVID-19: SIA reaches agreement with unions for cost-cutting measures affecting 10,000 employees
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group said it has reached an agreement with its unions for a set of cost-cutting measures that will affect 10,000 members of staff, according to an internal memo seen by CNA. The measures were announced in an internal message on Monday (Mar 23), after the airline announced the decision to
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
MAS brings forward monetary policy statement, firming easing bets
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s central bank said on Monday (Mar 23) it will release its monetary policy statement earlier on Mar 30, a move that drove its currency lower as easing bets firmed. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) usually releases its semi-annual policy statements in April and October. Advertisement Advertisement First-quarter preliminary growth figures will also be released
Written by Gabriel HerveyMarch 23, 2020
Former IHH Healthcare managing director Tan See Leng emerges as possible PAP candidate; plans support network in Marine Parade
News Business Article
SINGAPORE: Former chief executive officer of IHH Healthcare Dr Tan See Leng, tipped as a candidate for the People’s Action Party (PAP) in the upcoming general election, will soon launch a new Caregiver Support Network in Marine Parade. Dr Tan started shadowing Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong in the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) shortly
