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Coronavirus: Iran to limit travel between major cities amid more than 3,500 cases - latest updates California declares state of emergency; Italian doctors say German man may have been first European with virus and Scotland registers three more cases Full story: California declares emergency after first deathUK: government reverses plan to stop daily location updates‘Do not kiss pets’: owner gives dog coronavirusShare your experiences 11.45am GMTAn employee in HSBC’s research department in London has tested positive for coronavirus, three sources have told Reuters.The employee informed the bank at the weekend and staff who came into contact with him have been told to work from home, a source familiar with the matter said. 11.41am GMTA spokesman for Britain’s Prime...

Coronavirus UK: U-turn over plan to stop daily geographical updates Chief medical officer admits ‘communications fumble’ over providing data on virus spreadCoronavirus – latest news and updatesThe government has reversed a controversial decision to withhold information about the geographical spread of the coronavirus, as the UK’s chief medical officer admitted a “communications fumble”.On Wednesday, Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, said the government would stop providing daily updates on the location of patients who had tested positive “due to the number cases” following a 70% increase. The decision prompted accusations of secrecy and concerns that it would lead to the spread of fake news. Continue reading... Go to Source

Life in the Washington city at the center of America's coronavirus outbreak In Kirkland, where a nursing home has faced a series of cases, groceries are selling out with residents on high alertAs the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus balloons across Washington state, residents in Kirkland are navigating daily life in a city at the center of the outbreak. They’re cutting back on their time spent in public spaces, stocking up on food and disinfectants and being diligent about hand washing.The city, just east of Seattle, landed on the frontlines after a resident and staff member at a local nursing home tested positive for the virus last weekend. Since then, many more cases have been confirmed and seven residents have died after contracting the virus. Continue reading... Go ...

Coronavirus could be as bad for airlines as financial crisis, as Flybe fails – business live IATA warns Covid-19 will cost airlines up to $113bn in revenue this year, as regional airline Flybe collapses, and experts fear others will followLatest: IATA hikes estimates for coronavirus lossesMore firms will collapse, experts fearPassengers stuck at Exeter...2,000 staff hitIntroduction: Flybe has gone into administrationHow have you been affected? 11.49am GMTNewsflash: Pioneering low-cost airline Southwest has just issued a warning about coronavirus.Southwest, which basically created the budget airline model in the early 1970s, says customers demand has declined.#Airlines SOUTHWEST AIRLINES - NOW ESTIMATES Q1 OPERATING REVENUES TO BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED IN THE RANGE OF $200M TO $300M11:37:0...

Senior ICC judges authorise Afghanistan war crimes inquiry Decision overturns earlier rejection of request to examine actions of US soldiersSenior judges at the international criminal court have authorised an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan, overturning an earlier rejection of the inquiry.The ruling by the ICC’s appeals chamber in The Hague is likely to infuriate the Trump administration, which has condemned the request from the court’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, to examine the actions of US soldiers in Afghanistan. Continue reading... Go to Source

Flybe collapses two months after government announces rescue Impact of coronavirus on flight bookings proves final straw for Europe’s largest regional airlineFlybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has collapsed into administration less than two months after the government announced a rescue deal.The impact of the coronavirus on flight bookings proved the last straw for the Exeter-based airline, which operates almost 40% of UK domestic flights, as the government stalled on a controversial £100m loan. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus latest updates: Australia modelling plans from 'benign' to 'worst-case' scenario with millions infected Germany labels outbreak a pandemic as cases spread across Europe as UK sees highest daily increase. Follow live newsFull story: Italy orders closure of all schools and universitiesCoronavirus epidemic in UK is likely, says chief medical officerIMF and World Banks to do ‘whatever is needed’White House’s ‘muzzled’ messaging is dangerous, experts sayEmergency coronavirus talks held on possibility of parliament closingShare your experiences 5.42am GMTAustralian officials have not been able to visit a citizen locked up in China because of coronavirus, and there are concerns for another person jailed in Iran, AAP reports. The global outbreak of coro...

Hong Kong warns residents not to kiss pets after dog contracts coronavirus Pomeranian tested a weak positive for virus in what experts said was ‘likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission’Coronavirus: latest developmentsHong Kong authorities have warned people to avoid kissing their pets, but also to not panic and abandon them after a dog repeatedly tested “weak positive” for coronavirus.The Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said experts unanimously agreed the results suggested the dog had “a low-level of infection and it is likely to be a case of human-to-animal transmission”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Analysis shows climate finance not reaching most vulnerable Funding is intended to help countries protect their people from the climate breakdownPeople in some of the world’s poorest countries are receiving as little as $1 each a year to help them cope with the impacts of the climate crisis, despite rich countries’ promises to provide assistance.Climate finance is intended to help developing countries cut greenhouse gases and protect their people from the consequences of climate breakdown, and forms a core part of the Paris agreement. Rich countries pledged more than 10 years ago to provide £100bn a year to the poor by 2020, but it is not certain that these commitments are being met. Continue reading... Go to Source

Move to weekly UK coronavirus updates criticised by experts Decisions raises fears public won’t be able to make informed choices to help control outbreakCoronavirus – latest news and updatesThe government has been accused of withholding information about the spread of coronavirus after a 70% increase in confirmed cases prompted health officials to stop providing daily updates on the location of new infections.As Downing Street confirmed that discussions are taking place on contingency plans to close the Houses of Parliament if the outbreak becomes widespread, 36 new UK cases were announced on Wednesday. Continue reading... Go to Source

Flybe on brink of collapse as coronavirus outbreak takes toll Covid-19 hits demand for air travel and government stalls over £100m loanFlybe is on the brink of collapse as the coronavirus hits demand for air travel and the government stalls on providing a crucial £100m loan for the regional carrier.By Wednesday night the airline’s website had stopped working and an error message appeared upon loading stating the link is “no longer live”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Sports events in Italy go behind closed doors until 3 April due to coronavirus England v Italy in Six Nations in doubt after decreeSerie A games to be behind closed doors over next 30 days The Italian government has confirmed that all sporting events must be staged behind closed doors until 3 April, affecting England’s Six Nations matches against Italy in Rome and all Serie A games, after the country’s death toll from the coronavirus passed 100 people.There was no immedate confirmation from rugby union authorities about whether either of England’s men and women’s matches on 14 and 15 March will go ahead but the announcement means 20,000 England supporters will now not be making the trip unless the games are postponed until a later date. Continue reading... Go ...

Heads and councils press for extra £5.5bn for 'struggling' schools Exclusive: group says provision for Send pupils in particular is ‘woefully underfunded’An alliance of headteachers, school governors, councils and unions are to lobby the chancellor for a further £5.5bn a year to help schools in England to avoid financial difficulties and cuts.The coalition, involving almost every significant organisation involved in state schools – including the National Governors Association and a bipartisan group representing both Conservative and Labour-led councils – is writing to Rishi Sunak before next week’s budget seeking additional funds, with a focus on “woefully underfunded” provision for pupils with special education needs and disabilities (Sen...

Keir Starmer: Andrew Neil and Long-Bailey keep up donation pressure Labour frontrunner grilled in BBC interview as rival accuses him of a lack of detailed policiesKeir Starmer has said the largest donation to his Labour leadership campaign has been the £100,000 from a like-minded lawyer that he has already declared, as he came under attack from rival Rebecca Long-Bailey.The pair appeared in separate interviews with the BBC’s Andrew Neil on Wednesday, and Starmer was challenged over the source of his funding. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live updates: new cases confirmed in Scotland as Facebook says it will take down hoax claims More cases in Scotland and Ireland, Italians in India test positive while Facebook says it will take down hoax claimsCoronavirus epidemic in UK is likely, says chief medical officerFears of global slowdown grow as US stimulus fails to rally marketsWhite House’s ‘muzzled’ messaging is dangerous, experts sayPodcast: Is Britain prepared for a mass outbreak of the coronavirus?Share your experiences 11.44am GMTThe first case of the new virus in European Union offices in Brussels has been announced. It appears to have been in the European Defence Agency (EDA), according to this report.First case of #coronavirus in the EU institutions: the European Defence Agency has cance...

Coronavirus epidemic in UK is likely, says chief medical officer Chris Whitty says health officials nearing second phase of strategy: trying to delay spread of diseaseCoronavirus news – live updatesCoronavirus is likely to be spreading undetected in the UK already, with health officials on the brink of moving into the phase of “delaying” rather than trying to “contain” transmission, the chief medical officer has said.Chris Whitty, who is helping to lead the government’s response, said it was “likely, not definite, that we will move on to onward transmission and an epidemic here in the UK”. Continue reading... Go to Source