
Brazil’s governors pressed President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday for more federal support in the coronavirus battle after he blasted them as job-killers and undermined their orders with a decree keeping churches open at evangelical preachers’ request.

A new analysis from the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, of government responses from 69 countries to the COVID-19 pandemic has identified 12 governments that are putting people first as they tackle the economic fallout from lockdown measures to stem the spread of the virus.

The US House of Representatives on Friday approved a US$2.2 trillion aid package - the largest in American history - to help people and businesses cope with the economic downturn inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating at his Downing Street residence but said he would still lead the government's response to the accelerating outbreak.

In a brief message to the people of the Falkland Islands referred to the current coronavirus epidemic, governor Nigel Phillips CBE praised the Islands' government magnificent response to the challenge and underlined the toughness and resilience of the Falklands' people.

Brazil’s central bank could soon be forced to fire up the money printing presses if the coronavirus-fueled recession facing Latin America’s largest economy is as devastating as some economists fear.

World leaders on Thursday promised US$5 trillion to stave off global economic collapse from the coronavirus pandemic that has killed 21,000 people and shut down huge swathes of the globe.

The US Justice Department announced the indictment of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday for “narco-terrorism” and offered US$15 million for information leading to his capture.

The European Union marked the 25th anniversary of its open-border Schengen agreement on Thursday with all its land borders shut or subject to heavy checks imposed in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The Falkland Islands government, FIG, announced this week an initial range of measures aimed at supporting employers and ensuring employees and self-employed continue to receive pay if they have to self-isolate due to Coronavirus.