Economic growth

* British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was remaining in isolation with mild symptoms, seven days after he was confirmed to be infected. Britain's health minister said the curve of deaths could peak on Easter Sunday. Queen Elizabeth will make an extremely rare address to the nation on Sunday. … [Read more...] about Coronavirus pandemic | Latest on the spread of COVID-19 around the world

In the wake of the outbreak, the UNHCR has pledged $33 million to improve conditions at refugee camps and settlements, expanding primary and secondary health services, establishing surveillance networks, and countering the infiltration of misinformation among refugee communities. Considering the intensity of the pandemic, these efforts are droplets in the ocean. Around 80 percent of the world’s refugees reside in economically weak countries, which reports lower rates of immunisation and higher rates of malnutrition than their higher-income counterparts. These deteriorating health facilities further weaken people’s immune systems, proffering them susceptible to emerging health hazards like the coronavirus. … [Read more...] about COVID-19 | Countermeasures adopted by nations must factor in the vulnerabilities of refugees as well

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) recently cancelled the spring edition of IHGF (Indian Handicrafts and Gift Fair)Delhi fair, considered to be the world's largest congregation of handicrafts and gifts items which was slated to be held from April 15, due to the coronavirus outbreak, the statement said. … [Read more...] about Coronavirus Lockdown | India’s exhibition sector has taken Rs 3,570 cr hit, says Industry body

Bernanke says “no one is recommending the use of such policies in ordinary times; it’s precisely in the most difficult or extreme circumstances, in which other monetary and fiscal tools might be unavailable or ineffective, that MFFPs might be considered.” The way to work around independence issues is that US Government passes a statute wherein a special account is created at the Federal Reserve. If the Government requests funds under MFFP, the Federal Reserve alone can determine whether there is a case for MFFP and accordingly credit the account. The Government will have to use the funds judiciously towards real resources and if funds remain unspent in a given time, the Federal Reserve can withdraw the funds. … [Read more...] about The Money Helicopters are on their way

In a statement, Fareportal said that the company's employee terminations have been modest compared to other firms. "Many of these people are trainees who have only been with the company a short time. These are the first economic terminations in Fareportal’s 25-year history," the statement added. … [Read more...] about Coronavirus impact | IT firms start issuing pink slips; around 1.5 lakh employees may lose their jobs