Politics

Europe reopening begins with ‘apology’

Bloomberg Italy’s prime minister apologised for delays in aid payments to jobless workers, underscoring the pitfalls for political leaders who are warily reopening Europe for business. As governments enter the next phase of dealing with the coronavirus, European policy makers are increasingly focusing on the risk of a second wave of a pandemic blamed for some 235,000 deaths worldwide. Giuseppe ...

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White House blocks Fauci from testifying

Bloomberg The Trump administration has barred Anthony Fauci, the scientist who’s leading the US response to the coronavirus pandemic, from testifying before a congressional hearing next Wednesday. Fauci had been sought as a witness for a House Appropriations Committee subcommittee that was looking into the US response to the pandemic, according to Evan Hollander, a committee spokesman. “We have been ...

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Trump seeks to pin blame on China over coronavirus

Bloomberg President Donald Trump is escalating efforts to pin blame on China for unleashing a pandemic that has killed more than 60,000 Americans and is exploring ways to hold Beijing accountable, though his options are limited because of the potential economic consequences. Trump and his aides sharpened their criticism of Beijing, demanding answers about the virus’s origin and hinting at ...

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Trump makes crucial 2020 bet on US states reopening

Bloomberg President Donald Trump is facing a turning point in his bid for re-election, betting that a handful of Southern and Midwestern states can reopen their economies without triggering an even deeper public health crisis. If it works out, Trump can claim he was right all along about quickly lifting stay-at-home restrictions that are damaging the economy. If it doesn’t ...

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Race to succeed Merkel sees new front runner

Bloomberg Germany’s efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic have upended the race to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel. In the simmering contest to lead Europe’s largest economy, Bavarian Premier Markus Soeder has emerged as the uncrowned king of the crisis. His hard line to clamp down on the spread of the disease in the wealthy southern state has propelled him to ...

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Covid-19: UK sizes up lockdown options

Bloomberg Prime Minister Boris Johnson was expected to return to lead the UK’s daily televised coronavirus briefing on Thursday, with his government weighing options for easing a nationwide lockdown that officials warned will not be lifted any time soon. Johnson, who returned to work this week after being incapacitated by the disease and treated with oxygen in the hospital, was ...

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Brazil governors scour the globe for ventilators

Bloomberg When his state on Brazil’s northern coast needed ventilators to handle a surge in coronavirus victims, Maranhao Governor Flavio Dino imported 190 units from China through an unusual route. The cargo made a stop in Ethiopia before arriving in Sao Paulo, where it skipped customs and was flown straight to Sao Luis do Maranhao, the state’s capital. Dino had ...

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Modi’s popularity lets him forget pre-virus India woes

Bloomberg Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to the country’s surging coronavirus epidemic may help him walk away unscathed from a host of political and economic problems that hounded his government just months ago. His approval rating on April 21 was 83%, up from 76% on January 7, according to Morning Consult, a US-based survey and research firm. A separate ...

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Germany plans to prolong most curbs amid virus

Bloomberg German officials signalled there won’t be a significant further easing of restrictions on public life for at least another week as data showed coronavirus infections in Europe’s biggest economy rose the most in four days. Chancellor Angela Merkel was due to consult with state premiers on Thursday on whether to lift more of the curbs imposed to stop the ...

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Virus may force changes at China’s political pageant

Bloomberg China’s plan to resume annual parliamentary sessions delayed by the coronavirus outbreak next month could be seen as a statement of the country’s commitment to get back to normal. The actual gathering may end up showing how much has changed. The National People’s Congress (NPC) will start its annual session on May 22, the official Xinhua News Agency said ...

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