Bloomberg The European Commission approved measures from Belgium and Sweden to help the airline industry as it struggles to weather the economic fallout from the coronavirus. It gave antitrust clearance to Sweden’s 455 million euro ($497 million) loan-guarantee scheme to support airlines that hold the nation’s commercial aviation license at least as of January 1. It also welcomed a Belgian …

Bloomberg Russia “sincerely hopes” that a consensus on oil-output cuts will be formalised among the world’s biggest producers as talks to rescue global energy markets continue after Mexico balked at proposed measures, Interfax reports, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The Opec+ coalition, including Russia, were closing in on an unprecedented agreement to lower global crude production by about 10% after …

Bloomberg A vaccine against the coronavirus pandemic could be ready by September, according to a scientist leading one of Britain’s most advanced teams. Sarah Gilbert, professor of vaccinology at Oxford University, told The Times on Saturday that she is “80% confident” the vaccine would work, and could be ready by September. Experts have warned the public that vaccines typically take …

Bloomberg Australia will increase its oil stock through an agreement with the US to help support the global market, following a video conference with G-20 energy ministers. Energy markets in Australia were operating safely, securely and the government is working with the sector to maintain supply for electricity, gas and liquid fuels, Energy Minister Angus Taylor said in a statement. …

Bloomberg India is set to extend its 21-day nationwide lockdown until April 30 to allow authorities, health workers more time to control growing spread of Covid-19 infections. Delhi’s chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Twitter Prime Minister Narendra Modi — who was meeting with state leaders via video conference on Saturday — made the right decision to extend the lockdown, …

Bloomberg The Trump administration has a plan for helping drain US storage tanks filling up with crude: Persuade other countries to buy those American barrels first. That “Buy American” pitch is coming in the form of administration officials exhorting foreign allies to prioritise US crude. The effort involves both the departments of Energy and State, said two people familiar with …

Bloomberg Australia will increase its oil stock through an agreement with the US to help support the global market, following a video conference with G-20 energy ministers. Energy markets in Australia were operating safely and securely and the government is working with the sector to maintain supply for electricity, gas and liquid fuels, Energy Minister Angus Taylor said in a …

Bloomberg A consortium of Cairn Energy Plc, Pharos Energy Plc and Egypt’s Cheiron Petroleum has proceeded to a second round of bidding for Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s onshore assets in the African country, in a deal that could value the business at as much as $1 billion, people familiar with the matter said. Shell is proceeding with the planned sale …

Bloomberg Nigeria is ending decades of subsidies paid to ensure uniform gasoline prices in Africa’s biggest oil producer with crude prices at historical lows, the state-owned energy company said. Official gasoline prices have been cut twice in as many weeks, a move the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp (NNPC) said was intended to bring them in line with the current market …

Bloomberg Apple Inc and Google unveiled a rare partnership to add technology to their smartphone platforms that will alert users if they have come into contact with a person with Covid-19. People must opt in to the system, but it has the potential to monitor about a third of the world’s population. The technology, known as contact-tracing, is designed to …