European stock markets pushed higher Friday at the end of another volatile week as the ECB unleashed fresh stimulus to boost the economy as coronavirus grips the continent, but Wall Street slumped as New York was placed under quarantine.
In the eurozone, markets jumped after the European Central Bank and EU took unprecedented measures to prop up their economies as confinement measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus causes massive disruptions to businesses.
Paris ended the day with a gain of five percent and Frankfurt nearly four per cent.
London's stock market won only 0.8 per cent as an anticipated new UK state stimulus plan failed to materialise.
US stocks failed to hold onto early solid gains as state officials ordered non-essential businesses to close in the country's financial capital New York City from Sunday evening.
"The stock markets' upside is a result of a number of big bazookas fired off by central banks," Scope Markets analyst James Hughes told AFP, before sounding 

European stocks rise, but Wall Street slumps

PTI Automatic

Misinformation is impacting on efforts to quell the coronavirus pandemic as even "very well educated" people share false cures, hoaxes and conspiracy theories online, experts warned as recorded cases continued to climb Friday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has increased its efforts to tackle myths and rumours since it warned in February of a massive "infodemic", a deluge of information, including false claims that can risk public health.
AFP has debunked more than 140 cases of widely-shared misinformation since the virus emerged in December, including fake hotline numbers, recipes for herbal "cures" and videos of packed supermarkets which were actually filmed years ago.
One message circulating on the popular WhatsApp messaging service recommended taking a dangerously high dose of anti-malaria drug chloroquine to treat COVID-19.
And a Facebook post apparently written by a medical student that advised drinking warm water and lemon to prevent the disease was shared more than 40,000 

Misinformation hampers coronavirus response, experts warn

More than a quarter of a million cases of the new coronavirus have been recorded across the globe, according to a tally compiled by AFP at 1700 GMT on Friday based on official sources.
There have been at least 256,296 infections reported in 163 countries and territories, and 11,015 deaths.
China, where the virus first emerged in December, has registered 80,976 cases including 3,248 deaths. Italy has suffered the most deaths, 4,032, out of 47,021 cases.
The number of diagnosed cases reflects only a fraction of the actual number of infections as many countries test only those with the most severe symptoms.

More than quarter of a million coronavirus cases worldwide: AFP

The head of the World Health Organisation on Friday warned young people they were "not invincible" against the coronavirus pandemic, and said their self-restraint could save the lives of older people.
"Today I have a message for young people: you are not invincible. This virus could put you in hospital for weeks -- or even kill you. Even if you don't get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a virtual press conference in Geneva.

WHO warns world youth on virus: 'you are not invincible'

The World Health Organisation on Friday welcomed the news that the Chinese city where the new coronavirus first emerged in December had for the first time reported no new cases in 24 hours.
"Yesterday, Wuhan reported no new cases for the first time since the outbreak started," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual news conference.
"Wuhan provides hope for the rest of the world that even the most severe situation can be turned around.

'Hope' as Wuhan reports no new cases for first time since outbreak began: WHO

United States Olympic chiefs said Friday more time was needed to determine the fate of this year's Tokyo Olympics amid mounting calls to postpone the Games because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a conference call with reporters, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) chairwoman Susanne Lyons said there was no need for the International Olympic Committee to make an immediate decision on Tokyo.
"I think we would concur with the IOC to say that we need more expert advice and information than we have today to make a decision," Lyons said.
"And we don't have to make a decision. Our games are not next week, or two weeks from now. They're four months from now.
"And I think a lot may change in that time period. So we are affording the IOC the opportunity to gather that information and epxert advice.
"At this point in time, we do not feel that it's necessary for us to insist that they make a decision."
IOC President Thomas Bach told the New York Times in an interview on ...

No need to rush Tokyo Olympic decision says US

The United States and Mexico have agreed to restrict non-essential travel across their border beginning on Saturday because of the coronavirus outbreak, the US announced Friday.
US President Donald Trump said the move, similar to one already announced with northern neighbour Canada, was necessary to prevent the "spread the infection to our border agents, migrants, and to the public at large."
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters at a White House briefing that trade between the United States and Mexico would continue.
"The United States and Mexico have agreed to restrict non-essential travel across our shared border," he said.
"Both our countries know the importance of working together to limit the spread of the virus and to ensure that the commerce that supports our economy continues to keep flowing," he said.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said the agreements restricting non-essential travel with Mexico and Canada would take effect on Saturday.
Wolf also said ..

US, Mexico to 'restrict non-essential' border crossings

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday ordered non-essential businesses to close and banned all gatherings, in an escalation of attempts to contain the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
Cuomo said civil fines would be handed out to anyone violating the order, which he said would come into effect on Sunday evening.
"We're all in quarantine now," he told reporters, adding that New York state was "on pause."
Cuomo's announcement came a day after California governor Gavin Newsom announced a lockdown for the state's 40 million residents.
"They are taking strong steps," President Donald Trump said Friday shortly after Cuomo's press conference.
"I applaud them," Trump added, referring to Cuomo and Newsom.
Cuomo said an executive order would be passed Friday mandating that only essential businesses can remain open from late Sunday.
He essential services included grocery stores and pharmacies.
Cuomo added that "100 percent of workforces" for non-essential business must stay at home.
Cuomo said ...

New York closes non-essential businesses, bans gatherings

Three more LPGA Tour events were postponed Friday due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak while the ANA Inspiration women's major tournament was rescheduled for September, the tour announced.
The LPGA announced the postponement of the Lotte Championship, which had been set for April 15-18 in Hawaii; the Los Angeles Open which had been scheduled on April 23-26 and the LPGA Mediheal Championship in suburban San Francisco, which was to have been played April 30-May 3.
What had been the first scheduled major tournament of the season, the ANA Inspiration at Rancho Mirage, California, will now be played at Mission Hills Country Club from September 10-13.
The previous event set for that weekend, the LPGA Portland Classic, will move to September 17-20.
South Korea's Ko Jin-young is the defending ANA Inspiration champion.
The latest moves were made "following broadened directives from the various health organizations," the tour said.
The next LPGA tournament remaining on the active schedule ..

LPGA delays three more events, moves major to September

World Rugby has postponed the men's World Sevens Series tournaments in London and Paris until September due to the coronavirus.
Rugby Union's governing body also delayed a string of other sevens competitions and placed the Olympic Games repechage qualification tournament under review.
In addition, the World Rugby Under-20 Championship that was to be held in northern Italy in June and July, has been cancelled.
The Hong Kong and Singapore rounds of the men's World Sevens Series and women's World Sevens Challenger Series in South Africa had already been postponed.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: "We stand in solidarity with the global rugby family and people around the world at this exceptional and difficult time, and I will ensure we continue do everything in our power to protect the wellbeing of the global rugby family and the wider public.
"Taking the appropriate measures that mitigate the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus in line with government and public health agency ...

World Sevens in London, Paris postponed due to virus

Rob Chakraverty has stepped down from his role as doctor to the England men's football team.
Chakraverty's exit comes just weeks after he faced allegations relating to his previous post as UK Athletics' chief medical officer.
He was reportedly involved in a controversial procedure on British four-time Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah.
Farah was given an infusion of the legal supplement L-Carnitine before the 2014 London Marathon, but Chakraverty was said to have failed to record the levels.
Last month, a BBC Panorama programme about Farah's former coach Alberto Salazar said Chakraverty had expressed reservations about possible "side effects" from the infusion, but went ahead anyway.
"The FA can confirm Dr Rob Chakraverty is to stand down from his role with the England senior men's team," a Football Association spokesperson said on Friday.
"We would like to offer our sincere thanks to Rob, not just for his part in the team's progress since 2016 but also in sharing his expertise across ..

Doctor steps down from role with England football team

Jordan will impose a round-the-clock curfew from Saturday morning until further notice to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, the government announced.
The exceptional measure, to be applied for an indefinite period, was taken after "citizens did not respect directives" calling on them not to leave their homes except for extreme emergencies, government spokesman Amjad Adayleh said on Friday.
Adayleh warned that lack of compliance with the curfew would result in "immediate imprisonment, which will not exceed one year".
The kingdom has reported 69 cases of the COVID-19 disease, with no deaths so far.
"In view of the exceptional circumstances in the world and in our region and to avoid epidemics, a curfew will come into force from Saturday at 7:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) and until further notice in all regions of the kingdom," Adayleh, who is also the minister of state for media affairs, said at a news conference in the capital Amman.
All shops will be closed and authorities 

Jordan announces round-the-clock curfew from Saturday

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan called Friday for the lifting of "unjust" US-led sanctions on neighbouring Iran, so Tehran can better deal with the novel coronavirus crisis.
Khan's comments came after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wrote to him asking for help in dealing with the novel coronavirus outbreak that has now killed at least 1,433 people in Iran.
"I would stress and insist to the international community to lift the sanctions on Iran," Khan said at a press conference.
"It is very unjust they are dealing with such a large outbreak on one side, and on the other they are facing international sanctions."
Pakistan's foreign office did not provide any additional details on Rouhani's letter to Khan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif took to Twitter on Tuesday to say that US sanctions were "impairing" Iran's ability to fight the COVID-19 disease.
Pakistan shares a 960-kilometre (600-mile) border with Iran, with the main crossing point located at Taftan in ...

Pakistan PM Imran Khan calls for lifting of Iran sanctions

Some 300 million children who depend on school meals are missing out due to closures triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, the World Food Programme said Friday.
The WFP pointed out that more than 860 million children -- roughly half the world's student population -- were having to stay away from schools and universities due to shutdowns aimed at halting the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to missing out on learning, hundreds of thousands of children are now missing free school lunches, the UN agency said.
The WFP said nearly nine million children out of the 18 million the organisation itself feeds through school meals across 61 countries were no longer receiving them.
The agency said it was looking into alternative ways of providing children out of school with food, including take-home meals.
"Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, some 300 million primary schoolchildren are now missing out on school meals on which they depend," WFP spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs told reporters in an online ..

300 mn children missing school meals due to virus closures: WFP

Italy's government on Friday said it is considering even further restrictions on its already locked-down population as the country reels under the continued spread of the coronavirus.
The country now has the most coronavirus fatalities in the world, after it surpassed China on Thursday with a rise of 427 deaths to an overall toll of 3,405.
"In the next 24 to 48 hours, new restrictions are possible," Italy's minister of regional affairs Francesco Boccia said Friday, citing the possibility of banning open-air activities.
The presidents of regions in the north -- Italy's richest and the most devastated by the virus -- have been pressing Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to clamp down even harder on the movement of people, calling for the deployment of the army to help enforce the measures.
"Unfortunately, even today the statistics aren't going in the right direction, neither in terms of new infections or in terms of deaths," Lombardy's president Attilio Fontana told a press conference on ...

Italy mulls further crackdown with no virus peak in sight

Eased rules on the capital buffers that banks supervised by the European Central Bank must hold to weather crises will free up lenders to issue as much as 1.8 trillion euros (USD 1.9 trillion), the institution said Friday.
With lower capital requirements, 120 billion euros is "available for banks to absorb losses without triggering any supervisory actions or to potentially finance up to 1.8 trillion euros of loans to households and corporate customers in need of extra liquidity," the ECB said in a statement.
The central bank had relaxed requirements as part of a major package of measures aimed at keeping cash flowing during the coronavirus pandemic which has left thousands of businesses shuttered and forced large swathes of employees to cut their working hours.

ECB says banks now have extra 1.8 tn euros to lend in virus fight

Air Canada plans to temporarily lay off more than 5,000 flight attendants, due to the new coronavirus pandemic, their union said Friday.
The layoffs would affect 3,600 flight attendants at the flagship Canadian airline and all 1,549 flight attendants at its budget Air Canada Rouge affiliate, the union that represents the flight attendants said.
That accounts for more than half the membership of the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents roughly 10,000 flight attendants.
"This has been the most challenging time any of us will likely ever experience as flight attendants," union president Wesley Lesosky said in a statement.
Air Canada confirmed it has begun discussions with its unions on temporary layoffs, but did not say how many of its employees would be affected.
In a statement, it attributed the decision to layoff employees to the "rapid evolution" of the new coronavirus pandemic and the reduction in service it has caused.
"When conditions ...

Air Canada to lay off more than 5,000 flight attendants: union

The United States and China on Friday took their growing clash over the coronavirus pandemic to social media, with Beijing telling Secretary of State Mike Pompeo he was "lying through (his) teeth."
In an interview on Fox News, Pompeo said Beijing "wasted valuable days" after identifying the novel coronavirus by letting "hundreds of thousands" leave the epicenter of Wuhan to places including Italy, which has surpassed China as the country with the highest death toll.
"The Chinese Communist Party didn't get it right and put countless lives at risk as a result of that," Pompeo said.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying voiced anger on Twitter, writing in English: "Stop lying through your teeth!"
"As WHO experts said, China's efforts averted hundreds of thousands of infection cases," she tweeted.
She said that China first told the United States of the novel coronavirus outbreak on January 3, with the State Department alerting Americans in Wuhan on January 15.
"And now blame ..

China says Pompeo 'lying' in new coronavirus clash

YouTube has unveiled a fresh effort to stem the spread of coronavirus misinformation with a "news shelf" on its homepage promoting "authoritative content".
The move is the latest by technology platforms to curb the sharing of rumors and hoaxes about the pandemic, with Facebook having announced a similar action this week.
"We want everyone to have access to authoritative content during this trying time, so we're launching a COVID-19 news shelf on our homepage in 16 countries," the Google-owned video sharing service said in a statement on Twitter late Thursday.
"We'll expand to more countries, as well." YouTube earlier this week joined other large US internet platforms in a joint effort to root out misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic.
The move comes amid an unprecedented global response to the pandemic as well as increased claims that the virus itself is a hoax.
Facebook on Wednesday said it would make a similar move to place authoritative information at the top of user ...

YouTube to promote 'authoritative' virus content on homepage

Paris police have detained two people on suspicion of hoarding face masks in defiance of a government decree ordering such products be turned over to authorities during the coronavirus outbreak, prosecutors said Friday.
So far four inquiries have been opened in the French capital after checks carried out since President Emmanuel Macron ordered the requisition of face masks in early March.
One in custody is a manager at a drugstore in the posh 16th district of the French capital, the other works at a travel agency where stocks of masks as well as sanitising hand gels were found.
"Pharmacists and drugstore managers need to know that we will be extremely vigilant and that we will prosecute," chief Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz told AFP.
He added that a worker at an organic grocery store in the Belleville neighbourhood was also facing prosecution after he was caught selling a stock of more than 15,000 face masks along with around 250 bottles of fake hydroalcoholic hand gel.
A nationwide ...

Paris police detain two over face mask hoarding

Formula One's British-based teams are working on a plan to manufacture medical equipment needed to fight the coronavirus.
The British government and health authorities need more ventilators in intensive care units as a result of the respiratory problems caused by the illness.
Formula One teams have engineering capabilities that could speed up the production of the units.
With the Formula One season delayed due to the pandemic, the teams are evaluating a number of routes in conjunction with existing manufacturers and organisations from the aerospace and automotive sectors.
"A collective of UK-based Formula 1 teams, engine manufactures and their respective technology arms is evaluating support for the manufacture of respiratory devices in response to the UK government's call for assistance," a statement on the F1 website said on Friday.
"The teams are working in collaboration with F1, the UK government and other organisations to establish the feasibility of the teams producing, or ...

AFP

AFP

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