Paperjam.lu

Donald Trump told the press at the White House on Tuesday that the US will suspend its funding of the WHO, but some experts argue that the president does not have the authority to unilaterally redirect congressional funding. Photo: YouTube screengrab. 

Trump says WHO “must be held accountable”

US president Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his administration is going to review the response of the World Health Organization to the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, Trump said, the US would suspend its funding of the WHO--it contributes around 15% of the organisation’s budget. Reuters and the BBC report. Trump accused the WHO of promoting the Chinese government’s  “disinformation” and said, “it must be held accountable.” CNBC questions through what mechanism the president, who “typically does not have the authority to unilaterally redirect congressional funding”. could suspend US payments. The Washington Post cites UN Secretary General António Guterres reacting by saying that it is “not the time to reduce the resources…in the fight against the virus.”

IMF predicts recession unprecedented since Great Depression

The International Monetary Fund has issued a stark warning in its latest World Economic Outlook report. The report reckons the global economy will contract by 3% in 2020, as opposed to its January forecast of a growth in GDP of 3.3%. The IMF’s chief economist Gita Gopinath said it is very likely that the global economy will experience “its worst recession since the Great Depression, surpassing that seen during the global financial crisis a decade ago.” She said the new slump might be called the “Great Lockdown”. The report did offer some hope, saying that if the pandemic eases by the end of 2020 it expects a “partial recovery” in 2021. CNBC, The Guardian, The New York Times and Bloomberg have more details and analysis.

Latest coronavirus figures

Global statistics at 6.30am from the John Hopkins coronavirus resource center show that 1,981,239 have been infected and 126,681 have died of the virus. The total of those who have recovered now stands at 486,622. In Luxembourg as of 8.20pm on 14 April, there had been 3,307 confirmed covid-19 cases and 67 deaths--a figure revised down from the 69 deaths announced by the health ministry on Monday following an error in the transmission of data. Delano regularly publishes latest figures for the grand duchy and its neighbouring countries.

Lockdown revisions in Europe

Italy, Spain and Austria have started to ease up on lockdown restrictions, with a partial return to work and the reopening of some public spaces, The Guardian reports. In Luxembourg, cabinet is today expected to discuss the grand duchy’s exit strategy, according to RTL radio sources cited by RTL Today.

Trudeau faces personal criticism as Canada shutdown extends

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that it will be several weeks before the economy is up and running again. Reuters says the country’s unemployment rate is set to hit 25% as Trudeau explained that economic activity will have to resume “in phases”. But Trudeau and leader of the opposition Andrew Scheer both faced personal criticism for travelling over the long Easter weekend, according to CBC.

Obama endorses Biden

Former US president Barack Obama on Tuesday formally endorsed his former vice-president Joe Biden as the Democratic party candidate to face Donald Trump in the presidential election this November. In a video message, Obama said the country required “the kind of leadership that's guided by knowledge and experience, honesty and humility, empathy and grace.” CNN, The New York Times (paywall), CBS and Bloomberg (paywall) have more.  Politico reckons Elizabeth Warren could soon follow Obama and former challenger Bernie Sanders in endorsing Biden.

Amazon France can only deliver essentials

A court in France has ordered that Amazon can only deliver food and hygiene and medical products in the country or face a €1 million fine, the BBC, The Local France and CNN report. The legal ruling came after complains that the online retail giant had “failed to recognise its obligations regarding the security and health of its workers”.

German zoos face horror scenario

Zoos in Germany facing financial ruin could be forced to euthanise animals and are even considering feeding some animals to others, the BBC reports. The zoos have jointly requested €100m in state aid in order to survive the lockdown as they took a huge hit in lost earnings over Easter weekend.

Saudis strike Newcastle United deal

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is closing in on a deal to buy English premier league club Newcastle United. The £300 million deal, which is being fronted by financier Amanda Staveley, will see the Saudis acquire an 80% stake in the club, which was put on the market by unpopular owner Mike Ashley, the founder of the Sports Direct retail chain. The Telegraph, FT, Wall Street Journal and BBC have more.

Airbnb adds more debt

Airbnb is raising another $1 billion in debt, on which it is expected to pay 9% interest, as the coronavirus lockdowns around the world impacts the tourism and travel industries. CNBC says the company is refunding customers and had set aside $250 million to reimburse hosts. 

Illumination on sexual orientation case

British press regulator, Ipso, has ruled that Amanda Liberty from Leeds was not discriminated against by The Sun when it mocked her relationship with a 92-year-old German chandelier. The Guardian says that according to the regulator, “attraction to historic light fittings is not considered to be a protected sexual orientation”, while Metro writes that the Ipso code “does not cover issues of taste and offence.”

Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts