UK on course for ‘significant’ recession after March slump

May 13, 2020 | Finance

LONDON (AP) — The U.K. government warned Wednesday of a “significant” recession after official figures showed the economy shrank 2% in the first quarter of the year even though it included just one week of the coronavirus lockdown.The Office of National Statistics...

Asia Today: New Zealand ends most coronavirus restrictions

May 13, 2020 | Finance, Politics

BANGKOK (AP) — New Zealand has ended most of its coronavirus lockdown restrictions as it prepares itself for a new normal.Malls, retail stores and restaurants are reopening Thursday in the South Pacific nation of 5 million, and many people are returning to their...

As Europe reopens, key virus protections are still elusive

May 13, 2020 | Finance

ROME (AP) — Italy’s virus reopening was supposed to be accompanied by a series of measures to limit infections in the one-time epicenter of Europe’s pandemic: the distribution of millions of inexpensive surgical masks to pharmacies nationwide, a pilot project of...

Virus spikes could emerge weeks after US economic reopenings

May 13, 2020 | Finance, Politics

U.S. states are beginning to restart their economies after months of paralyzing coronavirus lockdowns, but it could take weeks until it becomes clear whether those reopenings will cause a spike in COVID-19 cases, experts said Wednesday. The outbreak’s trajectory...

Bat maker says loan resulted in return of furloughed workers

May 12, 2020 | Finance

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The manufacturer of Louisville Slugger bats says it put 171 furloughed employees back on the payroll after receiving a loan from a government program aimed at helping small businesses.Hillerich & Bradsby Co. resumed production at its wood...

Simon & Schuster CEO Carolyn Reidy dies at 71, company says

May 12, 2020 | Finance

NEW YORK (AP) — Simon & Schuster CEO Carolyn Reidy, who presided over her company with steady force and a passion for books during a time of frequent and traumatic change, died Tuesday morning at age 71.Her death, from a heart attack, was announced by Dennis...