Around the world...

NORWAY

Norway’s central bank has cut its key policy rate by a quarter percentage point to 0% as the economy is hit by the combination of the coronavirus pandemic and a recent plunge in the price of oil.

Besides the pandemic, which has hit economies around the world as governments put restrictions on business, Norway has been hurt by a slide in energy prices. Norway is a big exporter of oil and gas, the price of which has halved this year.

AFRICA

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has passed 50,000 and deaths have passed 2,000, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Africa now has 51,698 confirmed cases, but the widespread shortage of testing materials means the real number is unknown.

All but one of Africa’s 54 countries, Lesotho, have confirmed cases.

CHINA

Beijing is touting its assistance to countries struck by coronavirus, saying it has provided direct government aid to 150 nations, including millions of testing kits.

It said China has been providing within its means, including 3.3 million testing kits, 2.6 million gowns, 53 million masks and 729 ventilators.

UNITED NATIONS

The UN is increasing its appeal to fight the pandemic in fragile and vulnerable countries from £1.6bn to £5.4bn.

UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock reiterated that the peak of the pandemic is not expected to hit the world’s poorest countries for three to six months, but there is already evidence of incomes plummeting and jobs disappearing, food supplies falling and prices soaring, and children missing vaccinations and meals.

PHILIPPINES

A cruise ship that is the subject of an Australian criminal investigation for sparking coronavirus infections has sailed into Philippine waters en route to Manila to take Filipino crewmen home.

The Philippine coastguard said the Ruby Princess will drop anchor in Manila Bay, where at least 16 other luxury cruise ships have converged since last month while waiting for more than 5,000 Filipino crew members to be tested for the coronavirus before disembarking.

Coastguard spokesman Armand Balilo said 214 Filipino crewmen on board the Ruby Princess will be tested.