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South Africa has 10 percent of GDP in Corona rescue package
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a multi-million dollar aid package to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In a speech to the population, Ramaphosa said his government would launch a massive program of social and economic aid equivalent to around 23 billion Swiss francs. This corresponds to 10 percent of South Africa’s gross domestic product.
“The coronavirus scale requires an exceptional coronavirus budget,” said Ramaphosa. The size of the government’s emergency program is historic. South Africa has reported 58 deaths from the new corona virus and more than 3,400 infections.
An “exceptional budget for coronavirus is needed,” said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Reuters
US Senate USA Approve stimulus package
The United States Senate approved another $ 480 billion stimulus package due to the crown crisis. Shortly before, Republicans and Democrats had agreed to the package after days of negotiations. It will now be adopted by the House of Representatives this week. Congress had already approved an economic stimulus package of about $ 2.2 trillion in March.
The new package is designed to add $ 320 billion to a successful small and medium business loan program. The loans, which can be repaid later, are intended to limit the rise in unemployment in the United States. It will also provide $ 75 billion for medical care and another $ 25 billion for coronavirus testing and research.
Trump: Corona halts immigration for 60 days
The limitation on immigration to the United States due to the crown crisis should initially apply for 60 days, according to United States President Donald Trump. Trump said that on Tuesday night. The move essentially affects those who struggled to keep a “green card.” It is not about temporary residence permits.
Trump reiterated his decision to engage with American workers in the face of the crown pandemic. The planned decree is still in the works and will probably be signed on Wednesday.
Trump complained about the epidemic that hit the U.S. workforce, referring to the millions of people who had lost their jobs due to the crisis in recent weeks. It would be “wrong and unfair” if they were replaced by foreign workers, Trump said.
Ticino wants to extend the “crisis window”
Despite the relaxation announced by the Federal Council, Ticino authorities want tighter crown measures. The Ticino State Council sent a request to the Federal Council, the Ticino media report. Consequently, the so-called “crisis window” (with occasional relief) will run until May 3. This is despite the fact that relaxation is planned across Switzerland starting Monday.
The Ticino government decided, among other things, restrictions on construction sites and industrial companies because Ticino is particularly affected by the crown pandemic. The Federal Council can already decide on the request of the southern canton on Wednesday.
Ticino wants stricter measures than in the rest of Switzerland.
Keystone
Pandemic brings more clients to Netflix
Netflix online video service gained many new users in the first quarter. As many people spend more time at home in the wake of the crown pandemic, 15.8 million paying customers worldwide join Netflix. That’s double what Netflix expected in January. At the end of the quarter, Netflix had nearly 183 million paid memberships.
More time at home? More time to stream movies and series.
Reuters
Missouri is suing China
Missouri has filed a lawsuit against China over the economic consequences of the pandemic. The Beijing government lied to the world about the virus threat and did little to stop the disease, according to a statement by Attorney General Eric Schmitt. “They must be held accountable for their actions.” For example, the state attorney’s office requires unlimited damages.
According to legal experts, the lawsuit has little chance of success.
Nurses demand better working conditions.
The nursing staff on the Corona front deserved much applause. But wouldn’t they have earned more money, better working conditions and more time for their work? “We demand action, we have already heard empty words,” says an open letter from the “Association of Nursing Professionals” addressed to Parliament.
Owners disappoint small businesses
Many small business owners who cannot afford commercial rents in the Corona crisis are reporting “Kassensturz”. A rent exemption or rent reduction could help with financial need. But some owners don’t want to know anything about it. “Kassensturz” he asked.
Oktoberfest canceled
Munich’s Oktoberfest is a victim of the coronavirus pandemic this year. The city
Munich as an organizer has canceled the world’s largest folk festival, as Mayor Dieter Reiter said. The Oktoberfest should have taken place from September 19 to October 4.
Corona and the consequences for the economy.
The Swiss economy has stagnated. How massive is depression? The infographic provides answers.
United States: $ 480 Billion Stimulus Package Agreed
The US government USA He has agreed with other senior Congressional officials on another $ 500 billion aid program. According to a Republican employee, $ 321 billion of this will go to small businesses as loans.
The Senate could vote on the package later in the day, and the House of Representatives could probably vote on Thursday. President Donald Trump has expressed his support. It would be the fourth major package of aid in the United States.
Zip-line ski areas will soon be quarantined
Austria is lifting the Coronvirus quuran for popular ski areas in Tyrol this week. Paznaun Valley, St. Anton and Sölden will be accessible again from Thursday, Tyrolean Governor Günther Platter said. The reason for this was the low number of new infections. In the past twelve days, there have only been a total of ten positive tests in these areas.
The well-known Ischgl ski resort is also located in the Paznaun Valley, where hundreds of people, including many foreign tourists, became infected with the corona virus in a bar after skiing.
Corona virus deepens Rösti’s trench
The economy in Switzerland will increase step by step. While voices are on the rise in German-speaking Switzerland demanding a faster pace, it sounds different in western Switzerland. For the Geneva hairdressers association, for example, the opening is too fast.
The Army’s Largest Acquisition Campaign in Recent History
On behalf of the federal government, the military has started buying hundreds of millions of masks. The Army’s top buyer is the first to comment on this unique, multi-million dollar acquisition. When and if these will be distributed has not yet been decided.
The blockade and its effects.
Much of public life in Switzerland has been idle for over a month. The recommendation is to stay home if possible. There are also hygiene instructions, such as keeping your distance and washing your hands. All with the stated objective of stopping the spread of the corona virus. But have the measures effectively achieved their goal? A current study by ETH Zurich shows that the blockade apparently had an impact.
The Pitfalls of Homeschooling
Daily schedule instead of weekly schedule, keyboard instead of pencil: “Schweiz aktuell” looks over the shoulders of schoolchildren during e-learning and asks teachers and parents how they experience the lessons in the running of the bulls.
Swiss exports and the crown crisis
Swiss exports increased in March as in the entire first quarter, while other sectors are already feeling the winds against the Corona crisis. How much will the Swiss export industry suffer? Professor of economics Reto Föllmi at the University of St. Gallen has the answers:
How do hairdressers prepare for a new beginning?
At around 11,000 hairdressing shops in Switzerland, preparations are being made for a fresh start in Corona. Starting next Monday, the daily hair salon will be different from that of six weeks ago. A visit to a Bern hairdressing salon:
Secondary schools should be able to do without final exams
High schools and technical high schools should have the opportunity to do without written and oral exams. According to the cantonal education directors (EDK), the Federal Council should regulate the exemption of written exams in the emergency law. The EDK wrote this in a letter to the Federal Council. The plenary assembly decided on its own initiative to abstain from oral examinations.
Cantons that do not take the exams must rely on experience scores. This ensures the quality and equivalence of the diplomas.
Parmelin calls on G20 members to work together
Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin emphasized at the special meeting of the G20 agriculture ministers on the Covid-19 issue how important it is to guarantee international trade in food and essential resources for agricultural production. He called on G20 members for closer multilateral cooperation.
This aims to ensure the sustainability and resilience of food systems in future crises, as announced by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER). The theme of the special session was Covid-19 and its impact on food security and global nutrition. Saudi Arabia, who holds the G20 presidency this year, had invited Switzerland to participate in this video conference.
In his speech, Parmelin (here at a press conference on April 8) emphasized that unjustified measures, especially export restrictions, should be avoided.
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