US and Brazil continue to drive worldwide count as deaths pass 775,000; S&P500 index closes at all-time high; European restrictions tighten
- Global report: France tightens mask rules as cases rise in Europe
- Australia does deal to secure potential Oxford vaccine for free
- UK: Oldham feared to be on brink of catastrophic lockdown
- Australia coronavirus updates – live
12.23am BST
Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, says it will be compulsory for people to have a Covid-19 vaccine once it is available.
Australia had earlier revealed it has agreed a deal with AstraZeneca to supply the potential Oxford University vaccine. People will receive the vaccine for free in Australia, Morrison said, calling the Oxford vaccine “one of the most advanced and promising in the world”.
12.14am BST
The S&P 500 stock index on Wall Street closed at a record high on Tuesday night marking the complete recovery of shares after the shock of the pandemic.
The record confirms that Wall Street’s most closely followed index entered a so-called bull market – or upward curve – after hitting its pandemic low on 23 March. It has surged about 55% since then thanks to massive intervention by the US government and the Federal Reserve central bank. It closed 7.79 points, or 0.23% higher at 3,389.78.
The S&P500 closed at a record high – wiping out all of its coronavirus losses
S&P today – 3,389.78
March 20 – 2,304.92 (pandemic low)
The resurgence comes despite historic job losses, bankruptcies and shrinking corporate profits pic.twitter.com/Bq5DhCZUUG
Related: Making billions v making ends meet: how the pandemic has split the US economy in two
Related: Tale of two Cities: FTSE 100 rises despite economic collapse
Continue reading…US and Brazil continue to drive worldwide count as deaths pass 775,000; S&P500 index closes at all-time high; European restrictions tightenGlobal report: France tightens mask rules as cases rise in EuropeAustralia does deal to secure potential Oxford vaccine for freeUK: Oldham feared to be on brink of catastrophic lockdownAustralia coronavirus updates – live 12.23am BSTAustralia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, says it will be compulsory for people to have a Covid-19 vaccine once it is available. Australia had earlier revealed it has agreed a deal with AstraZeneca to supply the potential Oxford University vaccine. People will receive the vaccine for free in Australia, Morrison said, calling the Oxford vaccine “one of the most advanced and promising in the world”. Related: Coronavirus Australia latest updates: Victoria reports 216 new cases and 12 deaths as Scott Morrison says vaccine will be mandatory 12.14am BSTThe S&P 500 stock index on Wall Street closed at a record high on Tuesday night marking the complete recovery of shares after the shock of the pandemic.The record confirms that Wall Street’s most closely followed index entered a so-called bull market – or upward curve – after hitting its pandemic low on 23 March. It has surged about 55% since then thanks to massive intervention by the US government and the Federal Reserve central bank. It closed 7.79 points, or 0.23% higher at 3,389.78.The S&P500 closed at a record high – wiping out all of its coronavirus lossesS&P today – 3,389.78March 20 – 2,304.92 (pandemic low)The resurgence comes despite historic job losses, bankruptcies and shrinking corporate profits pic.twitter.com/Bq5DhCZUUG Related: Making billions v making ends meet: how the pandemic has split the US economy in two Related: Tale of two Cities: FTSE 100 rises despite economic collapse Continue reading…