US stocks and shares stabilised on Thursday but analysis by The Independent shows that one of the main American equity market indexes over the past month has been falling even more rapidly than during the Wall Street Crash of 1929, reports Ben Chu.

The Wall Street Crash, which occurred in the autumn of 1929, marked the end a huge speculative bubble in American shares.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average – which is made up of 30 large US listed firms – fell almost 90 per cent from its peak in September 2029 to when the market finally bottomed out in July 1932.

Analysis below:
 

Georgia is to close all shops across the country except for groceries, pharmacies and petrol stations in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, prime minister Giorgi Gakharia said on Thursday.

Georgia has reported 40 confirmed cases of coronavirus. One patient has recovered while more than 1,200 people with suspected infections remain in quarantine, authorities said.

The Caucasus republic earlier imposed a ban on all foreign citizens entering the country, closed its borders, closed all winter resorts, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, gyms and swimming pools, and banned minibuses.

The 2020 Invictus Games due to be held in The Hague in May has been called off.

Organisers said the competition was likely to be rescheduled to May or June 2021.

Patrick Vallance, UK's chief scientific advisor, has said that vaccine trials are expected to get under way in April.

"What I want to do is get on top of it," he says. "At the moment the disease is proceeding on the upward slope.
 

"I believe that a through combination of the measures we're asking the public to take and better testing will help us get on top of it in the next 12 weeks."

Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, has said that the government wants to make sure that the antibody testers it is looking into buying are the "right ones". Boris Johnson adds that the testers will require a blood sample, as opposed to urine.

The PM says the government's bailout will not be like in 2008 in terms of assisting the banks - he's focussing on "the people" now.

Boris Johnson has given a timescale for the current campaign of social distancing, saying the country can “turn the tide within the next 12 weeks” - but only if the population follows the government’s advice. 

“We can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks and I’m absolutely confident that we can send the coronavirus packing in this country - but only if we take the steps that we’ve outlined. That is vital, that is how we’re going to reduce the peak. Once we’ve achieved that - and I think we will - then the scientific progress we’re making will really come into play.”

More than 30,000 people have offered to help the Irish health service as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic, reports Zoe Tidman. 

The responses flooded in after Ireland launched a massive recruitment drive for healthcare professionals just two days ago. 

The Be On Call for Ireland campaign asked those not already working in the public health service if they could help out, as coronavirus cases continue to rise in the country.

“The call was only put out at lunchtime on St Patrick’s Day so it has been a phenomenal response,” Anne Marie Hoey told RTE radio.
 

All police displaying Covid-19 symptoms 'should be tested'

Police displaying possible mild symptoms of Covid-19 should receive testing, a senior officer in Northern Ireland has said.

Assistant chief constable Alan Todd said it would provide reassurance and confidence.

People who are self-isolating with mild symptoms will not be tested, according to official guidance.

The senior officer said: "We don't think that is a risk that should be owned by the chief constable.

"There needs to be wider political leadership of that.

"My people will get ill. The vast majority will recover and come back to work, but the testing is needed to give reassurance and confidence."