Coronavirus live updates: Prince Charles tests positive, Target withdraws forecast - CNBC

This is CNBC's live blog covering all the latest news on the coronavirus outbreak. All times below are in Eastern time. This blog will be updated throughout the day as the news breaks. 

• Global cases: More than 428,400
• Global deaths: At least 19,120
• US cases: At least 55,225
• US deaths: At least 802

The data above was compiled by Johns Hopkins University. 

8:55 am: Facebook, Microsoft partner with WHO for coronavirus hackathon

The World Health Organization has partnered with Facebook, Microsoft and several other tech companies for a hackathon to promote the development of software to take on challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The #BuildforCOVID19 hackathon was announced on Tuesday and will begin accepting project submissions on Thursday. Along with Facebook and Microsoft, tech companies Twitter, WeChat, TikTok, Pinterest, Slack and Giphy are also participating. The tech companies "will be sharing resources to support participants throughout the submission period." —Salvador Rodriguez 

8:49 am: Weekly mortgage applications tank 29% as coronavirus sidelines homebuyers

An increase in interest rates, combined with a massive shutdown of the economy caused homeowners and potential homebuyers to back away from the mortgage market. Total mortgage application volume fell 29.4% last week from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index. 

Applications to refinance a home loan, which had been surging dramatically in the last month, fell 34% for the week but were still 195% higher than a year ago, when rates were 63 basis points higher. Refinances tend to be volatile, moving weekly with interest rates. —Diana Olick

8:23 am: UK intensive care demand could peak within 3 weeks

If Britain's measures for tackling the coronavirus outbreak work, then intensive care demand will peak in 2.5 to 3 weeks time, a top epidemiologist who advised the government said on Wednesday.

"If, and it's an if, we're moderately confident as I've said but can't be completely sure, if the current measures work as we would expect them to then we will see intensive care unit demand peak in approximately two and half to three weeks' time and then decline thereafter," Neil Ferguson, a professor of mathematical biology at Imperial College London, told a British parliamentary committee. —Reuters

7:56 am: Dow futures drop 200 points after surging overnight

Stock futures fell in early morning trading, following Tuesday's historic rally, despite the White House and Senate reaching a deal on a $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill.

Around 7:40 a.m. ET, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average were down 200 points, or 1%. S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures were down 1.8% and 1.5%, respectively. Dow futures were up more than 800 points at one point in the overnight session. —Fred Imbert, Yun Li, Eustance Huang

7:42 am: Canadian legislators vote for coronavirus aid

After almost a day of wrangling, Canada's House of Commons agreed early Wednesday to approve a $27 billion Canadian ($18.8 billion) stimulus bill to help people and businesses deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

The bill — which also includes CA $55 billion in the form of tax deferrals — must now be approved by the unelected Senate, which will meet later Wednesday. Government officials say they anticipate senators will quickly approve the measures. —Reuters

7:14 am: Trump businesses barred from getting stimulus money, Schumer says

President Donald Trump holds a news conference, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Washington D.C., March 22, 2020.

Yuri Gripas | Reuters

President Donald Trump's businesses are barred from getting loans or investments under the new $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus deal, according to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The Trump Organization, which the president has not divested, is run by his two elder sons, Donald Jr. and Eric.

Democrats and other critics of the president were concerned that Trump's businesses would receive bailout money because the tourism industry is one of the hardest-hit by the coronavirus, which has spurred leaders to restrict travel and companies to cut capacity and close up shop. The measure will also ban businesses controlled by Vice President Mike Pence, Cabinet members and lawmakers from receiving the funds, according to details circulated by Schumer, D-N.Y. —Mike Calia

7:10 am: Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, tests positive

A file photo dated on January 24, 2020 shows the Prince of Wales, Charles meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the presidential palace in Bethlehem, West Bank. Prince Charles, next in line to the British throne, has tested positive for coronavirus.

Issam Rimawi | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Britain's heir to the throne, Prince Charles, has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement from his London household. "He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual," said a statement Wednesday from Clarence House, his residence in the capital. It is not possible to determine how the 71-year-old Prince of Wales contracted the virus, the statement said, "owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks." —Katrina Bishop, Holly Ellyatt

7:06 am: Target delays store remodels, withdraws forecast

Target is putting some of its ambitious growth plans on hold. The big-box retailer will put on hold plans to remodel hundreds of stores, postponing openings of new stores and delaying the addition of fresh groceries and beer to curbside pickup. Instead, Target CEO Brian Cornell said the retailer will focus on a singular mission: providing food, medicine and other essential items. He said Target is withdrawing its guidance for the first quarter and fiscal year because of the unpredictable business climate. —Melissa Repko

6:44 am: Surge of cases in Africa prompted decision to cancel Olympics, IOC says

6:37 am: Zambia's cases increase to 12

Zambia's number of confirmed cases rose to 12 from three, President Edgar Lungu said in a televised address. The previous figure had not been updated since March 22, Reuters reported. —Holly Ellyatt

6:30 am: Tokyo governor to ask residents to stay indoors over weekend as cases rise, NHK reports

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2020-03-25 12:51:54Z
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Prince Charles tests positive for novel coronavirus - CNN

The Prince of Wales is only displaying mild symptoms and is otherwise in good health, Clarence House said in a statement. It is not known how he caught the virus because of his busy schedule of public events in recent weeks.

Buckingham Palace said the Queen remains in "good health." Last Tuesday, the Palace said the 93-year-old monarch was rearranging her diary "as a sensible precaution and for practical reasons in the current circumstances."

The Queen last saw Prince Charles briefly after an investiture ceremony for public awards at Buckingham Palace in London on March 12. A Palace spokeswoman said she was "following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare."

Prince Charles had a number of private meetings following the March 12 event with Highgrove and Duchy individuals, all of whom have been made aware of the situation, according to PA Media.

Prince Charles's wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has been tested and does not have the virus, according to the statement from Clarence House.

It read: "The Prince of Wales has tested positive for coronavirus. He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual.

"The Duchess of Cornwall has also been tested but does not have the virus. In accordance with government and medical advice, the Prince and the Duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland. The tests were carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire where they met the criteria required for testing.

"It is not possible to ascertain from whom the Prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks."

Prince Charles, 71, is the eldest child of the Queen and her 98-year-old husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

As someone over 70, he is considered to be at higher risk than average for coronavirus.

Earlier this month, his office said he was not yet self-isolating because UK government and medical advice at the time were not advising over-70s to do so.

This is a developing story. More to follow.

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2020-03-25 11:55:11Z
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Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus - Fox News

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Prince Charles, who is first in line to the British throne, has tested positive for coronavirus after displaying mild symptoms, his office has announced.

“The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus.  He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual," the Clarence House said to Fox News in a statement Wednesday morning.

The statement confirmed that the 71-year-old British royal's wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, 72, tested negative. They are currently at their home, Burnham on the Balmoral Estate, in Scotland "self-isolating," the statement confirmed.

IDRIS ELBA TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS

The Prince of Wales, 71, has otherwise been displaying good health and is working from home.<br data-cke-eol="1"> (Getty Images)

"The tests were carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire where they met the criteria required for testing."

While Clarence House said it is "not possible to ascertain" whom Prince Charles may have caught the virus from, the office made note of a "high number of engagements" he carried out in recent weeks."

The news comes on the heels of Prince Albert of Monaco revealing his positive diagnosis of COVID-19. According to multiple reports, Prince Charles sat across from Prince Albert at a WaterAid charity event in London days before testing positive.

Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla had canceled their upcoming eight-day royal tour, which was set to begin on March 17 and conclude on March 25, with stops in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Cyprus and Jordan.

'GAME OF THRONES' STAR KRISTOFER HIVJU TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS

“Owing to the unfolding situation with the coronavirus pandemic, The British Government has asked Their Royal Highnesses to postpone their spring tour to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus and Jordan,” their office shared in a statement.

The British royal family also announced on its official website last week that Queen Elizabeth II would temporarily move to Windsor Castle amid the growing coronavirus pandemic one week earlier than planned.

"As a sensible precaution and for practical reasons in the current circumstances, a number of changes are being made to The Queen’s diary," the statement said. "Audiences due to take place this week at Buckingham Palace will go ahead as planned. These include receiving the Prime Minister, the Commanding Officer of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and the Bishop of Hereford. Future Audiences will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, in line with the appropriate advice."

The royal family's statement also made it clear it is making steadfast decisions based on advice from the family's "medical household" as well as government officials. This means events with "large numbers of people" that were due to be attended by the queen and other royal family members will be canceled or postponed "in the coming months."

The family's annual Maundy service at St. George's Chapel on April 9 has already been canceled, and along with it, three garden parties scheduled to be hosted by the queen in May will also no longer be held, the statement confirmed.

MEL BROOKS, MAX BROOKS SHARE VIDEO TO COMBAT CORONAVIRUS: #DONTBEASPREADER

In a statement on Thursday, the palace of Monaco shared Albert is being treated by doctors from the Princess Grace Hospital, named after his late mother. It revealed the royal is continuing to work from his home office in the palace and is in constant contact with the members of his government.

On March 17, it was revealed that Karl von Habsburg, the Archduke of Austria, also tested positive for the coronavirus.

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The 59-year-old royal has been holed up since Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19 and called into the local TV channel, oe24 in Austria, to share his status.

“It’s annoying, but I’m fine. It’s not the Black Plague,” von Habsburg,  told the network.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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2020-03-25 10:42:26Z
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Gunmen Storm Sikh Temple and Community Center in Kabul - The New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — A gunman assaulted a Sikh temple and community center in Kabul on Wednesday, killing at least 25 people and taking dozens of people hostage, Afghan officials said.

The attack on the Sikh complex ended after six hours of fighting, according to Ahmad Tariq Arian, the interior ministry spokesman, who said that eight civilians were wounded and 80 hostages were rescued.

More than 20 Sikh families were living at the center, which was attacked in the early morning hours. The police were quickly deployed and were clearing the center, the interior ministry said.

Anarkali Kaur Honaryar, a member of the Afghan Senate who was transferring dead bodies, said only one of those killed was a Muslim, who was guarding the temple. The rest of those killed were Sikhs, he said, including one child.

Islamic State loyalists claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Site Intelligence Group, which monitors militant media sites.

Hindus and Sikhs, once numbering in the hundreds of thousands in the country, are oppressed minorities in Afghanistan who have been frequently attacked in recent years. In July 2018, a large group was attacked by a suicide bomber while waiting to meet President Ashraf Ghani in Nangarhar Province. The blast killed 17, including a candidate for Parliament.

Community leader estimate that only a couple of hundred Hindu and Sikh families remain in Afghanistan, with the rest migrating to India or the West over the past four decades.

Elsewhere in the country, a vehicle carrying civilians was blown up by a roadside bomb in the Musa Qala district of southern Helmand Province, killing eight people, including children, local officials said.

Najim Rahim and Mujib Mashal contributed reporting from Kabul, and Taimoor Shah from Kandahar.

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2020-03-25 11:30:05Z
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Trump Says He'll Stop Using 'Chinese Virus,' Easing Blame Game - Bloomberg

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Trump Says He'll Stop Using 'Chinese Virus,' Easing Blame Game  BloombergView Full Coverage on Google News
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2020-03-25 10:00:07Z
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U.S. Seeks Medical Equipment, Possibly Including Coronavirus Tests, From South Korea - NPR

Enlarge this image

People wait to receive a COVID-19 novel coronavirus test at a testing booth outside the Yangji hospital in Seoul on March 17. Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images

Updated at 5:25 a.m. ET Wednesday

President Trump has requested test kits from South Korea to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.

According to a readout from the Blue House, as the presidential office here is known, a 23-minute phone call with President Moon Jae-in was initiated at the "urgent request" of Trump.

Neither the White House, which confirmed the call, nor the Blue House initially specified exactly what medical equipment Trump requested. But on Wednesday morning, Moon confirmed that it was in fact test kits.

Moon made the revelation on a visit to Seegene, a Korean biotech firm which recently agreed to sell an initial batch of 20,000 test kits to Los Angeles for $1.25 million.

The Blue House says Moon would provide as much support as South Korea can spare. But he cautioned that it might require U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. Trump replied that he could secure that approval the same day.

South Korea has lately garnered praise for quickly ramping up mass production and use of test kits. Not long after the first cases were discovered, South Korea fast-tracked approval for Seegene and several other local companies to start making test kits. It also lined up nearly 100 labs to analyze samples and get quick test results.

South Korea can now do some 15,000 to 20,000 tests a day. Since January, it has tested nearly 350,000 people, far more than the U.S. Testing has been the linchpin in South Korea's efforts to slow the spread of the disease. After peaking in late February at more than 900 new cases a day, infections have gradually declined.

The Blue House says Trump mentioned this downward trend in the call, and said South Korea is "doing very good."

On other issues, though, Trump has been harshly critical of Seoul, describing it as a wealthy freeloader that benefits from the stationing of U.S. troops on its soil, without paying its fair share.

Failure to reach a deal on South Korean payment by the end of this month is expected to result in the furloughing without pay of thousands of Korean employees, which the U.S. says will affect the functioning of its bases in South Korea and its military readiness.

The Blue House did not elaborate on whether the two presidents discussed the defense cost issue, or any linkage with the epidemic.

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2020-03-25 09:26:42Z
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Gunmen Storm Sikh Temple and Community Center in Kabul - The New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — Gunmen assaulted a Sikh temple and community center in Kabul on Wednesday, taking dozens of people hostage, Afghan officials said.

One senior security official, speaking of condition of anonymity to brief a reporter, said that at least 11 people had been confirmed dead so far, but that the number could rise as the operation continues.

More than 20 Sikh families were living at the center, which was attacked in the early morning hours. The police were quickly deployed and were clearing the center, according to the Afghan interior ministry.

“The clearing operation is underway in the temple,” said “According to our initial information, four attackers are involved in the attack,” said Ahmad Tariq Arian, a spokesman for the ministry. Some parts of the temple were cleared and a number of people were rescued, he said, without providing a number.

It was not clear how many people were still stuck inside. Mr. Arian said 40 people were trapped, while Anarkali Kaur Honaryar, a Sikh member of Afghan Senate, said it could be as many as 150.

“Most of our people inside are in danger,” Ms. Honaryar said.

Islamic State loyalists claimed responsibility for the attack, according to Site Intelligence Group, which monitors militant media sites.

Hindus and Sikhs, once numbering in the hundreds of thousands in the country, are oppressed minorities in Afghanistan who have been frequently attacked in recent years. In July 2018, a large group was attacked by a suicide bomber while waiting to meet President Ashraf Ghani in Nangarhar Province. The blast killed 17, including a candidate for Parliament.

Community leaders estimate that only a couple of hundred Hindu and Sikh families remain in Afghanistan, with the rest migrating to India or the West over the past four decades.

Elsewhere in the country, a vehicle carrying civilians was blown up by a roadside bomb in Musa Qala district of southern Helmand Province, killing eight people, including women and children, local officials said.

Reporting was contributed by Najim Rahim from Kabul and Taimoor Shah from Kandahar.

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2020-03-25 09:00:04Z
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