Introducing the FT News Briefing. It is a rundown of the global business stories you need to know for the coming day, from the newsroom of the Financial Times. If you enjoy it, subscribe to the FT News Briefing wherever you get your podcasts, or listen at FT.com/newsbriefing.

Monday, March 16

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates to zero and joined forces with other central banks in a bid to prevent a severe economic downturn caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The FT’s Gillian Tett unpacks the sweeping measures. Plus, the rapid spread of the coronavirus and the ensuing travel restrictions have led to one of the worst months on record for the airport industry, and French industrials group Air Liquide is asking would-be buyers of its hand sanitiser unit to offer a higher sum in the wake of the outbreak. 

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Varying efforts to stem rise in homicides across Latin America have failed

Products vital to combat coronavirus could become more expensive and scarce

UK election campaign fights for national health

A few months ago, the idea of a hand-washing app would have seemed trivial, at best. We’re all adults here, right? We’ve been washing our hands our entire lives. But things change. It’s mid-April and we’re afraid to go outside and engage with other humans — and thorough hand-washing is one of very few tools […]

The makers of the world’s most ethical smartphone, the Fairphone 3, have teamed up for a version of the device with even less big tech on board. The Netherlands-based device maker has partnered with France’s /e/OS to offer a “de-Googled” version of its latest handset, running an Android AOSP fork out of the box that’s […]

Is “Too Hot to Handle” the dumbest show on Netflix … or the most diabolically brilliant? The reality TV series brings a group of twentysomethings together on a secluded tropical retreat, then — after a brief getting-to-know-you period — warns them that anything even coming close to sex will result in a reduction of the […]

So you’ve had a data breach. Don’t worry, it’s not just you. These days it happens to everyone, no matter how large or small your company is. It’s almost inevitable, some might say, and not a case of if but when. A lot is already out of your control. Whether a hacker broke in and […]

The makers of the world’s most ethical smartphone, the Fairphone 3, have teamed up for a version of the device with even less big tech on board. The Netherlands-based device maker has partnered with France’s /e/OS to offer a “de-Googled” version of its latest handset, running an Android AOSP fork out of the box that’s […]

The Geordie presenting duo, both aged 44, are also reported to have legally trademarked their name to protect their brand for years to come.

The 27-year-old pop star showed off a new 'freedom' hand tattoo on Sunday as well as new ink showing a note from Yoko Ono.

Sex expert Tracey Cox has handed out the 2019 Love and Relationship awards, including Miley Cyrus who flaunted her new girlfriend a day after announcing her split from Liam Hemsworth.

He's been through a tough year, after splitting with wife Miley Cyrus following just 10 months of marriage.

While The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu is a fan favorite, viewers may notice that the series was only nominated for a select few Emmys this year.

The Hulu show, which stars Elisabeth Moss, confirmed by tweet on Friday that it has been renewed for a fourth season

Wimbledon players have been fined £95,000 in 2019 with six days remaining in the tournament - eclipsing the previous record of £72,200 set during the whole fortnight in 2017.

This is the moment that tennis-bad-boy Nick Kyrgios was captured pegging a water bottle into the umpire's chair. 

She's never been afraid to show off her famous curves.  And Kim's latest ensemble seemed to delight her husband Kanye West as he placed a loving hand on her derriere in Paris on Sunday.

He is used to receiving medals and accolades for his efforts, but former Olympic contestant Louis Smith will fail to win any awards for his Halloween costume, this week. The 50 year-old wore a cheap black wig, limp plastic finger 'knives' and a leather-effect top to recreate the Hollywood character made famous by Johnny Depp in 1990.

The lovebirds were spotted enjoying the London sunshine during an al fresco lunch date this week, with Lucy showing off her gym-honed figure in a crop top and matching hotpants.

Strictly Come Dancing star Louis Smith was accused of sulking when fellow Briton Max Whitlock won gold and knocked him down to silver in the pommel horse final at Rio 2016 yesterday.

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has revealed that Liverpool sent him a letter apologising for how they handled the racist abuse he received from Luis Suarez in 2011.

Milo Ventimiglia was spotted enjoying a sweet date with Orange Is The New Black actress, Diana Guuerrero on Tuesday. The pair enjoyed some Mexican in Beverly Hills.

Former EastEnders star Ben Hardy was pictured holding hands with his girlfriend Olivia Cooke as they picked up some shopping together on Friday. 

Known for his rock hard abs, diamond-encrusted smile and questionable interview skills, Lochte has filed for ownership of the word in anticipation of a line of merchandise.

Sam Underhill has lived and played on both sides of the Anglo-Welsh rugby divide and the England flanker believes it is vital to shut out the emotion as the neighbours prepare to renew their rivalry.

Emma Watson shared a passionate kiss with a mystery man as she stepped out for lunch in London on Thursday.

The Harry Potter star, 29, shared the contents of her straw tote in a candid video with British Vogue's In The Bag YouTube series.

Paul joked that he'd been losing sleep at night over the former Secretary of State's financial affairs and asked the audience to take a 'moment of silence' for her wealth.

Brian Reader, 81, was ordered to pay £6.5million but has only repaid £406,072. Three other members of the gang have also underpaid following the 2015 £14million London heist.

Barack Obama (right), the former president, said on Friday that President Trump's (left) handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is one reason he will work hard to help Joe Biden defeat him in November.

The music mogul, 60, was greeted with a jovial cake featuring a bare hairy chest with a six-pack, unbuttoned white shirt and high-waisted black trousers in a nod at his signature look.

Siberian husky Houdini, 10, appeared to love the attention he was getting from a fake hand he found on the back of a car during a walk in Vancouver, Canada.

SARAH VINE: We may not be fully conscious of it yet, but lockdown is, in many respects, one giant, unprecedented social experiment. No one has any real idea how it will influence the economy...

Australia will play Italy, Fiji and Scotland in Group B while New Zealand face Lebanon, Jamaica and Ireland in Group C. Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Wales and Cook Islands make up Group D.

Rugby league clubs have been bizarrely prevented from defending their commitment to diversity, following instructions by Super League not to discuss the controversial signing of Israel Folau.

The Game Of Thrones star, 23, and the singer, 30, enjoyed lunch at the Ivy restaurant before heading to Selfridges in central London on Thursday afternoon.

The Game Of Thrones star, 23, enjoyed some downtime with husband Joe, 30, on a dinner date at Knightsbridge's Mr Chow restaurant in London on Tuesday evening.

Weeks before their first wedding anniversary, Miguel and wife Nazanin Mandi attended the 20th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday night.

The Havana hitmaker, 22, whipped off the voluminous overskirt to reveal a sizzling mini dress underneath as she arrived solo at the Grammys after-party in at NeueHouse Hollywood, LA on Sunday.

The Be Careful hitmaker, 27, and her husband, 28, appeared in great spirits as they attended Meek Mill's afterparty following the music event at Avenue in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Sophie Monk, 39, and her boyfriend Joshua Gross, 40, are on the move again, just weeks after returning home from Fiji. 

Ciarran Stott and Kiki Morris appeared to go public with their rumoured romance in Sydney on Saturday, after recently filming Bachelor In Paradise together in Fiji.

The Game Of Thrones star, 23, enjoyed some downtime with husband Joe, 30, on a dinner date at Knightsbridge's Mr Chow restaurant in London on Tuesday evening.

Scotland lock Jonny Gray has been ruled out of the remainder of the Guinness Six Nations through injury. The Scottish Rugby Union confirmed the 57-times capped forward had suffered a hand injury.

It is scenes like this that sum up the magical quality of sport. Moments after making history with New Zealand by retaining the World Cup, Sonny Bill Williams gave his medal to a young supporter.

After wowing the world of sport with his incredible gesture to a young fan, New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams has been rewarded by World Rugby with a new medal.

Gold medal favourites New Zealand suffered a shock defeat to Japan in their opening rugby sevens match of this summer's Olympics.

The opera singer, 39, and her husband, 41, attended the 2019 Wimbledon men's singles finals at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in south-west London on Sunday.

Six-year-old Ethan Lax has caught the attention of professional tennis player Sloane Stephens after he was filmed serving one-handed backhands on the tennis court. Some have compared him to Federer.