The number of US deaths attributed to Covid-19 surpassed 45,000 on Friday, while the rate of new cases remained flat

British fatalities rise by 813 with almost 150,000 infected; Spain prepares to ease restrictions slightly as daily deaths remain below 400

In today’s news: UK warns it would be ‘irresponsible’ to discuss easing lockdown. Spain sets out plan to lift its own tough measures. Donald Trump signals a halt to his daily media briefings as US death toll accelerates.

New daily cases of Covid-19 around the globe rose by the lowest amount in 12 days as 73,858 diagnoses were confirmed on Sunday, bringing the total to 2.93m

Deaths in England and Wales are highest on record in mid-April while cases in the US surpass 1m

The worldwide Covid-19 death toll rose by 6,365 on Tuesday, pushing the total through 200,000

Eurozone GDP in historic fall, millions more Americans file for unemployment, Shell cuts dividend for first time since second world war and UK's AstraZeneca combines with Oxford on a potential vaccine

A live blog from FT.com

Spain allows outside exercise for the first time in weeks while Russia’s daily case count rises by a fifth

The FT's live blog on the Covid-19 pandemic

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez says no other option remains but to maintain the state of alert

Russia's coronavirus outbreak worsens and Federal Reserve research finds a correlation between deaths from the influenza pandemic in 1918-1920 and extremist voting in Germany in 1932 and 1933

The US private sector shed a record 20m jobs in April as coronavirus lockdowns and the resulting closure of non-essential businesses led to historic joblessness

BT halts dividend for first time since dot com bubble two decades ago, BA parent IAG warns of further cuts as recovery set to take three years and shoemaker Puma warns worse to come as profits halve in first quarter

Germany's dominant export sector in record decline, South Korea may be forced to close bars and nightclubs after partygoer is found to have infected at least 14 people

Your guide to the investment and business revolution you can’t afford to ignore

Tensions in Iraq and North Korea greet Trump’s re-election plans

Shares in the educational IT provider rose 4.2 per cent

I use an online stock broker to purchase shares in quoted companies 

“Capitalists both in the Old World and the States, even now, have but little faith in California. They regard this country and everything relating to it as one grand bubble, liable to burst at any moment…. This is how it should be. The wealth of California is thereby passing into the hands of young, active, […]

With record low margins and stubborn expense to income ratios, the major banks must quickly seize the opportunity of the technology revolution or fail to keep pace with expectations.

BRIAN VINER: Jesse is on the run, needing money to fund a new identity, the instinct to stay alive and ahead of the law just about overcoming the travails of post-traumatic stress disorder. It sounds grim.

While Johanna Griggs won't be returning for another season of House Rules, Luke Jacobz may be on his way in to replace her. The 38-year-old revealed he would love to step into the role of host.

Kyly Clarke recently shared a cryptic post about gratitude and family life after it was revealed that her estranged husband Michael had split from Pip Edwards.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: We are only in March but already Neymar has made it to the front pages in Spain. Barcelona's institutional crisis lingers on. Will this be season two?

He's been slowly moving on following the end of his 10 year relationship with Miley Cyrus. But it seems to be water under the bridge for Liam who has been spending more time with model Gabriella.

Liam Hemsworth looked like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders when he stepped out in LA on Wednesday. The 30-year-old actor was spotted leaving A.O.C. restaurant after lunch.

Liam Hemsworth debuted his new girlfriend, Gabriella Brooks, in December during a lunch date with his parents in Byron Bay.

Wayward tennis talent Nick Kyrgios may be a 'different character' but Australia's Davis Cup team is better with him in it, according to captain Lleyton Hewitt.

The 38-year-old tennis ace's two piece was styled very high on the hips, making the most of her long legs and bounteous booty in two snaps she shared on Instagram on Friday.

It is four years since Jason Kenny won three gold medals at the Rio Games, thus matching Sir Chris Hoy as Great Britain's most successful Olympian by bringing his tally to six.

*'Footy is resilient and footy will find a way,' said not Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park but AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan this week. Here are the sporting fixtures proving him right.

He's a rapper, record producer, entrepreneur and choir leader, and also an accomplished fashion designer who has fans in various domains.

The 39-year-old siren wished 'recluse' Rob a happy 33rd birthday while sharing five flashback photos that were taken 15 years ago. 'Happy Birthday I love you you so much.'

Olympic gymnast and partner Flavia Cacace have been rehearsing the salsa and their showdance.

The 23-year-old Olympic silver medallist gymnast, pictured, stuck to a strict regime for the Strictly Come Dancing final. It excluded eating carbs in the evening.

The star, 24, was in her element as she led an intense fitness session inside JD Sports' Argyll Street store in Glasgow, on Wednesday.

Djokovic, who had a bye into round two, took his record over Shapovalov to 3-0 and has now won 22 straight sets in Asia - dating back to his title in Shanghai last year and last week's Japan Open.

After beginning the week under the weather, Djokovic has looked stronger with each match and he was just too good for 20-year-old Shapovalov, appearing in his first Masters final.

Shaqiri made himself unavailable for selection ahead of this month's Euro 2020 qualifiers, which started with Switzerland grabbing a 1-1 draw at Republic of Ireland on Thursday.

Netflix has been slammed for pledging to cut back on depictions of smoking in its original shows, after a study found it's more prominent than in broadcast and cable television.

If athletics wants Jessica Ennis-Hill and Katarina Johnson-Thompson to become the Coe and Ovett of their day, one can only hope that a bit of good old competition spices things up.

The ex-TOWIE star, 32, insisted regular business trips are the 'secret to a happy marriage' as he discussed the results from a recent survey during his Saturday show on Heart Radio earlier this month.

Michael Phelps has wished his USA team-mate Ryan Lochte happy birthday as they both prepare for the Olympic Games in Rio.

Thomas Bjorn believes there is no need to rush into naming his successor as Ryder Cup captain, even if Padraig Harrington appears certain to be handed the role.

INTERVIEW: After a few years of the weird and wonderful, you won't be too surprised to learn that the Claret Jug has been on a rather more sedate journey in the safe hands of Francesco Molinari.

Not long before she found her Prince she was cosying up to a male model, flirting on social media with an X Factor winner and deliberating on going on a date with footballer Ashley Cole.

The actress, 59, shared a touching throwback from their days filming the medical drama series, along with references to the current pandemic. In the snap, George and Julianne smiled.

After Liverpool wished him happy birthday on Twitter, the club's supporters inevitably took to social media to sing his praises after quickly becoming a fan favourite on Merseyside.

The building, reduced in size after a failed bid to build a chapel last year, would be set north of Sheeran's home in Framlingham, Suffolk. The plans were submitted by his father-in-law.