Record retail rut…U.S. sales plunge almost 9 per cent while manufacturing hits a 74-year low, prompting recession fears. We speak to IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva, who says economic pain could yet intensify should the Coronavirus return for a second global circuit and cause Asian growth to grind to a halt. In the UK, the government is expected to extend the national shutdown until early May. This comes after Berlin announces a similar extension but Chancellor Merkel unveils plans for a cautious re-opening of the economy, beginning with some small businesses next week. Volkswagen will be restarting production in its German and Slovakian factories with other global plants to follow shortly after. In tech news, Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai tells employees the company isn’t immune to the global pandemic and outlines plans to freeze certain investments, namely hiring new personnel.    

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