airbnb Airbnb Files Confidential IPO Paperwork After Pandemic Slump Airbnb officially submits its draft registration to the SEC for an initial public offering. The filing follows a devastating period for the company that included massive layoffs and slashed valuations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
coronavirus Google and Apple Coronavirus Contact Tracing Apps See Slow Adoption The Google and Apple Exposure Notification system provides a privacy-focused framework for smartphone-based COVID-19 contact tracing, but public adoption remains sluggish. Health officials and tech advocates still consider the Bluetooth-based technology a crucial tool for pandemic response.
kodak Federal Government Lends Struggling Kodak $765 Million to Produce Drug Ingredients The Trump administration provides a massive loan to Eastman Kodak to manufacture pharmaceutical ingredients, aiming to reduce US reliance on foreign supply chains. Lawmakers question whether this new domestic focus distracts from the agency's original international mission.
oxford Oxford Vaccine Trial Shows Strong Immune Response Against Coronavirus A new study from the University of Oxford reveals that their experimental coronavirus vaccine successfully triggers a strong immune response in healthy volunteers. The early-stage trial results offer promising hope in the global race for a viable COVID-19 vaccine.
china China's Mobile Data Traffic Surges 40% as Pandemic Drives Digital Shift China experiences a massive 39.3% jump in mobile data traffic for March as homebound residents rely heavily on telecommuting and online education platforms to navigate the coronavirus pandemic.
amazon Amazon Fires Staten Island Worker Following COVID-19 Safety Protest An Amazon employee claims the company fired him for leading a walkout at a Staten Island warehouse over coronavirus safety concerns. Amazon states the termination occurs because the worker violated a paid quarantine order.
smartphones Global Smartphone Shipments Hit Record Low Amid Coronavirus Pandemic The coronavirus outbreak causes the largest year-over-year decline in worldwide smartphone shipments ever recorded during the first quarter. IDC reports a massive drop in consumer demand as global lockdowns force retail closures.
amazon Amazon Terminates Employee Behind Staten Island Virus Safety Strike Amazon fires a Staten Island warehouse worker who organized a strike over coronavirus safety concerns. The termination draws condemnation from the New York Attorney General and allegations of illegal retaliation.
amazon Amazon and Whole Foods Workers Protest Over Coronavirus Safety Concerns Employees at Amazon warehouses and Whole Foods stores stage walkouts and sick-outs, demanding better protection against COVID-19. Workers claim the companies fail to provide adequate safety measures during the pandemic.
amazon Amazon Expands Temperature Checks and Mask Distribution Amid Pandemic Criticism Facing intense pressure from politicians and employees, Amazon implements daily temperature checks and distributes millions of masks across its U.S. and European facilities. The tech giant also rapidly hires tens of thousands of new workers to meet a massive surge in consumer demand.
ai AI and Robotics Deployed Worldwide to Combat COVID-19 Spread Artificial intelligence and robotics play a growing role in the global response to the COVID-19 outbreak. From disinfecting robots to thermal camera systems, these technologies help detect the virus and protect medical workers.
internet speeds Ookla Speedtest Data Reveals Pandemic Slows Internet Across US and Europe New data from Ookla shows that internet download speeds drop significantly as remote work and streaming surge during the coronavirus outbreak. Major metropolitan areas experience the most noticeable network strain.
netflix Netflix Surges to Record 16 Million New Subscribers Amid Global Pandemic Netflix gains nearly 16 million paid subscribers in the first quarter of 2020, doubling its initial forecasts as worldwide coronavirus lockdowns keep consumers at home.
who WHO Monitors Cluster of Unexplained Pneumonia Cases in Wuhan, China The World Health Organization tracks 44 cases of pneumonia with an unknown cause in Wuhan, China, originating from a local seafood market. Chinese authorities isolate patients and monitor over a hundred close contacts as they investigate the source of the outbreak.
wall street Wall Street Endures Worst Week Since 2008 Financial Crisis Amid Coronavirus Fears U.S. stocks plummet as the coronavirus outbreak wipes over $3 trillion from market values, sparking the worst weekly losses since the 2008 financial crisis. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell promises potential intervention to protect the economy.