US markets sink, sparking fears of recession

Public health officials have urged businesses to prepare for an outbreak in the US, a move that has triggered yet another market downturn. For investors, "it's hard to be optimistic," according to financial analysts.

European stocks plummeted just after opening as the coronavirus outbreak destabilizes the world economy. Recent global stimulus measures failed to offset virus concerns.

European stock markets have started the month in the red, after global shares had their worst three months since the financial crisis. The massive sell-off began around six weeks ago as investors tried to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic. As we enter a new quarter, there is no sign of improvement - stocks in Europe slumped by over 3 percent in trading this Wednesday. Also today, we discuss new figures showing that online sales have fallen for many French retailers since the lockdown began in the country

This is an analysis of the incident that occurred in Wisconsin, United States, where a group of policemen shot a black man several times in the back.

In this week's show, we look at the civil unrest that continues to grip many American cities. We bring you a report which looks at the rising number of pro-Trump and right-wing vigilante groups.

Wall Street jumped on Wednesday, despite the uncertainty over the outcome of the US presidential election. Craig Erlam, senior markets analyst at Oanda, says investors are anxious to avoid a protracted dispute over the results. Also in the show, Business Editor Kate Moody looks at how carmakers and the tech industry could be affected by the outcome. Plus, California voters hand a victory to Uber in a key referendum on the gig economy.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Saturday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Saturday.

In a rare move among Silicon Valley giants, over 200 employees at Google and its parent company Alphabet have formed a labor union. Their move coincides with growing scrutiny of influential high-tech operators worldwide.

The International Monetary Fund has given a stark warning after "excessive risk-taking" in the markets by investors. Stocks around the world, especially those of tech firms, have surged during the coronavirus pandemic.

In 'The United States vs. Billie Holiday', director Lee Daniels focuses on a period of Holiday's life that was marred by government persecution. The blues singer persisted in performing protest song "Strange Fruit", a wrenching description of the racist and murderous practice of lynching. Her act of resistance attracted unwanted attention from the authorities. FRANCE 24's film critic Lisa Nesselson tells us how the biopic argues for Holiday's rightful place as a civil rights activist as well as a gifted entertainer.

More than 13,000 Nigerian students currently studying in the United States.

US President Joe Biden meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg before the start of the NATO heads of state summit in Brussels and says he wants "all of Europe to know that the United States is there," with respect to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. Article 5 provides that if a NATO Ally is the victim of an armed attack, each and every other member of the Alliance will consider this act of violence as an armed attack against all members and will take the actions it deems necessary to assist the Ally attacked.