News

* IMF seeking extra $18 bln to address poverty, growth (Adds details)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said on Wednesday it would nearly double Medicare reimbursements for certain COVID-19 lab tests in a bid to bolster testing in the United States.

Russia enjoyed strong demand for its government bonds on Wednesday as central bank data showed that major Russian banks and foreign investors could help Moscow raise funds to finance its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Michel Barnier and David Frost finalise dates for virtual negotiating rounds

* French shares fall as virus death toll crosses 15,000 (Adds comments, updates prices to close)

UnitedHealth Group Inc on Wednesday reaffirmed its financial targets for the year, but cautioned it was uncertain of the impact of elective procedures being postponed by Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 2m businesspeople thought to be ineligible for existing coronavirus support schemes

Jordan's Prime Minister Omar al Razzaz said on Wednesday the government would soon ease a tight lockdown imposed to stem the spread of coronavirus by allowing more businesses and industries to return to work.

* German auction successful; Greece sells first bond since ECB eligibility (Updates prices, adds France issuing)

The coronavirus pandemic and economic shutdowns could have multiple second-order impacts such as deflation in some economies, a loss of output, permanently-shifted supply chains and a re-evaluation of regulation, the director of the International Monetary Fund's monetary and capital markets department said.