Paris, March 15 (AFP/APP): The US Federal Reserve and other central banks announced on Sunday a bold set of measures to shore up confidence hit by the new coronavirus pandemic, as the number of deaths around the world passed 6,000. Faced with a growing economic shutdown from the pandemic, the US Federal Reserve said it was slashing the key interest rate to virtually zero, at a range of 0-0.25 percent. It also announced massive asset purchases, opened its discount lending windows to banks and urged them to use it to help businesses and households. The European Central Bank (ECB) said the main central banks around the world would pour money into the economy to help resist the financial shocks caused by the outbreak. Other central banks coordinating their action include the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the ECB and the Swiss National Bank, said an ECB statement from Frankfurt. The news came as Italy recorded its biggest daily death toll — up by 368 to 1,809 — which has now claimed more than 6,000 lives worldwide, forcing European governments to further tighten controls. The Vatican canceled Easter week celebrations as officials in northern Italy … Continue reading Major banks move to calm coronavirus fears as toll passes 6,000