What can energy ministers do to keep the nation running and help those struggling with power bills? The Energy Minister Angus Taylor joins AM; new COVID-19 cases in China fall to zero, with Italy now the world's worst-affected nation, and US cases surging beyond 11,000.

FRI 20 MAR - Keeping the power on amid COVID-19

The UN secretary-general says "A global recession, perhaps of record dimensions, is a near certainty." It comes as Italy surpassed China overnight as the country with the most coronavirus-related deaths.

Italy overtakes China's COVID-19 death toll

China's government has claimed "mission accomplished" for the virus epicentre in Wuhan as new infections, officially at least, fall to zero. But the country is still far from out of the woods.

COVID-19: China reports no new cases in Wuhan for first time

As the number of US coronavirus cases jumps up to almost 11,000, the US State Department has upgraded its travel alert for Americans, urging them not to travel abroad and to come home, if they're already overseas.

US struggling with COVID-19 as cases rise to almost 11,000

Australia's borders will close this evening, with only Australian citizens and residents allowed into the country. But many Aussies are still struggling to get home.

Australia bans foreign travellers as its own citizens struggle to get home

Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor joins AM to discuss the nation's power needs amid the coronavirus crisis, ahead of a teleconference with state and territory energy ministers later today.

COVID-19 a 'major challenge' for energy industry: Angus Taylor

The Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, concedes Australia's economy will likely see a downturn. But what's not clear is how bad it will be or how long it could last, and whether a depression is on the horizon.

Australia likely headed for recession, says Treasurer

Will record-low interest rates and $90 billion in cheap loans be enough to save thousands of small and medium-sized businesses?

COVID-19 pandemic will have bigger impact than GFC: Commbank CEO

Earlier this week, Four Corners aired a disturbing video showing an Australian army soldier shooting dead an unarmed civilian in Afghanistan. Last night, defence revealed they had identified the soldier and suspended him from duty.

Soldier who shot an unarmed Afghan civilian suspended from duty

The number of cases around the world's reached a new milestone passing 200,000; the US and Canada have closed their border to slow the spread of the virus; and with supermarket shelves being cleared across the country, Australians are now thinking about the nation's food security.

THU 19 MAR - 200,000 confirmed coronavirus cases

The coronavirus pandemic has reached a new milestone overnight with the number of confirmed cases worldwide now surpassing 200,000 for the first time.

Coronavirus cases surpass 200,000

Schools across the United Kingdom will close by the end of the week.

Schools to close in the UK, says Boris Johnson

The United States and Canada have closed their border in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.

US and Canada close their borders

The Reserve Bank is tipped to make an emergency interest rate cut to a new low of 0.25 per cent today as it unleashes a quantitative easing program to cushion the economy from the coronavirus crisis.

Reserve Bank to cut cash rate, embark on money printing to confront coronavirus crisis

This global pandemic is revealing fake information, rumours, myths and misinformation and it's spreading faster around the world than the virus.

How do we separate fake coronavirus news from fact?

AM is Australia's most informative morning current affairs program. With key political interviews and stories about the Australian way of life, AM sets the agenda for the nation’s daily news and current affairs coverage.

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