US VP Kamala Harris to lead effort to close digital divide

The United States Vice President Kamala Harris is in charge of President Joe Biden’s initiative to close the digital divide, he has stated. Biden had expressed his plans to make broadband and internet access more affordable for low-income Americans. In his first address in a joint session of Congress, Biden said that the vice... Read More

US asks citizens to leave India as Covid crisis worsens

The United States told its citizens to get out of India as soon as possible as the country’s Covid-19 crisis worsens at an astonishing pace. In a Level 4 travel advisory — the highest of its kind issued by the State Department — U.S. citizens were told “not to travel to India or to leave as... Read More

President Buhari seeks US intervention in Nigeria security challenges

…wants relocation of US AFRICOM to Africa President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday urged the United States should consider moving its military headquarters overseeing Africa to the continent, from Germany to better tackle growing armed violence in the region. Buhari, in a virtual meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said U.S. Africa Command... Read More

US weekly jobless claims fall to 13-month low

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell to a 13-month low last week, suggesting layoffs were subsiding and strengthening expectations for another month of blockbuster job growth in April as a re-opening economy unleashes pent-up demand. While the labor market recovery is gaining speed, red flags are emerging in the... Read More

US state department to issue ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel’ advisory over covid-19

The U.S. Department of State announced on Monday it will issue a ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel’ advisory, its highest warning, for about 80 percent of countries. In an official statement, the agency said the risk of COVID-19 while traveling remains too high and urged Americans to “reconsider all travel abroad.” “This does not imply... Read More

Nigeria seeks US support to reverse plans to defund gas projects, ensure equal access to vaccine

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged the United States to lend its weight to the call for a just global transition to zero emissions and lead the effort to ensure easy access to the Covid-19 vaccine by all countries. Osinbajo also called on the US to generally reset its foreign policy agenda with the... Read More

Johnson & Johnson delay rollout of vaccine in Europe after US pause

Johnson & Johnson said Tuesday it would proactively delay its vaccine rollout in the European Union following reports of rare but severe cases of blood clots in people who received the shot. “The safety and well-being of the people who use our products is our number one priority,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.... Read More

Again, Police kill another black man in Minnesota, sparks protest

The shooting on Sunday of Daunte Wright triggered unrest in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse angry protesters who kept to the streets into the early Monday morning hours. The attempted arrest of Wright, who police say was stopped due to expired car registration, occurred not far... Read More

US Dollar Index shows signs of weakness

By James Huckle Despite the recent jump up in the US Dollar Index (+3.3% YTD), it remains range-bound and weak The break down in July of last year set the index on a broadly downward trajectory Volatility has begun to expand, decreasing stability, and increasing risk Signs of weakness The US Dollar index has... Read More

US Senate passes $1.9 trln Covid-19 relief bill after stiff opposition by Republican

United States President Joe Biden’s signature $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill passed the Senate 50-49 on Saturday following a more than 25-hour marathon of amendment votes completed after Democrats settled an intra-party dispute over unemployment aid. The measure, the American Rescue Plan Act, now heads back to the House, where Majority Leader Steny Hoyer... Read More