Text of W.H.O. Warning Vs Omicron Variant’s Apparent ‘Growth Advantage;’ Data Pending on Transmissibility, Disease Severity; Renewed Emphasis on Masks
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is Friday’s notification by the World Health Organization that the Covid variant now named “Omicron” is “of concern” and asking for worldwide efforts to assess its transmissibility and disease severity, its risk of reinfection for those already vaccinated and adding new emphasis on protective mask wearing: Classification of Omicron (B.1.1.529): […]
Text of Pres Biden’s Announcement of Omicron Restrictions On Travel From SAfrica, 7 Other Countries
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The following is the text of President Biden’s announcement Friday of Omicron restrictions on travel from South Africa and seven other countries: Statement by President Joe Biden on the Omicron COVID-19 Variant This morning I was briefed by my chief medical advisor, Dr. Tony Fauci, and the members of our COVID response […]
Japan Nov Tokyo CPI Y/Y Rise Hits 16-Month High on Surging Energy, Food
— Utility Charges Following Lead of Soaring Gasoline, Heating Oil Costs— CPI Remains Under Pressure From Mobile Communication Fee Discounts By Max Sato (MaceNews) – The year-on-year rise in the core reading of consumer prices in Tokyo, the leading indicator of the national average, accelerated in November amid double-digit percentage gains in utility and fuel […]
Japan Govt Still Sees Economic Pickup But Notes Slower Exports, Output
By Max Sato (MaceNews) – Japan’s government Thursday maintained its economic overview but pointed to a mixed bag of data showing a pickup in consumption on eased Covid restrictions against flat exports and stalling recovery in factory output amid protracted supply bottlenecks, according to its monthly report released by the Cabinet Office. The government said […]
FOMC Minutes: No Wage-Price Spiral But Ready to Accelerate Taper if Inflation More Persistent, Aggressive
WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – The minutes of the Nov 2-3 Federal Open Market Committee meeting released Wednesday repeated familiar themes about pandemic-caused inflation factors, labor supply issues and so far, the absence of a wage-price spiral. Members advocated contninued vigilance about the intensity of price pressures. Fears that inflation expectations were being elevated beyond previous ranges […]
Covid and Supply Bottlenecks Dampen German Business Sentiment in November
ZURICH (MaceNews) – Business sentiment in Germany fell in November as concerns over a fourth Covid wave and continued supply chain bottlenecks dampened both current conditions and expectations according to the latest report from the Munich-based Ifo Institute. The Business Climate Index median fell to 96.5 in November, slightly below the median of 96.7 in […]
Eurozone October Final HICP Rose 4.1% vs Year Ago, Matching Preliminary Result
ZURICH (MaceNews) – Inflation in the countries sharing the euro rose 4.1% in October, according to final figures released today by Eurostat, and confirmed the preliminary result. Energy prices were the main driver of the gain as they were 23.7% higher than year ago levels, and contributed 2.21 percentage points to the overall increase, according […]
San Fran Fed’s Daly Calls For ‘Patience’ Regarding Monetary Tightening
–Wants More ‘Clarity” Before Adjusting Taper Pace, Funds Rate –Moved Liftoff Date From 2024 to 2023; Not Sure About 2022 Given Delta –Data Too ‘Cloudy’; Tightening Policy Further Could Be ‘Costly,’’Mistake’ By Steven K. Beckner (MaceNews) – San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly called Tuesday for “patience” and urged the Fed to await […]
Germany’s Current Economic Situation Negatively Impacted by Supply Bottlenecks and Inflation Concerns
ZURICH (MaceNews) – While the economic outlook for Germany improved for six months hence, current conditions are being negatively impacted by supply bottlenecks and concerns over inflation, according to the latest survey data from the ZEW Institute in Mannheim. Current conditions fell more than expected in November, with the index shedding 9.1 points to 12.5, […]
US House-Passed Infrastructure Bill Gets Presidential Signature in Coming Days
By Eric Ham WASHINGTON (MaceNews) – After months of wrangling and tense back-and-forth negotiations, the House of Representatives finally passed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure spending bill shortly before midnight Friday. Saturday morning President Biden hailed it as an inflection point toward winning “the competition of the 21st century., The legislation passed 228-206 with 13 Republicans […]