Markets await January jobs report
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Markets are eagerly awaiting the release of the January jobs report, which is expected to show the addition of 176,500 jobs and a slight increase in the unemployment rate to 3.8%. A strong jobs report may delay the expected interest rate cuts. The Federal Reserve is aiming to slow the economy without causing high job losses, but the labor market has remained strong despite 11 consecutive rate hikes. A recent CNN poll shows that pessimism about the economy is fading, with 26% of Americans believing the economy is starting to recover. US stock futures rose ahead of the jobs data, with Nasdaq futures led by a 17% spike for Meta, which announced its first-ever dividend. The January jobs report is notoriously difficult to forecast due to seasonal adjustments and the potential for upside surprises. Fed Chair Jerome Powell stated that the US economy has not yet achieved a soft landing and highlighted areas such as wages and global trade that have not fully recovered. Recent layoffs in the technology sector appear to be streamlining efforts rather than signs of broader labor market instability. Unemployment claims remain below pre-pandemic levels but increased more than expected last week.

#JanuaryJobsReport #UsEconomy #InterestRateCuts #FederalReserve #LaborMarket #StockFutures #Meta #CnnPoll #Layoffs #UnemploymentClaims

https://www.cnn.com/business/live-news/jobs-report-january-02-02-24/index.html


Taipei protests against Beijing’s ‘unilateral’ change of flight path closer to sensitive median line
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Taipei has protested against China’s 'unilateral' adjustment of civil aviation flight routes that could result in civilian aircraft flying closer to the sensitive Taiwan Strait median line. China’s Civil Aviation Administration announced the cancellation of a 'veer-off measure' for southbound flights operating on the M503 flight route, allowing them to fly on the original path and bringing them closer to the median line and the Taipei Flight Information Region. Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration deeply regrets and protests China's decision, while the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) calls it 'a blatant neglect of aviation safety and a show of disrespect for Taiwan.' The MAC believes China's move could alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and has political and military motives against Taiwan. China has never formally recognized the existence of the median line and has been increasing military pressure on Taiwan in recent years.

#Taipei #Beijing #FlightPath #TaiwanStrait #MedianLine #CivilAviation #AviationSafety #MainlandAffairsCouncil #China #Taiwan

https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/31/china/taiwan-china-median-line-flight-path-intl-hnk/index.html