Novavax Soars After Upbeat Results From Covid Vaccine Trial

Novavax Soars After Upbeat Results From Covid Vaccine Trial

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) — A new Covid-19 vaccine from Novavax Inc. was effective in big trials in the U.K. and South Africa, though its protective power appeared to be reduced in South Africa, where a worrisome mutation is prevalent. The results indicated that another highly potent vaccine could soon be available to help ameliorate the pandemic, in addition to existing vaccines from Pfizer Inc., Moderna Inc., and AstraZeneca Plc that are authorized in…

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Shell Is Back in Court for Nigeria Oil Spills Liability Ruling

Shell Is Back in Court for Nigeria Oil Spills Liability Ruling

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — Royal Dutch Shell Plc faces the latest ruling in a long-running legal dispute with Nigerian farmers who say the energy giant is responsible for oil leaks that have polluted their villages. The case is the first in which a company and its foreign subsidiary have been tried in the Netherlands for allegedly breaching duty of care abroad, and it could have far-reaching implications for future suits brought against oil…

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Libor Marks ‘Important Day’ With Partial Fix for Derivative Risk

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — Untangling the vast global derivatives industry from Libor just got a bit easier. The London interbank offered rate is hardwired into swaps and other contracts worth hundreds of trillions of dollars, but it’s slated to disappear in the not-too-distant future. If the move to replacement rates doesn’t go smoothly, that could cause major discord in markets. A fix that takes effect Monday eases that risk for a large swath of the…

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Biden’s China Policy Hinges on How Much Xi Is Willing to Give

NEW YORK (Bloomberg Businessweek) — As Joe Biden settles into the White House, there’s been endless debate about what his China policy should, could, and will be. Yet it takes two superpowers to tango, so Xi Jinping’s approach to Biden will be every bit as critical as Biden’s to Xi—perhaps even more so. Any significant improvement in U.S.-China relations is impossible unless Xi is willing to dance. Is he? We don’t know with any certainty….

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Yellen Takes Charge at Treasury With Economic Rebound Weakening

NEW YORK (Capital Markets in Africa) — Janet Yellen won confirmation to become U.S. Treasury secretary, building out President Joe Biden’s team as the administration struggles to win bipartisan support for a $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief plan for shoring up a weakening economic recovery. The first woman to serve in the post, Yellen will take charge of a department with responsibilities spanning tax policy and government spending to financial stability, economic sanctions, and foreign-exchange policy….

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Senate to Begin Trump Trial Then Pause for Biden Confirmations

NEW YORK(Capital Markets in Africa) — Senators will be sworn in as jurors in Donald Trump’s impeachment trial Tuesday and issue a summons to the former president. But they will then mostly set it aside for two weeks as they plow through confirmation votes on President Joe Biden’s cabinet and work on another pandemic relief plan. The unprecedented trial ceremonially kicked off Monday night as a delegation of House Democrats who will act as prosecutors…

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Crypto Markets Show More Signs of Excess Amid Bitcoin Rebound

Crypto Markets Show More Signs of Excess Amid Bitcoin Rebound

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — In financial markets filled to the brim with froth, one of the more speculative corners is showing signs of bubbling yet again. Bitcoin rebounded from its sharp sell-off last week which saw prices plunge more than 12%, the steepest weekly drop since last March. The digital asset bounced back from below $30,000 Friday to trade around $34,400 as of 10:22 a.m. Monday in New York. “It’s a little bit…

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