Us news update
Here are the latest news updates from the United States:
Politics
- The House of Representatives has passed a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, a move that could help millions of low-wage workers. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to face opposition from Republicans. (Source: CNN)
- The White House has announced that it will be hosting a summit on climate change next month, with world leaders and experts expected to attend. The summit is seen as a key opportunity for the US to re-engage with international efforts to combat climate change. (Source: The New York Times)
- The Senate has confirmed Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black woman to serve on the US Supreme Court. Jackson was confirmed in a 53-47 vote, with three Republicans joining Democrats in supporting her nomination. (Source: NPR)
Economy
- The US economy grew at a slower pace than expected in the first quarter of the year, with GDP increasing by 1.4%. The slowdown was attributed to a decline in consumer spending and a rise in imports. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)
- The Federal Reserve has announced that it will be keeping interest rates unchanged, citing concerns about inflation and the ongoing pandemic. The decision was widely expected, but could have implications for the economy and financial markets. (Source: Bloomberg)
- The US unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in 50 years, with the rate dropping to 3.6%. The decline was driven by a strong jobs market and a decline in the number of people looking for work. (Source: The Washington Post)
Health
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that it will be relaxing some of its COVID-19 guidelines, including the recommendation that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors. The move is seen as a sign that the pandemic is slowly coming under control. (Source: The New York Times)
- The FDA has approved a new COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, with the vaccine being developed by Johnson & Johnson. The vaccine is seen as a key tool in the fight against the pandemic, particularly in areas where other vaccines are not widely available. (Source: CNN)
- The US has seen a surge in cases of a rare but serious blood clotting disorder linked to the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The disorder, known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), has been reported in 28 cases in the US, with 15 deaths. (Source: The Washington Post)
World
- The US has imposed sanctions on several senior officials in Myanmar, in response to the country's military coup and human rights abuses. The sanctions are seen as a key step in holding the military accountable for its actions. (Source: The New York Times)
- The US has announced that it will be withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan by September, in line with a deal reached with the Taliban last year. The withdrawal is seen as a key step in ending the US's longest war. (Source: The Washington Post)
- The US has condemned a missile attack on a Saudi oil facility, which was carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels. The attack was seen as a major escalation in the conflict in Yemen, and could have implications for global energy markets. (Source: CNN)
I hope these updates are helpful!