Daily Brief

The Daily Brief: Workers in the United States Quit Jobs in Record High Numbers

Roughly 4.3 million workers across the US voluntarily quit their jobs in August.

Published

1 year ago

13 October 2021

The Analyst

The Daily Brief Workers in the United States Quit Jobs in Record High Numbers

File:US Dept of Labor.jpg – Wikimedia Commons

Americans join what is being dubbed ‘The Great Resignation’ as millions leave their jobs for better opportunities and better treatment.
Summary:

Roughly 4.3 million workers across the US voluntarily quit their jobs in August.
As the country recovers from a dropped economy, employees have now recognized the leverage they hold over businesses that are struggling to hire employees.
With the power now in the hands of workers, hourly wages have seen a steep rise especially for the lowest-paid workers.
Job openings are far outweighing the number of unemployed workers particularly in the leisure and hospitality sector.
Some suspect that the rise of the Delta variant may also be influencing the number of Americans quitting their job.
Fear of contracting the Covid-19 virus along with the fact that many have saved quite a bit of their US stimulus money also plays into why workers are not just quitting but waiting for companies to make more enticing benefits packages before rejoining.
Daniel Zhao, an economist at the career site Glassdoor, stated “We know that the Delta variant has likely made it more difficult to unlock labor supply because there are some workers who are concerned about health risks — and then on top of that, many school reopenings were disrupted…It’s possible that as the Delta wave recedes, then we will realize some of those benefits of reopened schools and a revitalized economy, but that is going to take some time.”
Sources:

U.S. Workers Quitting Their Jobs Hit a Record in August – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

US workers are quitting their jobs in record numbers (msn.com)

Tweets:

Billionaires and giant corporations have been able to treat our government like a concierge service—raking in tax breaks and rigging the rules against working people and small businesses. It’s time to put Washington on the side of the people.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) October 12, 2021

The Great Resignation isn’t a mad dash away from the office. It’s the culmination of a long march toward freedom.

Flexibility is more than choosing the place where you work. It's having freedom to decide your purpose, your people, and your priorities.https://t.co/8dLTr2nb3S
— Adam Grant (@AdamMGrant) October 8, 2021

So revealing. Workers are doing *exactly* what GOP said to do during min wage and health insurance debates: Hold out for higher pay, only take jobs with insurance, open own biz, not take "teenager" jobs". And GOP calls them lazy now. As always, they lied. https://t.co/6SGN31VICN
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) October 9, 2021

Economic Catastrophe Places Afghanistan in Crisis

File:Flickr – Πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδας – Mario Draghi – Αντώνης Σαμαράς (2).jpg – Wikimedia Commons

Severe poverty and disorganization has left Afghanistan in an economic collapse especially following the Taliban takeover on August 15th.
The Group of 20 major economies met to address this humanitarian crisis with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi going as far as stating they are willing to coordinate with Taliban leaders.
PM Draghi stated “It is very hard to see how you can help people in Afghanistan without involving the Taliban… but that does not mean recognising them.”
Sources:

G20 pledges help for Afghan humanitarian crisis at special summit | Reuters

Afghanistan crisis: G20 leaders pledge to avert economic catastrophe – BBC News

Tweets:

This morning, I met virtually with G20 leaders on Afghanistan. We’re committed to working closely with the international community and using diplomatic, humanitarian, and economic means to address the situation in Afghanistan and support the Afghan people. pic.twitter.com/eQeCLEb0cb
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 12, 2021

Participated in the G20 Summit on Afghanistan. Stressed on preventing Afghan territory from becoming the source of radicalisation and terrorism.

Also called for urgent and unhindered humanitarian assistance to Afghan citizens and an inclusive administration.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 12, 2021

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

Daily Brief

Salman Rushdie Severely Stabbed due to his Publication of the Book “The Satanic Verses”

Published

4 months ago

14 August 2022

Aiyza Alladin

Salman Rushdie, an author, was severely stabbed in his neck and abdomen on stage by a suspect named Hadi Matar, causing him to be on a ventilator and potentially losing an eye.
An Iranian leader back in the 20th century wanted Rushdie killed because of his novel, Satanic Verses, that many Muslims found disrespectful. This led Salman to go into hiding for almost a decade.
Translators from different countries reading this book were harshly stabbed to death when the book came out and Iranian leader, Ayatollah Khomeini called for Salman’s execution for three million dollars.
The Iranian government has not yet responded to this issue, but many Iranians in the media claim him to be an apostate who later became an atheist.

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

Daily Brief

China Threatens Consequences if Pelosi Visits Taiwan

Published

4 months ago

2 August 2022

Aiyza Ahmad

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has landed inTaiwan. Prior to the visit, China’s Foreign Ministry has voiced their disapproval, stating that “China will take resolute responses and strong countermeasures to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized in response that “The speaker will make her own decisions about whether or not to visit Taiwan,” and that the US is looking to Beijing to “act responsibly and not to engage in any escalation going forward.”
The US has made it clear that members of Congress routinely visit Taiwan and that this trip is non-threatening and has precedent. Even so, some officials have expressed concern that China may invade Taiwan’s air defense zone or send missiles near Taiwan in retaliation.
Pelosi has criticized China’s leadership and vocalized support for Taiwan in the past. She is currently on her tour of Asia, with scheduled visits to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

The US side needs to fulfill President Biden’s commitment of not supporting “Taiwan independence” and refrain from arranging for a visit by Speaker Pelosi to Taiwan. pic.twitter.com/hK7PKmuLmz
— Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) August 1, 2022

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

Daily Brief

First Grain Ship Departs Ukraine After Six Months of Russian Blockade

Published

4 months ago

2 August 2022

Aiyza Ahmad

The first shipment of grain departed the port of Odesa on Monday after Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports for the last six months trapped around 20 million metric tons of wheat and corn.
Russia recently made a deal with Ukraine, brokered by the UN and Turkey, allowing grain exports to resume, appeasing fears of a global food supply crisis and rising prices.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba celebrated the shipment, calling it a “day of relief for the world, especially for our friends in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was more hesitant to celebrate the shipment, stating “it is too early to draw any conclusions and make any forecasts” and he wants to “see how the agreement works and whether security will be really guaranteed.”

Welcome the departure of the first grain shipment from Ukraine & the resumption of the grain trade. Planned departure of more grain should hopefully bring intl. grain prices down, aid humanitarian purchases & have a positive impact on poor people going hungry in poor countries.
— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) August 1, 2022

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

Daily Brief

Concerns Rise As US Teeters on the Brink of Recession

Published

4 months ago

1 August 2022

Kinza Azim

US Stock Market Investing in the United States

The US economy declines for the second quarter in a row, causing, what other countries would consider, an economic recession.
The prices for groceries, gas, and other basics are rising at the fastest pace since 1981. The US Central Bank is quickly trying to raise borrowing costs in order to cool the economy and ease the prices on goods, but with the contraction, at the annual rate of 0.9% in the 3 months to July, many are still getting concerned.
President Biden struggles to convince the public that the economy is sound, with the unemployment rate at a low 3.6%. But with inflation in the US hitting 9.1% in June, the fastest price appreciation in 4 months, consumer spending has slowed at an annual rate of 1%.
Many other countries, such as China and the UK, have been hit harder by the surge in energy prices and the War in Ukraine, causing risks from abroad. Other countries are facing much more serious problems and once they’re hit, their problems can spill over and affect the US.

US Economy in technical recession as GDP shrinks for a second quarter. Q2 GDP fell at a 0.9% annualized rate as inventories, residential investment subtract from growth after a 1.6% decline in the first three months of the year. pic.twitter.com/5cXb6uNyWT
— Holger Zschaepitz (@Schuldensuehner) July 28, 2022

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

Daily Brief

North Korea Could Possibly Be Preparing another Nuclear Test

Published

4 months ago

1 August 2022

Kinza Azim

North Koreas ballistic missile North Korea Victory Day 2013 01

North Korea could be preparing a seventh nuclear test, especially after Mr. Kim announced that the country is fully ready for any military confrontation with the US at a Korean War Anniversary event.
A US special representative in North Korea states that Jong-Un has tested an unprecedented number of missiles this year—31 to 25. Jong-Un also stated that threats from the US required North Korea to achieve the urgent historical task of strengthening its self-defense.
Jong-un also stated that South Korea is reviving a plan to counter North Korea’s threat by mounting precautionary strikes; in June alone, South Korea launched 8 missiles of its own.
The North Korean regime is especially angry with South Korea’s new president Yoon Suk-yeol and his so-called Kill Chain strategy. This strategy allows South Korea to launch ballistic missiles and air strikes on North Korean targets if it ever feels threatened.
North Korea has also not been getting as much engagement with Washington ever since Biden replaced Trump, and could be hinting at some sort of deliberate escalation by the North, and preparations have been underway at the Punggye Ri test site since March.

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.

Daily Brief

Russia Limits Gas Supply to Germany

Published

4 months ago

28 July 2022

Aiyza Ahmad

Gazprom, a major Russian energy provider, has stated it will reduce the supply of gas to Germany by half via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline due to repair work.
Germany has said that they see no technical reason for the decrease in gas supply. The European Union continues to accuse Russia of weaponizing energy, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stating, “This is an open gas war that Russia is waging against a united Europe.”
Ukraine and Russia signed an agreement to allow the export of grain via the Black Sea after Russia continued to block millions of tonnes from being exported. The next day, Russia struck missiles at the port, some of which hit the infrastructure of the port.
The US and Ukraine are optimistic that the agreement will still be implemented, with the US State Department stating, “Despite these attacks, we do understand that the parties are continuing preparations to open Ukraine’s Black Sea ports for food and fertilizer exports…we also continue to expect that the Black Sea agreement will be implemented.”

With Nord Stream 1 flowing at just 20% of capacity from July 27, Germany will NOT have enough natural gas to make it throughout the whole winter **unless big demand reductions are implemented**. Berlin will need to activate stage 3 of its gas emergency program #ONGT #EnergyCrisis
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) July 25, 2022

Yesterday, #Istanbul agreement on Ukrainian grain exports via Black Sea ports, facilitated by UN and Turkish efforts, was reached.

Today, Russian missiles hit port of Odesa.

That’s all you need to know about deals with Russia. The world must help Ukraine fight the aggressor.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) July 23, 2022

All views expressed in this editorial are solely that of the author, and are not expressed on behalf of The Analyst, its affiliates, or staff.