The US health watchdog has concluded that mounting evidence proves that the zika virus causes microcephaly in newborns. US health officials warned this week the Zika outbreak could have more of an effect on the United States and called for additional funding to combat the virus. RT reports: After months of scientific study, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that there is now enough evidence to clearly establish that the Zika virus causes microcephaly in the newborn offspring of infected mothers.
Expectations of a "less terrible" first quarter for banks may have been premature following yesterday's stronger than expected JPM earnings report. First it was both PNC and Blackrock missing on the top and bottom line, but the highlight of the day was Bank of America which moments ago reported $0.20 in EPS, missing expectations of a $0.21 print, while revenue ex-DVA dropped by $1.4 billion to $19.7 billion, also missing expectations of a $20bn print. BofA reported Net Income of $2.68 billion, down from $3.1 billion one year ago.
In another quiet overnight session, the biggest - and unexpected - macro news was the surprise monetary easing by Singapore which as previously reported moved to a 2008 crisis policy response when it adopted a "zero currency appreciation" stance as a result of its trade-based economy grinding to a halt.
A plane trying to land at a notoriously dangerous airport in the Caribbean just missed a photographer’s head as he was busy snapping photos of the approach. abc news radio reports: Video of the scary moment shows the unidentified man quickly squatting down as the plane flies just inches above him. The man, dressed in beach shorts and a T-shirt, then immediately pops back up to continue snapping the plane as it lands. The airport in Saint Barthélemy, a French-speaking Caribbean island, is considered one of the most dangerous in the world because of its short landing strip.