By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica

Global Markets
• US House passes $892 bln coronavirus relief package; Senate to vote
• Asian stocks slip as new covid-19 strain darkens recovery prospects
• Oil slips again as new coronavirus strain proves ‘nightmare before Christmas’
• Brent down 0.5% at $50.65, WTI down 0.6% at $47.67 (0156GMT)
• Gold inches higher on US stimulus deal, covid-19 jitters
• Spot gold up 0.1% at $1,878.72/oz., futures up 0.1% at $1,884.60 (0038GMT)

Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handles @DrRafiqRaji, @macroafrica]
• Holiday week
• Covid-19 updates by authorities across the continent

Key African events or data releases yesterday & early a.m today
Reuters
• Russia, Rwanda send military support to CAR to quell election violence
• Sudan bans travel from countries with new coronavirus variant from Wednesday
• Kenya doctors strike in protest at inadequate benefits, PPE
• Countries bar South Africa flights over new covid-19 variant
• South Africa anti-graft watchdog accuses ANC leader of improper conduct
• South Africa’s Dis-Chem to buy Medicare Health, take stakes in two software firms
• Swiss impose entry ban for travelers from UK, South Africa
• Germany plans to restrict flights to and from UK, South Africa
• Rains give West Africa herders brief respite amid growing heat

Bloomberg
• Virus surge puts South Africa hospital under ‘severe strain’
• South Africa’s Sasol agrees on Mozambique gas plant sale in latest disposal
• World Bank outlines steps for Egypt to boost private investment
• Africa’s richest man initiates Nigeria’s first share buyback
• JPMorgan ousted as Mideast-Africa’s top dealmaker by US rivals
• Kenya’s mobile-banking pioneer to expand into money management
• Zimbabwe removes 10,000 ghost workers from payroll, Herald says
• Vodacom ends talks on sale of 55% stake in Egypt unit
• Kenya doctors strike to protest work conditions amid covid-19

N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters & Bloomberg