Beijing enforces lockdowns, expands COVID-19 mass testing amid outbreak
Residents lined up for throat swabs across Beijing as mass testing was expanded to 11 city districts. Beijing has a total of 92 virus cases since an outbreak was discovered five days ago.
Democratic, Republican Senate bargainers reach $10B COVID agreement
President Joe Biden settled for much less in the package despite warnings that the government was running out of money to keep pace with the continued spread of COVID-19 in the U.S.
CDC drops COVID-19 health warning for cruise ship travelers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that they will leave it up to vacationers to decide whether they feel safe getting on a ship. The cruise-line industry is happy about the move.
Santa Claus may not be coming to town this year amid hired Santa shortage
There are an estimated 10-15% fewer Santa Clauses this year compared to last year due to COVID-19 and many Santas retiring, according to Mitch Allen, head elf at Hire Santa.
Unemployment claims drop to 267,000, a new pandemic low
Jobless claims fell by 4,000 last week, the Labor Department reported Wednesday.
US unemployment claims fall to 290,000, a new pandemic low
Unemployment claims in the U.S. reached another pandemic low last week, declining to 290,000.
Americans quit jobs at highest rate on record in August, Labor Department says
One reason America’s employers are having trouble filling jobs was starkly illustrated in a report Tuesday: Americans are quitting in droves.
Unemployment claims fall to 473,000, another pandemic low
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 473,000, a new pandemic low and the latest evidence that fewer employers are cutting jobs as consumers ramp up spending and more businesses reopen.
Chamber of Commerce calls for end to enhanced jobless aid
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is calling for Washington to immediately stop paying out-of-work Americans an extra $300 a week in unemployment benefits, saying the boost in government aid is giving some recipients less incentive to look for work.
Unemployment claims fall to 547,000, a new pandemic low
The number of Americans applying for unemployment aid fell last week to 547,000, a new low since the pandemic struck and a further encouraging sign that layoffs are slowing on the strength of an improving job market.
Unemployment claims jump to 744,000 as layoffs persist amid pandemic
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week to 744,000, signaling that many employers are still cutting jobs.
Unemployment claims climb to 745,000; layoffs still high
The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits edged higher last week to 745,000, a sign that many employers continue to cut jobs despite a drop in confirmed viral infections and evidence that the overall economy is improving.
Online glitches, new distribution methods could be why you haven't received your second stimulus check
While the IRS and Treasury have distributed the bulk of the anticipated $164 million in second-round of relief payments for Americans faster than the first time, millions have not gotten payments yet or found hiccups in the distribution.
Fear and anxiety spike in COVID-19 hot spots across US
About half of U.S. states have seen their highest daily coronavirus infection numbers so far at some point in October, and the country as a whole came very close to back-to-back record daily infection rates on Friday and Saturday.
Social Security checks will increase 1.3% in 2021
Social Security recipients will get a modest 1.3% cost-of living-increase in 2021, but that might be small comfort amid worries about the coronavirus and its consequences for older people.
Trump administration to limit skilled-worker visas citing COVID-19 job losses
The Trump administration has announced plans to sharply limit visas issued to skilled workers from overseas.
Stimulus check missing $500? IRS to start sending parents payments this week
The IRS will begin rectifying economic impact payment amounts for individuals who may not have received all that they were eligible for – and households can expect to receive the extra cash within the coming weeks.
Progress slow as urgency grows on virus relief legislation
The latest negotiating session on a coronavirus relief bill has wrapped with modest concessions being made by both sides.
US manufacturing improves in July, outlook clouded by coronavirus
The Institute for Supply Management, an association of purchasing managers, said Monday that its manufacturing index rose to 54.2 last month, up from a June reading of 52.6. Any reading above 50 signals that U.S. manufacturing is expanding.
Record economic plunge, bleak jobs numbers reveal virus toll
The U.S. economy shrank at a dizzying 33% annual rate in the April-June quarter — by far the worst quarterly plunge ever — when the viral outbreak shut down businesses, throwing tens of millions out of work and sending unemployment surging to 14.7%, the government said Thursday.