Claims for unemployment benefits drop to 197,000, the lowest since mid-July as layoffs remain rare
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fewer people applied for U. S. unemployment benefits last week, as U. S. jobless claims remain at historically low levels and most Americans enjoy job security. The Labor Department said Thursday that 197,000 applied for unemployment checks last week, the fewest since mid-July and down from a revised 198,000 the week before. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week ups and downs, fell to 202,250 last week from 204,000. Claims for jobless benefits are...
Read MoreThu, 24 Sep 2026
- Claims for unemployment benefits drop to 197,000, the lowest since mid-July as layoffs remain rare
- Starbucks to shutter 250 stores in North America this week in 2nd wave of closings
- Trump and Xi Jinping head into Washington summit with both leaders thinking time is on their side
- US markets point to more losses as Treasury yields hover near two-decade highs, energy prices rise
- Energy Department will spend $2 billion to squeeze more electricity from aging power grid
- Autonomous AI hacks raise thorny questions of legal accountability
- Moroccos Authenticity and Modernity Party leads in provisional election results
- Senators to question FDA nominee about her views on abortion pill and vaccines
- US will make up to $7 billion in loans to help Trump ally Milei tap Argentinas oil and minerals
- Meta bets big on wearable AI, new AI agent as Zuckerberg pushes back against AI doom
- McDonalds bets $8.5 billion on a sweeping restaurant makeover and new protein-focused menu
- New lawsuits allege Six Flags Magic Mountains X2 roller coaster caused traumatic brain injuries
Wed, 23 Sep 2026
- Skyrocketing diesel prices rattle Republicans as midterms approach
- Facebook accused of deceiving users in New Mexico as trial over privacy scandal wraps up
- Prince Harry warns that AI chatbots may be more dangerous than social media for young users
- Pressure from the bond market hits a new level, and US stocks slide on worries about inflation
- Caesars stockholders approve $6 billion merger with Fertitta
- 40 years after Chernobyl, Italy greenlights a return to nuclear energy
- Melania Trump rings New York Stock Exchange opening bell to launch new womens initiative Imperia
- How rural voters are feeling about Trump as the midterms approach, according to a new AP-KFF poll
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- Rivian R2 vs. Tesla Model Y, an Edmunds electric SUV showdown
- Sen. Bernie Sanders unveils bill to ban artificial superintelligence and create Department of AI
- Worries about an AI internet takeover gain new urgency among doomsday scenarios
- Bill Clinton calls on leaders to fill gaps left by retreating governments
Tue, 22 Sep 2026
- You should not be here, Trump tells CNN at UN as standoff with media outlets persists
- Carney says Canada and India aim to wrap up trade talks by G20 ahead of Modi visit
- Wall Street holds near its record after Brent oil falls below $100 per barrel
- Air traffic control calamity disrupting hundreds of US flights spotlights the aging system
- Trump suggests a Ukraine deal on Russias war could be close while meeting with Zelenskyy
- DoorDash to pay $131M for underpaying delivery workers in New York City
- California farmers are struggling to sell grapes as demand for wine drops
- China expands export control on drug precursors ahead of Trump-Xi meeting
- The EU moves closer to free trade deal with Philippines amid global tensions
- Trump and Xi see tensions flare over AI, trade and Iran but still seek stability
- Chinas Alibaba unveils new powerful chip and ambitious AI model plans
- South Koreas Lee tells AP he wants step-by-step approach to North Koreas nuclear dismantlement
- Bill Gates pushes for smart use of AI as his foundation builds more representative language data
Mon, 21 Sep 2026
- News outlets sue Trump over lost White House access, citing blatant violation of First Amendment
- States settle lawsuit over Paramount-Warner merger, clearing key hurdle for $81 billion deal
- Federal Reserve official says inflation persistence led her to support interest rate hike
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- Wall Street rallies within 0.4% of its record after oil prices and bond yields ease
- Operator of 314 Wendys locations in the US files for bankruptcy protection
- World leaders in New York to grapple with climate. Fuel prices, AI and disasters complicate things
- Republicans target Las Vegas congressional district with help from Trumps no tax on tips policy
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Sun, 20 Sep 2026
- Macron backs Canada as EU associate member as Carney turns toward Europe
- Merz vows to press ahead with reforms after historic German state election defeat
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- Trump used to slam China. Heres why hes now rolling out the red carpet for Xi
- Rising gas prices frustrate voters. Trump says its an inexpensive price to pay for the Iran war
- Fast food from the US and China catches on in both countries
Sat, 19 Sep 2026
- Longtime AP Florida politics reporter Brendan Farrington dies at 60
- Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi tells the AP that Iranians paying the price for war and repression
- Lawsuit says Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI and Google made illegal agreement on AI slowdown
- America In Focus: Affordability concerns rise as Fed hikes key rate, mortgage rate reaches nearly 7%
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- Oil prices are high but could be much worse. Trump has Chinas Xi to thank for that
- Even as trading and markets moved faster, Warren Buffett made patience profitable and cool
Fri, 18 Sep 2026
- Trump targets more news outlets, saying he will ban CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House
- Wall Street drifts lower as bond yields rise and oil prices swing
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- Warren Buffett gives up chairman title at Berkshire Hathaway in the next step of his succession plan
- Jon Stewart explains his ongoing philanthropic support of first responders
- Japans central bank raises benchmark interest rate to 1.25%, the highest in 31 years
- Anthropic says its model Claude is helping to build the next version of itself
- The king and AI: UK monarch Charles meets artificial intelligence leaders as safety concerns swirl
Thu, 17 Sep 2026
- US stocks rally to their best day in 6 weeks after oil prices and bond yields ease
- Prenatal appointments and no place to pump: Navigating pregnancy and postpartum needs at work
- US mortgage rates brush 7%, weighing on buyers, sellers and further straining a bleak housing market
- Why the Federal Reserve is lifting rates now, and what it means
- Claims for unemployment benefits drop to 196,000, lowest since mid-July as layoffs remain low
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