- 1. Initial jobless claims reach pandemic low
- 2. N.Y. leaders reach deal on legalizing recreational marijuana
- 3. Grounded ship could block Suez Canal traffic for 'days to weeks'
- 4. Stock futures edge higher after Dow's Thursday swing
- 5. Trump's Mar-a-Lago to reopen after partial closure due to coronavirus outbreak
1. Initial jobless claims reach pandemic low
The number of Americans filing first-time applications for unemployment benefits fell to 684,000 last week, the lowest number since the coronavirus pandemic triggered widespread business shutdowns across the United States, the Labor Department reported Thursday. The last week with fewer than 700,000 initial jobless claims was in March 2020. Last week's figure was down from 781,000 the previous week, and significantly below the 735,000 expected by economists. Continuing claims fell by 264,000 to just under 3.9 million. "Things have improved over the last year, but there are still millions of people dealing with real economic pain," said AnnElizabeth Konkel, economist at Indeed Hiring Lab. "Increased vaccinations are hopefully the beginning of the end. Once the public health situation is improved, a full recovery can finally take place."
2. N.Y. leaders reach deal on legalizing recreational marijuana
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3. Grounded ship could block Suez Canal traffic for 'days to weeks'
4. Stock futures edge higher after Dow's Thursday swing
5. Trump's Mar-a-Lago to reopen after partial closure due to coronavirus outbreak
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