WASHINGTON — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell for a third straight time last week, the latest sign that employers are laying off fewer people as they struggle to fill a record number of open jobs and meet a surge in consumer demand.
August 12, 2021Coronavirus
Government, Business, Fuel 
Gas flares burn from pipes aboard an offshore oil platform in the Persian Gulf's Salman Oil Field. (Ali Mohammadi/Bloomberg)
IEA Cuts Oil Demand Outlook on Virus
Gas flares burn from pipes aboard an offshore oil platform in the Persian Gulf's Salman Oil Field. (Ali Mohammadi/Bloomberg)The International Energy Agency cut forecasts for global oil demand “sharply” for the rest of this year as the resurgent pandemic hits major consumers, and predicted a new surplus in 2022.
August 12, 2021 Business, Technology, Safety 
Rachel Jessen/Bloomberg News
Amazon Lottery Offers Vaccinated Workers Cars, $500,000 Cash
Rachel Jessen/Bloomberg NewsAmazon.com Inc. will offer cash prizes of as much as $500,000 as well as cars and vacation packages to frontline employees who can prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
August 9, 2021 Government, Business, Safety 
An Amazon employee receives a vaccination at a fulfillment center in Las Vegas in March. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Amazon’s Dilemma: Mandating Vaccinations Would Risk Losing Workers
An Amazon employee receives a vaccination at a fulfillment center in Las Vegas in March. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)The quandary facing America’s second-largest private employer is this: how to keep its facilities COVID-free without sparking a mutiny among workers who are desperately needed to keep operations running amid a tight labor market and strong online demand.
August 4, 2021 Business 
A shortage of drivers is a concern as the economy heats up. (Mark Lennihan/AP)
Economy, Trucking Industry Roar Back
A shortage of drivers is a concern as the economy heats up. (Mark Lennihan/AP)Economic indicators and forecasts from economists show trucking and the U.S. economy are in the midst of a strong recovery, though concerns remain about the persistent shortage of drivers and supply chain delays.
July 15, 2021 Government, Business, Safety, Logistics 
Health workers prepare doses of COVID-19 vaccine for sailors and port workers in Port Klang, Malaysia, on June 25. (Samsul Said/Bloomberg)
Slow Vaccine Rates for Seafarers Threaten to Worsen Shipping Chaos
Health workers prepare doses of COVID-19 vaccine for sailors and port workers in Port Klang, Malaysia, on June 25. (Samsul Said/Bloomberg)Global vaccinations of seafarers are going too slowly to prevent outbreaks on ships from causing more trade disruptions, endangering maritime workers and potentially slowing economies trying to pull out of pandemic slowdowns.
July 13, 2021 Government, Business 
An employee inspects a tire at a bicycle production facility in Manning, S.C. (Micah Green/Bloomberg News)
Initial Jobless Claims Edge Up but Hold Near Pandemic Low
An employee inspects a tire at a bicycle production facility in Manning, S.C. (Micah Green/Bloomberg News)Applications for U.S. state unemployment insurance edged up last week, though remained near a pandemic low, as the labor market grinds its way toward a full recovery.
July 8, 2021 Government, Business 
An employee coats bicycle frames with powder paint in South Carolina. (Micah Green/Bloomberg News)
State Jobless Claims Post Larger-Than-Expected Decline
An employee coats bicycle frames with powder paint in South Carolina. (Micah Green/Bloomberg News)Applications for U.S. state unemployment insurance fell last week by more than projected, reaching a fresh pandemic low and suggesting that dismissals are abating as the economy reopens and labor demand rises.
July 1, 2021 Government, Business 
Lynne Sladky/Associated Press
US Economy Grows 6.4% in Q1
Lynne Sladky/Associated PressThe U.S. economy grew at a solid 6.4% rate in the first three months of the year, setting the stage for what economists believe may be the strongest year for the economy in about seven decades.
June 24, 2021 Government, Business, Fuel 
Pipelines run toward oil storage tanks in Cushing, Okla. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg News)
Key US Oil Storage Hub Seen Depleting as Producers Hold Tight
Pipelines run toward oil storage tanks in Cushing, Okla. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg News)Crude oil inventories in America’s largest storage hub are falling fast as the post-pandemic demand rebound continues to outpace production.
June 24, 2021