WASHINGTON: New applications for unemployment benefits fell last week to 364,000, according to government data released yesterday, the lowest since March 14, 2020 when the pandemic lockdowns began. 

TOKYO: Confidence among major Japanese manufacturers has hit its highest level since 2018, a key business survey showed yesterday as they bet on a strong post-pandemic recovery despite some setbacks. 

KUWAIT: The health system in Kuwait like the rest of the world is suffering from an unprecedented case of severe spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19, head of the Supreme Committee for COVID-19 Dr Khaled Al-Jarallah said yesterday. 

TOME: In a bold but contested strategy, the West African state of Togo has bet heavily on the private sector to revive its struggling cotton industry. “White gold,” as cotton is sometimes called, accounts for only between one and 4.3 percent of the country’s GDP, bringing 500,000 jobs for a population of 8.8 million.

BARCELONA: Earphones embedded in pearl earrings, a smartwatch that measures body temperature, a diamond ring that monitors sleep patterns: The wearable gadgets market has boomed as the pandemic boosts interest in health monitoring and working from home. 

BEIJING: Chinese factory activity stabilised in June, data showed yesterday, but output was hit by supply shortages of key commodities and microchips as well as the coronavirus-induced closure of a key port that caused huge delivery delays. 

KUWAIT: As part of its commitment to support the government’s efforts to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, has joined forces with the Ministry of Health in Kuwait to hold a vaccination drive for its employees.

KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank of Kuwait (AUBK) announced its pride of the great success achieved by its issue of Unconvertible Mudaraba Sukuk Additional Tier 1Capital (AT1) of $600 million to enhance its capital base. 

MEXICO CITY: A revamped North American free trade agreement is giving factory workers new muscle to flex in Mexico, where labor unions have long been accused of shady backroom deals with employers.