Even as hiring slows, American unemployment rate falls to 8.4%

The U.S. unemployment rate fell sharply in August to 8.4% from 10.2% even as hiring slowed in August as employers added the fewest jobs since the pandemic began.

Budget deficit to hit record $3.3T, putting US debt on track to exceed GDP next year

The federal budget deficit is projected to hit a record $3.3 trillion as huge government expenditures to fight the coronavirus and to prop up the economy have added more than $2 trillion to the federal ledger.

Coronavirus pandemic brings hard times for farmers, worsening hunger

The coronavirus pandemic has brought hard times for many farmers and has imperiled food security for many millions both in the cities and the countryside.

In college towns, smaller businesses struggle without students

Small business owners in college towns across the U.S. are hoping for the best when students return — and bracing for the worst.

More than 1 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits

Just over 1 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, a sign that the coronavirus outbreak continues to threaten jobs even as the housing market, auto sales and other segments of the economy rebound from a springtime collapse.

Biden promises no new taxes for small businesses or Americans making less than $400K a year

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said that if he wins the presidency in November's election, he will raise taxes on Americans who earn more than $400,000 a year.

Could Americans still receive a second stimulus check? Everything we know

With White House officials and top Democrats at a weeks-long impasse over another coronavirus relief package, Senate Republicans are preparing to unveil their own new proposal — a pared-down version of a previous bill that notably does not include a fresh round of stimulus checks.

US unemployment claims jump back above 1 million in face of coronavirus

The coronavirus recession struck swiftly and violently. Now, with the economy still in the grip of the pandemic five months later, the recovery looks fitful and uneven — and painfully slow.

United States suspends extradition and tax agreements with Hong Kong

President Donald Trump already had determined that Hong Kong was no longer eligible for the continued preferential treatment that it enjoyed based on its autonomy following its reversion to Chinese rule in 1997. The three agreements cover the transfer of fugitives and convicted prisoners as well as reciprocal tax exemptions on income from international shipping.

GOP senator calls on China to repay $1.6T of century-old debt

Sen. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., introduced a resolution calling on China to repay U.S. bondholders more than $1.6 trillion of sovereign debt, including interest, that pre-dates the country's Communist government.

US retail sales rise for 3rd month amid COVID-19 pandemic but slowdown expected

The gains of the past three months have now restored retail purchases to their levels before they plunged in March and April when the pandemic shuttered businesses and paralyzed the economy.