February Job Growth Disappoints, Fueling Economic Fears From Rising Costs, Tariff Confusion
The US labor market fell short of expectations in February, adding to growing economic uncertainty from trade disputes, a hiring slowdown, and ongoing federal job cuts.
The nation's economy added 151,000 jobs in February, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released on Friday, Mar. 7. That number was lower than the Dow Jones consensus forecast of 170,000, CNBC reported.
Job growth lagged behind the 12-month average of 168,000, signaling a labor market slowdown. Healthcare led with 52,000 new positions, followed by financial activities (+21,000), transpo…
Trump Halts Mexico Tariffs Amid Rising Trade Tensions, Domestic Economic Fears
President Donald Trump is reversing course on tariffs against Mexico, stepping back from a trade war he started with the nation's southern neighbor.
In a Thursday, Mar. 6 post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he struck a deal with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to delay tariffs on goods covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
The pause will be in effect until Tuesday, Apr. 2.
"I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum," Trump posted. "Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, to…
Stocks Plummet After Trump Says Tariffs On Canada, Mexico Will Start, Igniting Trade War Fears
President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will take effect in less than a day, sending the stock market tumbling amid fears of a trade war.
Trump said on Monday afternoon, March 3, that the US will impose 25 percent rates on imports from the two neighboring nations and the United States’ primary trading partners, effectively quashing any last-minute hopes for a negotiated agreement.
“There’s no room left for Mexico or for Canada” to negotiate to prevent the tariffs from taking effect on Tuesday, March 4, Trump said at the White House, adding, “They’re all set.”
The…
Second International Fugitive Extradited To Westchester In Week, Police Say
For the second time in a week, Westchester County Police detectives have taken custody of an international fugitive wanted for committing serious crimes in the county, authorities announced.
Just days after 52-year-old Galo Herrera was extradited from Mexico to face rape and sexual assault charges, law enforcement officials successfully returned another wanted fugitive to Westchester—this time from Colombia, Westchester County Police announced on Friday, Feb. 28.
On Thursday, Feb. 27, law enforcement officials extradited Juan Cuartos Bustos, 25, from Colombia, bringing him back to the Unite…
Jobless Claims Hit Four-Month High, Adding To Inflation And Recession Fears
Unemployment claims have surged to their highest level since October 2024, adding to growing concerns over job security and the broader economy.
Initial jobless claims jumped by 22,000 to 242,000 for the week ending on Saturday, Feb. 22, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said in data released on Thursday, Feb. 27. The previous week's total was revised up slightly to 220,000.
The rise in claims comes as consumer confidence took its steepest monthly dive since August 2021 amid concerns over inflation, tariffs, and the labor market. The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index fell …
