The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits increased moderately last week and data for the prior two weeks was revised sharply lower as fraudulent applications from Massachusetts were stripped out, indicating persistent labor market strength.

The U.S. dollar's dominance in international trade and finance will persist for decades despite new challenges and even when a more multipolar currency system emerges it will be led by the greenback, Moody's (NYSE:MCO) Investor Service said on Thursday.

U.S. President Joe Biden said he has had several productive conversations with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in their standoff over the federal government's debt ceiling, adding that staff negotiators were continuing talks on Thursday afternoon.

Japan's government raised its overall view of the economy for the first time in ten months in May, after recent data showed the country emerged from recession in the first quarter amid a post-COVID consumption rebound.

British retail sales declined this month after a modest rise in April but stores expect sales volumes to stabilise in June as consumer confidence improves and energy prices fall, a survey showed on Thursday.

U.S. trade policy with China and other nations must strike a more equitable balance between needs of workers and corporate profits, leaders of two big U.S. unions said at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers meeting on Thursday.