
US jobless claims rise more than expected
The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits last week rose more than expected, amid increased layoffs due to economic uncertainty, fueled by President Donald Trump's strict trade policies.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased by 14,000 to 240,000 for the week ended May 24, from the previous week's figure that was revised down by 1,000, the US Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists had expected applications to grow by 3,000.
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Al Arabiya
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US soldiers arrive in Panama for military exercises
US soldiers have arrived in Panama for military exercises aimed at protecting the Panama Canal, the US embassy said, after a bilateral agreement triggered protests in the Central American country. The agreement, signed in April, allows US troops to deploy around the canal but not to establish bases, according to the Panamanian authorities. The US military will train alongside Panamanian security forces in forest operations, the US embassy said in a statement to AFP Thursday. It said the entry of American troops for military exercises had to be approved by Panama. Panama signed the security agreement after pressure from US President Donald Trump, who threatened to take back the 82-kilometre (51-mile) waterway that connects the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. He has repeatedly claimed that China has too much influence over the canal, which handles about 40 percent of US container traffic and five percent of world trade. The agreement has triggered protests from unions and other organizations, who argue that it 'violates national sovereignty' and constitutes a veiled return of former military bases. The American military has in recent years participated in several military exercises in Panama alongside other Latin American countries.


Asharq Al-Awsat
42 minutes ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lululemon Shares Tumble as Yogawear Firm Warns Tariffs Will Crimp Profit
Lululemon Athletica's shares fell 21% in premarket trading on Friday, as the maker of high-end leggings warned that tariff-related costs and uneven demand in key markets of North America and China will dent its profits this year. The Canadian firm, whose Align yoga pants sell for $128 apiece on its website, will raise prices "modestly" for a "small portion of the assortment" and ramp up discounts for the rest of the year, company executives said. Lululemon has struggled to retain shoppers, despite its efforts to introduce new styles of sports bras and athletic jackets, as it faces intense competition from trendier and more affordable brands in North America and mainland China. "Despite (Americas) decline, management continues to prioritize product newness and China expansion over addressing a pullback from core customers and evident traffic declines," Jefferies analyst Randal Konik said in a note. "We believe this misalignment is concerning." Lululemon joins sportswear rivals Nike and On in raising prices in the US as erratic trade tactics under President Donald Trump rattle global markets and fuel fears of a recession. Lululemon trimmed its 2025 earnings forecast and said it expects margins to come under pressure from the proposed tariffs, which will impact products from some of its largest sourcing hubs in Vietnam, Cambodia and Sri Lanka. "My sense is that in the US, consumers remain cautious right now, and they are being very intentional about their buying decisions," CEO Calvin McDonald said on a post-earnings call. The company's stock, which is down about 14% this year, was trading at $261.90 before the bell on Friday. The news dragged Nike's shares down 1.4%. Lululemon's forward price-to-earnings multiple, a common benchmark for valuing stocks, is 21.46, compared to that of 31.37 for Nike and 9.54 for Gap.


Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
US fund commits $10 million for startup investment initiative led by Pakistani tech leaders
ISLAMABAD: The JR Dallas Tech Fund on Friday announced a 'groundbreaking' $10 million commitment to globally recognized technology leaders, Pakistan's Mehwish Salman Ali and Malik Mudassir, to spearhead an exclusive US-focused startup investment initiative. Under the agreement, Ali and Mudassir will receive $10 million in dedicated capital to identify, evaluate, and invest in high-potential startups planning to scale operations in the United States. The duo will serve as lead investment partners with full authority to deploy capital across artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital health, and frontier technology ventures. 'We are entrusting $10 million to two of the most visionary technology leaders of our generation,' said Jehangir A. Raja, Managing Partner at JR Dallas Tech Fund. 'Mehwish and Malik represent the perfect combination of technical expertise, entrepreneurial success, and strategic vision needed to identify the next generation of game-changing startups ready to conquer the American market.' According to the statement by JR Dallas, economic impact projections of the funding include direct job creation, with portfolio companies expected to generate 300-500 high-skilled technology positions within 24 months. The target investment range is $250,000 to $1.5 million per startup and focus areas are AI/Machine Learning, Cloud Infrastructure, Digital Health, Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity. The portfolio size will be 15-20 carefully selected companies over 24 months. The commitment will also strengthen Texas as a hub for international tech talent entering the US market and accelerate breakthrough technologies in AI, health care, and cloud infrastructure. Portfolio companies are also projected to contribute $50-100 million in US economic activity within three years. Ali is the founder and CEO of Data Vault, Pakistan's first solar-powered and quantum-encrypted AI data center, co-founder of Zahanat AI, the country's first indigenous GPT model, and COO of AppsGenii Technologies. As a TEDx speaker and Forbes Technology Council member, Ali's track record in AI innovation, cybersecurity, and operational excellence 'makes her uniquely qualified to identify transformative technologies ready for US market expansion,' JR Dallas said. Mudassir is the founder & CEO of AppsGenii Technologies, operating across the US, UK, and Pakistan, and co-founder of multiple successful ventures including GharPar, BoxesGen, and Dental Connect. He is also a Central Executive Committee Member at P@SHA, Pakistan's largest IT trade association.