Jobless Claims: New Filings Down to 219K, Continuing Claims Hit 3-Year High

1,000

The Labor Department reported a slight drop in first-time unemployment claims last week to 219,000, while continuing claims reached a three-year high of 1.91 million. The four-week average for initial filings rose to 226,500, reflecting workforce stability trends watched by the Federal Reserve.

2,000

Salesforce is ramping up its AI workforce, creating 2,000 new roles to support its expanding AI initiatives, surpassing its earlier target of 1,000 hires. This move aligns with its launch of advanced AI agents, capable of managing up to 32,000 weekly queries, showcasing the company’s commitment to revolutionizing customer interactions through automation.

770

According to the World Robotics 2024 report, South Korea leads in industrial robot adoption with 1,012 robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees in 2023, surpassing the global average of 162. Asia dominates the top rankings in adopting industrial robots, with Singapore (770 units) and China (470 units) following South Korea in leveraging robotics to boost industrial automation.

75%

Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta are investing in nuclear power to meet the energy demands of AI and cloud computing, which could push global electricity use up by 75% by 2050. With data centers consuming as much energy as entire cities and requiring 100% steady power, nuclear offers a 24/7 carbon-free solution, marking the start of a "nuclear revival" in the tech industry.

$1,000

OCBC Group is offering a one-time $1,000 payout to about 4,000 junior employees in Singapore, part of a $7.5 million global support plan benefiting 11,000 staff across 17 markets. This move reflects OCBC's commitment to easing financial burdens amid rising living costs and aligns with broader industry efforts to support employee well-being.