US weekly unemployment claims fall to 208,000, fewest in 10 weeks

US weekly unemployment claims fell to 208,000 in the week ending July 11, the lowest in 10 weeks and below analysts' forecasts. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% as some job seekers stopped looking for work, while hiring slowed in June due to corporate caution and economic factors like high interest rates and tariffs. Major companies including Verizon, UPS, Amazon, Disney, Starbucks, Walmart, and Microsoft have recently cut jobs.