Employers beat estimates, add 943,000 jobs in July - August 6, 2021

U.S. stock futures wavered ahead of the July monthly jobs report as investors weighed a strong set of corporate quarterly results against the potential for higher interest rates if inflation stays elevated. Employers added 943,000 jobs last month despite rising COVID-19 cases and lingering labor shortages, beating analysts' estimates by roughly 43,000. United Airlines announced it will require all U.S. employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus starting this fall, becoming the first major airline to do so. CNN fired three employees for violating its policy that only fully vaccinated employees work from its buildings. The incident highlighted the potential struggles employers might face if they mandate inoculations. Amazon extended its work-from-home period until January 2022 for U.S. employees from its earlier planned return date of Sept. 7 as the delta variant pushes a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Wells Fargo delayed its return to offices from Sept. 7 to Oct. 4, noting that the bank will make further adjustments as the situation changes. Roughly 7.5 million U.S. workers relying on pandemic-era unemployment benefits are set to lose jobless aid when the benefits expire next month. Workers drawing from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or Pandemic Unemployment Emergency Compensation programs make up more than 72% of Americans collecting unemployment insurance. The Arkansas Senate will vote on a bill that would end federal unemployment benefits early, while an Arkansas House committee debates allowing school boards to mandate masks if a county reaches 50 infections per 10,000 residents. A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers introduced the Better Cybercrime Metrics Act, which would help the federal government better track and analyze cyber crime amid a surge in cyberattacks alongside a rise in remote work. The Cyber Security and Infrastructure Agency launched a new program to work with private businesses and government agencies to bolster the country's defenses against a