U.S. applications for unemployment benefits fell last week as employers continue to retain workers despite resurgent inflation and elevated interest rates. The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell by 7,000 to 213,000 for the week ending February 8, the Labor Department said Thursday. Analysts projected that 215,000 new applications would be filed. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of layoffs. The four-week average, which smooths out some of the week-to-week volatility, inched down by 1,000 to 216,000. Despite showing some signs of weakening during the past year, the labor market remains healthy with plentiful jobs and relatively few layoffs. Last week, the Labor Department reported that U.S. employers added 143,000 jobs in January, significantly fewer than December’s 256,000 job gains. However, the unemployment rate ticked down
Author Archives: The Esbec Team
![Several Chinese nationals using fake IDs have been apprehended in Kuwait for taking part in cyberattacks [File: Thomas White/Illustration/Reuters]](https://esbecgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kuwait-apprehends-members-of-international-gang-after-cyberattacks.jpg)
Feb
The group operated from a van to wage cyberattacks on companies and banks and steal sensitive information. Authorities in Kuwait have apprehended members of an international cybercrime gang of Chinese nationality, the Ministry of the Interior has said, after large-scale attacks on telecommunication towers and financial institutions across the country. The Cybercrime Combating Department was alerted after several telecommunication companies and banks reported cyberattacks on their networks to steal customers’ information and funds, the ministry said on Thursday in a post on X. Officers apprehended a driver, a Chinese national, in the Farwaniya area in Kuwait City and seized multiple electronic devices in his possession. Police later found more high-tech tools at his residence. The suspect confessed to being part of a larger network of fraudsters, who were also identified
Feb
A senior lecturer at the Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah, PhD, has made history as West Africa’s first deaf professor. The university announced this milestone in a Facebook post on February 13, 2025, celebrating Prof. Mprah’s groundbreaking achievement and his inspiring journey. Prof. Mprah’s academic journey began under trees in the Oti Region, where he attended primary school. He later studied at Krachi Secondary School and Okuapemman Secondary School before earning his first and second degrees at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). However, his path took an unexpected turn during his Master’s programme when he became deaf just as he was nearing the completion of his studies. “People didn’t know how to deal
Feb
The Owl Rescue Centre and animal lovers are celebrating the successful capture and relocation of a young male baboon on Thursday morning. IOL reported that the young male was spotted making his way from the Roodeplaat area towards Pretoria, earlier this week. The Owl Rescue Centre had been tracking the animal, named Jasiri, ‘s movements and took to social media to share of the happy moment. “He was relocated to his new home far, far away in the mountains,” said the Owl Rescue Centre’s Brendan Murray. “Success yet again guys. You truly are the most amazing people and your dedication to what you do is amazing. I truly do hold you in the highest regard. We need more people like you on this earth,” expressed Facebook user, Kathy van Tonder. “Sweet. The
Feb
Volvo is looking for a U.S.-based battery supplier for the EX90 electric SUV. The EX90 is built in South Carolina but its batteries come from China’s CATL. Because of the increased import tariffs on Chinese batteries, Volvo was forced to increase the EX90’s price. Volvo was forced to hike the starting price of its flagship electric SUV, the EX90, even before it hit the showroom floor. Because of the increased tariffs on Chinese-made batteries, the Volvo EX90 now starts at $81,290 including shipping, $3,300 more than originally intended. Despite the EX90 being built in South Carolina, its high-voltage battery pack is made in China by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL). That might not be the case for long, though, as Volvo is looking for an American battery supplier that would
Feb
Netanyahu’s advisors “allegedly received payments, maintained connections, and did business with the country that funded Hamas,” Golan said. By ELIAV BREUER FEBRUARY 13, 2025 12:09 Updated: FEBRUARY 13, 2025 12:51 Leader of the Democrats party Yair Golan leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on February 10, 2025. (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Democrats party chairman and former deputy IDF chief of staff Yair Golan said in a press conference on Thursday in Tel Aviv that “there is a suspicion of betrayal in the Prime Minister’s Office that must be investigated.” Golan’s comments came in the wake of a report on Channel 12 on Tuesday that Eli Feldstein – a member of the prime minister’s media team who is currently under house arrest for leaking classified
Feb
Over 100 Kenyan MPs and other high-ranking VIPs are set to land in the Ethiopian capital on Thursday, February 13, to witness the AU Commission elections The MPs intend to “observe” the elections and offer support to Raila Odinga, who faces a stiff challenge from Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf The government clarified that the entourage of legislators would foot their own bills to and fro the continental headquarters Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga, is one of the top contenders for the African Union Commission chairship elections slated for February 15-16 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Raila Odinga hopes to succeed Moussa Faki as AU Commission chair. Photo: Tony Karuma.Source: Getty Images Over 100 MPs and other high-ranking VIPs are set to land in the Ethiopian capital on Thursday, February
Feb
LONDON — Hamas said in a statement Thursday it would release the next group of hostages as planned in accordance with its ceasefire agreement with Israel, adding that Egyptian and Qatari mediators had confirmed they will work to “remove obstacles and close gaps.” The next hostage-prisoner exchange is set to take place Saturday, as previously agreed in the current ceasefire deal. There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials. MORE: Netanyahu warns ‘ceasefire will be terminated’ if Hamas doesn’t free hostages This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Feb
Detained in Russia since 2021, Marc Fogel landed back in the U.S. on Tuesday. February 12, 2025, 5:28 AM LONDON — A Russian held in a U.S. prison will be repatriated to Russia following the release of U.S. citizen Marc Fogel, who was returned to the United States on Tuesday, Moscow said. “In exchange for Fogel, a Russian citizen imprisoned in the United States will be returned to Russia in the coming days,” Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, said on Wednesday. Peskov did not disclose which Russian citizen held in a U.S. jail would be repatriated, but said the United States had agreed to the release during negotiations for Fogel’s retun. U.S. President Trump didn’t on Tuesday discuss the negotiations that led to Fogel’s release or describe any conversations with
Feb
Ever since the EV conversion game got going, I’ve been waiting for this one to happen. It’s a car loved the world over, nearing the end of its fourth decade, and remains a benchmark: It’s time for the NA Miata to ditch the gas and go electric. At this point I’ve no doubt there’ll be pearl clutching and smelling salts being whipped out to calm the nerves of the hardcore driving enthusiasts lurking in the corner. There’s a reason for that: In its original form the Miata is symphony balance, modest performance and lightweight excellence. Will removing a gas heart take away some of the fun? I drove the electric version to find out. Gallery: Electrogenic Mazda Miata Review This Miata is a creation by the UK’s Electrogenic. The company’s
Feb
The rise of ‘friendship apps’ Our phones have made us lonelier. These apps promise to find us a BFF. Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/BI Read in app On one of the coldest nights in New York this year, I bundled up and went to a trendy tourist trap to meet up with five people who also felt that the pull to make new friends was stronger than the windchill. I didn’t know anything about my matches aside from a text I’d received that told me that two of them also like reading, that several enjoyed the same irreverent TV shows I do, like “Arrested Development” and “Broad City,” and that one had bungee jumped in New Zealand. We were meeting as a group curated by the app 222 , which asks
Feb
A former Yeezy employee alleges West sent her “hail Hitler” texts and made degrading comments before firing her, adding to the rapper’s history of controversial antisemitic behavior. By SHIR PERETS FEBRUARY 12, 2025 02:22 Kanye West attends the Cincinnati Bengals game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium earlier this year. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) (photo credit: REUTERS) A former Yeezy employee, who is Jewish, has sued Kanye West, alleging the rapper sent antisemitic messages including “hail Hitler” and made derogatory comments before terminating her employment, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday. According to Variety, the plaintiff – identified only as Jane Doe – alleged that West consistently targeted Jewish employees with hateful messages, including “Welcome to the first day of working for Hitler.” The lawsuit, filed in
Feb
Elon Musk and Sam Altman were among the 11-person team that founded OpenAI in 2015. Photo: Frederic J. BROWN, Jung Yeon-je / AFP/FileSource: AFP The feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman has become one of the bitterest rivalries in business history, with the Tesla tycoon bidding to buy Altman’s OpenAI in an apparent attempt to derail the ChatGPT maker’s ascent to becoming one of the world’s most important companies. What sparked the rivalry? Musk and Altman were among the 11-person team that founded OpenAI in 2015. Created as a counterweight to Google’s dominance in artificial intelligence, the project got its initial funding from Musk, who invested $45 million to get it started. Three years later, Musk departed OpenAI. The company initially cited “a potential future conflict for Elon…as Tesla
Feb
The billionaire has brought his four-year-old to numerous Washington events. February 11, 2025, 7:40 PM As camera crews and reporters crowded into the Oval Office on Tuesday, trying to focus on President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s first public comments on slashing the government, the dramatic scene at times got stolen — by Musk’s son, “Lil X.” “This is X, and he’s a great guy — high IQ,” Trump said at the top of his remarks, chuckling and calling the four-year-old a “high-IQ individual.” President Donald Trump is joined by Elon Musk and his son X Æ A-Xii, as he signs a series of executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 11, 2025 in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP While defending his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
Feb
Renault unveils a trio of all-new electric vans. The Estafette E-Tech, Goelette E-Tech and Trafic E-Tech share the same 800V platform. They go on sale next year. With over half a million vans to its name, the Estafette was a staple of Renault’s commercial vehicle lineup between 1959 and 1980 before being retired. Now, the French automaker has revived the iconic Estafette nameplate for a brand-new, all-electric commercial vehicle based on a newly developed 800-volt skateboard architecture. And that’s not all because the Estafette is joined by two other historic names—the Goelette and Trafic—in an aggressive push from Renault toward the electrification of the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment in Europe. All three models share the same underpinnings that were designed by Renault’s subsidiary Ampere. Each is front-wheel drive and