Los empleadores estadounidenses agregaron 172,000 empleos en mayo, superando las previsiones y incluyendo revisiones ascendentes a los meses anteriores, informó el Departamento de Trabajo el viernes. La tasa de desempleo se mantuvo en 4.3 por ciento a pesar de las preocupaciones continuas sobre la inflación y los conflictos en el Medio Oriente.
In other developments, scientists brought back to life ancient bacteria frozen for more than 5,000 years alongside Ötzi the Iceman in the Italian Alps. The microbes are now growing in a laboratory.
CDC models project the current Ebola outbreak could surpass 20,000 cases in three months without swift intervention. South Africa began offering a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection even as it faces funding and supply shortages.
Stronger Job Growth Reported
The U.S. Labor Department said nonfarm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May, above the roughly 150,000 jobs analysts had expected. April and March figures were revised upward by a combined 20,000 jobs.
The unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent. Average hourly earnings increased 0.4 percent for the month and 4.1 percent from a year earlier. The data come as Federal Reserve officials weigh interest-rate decisions amid persistent inflation concerns.
President Trump separately directed new Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte to begin the process of firing officials across the intelligence community and to reduce staff at 18 agencies, according to comments Trump made to the Wall Street Journal.
Ancient Microbes Revived From Ötzi
Researchers announced they successfully revived bacteria that had been frozen for more than 5,000 years next to the body of Ötzi the Iceman, discovered in 1991 in the Italian Alps. The microbes, preserved in ice, began growing again once placed in a laboratory setting.
Scientists say the finding offers new insight into how long certain bacteria can survive extreme cold and may help researchers understand ancient microbial life. The work was conducted by teams studying samples taken from the ice surrounding the 5,300-year-old mummy.
No connection to human disease has been reported.
CDC Warns of Potential Ebola Surge
New modeling released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects that the current Ebola outbreak could reach more than 20,000 cases within three months if no additional measures are taken. Health officials stress that rapid intervention, including improved contact tracing, isolation, and vaccination efforts, is needed to contain the spread.
The projection comes amid ongoing outbreaks in parts of Africa. International aid groups have called for increased resources to support local health systems. The CDC models factor in current transmission rates and health infrastructure capacity.
South Africa Launches Twice-Yearly HIV Shot
South Africa has begun rolling out a new injectable medicine that provides protection against HIV for six months per dose. The program aims to improve adherence compared with daily pills.
Health authorities face challenges including reduced funding from the United States and limited global supplies of the drug, known as lenacapavir in clinical trials. Officials hope the long-acting injection will help lower infection rates in a country that has one of the world’s highest HIV burdens, with roughly 7.5 million people living with the virus.
Distribution started in select clinics this week.
Putin Rules Out Direct Meeting With Zelensky
Russian President Vladimir Putin said there is no basis for a direct in-person meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The statement came as both sides continue to exchange accusations over the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year.
Putin indicated that any talks would require addressing what Russia calls the root causes of the conflict. Diplomatic efforts have so far produced little progress toward a ceasefire.
The comments were made during a public appearance as Russian forces maintain pressure on several fronts in eastern Ukraine.
Obituaries: Anthony Head and James Handy
British actor Anthony Head, best known for his roles in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, died at age 72 from complications of pneumonia. His family confirmed the news on Thursday.
Separately, veteran character actor James Handy, 81, was found dead in his Los Angeles home with multiple stab wounds. Police arrested 39-year-old Jonathan Nelson, the son of Handy’s girlfriend, on suspicion of murder.
Handy appeared in films including The Rocketeer and Argo as well as numerous television shows during a career spanning five decades.
Recent Economic Indicators
| Indicador | Figura de Mayo | Cambio desde el año anterior |
|---|---|---|
| Empleos no agrícolas | 172,000 | +4.1% ganancias |
| Tasa de desempleo | 4.3% | Estable |
| Ganancias horarias | +0.4% | +4.1% |
| Proyección de la enfermedad del Ébola | 20,000 casos | 3 meses |
El informe de empleo más fuerte de lo esperado proporciona algunas garantías para los estadounidenses mayores que cuentan con condiciones económicas estables para la jubilación e inversiones, aunque la inflación y los conflictos globales siguen siendo riesgos. Los microbios antiguos revividos destacan hasta qué punto la ciencia puede aprender aún de especímenes preservados, mientras que las actualizaciones de la enfermedad del Ébola y el VIH nos recuerdan que los esfuerzos de salud pública requieren financiamiento y atención estables.
Para aquellos de 50 años o más, estar informado sobre ambos datos económicos y desarrollos de salud puede ayudar con la planificación personal. Comprobar fuentes gubernamentales confiables como el Bureau of Labor Statistics y el CDC sigue siendo una de las mejores formas de separar hechos de especulaciones.
Y eso es así.
Fuentes
- Departamento de Trabajo de los Estados Unidos, Informe de la Situación Laboral (junio de 2025)
- Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, Modelado de la Brota de la Enfermedad del Ébola (2025)
- Revista Nature, Revivir de Microbios Antiguos del Sitio de Ötzi (2025)
- Departamento de Salud de Sudáfrica, Anuncio de Lanzamiento de Lenacapavir (2025)
- Wall Street Journal, Entrevista de Trump sobre la Comunidad de Inteligencia (2025)
- Departamento de Policía de Los Ángeles, Declaración sobre el Caso de James Handy (2025)