Indeed economist Sneha Puri said the expected World Cup hiring surge failed to materialize. Leisure and hospitality (hotels and restaurants) posted job declines in June and July. Puri said many World Cup-related hires were likely temporary and have largely completed their cycles, so they no longer appear in current vacancy and hiring data.

US July seasonally adjusted government payrolls -53,000; June revised from +8,000 to -10,000.

Trump will on Friday announce more than $180 million in grants to support mining education and trade programs aimed at raising critical minerals output, a White House official said. The plan will be unveiled at a State Department roundtable attended by Secretary of State Rubio, Interior Secretary Burgum and Commerce Secretary Rutenik. The Energy Department will launch a $100 million grant program to expand the mining and critical‑minerals workforce and to sharply increase graduates with relevant degrees over the next two years; funds will support scholarships and related programs. Universities, community colleges, vocational schools, industry groups and other partners will be eligible to apply.