
Shares on Wall Street finished with their biggest rise in four years ending another rocky day of trading on global markets. The mood was lifted by comments from US Federal Reserve official William Dudley that a rate rise in September seemed less compelling.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has declared the recent deaths of 30 large whales in the western Gulf of Alaska an unusual mortality event, triggering a focused, expert investigation into the cause. An unusual mortality event is a stranding event that is unexpected, involves a significant die-off of a marine mammal population and demands immediate response.

California's Department of Water Resources released a new NASA report showing land in the San Joaquin Valley is sinking faster than ever before, nearly 5 centimeters per month in some locations, as Californians continue pumping groundwater in response to a historic drought.

An improving job market edged the US Federal Reserve closer to an interest rate hike at its July meeting even as policymakers continued to express broad concerns about lagging inflation and the weak state of the world economy, according to minutes released on Wednesday.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a libido-enhancing drug for women that has been dubbed Female Viagra. Flibanserin, a drug produced by Sprout Pharmaceuticals, recently passed an FDA advisory committee meeting.

American Airlines which has operated charter flights to Cuba since 1991, said on Tuesday that it plans to begin charter services between Los Angeles and Havana on Dec. 12. But by that time, the U.S. and Cuban governments may be ready to allow scheduled airline flights between the two countries, a practice not allowed for more than a half-century.

Nine banks have agreed to pay 2 billion dollars in settlements to US investors over claims they rigged foreign exchange rates, according to lawyers. They are taking action on behalf of investors, including hedge funds and pension funds, who accuse banks of conspiring to manipulate rates.

US Secretary of State John Kerry declared a new era in relations as he celebrated restored diplomatic ties in Havana on Friday, but he also urged political change in Cuba, telling Cubans they should be free to choose their own leaders.

The US economy added 215,000 jobs in July, while the unemployment rate held at a seven-year-low of 5.3%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Friday job gains came in retail trade, health care, professional and technical services, and financial activities.

Donald Trump continued to dominate the Republican race for US president by causing further controversies in the first debate. The tycoon's refusal to rule out a third-party run drew boos from the audience on Thursday night. And he stood by offensive comments he has made in the past about women.