US Weekly jobless claims fall

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell last week.

This came amid a scarcity of re-employment opportunities, indicating that the unemployment rate in the world’s largest economy continued to rise in August, according to “Sky News”.

The US Department of Labor said on Thursday that initial applications for state unemployment benefits fell by 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 231,000 in the week ending August 24.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected 232,000 claims last week.

Claims fell, moving away from an 11-month high hit in late July, as disruptions from the temporary shutdown of US auto plants to retool for new models and the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl eased.