US initial jobless claims increase

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - The number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims rose 45,000 to 770,000 last week, according to the Labor Department on Thursday.

Analysts expected 700,000 for the week ending March 13, while the previous week was revised up by 13,000 from 712,000 to 725,000.

The world's largest economy still has around 10 million unemployed workers after adding just 379,000 jobs in February, according to the agency.

US President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion relief bill, which was signed into law last week, will offer some relief to provide most Americans with $1,400 in direct payments.