Weekly US unemployment claims rise slightly but job market remains strong as inflation eases

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week but still remained at historically low levels despite high interest rates. The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims were up by 2,000 to 205,000 the week that ended Dec. 16. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week ups and downs, fell by 1,500 to 212,000.