The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits rose more than projected last week, showing scant improvement on the outlook for jobs. Jobless claims increased 15,000 in the week ended Sept. 8, the biggest gain in almost two months, to 382,000, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. The median forecast of 50 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for 370,000 claims. Tropical Storm Isaac resulted in about 9,000 applications for benefits, the agency said. The job market is cooling as a global slowdown and looming U.S. tax policy changes keep businesses hesitant about hiring. ... (full story)