More Americans than projected filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, while total benefit rolls reached the lowest since December 2007, signs the U.S. job market may take time to show a sustained acceleration. Jobless claims increased by 28,000 to 326,000 in the week ended May 17, after 298,000 filings a week earlier that were higher than initially reported, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. The median forecast of 50 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a rise to 310,000. Continuing claims decreased for a third consecutive week. A steady decline in firings is needed for ... (full story)