New US jobless claims at 778,000, second week of increase

Washington: New applications for jobless aid in the United States saw their second back-to-back weekly increase, according to government data released Wednesday, raising concerns that a renewed economic downturn is beginning.

The Labor Department said 778,000 initial claims were filed in the week ended November 25, more than analysts had forecast and an increase of 30,000 from the previous week's upwardly revised figure.