Weekly jobless claims fall more than expected as Biden prepares to sign $1.9 trillion recovery package

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Fewer than expected Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week as an improving public health environment allows more segments of the economy to reopen, putting the labor market recovery back on track. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits totaled a seasonally adjusted 712,000 for the week ended March 6, compared to 754,000 in the prior week, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 725,000 applications in the latest week. New coronavirus infections have dropped for eight straight weeks, declining 12% la...