ProgressOhio

New claims for unemployment jumped unexpectedly to a 16-year high last week, the Labor Department reported, with 542,000 new claims for jobless benefits being filed.

“Claims above 400,000 are generally considered a sign of recession, and claims have been above that level for 17 weeks,” the AP reports, adding that last year, “claims stood at about 320,000.” The number of people continuing to claim unemployment insurance is expected to reach 3.9 million, its highest level in 25 years.

The White House said Bush would sign an extension of unemployment benefits, reversing its previous opposition.