US unemployment applications dip to 253,000 last week

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits declined slightly last week, falling to the lowest point in 13 weeks.

Despite this prolonged low level, there had been worries that employment growth was slowing after weak reports in April and May.

The U.S. economy has turned in anemic growth rates for the past two quarters, expanding at a modest pace of just 1.1 percent, as measured by the gross domestic product, in the January-March quarter.