The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits rose last week for a third straight week, but the underlying trend continued to point to a solidly improving labor market. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 295,000 for the week ended April 18, the Labor Department said on Thursday. The claims data covered the period during which the government canvassed employers for April’s nonfarm payrolls report. Federal Reserve officials have said they would like to see further improvements in the labor market before raising interest rates.