WASHINGTON - Productivity rose at an annual rate of 2.9 percent in the first three months of this year, but that was accompanied by a jump over the past six months in unit labor costs, a key factor that determines future rates of inflation.

GENEVA - American workers stay longer in the office, at the factory or on the farm than their counterparts in Europe and most other rich nations, and they produce more per person over the year.

WASHINGTON - The productivity of American workers rose at an annual rate of 2.9 percent in the spring, the slowest increase since late 2002, the government reported Tuesday.

WASHINGTON - Workers' productivity increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the spring, the smallest gain since late 2002, reflecting the economy's slowdown.

WASHINGTON — Companies across the economy are finding ways to do more with fewer workers, dimming hopes that hiring will take off anytime soon.

With Arizona’s unemployment rate topping the national rate at 9 percent, any plan to boost the economy and get Americans back to work must be on the table — especially if it involves a sector proven to generate economic growth and provide high-paying jobs. United States mineral mining is a vital contribution to our economy and recovery from the recession.

CHICAGO - Reflecting cautious optimism about 2004, a survey of U.S. manufacturers found that many more are planning to add jobs than to cut them this year amid what’s forecast to be the biggest increase in manufacturing production since 1999.

The American economy grew at a revised annual rate of 1.9 percent in the first quarter of 2003, up slightly from the previous quarter but still sluggish, the Commerce Department reported on Thursday.

NEW YORK - Stocks rallied sharply Friday, with the Dow gained 172 points on better-than-expected gross domestic product growth last quarter despite the disruptions caused hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The major indexes finished an erratic week higher.

I have a pamphlet here on my desk, touting the need for continuing an existing Kyrene School District Capital Override: "The primary purpose of the Capital Override is to support the nationally-recognized instructional technology program."

Dear Editor:

Dear Editor:

This was inevitable, but when it came this week it was still a little bit of a shock: China surpassed Germany to become the world’s third-largest economy.

WASHINGTON - The economy was lethargic in the final quarter of 2005, but fresher readings suggest a rebound since then.

WASHINGTON - A surprisingly strong U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in nearly two decades this summer, boosting hopes that a healthy, jobscreating recovery may be getting under way.

Arizona’s gross domestic product increased faster than the national average — but the state still lags behind the rest of the country.

WASHINGTON - The economy slowed to a near crawl in the final quarter of 2005, a listless showing that was the worst in three years. However, growth was respectable for the year and is expected to perk up again soon.

HOUSTON - Exxon Mobil reported the fattest operating profit in U.S. corporate history Thursday but took a beating anyway — from politicians railing against Big Oil, drivers bleeding cash at the pump and investors who expected more.

The state's jobless rate jumped a tenth of a point in January to 8.0 percent.

WASHINGTON - President Bush's agenda at a NATO summit this week will include pressing alliance members to increase defense spending. Aides say many U.S. allies are ill-equipped for modern military operations.

Weighted down by the real estate market, Arizona's economy grew only 0.7 percent between 2009 and 2010.

WASHINGTON - Rolling out powerful new weapons against the financial meltdown, the Bush administration and the Federal Reserve pledged $800 billion Tuesday to blast through blockades on credit cards, auto loans, mortgages and other borrowing.

LOS ANGELES - Call it return of the cash.

WASHINGTON - The Labor Department will release the unemployment numbers for February at 8:30 a.m. EST today. Economists expect an increase of 220,000 in payrolls and see the jobless rate holding at 5.2 percent.