U.S.
economic reports
predict slow growth
By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
A flurry of economic reports shows the U.S. economy is likely to grow
slowly for the next few months, with little inflation and small
improvements in the job market.
Thursday's report from the Conference Board business group says its
index of leading indicators moved up a modest one-tenth of a percentage
point in February. The gauge is designed to predict economic
growth for the next three to six months.
A separate report from the U.S. government showed inflation to be tame
in February. Overall prices were unchanged, while outside the
volatile area of food and energy, prices advanced only one-tenth of a
percent.
The figures are in line with U.S. central bank predictions that
inflation will be very low.
Federal Reserve experts say the economic slowdown leaves factories
operating below capacity and many people out of work. That makes it
hard for producers to demand price increases and for workers to get
raises.
A separate government report shows the troubled labor market getting
slightly better. The Labor Department says the number of U.S.
workers signing up for unemployment compensation decreased by 5,000 to
a total of 457,000 last week.
U.N. agency rejects bans
on Bluefin tuna, polar bears
By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
A United Nations body regulating wildlife commerce has rejected a
U.S.-backed proposal to ban the export of Atlantic bluefin tuna, a fish
used mainly in Japanese foods such as sushi and sashimi.
During a convention in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, representatives from
Monaco argued that overfishing has threatened tuna stocks. But
Japan and scores of other nations opposed the ban, saying it would
devastate fishing economies.
Only 20 countries, including the United States and Norway, voted in
favor of the ban. The 175-nation Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species will vote on a number of other measures involving
threatened plants and animals, including sharks and coral.
Earlier Thursday, the international body rejected a proposed ban on the
trade of polar bear parts.
The U.S. argued the sale of polar bear parts is endangering a
population already threatened by a shrinking ice habitat.
But Canadian representatives and others insisted the trade threat to
polar bears is minimal and that a ban would hurt the economies and
livelihoods of indigenous communities.
There are currently about 25,000 polar bears in the wild.
The United States classified polar bears as a threatened species in May
2008 and has made almost all hunting of the bear illegal.
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