AP - New claims for unemployment benefits jumped last week to their highest level in seven years due to the impact of a slowing economy and Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

AP - New home sales tumbled in August to the slowest pace in 17 years, while the average sales price fell by the largest amount on record, demonstrating the depth of the problem that Washington is trying to solve.

AP - Banks and Wall Street firms ramped up borrowing from the Federal Reserve's emergency lending facility over the past week, a fresh sign of the credit stresses plaguing the country.

AP - New applications for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly last week, largely due to Hurricane Gustav, the government said Thursday, adding further strain to the economy.

AP - Construction of new homes and apartments fell to the weakest pace in 17 years in August, far more than expected, but lower mortgage rates and tax credits have given builders some glimmer of hope of a possible rebound.

AP - The Federal Reserve kept a key interest rate unchanged Tuesday, saying that strains in financial markets have "increased significantly" but that it would keep an eye on them and act, if needed.

AP - Consumer prices in August posted the first monthly decline in nearly two years as Americans finally got some relief from surging energy prices. But the cost of food and clothing still rose last month and wages over the past year are down.

AP - Consumer prices in August posted the first monthly decline in nearly two years as Americans finally get a break from surging energy prices.