US employment figures prove disappointing
The government's survey of employers showed hiring slowed sharply during August to 96,000, down from 141,000 in July and well below the 125,000 forecast figure.
- The unemployment rate, which is derived from a separate survey of households, fell because the workforce shrank by 368,000 during the month.
- The participation rate, a measure of the people employed compared to the size of the workforce, fell to 63.5 percent in August - the lowest since September 1981 - from 63.7 percent a month earlier.
- A big drag on hiring came from the manufacturing sector, where payrolls dropped by 15,000.
Obama didn't tell us what he'll do next
There was something strangely disappointing about Obama's speech: it was rousing but he didn't answer the questions we all want answered.
Obama asks America for four more years
President Barack Obama formally accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for president at the Democratic National Convention.
Bill Clinton delivers a stirring defence of Barack Obama
The former Democrat president shone as he backed Barack Obama. But will it breathe new life into his flagging re-election campaign?