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A Chechen immigrant shot to death in central Florida after an altercation with an FBI agent had several ties to that of one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects who authorities were questioning him about at the...more>> A Chechen immigrant shot to death in central Florida after an altercation with an FBI agent had several ties to one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects who authorities were questioning him about at the time.more>> Amid lingering concerns about his national security policies, President Barack Obama is outlining measures to clarify the deadly use of drones against terror suspects.more>> President Barack Obama on Thursday is expected to address some of the thornier aspects of national security policy, including drone strikes, the prison at Guantanamo Bay and the dire threats Americans continue to face - even...more>> The FBI has arrested a suspect in a case involving the discovery of a pair of letters containing the deadly poison ricin and says investigators are working "around the clock" to address any remaining risks.more>> The FBI has arrested a suspect in a case involving the discovery of a pair of letters containing the deadly poison ricin and says investigators are working "around the clock" to address any remaining risks.more>> Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper's decision to block the execution of convicted killer Nathan Dunlap for as long as he is governor infuriated victims' relatives and drew quick criticism from Republicans...more>> Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper's decision to block the execution of convicted killer Nathan Dunlap for as long as he is governor infuriated victims' relatives and drew quick criticism from Republicans ahead of the...more>> Jurors in Jodi Arias' murder trial resume deliberations Thursday after they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on whether she should be sentenced to life in prison or death for killing her one-time...more>> Jurors in Jodi Arias' murder trial resume deliberations Thursday after they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on whether she should be sentenced to life in prison or death for killing her one-time boyfriend,...more>> Contraception coverage by for-profit companies faces a prominent test in Denver.more>> In the most prominent challenge of its kind, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. is asking a federal appeals court Thursday for an exemption from part of the federal health care law that requires it to offer employees health coverage...more>> Two hundred American former prisoners of war who were taken captive during the Vietnam War are arriving in Southern California to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their release.more>> U.S. Navy Lt. Mike McGrath was just 27 years old, with a wife and two toddler sons in the U.S., when he was shot down and taken prisoner on his 179th bombing mission during the Vietnam War.more>> Nine-year-old Sydney Angle was "everywhere at once" when she was out on the softball field. Kyle Davis, 8, was nicknamed "The Wall" because of his size and presence on the soccer field. JaNae Hornsby, also 9, was the...more>> Nine-year-old Sydney Angle was "everywhere at once" when she was out on the softball field. Kyle Davis, 8, was nicknamed "The Wall" because of his size and presence on the soccer field. JaNae Hornsby, also 9, was the life of...more>> Three days of congressional hearings about the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative political groups have lawmakers looking for ways to widen an investigation that has so far been largely...more>> Three days of congressional hearings about the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative political groups have lawmakers looking for ways to widen an investigation that has so far been largely contained within...more>> A company that promised sightseer tours to the Bronx that included a New York City "ghetto" has stopped the bus rides under fire from an outraged neighborhood.more>> A company that promised sightseer tours to the Bronx that included a New York City "ghetto" has stopped the bus rides under fire from an outraged neighborhood.more>>
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Former IRS commissioner knew tea party groups targeted in 2012; says he didn't tell anyonemore>> Former IRS commissioner knew tea party groups targeted in 2012; says he didn't tell anyonemore>> Jodi Arias tells jury she can contribute from prison if she's allowed to livemore>> Jodi Arias tells jury she can contribute from prison if she's allowed to livemore>> AP photographer describes rescuers pulling children from tornado-flattened Oklahoma schoolmore>> AP photographer describes rescuers pulling children from tornado-flattened Oklahoma school.more>> Obama pledges urgent assistance to Oklahoma town devastated by tornadomore>> Obama pledges urgent assistance to Oklahoma town devastated by tornadomore>> Crews search through the night after tornado slams Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51more>> Crews search through the night after tornado slams Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51more>> Crews search through the night after tornado slams Oklahoma City suburb, killing at least 51more>> Senators Gillibrand and Snowe discuss the need to end sexual assaults in the military.more>> Senators Gillibrand and Snowe discuss the need to end sexual assaults in the military.more>> Damage control: Obama takes action on trio of controversies, but Republicans still unsatisfiedmore>> Damage control: Obama takes action on trio of controversies, but Republicans still unsatisfiedmore>> Holder: Justice probe of IRS could include civil rights violations, potential false statementsmore>> Holder: Justice probe of IRS could include civil rights violations, potential false statementsmore>> Pressure on Benghazi, IRS, leaks investigation pose big hurdles for Obama's second-term hopesmore>> Pressure on Benghazi, IRS, leaks investigation pose big hurdles for Obama's second-term hopesmore>>
WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people seeking unemployment benefits plunged last week to the lowest level in four years, a hopeful sign for the job market. But the decline was partly due to temporary factors.
The Labor Department said weekly applications dropped 26,000 to a seasonally adjusted 350,000, the lowest level since March 2008. The four-week average fell to 376,500.
When applications consistently fall below 375,000, it generally suggests hiring is strong enough to reduce the unemployment rate.
Still, special factors affected the report. Automakers have traditionally closed their plants for the first two weeks in July to prepare them to build new car models. But this year they are limiting the shutdowns to boost production. That resulted in fewer temporary layoffs than is normally the case in early July.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
