Economists predict fall in unemployment rate

Companies are expected to step up hiring in 2004, according to a group of economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal.

The 54 economists surveyed for the Journal’s 2004 economic-forecast report said they thought the unemployment rate could fall to 5.5 percent by November.

Hiring fueled by increasing corporate profits and economic growth could lead to as many as 1.5 million new jobs, the Journal said.

Food

Mad cow case prompts Chick-fil-A to delay ads

Chick-fil-A is postponing its newest ad campaign featuring cows urging people to eat chicken instead of beef to avoid appearing insensitive to concerns about the nation’s first confirmed case of mad cow disease.

The Atlanta-based chain had planned to unveil new in-store and direct-mail advertising this month.

“It’s not the intention of Chick-fil-A to make light or take advantage of any food health crisis,” spokesman Jerry Johnston said. “We are voluntarily withdrawing or delaying our advertising.”

Workplace

Miner deaths fall

The number of miners killed on the job in the United States fell to 55 in 2003, the fewest deaths since the federal government began keeping track in 1910.

Preliminary figures from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration show 29 of the deaths occurred in coal mines, up from 27 last year. There were 26 deaths in gold, stone and other types of mines, down from 40 last year.

The previous record low was 67 deaths in 2002. During the 1970s, more than 100 coal miners across the nation died in mine accidents each year. The numbers have continually declined since then.

International

South Asian countries agree on free-trade zone

The impoverished nations of South Asia agreed Friday on the framework for a free-trade zone that would encompass one-fifth of the world’s population, a step that could deepen the improving relations between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan.

The broad framework of the accord, which would start tearing down tariffs by Jan. 1, 2006, was reached during talks in Islamabad by foreign ministers preparing for the first summit in two years of the leaders of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives and Bhutan — home to hundreds of millions of the world’s poorest people.

The free trade agreement would allow harmonization of tariffs and the free flow of goods and services, and the establishment of a regional development bank to promote cooperation among central banks, Sinha said.