U.S. economy adds 295,000 jobs in FebruaryMarch 7, 2015 - 13:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. economy added 295,000 jobs in February, while the unemployment rate fell to 5.5% from 5.7%, Labor Department figures showed, according to BBC News. It was the 12th month running that the economy added more than 200,000 jobs, the longest such run since 1994. The stronger-than-expected jobs figure led to a jump in the value of the dollar. Markets are now speculating that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates in June this year. The Labor Department figure showed there were job gains in a number of sectors including construction, health care, and transportation. There were also job gains in food and drinks outlets, professional and business services, and warehousing. However, employment in mining was down over the month. The figure for the number of jobs created in January was revised down from 257,000 to 239,000. In February, average hourly earnings for all employees on private non-farm payrolls rose by 3 cents to $24.78, with earnings up by 2% over the year. The labor force participation rate fell to 62.8% from 62.9%, as more people made themselves available for work. Related links: Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Armenian delegation participating in NATO PA session The delegation is headed by Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the standing committee on defense and security matters. Schengen visa cost won’t change for Armenia – diplomat The increase in the cost of a Schengen visa will not apply to citizens of Armenia, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said. Azerbaijan's defense spending set to increase by 11% Azerbaijan's spending on defense and national security will increase by 11%, according to a fresh bill. Armenian PM’s helicopter makes emergency landing in Vanadzor The helicopter transporting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made an emergency landing in Vanadzor. |