With a skilled labor force and a welcoming business environment, Virginia will weather the economic storm better than other states, state Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick O. Gottschalk told local business leaders Thursday.

April 22 (Bloomberg) -- Japan's wages will probably rise as the ``pro-labor, pro-small business'' Democratic Party of Japan increases its political influence, Merrill Lynch and Co. said.

The summer concert business enjoyed a healthy year, despite dire predictions that economic struggles and rising gas prices would make live music a tough sell.

The number of layoffs was less than most analysts expected, but the report from the Labor Department suggested that the pressure on business owners and consumers was likely to continue.

Here are latest employment and earnings estimates for employees in some occupations that often receive tips. Released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the figures came out before the economy hit the skids.