A U.S. government agency signed a political risk insurance deal with a Palestinian firm Thursday to help guarantee investments in the West Bank as part of an international effort to develop the beleaguered local economy.

The legal press and blogosphere are dominated by talk of the suffering economy, every day seemingly bringing news of another law firm laying off associates, rescinding employment offers or cutting back summer programs.

Business community conclude regulations would be a terrific deal for corporate America.

As a federal court decision nears that could require employers to verify workers' Social Security numbers, Oregon employers and economists are trying to gauge the possible economic impacts.

Arizona steel fabricator Sheridan Bailey was frustrated by a state law that punished employers who hire illegal immigrants so he joined local employers and business owners to change it.