Finance & economy briefs

Rise in job creation eases economic worries

WASHINGTON -“”mdash; Hiring around the country picked up briskly
in April, with employers boosting payrolls by 274,000 and raising
hopes of better days ahead for job-seekers and the economy as a
whole. The unemployment rate held steady at 5.2 percent.

The latest snapshot of the nation’s employment climate,
released by the Labor Department on Friday, eased fears about the
economy getting stuck in the soggy spot it hit in March.

Salvadoran president in San Diego to promote
trade

SAN DIEGO “”mdash; Salvadoran President Tony Saca is promoting a
free trade agreement that would lift tariffs and other barriers to
trade with six Central American nations. The Central American Free
Trade Agreement is in trouble in Congress, which may vote on the
measure this month.

Compiled from Bruin wire services.