The final figure for US growth in the second quarter of 2008 was adjusted downward Thursday to 2.8 per cent by the US government, which indicated that strong exports and fewer imports helped prevent the figure from sliding any lower.
The gross domestic product (GDP) figure for the second quarter was the final of three estimates, which had previously pegged growth at 1.9 per cent and then 3.3 per cent for the second quarter in previous calculations by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
In the first quarter, real GDP increased 0.9 percent.
The final figure for the second quarter fell on items such as private inventory investment, residential fixed investment, and investments in equipment and software, reflecting the overall malaise in an economy beset by a financial crisis that has constricted the availability of credit.
Nonetheless, compared to the first quarter, 2.8 per cent economic growth offered a ray of light in the otherwise gloomy financial scene of the US capitol as it wrestles with failures in the finance industry.
Shares fell 2.1 per cent Friday on the Seoul stock exchange on general recession fears. South Korea's won dropped against the dollar.
When the Spirit rover landed on Mars five years ago, no one expected it or its sister rover Opportunity to make it to their first birthdays, let alone their fifth.
Amelie Mauresmo fell victim to a leg injury after less than half an hour on court Friday to hand over a 4-0 victory which put French compatriot Marion Bartoli into the final of the Brisbane International.
Mumbai-based movie Slumdog Millionaire won five prizes Thursday night at the Critics Choice Awards, cementing its position as a surprise favourite just as the Oscar season moves into high gear.
After the Taipei Zoo received two giant pandas from China, another Taiwan zoo said Friday it is seeking to receive a pair of pandas from China.