Despite a sharp slow-down in job losses in August (216,000 jobs lost, the agricultural sector excepted, compared with 276,000 in June), the White House has announced a rise in the monthly unemployment rate from 9.4% in July to 9.7%, the highest level since June 1983. The US economy has now lost 7.4 million jobs since the start of the recession in December 2007. (I.L.)