News In Brief

Economic indicators rise 1.3 percent in November

The index of leading economic indicators registered a 1.3 percent increase in November, the biggest jump since February, the Commerce Department reported Friday. Two key reasons: more building permits and more money pumped into the economy by the Federal Reserve. In recent months, the index had been reflecting the abrupt slowdown in the economy during the second half of the year.

The Christian Science Monitor will not be published on Jan. 1, a national holiday in the United States. Materials to be included in the Jan. 2 editions were prepared and printed Dec. 31.