51.   But depressed household spending over the month meant weak demand at home would dampen recovery prospects, economists said.

52.   Consumers, he said, could be expected to increase spending over the coming months, as suggested by the latest improvement in the confidence index for July.

53.   They had spent over a year in captivity.

54.   Major obstacles in talks were a rookie salary cap plan, free agency standards and a tax plan for teams who spend over a certain amount on player salaries.