71.   At worst, in the event of a huge, prolonged Brazilian devaluation, economists said Argentine could replace the pesos completely with dollars.

72.   At the same time, economists say, driving U.S. gas prices down by lowering taxes on gasoline will accomplish little for drivers or the economy.

73.   At the same time, weaker demand in the U.S. and Asia will dampen exports of Japanese products, economists said.

74.   Bankruptcies will continue rising this year, particularly in the construction industry, where companies are succumbing to credit problems on the back of slumping sales, economists said.

75.   ATLANTA - Housing continues to give lift to an overburdened economy, although economists say the updraft may soon end.

76.   Bahrain, which earns a living from its position as the Gulf banking center, needs extra capital to satisfy restive residents, economists say.

77.   Because of this delay, these economists say, the economy will continue to become weaker before it can recover.

78.   Because retail and service jobs pay less in Japan, that could dampen consumption, some economists say.

79.   Because the first quarter deficit gives the government greater leeway in the remainder of the first half of the year, economists said.

80.   Barring massive earthquakes or another jump in the yen, this time the recovery looks real, private economists say.