(MCT) WASHINGTON – Up to 5.8 million additional workers in the United States could join the… (MCT) WASHINGTON – Up to 5.8 million additional workers in the United States could join the ranks of the unemployed by 2011 if the economy were to fall into a severe recession, according to a report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

The report comes on the heels of the government’s news Friday that U.S. employers are already cutting back on hiring. January marks the first monthly contraction in non-farm payrolls in four years – data that might be the smoking gun showing that the economy has entered a recession.

Lawmakers are working on a stimulus plan, which could be passed in coming weeks, that they hope will boost the economy and stave off recession. A recession technically occurs if the economy contracts for two consecutive quarters. The U.S. economy grew at a weak 0.6 percent in the fourth quarter, according to preliminary data.

In the case of a mild to moderate recession spanning six to nine months, CEPR projects an additional 3.2 million unemployed by 2010. At the end of last year, there were about 7 million unemployed. CEPR, which applied trends from recent recessions to create a forecast for a 2008 recession, also argued that the labor market would still be in bad shape even after a formal recession ends. – Ruth Mantell, MarketWatch

(MCT) WILMINGTON, Del. – A flurry of campaigning that included celebrity endorsements, pointed criticisms and even Super Bowl ads played out Sunday in advance of what will be the single biggest day of voting in presidential primary history – Super Tuesday.

Republican front-runner Sen. John McCain sought votes in Connecticut and Massachusetts as he tried to bolster his conservative credentials on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

A hoarse-voiced Sen. Hillary Clinton focused her efforts on Missouri and Minnesota, where Sen. Barack Obama had stopped the day before. Those states are among the more than 20 that will weigh in Tuesday in the Republican and Democratic nomination contests.

Obama, whose campaign ran ads during the Super Bowl in more than 20 states, waged a two-front battle against Clinton and McCain. Oprah Winfrey campaigned for Obama in California, the biggest prize among Tuesday’s contests, and he received the endorsement of the state’s first lady, Maria Shriver.

A new Field Poll in California showed the Democratic race tightening there, with Clinton at 36 percent and Obama at 34 percent.

On the Republican side, McCain led with 32 percent, followed by Romney at 24 percent. At 13 percent was former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who campaigned in Southern states where he believes he can gain more traction.

National polls show Obama narrowing Clinton’s lead, even as McCain appears to be widening his over Romney. – John McCormick and Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune

(MCT) COLUMBIA, S.C. – If you’re old enough to fight, you’re old enough to drink.

That’s the opinion of South Carolina state Rep. Fletcher Smith, who is sponsoring a bill that would make it legal for service members younger than 21 to down an alcoholic drink or buy a six-pack.

All the service member would have to do is show his military identification card to the bartender or store clerk.

It doesn’t make sense to prohibit a young soldier, Marine, airman or sailor from having a drink, said Smith, a Greenville Democrat.

“They’ve proven they’re adults,” Smith said. “They have the maturity that an average 18-year-old wouldn’t have.”

However, highway safety advocates oppose Smith’s bill, and troops have varying reactions.

Pfc. Stanton Jackson, who joined the Army National Guard at 19, agrees with Smith.

“If you’re responsible enough to sign on the dotted line and serve your country, then you’re responsible enough to drink,” said Jackson, who recently turned 21. “You get real mature after you go through basic training.”

Midshipman William Sandifer, a Naval ROTC cadet at the University of South Carolina, opposes the bill because it would lower the drinking age only for military members.

“You’re saying we’re more responsible, but it’s just our job,” said the 21-year-old Sandifer, who joined ROTC when he was 18. – Chuck Crumbo, McClatchy Newspapers

(MCT) CHICAGO – Microsoft Corp. put a price Friday on its inability to keep pace with Google Inc. in the race for dominance on the Internet: $44.6 billion.

That’s how much Microsoft offered for Yahoo Inc., another technology titan struggling to keep up with Google, the Internet search king.

Tired of talking with Yahoo about a partnership, as it has done periodically over the past 18 months, Microsoft instead initiated a surprise takeover bid for the web portal.

The size of the proposed cash-and-stock transaction puts Yahoo under intense pressure to consider the offer, valued at $31 a share – a rich, 62 percent premium over Yahoo’s $19.18 closing price on Thursday. Microsoft’s offer was made Friday before the markets opened.

A deal would usher in a new era of competition between Microsoft and Google, the two biggest players of the digital age.

The fact that Microsoft is chasing Yahoo is an acknowledgment that it couldn’t catch up to Google, the online portal of choice for tens of millions of computer users, who go online to do everything from watching videos on Google’s YouTube to looking for a favorite restaurant. – Eric Benderoff, Chicago Tribune