The U.S. economy grew at its slowest pace in two years as the gross domestic product grew by just 3.1 percent in the first quarter of 2005, according to the Commerce Department. This was the slowest growth since 2003 and was a half a percentage point lower than economist had predicted. Most experts cite rising energy costs, lower business investment, and a widening trade gap as the major factors contributing to the slowdown. In a related story, statistics released by the Labor Department show weekly unemployment claims rising by 21,000 to 320,000. read more