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US economy stalls in Q1 as weather, lower energy prices biteU.S. economic growth braked more sharply than expected in the first quarter as harsh weather dampened consumer spending and energy companies struggling with low prices slashed spending, but there are signs activity is picking up.Gross domestic product expanded at an only 0.2 percent annual rate, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday. That was a big step down from the fourth quarter's 2.2 percent pace and marked the weakest reading in a year.The government did not quantify the impact of the weather, the strong dollar and the ports disruptions on growth last quarter. Economists, however, estimate unusually cold weather in February chopped off as much as half a percentage point, with the port disruptions shaving off a further 0.3 percentage point.
Obama: No 'Greater Threat' Than Climate ChangeIn remarks that spanned economic growth to income inequality, the Sept. 11 attacks at the start of the century to new partnerships abroad, President Barack Obama declared global warming the most profound danger to the future of the union.“No challenge – no challenge – poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change,†Obama said in his sixth State of the Union address Tuesday night. “2014 was the planet’s warmest year on record. Now, one year doesn’t make a trend, but this does:  14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all fallen in the first 15 years of this century.â€