Five coal-powered power plants also shut down, adding to concerns over energy shortages.
That worries members of Congress and science experts, adding to concerns that the president is less than friendly to science.
"Will Portugal be proactive or will it hope for the best and try its luck in January?" The political and social backdrop is adding to concerns.
Earlier this month, the government told another nuclear power plant to shut down until it could bolster its tsunami defenses, adding to concerns about a possible energy shortage.
Several retailers reported muted sales growth for May, adding to concerns that the nation's economy was straining under higher costs for raw materials like oil and cotton.
She is expected again to highlight problems with the tax credit system, adding to concerns that the system will become discredited without further reforms.
Japan's exports slumped the most in six months in July as shipments to Europe and China tumbled, adding to concerns about global demand.
Anecdotal reports suggested that business spending was still in "the process of moving lower" at the same time economic weakness abroad was adding to concerns.
Tonight, Mir Aimal Kansi, the Pakistani convicted of killing two C.I.A. employees outside the agency's headquarters in 1993, was executed, adding to concerns about reprisals.
New European car sales rise at slowest rate in five months, adding to concerns that the recovery may be running out of juice.
North Korea said today that its official food stocks would run out by mid-March, adding to concerns about the risk of famine there.
