Unemployment up, factory orders downWASHINGTON - More people than expected lined up at the unemployment lines last week, and orders to U.S. factories plunged by the largest amount in two years, according to government data released Thursday.New applications for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week to a seven-year high due to a weakening economy and the impact of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, the Labor Department said Thursday.Meanwhile, the Commerce Department said Thursday that factory orders in August plunged by 4 percent compared to July, a much steeper decline than the 2.5 percent drop analysts expected and the biggest setback since a 4.8 percent plunge in October 2006.Oil dips below $94 on falling global demandNEW YORK - Oil prices closed at their lowest level in two weeks Thursday, tumbling below $94 per barrel on doubts that a revamped financial bailout plan will be enough to avoid a protracted economic slump and revive dwindling U.S. energy demand.The declines came a day after the Senate overwhelminglyapproved the rescue package. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for an expected vote today.Marriott profits tumble in 3rd quarterBETHESDA, Md. - Hotel company Marriott International Inc. said Thursday that its third-quarter profit dropped 28 percent, compared with 2007, and it warned investors about deteriorating conditions for 2009 amid the ongoing financial crisis.Marriott said its revenue per available room declined in North America and timeshare sales dried up amid the tight credit market and cutbacks in business and consumer spending.Auto executivesbrace for downturnPARIS - Auto executives agree: their industry is headed into a giant storm.The clouds of global economic turmoil cast a pall over the opening of the Paris Motor Show on Thursday.General Motors Corp. Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson said the U.S. hasn't seen such a slump in auto sales in two decades and predicted "chaos" if U.S. lawmakers don't approve a $700 billion financial bailout plan.Ford Motor Co.'s CEO for Europe, John Fleming, said he is bracing for a difficult end to 2008 as declining housing markets and tightening credit take their toll.

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