The effects of a persistent recession, say the police and others familiar with the neighborhood, have blurred the lines between the poor and the middle class.

In Argentina, persistent recession closed down that operation in May 2001.

A.T.& T. cited the persistent recession both in the national economy and the computer business.

Even before the hurricane, the persistent recession had already choked off visitors' dollars and left the place waiting for better times.

Outside Germany, protest voters punished longtime incumbents for failing to end a persistent recession.

But all things are not equal: The persistent recession dumped a huge number of qualified people onto the job market.

The bad news, coming during the most stubbornly persistent recession in decades, was a particular blow because it arrived without warning.

The futurists who find their client list growing say they are in demand because rapid global change and a persistent recession have overturned old expectations.

But that will require policy initiatives, especially to combat the persistent recession, as well as shifts in personnel and attitude.

The company blamed the quarter's comparatively poor results on the persistent recession in the state, which is the nation's largest.