The unemployment in the 16-nation Eurozone stood at 9.5 % in July as latest figures showed that 15.09 million people were without a job - figures last seen in May 1999. Figures for the EU bloc as a whole were at 9 percent.
Japan's jobless rate hit a record post-war high according to new figures released on Friday, rising to 5.7 percent in July. The results increase the pressure on beleaguered Prime Minister Taro Aso, just two days ahead of legislative elections.
Official figures may put the United States' unemployment rate at 9.4%, but the head of the Atlanta Federal reserve says the figure would be much higher if those who have dropped out of the labour pool and part-timers were counted.
Japan's main carrier, Japan Airlines, could cut as many as 5,000 jobs by 2012, local media say. The cash-strapped company has forecast a loss of 660 million dollars in the year to March 2010.
Britain's unemployment rate rose to 7.8% in June, its highest level since 1996. The Bank of England said inflation would fall under 1 percent as the economy begins a tentative recovery from recession.
US President Barack Obama says the worst of the economic crisis could be over as July figures show the US unemployment rate dropped for the first time in 15 months.
The US unemployment rate fell to 9.4 percent in July as job losses in the month narrowed to 247,000, the Labor Department has reported. The data is good news for President Barack Obama, whose opinion poll ratings have slipped of late.
US electronics firm Molex Inc said on Wednesday it was temporarily closing its factory in southwestern France, citing security concerns after 40 French workers, angry at facing redundancy, allegedly beat up a visiting American executive.
According to administration officials, US economic growth is highly likely to resume in the second half of the year. But they also warn that the jobless rate will continue to climb from its current level of 9.5 percent during the upcoming year.
