US adds 157,000 jobs in January but unemployment rate climbs to 7.9%

The US unemployment rate edged up to 7.9% in January as the number of new jobs came in below expectations, in a further indication of the fragility of the economic recovery.

Boost for Obama as US jobless rate falls to four-year low

The US unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in almost four years, giving President Barack Obama a boost as the presidential race enters its final month.