UK unemployment total falls to 2.16m

The UK jobs market continued to improve in the three months to April, although the rate of wage increases slowed sharply, official figures show.

Australia job vacancies rise 2.6 percent in February quarter

(Reuters) - Job vacancies in Australia rebounded last quarter as expanded openings in the private sector offset continued weakness in government employment and added to signs that hiring is stabilizing.

Minimum wage to rise but 1% hike for young falls behind inflation

The minimum wage for young people is to rise by 1%, less than the rate of inflation, amid an on-going row over rewards for top executives and bankers at bailed-out banks.

West Bank high life masks deepening economic crisis

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Past the Israeli sentry towers blackened by firebombs and the entrance to a refugee camp emblazoned with posters of rifle-clenching militants, downtown Ramallah sparkles.

UK committee concerned about Olympic security cost

LONDON (AP) — The 2012 London Olympics run a serious risk of going over budget, a British government committee warned Friday, complaining that unexpectedly staggering security costs will make it hard to stick to the 9.3 billion pound ($14.6 billion) spending plan.