UNEMPLOYMENT

Algerian opposition groups said on Friday they would probably go ahead with a planned protest march next week despite promises from the president to heed some of their demands and allow more political freedoms.

Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians marched peacefully in Cairo on Friday to demand an immediate end to President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule, but there was no sign of his generals, or his U.S. allies, squeezing him out just yet.

Canadian job growth surged past expectations in January, with the economy officially recouping all the jobs lost in the recession, underscoring that its recovery is on track even as the U.S. labor market struggles.

U.S. employment rose far less than expected in January, partly the result of severe snow storms that slammed large parts of the nation, but the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since April 2009.

Among the issues raised by the recent outbreak of civil unrest in the Middle East and North Africa is the rapidly growing population in some of these countries. This subject has particularly stark implications for Israel.

For Esther Moloto, the 32-year-old owner of a little house on top of the world's biggest platinum reserves, the sound of progress is falling plaster.

U.S. employment rose far less than expected in January, partly the result of severe snow storms that slammed large parts of the nation, but the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since April 2009.

U.S. stocks wavered in early trade on Friday after a government report showed that U.S. added fewer jobs than forecast for January, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly declined to its lowest level since April 2009

The U.S. economy added a mere net new 36,000 jobs last month, although the unemployment rate fell sharply to 9.0 percent from 9.4 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Dollar Gold and Silver Prices were little changed in London trade on Friday, unmoved by unexpectedly weak US jobs data near two- and 3-week highs respectively.

When it comes to the size of corporates, most Americans are wary of giant-sized ones straddling continents and effectively controlling many a government.

As popular protests are bring down governments or seriously compromising rulers in the Middle East, one person looking at the turn of events uneasily is the Saudi Arabian King Abdullah.

New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits dropped more than expected last week, a government report showed on Thursday, pointing to continued gradual improvement in the labor market.

Tens of thousands of Yemenis squared off in peaceful protests for and against the government on Thursday during an opposition-led Day of Rage, a day after President Ali Abdullah Saleh offered to step down in 2013.

Algeria promised to end a 19-year-old state of emergency and provide more political freedoms on Thursday, concessions designed to keep out a wave of uprisings sweeping the Arab world.

Egypt's government struggled to regain control of an angry nation, inviting Islamist opponents to political talks as protesters demanding the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak battled with his supporters on the streets.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech to the National Press Club on Feb. 3, 2011

New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week while nonfarm productivity in the fourth quarter was stronger than expected, confirmation the economic recovery was strengthening.

Major U.S. retailers shrugged off the snowiest January in six years to post sales that blew past analyst expectations, easing concerns that consumers were all spent out after the holidays.

Applications for jobless benefits in the U.S. fell more than expected for the week ended Jan. 29, following a sharp increase in the previous week.

ThinkEquity has outlined its top consumer stock picks for 2011. The stocks include: Life Time Fitness, PetSmart, Williams-Sonoma, Coach, and Advance Auto Parts.