Reuters - International inspectors on Thursday applauded Greece%27s efforts to exit its debt crisis, endorsing a fresh 9 billion euro payment from an EU/IMF bailout scheme, but urged reforms in energy, banking and the public sector.

AP - Unilever NV on Thursday reported a 39 percent rise in second quarter net profit, but the maker of Lipton tea, Dove soap and Ben & Jerry%27s ice cream warned of a tough economic climate to come.

AFP - Oil prices fell on Friday when traders locked in profits ahead of the release of US data expected to show rising unemployment in the world%27s largest energy consuming nation, analysts said.

AP - The nation isn%27t creating nearly enough jobs to reduce persistently high unemployment.

AP - World stock markets were mostly higher Friday as investors looked to monthly employment figures for clues about the strength of the U.S. economic recovery.

Reuters - The dollar was on the defensive and Japanese stocks fell after weak U.S. jobless claims figures heightened worries that Friday%27s payroll data could paint a bleak picture of the U.S. economic recovery.