Singapore unemployment jumps to 3.2 percent in 1st quarter as manufacturing sheds jobs

SINGAPORE — The number of jobless Singaporeans jumped in the first quarter to its highest since 2005 as a slump in global trade pummeled the city-state’s exports and sparked manufacturing layoffs.

3M 1st-quarter profit falls 48 pct as sales weaken across divisions; CEO sees bottom

WASHINGTON — 3M Co., which makes everything from Post-it notes to car components, reported a 48-percent drop in its first-quarter earnings on Friday, hurt by weak demand from many of its customers, including the battered auto industry. The manufacturer cut its 2009 profit outlook, as well.

Jobless claims rise while homes sales drop; recession may be slowing but recovery far off

WASHINGTON — Worse-than-expected news on unemployment and home sales Thursday dampened optimism that a broad economic recovery might be near.

Malaysian opposition, lawyers call for wider reform of Malay ownership rule

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian opposition lawmakers and lawyers Thursday called for wider reforms of a mandatory ethnic Malay ownership rule, after the government relaxed the decades-old affirmative action program.

A look at economic developments and activity in stock markets around the world Wednesday

A look at economic developments around the globe

Malaysia scraps Malay ownership requirement for some services sectors to boost economy

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — Malaysia’s government said it has scrapped a 30 percent requirement for ethnic Malay ownership of investments in some service sectors as it tries to boost the country’s flagging economy.