Boost to US workers' productivity US workers upped productivity in the first quarter of 2006, says the Labor Department, but rising wages pose a threat to inflation.
Second day of falling oil prices Crude oil prices fall for the second day and are now down by $5 a barrel since a report showed that US petrol reserves had risen.
Wal-Mart leads bumper US sales Warm weather and a late Easter has helped some of the United States' biggest retailers report bumper April sales.
Hamas seeking bank funds Hamas is asking the Palestinian central bank for a $100m loan to help ease the government's funding crisis.
UK service sector picks up pace The UK service sector expanded faster last month than at anytime in the past two years, a survey has revealed.
Sharp rise for UK house prices House price inflation rose sharply in April but is predicted to level off later in the year, Halifax bank has said.
Economic data hint at US strength Economic data underlines the strength of the US economy, and suggests that interest rates could keep rising.
