at a halt

. This wave of industrial unrest, much of it not sanctioned by the recognized unions, comes as the South Africa's finance minister has cut forecast for growth. Investors are increasingly skeptical about the country's future, a major headache for President Jacob Zuma.

The US unemployment rate has fallen below 8%, its lowest level in almost 4 years. Speaking at the rally a few hours after the figures were released, President Obama said America was on the route to recovery.

Our businesses have now added 5.2 million new jobs over the past two and a half year. This morning we found out that the unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level since I took office.

The director general of the BBC says the allegations of its former star presenter, Jimmy Savile, sexually abused young teenagers in the 60s and 70s have left him

appalled

. George Enthrew who recently

took up the post o

f the director general said the BBC’s thoughts and sympathies were with the women affected and he urged staff, past and present, with any information to come forward. Sir Jimmy Savile died last year.

You are listening to the latest world news from the BBC.

Turkish military units have opened fire on Syrian military positions after a mortar shell landed on the countryside in southern Turkey. The Syrian shell landed near a town of InHatay province. There were no reports of casualties. On Wednesday and Thursday Syrian military targets were hit by a Turkish artillery after a Syrian mortar shell killed five people in the Turkish town of Akcakale.