More than 86 percent of workers worldwide who lost their jobs after the global economic crisis -- about 34.4 million people -- had no unemployment benefit to fall back on, the International Labour Organization said on Wednesday.

"More than 86 percent of the almost 40 million people who dropped out of the labor market since 2008 found themselves without a regular income from one day to the other,” said ILO social protection expert Florence Bonnet.

World stock markets were mixed Wednesday, with European indexes down on worsening economic prospects and labor union strikes, while U.S. shares followed Asia's lead higher.

On Wall Street, stocks opened higher as Cisco's earnings came in ahead of expectations, September retail sales data were revised higher, and renewed efforts got under way in Washington to resolve the impending "fiscal cliff."

Baton-wielding riot police and demonstrators clashed in central Madrid on Wednesday as Spain held a general strike as part of a Europe-wide anti-austerity protest.

Across Spain meanwhile, an interior ministry spokeswoman said that by late morning police had arrested 62 people and 34 people had been injured in "isolated incidents," 18 of them police.

Jordan on Wednesday was hit by more protests and strikes as anger mounted against a government increase in fuel prices a day after mobs attacked a police station and surrounded the prime minister's house.

The sudden price hike drew sharp condemnation from the opposition Islamists, who warned of civil disobedience and increased opposition to the government in the run-up to general elections in January, which they are boycotting.

Asian shares rose Wednesday as a Greek debt sale soothed fears over the country's future and as dealers picked up bargains after a recent sell-off fuelled by concerns over the US fiscal cliff.

The euro, which sank to a two-month low against the dollar in Europe on Tuesday, edged up against the greenback and yen as a little confidence returned to the market.

Toyota on Wednesday announced a global recall of 2.77 million vehicles over water pump or steering problems, in the latest blow to the firm's reputation after a spate of earlier call backs.

Japan's biggest automaker said there were no reported injuries or accidents, but it had received about 400 complaints in Japan over the pump issue and a handful about the steering problem.

Canada's natural resources minister said Tuesday a report that says the U.S. will become the world's largest oil producer by the end of the decade should serve as a wake-up call that illustrates the pressing need for Canada to diversify its energy exports.

The International Energy Agency reported this week the U.S. will become the world's largest oil producer by around 2020 as new exploration technologies help find more resources. The energy watchdog also predicted that greater oil and natural gas production, as well as more efficient use of energy, will allow the U.S. to become largely energy self-sufficient by 2035.

The euro is falling against the dollar after finance ministers delayed $40 billion in aid for Greece.

The ministers will meet again on Nov. 20 to make a decision about releasing the much needed aid to Greece.

A government-commissioned report says the British economy received a multi-billion-pound (dollar) boost from construction projects for the London Olympics.

The report says the economy was lifted by 7.3 billion pounds ($11.6 billion) from the construction of venues and infrastructure for the games. The construction budget was 6.5 billion pounds ($10.3 billion).

flydubai, Dubai’s innovative low-cost airline, has announced flights to Malé, the capital of the Republic of Maldives (the Maldives).

Commencing on January 19, 2013, flights will operate five times a week between Dubai’s Terminal 2 and the Maldives’ Ibrahim Nasir International Airport on the island of Malé. Bringing flydubai’s presence in the Indian Subcontinent to nine points across six countries, the new route will allow travelers from across the region to enjoy affordable fares to one of the world’s most renowned leisure destinations.