UK Unemployment Hits Five-Year High; Chinese Tourists Shun Japan
LONDON - February 17, 2026 - The UK's unemployment rate climbed to its highest level in nearly five years, reaching 5.2% in December, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Meanwhile, Chinese tourists are increasingly avoiding Japan, and the United States and Iran have agreed on "guiding principles" in nuclear talks.
The rise in UK unemployment, up from 5.1% in November, is particularly affecting young people, with the jobless rate for those aged 16 to 24 soaring to 16.1%, the highest in over a decade, according to BBC Business. While wages continue to rise faster than prices, the growth rate is slowing. Many businesses have slowed hiring, citing measures in recent budgets.
In other economic news, a tax calculator from BBC Business highlights how frozen tax thresholds, extended until 2031, could impact take-home pay. The calculator applies to employees in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with different rules for Scotland and the self-employed.
Simultaneously, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Japan during the lunar new year holidays is expected to fall by up to 60% compared to the previous year, as reported by The Guardian. This decline comes amid ongoing tensions, with Japan's stance on Taiwan drawing criticism and travel warnings from China. Japan has fallen out of the top 10 destinations for Chinese travelers celebrating the lunar new year.
On the international stage, Iran and the United States have reached an understanding on "guiding principles" after fresh talks on Tehran's nuclear capabilities in Geneva, according to Sky News. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that while a final agreement may not be imminent, "the path has started." Oman's foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, described the talks as "constructive" and noted "good progress."
In Syria, a Syrian government official told Sky News that the al Hol camp, which housed tens of thousands of women and children linked to ISIS, is now largely emptied due to escapes after the government took control in January.
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