[AP] - The number of people signing up for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in two months, an encouraging sign that companies aren't resorting to deeper layoffs even as the economy has lost momentum.

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[AP] - Stocks extended their September rally Thursday after more encouraging news on the job market. The Dow Jones industrial average fell from its morning highs, but was still up 36 points in afternoon trading after the Labor Department said first-time claims for unemployment benefits fell last week to the lowest level in two months.

[AP] - The U.S. has slipped down the ranks of competitive economies, falling behind Sweden and Singapore due to huge deficits and pessimism about government, a global economic group said Thursday.

[AP] - The nation's health care tab will go up -- not down -- as a result of President Barack Obama's sweeping overhaul. That's the conclusion of a government forecast Thursday, which also predicts the increase will be modest.

[AP] - Japan said Thursday it plans to sign a free trade pact with India that will scrap tariffs on 94 percent of traded goods over 10 years.

[AP] - The Bank of England held interest rates steady at a record low of 0.5 percent for the 18th consecutive month on Thursday amid growing fears about a double-dip recession.

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[AP] - Britain's financial regulator hit Goldman Sachs International with a 17.5 million pounds fine on Thursday for failing to notify U.K. authorities about an investigation in the United States.

[AP] - Britain's financial regulator hit Goldman Sachs International with a 17.5 million pounds fine on Thursday for failing to notify U.K. authorities about an investigation in the United States.

[AP] - Asian stock markets gained in early trading Friday as sentiment improved after gains on Wall Street. Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average rose 1.8 percent to 9,261.80 at midmorning, as the market welcomed data showing Japan's economy grew more than preliminary numbers indicated and the yen retreated against the dollar.

[AP] - Chinese shares fell Thursday on fears of possible new government curbs on real estate as investors waited for monthly economic data.

[AP] - South Korea's central bank left its key interest rate near a record low Thursday for a second straight month as the risk of slowing global growth outweighed a buoyant outlook for the local economy.

[AP] - Korea National Oil Corp. says it won't raise its hostile takeover bid for Britain's Dana Petroleum. The statement released Thursday follows Dana's publication of a defense document which argued that the company was worth significantly more than KNOC's offer of 1.87 billion pounds , or 1,800 pence per share.

[AP] - The euro has slipped back below $1.27, giving up slight gains it made thanks to a relatively successful bond auction in Portugal.

This is a Real-time headline. These are breaking news, delivered the minute it happens, delivered ticker-tape style. Visit www.marketwatch.com or the quote page for more information about this breaking news.

This is a Real-time headline. These are breaking news, delivered the minute it happens, delivered ticker-tape style. Visit www.marketwatch.com or the quote page for more information about this breaking news.

[AP] - Oil prices rose to near $75 a barrel Thursday after a report showed U.S. crude inventories fell more than expected, suggesting demand may be improving.

[AP] - Global stock markets mostly rose Thursday as the latest bout of jitters over Europe's debt woes eased, though Chinese shares fell on fears that authorities might do more to cool the property sector.

[AP] - South Korea's central bank left its key interest rate near a record low Thursday for a second straight month as the risk of slowing global growth outweighed a buoyant outlook for the local economy.