The price of iron ore has dropped to its lowest level in more than eight months as weak sentiment and ample inventories damp demand from Chinese steelmakers.

Risky lending caused private student loan debt to balloon in the past decade, leaving many Americans struggling to pay off loans that they can't afford, a government study says.

More than 200 Chihuahuas have been removed from what officials are calling unsanitary conditions in a central Pennsylvania home.

China has told its local governments to keep a firm grip on the housing market to prevent property prices from rebounding, state media reported Friday, citing an urgent government notice.

Singapore Exchange Ltd. plans to tighten qualifying criteria for listing on its main board in an effort to boost the exchange's profile and attract higher quality companies, according to report Friday in The Wall Street Journal.

Asian markets were little changed on Friday, taking pause after the large gains made in the previous session, as select stocks were buoyed by strong U.S. corporate earnings, though weaker employment data spoiled sentiment.

Banks under investigation for possible collusion in a widening interest rate scandal are mulling a group settlement to avoid a Barclays-style backlash from regulators and politicians, Reuters reported late Thursday, citing unnamed sources.

Thai Beverage (Y92.SG) said Friday an offer by Heineken (HEIA.AE) to buy out Fraser & Neave Ltd.'s (F99.SG) stake in Asia Pacific Breweries (A46.SG) has no impact on Thai Beverage's purchase this week of 22% of Fraser & Neave.

Deutsche Bank AG (DB) will curtail its slumping asset management business and reduce employment in investment banking by 1,000 positions, mainly in New York and London, German daily Financial Times Deutschland reported Friday without citing specific sources.

Hong Kong stocks moved about between modest gains and small losses in early trading Friday, with gains for telecommunication and energy shares providing support as financial and property sectors suffered declines.