AFP - The US government will release fresh unemployment figures Friday, with Americans hoping for some sign that a limping economic recovery has not come to a stop.

AP - The dollar fell Friday after a weak report on July jobs highlighted the country%27s tough labor market, increasing expectations that economic growth would slow in the second half of the year.

U.S. News & World Report - While the financial reform legislation won%27t upend the conventions of buying or selling a home, it will precipitate key changes within the mortgage market. Even after all of the new rules are implemented, most consumers will still encounter the same figures--real estate agents, mortgage brokers, home inspectors--that have long defined the home-buying process. But the legislation includes a number of specific provisions that, while perhaps less visible to house hunters, will have a profound effect on the type of mortgage that buyers end up with. ...

AP - Safety first. That appears to be the new motto for investors trying to figure out how bad the emerging slowdown in U.S. economic growth is going to be.

AP - Oil prices rose above $82 a barrel Friday in Asia ahead of a key employment report that will help investors gauge the strength of the U.S. economy.

Investor%27s Business Daily - Apollo Group%27s (NMS:APOL) University of Phoenix, Corinthian Colleges%27 (NMS:COCO) Everest College, Washington Post Co.%27s Kaplan College and Education Management%27s (NMS:EDMC) Argosy University enrolled students in programs they can%27t afford, exaggerated potential earnings and urged some to lie on financial forms, said the Gov%27t Accountability Office. Senate Education Committee Chairman Tom Harkin pledged to curb abuse. The GAO made the charges Tues. but hadn%27t named specific for-profits. School stocks fell a bit.

AFP - Oil prices fell on Friday when traders locked in profits ahead of the release of US data expected to show rising unemployment in the world%27s largest energy consuming nation, analysts said.

AP - Stocks and interest rates dropped Friday after a disappointing employment report renewed concerns about a slowdown in economic growth.

U.S. News & World Report - Most young people who are just starting out don%27t have a lot of money to save or invest--much less pay a professional to advise them on how to save and invest. But some experts say financial guidance at a young age is worth the cost. Yuval Bar-Or, founder of The Light Brigade, an Ellicott City, Md.-based company that offers financial literacy consulting, says financial planners are a good resource because they can examine your complete financial picture. "A planner can help by using their knowledge ... to come up with a game plan. ...

U.S. News & World Report - We discuss the importance of saving and investing for retirement so often that we sometimes forget the importance of other areas of our lives. While tucking away enough money is important, having a comfortable retirement is so much more than just having enough money to draw on. Here are five nonfinancial ways we all need to plan for retirement.

AFP - EU and IMF officials were reporting on Thursday the results of a two-week audit into Greek finances which will determine whether the debt-hit nation can unlock fresh funds from a massive bailout loan.

Reuters - Stocks fell on Friday as data showed the economy shed more jobs than expected last month, increasing worries that the path to economic recovery will be slow.