UNITED STATES

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Wednesday called on banks to get back to the business of lending and said a tough credit environment for small businesses will slow economic recovery.

Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have officially signed on as co-producers of Fela!, a musical about Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti that opens Monday (November 23) on Broadway.

U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday on worrying outlooks from major software makers and as a surprise drop in new home construction last month prompted concern about the strength of an economic recovery.

Filmmakers trying to satisfy a U.S. movie rating aimed at mostly teenagers often complain that they're forced to cut violent scenes, and those edits compromise the director's vision.

In the latest U.S. government housing report for the month of October, building permits issued in October rose compared with September, while construction starts fell and the number of completed homes rose.

Activision Blizzard Inc said its video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 scored record sales of $550 million in its first five days, but the company is still concerned about weak consumer spending.

The Obama administration on Wednesday defended plans to try the self-professed mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks in criminal courts despite harsh criticism from Republicans who say the trials are too risky.

Toyota Motor Corp's global vehicle sales rose 5 percent in October to about 640,000 units, marking the first year-on-year increase in 15 months, the world's biggest automaker said on Wednesday.

Norwegian electric car maker Think Global is gearing up to launch its vehicles in the United States and has picked a site in Indiana for its U.S. manufacturing facility, a major investor in the company said on Tuesday.

U.S. President Barack Obama underscored on Wednesday that his administration did not want to meddle in the decisions of General Motors.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group became the third major Japanese bank to post upbeat results, underscoring the improving outlook for the sector, and said it would raise $11 billion to meet stricter capital rules.

U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday as an unexpected drop in new home construction in October sparked caution about the strength of an economic recovery, offsetting strength in the natural resources sector amid U.S. dollar weakness.

Activision Blizzard Inc said its video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 scored record sales of $550 million in its first five days, but the company is still concerned about weak consumer spending.

U.S. actor Johnny Depp is 2009's Sexiest Man Alive, according to People Magazine. This is not the first time that Depp, 46, is given the title; he also won it in 2003. Only actors Brad Pitt and George Clooney have been named Sexiest Man Alive twice.

Italy's Ferrero and U.S.-based Hershey are reviewing options over a possible bid for Cadbury , but hostile bidder Kraft's $16.8-billion offer is still seen as the front runner.

General Motors Co said on Tuesday it will unveil the U.S. production version of its Chevrolet Cruze small sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

The S&P 500 briefly pared losses and turned positive after the open on Wednesday, led by gains in financials and materials stocks.

American Express Co agreed to acquire Internet-based payment platform Revolution Money for $300 million, the credit card company and network said on Wednesday.

Construction of new homes in the United States fell sharply last month, showing potential weakness in the economy's recovery, while consumer prices rose slightly more than expected.

Potential weakness for economy; Thain seeks new start; Financial reform taking shape

U.S. stocks were set to open lower on Wednesday after data showed U.S. housing starts fell unexpectedly in October, offsetting strength in the natural resources sectors amid U.S. dollar weakness.