IBT Staff Reporter

Futures for the Dow Jones industrial average, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 fall 0.3-0.4 percent, pointing to a weaker start on Wall Street on Friday.

Asian shares fell on Friday as disappointing U.S. manufacturing data raised concern that its economic recovery may not be as fast as thought, while the dollar remained firm as investors booked profits on gains in higher-yielding currencies.

General Electric Co is holding discussions on partnerships or an IPO for its NBC Universal unit, Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt said, amid expectations about a deal with cable operator Comcast Corp .

World stocks fell and the U.S. dollar broadly held firm on Friday as doubts grew about the pace of economic recovery and the week's major data on U.S. jobs loomed large.

Finnish startup Linkotec hopes to create a flourishing business by making consumers' lives easier: its free software links all digital media devices to all key social networks.

The head of Toyota Motor Corp on Friday called the current dollar-yen rate very tough, saying the weak U.S. currency made it difficult to return to profit on an unconsolidated level.

U.S. auto sales tumbled by 23 percent in September as showrooms emptied after the government-funded boom from the cash for clunkers program, with General Motors Co and Chrysler hardest-hit.

The head of Toyota Motor Corp on Friday called the current dollar-yen rate very tough, saying the weak U.S. currency made it difficult to return to profit on an unconsolidated level.

Women who are overweight or obese when they get pregnant are more likely to give birth to children with congenital heart defects, according to a U.S. government study released on Thursday.

CIT Group Inc launched on Thursday a debt-exchange plan that the struggling lender to small and mid-sized companies hopes will prevent it from filing for bankruptcy.

Oil fell toward $70 a barrel on Friday, driven lower by the dollar's recovery and concerns over U.S. employment data, while worries over the West's talks with Iran about the OPEC member's nuclear plan eased.

Asian shares fell on Friday as disappointing U.S. manufacturing data raised concerns that its economic recovery may not be as fast as previously thought, while the dollar remained firm as investors booked profits on higher-yielding currencies.

U.S. auto sales tumbled by 23 percent in September as showrooms emptied after the government-funded boom from the cash for clunkers program, with General Motors Co and Chrysler hardest-hit.

Russian investment firm Digital Sky Technologies has begun buying more shares in Facebook, seeking to expand its stake in the world's No. 1 social networking company, two sources told Reuters.

Russian investment firm Digital Sky Technologies has begun buying more shares in Facebook, seeking to expand its stake in the world's No. 1 social networking company, two sources told Reuters.

Russian investment firm Digital Sky Technologies has begun buying more shares in Facebook, seeking to expand its stake in the world's No. 1 social networking company, two sources told Reuters.

Initial public offerings will rebound only in 2010, despite a pick-up in activity that some investors say signal a resurgence, the National Venture Capital Association said on Thursday.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Thursday that a strong dollar was very important to the United States and the rest of the world needs to be convinced Americans will be more thrifty in future.

Northrop Grumman Corp beat rival Boeing Co to win a major $3.8 billion contract to maintain and service the U.S. Air Force's fleet of KC-10 refueling tankers, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

A virtual reality tool, developed by Flinders University, is coming to the aid of older people with early onset dementia, improving their quality of life while giving their carers a little peace of mind.

Fed sees weak economy ahead; BofA's Short Term Solution; Car Sales Sink

Today Australia will embark on what is potentially the biggest vaccination program in its history, offering free pandemic (swine flu) vaccine to every person in the country.

Queensland will get an extra $36 million to support older people living independently in their own homes under the Commonwealth-State Home and Community Care (HACC) program.

Individuals, people in workplaces and community groups are encouraged to get active in October - beyondblue Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month - to raise awareness of anxiety and depression and help reduce the stigma associated with them.

A Curtin University of Technology study has found that regular moderate activity such as housework, gardening, or walking, can reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in the elderly. Ischemic stroke is caused by blockage of arteries leading to or in the brain.

Federal Reserve officials said on Thursday that while the recession-battered economy is on the mend, it will be weak for a while and the Fed is likely to keep its extensive support policies in place for a while.

Bank of America Corp's board of directors is considering hiring a short-term chief executive, a move that signaled CEO Kenneth Lewis' plan to depart caught the bank flat-footed.

The Washington Post and Bloomberg will start a service in January to distribute a selection of their news to newspapers, Websites and other subscribers, a day after the Post ended a similar arrangement with Tribune Co's Los Angeles Times.

Talks between Iran and six major powers over Tehran's nuclear program on Thursday opened the door to improved relations as Iran agreed to allow U.N. inspectors into a newly disclosed uranium enrichment plant.