UNITED STATES

A three-month moving average of a gauge of U.S. economic activity, though below its historical trend, has neared levels seen at the end of previous recessions, a Chicago Federal Reserve report said on Monday.

Health Care Waste; ING's Split; Rethinking the Movie Business

RadioShack Corp reported higher-than-expected revenue in the third quarter, and the electronics retailer's shares rose 4.7 percent in premarket trading.

Germany's centre-right coalition has chosen a bold economic recovery strategy starting with unfunded tax cuts that amount to a third stimulus programme and should be welcomed around Europe and in Washington.

Verizon Communications Inc's third-quarter profit fell a less-than-expected 9 percent as it added more wireless customers than analysts had forecast.

President Hamid Karzai's rival in a November 7 run-off presidential vote demanded on Monday that Afghanistan's chief election official be sacked, laying out a ultimatum that could complicate the pre-election process.

U.S. fertilizer maker Mosaic Co (MOS.N) said on Monday it plans to return about $580 million to stockholders through a special cash dividend that will be financed using cash on hand.

U.S. stock index futures indicated a modestly higher open on Monday, after a sell-off in the previous session, as investors looked to a busy week of economic data and corporate earnings.

Intelligence agencies estimate that it would probably take Iran a minimum of 18 months to develop a nuclear weapon if it chose to build one, Western diplomats and intelligence officials said.

Two helicopter crashes in Afghanistan killed 11 U.S. soldiers and three U.S. civilians on Monday, NATO-led forces said in a statement.

Despite long lines and limited supplies of theH1N1 flu vaccine, U.S. efforts against the disease are not too late, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Monday.

U.S. economic activity weakened in September according to a Chicago Federal Reserve report on Monday, but a three-month moving average of the index, though below its historical trend, improved close to levels associated with the end of recessions.

In one of the largest stimulus awards to state housing agencies, the U.S. Treasury announced on Friday $284 million would go to California, bringing the nationwide total since May to $3.12 billion.

In a crowded ballroom next to a bankrupt casino, what remains of the Detroit property market was being picked over by speculators and mostly discarded.

European shares edged higher in early trade on Monday, with higher oils and pharmaceutical stocks outweighing weaker financials.

Britain's top shares edged up 0.2 percent by midday on Monday as energy firms and drugmakers gained ahead of third-quarter earnings this week, outpacing a decline in banks and life insurers.

U.S. stock index futures indicated a modestly higher open on Monday, after a sell-off in the previous session, as investors looked to a busy week of economic data, while the U.S. dollar fell to a 14-month low.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Monday after a selloff in the previous session as investors looked ahead to a busy week of economic data, while the U.S. dollar fell to a 14-month low.

RadioShack Corp's quarterly profit missed estimates by one cent on weak demand for its converter boxes, laptop computers and wireless accessories.

Oil fell for a third day to around $80 a barrel on Monday, extending its retreat from last week's one-year high, on renewed concerns about the strength of the global economy.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Monday for Wall Street, which fell on Friday.