Business briefs

SEC may study Goldman leaks

The Securities and Exchange Commission's internal watchdog said Friday he is heeding Republican calls to investigate the timing of the charges against Goldman Sachs. SEC Inspector General David Kotz is responding to a letter from Republican members on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that suggests SEC employees might have leaked information to influence regulation debate in Congress.

Nook updates for the Web

Barnes & Noble plans to roll out a software update for the Nook, its electronic reader, that will let users surf the Web and play games. The bookseller said Friday that the update will also allow users to browse complete books in Barnes & Noble stores for up to an hour a day at no cost.

Ford recalls 33,000 vehicles

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 33,000 midsize vehicles and SUVs in the United States to fix front-seat recliners that could increase the risk of injury. The recall affects some versions of the 2010 Ford Fusion, Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac and 2010 Mercury Milan and Mountaineer with front-seat manual recliners.

From wire reports