Visa profit rises 16 pct but shares fall
Visa Inc said on Wednesday quarterly profit rose 16% to USD 884 million, slightly beating expectations, as consumer spending ramped up and the company processed more transactions abroad.
Euro zone narrows differences on anti-crisis package
Germany said on Wednesday it had reached broad agreement with France on steps to boost economic coordination in the euro zone as part of an anti-crisis package also likely to see the scope of Europe's bailout fund bolstered.
Northern France to be centre for London preparations
Northern France is set to host a number of athletes as they make their final preparations for the 2012 London Olympics.
Asia infotech trade surged in financial crisis: UN
Asian exporters of computer and communications equipment in 2009 boosted their grip on the sector during the global financial crisis and now hold two-thirds of the trade, figures issued on Wednesday showed.
US airlines grapple with storm; revenue impact seen
Major US airlines canceled more than 5,500 flights on Wednesday for a second straight day as a monster winter storm paralyzed air travel and threatened to erode revenue for carriers hit the hardest.
Investigators search Deutsche Bank's Moscow office
Russian investigators searched the Moscow offices of Deutsche Bank AG on Wednesday as part of a USD 87.5 million fraud investigation linked to the reconstruction of Hotel Moscow, investigators said.
Vodafone, Teliasonera to show emerging mkt power
Mobile phone operators Vodafone and Teliasonera will post results on Thursday showing emerging markets and Internet data connections offsetting price competition and regulation in Europe.
Police investigate Lindsay Lohan over necklace theft
Police are investigating "Mean Girls" star Lindsay Lohan in connection with the theft of a USD 2,500 necklace from a boutique, but the piece of jewelry has been returned, police said on Wednesday.
Ericsson launches mobile banking system
Ericsson will launch mobile phone banking services, it said on Wednesday, hoping to capture a big chunk of a market it estimates will be worth an annual 20 billion euros (USD 27.7 billion) by 2015.
Unilever likely cautious on 2011 after strong Q4
Consumer goods giant Unilever Plc/NV is set to report on Thursday a strong end to 2010, while striking a cautious note for 2011 due to soaring commodity costs and tough rivalry in emerging markets.
Record adviser firm M&A deals made in 2010: Schwab
A record number of independent adviser firms were sold or merged with other firms last year as the financial markets recovered, according to data released by Charles Schwab Corp on Wednesday.
Gulf Arab governments tackle higher food prices
Countries in north Africa and the Middle East are urgently seeking ways to soften the blow of surging food prices for their citizens, alarmed by protests against authoritarian rulers from Algeria to Yemen.
World food prices seen at record high in January
Surging food prices are on Thursday expected to push the United Nations' food price index to a record high in January for a second straight month, further above the levels which prompted food riots in 2007/2008.
Google plays catch-up with Apple in tablets
Google Inc has fixed some shortcomings in its tablet computer strategy, as the Internet search giant steps up efforts to break into a nascent market dominated by Apple.
Oil price rise seen pumping up Shell's earnings
Royal Dutch Shell Plc is expected to announced a 75% rise in underlying profit on Thursday, powered by higher oil prices and putting more distance between itself and troubled rival BP.
Middle East situation 'fragile': World Bank chief
The situation in the Middle East is 'fragile' with countries like Egypt and Tunisia caught in a dilemma of "partial modernization" in which the political system does not allow the masses to benefit from economic advances, the head of the World Bank said on Wednesday.
US probes BP for gas market manipulation
US regulators may file charges against BP related to alleged manipulation of the gas market in 2008, the latest investigation into the oil majors trading activities.
Egypt overshadows economic recovery, oil rises
World shares struggled to eke out more gains on Wednesday as wariness over escalating violence in Egypt and rising oil prices muted optimism over the latest signs of a sustained global economic recovery.
Oil rises as worries over Egypt persist
Oil prices rose on Wednesday as worries persisted that upheaval in Egypt could spread across the Middle East and North Africa, source of a third of the world's supply of crude.
News Corp bets on iPad for future of news
Rupert Murdoch, among the most ardent defenders of the traditional press, has staked his reputation on a risky bet that for just 14 cents a day he can save the news business with tablet devices like Apple's iPad.
Swanky Paris salon spruces up down-at-heel women
In her exclusive salon in an off-street courtyard in Paris' upmarket St Germain district, hairdresser Lucia Iraci spends her days coiffing the city's glitterati, including actors, models and musicians.
Elton John says Billy Joel needs better rehab
British singer Elton John has handed out some tough advice to his longtime friend and tour companion Billy Joel who has spent much of his career battling alcoholism: seek better treatment.
Clijsters to play on for maximum two years
Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters plans to play on for a maximum two years following her remarkable run of success since returning to the tour in 2009 after taking time out to have a baby.
Torres faces old club Liverpool in Chelsea debut
Fernando Torres gets the chance to break Liverpool fans' hearts twice in a week with the Spain striker poised to make his Chelsea debut against his former club in the Premier League on Sunday.
Oil turns higher as worries over Egypt persist
Oil prices rose on Wednesday as worries persisted that upheaval in Egypt could spread across the Middle East and North Africa, source of a third of the world's supply of crude.
