Daily Wrap Up - December 28

U.S. consumer confidence rose to a three-month high in December, while prices in the hard-hit housing sector stalled in October, breaking a five-month string of gains. See full article.

U.S. financial scandals seen sparking 2010 zeal

The year of the Ponzi scheme will be followed by heightened regulation and more aggressive prosecutions, experts say, as U.S. officials respond to past failures. See full article.

Fewer U.S. consumers finish holiday buying-survey

An unprecedented 22 percent of U.S. consumers said they did not finish their Christmas shopping this year as fewer discounts kept many wallets closed, according to a survey released on Tuesday. See full article.

Google confirms Android event on Jan. 5

Google Inc. has announced an Android related press conference for January 5, where the company is rumored to officially unveil its Google Phone. See full article.

Related: First photos of Google's 'Nexus One' phone leaked online  FCC document reveals specs of Google's Nexus One phone

Lehman to distribute more frozen assets in 2010

Lehman Brothers International (Europe) can begin distributing billions of dollars of frozen hedge fund assets after reaching agreement with a majority of the affected parties, said PricewaterhouseCoopers on Tuesday. See full article.

Nokia opens new front in Apple patent battle

The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia launched a new patent broadside against Apple, escalating a battle for control of the smartphone market that has already led to a flurry of lawsuits. See full article.

Obama signs U.S. debt limit increase into law

President Barack Obama on Monday signed into law an increase in the U.S. national debt limit to $12.4 trillion, the White House said in a statement. See full article.

Microsoft pegs China search market as top priority

China is a vital market for Microsoft's Web search business, as it chases leaders Baidu Inc and Google in the world's biggest Internet market, the world's largest software maker said. See full article.

U.S. hacker pleads guilty, faces 17 to 25 years

A 28-year-old college dropout pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges that he stole tens of millions of payment card numbers by breaking into corporate computer systems. See full article.