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Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Since April 2008; U.S. Debt-to-GDP Passes 100%

The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits continued to decline last week, even after dropping to a three-and-a-half year low in the previous week. The figure is still below a key threshold for gauging the job market, a sign that the labor market is gaining strength heading into 2012.
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U.S. astronaut Donald Pettit (L), Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko (C) and Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers, members of the International Space Station (ISS) crew, wave before the launch of the Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft at Baikonur cosmodrome, December 21, 20

Multinational Crew Blasts off for Space Station

A trio of astronauts blasted off aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket on Wednesday on a mission to bring the International Space Station back up to full manpower after an August cargo launch accident disrupted flights.
Winter Solstice 2011

Winter Solstice 2011: When It Is and What to Know About Start of Winter

The winter solstice begins (for most) Dec. 22, 2011. Many in the Northern Hemisphere regard it as the start of winter and shorter days, but what time does it begin, what does it mean for the different hemispheres, and how did the tradition get started? Find out everything you need to know about Winter Solstice 2011 and how to prepare for it here.
Tokio Marine President Shuzo Sumi

Tokio Marine to buy Delphi Financial for $2.7 bln

Tokio Marine said it will buy U.S. insurer Delphi Financial Group for $2.7 billion and is eyeing other acquisition targets, as Japan's No.2 property-casualty insurer looks to expand outside its mature home market and diversify geographic risks.
A Qualcomm sign is seen at one of Qualcomm's numerous buildings located on its San Diego Campus

China tops U.S, Japan to become top patent filer

China became the world's top patent filer in 2011, surpassing the United States and Japan as it steps up innovation to improve its intellectual property rights track record, a Thomson Reuters research report showed on Wednesday.
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BOJ warns of economic standstill as exports slump

Japan's central bank offered a bleaker view of the economy and the government warned of worsening business sentiment as exports slumped, adding to evidence of the pain Europe's debt crisis is inflicting on global growth and Japan's recovery prospects.
The Olympus logo on its camera is seen in this illustrative photograph taken in Tokyo

Japanese Prosecutors Raid Olympus over Accounting Scandal

Japanese prosecutors raided offices of Olympus Corp and the home of a former executive Wednesday in a probe into a $1.7 billion accounting scandal that has threatened the survival of the once-proud camera and medical equipment maker.
Kim Jong-un

Kim Jong-un to Share Power with Military, Sources tell Reuters

North Korea's new young leader will have to share power with an uncle and the military after the death of his father Kim Jong-il as the isolated country shifts to collective rule from strongman dictatorship, a source with close ties to Pyongyang and Beijing told Reuters.
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Prosecutors raid Olympus over accounting scandal

Japanese prosecutors raided offices of Olympus Corp and the home of a former executive on Wednesday in a probe into a $1.7 billion accounting scandal that has threatened the survival of the once-proud camera and medical equipment maker.
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Chinese box office set to break $2 billion in 2011

The Chinese box office is on track to break the U.S. equivalent of $2 billion by the end of the year, according to a recent report from the country's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.
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Winter Solstice 2011 Arrives Thursday

This year, the winter solstice will occur on Thursday, Dec. 22 and will mark the shortest day and the longest night of the year for those in the Northern Hemisphere.
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BOJ keeps policy steady, offers bleaker view on economy

The Bank of Japan kept monetary settings unchanged on Wednesday but offered a bleaker view on the economy than last month on mounting evidence of the pain Europe's debt crisis is inflicting on global growth and Japan's recovery prospects.
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BOJ keeps policy on hold but cuts economic view

The Bank of Japan kept monetary settings unchanged on Wednesday but cut its assessment of the economy on mounting evidence of the pain Europe's debt crisis is inflicting on global growth and Japan's recovery prospects.
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Asian Stocks Rise on Upbeat Data, Spanish Bond Auction

Asian stocks and the euro rose on Wednesday after upbeat U.S. and German data and strong demand for Spanish debt tempered risk-aversion, with investors' focus turning to a European Central Bank tender as a gauge for euro zone funding strains.
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Asian stocks up on upbeat data, Spanish auction

Asian stocks and the euro rose on Wednesday after upbeat U.S. and German data and strong demand for Spanish debt tempered risk-aversion, with investors' focus turning to a European Central Bank tender as a gauge for euro zone funding strains.
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Asian stocks on upbeat data, firm Spanish auction

Asian stocks and the euro rose on Wednesday after upbeat U.S. and German data and strong demand for Spanish debt, with investors' focus turning to a European Central Bank's tender as a gauge for euro zone funding strains.
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Japan to take over two thirds stake in Tepco: report

The Japanese government plans to take a stake of more than two-thirds in Tokyo Electric Power Co <9501.T> in a de facto nationalization of the operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, the Yomiuri newspaper said on Wednesday.

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