UNITED STATES

U.S. Indoor Tanning Tax Having Mixed Effects

Some people believe tanning can supply the body with vitamin D, which is made in the skin in response to UV-B light exposure. But the lights used in indoor tanning machines are UV-A, which is known to induce cancer-causing DNA damage.
Although a 2010 federal excise tax was meant to deter customers from using indoor tanning salons, only a minority of the businesses taking part in a new survey reported a drop in clients and most said their customers did not seem to care.

Schlumberger profit jumps

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Schlumberger Ltd , the world's largest oilfield services company, reported a 36 percent rise in quarterly earnings, beating Wall Street forecasts, but it warned that Europe's debt crisis could hurt economic growth and trim oil demand.
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UniCredit set to succeed with share sale

The 7.5 billion euro ($9.7 billion) rights issue by UniCredit SpA looks set to be almost entirely taken up, allowing it to meet tougher capital requirements being imposed on the euro zone's beleaguered banks.
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EU puts off talks on EU derivatives law deal

EU states and the European Parliament have cancelled Monday's talks aimed at striking a deal to tighten laws on the $700 trillion derivatives market, after the states failed to settle on a negotiating position.
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Wall St set to open lower on GE, Google

Stocks were set for a slightly lower open on Friday after GE and Google results fell short of expectations and as investors looked for a resolution in the latest round of Greek debt talks.
Initial Jobless Claims

U.S. Jobless Claims Falls to Nearly 4-Yr Low

The number of Americans filing for new jobless benefits dropped to an almost four-year low last week, and factory activity in the mid-Atlantic expanded moderately, suggesting the economy carried some momentum into the new year.
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Futures drop after GE, Google results

Stock index futures dipped on Friday, indicating the S&P 500 may snap a three-day win streak after GE and Google results fell short of expectations and as investors eyed Greek debt talks for signs of progress.
Mexico

Is Mexico's Drug War Hurting Tourism?

In the five years since Mexican president Felipe Calderon began to use the military to combat the country's powerful drug cartels, some 50,000 people have been killed. With people being murdered in the country nearly every day, how is the violence affecting Mexico's tourism industry?
Immelt speaks at a news conference after a "Jobs for America Summit" at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington

GE's 4Q Misses on Weak European Growth

General Electric Co's (GE.N) fourth-quarter revenue fell short of Wall Street expectations because of slower-than-expected growth in Europe, sending its shares down 2.5 percent in premarket trading.
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Futures off after Google, GE results

Stock index futures dipped on Friday, indicating the S&P 500 may snap a three-day win streak after Google results fell short of expectations and as investors eyed Greek debt talks for signs of progress.

Schlumberger 4Q Soars 36%, Beats Wall Street View

Schlumberger Ltd (SLB.N), the world's largest oilfield services company, reported a 36 percent rise in quarterly earnings, beating Wall Street forecasts, but it warned that Europe's debt crisis could hurt economic growth and trim oil demand.
Megaupload Effect: FileSonic Stops File Sharing Too

Megaupload and Megavideo Shut Down: Top 5 Web Site Bans Worldwide

Megaupload, one of the world's largest file-sharing sites, was shut down Thursday by the U.S. government. Its founder, Kim Schmitz, and several company executives were arrested in New Zealand at the request of U.S. officials for mass copyright infringement and conspiracy to commit money laundering, reports Wired.com.
Man works in trading room of Shanghai Stock Exchange during ceremony marking initial public offering of ICBC

Chinese Exchanges End Year with Gain

Hong Kong and Shanghai shares rose on Friday, achieving a second straight week of gains and managing to break above stubborn chart resistances on hopes of policy easing inChina and on stronger overseas markets.
A tourist walks in front of the Parthenon temple at the Acropolis in Athens

Eurozone Stocks Fizzle, Greek Default Fears Cited

A rally for European stocks and the euro ran out of steam on Friday, with markets focused on debt talks between Greece and its private creditors that may prove the trigger for the next leg of the euro zone's debt crisis.
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U.S. Stock Futures Point to Higher Open

Stock index futures pointed to a slightly lower open for equities on Wall Street on Friday, with futures for the S&P 500, the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq 100 down 0.02 to 0.2 percent.
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Samsung suffers German court setback in Apple battle

A German court ruled against Samsung Electronics Co in a patent suit versus Apple, another leg in a long legal battle as the two technology giants jostle for top spot in the booming smartphone and tablet markets.
Gold bars in Hong Kong

Gold Prices Lower on Stronger Dollar, Weaker Crude Oil

Gold prices edged lower Friday as an increasingly stronger dollar made the metal more expensive for non-U.S. buyers and some investors decided to book profits on what is shaping up to be a robust start to the year.
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German court rules against Samsung in Apple suit

Samsung Electronics Co said on Friday a German court ruled against it in a patent lawsuit versus Apple over mobile technologies, part of a global legal battle the technology giants are waging.

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