UNITED STATES

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Sandra L. Stosz will, this summer, become the first woman to head up a U.S. military service academy, when she becomes superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

Novartis AG wrapped up its long-awaited buyout of the remainder of U.S.-listed eyecare group Alcon Inc for $12.9 billion, after sweetening its original offer with cash.

A deal struck by President Barack Obama and Republicans to extend expiring tax cuts for millions of Americans and stimulate the sluggish U.S. economy received the needed majority of votes for passage in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.

Roubini Global Economics (RGE) has predicted that global economy's growth next year will be marginally weaker than this year, with eurozone holding the biggest risk to global growth, and that the U.S. will not emerge any time soon from the worst unemployment crisis it has faced in decades.

Bernard Madoff's son Mark, who committed suicide on the second anniversary of his father's arrest, has been cremated and a private gathering will be held in his memory, his wife said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ireland's government has injected an additional 525 million euros into EBS via special investment shares that will be translated into ordinary shares if the building society is converted into a company.

The United States will lead the rich world's economic recovery over the next two years while Japan and major European economies flounder by comparison, according to Reuters polls of more than 200 economists.

The brokerage maintained its 'buy' rating on shares of the software major with a price target of $33.

Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in the U.S. expect improved employment rates and wage growth in the coming year, according to a joint study by Duke University and CFO Magazine.

U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines Inc said it expects solid earnings growth in 2011, but its shares eased 1.4 percent as it pared its operating margin forecast for the current quarter, citing TransAtlantic softness.

The U.S. home loan demand continued to fall in the week ended Dec.10, posting a decline for three straight weeks as the mortgage rates hit a six-month high.

A combination of electricity demand and the need to reduce fossil fuel use should be fueling a renaissance of nuclear power. But that could be derailed by opposition from an unexpected quarter: fiscal conservatives.

The first Chevrolet Volt attracted a impressive winning bid of $225,000 in an online charity action that ended at 6 pm U.S. time on Tuesday.

The Bank of Japan's Tankan business survey showed on Wednesday business confidence among large manufacturers dropped in December, the first decline in seven quarters, and that the prognosis going forward was gloomier.

Industrial production rebounded in November in its biggest gain since July, pointing to an acceleration in the pace of the recovery during the fourth quarter.

Futures on major U.S. stock indices point to a lower opening on Wednesday with futures on the S&P 500 down 0.47 percent, futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.39 percent and Nasdaq100 futures down 0.47 percent.

Stocks edged higher on Wednesday as better-than-expected data on U.S. manufacturing and industrial activity outweighed worries about euro-zone debt sparked by a warning on Spain's credit rating.

Stock index futures dipped on Wednesday after a warning for Spain about its credit rating, rekindling fears about euro-zone debt.

Swiss drug maker Novartis will pay $12.9 billion to buy the remaining shares of Alcon it doesn't already own to broaden its presence in the booming eye-care market, which is expected to outgrow the pharmaceuticals market in coming years.

The India-U.S. solar collaboration has hit some snags as the U.S. is trying to push India to remove regulations related to imports of solar technology, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Airbus will fall one plane short of its delivery target for the A380 superjumbo this year, following engine checks in the wake of last month's Qantas