Spanish writedown costs Scandinavia's SAS dear (AP)

AP - The Scandinavian airline group SAS recorded a loss of 1.7 billion kronor ($250 million) in 2011 after taking a big writedown following the bankruptcy of Spanish budget carrier Spanair.

Europe to extend Airbus A380 checks: sources (Reuters)

Reuters - European air safety officials are preparing to extend checks for Airbus A380 wing cracks to the entire superjumbo fleet, sources close to the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

Nissan sees annual profits beating Toyota, Honda (Reuters)

Reuters - Nissan Motor Co (7201.T) is on track to be the most profitable of Japan's three big automakers this year, after record car sales last year and improved market share in every major region pushed up quarterly operating profit.

Statoil earnings surge on higher oil, gas prices (AP)

AP - Norwegian oil company Statoil ASA on Wednesday said its profits soared in the fourth quarter on higher oil and gas prices and a one-time gain from the sale of a stake in a gas transportation company.

Monti says reforms to shield Italy from Greek risk: TV (Reuters)

Reuters - Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti is confident reforms undertaken by his country over the last few months will help soften any blow from an unruly default by euro zone partner Greece.

Greek party leaders prepare for crucial debt talks (AP)

AP - Greek coalition leaders are studying a draft deal on further austerity measures demanded to secure a new bailout that will determine whether the country avoids a looming bankruptcy next month.

Stock futures signal higher Wall Street open (Reuters)

Reuters - Stock index futures pointed to a slightly higher open for equities on Wall Street on Wednesday, with futures for the S&P 500, the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq 100 rising 0.2 to 0.3 percent.

Japan to slash use of a heavy rare earth as China tightens grip (Reuters)

Reuters - Japan aims to cut domestic consumption of a heavy rare earth used widely in hybrid cars and electronics by 30 percent over the next two years as China keeps a tight grip on exports of the material, known as dysprosium.

Greeks seek elusive bailout deal, EU tempers fray (Reuters)

Reuters - Greek parties will try again on Wednesday to agree a reform deal in return for a new international rescue to avoid a chaotic default, after delays prompted some EU leaders to warn that the euro zone can live without Athens.

Defense relentless in questioning ex-Stanford exec (AP)

AP - Liar. Hypocrite. Adulterer. Fraudster. Coward.

Yahoo chairman exits, review drags on (Reuters)

Reuters - Yahoo Inc Chairman Roy Bostock and three other directors will step down as the struggling company ploughs ahead with an internal overhaul, including discussions on dealing with its stakes in China's Alibaba Group and Yahoo Japan.

Eyes on dissident states as mortgage deal nears (Reuters)

Reuters - A broad settlement with major banks over mortgage servicing abuses that would bring relief to distressed U.S. homeowners could be announced as early Thursday, two people familiar with the matter said.

AP Enterprise: Brown bank regulator an insider (AP)

AP - Gov. Jerry Brown's appointee to head the department that oversees banking, financial and consumer regulations in California led a trade association that fought against tighter lending restrictions before the subprime mortgage crisis exploded and was an executive with Washington Mutual when the now-failed bank was among the most aggressive marketers of loans to high-risk borrowers.

Job openings rise to 3.4 million in December (Reuters)

Reuters - The number of jobs waiting to be filled rose in December as employers tried to ramp up hiring in factories, retail and business services, the government said on Tuesday.

Walmart names ex-Woolworths veteran as new China CEO (Reuters)

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc has named an industry veteran, but a relative newcomer to China, to run what is a strategically crucial business for the world's biggest retailer as it faces tougher competition in the fastest growing major economy.

Bangladeshi Investors Badly Hit by the Stock-Market Crash (Time.com)

Time.com - The dramatic rise and swift fall of Bangladesh's stock market is a cautionary tale for emerging-market investors oblivious to the perils of hasty deregulation and rapid capital inflows