Google trumps Wall Street targets, shares soar

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc eased fears that big spending would erode margins as its results blew past Wall Street's targets, and the Web search leader revealed for the first time the strength of its fledgling mobile and online display ad businesses. | Video

Issues in Depth

A student embroiders a five-pointed star on a huge Chinese national flag to celebrate the upcoming National Day, at a college in Jinan, Shandong province, September 26, 2009. REUTERS/Stringer Shanghai

Change of plan for China

It's good to have New Year’s resolutions, but it's better to have the right ones. As China readies its five-year plan, here are five goals that might work wonders.  Commentary 

Felix Salmon
VIDEO:

Mortgage bond mess TV

The way that banks packaged mortgage bonds during the housing bubble is coming under increasing scrutiny. Reuters blogger Felix Salmon provides a video primer on the mess.   Full Article 

An employee counts yuan notes at a bank in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu province June 17, 2006.REUTERS/Sean Yong
The Day Ahead:

All eyes on yuan

The Treasury is expected to release its annual report on the currency practices of China. Recent criticism has experts speculating the U.S. will label China as a currency manipulator, likely drawing the ire of Beijing.  Video 

Taliban fighters pose with weapons in an undisclosed location in Afghanistan October 30, 2009.REUTERS/Stringer Afghanistan

Talking with the Taliban

All the main players in the nine-year Afghanistan war seem open to a peace deal. But will fragile "talks about talks" break down before a compromise is reached?  Full Article 

A driver uses his smart phone while in traffic in Encinitas, California December 10, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake

Need a lift? Call your car ...

Can't find your car in the parking lot? Need an environmental alternative to a taxi? A group of German scientists have unveiled the latest in self-driving car technology.  Full Article 

A wind turbine is seen over the panels of a solar power plant of Korea South East Power Co. (KOSEP) in Incheon, about 90 km (55 miles) west of Seoul, September 30, 2010. REUTERS/Jo Yong hak

Sun shines again on cleantech

Government targets and a red-hot solar industry are driving a resurgence in green energy investment, but will the world's biggest investors get on board?  Full Article 

Markets

US Indices

-1.51
11,094.57
-0.01%
-5.85
2,435.38
-0.24%
-4.29
1,173.81
-0.36%
-0.41
106.60
-0.38%

Rates

Int'l Indices

9,516.22
23,751.95
5,727.21

Currencies

1.4044
0.012295
1.6021