Deutsche Boerse agreed to buy NYSE Euronext for $10.2 billion in a "politically charged deal" that would create the world's largest exchange operator and put it under German control.

CBS news correspondent Lara Logan is recovering from a 'brutal' attack in Cairo.

Chevron disputes judge's Amazon ruling while Ecuadorians plan to fight for more. 

Apple unveils iPad subscription plan.

BHP Billiton to return $10 billion to shareholders.

Danone warns about looming price hikes due to rising food costs.Continue reading...

Comcast's acquisition of NBC Universal is approved (with one FCC commissioner, Michael Copps, opposed). Conditions for the deal, expected to close by Feb. 1, include that Comcast must give up its management role at Hulu, and abide by anti-favoritism clause — a victory for Bloomberg TV and other networks that compete with Comcast and NBCU's channels. Comcast, separately, just invested $10M in Snagfilms, an ad-supported documentary site that owns INDIEwire, and led a $9M financing round in e-publishing consultancy Perfect Market.

Apple announces record quarterly earnings of $6B, with 7 million iPads sold during the Christmas quarter. The iPhone is now the UK's "most desirable" brand.

Citigroup "disappoints" despite quarterly profit of $1.3 billion.Continue reading...

Brand managers know they’re taking a big leap of faith when they make huge investments in celebrity-designer lines and personal endorsements by superstars.
But Wal-Mart corporate (and Walmart, the retail brand) clearly believe that it’s still early enough in the career of Justin Bieber to take a flyer on his continued innocence — at least for a while.

The world’s largest retailer has forged a near-exclusive arrangement with the 16-year-old teen-heartthrob singer from Canada heading into the holiday season, including being the sole distributor of his new album (My Worlds Acoustic, teased during the World Series) starting Nov. 26, as well as related add-ons such as a Bieber-inspired unisex fragrance line and even nail polish (with Nicole by OPI).

Having already featured Bieber on its Soundcheck platform, the house that Sam Walton built is latching onto the lad while he’s still a lad — perhaps because the last time the retailer signed on with a tween sensation, it didn’t go too well.Continue reading...

Does the Hannah Montana speaking doll drop the F-bomb? [Consumerist]

National Geographic Adventure folds. [MediaBistro]

Shoppers cut back, but continue to buy brand names. [DailyFinance]

Google's CEO Schmidt does not accept the blame for failure of print. [Econsultancy]