Media Digest (1/4/2010) Reuters, WSJ, NYT, FT, Bloomberg

December retail sales may the last rise in several months. (Reuters)

The US will ease some restrictions on deepwater drilling. (Reuters)

Oil reached a 27-month peak. (Reuters)

Blu-ray could accelerate 3D TV purchases. (Reuters)

MySpace may lay-off a large number of people. (WSJ)

AIG (NYSE: AIG) got a new offer for its Taiwan operation. (Reuters)

Reis says occupied office space rose in the fourth quarter, the first time in three years. (WSJ)

Bankruptcy filings rose 9% in 2010. (WSJ)

Two senior executives left Borders. (NYSE: BGP)

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) paid Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac $3 billion it sold them. (WSJ)

The cost of mine workers has risen as demand is up due to high commodities prices. (WSJ)

The Oprah channel posted strong numbers over the weekend. (WSJ)

Fiat may lift its stake in Chrysler. (WSJ)

The split up of Motorola (NYSE: MOT) may leave the two new companies more vulnerable to competition and the economy. (WSJ)

Brazil will probably put pressure on China over the value of the yuan. (WSJ)

China may continue its large purchases of Spain’s debt. (WSJ)

TV manufacturers will push smart TVs driven by applications and other consumer-friendly software. (WSJ)

Private stock markets continue to take business from major exchanges. (WSJ)

China will likely buy more oil companies and more oil drilling technology to help it increase direct access to crude. (WSJ)

BP plc (NYSE: BP) shares rose on rumors that Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS-A) may buy it. (The Daily Mail)

States have started to move to cut the power of unions who represent their workers. (NYT)

The value of M&A transactions rose 23% to $2.4 trillion last year. (NYT)

US manufacturing activity rose in December. (FT)

3D technology has done little to lift Hollywood sales. (FT)

Claims against BP for the oil spill have continued at a rapid pace. (FT)

Republicans are ready for a battle on the US debt ceiling. (FT)

The SEC may look at whether Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) dodged disclosure rules in the purchase of a stake in Facebook. (Bloomberg)

Under-employment is still high because small businesses have hired part-time workers. (Bloomberg)

China may slow the gain in they yuan this year. (Bloomberg)

Douglas A. McIntyre