Daily Outlook - December 30

Obama blames systemic failures in U.S. security

President Barack Obama on Tuesday blamed a combination of human and systemic failures in security for allowing the botched Christmas Day attack aboard a U.S. airliner, in his first big test on homeland security. See full article.

Related: Timeline of attempt to blow up U.S. airliner

Japan sets long-term economic goals, meets skepticism

Japan's government said it aimed for economic growth of more than 2 percent over the next decade, but its long-term plan unveiled on Wednesday lacked detail needed to convince investors the goal is realistic. See full article.

Dutch airport to use full-body scan for U.S. flights

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport will begin using full-body scanners within three weeks to scan people traveling to the United States, after consultations with U.S. authorities, the Dutch interior minister said on Wednesday. See full article.

Saab says bid deadline dropped, to resume output

General Motors has dropped a December 31 deadline for bids for its Swedish car brand Saab, which will restart some production lines in January after a shutdown, Saab said on Wednesday. See full article.

GMAC to get $3.5 billion in added aid from government: report

GMAC Financial Services is close to getting about $3.5 billion in added aid from the U.S. government, on top of the $12.5 billion already received since December 2008. See full article.

French government rushes to revive carbon tax

French ministers scrambled on Wednesday to rescue a carbon tax aimed at cutting energy consumption, which was annulled by the Constitutional Court just 48 hours before it was due to come into force. See full article.