Daily Wrap Up - December 25

U.S. says al Qaeda-linked man tried to blow up plane

A Nigerian man linked to al Qaeda tried to set off an explosive device aboard a U.S. passenger plane as it approached Detroit on Friday, but was overpowered by passengers and crew and the aircraft landed safely, U.S. officials said. See full article.

Japan drafts record budget as PM battles scandal

Japan approved on Friday a record budget for next year that will inflate the country's already huge debt by $484 billion, as the prime minister vowed to battle on in the face of a growing scandal and sliding poll ratings. See full article.

Toyota eyes 7.5 million global output for '10: reports

Toyota Motor Corp expects a 17 percent increase in its 2010 global production, excluding units Daihatsu and Hino Motors, from this year to about 7.5 million units, Japanese media reported on Saturday. See full article.

South Korea's Lee visits UAE; nuclear deal eyed

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visits the United Arab Emirates on Saturday in a push to win one of the world's biggest nuclear power plant contracts. See full article.

Gas Natural sells Mexico assets worth $1.2 bln

Spain's Gas Natural SDG SA sold electricity generation assets in Mexico to Japan's Mitsui & Co Ltd and Tokyo Gas Co Ltd for $1.2 billion, completing an ambitious asset disposal plan to reduce debt. See full article.

U.S. father, son home after Brazil custody battle

The 9-year-old boy at the center of an international custody battle arrived back in the United States on Thursday after being reunited in Brazil with his American father at the end of a five-year dispute that tested bilateral ties. See full article.