Reuters - Stock index futures fell on Friday on investor unease ahead of government data expected to show that more than half a million jobs disappeared in December as recession tightened its grip on the economy.

Reuters - Japanese electronics maker Panasonic Corp (6752.T) will cut its investment in two new flat-screen TV plants by about $1.5 billion and exit unprofitable businesses as the global economic slump slices into its profits.

Reuters - Steep falls in European industrial output underlined the severity of the world economic crisis on Friday and more grim news was on the way with the United States expected to report the biggest monthly job cuts in more than 30 years.