Bankers believe China will continue to be a major force in 2011, even though a spate of IPOs were postponed toward the end of the year in Hong Kong.

WSJ: IPO Activity Picked Up in 2010

In addition to building the franchise outside of the games and refusing to sell to Zynga, a steady stream of content has kept the app toward the top of the market and a dominant force in casual gaming.

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An unfriendly government in Egypt would deprive Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his only ally in a region that has grown more hostile toward Israel over the past several years, with the growing influence of Iran, the armed takeover of Gaza by Hamas, the rise of Hezbollah as a major political force in Lebanon, and Turkey's tilt away from Israel and toward Syria.

WSJ: Israel Watches 'Regional Earthquake' in Egypt

Trade groups later commissioned a "Task Force for the Future, " which in 2005 said the shift from the middle class toward wealthier customers was eroding the industry's political clout and undermining the argument for continuing the tax advantages of permanent life insurance.

WSJ: Shift to Wealthier Clientele Puts Life Insurers in a Bind

They encouraged more accountability in use of funds and urged a move toward funding based on needs of the health care work force.

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As a city's economy tilts toward technology, it can result in a large jump in productivity but also a shrinking labor force, given the added productivity tends to require fewer workers.

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