PRESS DIGEST - Wall Street Journal - Dec 28

Dec 28 (Reuters) - The following were the top stories in The Wall Street Journal on Monday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

* Investigators raced to determine how the man charged in the Northwest plane-bombing attempt managed to board with explosives and whether he was part of a larger plot.

* A boost from procrastinating consumers and an extra shopping day increased total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gas, 3.6 percent over the year-earlier period through Christmas Eve.

* Investors' appetite for hedge-fund start-ups is returning, but some managers are raising smaller amounts and granting concessions.

* Now named OneWest Bank, the former mortgage lender made a major acquisition and has emerged as Southern California's largest bank.

* Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao warned of growing inflation expectations in a rare domestic media interview, expressing concerns about the nation's fast-rising real-estate prices and acknowledging that Beijing may be paying a price for its aggressive response to the global financial crisis.

* Businesses are set to push for modifications to the Senate-approved health bill, while urging lawmakers to steer clear of the version passed by the House.

* The U.S. Treasury Department hits a jittery bond market with a fresh barrage of debt this week, raising the risk of higher interest rates -- but only temporarily.

* Ping An Insurance (Group) Co (2318.HK) (601318.SS) of China said it has extended the deadline to complete its proposed $1.7 billion purchase of TPG Inc's stake in Shenzhen Development Bank 000001.SZ by an initial four months, as the deal is still pending Chinese regulatory approval.