JAPAN

A large part of Jesse Toprak's job as the chief automotive industry analyst for TrueCar.com is to advise consumers on which cars to target -- and the clunkers to avoid. In 2011, though, something changed within the United States automotive industry. There are very few, if any, clunkers.

Samsung Electronics Co, Sharp Corp and five other makers of liquid crystal displays agreed to pay $553 million to settle consumer and state regulatory claims that they conspired to fix prices for LCD panels in televisions, notebook computers and monitors.

The markets rewarded Apple and Google Tuesday after reports that activations of new iOS and Android devices surged over the weekend that included Christmas.

Samsung Electronics Co, Sharp Corp and five other makers of liquid crystal displays agreed to pay $539 million to settle claims they conspired to fix prices and stifle competition for LCD panels in televisions, notebook computers and monitors, according to a court filing.

Brazil has enjoyed a dizzying pace of economic growth in recent years due primarily to a huge escalation in commodity exports, particularly to the ravenous Chinese market.

European stocks crept higher on Tuesday, catching the tailwind of a pre-holiday U.S. rally, while the euro was hamstrung by the prospect of a large Italian debt auction later in the week.

Japan's Nikkei average dropped below a key support level in holiday-thinned trade on Tuesday, on track for a flat performance in December and double-digit losses for the year.

Debt-riddled Japan Tuesday relaxed its self-imposed decades-old ban on military equipment exports in a move that will open new markets to its defense contractors and help the nation squeeze more out of its defense budget.

NTT Docomo Inc, Japan's biggest mobile phone service operator, said Tuesday it will partner with South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co and other Japanese firms to develop chips for smartphones.

Asian shares eased on Tuesday as investors squared positions in thin volume before U.S. markets reopen after a long weekend and investors see fresh data that could offer clues about prospects for the world's largest economy.

Japan and India are in the final stages of deciding on a dollar swap agreement and expect to reach agreement during Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's visit to India this week, Japan's finance minister said on Tuesday.

Asian shares were steady on Tuesday in thin volume as investors took to the sidelines before U.S. markets reopen later in the day from a long weekend and data which could offer clues over growth prospects in the world's largest economy.

Japanese and Indian stocks outperformed the rest of Asia in thin trade on Monday, with sentiment partly lifted by signs of U.S. economic recovery, although trading was subdued with many markets closed for Christmas holidays.

Japan's Fujifilm Holdings is watching developments at scandal-ridden Olympus Corp but it is too early to say if it will invest in the rival endoscope maker, a senior executive told Reuters in an interview on Monday.

Europe should boost the total firepower of its rescue fund and frontload its funding to send a positive signal to investors and international partners that it is determined to solve its debt crisis, Japanese officials said on Monday.

Internet and Facebook have seen exponential growth in activities during this year that was considered as sensations, such as planking, owling, plowling, horsemaning, levitating girl, batmanning, leisure diving, teabowing, teapotting, and plumbking.

Sony Corp has agreed to sell its nearly 50 percent stake in an LCD joint venture with Samsung Electronics to the South Korean company for $940 million, as it struggles to reduce huge losses at its TV business.

Japan's Fujifilm Holdings is watching developments at Olympus Corp, but it is too early to say if it will invest in the rival endoscope maker, a senior executive told Reuters in an interview on Monday.

Japan will seek to buy Chinese government bonds, the Japanese government said in a statement issued after Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held talks in Beijing with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Sunday.

Christmas is celebrated around the world by millions. Most of the Christmas celebrations are alike and has common idea and message. But the Christmas traditions in some communities and countries vary drastically. These traditions are anything from unusual to bizarre and funny. Here is a glimpse to the most unusual and bizarre Christmas traditions in the world.

The Japanese government is considering a dollar-swap arrangement with India to provide emergency liquidity in case the European debt crisis reaches emerging economies.