TSUNAMI

BMW grabbed the top spot in the U.S. luxury auto market in 2011, edging out Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz brand, as both German automakers took advantage of inventory problems for Toyota Motor Corp's Lexus lineup.

BMW AG has sealed its position as the most successful luxury brand in the U.S. in 2011 by outselling Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz last month.

In his traditional new year's press conference, Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda pledged Wednesday to revive the area around the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Shares of Micron Technology Inc climbed as much as 11 percent after Barclays Capital raised the chip devices maker's stock to overweight, even as the brokerage downgraded five other stocks from the sector, including Intel Corp.

U.S. semiconductor stocks are in for a volatile 2012 as inventory correction extends into the first quarter, and an industry recovery due only in the second half, Barclays Capital said and downgraded five stocks, including Intel Corp.

Buildings reportedly swayed from the jolt in Tokyo, but the Daily Mail reported that the quake did not disrupt the final of the Emperor's Cup football tournament being played at the National Stadium.

Celebrities may want to resist the urge to send a stream of consciousness on Twitter in the new year after so many of them tweeted their way into trouble on everything from boxer briefs to breast-feeding in 2011.

Celebrities may want to resist the urge to send a stream of consciousness on Twitter in the new year after so many of them tweeted their way into trouble on everything from boxer briefs to breast-feeding in 2011.

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 shook Japan off the country's coast on Sunday, the first day of the new year, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS said the earthquake struck 495 kilometers (307 miles) south-southwest of Tokyo.

A magnitude-6.8 earthquake shook eastern and northeastern Japan on Sunday. With a depth of nearly 217 miles, its epicenter was southwest of the country's Izu islands, and it occurred at about 2:28 p.m. local time (5:28 GMT), the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 jolted eastern and northeastern Japan on Sunday, according to the U.S. Geolegical Survey. However, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damages, and no tsunami warning was issued.

Celebrities may resist the urge to send a stream of consciousness on Twitter in the new year, after famous people tweeted their way into trouble on everything from boxer briefs to breast-feeding in 2011.

Stocks edged lower on Friday, the last trading day of 2011, as investors waited for next year to begin making large bets.

Stock index futures were little changed on Friday, the last trading day of 2011, as investors waited until the next year to begin making large bets.

For the first time, two German auto manufacturers, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are competing head on for the coveted title of the No.1 selling luxury car in the United States.

Couture designer Paul Smith has reported an increase in pre-tax profits of 31 percent despite the economic downturn. As per the accounts filed in the Company House, the pre-tax profits rose from £20.9 million a year previously to a current £27.4 million.

Herewith follows some of my predictions for what may happen in 2012 with respect to some key foreign countries.

A girl who was swept away during the 2004 Indonesian tsunami has been found.

The incredible events of 2011 will likely influence global history for decades to come.

Japan has cut its forecast regrading economic growth for 2012 as a cumulative effect of a rising yen, natural disasters and the eurozone debt crisis.

A series of strong earthquakes hit the New Zealand city of Christchurch Friday, sending goods toppling from shelves, causing rockfalls and driving terrified residents from buildings 10 months after a quake killed almost 200 people in the city.