Deutsche Telekom raises bid for MetroPCS.

The Masters begins at Augusta National today with Tiger Woods again among the favorites.

Toyota and other Japanese automakers recall 3.4 million vehicles over Takata airbag.

Applebee's led first-quarter social media engagement by restaurants.

Barnes & Noble rebrands self-publishing platform PubIt! as Nook Press as it continues to invest in future of Nook brand.

Justin Bieber backs a debit card for teens, from parents.

ConocoPhillips suspends Arctic drilling plan.

Daimler says worsening Europe puts its 2013 profit outlook in doubt.

Dell plans to double sales outlets in China.Continue reading...

AIG considers suing U.S. government despite federal bailout aid.

J&J sells Roloaids brand to Sanofi.

Samsung caps best year ever.

ABC spurs questions for marketers with move of Jimmy Kimmel's show.

Apple sees CEO Tim Cook make second visit  to China as mainland footprint doubles.

Bacardi snaps up St-Germain liqueur brand.

Bank of America extends retreat from mortgages.Continue reading...

It's all the rage now for makers of better-for-you beverages, both startups and mainstream CPG companies, to offer a variety of elixirs within an overall product line that are each aimed specifically at some perceived nutritional need or function. "Energy," "Immunity," and "Relaxation" are the typical needs addressed by new products, ranging from enhanced waters to teas.

Now, Coca-Cola is entering this fray in a new way, initially in France. It has entered a 50/50 joint venture with Sanofi, the French pharmaceutical maker, to sell "beauty drinks" at French pharmacies, each of which is aimed at particular beauty concerns of women. The test is meant as a diversification proposition by both Coke and Sanofi, the latter of which is turning increasingly to consumer-health-care products from drugs per se.

The first four drinks under the Beautific brand name of beverages, which will be produced by Sanofi's Oenobiol unit, will be marketed as boosting hair, weight loss, sun exposure and general vitality, according to Bloomberg. Coca-Cola will handle formulation and Sanofi the local distribution.Continue reading...

Daily Beast triumphs as Newsweek announces end of print magazine.

Apple loses tablet copyright appeal against Samsung, makes 14 pt. UK apology, reportedly eyes Color Labs, will never resume US manufacturing.

Amazon pushes Kindle to US kindergarten classes.

AOL aims to make email more social with Alto.

Centrum rises on landmark medical study.

China slowdown appears to bottom out.

Facebook rallies on mobile advertising outlook.

In-N-Out Burger opens London pop-up.Continue reading...

Deutsche Telekom is in preliminary talks to sell T-Mobile to Sprint, a deal that would remake the mobile landscape.

Facebook introduces movie streaming and rentals with Warner Bros., sending Netflix stock down; and launches real-time analytics for social plug-ins.

BP plans $3.5 billion bond sale as CEO apologizes for Gulf Spill and says industry must take more precautions.

Airbus receives $9.5 billion order for 100 jets.

American Apparel head Dov Charney's latest scandal: a $250 million employee lawsuit alleging sexual assault.

Bill Gates is unlikely to reclaim the world's richest title tomorrow, due to philanthropic contributions.

Bupa launches integrated marketing campaign and new tagline.

Coca-Cola invests in green bottling facility in UK.Continue reading...

Apple's new app store subscription policy gets pushback from Rhapsody.

Bauer and Conde Nast seek new UK revenue opportunities.

Bernie Madoff's first prison interview claims banks "must have known."

Borders files for bankruptcy.

Coca-Cola disputes NPR's secret recipe claim.

Costco squabbles with Coca-Cola over pricing.Continue reading...

Deutsche Boerse agreed to buy NYSE Euronext for $10.2 billion in a "politically charged deal" that would create the world's largest exchange operator and put it under German control.

CBS news correspondent Lara Logan is recovering from a 'brutal' attack in Cairo.

Chevron disputes judge's Amazon ruling while Ecuadorians plan to fight for more. 

Apple unveils iPad subscription plan.

BHP Billiton to return $10 billion to shareholders.

Danone warns about looming price hikes due to rising food costs.Continue reading...

Al Jazeera, which has stood out during the Egyptian crisis, plans to renew its efforts to be carried in the US. Egypt's "March of millions" is underway, with last ISP shuttered.

Amazon could get a sales-tax benefit from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Apple moves to tighten its control of apps store.

BP reports $5 billion loss, puts US refineries up for sale, and faces long road with its safety drive.

Chrysler will pay employees a performance bonus.

Gap’s North American president, Marka Hansen, to leave. 

GM will give its Facebook fans a sneak peek at its Super Bowl spots, including major push for Chevrolet, on Friday.Continue reading...