Pope Benedict XVI plans to resign due to poor health in move that hasn't been seen for centuries.

Grammys honors Mumford & Sons and FUN, as Chevrolet bows new "Find New Roads" campaign, Honda launches music-related campaign with the show, and Miracle Whip launches video campaign.

American Airlines and U.S. Airways are seen as likely to obtain U.S. approval of a merger.

Apple sees buzz develop about potential "iWatch."

Cadillac targets 35-percent gain in retail sales this year.

Chrysler donates $1 million to Future Farmers of America after Super Bowl spot scores with viewers as its dealers hunger for more Jeep Wranglers and Grand Cherokees.

Coca-Cola plans to relaunch Vanilla Coke in U.K.Continue reading...

Amazon swings to loss on aggressive spending on future growth, worries about Apple's iPad mini, while Apple disses Microsoft Surface tablet.

BBC sees dimensions of Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal grow.

Bank of America still dealing with fallout from collapse of Countrywide.

Chanel benefits from buzz created by Brad Pitt campaign.

Cheesecake Factory bucks casual-dining traffic decline.

Chipotle considers once-forbidden veer toward fast-food platform.

Citigroup CEO exit reportedly was planned for months.Continue reading...

Amazon's original programming plans draws speculation.

Apple prepares for iPad (HD?) reveal frenzy today while new device also could be boon for Verizon Wireless; and company receives key patent for iWallet.

Arby's uses holistic approach to social media to boost Klout score.

Bank of America is bullish on girl power.

Bentley's 'ugly' SUV the talk of the Geneva Motor Show.

Boeing forms alliance with Chinese jet maker.

Carbonite sees stock price drop after withdrawing advertising from Rush Limbaugh, as radio host sees 30+ advertisers leave, including Netflix.

Chevron faces criticism after gas-rig fire off Nigeria.

Cosmopolitan reaches 100K paid digital subscriptions.Continue reading...

Al Gore prepares 24-hour global warming Climate Reality live-stream event.

Angry Birds spurs 1M t-shirts and 1M plush toy sales per month for Rovio.

AT&T will use plant-based packaging for accessories as Coca-Cola's PlantBottle arrives on UK shelves.

Bank of America announces 30,000 job cuts.

Boston Globe newspaper puts up online paywall.

British American Tobacco gears up for legal battle vs. the Australian government.

Broadcom bets on web traffic for mobile with $3.7 billion NetLogic deal.

Glenn Beck says his new TV network is "not for slugs."

Google - just another ad company?

Groupon sued by its own employees.Continue reading...

Amazon.com tests "more airy" website redesign, as delivery locker test with 7-Eleven looms.

Apple designer Jonathan Ive enters a new era, as iPhone 5 speculation mounts and brand announces first store in Hong Kong.

Baidu taps Dell for mobile push.

Bank of America shares decline (despite Warren Buffett's $5 billion injection) in tandem with global banks.

BMW tests 1,000 times brighter laser headlights.

Cantor Fitzgerald's post-9/11 recovery is in the spotlight this week.

Carlyle Group files for IPO.

Coca-Cola will invest $4 billion with Chinese bottling partners to spur China sales.Continue reading...

When the Pope visited Britain last year, it was estimated to cost taxpayers around 10 million pounds ($16 million).

So Spain is taking a different tack. The Pope is supposed to visit the country in late August for World Youth Day 2011 and the organizers have sold a number of sponsorships to such companies as Coca-Cola, Telefonica, Santander and Iberia, according to Reuters.

The news agency notes that there are number of priests, who have sworn themselves to poverty, who are not happy about the sponsorship situation.

Reuters notes that 120 priests signed their names to “a rare joint letter” to Archbishop of Madrid Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela to let him know that they objected to the sponsorship deals.Continue reading...

Google is developing a rival (not clone, says CEO Eric Schmidt) to Facebook. One of the parties it's talking to: Playdom, a social games developer that was just bought by Disney for $763 million.

Amazon incorporates Facebook recommendations, while Kindle sees first million bestselling author: Stieg Larsson.

Apple unveils $69 "magic trackpad."

BMW gets wrist slapped in the U.K. for ad claiming "0% emissions."

Continental-United merger receives EU go-ahead to create the world's largest airline.Continue reading...

The good news: BP's latest maneuver in the Gulf got off to a good start. The bad news: its shares are in freefall as takeover speculation increases, the Guardian calls its "future in doubt" and criticizes "clumsy response," and scientists fear spill's long-term effect on food chain and underwater ecosystem. Meanwhile, US late-night comedian Jon Stewart chided President Obama for breaking spill promises.

Steve Jobs said Apple has sold an iPad "every three seconds," envisions a post-PC era and defended his Taiwanese iPhone-maker, among other D8 remarks.

Facebook advertisers have quadrupled since 2009.

P&G's rumored interest in Rubbermaid sends Newell shares soaring.

Toyota rolls out first Lexus campaign in wake of recalls.

World Cup fever is taking over the Web, especially in the UK.Continue reading...